2023 NFL Draft: Ideal Landing Spots for Top 10 Prospects in Class
The Kansas City Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in four years in part because of their ability to find key contributors in the NFL draft.
As the NFL calendar shifts from the postseason to this year's iteration of the draft, hope now abounds for all 32 teams to build their own championship roster.
The Chiefs have done a great job of finding impact players in nearly every draft and in different rounds. But it all started with their decision to trade up and take quarterback Patrick Mahomes with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 draft.
Mahomes is undoubtedly an elite talent, but his fit in Kansas City with head coach Andy Reid and tight end Travis Kelce has played a role in his greatness. The blend of scheme and personnel was the perfect situation for Mahomes to establish himself as the top quarterback in the league right now.
As we shift our focus to the 2023 NFL draft, it's a good time to start evaluating the best fits for the top players in this year's class. Here, we'll examine the top 10 players on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's latest big board and which teams make the most sense for them based on team situation and draft position.
10. WR Jordan Addison, USC
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Ideal Fits: New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens
Jordan Addison enters the NFL draft as one of the most accomplished receivers in college football over the last two seasons. The 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner was highly productive at both Pitt and USC, working as the No. 1 receiver for Kenny Pickett and Caleb Williams.
Addison has a slight build (6'0", 175 pounds) but wins with his quickness and agility. He has "great pacing and the ability to stop and burst out of breaks in the blink of an eye without any wasted movement," B/R scout Derrick Klassen wrote.
Addison profiles as someone who could play the role DeVonta Smith does in Philadelphia. Smith is among the best secondary receivers in the league. He's a perfect complement to a much bigger and more physical receiver in A.J. Brown.
Bill Belichick's offenses have turned quick and shifty receivers into stars. With Jakobi Meyers set to hit free agency, the Patriots are in dire need of pass-catching talent for Mac Jones.
Addison's quickness and route-running could also draw comparisons to Keenan Allen. The Chargers receiver could be a cap casualty this offseason, so Addison could make sense there alongside Mike Williams.
The Ravens at No. 23 should be the absolute latest Addison goes. Baltimore has a desperate need for receiving talent, and Addison's ability to get open would make life easier for Lamar Jackson or his potential replacement.
9. IOL Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
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Ideal Fits: Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Whether Northwestern's Peter Skoronski should be classified as a tackle or guard prospect is up for debate. What isn't up for debate is that he has elite skills.
Skoronski has been starting at left tackle for Northwestern since he was a freshman, taking the post left by Rashawn Slater when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers. He has surrendered only five sacks in the past three years, according to Pro Football Focus, including only one this past season.
Skoronski plays with quick, active feet. He's a physical run blocker who can get the job done in both gap and zone schemes. The only question is whether he can compensate for his lack of length well enough to play tackle.
At 6'4" and 315 pounds, Skoronski does not have the prototypical length for an NFL tackle. The B/R Scouting Department ranks him as an interior lineman. His best NFL fit would be a team that gives him a shot at playing tackle but could also use an upgrade at guard.
The Titans can save $14.8 million by cutting left tackle Taylor Lewan this offseason. The Steelers should be looking for an upgrade from Dan Moore Jr., while Donovan Smith didn't play up to his contract for the Bucs last season, giving up six sacks and getting called for 12 penalties.
All three teams would have better offensive lines if they draft Skoronski.
8. CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
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Ideal Fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles
Joey Porter Jr. is bound to make fans of a certain age feel old and NFL receivers feel incredibly frustrated. The son of former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter plays with the same trademark toughness and attitude. He just plies his trade on the outside rather than outside linebacker like his father.
Porter has the prototypical frame for a big, physical corner. He uses his 6'2", 194-pound frame to bully receivers at the line of scrimmage, and he's a willing tackler, too.
The cornerback's physical and aggressive style isn't for everybody. He's best suited going to a team that will let him play a lot of press coverage. He could have a bit of a learning curve as he moves away from relying so much on his hands, which could cause him to get called for a lot of penalties early on.
The Raiders would make sense as a destination for Porter. They played the ninth-highest rate of man coverage despite dealing with injuries at cornerback all season.
Pairing him with new Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero would be a good move, too. His blitz-heavy scheme with the Denver Broncos defense helped unlock Patrick Surtain II's potential.
