2023 NFL Draft Grades: Rating every first-round pick by value
By Kinnu Singh
2023 NFL Draft Grades: Rating every first-round pick by value
6. With the sixth overall pick, the Arizona Cardinals select…
Ohio State. B. 32. No. 12 in Top 50. OT. player. Positional Ranking: 1. Paris Johnson Jr.
The Cardinals swapped with the Lions to climb back up and select Paris Johnson Jr., and if they had remained at No. 12, it’s likely he wouldn’t have been available.
The key to getting the most out of Kyler Murray is bolstering their offensive line, and while the Cardinals have several areas of need, drafting an offensive lineman early is easily the safest choice to make. With Johnson, the Cardinals can be certain they’ll upgrade their protection for Murray.
Johnson offers versatility, with experience at right guard and left tackle. The Cardinals already have D.J. Humphries at left tackle, and if they want Johnson to play guard, Peter Skoronski was still available.
Johnson has been considered one of the nation’s best offensive linemen for years, and his athleticism has allowed for him to cover up errors in technique while transitioning between positions. While this was a solid pick for the Cardinals, trading up for him when they have a left tackle and with a better-graded guard available knocked their draft grade slightly.
7. With the seventh overall pick, the Las Vegas Raiders select…
No. 7 in Top 50. Texas Tech. Tyree Wilson. 28. player. Positional Ranking: 2. EDGE. A-
Edge rusher is a top commodity in any draft, and with Will Anderson Jr. already off the board, Tyree Wilson was the next best candidate.
Picking with their own pick at No. 7, the Raiders beef up their pass rush, which already features Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones.
Considering that they have two edge rushers, it may seem like the position wasn’t a top priority, but Jones is getting older. After a season or so of veteran tutelage, Wilson can learn a from Jones while honing his own game.
Additionally, both Wilson and Jones have become celebrated for their incredible reach, so Jones is uniquely suited to teach Wilson some new moves. But it’s not as if Wilson isn’t NFL-ready, making this pick a savvy one for a worthwhile price.