KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Houston Texans got two of the best players in the NFL draft in the first three picks. The Philadelphia Eagles added three more defensive standouts from Georgia.
While it takes two or three years to judge whether players panned out, it’s easy to identify the potential winners of the 2023 NFL draft.
Houston selected quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 2 and traded up to get Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. with the third pick. In a 10-minute span Thursday night, the Texans added two players who could dramatically change the future of the franchise.
Reigning NFC champion Philadelphia needed to replenish the defense, so it looked toward the Bulldogs, the back-to-back champions of the College Football Playoff. The Eagles moved up one spot to No. 9 for defensive tackle Jalen Carter, a player widely considered the most talented in the draft who slipped because of off-field concerns.
At No. 30, the Eagles picked up edge Nolan Smith, but general manager Howie Roseman still wasn’t finished adding touches red and black to his roster. He got Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo in the fourth round and then gained another former Bulldog, acquiring running back De’Andre Swift in a trade with the Detroit Lions. The Eagles have drafted five Georgia players in the past two years.
Here are AP’s early grades on the overall draft for all 32 teams in the league, listed in alphabetical order:
ARIZONA CARDINALS: B
Offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (No. 6 overall pick) will protect quarterback Kyler Murray. The Cardinals addressed defensive needs with end BJ Ojulari and cornerback Garrett Williams. Offensive lineman Jon Gaines II and linebacker Owen Pappoe were value picks on the third day of the draft.
ATLANTA FALCONS: C-
Running back Bijan Robinson should be a superstar, but No. 8 was too high a pick to use on him; teams win Super Bowls with late-round picks and undrafted free agents carrying the ball. Offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron and defensive end Zach Harrison bolster the team’s lines.
BALTIMORE RAVENS: C+
With receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the flock, the Ravens should have addressed the secondary in the first round instead of taking wideout Zay Flowers at No. 22. They tended to the defense with their next three picks.
BUFFALO BILLS: B
They traded up for tight end Dalton Kincaid at No. 25 despite other needs but bot better value in the second round with offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence and the third round with linebacker Dorian Williams.
CAROLINA PANTHERS: B-
No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has superior talent but needs to overcome size concerns as a quarterback. Receiver Jonathan Mingo is a playmaker. Offensive lineman Chandler Zavala highlighted Saturday’s picks.
CHICAGO BEARS: A
They moved down one spot to No. 10 and got tackle Darnell Wright to anchor the O-line. Defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr., running back Roschon Johnson, receiver Tyler Scott, linebacker Noah Sewell and cornerback Terrell Smith are among an impressive haul.
CINCINNATI BENGALS: B
Defensive end Myles Murphy (28) was projected among the top 15. They upgraded their secondary with cornerback DJ Turner and safety Jordan Battle.
CLEVELAND BROWNS: B
Thy didn’t pick until taking taking receiver Cedric Tillman at No. 74. Offensive tackle Dawand Jones and defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire bolster the trenches, while cornerback Cameron Mitchell was a solid value in fifth round.
DALLAS COWBOYS: B+
Defensive tackle Mazi Smith (26) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown should make an immediate impact, while tight end Luke Schoonmaker gives quarterback Dak Prescott another playmaker.
DENVER BRONCOS: B+
They gave veteran QB Russell Wilson another option with receiver Marvin Mims at No. 63. Linebacker Drew Sanders, cornerback Riley Moss and safety JL Skinner strengthen the defense.
DETROIT LIONS: C
Linebacker Jack Campbell (18), tight end Sam LaPorta, safety Brian Branch and quarterback Hendon Hooker help make up for reaching way too high for running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12.
GREEN BAY PACKERS: B-
They added talented defensive end Lukas Van Ness (13) and helped quarterback Jordan Love with the additions of tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft and receivers Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.
HOUSTON TEXANS: A+
Stroud and Anderson are the headliners, but offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, receiver Nathaniel Dell and defensive end Dylan Horton will help improve a poor roster.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: A-
Anthony Richardson (4) is raw but has the most upside of all the quarterbacks drafted. The Colts the best third day of the draft, getting offensie tackle Blake Freeland, defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore, cornerback Darius Rush, safety Daniel Scott, tight end Will Mallory and running back Evan Hull.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: B+
They improved on offense with their first three picks: tackle Anton Harrison (27), tight end Brenton Strange and running back Tank Bigsby. Also, receiver Parker Washington, taken in the sixth round, could prove to be a steal.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: C+
They reached for defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah at No. 31. Receiver Rashee Rice and offensive tackle Wanya Morris, taken on the second day, fill holes.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: B+
Defensive end Tyree Wilson (7) is a game-changing player, and tight end Michael Mayer and receiver Tre Tucker will bolster the passing game, but defensive lineman Byron Young at No. 70 is questionable.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: C+
Quentin Johnston (21) was the second receiver off the board with better options available. They addressed their defense on Friday with lineman Tuli Tuipulotu and linebacker Daiyan Henley.
LOS ANGELES RAMS: B
They selected 14 players, including 11 on Saturday starting with QB Stetson Bennett. They didn’t have a first-rounder for a seventh straight year but added plenty of depth.
MIAMI DOLPHINS: B+
They had only four picks, none in the first round, but came away with talented cornerback Cam Smith, running back Devon Achane and receiver Elijah Higgins.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS: A
Jordan Addison (23) replaces Adam Thielen at receiver; cornerbacks Mekhi Blackmon and Jay Ward upgrade the secondary.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: B+
They traded down in the first round and still got talented cornerback Christian Gonzalez at No. 17, then focused on defense Friday with end Keion White and safety Marte Mapu. Trading up for kicker Chad Ryland in the fourth round was baffling.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: B
Defensive lineman Bryan Bresee made sense at No. 29, but defensive end Isaiah Foskey seemed too early at No. 40. They got value Saturday with offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri, safety Jordan Howden and receiver A.T. Perry.
NEW YORK GIANTS: A-
Cornerback Deonte Banks (24) and offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz will fill needs. They stole receiver Jalin Hyatt in the third round.
NEW YORK JETS: B
Defensive end Will McDonald IV (15) needs to perform quickly to justify going that high. Offensive tackel Carter Warren, running back Israel Abanikanda and cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse highlighted an outstanding haul on the final day.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: A+
Carter, Smith and Ringo plus offensive tackle Tyler Steen and safety Sydney Brown in the third round and a trade for Swift already make Roseman a favorite for executive of the year.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: A
They moved up for offensive tackle Broderick Jones (14) on the first day, and on the second day they got first-round talent in cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and tight end Darnell Washington.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: C-
Cornerbacks Ji’Ayir Brown with their first pick at No. 87 and Darrell Luter Jr. in the fifth round were their best selections in a draft that included kicker Jake Moody in the third round.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: A
They got the best players at their position with cornerback Devon Witherspoon (5) and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (20) in the first round. Defensive end Derick Hall and offensive lineman Anthony Bradford are also part of a strong overall group.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: B-
Taking defensive tackle Calijah Kancey at No. 19 over Will Levis shows commitment to a QB competition between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. Offensive lineman Cody Mauch, tight end Payne Durham and receiver Trey Palmer graded well at their spots.
TENNESSEE TITANS: B+
They took offensive lineman Peter Skoronski over Levis at No. 11 and ended up with the QB anyway in the second round. They also added running back Tyjae Spears, tight end Josh Whyle, tackle Jaelyn Duncan and receiver Colton Dowell in an all-offense draft.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: C+
They took Emmanuel Forbes (16) early in an excellent cornerback draft class, then further bolstered their secondary with safety Jartavius Martin in the second round. Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has upside as a third-day pick.