Re-Drafting the 2023 NFL Draft After Panthers Bench Bryce Young
Kristopher Knox@@kris_knoxCorrespondent ISeptember 17, 2024Re-Drafting the 2023 NFL Draft After Panthers Bench Bryce Young0 of 8
2023 first overall pick Bryce YoungNick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It’s too early to accurately call any member of the 2023 NFL draft class a bust. However, things are looking increasingly dire for 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young.
The Carolina Panthers quarterback has struggled to find a rhythm or even appear comfortable with playing his position in the NFL. The Alabama product went 2-14 while posting a 73.7 quarterback rating as a rookie, and he’s been arguably worse this year.
On Monday, the Panthers made the decision to bench Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
There’s still plenty of time for Young to salvage his NFL career. However, one can only assume that Carolina would make a different decision at the top of the draft if given a do-over.
With this in mind, let’s examine how the 2023 draft might have unfolded if Young wasn’t the No. 1 pick. For this exercise, we’ll use the opening-night, pre-draft order and base selections on all of the information that is available through the first two weeks of 2024.
Picks 1-41 of 8
Texans QB C.J. StroudCooper Neill/Getty Images
1. Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Original Pick: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
This is the easiest decision a team could make in a 2024 re-draft. C.J. Stroud has been as good as Young has been bad over the last year. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year has already led the Houston Texans to a division title and a playoff win, and he’s shown no signs of regression thus far in 2024.
Situations matter, of course, and Stroud probably wouldn’t be the same quarterback in Carolina. He’s benefited from a strong supporting cast and quality coaching in Houston, things he wouldn’t get from the Panthers. It’s quite clear, though, that Stroud was the most pro-ready signal-caller in the 2023 class.
2. Houston Texans: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Original Pick: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
With Stroud off the board, the Texans pivot to Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. It’s a bit of a gamble because Richardson played only parts of four games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury—and his value remains based on potential, not production.
However, Houston still needs a quarterback of the future, it’s not taking Young, and it is too talented and too well-coached to land a top QB prospect in 2024.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
Original Pick: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama (by the Houston Texans)
The Arizona Cardinals originally traded out of this slot so that Houston could secure pass-rusher and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.
While the Cardinals strongly consider their original top 2023 pick, offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., they opt to secure Anderson instead. The 2024 class will be loaded with offensive line prospects, Anderson is a perennial Pro Bowl talent, and Arizona knows that it will lose 2023 second-round pick and pass-rusher B.J. Ojulari to a torn ACL ahead of the 2024 season.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Original Pick: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Indianapolis Colts miss out on Richardson here. However, they nearly reached the playoffs in 2023 with Gardner Minshew at quarterback, and they could have a shot at securing Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins or Joe Flacco—who they did add—during the 2024 offseason.
Instead of reaching for a QB like Young or Will Levis, the Colts take Devon Witherspoon, who was a rookie Pro Bowler for the Seattle Seahawks. Witherspoon would provide an instant defensive boost and would help elevate a defense that is allowing 6.5 net yards per pass attempt so far this season.
Picks 5-82 of 8
Eagles DT Jalen CarterMitchell Leff/Getty Images
5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Original Pick: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
With Witherspoon off the board, Seattle might consider taking another prospect. Instead, though, they snap up Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Carter had a fantastic rookie season for the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing with 33 tackles, six sacks, 18 quarterback pressures and a defensive touchdown. He’d be a defensive centerpiece for new head coach Mike Macdonald and would give Seattle some flexibility in the 2024 draft—the Seahawks used the 16th pick on Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.
6. Detroit Lions: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Original Pick: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State (by the Arizona Cardinals)
After initially trading down, the Cardinals traded back up to grab Johnson sixth overall in 2023. The Lions then used the 12th overall pick on Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Gibbs has been a terrific complement to David Montgomery in Detroit’s backfield, but with Bijan Robinson on the board, the Lions take the Texas product instead.
There’s no guarantee that Robinson would be more productive in Detroit’s offense than Gibbs has been, but he did top 1,400 scrimmage yards for an underwhelming Atlanta Falcons team as a rookie. By grabbing him, the Lions ensure that they don’t miss out on a running back a few spots later.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Original Pick: Tyree Wilson, DL, Texas Tech
The Las Vegas Raiders initially used this pick on Texas Tech defensive tackle Tyree Wilson. However, Wilson has not been the disruptive difference-making defender he was expected to be.
