-
NFL NationESPN
The 2023 NFL draft wrapped up Saturday, and 12 quarterbacks had been chosen via the primary 5 rounds — essentially the most within the frequent draft period. When the draft ended, there was a total of 43 trades, breaking the file of 40 trades set in 2019.
Three basic managers ran their first NFL drafts this weekend: Tennessee’s Ran Carthon, Arizona’s Monti Ossenfort and Pittsburgh’s Omar Khan. Have been they capable of alleviate some questions surrounding their teams? No matter whether or not your favourite workforce acquired a quarterback, working again or the future steal of the class, you in all probability can discover cause for optimism. Did your workforce reply the most important query it confronted coming into the draft? What’s subsequent?
We requested our NFL Nation reporters to inform us what essentially the most urgent query is popping out of this weekend and to reply it. Learn their post-draft insights under.
Try what ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay considered every groups’ class, scan the full classes for every team and take a look at the big-picture takeaways popping out of Spherical 7.
Bounce to a workforce:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
What does the long run at defensive sort out appear to be for the Payments?
Unsure. Payments basic supervisor Brandon Beane stated that he hoped so as to add a defensive sort out in the draft, however “it simply did not fall our method.” Not one of the workforce’s defensive tackles are beneath contract previous the 2023 season, together with Ed Oliver, who’s at present set to play on his fifth-year choice however is a candidate for an extension. Some solutions would possibly come within the subsequent couple of weeks, because the workforce is in communication with veteran free brokers, and it will be a post-draft precedence for the Payments. — Alaina Getzenberg
How do Cam Smith and Devon Achane match into the Dolphins’ rapid plans?
Neither Smith, a cornerback, nor Achane, a working again, had been need-based picks. However contemplating they had been taken within the prime 100, it is cheap to anticipate them to see some stage of taking part in time. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel hinted after the draft that their protection beneath new coordinator Vic Fangio provides “a whole lot of other ways” for defensive backs to get on the sphere as soon as they perceive the scheme, so Smith may share the sphere with Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard if he beats out Kader Kohou, final 12 months’s rookie standout. McDaniel lobbied closely for Achane, and his velocity may be utilized in myriad methods. He is a participant to regulate this summer time. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Did the Patriots do sufficient to assist quarterback Mac Jones and the offense?
The Patriots’ first three picks had been defenders, which Invoice Belichick stated was simply the way it worked out. Belichick additionally famous that almost all of veteran free agent signings earlier within the offseason got here on offense (e.g., broad receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, tight finish Mike Gesicki and offensive tackles Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson). Nonetheless, OT, TE and WR appeared like areas that would use a lift coming into the draft, and there weren’t any main draft-based investments there. — Mike Reiss
Did the Jets do sufficient to guard Aaron Rodgers?
The Jets added maybe the highest middle within the draft in second-round decide Joe Tippmann, who ought to change Connor McGovern in some unspecified time in the future. However they left themselves weak at sort out by not addressing it till the fourth spherical (Carter Warren). This implies they’re relying on 37-year-old Duane Brown and oft-injured Mekhi Becton, who has performed just one sport since 2020, his rookie 12 months. That is dangerous, contemplating the funding in Rodgers. — Wealthy Cimini
AFC NORTH
Who’s the Ravens’ different beginning cornerback?
The Ravens have one cornerback starter set with Professional Bowler Marlon Humphrey however an enormous query mark on the opposite aspect. Baltimore hasn’t re-signed Marcus Peters, a four-year starter for the workforce, and did not draft a cornerback until the fifth round. Ravens basic supervisor Eric DeCosta urged the workforce will add a veteran cornerback after the draft, saying, “That is a quick method to get beat is to not have sufficient corners on the sphere.” The Ravens may add Rock Ya-Sin, who met with Baltimore final month. — Jamison Hensley
What occurs now at working again?
