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A Re-do of the opening round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Which teams made the best and works pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Read the top picks including Puka Nacua, C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, more
With the 2026 NFL Draft slowly approaching, let's take a look back and re-draft the opening round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In this redo, we will give each "original" holder of the pick their respective slot back, as if any "Draft Day" trades had not occurred.
On Draft Day, we saw the Texans trade up to the No. 3 slot. However, in this version, the Cardinals will hold their No. 3 pick. However, any Pre-Draft trades will still be taken into account (Panthers acquiring the first overall pick from the Bears)
Which players moved up the draft board in this edition? Who is no longer a first-round selection? Let's dive in!
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Pick 1: Carolina Panthers
Original Pick - Bryce Young, QB
New Pick - C.J. Stroud, QB
The Panthers will still opt to take a QB with the first pick, but will instead pivot to Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. Stroud was taken second overall in the real draft and will move up one spot in the redo. Through his first three NFL seasons, Stroud has led the Texans to the postseason and picked up three postseason victories.
Pick 2: Houston Texans
Original Pick - C.J. Stroud, QB
New Pick - Bijan Robinson, RB
With Stroud off the board, the Texans will take one of the best RB prospects in the game's history in Bijan Robinson. After a somewhat quiet rookie season, Robinson has been among the sport's best running backs over the past two seasons. In 2025, Robinson turned in a career year, totaling 1,478 rushing yards, 820 receiving yards, and scoring 11 TDs.
Pick 3: Arizona Cardinals
Original Pick - Will Anderson Jr., DE (selected by the Texans)
New Pick - Will Anderson Jr., DE
Will Anderson will once again be the first defender off the board. However, with the Cardinals not trading this pick to Houston, they will add a franchise cornerstone to their defensive line. After totaling 7.0 sacks as a rookie, Anderson has hit the double-digit mark in back-to-back seasons. In 2025, the Alabama product totaled a career-high 54 tackles with 12.0 sacks.
Pick 4: Indianapolis Colts
Original Pick - Anthony Richardson Sr., QB
New Pick - Christian Gonzalez, DB
The Colts made one of the worst decisions this draft by taking Anthony Richardson out of Florida with the fourth selection. In this redo, they will instead take one of the top defensive backs in the game, Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez was selected later in the opening round by the Patriots (17th overall). Despite missing three games in 2025, Gonzalez totaled a career-best 69 tackles with 10 deflections. He tallied the game-sealing interception during the Conference championship victory over the Broncos.
Pick 5: Seattle Seahawks
Original Pick - Devon Witherspoon, DB
New Pick - Puka Nacua, WR
While Witherspoon would have been a fine selection at the No. 5 slot once again, the Seahawks will instead take one of the top WRs in the game, Puka Nacua. Nacua broke a record as a rookie, catching 105 passes for 1,486 and six scores. Following a somewhat down season in 2024, Nacua bounced back in a big way in 2025, bringing in 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 scores.
Puka Nacua takes the handoff 45 yards for a TD on 4th & 1!
LARvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/1bioXMJ7rd
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
Pick 6: Detroit Lions
Original Pick - Paris Johnson Jr. (selected by Cardinals)
New Pick - Jalen Carter, DT
With the Lions holding onto this selection, they will bolster their defensive line by adding Jalen Carter. Carter would make an impressive impact in his debut season in Philadelphia, tallying 6.0 sacks with 33 tackles. As a sophomore, Carter would take an even larger step forward on their Super Bowl-winning roster, tacking on 42 tackles (career-best) with 4.5 sacks and six deflections.
Pick 7: Las Vegas Raiders
Original Pick - Tyree Wilson, DE
New Pick - Devon Witherspoon, DB
The Raiders will take an elite defender, Devon Witherspoon, with the seventh overall pick. Witherspoon has played a lead role in the Seattle secondary and is coming off his most dominant season in 2025. According to PFF, the defensive back placed first at his entire position with an elite 89.9 Overall Grade. He has logged at least 72 tackles in each season and logged a career-best 98 in 2024.
