NFL draft: Falcons pick Bijan Robinson; Eagles pick Jalen Carter in first round
ATLANTA - The first round of the NFL draft has ended.
The Atlanta Falcons have chosen a running back in the single first-round pick.
Three former Georgia Bulldogs and one Georgia high school standout also got picked.
Here is a breakdown of the evening:
11:55 p.m. - Chiefs pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Kansas State's Felix Anudike-Uzomah is staying put after the Kansas City Chiefs pick him as the last drafted in the first round.
11:45 p.m. Philly picks Nolan Smith
Georgia's Nolan Smith has been drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the second Dawg to head to Philly. Jalen Carter was drafted earlier in the night for the Ealges.
Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nolan Smith (4) waving at the fans during the Georgia Bulldogs game versus the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jor
11:35 p.m. - Saints pick Bryan Bresee
Clemson's Bryan Bresee has been drafted by the New Orleans Saints
11:30 p.m. - Bangles pick Myles Murphy
Clemson's Myles Murphy has been drafted by the Cincinnati Bangles
11:25 p.m. - Jags pick Anton Harrison
Oklahoma's Anton Harrison has been drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
11:20 p.m. - Cowboys pick Mazi Smith
Michigan's Mazi Smith has been drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith with the 26th pick in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night.
Dallas picked Smith after Buffalo moved a spot ahead of the Cowboys and drafted Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid. Tight end was a popular position with pundits after Dalton Schultz left the Cowboys in free agency a year after playing on the franchise tag.
Although the Cowboys could use more offensive firepower around quarterback Dak Prescott, the run defense was the weakest part of an otherwise solid unit in a second consecutive playoff season for Dallas in 2022.
The 6-foot-3, 323-pound Smith gives the Cowboys more size on the interior of the defensive line. Dallas also re-signed Johnathan Hankins after trading for him last season.
It's the fourth time in five years the Cowboys have taken a defensive tackle in the first three rounds, but the first time the club has drafted a true defensive tackle in the first round since Russell Maryland with the No. 1 overall pick in 1991.
Defensive tackle Trysten Hill was the first Dallas draft pick as a second-rounder in 2019 but didn't finish his rookie contract before he was released.
Smith started 14 games in 2021 and 2022 as the Wolverines reached the College Football Playoff both seasons. He played three seasons at Michigan.
11:15 p.m. - Bills pick Dalton Kincaid
Utah's Dalton Kincaid has been drafted by the Buffalo Bills.
The Buffalo Bills traded up two spots to select Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid with the 25th pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.
The Bills traded their 27th overall selection and their fourth-round pick, 130th overall, in a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The move allowed Buffalo to jump ahead of Dallas, which had a need at tight end.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds, Kincaid was Utah's top receiving threat in finishing with 70 catches for 890 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games last season. Kincaid's eight touchdowns led FBS tight ends last season and led him to be a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award while also earning third-team All-America honors.
He spent three seasons at Utah, where he also scored eight touchdowns in 2021, after playing his first two seasons at San Diego.
While the Bills already have an established tight end in Dawson Knox, they did fill a pass-catching need for their Josh Allen-led passing attack.
Among the Buffalo's more pressing needs was receiver with Gabe Davis entering the final year of his contract, and coming off an inconsistent season in starting opposite Stefon Diggs.
The chances of the Bills filling that need ended with receivers being taken with four straight selections. The run began with Seattle picking Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20, followed by the Chargers drafting Quentin Johnston, Baltimore selecting Zay Flowers and Minnesota taking Jordan Addison.
Barring trades, Buffalo is scheduled to make the 59th and 91st picks on Friday.
In the days leading up to the draft, general manager Brandon Beane said the odds were better off him trading back in the draft order to increase Buffalo's six selections - one in each round but the seventh - to help him fill more roster holes.
Salary cap constraints led to the Bills not only losing several key parts in free agency, while also handcuffing the team's ability to spent to fill needs.