Joe Mixon is coming off a lackluster 12 months and is ready to rely $12.8 million in opposition to the wage cap. Third-down again Samaje Perine left in free company. Cincinnati drafted RB Chase Brown in the fifth round. The Bengals may roll the cube by reducing Mixon and taking part in Brown and Trayveon Williams, pursue a veteran working again by way of commerce or free company or rework Mixon’s contract. — Ben Child
Did the Browns do sufficient to solidify their line of defense?
Cleveland had one of many worst run defenses in current NFL historical past final 12 months. After signing Dalvin Tomlinson, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Trysten Hill and Maurice Hurst in free company, the Browns used two of their first 4 draft picks on extra defensive linemen, including 335-pound defensive sort out Siaki Ika (Baylor) and defensive finish Isaiah McGuire (Missouri). GM Andrew Berry has hinted that the Browns may nonetheless signal one other free agent up entrance, however the Browns already stand to have as much as six new gamers of their DL rotation, giving them the items to considerably enhance at stopping the run. — Jake Trotter
Can Matt Canada use the brand new offensive playmakers successfully?
Canada — Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator since 2021 — ought to have every little thing he wants to enhance the Steelers’ purple zone effectivity and scoring. Not solely did the team add a first-round offensive sort out in Broderick Jones (Georgia), who will assist the run sport, however the Steelers additionally drafted versatile tight finish Darnell Washington (Georgia), who can be utilized as a giant purple zone goal and a formidable blocker. The Steelers have used their final three first-round picks to amass foundational offensive items. Now they need to translate that to success on the sphere. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Do the Texans have sufficient playmakers at receiver?
Merely put, no. The Texans nonetheless want extra as their projected No. 1 wideout is Robert Woods, who’s coming off a season by which he completed with a career-low 527 receiving yards. They traded their earlier No. 1 receiver, Brandin Cooks, to the Cowboys. They added Nathaniel Dell and Xavier Hutchinson in the draft to a room that features holdover Nico Collins and free agent pickup Noah Brown, however there is not sufficient there proper now to raise rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. — DJ Bien-Aime
Did the Colts adequately handle their offensive line?
Indy added swing sort out Blake Freeland from BYU within the fourth spherical and took a flier on Jake Witt, a seventh-round sort out from Northern Michigan. However the largest query within the unit stays the starter at proper guard. The place had a revolving door of subpar performances in 2022, which impacted the remainder of the unit. Search for a veteran addition within the coming weeks. — Stephen Holder
Did the Jaguars do sufficient to assist their go rush?
No … not but. That was their largest weak point, however they did not add a pass-rusher till the fifth spherical (Yasir Abdullah). In actual fact, he was the one edge rusher the team drafted. Doug Pederson stated they’re relying on a giant leap from 2022 No. 1 total decide Travon Walker (3.5 sacks as a rookie) and higher numbers from Josh Allen whereas he is taking part in on the fifth-year choice. Nevertheless, GM Trent Baalke did not rule out including one of many free agent pass-rushers which are nonetheless available on the market. — Michael DiRocco
Did the Titans correctly handle their broad receiver room?
After ending with solely three 100-yard receiving performances final season, Tennessee’s solely free agent receiver acquisition was veteran Chris Moore. They did not choose a wideout till the seventh spherical of the draft (Colton Dowell). Though final 12 months’s first-round decide, Treylon Burks, returns because the seemingly prime choice, the broad receiver room nonetheless lacks a confirmed playmaker. Maybe that is why Titans coach Mike Vrabel stated they’re going to proceed to scour the waiver wire for doable additions. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Do the Broncos have sufficient depth at working again?
All the pieces the Broncos have executed to this point within the offseason, together with free company and the draft, have pointed to Sean Peyton’s offense utilizing loads of play-action within the passing sport together with a extra environment friendly, bodily run sport. However Javonte Williams continues to be working again from final season’s knee harm/surgical procedure and free agent signee Samaje Perine hasn’t had greater than 95 carries in a season since his rookie 12 months in 2017. With solely five picks in the draft, the Broncos did not choose any working backs, so it’s a place that can nonetheless want consideration within the weeks and months to return — Jeff Legwold
Do the Chiefs have sufficient playmakers at WR?
