Draft Recap
Analysing the Best and Worst of the 2023 NFL Draft
By Conor O'Connell |
Video covering my thoughts on the 2023 NFL Draft. Done in the style of a YouTube sports journalist. Opinions are backed up by analytics, while comedy is a major focus.
QB’s and Where they Went
Bryce Young - #1 Panthers
The Panthers grabbed the former Heisman winner after trading up to number one earlier in the offseason. There was no surprise that it would be Young as he became the heavy favourite amongst the sportsbooks in the week leading up to the draft.
He has everything you want in a franchise quarterback, except he’s 5”10, and unlike Kyler Murray who was taken number 1 in 2019, he’s significantly lighter and a lot less athletic.
CJ Stroud - #2 Texans
A player who’s been thrown around like an Amazon delivery box in the lead-up to the NFL draft.
Once the favourite to go first overall, Stroud saw his draft stock plummet following the release of a poor S2 score (cognitive test). So it was perhaps a shock to see him get taken as high as number 2 in the end.
But from the outset, Stroud is a prototypical QB. 6”3, 220lbs. His arm blew everyone away during the combine, and he had, perhaps, the best performance of any prospect in Ohio State's semi final loss to Georgia.
Anthony Richardson - #4 Colts
He who blew up the combine. Richardson’s profile would have made him the most athletic wide receiver at the combine, let alone quarterback.
High-risk, high reward pick for the Colts. If Richardson fulfills his potential, he’ll be one of the best QB’s in the league. But. he also only had one season as a starter in college, a season rife with accuracy issues.
He’s an incredible athlete, which will give him a high floor in the NFL, but his actual quarterback play will need to be improved.
Will Levis - #34
Considering he was a lock to be taken in the top 10, it was perhaps unthinkable that Levis could fall all the way out of the first round.
Despite looking like a superhero, teams were weary of Levis in regards to a lackluster 2022 season.
On top of that, rumors of his ‘eccentric’ personality probably didn’t help. I’m not sure if putting Mayo into coffee or eating banana skins should scare off NFL teams, but they would scare off me.
CJ Stroud
Image Credit: David Eulitt, USA Today
Surprise Picks
Texans Trading up for Will Anderson
Following the surprise pick of CJ Stroud, the Texans weren’t done, as on the very next pick, they traded the farm to move up to select defensive end Will Anderson.
Anderson was considered the best pass rusher in this class, but he wasn’t considered a generational prospect at his position. So giving up two first round picks, and a 2nd round pick is a lot, considering the talent left on the board.
Even with the two high caliber picks, the Texans still have a poor roster. The 2024 first round pick that they gave away is likely to be very valuable, piling the pressure onto Anderson.
Jalen Carter Falling
In what was the least surprising thing that happened all draft, the Philadelphia Eagles had the best player just fall into their laps. Selecting Jalen Carter with the number 9 pick.
It’s no wonder that the Eagles always field a competitive roster. Year after year, other teams skip out on the best players in the draft, and let the Eagles gather them all up. It even happened later on in the first round with Nolan Smith who was considered a top 15 pick, yet the Eagles scooped him up at number 30.
Shame on the other teams. Shame.
Running Backs Going High
In contrast to how they’ve been treated in recent years, two running backs managed to go in the top 15, the highest that two in that position have gone since 2017.
Bijan Robinson got taken at 8 by the Atlanta Falcons and Jamhyr Gibbs at 12 by the Detroit Lions. Both teams laughed in the face of positional value.
Does this indicate a switch in NFL thinking concerning running backs? Or have these two teams made poor decisions? Considering the teams involved. Probably the latter.
Receivers Falling
It’s the year 2023, and two running backs have been taken before the first wide receiver has been drafted. Analytics nerds have faded into the unknown. Football meatheads rule over us now. Run. The. Ball. Pound the rock.
But seriously, this was a shock, considering how successful drafting wide receivers has become over the past few seasons.
Teams just need to draft more receivers, even if you already have a strong receiving core. Don’t be afraid to make your strengths stronger.
Will Anderson Jnr.
Image Credit: Thomas Shea, USA Today
Teams that took Positions of Value
Minnesota Vikings
First 3 picks = WR, DB, DB
GM comes from a background in finance.
Los Angeles Rams
First 4 picks = OG, DE, DT, QB
Rams are rebuilding so they’re establishing a foundation.
Kansas City Chiefs
First 4 picks = DE, WR, OT, DB
The Chiefs just won a superbowl and they’re still taking players at valuable positions.
Positional Tier Inforgraphic
Teams that didn’t
Detroit Lions
First 3 picks = RB, LB, TE
The lions feel ready to compete this year, so they thought taking luxury picks could help them.
Atlanta Falcons
First 3 picks = RB, OG, DE
Found value in the latter rounds, but taking a running back in the top 10 is bad process, no matter how good he is.
Jacksonville Jaguars
First 4 picks = OT, TE, RB, LB
Again, like the Lions, they’re probably thinking that they can compete this year, so they filled out their roster instead of focusing on valuable positions.
Buffalo Bills
First 4 picks = TE, OG, LB, WR
You could argue that their first round tight end, Dalton Kincaid, will be closer to a wide receiver than a true tight end. However taking him in the first is a risk, when historically, first-round tight end’s are rarely game-changers.
Brad Holmes. The man behind the Lions picks. Image Credit: Kirthmoon Dozier, Detroit Free Press