The 2023 NFL Draft is upon us. From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 259), we will be keeping tabs here:
Round 1
1. Carolina Panthers (from Bears): Bryce Young, QB (Alabama)
2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB (Ohio State)
3. Houston Texans (from Cardinals): Will Anderson Jr., LB (Alabama)
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB (Florida)
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos): Devon Witherspoon, CB (Illinois)
6. Arizona Cardinals (from Rams through Lions): Paris Johnson, OT (Ohio State)
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, LB (Texas A&M)
8. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB (Texas)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (from Panthers through Bears): Jalen Carter, DT (Georgia)
10. Chicago Bears (from Saints through Eagles): Darnell Wright, OT (Tennessee)
11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OL (Northwestern)
12. Detroit Lions (from Browns through Texans and Cardinals): Jahmyr Gibbs, RB (Alabama)
13. Green Bay Packers (from Jets): Lukas Van Ness, DE (Iowa)
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Patriots): Broderick Jones, OT (Georgia)
15. New York Jets (from Packers): Will McDonald, DE (Iowa State)
16. Washington Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes, CB (Mississippi State)
17. New England Patriots (from Steelers): Christian Gonzalez, CB (Oregon)
18. Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, LB (Iowa)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DT (Pittsburgh)
20. Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR (Ohio State)
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR (TCU)
22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College)
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR (USC)
24. New York Giants (from Jaguars): Deonte Banks, CB (Maryland)
25. Buffalo Bills (from Giants through Jaguars): Dalton Kincaid, TE (Utah)
26. Dallas Cowboys: Mazi Smith, DT (Michigan)
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Bills): Anton Harrison, OT (Oklahoma)
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Murphy, DE (Clemson)
29. New Orleans Saints (from 49ers through Dolphins and Broncos): Bryan Bresee, DT (Clemson)
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, LB (Georgia)
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE (Kansas State)
The Dolphins’ penalty for the Tom Brady–Sean Payton tampering scandal cost them their 2023 first-round choice
Round 2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Bears): Joey Porter Jr. CB (Penn State)
33. Tennessee Titans (from Texans through Cardinals): Will Levis, QB (Kentucky)
34. Detroit Lions (from Cardinals): Sam Laporta, TE (Iowa)
35. Las Vegas Raiders (from Colts): Michael Mayer, TE (Notre Dame)
36. Los Angeles Rams: Steve Avila, G (TCU)
37. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos): Derick Hall, DE (Auburn)
38. Atlanta Falcons (from Raiders through Colts): Matthew Bergeron, T (Syracuse)
39. Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Mingo, WR (Ole Miss)
40. New Orleans Saints: Isaiah Foskey, DE (Notre Dame)
41. Arizona Cardinals (from Titans): BJ Ojulari, DE (LSU)
42. Green Bay Packers (from Browns through Jets): Luke Musgrave, TE (Oregon State)
43. New York Jets: Joe Tippmann, C (Wisconsin)
44. Indianapolis Colts (from Falcons): Julius Brents, CB (Kansas State)
45. Detroit Lions (from Packers): Brian Branch, DB (Alabama)
46. New England Patriots: Keion White, DE (Georgia Tech)
47. Washington Commanders: Jartavius Martin, CB (Illinois)
48. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Lions through Packers): Cody Mauch, G (North Dakota State)
