2023 NFL Draft: Bryce Young goes first overall, Levis falls out of Round One
The Carolina Panthers have selected former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young with the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.
After months of debate and speculation, the 21-year-old Alabama alumni was taken ahead of CJ Stroud, who becomes a Houston Texans player.
Young, the standout quarterback in college football in recent years, was the bookies favourite to be taken at No.1 for some time. He know joins the Panthers, who traded up to be in the position to get the star QB back in March.
The big talking point leading up to the first-round was what the Texans would do, and they decided against go quarterback with Stroud at second overall. There had been speculation that Stroud could slide in the draft, but this was proved to me just media talk.
Trades galore in unpredictable Round One
Sensationally, Houston then traded up for the very next pick with the Arizona Cardinals at No.3 to select EDGE Will Anderson. We were all told to expect a defensive pick early for the Texans, and with the picks new head coach DeMeco Ryans not only gets a franchise QB, but a blue chip player to lead his defense.
The Cardinals would then trade back into the top ten to select offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr, by switching picks with the Detroit Lions, who surprisingly took running back Jahymr Gibbs at No.12.
Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Eagles traded up a spot to ensure they got their hands on defensive tackle Jalen Carter, considered by many the best defensive player available in this year’s draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers moved ahead of the New York Jets in order to draft Broderick Jones, while New York Giants and Buffalo Bills selected ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars following consecutive trade downs.
Surprise after surprise…
We can mock out drafts as much as we want pre-draft, but when it comes to the day itself, it’s anyone’s guess.
No one could have predicted the trade moves, the Lions taking Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell as their opening selections, while Will Levis, particularly considering he was the favourite to go second overall just days ago, not getting selected was certainly a big talking point.
Other surprising picks including the Jets selecting edge rusher Will McDonald IV, and Christian Gonzalez, considered the best cornerback available, slipping to the New England Patriots at pick 17.
The Eagles managed to land two Georgia studs in Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith, both projected top 10 players, with their two selections. They’re already being touted as the winners of the opening night.
Dramatic night in Kansas City
The second-biggest event in the NFL calendar came to Kansas City in 2023, and the opening night of the 2023 NFL Draft certainly did not disappoint.
Brittney Spencer opened the festivities with the National Anthem before the picks were made, with Commissioner Roger Goodell making the announcements.
There is plenty of drama still to come with Rounds Two and Three taking place on Friday night, before Rounds Four to Seven conclude the weekend event on Saturday.
Full first round selections of 2023 NFL Draft
1. Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young, QB
2. Houston Texans – CJ Stroud, QB
3. Houston Texans (via trade with Cardinals) – Will Anderson, EDGE
4. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson, QB
5. Seattle Seahawks – Devon Witherspoon, CB
6. Arizona Cardinals (via trade with Lions) – Paris Johnson, OT
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Tyree Wilson, EDGE
8. Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson, RB
9. Philadelphia Eagles (via trade with Chicago Bears) – Jalen Carter, DT
10. Chicago Bears (via trade with Philadelphia Eagles) – Darnell Wright, OT
11. Tennessee Titans – Peter Skoronski, OT
12. Detroit Lions (via trade with Arizona Cardinals) – Jahymr Gibbs, RB
13. Green Bay Packers – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (via trade with New England Patriots) – Broderick Jones, OT
15. New York Jets – Will McDonald IV, EDGE
16. Washington Commanders – Emmanuel Forbes, CB
17. New England Patriots (via trade with Pittsburgh Steelers) – Christian Gonzalez, CB
18. Detroit Lions – Jack Campbell, LB
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Calijah Kancey, DT
20. Seattle Seahawks – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
21. Los Angeles Chargers – Quentin Johnson, WR
22. Baltimore Ravens – Zay Flowers, WR
23. Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Addison, WR
24. New York Giants (via trade with Jacksonville Jaguars) – Deonte Banks, CB
25. Buffalo Bills (via trade with Jacksonville Jaguars) – Dalton Kincaid, TE
26. Dallas Cowboys – Mazi Smith, DT
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade with Buffalo Bills) – Anton Harrison, OT
28. Cincinnati Bengals – Myles Murphy, EDGE
29. New Orleans Saints – Bryan Breese, DT
30. Philadelphia Eagles – Nolan Smith, EDGE
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE
