NFL Draft Grades 2023: Rounding Up Top Experts' Scores for Each Team
Two days of the 2023 NFL draft have given analysts and fans plenty of things to dissect and break down.
From the Houston Texans' aggressive move to ensure they picked second and third to get potential cornerstones on offense and defense to the precipitous fall of Will Levis out of the first round, there were memorable surprises on Day 1.
That was followed up by a run on tight ends on Day 2 that will be interesting to look back on. Michael Mayer, who was ranked fifth overall on the final Bleacher Report big board, ended up being the fourth tight end taken.
Top draft experts across the industry weighed in with their grades on all the selections. While you can't fully get a picture of how good a draft class is for a few years, you can certainly make a judgement based on perceived value and how well teams are going about building their roster.
Here's a roundup of those grades and what the experts are saying.
Arizona Cardinals: A on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Atlanta Falcons: A- on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Baltimore Ravens: A on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Buffalo Bills: A- on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Carolina Panthers: A on Day 1; C+ on Day 2.
Chicago Bears: A on Day 1; B on Day 2.
Cincinnati Bengals: A on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Cleveland Browns: C- on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Dallas Cowboys: B on Day 1; A- on Day 2.
Denver Broncos: B on Day 1; B+ on Day 2.
Detroit Lions: C- on Day 1; B+ on Day 2.
Green Bay Packers: A on Day 1; B on Day 2.
Houston Texans: B+ on Day 1, B on Day 2.
Indianapolis Colts: A on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Jacksonville Jaguars: A on Day 1; B- on Day 2.
Kansas City Chiefs: B- on Day 1; A- on Day 2.
Las Vegas Raiders: A- on Day 1; B on Day 2.
Los Angeles Chargers: C+ on Day 1; B+ on Day 2.
Los Angeles Rams: A on Day 1; B on Day 2.
Miami Dolphins: C- on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Minnesota Vikings: A on Day 1; B+ on Day 2.
New England Patriots: A on Day 1; A- on Day 2.
New Orleans Saints: B- on Day 1; A- on Day 2.
New York Giants: B+ on Day 1; A on Day 2.
New York Jets: C+ on Day 1; A- on Day 2.
Philadelphia Eagles: A- on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A on Day 1; A on Day 2.
San Francisco: C+ on Day 1; B- on Day 2.
Seattle Seahawks: A+ on Day 1; C+ on Day 2.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A on Day 1; A on Day 2.
Tennessee Titans: A on Day 1; A- on Day 2.
Washington Commanders: B on Day 1; B on Day 2.
Reuter provided grades for each team on Day 1 and Day 2, creating some interesting takes on teams that had one good day and one bad day.
One of the more pronounced differences in grades were his marks for the Seattle Seahawks from Day 1 to Day 2. They received the rare "A+" mark for grabbing Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to pair with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett with the 20th selection after taking Devon Witherspoon with the fifth pick.
It's easy to like those picks. Witherspoon could form a dominant duo with Tariq Woolen, and Smith-Njigba gives them an elite slot option to fill out a lethal trio for Geno Smith.
However, he didn't like the decision to take Auburn edge Derick Hall over BJ Ojulari with the 37th pick or see the value in selecting Zach Charbonnet with No. 52.
"We'll see if he (Hall) has a better career than BJ Olujari, who was also available. Charbonnet is a powerful runner worthy of a second-round pick, but it seemed odd to pick him after selecting Kenneth Walker III a year ago," he wrote.
The Lions received his lowest grade in the first round after taking Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th pick and Jack Campbell with the 18th pick. In today's game, it's certainly unconventional to target a running back and an off-ball linebacker with premium picks.
Sobleski provided grades and analysis for every pick in Round 1 and Day 2. Here are some of his most notable marks:
Texans: A+ for Alabama Edge Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3
This was the only pick that earned an A+ from Sobleski's view in the first round. The Texans aggressive move to trade up from No. 12 to No. 3 after using the second pick on C.J. Stroud was aggressive, but Sobleski gave them kudos for taking the big swing.