Pick 8: Atlanta Falcons
Original Pick - Bijan Robinson, RB
New Pick - Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
With Bijan Robinson off the board, the Falcons will take the next-best RB available, Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs has become a superstar in the Detroit offense despite sharing the workload with David Montgomery. Through three NFL seasons, Gibbs has scored at least 10 TDs in each campaign. In 2025, Gibbs totaled 1,223 yards on the ground and added another 616 through the air.
Pick 9: Chicago Bears
Original Pick - Jalen Carter, DT (selected by Eagles)
New Pick - De'Von Achane, RB
The 2023 class was the class of the RB. Another running back will go within the top-19, De'Von Achane. Achane has flashed immense upside with the Dolphins and would become a centerpiece of the Chicago franchise in this redo. In 2025, Achane posted an elite 5.7 YPC and logged a career-high 13 carries for more than 20 yards. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career as well.
Pick 10: Philadelphia Eagles
Original Pick - Darnell Wright, OT (selected by Bears)
New Pick - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
The Eagles will round out the top-10 by selecting top wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba was deployed in a WR2/WR3 role over his first two seasons, sitting behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the depth chart. However, in 2025, Smith-Njigba finally took over the WR1 role and did not disappoint. This past season, the former Ohio State Buckeye caught 119 passes for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Pick 11: Tennessee Titans
Original Pick - Peter Skoronski, OT
New Pick - Bryce Young, QB
The former first overall pick will fall to the No. 11 spot in the redo. Young struggled through his first two seasons but took a massive step forward in Year 3 as he led the Panthers back to the postseason. In 2025, Young threw for a career-best 3,011 yards with a 23:11 TD:INT. He also added 216 yards with two scores on the ground. Young would have an opportunity to become Tennessee's long-term solution at QB.
Pick 12: Houston Texans
Original Pick - Jahmyr Gibbs, RB (selected by Lions)
New Pick - Paris Johnson Jr., OT
The original No. 6 overall pick will take a slight dip in the redo edition. Johnson will now serve as a starting tackle in Houston, as they would not trade this pick to Detroit as they did in 2023. Despite missing five games in 2025, Johnson continued to develop on the Arizona line, earning the 20th-highest Overall Grade at his position, according to PFF.
Pick 13: Green Bay Packers
Original Pick - Lukas Van Ness, DE
New Pick - Darnell Wright, OT
The Packers will take an offensive tackle, Darnell Wright, with the No. 13 pick. Wright initially went slightly higher (pick 10) in the actual draft and will once again join an NFL North club. In 2025, Wright took a significant step forward in his development, as he earned the 10-highest Overall Grade (81.9) among offensive tackles per PFF. Additionally, Wright allowed only three total sacks.
Pick 14: New England Patriots
Original Pick - Broderick Jones, DE (selected by Steelers)
New Pick - Sam LaPorta, TE
The Patriots will find their next franchise TE in Sam LaPorta with the next pick. Originally a second-round pick, LaPorta will now sit just outside the top-10. As a rookie, LaPorta brought in an impressive 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. While he has yet to return to that level over his last two seasons, he has brought in 100 receptions (over his last 25 games) and scored 10 TDs.
.@Lions strike back! @JaredGoff16 to @Samlaporta for 6⃣
📺: #GBvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N5H8NbZZUE pic.twitter.com/DDZJLVuVOC— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2023
Pick 15: New York Jets
Original Pick - Will McDonald IV, LB
New Pick - Matthew Bergeron, OG
The Jets will select offensive guard Matthew Bergeron, who was initially a second-round pick in the actual 2023 NFL Draft. Bergeron has emerged as a budding star and could be a cornerstone of the Jets' line for nearly a decade. In 2025, Bergeron earned a strong 70.8 Overall Grade (22nd most guards) according to PFF. However, he was one of the top pass blockers, earning a 71.3 Pass-blocking Grade, placing him 18th among all guards.
