Expert Analysis
4/28/23
6 min read
2023 NFL Draft: Five Biggest Winners From Round 1
Franchise-changing players can be found in every round of the NFL draft. More often than not, teams end up relying on their Day 1 pick to carry the organization into the future. With the first night of the 2023 NFL Draft behind us, here's a look at the five teams who came out of Day 1 with the most to be proud of.
5 Biggest Winners
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider picked up where he left off a year ago when he nailed the organization’s 2022 draft by getting the best defensive back — Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon (scouting report) — and best wideout — Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (scouting report). Witherspoon is a unique, ultra-competitive and athletic cover guy who fits Seattle’s aggressive style. He will plug in immediately on the perimeter opposite rookie Pro Bowler Tariq Woolen, giving Pete Carroll’s defense a potential pair of shutdown corners.
Smith-Njigba is a classic, NFL-ready slot who gives Seattle a legitimate third option with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. The most impressive thing Schneider did was resist the temptation to roll the dice on talented yet questionably wired Georgia DT Jalen Carter (scouting report). This team has a glaring need at interior defensive line so taking Carter had to be tempting, but Schneider stood pat at Nos. 5 and 20 and took two good football players that will make an immediate impact.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sometimes you need things to fall your way on draft night, and everything fell into place probably better than Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman could have hoped. We received a text from Georgia DT Jalen Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, on Thursday morning asking us where we thought Carter might go.
Our response was simple, “Don’t think he gets past Howie." While we didn’t like the Carter fit in Seattle, it does make sense for Philly. If any unit has a chance of benefitting from Carter’s Pro Bowl potential it’s an Eagles defense that already had two of his former Georgia teammates, Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, who sources in Athens say Carter looks up to.
At pick No. 30, another former Bulldog unexpectedly fell to them in lightning-fast edge Nolan Smith (scouting report), who was the top-graded defensive player on our Senior Bowl board last summer. Smith was an absolute grand slam pick because he can train under a player he compares favorably to —Haason Reddick — and help steer Carter down the right path.
Arizona Cardinals
First-time Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort’s main goal heading into the draft was trading down from the No. 3 spot and acquiring more picks to replenish a depleted roster. Ossenfort found a trading partner in Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio, who worked together for many years with the Patriots. Ossenfort then used part of that haul acquired from the Texans to move back up from No. 12 to 6 to select Ohio State OL Paris Johnson Jr. (scouting report).
After the dust settled, the Cardinals came out of Thursday night with an athletic left tackle that also played extensively at right guard for the Buckeyes, so there’s proven versatility there. More importantly, they have a couple of extra picks for 2024, including the Texans’ first-rounder, in a draft that we expect to have more impact players than this year’s did. Ossenfort’s ability to use past connections and work deftly while on the clock are good first signs heading into the next two days of picks.
Atlanta Falcons
General manager Terry Fontenot might take some heat for picking a running back at No. 8 overall, but Texas’ Bijan Robinson (scouting report) isn’t just any running back. In conversations with NFL scouts during the past month, most evaluators felt like Robinson was either the most talented player in the draft or the second-most, behind Carter. He makes everything look easy on a football field. We’ve used the example of Robinson looking like the high school all-state running back who gets pulled down to play in a JV game. Some might not view running back as a true need with last year’s rookie Tyler Allgeier coming off a 1,000-yard rushing season, but we trust coach Arthur Smith will have a smart plan to utilize both players.
In a league where you sometimes need to zig when everyone else is zagging in order to find a competitive advantage, picking Robinson seems like a shrewd move. If nothing else, his arrival will certainly take pressure off second-year QB Desmond Ridder and help the franchise assess whether or not they can win with him as the starter.
New York Jets
It’s going to be difficult for New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas to duplicate what he did a year ago by drafting two rookie-of-year award winners, but he landed someone on Thursday night capable of being that guy next season in Iowa State edge Will McDonald Jr. (scouting report).
Few players on either side of the ball took advantage of the pre-draft process more than the Cyclones’ all-time sack leader. McDonald was easily the most athletic outside pass rusher at this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl, and he was probably the bendiest rusher in this entire class. He had 33 sacks during the past four seasons in Ames despite playing primarily five-technique where he was tied as a tight shade on the tackle. McDonald got Douglas’ attention in Mobile the same way 2022 first-rounder Jermaine Johnson did last year. It’s scary to think what McDonald will be capable of when he aligns wide and can simply let it rip off the corner.
We spoke to one head coach at a pro day this spring who thought McDonald could be a double-digit sack guy as a rookie. If that’s the case, Douglas just drafted himself another Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Before taking over as executive director of the Reese's Senior Bowl in 2018, Jim Nagy was an NFL scout for nearly two decades, having worked for five teams that won a combined four Super Bowls. Follow him on Twitter @JimNagy_SB.