Among Buffalo's most notable free agent losses were starting middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who signed with Chicago, running back Devin Singletary (Houston) and slot receiver Isaiah McKenzie (Indianapolis). As for additions, the Bills most prominent free agent signings were guard Connor McGovern (Cowboys), safety Taylor Rapp (Rams) and running back Damien Harris (Patriots)
11:05 p.m. - Giants pick Deonte Banks
Maryland's Deonte Banks has been drafted by the New York Giants.
The New York Giants filled a hole at cornerback, moving up a spot in the first round and taking Deonte Banks of Maryland with the 24th pick overall in the NFL draft Thursday night.
New York had a need at both wide receiver and cornerback heading into the draft, and it went to fill the defensive side after four straight wide receivers were chosen ahead of its selection.
The Giants swapped picks with Jacksonville to move from No. 25 to 24.
Banks is a physical corner who likes to mix it up and get involved against the run. He will get an opportunity to start right away opposite shut-down cornerback Adoree Jackson.
Banks will like playing in Wink Martindale aggressive scheme.
The Giants (9-7-1) made the playoffs for the first time since 2016 last season. They beat the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card game before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.
10:55 p.m. - Vikings pick Jordan Addison
USC's Jordan Addison has been drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings picked USC wide receiver Jordan Addison with the 23rd overall selection of the NFL draft on Thursday night, giving star Justin Jefferson a viable sidekick after the jettisoning of veteran Adam Thielen.
Addison was the fourth consecutive wide receiver taken after none went in the first 19 slots, following Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Ngjiba (Seahawks), TCU's Quentin Johnston (Chargers) and Boston College's Zay Flowers (Ravens).
The 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner for the nation's top wide receiver at Pittsburgh, the speedy and polished Addison transferred to USC for his final college season.
With uncertainty beyond this year at quarterback with Kirk Cousins on an expiring contract, the Vikings passed on a chance to take Kentucky's Will Levis, who was widely expected to be gone by the time No. 23 came up. Three of the first four picks - Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson - were quarterbacks.
The Vikings drafted a quarterback in the first round only four times in their first 62 seasons: Tommy Kramer (1977), Daunte Culpepper (1999), Christian Ponder (2011) and Teddy Bridgewater (2014). Fran Tarkenton was the 29th overall pick in their inaugural season in 1961, but that was a third-rounder.
After the departure of several key veteran players - Thielen and linebacker Eric Kendricks were released for salary cap space and cornerback Patrick Peterson and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson free agents signed elsewhere for bigger contracts - the Vikings need some instant impact from this draft class. That's a taller task starting with only five picks, and no second-rounder.
Last year, in their first draft under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Vikings traded the 12th overall pick to division opponent Detroit and moved all the way down to No. 32 to net two additional second-day selections. The Lions took wide receiver Jameson Williams, a tantalizing prospect whose ACL rehabilitation limited his rookie season. The Vikings went with safety Lewis Cine, who broke his leg on special teams in Week 4 and played a total of two snaps on defense before his injury.
10:45 p.m. - Ravens pick Zay Flowers
Boston College's Zay Flowers has been drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers with the No. 22 pick Thursday night, adding another playmaker to their offense on the same day they agreed to a long-term contract with Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore announced Jackson's new five-year deal hours before the draft, but the Ravens also needed to upgrade their wide receiver group this offseason. They signed Odell Beckham Jr., and now they add Flowers.
It's third time in five drafts that Baltimore took a wideout in the first round. The Ravens picked Marquise Brown in 2019 and Rashod Bateman in 2021. Bateman has struggled to stay healthy and Brown was traded last year for a first-round pick.
Flowers shined last season for a bad Boston College team, catching 78 passes for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was the third wide receiver taken in the first round after Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba went to Seattle and TCU's Quentin Johnston was taken by the Los Angeles Chargers.
10:35 p.m. - Quentin Johnston drafted by Chargers
TCU's Quentin Johnston has been picked by the Los Angeles Chargers.
10:30 p.m. - Seahawks draft Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been drafted by the Seattle Seahawks.
10:20 p.m. - Bucs pick Calijah Kancey
Pittsburgh's Calijah Kancey has been drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night, addressing a desire to get younger and stronger up front as the team retools for the post-Tom Brady era.
