The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft didn’t disappoint when it came to drama and unexpected results. The first 31 picks flew by, and there are several big-name players who can make a big impact right away that are still available. Some of the best players in the class will hear their names called tonight.
Beyond the best remaining players, there are five top draft storylines entering Day 2 that we’ll be watching closely. Dive in and follow along with us throughout the remaining six rounds of action all weekend long!
Top 5 NFL Draft Storylines Entering Day 2
Where Does Will Levis Land?
It’s never easy to watch a player sit in the green room at the NFL Draft for an entire round and not hear his name called. While four of the 17 players who were in attendance in Round 1 fit that criterion, it was Kentucky’s Will Levis who was the most high-profile of the bunch. It was shocking as QB-needy teams passed on someone who had the buzz to go as high as No. 2 overall earlier in the week.
Levis won’t be in attendance for Day 2, and ESPN’s Chris Mortenson added that teams viewed his toe injury from the 2022 season as “problematic” since Levis doesn’t feel he needs surgery. This would make some sense as to why Levis fell in addition to being overhyped as a prospect.
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However, there are several quarterback-needy teams picking early in Round 2. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Detroit, Seattle, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Tennessee, or Tampa Bay add Levis to their roster in hopes of developing him long term.
Will Hendon Hooker Be Drafted Before Levis?
The Round 1 hype for Hendon Hooker never made sense to me. Coming from an Art Briles passing game was a massive red flag because of the simplicity of the scheme, but Hooker is also turning 25 this offseason and is coming off a torn ACL. We can go back only two years to see how he performed at Virginia Tech when he wasn’t surrounded by a tremendous cast in a very friendly scheme, and the results were bad.
Hooker is physically gifted enough to go somewhere late Day 2, but if teams are also concerned about Levis’ health, it’s possible they opt for the higher-upside talent instead. The Vikings were the pre-draft betting favorite to take Hooker, but they don’t pick again until No. 87 overall. It’d be a massive stunner if both quarterbacks were to fall that far.
Instead, I think it’s likely Levis is gone by Detroit’s 55th overall pick, and Hooker slides into the late 60s range.
When Does the Tight End Run Begin?
Only one tight end went in the first round despite speculation as many as four could come off the board, setting up a big run at some point in Round 2. Considering the lack of early-career success for the position, it’s smart for teams to wait. Even Buffalo’s decision to take Dalton Kincaid is a head-scratcher considering Dawson Knox is owed more than $14 million per year from 2024-2026.
But the second round is a much better usage of assets and balance of risk. Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, Georgia’s Darnell Washington, Iowa’s Sam LaPorta, and even South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft are unique athletes who can win in a variety of ways. With this receiving class being considered weak, these playmakers may be pushed up instead.
Teams like Carolina, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Miami should be eyeing the TE market carefully. Each can land a Day 1 starter tonight.
Do the Steelers Select Joey Porter Jr.?
It seems as though the entire NFL universe expects the Steelers to take Joey Porter Jr. with the first pick of Round 2. Not only is Porter a franchise legacy of former linebacker Joey Porter Sr., but he’s an immensely talented player at a massive position of need who fits Pittsburgh’s scheme perfectly. Many expected them to select Porter in the first round.
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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that at least four teams have looked into trading for this pick, but the Steelers appear ready to use it instead of moving down. Considering Pittsburgh got the pick for Chase Claypool, there’s no reason to further dance on the Bears’ grave by moving down. They can land a legitimate first-round talent in exchange for an unproductive player.
Where Will Top Defenders Go?
A large number of the top available players left are on the defensive side of the ball. Georgia’s Kelee Ringo, Alabama’s Brian Branch, Georgia Tech’s Keion White, Porter, and Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore stand out as players who were often mocked in the first round. It shouldn’t take long for each to hear their names called.
Each of these players can contribute at some of the most valuable positions on a defensive unit, and where they land will be critical. As contenders continue to see rising costs with massive QB contracts, it’s on teams to identify early rotational contributors at pricey positions like cornerback and along the defensive line.