2023 NFL Draft- Favorite Player Fits
ANTHONY RICHARDSON | QB | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Indianapolis took a chance on the uber talented QB from Florida in Anthony Richardson and I believe it could turn out to be a perfect fit. The 6-4, 230 lb. passer has all the talent in the world just waiting to be developed which is why pairing him with HC Shane Steichen has a chance to yield great results. The main reason why Steichen is a great fit for Richardson is his previous development of two star QBs, Justin Herbert and recently Jalen Hurts. During his time in Los Angeles, Steichen helped Herbert develop into one of the league’s premiere deep ball passers before making his way to Philadelphia where he and HC Nick Siriani turned the Eagles offense and Hurts into a powerhouse feared by defenses.
Richardson is a raw athlete with a big arm and incredible athleticism that had individuals comparing him to Cam Newton and Justin Fields which is why landing in Indianapolis is such a fun opportunity for him to learn from a smart offensive mind like Steichen. Not only will he have good coaching but the team has pieces on offense that can aid Richardson in his rookie season including a dangerous run game led by Jonathan Taylor and a big body WR tandem in Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. If Richardson develops into the QB that many believe he can be at the next level, the Colts may finally have the franchise leader they have lacked for years since the surprising retirement of Andrew Luck.
BIJAN ROBINSON | RB | ATLANTA FALCONS
Falcons HC Arthur Smith is known for doing one thing well; building a high-powered rushing attack. In Tennessee he had “King” Derrick Henry who is arguably the epitome of a superstar RB and currently in Atlanta already has a 1,000 yard back from Tyler Allgeier and a swiss army knife type athlete in Cordarrelle Patterson. Enter top 10 pick Bijan Robinson from Texas who is viewed as the best to come out of college in the last half decade and a guaranteed starter from day 1. Even though the Falcons have an underrated running game, adding a talent like Robinson not only is a perfect fit for Smith’s offense but will alleviate some pressure off QB Desmond Ridder who is entering a crucial second year in Atlanta.
JALEN CARTER | DL | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Heading into the draft one of the best pairings that was being mocked for weeks was Georgia standout Jalen Carter going to the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Come draft night, that prediction became reality when Philadelphia traded up to the #9 pick to secure Carter as their eventual replacement for veteran Fletcher Cox. Carter is regarded by many as one of the most talented defenders to come out of college but there are various questions about his off-field situation and how it might affect his play on the field which is why Philadelphia is such a perfect fit.
The main reason why the Eagles are so good for Carter’s development in the NFL is their leadership and culture within the organization headlined by a good crop of savy veterans including Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham and Lane Johnson amongst others. Not only will Carter be surrounded by a great group of veteran leaders who he can lean on but the Eagles have built a winning culture and a strong locker room which is also filled with Carter’s former Georgia teammates. The other benefit of Carter landing in Philadelphia is that he will not have the pressure of starting day 1 and will instead be a valuable defender on passing downs and can help him build up his conditioning for when he eventually takes over the starting 3-Tech position from Cox. Carter has all the potential in the world to be a future All-Pro type talent and being drafted by the Eagles may be the best chance for him to reach that potential.
JOEY PORTER JR. | CB | PITTSBURGH STEELERS
There may be no better fit than the Pittsburgh Steelers landing a son of a former Steeler great in Joey Porter Jr. The 6-2 CB is a much needed addition to the Pittsburgh secondary following the departure of Cam Sutton and while they added a veteran in Patrick Peterson, Porter Jr. is certainly a great fit next to the former Pro-Bowler. The Steeler’s fanbase is one of the most loyal in the sport and bringing the son of former Steeler, Joey Porter, will do wonders for the rookie defender and if he playa up to his potential should be a fan favorite for the foreseeable future.
ROSCHON JOHNSON | RB | CHICAGO BEARS
One of the bigger surprises in free agency this off-season was the departure of Bears RB David Montgomery considering his leadership on and off the field which was replaced by former Panther D’Onta Foreman. The Bears entered the draft still with a need at RB and got one of the underrated prospects in Roschon Johnson, the backup to star runner Bijan Robinson. While Johnson was mainly a backup at Texas, he was seen as someone who could’ve started on many college offenses and is leader in the locker room which will be valuable in Chicago. Not only can Johnson cement himself as a long term player for the Bears but can showcase his talents early in 2023 and will be a favorite amongst many in Chicago.