2023 NFL Draft News & Rumors

West Notes: 49ers, Hudson, Raiders, Broncos

January 27th, 2023 at 6:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers may go into the NFC championship game without Elijah Mitchell. The team’s Week 1 starter, who has become a key off-the-bench contributor behind Christian McCaffrey since the team acquired the high-priced back from the Panthers, is battling a groin injury and did not practice this week. Mitchell is listed as questionable to face the Eagles, but this is the latest in a long run of injuries for a second-year player. Mitchell went on IR twice because of separate MCL sprains this season and battled shoulder, knee and finger injuries as a rookie. Jordan Mason worked as McCaffrey’s primary backup during Mitchell’s second stint on IR, while the team also has rookie Tyrion Davis-Price and Tevin Coleman (practice squad) available. Coleman has logged 12 carries for 26 yards this season; Davis-Price has 34 for 99 as a rookie.

Here is the latest from the West divisions:

Rodney Hudson made it through just four games in his second Cardinals season, spending much of it on IR. The 33-year-old center signed an extension — three years, $30MM — with the Cards upon being acquired via trade in 2021, but a recent restructure points him out of town. Hudson agreed to drop his 2023 base salary from $8.25MM to $2.05MM, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. This lends to the notion a new Cardinals regime will release Hudson, with OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald noting the $2.05MM figure doubles as the max amount a player can receive in 2023 via the CBA’s injury protection benefit (Twitter link). Hudson, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Raiders, considered retirement this past offseason and may be headed out the door in 2023. The Cards would be hit with $5MM-plus in dead money by cutting Hudson without a post-June 1 designation.
Shifting to the AFC West, the Raiders will spend the next several weeks being connected to quarterbacks. They are expected to trade or release Derek Carr before his $40.4MM guarantee vests Feb. 15, and Josh McDaniels reuniting with Tom Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo is already coming up. Raiders GM Dave Ziegler was also impressed with Florida QB Anthony Richardson when he scouted him against Tennessee this past season, Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock has Richardson going off the board at No. 9 — as the fourth QB selected — but the ex-Gator talent is fairly raw and will have more development to complete once in the pros. If the Raiders were to sign Brady, drafting a QB at No. 7 would obviously cut into their offseason resources to build around him. But Brady also would not solve the Silver and Black’s long-term need at the position.
Davante Adams was set to appear in court this week, in connection to the shoving incident at Arrowhead Stadium, but Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal notes the appearance will be delayed until June 26. Adams faces a suspension for the postgame shove of a photographer, a 20-year-old Missouri-Kansas City student, in October.
DeShawn Williams started a career-high 15 games for the Broncos this season, playing a career-most 597 defensive snaps. The 30-year-old defensive tackle, who is on track for free agency in March, said he wants to re-sign with the Broncos, via Denver7’s Troy Renck (Twitter link). Denver will prioritize a new deal with D-lineman Dre’Mont Jones, who sounded like he wanted to test the market, and has D.J. Jones signed through 2024. Williams, though, would not be especially expensive. Contributing regularly to a top-10 defense, Williams totaled 4.5 sacks this season.

USC WR Jordan Addison Declares For Draft

January 21st, 2023 at 8:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the top wideouts in college football over the past few years has, to no surprise, set himself up to turn pro in 2023. USC’s Jordan Addison announced (on Instagram) that he is declaring for this spring’s NFL draft.

The former four-star recruit drew plenty of interest coming out of high school but began his college career at Pitt. It was there that he flashed substantial potential as a freshman, racking up 60 catches, 666 yards and four touchdowns. That set him and the team’s offense up for a significant step forward the following year.

Addison’s sophomore totals confirmed his status as one of the top players at any position in the country. He totaled 1,593 yards (the highest figure in the ACC) and 17 touchdowns (which led the NCAA) on 100 receptions. That performance helped quarterback Kenny Pickett become a Heisman finalist and go on to become the first quarterback selected in last year’s draft. They also led to Addison being named the Biletnikoff Award winner as the country’s top wideout, as well as a consensus First-Team All-American.

