All NFL teams participate in the annual NFL Draft three months after the Super Bowl. This year, the 2023 NFL Draft was the 88th edition draft to be conducted. It was held last April 27-29, 2023, outside the Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.
For experts, fans, and bettors, the draft says a lot about the possible performance the team will have during the season. So, to know more about the latest NFL Draft, we’ll discuss the winners and losers of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Winners
With 32 teams participating in the 2023 NFL Draft, it’s quite difficult to keep track of all the transactions and trades that happened. Determining which teams are having a good or terrible night can be difficult. Here’s a list of teams that have significantly improved their chances of claiming the Super Bowl with their draft night decisions.
Philadelphia Eagles
Among all the teams that participated in the 2023 NFL Draft, the clear-cut winner is the Philadelphia Eagles. Fans have jokingly pointed out that the NFL Draft should be renamed the Howie Roseman Invitational since the Eagles’ General Manager performed a masterclass during the draft for other managers to replicate. He employed his signature strategy of drafting players who wore a “G” helmet in college, such as Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith.
The Eagles drafted Carter at No. 9 after swapping picks with the Bears. Even though there are well-documented concerns about Carter’s ability to adjust to the NFL lifestyle, bettors believe that Carter is a perfect fit for the team. He’ll be surrounded by established leaders, former Georgia teammates, and a great team culture, enabling him to maximize his talents.
Meanwhile, drafting Smith with the 30th pick was all due to dumb luck, with the possibility that other teams have not paid attention to his talents. This electric edge player is an excellent addition to the team since his agility greatly makes up for being an undersized pass rusher.
With this move, General Manager Roseman made it clear that the Philadelphia Eagles are back to dominate the game. With the Eagles’ hunger for victory, bettors should consider placing their NFL bets on this team.
Baltimore Ravens
Before the Lamar Jackson contract dispute saga, the Baltimore Ravens had been regarded and viewed as one of the most stable teams in the NFL. The saga ended when Jackson agreed to a hefty $260 million extension, restoring harmony to the team and providing a clear sense of direction – making their franchise quarterback happy.
By employing this strategy, they’ve remarkably transformed the Ravens’ passing attack. This was done by adding Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman. With this addition, the team now has a great route runner doing offensive work, igniting the team’s offensive strategy.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t expected to have a great night. They were situated at pick No. 17 and needed a top-tier offensive tackle. This scenario was handled by General Manager Omar Khan by remarkably switching places with New England at No. 14 by releasing a fourth-round pick to the latter.
They used the No. 14 to select Broderick Jones. A draft prospect eyed by the No. 15 picker, the New York Jets. He is highly regarded because he’s Georgia’s plug-and-play starter who didn’t allow a single sack last season. This made him one of the blue-chip tackle prospects.
Losers
During the draft, not all 32 teams had the best results. Some would have okay draft nights and ended up having terrible ones. They’re considered terrible not because they’re already a terrible team but because they’ve not achieved their draft goals.
Cleveland Browns
One of the teams that was the NFL Draft’s biggest loser this year was the Cleveland Browns. Their decision to trade Deshaun Watson gave them few resources to improve their current roster. Their only pick in the draft happened during the third round. Players drafted in the third round onwards are expected to be average role players.
Washington Commanders
Entering the draft, the team was already shaky. The Washington Commanders declined to address their issues of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct and proceeded to the draft. They drafted their first-round pick, Emmanuel Forbes, who has been plagued by durability concerns throughout the draft process.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys’ performance in the 2023 NFL draft was lackluster. Despite having high expectations, they failed to make impactful selections and address critical issues, such as the lack of solid backup stars and many injury-plagued players in their roster.
This underwhelming draft could hinder their ability to strengthen the team and compete at a higher level in the upcoming season. The Cowboys will need to rely on other avenues, like trading for more solid players and hiring better trainers, to bolster their roster and improve their chances of success.
Final Thoughts
Knowing each team’s performance in the 2023 NFL Draft is crucial. It’s a critical opportunity for teams to acquire talented players and address their roster’s needs. By understanding how teams fared in the draft, fans can better gauge the team’s potential for success in the upcoming season. This knowledge allows fans to make informed decisions on which teams to support, helping foster a deeper connection with the sport.
