NFL

5 Winners From First Round of NFL Draft

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NFL

Easily the biggest surprise to come out of round one of this years NFL draft was the absence of Will Levis. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. was especially high on Levis coming into the draft. Also, ESPN kept showing this weird stat about how there was less than a 0.1% chance he fell outside the first round? I’d like to see how you break that down into a stat, seemed pretty strange to me. They also kept panning to him and his family, very weird night all around, but Levis will probably be one of the first picks on night two.

Honorable mentions

Baltimore Ravens select Zay Flowers 23rd Overall.

Ravens sign Lamar to an all-time NFL contract, and then continue to build their offense in the draft. For the past several seasons the Ravens have been criticized for not giving Jackson help at WR. Now, they’ve drafted Flowers (the rookie), and signed Odell Beckham (the vet).

5 winners

Texans trading up to get Will Anderson Jr. along with CJ Stroud

After selecting Stroud second overall, the Texans traded with Arizona for the third overall pick; sending the Cards the 12th pick, the 33rd pick, and a first and second-round draft pick in 2024. It feels like a lot, but Houston getting an elite edge guy like Will Anderson Jr. for first-year Head Coach Demeco Ryans is a huge step. Ryans is a Bama alum and was a great linebacker in his own right, and obviously was a sensational DC in San Fransisco. He is going to have fun coaching a guy like Anderson. Taking care of both sides of the ball in back-to-back picks, I already like what the new regime is doing in Houston.

Eagles continue to build the National Championship Georgia defense

The Eagles already have DL Jordan Davis and LB Nakobe Dean on their roster, so they figured why not add to it? Jalen Carter, who was considered by many draft analysts to be the most talented player in this year’s class, fell to them at ninth overall. If not for some off-the-field issues and questions about his work ethic, he may have gone inside the top five. Then, at the end of the first round, they took Georgia LB Nolan Smith. Drafting key players that were a part of arguably the greatest collegiate defense of all-time is a pretty good draft strategy.

Cardinals trade back and take Paris Johnson Jr.

After moving down to 12 because of their trade with the Texans, the Cardinals moved back up to sixth overall by sending Detroit the 12th pick and the 34th pick. Savvy play by Arizona here, moving down three spots while acquiring an extra first for next years draft. QB Kyler Murray will miss most of, if not all, of next season because of his ACL injury. Bolstering the Offensive Line now is a good play.

Seahawks bolster both sides of the ball with CB/WR combo

The Seahawks have a plethora of young, talented DBs in their system already with standout Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Michael Jackson. Taking Devon Witherspoon adds to their depth, and it’ll be interesting to see how Carrol uses him. The Seahawks look like they’re trying to build a Legion of Boom 2.0. Then, down at pick 20, Seattle started the WR frenzy by taking OSU’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Fellow Buckeye WRs Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson have both been on the record saying JSN is the most talented of the trio, so we’ll see if he lives up to that this season. Regardless, Seattle’s “rebuild” might’ve been the quickest ever.

Patriots snap on Christian Gonzalez

After Washington drafted Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes 16th Overall, New England submitted their pick within seconds to take Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a big DB, standing at 6’1″ and checking in just shy of 200lbs. We know Belichick loves himself a lockdown corner, and Gonzalez definitely has the physical tools to be an elite outside presence on his defense.

Biggest Head Scratcher

Lions take Jahmyr Gibbs 12th Overall

I love Gibbs. I thought he was sensational to watch at Alabama, super quick, fast, athletic, excellent pass-catcher. He will be a very good player. Twelve feels high, though. Especially to Detroit, who already has D’Andre Swift and just signed David Montgomery after letting Jamaal Williams walk. Obviously, if the Lions move on from Swift relatively soon, this would make more sense. Ben Johnson is a good OC, and the Lions had a good offense last year; with Jameson Williams being suspended for six games, and now three RBs on the roster, it’s going to be super interesting to see what he does with all these pieces.

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