In the offseason, he transferred to USC to join Lincoln Riley‘s highly-touted offense and pair up with this season’s Heisman winner, Caleb Williams. Addison was limited to 11 contests as a result of an ankle injury, but still managed to put up a 59-875-8 statline. That confirmed his status as a dynamic playmaker and kept him firmly on the first-round radar as a follow-up to his substantial 2021 production.

The 2023 WR class is generally regarded more for its depth than its star power at the top of the board, but Williams should still not need to wait long to hear his name called on Day 1. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler notes (on Twitter) that the 6-0, 175-pounder has a chance to find himself in the top 20, which could easily make him the top player at the position out of this year’s crop.

Brugler is one of numerous evaluators who has Addison listed as the top wideout available, with TCU’s Quentin Johnston representing his competition for that title. Given his size, the former is likely slated to operate as a slot receiver at the NFL level, but his route-running should make him an impact player right away in the pro game. Especially if he once again finds himself with a high-end passer, Addison will be expected to put up sizeable numbers in the short- and long-term future.

Titans To Hire Ran Carthon As GM

January 17th, 2023 at 10:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Hours after a finalist contingent emerged, the Titans have made their choice. They plan to hire 49ers director of player personnel Ran Carthon as their next general manager, Dianna Russini and Jeff Darlington of ESPN.com report (on Twitter).

Carthon, who has been with the 49ers for six years, joined Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham and Titans interim GM Ryan Cowden as the finalists for this position. A day after the Cardinals hired Titans exec Monti Ossenfort, the league’s last GM vacancy — for the time being, at least — is now filled.

Carthon, 41, has been an NFL staffer since 2008 and has held high-ranking titles for the 49ers and Rams. A former Florida Gators running back and son of ex-Giants fullback and longtime NFL assistant Maurice Carthon, Ran has been in the mix for GM roles for a bit now. He interviewed for the Bears, Giants and Steelers’ GM jobs last year and met with the Cardinals last week. Carthon will now be set to team with Mike Vrabel in Tennessee.

The Titans hiring Carthon, who is Black, will equip the 49ers with third-round picks this year and in 2024. Due to the NFL modifying its Rooney Rule to reward third-round selections to teams who hire minority execs as GMs or minority assistant coaches as HCs, the 49ers will benefit again. They have been given eight third-round picks — for the hires of Martin Mayhew, Robert Saleh, Mike McDaniel and now Carthon — since the NFL greenlit this rule. Carthon becomes the sixth minority GM hired since 2021.

Tennessee’s hire doubles as one of the more unique GM additions in recent history. No HC change is in sight, with Vrabel having established himself as one of the league’s most respected coaches. Carthon, then, will be tasked with working alongside the sixth-year Titans HC to retool the roster. Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk made the surprising decision to fire Jon Robinson less than a year after giving him an extension that ran through the 2027 draft. The Titans signed both Vrabel and Robinson to new deals in February 2022, but Adams Strunk reversed course and cited personnel decisions and the team’s repeated trouble with injuries as reasons for the Robinson ouster.

Hired in 2016, Robinson helped rebuild the Titans into a consistent contender. He tabbed Vrabel in 2018, and the two guided the Titans to three straight playoff berths from 2019-21. This year brought change, with the most notable move being the A.J. Brown trade. Adams Strunk said Brown scoring twice against the Titans did not impact her decision to fire Robinson, despite the firing coming soon after the Tennessee-Philadelphia matchup in December. One of Carthon’s duties will be to help rebuild a Titans receiving corps that dearly missed Brown this season. Overall, the Titans closed the season with seven straight losses, going from the AFC’s No. 1 seed in 2021 to a team with a 7-10 record and a less stable future a year later.

