With the first round come and gone these are a few of our 2023 NFL Draft Winners and Losers from the 1st Round.
Winners
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter & Nolan Smith
Howie Roseman continues to show that he is one of the best of the best. He didnt overpay for a trade up and was able to get the best player in the draft to the best situation possible for him. Then, they stayed patient and got what had to be their second target at pick 10 in Nolan Smith. We are sure they wanted to trade out and get more draft capital but credit to Howie for staying put and making the right choice.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson
The Colts must have locked Irsay in a closet because they actually made the right choice. They convinced us and everyone that they were in love with Levis. Yet Levis was not selected in the first round (we are gonna pat ourselves on the back here). They get the massive upside in the perfect system for him to grow.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones
Pittsburgh traded up at the perfect time to get their guy. What an amazing fit and a massive need. Even better is they have the first pick in the second round and Joey Porter is staring them in the face.
Losers
Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs & Jack Campbell
What in the world happened here. It started off decent with them trading back and seemingly passing on Christian Gonzales to get more draft picks. That is fine. But then, he was still there at pick 12 and staring them in the face. Instead they go with Gibbs. We love the player, but this makes no sense. Even with Swift and his injury history they just signed Montgomery to a 3 year deal. So you drafted Gibbs at pick 12 to be part of a committee? This is a lot less to do with the Campbell pick and a ton to do with the Gibbs pick. They could have had Christian Gonzales and Campbell and a fierce defense. Now, they have Gibbs who, despite his talents, does not move the needle at all for them.
Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson
Let us look at the Raider team needs. Offensive line is awful. Secondary is non existent. Receivers are thin beyond Hopkins. No tight end to speak of. The list goes on. Instead, they go with Tyree Wilson. Not even considering the fact that we have him as the most overrated prospect in this class, the need is not there and they blatantly ignored screaming needs to make this pick. It is hard to imagine this was not Mayock and Gruden picking here.
New York Jets: Will McDonald IV
What was this pick? They had a ton of offensive linemen available and they went with a player that may have been there in the second round. If you wanted an athletic rusher then Nolan Smith was there. Total head scratcher for a team that drafted so well last year.