2023 NFL re-draft: A QB and wide receiver shuffle in top 20

With the NFL season at the midpoint, we have enough information to judge players selected in the first round of 2023 NFL Draft in April. Which teams would select another player if the draft were held today, and which would stand pat? Here’s Yardbarker’s first-round re-draft, which features a quarterback change at the top and a new QB entering the top 10.

(Note: The draft was composed of 31 picks instead of 32 because Miami forfeited its top selection.)  

1. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama | RE-DRAFT: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State: Bryce Young may very well be the right pick, but Stroud has proved himself capable of leading an NFL offense as a rookie, propelling him to No. 1 in our re-draft. He set an NFL record for most pass attempts to start a career without an interception (192) and has a miniscule 0.4 percent interception rate, lowest in the league. — Eric Smithling

2. HOUSTON TEXANS: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State | RE-DRAFT: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: With Stroud off the board, the Texans still must find their franchise quarterback, and Young is a solid consolation prize. He might have been the guy the team initially wanted to begin with. — Michael Gallagher

3. HOUSTON TEXANS: Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama | RE-DRAFT: Anderson: Nothing changes here. Anderson was — and still is — the right call even though he has only one sack. Houston thought highly enough of Anderson to sacrifice a potential high pick in 2024 to move up for him, and he should be the cornerstone of its defense for the next decade. — Michael Gallagher

4. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida | RE-DRAFT: Richardson: Despite Richardson’s season-ending shoulder injury, this pick doesn’t change either. He showed flashes of franchise QB potential, and there’s no question he’s QB1 in 2024 if fully healthy. — Michael Gallagher

5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois | RE-DRAFT: Witherspoon: There is no need for a change here either. The Seahawks desperately needed help on defense — especially in the secondary — and Witherspoon looks like a home run. Thanks, in part, to Witherspoon, Seattle has gone from 25th in the league in scoring defense (24.6 PPG) in 2022 to 11th (19.7). — Adam Gretz

6. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State | RE-DRAFT: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia: It is understandable why the Cardinals went offensive line in the draft, but Carter has more game — at least so far (3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, eight solo tackles) — for the Eagles. Per oddschecker, he’s favored for Defensive Rookie of the Year. — Adam Gretz

7. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech | RE-DRAFT: Byron Young, LB, Tennessee: Wilson has failed to meet expectations, recording only one sack and four pressures. Young, meanwhile, has logged three sacks and 20 pressures. Selected by the Rams in the third round in April, he would give the Raiders the pass-rush help they desperately need. — Clark Dalton

8. ATLANTA FALCONS: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas | RE-DRAFT: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky: The Falcons pick for need instead of choosing the best player available by landing a potential franchise quarterback. Levis — selected by the Titans in the second round in April — diced Atlanta for 238 yards passing and four TD passes in his debut and Pittsburgh for 262 yards passing on Thursday. He would have the Falcons in a much better position than they are with turnover-prone Desmond Ridder. — Eric Smithling

9. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia | RE-DRAFT: Brian Branch, S, Alabama: With Carter off the board, it would be tempting to select running back Bijan Robinson, if only to see what he looks like in an offense that would know how to use him. Instead, Branch is the pick. He’s tied for second on the Lions in passes defended (four) and tackles for loss (four). The versatile safety would fill a need for the Eagles, who recently traded for two-time First-Team All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. — Eric Smithling

10. CHICAGO BEARS: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee | RE-DRAFT: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State: One of the offensive playmakers remaining on the board might be enticing, but Chicago’s philosophy at No. 10 won’t change. However, instead of Wright, the Bears go with the versatile Johnson, arguably the best O-lineman available. Chicago gave up the fourth-most sacks in 2022 (58), and only three teams have allowed more than its 28 in 2023, per StatMuse. — Mike Santa Barbara

11. TENNESSEE TITANS: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern | RE-DRAFT: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee: As good as Skoronski has looked in limited action, it’s clear the Titans’ biggest need is left tackle. The Andre Dillard experiment hasn’t worked out, and neither Nicholas Petit-Frere nor Chris Hubbard is the answer on the left side. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Wright would give Tennessee a mauler protecting Will Levis’ blind side for the next decade. — Michael Gallagher

