2023 NFL Draft: Ranking position groups from best to worst with edge rushers and cornerbacks at the top

Which position group is the best in this draft class? That’s a question NFL Draft analysts get asked every year, and it is now time to lay everything out on this important topic. 

Below, you’ll see the number of first-round grades and top 100 grades I have at each position in the 2023 class. Those numbers are to simply provide a quantitative glimpse into my big board. For these rankings, there’s no special formula based on those grades because positional value and positional scarcity need to be considered. The rankings are based on feel after comprehensively evaluating the 2023 NFL Draft class. 

11. Safeties

First-round grades: 1 (Brian Branch)
Top 100 grades: 5
Late-round feel: Not great

Branch is the best tackling defensive back I’ve ever scouted. Reliable playmaker as a slot defender/nickel corner/safety hybrid. If he goes in the first round, I’ll applaud whoever picks him. Beyond that, the safety class is disappointing. There’s the two highly athletic Illinois safeties — Sydney Brown and Jartavius Martin. Penn State’s Ji’Ayir Brown plays faster than his measured athleticism, and Boise State’s JL Skinner is a tall twitched-up rocket. California’s Daniel Scott is also quite twitchy and has plus ball skills. 

Later in the draft, I didn’t find any serious draft crushes at a position that’s growing in importance every year. 

10. Linebackers

First-round grades: 1 (Jack Campbell)
Top 100 grades: 6
Late-round feel: Not good

I subscribe to the Jack Campbell fan club and for the life of me can’t figure out how a large, productive, majorly athletic off-ball linebacker isn’t getting more love as a first-round-caliber talent. All good, though. I’m much, much lower on Clemson’s Trenton Simpson than the consensus — he’s more freaky athlete right now than refined linebacker — and Arkansas’ Drew Sanders excites me drastically more as an edge rusher than an off-ball defender.  

I do like Washington State’s Daiyan Henley — my No. 50 overall prospect — and the speed, length, and coverage skills of Tulane’s Dorian Williams. Tennessee’s Jeremy Banks brings it on every down too. After that, in general, this linebacker group leaves a lot to be desired. 

9. Defensive tackles

First-round grades: 3 (Jalen Carter, Calijah Kancey, Bryan Bresee)
Top 100 grades: 10
Late-round feel: Good

This defensive tackle class is OK. Not horrific. Not fantastic. Sure I have 10 Top 100 grades on defensive…