2023 NFL Draft Grades: Bears were head of the class in NFC North

And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is over. There were some big trades, surprising picks, and shocking players who fell down the board. The 2023 draft offered everything you could want as a fan on draft weekend.

How did the NFC North make out? While acknowledging that you generally need three years to give a conclusive grade on draft picks, let’s hand out some way-too-early grades for the Chicago Bears and their division rivals.

Detroit Lions

2023 Draft class: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB), Jack Campbell (LB), Sam LaPorta (TE), Brian Branch (DB), Brodric Martin (DT), Hendon Hooker (QB), Colby Sorsdal (OL), Antoine Green (WR)

At the end of Day 1, I gave Detroit a D- for their draft. Jahmyr Gibbs was a massive reach at 12th overall, who probably could have been had with their first Day 2 pick. In his press conference, Brad Holmes, GM of the Lions, said that teams were chattering about taking Jahmyr Gibbs somewhere between the Lions’ two first-round picks, but I’m not buying that. Missing out on another top prospect at a position of need, like cornerback Christian Gonzalez, makes that pick a disaster.

Day 2 was slightly better. LaPorta isn’t a bad pick, but Michael Mayer was still available (and was taken the next selection when the Raiders traded up). Hendon Hooker is a high-upside quarterback, but he’s already 25 years old, still recovering from an ACL injury, and will have to make a huge adjustment from the QB-friendly system he ran in college to the NFL.

The Lions added some impact players, but not at positions of need or the right slot to make them good picks. I’ll improve on their Day 1 grade, but only a little.

Grade: C-

Minnesota Vikings

2023 draft class: Jordan Addison (WR), Mekhi Blackmon (CB), Jay Ward (S), Jaquelin Roy (DL), Jaren Hall (QB), DeWayne McBride (RB)

The Vikings came into the draft needing an overhaul on defense, but they leaned heavily on the offensive side of the ball. Perhaps they trust new defensive coordinator Brian Flores to be the only thing their defense needs to become a feared unit. Time will tell.

As for their picks, I thought the Vikings had a good draft. Addison is a fantastic replacement for departed receiver Adam Thielen, maybe even an upgrade. Blackmon and Ward will be nice depth additions to their secondary, and Roy beefs up their defensive line, too. Minnesota ended their draft with a QB development project and an exciting running back.

Overall, I liked the pieces that Minnesota added, given their limited draft capital. A nice job by the second-year GM.

Grade: B

Green Bay Packers

2023 draft class: Lukas Van Ness (DL), Luke Musgrave (TE), Jayden Reed (WR), Tucker Kraft (TE), Colby Wooden (DL), Sean Clifford (QB), Dontayvion Wicks (WR), Karl Brooks (DL), Anders Carlson (K), Carrington Valentine (DB), Lew Nichols (RB), Anthony Johnson (DB), Grant Dubose (WR)

After a big reach with their first-round pick, the Packers responded with a nice Day 2 haul. Musgrave and Reed are exciting playmakers, and Kraft gives them two high-upside tight ends.

Day 3 was a mixed bag of good value picks and some headscratchers. Wooden, Wicks, and Brooks are all nice additions I had sometimes mocked to the Bears, but drafting a quarterback in the fifth round was an odd choice. They also spent a sixth-round pick on a kicker, and I can’t get behind that.

Looking at this class objectively, I think the Packers earned high marks for 2023. They’ve given incumbent quarterback Jordan Love enough tools to succeed in the NFL. Now he’ll have to make it happen.

Grade: B+

Chicago Bears

2023 draft class: Darnell Wright (OT), Gervon Dexter Sr. (DT), Tyrique Stevenson (DB), Zacch Pickens (DL), Roschon Johnson (RB), Tyler Scott (WR), Noah Sewell (LB), Terell Smith (DB), Travis Bell (DL), Kendal Williamson (DB)

Selecting Wright was one of the best picks in the entire draft, given upside and team needs. The Bears desperately needed help at tackle, and Wright is arguably the best tackle in his class. Day 2 brought the Bears some serious reinforcements on defense, especially along the defensive line.

Even on Day 3, I thought Ryan Poles drafted some gems. Johnson has the potential to be the steal of the draft and could very well be Chicago’s starting running back. Sewell has all the tools to become a difference maker, and Bell received perhaps the highest praise that Poles gave to anyone he drafted this year.

The Bears came into this draft needing to fortify the trenches, and three of their first four picks were spent there. Added to that are some exciting playmakers throughout Days 2 and 3, giving the Bears one of the best drafts of any team in the NFL.

Grade: A