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The 2023 NFL Draft has arrived, and it's shaping up to be one of the most memorable yet. The lack of clarity with every selection is at an all-time high, as Vegas odds and mock drafters have struggled to nail down what the Houston Texans will do at No. 2 overall (and that decision having so much impact on the rest of the draft). Here is everything you need to know ahead of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Storylines to Watch
Will there be four quarterbacks selected in the first ten picks?
The quarterbacks are dominating the conversation, and rightfully so. Since 1949, four quarterbacks have been selected inside the top 10 just once: in 2018. 2023 has the potential to be the second, with Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, and Anthony Richardson highlighting the class (and Hendon Hooker not far behind). Bryce Young is the betting favorite to leave the board first, but the order in which the NFL selects the rest is still very much unknown.
What is Houston going to do at No. 2 overall?
Will Levis recently became the betting favorite to become the second quarterback off the board to Houston, but Vegas and the media are still unsure. With new head coach Demeco Ryans coming from a defensive mindset, could the Texans go Will Anderson Jr.? Or even Tyree Wilson, the better scheme fit and reported top edge player on the Texans' board?
How many skill position players will make it into Round 1?
Outside of the quarterbacks, the tight end position is dominating conversations. Could this be the year three or four tight ends sneak into Round 1? The 2017 draft gave us O.J. Howard, Evan Engram, and David Njoku in the first round (and George Kittle in the fifth). There has never been a draft with four first-round tight ends. With Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid, Luke Musgrave, and Darnell Washington, it's not impossible this year.
Bijan Robinson is the only running back virtually locked into the first round, but Jahmyr Gibbs has an outside shot at finding a landing spot toward the end of the first. Multiple teams have Gibbs rated higher than Robinson.
The wide receivers are underwhelming compared to recent classes, but Zay Flowers, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison, Jalin Hyatt, and Quentin Johnston have all frequented mock drafts. Don't be shocked if the position disappoints relative to the last couple of years.
How many draft-day trades will occur?
The 2022 NFL Draft saw nine draft-day trades in Round 1, including deals for A.J. Brown and Marquise Brown. The 2021 NFL Draft saw just three. Trades introduce chaos and ruin mock drafts, but they create some of the most exciting moments. The 2023 NFL Draft has fewer blue-chip players but remains deep in the 20-50 range. Often, this creates more chaos. Some popular candidates to trade back include Arizona, Las Vegas, Chicago, Philadelphia, Green Bay, and Minnesota.
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Three Bold Predictions
- Just three wide receivers will leave the board by the end of the first round - Zay Flowers, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Jordan Addison - and one via a late trade-up. The position is full of question marks, and veteran options like Diontae Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins are available via trade.
- Kelee Ringo (CB - Georgia) will be selected in Round 1. Despite inconsistent film that's driven him down in media mocks, his elite athleticism and speed, mixed with flashes, could see him land in the first round.
- Ten running backs are gone before Saturday. The depth of the position and scheme-specific players, mixed with the devaluing of veterans, will push a few players up into the third round, creating more chaos in rookie drafts.
NFL Draft Details
- Round 1: April 27 at 8:00 pm Eastern.
- Rounds 2-3: April 28 at 7:00 pm Eastern.
- Rounds 4-7: April 29 at noon Eastern.
How to Watch
ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will broadcast the 2023 NFL Draft.
Full NFL Draft Order
NFL Mock Drafts
- Jeff Bell's 2023 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
- Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 3.0
- Footballguys Staff NFL 4-Round Mock Draft
- Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 2.0
- Kevin Coleman's NFL Mock Draft 1.0
- Jeff Bell's Three Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
- Alfredo Brown's NFL Mock Draft 1.0
- Christian Williams' NFL Mock Draft 1.0
- Kyle Yates' 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
Rookie Mock Drafts
- Pre-Draft IDP-Only Rookie Mock Draft
- Superflex Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft 3.0
- Dynasty 1QB Rookie Mock Draft 2.0
- 2023 Superflex Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft 2.0
- Expert Superflex Rookie Mock Draft
- Dynasty 1QB Rookie Mock Draft 1.0
Join the Footballguys Daily Update
Start your morning with our roundup of the most important stories in football - with the fantasy insight you need to make league-winning decisions. Delivered straight to your inbox, 100% free.
