Analysis on second- and third-round picks

The 2023 NFL draft resumes Friday night with the second and third rounds. (It concludes Saturday with the final four rounds.)

Plenty of excitement Thursday from Kansas City, Missouri, with Round 1 providing its fair share of trades and surprises, notably the Houston Texans not only taking Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick but then vaulting back up to No. 3 for Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson. Expect Houston to continue to be a major player with 10 more overall selections at GM Nick Caserio’s disposal.

USA TODAY Sports will have the latest news, while analyzing each pick as it’s made once the 88th annual “Player Selection Meeting” resumes:

NFL DRAFT PICKS 2023: Analysis of every team’s first-round selections

2023 NFL draft tracker: Second-round picks

With the pick acquired from last year’s trade of WR Chase Claypool comes just the proper overlap of talent, need and serendipity required to bring the son of former Steelers OLB Joey Porter back to the Steel City. Porter Jr. dropped Thursday, failing to become the inaugural first-round defensive back in Nittany Lions history. But the All-Big Ten star is big (6-3, 193) and physical and should be a long-term solution to a secondary that lost CB Cam Sutton in free agency and is counting on soon-to-be 33-year-old Patrick Peterson. Rarely tested in 2022, Porter didn’t allow a TD pass last season.

After falling out of Round 1, he doesn’t stick around Friday as the Titans deal up for the Wildcats star. Tennessee QB Ryan Tannehill has one year left on his contract, and 2022 third-rounder Malik Willis didn’t earn the confidence of the coaches and was passed over as the starter late last season when Tannehill was hurt. Levis is a cannon-armed, athletic, tough, 6-3, 229-pounder with experience in a pro-style offense. He will have to improve his consistency and footwork while recovering from the physical beating he endured in 2022. In 2021, Levis passed for 24 TDs and ran for nine more.

The Lions effectively replace T.J. Hockenson, whom they traded last season, with another from the Hawkeyes’ tight end factory. All-Big Ten last year, the 6-3, 245-pound LaPorta doesn’t score much but had at least 50 receptions for at least 600 yards each of the past two seasons. Decent enough blocker.

The Silver and Black bump up three slots, coach Josh McDaniels perhaps seeking his next iteration of Rob Gronkowski. Mayer’s size (6-5, 249 pounds) and blocking should be welcomed by 2022 rushing champ Josh Jacobs while giving QB Jimmy Garoppolo a red-zone threat alternative to WR Davante Adams. Mayer, a 2022 All-American, had 138 receptions for 1,649 yards and 16 TDs over past two seasons.

Coming off a historically poor Super Bowl defense, the Rams begin replenishing their interior O-line with a 6-4, 332-pound All-American. Avila could plug in at guard or center and will fortify the blocking in front of QB Matthew Stafford, who didn’t finish last season, regardless.

The ‘Hawks begin building out the depth of their D-line with a 6-3, 254-pounder who posted 19½ sacks and 29½ tackles for loss over the past three seasons. As a team captain with 4.5 speed he brings good tangible and intangible assets to the Emerald City.

A left tackle in college, expect the 6-5, 318-pound second-team All-ACC performer to move inside, giving Atlanta (and first-round RB Bijan Robinson) one of the league’s sneaky good offensive lines. Bergeron, a nasty run blocker, should learn plenty of Pro Bowl G Chris Lindstrom.

Not a ton of production at Ole Miss, his biggest numbers (by far) coming last year with 51 grabs for 861 yards and five TDs. But new QB Bryce Young will appreciate his new teammate’s size (6-2, 220) as part of a receiving corps that needs fresh bodies amid DJ Moore’s departure.

They continue to replenish their D-line – DT Bryan Bresee was the pick in Round 1 – the 6-5, 264-pound Irish star will bolster the edge following the loss of Marcus Davenport in free agency. Foskey posted 20½ sacks and 23 TFLs over the past two seasons and is a physical marvel, posting a 4.58 40 time at the combine.

The brother of Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari, the first-team All-SEC selection from 2022 will be expected to come in and help replace some of the production lost by the retirement of DE J.J. Watt and loss of DE Zach Allen in free agency. The 6-2, 248-pound Ojulari had 16½ sacks and 25½ TFLs for the Bayou Bengals. Good bender if a beat lean.

With a pick obtained in the Aaron Rodgers trade, the Pack add an athletic target for new QB Jordan Love. With 4.6 speed and a big frame (6-6, 253) Musgrave must do damage with defenses likely to be keyed on second-year WR Christian Watson.