The Eagles might have a hard time retaining James Bradberry as he prepares to hit free agency. Porter would give them a much younger and cheaper option to pair with Darius Slay.
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7. WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
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Ideal Fits: Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers
Quentin Johnston joins Jordan Addison as the only other receiver ranked in the B/R Scouting Department's top 10. While Addison is a small, quick receiver with the ability to win underneath routes, Johnson is a prototypical big, fast outside receiver.
The 6'4", 215-pounder has some ability after the catch, but his best value comes in his ability to win on deep routes and make big plays. Johnston should hope to land on a team with a vertical passing game and a need for an X receiver.
The TCU product would make a lot of sense with the Houston Texans' second pick at No. 12. There's a good chance they'll be selecting a quarterback at No. 2 overall. Johnston could be the No. 1 receiver for that passer, especially if they trade Brandin Cooks this offseason.
The Patriots could use a receiver regardless of skill set. Jakobi Meyers is set to become a free agent this offseason, and DeVante Parker was their next leading receiver with only 539 yards and three touchdowns.
If the Packers finally spend a first-round pick on a receiver, Johnston could be everything they were hoping Allen Lazard would become last season. A trio of Johnston, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs would give them three potential starting-caliber receivers on rookie contracts for the next three years.
6. QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
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Ideal Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders
When it comes to elite quarterback prospects, it's less about what current system or scheme fits them and more about the team's need at the position. Whichever team drafts C.J. Stroud should be catering to his skill set, not forcing him to fit into their mold at the position.
Stroud is the top quarterback on the B/R big board, and it's easy to see why. B/R scout Derrik Klassen praised his "pre-snap vision, arm talent and accuracy" while giving him the highest grade of any quarterback.
There are still questions about how Stroud will react when he's under pressure. His offensive line at Ohio State was so good that he rarely had to deal with pressure, and he needs to grow in his ability to make off-schedule plays outside of structure.
Still, the Colts, Texans and Raiders are the teams with the highest draft picks that have the biggest need at quarterback.
The Colts have an offensive weapon in star running back Jonathan Taylor who could take pressure off Stroud early. The Texans have another first-round pick and plenty of cap space to build around Stroud. The Raiders offer a good offensive mind in head coach Josh McDaniels and have a star wide receiver in Davante Adams.
Stroud could find success in all three situations.
5. TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
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Ideal Fits: Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last year's final big board had no tight ends in the top 50 overall prospects. This year's version has four, and Notre Dame's Michael Mayer has separated himself in a relatively strong tight end class as something more.
At 6'4½" and 265 pounds, Mayer has the traditional size of an in-line tight end, but he has the receiving chops to play flexed out. He knows how to use his size to box out defenders and rack up contested catches.
Mayer was a two-time All-American and had a 31.1 percent target share in his final season at Notre Dame. He wasn't just a secondary option in the offense; he was the go-to receiver.
The only drawback to his game is that he doesn't look like an elite athlete when it comes to speed on the field. He's a smooth mover and good route-runner, but he isn't going to be a threat down the seam. He can be an elite underneath receiving tight end in the way that Zach Ertz was at his best.
The latest Bleacher Report mock draft has the Titans taking Mayer at No. 11. Pairing him with ultra-athletic tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo would allow them to play to the strengths of both players and live in 12 personnel.
Mayer would also be a logical fit with the Lions. After trading away T.J. Hockenson, they could use an elite tight end playing on a rookie contract. Meanwhile, the Bucs saw just how hard it was to replace Rob Gronkowski last season. Mayer could help them transition into the post-Tom Brady era.
4. RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
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Ideal Fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints
Bijan Robinson is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft given how NFL teams have pivoted away from spending premium picks on running back. Saquon Barkley is the only running back to be selected before the 24th overall pick since 2018, but Robinson is the B/R Scouting Department's fourth overall prospect.
Robinson is a do-it-all back who can impact the passing game but has the elite athleticism to break off big runs as well. He isn't a scheme-dependent back, so he can be utilized as an offensive weapon in a variety of ways.
The Buccaneers (No. 19) are the earliest team that would make sense for Robinson. Head coach Todd Bowles wanted to run the ball last season, but Tampa Bay was last in yards per carry, rushing yards per game and rushing touchdowns.