The Texans gave up No. 12 and No. 33 in this draft as well as a first- and a third-round pick in 2024 to get back to No. 3.
"DeMeco Ryans made a massive statement that the Texans are no longer rebuilding," Sobleski argued. "They're here to compete for the AFC South. A better start can't be imagined after landing the class' QB1 and No. 1 overall prospect."
Commanders: F for Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16
This was the only F that Sobleski handed out in the first round. While Washington definitely needed to grab a cornerback, this selection was still one of the most surprising of the first 31 picks.
Sobleski specifically dinged the Commanders for taking Forbes because of his thin frame. He's 6'1" and weighed in at just 166 pounds at the NFL combine. He did have great ball production as a Bulldog with 14 interceptions across three seasons in Starkville.
However, with Joey Porter Jr. and Christian Gonzalez on the board, this was a bit of a stunner.
Steelers: A+ for Penn State Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. at No. 32 and Georgia TE Darnell Washington at No. 93
Sobleski only gave out three "A+" grades in Rounds 2 and 3, and the Steelers had two of them. The Raiders got the other with their selection of tight end Michael Mayer at No. 35.
As good as that pick is for the Raiders, the Washington pick is even more impressive because he could develop into a better player than Mayer. Sobleski outlined how the massive Washington fits into Pittsburgh's plans:
"The Pittsburgh Steelers are crushing this year's draft, Washington included. He can serve as a bone-rattling blocker and provide second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett with yet another massive target over the middle of the field."
The Porter Jr. pick received praise because he was seen as a first-round pick who fell to the second round, and he addresses a need for the Steelers. It doesn't hurt that his father played for the Steelers for eight seasons.
Scott Dochterman put grades together for every pick on Day 1 and Day 2 for The Athletic. Here are some of the notable grades:
Bears: D- for Tennessee OT Darnell Wright at No. 10
The Chicago Bears pulled one of the most notable surprises in the first round when they elected to take Darnell Wright with the final selection in the top 10. The right tackle ended up going before Broderick Jones and Peter Skoronski. Each were rated higher on B/R big board.
However, Dochterman seemed to have the biggest problem with the Bears passing on defensive line in this spot.
"GM Ryan Poles was a former offensive lineman and has tried to rebuild his roster on the O-line first. And Wright will help, but the Bears have nothing on the defensive line. Absolutely nothing," he noted.
The Bears did add defensive tackles Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens on Day 2.
Lions: A+ for Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker at No. 68
The Lions are going to receive plenty of criticism for taking Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell when they did, but Dochterman loved the Lions grabbing Hendon Hooker at No. 68.
"Perhaps the Lions' first-round picks were considered reaches," he wrote. "But in the third round, the Lions picked their potential quarterback of the future and afforded him the opportunity to redshirt while rehabbing from a torn ACL. Can you say win-win-win?"
From a timing standpoint, he's spot on. Hooker could use a year to adapt to an NFL system. The quick passing game that he ran at Tennessee is not a direct translation to the complexities of an NFL passing game.
However, Hooker is 25 years old already, so he'll be 29 by the time his rookie contract is over.
Colts: C for Florida QB Anthony Richardson at No. 4
Dochterman was not as excited about the Colts' decision to take Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall selection.
The Athletic writer noted Richardson's immense athletic tools and splash plays on film, but he has concerns.
"For every 'wow' play there was a 'whoa' moment," Dochterman asserted. "GMs and coaches get fired when potential doesn't produce, and Richardson is the riskiest first-round quarterback in draft history."
Richardson was only the full-time starter at Florida for a year, so his sample size is fairly limited, and the numbers aren't good. He only completed 53.8 percent of his passes last season, but there are plenty of examples on film of poor spacing and drops from receivers that would have helped those numbers look better.
The Florida quarterback is sure to be one of the most discussed prospects in the class for years to come. Count Dochterman as one of those who is dubious that this move works out for the Colts.
