2023 NFL Draft Questions a Month Before the Event Begins
One month from today, the NFL Draft will begin with the the first 31 selections making up the first round on April 27th. With the draft fast-approaching, here are a few 2023 NFL Draft questions regarding some of the biggest topics in this class along with a few hypothesized answers.
Which QB Does Carolina Take?
The offseason truly started when the Carolina Panthers made a huge trade to acquire the No. 1 overall pick from the Chicago Bears. However, which of the top four QBs will they opt for?
To answer that question, let’s look at some of Carolina’s other offseason moves. They hired Frank Reich as their head coach, who played a large role in bringing Carson Wentz to Philadelphia and then Indianapolis. The prospects that track closest to Wentz in terms of playstyle would be CJ Stroud and Will Levis. With the No. 1 pick, it seems safe to guess that they’ll lean Stroud in this scenario.
What Does Arizona Do at No. 3?
Right now, the 2023 NFL Draft seems like it truly gets started with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall. It’s pretty cut and dry that Carolina and Houston will be taking quarterbacks with the top two picks, but Arizona could go in a number of different directions, including trading down.
One team to keep an eye on if Arizona opts to trade down could be the Tennessee Titans. Arizona would be able to snag more draft capital, and they could still snag one of the better defenders in the class.
That being said, if I were to pick an option for the Cardinals at this point, it seems like sticking at No. 3 and selecting EDGE Will Anderson Jr. out of Alabama. He has the potential to be an All-Pro caliber player at the position, and Arizona is in need of pass-rushing talent.
What is the Deepest Position in the Class?
If we’re trying to maximize value in the draft, it may be helpful to look at which positions are the deepest in order to gauge how necessary it is to take prospects early before the group runs dry.
In the 2023 Draft, the obvious group that comes to mind is cornerback. There are upwards of 5-6 prospects that could go in the first round of the draft, and another 5 that should be considered candidates to start Week 1, depending on what team they land on.
However, second to cornerback should be the tight end spot, which could shake things up in the first round. There are four tight end prospects that have cases to be top-50 picks in April.
Who Could Be a Sleeper Pick?
Every year, when we look back at past drafts, there are prospects that stand out for being drafted far later than their production suggests. Last year, the obvious player that comes to mind is CB Tariq Woolen, who was drafted in the fifth round and still tied for the league lead in interceptions during 2022.
This year, my initial guess at one of these draft “sleepers” is Iowa State wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson. The former Cyclone has decent speed and route-running ability, but he has largely been considered a Day 3 pick to this point. Especially if Hutchinson can limit drops that plagued him in 2022, he could turn into a solid pro.
What Should the Vikings Do in Round 1?
This is likely the question on everyone’s mind right now. There are plenty of theories about the Vikings first round strategy right now, including the possibility of grabbing a quarterback. In my own eyes, that seems like a very risky strategy, but if the Vikings truly do have their eye on a QB that they think can be developed into a franchise player, there is no better time to draft that player than now.
Personally, I don’t foresee that path leading Minnesota to a quarterback in the first round. Taking Hendon Hooker with the 23rd overall pick feels like a reach, and it may be tough to outbid other truly QB needy teams to grab one of the top prospects.
In all, the Vikings may be best-suited to trade down again, grab more capital, and snag a potential wide receiver to pair with Justin Jefferson or perhaps if they make another substantial move down like last spring, that pick could be used on Hooker.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
