This is our tracker for the 2023 NFL Draft Round 2 and 3. We will provide quick thoughts and grades with a deeper analysis on our YouTube channel
Round 2
32) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Chicago)- Joey Porter Jr, CB, Penn State
Grade: A-
This was the obvious choice. Steelers are known to take in-state players, but also his dad played for the organization, and Steelers love their connections. We weren’t as in love with Porter as other people were. We think he has a higher floor than someone like Ringo, but doesn’t have the same ceiling. Biggest issue with Porter is that he gets super grabby down field
33) Tennessee Titans (VIA Trade W/ARI)- Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Grade: A
Tennessee stays patient and gets their quarterback of the future. He is able to learn behind the quarterback that we found him resembling the most. Tannehill also had to deal with a ton of scrutiny early in his career so this is a great match. They also did not spend a 1st round on him so it makes this selection even better.
34) Detroit Lions (VIA Trade W/ ARI)- Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Grade: A
LaPorta was our top ranked tight end for receiving ability alone. He should move all over the place for Detroit and fill the void of not having Jameson Williams for 6 games.
35) Las Vegas Raiders (VIA Trade W/ IND)- Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Grade: B
This is at least better than their first round selection. But, will he be that much better than Austin Hooper that it is worth passing on an offensive linemen or secondary piece? Time will tell. We do not hate the pick by any means but Vegas continues to ignore needs.
36) Los Angeles Rams- Steve Avila, OG, TCU
Grade: A-
The Rams have needs across the board, but with Stafford’s recent injury history the priority has to be protecting him. Avila is a good pick here and good value. The biggest issue we have with him is that he’s nearly blind when it comes to blitz/stunt pickup. He can see or feel twists across the defensive front. Getting that worked out needs to be a priority or Stafford is going to be on his back a lot.
37) Seattle Seahawks- Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
Grade: D+
We have been adamant that Seattle did not need pass rushing help. He was not the best against bigger competition. Surprising that they did not go with interior pass rusher.
38) Atlant Falcons (VIA Trade W/IND)- Matthew Bergeron, OG, Syracuse
Grade:B+
If this were a pure OT this grade would be much lower; however, Bergeron was a player we noted could play inside. With Matthews and McGary, expect Bergeron to kick inside to guard. He could use some pass pro development, but playing guard could help cover the issue with help from the back or center. We thought Bergeron would go a bit later and don’t see him as the 2nd best IOL so it was a bit shocking.
39) Carolina Panthers- Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
Grade: A
We love the fit. It is great for Young as Mingo has some of the biggest potential of any of the receivers in the second group. He has shades of AJ Brown but is also similar to Michael Floyd.
40) New Orleans Saints- Isaiah Foskey
Grade: A
Amazing selection for New Orleans. The Saints continue to put stock in their defense. This could have easily been a wide receiver but great value.
41) Arizona Cardinals (VIA Trade W/TEN)- BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
Grade: C+
We like Ojulari, but Arizona needs so much help in so many other areas. Interior d line and corner and o line are all much bigger names.
42) Green Bay Packers- Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Grade: D
We do not like Musgrave. He missed most of the season with injury, and his film available was not great. He does not make people miss at all. There are many receivers that should have been here instead. At least it is a pass catcher.
43) New York Jets- Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
Grade: A+
The Jets just re-signed McGovern, but it was 1 year, roughly $2 million, which means there’s no real commitment to him. We were convinced the Jets were going to take one of the many centers in this year’s class. We had a Mid-Late 1st grade on Tippmann, so this is unbelievable value(could’ve taken Tippmann in first and McDonald here and it wouldn’t have looked as bad). Tippmann isn’t going to wow you with ridiculous athleticism or running through people, but he’s an old school center that gets the job done.
