Saturday Tradition Big Ten columnist Alex Hickey breaks down the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft as only he can. Whether that’s a good thing is up to the reader.

Biggest winners

1. CJ Stroud

Was Stroud’s rumored draft night tumble a product of fiction, or did the Texans cave to public pressure when it was leaked that they might do something silly?

Doesn’t matter how it happened.

Stroud was picked where it’s clear that he belonged since the end of last season — with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s the highest a Buckeyes quarterback has ever been drafted.

A lot of flak came Stroud’s way in recent days in part because he’s an Ohio State quarterback. But it’s pretty silly for anyone to be making the assumption that, say, Bobby Hoying has anything to do with why Stroud would be an NFL bust.

Stroud’s very intelligence has been questioned in recent weeks, which is an embarrassing ordeal for anyone to deal with. It was nice to see him get the reward he deserved.

2. Houston Texans

Were the Texans actually considering taking a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick that no other team even wanted in the first round?

Even for Houston, that feels hard to believe.

More likely? The Texans had their eyes on Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson at No. 2 and hoped other teams would pass on Stroud and allow them to scoop him up with their second pick of the first round.

When it became evident division rival Tennessee would probably trade up to the 3rd pick and potentially get Stroud, the Texans pulled a switcheroo, taking Stroud 2nd and then trading up to grab Anderson 3rd.

And just like that, the team that looked on the verge of making a terrible mistake did better than any other in Round 1.

3. State of Illinois

It was a good night for football teams in the State of Illinois.

Fighting Illini cornerback Devon Witherspoon became the first Illinois player selected in the top 5 (or even the top 10) since Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy were drafted 2nd and 3rd respectively in 1996.

Witherspoon joins a very small group of Illini to go in the top 5 that includes Dick Butkus.

It was also a great night for Northwestern.

A year ago, the Wildcats were the only Big Ten team without a player drafted. Thursday night, offensive lineman Peter Skoronski became the highest Northwestern draft pick since 1983 when the Titans took him 11th overall.

The Chicago Bears — the pride and joy of Illinois, per their fight song — also had a good night.

Chicago filled its biggest need — protecting former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields — with Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright. The Bears also added a 2024 4th-round pick by trading down 1 spot with the Eagles.

4. State of Iowa

Phil Parker’s outstanding Hawkeyes defense produced a pair of top-20 picks. Ohio State is the only B1G program with more players (3) taken in the top 20.

Defensive end Lukas Van Ness went 13th to the Packers, and NFC North rival Detroit scooped up Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell with the 18th pick.

Sandwiched between Van Ness and Campbell was Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald.

The significance of McDonald? He’s the first Cyclone drafted in the first round since — believe it or not — 1973.

5. Kyle Stickles (aka, The Jets Kid)

Kyle Stickles was granted the opportunity to read the Jets’ first-round selection thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In the process, a star was born.

6. Seattle B1G Seahawks

The Seahawks were 1 of 3 teams that owned a pair of first-round picks, but the only one of those teams that didn’t do any draft-night trading.

They didn’t need to.

After nabbing Witherspoon at No. 5, Seattle landed Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 20th pick. Smith-Njigba was the first receiver taken in the draft, and joins an offense that features former Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker.

Seattle loves the B1G. (Now Seahawks fans are probably hoping the B1G loves Washington, too.)

7. Big Ten football

The SEC remains king of the castle, but the first round was a reflection of the depth of talent in the Big Ten.

Nine players were drafted from 6 Big Ten programs.

That matches the SEC’s 9 first-round picks, but only 5 schools were represented among those picks.

It’s a sign of major progress. As recently as 2020, the SEC had a whopping 15-5 edge on the B1G in first-round picks.

Biggest losers

1. Will Levis

No debate here.

Levis was considered a lock to land in the top 10, and at one point had better odds than Stroud of being drafted No. 2 overall.

He’s still waiting for a phone call.

But rather than asking “Why did Will Levis fall so far?” the better question is why he was considered a top-tier quarterback in the first place. He’s a guy with intriguing tools and no results who might be worth a shot in the second round.

Somehow, he got talked all the way near the top of the board. That seems more on inaccurate draftniks than Levis.

Now, he’ll probably get drafted with a pick that better suits his resume.

2. Joey Porter Jr./Penn State

Improbably, the streak continues: no Penn State defensive back has ever been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Maybe that shouldn’t be a surprise for a place known as Linebacker U. But … ever?

Porter felt like a lock to be Penn State’s pioneer DB. Frankly, his fall out of the first round confuses me more than Levis’s. Porter figures to be among the first players to hear his name called in Round 2.

3. Aaron Rodgers (again)

New team, same result: Rodgers’ team didn’t pick a wide receiver or offensive lineman in the first round.

Of course, Rodgers gets to throw to 2022 Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, so this is hardly reason to panic.

But it is still funny. Especially when you’re a fan who has been waiting 15-plus years to get him out of your division.

4. Detroit Lions

A year ago, I thought the Lions had the best first round behind the Jets and Ravens.

This year, I have no earthly idea what Detroit is doing.

It’s pretty clear the Lions were targeting Witherspoon with the No. 6 pick, and things went to pot when the Seahawks took him 5th. But Detroit’s backup plan is baffling.

The Lions traded back to 12th, where they took Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Not only do the Lions already have quality backs in D’Andre Swift and David Montgomery, but Gibbs absolutely would have been available when they picked again at No. 18.

A player who wasn’t available?

Christian Gonzalez, who was the 2nd-best corner in the draft behind Witherspoon. The fact Bill Belichick noticed this and took Gonzalez should alarm Lions fans. Especially when the Lions traded away starting corner Jeff Okudah just days before the draft.

With their 18th pick, the Lions drafted Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell.

I am a massive Jack Campbell enthusiast. But it seems unlikely another team would have drafted him before Detroit picks again with the No. 3 selection in Round 2.

The Lions may still address their needs at cornerback, defensive line and tight end in the next few days. Detroit has 3 second-round picks and could still end up with a haul. But this was a disappointing start.

B1G names to look for in Round 2

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

As previously mentioned, Porter won’t be waiting long. In fact, if the Lions get him with the 34th overall pick, I may be singing a far different tune about Detroit’s draft come Saturday evening. But it would be far more fitting if he ends up with his dad’s Steelers with the first pick of the second round.

Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin

With Dallas picking Michigan’s Mazi Smith in the first round, Benton is easily the top defensive tackle who remains undrafted. This is another good fit for Detroit.

DJ Turner, CB, Michigan

Turner will be the next Wolverine picked, and there was some thought he might sneak into the end of the first round like Daxton Hill a year ago. Yet again: good fit for the Lions.

John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

Schmitz should be the first center drafted. The question is where. (It won’t be Detroit.)

Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin

Tippmann should be the second center drafted. The question is where.

Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa

LaPorta was cursed by playing in Iowa’s offense — but so were George Kittle and Noah Fant. LaPorta will be a steal for someone.

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE, Northwestern

A mouthful and a handful. Adebawore ran the fastest 40-yard dash for any player over 280 pounds since 2006. His athleticism is something to take a chance on in Round 2.

Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State

Reed’s size may put him in Round 3, but his explosiveness and ability in the return game could push him into the second round.

Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

Paris Johnson Jr. went 6th overall. Might his Buckeyes’ bookend go 6th in the second round? The Seahawks have that pick, and grabbing yet another Big Ten guy would fit their M.O.