The first night of the 2023 NFL Draft was unpredictable.
The Houston Texans trading up the draft board to make two top-3 picks? Mildly unexpected.
The Atlanta Falcons standing pat at No. 8 to make Bijan Robinson the highest drafted running back since Saquon Barkley? OK, that was a little more of a shocker.
The Detroit Lions, loaded with second-round picks, drafting two talents expected to last until Day 2 in the top 20? Wild!
That action left plenty of presumptive first-round picks like Joey Porter Jr., Brian Branch, Michael Mayer and, of course, Will Levis to linger to the second round. Several fortune-changing talents remain available for the franchises smart enough to gamble on them. Who’ll go where — and what’s our knee-jerk reaction to each pick? Friends, we’ve got you covered below.
Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 2, No. 32): Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
You knew they were going to do it. They had to, right? Joey Porter Sr. is one of the most beloved Steelers of all time. To get his talented son in the fold, for a team that needs an influx of complete (and, ironically, physical) defensive backs, is a western Pennsylvania dream. They had this draft card in yesterday. Now to see if Porter Jr. can live up to his dad’s legacy. — Robert Zeglinski
Grade: A
Tennessee Titans from Arizona Cardinals (33): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Titans just did this, no? Scooping a potential first-round quarterback on Day 2 led Tennessee to Malik Willis last year. Now, they add Levis to the fold despite some real Drew Lock vibes to his draft slide. That said, he managed to improve his efficiency in 2022 despite losing several important pieces and dealing with injury throughout the back half of the season. He’s a low-cost escape plan if the Titans have no choice but to rebuild. — Christian D’Andrea
Grade: B+
Detroit Lions (34): Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
LaPorta is fine and will probably find a way to contribute at the next level, but I really think the Lions overthought this. LaPorta is an average tight end who can’t block and would probably have otherwise been available in the third round, at best. Michael Mayer, while a bit slower, can do everything for your offense. A perplexing Detroit draft continues. What are we doing here, Brad Holmes? — RZ
Grade: C+
Las Vegas Raiders from Indianapolis Colts (35): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Mayer’s stock slid thanks in part to an underwhelming combine, but no lineup of drills or workouts was ever going to encapsulate his impact on the field. The guy finds holes and angles and generally gets. Stuff. Done. Now he gets to be Jimmy Garoppolo’s new George Kittle and the Raiders’ Darren Waller replacement. Those are big shoes to fill, but the Notre Dame star can fill them. — CD
Grade: A-
Los Angeles Rams (36): Steve Avila, G TCU
For the time being, the Rams are still going to try and win with Matthew Stafford. But to do that, they need to replace the turnstiles that were partly responsible for an avalanche of pressures and his injuries in 2022. As a polished three-year starter with great power, Avila is a good start. Step 1 is complete. — RZ
Grade: B+
Seattle Seahawks (37): Derick Hall, DE/LB, Auburn
Hall is a promising young edge rusher but not the highest-regarded DE/OLB left on my board; that’d be Georgia Tech’s Keion White. Still, he fills a position of need in Seattle, whose 20.8 percent pressure rate was middle of the road in 2022. Hall is wide-bodied, accomplished and can contribute right away. That’s a great fit for a team with an opportunity in a revamped NFC West. — CD
Grade: B+
Atlanta Falcons from Las Vegas Raiders (38): Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
Bergeron is a fascinating player to take after a trade-up. A Canadian offensive tackle who will probably convert to guard? I mean, sure, Atlanta needed interior help. But I would’ve gone with someone who was a bit more seasoned and a better pass protector. Initial impressions could be rough. — RZ
Grade: B
Carolina Panthers (39): Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
There’s a thick crop of second-tier wideouts still remaining after the first round, and the Panthers had their pick at No. 39. I’m not convinced Mingo will be the best among them with Jalin Hyatt, Josh Downs and — sure why not? — A.T. Perry still on the board.
Frank Reich can use him as a big, fast, mismatch-creating slot receiver and he should be able to build a quick rapport with Bryce Young. It’s a good pick, but he may not be the best receiver available. — CD
Grade: B-
New Orleans Saints (40): Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
The Saints had to forfeit a first-round pick that turned out to be in the top 10 and rebounded well with two top-40 selections addressing their defense. Pairing Bryan Bresee and Foskey together as a dynamic young duo gives the Saints a lot of fun toys to play with. They’ll especially appreciate Foskey’s ability to close and humble signal callers on relentless rushes. It’s a cliché , but this guy’s motor never stops. (No, it’s not stuck). — RZ
Grade: A
Arizona Cardinals from Tennessee Titans (41): BJ Ojulari, DE, LSU
Arizona was in best player available territory here thanks to its myriad needs. I’m not sure Ojulari was that guy, but he’ll be an inexpensive pass rushing threat with a high floor. That’s vital for a team whose top two sack leaders, J.J. Watt and Zach Allen, each left the team after the 2022 season. — CD
Grade: B
Green Bay Packers (42): Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
The run on tight ends started in the early second round, and the Packers took advantage of a rival’s confusing decision-making by acquiring Musgrave. One of the biggest areas Green Bay had to fill in the early parts of the Jordan Love era was getting him a legitimate security valve.
