The 2023 Draft

Down from 3, back up to 6 for the top tackle, and a 2024 first and two 2024 thirds banked along the way.

• The need: pass rush after Watt and Allen left, then cornerback; Ojulari and Williams took both on Friday.
• The trades: 3 and 105 to Houston for 12, 33 and 2024 first- and third-round picks; 12, 34 and 168 to Detroit for 6 and 81; 33 and 81 to Tennessee for 41, 72 and a 2024 third.
• The pick: Johnson at 6 topped Kiper's and Bleacher Report's tackle boards, at the price of a second-rounder.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A top-10 running back the needs list never asked for, a trade up for a guard, and one third-round answer for the pass rush.

• The need: edge rusher and cornerback first; running back was not on Kiper's list.
• The trades: 44 and 110 to Indianapolis for 38, spent on a guard.
• The pick: Robinson at 8 was fourth on Bleacher Report's board and a luxury to it; Phillips at 113 was 25th.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A receiver for the newly extended quarterback over the corner need, then a linebacker the boards had a round higher.

• The need: cornerback and receiver; the club itself called corner the bigger one and took the receiver.
• The trades: the second-round pick had gone for Roquan Smith; a 2024 sixth to Cleveland for 229.
• The pick: Flowers at 22 was Kiper's top receiver; Simpson at 86 was 35th on his board.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Another Beane trade up, cheap this time, for PFF's tenth-ranked player; cornerback and the pass rush waited.

• The need: inside linebacker and cornerback, then safety and receiver; Kiper counted Kincaid as the slot answer.
• The trades: 27 and 130 to Jacksonville for 25; three small Saturday swaps that added two 2024 sixths.
• The pick: Kincaid at 25 was tenth on PFF's board; the first cornerback came at 252.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

The top quarterback on the boards at a steep March price, then a trade up for an edge rusher PFF had 237th.

• The need: quarterback, then edge rusher and receiver.
• The trades: 9, 61, a 2024 first, a 2025 second and DJ Moore to Chicago for 1; 93 and 132 to Pittsburgh for 80.
• The pick: Young at 1 topped PFF's and Kiper's quarterback boards; Johnson at 80 went two rounds early on Kiper's.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

The first pick turned into a right tackle, a receiver and three future picks; Day 2 overpaid for the defensive line.

• The need: tackle first, then edge rusher, running back, cornerback and defensive tackle; only edge went unfilled.
• The trades: 1 to Carolina for 9, 61, a 2024 first, a 2025 second and DJ Moore; 9 to Philadelphia for 10 and a 2024 fourth.
• The pick: Wright at 10 was Kiper's best right tackle; Dexter and Pickens went a round early on his board.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A pass rusher the club never expected to reach 28, then corner, safety and running back in order; no tight end.

• The need: running back, cornerback, safety, tight end and guard; the last two went unfilled.
• The trades: 92 to Kansas City for 95 and 217.
• The pick: Murphy at 28 was third on Bleacher Report's board.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

No first or second by earlier trades, then middle-round value at receiver and on both lines.

• The need: edge rusher and defensive tackle, then linebacker, running back and receiver.
• The trades: the first to Houston for Watson; the second to the Jets for Elijah Moore and 74; 229 to Baltimore for a 2024 sixth.
• The pick: Jones at 111 was 41st on Bleacher Report's board; Wypler at 190 was 54th on PFF's.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Receiver bought in March; the draft itself met the tackle and tight end needs by taking each of the first three players early.

• The need: tight end and running back first, with receiver settled by the Cooks trade.
• The trades: 161 and a 2024 sixth for Cooks, 176 for Gilmore, and a 2024 fifth for 178.
• The pick: Smith at 26 was 63rd on Bleacher Report's board; Schoonmaker at 58 was 95th.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

No first or second to start, then a future third to buy a corner; Sanders at 67 was the one clear value.

• The need: center and edge rusher, then running back, defensive tackle and cornerback; only center and cornerback were met.
• The trades: 68 and 139 to Detroit for 63 and 183; 108 and a 2024 third to Seattle for 83.
• The pick: Sanders at 67 was 33rd on Bleacher Report's board; Mims at 63 was 102nd.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A sound trade down from 6, two first-rounders the boards rated lower, a Day 2 that rescued the class, and no pass rusher.

