The 2023 NFL Draft graced all 32 teams with a crop of new players coaches hope to mold into a championship foundation. For some, this included hauls of multiple first round picks, touted prospects and rookie classes flush with players to compete for starting roles. Others sat idly by with a meager war chest thanks to trades that landed veteran talent in previous months. The Los Angeles Rams somehow straddled both camps, taking 14 players — but only one before the 77th pick.
On Sunday, we ran down each team’s draft hauls and ranked them based on talent, draft value and fit. Today we’re spreading sunshine over the entire affair in hopes of singling out the best fits of acclaimed classes and the silver linings on their more criticized peers. What’s the best thing about every franchise’s 2023 draft picks?
Let’s run down the list in alphabetical order.
Arizona Cardinals: They've got the Texans' 2023 first and third round picks
Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier is, hooo buddy, a lot
If you’re going all-in on a run first offense and don’t care who knows it, why bother engaging in a debate about running back value at the draft? Instead, you can pair the best college tailback since Saquon Barkley with a guy who ran for 711 yards and 5.6 yards per carry over the back half of his rookie season. Arthur Smith is telling the world exactly what he plans to do and is daring the rest of the NFC South to stop him.
Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers is a rising tide for Lamar Jackson's receiving corps
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen got the help he needs
Carolina Panthers: The era of relying on retread quarterbacks is over
Chicago Bears: Justin Fields got help (and you've got the Panthers' first two picks next year)
Also coming back in that trade? Future first and second round picks from a team slated to start a rookie quarterback in 2023.
Cincinnati Bengals: Plug-and-play rookies can keep the defense flying
Cleveland Browns: Great value at almost every pick
Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, Isaiah McGuire and Siaki Ika bring reinforcements on both sides of the line. Cedric Tillman can punch up a listless receiving corps (he already may be the team’s WR2). And Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a worthwhile developmental quarterback in case Watson, who ranked 32nd out of 37 qualified quarterbacks in expected points added (EPA) per play, continues to struggle.
Dallas Cowboys: An unsexy draft was just what Dallas needed
Denver Broncos: Accomplished playmakers can keep the defense strong enough to overcome more Russell Wilson brain farts
Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell are actually great
But Gibbs is a monster who explodes through holes and brings high value in the passing game in a way D’Andre Swift couldn’t (at least consistently). Campbell was 2022’s best college linebacker and showcased NFL athleticism at the combine. They’ll both slide into starting roles next fall for the presumptive NFC North favorites. The value may have been questionable, but the talent is not.
Green Bay Packers Jordan Love has (a bunch of young) targets to throw to
Houston Texans: Cashing in draft chips landed 2023's top two prospects
Indianapolis Colts: This is the NFL's best draft class
Absurd athletes dotted the middle rounds of the draft and give new head coach Shane Steichen incredible flexibility as he oversees a rebuild. The Colts finally bottomed out to get out of no-man’s land in the NFL rankings. Their draft went as well as anyone could have hoped.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Building depth was a prudent, if unexciting play
Kansas City Chiefs: Brett Veach stuck to his plan, and he's earned the benefit of the doubt
Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson and Michael Mayer were both bargains who fill positions of need
Los Angeles Chargers: My god this team's gonna be fun
Los Angeles Rams: Wow, that's a lot of players
14 draft picks! At least a few of them are going to be good. A bunch will wind up in significant roles, especially for a defense that only returns two full-time starters. And Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson might be the steal of the draft!
Miami Dolphins: Cam Smith and Devon Achane are the best of a bad situation
Minnesota Vikings: Common sense picks for a team stuck with Kirk Cousins
Jordan Addison comes in for Adam Thielen. Mekhi Blackmon takes a crack at upgrading a deficient cornerback room. Jay Ward gets the chance to learn from Harrison Smith. That’s all enough to keep the Vikings in playoff contention next fall.
New England Patriots: CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ
New Orleans Saints: Immediate contributors can help win the NFC South
New York Giants: An absolutely gorgeous draft
New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers got some protection
Philadelphia Eagles: A neverending supply of Philadelphia Bulldogs jokes
Pittsburgh Steelers: Strong value exactly where they needed it
San Francisco 49ers: This year's draft was house money and you've got a general manager who turns that into profit
San Francisco’s premier picks were shipped out in deals for Trey Lance and Christian McCaffrey, but a seven-selection compensatory pick haul kept GM John Lynch busy from pick 99 onward. Lynch has been exceptional turning Day 3 picks into contributors; now he’s got a crop of six new players taken in the fifth round or later to turn into unexpected stars.
Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith has an embarrassment of playmaking riches
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: High potential trench monsters can propel this rebuild forward
Tennessee Titans: Will Levis might be the guy
Washington Commanders: This defense might be enough to make you forget about the quarterback
