2023 NFL Draft round 2 and 3 live tracker: Draft order, picks, trades ...

Ranking every NFL draft class can go in numerous directions. One method is to evaluate a class’s top-tier talent. But a draft class goes much deeper than the best players in that particular year’s crop.

So, for the second consecutive year, I’m using a formula to highlight the top talent and the drafts with the most depth for this argument.

To complete the evaluation, I used Pro-Football Reference’s career “Weighted Approximate Value” metric because every player from quarterback to kicker has accrued an actual value. I totaled the career WAVs of players in all 48 draft classes from 1967 to 2014 and compared them using these three categories:

I combined the rankings of the three categories from each class to create a composite ranking. The full list of rankings can be found in a chart at the end of this story.

I also dove into a few areas of interest outside of the full chart of rankings:

I stopped at the 2014 class because I figured nearly a decade was a long enough period to fairly compare classes comprised fully of retired players. The results of the 2014 class, in particular, pushed me to include it since it has already surpassed the 2013 class.

See the top 10 here.

(Top illustration by John Bradford / The Athletic; photos by Getty Images)

Larry Holder·

Senior Writer, New Orleans

GO FURTHER

Ranking NFL Draft’s all-time best and worst classes: Top players, overall depth and more

The Athletic NFL Draft guru Dane Brugler lists 10 former players from outside the Power 5 conferences among his top 100 prospects in his annual “Beast” draft guide. Most of those players will land in the first three rounds, while a few others will scatter throughout the rest of the draft.

There are dozens of other players from Group of 5 and independent programs who will land on NFL rosters either as mid- or late-round selections or wind up as priority free agents. Let’s take a look at six prominent prospects outside Brugler’s top 100 who could find their way on a roster as a key contributor this season and beyond.

McBride was the nation’s most productive back last fall, finishing No. 1 in rushing yards per game (155.7), second in rushing yards (1,713), third in yards per carry (7.35) and third in rushing touchdowns (19). He put together those statistics on barely 21 carries a contest and played in just 11 games for a 7-6 squad.

A perfect runner for a scheme based on cutbacks, McBride has some unknowns, including his pass catching ability (only five career catches for 29 yards), and he didn’t work out at the combine or pro day because of a hamstring injury. But McBride displays some real potential as a starter.

Brugler’s analysis: McBride is unproven as a pass catcher and blocker, which might restrict his NFL role, but his contact balance, vision and lateral agility are among the best this running back draft class has to offer. He projects best in a zone scheme.

Brugler’s ranking: No. 13 RB, fourth round

Dochterman’s projection: Kansas City Chiefs, fourth round, No. 134 overall

See the rest of the list here.

Scott Dochterman·

Staff Writer, Iowa

GO FURTHER

The 2023 NFL Draft’s most overlooked prospects from outside the Power 5 leagues

I'm bullish on Iowa defensive back Riley Moss, no matter if he ends up at cornerback or safety.

Flushed with great ball skills, Moss picked off 11 passes with three Pick-6s and was a tremendous zone defender and an aggressive hitter. As a former hurdler, Moss has great hips and top-flight speed. Perhaps he'd be a better safety in man-based coverage but either way, he's got starting potential.

Scott Dochterman·

Staff Writer, Iowa

Drafting is hard, but it doesn’t always have to be. Georgia has fielded one of the best defenses in recent history over the last two years, and they Eagles have basically said, “Yeah, that’s good enough for us.” The reigning NFC champions selected Carter and Georgia defensive end Nolan Smith (No. 30). This was a year after they landed Bulldogs defensive tackle Jordan Davis in the first round and linebacker Nakobe Dean in the third.

The Texans’ draft was fascinating, as they took quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 2 then traded up to No. 3 for Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson. It felt like a win for the two most important decision makers in the building, as general manager Nick Caserio got a prototypical pocket passer and head coach DeMeco Ryans can get to work with the best defensive player in the class. Another connection, Ryans is a former Alabama linebacker. And a third connection, Caserio pulled off that trade by negotiating with longtime Patriots colleague and current Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort.

The Seahawks are having another terrific draft. They got Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon at No. 5 and Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20 as they continue to reap the benefits of the Russell Wilson trade.