Pick 16: Washington Commanders
Original Pick - Emmanuel Forbes, DB
New Pick - Rashee Rice, WR
While Terry McLaurin operates in the WR1 role on the offense, Rashee Rice would provide an elite option at the No. 2 spot. The former second-round pick out of SMU, Rice immediately made an impact as a rookie, tallying 938 yards with seven touchdowns. While his 2024 season was cut short by a season-ending injury, he would return to form in 2025, catching 52 passes for 571 yards and five scores across eight contests.
Pick 17: Pittsburgh Steelers
Original Pick - Christian Gonzalez, DB (selected by Patriots)
New Pick - Ivan Pace Jr., LB
Ivan Pace Jr. went undrafted in 2023 but will jump into the No. 17 slot in this edition. Pace made a massive impact as a rookie, totaling an impressive 102 tackles with an eye-catching 63 solo tackles. While he has not been as dominant over the past two seasons, he has still averaged a strong 67.0 tackles per season from 2024-2025.
Pick 18: Detroit Lions
Original Pick - Jack Campbell, LB
New Pick - Jack Campbell, LB
The Lions will make the same selection they did three years ago, adding linebacker Jack Campbell out of Iowa. Campbell would log 95 tackles in his debut season but would eclipse the 100-tackle mark in each of his first two seasons. However, in Year 3, Campbell took a massive step forward and became the leader of the Detroit defense. He would earn the second-highest PFF grade (among linebackers) and log 176 tackles with 5.0 sacks and four deflections.
Pick 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Original Pick - Calijah Kancey, DT
New Pick - Joe Tippmann, C
The Buccaneers will select Joe Tippmann with the 19th pick in this edition of the draft. Tippmann has served as the primary center in New York for each of the past three seasons. In 2025, Tippmann earned a 66.0 Overall Grade (per PFF) but was an above-average option in the assigning game, earning the 23rd-highest grade at the position. He will fit in nicely with a pass-heavy Tampa Bay offense.
Pick 20: Seattle Seahawks
Original Pick - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
New Pick - Ronnie Hickman Jr., S
Another undrafted rookie will take a spot on our list. The Seahawks will bolster their secondary by adding Ohio State product Ronnie Hickman Jr. Hickman had a limited role in 2023 and 2024 but did not disappoint in a lead role in 2025. This past season, Hickman totaled 103 tackles (51 solo tackles) with two interceptions and seven deflections. He earned an above-average 71.6 Overall Grade on PFF as well.
Pick 21: Miami Dolphins
Original Pick - No player selected
New Pick - N/A
The Miami Dolphins were unable to make their first-round selection due to violating the league's anti-tampering policy.
Pick 22: Los Angeles Chargers
Original Pick - Quentin Johnston, WR
New Pick - Zay Flowers, WR
The Chargers will still look to take a WR, but will instead draft Zay Flowers out of Boston College. Flowers has taken on the lead WR1 role in Baltimore since joining the NFL. After totaling 858 yards as a rookie, Flowers would hit the 1,000-yard mark in each of his last two seasons. In 2025, Flowers would total a career-best 1,211 yards on 86 receptions.
TOUCHDOWN ZAY FLOWERS AGAIN!!!!!!
Tune in on NBC!!!! pic.twitter.com/bX1jX4Nc7H
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 5, 2026
Pick 23: Baltimore Ravens
Original Pick - Zay Flowers, WR
New Pick - Jordan Addison, WR
With Flowers off the board, the Ravens will pivot to USC's Jordan Addison to lead their WR room. Addison had a bit of a down season in 2025, but enjoyed two productive campaigns to begin his NFL career. In 2023, Addison would find the back of the end zone 10 times and total 911 yards. In 2024, Addison would score nine touchdowns with 875 yards.
Pick 24: Minnesota Vikings
Original Pick - Jordan Addison, WR
New Pick - Brian Branch, S
The Vikings will grab the top defensive back on the board, Brian Branch. Branch initially was drafted with the 45th overall pick by the Lions, but will now enter the NFL in the back half of the opening round. Over his three NFL seasons, Branch has logged at least 74 tackles each year, reaching a high of 109 in 2024. In 2025, Branch earned a stellar 77.5 Overall Grade on PFF, the 12th-highest among all safeties.
