Best Value Picks of the 2023 NFL Draft
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Kansas City, Missouri (PSF) - The NFL Draft is a game of matching value with need. The best teams come out of the draft with the most value from their number of picks and selections. Here is a list of some of the best value picks from this year’s draft.
Round 1, Pick 17: Patriots draft Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
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The question of how Christian Gonzalez fell all the way to 17 to the New England Patriots is a storyline from the first round of the draft that needs to be talked about more. During the whole pre-draft process, it seemed like Gonzalez was a lock to go in the top 10. Leave it to Bill Belichick to save his fall from grace as he arguably got the best cornerback in the draft who fits his scheme perfectly as a boundary cornerback he can put out on an island after trading back three spots with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chess, not checkers.
Round 2, Pick 59: Bills draft O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
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Patience is a virtue. Like their AFC East division rival New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills let their draft board fall to them and were able to select Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence who was projected to go in the first round according to most NFL Draft analysts, scouts, and executives. The Bills had to add to their interior offensive line on day two which is exactly what they did with the selection of Torrence. Torrence is a quality run blocker and wide body who could win a starting job early.
Round 3, Pick 93: Steelers draft Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
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To be quite honest, every Steelers draft pick from their class this year could have easily made this list. Yes, that is how good their draft was. The scary part is that it was only Omar Khan’s first draft as the newest General Manager of the franchise. While I could talk about every pick they made, let’s stick with Washington here who somehow fell to the third round. Washington is a hybrid between an offensive tackle and receiving weapon who will serve as Pittsburgh’s sixth offensive lineman and also has the ability to make explosive plays down the field. Plenty of value with this pick for Pittsburgh.
Round 4, Pick 115: Bears draft Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
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Going into the draft, everyone was talking about Texas’ starting running back Bijan Robinson and deservedly so. Robinson is the best running back to come out of the draft since Saquon Barkley did in 2018. However, these same people failed to recognize and give enough credit to his backup in Roschon Johnson who was just not given the same amount of opportunities as Robinson in Texas’ backfield. If Johnson was given the same amount of opportunities as Robinson somewhere else, he would have gone a lot earlier. Johnson will serve as a special teamer to start with the potential to be Chicago’s future RB1.
Round 5, Pick 140: Browns draft Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA
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Yes, I am aware that when Deshaun Watson signed his contract with the Cleveland Browns it was for $230 million guaranteed. While this is true, you cannot help but realize the value that the Browns got in this selection of UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Thompson-Robinson played five seasons for the Bruins and showed plenty of promise. In fact, he profiles similarly to Watson in terms of athleticism and play style. Thompson-Robinson is a long term developmental starter who could one day take over for Watson if things keep going south.
