2023 NFL Draft grades: Biggest winners and losers

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Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide, Carolina Panthers, NFL Draft, Roger Goodell. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

2023 NFL Draft Grades – NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons’ actions in this class made it very clear that they believe in Desmond Ridder as their future at quarterback. Drafting Bijan Robinson gives Atlanta the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley while Matthew Bergeron fills a key hole along the offensive line.

Ignoring the receiver position was a bad decision given how little exists on the depth chart beyond Drake London while the defense could have used more help than it got.

Grade: B

Carolina Panthers

This draft will be defined by Carolina’s huge move to trade up and get Bryce Young, who they hope is their answer to the quarterback questions the franchise has faced since Cam Newton’s departure.

The trade took away a lot of picks from the Panthers but they utilized their existing inventory effectively to add a receiver for Young in Jonathan Mingo along with a potential starter at guard in Chandler Zavala.

Third-round pick D.J. Johnson is also very reminiscent of Brian Burns so it will be interesting to see how Carolina uses him this season.

Grade: A-

New Orleans Saints

Attacking the defensive line, which was a weakness, with their first two picks made a ton of sense for New Orleans. What followed really didn’t as the Saints failed to add more weapons for Derek Carr outside of running back Kendre Miller, who may be third on the depth chart behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.

Drafting Jake Haener in the fourth round was interesting because it gives New Orleans a developmental project in case Derek Carr doesn’t work out after a few years.

Grade: B-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers opted not to go for a quarterback now, opting to give this current core as much help as it can, and they made some solid picks. Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch and YaYa Diaby should all be instant impact players while wide out Trey Palmer could be a nice long-term play to replace Mike Evans.

Since it feels like Tampa Bay is more open to a quarterback in next year’s stronger class, this group of picks is a smart fit for their current direction.

Grade: B+

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