You probably remember the drama. The 2023 NFL draft was supposed to be the "Year of the Quarterback," but it mostly became the year of the "Wait, who did we miss?"
Honestly, looking back at the 2023 NFL draft picks now, the narrative has shifted so much it’s almost funny. At the time, everyone was obsessed with Bryce Young’s height and Anthony Richardson’s backflips. We spent months arguing about whether a running back should ever go in the top ten. Fast forward to 2026, and the "experts" are eating a lot of humble pie.
The reality is that this class didn't just produce a few stars; it fundamentally changed how some teams built their rosters. The Houston Texans basically turned their entire franchise around in 48 hours. Meanwhile, other teams are still trying to figure out if their first-round "locks" are actually just expensive rotational players.
The Stroud vs. Young Debate Is Effectively Over
Let’s not beat around the bush. The gap between C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young is currently a canyon.
When the Carolina Panthers traded a king's ransom to move up to number one, they thought they were getting a point guard in a helmet. Bryce Young has the processing speed, sure, but the lack of help in Carolina—and his own struggles with the vertical game—made his first two seasons look like a slog. By late 2024, his "bad throw" rate was hovering over 21%, which is just brutal.
Then you have C.J. Stroud.
The guy didn't just play well; he had arguably the best rookie season for a QB in NFL history. He was pushing the ball downfield with the poise of a 10-year vet. Even in 2024, when the Texans' offensive line decided to take most of the year off and let him get sacked 52 times, Stroud still put up a PFF grade near 80.0. He's the gold standard of this class.
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The Rise of the Non-Premium Positions
Remember when people lost their minds because the Falcons took Bijan Robinson at No. 8 and the Lions took Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12?
"You can't take a running back that high!"
Yeah, tell that to Detroit. Jahmyr Gibbs became the engine of that offense alongside Sam LaPorta (another 2023 gem). Gibbs wasn't just a runner; he was a matchup nightmare in the passing game. He finished his rookie year with 10 rushing touchdowns and basically forced the league to admit that "positional value" is a bit of a myth if the player is a literal human highlight reel.
And don't even get me started on the tight ends.
- Sam LaPorta (Pick 34): Broke records. Immediate Pro Bowler.
- Dalton Kincaid (Pick 25): Josh Allen's favorite security blanket.
- Luke Musgrave & Tucker Kraft: Both became legitimate starters in Green Bay.
Usually, rookie tight ends are useless. They spend their first year learning how to block and getting yelled at by veterans. This 2023 group? They came in and dominated from Day 1. It sorta changed the way GMs look at the position.
Why the "Steals" Weren't Actually Steals
We love to use the word "steal" for anyone drafted after the first round who can tie their own cleats. But Puka Nacua is a different animal.
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Drafted at 177th overall in the fifth round by the Rams. That’s insane. He ended up with 105 catches and nearly 1,500 yards as a rookie. You’ve got to wonder what 31 other scouts were looking at. Nacua wasn't just a "good for a fifth-rounder" player; he was one of the best receivers in the league, period. He’s the reason the 2023 NFL draft picks list looks so weird—the best receiver wasn't Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Quentin Johnston. It was the guy from BYU with the messed-up knees that everyone ignored.
Then there’s Ivan Pace Jr. in Minnesota. Undrafted. Not even a draft pick! And yet, he ended up as one of the highest-graded linebackers in the class. It proves that the draft is often just a high-stakes guessing game played by guys in expensive suits.
The Defensive Game Changers
While the offense got the headlines, the defensive 2023 NFL draft picks were low-key terrifying.
Will Anderson Jr. and Jalen Carter lived up to every bit of the hype. Anderson was the "safe" pick, but he turned out to be an absolute wrecking ball for Houston, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Jalen Carter, despite some concerns coming out of Georgia, was a top-tier interior pass rusher immediately. In his first year, he had 49 pressures. For a defensive tackle, that is "all-pro" level production.
Devon Witherspoon in Seattle is another one. He’s basically a heat-seeking missile played at cornerback. He’s one of the few corners who will actually hit a 230-pound running back in the gap and win.
What We Learned (The Hard Way)
If you're looking for the "so what" of the 2023 class, it’s basically this:
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- Environment is everything for QBs. Stroud went to a team with a clear plan and emerging weapons (Nico Collins, Tank Dell). Young went to a bonfire.
- The "Bulldog to Philly" pipeline works. The Eagles took Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith in the first round. While Smith took a bit longer to develop, Carter was an instant hit.
- Drafting for "traits" is risky. Anthony Richardson is the most athletic human to ever play QB, but injuries and accuracy issues are real hurdles. You can't use a 4.4 speed if you're on the sidelines.
Final Reality Check
The 2023 NFL draft picks are now the core of the league. When you look at the 2025 and 2026 seasons, these are the guys signing the massive second contracts and leading playoff pushes.
If you're a fan of a team that missed out—looking at you, Vegas and New Orleans—it’s tough. You see the Texans and Lions rebuilt in a single weekend while your squad is still "evaluating."
Actionable Insights for the Future:
If you're following future drafts based on what happened in 2023, watch the second round. That’s where the real value lived. Players like Joey Porter Jr., Brian Branch, and Sam LaPorta provided first-round impact without the first-round price tag.
Keep an eye on the "disappointing" picks from this class as well. History shows that defensive ends like Myles Murphy or Tyree Wilson often take three full seasons to "pop." We’re right at that window now. Don't write off a 2023 first-rounder just because they haven't made a Pro Bowl yet—unless they’re a quarterback. For QBs, the clock is always ticking faster.
Check the current depth charts for the Rams and Texans. They are the blueprint for how to use a single draft class to skip a three-year rebuild.