With Johnson on the board, Las Vegas instead solidifies the right side of its offensive line. Johnson has transitioned to left tackle for the Cardinals this season, but he started on the right side as a rookie and played 100 percent of the offensive snaps.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Original Pick: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
This is too early for the Falcons to take a quarterback, and they ultimately end up with both Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. in 2024. They stick with their original plan to gut it out with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke in 2023 and grab a centerpiece running back.
With Robinson off the board, the Falcons snap up Gibbs, who was a rookie Pro Bowler, and move along without missing much of a beat.
Picks 9-123 of 8
Bears OT Darnell WrightRich Barnes/Getty Images
9. Chicago Bears: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Original Pick: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia (by the Philadelphia Eagles)
The Chicago Bears traded this selection to the Eagles, then snagged Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright a pick later. Here, they simply stay put and grab Wright, who started 17 games and played 100 percent of the offensive snaps as a rookie.
Wright hasn’t been perfect—he has allowed nine sacks in 19 games, according to Pro Football Focus—but he hasn’t struggled enough to justify moving in a different direction.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Original Pick: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee (by the Chicago Bears)
With Carter off the board, the Eagles turn to cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who was impressive for the New England Patriots before a season-ending labrum tear.
Gonzalez allowed an opposing passer rating of 87.5 as a rookie and has allowed a rating of 86.1 this season. Grabbing him here allows Philadelphia to address the cornerback position a year early—it used its first two 2024 picks on Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
11. Tennessee Titans: Puka Nacua, WR, BYU
Original Pick: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Tennessee Titans used the 11th pick on interior lineman Peter Skoronski, who was good but not great in Tennessee—he allowed five sacks as a rookie, according to Pro Football Focus.
Instead of taking Skoronski in a redraft, the Titans take the best player available, BYU receiver Puka Nacua.
Nacua is currently dealing with a knee injury that could keep him out until Week 9, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. That doesn’t erase the fact that he set a new rookie record with 1,486 receiving yards last season.
12. Houston Texans: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
Original Pick: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (by the Detroit Lions)
The Texans traded up from this spot to secure Will Anderson Jr. With that trade not happening in our redraft, Houston grabs Iowa State edge-rusher Will McDonald IV instead.
McDonald flashed promise as a rookie (3 sacks, 7 QB pressures) even if he didn’t come close to matching Anderson’s numbers. He’s looking like a future start this year, though, and has already recorded three sacks and four pressures through two games.
Picks 13-164 of 8
Titans OL Peter SkoronskiJustin Ford/Getty Images
13. Green Bay Packers: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Original Pick: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
While Peter Skoronski hasn’t been stellar for the Titans, he’s worth a flier here for the Green Bay Packers. 2022 third-round pick Sean Rhyan simply hasn’t developed into a quality starting guard for Green Bay, and Skoronski was widely viewed as one of the cleanest prospects in the 2023 class.
“His best long-term fit as a pro remains a question, but there is no doubt that he has the physical traits, makeup and skill set to be an immediate starter at all five positions,” Brandon Thorn of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.
Lukas Van Ness isn’t shaping up to be a bad pick by any means, but Green Bay jumps at a chance to improve its offensive line here.
14. New England Patriots: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Original Pick: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia (by the Pittsburgh Steelers)
The New England Patriots took North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 draft. While the Patriots haven’t turned to the rookie yet, they’ll eventually have to support an inexperienced signal-caller.
Knowing this a year ahead of time, the Patriots grab USC wideout Jordan Addison instead of trading this pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Addison tallied 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings and could be a clear-cut No. 1 receiver in an offense that doesn’t already feature Justin Jefferson.
15. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Original Pick: Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State
The New York Jets know that they’ll lose Aaron Rodgers four plays into the 2023 season. They also know that Rodgers will be back for his age-40 season in 2024 and will need to be protected. They use their re-draft selection on Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones.