The Badgers’ starting center the past two years, will be interesting to see how New York deploys him in the effort to safeguard Rodgers. A big guy at 6-6, 313 pounds, Tippmann joins an offensive line with several moving parts but one that just re-signed veteran C Connor McGovern. Don’t be surprised if Tippmann plays guard and 2021 first-rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker kicks out to tackle.

A big (6-3, 198) corner with 4.5 speed who picked off four passes for the Wildcats in 2022, Brents fills a void created by the departure of Stephon Gilmore.

A 6-foot, 190-pound All-American who spends most of his time in the slot … and could be biting the kneecaps of quarterbacks with blitzes from that post. Branch’s 4.58 40 time at the combine might have cost him first-round status … but he might also be Detroit’s best pick of this draft. Could eventually settle in at safety.

The converted tight end had 7½ sacks and 14 TFLs in 2022 for the Yellow Jackets and is a hustler even at 6-5 and 285 pounds. He’s also strong as an ox, evidenced by his 30 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press at the combine. He should add a nice dimension to a New England pass rush anchored by OLBs Matt Judon and Josh Uche.

They continue bolstering their secondary after picking CB Emmanuel Forbes in Round 1. Expect Martin to man the slot and thrive given the pressure Washington applies up front.

A 6-5, 302-pounder – and easy to distinguish since he doesn’t have his front teeth (personal choice following a basketball accident) – he could plug in as the replacement for Donovan Smith at left tackle or flip to the right side if the Bucs move Tristan Wirfs. Tough player who could really play anywhere along the front protecting new QB Baker Mayfield.

Some interior beef to suck off some blocks from DE Cam Heyward and OLB J.J. Watt, but don’t discount Benton’s quickness, either. The third-team All-Big Ten player created plenty of havoc last year with 4½ sacks and 10 TFLs.

The help for Love continues to arrive. Reed (5-11, 187) had a big year in 2021 with 59 grabs for 1,026 yards and 10 TDs, but the numbers tailed off a bit in 2022 (55-636-5). Reed’s 4.45 speed should be a nice complement to Watson and Musgrave.

A bigger guy (6-1, 180) with 4.4 speed and hops (38-inch vertical) for a team that can add him to the starting CB duo of Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard.

Seattle’s reinvesting in its backfield after taking Kenneth Walker III in Round 2 a year ago. Charbonnet (6 feet, 214 pounds, 4.5 speed) led the FBS with 168 all-purpose yards per game in 2022. The Seahawks are starting to get scary on offense.

53. Bears (from Baltimore Ravens) – DT Gervon Dexter, Florida

Reinforcements on the way for a Chicago defense that allowed the most points in the NFL in 2022. At 6-6, 310 pounds (with sub 4.9 speed), Dexter should be a disruptive force if his talents are harnessed.

The two-time All-Pac 12 selection and conference defensive player of the year in 2022 topped the nation with 13 sacks last season, when he also had 22 TFLs. At 6-3 and 266 pounds, Tuipulotu should start off as a nice rotational piece and insurance behind Bolts OLBs Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, both prone to injuries at this stage of their careers.

The champs take a 6-1, 204-pounder who could step in where JuJu Smith-Schuster left off. Rice exploded for 96 catches and 1,355 yards last year with 10 TDs. He joins a deep receiving corps that already had Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore.

Chicago moves up for a 6-foot, 198-pound corner who posted a 4.45 40 time in Indy. Not much ball production with three INTs in four collegiate seasons, but this defense needs the depth at corner.

A big pivot at 6-4, 301 pounds, Big Blue most certainly needs the help in the middle of its line – though the first-team All-Big Ten selection was exclusively a center for the Gophers.

“America’s Team” adds to its tight end depth after failing to re-sign Dalton Schultz in free agency. Schoonmaker (6-5, 251) probably won’t remind anyone of Schultz, totaling 52 catches over the past two seasons, but should provide more as a blocker.

A 6-5, 330-pounder who excels at paving holes in the ground game and should add a nice shot of attitude for this front five.

His 4.26 40 time was the fastest at the combine, and he added a 38½-inch vert and 10-foot, 11-inch broad jump for good measure. Turner could step in and give Cincy one heck of an athlete to man the slot, allowing former Wolverines teammate Daxton Hill (a first-round pick last year) to focus on safety for a secondary in transition.

A 6-4, 253-pounder who should provide more blocking than franchise-tagged TE Evan Engram in Duval County, Strange only averaged 23 receptions over the past three seasons.

