NFL Draft 2023 Live Grades: Analysis of Every Team’s Picks

The 2023 NFL draft delivered plenty of memorable moments, with three quarterbacks taken within the first four picks and then two running backs drafted inside the top 12.

Of course, the MMQB crew had plenty to say about those notable draft picks, from quarterback Anthony Richardson landing in Indianapolis at No. 4 to Detroit possibly reaching for running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12.

The running backs made a comeback, but the quarterbacks again dominated the draft, with 11 being taken through the first 150 picks, an NFL record. Quarterback Bryce Young went first to the Panthers, thanks to the trade they made with the Bears in March to move up from No. 9.

Panthers coach Frank Reich was still smiling about the Young pick during his interview Saturday afternoon with NFL Network after his team wrapped up the draft.

We graded every pick of the first round, and then every pick on Day 2, and now it’s time to analyze each team’s full class.

Note: Teams are in order ranked from best grades to worst. New teams will be added as they make their final selections.

Carolina Panthers

Grade: A

• Round 1: No. 1 (from Chicago): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
• Round 2: No. 39: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
• Round 3: No. 80 (from Pittsburgh): DJ Johnson, DE, Oregon
• Round 4: No. 114: Chandler Zavala, OG, NC State
• Round 5: No. 145: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State

Analysis: The Panthers received an A the second they submitted their draft card with Young’s name on it. Carolina has its franchise quarterback and the team didn’t waste time providing him with help. Mingo could develop into a quality downfield threat because of his sizable catch radius and sturdy hands. Some viewed Mingo as a reach pick, but his skillset will fit with wideouts DJ Chark and Adam Thielen. Johnson is long and explosive, similar to his new teammate Brian Burns. Robinson could help at safety with Jeremy Chinn possibly moving to linebacker. — G.M.

Baltimore Ravens

Grade: B+

• Round 1, No. 23: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
• Round 3, No. 86: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
• Round 4: No. 124: Tavius Robinson, DE, Ole Miss
• Round 5: No. 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
• Round 6: No. 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT, Oregon

Analysis: The Ravens had another good draft. What else is new? Baltimore signed quarterback Lamar Jackson to a five-year extension before the draft began, and then gave him a new weapon in Flowers. A four-year contributor with Boston College, Flowers should step in and form a nice trio with veterans Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman. Baltimore also did a nice job to land Simpson in the second round, who should provide a nice rotational piece alongside Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen at the second level. Kelly is also a sleeper in the fourth, a Senior Bowl standout who could eventually replace Marcus Peters, who is currently a free agent. — M.V.

Minnesota Vikings

Grade: B

• Round 1: No. 24: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
• Round 3: No. 102 (from San Francisco’s compensatory selection): Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC
• Round 4: No. 134 (from Kansas City): Jay Ward, S, LSU
• Round 5: No. 141 (from Las Vegas): Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
• Round 5: No. 164 (from San Francisco): Jaren Hall, QB, BYU

Analysis: To start the draft, the Vikings passed on adding a future replacement for Kirk Cousins and found help for Justin Jefferson. Addison has the speed to be a downfield threat, but he can also help in the intermediate game because of his smooth route running. Addison has the skillset to punish teams that decide to double Jefferson. Blackmon is a competitive cornerback, and one who pushed Addison during USC practices. After a disastrous season defending the pass, Minnesota suddenly has an intriguing secondary with Blackmon, Ward and free-agent addition Byron Murphy Jr. Later in the draft, Minnesota found Hall to be Cousins’s backup, and maybe as a potential replacement. — G.M.

New Orleans Saints

Grade: B

• Round 1: No. 29 (from San Francisco, Miami and Denver): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
• Round 2: No. 40: Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
• Round 3: No. 71: Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
• Round 4: No. 103 (from Chicago), Nick Saldiveri, OT, Old Dominion
• Round 4: No. 127 (from Jacksonville), Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State
• Round 5: No. 146 (from Pittsburgh and Denver), Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota
• Round 6: No. 195: A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest

Analysis: It’s no surprise that the Saints prioritized defensive linemen in the draft after losing a few starters to free agency. If Bresee can stay healthy, he’ll make an impact as a starting rookie because he was a disruptor for Clemson. The win-now Saints reached in selecting Foskey, who has an intriguing skillset but will need time to improve against the run. New Orleans had the option of drafting edge rusher Keion White, a more polished prospect. For an intriguing pick, the Saints selected Haener to play behind Derek Carr and Jameis Winston. Perhaps New Orleans sees starting potential for the Fresno State product. — G.M.

Arizona Cardinals

Grade: B-

• Round 1: No. 6 (from L.A. Rams and Detroit): Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
• Round 2: No. 41 (from Tennessee): BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU
• Round 3: No. 72 (from Tennessee): Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
• Round 3: No. 94 (from Philadelphia): Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
• Round 4: No. 122 (from Miami, Kansas City, Detroit): Jon Gaines II, OG, UCLA
• Round 5: No. 139 (from Denver and Detroit): Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
• Round 5: No. 168 (from Detroit’s compensatory selection): Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn
• Round 6: No. 180: Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville
• Round 6: No. 213: Dante Stills, DT, West Virginia

Analysis: The Cardinals started well by trading out of No. 3 and acquiring an extra first-round pick for 2024. But Arizona got antsy and traded back into the top 10 to select Johnson, the first tackle off the board. With so many needs, Arizona would have been better off selecting Darnell Wright or Broderick Jones at No. 12 while also retaining the second-round pick it relinquished to Detroit for Johnson. Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon will benefit from the arrivals of Ojulari and Williams to help a defense that struggled last season. Taking Wilson in the third round was a gamble because of his injury history. — G.M.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Grade: C+

• Round 1: No. 19: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
• Round 2: No. 48 (from Detroit and Green Bay): Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
• Round 3: No. 82: Yaya Diaby, DE, Louisville
• Round 5: No. 153: SirVocea Dennis, LB, Pittsburgh
• Round 5: No. 171 (from L.A. Rams’ compensatory selection): Payne Durham, TE, Purdue
• Round 6: No. 181 (from Indianapolis): Josh Hayes, CB, Kansas State
• Round 6: No. 191 (from Green Bay): Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
• Round 6: No. 196: Jose Ramirez, DE, Eastern Michigan

Analysis: Tampa Bay started by adding Kancey, an athletic playmaker who can pair with Vita Vea in the middle of the defensive line. However, he lacks ideal size and strength for the position. The Buccaneers had the option of drafting offensive tackle Anton Harrison, and probably should have prioritized the offensive line in the first round. Mauch, however, offers versatility because he plays tackle and guard. Perhaps Diaby is a value pick because some viewed the athletic edge rusher as a second-round prospect. — G.M.