- Joey Porter Jr.: The son of a Pittsburgh Steelers legend should start immediately for Pittsburgh at cornerback.
- Josh Downs: He’ll push Isaiah McKenzie to be the Indianapolis Colts’ starting slot receiver.
- Clark Phillips III: Despite being a Day 3 pick, Phillips could start immediately for the Atlanta Falcons at slot corner.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
While first-rounders receive all the love in the NFL draft, the fact is that the vast majority of NFL starters weren’t selected on the first night.
There are plenty of Day 2 and Day 3 picks in the 2023 class who should contribute as rookies, but here are five non-first-round picks who could start Day 1 for their respective teams.
CB Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
While Porter is technically a second-round pick, it’s almost as if he was taken in the first round since he went 32nd overall.
He’ll be an immediate fan-favorite as the son of Joey Porter, a former All-Pro edge defender who’s a member of the Steelers’ all-time team. The younger Porter also fills a massive need for Pittsburgh at cornerback and would’ve been a worthy selection in the first round. He should start immediately opposite Patrick Peterson at outside cornerback.
Joey Porter Jr finding out he’s a steeler#steelers
????@NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/ZkEZyrAZnY
— matthew luciow (@Luciow1992) May 3, 2023
C John Michael Schmitz, New York Giants
Schmitz will be starting for the Giants out of necessity. The other option, J.C. Hassenauer, hasn’t been a full-time starter in any of his five years so far.
JMS was the nation’s highest-graded center (92.3) this past season and was one of only three in the country with 80-plus grades as both a pass- and run-blocker. He fits a massive need for New York and was elite value at No. 57 overall.
"Looking to continue to get better each and every day against him"
John Michael Schmitz is looking forward to going against Dexter Lawrence in practice: pic.twitter.com/iSGF9r1dVs
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) May 6, 2023
TE Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
Not only will the Packers be starting a rookie at tight end, but the backup will likely be a rookie as well. Green Bay selected both Musgrave and Tucker Kraft in the second and third rounds, respectively.
Musgrave is an elite athlete for the position and just needs refinement, especially as a route-runner. His tools should be enough to earn the starting job immediately for the Packers.
Luke Musgrave pic.twitter.com/YCMnlEFpl5
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) May 5, 2023
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Downs was an absolute steal for the Colts in the third round at No. 79 overall, ranking 38th on PFF’s big board. He’s an elite route runner who was one of the best underneath separators in the class.
He’s limited to only being a slot receiver at 5-foot-9, 171 pounds but should compete with Isaiah McKenzie for that starting job in Indianapolis. Seeing as McKenzie has fewer than 1,400 career yards in six years, Downs could end up as the starter immediately.
Anthony Richardson ➡️ Josh Downs
(via @Colts)pic.twitter.com/EIpaZfn6ul
— PFF (@PFF) May 6, 2023
CB Clark Phillips III, Atlanta Falcons
Phillips was selected in the fourth round by the Falcons with the No. 117 overall pick. Despite being a Day 3 pick, Phillips still has a very good chance of starting immediately for Atlanta.
Phillips jumps routes as well as any corner in the 2023 class, tying for the most interceptions in the Power Five with six. As a smaller corner, he projects best as a slot corner at the next level. Phillips has a very good chance to win that job from Mike Hughes, who earned a sub-60 grade this past season.
Clark Phillips III was a walking highlight reel for @Utah_Football ????
Can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.@NFLDraft | @PaycorInc pic.twitter.com/gvHM84mmT2
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 25, 2023
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