The Chiefs misplaced greater than 100 catches and 1,200 yards from final season when JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman Jr. departed as free brokers. They don’t have any scarcity of candidates to interchange that misplaced manufacturing, a listing led by Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and second-round draft decide Rashee Rice. However none of these gamers has been a constant NFL producer, so this is likely one of the key points to observe for the Chiefs when coaching camp begins. — Adam Teicher
What, no offensive linemen for the Raiders?
True, proper sort out was one of many Raiders’ largest wants coming into the offseason. Then they re-signed final 12 months’s presumptive starter Brandon Parker earlier than re-upping eventual starter Jermaine Eluemunor. And the Raiders, for simply the second time since 2010, did not draft an offensive lineman. The O-line was not as horrible as many predicted, paving the best way for Josh Jacobs to turn out to be the league’s main rusher whereas getting higher because the season progressed. Las Vegas will little question add undrafted rookies on the O-line within the coming days, however it’s obvious the Raiders like the place they’re … for now. — Paul Gutierrez
Are the Chargers set at tight finish?
It appeared inevitable that the Chargers would draft a good finish given the perceived lack of depth on the place. Nevertheless, a good finish was not amongst the seven picks made by the Bolts. “It is truthful to say it was positively a deep tight finish class, however the best way the board fell, the timing wasn’t proper for us,” stated coach Brandon Staley, who expressed confidence of their present group of Gerald Everett, Donald Parham Jr., Tre’ McKitty and Stone Smartt. Everett is coming into the ultimate season of a two-year contract, Parham returns after spending a good portion of final season sidelined attributable to a hamstring challenge and McKitty is hoping to bounce again from a lackluster 12 months. — Lindsey Thiry
NFC EAST
Who’s the kicker in Dallas?
You anticipated me to surprise if Ezekiel Elliott will return? Extremely uncertain, however the Cowboys entered the draft with a plan to take a kicker, which by no means materialized. Proprietor Jerry Jones conceded the workforce will have a look at veterans at present out there, equivalent to Robbie Gould. He additionally stated he wouldn’t rule the potential return of Brett Maher, who had a terrific common season and set a workforce file for factors in a season in 2022 earlier than lacking six additional level makes an attempt within the final three video games, together with 4 within the wild-card win in opposition to the Buccaneers. The one kicker on the roster in the meanwhile is Tristan Vizcaino. — Todd Archer
What now with Saquon Barkley?
The Giants and Barkley’s aspect will “reconvene” this week to see if it is sensible to open again up negotiations on a brand new deal. Within the meantime, Barkley stays away from the offseason program and hasn’t signed his franchise tag. After not addressing the working again place till the fifth spherical of the draft, it is extra sure than ever that Barkley will play for the workforce this season … whether or not it is on a brand new contract or not. — Jordan Raanan
Did the Eagles discover the remedy to the Tremendous Bowl hangover?
The final NFC workforce to lose the Tremendous Bowl and make it again to the sport the next 12 months was the 1974 Vikings. However that will not dampen the optimism in Philly after the Eagles grabbed Georgia standouts Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith within the first spherical and traded for D’Andre Swift to shut out the weekend. There are a pair positions that would use additional bolstering, together with linebacker, however it’s not laborious to image Philly being the category of the NFC as soon as extra given the strikes they’ve made to this point this offseason. — Tim McManus
Did the Commanders enhance their offensive line?
