Seahawks and Rams earn A+ in 2023 NFL Draft regrade, five other teams get A

On May 19, 2026, a three-year re-evaluation of the 2023 NFL Draft awarded A+ grades to the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, citing exceptional early-career production and long-term value from both classes. The reassessment highlights how those hauls have strengthened each roster and positioned both franchises as credible contenders for the coming season.

Seattle’s class is headlined by two first-round hits: cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, both now viewed among the league’s top young players at their positions. The review also notes that three additional members of the Seahawks’ 2023 group have either started or are projected to start, underscoring strong returns beyond Round 1.

Los Angeles matched that impact with volume and value. The Rams are credited with five starters from the 2023 draft, led by fifth-round wide receiver Puka Nacua, who has emerged as one of the NFL’s most productive offensive players. Defensive linemen Byron Young and Kobie Turner and offensive linemen Steve Avila and Warren McClendon round out a class that has refreshed both trenches while adding a premier target in the passing game.

Beyond the two A+ groups, five other teams — the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles — earned A grades in the re-evaluation. Each is identified as a playoff-caliber roster for the upcoming season, a nod to how quickly strong draft classes can accelerate competitive timelines.

The three-year regrading window is a common benchmark in NFL personnel evaluation. It allows for early performance, availability and role clarity to settle, providing a clearer picture of starter volume, high-end talent and value relative to draft slot. By that measure, Seattle and Los Angeles maximized early picks and unearthed mid- to late-round contributors, while the A-graded clubs built depth and addressed premium positions.

Why the 2023 classes stand out

For the Seahawks, pairing a physical, scheme-versatile corner in Witherspoon with a polished route-runner like Smith-Njigba delivered immediate snap-to-snap impact on both sides of the ball. The projection of multiple additional starters from the same class indicates a well-balanced draft board that hit needs without sacrificing long-term upside.

The Rams’ return underscores how starter volume can transform a depth chart in one cycle. Nacua’s emergence as a premier playmaker has redefined the passing game, while Young and Turner provided disruptive production up front. Avila and McClendon addressed offensive line stability, an area the club needed to reinforce to sustain offensive efficiency.

Implications for 2026 contention

Teams graded in the A/A+ range tend to see compounding benefits: cost-controlled starters, flexibility in future free agency and more optionality in upcoming drafts. That dynamic is reflected in the outlooks for the Seahawks and Rams, as well as for the Bears, Lions, Texans, Jaguars and Eagles, each of whom is projected to contend for postseason spots this year.

While draft re-evaluations are snapshots rather than final verdicts, the 2023 classes for Seattle and Los Angeles have already reshaped expectations. Continued development from these players — and health across each roster — will determine how much of this early draft value converts into wins.

Front offices now turn to summer programs and camp competitions, where roles crystallize and second- and third-year players often make their biggest jumps. How the 2023 cohorts progress will be a key storyline as the new season approaches.