NFL Draft Winners & Losers

Winners

Jets: We won’t talk too much about the Jets because the general consensus is that they dominated the draft. Its easy to pick good players with so many choices in the 1st round but New York may have gotten the top CB, WR, DE, and RB with their first four selections. Jermaine Johnson dropped all the way to 26 and capped off one of the best 1st round drafts we have seen in years. 

Chiefs: The loss of Tyreek Hill will hurt, and Kansas City was a prime candidate to take an early wide receiver. Unfortunately, the top six WRs went before their first pick. Like any well-run team, they simply capitalized on other talent available and got two elite players in Trent McDuffie (CB) and George Karlaftis (EDGE). Sky Moore (WR) in the 2nd round is a perfect fit for Andy Reid and may turn out to be just as productive as one of the top six WRs taken. Leo Channel (LB) in the 3rd is one of our favorite additions for the Chiefs as he runs 4.53, has a 40+ inch vertical, and stands 6’3 250lbs. 

Packers: The Packers had an eerily similar draft to that of KC while having similar needs. With no WRs available, Green Bay loaded the defensive side of the ball and will have one of the best overall defenses in the league this year. Two of Georgia’s best players (Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt) from their historic National Championship team will boost a defense that finished 9th in yards allowed in 2021. Christian Watson (WR) is the wild card of the Packers draft. Standing 6’4, 208lbs, he can fly at 4.36 speed and made the FCS competition at NDSU look like JV players. Romeo Doubs (WR) in the 4th round will also help the back to back MVP feel comfortable without Davonte Adams. 

 

Losers

Jaguars: With lots of draft capital per usual, the Jags did not impress. It was probably a tall task to try and trade the first overall pick because of the plethora of options available this draft. Still, Devin Lloyd at the end of the 1st round did not feel like a win. With all of the offensive lineman and receiver talent still available at that spot, Jacksonville chose not to invest in Trevor Lawrence’s future. Instead, they would rather overpay average veterans Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. 

Bears: What does Justin Fields have to do to get some help? Chicago invested a lot to move up for Fields last year. Many rookies struggle in year one, but to go into year two while fielding one of the worst receiving groups in the NFL is worrisome. They did add speedy (4.31) WR Velus Jones in the 3rd, however he is not a real rookie threat in that offense. Every team in the NFL seems to have put a premium on obtaining offensive weaponry, yet both the Jags and Bears failed to help out their young QBs who could see their growth stunted before given a true chance to succeed.