49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Keeanu Benton, DT (Wisconsin)
50. Green Bay Packers (from Buccaneers): Jayden Reed, WR (Michigan State)
51. Miami Dolphins: Cam Smith, CB (South Carolina)
52. Seattle Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet, RB (UCLA)
53. Chicago Bears (from Ravens): Gervon Dexter, DT (Florida)
54. Los Angeles Chargers: Tuli Tuipulotu, DT (USC)
55. Kansas City Chiefs (from Vikings through Lions): Rashee Rice, WR (SMU)
56. Chicago Bears (from Jaguars): Tyrique Stevenson, CB (Miami)
57. New York Giants: John Michael Schmitz, C (Minnesota)
58. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Schoonmaker, TE (Michigan)
59. Buffalo Bills: O’Cyrus Torrence, G (Florida)
60. Cincinnati Bengals: DJ Turner, CB (Michigan)
61. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Panthers through 49ers and Bears): Brenton Strange, TE (Penn State)
62. Houston Texans (from Eagles): Juice Scruggs, C (Penn State)
63. Denver Broncos (from Chiefs through Lions): Marvin Mims, WR (Oklahoma)
Round 3
64. Chicago Bears: Zacch Pickens, DT (South Carolina)
65. Philadelphia Eagles (from Texans): Tyler Steen, G (Alabama)
66. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cardinals): Sydney Brown, S (Illinois)
67. Denver Broncos (from Colts): Drew Sanders, LB (Arkansas)
68. Detroit Lions (from Broncos): Hendon Hooker, QB (Tennessee)
69. Houston Texans (from Rams): Nathaniel Dell, WR (Houston)
70. Las Vegas Raiders: Byron Young, DT (Alabama)
71. New Orleans Saints: Kendre Miller, RB (TCU)
72. Arizona Cardinals (from Titans): Garrett Williams, CB (Syracuse)
73. New York Giants (from Browns through Texans and Rams): Jalin Hyatt, WR (Tennessee)
74. Cleveland Browns (from Jets): Cedric Tillman, WR (Tennessee)
75. Atlanta Falcons: Zach Harrison, DE (Ohio State)
76. New England Patriots (from Panthers): Marte Mapu, LB (Sacramento State)
77. Los Angeles Rams (from Dolphins through Patriots): Byron Young, OLB (Tennessee)
78. Green Bay Packers: Tucker Kraft, TE (South Dakota State)
79. Indianapolis Colts (from Commanders): Josh Downs, WR (North Carolina)
80. Carolina Panthers (from Steelers): D.J. Johnson, DE (Oregon)
81. Tennessee Titans (from Lions through Cardinals): Tyjae Spears, RB (Tulane)
82. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: YaYa Diaby, DE (Louisville)
83. Denver Broncos (from Seahawks): Riley Moss, CB (Iowa)
84. Miami Dolphins: Devon Achane, RB (Texas A&M)
85. Los Angeles Chargers: Daiyan Henley, LB (Washington State)
86. Baltimore Ravens: Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson)
87. San Francisco 49ers (from Vikings): Ji’Ayir Brown, S (Penn State)
88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tank Bigsby, RB (Auburn)
89. Los Angeles Rams (from Giants): Kobie Turner, DT (Wake Forest)
90. Dallas Cowboys: DeMarvion Overshown, LB (Texas)
91. Buffalo Bills: Dorian Williams, LB (Tulane)
92. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bengals): Wanya Morris, T (Oklahoma)
93. Pittsburgh Steelers (from 49ers through Panthers): Darnell Washington, TE (Georgia)
94. Arizona Cardinals (from Eagles): Michael Wilson, WR (Stanford)
95. Cincinnati Bengals (from Chiefs): Jordan Battle, S (Alabama)
96. Detroit Lions (from Cardinals): Brodric Martin, DT (Western Kentucky)
97. Washington Commanders: Ricky Stromberg, OL (Arkansas)
98. Cleveland Browns: Siaki Ika, DT (Baylor)
99. San Francisco 49ers: Jake Moody, K (Michigan)
100. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chiefs through Giants): Tre Tucker, WR (Cincinnati)
101. San Francisco 49ers: Cameron Latu, TE (Alabama)
102. Minnesota Vikings (from 49ers): Mekhi Blackmon, CB (USC)
Round 4
103. New Orleans Saints (from Bears): Nick Saldiveri, OL (Old Dominion)
104. Las Vegas Raiders (from Texans): Jakorian Bennett, CB (Maryland)