12. DETROIT LIONS: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama | RE-DRAFT: Gibbs: It took a little while, but Gibbs has finally emerged as the versatile weapon the Lions hoped for when they stunningly called his name in April. The playmaking back isn’t even a starter and is still outpacing or equaling the best of 2023’s first-year backs. Adding Bijan Robinson (Falcons), who has massive upside, or even third-round breakout rusher De’Von Achane (Dolphins) might be tempting, but the Lions will stick with Gibbs. — Mike Santa Barbara

13. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa | RE-DRAFT: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State: Despite falling to the fourth round, Jones has played like a first-round talent with the Cleveland Browns. QB Jordan Love needs all the protection he can get, and at 6-foot-8 and 375 pounds, Jones would be a tremendous anchor on the line. — Mike Santa Barbara

14. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia | RE-DRAFT: Jordan Addison, WR, USC: If the Steelers were open to playing Jones more — he has looked good in limited action — it would make sense to stick with him as the pick here. Instead, Pittsburgh is starting Dan Moore Jr., which means it can select Addison (Vikings) and reunite him with his former Pitt QB Kenny Pickett to help its dormant offense and create one of the best wide receiver units in the NFL. — Aaron Becker

15. NEW YORK JETS: Will McDonald IV, LB, Iowa State | RE-DRAFT: Peter Skoronski, OT/OG, Northwestern: The McDonald selection was puzzling when it was made considering the Jets boast a deep defensive line, and it’s even more baffling now since he has played just 67 snaps on defense. New York needed a lineman at the time of the draft, and that need has intensified as injuries have wracked the offensive line. Jones is an appealing choice, but Skoronski, who can play guard and tackle, gets the nod due to his versatility. — Colum Dell

16. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State | RE-DRAFT: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon: After generating just nine interceptions last season, Washington reached to select the NCAA career leader in pick-sixes. The pick quickly proved to be a mistake. After allowing 401 yards and two touchdowns in coverage through his first five games, Forbes was benched and has played sparingly since. Gonzalez was considered one of the best cornerbacks in the class during the pre-draft process and showed promise with the Patriots before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.  — Colum Dell

17: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon | RE-DRAFT: Puka Nacua, WR, BYU: The Patriots won’t reach for a cornerback with Gonzalez off the board, and since they’re averaging the second-fewest points (14.8) and 13th-fewest passing yards per game (200.4), a true No. 1 wide receiver would be an excellent consolation prize. Nacua, a fifth-round pick, has enjoyed a historic start to his career with the Rams, ranking second in the NFL in receptions (61) and third in receiving yards (795). — Colum Dell

18. DETROIT LIONS: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa | RE-DRAFT: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State: Detroit’s second-ranked run defense (76.8 YPG) has slowed teams, but against the pass (220.1/14th), it lacks a shutdown corner. That’s where Porter would fit in nicely. The first pick of the second round in April by the Steelers, Porter has emerged as one of the standouts of the rookie class. Through nine weeks, Porter has yet to allow a touchdown reception. — Mike Santa Barbara

19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh | RE-DRAFT: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas: Robinson stays in the NFC South but joins a Bucs team desperate for backfield talent. Tampa Bay ranks 30th in rushing (545 yards), only 79 yards more than Robinson has by himself. The former Longhorn is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and would give Tampa Bay an explosive back to complement Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the team’s talented WR duo. — Eric Smithling

20. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State | RE-DRAFT: Sam LaPorta, tight end, Iowa: Smith-Njigba looks like a fine player and a great addition to a deep wide receiver room, but that is kind of the point here. The Seahawks already had a deep wide receiver room and found another gem after the draft in Jake Bobo, an undrafted free agent. The big weakness on offense is at tight end, where LaPorta (Lions) could be a matchup nightmare in the middle of the field. — Adam Gretz

21. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU | RE-DRAFT: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland: Johnston has only played on 41 percent of snaps and logged 12 receptions. Plus, it’s clear the Chargers should’ve focused on their secondary instead, as they’re last in the NFL in passing yards allowed (297.4). Banks — selected by the Giants in the first round in April — is tied for 12th in the league in passes defended (seven) and would give Los Angeles the CB depth it needs. — Clark Dalton

22. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College | RE-DRAFT: Flowers: The team’s biggest need heading into the season was another playmaker for QB Lamar Jackson. Flowers has certainly lived up to the hype, leading the team in receptions (44) and yards (461). He has helped make up for the decline of underwhelming veteran WR Odell Beckham Jr. (14 catches, 162 yards). — Aaron Becker

23. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Jordan Addison WR, USC | RE-DRAFT: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State: With Addison off the board, the Vikings still get their wideout in Smith-Njigba. After a slow start to his rookie campaign, he is finding his groove, hauling in 11 of 16 targets for 147 yards and two touchdowns from Week 5 to Week 7. He may not have the tools of Addison, but he’ll still be a nice complement to star Justin Jefferson in the receivers room. — Mike Santa Barbara

24. NEW YORK GIANTS: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland | RE-DRAFT: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson: The Giants, who have a lot of holes, get younger at defensive tackle by selecting Bresee, whom the Saints selected in the first round in April. Per StatMuse, he’s tied for second with three others for most tackles for loss by a rookie defensive lineman and could potentially help a defense that allows 4.8 yards per rush, 29th in the league. — Eric Smithling

25. BUFFALO BILLS: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah | RE-DRAFT: Kincaid: The Bills drafted the Utah tight end to double as a slot receiver, and while he took some time to settle in, Kincaid in recent weeks has justified his selection. Over his past two games, he has caught 13 passes for 140 yards and one touchdown. With TE Dawson Knox on injured reserve, Kincaid will continue building an on-field rapport with QB Josh Allen and further establish himself as a long-term fixture in Buffalo’s high-powered offense. — Colum Dell

26. DALLAS COWBOYS: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan | RE-DRAFT: Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest: Dallas had the right idea addressing the interior of its defensive line, but it gets one of the bigger surprises of the 2023 class in this re-draft. The 90th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Rams, Turner ranks as the 13th-best run defender in the league by Pro Football Focus. — Eric Smithling

27. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma | RE-DRAFT: BJ Ojulari, edge-rusher, LSU: While going offensive line would be a solid pick here, Jacksonville’s biggest area of need is pass rush. Ojulari — who went to the Cardinals in the second round — is outperforming several first-round edge-rushers, including Van Ness, McDonald IV, Wilson and Myles Murphy. He would make a strong bookend with Josh Allen and allow Travon Walker to play solely as a defensive tackle, his natural position. — Michael Gallagher

28. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson | RE-DRAFT: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame: Murphy has one sack halfway through the season and seems to be a bit lost on the depth chart. In our re-draft, Cincinnati adds to QB Joe Burrow’s already-talented arsenal at the one position the Bengals took a step back at in the offseason. Veteran TE Irv Smith Jr. hasn’t panned out, and Mayer (Raiders) — who admitted to being a Bengals fan during the pre-draft process — would become Burrow’s security blanket for the next five-plus years. — Aaron Becker

29. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson | RE-DRAFT: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida: One of the biggest weaknesses for the Saints is the interior of the offensive line, which Torrence would rectify. A full-time starter since Week 1 with Buffalo, he has held his own in passing and running situations.  — Eric Smithling

30. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia | RE-DRAFT: DJ Turner, CB, Kansas State: Smith, who has played the bulk of his snaps on special teams, is swapped out for Turner, a corner having as good a season as any first-year defensive back. Per Stathead, Turner — who went to the Bengals in the second round in April — allows a passer rating of 58.7, lowest among rookies who’ve been targeted at least 10 times, and a completion percentage of only 45 percent. — Eric Smithling

31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State | RE-DRAFT: Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford: Anudike-Uzomah hasn’t had a huge impact, only playing on 24 percent of snaps and logging 10 tackles. Outside of TE Travis Kelce (54) and rookie WR Rashee Rice (30), no Chief has logged 30 or more receptions, so they desperately need another pass-catcher. Wilson is a big-play specialist who with the Cardinals has averaged 16 yards per reception in eight games, ninth in the NFL. — Clark Dalton