Regrading the 2023 Draft
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https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/regrading-2023-nfl-draft/
Regrading 2023 NFL Draft: Seahawks, Rams rise to perfection, Cowboys' haul fails in a big way
Pete Prisco revisits his draft grades from three years back
The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will once again push to win it all this year, while their division rival Los Angeles Rams are right there with them in terms of being considered Super Bowl contenders.
The 2023 NFL Draft is a big reason why.
It always takes three years to truly grade a draft, so I always go back and do a regrade of the teams and myself based on my initial draft grades.
Sometimes the teams look bad. Sometimes I do. Sometimes we both do in terms of the same evaluations and, yes, there are times when we both even get it right.
As it relates to the 2023 drafts for the Rams and Seahawks, they both look great right now. In fact, after giving them solid grades immediately after the draft, the new grade for both is A+. ......
Looking back three years after a draft really does show the value in it. So dive in and see how your team did and how I did, with the latter not being great for some of my original evaluations. But at least I can say I am wrong, which many other analysts out there won't do. Of course, they invented the game. Just ask them.
Minnesota Vikings
2023 grade: C-
The skinny: They had six picks and two are still on the roster, with both being projected starters. One is first-round receiver Jordan Addison, who has proven to be a good player. The other is fourth-round safety Jay Ward, who is expected to take over for Harrison Smith this season. The rest of the draft produced little.
How I did: My favorite pick was Addison, who I said would be the best receiver in his class. He is not that, but he's been a really productive player for them. I didn't like the pick of corner Mekhi Blackmon in the second round, but he tore an ACL after a promising start to his career and is now in Indianapolis. This was not one of my favorite drafts then, and it isn't now.
New grade: C-
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
The rest of the NFCN
Chicago Bears
2023 grade: B+
The skinny: They traded down with Carolina from the top spot and landed a nice haul in return, which has led to them drafting the foundation of this team. One of those players is right tackle Darnell Wright, who they took in the first round. He's a good player. They had nine other picks in the draft. Of those nine, five are still on the roster and two are starters. They are second-round defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. and second-round corner Tyrique Stevenson. But they also took quarterback Caleb Williams with the 2024 first overall pick they got in the Young trade. They won that trade big time.
How I did: I didn't like them trading down for a second time from No. 9 to No. 10 to take Wright. I said they should have taken Jalen Carter. I didn't love the Dexter pick because of inconsistency questions. I liked the pick of back Roschon Johnson in the fourth, but after flashing as a rookie he had just two carries last season and would seem to be in jeopardy of being cut. While the draft itself was just OK, the trade saved it.
New grade: A
Detroit Lions
2023 grade: A
The skinny: The Lions killed this draft. It started by taking running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first and he has proven to be a star in this league. They followed that up by taking linebacker Jack Campbell in the first, tight end Sam LaPorta in the second and safety Brian Branch in the second. All four have been outstanding when on the field, but injuries have limited Branch and LaPorta some. The only other player still on the roster is sixth-round offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal. They missed on third-round quarterback Hendon Hooker and third-round defensive tackle Brodric Martin.
How I did: My favorite pick was LaPorta in the second. I liked Gibbs as a true air back, but questioned taking him so high. That has proven to be a wrong assessment on my part. I liked the pick of Martin in the third, which didn't play out. He never developed.
New grade: A
Green Bay Packers
2023 grade: B+
The skinny: They had 13 picks in this draft and five head into the season as starters, although some will be challenged. First-round pick Lukas Van Ness starts, but hasn't come close to living up to the billing. Second-round tight end Luke Musgrave was passed on the depth chart by third-round tight end Tucker Kraft, who is coming off a knee injury. Both will play, but Kraft is the top guy. Second-round receiver Jayden Reed starts and seventh-round corner Carrington Valentine has been a starter, but will be challenged this season for his job. Sixth-round defensive end Karl Brooks is also a starter.
How I did: I liked the pick of Musgrave, who has flashed at times but isn't as good as Kraft. I didn't love the pick of Reed, who is better than I thought. This was a solid draft. They got starters, but only Kraft was a real star before his injury.
New grade: B
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
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