The Bucs have already brought in 2018 No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield to compete with third-year pro Kyle Trask to replace Brady, who retired - this time for good, the 45-year-old quarterback says - in February.
Kancey was the 19th player drafted Thursday night and will be expected to bolster the pass rush and contribute right away on a team despite the Bucs going 8-9 in Brady's final season and coming off winning consecutive NFC South titles for the first time in franchise history.
Offensive tackle was deemed a more pressing need following the release of veteran left tackle Donovan Smith, however depth on the defensive line was a strong consideration, too, due to the loss of Akiem Hicks, Will Gholston and Rakeem Nunez-Roches to free agency.
The Bucs are rebuilding after a three-year run with Brady that produced a Super Bowl title and three playoff berths.
10:15 p.m. - Jack Campbell picked by Lions
The Detroit Lions picked Iowa's Jack Campbell
10:10 p.m. - Patriots pick Christian Gonzalez
Oregon's Christian Gonzalez has been drafted by the New England Patriots.
10:05 p.m. - Commanders pick Emmanuel Forbes
The Washington Commanders selected Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes with the 16th pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night, filling a major area of need in the secondary.
The Commanders chose Forbes over Oregon's Christian Gonzalez, another cornerback who was considered a potential top-10 pick and fell into the second half of the first round.
Forbes had six interceptions, including three returned for a touchdown, in his third and final college season. He gives the Commanders more talent at the position beyond Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste, a coverage boost that should help a defensive front that is among the best in the NFL.
For the first time in several years, Washington was not looking for a quarterback after planning for 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell to start and signing veteran Jacoby Brissett. Kentucky's Will Levis was still on the board when the Commanders took Forbes.
Washington has seven more picks - one each in the second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh rounds and two in the sixth - and still has needs along the offensive line and at linebacker. Edge rusher could also be an option after the team decided not to pick up Chase Young's fifth-year option for the 2024 season.
10 p.m. - Will McDonald IV picked by Jets
The New York Jets pick Iowa State's Will McDonald IV
9:50 p.m. - Broderick Jones picked by Steelers
Georgia Bulldogs offensive linesman Broderick Jones is heading to Pittsburgh.
Offensive lineman Broderick Jones of Georgia speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers provided quarterback Kenny Pickett with some needed protection, trading up to acquire offensive tackle Broderick Jones of Georgia with the 14th pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.
The Steelers sent the 17th pick and a fourth-round selection in this year's draft to New England to move up and acquire the 6-foot-4, 311-pound Jones.
Jones will likely have a chance to start immediately at left tackle, where Dan Moore Jr. had started each of the last two seasons. Moore took a step backward in 2022.
Pittsburgh spent a portion of the offseason revamping its offensive line, signing veteran guards Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig in hopes of improving a unit that struggled at times even when healthy.
Now the Steelers add Jones, the first offensive lineman they've taken in the first round since David DeCastro, the 24th pick in 2012.
It's the latest attempt by the Steelers to build an offense around Pickett, who went 7-5 as a starter last year as a rookie.
9:45 p.m. - Packers pick Lukas Van Ness
Iowa's Lukas Van Ness has been picked by the Greenbay Packers
9:40 p.m. - Jahmyr Gibbs picked by Lions
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been drafted by the Lions.
9:35 p.m. - Titans pick Peter Skoronski
Northwest Peter Skoronski has been picked by the Tennessee Titans
9:25 p.m. - Bears pick Darnell Wright
Tennessee's Darnell Wright has been drafted by the Chicago Bears
9:20 p.m. - Eagles pick Jalen Carter
Former Georgia Bulldogs star Jalen Carter is headed to the Philly.
Top prospect Jalen Carter is introduced during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Carter is a 313-pound defensive-stopper with power and quickness who collapses pockets as deftly as he splits double-teams. The Eagles selected him ninth overall but he might have gone even higher were it not for questions about his maturity and legal problems. He's on probation after pleading no contest to reckless driving and racing, charges related to an auto accident that killed a Georgia teammate and a football staffer.