Enter Musgrave. Rookie tight ends usually struggle at the start, but he’ll be best friends forever with Love in due time. Oh, and it’s a pick from the Aaron Rodgers trade. Ironic. — RZ
Grade: B+
New York Jets (43): Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
You can’t go wrong with a beefy interior lineman from Wisconsin; Tippmann is just the latest version of hardware NFL teams have fallen in love with the past two decades. Here he gets to protect a slowing Aaron Rodgers and, possibly more importantly, clear space for Breece Hall. Tippmann can handle both like a pro — though it’s fair to wonder if Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence might have been a better fit for the Jets. — CD
Grade: A
Indianapolis Colts from Atlanta Falcons (44): Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Brents has all the tools you want out of a modern press corner. His length at 6-foot-3 with 34-inch arms make him a prototypical defender for a zone scheme. This is a guy who can flat out bully receivers at the line of scrimmage and in skirmishes for the ball. The issue is the inconsistency when he actually gets beat. But the Colts can work with Brents there. — RZ
Grade: B
Detroit Lions from Green Bay Packers (45): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Branch is a versatile piece of the secondary who can fill multiple roles. Need a safety? He’s got you. Someone to handle a monster in the slot? Yep. You can even slide him outside and he’ll hold his own. Now, he joins a secondary that’s quietly and efficiently been reworked this spring, pushing the Lions’ division title hopes — their first in more than 30 years — to new heights.
Grade: A
New England Patriots (46): Keion White, DE, Georgia
He’s been at it over for 20 years, so Bill Belichick knows what he likes in a defensive lineman when he sees one. What White lacks in prolific pass rush ability he makes up for as an intelligent, sound prospect with great scheme versatility.
Sound familiar? I’m describing essentially every New England defensive lineman of the Belichick era. In essence, White is another Swiss Army Knife for the Patriots to add into their drawer. — RZ
Grade: B+
Washington Commanders (47): Jartavius Martin, DB, Illinois
Martin was considered a third-round talent and, in my books, was the third-best player in his own secondary. But it turns out Illinois was stacked, and Martin’s athletic profile gives him the potential to be a day-ruiner for the Commanders. Whether that’s at cornerback or safety will depend on how Ron Rivera thinks he can best be deployed. — CD
Grade: B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Green Bay Packers via Detroit Lions (48): Cody Mauch, G, North Dakota State
Mauch, who’s missing his two front teeth and has a glorious mane of red hair, resembles more of someone who plays hockey than football. His “fourth-liner” game is like it, too. The Buccaneers are getting a grimy, tough tackle who does not appreciate defenders that invade his personal bubble. A solid pick at this stage. — RZ
Grade: B
Pittsburgh Steelers (49): Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin
The Steelers had a need along their defensive line. Cam Heyward remains a monster up front, but he turns 34 in a week. Benton isn’t the same kind of player, but he’s proven to be a useful pass rusher (4.5 sacks last season) who can also relieve Montravius Adams of some snaps over center. He can shoot gaps with quickness and make quarterbacks uncomfortable — making this another strong pick for Pittsburgh. — CD
Grade: A-
Green Bay Packers from Tampa Bay Buccaneers (50): Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
While the Packers need weapons for Love, they don’t need to massive reaches to get help. As a “utility” player with inconsistent hands and average speed, Reed would’ve likely been waiting until Day 3 if not for Brian Gutekunst. This is a jump-ball, contested-catch receiver… who is 5-foot-11. — RZ
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins (51): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Smith had first-round buzz coming into 2022 but couldn’t live up to his 2021 numbers and slipped to the Dolphins here. His passer rating rose from 36.5 to 71.3 last season which is… still pretty dang good. He’s a bigger corner who can fill the role Byron Jones vacated due to injury. — CD
Grade: A-
Seattle Seahawks (52): Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Phew. Uh… OK. I take back some of the nice things I’ve already said about the Seahawks in this draft. Charbonnet is a talented three-down back who would be useful to almost any offense, but this casts Kenneth Walker III’s role into question. Historically, the Carroll Seahawks don’t thrive with a back by committee. Someone’s seeing a reduction in touches, and I’m guessing it’s the person (Walker) I think is a better player. — RZ
Grade: C+
Chicago Bears (53): Gervon Dexter Sr., DT, Florida
Dexter only played two years of high school football, so in terms of a still-growing prospect, this is a solid pick. He looks the part of an NFL defensive lineman, and his stellar testing numbers suggest the slow starts that plagued his college tape are a trait that can eventually be erased. But the Bears were in best-player-available territory here — and instead, they picked a guy who might have landed to the third round otherwise. — CD
Grade: B
Los Angeles Chargers (54): Tuli Tuipuloti, DE, USC
