The draft was held outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, from April 27–29, 2023.

The Chicago Bears originally owned the first pick for the first time since 1947 before trading it prior to the draft to the Carolina Panthers for multiple draft picks and wide receiver D. J. Moore.

[1] Prior to the start of the draft, the NFL paid tribute to the three victims of the 2022 University of Virginia shooting, who were named honorary draft picks for their favorite teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Dolphins, respectively.

[38] The resolution rewards teams whose minority candidates are hired away for one of those positions by awarding draft selections, which are at the end of the third round, after standard compensatory selections; if multiple teams qualify, they are awarded by draft order in the first round.

[40] Although two players – Milton Wright and Malachi Wideman – were eligible, neither was selected.