A year after going big in free agency, the Jaguars intended to prioritize the draft this offseason as they built out their roster. By trading down twice in the first round before taking Oklahoma tackle Anton Harrison at No. 27, the Jags added picks in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds. They put that strategy in motion Thursday night.

Find all of The Athletic's NFL Draft coverage here.

Jeff Howe·

Staff Writer, Patriots

It’s a risk; undoubtedly, it’s a risk, a giant risk, the kind that gets a general manager extended or asked to clean out his office.

Colts first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson started just 13 games for the University of Florida — 13! He completed 53.8 percent of his passes — 53.8! He’s raw and he’s uniquely gifted and he has a chance to be a star, to be a cross between Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson, the two quarterbacks he holds in the highest regard. (He called himself “Cam Jackson” at the NFL combine, where he wowed scouts with his unmatched athletic traits.)

He also has a chance to be a bust.

Capitalize that: BUST.

Can’t you say that about every quarterback selected in every draft since the dawn of time? Of course you can. That’s especially true this season; there are serious questions about all three quarterbacks — Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Richardson — chosen at the top of the first round.

But there doesn’t feel like there’s any in-between here. Yes, as head coach Shane Steichen said Thursday night, the floor is a bit higher simply because Richardson has astounding running ability, but as a passer, again, it’s a giant mystery, and at the end of the day, quarterbacks have to be accurate. He could grow into something special … or be remembered as the giant gamble who crapped out.

When the combine came through Indianapolis this year, Richardson took mild umbrage when my colleague, James Boyd, set up a question by suggesting Richardson was “a project.”

Well, big news: He is a project.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Bob Kravitz·

Senior Writer, Indiana

GO FURTHER

Kravitz: Colts swing for the fences with Anthony Richardson. Will giant gamble pay off?

Dan Duggan·

Staff Writer, Giants

Here's the order for Friday's second round:

The Athletic Staff

Parker Washington - WR Penn State.

Washington is coming off a season-ending ankle injury that didn't allow him to participate in on-field drills at the combine or pro day. At 5-10, 202 pounds, he's been described as a wide receiver in a running back's body. The slot receiver can also return punts. He has elite hands and because of the injury — that he should be fully recovered from by the draft — he could be a steal for someone.

Audrey Snyder·

Staff Writer, Penn State

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bryce Young says “super” a lot.

He said it 11 times in an eight-minute span Thursday night after the Panthers selected the Alabama quarterback No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.

Super grateful. Super excited. Super, super happy.

Panthers owner David Tepper used the word Thursday night, too, telling a soggy crowd at a Bank of America Stadium draft party what the moment meant for an organization that’s been in the NFL abyss for most of the five years Tepper has owned it.

“What I want to say,” Tepper said, “(is) Super Bowls.”

Read more here.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Joseph Person·

Staff Writer, Panthers

GO FURTHER

Panthers knew Bryce Young was their guy at No. 1: ‘Just watch the tape’

Welcome to The Athletic’s pick-by-pick grades for Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. From quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud to defensive linemen Jalen Carter and Lukas Van Ness, we’ll break down every selection as the drama grows throughout Thursday’s pomp and circumstance.

Many prefer to wait until three or four years from now to grade these selections. And it’s true, in 2027 we’ll get a better idea of each player’s successes and failures but an instant reaction is warranted for each pick. We will analyze each choice based not only on the prospect but also on the methodology and value. That goes for draft picks to the trades. Did a team give up too much or take a prospect too high? Or, did a team navigate its need with value to perfection? That’s what goes into our grades.

Just like perhaps half of the teams in their selections, we will miss the mark on some grades. We can take some good-natured ribbing. As always, I suggest you catch up on prospects by perusing Dane Brugler’s Beast, which has become the annual must-have guide of draft season. So, buckle in to watch the marriage of America’s two most popular sports in real time.

Read the full list of grades here.

Scott Dochterman·

Staff Writer, Iowa

GO FURTHER

2023 NFL Draft Round 1 grades for all 31 picks: Two A’s for Eagles

At long last, the NFL Draft is underway. The first round kicked off with the Carolina Panthers making Bryce Young the first Alabama quarterback to go No. 1 overall, and from there, things fell into place as teams began snatching up key building blocks.