The 49ers, who hired Carthon in 2017 after his five-year tenure as the Rams’ director pro personnel, promoted him from director of pro personnel to director of player personnel in 2021. Following Mayhew’s 2021 exit, Carthon joined Adam Peters as a top John Lynch lieutenant. The 49ers have ventured to two NFC championship games and a Super Bowl during Carthon’s tenure, and their pro personnel department oversaw quite the seminal transaction in 2017 — a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers have withstood injuries to both Garoppolo and Trey Lance this year to become the NFC’s No. 2 seed behind seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy. Although Peters is viewed as the most likely Lynch successor, Carthon with have the chance to work as front office leader first. The Titans tried to interview Peters, but the 49ers’ assistant GM declined the opportunity.

This move could lead Cowden elsewhere, though that is not yet certain. Robinson hired both Cowden and Ossenfort, and the former — who joined Robinson’s staff from the jump seven years ago — worked as Tennessee’s interim GM to close out this season. Cunningham also interviewed for both the Titans and Cardinals’ GM posts. Considering Cunningham just completed his first year in an assistant GM role, this GM hiring cycle illustrated the league’s view of his work.

Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud, T Paris Johnson Jr. Declare For Draft

January 16th, 2023 at 12:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

In anticipation of today’s deadline for college underclassmen to declare their NFL intentions, one of this year’s top quarterbacks announced that he is turning pro. Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud announced (on Twitter) that he is forgoing his senior year and entering the 2023 draft.

The decision comes as little surprise given his production with the Buckeyes, though it was not taken lightly. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network tweets that Stroud “strongly considered” remaining at Ohio State for the 2023 campaign. Instead, the Heisman finalist will turn his attention to the upcoming draft, where he will be a highly sought-after prospect.

Stroud took over for Justin Fields under center for the Buckeyes in 2021, and immediately showcased his potential. The 6-3, 215-pound passer racked up 4,435 passing yards and 44 touchdowns as a sophomore, allowing the team’s offense to continue its efficiency under head coach Ryan Day. His performance earned Stroud Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors, and he finished fourth in Heisman voting that year.

Entering the 2022 campaign, Stroud was set to compete with Alabama’s Bryce Young for the title of top QB prospect in the upcoming class. The former put together another strong season, though his yardage, touchdowns and completion percentage totals each dipped compared to 2021. Stroud helped lead the Buckeyes to the CFP semifinals, where they nearly pulled off a major upset against the eventual-champion Georgia Bulldogs. He was once again named the conference’s top offensive player, and finished third in Heisman voting to solidify his status as one of the top prospects at any position this spring.

Young is generally regarded as the top passer, but a number of teams in need of a new quarterback will have the opportunity to draft Stroud inside the top 10. Much will depend on the Bears’ plans with the No. 1 pick, and the jockeying which will take place to trade for it should they decide to move down the board. Whichever teams are unable to land Young will be acutely aware of Stroud’s pre-draft process, as he and Kentucky’s Will Levis represent the other first-round locks at the position.

Stroud’s decision comes not long after his teammate, left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., declared for the draft (Twitter link). The 6-6, 315-pounder enjoyed a stellar campaign this season, his first as a blindside blocker. Johnson was charged with only two sacks allowed en route to a career-high PFF grade of 83. A consensus All-American, he is also considered a surefire first-rounder and is in contention alongside Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski to be the first tackle off the board.

With Stroud, Johnson and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba all having turned pro, the Buckeyes figure to have at least three players hear their names called on Day 1 of the draft. The former two in particular are likely to feature heavily in the evaluation process leading up to the spring.

Georgia DT Jalen Carter Declares For Draft

January 10th, 2023 at 11:48am CST by Adam La Rose

One day after winning a second consecutive national title, Georgia’s Jalen Carter has made an unsurprising decision. The highly-touted defensive tackle announced on Tuesday (via Twitter) that he is declaring for the 2023 NFL draft.

Carter was one of many five-star recruits the Bulldogs have landed in recent years, leading to significant expectations right away for him and the team. In eight games played as a freshman, Carter totaled just 14 stops on the season, but his three tackles for loss demonstrated his potential as a disruptive force along the defensive interior.