9:10 p.m. - Falcons pick Bijan Robinson
Top prospect Bijan Robinson is introduced during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Running back Bijan Robinson has been picked by the Atlanta Falcons.
9:05 p.m. - Raiders pick Tyree Wilson
The Las Vegas Raiders began the work of addressing their anemic defense by selecting Texas A&M edge rusher Tyree Wilson on Thursday with the seventh overall pick of the NFL draft.
Wilson (6-foot-6, 271 pounds) could boost a pass rush that struggled outside of end Maxx Crosby. The Raiders were 30th last season with 1.6 sacks per game.
Wilson made 14 tackles for loss and sevens sacks last year at Texas A&M, making 10 starts before a foot injury ended his season. He was a second-team AP All-American.
The Raiders, who went 6-11, have plenty of work left over the final two days of the draft. They own five selections in the first 109 picks and 12 overall.
Much of that work will focus on improving a defense that ranked 27th last season in average yardage allowed (365.6) and 26th in scoring average (24.6).
8:55 p.m. - Paris Johnson Jr. drafted by Cardinals
The Arizon Cardinals have chosen Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr.
8:50 p.m. - Devon Witherspoon picked by Seattle
Devon Witherspoon has been picked by the Seattle Seahawks.
As a senior, Witherspoon is a rarity by being selected this high in the NFL draft. He's a physical and disruptive defensive back who is aggressive on the field but patient in life. He didn't play football until midway through high school and spent a year at a junior college before going to Illinois, where he took a huge leap as a senior to become one of the nation's best players.
8:45 p.m. - Colts select Anthony Richardson No. 4
Some things to know about the quarterback the Indianapolis Colts selected out of Florida. Richardson is 6-foot-4 and just shy of 250 pounds. He's the most intriguing quarterback prospect in the class with Cam Newton-tipe size, athleticism and arm strength. But he's still very raw. He had 13 career starts and only 393 pass attempts in three seasons at Florida. He'll need to work on his mechanics and become a more accurate passer in the pros like Josh Allen did in Buffalo.
"I'm going to be a dynamic player for the franchise. I'm going to work hard and I'm going to be a leader. But it's time to make my own legacy now. No more Cam-Jacksons. It's Anthony Richardson now." – new Colts QB Anthony Richardson, who has called himself Cam Jackson, a combination of Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson, in describing his stature and style.
8:35 p.m. - Will Anderson picked by Texans
Top prospect Will Anderson Jr. is introduced during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Former Dutchtown High School graduate and Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has been picked third overall by the Houston Texans.
After the Houston Texans got their franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud they made a blockbuster trade with the Arizona Cardinals to move up and took Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. Here is some things to know about the defensive standout:
With so many potential franchise quarterbacks coming out this year, there was no way Anderson was going to be the first overall pick. But he was projected as the top non-QB prospect in the draft and was the best defensive player selected. He racked up 34 1/2 sacks and 62 tackles for loss in 41 games at Alabama.
READ MORE ABOUT WILL ANDERSON JR.
8:25 p.m. - Stroud picked by Texans
The Houston Texans have selected C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick. Here are some things to know about the former Ohio State quarterback:
He has elite accuracy and touch combined with good arm strength and size at 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds. He broke a Big Ten record held by Drew Brees by throwing 85 touchdown passes over two seasons. But while he's flashed above-average athleticism, he has at times seemed reluctant to use it and has a tendency to linger in the pocket and lock on receivers, habits he'll have to break in the NFL.
8:20 p.m. - Bryce Young picked by Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have selected Bryce Young as the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Here are some things to know about quarterback out of Alabama:
For the last quarter-century or so any undersized quarterback prospect has been compared to Drew Brees. Maybe one day Young, at 5-foot-10, will be the one drawing such comparisons. He is a poised leader and creative playmaker with an elite combination of instincts and intelligence with a good arm, but, boy, is he small for an NFL quarterback.
8 p.m. - Bijan Robinson talks to FOX 5
"Are we going to be seeing you in Atlanta?" FOX 5's Justin Felder asked Bijan Robinson on the red carpet just minutes before the NFL draft started.
