The 2023 NFL Draft is now a thing of the past. So much happened during the three-day event in Kansas City as all 32 teams looked to improve their rosters, both short-term and over the long haul.
However, there are five teams that separated themselves from the pack when it comes to improving the most during the annual event. The Houston Texans ended up making two of the first three picks, acquiring multiple potential franchise cornerstones in an attempt to turn things around.
Remaining in the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers continued to do their thing during the NFL Draft. This is not a surprise given what we’ve seen from the two division rivals in recent years.
Without further ado, here is a look at the five teams that improved the most during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Related: Final 2023 NFL Draft tracker with grades
Houston Texans
- Most notable Houston Texans draft picks: C.J. Stroud (QB), Will Anderson (EDGE), Juice Scruggs (C), Nathaniel Dell (WR)
Houston entered the 2023 NFL Draft with two first-round picks (second and 11th overall). It ended up making two of the first three selections after shockingly trading up with the Arizona Cardinals.
Long-term, yielding their original first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to Arizona might end up being expensive. Even then, the Texans still own Cleveland’s first-rounder next spring. What we do know is that head coach DeMeco Ryans and Co. improved more than any other team during the annual event.
The Texans did not overthink it at two after several reports during the pre-draft process indicated that Stroud was dropping down the boards. He put up a questionable score on the S2 Cognition Test (explanation here). But the Ohio State product was the No. 1 or No. 2 quarterback in the draft throughout the process.
Not only does Houston add a potential franchise quarterback of the future, but it also gets someone who can compete with incumbent Davis Mills in training camp this summer. In and of itself, that’s a win.
The move up for former Alabama stud edge rusher Will Anderson puts things into perspective for Houston. General manager Nick Caserio gets Ryans someone who could very well be his next Nick Bosa. We’re talking about a kid who absolutely dominated during his time with Alabama and has all the measurables that translate to the NFL.
- Will Anderson college stats: 204 tackles, 58.5 tackles for loss, 34.5 sacks
Adding Anderson to a unit that includes young defensive backs Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr. gives Ryans something to work with out of the gate.
As for the remainder of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Texans filled holes with potential starters moving forward. Former Penn State offensive lineman Juice Scruggs offers a ton of versatility and should be slated to start at center from Day 1. Moving up for former Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell was big, too. The explosive receiver caught 199 passes for north of 2,700 yards with 29 touchdowns over the past two seasons with the Cougars.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Most notable Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks: Broderick Jones (OT), Joey Porter Jr. (CB), Keeanu Benton (DT), Darnell Washington (TE)
Kevin Colbert’s history of drafting well has extended to newish general manager Omar Khan. This was clearly evident during the 2023 NFL Draft. That’s not even subjective.
Pittsburgh was able to land one of the best offensive tackles in the draft by picking up former Georgia blindside protector Broderick Jones at 14. We’re talking about a Day 1 left tackle in front of young quarterback Kenny Pickett. Jones already boasts great technique in pass protection and has the ability to handle speedier edge guys, which are of abundance in today’s NFL.
The Steelers then opted not to move out of the first pick in the second round despite receiving a ton of interest from teams looking to trade up. It was pretty much a no-brainer with a scheme fit in Joey Porter Jr. still on the board. The former Penn State star was considered a consensus top-20 pick heading into the NFL Draft.
His physicality and ability to press fits perfectly with what defensive coordinator Teryl Austin likes to do on that side of the ball. It also doesn’t hurt that Porter’s father is among the best linebackers to ever play for the Steelers.
If this wasn’t enough, the Steelers added two high-upside players to close out Day 2 of the NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 309-pound Benton will handle starting nose tackle duties out of the gate. Meanwhile, tight end Darnell Washington is a freak of an athlete with untapped potential that’s through the roof.
Related: Early 2024 NFL mock draft
Seattle Seahawks
- Most notable Seattle Seahawks draft picks: Devon Witherspoon (CB), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR), Derick Hall (EDGE), Zach Charbonnet (RB)
We can question general manager John Schneider going cornerback at five all we want. It might not have been great value given the position. There is also a question regarding need after 2022 NFL Draft picks Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant excelled big time at cornerback as rookies.
