2023 NFL Draft first round numbers, tracker: Falcons, Lions each get a ‘D’ for selecting running backs

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By Webdesk



The 2023 NFL Draft is underway and every pick will be praised or scrutinized and I’m here to do both. Want to know what I think of every pick made Thursday in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft? You’ll find it all below. You can also follow the rest of the draft on Days 2 and 3 for more numbers and more analysis from CBS Sports NFL Draft writer Chris Trapasso.

Be sure to refresh this page all weekend to get the latest numbers. If you want to do all that plus track the best available prospects and access every pick in the draft on one page, you can do it in our draft tracker. And follow every choice in our live blog and all transactions in our trade tracker.

qualities: Round 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7

1. Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Grade B-

He’s the best pure passer in this draft, but I’m concerned about his size. It’s a strange move to move up and take such a little boy by giving up so much for it. But he’s got talent, if he keeps it up. He’s an outlier like we’ve never seen.

2. Texans: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Grade B

They had to take the shot at the quarterback, so it’s a smart thing to do. I would have taken Will Levis, but I get it. Stroud has the ability to become a good starting quarterback.

3. Texans: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama

Grade B-

They gave up a ton to get him. He better be Von Miller. I don’t think he is. He is a good player, but is he dynamic? No. He doesn’t seem to fit well into their schedule.

4. Foals: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Grade B

This should have been Will Levis. I like Richardson, but he’ll need time. His ceiling is great, but the Colts have to be patient with him. This is a boom or bust choice.

5. Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Grade B-

He’s a good player, but he’s a little corner kicker who throws his body around. Will he last? Seattle usually likes higher angles, which makes this a bit of a surprise.

6. Cardinals: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

Grade B

He’s the best tackle in the class, but is he elite? And where do they play it? They have left tackle in DJ Humphries, so maybe he’s playing right tackle or inside at guard. Good player.

7. Raiders: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Class A

Love this pick, one of the best of the day. if Wilson’s injured foot checks out, which is certainly the case for the Raiders, he’ll be a major end in their defense to go with Maxx Crosby for a long time. It has all the features you look for in an edge rusher.

8. Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Grade: D

This is much too high for a defender, even though he is a very good player. Backs don’t decide Super Bowls. I know Arthur Smith likes backs, but this is a deep draft of backs and history is not kind to moves like this. I don’t like it because of the position value. Good player, bad position.

9. Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Quality: A+

The Eagles move up one spot and give up little to get a man who I think is the best player in this draft. Yes, he has some problems off the field, but this is a great place for him. Howie Roseman wins again.

10. Bears: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Grade: B+

He is a violent player who fills a great need for a good tackle. They need to protect better in front of Justin Fields and he will help with that. Wright shut down Will Anderson, which was impressive to watch.

11. Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwest

Grade B

The Titans need a lot of help in their line of attack. Skoronski is a physical, tough kid who will help up front. He’s a Mike Vrabel type player. He played tackle in college, but I think he could end up as an All-Pro guard.

12. Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

Grade: D

Yes, he’s an airback. Yes, he can do many things. Then again, why bring him here when there’s a guy like corner Christian Gonzalez on the board? He’s good, but he’s a back. In any case, it was not a top-10 choice.

13. Packers: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

Grade B-

This is a player with a lot of potential, but he couldn’t play against it in Iowa. He is an effort player who has the tools to get better at the next level. Some think he will be like JJ Watt from that standpoint, better in the NFL. Time will tell.

14. Steelers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

Grade: B+

He is a tall, athletic tackle who will get bigger and stronger at the next level. He can move for a man his size. The Steelers needed to upgrade their tackle spot, so this move to get up made sense. Jones has perhaps the most advantage of any offensive lineman in this class.

15. Jets: Will McDonald, LB, Iowa State

Grade: C+

I’m not sure about this choice for this team. This is a bit high for my taste and they had some more pressing needs. Is he a game changer? I doubt it. Good player, not worth this choice.

16. Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, State of Mississippi

Class A

I love this child. He has a good height, but he is skinny at 170 pounds. Still, he will throw his body around. But you draft him because he’s an elite cover player who fills an immediate need. He is going to upgrade an already good defense.

17. Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Class A

I had it ranked as the top corner in this design. I think it’s great that he’s fallen this far. The Patriots were traded and still filled a great need. Good job.

18. Lions: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

Quality: A+

I love this choice for the Lions. This boy will be special. He’s big, can run and will get better as a cover player as he gets used to the NFL game. He is one of my favorite players in this draft.

19. Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

Grade B

They need help inside and Kancey has the tools to be an up-the-field, attacking defensive tackle. But he’s not big and he can get overwhelmed to the point. But he has Vita Vea by his side for that, so I get it.

20. Sea Hawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Grade B

The Seahawks needed help at the reception site and they get a man some consider top of the class. I don’t, but he’s a good player. He will help Geno Smith a lot with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

21. Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Rank: C

They needed a young receiver, but I think Jordan Addison would have been a better choice. Johnson is a great receiver, but he sometimes has trouble catching the football. I’m given the choice with Justin Herbert and the age is creeping in, but I think there were better options and maybe better positions to take.

22. Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Grade B

They needed a young receiver for their new offense under Todd Monken. I like Jordan Addison more, but this is a good move. Flowers is a really good player who was hurt by bad quarterback play at Boston College.

23. Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Class A

He is my favorite receiver in this class. He’ll be a perfect complement to Justin Jefferson, he’s a great trail runner. Needs to get a little bigger as it weighs 175 lbs but it will.

24. Giants: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

Grade: B+

He is an impressive man-cover player who fits perfectly in Wink Martindale’s defense. Banks is a stubborn player who gave his best against good players. I like this choice.

25. Bills: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Rank: C

This is an odd choice considering they have Dawson Knox and a few more pressing needs. Kincaid is a good player but the position isn’t right and they traded to get him.

26. Cowboys: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

Class A

Smith is another one of my favorite players. He’s a powerful player who can hold up against the run, but I think he’ll be a better pass rusher than people expect. He just needs to control his weight.

27. Jaguars: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

Grade: B+

They traded and still landed a tackle they probably would have taken at number 24. That’s a good lineup. Harrison can come in and play left or right tackle depending on where they are playing.

28. Bengal: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

Grade B

It’s great value to get Murphy in this place. If they want to win a Super Bowl, they have to beat the great quarterbacks in the AFC. That means pressure. Murphy joins a good group and gives them fresh legs.

29. Saints: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Grade: B+

This is a need choice. They suffered some hits on defense gear in free agency, so they had to get help. Bresee had injuries and other things that held him back at Clemson, but he has tremendous talent. That will show up on the next level.

30. Eagles: Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia

Grade B

He is a small edge player that will have to be used situationally by the Eagles. He has speed and quickness, but he has to arrive. He can be used in that role with the Eagles.

31. Chefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State

Grade: C+

He fills a position of emergency on the edge, but I didn’t like his tape. He was out of place at Kansas State, playing more inside than on the edge. But I’m not sure he’s a dynamic edge player.





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