Last year, the 6-3, 310-pounder took a considerable step forward. While splitting reps with the likes of Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt, Carter posted 37 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss, along with three sacks. Over the course of the season, it became clear that the latter was a key contributor on the team’s vaunted defense despite being surrounded by older teammates. Both Davis and Wyatt went on to be first-round picks last April, but many felt by that point Carter was the most talented member of that year’s championship team.

With a larger role and even greater expectations for his junior campaign, Carter did not fail to deliver. He racked up seven tackles for loss and duplicated his sack total from the year before. His 32 QB pressures almost matched his 2021 total, helping lead to consensus All-American honors and a stellar PFF grade of 92.3. Carter is universally seen as the 2023 class’ top interior defensive lineman, in no small part due to his scheme and alignment versatility.

That ranking puts him in the running for the title of top defensive prospect, something he is competing alongside Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. for. Given their needs on both sides of the ball, but in the front seven in particular, both prospects figure to be on the radar of the Bears, who landed the No. 1 pick after a wild sequence during Week 18. The top slot would allow Chicago to draft a Justin Fields replacement at quarterback if they wished, but signs are pointing away from such a move.

At his season-ending press conference earlier today, Bears GM Ryan Poles said that he plans on having Fields return as the team’s starter in 2023, adding that he would need to be “blown away” by another prospect (likely Alabama’s Bryce Young) at the position (Twitter link via The Athletics’ Adam Jahns). That opens the door to a trade out of the top spot, of course, but also increases the chances that a defender will be the first to hear his name called this spring if the Bears stay at No. 1. Given his production, Carter would have a realistic chance at being the top pick in that event.

Bears Clinch No. 1 Pick In 2023 NFL Draft

January 8th, 2023 at 4:52pm CST by Adam La Rose

Most of the NFL’s attention was on the AFC playoff picture during the early slate of Sunday’s Week 18 games, but another important development took place along the way. The results of the Bears’ and Texans’ respective contests has left Chicago with the top pick in the upcoming draft.

The Bears, facing no need to win their season finale against the Vikings, sat starting quarterback Justin Fields. That move ended his opportunity to break the all-time single-season rushing record at the position, but also helped lessen the chances of an upset which would have taken them out of contention for the No. 1 slot. In his place, Chicago used both Nathan Peterman and Tim Boyle under center en route to a 29-13 loss.

That left the door open to Houston taking themselves out of the top spot, something which would take place only in the event they won against the Colts – a team which has cratered under interim head coach Jeff Saturday. In a back-and-forth game, Houston was able to score a Hail Mary touchdown on fourth-and-20 inside the final minute to bring them within one of Indianapolis. They successfully executed a two-point conversion to seal the win, one which knocked them down to the second overall pick in the process.

While it remains to be seen what effect (if any) that result has on Houston head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Nick Caserio with respect to their job security, it marks a considerable shake-up in the draft order. The Texans appeared to be on track to secure the top slot for most of the season, but the Bears’ struggles left them within striking distance as well. Now, the Bears will have the opportunity to make the draft’s first selection for only the third time in franchise history and the first since 1947.

It should be noted, of course, that there is a very real possibility that today’s reversal at the top of the board does not end up having a dramatic effect on the way things play out. Presuming both teams keep their picks, Chicago will likely be inclined to add to their defense, given Fields’ improvement shown during the season, as well as his age (23) and contract status (two more years on his rookie contract, and the potential of a fifth-year option). That could point them towards Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. or Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter with the No. 1 pick.

Houston, meanwhile, is widely expected to target a quarterback in April with one of their two first-rounders. That has led to plenty of connections between the Texans and Alabama’s Bryce Young, the highest-rated passer in the 2023 class. Chicago selecting a defender (or at least a different signal-caller) first overall would still all-but assuredly leave the Texans with their top target on the board; their extra Day 1 pick could also help them outbid other suitors for the top slot should the Bears make it available.

In any event, Bears GM Ryan Poles and Caserio (or his replacement) will each be well-positioned to add significantly to their respective teams in the spring given today’s events.

Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order

January 5th, 2023 at 10:47am CST by Sam Robinson

As the NFL determines how it will proceed with the postponed Bills-Bengals game, Week 18 is on as scheduled. The No. 1 overall pick remains in doubt, and seven teams enter the final week either 6-10 or 7-9. Several games will impact how the top 10 shakes out.

Having lost nine straight, the Bears (3-13) are a half-game behind the Texans (2-13-1) for the No. 1 overall pick. Houston last held that draft slot in 2014, while Chicago has not picked first since 1947. The Texans are also playing a Colts team they tied in Week 1; Indianapolis enters Week 18 on a six-game skid. Conversely, the Bears face a Vikings squad that still has a path to the NFC’s No. 2 seed.

Week 17 also brought clarity on the NFC South. Although the Buccaneers have disappointed, their comeback win over the Panthers secured the franchise’s third straight playoff berth. That will mean Tampa Bay’s pick will check in no higher than 18th overall, while the Carolina and New Orleans slots could land in the top 10. The loser of Saturday’s Jaguars-Titans game would also see their draft slot rise several positions. Four of the five traded picks remain in the top 12, with the Seahawks’ spot (via the Broncos) still slotting highest — behind only the Texans and Bears’ positions.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2022 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is how the draft order looks entering Week 18:

Houston Texans: 2-13-1
Chicago Bears: 3-13
Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)
Arizona Cardinals: 4-12
Indianapolis Colts: 4-11-1
Detroit Lions (via Rams)
Atlanta Falcons: 6-10
Las Vegas Raiders: 6-10
Carolina Panthers: 6-10
Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints)
Tennessee Titans: 7-9
Houston Texans (via Browns)
New York Jets: 7-9
Washington Commanders: 7-8-1
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-8
Green Bay Packers: 8-8
Detroit Lions: 8-8
Seattle Seahawks: 8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-8
New England Patriots: 8-8
New York Giants: 9-6-1
Baltimore Ravens: 10-6
Los Angeles Chargers: 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals: 11-4
Minnesota Vikings: 12-4
Dallas Cowboys: 12-4
Denver Broncos (via 49ers)
Buffalo Bills: 12-3
Kansas City Chiefs: 13-3
Philadelphia Eagles: 13-3

Clemson DT Bryan Bresee Declares For Draft

January 3rd, 2023 at 12:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

Another one of the projected top picks in the upcoming draft has entered the pool of available players to join the NFL. Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee announced on Instagram that he is forgoing his senior college year and turning pro.

Bresee was the top prospect in the country in 2020, after he posted 35 sacks during his high school career. He therefore joined the Tigers with substantial expectations, which he lived up to immediately. In his freshman campaign, Bresee notched four sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble en route to being named a Freshman All-American.

Things took a turn for the worse the following year, however. Bresee suffered a torn ACL one month into the 2021 season, and put up limited numbers as a result. The fact that he still managed 1.5 sacks and three TFLs in that brief timeframe demonstrates his disruptiveness as a pass-rusher and run defender, something which will of course make him a highly sought-after prospect in the spring.

After recovering from the injury, the 6-5, 300-pounder delivered another impressive season in 2022. He racked up 3.5 sacks, 15 total stops and 5.5 tackles for loss across 10 contests. That earned him second-team All-ACC honors, and left little doubt that he would choose to end his college career after three years and immediately head to the NFL.

Bresee is widely expected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming draft, with the possibility existing that he will be a top-ten pick. The same is roughly true of his Clemson teammate, edge rusher Myles Murphy, after the pair established themselves as NFL-ready prospects. Bresee’s missed time could represent a red flag for some, but his production in the passing game in particular will likely outweigh those concerns, especially if he impresses during the pre-draft process.

Alabama S Brian Branch To Enter Draft

January 3rd, 2023 at 10:03am CST by Adam La Rose

Following the decision of three of his college teammates confirmed yesterday, the top safety in this year’s draft class is turning pro. Alabama safety Brian Branch announced on Instagram that he is declaring for the NFL draft.