Derrick Ansley has been the Chargers’ defensive coordinator for barely two months, and the team is already finding him more pass rushers to add into his rotation. Aw, how nice of them! On the one hand, Tuipulotu is talented enough to play inside or outside and can feature anywhere on the Chargers’ front. On the other, it makes me consider if Los Angeles is preparing for eventual life without Joey Bosa. We’re not exactly talking about a reliable and irreplaceable world-beater. — RZ
Grade: A
Kansas City Chiefs from Detroit Lions via Minnesota Vikings (55): Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Love me some Rashee Rice. The SMU star has struggled with consistency, but when he’s on he can transform a game; he had seven with at least 99 receiving yards last season. Now he joins a Chiefs team in need of a top wideout after losing JuJu Smith-Schuster to free agency. Rice might not be that guy, but he’ll pair with Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore to give Patrick Mahomes some playmaking options. — CD
Grade: A-
Chicago Bears from Jacksonville Jaguars (56): Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
One of the last pieces the Bears needed to finish their defense was a potentially special boundary cornerback. With Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon already manning the other side and the slot, respectively, Stevenson will fill a gaping hole. He’s a plus-player in coverage with stellar make-up speed and is a problem for receivers trying to get free in press-man. Cornerbacks often struggle to be on an island at first, but that probably won’t be an issue for Stevenson. — RZ
Grade: B+
New York Giants (57): John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Drafting Schmitz gives the Giants a proper center and allows Ben Bredeson to slide to a depth role after posting a 59.7 PFF grade last season. He’s also a road grade run blocker, which fits perfectly with the short-pass, run-heavy offense Brian Daboll installed in New York. He’s gonna clear plenty of space for Saquon Barkley. — CD
Grade: A-
Dallas Cowboys (58): Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
That’s one way to replace Dalton Schultz — draft essentially the same exact player in Schoonmaker. Except he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie. And he doesn’t really present a matchup problem. And probably has to be thrown open more often than you ideally want. Please, Mike McCarthy, never change. — RZ
Grade: B
Buffalo Bills (59): O'Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida
Torrence and the Bills have been linked for a while — only that was back at the tail end of the first round. Instead, the Bills bolster their offensive line with a 340-pound mauler who effortlessly made the leap from Louisiana to Florida last season and should be able to handle the jump to the pros effectively. — CD
Grade: A
Cincinnati Bengals (60): DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
Count me surprised the Bengals took a nickel cornerback. Turner is good and smart and athletic enough to handle the responsibilities of a slot defender. But Mike Hilton isn’t old or showing any signs of wear and tear at age 29. He might be the best nickel cornerback in the AFC! I guess it’s always great to have someone in the developmental pipeline, but I would’ve liked to see someone who’s starting Day 1 for a team seeking a Super Bowl. — RZ
Grade: B-
Jacksonville Jaguars from Chicago Bears (61): Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State
Jacksonville has its Evan Engram contingency plan in place, whether that’s for a free agency departure or if he turns back into a pumpkin in 2023. Strange still has a ways to go as a pass catcher after only 70 receptions in four seasons at Penn State. He’ll have an immediate impact as a blocker, but higher upside tight ends like Darnell Washington (pending reports of a possible knee injury) and Tucker Kraft were still available. — CD
Grade: C+
Houston Texans from Philadelphia Eagles (62): Juice Scruggs, G, Penn State
While Scruggs’s name is incredible, he’s going to have to do a lot of background work to improve from backup-caliber to starter. If the Texans, in the midst of a long rebuild, are willing to be patient enough, then they’ll have a road grader in the middle. Current starter Scott Quessenberry better hold up for the time being to maintain Scruggs’ longterm future. He is not ready to have his feet held to the fire. — RZ
Grade: B-
Denver Broncos from Detroit Lions from Kansas City Chiefs (63): Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Oklahoma
Does this mean Jerry Jeudy’s gone? Denver traded up specifically for a wideout despite having Courtland Sutton, Jeudy and whatever remains of K.J. Hamler at wideout. Mims is a very good wideout who excelled in a pro-style offense at Oklahoma. He’s going to be counted on to help fix broken Russell Wilson which, uh, good luck. — CD
Grade: B
Chicago Bears (Round 3, No. 64): Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina
Drafting Pickens means Chicago almost finishes its complete overhaul of a defensive line that was gutted specifically for tanking (wink, wink). — RZ
Grade: B
Philadelphia Eagles from Houston Texans (65): Tyler Steen, G, Alabama
Steen was great at Vanderbilt, then great at Alabama, which probably means he’s great in general. Now he’s Lane Johnson’s probable replacement in Philly. — CD
Grade: A-
Philadelphia Eagles from Arizona Cardinals (66): Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
