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With the 2024 NFL Draft quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to look back at the 2023 NFL Draft. Three quarterbacks (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson) were selected in the top four, and a running back (Bijan Robinson) was selected eighth overall.
There were plenty of stars to come out of the 2023 NFL Draft, especially in the first round. Five first-round rookies were Pro Bowlers last year, and another three non-first-round rookies made the Pro Bowl as well. This draft class is surely turning out to be a strong one.
So, let's take a look at the best picks each NFC team made during last year's draft.
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NFC North:
Detroit Lions: TE Sam LaPorta (2nd round, 34th overall)
It was a toss-up between Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta for the Lions' best draft pick last year, but the latter got the edge due to his historic season. LaPorta was the second tight end off the board and immediately made an impact in Detroit's offense. He caught 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns across 17 games. That earned him a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors.
The best tight end in the NFL?
Where would you rank Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta? #OnePride pic.twitter.com/U674I4A6KX
— Crunch Time with Jeff Iafrate & Booner (@officialctpod) March 6, 2024
LaPorta's rookie campaign will go down as one of the best by a tight end in NFL history. His 86 catches were the most by a tight end ever, while his 889 yards ranked fourth all time, and his 10 touchdowns only trailed Mike Ditka's 12 touchdowns in 1961. The 23-year-old has a bright future.
Green Bay Packers: WR Jayden Reed (2nd round, 50th overall)
With the Green Bay Packers dealing with a ton of wide receiver injuries to begin the year, Jayden Reed saw opportunities on offense right away. That helped him put together a strong rookie campaign. Reed caught 64 passes for 793 yards and eight touchdowns while also rushing for 119 yards and two touchdowns across 16 games.
Reed really stepped up for the Packers down the stretch, which was key in their pursuit of a wild-card spot. The rookie totaled at least six catches or 100 yards in four straight games to end the regular season. With an up-and-coming star quarterback in Jordan Love, the former Michigan State product should be a key part of this Green Bay offense for years to come.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Jordan Addison (1st round, 23rd overall)
Jordan Addison was the fourth wide receiver taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he had a better year than all three wideouts selected in front of him. Addison quickly had to establish himself as the Vikings' WR1 after Justin Jefferson injured his hamstring in Week 5.
It wasn't all pretty for Addison, who had to deal with the loss of Kirk Cousins (Achilles) for most of the season. However, the rookie wideout had a strong rookie campaign, totaling 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 22-year-old showed he can be a big part of Minnesota's offense now and in the future.
Chicago Bears: CB Tyrique Stevenson (2nd round, 56th overall)
The Bears had a couple of options to choose from here, including offensive tackle Darnell Wright. Nevertheless, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson made a stronger impact in his first year. Stevenson started all 16 games for Chicago last year and finished with four interceptions, 16 passes deflected, two forced fumbles, and 86 tackles. The 23-year-old corner should only get better throughout his career.
NFC East:
Dallas Cowboys: LB DeMarvion Overshown (3rd round, 90th overall)
It was extremely hard to pick what the Cowboys' best draft pick was last year. Their first-round pick, Mazi Smith, didn't really show anything, and their second-round pick, Luke Schoonmaker, was the backup tight end in Dallas. Even the team's later-round picks struggled to get any playing time.
Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown “more hungry” after missing rookie campaignhttps://t.co/EdZFmw8EIS pic.twitter.com/evQTf853VY
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 6, 2024
It feels wrong to put DeMarvion Overshown -- who tore his ACL before the season -- but he showed the most promise of any Cowboys rookie in the preseason. Overshown should find a path to playing time in his second year and make an immediate impact on Dallas' defense. In his final college season, the 6-foot-4 linebacker totaled 96 tackles (10 tackles for loss) with four sacks and five passes deflected.
Philadelphia Eagles: DT Jalen Carter (1st round, 9th overall)
Jalen Carter was one of the best defensive rookies last year, and the Eagles got a steal with the ninth overall pick. The defensive tackle finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind a stellar six-sack, 33-tackle season. Carter also forced two fumbles, eight tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits across 16 games. He'll be a cornerstone piece of Philadelphia's defense for a long time.
New York Giants: CB Deonte Banks (1st round, 24th overall)
The Giants upgraded their cornerback room in the first round by selecting Deonte Banks in last year's draft. There were some growing pains with Banks in his first NFL season, but for the most part, he held his own against some of the game's best wide receivers. Banks had two interceptions, 11 passes deflected, and 64 tackles across 15 games in 2023. PFF also listed Banks with a 72 overall grade as a rookie.
Washington Commanders: CB Jartavius Martin (2nd round, 47th overall)
The Commanders did not have a strong 2023 draft, which included drafting Emmanuel Forbes early in the first round. Forbes didn't show much promise in his first season, but second-round corner Jartavius "Quan" Martin did. Martin appeared in 16 games for Washington (five starts), where he totaled two interceptions, four passes deflected, one sack, and 46 tackles. The speedy corner should have a starting job in 2024.
