The Five Best and Worst NFL Draft Classes of 2023

There were some teams that separated themselves from the first round, while others failed to address any real roster concerns across three days in Kansas City.

The 2023 NFL draft is over. After three days in Kansas City, 259 players were picked before teams started frantically adding undrafted free agents to their 90-man rosters.

Only days removed from the draft, we’ve assigned grades and rankings to teams’ classes. For some, it’s a good window into the week that was—a snapshot, if you will. For others, it’s an article to bookmark so that in three years, when one of the observations (hopefully, only one) is proved hilariously wrong, the jeering can begin.

And with that in mind, here are the five best and worst draft classes of 2023.

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The Best Draft Classes of 2023

5. Indianapolis Colts

This class will always be remembered for Anthony Richardson, for better or worse. Indianapolis took what it believes is its next franchise quarterback at No. 4, passing on Will Levis to snag the former Florida QB instead. Richardson is raw, having thrown fewer than 900 passes between high school and college, but his skill set is absurd.

Indianapolis also did well in the second round, adding corner Julius Brents of Kansas State before selecting North Carolina receiver Josh Downs in the third round. In the fifth, general manager Chris Ballard took running back Evan Hull of Northwestern, who could be a nice compliment in the backfield to Jonathan Taylor.

4. Houston Texans

The Texans have to be on this list. Houston might have grabbed two cornerstones in consecutive picks, when it selected quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 2 before moving up nine spots with the Cardinals to choose edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. While the cost to move up the board was expensive, the Texans are flush with draft capital after the Deshaun Watson trade.

New head coach DeMeco Ryans and GM Nick Caserio made bold moves to get two of the three top picks Thursday :: Thomas Shea/USA TODAY Sports

Furthermore, Houston did well in the latter rounds, including the selection of speedy receiver Tank Dell and center Juice Scruggs. While the climb back to respectability is long for the Texans, last weekend could be a great start.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

Nobody runs the draft like Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. This year was no different, with Philadelphia nabbing a pair of Georgia defenders in the first round, as defensive tackle Jalen Carter and edge rusher Nolan Smith join the reigning NFC champs. On the third day, Roseman went to Athens once more, selecting corner Kelee Ringo.

The big x-factor in this group is whether Carter can be the player shown on his collegiate tape or whether his off-field issues will derail him. (Carter was arrested and charged in March with misdemeanor reckless driving and racing in connection to a crash that killed two members of the Georgia football program.) But if the former Bulldog works out, Philadelphia has another monster draft class on its hands.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

What’s not to like about the Steelers’ class? Pittsburgh went into the draft loaded with picks (including a first- and two second-rounders) and made them all count. After trading up Thursday night to land left tackle Broderick Jones, the Steelers led off Friday’s proceedings with Penn State corner Joey Porter Jr, the son of a Steelers great from the Super Bowl XL team. Later that evening, general manager Omar Khan took another big swing with tight end Darnell Washington, who should pair with Pat Freiermuth to create an excellent tandem.

Pittsburgh also added more defensive depth and some special teams punch with Wisconsin linebacker Nate Herbig and corner Cory Trice Jr. of Purdue on the third day.

1. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks had an incredible first night of the draft. They arguably landed the best corner and receiver in Illinois’s Devon Witherspoon and Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith–Njigba, respectively, without having to trade up. Seattle had an incredibly strong rookie crop last year, and it could be building a contender once again with this next group.

General manager John Schneider continued to get high-upside athletes on Days 2 and 3, landing edge rusher Derick Hall in the second round before taking another front-seven talent in Cameron Young along the defensive line. All told, Seattle had the best weekend in Kansas City.

The Worst Draft Classes of 2023

5. Los Angeles Chargers

This was a pivotal draft for the Chargers, considering how many significant players might be moving on from the franchise after the 2023 season. Los Angeles needed to crush this draft, and yet there are real concerns. Quentin Johnston was a terrific selection as an heir apparent to Keenan Allen and/or Mike Williams. Third-round pick Daiyan Henley also has high upside as a linebacker, but the rest of the class was head-scratching.

Los Angeles should have addressed corner and running back at some juncture, but it never did. The Chargers also could have taken a developmental tackle to eventually replace Trey Pickens III. It wasn’t a terrible failure by general manager Tom Telesco, but his draft seemed significantly incomplete.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke watched his team go 9–8 and win the AFC South before being victorious in an epic wild-card round comeback last year. This offseason, though, very little has been done to build upon those successes—and the draft followed suit.

Jacksonville did well in the first round with offensive tackle Anton Harrison, but the selection of Penn State tight end Brenton Strange was a bizarre move in the second, considering Strange didn’t have 800 receiving yards total over four years at Happy Valley. Additionally, taking a running back in Tank Bigsby in the third round was overkill, with Travis Etienne already in tow. 

3. Washington Commanders

Forbes tied for third nationally in college football with six interceptions in 2022 and set an FBS record with six pick-sixes during his career at Mississippi State :: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

The Commanders could have used the draft to really push the offense to another level. Instead, Washington loaded up on the secondary in the first two rounds, taking corner Emmanuel Forbes and safety Jartavius Martin. While there’s nothing wrong with strengthening the pass defense, Forbes is diminutive at 166 pounds, while Martin was a reach in a weak safety class.

The Commanders did add guard Braeden Daniels and center Ricky Stromberg, but Washington failed to add a tackle, and it didn’t take a swing at quarterback despite Sam Howell being the projected starter.

2. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins had only four picks, and none are players who are likely to play major snaps in 2023. Miami spent its second-round choice on corner Cam Smith, who adds good value behind veteran stars Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard on the depth chart. Running back Devon Achane could get on the field with Raheem Mostert, perhaps providing Miami’s backfield with more juice.

Still, there’s little upside in the immediate future for the Dolphins, who are trying to compete with the Bills and Jets for the AFC East crown. It’s tough to see how this class gets more than a D+.

1. Denver Broncos

Last season was a brutal year for the Broncos, with Russell Wilson flopping and coach Nathaniel Hackett lasting only 15 games before being fired. While Sean Payton has brought respectability back to Denver, his initial draft class leaves plenty of questions.

The Broncos failed to upgrade their offensive line in a meaningful way, and they didn’t touch the edge-rushing market. Denver added at corner and receiver, and while Riley Moss could start across from Patrick Surtain II, it’s tough to argue for Marvin Mims Jr. getting much run behind Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton. It was a bizarre three days for Denver.