2023 NFL Draft grades: Biggest winners and losers
The 2023 NFL Draft is officially in the books. Who were the biggest winners and losers among the 32 NFL teams’ 2023 draft classes?
After three days, seven rounds, and 259 picks the 2023 NFL Draft is officially over. While it is a foolish exercise to declare winners and losers before any of the picks has played a game, it’s much more fun to do it and see how right or wrong we were over the next several years.
Let’s go division by division to break down grades for all 32 NFL teams and figure out who was the biggest winners and losers from the 2023 draft. We’ll begin with the AFC East.
2023 NFL Draft Grades – AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo did good work to secure some key new weapons for Josh Allen, including tight end Dalton Kincaid and wideout Justin Shorter.
The best value came in the second round with guard O’Cyrus Torrence, the class’ best interior lineman who fills a critical need for the Bills. GM Brandon Beane also found good value with third-round linebacker Dorian Williams, who could fill Tremaine Edmunds’ shoes right away.
Grade: B+
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were operating behind the eight ball as they had their first-round pick forfeited for tampering with both Tom Brady and Sean Payton, but they didn’t do the best with the picks they did have.
Cornerback Cam Smith was a good prospect but the need wasn’t necessarily there for Miami, which traded for Jalen Ramsey to team opposite Xavier Howard this season.
Ignoring the tight end position, which needed a playmaker in a deep class, and the offensive line until Round 7 was also a poor decision.
Grade: D
New England Patriots
Bill Belichick did good work in Round 1 to drop back three spots and still land one of the class’ best corners in Christian Gonzalez, who fills a pressing need in the secondary.
New England drafted 12 players, giving them enough wiggle room to draft both a kicker and punter, which should provide critical roster depth for a team that was thin at points last season.
The Patriots do lose points for waiting to take a wide receiver until the sixth round since Mac Jones needs help to become a standout quarterback in this loaded division.
Grade: B-
New York Jets
You have to include Aaron Rodgers in this team’s draft haul since the Jets’ decision to send out multiple picks for him solved the quarterback hole but arguably cost them a shot at a top offensive tackle.
New York did draft a bunch of intriguing prospects who can contribute but reached for Will McDonald IV in Round 1. A solid Day 2 and 3 brings the overall grade up for GM Joe Douglas but you have to wonder if they should have prioritized players who would make more of an immediate impact on a team in a very small Super Bowl contention window.
Grade: C+