With that said, Witherspoon’s dominant performance in college and measurables could end up giving the ‘Hawks their next Legion of Boom. The former Illinois star yielded a 35.5% completion and 25.3 passer rating when targeted last season. He’s going to slot in as a starter immediately with Bryant manning the slot.
Prior to being limited due to a hamstring injury last season, Smith-Njigba absolutely dominated catching passes from C.J. Stroud in 2021. That included putting up 95 receptions for 1,606 yards. We’re talking about a smooth wide receiver with a pro-ready route-running tree and the ability to take the top off defenses. Teaming him up with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in the Pacific Northwest is going to be an absolute boon for recently extended quarterback Geno Smith.
Seahawks fans might not be happy about the team taking a running back in the second round in consecutive years. But Zach Charbonnet brings something completely different to the table in comparison to Kenneth Walker. While the former is a between-the-tackles runner, the latter is that home run threat. As we’ve seen with the San Francisco 49ers and other top-end teams, having complementary backs in the modern NFL is a necessity. Seattle added that in the former UCLA star.
Related: Ranking NFL defenses following the 2023 NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens
- Most notable Baltimore Ravens draft picks: Zay Flowers (WR)
Hours before the 2023 NFL Draft started, Baltimore shockingly signed former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson to the richest contract in league history. That started out draft day pretty damn well for general manager Eric DeCosta and Co.
The Ravens were then able to land stud Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers in the back end of Round 1 to provide Jackson more weapons at wide receiver after they signed Odell Beckham Jr. ahead of the draft.
You don’t need to be a genius to realize how poor Baltimore’s receiving corps has been over the past several seasons. Current free agent Demarcus Robinson led this group with a mere 48 catches last season. In Flowers, the Ravens get a shifty receiver who can create separation right at the line, provide immediate throwing windows for Jackson and take the top off the defense. He’s similar to San Francisco 49ers breakout receiver Brandon Aiyuk in that regard.
Baltimore will now head into Week 1 with its three top wide receivers having not taken a snap at the end of the 2022 campaign. In addition to signing Beckham Jr. and drafting Zay Flowers, former first-round pick Rashod Bateman returns to full health after missing the final 11 games of last season to injury.
If this weren’t enough, Baltimore got one of the steals of the draft in former Clemson star linebacker Trenton Simpson in the third round. The on-ball linebacker was seen as a likely second-round pick after a stellar career with the Tigers. It was also a position of need in Baltimore.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Most notable Philadelphia Eagles draft picks: Jalen Carter (DT), Nolan Smith (EDGE), Tyler Steen (OL), Sydney Brown DB), Kelee Ringo (DB), D’Andre Swift (RB, trade)
How in the world was Philadelphia able to pull off the combination of Carter and Smith in the first round? Other NFL teams should be tar-and-feathered for allowing this to happen. Outside of the fact that the defending NFC Champions have now added five Georgia defenders over the past two NFL Drafts, this unit just got younger and much more talented.
Sure, there were issues relating to Carter pre-draft. His involvement in a fatal accident back in January coupled with conditioning questions leading up to the annual event saw him drop down the board some. But Philadelphia firmly believes that it has the culture in place to help him grow. There is a reason why Carter was considered the most talented player in the draft throughout the early stages of the process.
The dude is being compared to the likes of Warren Sapp. Let that sink in for a second. Teaming him up with youngster and fellow former Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis is going to cause major problems for opposing NFC East teams moving forward.
With an ability to play out on the edge and in an off-ball role, Smith was being bandied about as a potential top-10 pick heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. That’s why Philadelphia pushed back against trading down from the 30th selection when he was still on the board late Thursday evening.
As for the rest of the Eagles’ draft, it was all about D’Andre Swift. In absolutely stunning fashion, Philadelphia picked up the stud young running back from the Detroit Lions in a blockbuster trade. Swift found himself on the block after Detroit surprisingly selected Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday night.
While injury prone over the course of his first three NFL seasons, Swift has been absolutely electric with the ball in his hands.
- D’Andre Swift stats (2020-22): 1,680 rushing yards, 156 receptions, 1,198 receiving yards, 2,878 total yards, 5.5 yards per touch, 25 TD
After letting fellow running back Miles Sanders go in free agency, Philadelphia acquired a much more talented all-around back in Swift. General manager Howie Roseman and Co. certainly did work in the 2023 NFL Draft.