105. Philadelphia Eagles (from Texans through Cardinals): Kelee Ringo, CB (Georgia)
106. Indianapolis Colts: Blake Freeland, OT (BYU)
107. New England Patriots (from Rams): Jake Andrews, G (Troy)
108. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos): Anthony Bradford, G (LSU)
109. Houston Texans (from Raiders): Dylan Horton, DE (TCU)
110. Indianapolis Colts (from Titans through Falcons): Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT (Northwestern)
111. Cleveland Browns: Dawand Jones, OT (Ohio State)
112. New England Patriots (via Jets): Chad Ryland, K (Maryland)
113. Atlanta Falcons: Clark Phillips III, CB (Utah)
114. Carolina Panthers: Chandler Zavala, G (North Carolina State)
115. Chicago Bears (from Saints): Roschon Johnson, RB (Texas)
116. Green Bay Packers: Colby Wooden, DL (Auburn)
117. New England Patriots: Sidy Sow, G (Eastern Michigan)
118. Washington Commanders: Braedon Daniels, G (Utah)
119. Kansas City Chiefs (from Lions through Vikings): Chamarri Conner, CB (Virginia Tech)
120. New York Jets (from Steelers through Patriots): Carter Warren, OT (Pittsburgh)
121. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Buccaneers): Ventrell Miller, LB (Florida)
122. Arizona Cardinals (from Dolphins through Chiefs and Lions): Jon Gaines II, G (UCLA)
123. Seattle Seahawks: Cameron Young, NT (Mississippi State)
124. Baltimore Ravens: Tavius Robinson, OLB (Ole Miss)
125. Los Angeles Chargers: Derius Davis, WR (TCU)
126. Cleveland Browns (from Vikings): Isaiah McGuire, DE (Missouri)
127. New Orleans Saints (from Jaguars): Jake Haener, QB (Fresno State)
128. Los Angeles Rams (from Giants): Stetson Bennett, QB (Georgia)
129. Dallas Cowboys: Villami Fehoko Jr., DE (San Jose State)
130. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Bills): Tyler Lacy, DE (Oklahoma State)
131. Cincinnati Bengals: Charlie Jones, WR (Purdue)
132. Pittsburgh Steelers (from 49ers through Panthers): Nick Herbig, LB (Wisconsin)
133. Chicago Bears (from Eagles): Tyler Scott, WR (Cincinnati)
134. Minnesota Vikings (from Chiefs): Jay Ward, CB (LSU)
135. Las Vegas Raiders (from Patriots): Aidan O’Connell, QB (Purdue)
Round 5
136. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Bears): Yasir Abdullah, LB (Louisville)
137. Washington Commanders (from Cardinals through Bills): K.J. Henry, DE (Clemson)
138. Indianapolis Colts: Darius Rush, CB (South Carolina)
139. Arizona Cardinals (from Broncos through Lions): Clayton Tune, QB (Houston)
140. Cleveland Browns (from Rams): Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB (UCLA)
141. Minnesota Vikings (from Raiders through Colts): Jaquelin Roy, DT (LSU)
142. Cleveland Browns: Cameron Mitchell, CB (Northwestern)
143. New York Jets: Israel Abanikanda, RB (Pittsburgh)
144. New England Patriots (from Falcons through Raiders): Atonio Mafi, G (UCLA)
145. Carolina Panthers: Jammie Robinson, S (Florida State)
146. New Orleans Saints: Jordan Howden, S (Minnesota)
147. Tennessee Titans: Josh Whyle, TE (Cincinnati)
148. Chicago Bears (from Patriots through Ravens): Noah Sewell, LB (Oregon)
149. Green Bay Packers: Sean Clifford, QB (Penn State)
150. Buffalo Bills (from Commanders): Justin Shorter, WR (Florida)
151. Seattle Seahawks (from Steelers): Mike Morris, DE (Michigan)
152. Detroit Lions: Colby Sorsdal, OT (William & Mary)
153. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sirvocea Dennis, LB (Pittsburgh)
154. Seattle Seahawks: Victor Oluwatimi, C (Michigan)
155. San Francisco 49ers (from Dolphins): Darrell Luter Jr., CB (South Alabama)
156. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan McFadden, G (Clemson)
157. Baltimore Ravens: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB (Stanford)