7:55 p.m. - FOX 5 Sports team make their NFL draft pick predictions
The FOX 5 Sports team gives their last-minute predictions for round one of the NFL draft.
7:50 p.m. - DJ's Top Dawgs prospects
FOX 5's DJ Shockley gives his perspective on how the Georgia Bulldogs will fare in the NFL draft.
7:45 p.m. - Jalen Carter on the NFL draft red carpet
FOX 5 Sports caught up to former Georgia Bulldogs star Jalen Carter on the NFL draft red carpet.
7:40 p.m. - The Falcons 2022 Draft Class
FOX 5 takes a look back at the Atlanta Falcons Draft Class of 2022.
7:30 p.m. - Drake London goes one-on-one
Drake London tells his NFL draft story. In a one-on-one interview with FOX 5's Kelly Price, he talks about the night the Atlanta Falcons picked him.
7:20 p.m. - Will Anderson family
Will Anerson's family spoke to FOX 5's Justin Felder.
The Dutchtown High School graduate and former Alabama star was described as a great human being.
Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is considered among the best non-quarterback prospects in the NFL draft.
His talent is obvious. The 6-foot-3, 253 pound Anderson has speed, raw power and the ability to dominate a game.
Anderson also takes pride in being well-rounded off the field, too.
"I bring a complete person," Anderson told the AP's Rob Maaddi. "I hold myself to a very high standard and high expectation and never to embarrass myself or my family. I always treat people with respect. Whatever culture I get in, I'm gonna do my best to uphold that culture, hold myself accountable. Also, treat everyone in the facility with respect, with care, with love."
6 p.m. - Georgia Tech's Keion White on the red carpet
Former Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White caught up with FOX 5's Justin Felder on the red carpet.
White expressed his emotions during this once-in-a-lifetime event.
"You'll never be able to do this again. Even if you get draft, you'll never be able to do this again, so just enjoy this experience," White said.
5 p.m. - Stage being set for the NFL draft in Kansas City
The FOX 5 Sports Team is in Kansas City awaiting the start of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Crews were working on the finishing touches for the big reveal this evening.
4 p.m. - NFL draft festivities under way in Kansas City
Festivities at Kansas City's Union Station started early Thursday afternoon with a red carpet and musical acts highlighted by Fall Out Boy.
The Carolina Panthers are on the clock with the No. 1 pick and likely will choose between quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.
One of the more intriguing names to watch is that of Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter.
Carter was once projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft before the Chicago Bears made a trade with the quarterback-needy Carolina Panthers.
There are questions about how far the Bulldogs' standout defensive lineman may slip because of his involvement in a car crash that killed a Georgia teammate and a team staffer. Carter was given 12 months' probation and a $1,000 fine after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing
Other players from Georgia to look out for include Nolan Smith, Broderick Jones, Kelee Ringo, Darnell Washington, Chris Smith, Stetson Bennett, Warren McClendon, Kenny McIntosh, and Robert Beal.
Draft parties in some cities won't be so raucous tonight because five teams don't have any first-round selections in the NFL draft that begins in six hours.
Moving up in the draft for quarterbacks has become a common occurrence , but the Broncos, Rams and Browns bucked that trend by parting with their 2023 first-round picks in trades for veteran quarterbacks. The 49ers don't have a first-rounder because of the Trey Lance trade in 2021 and the Dolphins forfeited their first-rounder for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton while they were with other teams.
The Atlanta Falcons no longer have a draft watch party, but the Atlantic Station event was canceled due to the weather.
Bijan Robinson is expected to be the first running back selected in the NFL draft. How high he goes is the big question.
The Texas star has top-10 talent but NFL teams no longer place a premium on running backs, so he could still be on the board late in the first round. Only four running backs have been selected in the first round since Saquon Barkley was chosen at No. 2 by the New York Giants in 2018. None went higher than No. 24.
"Everybody has their opinions and understandably so because the running back position came to be one-dimensional," Robinson told AP. "But if you have a guy who is really versatile and can line up as a receiver, in the slot and have as much effect (as a receiver) as at running back, that's when the value really takes off."
Check back throughout the night for updates. The Associated Press contributed to this report.