Best Value Picks of the NFL Draft’s First Round
The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone with some surprises, some steals, and some reaches. Although the Cleveland Browns did not have a pick in the first round, there were still plenty of moves made that will impact them.
Following the first round, we’re going to take a look at the best value picks of the first rounds, some may call it the “steals” of the first.
Pick No. 17 New England Patriots - CB Christian Gonzalez (Oregon)
The biggest value pick of the first round was grabbed by no other than Bill Belichick. The Patriots traded back just a couple of picks to grab a player that would have been a great value at their original spot.
I firmly believed Gonzalez was a top-8 player in this draft. He broke out as a junior in his first year with Oregon after transferring from Colorado. Gonzalez picked off four passes in 2022, to go along with 50 tackles and seven passes defended. Through his first two seasons at Colorado, he played in 18 games, had 78 tackles (five for a loss), and 10 passes defended.
Gonzalez is the highest draft pick that Belichick has ever spent on a defensive back, so that tells you something. Gonzalez is big, physical, and athletic. He has all the tools to become a top cornerback for the Patriots.
Pick No. 30 Philadelphia Eagles - DE Nolan Smith (Georgia)
After a great combine, it looked like there was no chance that Smith got out of the top-20 picks. Just that happened and the Philadelphia Eagles added him to an already ferocious defensive line.
Smith has all of the athletic traits to make you fall in love, and he is thought of as a pretty high-character person. Despite not producing a ton in college, the ceiling is very high for Smith.
Something always seemed to stand in his way at Georgia when it came to putting up numbers. The Eagles won’t need him to right away and perhaps that’s going to benefit him more than anything.
Pick No. 9 Philadelphia Eagles - DT Jalen Carter (Georgia)
After the first eight picks, it was clear that some teams stayed away from selecting perhaps the top overall player in the draft. Insert the Eagles again, who continues to add to their Bulldog factory in Philadelphia.
Carter has all of the talent in the world to be one of the game’s best defensive linemen. The off-the-field concerns are real but he likely couldn’t have landed in a better place. Playing with Nakobe Dean, Jordan Davis, and Nolan Smith — there will be a sense of familiarity as Carter adjusts to life as a pro.
Anytime you can grab perhaps the best player in the draft outside of a top-5 pick, you’re winning.
Pick No. 25 Buffalo Bills - TE Dalton Kincaid (Utah)
Buffalo seemed to have needed another offensive playmaker down the stretch last season to take some of the load off of the Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs connection. This is where the best-receiving talent in the draft at the tight end position comes into play.
Kincaid had nearly 900 yards receiving in 12 games his last season in college. He’s only played 26 games overall at the college level, so the upside is definitely there as well. A productive player that is still a bit raw.
Kincaid is a wideout in a tight end’s body essentially. He’s not a good blocker but he’s going to be a matchup problem with the Bills. Pairing Kincaid with Dawson Knox gives Buffalo a nice 1-2 punch at the position.
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