Published on October 19, 2023

My take on how all 31 NFL first round picks are performing so far this season

I’m going to be grading all 31 first round picks based on their performance this season, and after each one’s name, I will put a grade. (B is an average grade, and it’ll be up and down from there)

Panthers QB Bryce Young: C
1. He definitely has been the worst of the 3 QBs taken in the first round, but he is improving, and deserves more time. It doesn’t help that he is on a bad team without many weapons as well.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud: A+
1. He has been everything the Texans could have wanted. Calm, accurate, and most of all, successful. He has had the Texans playing better than most expected without an elite reciever, and is on pace to break rookie records. In a redraft, I think the Panthers might have taken him #1 overall.
Texans DE Will Anderson Jr: B
1. Anderson had a hot start to the season, and has cooled off a bit, but he has been good. He will just keep on improving.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson: B
1. Now, this grade is only this low because of his injuries. I love Anthony Richardson as much as the next guy, and he has shown ELITE flashes. If he can stay healthy, there is nothing stopping him from being the next elite qb.
Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon: A-
1. He has been great even after missing a few games, and this was a homerun pick. He’s been playing like a great complement to stud Tariq Woolen.
Cardinals OT Paris Johnson Jr: B
1. I haven’t heard much about him, good or bad, but he’s on a bad team (better than expected though), so I guess a B is a good grade.
Raiders DE Tyree Wilson: D
1. So far, this has been a stinker pick, as he has nearly no pressures, but Wilson has all the tools and talent to turn it around.
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson: A-
1. FALCONS WHY ARE YOU GIVING THIS MAN THE SAME AMOUNT OF CARRIES AS TYLER ALLGIER!! Bijan deserves more opportunities as he has outperformed second year rb and former 1000 yard rusher Tyler Allgier in nearly every category. The Falcons aren’t using him properly, and he has produced and made highlight reel plays in his limited opportunities.
Eagles DT Jalen Carter: A+
1. This has been an incredible pick, as Carter looks like the early favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has been nothing short of dominant, and he will only improve.
Bears OT Darnell Wright: B
1. Wright has been a solid starter on a messy team. He has been a bright spot for this team.
Titans OG Peter Skowronski: B
1. I haven’t heard much about him either, so I guess he’s doing okay, but the Tennessee O line has been atrocious as well, so.
Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs: B-
1. The Lions haven’t used Gibbs properly at all, and are making David Montegomery the featured back. If you aren’t going to use him, why would you pick him? Gibbs is a supremely talented player though, and with Monte injured for the foreseeable future, will Gibbs’ role increase?
Packers DE Lukas Van Ness: C+
1. This was an ok pick, but could have been used on someone like Broderick Jones or Jaxon-Smith Njigba to help out their offense.
Steelers OT Broderick Jones: B+
1. Great pick, and he is performing very well. Now all that’s left is the Steelers need to start him…
Jets DE Will Mcdonald IV: C+
1. He is showing plenty of flashes, but he isn’t ready for a full time starting role yet. If he was 21 or 22, this grade would have been higher because he would have more time to develop, but he is old for a rookie at 24, so time is ticking…
Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes: C-
1. Forbes has been HORRIBLE so far, as he has been getting roasted by the likes of A.J Brown and DJ Moore. Granted those are not easy players to cover, but he should not be allowing that many yards. He still has talent and time, so it’s not time to panic yet.
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez: A+
1. Gonzalez has been INCREDIBLE so far, and not just as a value pick for his drop on draft day. It’s unfortunate that he suffered a season ending injury recently. He would have been in contention for Defensive Rookie of the year otherwise.
Lions MLB Jack Campbell: B
1. He has been good, showing some good moments, as well as some bad.
Buccaneers DT Calijah Kancey: B-
1. Okay pick, and I haven’t heard much about him. Has talent, and is similar to another HOF defensive lineman by the name of Aaron Donald…
Seahawks WR Jaxon-Smith Njigba: C+
1. He was thought to be the most pro-ready receiver of the class, but it isn’t looking like that. Maybe he just needs more opportunities, or maybe having 2 other elite receivers on his team is hindering him. Or maybe he just doesn’t have the talent. It will take time to find out.
Chargers WR Quentin Johnston: C
1. He hasn’t performed up to expectations yet, but maybe that’ll change now with Mike Williams out for season. He is a similar build to Williams as well.
Ravens WR Zay Flowers: A-
1. Great pick here, as Flowers has looked like the best receiver out of this draft so far. He just needs to work on some drops issues.
Vikings WR Jordan Addison: B+
1. He has been good, and looks like the Justin Jefferson replacement for the next few games. He just needs to have more consistent production, and not depend on big plays.
Giants CB Deonte Banks: B+
1. He has been good (I think, it’s impossible to know with the current state of this team), but the Giants as a team have been bad, so it’s hard to judge him fairly.
Bills TE Dalton Kincaid: C
1. He hasn’t done much, same as his tight end running mate Dawson Knox. Bills aren’t using him properly for his skillset, which could explain the lack of production.
Cowboys DT Mazi Smith: C+
1. I’ve seen some plays where Smith is tossed around, and some where he dominates the scene. He needs more consistency to become a good player.
Jaguars OT Anton Harrison: B+
1. He has been good, and good positional and need value for the Jags here.
Bengals DE Myles Murphy: C
1. He has not carved out a full time role yet, and has been losing snaps. He still has time thought because he is only 21
Saints DT Bryan Bresee: B-
1. I think he has been decent, but I can’t fully judge, because nothing really has been said specially about him, which could mean anything.
Eagles OLB Nolan Smith: B-
1. Amazing value here for Philly, but their rotation on the D line is so deep, he isn’t getting opportunities. Maybe with more in the future, he will produce and make an impact.
Chiefs DE Feliz Anudike-Uzomah: C+
1. He hasn’t been special, but hasn’t been bad either. Maybe he isn’t getting enough opportunities, but I don’t know.