There were quite a few draft classes out of this recent NFL draft that I feel great about, but there are some that stand out more than others. This can be from some of my favorite players, the value some teams got based on consensus or RAS, or filling specific needs with value. Here are my top three draft classes from the 2023 NFL Draft.
Philadelphia Eagles
DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
LB Nolan Smith, Georgia
OL Tyler Steen, Alabama
S Sydney Brown, Illinois
CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia
QB Tanner McKee, Stanford
DT Moro Ojomo, Texas
The Eagles 2023 draft class was nothing less than stellar. It starts off with a trade up for a falling Jalen Carter, who was widely known as the best player in the draft. The character concerns are there, but if there is a defensive front to assist in his character and development, it is the Eagles. Philadelphia is full of former Bulldogs, but drafting Georgia players does not stop here as they get Nolan Smith later in the round. This was another player by consensus that was thought of as a premium talent that would go higher. Smith really showed up in the pre-draft process with his athleticism. Two other players from the class I saw as incredible talents and values were Keelee Ringo and Moro Ojomo, who were both snagged on day three of the draft and I thought they would go on day two. Philadelphia’s defense stays strong with a supplement of young talent and a more premium pick spent on the offensive line.
Pittsburgh Steelers
OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
DT Keeanu Benton, Pittsburgh
TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
OLB Nick Herbig, Wisconsin
CB Cory Trice, Purdue
IOL Spencer Anderson, Maryland
The first few rounds for the Steelers were some of my draft crushes and they all go to the same team at great value. Pittsburgh also was able to fill a couple of their biggest needs early, trading up for Broderick Jones and then snagging a falling Joey Porter Jr. to start the second round. Porter Jr. was thought of as a first round talent and a potential pick for the Steelers early, but they are able to get him on day two to fit another big need with great value. Keeanu Benton was one of my favorite day two players and ended up going to the Steelers to support an already strong defensive line. Darnell Washington seemed to have less value to NFL teams than the fans… but consensus was very high on him and Pittsburgh gets him in round three, and he fits what the Steelers want to do.
Indianapolis Colts
QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
OT Blake Freeland, BYU
EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
CB Darius Rush, South Carolina
S Daniel Scott, California
TE Will Mallory, Miami
RB Evan Hull, Northwestern
EDGE Titus Leo, Wagner
CB Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M
OT Jake Witt, Northern Michigan
The Colts draft class had a couple of questions in it, which is bound to happen with such a large class. For the most part, though, I love the players Indianapolis was able to pick up. They start early with a quarterback with incredible potential and breaking athletic records at the position. This is the most important position on the football field and a need for the Colts, so taking this shot is great for them. Being able to pick up Julius Brents when they did was still solid value, and also fits a need for them. Josh Downs fell further than most would have thought, and ended up with Indianapolis to pair with Anthony Richardson for the long term. Blake Freeland might be a bit of a project, but has the potential to be great. Adetomiwa Adebawore was consistently mocked in the late first or early second round and fell further than anyone outside the NFL would have thought, and the Colts landed him. It feels like the first rounds for the Colts were all at incredible value and fit needs, and despite having questions about some of their other picks, the strength of some makes it one of my favorite classes in the NFL this year.
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