44) Indianapolis Colts (VIA Trade W/ATL)- Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Grade: A
Brents is a super athletic, lengthy CB. He’s a CB with a SS mindset. He’s a solid tackler and can also lay the boom. Real good in run support which is good in a division with Etienne, Henry, and Pierce. He has some things to clean up and develop in his game with the Colts, but great pick and great value
45) Detroit Lions (VIA Trade W/GB)- Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
Grade: C
This grade has absolutely nothing to do with Branch as a prospect or his ability to play football. We absolutely love Branch as a prospect, but the fit makes absolutely no sense. They extended Tracy Walker last offseason, then drafted Kerby Joseph in last year’s draft. They also managed to land Gardner-Johnson. Both safety spots as well as their nickel spots are filled. Where is Branch fitting in here? Could Tracy Walker be on his way out? Branch is a solid coverage DB, but we don’t know how to feel about him moving out to CB. That could be a major adjustment.
46) New England Patriots- Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
Grade: B-
White is incredibly raw but has immense upside. Not really a need but love the match. Such a New England pick but wow did he look miserable.
47) Washington Commanders- Jartavius Martin, CB, Illinois
Grade: B
We like that Washington addressed the secondary again. They fell one pick shy of landing the player we thought they were going to take at 16 in Brian Branch.
48) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (VIA Trade W/GB)- Cody Mauch, OL, NDSU
Grade: A+
Toothless and Ruthless! We liked Mauch better as a tackle, although Mauch can probably play anywhere on the line. We kind of want to see him at Guard so we can see Mauch play next to his non-blood related twin Ryan Jensen. TB needs help at guard and tackle, and they now have a guy that can play either depending on where they think he’ll best fit.
49) Pittsburgh Steelers- Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Grade: C+
Benton is a projection pick with some upside. We would have gone with Dexter here but it is not a bad selection.
50) Green Bay Packers (VIA Trade W/TB)- Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Grade: B+
Reed is a underrated receiver in this class. He should fill in the slot roll and be a high volume target for the Packers. This does not mean he cannot play on the outside and he has positional flexibility.
51) Miami Dolphins- Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Grade: B
We love Cam Smith as a prospect. He is probably a top 5 coverage CB, who loves to press and get in your face. His tackling though is rough to say the least, although it’s not from a lack of effort. Smith is a high motor player who runs down plays he just can’t finish. This grade isn’t higher because they have two of the best CBs in the league in Howard and Ramsey, and it’s hard to see where he will fit in.
52) Seattle Seahawks- Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Grade: D+
We like Charbonnet as a prospect and theoretically he pairs well with Walker, but really? What was the point of JSN. Either you run more 3 wide receiver sets or you keep your run first mentality. Truly puzzling.
53) Chicago Bears- Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
Grade: A-
He has monumental upside that could result in him being special. He needs a ton of development but this is amazing value for Chicago.
54) Los Angeles Chargers- Tuli Tuipulotu
Grade: F
This is too high for him. His production was primarily against much worse teams and we did not like anything about his game. There are many other players better here.
55) Kansas City Chiefs (VIA Trade W/DET)- Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Grade: A
This is such a good fit. We love this fit as he compliments Moore, Toney, and MVS so well. We may have like Darnell Washington here more, but we really like this pick.
56) Chicago Bears (VIA Trade W/JAX)- Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
Grade: A
We love Tyrique Stevenson, this is a really good pick. Stevenson is a better man CB than zone and likes to get in your face. The biggest issue with Stevenson is that he had more broken coverages in zone than you’d like to see. Stevenson not only plays CB but has returner experience and supplies value as a special teamer.Stevenson joins Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon to create one of the better young CB trios in all of football.
57) New York Giants- John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Grade: A+
The Giants for years were ridiculed about not addressing the offensive line. Under Schoen and Daboll the Giants line has been improved and is as good as it’s been in years. They have 1st round book ends in Thomas and Neal, they brought in Glowinski, and now they bring in the centerpiece of the line in Schmitz. Schmitz could use some work in pass pro, but he’s a day one starter and is going to be Daniel Jones’ new best friend.
