Seven rounds and 259 picks later, the 2023 NFL Draft is over. Here’s a look at the five teams that struggled to find their way over the long weekend.
Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson, RB (eighth overall); Matthew Bergeron, G (38th overall); Zach Harrison, DE (75th overall); Clark Phillips III, S (113th overall); DeMarcco Hellams, S (224th overall); Jovaughn Gwyn, G (225th overall)
The concern surrounding the Robinson pick is not based on his potential, but rather whether the Falcons are ready to get the most out of their potential star at running back. Harrison and Phillips were nice picks later in the draft but will need to play their slots for Atlanta’s class to be a hit.
The Falcons have some strong pieces in place, but also some questions in significant areas. Will QB Desmond Ridder take the leap expected of him? Have the Falcons done enough to fix their longstanding defensive issues? They spent a handsome sum this offseason to fix that side of the ball, but it’s still unclear how Atlanta might generate a consistent pass rush.
Denver Broncos
Marvin Mims, WR (63rd overall); Drew Sanders, LB (67th overall); Riley Moss, CB (83rd overall); JL Skinner, S (183rd overall); Alex Forsyth, C (257th overall)
Denver’s draft indicates that the front office is hoping Sean Payton’s mind is enough to lead a quick turnaround. With only five picks this year thanks to trades for Payton and QB Russell Wilson, Denver was unable to do much to fix one of the league’s worst offenses from last season.
The Broncos selected Oklahoma speedster Mims with their first pick in the draft, but given that receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton are already in the mix, his opportunities might be limited as a rookie. After Mims, Denver used its next three picks on defense — even with that being the team’s strength — before using its final pick to address a need at center.
Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB (12th overall); Jack Campbell, LB (18th overall); Sam LaPorta, TE (34th overall); Brian Branch, S (45th overall); Hendon Hooker, QB (68th overall); Brodric Martin, DT (96th overall); Colby Sorsdal, T (152nd overall); Antoine Green, WR (219th overall)
Detroit treated the draft like it was an automated factory line, mindlessly filling its needs without much considering the value of its picks. Gibbs and Campbell were both reaches in the first round, while LaPorta was selected in the second round over Michael Mayer, a higher-rated tight end who was considered a first-round talent heading into the draft.
The Lions were then fleeced by the Eagles, trading D’Andre Swift in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick (plus a swap of seventh-round picks this year, receiving No. 219 and parting with No. 249). For context, Detroit selected Swift in the second round (35th overall) in 2020.
Los Angeles Rams
Steve Avila, G (36th overall); Byron Young, DE (77th overall); Kobie Turner, DT (89th overall); Stetson Bennett, QB (128th overall); Nick Hampton, LB (161st overall); Warren McClendon (174th overall); Davis Allen, TE (176th overall); Puka Nacua, WR (177th overall); Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB (182nd overall); Ochaun Mathis, DE (189th overall); Zach Evans, RB (215th overall); Ethan Evans, P (223rd overall); Jason Taylor II, S (234th overall); Desjuan Johnson, DE (259th overall)
After cashing in all its draft chips in recent years, Los Angeles filled up on lower-round selections while neglecting to fill its biggest needs until late in the draft. TCU cornerback Hodges-Tomlinson — the 2022 Thorpe Award winner for best college corner — was a steal at No. 182, at least. While the team’s ability to accumulate picks should be applauded, quantity doesn’t always translate to quality.
Instead of getting help for Matthew Stafford at No. 73, for instance, Los Angeles traded its third-round pick to the New York Giants — who proceeded to draft Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, the 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner for best college wide receiver — in exchange for pick Nos. 89 and 128, the latter of which was used on QB Bennett, who was trending in the wrong direction as a likely undrafted free agent in the lead-up to the NFL’s big offseason event.
New England Patriots
Christian Gonzalez, CB (17th overall); Keion White, DE (46th overall); Marte Mapu, LB (76th overall); Jake Andrews, C (107th overall); Chad Ryland, K (112th overall); Sidy Sow, G (117th overall); Atonio Mafi, G (144th overall); Kayshon Boutte, WR (187th overall); Bryce Baringer, P (192nd overall); Demario Douglas, WR (210th overall); Ameer Speed, CB (214th overall); Isaiah Bolden, CB (245th overall)
New England landed arguably the biggest steal of Round 1 when it traded down and still got Gonzalez, a corner some consider the best of the 2023 class. ESPN’s Player Projections give him a 48.5 percent chance of developing into a Pro Bowler. But if we are grading Atlanta and Detroit harshly for drafting running backs, the Patriots must be docked serious points for selecting a kicker and punter in the same draft.