Branch was an impact defender for the Crimson Tide throughout his three-year career with the team. His seven pass deflections made as a freshman demonstrated his ability to make plays on the ball from a different alignments. He increased that total to nine the following season, while adding 55 stops and five tackles for loss.

The 6-0, 190-pounder continued to show his versatility into his junior campaign. Branch has logged significant time playing as a nickel corner, allowing him to play closer to the line of scrimmage than a traditional free safety. Doing so has led to a number plays in run defense – as illustrated by his 90 tackles, including 14 for loss, made this season – but also those showcasing his range in coverage. He notched a pair of interceptions and three sacks in 2022.

Branch has established himself as the No. 1 prospect at the safety position, though he could easily find himself seeing time as a slot corner in the NFL. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has him ranked at 20th overall in the class, putting him squarely in first-round consideration. To no surprise, a number of early mock drafts have him hearing his name called on Day 1, including the latest from his colleague Todd McShay and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler (subscription required).

Both of those project Branch being selected by the Seahawks, a team whose surprising success this season has largely been driven by their rookie class. That group includes corners Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant, the latter of whom has played in the slot rather than his more familiar role on the perimeter. Adding Branch to that duo would set up Seattle’s secondary for long-term success, but he figures to be in high demand from a number of other teams this spring.

Alabama’s Bryce Young, Will Anderson Jr., Jahmyr Gibbs Declare For Draft

January 2nd, 2023 at 1:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

In a move which comes as no surprise, three of Alabama’s top players from this season are set to turn pro. In a joint announcement made on Monday, quarterback Bryce Young, pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. and running back Jahmyr Gibbs confirmed that they are declaring for the upcoming NFL draft.

Young made seven appearances as a freshman in 2020, but took over as the team’s starter the following year. That campaign saw him re-write the school’s record books and establish himself as a serious candidate to be the top quarterback in the 2023 class. Young threw for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns as a sophomore; both figures rank first in single-season program history.

That made him an unsurprising Heisman winner, and led to the expectation that a repeat performance could be on tap in 2022. Young took a step back this season, but still totaled over 3,000 passing yards for the second straight year – another unprecedented feat for an Alabama passer – while playing three fewer games. A weakened offensive line and skill-position corps have generally not been held against him, putting Young squarely in contention to be this year’s No. 1 pick.

That could especially hold true if the Texans wind up with the top draft slot for this spring. They are widely believed to be in need of a short- and long-term move at quarterback, and Young’s demonstrated ability as a pocket passer (albeit one who, at 6-0, 197 pounds, faces size concerns) could address that need. Young has a realistic chance of becoming the first member of the Crimson Tide to be selected first overall since 1948.

Anderson is likewise expected to face a very short wait on draft night before hearing his name called. He flashed plenty of potential as a freshman with seven sacks, and took a massive step forward in 2021. The 6-4, 235-pounder led the country in sacks (17.5) en route to a number of individual accolades including SEC Defensive Player of the Year and being named a consensus All-American.

Anderson repeated both of those feats in 2022, a season in which he racked up another 10 sacks. His decorated resume led to sky-high expectations for this past campaign, and his inability to fully live up to them contributed to midseason speculation that he would be overtaken by Young or another defender (likely Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter) as the No. 1 overall prospect. Regardless of where he lands in the NFL, Anderson is likely to make an immediate impact off the edge.

Gibbs transferred to Alabama from Georgia Tech last offseason, and enjoyed a career year after the move. He posted 926 rushing yards (at a clip of 6.1 per carry) and seven touchdowns, adding 444 yards and another three scores in the passing game. That dual-threat ability has him in first-round consideration alongside Texas tailback Bijan Robinson.

Young and Gibbs took part in Alabama’s Sugar Bowl win over Kansas State, a notable distinction from a number of other high-profile college players who declare early for the draft. They, alongside Anderson, are primed to become the latest Crimson Tide products who feature predominantly in the spring on their way to the NFL.

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