158. Indianapolis Colts (from Vikings): Daniel Scott, S (California)
159. Green Bay Packers (from Falcons through Jaguars and Lions): Dontayvion Wicks, WR (Virginia)
160. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Giants): Antonio Johnson, S (Texas A&M)
161. Los Angeles Rams (from Cowboys through Texans): Nick Hampton, OLB (Appalachian State)
162. Indianapolis Colts (from Bills): Will Mallory, TE (Miami)
163. Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown, RB (Illinois)
164. Minnesota Vikings (from 49ers): Jaren Hall, QB (BYU)
165. Chicago Bears (from Saints through Eagles): Terell Smith, CB (Minnesota)
166. Kansas City Chiefs: BJ Thompson, DE (Stephen F. Austin)
167. Houston Texans (from Rams): Henry To’o To’o, LB (Alabama)
168. Arizona Cardinals (from Cardinals through Lions): Owen Pappoe, LB (Auburn)
169. Dallas Cowboys: Asim Richards, OT (North Carolina)
170. Las Vegas Raiders (from Packers through Jets): Christopher Smith, S (Georgia)
171. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Rams): Payne Durham, T (Purdue)
172. New York Giants: Eric Gray, RB (Oklahoma)
173. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Beal Jr., DE (Georgia)
174. Los Angeles Rams (from Raiders through Texans): Warren McClendon Jr., OT (Georgia)
175. Los Angeles Rams (from Buccaneers): Davis Allen, TE (Clemson)
176. Indianapolis Colts (from Cowboys): Evan Hull, RB (Northwestern)
177. Los Angeles Rams: Puka Nacua, WR (BYU)
Round 6
178. Dallas Cowboys (from Bears through Dolphins and Chiefs): Eric Scott Jr., CB (Southern Miss)
179. Green Bay Packers (from Buccaneers through Texans): Karl Brooks, DT (Bowling Green)
180. Arizona Cardinals: Kei’Trel Clark, CB (Louisville)
181. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Colts): Josh Hayes, CB (Kansas State)
182. Los Angeles Rams: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB (TCU)
183. Detroit Lions (from Broncos): JL Skinner, S (Boise State)
184. New York Jets (from Raiders through Patriots): Zaire Barnes, LB (Western Michigan)
185. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Jets): Parker Washington, WR (Penn State)
186. Tennessee Titans (from Falcons): Jaelyn Duncan, OT (Maryland)
187. New England Patriots (from Panthers): Kayshon Boutte, WR (LSU)
188. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints through Texans): Tanner McKee, QB (Stanford)
189. Los Angeles Rams (from Titans): Ochaun Mathis, OLB (Nebraska)
190. Cleveland Browns: Luke Wypler, C (Ohio State)
191. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Packers through Rams, Texans and Eagles): Trey Palmer, WR (Nebraska)
192. New England Patriots: Bryce Baringer, P (Michigan State)
193. Washington Commanders: Christopher Rodriguez, RB (Kentucky)
194. Kansas City Chiefs (from Lions): Keondre Coburn, DT (Texas)
195. New Orleans Saints (from Steelers through Broncos): A.T. Perry, WR (Wake Forest)
196. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jose Ramirez, OLB (Eastern Michigan)
197. Miami Dolphins: Elijah Higgins, TE (Stanford)
198. Seattle Seahawks: Jerrick Reed II, S (New Mexico)
199. Baltimore Ravens: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT (Oregon)
200. Los Angeles Chargers: Scott Matlock, DT (Boise State)
201. Houston Texans (from Vikings): Jarrett Patterson, C (Notre Dame)
202. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Braswell, CB (Rutgers)
203. Las Vegas Raiders (from Texans through Giants): Amari Burney, LB (Florida)
204. New York Jets (from Cowboys through Raiders): Jarrick Bernard-Converse, CB (LSU)
205. Houston Texans (from Bills): Xavier Hutchinson, WR (Iowa State)
206. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrei Iosivas, WR (Princeton)
207. Green Bay Packers (from 49ers through Texans and Jets): Anders Carlson, K (Auburn)
208. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Eagles): Erick Hallett, DB (Pittsburgh)
209. New York Giants (from Chiefs): Tre Hawkins, CB (Old Dominion)
210. New England Patriots: Demario Douglas, WR (Liberty)
211. Indianapolis Colts (from Vikings): Titus Leo, DE (Wagner)
212. Dallas Cowboys: Deuce Vaughn, RB (Kansas State)
213. Arizona Cardinals: Dante Stills, DT (West Virginia)
214. New England Patriots (from Raiders): Ameer Speed, DB (Michigan State)
215. Los Angeles Rams (from Commanders through Bills): Zach Evans, RB
216. San Francisco 49ers: Dee Winters, LB (TCU)
217. Cincinnati Bengals (from Chiefs): Brad Robbins, P (Michigan)
Round 7
218. Chicago Bears: Travis Bell, DT (Kennesaw State)
219. Detroit Lions (from Texans through Vikings and Eagles): Antoine Green, WR (North Carolina)
220. New York Jets (from Cardinals through Raiders): Zack Kuntz, TE (Old Dominion)
221. Indianapolis Colts: Jaylon Jones, CB (Texas A&M)
222. Minnesota Vikings (from Broncos through 49ers): DeWayne McBride, RB (UAB)
223. Los Angeles Rams: Ethan Evans, P (Wingate)
224. Atlanta Falcons (from Raiders): DeMarcco Hellams, S (Alabama)
225. Atlanta Falcons: Jovaughn Gwyn, G (South Carolina)
226. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Panthers): Cooper Hodges, OT (Appalachian State)
227. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Saints): Raymond Vohasek, DT (North Carolina)
228. Tennessee Titans: Colton Dowell, WR (Tennessee-Martin)
229. Baltimore Ravens (from Browns): Andrew Vorhees, G (USC)
230. Buffalo Bills (from Buccaneers through Jets, Texans and Eagles): Nick Broeker, G (Ole Miss)
231. Las Vegas Raiders (from Patriots): Nesta Jade Silvera, DT (Arizona State)
232. Green Bay Packers: Carrington Valentine, CB (Kentucky)
233. Washington Commanders: Andre Jones Jr., DE (Louisiana)
234. Los Angeles Rams (from Steelers): Jason Taylor II, S (Oklahoma State)
235. Green Bay Packers (from Lions through Rams): Lew Nichols III, RB (Central Michigan)
236. Indianapolis Colts (from Buccaneers): Jake Witt, OT (Northern Michigan)
237. Seattle Seahawks: Kenny McIntosh, RB (Georgia)
238. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Hayes, OT (Michigan)
239. Los Angeles Chargers: Max Duggan, QB (TCU)
240. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Giants through Ravens): Derek Parish, DE (Houston)
241. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Vikings through Broncos): Cory Trice, CB (Purdue)
242. Green Bay Packers (from Jaguars): Anthony Johnson, CB (Virginia)
243. New York Giants: Jordon Riley, DT (Oregon)
244. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Brooks, WR (South Carolina)
245. New England Patriots (from Falcons through Bills): Isaiah Bolden, CB (Jackson State)
246. Cincinnati Bengals: DJ Ivey, CB (Miami)
247. San Francisco 49ers: Brayden Willis, TE (Oklahoma)
248. Houston Texans (from Eagles): Brandon Hill, S (Pittsburgh)
249. Philadelphia Eagles (from Chiefs through Lions): Moro Ojomo, DT (Texas)
250. Kansas City Chiefs: Nic Jones, CB (Ball State)
251. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Rams): Spencer Anderson, G (Maryland)
252. Buffalo Bills (from Buccaneers through Rams): Alex Austin, CB (Oregon State)
253. San Francisco 49ers: Ronnie Bell, WR (Michigan)
254. New York Giants: Gervarrius Owens, S (Houston)
255. San Francisco 49ers: Jalen Graham, LB (Purdue)
256. Green Bay Packers: Grant Dubose, WR (Charlotte)
257. Denver Broncos (from Saints): Alex Forsyth, C (Oregon)
258. Chicago Bears: Kendall Williamson, S (Stanford)
259. Los Angeles Rams (from Texans): Desjuan Johnson, DL (Toledo)
With all the defensive problems the Vikings had last season, I’m surprised they would take the 4th WR available.