58) Dallas Cowboys- Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
Grade: C
Schoonmaker going over Washington is wild but that is Dallas for you. Is he really better than Jake Ferguson? We do not really know. It is not an awful pick but not great either.
59) Buffalo Bills- O’cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
Grade: A-
Talk about value. We definitely weren’t as high on Torrence as the rest of the football community, but this is right around where we had him projection. Torrence is a punishing run blocker, although we worry about his ability to hang in pass pro against better defensive linemen. Torrence though should be a day one starter who’s going to have to develop on the fly. This is now the second “steal” Buffalo has walked away with in the first two days.
60) Cincinatti Bengals- DJ Turner II, CB, Michigan
Grade: A-
CB was a serious need especially with Awuzie coming off a Torn ACL. Turner gets to reunite with Dax Hill.
61) Jacksonville Jaguars- Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State
Grade: B
We had Strange as a big sleeper at the tight end position so we are a little surprised to see him this high but it not a bad pick. However, Darnell Washington is still there. His fall is mysterious.
62) Houston Texans- Juice Scruggs, C, Penn State
Grade: A-
We looked at 4 centers in this absolutely ridiculous center class, and Scruggs was not one of them so we don’t have much to comment on with this pick. This has to be one of the best center classes of all time, if not the best. We mocked the Texans Tippmann in our Mock 5.0, so center was a great pick especially after parting with Justin Britt earlier this offseason. Protecting Stroud has to be a priority now… Stroud is probably upset they didn’t bring his guy Wypler with him though.
63) Denver Broncos- Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Grade: B
This is a slightly odd selection unless Denver trades one of their other selections. This is great value though regardless.
Round 3
64) Chicago Bears- Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina
Grade: B+
Another big swing a the tackle position. Massive projection pick with a ton of untapped potential.
65) Philadelphia Eagles- Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama
Grade: C+
Offensive line depth was a position of need. It sounds like Philly is going to move forward with Jurgens replacing Seumalo at guard until Kelce retires. Steen is probably going to be a developmental project and backup his rookie season similar to Jurgens last year.
66) Philadelphia Eagles- Sidney Brown, DB, Illinois
Grade: C-
Brown crushed the combine, and has the athletic upside; however, he’s not ready to play yet in our opinion. Brown offers special teams value early, but he’s got work to do. Safety was definitely a need, but this isn’t it. We only had two Day 2 safeties(Chris Smith and Ji’Ayir Brown) who could start day one and do it at a high level. Brown being the first safety off the board is shocking. I turned on his tape and turned it off within the first like 10 minutes because he just didn’t look that good.
67) Denver Broncos- Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Grade: A+
The fact that Sanders fell to the 3rd round is mind boggling. He was our LB1 by far, no one was even close. Yes, Sanders is a bit inexperienced at ILB, but he has a solid floor and a high ceiling. He’s athletic, he can run sideline to sideline, he’s versatile, and he blitzes well. Sanders is a playmaker and the Broncos just got one of our steals of the draft. Unbelievable pick. They haven’t had a LB like this in a while.
68) Detroit Lions- Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Grade: A
At this point this is a great pick. If Goff is a placeholder, Hooker can do exactly what he does with elite leadership and decent mobility.
69) Houston Texans- Tank Dell, WR, Houston
Grade: B-
They needed speed but Hyatt was still there. Dell is tiny and we have serious concerns about durability but he is a great route runner with good speed.
70) Las Vegas Raiders- Byron Young, DT, Alabama
Grade: D
Raiders contine to Raider. This is far from the biggest need and we guess Jimmy G is just gonna get pummeled. It must be exhausting being a Raiders fan
71) New Orleans Saints- Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
Grade: C+
Miller is a good runner, but he plays a similar type of roll to Jamaal Williams. A pass catcher would have made much more sense here.
72) Arizona Cardinals- Garrett Williams, DB, Syracuse
Grade: A
Williams is coming off a Torn ACL and from what we can tell did not test at all this offseason. It was a serious need though since Murphy walked in FA.
