“With the 1st-pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select Bryce Young, quarterback, Alabama.” And just like that Roger Goodell announced to the world who was the first overall pick of the draft in 2023. As expected, the decision stayed between Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, both QBs.
In fact, C.J. Stroud, from Ohio State, the second favourite to be picked first, ended up being picked second, by the Houston Texans. The Texans also traded up with the Arizona Cardinals and got the third overall pick as well, selecting the Alabama linebacker Will Anderson.
The Indianapolis Colts, with the no. 4 overall pick, selected another quarterback, the third one in the first four picks. Florida QB Anthony Richardson is now a Colt and will compete not only for the QB1 position but also to be the next franchise quarterback, something that the Colts are struggling with since the Peyton Manning-Andrew Luck era.
Check out now the full list of the 31 players selected in the first round. (Reminder: the Miami Dolphins were punished by the NFL and didn’t have a pick in the first round).
1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama – Carolina Panthers
He became the 24th Heisman Trophy winner to be selected as the no. 1 overall pick.
2. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State – Houston Texans
3. Will Anderson, LB, Alabama – Houston Texans
The Texans traded up with the Arizona Cardinals to get the third overall pick.
4. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida – Indianapolis Colts
After Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck sequence, the Colts are struggling to find their new quarterback.
5. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois – Seattle Seahawks
6. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State – Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals got the 12th pick from the Houston Texans and traded it with the Detroit Lions, to go up to the 6th pick.
7. Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech – Las Vegas Raiders
8. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas – Atlanta Falcons
9. Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia – Philadelphia Eagles
After a lot of episodes in his life, Carter ended up being a top-10 pick as he wanted.
10. Darnell Wright, OL, Tennessee – Chicago Bears
The Bears traded the no. 9 pick to the Eagles and got the no. 10 pick.
11. Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern – Tennessee Titans
12. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama – Detroit Lions
After trading Jamaal Williams to the New Orleans Saints, the Lions needed another running back.
13. Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa – Green Bay Packers
14. Broderick Jones, OL, Georgia – Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers traded up for the no. 14 pick with the New England Patriots as they received the no. 17 and no. 120 picks.
15. Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa State – New York Jets
16. Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State – Washington Commanders
17. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon – New England Patriots
18. Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa – Detroit Lions
19. Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State – Seattle Seahawks
21. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU – Los Angeles Chargers
22. Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are building a great group of WR. Maybe to keep Lamar Jackson?
23. Jordan Addison, WR, USC – Minnesota Vikings
After trading Adam Thielen to the Carolina Panthers, the Vikings needed another wide receiver.
24. Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland – New York Giants
The Giants traded their no. 27 pick to the Jaguars in exchange for the no. 24 pick.
25. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah – Buffalo Bills
26. Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan – Dallas Cowboys
27. Anton Harrison, OL, Oklahoma – Jacksonville Jaguars
28. Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson – Cincinnati Bengals
29. Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson – New Orleans Saints
The Saints fans are hoping that the name could help in his success within the franchise.