I hated that pick, to be honest. I know that they lost Adam Theilen, but how poorly that defense performed necessitated some upgrades. Injuries played a part of course, but wideout seemed to be the least of their needs.
This sort of tells me that the Vikings really think Donatell was the root cause of their defensive issues, and that Flores will be able to “fix” whatever ails it. There are some losses, though. Kendricks is a notable loss, for instance. Peterson is a starter that needs replacement. Even with them on the field, the product wasn’t good. The offense didn’t keep Minnesota out of the Super Bowl.
That was a head scratcher for me also. But it was a whole night of head scratchers really.
Can’t argue with that. Some teams had some pretty good picks, I think, but there were a few…interesting choices.
Poles said he was going to draft BPA. Then it seemed like he started drafting needs instead. At least according to the so called experts. I usually believe in Mel as I think he’s the best at it. I read one guy say the Corner was a horrible pick and then I read another guy who said he’ll be a day one starter. Now I haven’t seen everybody play obviously but I haven’t seen varying opinions like that since people were asking if OJ did it.
I’m (not) surprised Minny passed on any QB. Cousins is average, 35 & in the last year of his deal. What’s their plan? I can GM better on Madden. Terribly run team.
Cousins threw for 4500 or so yards last year. He’s better than average. Realistically how many QBs can you put ahead of him right now in the league? On the high end, it’s less than a third. On the low end, it may be just a handful.
I’m not trying to tell you that Cousins is great. But I’m not certain how much better you get by taking a QB right now when you have Cousins for another year to try and compete (and plan for a QB in hopefully a better class). That defense is what needed attention, and badly. Cousins managed to lead a talented offense to a lot of points. The Vikings can easily win with the offense that he gives them-they just need to stop hemorrhaging points and/or yards. You can get better than Cousins, sure, but you’d have to luck out on a top tier QB who would also need in all likelihood a year or two to catch up.
Exactly. Cousins is no superstar but he can win with the right team. Minnesota has been 8th, 11th, 14th, and 8th in points scored the last four years under Cousins. The defense ranked 5th in 2019 points allowed, but the last three years they’ve been 29th, 24th, and 28th. They should be going all out to draft defense. Pretty odd draft by them.
Kirk is 1-4 in playoff games. That’s over a decade as a starter. If you claim that’s better than average, so be it.
The Vikings didn’t re-up him this offseason. Most likely, this is his final season in Minny & the FO didn’t draft a QB? That’s failing right there. Going to your point, yeah he can throw the ball & get W’s. So what’s the plan, be around 500 then trade 4 1st round picks next offseason for a QB?
Well, average players don’t make it to five playoff games. “Average in the playoffs” is still better than your generic “average”. And of course that record is not really Kirk Cousins’ record in the playoffs. It’s Kirk Cousins’ teams’ records in the playoff. Obviously he plays a part in that, but it’s not necessarily a total and complete reflection of just his performance.