Houston deals back into Round 2, ostensibly to provide a new snapper for QB C.J. Stroud. Scruggs was a captain for the Nittany Lions.

Not big (5-11, 183) but his sub-4.4 speed allowed him to average 19.5 yards per catch in college and score 20 TDs over three seasons. Could replace KJ Hamler in Denver.

2023 NFL draft tracker: Third-round picks

Chicago continues bolstering its D-line 11 spots after taking Florida’s Dexter. The Bears had the league’s fewest sacks (20) in 2022 but apparently are more focused on buttressing what was also the NFC’s worst run defense (157.3 yards per game allowed).

65. Eagles (from Texans) – G Tyler Steen, Alabama

The 6-6, 321-pounder not start immediately but could be starting in a year if C Jason Kelce retires and Cam Jurgens slides from guard to center.

66. Eagles (from Cardinals) – S Sydney Brown, Illinois

A Canadian with a remarkable personal story – and his twin brother, Chase, was a running back for the Illini – but professionally could find himself vying for departed DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s snaps.

A 6-4, 235-pound All-American who makes lots of splash plays (9½ sacks and 13½ TFLs in 2022) but needs to do a better job on the routine ones.

Juicy pick for Detroit, which as QB Jared Goff under contract for two more years. Hooker was on a Heisman track last season (69.6% completion rate, 3,135 yards, 27 TDs, 2 INTs in 2022) before suffering an ACL tear late in the season. His age (25) isn’t ideal, but it does help explain his renowned maturity and leadership. And a redshirt year might be good for his knee and transition from the Vols offense to a pro style.

69. Texans (from Rams) – WR Tank Dell, Houston

Small (5-8, 165), but Houston can’t resist taking a player from its backyard given its lack of depth at wideout … plus Dell’s production in 2022 (109 catches, 1,398 yards, 17 TDs).

70. Raiders – DT Byron Young, Alabama

Vegas continues adding depth up front one day after taking DE Tyree Wilson in Round 1. Young (6-4, 294) was quick enough to amass 20 TFLs in four seasons with the Tide.

71. Saints – RB Kendre Miller, TCU

A big back (5-11, 215) and workhorse for the Horned Frogs in 2022 (224 carries for 1,399 yards and 17 TDs). He’s not going to catch the ball like Alvin Kamara, but Miller provides depth at a time when Kamara could be facing a suspension for off-field issues.

72. Cardinals (from Titans) – CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse

He should challenge to start given Arizona’s generally weak crop of corners, assuming his torn ACL is healed. Broke up 10 passes in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Hooker’s primary target in Knoxville, Hyatt had five TD catches in the Vols’ upset of Alabama. He finished 2022 with 67 catches for 1,267 and 15 scores. New York certainly needs the help at receiver. Hyatt is 6 feet and 176 pounds but runs in the 4.4 range.

Hyatt’s wingman in Tennessee, Tillman’s the big guy (6-3, 213 pounds) with 4.5 speed. Could start opposite Amari Cooper with a strong camp.

75. Falcons – DE Zach Harrison, Ohio State

A 6-6, 274-pounder has to help an Atlanta team get to the quarterback after it’s managed just 39 sacks – total – over the past two seasons.

76. Patriots (from Panthers) – LB Marte Mapu, Sacramento State

At 6-3, 217 pounds, he’s good in coverage … though will be interesting to see if New England makes him a safety.

He had 12½ sacks and 23½ TFLs since 2021, and the 6-2, 250-pounder could get a shot at replacing departed OLB Leonard Floyd.

That’s two tight ends and one receiver Friday night for the Pack. Kraft could be the one to inherit the blocking role from unsigned Marcedes Lewis.

At 5-9, 171, you’d like him to be faster than 4.48. But you have to like the production (94 grabs, 1,029 yards, 11 TDs in 2022), and he’s got a chance to grow with rookie QB Anthony Richardson.

80. Panthers (from Steelers) – LB DJ Johnson, Oregon

A converted tight end who’s big (6-4, 260) had six sacks in 2022.

81. Titans (from Lions via Cardinals) – RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane

The 5-10, 201-pounder really produced in 2022, to the tune of 1,581 yards and 19 TD and torched USC for four TDs in the Cotton Bowl. Does he make Derrick Henry, who’s under contract for one more year, expendable?

A 6-3, 263-pounder with 4.5 speed who had nine sacks and 14 TFLs in 2022. Could fill an immediate need with OLB Shaq Barrett coming off a blown Achilles.