73) New York Giants- Jalen Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Grade: A+
He fell further than expected, but New York takes advantage of this. Amazing fit and fills a massive need for speed. Hyatt should learn how to play outside because they have a ton of slot receivers.
74) Cleveland Browns- Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
Grade: C-
He has decent size but a lot working against him. He his a body catcher and as a result has iffy hands.
75) Atlanta Falcons- Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
Grade: A+
EDGE was not a dire need, but Atlanta was patient and take maybe the biggest athletic freak at end in this class. Amazing rotational rusher as he develops and could reach his lofty ceiling.
76) New England Patriots- Marte Mapu
Grade: A-/B+
It sounds like Mapu is going to end up being more of a LB than a safety though, which makes this pick make more sense. The only reason this grade isn’t higher is because the Patriots already have a bunch of these tweener players(Dugger, Phillips, Peppers). We believe Mapu is bigger than any of them. We also assume he has a pretty good ceiling compared to the others.
77) Los Angeles Rams- Byron Young, EDGE, Tennessee
Grade: C+
They need so much including pass rush so this isnt bad. Young is older for a prospect but very athletic.
78) Green Bay Packers- Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
Grade: B-
This is a much better pick than the Musgrave selection. Kraft is a more traditional tight end. We do not know that his upside is that great, but it is not awful.
79) Indianapolis Colts- Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Grade: A
This fits what they are missing perfectly. Downs is elite at route running with great hands reminiscent of Hunter Renfrow.
80) Carolina Panthers- DJ Johnson, EDGE, Oregon
Grade: C+
He is a flexible piece with a lot of athletic upside but needs a lot of development. Carolina is missing a pass rusher opposite of Burns and this could be him.
81) Tennessee Titans- Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Grade: D-
We have multiple running backs ahead of Spears here. Unless the Titans want to trade Henry forreal and change their offensive identity this pick is a head scratcher. Reports came out he has no ACL and his knee is arthritic. Awful pick
82) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- YaYa Diaby, EDGE, Louisville
Grade: B
This pick is fine. They do not have a ton of pass rushing depth and it showed when Shaq Barrett went down with injury.
83) Denver Broncos- Riley Moss, DB, Iowa
Grade: B
The Broncos need CB help so at least they addressed the right position. Here’s our issue with this pick. Despite having a good draft process and having athletic upside, Moss isn’t quite ready to be a starter in our opinion. This is a bad prospect to team fit. We like moss, but we think he needs development and could benefit from sitting, which is a luxury he isn’t going to have in Denver. He’s going to be required to start across from Surtain right away, and the Broncos should be ready for up and down play
84) Miami Dolphins- Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Grade: A
This is the perfect fit if they do not want a bell cow (like Abanikanda). Achane fits what Maimi does and brings elite speed.
85) Los Angeles Chargers- Daiyan Henley, LB, WSU
Grade: B-
Okay, so Henley being the 4th backer off the board is absolutely mind boggling to us, especially with Trenton Simpson on the board. We aren’t as high on Henley as others in the football community. We think he needs much more development than people think. The only reason this grade isn’t lower is because this is a great prospect to team fit. Henley won’t be required to be a three down starter. Kendricks and Murray will start, and Henley can come in for Murray on third downs and passing downs, which is an unbelievably ideal situation for him. He also brings value as a special teamer.
86) Baltimore Ravens- Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Grade: A+
We literally can’t say enough good things about this pick. It’s unbelievable that Simpson tumbled this far, but great for both Simpson and the Ravens. This is a match made in heaven. Simpson played in a pretty pressure heavy Clemson front, and is going to a team that loves to bring the pressure just as much. Simpson is a bit raw, and needs developmen, but has a high ceiling and Baltimore knows a thing or two about LBs. Plus, he’ll be playing right next to one of the best in the game in Roquan Smith… OMG, love this pick!