While Jones didn’t start right away as a rookie and was recently benched by the Steelers, he could provide valuable insurance and a developmental option behind 2024 offseason addition Morgan Moses—not unlike 2024 first-round pick Olu Fashanu, who is currently sitting behind Tyron Smith.
The Jets would probably stick with Will McDonald IV if he were still on the board, but he’s not.
16. Washington Commanders: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Original Pick: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
The Panthers aren’t the only team that would probably love a 2023 do-over. The Washington Commanders used the 16th pick on cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who has since played well below his draft status.
Forbes allowed
an opposing passer rating of 103.0 as a rookie, was benched in Week 1 of this season and is now recovering from thumb surgery. Here, the Commanders pivot to safety Brian Branch, a second-round pick of the Lions. The former Alabama playmaker was a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate and would bolster Washington’s lackluster secondary in a big way.
Picks 17-205 of 8
Browns OT Dawand JonesFrank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Original Pick: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (by the New England Patriots)
With Broderick Jones off the board, the Steelers steal Ohio State’s Dawand Jones away from the rival Cleveland Browns.
Originally a fourth-round pick, the mammoth 6’8″, 375-pound Jones is looking like one of the steals of last year’s draft, though he had his promising rookie campaign cut short by a knee injury. In 13 appearances with 11 starts, including two starts this season, Jones has only allowed three sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
18. Detroit Lions: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Original Pick: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
The Lions face an incredibly tough decision here. They originally used this pick on linebacker Jack Campbell, who racked up 95 tackles and two sacks as a rookie. However, their chances of landing tight end Sam LaPorta in Round 2 a second time are essentially nonexistent.
LaPorta amassed 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie and can already be considered among the best tight ends in football. Detroit takes LaPorta a round earlier in our redraft, even if it ultimately means missing out on Campbell.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
Original Pick: Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the 19th pick on Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. With the way the board has fallen thus far, there’s really no reason for Tampa to go in a different direction.
Kancey has missed the first two games of this season with a calf injury but was quite impressive as a rookie. The 23-year-old tallied 26 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and 10 quarterback hits in his inaugural campaign.
Disruptive interior defenders aren’t easy to find, and the Buccaneers have one in Kancey.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Tank Dell, WR, Houston
Original Pick: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
In 2023, the Seahawks used their second first-round selection—the first came from the Denver Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade—to make Jaxson Smith-Njigba the first receiver off the board.
While Seattle might consider taking Smith-Njigba a second time, Tank Dell serves as an intriguing alternative. Like Smith-Njigba, Dell can thrive in the slot, and his numbers have been slightly better.
Despite suffering a season-ending fibula fracture in Week 13 last season, Dell has just 18 fewer receiving yards than Smith-Njigba, has three more receiving touchdowns and has averaged 4.7 more yards per catch and 17.2 more yards per game.
Picks 21-246 of 8
Mike Lawrence/Getty Images
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest
Original Pick: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The Los Angeles Chargers used the 21st pick on TCU receiver Quentin Johnston, who largely underwhelmed as a rookie. While Johnston did have a breakout two-touchdown game on Sunday, L.A. pivots to the other side of the ball here.
New head coach Jim Harbaugh loves to build his teams from the inside out, and defensive tackle Kobie Turner is shaping up to be a centerpiece player. Originally a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams, Turner recorded 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss and nine sacks as a rookie.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Original Pick: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Baltimore Ravens used the 22nd pick on Boston College receiver Zay Flowers, and they’ll do so again in a redraft.
Flowers proved to be a perfect fit for Todd Monken’s offense. He finished his rookie campaign with 858 receiving yards and five touchdowns while helping Lamar Jackson to his second regular-season MVP win.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Original Pick: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
With Addison off the board, the Vikings turn to another receiver who can be a dangerous slot specialist.
The Seahawks took Dell over Smith-Njigba, and Minnesota would probably be happy with either if Addison wasn’t an option. The Ohio State product caught 63 passes for 628 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie and would be a very capable complement next to Jefferson in Minnesota’s offense.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Original Pick: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland (by the New York Giants)
In 2023, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded back twice before settling on Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison. Since we’re not incorporating draft-day trades here, Jacksonville simply scoops up Harrison early.