Pick 25: Jacksonville Jaguars
Original Pick - Deonte Banks, DB (selected by the Giants)
New Pick - Will McDonald IV, LB
With the Jaguars instead opting to hold the No. 25 overall pick, they will bolster their linebacking corps with Will McDonald IV out of Iowa State. McDonald has emerged as a high-end pass rusher throughout his first three seasons in the NFL. After logging a quiet 3.0 sacks as a rookie, McDonald would log at least 8.0 sacks in each of his last two seasons, with a high of 10.5 sacks back in 2024.
Pick 26: New York Giants
Original Pick - Dalton Kincaid, TE (selected by the Bills)
New Pick - Tucker Kraft, TE
While the Giants initially traded this pick to the Jaguars, who then traded him to Buffalo. However, the Giants will now opt to hold this slot in the draft and select an emerging star at TE, Tucker Kraft. Kraft was on track to turn in a breakout season in 2025 before suffering a torn ACL. Through his first eight games of the campaign, Kraft punched in six scores and totaled 489 yards on 32 receptions.
Pick 27: Dallas Cowboys
Original Pick - Mazi Smith, DT
New Pick - Kobie Turner, DT
The Cowboys will look to bolster their defensive line once again, but will pivot to Kobie Turner over Mazi Smith. Turner has taken on a lead role in Los Angeles and has been a force in both the rushing and passing games. He has logged at least 7.0 sacks in each season with 55.7 total tackles per season. In 2025, PFF graded Turner as the sixth-highest DT in the sport.
Pick 28: Buffalo Bills
Original Pick - Anton Harrison, OT (selected by Jaguars)
New Pick - Tuli Tuipulotu, LB
After logging only 4.5 sacks as a rookie, Tuipulotu has emerged as a key piece of the Chargers' defense. In 2024, Tuipulotu logged 47 tackles with 8.5 sacks. In 2025, Tuipulotu would turn in a career season, logging an eye-catching 13.0 sacks with two forced fumbles and three pass deflections.
Pick 29: Cincinnati Bengals
Original Pick - Myles Murphy, DE
New Pick - Anton Harrison, OT
Initially selected a few picks earlier (27) by the Jaguars, Harrison will fall to the No. 29 and will take on pass blocking duets for Joe Burrow. In 2025, Harrison earned a solid 71.8 Overall Grade on PFF, placing him 34th among all offensive tackles. However, Harrison performed well in the passing game (75.4 grade), which would make him a perfect fit for this offense.
Pick 30: New Orleans Saints
Original Pick - Bryan Bresee, DT
New Pick - Dalton Kincaid, TE
The Saints will find their long-term solution at TE with Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid has seen his role somewhat limited in the Buffalo offense, but the young passer has been very productive when on the field. In 2025, Kincaid emerged as a legit option for Josh Allen, as he found the end zone five times and totaled 571 yards.
Pick 31: Philadelphia Eagles
Original Pick - Nolan Smith, LB
New Pick - O'Cyrus Torrence, OL
The Eagles will add the top lineman on the board in O'Cyrus Torrence. Torrence was initially a Day 2 pick (by the Bills) but will be the second to last selection in the redo of the opening round. Torrence has been a full-time starter on the Buffalo line since entering the league out of Florida. In 2025, Torrence placed 33rd among guards in terms of Pass-Block Grade.
Pick 32: Kansas City Chiefs
Original Pick - Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE
New Pick - Chase Brown, RB
The Chiefs will round out this redo by finding their answer at the RB position, Chase Brown. Brown has emerged as a legit three-down back with the Bengals and would fit well in this offense led by Patrick Mahomes. In 2024, Brown totaled 990 yards with his legs and added 360 through the air. In 2025, Brown posted a career-best 1,019 yards with his legs and added 437 through the air. In these two seasons, Brown scored 22 total TDs.
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