We talk a lot about value and need when sizing up NFL draft picks, but finding the right team fit is also crucial in projecting rookies to the next level. So which of the top players selected in the 2023 draft landed in the Perfect spot for their skill sets?
I picked out my 16 favorite fits among prospects who will have an impact in Year 1, factoring in scheme, tendencies and coaching. I see players here who are set up for success as rookies and beyond as they join their new teams. Let’s dive in on the ideal landing spots, starting with an elite pass-rusher who could have high sack totals right out of the gate. I listed the 16 prospects by draft pick order.
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Drafted: Round 1, No. 3
Why he is a perfect fit: Anderson’s pass-rushing traits will be maximized in DeMeco Ryans’ defense. With loaded fronts and five-man surfaces, Ryans can scheme one-on-one rushes for Anderson to use his first-step quickness and power against offensive tackles. And Anderson can also be set up well on the Texans’ twists and stunts, creating open daylight for the Alabama star to get home with his high-level short-area speed. Anderson logged 34.5 sacks and 184 pressures during his three years in Nick Saban’s defense, and Ryans’ system is an ideal fit to create NFL pass-rush production.
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Drafted: Round 1, No. 4
Why he is a perfect fit: Considering both his rare dual-threat traits and the Colts offensive system, Richardson lands in a prime spot for his pro development. First-year head coach Shane Steichen schemed for Jalen Hurts last year in Philadelphia, mixing in designed runs, run-pass options and play-action elements while also giving Hurts opportunities as a pocket thrower. Expect the same script for Richardson in Indianapolis as he develops in the NFL.
While Richardson can still improve his lower-body mechanics and generate a stronger sense of accelerated vision from the pocket, the tools are there for the young quarterback to produce in an offense designed to highlight his playmaking ability at the position. He completed 53.8% of his passes last season, but he threw 17 touchdown passes and averaged 6.4 yards per rush. This is a great spot for Richardson to learn the pro game and continue developing his skill set.
Drafted: Round 1, No. 8
Why he is a perfect fit: Robinson is an all-purpose playmaker who can produce in any game situation. That’s a fit here for Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offense, where Robinson will also see schemed targets as an asset in the pass game. Last season, the Falcons logged 559 rushing attempts, the most in the league. And they led the league in designed run rate at 51.1% of offensive plays.
That sets up for Robinson to be a volume runner in Atlanta, especially on zone schemes. He can press the perimeter here, burst to daylight or bend the ball back. Robinson can run with power, shake defenders and hit home runs. He has the physical profile and traits to produce high-end numbers as a rookie in Smith’s offense.
Drafted: Round 1, No. 9
Why he is a perfect fit: For new defensive coordinator Sean Desai in Philly, expect Carter to be used in multiple spots across the defensive front to be a disruptive force against both the run and the pass games. In the Eagles’ base fronts, Carter can play as a 5-technique (head up the tackle) or 4-technique (inside shade of the tackle), where he can win at the point of attack. In Philadelphia’s sub-package fronts, I believe Carter is your 3-technique defensive tackle. There he can be stunted inside or put in one-on-one situations to work the edges on guards in protection.
Carter is an explosive and powerful interior rusher with game-wrecking traits, and he will team up with Jordan Davis and Fletcher Cox to create problems for opponents on the inside. He totaled six sacks and 54 pressures over the past two seasons, but his numbers don’t do his talent justice.
Drafted: Round 1, No. 17
Why he is a perfect fit: The Patriots major in single-high coverages, playing over 60% of coverage snaps with a post safety in the deep middle of the field last season. That’s an easy fit for Gonzalez, who has the coverage traits and speed to match in man-on-man and the fluid lower-body flexibility to play from an off-position in three-deep zone. Gonzalez can flip the hips and use his great backfield vision to get a jump on the ball here. His 6-foot-1 frame will also show up when he is asked to jam and sink in the Patriots’ two-deep shells.
It’s just a really good fit — at a position of need — with Gonzalez in New England. He had four interceptions last season and should help in the department as a rookie.
Drafted: Round 1, No. 20
Why he is a perfect fit: Smith-Njigba has the versatility to play as a boundary or field receiver on the outside, but the fit here mainly points to slot alignments in the Seahawks’ 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE) sets. Smith-Njigba can use his lateral quicks and route-running traits to uncover for quarterback Geno Smith, with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett playing outside. He can make an immediate impact on schemed concepts, isolation routes and catch-and-run targets.
Smith-Njigba has the skill set to complement the Seahawks’ veteran wideouts, and his arrival in Seattle boosts the pass game for Pete Carroll’s team from a matchup perspective. He was limited to five catches last season while dealing with a hamstring injury but dominated in 2021 with 1,606 receiving yards.
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Watch the plays that make Jaxon Smith-Njigba a top NFL prospect
Check out some of the plays from WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s special time at Ohio State.
Drafted: Round 1, No. 23
Why he is a perfect fit: Addison should see immediate target volume playing opposite Justin Jefferson in Kevin O’Connell‘s heavily schemed route tree. Addison brings serious separation speed at the top of his routes, but the Vikings will also use motion, movement and formation savviness to give the rookie free access off the ball. O’Connell can get Addison into the route quicker there, while also creating open voids for him against zone looks. And with slot/outside versatility, Addison’s detailed route tree fits well in Minnesota’s staple three-WR sets.
Over three collegiate seasons (two at Pitt, one at USC), Addison compiled 3,134 yards and 29 TDs. With Adam Thielen off to Carolina, there are targets available in Minnesota.
