This is always a run of the dice in grading a Draft round minutes after it happens. But let’s give it a go.
Grading the NFL Draft minutes after the first round is a risky endeavor. It’s the roll of the dice.
There is no clue whether the player and the team selecting him will mesh. In other words, this is a golf shot in the dark, hoping you don’t nail someone in the head with your ball.
With that being said, let’s give it a go. Here are the winners and losers for the first round of the NFL Draft.
Winners
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars made the bold move of the first round to get the best player in the Draft. As heard countless times on the NFL Network, Travis Hunter is a unicorn. Now he’ll attempt to make a difference on both sides of the ball in Jacksonville.
Travis Hunter
I’d be dancing like Hunter was not having to play for the Cleveland Browns and living in Cleveland.
Cleveland Browns
Yes, the Browns and Cleveland are easy to make fun of, but they get more picks and a great piece for their defense in defensive tackle Mason Graham. To get that extra first-round pick is why Cleveland is in this category. However, putting the Browns in the winners group feels dirty.
Chicago Bears
It was a bit of a surprise that the Chicago Bears took tight end Colston Loveland over Ty Warren. However, the fact that Ben Johnson is now the head coach makes sense. This pick should immediately impact the Chicago offense and Caleb Williams.
Indianapolis Colts
Speaking of tight ends, the Indianapolis Colts filled a need and got an incredible player in Warren. Like Loveland, Warren will make an immediate impact in Indy. Maybe not to the level of Brock Browers for the Las Vegas Raiders, but Warren will make a difference.
Denver Broncos
Sean Payton got his joker … just on defense. Almost no one had the Denver Broncos selecting a cornerback, but they got a great one. After all, he just won the Jim Thorpe Award. Most had Barron the No. 2 cornerback in the Draft, so it was a surprise he was there to select. In the process, a great Denver defense just got even better. Jahdae Barron can play outside, inside, and box safety. This is an excellent pick, especially considering the offenses in the AFC West and the AFC. Load up on defense, and the Broncos can still get their running back in the second round.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens did a pure Ravens pick in selecting safety Malaki Starks and should improve their defense.
Philadelphia Eagles
How do Alabama front-seven defenders always seem to fall to the Philadelphia Eagles? Apparently, Philadelphia wanted to take Jihaad Campbell at pick 22 and was willing to move up that far to get him. Instead, the Eagles only moved up one spot. Unreal.
Both
Las Vegas Raiders
If ever there was a Pete Carroll pick, this was it. The Raiders need serious help on the offensive line, instead Carroll takes Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty is no doubt the best running back in the Draft. Pairing him with Bowers and offensive coach Chip Kelly has the potential for this offense to be incredibly dangerous. However, the holes along the offensive line remain, and it will be hard for the offense to do anything if Las Vegas can’t block anyone.
Atlanta Falcons
The common theme for teams that do well in the Draft is pairing a great player with a need for their team. The Atlanta Falcons did that with the pick of defensive end Jalon Walker. This was an excellent pick for Atlanta.
And as soon as I write that nice blurb about the Falcons and put them in the “winners” section, they morph back into the Falcons and make a woof trade. This isn’t about the player; James Pearce Jr. is one of the best defensive players in the Draft. However, giving up a future first-round pick to get him?
Losers
Carolina Panthers
In response to giving up the most points in NFL history, the Carolina Panthers take a receiver. Bold strategy. If you’re betting on the Panthers next season, bet the over because they won’t be able to stop anyone. Can the offense overcome that massive discrepancy?
Shedeur Sanders
Quarterback-needy teams passed on the fifth-year option they would have gotten by taking Sanders in the first round. Sanders may turn into a great quarterback, but not to be selected in the first round is pretty big.