87) San Francisco 49ers- Ji’Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
Grade: A+
The funniest part about this pick is that we saw a lot of Jimmie Ward in Brown. We love the pick and the fit for Brown. Brown was actually one of the last prospects we got to watch and we are happy we got to him. We had him as a 2nd round pick, so on top of being a great pick and fit, it’s unbelievable value.
88) Jacksonville Jaguars- Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Grade: D
Bigsby is not a great runner to us. Powerful, yes, but offers very little else. He is not a bad pairing with Etienne but this is super early for him.
89) Los Angeles Rams- Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest
Grade: B
The Rams continue to rebuild the line. There is a couple of others we may have taken instead here but definitely a big need.
90) Dallas Cowboys- DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
This is around where we thought Overshown would go. We thought he was going to be better in space than he was. Overshown was much better in the box though than we thought he’d be. He’s a pretty good blitzer and gap shooter, and was a good spy. This is a good fit because he won’t be required to start three downs right away with LVE coming back and Damone Clark from last year.
91) Buffalo Bills- Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
Grade: B
We like that they addressed LB, but we thought they were going to do it earlier and take one of the bigger backers(Campbell or Sanders) to replace Edmunds size and athleticism. They could be looking to go a different direction at the second level of the defense.
92) Kansas City Chiefs- Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma
Grade: A+
We felt we were higher on Morris than most. The Chiefs miss out on our OT1 Anton Harrison by a couple picks in Round 1, but land his tackle partner in the third. We suspect Jawaan Taylor is going to be asked to convert to LT, and Wanya will be allowed to stay at RT where he will compete with Niang to start. Great pick and great value here in the 3rd.
93) Pittsburgh Steelers- Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Grade: A+
Apparently medicals dropped him a little but we dont know truly if this is why. It is not who we imagined taking him but it is A+ regardless. Pittsburgh can transition to more 12 personnel and he also is amazing insurance should Friermuth’s concussion issues be career ending.
94) Arizona Cardinals- Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
Grade: B+
Not being an A grade is all about medicals. Wilson has good size and great route running. He has all of the makings of a number 1 and adds some much needed size to the wide receiver room.
95) Cincinatti Bengals- Jordan Battle, DB, Alabama
Grade: A-
Battle looked like a completely different player in 2022. He was more active in run support near the line, which is why we listed him as a NB, but with Dax Hill more than likely taking the FS spot Battle should be a good replacement for Bell at SS since Hilton is already their NB. A good pick, and one we like more the more we think about it.
96) Detroit Lions- Broderic Martin, DT, Western Kentucky
Grade: C+
Detroit could have used some interior pass rushing but he does not offer much different from what they already have. It is not bad value but Detroit continues their up and down draft.
97) Washington Commanders- Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas
Grade: C+
This grade has nothing to do with Stromberg as a prospect, but more the position taken. Chase Roullier is coming off a season ending leg injury, so it could be an insurance policy, but they also brought in Nick Gates, so this pick is a bit head scratching. If they wanted to take an offensive lineman we would’ve thought it would be tackle insurance.
98) Cleveland Browns- Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
Grade: A+
Amazing value. We were not as impressed as we expected but he will absolutely free up space for Garrett and company. He eats double teams for breakfast and is amazing value for Cleveland here.
99) San Francisco 49ers- Jake Moody, K, Michigan
Grade: F-
It does not matter how good of a kicker he is. A kicker on day 2 is ridiculous. This is their second pick of the draft and it is truly and utterly wasted.
100) Las Vegas Raiders- Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati
Grade: B-
At least they finally picked a real need. Tucker adds a different skill set that they do not have but he is undersized so be aware.
101) San Francisco 49ers- Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama
Grade: A+
From a F- to an A+. Latu has a ton of upside and was criminally underutilized at Alabama. We absolutely love the fit here. Wild two pick for San Fran
102) Minnesota Vikings, CB, Mekhi Blackmon
Grade: A-
Good player at a serious position of need for the Vikings.