Mason Thompson | April 24th, 2020
Well, what a night that was. The first round of the draft lasted over four hours and had plenty of surprises as we thought. Some teams did what we thought they would, while others went way out of the ordinary. We had multiple surprising selections in the teens as well as the 20’s, and a running back taken in the first round. Everyone has different opinions on the draft, and I will try my best to select the winners and losers of last night’s action.
Winners
Washington Redskin Fans: After some talk that the team would foolishly trade down from the second overall slot, the Redskins stood pat and took perhaps the best player in the class. Washington’s front seven was scary before this selection, and the selection of Chase Young makes that defense downright terrifying.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars were rumored to be looking to move up in the draft. Fortunately, they didn’t and still got two top 15 players in the class in C. J. Henderson and K’Lavon Chaisson.
Baker Mayfield: The Browns have seemingly shored up their offensive line after Baker Mayfield had to run for his life last year with the selection of Jedrick Wills Jr. Smart teams take care of their number one need, just as Cleveland did here.
The Ghost of Al Davis: It’s usually joked about how much Davis liked speedy players for the Raiders during his time. The Raiders came into the draft with a need at receiver and found their man with Henry Ruggs III. Ruggs can the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine and I can’t help but think Davis is smiling right now.
Tom Brady: After getting his old teammate, Rob Gronkowski this week, the Buccaneers put some effort into the offensive line finally by selecting Tristan Wirfs. With Gronkowski, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and a solid offensive line, Brady should have no issues getting Tampa Bay in the playoffs.
Drew Lock: Drafting Jerry Jeudy at 15 was a steal. The AFC West is getting more electric as time goes on and the Broncos might be a dark horse playoff team this year.
Minnesota Vikings: As a Packers fan if you would’ve told me that the Vikings would’ve gotten Justin Jefferson and Jeff Gladney at the beginning of the day, I would’ve been upset. If you would’ve told me they didn’t need to trade up and actually traded down with one of their picks, I would’ve been furious, which is exactly how each pick was made. Minnesota has an A grade for me following day one.
Baltimore Ravens: Sometimes, the smart teams look smart by other teams making themselves look like buffoons. This is exactly what happened with the Ravens. The Packers traded up to take a quarterback (more on that later), while the Seahawks did what they usually do by taking a player they could’ve taken in round three. The Ravens had a desperate need at linebacker and got that with Patrick Queen.
Bill O’Brien and Ryan Pace: You didn’t mortgage more of your team’s futures away. Good job!
Losers
Kyler Murray: Yes, Arizona drafted perhaps the second-best player in the draft class, but Arizona desperately needed help on the offensive line. Murray was sacked 50 times last year, and Arizona opted to take Isaiah Simmons instead. The Cardinals don’t have a second-round selection and won’t be picking again until pick 72.
Edge Rush Class: There were only two edge rushers selected in the first round. Young was the second overall selection and Chaisson was selected by Jacksonville with the 20th selection. A.J. Epenesa, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Zack Baun are all available heading into day two.
Miami Dolphins: Yes, Miami had three selections. Yes, they selected Tua Tagovailoa. Miami also selected two players that many viewed as second-round players with their remaining selections by taking Austin Jackson and Noah Igbinoghene. Jackson slots in as a starter on Miami’s horrendous offensive line (good luck Tua), while Igbinoghene will line up as Miami’s nickel corner. I would‘ve rather had Josh Jones or Gladney if the positions were the same.
Josh Rosen: Everyone knew Miami would take a quarterback. Rosen has once again been given a terrible situation. If I were him, I would demand a trade before teams like Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, or Pittsburgh make their selections tomorrow for a rookie quarterback.
Dallas Cowboys: You have holes all over the defense and with Chaisson and Gladney sitting right there, you take CeeDee Lamb? I’m not saying Lamb is a bad player, but the defense desperately needed help and you take a receiver in the first round after paying Amari Cooper $100 million big ones? I’m not a fan.
Safety Class: There were potentially three first-round caliber safeties in this class. All three were not selected in round one. The trio of Antoine Winfield Jr. Grant Delpit and Xavier McKinney are all still available heading into day two.
Seattle Seahawks: Queen was right in front of you, yet you went with Jordyn Brooks?
Aaron Rodgers‘ Future In Green Bay: The trade-up and eventual selection of Jordan Love at 26 sent shock waves through the NFL. It was well known the Packers had an interview with Love, but no one really thought the Packers would take Love, let alone trade up for him. The tables have turned for Rodgers, as he is now in the situation that Brett Favre was in because of the selection of Rodgers. He will obviously be under center in 2020 and 2021, but after that is unknown. There is an out after the 2021 season where the Packers could potentially trade or cut Rodgers. As a Packers fan, I didn’t see this coming.
And one for the road…
The Packers Taking Queen: If you have followed my mock drafts this year, three out of the four mocks had the Packers taking a linebacker. Queen was well within striking distance this year, and Green Bay has a desperate need at linebacker. When the Packers traded up to pick 26, ahead of Baltimore, I was sure it was for Queen. Of course, you do months of scouting and you find one player you want your team to take, and instead, they take a developmental quarterback.
I had said throughout the week that I would only be upset if Green Bay traded up for Love, and that’s exactly what they did, while Queen was on the board. With plenty of receivers left on the board, the Packers need to take advantage today.
Round one was exciting, leaving plenty of quality players still on the board. The Bengals are on the clock and have plenty of talented players to choose from. Hopefully, these players that have dropped will find where their futures will take place sooner rather than later.
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