The latest Bleacher Report mock draft has Robinson going to the Buffalo Bills at No. 27 overall. "A true three-down back would do wonders for the Bills offense," B/R scout Derrik Klassen explained. "Robinson is clearly the best back in a loaded positional group."
The Saints at No. 29 should be the floor for Robinson. Alvin Kamara is turning 28 in July, and the history of RBs declining before their 30s suggests they should be thinking about a long-term solution. Unrelated to that, Kamara was indicted Thursday for an alleged beating from last February that could result in a suspension.
Robinson would give the Saints an exit strategy as they continue to build an offense without a clear plan at quarterback right now.
3. Edge Myles Murphy, Clemson
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Ideal Fits: Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons
Pass-rushing is one of the most valuable skills in the NFL. This year's draft class offers three elite quarterback hunters with different styles.
Clemson's Myles Murphy is the prototypical edge prospect. At 6'5" and 275 pounds with explosive athleticism, Murphy has the ideal combination of size, strength and speed to develop into a bonafide All-Pro pass-rusher.
Murphy was third on Bruce Feldman's annual list of players "who generate buzz inside their programs by displaying the unique physical abilities that wow even those who observe gifted athletes every day" at The Athletic. That suggests he'll dominate the combine and predraft athletic testing.
B/R NFL Draft Scout Matt Holder compared Murphy to Jason Pierre-Paul. JPP had success in multiple fronts, thriving in the New York Giants' 4-3 scheme before playing outside linebacker in Tampa Bay's 3-4 alignment later in his career.
Beyond his incredible athleticism, Murphy has good hand usage for a young pass-rusher and should contribute immediately while fitting into any defensive front.
The Cardinals and Falcons both finished among the bottom 10 leaguewide in sacks this season. The Cardinals also have to deal with the retirement of J.J. Watt, so Murphy would make sense for either team.
The Seahawks have an impressive trio of young pass-rushers in Uchenna Nwosu, Darrell Taylor and Boye Mafe. However, Murphy would give them a potential star to bring it all together like Haason Reddick did for the Philadelphia Eagles' pass-rushing group this season.
2. DL Jalen Carter, Georgia
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Ideal Fits: Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks
Two prospects stand out above all others on the B/R big board, and both are defensive game-wreckers up front. Georgia's Jalen Carter (9.5) narrowly loses out to Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. (9.6), but their grades from our scouting department are incredibly close.
It takes a special interior defender to be a top-five pick. Few have the same inherent value of an edge-rusher, but Carter profiles as the kind of player who will break that mold.
Carter is a 6'3", 300-pound defensive tackle with a refined set of pass-rushing moves and an incredible first step to get leverage on an offensive lineman from the snap. He has the potential to develop into a Chris Jones-type disruptor.
Georgia has been developing and sending star defensive linemen to the NFL for a while now. Carter stands out even among his Georgia peers on film.
He's the kind of player who defensive coordinators can build a game plan around up front. It's not a question of what scheme fits him best. He's a foundational piece who can help determine what a defense does up front.
Essentially, he's a fit for any team with an early pick that isn't tied to taking a quarterback. The Bears, Cardinals and Seahawks all fit that bill the best.
1. Edge Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
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Ideal Fits: Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks
You'd have a hard time replicating Will Anderson Jr.'s stats at Alabama as a sophomore if you were controlling him on NCAA 14 and playing on freshman difficulty. That's how dominant he was.
If Anderson could have declared for the draft as a true sophomore, he would have been a top-five pick in last year's draft. He had 101 tackles with 31 tackles for a loss and 17.5 sacks. His numbers weren't quite as video game-esque in his junior campaign, but his 10 sacks and 17 tackles for loss showed he's as legit as they come.
Anderson is on the smaller side for an elite edge prospect at 6'4" and 243 pounds, but some of his best reps came against the run. He plays much stronger than his size would indicate. While he's best served as a stand-up outside linebacker, he shouldn't be discounted from lining up as a defensive end at times.
Much like Carter, Anderson is someone to build around rather than ask to conform to a preexisting role. His best fits are the teams that might have the opportunity to draft him and don't necessarily have to come away with a quarterback.
The Bears, Cardinals or Seahawks could all use a defensive superstar to build around in the front seven. Anderson is that caliber of a prospect.
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