Winners

The Detroit Lions held the number 2 pick which was their fourth straight year having their first pick in the top 10. This year the Lions took the “best player available” by selecting Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE rusher, from the University of Michigan, which means the Michigan man stays in Michigan. Around the midpoint of the first round, the Lions traded up to pick number 12 from the Vikings while the Lions selected one of the “seemingly thousand” receivers in the draft by selecting Jameson Williams, wide receiver out of the University of Alabama. 

The New York Jets, entering the draft, had two top ten first round picks from the Jamal Adams trade so they were in a good position. With their first selection, they picked Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner from the University of Cincinnati, who never gave up a Touchdown and never gave up more than 13 yards against any receiver last season. With their second first round pick, they selected Garrett Wilson from The Ohio State University. Later in the first round, they traded up with the Tennessee Titans to select Jermaine Johnson II who was a ridiculous edge rusher from Florida State University.

The New York Giants entered the Draft with two top ten picks from a trade they did with the Chicago Bears at last year’s draft. With their first selection, the Giants selected Kayon Thibodeaux, an edge rusher from the University of Oregon, he was an amazing athlete although he was battling injuries all year he still put up double digit sacks which is very impressive. With their second pick in the first round, the New York Giants selected Evan Neal, an Offensive Tackle from the University of Alabama. Neal was very strong and had ridiculous speed for his size. Coming in at a whopping 6’7” ½ and weighing 337 lbs Neal didn’t run a 40 yard dash but from game film he moved like a video game character for how big he is. 

Losers

The Jacksonville Jaguars held the first pick in the NFL draft for the second straight season. With their first pick the Jaguars took a risk by not taking the “best player in the draft”, and instead they made a questionable move by taking Trayvon Walker, an edge rusher from the University of Georgia. Trayvon was amazing in the College Football Playoffs for Georgia by having the most quarterback pressures. The problem with Trayvon is his inconsistency. He struggled last year during the regular season, and his draft stock only rose due to the playoffs and the combine in which he ran a ridiculous 4.51 second 40 yard dash for an edge rusher. Later in the first round, the Jaguars traded up with the Buccaneers to select Devin Lloyd, linebacker from the University of Utah.

The Minnesota Vikings traded down in the first round and selected Lewis Cine, Safety, from the University of Georgia with the 32nd pick in the first round from the Rams through the Lions. The Vikings were silly with what they had. They acted like they didn’t need much, when in reality, they needed help everywhere except running back and receiver.

The Washington Commanders traded down in the first round and selected the speedy receiver from Penn State University, Jahan Dotson over Chris Olave from The Ohio State University. Jahan Dotson was very good at Penn State but the Commanders didn’t need receivers; it was a waste of a pick when they needed help on the offensive line and in the cornerback/safety room. 

With that being said, this year’s NFL Draft had many surprises, like most of the previous ones. It should be fun to see how many of these players end up playing well in the league, or can’t develop and struggle in the league instead.