A big corner (6-1, 193) who picked off four passes in 2021 and could compete for immediate snaps with Pat Surtain the only guy holding down a corner spot in Denver.

Does his dual-threat ability – 60 catches and nearly 2,500 yards from scrimmage over past two seasons – and lightning speed (4.32 at combine) cool the rumors of Dalvin Cook coming to Miami?

Interesting body type at 6-1, 225 pounds with 4.5 speed. Size and range should get him on the field early on for passing downs.

86. Ravens – LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson

A nice all-around ‘backer, worth wondering if the 6-2, 235-pounder ultimately replaces disappointing Patrick Queen in Baltimore. Simpson had 23 TFLs in three season for the Tigers. Decent blitzer.

87. 49ers (from Vikings) – S Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State

Could replace Jimmie Ward in San Francisco. Browns swiped four passes and had 4½ sacks in 2022. Could be a nice weapon alongside Talanoa Hufanga.

He’s averaged nearly 1,000 rushing yards over the past three seasons and could take some of the load off Travis Etienne. Bigsby’s 4.56 speed is plenty fast considering he’s 6 feet tall and 210 pounds. Could be a goal line guy, too, given his 20 TDs over the past two years.

89. Rams (from Giants) – DT Kobie Turner, Wake Forest

At 6-2, 288 pounds, built a bit like Aaron Donald … though don’t consider that a comparison. But with the big guy coming off his first injury-marred season and about to turn 32, all the more reason to reinforce the front.

90. Cowboys – LB DeMarvion Overshown, Texas

At 6-3, 229, a rangy defender who could find himself in coverage at the second level while Micah Parsons is hunting quarterbacks. A former safety, Overshown should offer some nice versatility.

91. Bills – LB Dorian Williams, Tulane

A captain for the Green Wave, the 6-1, 228-pounder could find an opportunity to play for a unit that lost MLB Tremaine Edmunds in free agency.

A 6-5, 307-pounder, he could fight for a starting job for the reigning champs, who said goodbye to both of their starting tackles from last season. Morris manned right tackle for the Sooners in 2022, so slipping into Andrew Wylie’s former post might make the msot sense.

At 6-7, 264 pounds with 4.64 speed, he’s an imposing red-zone target who can also effectively serve as a swing tackle. (For further proof, check out Washington’s one-handed stab on the boundary during combine workouts.)

Big target (6-2, 213) with 4.58 speed but injuries limited his production (134 catches over five seasons) for the Cardinal. Hard to see him having much of a role in Arizona until DeAndre Hopkins moves on.

Cincinnati continues adding to its secondary, and an experienced player like Battle could step into Jessie Bates III’s vacated role right away.

A 6-5, 337-pounder who adds some serious power and gap control to a defense that ranked last in the NFL a year ago.

x-97. Commanders – C Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas

Athletic lineman who could push aging Chase Roullier, who’s owed more than $16 million over the next two years.

x-98. Browns – DT Siaki Ika, Baylor

A large human (6-3, 335), the LSU transfer is made to order for a run defense that ranked 25th in 2022.

The 2021 Lou Groza Award winner should replace Robbie Gould. Moody connected on 52 of 60 field-goal tries over the past two years.

x-100. Raiders (from Chiefs via Giants) – WR Tre Tucker, Cincinnati

A speedy slot guy (4.4 40 time) who caught 52 balls in 2022, you wonder if this means anything for Hunter Renfrow’s future.

x-101. 49ers – TE Cameron Latu, Alabama

A 6-4, 242-pounder, he caught 56 balls over the past two years and averaged 14 yards per but will provide depth behind George Kittle at the outset of his career.

x-102. Vikings (from 49ers) – CB Mekhi Blackmon, USC

He’s got sub-4.5 speed and a legitimate shot to play early and often for a secondary that’s almost entirely turned over its corner corps. Three INTs in 2022 after transferring from Colorado.

x-compensatory selection

It was a big night for contenders and pretenders alike. And another banner evening for Southeastern Conference powers. And, per usual, the show was stolen early on by quarterbacks … but as the night progressed, others wound up being no-shows. It’s early yet – and the next six rounds can very much alter the complexion of each team’s overall haul. But Thursday provided a snapshot – a big and vivid one – of where this holistic draft evaluation is headed. – Nate Davis

Read full article

It didn’t take long for the unexpected moves to start rolling in Thursday. But while some certainly had a surprise factor to them, it wasn’t until later in the order that other decisions truly provoked puzzlement from many. While it’s certainly too early to call definitively label any pick bad, these selections stand out as the most questionable of the first round. – Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz