• Eagles' first-round pair already looks promising: On very limited snap counts, Jalen Carter earned a 90.0-plus overall grade this preseason and Nolan Smith posted an 85.0 mark in Week 2.
• Lions' Jack Campbell flashes balanced skill set: The No. 18 overall pick earned 70.0-plus grades in run defense and coverage this preseason.
• Raiders' Tyree Wilson debuts: The No. 7 overall pick, after missing Las Vegas' first two preseason games, managed a quarterback hurry on seven pass-rush snaps in Week 3.
Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
The 2023 NFL preseason has come to a close, so we wanted to check in on the first-round rookies from this past year’s draft class and see how they performed in their first crack at NFL action.
Here are grades and snap counts for all 31 first-rounders following the 2023 preseason.
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PICK 1. CAROLINA PANTHERS: QB BRYCE YOUNG, ALABAMA
PFF grade: 61.2
Snaps: 54
Bryce Young’s preseason went according to plan. He played in each contest, got to experience NFL speed and didn’t get hurt. He also seemed to get more confident the more he played, earning his highest grades as a passer and a runner in his final game.
PICK 2. HOUSTON TEXANS: QB C.J. STROUD, OHIO STATE
PFF grade: 61.1
Snaps: 43
Like Young, Stroud only got better as the preseason went on. His first game was a poor showing, though he played only 12 snaps. In his second game, he showed much more poise. And in his third game, he recorded an 82.9 passing grade with a passing touchdown. It was steady improvement for the No. 2 overall pick.
PICK 3. HOUSTON TEXANS: EDGE WILL ANDERSON JR., ALABAMA
PFF grade: 90.4
Snaps: 25
Anderson played just 25 total snaps across three games for the Texans, topping out at 12 in Week 2. However, he graded out well when on the field. He grabbed a sack in Week 2, which positively impacted his small sample size.
PICK 4. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON, FLORIDA
PFF grade: 52.9
Snaps: 66
In each of Richardson's two outings this preseason, he was up and down as a passer with at least one big-time throw and at least one turnover-worthy play. He recorded rushing grades of 62.7 and 67.7 in those games. Looking serviceable on the ground will be important for Richardson as he continues to grow as a passer in the regular season.
PICK 5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: CB DEVON WITHERSPOON, ILLINOIS
PFF grade: N/A
Snaps: N/A
Witherspoon re-aggravated a hamstring injury and did not play this preseason. The goal is for him to be ready by Week 1.
PICK 6. ARIZONA CARDINALS: T PARIS JOHNSON JR., OHIO STATE
PFF grade: 59.8
Snaps: 30
Johnson played 30 snaps this preseason, an even split of 15 between Weeks 1 and 2. He did not suit up for the Cardinals' final preseason game. He finished with a 74.8 pass-blocking grade after allowing just one pressure on 18 true pass-blocking reps.
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