Cousins is going to be more expensive than a rookie, for sure, and while QBs can play forever these days, you have to figure there’s not that many more years of quality play with a mid thirties quarterback. So, picking a new guy next year is not a bad idea. This isn’t Green Bay trading up for a QB who won’t start with an obvious hole at WR during a playoff run, after all. Planning for life post-Cousins makes sense for Minnesota. Cousins (or his agent, rather) also has shown that he is a tough negotiator and also is willing to do short term deals if he doesn’t get what he wants. So I don’t think that the lack of a deal is necessarily a reflection of Cousins’ ability right now. As you said, he puts up points and can contribute to a lot of wins. That’s all a single offensive player can realistically be expected to do.
Fact is, if Minnesota’s defense caught up with its offense, they’d have certainly done better last year. The Cousins led offense did manage a few comebacks last year that were pretty impressive, which would have not likely been as necessary if the defense was performing up to a playoff level. So it’s pretty easy to downgrade from Cousins, and probably difficult to upgrade. I wouldn’t blame the Vikings for being alert, but I would caution them to consider how much Cousins actually does bring to the table. He may not be a legendary caliber player, but he could certainly give you a good chance to win a championship on a well constructed team.
If the Steelers come away with a stud OT AND Joey Porter Jr. at #32, that would be an impressive haul.
Washington is a stud TE. Will be a great blocker and is a huge body. Big potential
Pittsburgh had a magnificent three rounds in my opinion. I kept saying, “If they get this guy…holy crap…now, if they get this guy…”
Somehow the Steelers managed to get a taller TE than Gentry to add behind Freiermuth.
They said Washington has first round talent but has a bum knee and he’s really tall. So hope nobody falls on his leg or goes low on him because how else is a safety gonna stop him? Hope he lasts but his NFL career could be short because he plays high and straight up.
It certainly seems that Washington will be start off as a blocker and second option pass catcher behind Freiermuth. How long that stays the case is another story, and I do expect him to catch more than the normal amount of passes for a second string tight end. Freiermuth is not the best blocker, so playing him as a second tight end is probably less valuable to the offense overall than having Washington do it, so that may help not expose Washington to injury as much as being the number one starter will.
Being a tall tight end will inevitably expose him to some of those low hits you refer to, though, so having two quality options at that spot will be beneficial for Pittsburgh.
Same.
Can’t believe Porter dropped to them, that there was a DT waiting for them at #49 and that they added a guy with a ceiling as high as Washington in the 3rd.
Oh, and only surrendered a meh pick to move up to get the OT they needed.
They’ve been smart, patient and a bit lucky, but whatever, it’s adding up to a near ideal draft for them.
and basically got that pick back and took another useful pass rusher in Nick Herbig
So far the winners… Houston, Philly, and Seattle.
I don’t think you can declare Houston a winner until we find out just how valuable that 2024 first round pick turns out to be
The last team to have 2 picks in the top 3 was Washington (2000) and they had middling results for the next several seasons.
No one really knows which team won a draft for a few seasons. Just look at all the declined 5th-year options over the past couple of years between injuries and unrealized talent. It’s still a crap shoot…
Well Poles went for what we needed which was Linemen. The opinions on everybody except Wright varied from these are the worst picks ever or Best pick ever. He drafted guys that had high ceilings but questionable work ethics. I’ll give him a pass and say he knows what he’s doing until it’s time not to say that. But to pass on Schmitz twice was a mistake. When they traded up to get in front of the Giants I said Yeah! Then they took the corner who takes plays off and the Giants took Schmitz. I’m gonna write that one down and see how it plays out. But we definitely have the beef now anyway when somebody asks where it is.
My initial reaction was the same. But I’m gonna reserve judgement til we see how these guys play out. And the talking heads like Mel? They are often way off on who they think a team ‘should’ pick and like us, are not privy to what happens in private workouts or the endless draft meetings ahead of all this… The Bears have so many holes to fill and like Poles has said several times, he’s not gonna be able to fill them all. He’s playing the long game.
GB hit on 5/6 of there picks. LVNS was definitely a head scratcher. . Time will tell if it was the correct pick.