Washington’s entrance struggled final season, permitting the seventh-most sacks within the NFL (48). The Commanders did add two starters in free company in middle Nick Gates and sort out/guard Andrew Wylie however did not draft a player that might be projected to start out in 2023. Meaning they nonetheless have a void at left guard. However one in every of their previous drafts would possibly yield the winner there — Saahdiq Charles (fourth spherical, 2020) or Chris Paul (seventh spherical, 2022). Third-round decide Ricky Stromberg additionally could have a shot, however his greatest spot could be middle. The Commanders have good expertise at working again and receiver and intriguing younger tight ends however want a stronger line to guard inexperienced quarterback Sam Howell. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
How will the Bears handle the void at edge rusher?
The Bears drafted three defensive tackles to enhance their inside go rush, however a evident gap stays on the sting. Chicago signed DeMarcus Walker in free company, a 28-year-old rotational edge rusher who has inside-outside versatility, and wishes to usher in extra competitors at defensive finish. A number of free agent choices stay, equivalent to Yannick Ngakoue, Leonard Floyd and Frank Clark, and it is doable Jets DE Carl Lawson may quickly be a cap casualty and out there. Both method, Chicago’s entrance nonetheless wants work after the Bears acquired 7.5 sacks from their defensive linemen final season. — Courtney Cronin
Will the Lions remorse buying and selling down from No. 6 total?
At No. 6, the Lions had a shot at getting a possible defensive impression participant equivalent to Georgia’s Jalen Carter or Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson however startled many by buying and selling down, then surprisingly deciding on Alabama working again Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12. Then they picked Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell, who was projected to be off the board later, at No. 18. However basic supervisor Brad Holmes insists that Gibbs and Campbell will make a direct impression for a workforce in win-now mode. “Look, we do not need to take a step again and we do not need to keep stagnant,” Holmes stated. “So, we acquired to get to the purpose the place we are able to put ourselves able the place we are able to get within the postseason and in the end make some noise.” — Eric Woodyard
Will the Packers search for a veteran to again up Jordan Love?
It does not sound prefer it. A minimum of not till they get have a look at the dynamic between Love, returning follow squad QB Danny Etling and rookie fifth-round decide Sean Clifford. At this level, all a veteran would do is take time away from the work that the youthful trio wants within the offseason program and OTA practices. Mentioned GM Brian Gutekunst after the draft: “I like that room proper now and all these guys want reps, so I feel we’ll in all probability see how these guys do earlier than we take into consideration bringing in a veteran immediately.” — Rob Demovsky
Is that this Kirk Cousins‘ final 12 months with the Vikings or not?
This is what we all know: Cousins’ contract is ready to run out after the 2023 season. The identical is true for backup Nick Mullens. However the Vikings weren’t able to draft an apparent inheritor and wound up deciding on BYU’s Jaren Hall within the fifth spherical. Corridor is an intriguing prospect however not one any group would construct round sight unseen. So if the Vikings are going to interchange Cousins — and basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stated no such plan is in place — they’re going to have to amass his alternative elsewhere. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
How would possibly Atlanta divvy up the offensive work?
After two years of wage cap points, the Falcons bolstered their offensive ability positions coming into 2023. So what would possibly this appear to be? Anticipate a extra balanced offense than the run-heavy method in 2022, with the give attention to Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Jonnu Smith and first-round decide Bijan Robinson as pass-catchers and Robinson and Tyler Allgeier as rushers. Atlanta is organising second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder for fulfillment with a plethora of gifted choices round him — with all besides Smith, receivers Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller and offensive choice Cordarrelle Patterson on rookie contracts. — Michael Rothstein
1:49
Day 1 NFL draft picks who may impression your fantasy groups
Daniel Dopp, Area Yates and Mike Clay look at the potential fantasy impression of three Day 1 draft picks.
How lengthy will it take Bryce Young to maneuver forward of Andy Dalton on the depth chart?
Pay attention, the Panthers need to pencil within the veteran Dalton for the second. However they know their greatest probability to problem within the NFC South and move forward as an organization is with the highest decide of the draft. Search for Dalton to stay the listed starter till the beginning of coaching camp, however someplace earlier than the opener it can turn out to be clear that Younger is the starter. What coach Frank Reich needs to do offensively is geared round Younger’s particular ability set as a thrower and runner. — David Newton
Will the Saints signal a good finish after shedding one through the draft?
