Redrafting the 2023 Top 10 Picks

     The 2023 Draft Class was filled with talent from top to bottom, and the top 10 picks were no different. There were certainly some ups and downs, but overall it was a well built out group of players. Here is a look at how the top 10 would shake out if there was a redraft today. 

        Original Picks

1: Bryce Young (CAR) 

2: CJ Stroud (HOU)

3: Will Anderson Jr. (HOU)

4: Anthony Richardson (IND)

5: Devon Witherspoon (SEA) 

6: Paris Johnson Jr. (ARI)

7: Tyree Wilson (LV)

8: Bijan Robinson (ATL)

9: Jalen Carter (PHI)

10: Darnell Wright (CHI)

          Redraft

*Note: Only players drafted in the original top 10 are included

1) CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

     In his rookie season, Stroud took the Texans, a team who had placed bottom 3 in the league 3 consecutive years, to a division title and the second round of the playoffs. He elevated receivers around him who had put up significantly worse numbers with other QBs in prior years and constantly put up huge numbers and led big drives late in games to secure wins. 

2) Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

     Throughout his final season at Georgia, Carter was a projected top 3-5 pick, before a scandal plummeted his draft stock (as far as it was willing to go). When the Falcons passed up on him at #8, the Eagles made a flip flop trade with the Bears, giving them the stand out DT. As a rookie, he was a game wrecker when paired with Fletcher Cox or Jordan Davis, and will only get better in the coming years. 

3) Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama

     Closely matched with Carter throughout the entire draft process, Anderson pulled away at the end when the Texans traded up with the Cardinals to get him. In his first season in the NFL, he has made himself a clear cut candidate for defensive rookie of the year, while also bolstering the Texans defense with his versatility. It was always known that Anderson would shine in the NFL, but Anderson has shined much earlier than some originally thought he would. 

4) Devon Witherspoon, DB, Illinois

     Witherspoon was constantly compared to fellow DB Christian Gonzalez in many Draft Boards and Mock Drafts, but ultimately pulled away, getting picked #5 overall to Seattle.  Throughout the season, he proved that the Seahawks made the right choice (although Gonzalez did get hurt). He was able to effectively shut down opposing receivers, serving as one of the top corners in just about every game. Witherspoon showed the same potential as in college, and showed the organization that he could be the future on defense. 

5) Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

      Although he may not have lived up to fans expectations in year 1, Young showed flashes of his full potential on several different occasions. The team was truly not built to win right away, and it was a very hard situation for a rookie QB to walk into. Many within and outside of the organization are hoping that those flashes translate into full games, and Bryce Young is able to elevate playmakers around him in the coming seasons.

6) Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

       While he was strong when he was playing, Richardson struggled with injuries and was often unable to stay on the field. The bright side to this for Colts fan, however, was that the team was able to stay in playoff contention until the very end of the season, even with their starting QB out. Despite worries that he was too much of a "boom or bust" prospect by many scouts around the league, Richardson reflected more of the highs and lows (in the games he played), and showed that the Colts made the right choice by taking a chance on him. 

7) Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

      There was a lot of wondering before the draft about where Robinson would fall. However, his extreme talent was never in doubt. The only reason he was not taken in the top 5 is because of the value of the running back position. In his rookie season, Bijan fell victim to the Arthur Smith system, often having to split carries with Tyler Allegier and Cordarrelle Patterson (both not bad at all, but still). When getting the bulk of the carries, he showed why he was such a valued player and picked in the top 10, but I can not rank him any higher because of how strong the rest of the class was. 

8) Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

      During the draft process, Wright was speculated to be picked all across Round 1, sometimes top 10, sometimes top 30. In the end, the Bears traded down with the Eagles to get their guy to protect their franchise QB, whether that is Justin Fields or now possibly Caleb Williams. For year 1 of his NFL career, Wright mostly held his ground, but that could often be overlooked because of the poor OL play overall in Chicago. 

9) Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

       Johnson was largely considered the best offensive lineman in the class, and his draft spot reflected that. He struggled in his rookie year, however, looking uncomfortable at times while adjusting to the big leagues. In front of 3 different starting QBs, he was unable to provide the same steady and consistent protection we saw at Ohio State. Obviously, there is still time and he still showed flashes of greatness, but the first season for Johnson did not go according to plan for him or the Cardinals organization. 

10) Tyree Wilson DE, Texas Tech

        Wilson, once considered a candidate for the #1 pick, struggled mightily all throughout his first year. The Raiders stuck with him the entire time, though, showing that they were more focused on his long term development than winning right away, a smart decision considering the current state of the organization. Much like Johnson, there is still plenty of time for Wilson to develop, although the Raiders and him would have preferred a stronger rookie season. 

         -Eli Knight