• The need: tight end and edge rusher, then linebacker, receiver and running back; edge went unmet.
• The trades: 6 and 81 to Arizona for 12, 34 and 168; 48 and 159 to Green Bay for 45.
• The pick: Gibbs at 12 was 34th on PFF's board; Branch at 45 was Kiper's top safety.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

The Rodgers return and two trade-downs turned into a class that touched every named need.

• The need: tight end, edge, safety, receiver and defensive tackle, with Love taking over.
• The trades: Rodgers, 15 and 170 for 13, 42, 207 and a 2024 second; 45 down to 50 with 159 and 179 added.
• The pick: Van Ness at 13 was a slight reach to Kiper; Reed at 50 was 86th on the consensus board.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

The quarterback and the top edge rusher in consecutive picks, paid for with a 2024 first; Day 2 trades up for players the boards had far lower.

• The need: quarterback, then receiver, edge rusher, cornerback and tackle; the last two went unmet.
• The trades: 12, 33 and 2024 first- and third-round picks to Arizona for 3 and 105.
• The pick: Anderson at 3 topped PFF's edge rushers; Scruggs at 62 was 138th on PFF's board.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

The quarterback at 4 without trading up, and two trade-downs that still found the corner and added a top-60 talent in the fourth round.

• The need: quarterback, then cornerback, safety, interior line and receiver.
• The trades: 35 to Las Vegas for 38 and 141; 38 to Atlanta for 44 and 110.
• The pick: Adebawore at 110 was 56th on Bleacher Report's board; Downs at 79 was PFF's fifth receiver.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Two first-round trade-downs that still landed the tackle; cornerback and the pass rush waited for Day 3.

• The need: cornerback and tackle, then edge rusher, linebacker and tight end.
• The trades: 24 to the Giants for 25, 160 and 240; 25 to Buffalo for 27 and 130.
• The pick: Harrison at 27 was 24th on PFF's board; the first edge rusher came at 130.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Edge rusher, receiver and tackle, the three needs in order, bought with three trades up.

• The need: an edge rusher after Frank Clark's release, a receiver, and a tackle after both 2022 starters left.
• The trades: up for 55, 92 and 119; 178 went to Dallas for a 2024 fifth.
• The pick: Morris at 92 was early on PFF's read and 13th among tackles for Kiper.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Edge rusher over the corner the roster needed at 7, then a cheap trade up for the best tight end.

• The need: cornerback first, then defensive tackle and interior line.
• The trades: 38 and 141 for 35 and Mayer; three more moves up on Day 3.
• The pick: Wilson at 7, 28th on PFF's board, with Gonzalez still available.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A fairly priced receiver the roster arguably did not need most, no trades, and three needs left open.

• The need: receiver first on Kiper's list, then tight end, cornerback and defensive tackle.
• The trades: none on the weekend, so the class was the seven picks the club walked in with.
• The pick: Johnston at 21, third among receivers on PFF's board, a close match for Mike Williams.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Two trades down filled a 90-pick gap and the top two picks were value; the reaches came later.

• The need: edge rusher, cornerback and safety after Ramsey, Wagner and Floyd left.
• The trades: 69 and 191 for 73 and 161, then 73 for 89 and 128, which put a fourth-rounder in the gap.
• The pick: Young at 77, 51st on Kiper's board; Turner at 89 sat outside his top 200.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Four picks after a first lost to tampering; the corner and the back at 51 and 84 were the whole class.

• The need: guard, tight end and running back, with Ramsey already added at corner.
• The trades: none on the weekend; one first forfeited, the other spent on Chubb, 77 on Ramsey.
• The pick: Achane at 84, a pre-draft visitor and one of Kiper's possible steals.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Five picks and no second-rounder, stretched by three trades, with Addison the one early bet.

• The need: cornerback, quarterback and receiver, with Thielen gone.
• The trades: 87 for 102, 164 and 222; 119 for 134 and a 2024 fifth; up for Roy at 141.
• The pick: McBride at 222, a top-100 player on Kiper's board.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A trade down that still landed the corner, then a trade up for a kicker and no pass-catcher until the sixth round.