Saints coach Dennis Allen stated he is proud of the tight finish group after buying and selling Adam Trautman to the Broncos on Saturday, however the Saints would possibly nonetheless have work to do at that spot. They introduced in free agent Foster Moreau earlier within the offseason before discovering a medical issue, so it is doable they give the impression of being into this place after the compensatory decide window closes subsequent week. — Katherine Terrell
The Bucs did not draft an offensive sort out, which was presupposed to be a precedence, so who begins reverse Tristan Wirfs?
Luke Goedeke, who struggled at left guard as a rookie final 12 months, is the front-runner at proper sort out spot (with Wirfs shifting to left sort out), with Brandon Walton and Matt Feiler competing. The Bucs see second-round pick Cody Mauch as a guard regardless that he performed sort out at North Dakota State. “I felt like we wished a sort out, however you simply cannot get every little thing you need within the draft,” Bucs vice chairman of participant personnel John Spytek stated. “We noticed Luke play proper sort out in an NFL sport, we noticed Luke play proper sort out in Baton Rouge in opposition to some actually good edge rushers in faculty. Am I betting my home that he will be nice at it? I would not guess my home on something, in all probability — however I do know he’ll go on the market and compete.” — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Did the Cardinals do sufficient to reshape their roster and win in 2023?
The Cardinals actually addressed some large points with their roster. They’d vital holes at offensive line, pass-rusher, line of defense and cornerback that had been addressed throughout the draft, they usually even addressed wants at broad receiver, which was a minor concern in comparison with the opposite positions. However was it sufficient? With the Cardinals not signing any big-ticket names in free company, this 12 months’s draft class, whereas high-quality, won’t be sufficient to shift the season outlook. That might occur after pairing subsequent 12 months’s 11 picks (as of now) with this 12 months’s class. A few of the picks this 12 months by new basic supervisor Monti Ossenfort could possibly be foundational, however some might be fliers. — Josh Weinfuss
Did the Rams do sufficient to assist out DT Aaron Donald?
The Rams got here into the draft with a evident want for gamers who can get to the quarterback, they usually added pass-rushers at a number of factors in the draft. Los Angeles ranked twentieth within the league with 38 sacks through the 2022 season. Though the Rams added pass-rushers, the primary got here within the third spherical, and the group as an entire would possibly want some improvement. Nonetheless, the Rams took step one in serving to Donald in an effort to have extra success attending to quarterbacks in 2023. — Sarah Barshop
How will the 49ers’ quarterback state of affairs play out?
The Niners and quarterback drama have been tied on the hip since Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch arrived in 2017. All indicators level to Brock Purdy being the man when wholesome, however there’s nonetheless no set timeline for when or if that can occur, although the Niners are optimistic about his recovery. After Purdy, the Niners nonetheless have Trey Lance and Sam Darnold, each of whom are anticipated to get first-team reps within the offseason program and would possibly ostensibly be competing for the beginning job whereas Purdy recovers. There’s lots that has to play out right here, and the end result will go a great distance in figuring out whether or not this workforce can contend for a Tremendous Bowl once more. — Nick Wagoner
Have the Seahawks closed the hole on the 49ers?
Three losses to San Francisco final season by a mixed 46 factors illustrated how a lot work the Seahawks needed to do to be able to legitimately problem the 49ers for the NFC West title. Seattle’s offense is not the query, particularly after including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, arguably the perfect receiver in the draft, at No. 20 total. The Seahawks spent most of their free agent {dollars} to repair their troublesome protection and used the fifth total decide on cornerback Devon Witherspoon, however they waited till Day 3 to handle their thinnest place group, taking defensive linemen Cameron Young within the fourth spherical and Mike Morris within the fifth. — Brady Henderson