While the former Sooner hasn’t been perfect for Jacksonville—he allowed five sacks as a rookie, according to Pro Football Focus—he hasn’t been a disaster either. He started all 17 games last season and seemed to progress rapidly as the 2023 season went on.
Picks 25-287 of 8
Bills TE Dalton KincaidMegan Briggs/Getty Images
25. New York Giants: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Original Pick: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (by the Buffalo Bills)
The New York Giants originally traded up to take Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks 24th overall. While Banks had a solid rookie campaign—he allowed an opposing passer rating of 79.6—New York pivots to Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid here.
The Giants make the switch because they’re still trying to make it work with quarterback Daniel Jones and know they’ll lose Darren Waller to retirement during the 2024 offseason. Kincaid, who caught 73 passes for 673 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie with the Buffalo Bills, would be the sort of security blanket that Jones lacks.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Original Pick: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
The Dallas Cowboys have gotten very little out of 26th overall pick Mazi Smith. The Michigan product recorded just 13 tackles and a sack as a rookie and has yet to record a single statistic this season, despite playing 56 defensive snaps.
“He’s got to step his game up, and he knows that,” Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay told The Athletic’s Jon Machota on September 7.
Knowing that Smith won’t make an early impact, the Cowboys turn to Keeanu Benton in a redraft. A second-round pick of the Steelers, Benton recorded 36 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a rookie.
27. Buffalo Bills: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Original Pick: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma (by the Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Bills also steal one of Pittsburgh’s original second-round selections after missing out on Kincaid.
Penn State product Joey Porter Jr. fits the mold of what Buffalo wants in a cornerback. He’s big (6’2″, 193 lbs), physical and can largely hang with opposing No. 1 receivers. He allowed an opposing passer rating of just 70.1 as a rookie and could be the reliable starter that 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam hasn’t been.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
Original Pick: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
The Cincinnati Bengals saw some flashes from former Clemson pass-rusher Myles Murphy in 2023. The then-rookie recorded three sacks and 20 tackles but only produced six quarterback pressures despite playing in all 17 games.
Murphy also opened the 2024 season on injured reserve with a knee injury. While he is eligible to return this season, the Bengals make a change with Van Ness still on the board.
Van Ness was only a bit more productive than Murphy as a rookie—he had four sacks, 32 tackles and 12 pressures—but he’s both talented and healthy.
Picks 29-318 of 8
Saints DT Bryan BreseeJustin Casterline/Getty Images
29. New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Original Pick: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Like the rival Buccaneers, the New Orleans Saints stick with their original selection—one that came from Denver in the Sean Payton deal—due to the league-wide scarcity of disruptive defensive tackles.
Clemson’s Bryan Bresee wasn’t a three-down defender as a rookie, but he showed that he can wreck opposing offensive game plans. The 22-year-old recorded 24 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 13 quarterback pressures in Year 1.
Bresee earned a starting role entering the 2024 season and has already recorded his first sack of the season. He’s looking like a long-term building block for the Saints, who keep him in a redraft.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
Original Pick: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
The Eagles used their second first-round pick—the first came from New Orleans via a 2022 draft trade—on pass-rusher Nolan Smith. While Smith has shown occasional flashes, the Georgia product recorded just a single sack as a rookie and has yet to earn a start.
In a redraft, Philadelphia grabs Georgia Tech pass-rusher Keion White instead. Like Smith, White recorded just a single sack in his first season. However, he’s in the midst of a Year 2 jump, has started both games for the Patriots this season and has already recorded four sacks in 2024.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Original Pick: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
The Kansas City Chiefs made the final pick in Round 1 at No. 31 because the Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick for violations of the league’s anti-tampering policy. Kansas City used that selection on Kansas State edge-rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Through 19 games, the 22-year-old has recorded only 16 tackles and a half-sack. In a redraft, the Chiefs decide to flip the switch early on SMU wideout Rashee Rice.
Rice may eventually face league discipline for his alleged role in a hit-and-run, multi-vehicle crash in March—though he was not placed on the commissioner’s exempt list to start the season.
However, on the field, Rice (1,116 receiving yards in 18 regular-season games) has shown a growing connection with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and has emerged as his new No. 1 target. Kansas City takes him here, 24 spots ahead of where he was originally drafted.
