The 2023 NFL draft resumes Friday night with the second and third rounds. (It concludes Saturday with the final four rounds.)
Plenty of excitement Thursday from Kansas City, Missouri, with Round 1 providing its fair share of trades and surprises, notably the Houston Texans not only taking Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick but then vaulting back up to No. 3 for Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson. Expect Houston to continue to be a major player with 10 more overall selections at GM Nick Caserio’s disposal.
USA TODAY Sports will have the latest news, while analyzing each pick as it’s made once the 88th annual “Player Selection Meeting” resumes:
NFL DRAFT PICKS 2023:Analysis of every team’s first-round selections
2023 NFL draft tracker: Second-round picks
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Chicago Bears) – CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
With the pick acquired from last year’s trade of WR Chase Claypool comes just the proper overlap of talent, need and serendipity required to bring the son of former Steelers OLB Joey Porter back to the Steel City. Porter Jr. dropped Thursday, failing to become the inaugural first-round defensive back in Nittany Lions history. But the All-Big Ten star is big (6-3, 193) and physical and should be a long-term solution to a secondary that lost CB Cam Sutton in free agency and is counting on soon-to-be 33-year-old Patrick Peterson. Rarely tested in 2022, Porter didn’t allow a TD pass last season.
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33. Tennessee Titans (from Houston Texans via Arizona Cardinals) – QB Will Levis, Kentucky
After falling out of Round 1, he doesn’t stick around Friday as the Titans deal up for the Wildcats star. Tennessee QB Ryan Tannehill has one year left on his contract, and 2022 third-rounder Malik Willis didn’t earn the confidence of the coaches and was passed over as the starter late last season when Tannehill was hurt. Levis is a cannon-armed, athletic, tough, 6-3, 229-pounder with experience in a pro-style offense. He will have to improve his consistency and footwork while recovering from the physical beating he endured in 2022. In 2021, Levis passed for 24 TDs and ran for nine more.
34. Detroit Lions (from Cardinals) – TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
The Lions effectively replace T.J. Hockenson, whom they traded last season, with another from the Hawkeyes’ tight end factory. All-Big Ten last year, the 6-3, 245-pound LaPorta doesn’t score much but had at least 50 receptions for at least 600 yards each of the past two seasons. Decent enough blocker.
35. Las Vegas Raiders (from Indianapolis Colts) – TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
The Silver and Black bump up three slots, coach Josh McDaniels perhaps seeking his next iteration of Rob Gronkowski. Mayer’s size (6-5, 249 pounds) and blocking should be welcomed by 2022 rushing champ Josh Jacobs while giving QB Jimmy Garoppolo a red-zone threat alternative to WR Davante Adams. Mayer, a 2022 All-American, had 138 receptions for 1,649 yards and 16 TDs over past two seasons.
36. Los Angeles Rams – G Steve Avila, TCU
Coming off a historically poor Super Bowl defense, the Rams begin replenishing their interior O-line with a 6-4, 332-pound All-American. Avila could plug in at guard or center and will fortify the blocking in front of QB Matthew Stafford, who didn’t finish last season, regardless.
37. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos) – DE Derick Hall, Auburn
The ‘Hawks begin building out the depth of their D-line with a 6-3, 254-pounder who posted 19½ sacks and 29½ tackles for loss over the past three seasons. As a team captain with 4.5 speed he brings good tangible and intangible assets to the Emerald City.
38. Atlanta Falcons (from Raiders via Colts) – OL Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
A left tackle in college, expect the 6-5, 318-pound second-team All-ACC performer to move inside, giving Atlanta (and first-round RB Bijan Robinson) one of the league’s sneaky good offensive lines. Bergeron, a nasty run blocker, should learn plenty of Pro Bowl G Chris Lindstrom.
39. Carolina Panthers – WR Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi
Not a ton of production at Ole Miss, his biggest numbers (by far) coming last year with 51 grabs for 861 yards and five TDs. But new QB Bryce Young will appreciate his new teammate’s size (6-2, 220) as part of a receiving corps that needs fresh bodies amid DJ Moore’s departure.