• The need: cornerback first, then tackle, receiver and tight end.
• The trades: 14 to Pittsburgh for 17 and 120, then 120 and 184 to the Jets for a kicker at 112.
• The pick: Gonzalez at 17, second among corners on PFF's board.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

The first-round pick from the Payton deal filled the defensive line need; Foskey came early and two trades up cost a 2024 fourth.

• The need: defensive tackle first, then receiver, tight end and defensive end.
• The trades: up to 103 and to 127, the second for a 2024 fourth; Trautman and 257 to Denver for 195.
• The pick: Bresee at 29, Kiper's third defensive tackle, with a 2021 ACL tear on the record.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Corner, center and receiver with the first three picks, bought with two trades up.

• The need: cornerback, center and a receiver room with no one past 57 catches.
• The trades: up one spot to 24; 89 and 128 to the Rams for 73 and Hyatt.
• The pick: Schmitz at 57, Kiper's top center.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

Rodgers took the capital, the tackles were gone by 15, and the class waited until the fourth round for one.

• The need: tackle at the top of the list, then center, receiver, safety and defensive tackle.
• The trades: 13, 42, 207 and a conditional 2024 second for Rodgers, 15 and 170; the second becomes a first if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the snaps.
• The pick: McDonald at 15, 29th on PFF's board, one spot after the fourth tackle went.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A one-spot trade for the top player on Kiper's board, and a name against every need by Saturday night.

• The need: both lines, safety, running back and guard, all five met.
• The trades: 10 and a 2024 fourth for 9; 62 for 65, 188 and 230; a 2025 fourth and 219 for Swift and 249.
• The pick: Carter at 9, first on Kiper's board, with his January plea on the record.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A fourth bought three spots and the left tackle, and a trade down on Day 2 bought two more picks.

• The need: cornerback and tackle at the top, with the blind side the one the local beat named first.
• The trades: 17 and 120 for 14; 80 to Carolina for 93 and 132.
• The pick: Jones at 14, one ahead of the Jets; Porter at 32, 21st on PFF's board.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

One good trade, one third-round pick spent where the market said to wait.

• The trades: moving from 102 to 87 for Ji'Ayir Brown bought a player several graders had in the second round.
• The pick: Moody at 99 met the stated need, but the third round was called rich for any kicker.
• The miss: Latu at 101 was called a reach, and no offensive lineman was drafted with Mike McGlinchey gone.

From 6 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Sam Kezar, written Sep 22, 2026. The piece.

Two top-10 players with the Wilson picks, then a second-round back while the defensive tackles went elsewhere.

• The need: both lines, cornerback and receiver; corner and receiver met in Round 1.
• The trades: 83 to Denver for 108 and a 2024 third.
• The pick: Witherspoon at 5 and Smith-Njigba at 20, two top-10 players on PFF's board; Charbonnet at 52 the one four graders questioned.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A pass rusher at 19 on a weekend that began with the left tackle gone, and three trades up for a guard and late picks.

• The need: tackle and guard first, after Smith's release and the Mason trade.
• The trades: 50 and 179 for 48; 175 and 252 for 171; a 2024 fifth for 191.
• The pick: Kancey at 19, with tackle Anton Harrison still on the board.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

The top lineman on two boards at 11, a quarterback caught at 33 for a future third, and receiver left open.

• The need: receiver and quarterback first, with Tannehill a year from the end of his deal.
• The trades: 41, 72 and a 2024 third to Arizona for 33 and 81.
• The pick: Levis at 33, widely viewed as a first-rounder; Skoronski at 11, Kiper's top lineman.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.

A first corner the roster needed, taken well above one board, and two more picks above PFF's, with quarterback and tight end untouched.

• The need: a first corner after the Jackson trade, then interior line, tackle, quarterback and tight end.
• The trades: one, 150 and 215 to Buffalo for 137.
• The pick: Forbes at 16, 26th on PFF's board and 103rd on Bleacher Report's.

From 8 reports dated on or before May 1, 2023. Grant Lombard, written Sep 30, 2026.