Every general manager no doubt will declare Day 1 of the draft a success. However, it’ll take some time to learn how smart these selections really are.

At first glance, there are some seemingly obvious winners and losers after one round of action. Here’s a rundown of who fared the best or worst Thursday night.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Mike Jones·

Staff Writer, NFL

GO FURTHER

NFL Draft Round 1 winners and losers: Panthers, Texans, Cardinals shine; Levis left waiting

Looking ahead to the first pick of the second round on Friday, The Athletic's NFL Draft Projection Model has Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. – son of former Pittsburgh All-Pro LB Joey Porter -- the player most likely to be selected by the Steelers with the No. 32 pick.

The model projects the odds using a combination of expert mock drafts, prospect big boards and the latest gambling markets.

Austin Mock·

Staff Writer, NFL

Evidently, the concerns outweighed the potential with Will Levis.

Bryce Young (No. 1, Panthers), C.J. Stroud (No. 2, Texans) and Anthony Richardson (No. 4, Colts) were gone in the first four picks of the NFL Draft on Thursday, but no team came calling for Levis, the Kentucky quarterback who was on hand for the draft in the green room in Kansas City.

Levis’ physical tools, athleticism and toughness have drawn comparisons to Bills Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen, but there are knocks on his decision making (23 interceptions in 24 games over the last two seasons), accuracy and pocket presence. He also played through turf toe last season.

“I’d be scared to draft that guy in the first round,” a team executive told The Athletic earlier this week on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Still, there had been increasing chatter leading up to the draft that Levis could go as high as the second pick. But some NFL quarterback coaches who spoke to The Athletic in the past week were skeptical that the Kentucky QB was going to get picked that early.

Read more here.

The Athletic NFL Staff

GO FURTHER

After Will Levis’ NFL Draft first-round snub, who will take the Kentucky QB?

Robert Mays and Nate Tice are joined by Dane Brugler on The Athletic Football Show's NFL Draft Live Special.

After Round 1, what are the things we're going to remember from the early picks years into the future? Will C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson remake the Texans? Will the Eagles' strategy of drafting Georgia defensive players pay dividends?

Watch the full conversation here.

(Photo: USA Today)

The Athletic NFL Staff

TCU RB Kendre Miller.

Miller's got great balance, is very tough and he catches the ball well. I could see him being a potent part of a 1-2 punch. I also think Syracuse running back Sean Tucker is another sleeper to keep an eye on.

Bruce Feldman·

Senior Writer, CFB

The 2023 NFL Draft heads into its second day Friday after an action-packed Thursday featured a flurry of trades, a disappointed prospect who brutally slid and a settlement compensation over a self-reported anti-tampering policy violation.

The second day of the draft will feature Rounds 2 and 3, kicking off with the Steelers on the clock with the No. 32 pick.

Round 1 featured the Panthers selecting Alabama’s Bryce Young No. 1, the Eagles trading up for Georgia’s Jalen Carter and Kentucky’s Will Levis taking a shocking tumble. Seven draft night trades were completed on the first night, three of which were pulled off by the Cardinals, who dealt their No. 3 pick to the Texans (who selected Will Anderson), and then traded with the Lions to get back into the top 10 (to pick Paris Johnson).

To catch up on everything you missed Thursday, here are team-by-team grades. And to study what Rounds 2 and 3 may look like, here’s The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s new mock draft for Rounds 2 and 3. For everything else, we’ve got you covered.

Read more here.

Mark Puleo·

Staff Editor, News

GO FURTHER

NFL Draft Rounds 2 and 3 start time, channel and streaming: How to watch guide

The 2023 NFL Draft runs until Saturday and presents every team in the league the chance to fortify its roster.

The seven-round event features 259 picks, two fewer than planned because of pick-forfeiting penalties levied against the Miami Dolphins (first round) and Houston Texans (fifth round). The 49ers (3), Browns, Cardinals, Commanders and Raiders have compensatory picks at the end of the third round, the Patriots have a compensatory pick at the end of the fourth round, and there are numerous compensatory slots for the remainder of the draft.

This file updates with each pick, and the order will update with each trade as well.

The Athletic NFL Staff

GO FURTHER

NFL Draft picks 2023: First-round results, complete list of selections from Rounds 1-7