40. New Orleans Saints – DE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
They continue to replenish their D-line – DT Bryan Bresee was the pick in Round 1 – the 6-5, 264-pound Irish star will bolster the edge following the loss of Marcus Davenport in free agency. Foskey posted 20½ sacks and 23 TFLs over the past two seasons and is a physical marvel, posting a 4.58 40 time at the combine.
41. Cardinals (from Titans) – OLB/DE BJ Ojulari
The brother of Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari, the first-team All-SEC selection from 2022 will be expected to come in and help replace some of the production lost by the retirement of DE J.J. Watt and loss of DE Zach Allen in free agency. The 6-2, 248-pound Ojulari had 16½ sacks and 25½ TFLs for the Bayou Bengals. Good bender if a beat lean.
42. Green Bay Packers (from Cleveland Browns via New York Jets) – TE Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
With a pick obtained in the Aaron Rodgers trade, the Pack add an athletic target for new QB Jordan Love. With 4.6 speed and a big frame (6-6, 253) Musgrave must do damage with defenses likely to be keyed on second-year WR Christian Watson.
43. Jets – C/G Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
The Badgers’ starting center the past two years, will be interesting to see how New York deploys him in the effort to safeguard Rodgers. A big guy at 6-6, 313 pounds, Tippmann joins an offensive line with several moving parts but one that just re-signed veteran C Connor McGovern. Don’t be surprised if Tippmann plays guard and 2021 first-rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker kicks out to tackle.
44. Colts (from Falcons) – CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
A big (6-3, 198) corner with 4.5 speed who picked off four passes for the Wildcats in 2022, Brents fills a void created by the departure of Stephon Gilmore.
45. Lions (from Packers) – DB Brian Branch, Alabama
A 6-foot, 190-pound All-American who spends most of his time in the slot … and could be biting the kneecaps of quarterbacks with blitzes from that post. Branch’s 4.58 40 time at the combine might have cost him first-round status … but he might also be Detroit’s best pick of this draft. Could eventually settle in at safety.
46. New England Patriots – DE Keion White, Georgia Tech
The converted tight end had 7½ sacks and 14 TFLs in 2022 for the Yellow Jackets and is a hustler even at 6-5 and 285 pounds. He’s also strong as an ox, evidenced by his 30 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press at the combine. He should add a nice dimension to a New England pass rush anchored by OLBs Matt Judon and Josh Uche.
47. Washington Commanders – CB Jartavius Martin, Illinois
They continue bolstering their seconder after picking CB Emmanuel Forbes in Round 1. Expect Martin to man the slot and thrive given the pressure Washington applies up front.
48. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Lions via Packers) – OT Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
A 6-5, 302-pounder – and easy to distinguish since he doesn’t have his front teeth (personal choice following a basketball accident) – he could plug in as the replacement for Donovan Smith at left tackle or flip to the right side if the Bucs move Tristan Wirfs. Tough player who could really play anywhere along the front protecting new QB Baker Mayfield.
49. Steelers – DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
Some interior beef to suck off some blocks from DE Cam Heyward and OLB J.J. Watt, but don’t discount Benton’s quickness, either. The third-team All-Big Ten player created plenty of havoc last year with 4½ sacks and 10 TFLs.
50. Packers (from Buccaneers) – WR Jayden Reed, Michigan State
The help for Love continues to arrive. Reed (5-11, 187) had a big year in 2021 with 59 grabs for 1,026 yards and 10 TDs, but the numbers tailed off a bit in 2022 (55-636-5). Reed’s 4.45 speed should be a nice complement to Watson and Musgrave.
51. Miami Dolphins – CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
A bigger guy (6-1, 180) with 4.4 speed and hops (38-inch vertical) for a team that can add him to the starting CB duo of Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard.