Howie Roseman is probably amused that he was able to steal a tough corner like Brown at this point in the draft. — RZ
Grade: A-
Denver Broncos (67): Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Sanders had minor first-round buzz, but now looks like a humongous bargain for the Broncos. He’s raw, but a strong athlete and accomplished blitzer (9.5 sacks in 2022). — CD
Grade: A+
Detroit Lions from Denver Broncos (68): Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
When you can get a quarterback of the future behind Jared Goff, you simply have to ensure he’s only three years younger with a low ceiling. — RZ
Grade: C
Houston Texans from Los Angeles Rams (69): Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
Dell just gets work done; 199 catches, 2,727 yards and 27 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Houston (27 games). The Texans needed targets and got a prolific one here. — CD
Grade: A
Las Vegas Raiders (70): Byron Young, DT, Alabama
Another raw edge defender with promise, and another prospect for the Raiders to take their time with on defense. —RZ
Grade: B+
New Orleans Saints (71): Kendre Miller, TB, TCU
Getting a running back was the right move for the Saints. Was Miller the best option with Israel Abanikanda and Tyjae Spears still on the board? — CD
Grade: C+
Arizona Cardinals from Tennessee Titans (72): Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
Williams projects as a disciplined plus starter, but he’ll have to recover well from a recent ACL tear before Arizona can trust him against dynamic receivers. — RZ
Grade: B-
New York Giants from Los Angeles Rams from Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans (73): Jalen Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Whoooooaaaa. New York needed wideout talent and got a guy with first-round potential in the third. Hyatt had 15 touchdowns in 12 games last season. — CD
Grade: A+
Cleveland Browns from New York Jets (74): Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
Injuries plagued Tillman’s final amateur season, but I’ve seen enough of a big-bodied possession guy in the past to make me think he’ll dunk on defenders for the Browns. — RZ
Grade: B+
Atlanta Falcons (75): Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
The Falcons didn’t draft an edge rusher at No. 8 but still found a good one here in Harrison, who had eight sacks last season for the Buckeyes. — CD
Grade: A-
New England Patriots (76): Marte Mapu, LB, Sacramento State
The Patriots have an affinity for scheme versatile players with quality instincts, but I don’t quite understand Mapu’s fit as a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. — RZ
Grade: C-
Los Angeles Rams (77): Byron Young, LB/DE, Tennessee
The other Byron Young is a bit more raw but still had seven sacks last season and will have the opportuity to start immediately for a Rams team whose defense is currently a mess. — CD
Grade: B+
Green Bay Packers (78): Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
Tucker’s third-round draft positioning suggests he’s going to get a lot of playing time alongside Luke Musgrave. The Packers know there’s only one ball, right? — RZ
Grade: B
Indianapolis Colts from Washington Commanders (79): Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Downs, like Hyatt, had first round hype. Now he’s got the chance to pair with Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce to speed along Anthony Richardson’s development. — CD
Grade: A-
Carolina Panthers from Pittsburgh Steelers (80): D.J. Johnson, LB, Oregon
Johnson tested well at the combine and has the athletic chops to thrive. But, for now, he’s a ball of clay with no definitive shape. I suppose the Panthers can wait. — RZ
Grade: C+
Tennessee Titans from Arizona Cardinals (81): Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Spears was the darling of draftniks across the landscape, averaged 6.8 yards per carry at Tulane and now is set up as Derrick Henry’s heir apparent in Nashville. — CD
Grade: A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (82): YaYa Diaby, DE, Louisville
Diaby doesn’t have much in terms of a diverse pass-rushing repertoire, but he’s forceful and fast at the point of attack. Tampa Bay is a great landing spot for him to “buy” some more pass-rush tools. — RZ
Grade: A
Denver Broncos from Seattle Seahawks (83): Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
Moss is a capable defensive back from a dominant Iowa defense. Now he’ll have a chance to break into the starting lineup alongside Pat Surtain II in Denver. — CD
Grade: B
Miami Dolphins (84): Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
PHEW. Achane was one of college football’s more underrated, multifaceted playmakers and now a genius like Mike McDaniel gets to scheme up plays for him in South Beach. — RZ
Grade: A
Los Angeles Chargers (85): Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
2023 has been weird for off-ball linebackers. Jack Campbell went in the first, Trenton Simpson and Drew Sanders languished into Day 2 and now the Chargers get a guy comfortably on the second tier here at No. 85. His coverage chops will be an asset in Los Angeles. — CD
Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens (86): Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The Ravens already had Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen at linebacker, but they could’ve used a “Jack” like Simpson. He brings polish and an awesome downhill nose for the ball that fits Baltimore perfectly. — RZ
Grade: B+
