At long last, the NFL Draft has finally begun in Detroit, bringing renewed hope to franchises across the league. The first round is officially in the books, and now it’s time to react and analyze the picks. In this article, we will take a look at the winners and losers of the first round.
Let’s start with the winners. Quarterbacks were the talk of the night, with six of them being selected in the first 12 picks. The Bears, Commanders, Patriots, Falcons, Vikings, and Broncos all grabbed their future signal-callers. This ties the historic 1983 QB draft class for the most quarterbacks taken in the first round. It’s an exciting time for these teams as they bring in young talent that represents hope for brighter days ahead.
Offensive players also had a strong showing in the first round, with 23 of them being drafted compared to only nine defensive players. This year’s draft has a clear offensive flavor, with the first defensive player, UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu, not being taken until the 15th pick by the Indianapolis Colts.
Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals were winners as well. Murray, who is coming off reconstructive knee surgery, now has the best wideout in the draft, Marvin Harrison Jr., to throw to. This addition gives the Cardinals a polished route runner with good size and speed, offering Murray more weapons and a chance to elevate the offense.
The Philadelphia Eagles also made out well in the first round. They were in need of cornerback help and were able to land Quinyon Mitchell at the 22nd pick without having to trade up. Mitchell’s arrival fills a pressing need for the Eagles and gives their defense a boost.
Another winner from the first round is Daniel Jones of the New York Giants. Despite rumors that the Giants might select a quarterback with their sixth pick, they instead went with LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers. This decision shows that the Giants are willing to give Jones another chance to prove himself and establish his place as their starting quarterback.
LSU had a big night with two wide receivers selected in the first round. Nabers went sixth overall to the Giants, and Brian Thomas Jr. was taken 23rd by the Jacksonville Jaguars. These two LSU wideouts will look to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors like Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, D.J. Chark, and Odell Beckham.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the losers of