2023 NFL Draft

Aidan Hofstedt, Writer
April 26, 2023

The 2023 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 27, where the first of 7 rounds and 259 players will be selected. It takes place at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. 

There is much speculation about which teams will pick which players. Sports enthusiasts hold mock drafts to try to predict the outcome. The Carolina Panthers have the first overall pick, and they are expected to take a quarterback, with Bryce Young (Alabama) and CJ Stroud (Ohio State) as the frontrunners. After that, mock drafts seem to diverge. There are expected to be 4 or 5 quarterbacks drafted in the first round, as well as many other former college standouts.

The Vikings hold the 23rd overall pick, but only 4 other selections (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th rounds). Because of this, many mock drafts have the Vikings taking a swing in the first round, trying to get a key player that can impact the team immediately. The obvious answer would be to draft a quarterback to replace Kirk Cousins when his contract expires next season. It is possible that they would trade up to the mid-to-late teens if Will Levis (Kentucky) or Anthony Richardson (Florida) fall that far. Otherwise, Hendon Hooker (Tennessee) may still be available by the time the Vikings pick. If the quarterbacks are gone, they may pick a wide receiver to complement Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson, and the name Jordan Addison (USC) has been thrown around recently. They also have holes to plug defensively, with players like Calijah Kancey (DT, Pittsburgh), Bryan Bresee (DT, Clemson), and Deonte Banks (CB, Maryland) all suggested by various mock drafts. 

On Thursday night, Vikings fans can go to US Bank Stadium for the Vikings Draft Party, which starts at 6 pm. Fans will watch the draft on the big screen, as well as partake in other fan events around the stadium. This will be the fourth year that the Vikings have hosted this event. All 7 rounds of the Draft will also be shown on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. 

2023 NFL DRAFT ORDER – FIRST ROUND

    1. Carolina Panthers (from CHI)
    2. Houston Texans
    3. Arizona Cardinals
    4. Indianapolis Colts
    5. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN)
    6. Detroit Lions (from LAR)
    7. Las Vegas Raiders
    8. Atlanta Falcons
    9. Chicago Bears (from CAR)
    10. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO)
    11. Tennessee Titans
    12. Houston Texans (from CLE)
    13. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ)
    14. New England Patriots
    15. New York Jets (from GB)
    16. Washington Commanders
    17. Pittsburgh Steelers
    18. Detroit Lions
    19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    20. Seattle Seahawks
    21. Los Angeles Chargers
    22. Baltimore Ravens
    23. Minnesota Vikings
    24. Jacksonville Jaguars
    25. New York Giants
    26. Dallas Cowboys
    27. Buffalo Bills
    28. Cincinnati Bengals
    29. New Orleans Saints (from SF via MIA and DEN)
    30. Philadelphia Eagles
    31. Kansas City Chiefs

Note: the Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-rounder due to tampering violations (talking to players under contract with another team).