Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. is set to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the NFL draft, with pre-draft visits also scheduled with the Giants, Falcons, Raiders, and Broncos. Regarded as a borderline first round quarterback, Penix led the Huskies to a strong 2023 season and is projected to be selected in the early second round. The Steelers, who recently acquired Justin Fields, may be keeping their options open for the future, considering the potential need to draft a high-profile quarterback in 2025.
The Baltimore Ravens are considering various options to rebuild their offensive line, including potential draft picks like OT Amarius Mims, Tyler Guyton, and OL Graham Barton. Additionally, the team is eyeing cornerback prospects Cooper DeJean and Kool-Aid McKinstry, as well as wide receivers Keon Coleman, Ladd McConkey, and Xavier Worthy to bolster their offensive arsenal.
Mel Kiper Jr. predicts that the Chicago Bears will select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, citing Williams' exceptional talent and ability to make plays. Kiper dismisses criticisms of Williams' recent performances and views them as attempts to knock him off his perch as a top prospect. Despite detractors pointing to non-football related aspects of Williams' life, Kiper remains steadfast in his belief that Williams is a top talent worthy of the No. 1 pick.
In a redraft of the 2023 NFL Draft, four quarterbacks go in the top seven picks, with C.J. Stroud going to the Carolina Panthers and Anthony Richardson to the Houston Texans. The Indianapolis Colts select Bryce Young, the Seattle Seahawks stick with cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and the Arizona Cardinals take edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. The Las Vegas Raiders select quarterback Will Levis, the Atlanta Falcons choose running back Bijan Robinson, and the Philadelphia Eagles pick cornerback Christian Gonzalez. The Chicago Bears select offensive tackle Dawand Jones, and the Tennessee Titans take offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
The signing of top 2023 NFL draft picks has been delayed, with only one of the top five picks, Will Anderson, having signed his rookie contract. The primary sticking point in negotiations is the payment schedule of the signing bonus, with players seeking lump sum payments rather than installments. Quarterbacks Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson are among the unsigned picks, with Young having the most leverage to negotiate a lump sum payment and no offsets. Stroud's best strategy is to wait and see what happens with Young's contract before finalizing his own deal.
The Arizona Cardinals gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at general manager Monti Ossenfort's wild first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, which included multiple deals and numerous phone calls. Ossenfort's early persistence paid off with the successful execution of the first trade of the evening with the Houston Texans, and he later worked his way back into the 5-7 pick range to nab offensive lineman Paris Johnson with the sixth overall pick in exchange for picks 12, 34, and 168. Ossenfort credited his staff for their preparation and trade scenario analysis.
The Detroit Lions attempted to acquire a 2024 first-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for moving down from Pick 6 to Pick 12 in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Cardinals declined the offer, and the Lions ultimately received Pick 12, Pick 34, and Pick 168 in the trade. The Cardinals used the sixth pick to select offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., while the Lions used their picks to draft running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta.
The Cincinnati Bengals did not draft any tight ends in the 2023 NFL Draft, leaving Irv Smith Jr. as the only notable player on their depth chart. This makes him a winner in dynasty fantasy football, as he is likely to see increased targets and production.
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed their first-round pick, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, to a four-year rookie contract worth $11.9 million in total value, including a $5.59M signing bonus and a $2.1M salary-cap hit for the 2023 NFL season. Anudike-Uzomah is the sixth rookie to sign with the team, leaving only second-round pick Rashee Rice unsigned.
The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed 51 players to their rookie minicamp, including seven players drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft and players on a try-out basis. Day 2 included videos, interviews, and photos of the rookies in their first action of their professional careers. The minicamp will continue for one more day before the team moves on to Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp.
The NFL Players Association is investigating agent David Canter over allegations that he tried to offer the use of his vacation properties in exchange for teams selecting his clients in the 2023 NFL Draft. Canter, who represents 21 players who were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, allegedly contacted several teams and offered the use of vacation properties belonging to him and his wife if the team drafted one of his clients. Pending the outcome of the NFLPA's investigation, Canter could face discipline ranging from fines, suspension or the revocation of his agent's certification.
ESPN Draft Analyst Matt Miller ranked the 100 best picks, steals, and team fits from the 2023 NFL Draft, with the Chicago Bears having six picks make the list, tied for the second-highest mark in the league. The NFC North as a division had the second-highest total of picks on the list, 17. Miller was particularly impressed with the Bears' fourth-round pick, wide receiver Tyler Scott, and running back Roschon Johnson, who he believes has the potential to become the team's featured back.
The 2023 NFL Draft has impacted several veteran players, with some benefiting from their team's draft picks while others have been hindered. Lamar Jackson, D'Andre Swift, Justin Herbert, Geno Smith, and Fletcher Cox are among the players who have benefited from their team's draft picks. On the other hand, Ryan Tannehill, Tyler Allgeier, Kenneth Walker, Gardner Minshew, and Chandler Jones have been hindered by their team's draft picks.
The latest episode of the Packers-focused podcast, Reporting as Eligible, features discussions on the Jordan Love extension and every single draftee from the 2023 NFL Draft. The hosts analyze whether the Packers' drafting process was sound and whether any of the new players are any good. The episode also includes listener questions and banter about the offseason rebuild.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) has released the highest-graded pick for each NFL team from the 2023 NFL Draft. The list includes Arizona Cardinals' QB Clayton Tune, Atlanta Falcons' RB Bijan Robinson, Baltimore Ravens' OG Andrew Vorhees, Buffalo Bills' TE Dalton Kincaid, and Carolina Panthers' QB Bryce Young, who was the No. 1 overall pick. The list also includes some projected backup quarterbacks and productive pass rushers.
