2023 NFL Draft: AFC Draft Grades
Now that the 2023 NFL Draft is over it's time to grade how each team did. We will start in the AFC.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
The Bills trading up to get Dalton Kincaid in the first was a curious move. It's not that he's a bad player, it's just not a need or a premier position so it seemed a bit strange. We didn't love the move, but that doesn't mean it can't work out. However, they nailed Day 2 with offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence in the second and linebacker Dorian Williams in the third. Both were excellent picks with great value where they were drafted.
Grade: B-
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins didn't have many picks in this one and their game plan was clearly to go best player available over need. We love the talent and value they got with all of their picks headlined by cornerback Cam Smith and running back Devon Achane. The question becomes do you grade them based on their four picks or do you consider they turned a first and third into Bradley Chubb and Jalen Ramsey? For the sake of the article, we will just stick with who they got.
Grade: C+
Learn more about our fantasy football tools and products!
New England Patriots
The Pats had a ton of picks in this one and nailed a bunch of them including early. Their first of 12 picks was cornerback Christian Gonzalez who we love and could turn out to be one of if not the best defensive players in this draft. We also like DE Keion White in the second. As they got deeper into the draft they swung for the fences with high-upside guys like wideout Kayshon Boutte. A guy we aren't high on but is a nice pick in Round 6.
Grade: A-
New York Jets
The Jets had an incredible draft class last year. This year, not so much. Center Joe Tippman in the second was a solid pick, besides that, we really don't like anything they did. This includes first-round pick, Will McDonald. As a win-now team they did little to help their current roster immediately and long term it doesn't look great either.
Grade: D
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals got a steal with DE Myles Murphy at Pick 29 and added a bunch of solid depth pieces later in the draft. Being that they picked late in every draft talent was somewhat thin after their first pick. We also liked the picks of Jordan Battle, Chase Brown, and DJ Ivey.
Grade: B+
Click here to see the Fantasy Football Busts Tool!
Baltimore Ravens
We are very much on the fence with Zay Flowers. He is the kind of prospect who could be a playmaking difference-maker in this offense or a complete bust who is little more than a gadget guy. At this point, we are waiting to see. However, we love the Trenton Simpson pick in Round 2. After that, they didn't do much that stood out to us as particularly good or bad.
Grade: C+
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers absolutely nailed this draft. After grabbing Broderick Jones in the first, by some miracle, Joey Porter Jr fell to them in the second, and then Darnell Washington fell to the bottom of the third. Everything fell into place perfectly for the Steelers this year.
Grade: A
Cleveland Browns
The Browns didn't pick in the first or second round then used their first pick on a mediocre receiver. Not a great start. However, they followed that by adding massive DT Siaki Ika and OT Dawand Jones who we really like to salvage this draft. After that there was nothing to write home about.
Grade: C+
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars
This wasn't a draft class that stands out as anything special. They did fine with Anton Harrison in the first and we love Antonio Johnson in the fifth. Other than that, they had a bunch of picks but didn't do much to wow us. No one else jumps out as any kind of great value.
Grade: C-
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee did a great job getting one of the top offensive tackles with Pick 11, but let's be honest that's not what anyone wants to talk about. We all want to talk about the Titan getting Will Levis in the second round. If you are high on him this is an A+ draft, if you are not that grade slips significantly. We are not high on him and his mayo in coffee fiasco is beyond disturbing. Still, we understand the value of this pick and like their first and third-round picks of Peter Skoronski and Tyjae Spears.
Grade: B
Check out the top legal online sportsbook offers and promotions in the United States!
Indianapolis Colts
We have pegged Anthony Richardson as a bust and that sinks this whole draft class for us. We don't think he will be any good and he's the centerpiece. Of their 12 picks, there are a few guys we like later in the draft like Josh Downs and Will Mallory. Nonetheless, it's not a great class.
Grade: D
Houston Texans
The Texans made some big moves in this one and we like that they went for it. They used the second and third-overall picks on CJ Stroud and Will Anderson ensuring that this will be a franchise-altering draft. Considering how bad this franchise has been it's worth the risk. They added a few interesting guys later in the draft like Nathaniel Dell and Henry To'o To'o, but this draft is all about those top picks.
Grade: A-
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
We love the Rashee Rice pick in Round 2. We believe he will be an outstanding weapon for Patrick Mahomes. We do not love anything else they did. Outside of Rice, this was a mediocre class, but we are confident the Chiefs will be just fine.
Grade: D+
Los Angeles Chargers
This is another class we don't like very much. It's tough because in our eyes they got the best receiver in the draft Quentin Johnston in Round 1. However, he's redundant with Mike Williams who they just paid. We like the talent much more than the fit. After that, there isn't much else to like. We can only complain so much about getting a stud wideout though.
Grade: D+
Las Vegas Raiders
A rare solid draft for the Raiders. They snagged Tyree Wilson in Round 1 who is an excellent edge guy then TE Michael Mayer fell to them in Round 2. They finished off Day 2 by adding DT Byron Young. We like what they did on the first two days of the draft.
Grade: B+
Denver Broncos
Denver didn't pick until 32nd in the second round and didn't nail the pick. The only pick we liked was Drew Sanders in the third. That was a steal. Other than that this pick was bust. Making things worse they didn't have picks because they traded them all for Russell Wilson.
Grade: D-
Fantasy SP has worked diligently to bring you next-level sports betting analytics, prop betting tools, public betting splits, and so much more! Become an Edge+ member today!
#nfl-draft