2023 NFL Draft Round 1 Grades (Picks 1-15)

What a crazy first round of the NFL draft. In celebration, in this analysis jayport will be grading the first 15 picks of the first round. Feel free to let me know what you think of my analysis in the comments section below. In the next couple of days jayport will be pushing out a ton of new draft content and analysis so stay tuned.

Note: The grades given are for the quality of the teams draft overall (including trades & selections) not just for the selection of the player itself.

1) Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young (QB) = A-

Good pick for the Panthers. I still would’ve favored Stroud with the first overall pick, but you really can’t go wrong with either prospect - both are great talents.

2) Houston Texans: CJ Stroud (QB) = A+

I think that Stroud is the best pure passer in the draft. The Texans have to be ecstatic to land him with the 2nd overall pick.

3) Houston Texans: Will Anderson Jr. (Edge) = B

Initially when looking at this pick I was thrilled for the Texans. They just landed arguably the best defensive player in the draft. However, when I learned about the details of the trade (the Texans sent 2 firsts and a second to the Cardinals) I think this might have been a little bit of an overpay for the player. Don’t get me wrong, Anderson has the look of a generational talent but the Texans gave up way too much draft capital for an early-stage rebuilding team.

4) Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson (QB) = A-

I really like this pick for the Colts and it seemed as if they were going to go this direction the entire time. Richardson reminds me of Hurts in so many different ways. If Shane Stichen can find a way to develop him into an NFL stud, he’s gonna take the NFL by storm.

5) Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon (CB) = A

Too early for Witherspoon? For some, yes, but for me, I really like this pick for whatever reason. Maybe it's because it brings back memories of the Sauce Gardner pick a year ago and how he turned into an absolute stud in just his rookie season. Witherspoon reminds me a lot of Sauce in how he can strap up any receiver.

6) Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson (OT) = A+

Solid pick for the Cardinals. Protecting Kyler Murray must be the priority after locking him up on a long term deal. Johnson has flexibility at tackle and at guard making him a versatile offensive linemen. In terms of their draft, the Cardinals first traded down and then traded back up which in total gave them an extra first round pick for next year. I would call that pretty successful.

7) Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson (Edge) = A

This is a good pick for the Raiders. Pairing Wilson with Maxx Crosby will take the Raiders pass rush to the next level. I would’ve thought Wilson would’ve gone earlier, meaning this is amazing value for the Raiders.

8) Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson (RB) = C+

Many of you will sit here and gasp at the C+ I just gave the Falcons for taking arguably the best player in the ENTIRE draft, but first here me out. Highly drafted running backs just don’t tend to work out. We’ve seen it more and more frequently in today’s modern NFL - running backs have short lived careers. In addition, in the past couple of drafts, the Falcons have just continuously taken offensive weapons. Let me name a few: Kyle Pitts & Drake London. Sure these players are talented, but what I’m trying to say is that their defense has been the source of many of their issues. I just don’t see the logic in this pick. Regardless, I am excited to see Bijan in an Arthur Smith offense.

9) Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter (DT) = B+

This pick is so hard to grade. On one side of the ball, this is an ABSOLUTE steal for the Eagles who just landed a top 5 talent at pick 9. On the flip side, we have all of the allegations against Carter and his recent lackluster performance at his pro-day. I’m just not sure which Jalen Carter will show up in the NFL.

10) Chicago Bears: Darnell Wright (OT) = A-

Solid pick for the Bears. This is exactly what they needed - to protect Justin Fields at all costs. The Bears completely revamped all phases of their offense in free agency and Wright will be the cherry on top keeping Justin Fields protected for years to come.

11) Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski (OT) = A+

Amazing value for the Titans. I thought Skoronski would’ve been the first tackle off the board but the Titans were able to land him with the 11th overall pick. Hopefully Skronski will be able to protect the next franchise QB of the Titans for years to come.

12) Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB) = C

Here we go again. I understand this pick less than the Bijan pick. With this pick, the Lions have 3 above average running backs under contract: Gibbs, Montgomery, Swift. Factor in that Gibbs was projected to go at the end of the first round at earliest and this pick just continues to make less and less sense. Seems like a major reach by the Lions who could’ve very likely gotten Gibbs with their 2nd first round selection.

13) Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness (Edge) = B+

Van Ness is a great edge rusher, but I thought the Packers would address their offense in the first round to help new franchise QB Jordan Love. With all the top receivers and tight ends on the board, they had their selection of any pass catcher to make Jordan Love’s life a bit easier.

14) Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones (OT) = A+

Need meets talent. This is a great pick for the Steelers. Jones is a strong tackle who can run block and pass block. The Steelers just took a massive step to fix both their running and passing woes. Not to mention that they perfectly traded to hop the Jets to grab the last remaining first round tackle.

15) New York Jets: Will McDonald IV (Edge) = B-

The Jets have to be enraged at the Steelers. I think most analysts in this draft were convinced that the Jets would go offensive line in the first round in order to secure the protection around new QB Aaron Rodgers, but everything went out the window when the Steelers jumped them and grabbed Broderick Jones. To me Will McDonald IV seems like a bit of a reach in this situation however I think that defensive minded head coach Robert Saleh can work his magic to develop McDonald into a star.