It wasn’t exactly a draft day bonanza for the Pac-12, which trailed all of the other Power 5 conferences in picks.

But some of the conference’s former top prospects did find favorable landing spots.

Here are my picks for the Pac-12’s top NFL rookies in 2023 …

USC WR Jordan Addison — Justin Jefferson’s favorite running mate?

Addison’s sole season in Heritage Hall wasn’t altogether overwhelming — he certainly did not perform up to the ridiculous standard he set as the Biletnikoff Award winner in 2021 at Pitt — but he certainly was worthy of his No. 23 overall draft selection. 

Which Addison are the Vikings getting? The one who put up a pair of 170-yard games last year? Or the one who was held to 3 catches and under 50 yards 3 other times? 

Lining up alongside and across the field from Jefferson, one of the game’s most dynamic young receivers, will open up the field for Addison. And Addison, with his pin-point route-running and impressive burst, should provide some relief for Jefferson.

Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez — A big DB for BB?

The New England Patriots, who traded back from pick No. 14 and still landed their top target in Gonzalez at 17, had a big need for a big cornerback in this draft class, and they got one of the best. Consider another draft-day steal for Bill Belichick. 

The 6-foot-2-plus, 201-pound ball-hawk will be a physical upgrade for a team lacking length on the perimeter, where Gonzalez shines. The Patriots’ Jones Trio — Jonathan, Jack and Marcus — are all adept cover men, but they can’t contain some of the bigger, badder wideouts in the game.

Gonzalez was one of the country’s best defenders last year in his lone season with Oregon, following two seasons at Colorado. He had 51 tackles and 4 interceptions last year, including a pair of picks against his former squad. Many believe Gonzalez has barely scratched the surface of his talent, though.

Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave — Will Green Bay’s Love love his new top target?

What is it they say about tight ends and 1st-year starting quarterbacks? They are as warm and comforting as a security blanket.

The Packers’ brass moved on from Aaron Rodgers in a big way, introducing a new safety valve for Love, who has been waiting in the wings since being a surprise 1st-round pick in 2020. 

With the Packers lacking top-tier perimeter talent, Musgrave will be crucial up the seams … if he stays healthy. That was his big issue with the Beavers. He only played two games last year before his season was ended prematurely. If he remains on the field for the Packers, he could put up big numbers.

USC Edge Tuli Tuipulotu — Bolsters an already stout Bolts front four

The Los Angeles Chargers added to a position of strength in the 2nd round, selecting the nation’s leading sack-master in Tuipulotu. 

With Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack teaming up as arguably the most ferocious pair of pass-rushers in the game, Tuipulotu won’t have to do too much too early, but he has the versatility to play inside to complement the two veteran stars.

Still a bit raw, Tui would do best to soak in some of the tricks-of-the-trade from two of the best in the game.

USC CB Mekhi Blackmon — Vikings find another USC gem

The Lincoln Riley-to-Minnesota pipeline continued in the 3rd-round, as the cornerback-starved Vikings waited around to get Blackmon, who was one of the few disciplined bright spots on defense for USC last season.

In an age when rookie defensive backs have thrived — see: the New York Jets’ Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and the Denver Broncos’ Patrick Surtain II — Blackmon very well could usurp starters Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans before the season begins.

UCLA OL Jon Gaines II — What’s in the Cards for young bull?

A fluid, versatile lineman for the Bruins, who at different times in his career played all five offensive line positions, Gaines goes to a team that sorely needs his physicality.

It is rare for 4th-round linemen to get early rotation time, but the Cardinals have a big need and Gaines should at least figure as a backup at multiple positions.

Utah TE Dalton Kincaid — A new toy for Josh Allen

Coming off a thrilling year when he assumed the mantle for the injured Brant Kuithe. Kincaid had 3 monster games for the Utes, including a 16-catch, 234-yard day against USC that just about cemented his 1st-round status. He also was a terrific decoy, as Utah outscored opponents, 166-54, when he was held to fewer than 4 catches and 40 yards.

The only thing standing in his way is Dalton Knox, arguably a top-10 tight end coming off back-to-back productive seasons, with 15 combined touchdowns the last 2 years.

UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet — Joins a crowded backfield in Seattle

It’s one thing to go in the 2nd round as a running back, no small achievement in this pass-happy climate. It’s another thing to go to a Seattle squad that already has a young 2nd-round running back in Kenneth Walker III. 

Fantasy football managers across the country weep for their platoon, which strips the value from both of the talented backs. But from Pete Carroll and the Seahawks’ standpoint, adding Charbonnet was a coup. He provides a pass-catching element from the backfield that Walker doesn’t, and he adds another weapon for Geno Smith.