52. Seahawks – RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Seattle’s reinvesting in its backfield after taking Kenneth Walker III in Round 2 a year ago. Charbonnet (6 feet, 214 pounds, 4.5 speed) led the FBS with 168 all-purpose yards per game in 2022. The Seahawks are starting to get scary on offense.
53. Bears (from Baltimore Ravens) – DT Gervon Dexter, Florida
Reinforcements on the way for a Chicago defense that allowed the most points in the NFL in 2022. At 6-6, 310 pounds (with sub 4.9 speed), Dexter should be a disruptive force if his talents are harnessed.
54. Los Angeles Chargers – DE Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
The two-time All-Pac 12 selection and conference defensive player of the year in 2022 topped the nation with 13 sacks last season, when he also had 22 TFLs. At 6-3 and 266 pounds, Tuipulotu should start off as a nice rotational piece and insurance behind Bolts OLBs Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, both prone to injuries at this stage of their careers.
55. Kansas City Chiefs (from Minnesota Vikings via Lions) –
56. Jacksonville Jaguars –
57. New York Giants –
58. Dallas Cowboys –
59. Buffalo Bills –
60. Cincinnati Bengals
61. Bears (from San Francisco 49ers via Panthers) –
62. Philadelphia Eagles –
63. Lions (from Chiefs) –
2023 NFL draft tracker: Third-round picks
64. Bears –
65. Texans –
66. Eagles (from Cardinals) –
67. Broncos (from Colts) –
68. Broncos –
69. Rams –
70. Raiders –
71. Saints –
72. Cardinals (from Titans) –
73. Texans (from Browns) –
74. Browns (from Jets) –
75. Falcons
76. Patriots (from Panthers) –
77. Rams (from Patriots via Dolphins) –
78. Packers –
79. Colts (from Commanders) –
80. Steelers –
81. Titans (from Lions via Cardinals) –
82. Buccaneers –
83. Seahawks –
84. Dolphins –
85. Chargers –
86. Ravens –
87. Vikings –
88. Jaguars –
89. Giants –
90. Cowboys –
91. Bills –
92. Bengals –
93. Panthers (from 49ers) –
94. Cardinals (from Eagles) –
95. Chiefs –
x-96. Cardinals –
x-97. Commanders –
x-98. Browns –
x-99. 49ers –
x-100. Raiders (from Chiefs via Giants) –
x-101. 49ers –
x-102. 49ers –
x-compensatory selection
Which teams have not yet selected players?
The Cleveland Browns (Deshaun Watson trade), Denver Broncos (Russell Wilson trade), Los Angeles Rams (Matthew Stafford trade), Miami Dolphins (forfeiture) and San Francisco 49ers (2021 trade for No. 3 pick used on Trey Lance) did not pick in the first round but are all scheduled to do so Friday. – Nate Davis
The Kentucky quarterback endured an extended slide all the way out of the first round, creating an awkward wait for a player who was on hand in Kansas City, Missouri, and surely expected to be celebrating by now. Instead, Levis looks bound to have his professional football fate determined Friday as a Day 2 pick. Here are eight teams that could be candidates to take Levis:
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It was a big night for contenders and pretenders alike. And another banner evening for Southeastern Conference powers. And, per usual, the show was stolen early on by quarterbacks … but as the night progressed, others wound up being no-shows. It’s early yet – and the next six rounds can very much alter the complexion of each team’s overall haul. But Thursday provided a snapshot – a big and vivid one – of where this holistic draft evaluation is headed. – Nate Davis
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A few marquee names always slide into Day 2, and this year was no exception. When the action resumes Friday, there should be several potentially high-impact starters up for the taking. Several could be scooped up quickly, though others could see their waits extended further. Here are the best players still available. – Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz
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It didn’t take long for the unexpected moves to start rolling in Thursday. But while some certainly had a surprise factor to them, it wasn’t until later in the order that other decisions truly provoked puzzlement from many. While it’s certainly too early to call definitively label any pick bad, these selections stand out as the most questionable of the first round. – Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
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