Drafted: Round 1, No. 25
Why he is a perfect fit: The Bills ran just 32 snaps of 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE) last season, the lowest total in the league. But with Kincaid now in the mix, we should expect a shift in offensive philosophy from coordinator Ken Dorsey. I think Buffalo can create great pass-game matchups with two tight ends in the game. Paired with Dawson Knox, Kincaid can be the move/flex target at the position, with seam-stretching ability and catch-and-run skills.
Kincaid will be an inside, vertical stretch target for quarterback Josh Allen against split-safety coverages, but he can also be deployed as a boundary X receiver to create man-coverage mismatches. Think of him as a versatile pass-catcher who gives the Bills matchup looks against both base and sub-personnel packages. He’s coming off a productive year with 70 catches, 890 yards and eight scores.
Drafted: Round 2, No. 39
Why he is a perfect fit: Frank Reich’s route tree is loaded with crossers and in-breakers, which caters to Mingo’s powerful frame and ability to produce after the catch. Plus, Mingo can stretch defenses on fades or seams at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. This sets rookie quarterback Bryce Young up to make rhythm throws off play-action and while dropping back, with a receiver who can play through contact at all three levels of the field. And that includes making plays at the third level for Young on one-on-one vertical throws.
Drafted: Round 2, No. 45
Why he is a perfect fit: A multidimensional defensive back with first-round traits, Branch brings even more versatility to the Lions’ upgraded secondary. The Alabama product can match over the slot, play from depth or spin to the post. I see great range and high-level instincts on tape. He did it all last year, too. Branch had 89 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, two interceptions and three sacks across 13 games.
After signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, the Lions and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn can use more three-safety sub sets to play matchups. You’ll see late rotation and disguise with the position versatility in this Detroit secondary. That gives you an edge in the pre- and post-snap chess match.
Drafted: Round 2, No. 46
Why he is a perfect fit: White’s versatility is a positive fit for a Patriots team that will use a variety of fronts on defense. Bill Belichick can play White at defensive end, widen him as a stand-up edge or loop the rookie off the traditional New England stunts to create “A” gap pressure.
Given White’s physical profile at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, we could also see the Patriots bump him inside in pass-rushing situations. Coming off a 7.5-sack season, he is a matchup option for one of the league’s most multiple defensive systems.
What to know for the 2023 NFL draft
• See all 259 picks » | Team by team »
• Kiper’s grades » | McShay’s best picks »
• Reid/Miller: 22 questions off the draft »
• Kiper ESPN+ recaps: Day 1 » | Day 2 »
• Team analysis » | Scouting reports »
• Read more on the 2023 draft »
Drafted: Round 2, No. 49
Why he is a perfect fit: I picked Benton here because he fits in the Steelers’ front as a nose guard due to his size and play strength. At 6-foot-4, 308 pounds, Benton can take on double-teams, and the hand usage skills are there for him to disengage from blockers and pick up run-game stops (12 last year).
Benton can push the pocket in passing situations, too, creating even more interior disruption for one of the NFL’s top defensive lines. He posted 4.5 sacks in his final year at Wisconsin. Let’s not make this one complicated; Benton is an ascending player who will be deployed in a perfect spot that fits his traits.
Drafted: Round 2, No. 56
Why he is a perfect fit: It’s the play demeanor and the coverage fit in Matt Eberflus’ defense that have me excited about this match. Stevenson shows the physical coverage skills to match up with boundary X receivers in the Bears’ nickel sets, which would allow Kyler Gordon to stay inside at the slot position. Plus, Stevenson can reroute in Cover 2, jamming and sinking. And he will hit in the run game, too. He had 68 tackles and three interceptions over the past two years.
Chicago is building a secondary with urgent and aggressive defensive backs, and Stevenson fits that profile.
Drafted: Round 2, No. 57
Why he is a perfect fit: In addition to Schmitz’s finishing ability as a blocker, which showed up consistently during Senior Bowl workouts, it’s the zone-run fit in Brian Daboll’s offense that sticks out. This is where the 6-foot-4, 320-pound rookie center can reach, combo, climb and cut off second-level defenders. He’s an instinctive and detailed technician here, and that opens up more running room for Saquon Barkley to get vertical on inside and outside zone schemes.
Drafted: Round 3, No. 67
Why he is a perfect fit: Sanders has the second-level range and coverage ability to earn early snaps in Denver, but I look at his blitzing ability with coordinator Vance Joseph for the fit here. That’s where I expect Sanders to make his impact as a rookie, with Joseph setting him up in sub fronts to blitz the interior gaps. In Joseph’s aggressive scheme, Sanders can produce pressure numbers in his first pro season, and the physical tools are there for the linebacker to potentially see some snaps off the edge, too.
He had 110 tackles and 9.5 sacks last season, and Denver was near the bottom of the league in sack rate (5.4% of opponent dropbacks).
Drafted: Round 3, No. 84
Why he is a perfect fit: The run game fit in Mike McDaniel’s offense works with Achane. The Texas A&M product is decisive when he gets on a downhill track, with the perimeter speed to bounce the ball outside. But McDaniel can also deploy Achane as a motion/movement player — fly sweeps, screens and targets in the pass game.
Achane ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He can roll, and the manufactured touches in McDaniel’s system will create explosive-play opportunities for the versatile rookie running back. Despite being undersized at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, he had 35 runs of 10-plus yards last season and averaged 5.6 yards per carry.
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