Fashion Meets Football: The Best and Worst Dressed from the 2023 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is a night that changes the lives of young athletes in the blink of an eye and the NFL Draft fashion catches ours. The newest additions to the league took the stage Thursday night in Kansas City, introducing themselves to millions of fans worldwide. Who these young men are and the legacy they'll begin to leave in the NFL will begin to unfold during summer camp, but the moment they emerged from the doors of Kansas City's Union Station, their presence helped write the first chapter in their professional NFL career. The fashion the athletes donned elevated their newly painted NFL brand. So let's look at the athletes who got us talking and their 2023 NFL Draft fashion choices on the first night of their NFL careers. We're talking about the NFL Draft's best and worst dressed. 

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Ice, bling, rocks, swag, frost, jewelry whatever the cool kids call it these days, was everywhere Thursday night. I am a big fan of accessorizing and love it when men feel confident enough to add something special to their outfits, but some of the icy 2023 NFL Draft fashion choices were extra. Judge for yourself, but it's a fine line between complimenting a look and take-that-off-right-now. 

Best: Tyree Wilson

Tyree Wilson, the Las Vegas Raiders No. 7 EDGE, a delicious mix of defensive end and outside linebacker from Texas Tech, nailed the ice Thursday night. In fact, in my view, his whole look was a NFL Draft fashion win. The suit was bold, classic, and fashion-forward all at once. This young man can slay a floral print.  Wilson is at the top of my favorite looks of the night. 

Best: Bryce Young

The 2023 NFL Draft fashion from the Carolina Panthers No. 1 pick, quarterback Bryce Young, will probably drum up differing opinions. I stand on the side of absolutely loving the look. For starters, I must applaud any man confident enough to rock a whole salmon-colored suit. I thought he looked classy, smooth, and hip and wore it exceptionally well. Some people on Twitter thought he looked like a carbon copy of Travis Kelce when he hosted SNL, but I loved it. Plus, there are worse people to be compared to than the game's greatest tight end.

Worst: Jordan Addison 

The Minnesota Vikings No. 23 pick wide receiver Jordan Addison's NFL Draft Fashion was a statement. If we're basing how well he'll fit in with swaggy Kirk Cousins by the outfit alone, we're in for a quarterback and wide receiver treat. Addison rocks floral pink better than I can, and from the money lining of his suit jacket to the bowtie, ice, and shades, the No. 23 pick was saying a lot through his ensemble choices. I give the suit and bowtie an enthusiastic Thumbs Up, but the ice and shades remind me of something my Nana used to say, "After you put all your accessories on, look in the mirror and take one thing off." 

Best: Zay Flowers

The Baltimore Ravens No. 22 pick, wide receiver Zay Flowers was oozing joy Thursday night. The newest flock member made his fit about family, and I absolutely loved it. You can never go wrong with classic black, but the young receiver's decision to have photos of his family lining the inside of his jacket was beautifully moving. This was a NFL Draft fashion for the fashion magazines and family mantel.

Worst: Jalen Carter 

The Philadelphia Eagles No. 8 pick, Jalen Carter, a defensive lineman from Georgia, was 50 shades of purple. The lineman's look was purple on purple with a truly bizarre suit clasp and spacey pocket square. All I could think was, "I love you. You love me. We're a happy family." The Philly-bound lineman may be too young to know who Barney is, but this look left me thinking of nothing else. These young athletes are preparing for arguably the biggest night of their lives, they can't all be NFL Draft fashion wins. 

Best: Brian Branch 

NFL Draft prospect Brian Branch, a defensive back from Alabama, may not have found himself shaking hands with NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell Thursday night. Still, he was looking handsome in an all-white suit and black turtleneck combo. The turtleneck look isn't for everyone, and not everyone can pull it off. But with a 1,000-watt smile like Branch, you can pull off anything. The NFL hopeful will surely be all dressed up again for the next round of picks, and if Thursday's fit says anything, we should keep our eyes peeled for what the future NFL defender wears next for his NFL Draft fashion look. 

Worst: Will Anderson Jr. 

In one of the most significant moves of the evening, the Houston Texans traded up to snag Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. with an additional No. 3 pick. With back-to-back No. 2 and No. 3 picks, all eyes were on the Texans. The future NFL linebacker's NFL Draft fashion had a lot going on, and I am not sure if that's a good thing. I love a classic pinstripe suit, and Anderson was wearing it exceptionally well, but the Terminator chain kind of ruined it for me. "Kind of" because the chain is really dope and mainly because it obstructed his tie, which was a perfect pop of color to pair with the light blue suit. There is a lot to love here, both in NFL Draft fashion and his future in Houston. I know NFL fans are eager to watch the Alabama linebacker transition to the pros, and tonight the No. 3 pick made a big statement. 

Best: Bijan Robinson 

The Atlanta Falcons reached to snag Bijan Robinson, the running back from Texas, with their No. 8 pick. Robinson was giving model vibes Thursday night with his all-black-everything fit, and between his charisma, hair, and suit, he was exuding more movie premiere energy than athlete energy. This look was timeless in every way, and Atlanta must be fired up to see the Texas star in a Falcons hat. He's been called the best player in the draft by numerous pundits and former NFL players, so nailing his NFL Draft fashion fit is just the icing on the cake. 

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