NFC South:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB YaYa Diaby (3rd round, 82nd overall)
What a rookie season YaYa Diaby put together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Diaby didn't see a ton of playing time to start the season, averaging just 23.4 snaps per game and 35.8% of the team's defensive snaps. However, that changed in the second half as the young outside linebacker saw both his snaps (40.1) and snap share (60.4%) increase in the final seven games. That helped the rookie finish with 7.5 sacks, 38 tackles (12 tackles for loss), eight quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.
YAYA DIABY WITH THE FUMBLE RECOVERY AT THE GOAL LINE ‼️pic.twitter.com/4qLqYtmBnk
— Barstool Louisville (@BarstoolCards) October 22, 2023
New Orleans Saints: DT Bryan Bresee (1st round, 29th overall)
Bryan Bresee did enough in his rookie season to make him the Saints' best pick during the 2023 NFL Draft. Many might have expected more from Bresee in 2023, but he still totaled 4.5 sacks, 24 tackles (seven tackles for loss), nine quarterback hits, and six passes deflected. The 6-foot-5 defensive tackle played more as the season went on and showed his potential down the stretch. He had a two-sack game in Week 15 in a win over the Giants.
Atlanta Falcons: RB Bijan Robinson (1st round, 8th overall)
It was a surprise to most when Bijan Robinson was taken with the eighth overall pick in last year's draft. It might have been an even bigger surprise when Robinson was losing carries and goal-line touches to teammate Tyler Allgeier.
Still, the 22-year-old running back was easily the Falcons' best selection in 2023. He had 976 rush yards and four touchdowns while also catching 58 passes for 487 yards and four touchdowns. With a new head coach now in Atlanta, the versatile back should be featured more this upcoming season.
Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young (1st round, 1st overall)
The Panthers did not have a strong 2023 draft, so quarterback Bryce Young was the team's best pick by default. Young really struggled in his first year and did not look ready for the NFL.
He completed just 59.8% of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across 16 games. We should give the Panthers quarterback some slack, though, as his wide receiver group and offensive line didn't help. The talent is there for the former first overall pick, but Carolina has to build the right situation around him in 2024 and beyond.
NFC West:
San Francisco 49ers: S Ji'Ayir Brown (3rd round, 87th overall)
The 49ers did not have a first- or second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but they did have three third-round picks (Ji'Ayir Brown, Jake Moody, and Cameron Latu). Brown and Moody were both in contention for this spot, though the safety's development throughout the season is why he was San Francisco's best pick last year.
Rookie DB Ji’Ayir Brown made sure this wasn’t a TD. He’s got ball skills, he’s a thumper, adds tackle support and I can’t wait to see him let loose in 2024. I took him on my mock for a reason, perfect fit for our Defense. - @_Tiig2 #49ers #jiayirbrown #FTTB #PennState pic.twitter.com/uQFBFEAQM1
— 49er_Edits (@49er_edits) March 8, 2024
Brown started the season primarily on special teams. He logged just 30 defensive snaps in the first nine games. However, the rookie soon saw his number called when Talanoa Hufanga tore his ACL in Week 11. Over the next five games, the 24-year-old safety played every snap while logging one interception and 27 tackles. Then, in the playoffs, he continued his solid rookie season by totaling double-digit tackles against the Detroit Lions (10) and Kansas City Chiefs (11).
Los Angeles Rams: WR Puka Nacua (5th round, 117th overall)
Not only was Puka Nacua the best selection by the Rams in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he was the steal of the entire draft. Nacua broke several NFL rookie records, including catches (105) and receiving yards (1,486). The fifth-round pick also earned an All-Pro second-team selection as well as a Pro Bowl appearance in his first year. Despite losing to Stroud in the Offensive Rookie of the Year vote, the Rams playmaker couldn't be stopped as a rookie.
Seattle Seahawks: CB Devon Witherspoon (1st round, 5th overall)
Devon Witherspoon quickly made an impact with the Seattle Seahawks, and his strong play continued for the entire season. Witherspoon totaled one interception -- which went for a 97-yard touchdown -- 16 passes deflected, one forced fumble, three sacks, and 79 tackles (eight tackles for loss) in his first NFL season. The former Illinois corner also made a Pro Bowl appearance and finished fourth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. The Seahawks got a star in the making at fifth overall.
Arizona Cardinals: OT Paris Johnson Jr. (1st round, 6th overall)
Paris Johnson Jr. didn't have the best rookie campaign after giving up eight sacks and totaling 12 penalties. Nonetheless, he showed enough promise throughout the season to make this list. Johnson played the eighth-most snaps by a tackle (1,130) and finished with the second-highest pass-blocking grade by a rookie in 2023. His durability and improvements should give Cardinals fans plenty of hope for 2024.
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