NFL Draft Round #1


Round #1
Pick #1
CAR- QB Bryce Young
Bryce Young is the most polished QB in this year's class. However, in my opinion Ohio State QB CJ Stroud & Florida QB Anthony Richardson have a higher upside. Ohio State QB CJ Stroud has the ability to play from the pocket, as well as use his legs whenever he needs to. Florida QB may not have the experience of the other QBs, but he has the physical tools & mental capacities to play at the next level.
Pick #2
HOU- QB CJ Stroud
This is a franchise that is in a complete rebuild. They need assistance EVERYWHERE. Getting the right QB solves half the problem. The franchise decided on CJ Stroud. We shall see hsw HOU OC Bobby Slowik utilizes the talents of his new franchise QB. Depending on how he is used, it will determine the futures of both, OC QB CJ Stroud, & OC Bobby Slowik.
Pick #3
ARI
Trade- ARI Trade Pick to HOU
HOU- OLB Will Anderson
The Houston Texans traded back up to the #3 spot, & drafted OLB Will Anderson.The Texans should have drafted him or OLB Tyree Wilson with the 2nd pick. The AFC has a litany of prolific QBs. The Texans need someone to keep those QBs in check.
Pick #4
IND- QB Anthony Richardson
This is another team in a rebuilding situation. The Colts believe they have found their next franchise QB in Anthony Richardson. He is incredibly raw. He lacks experience at the college level. IND is taking a necessary risk & banking on Richardson's talents, incremental improvements, immense upside, & high ceiling due to his potential.
Pick #5
SEA- CB Devon Witherspoon
With this pick, the Seattle Seahawks are attempting to recreate the Legion of Boom. If this pick pans out, then the Seattle Seahawks will be on their way to getting back to their old ways of winning Super Bowls.
Pick #6
DET
DET- Trade Pick to ARI
ARI- OT Paris Johnson Jr.
The Cardinals could have secured offensive line help later in the draft because of the plethora of players at that position in the NFL Draft. They should have chosen a WR to give QB Kyler Murray another weapon. This would ensure his ability to play more effectively from the pocket. There would be no need for him to take off & run if his initial read is not open.
Pick #7
LV- DE Tyree Wilson
The Las Vegas Raiders picked up someone who initially can be a rotational player behind DE Maxx Crosby & DE Chandler Jones. He will be able to learn by playing in bursts behind an aging DE in Chandler Jones. This is about depth, as well as him eventually supplanting Chandler Jones at the position. Once that happens, we will know if he was worth the pick.
Pick #8
ATL- RB Bijan Robinson
The Falcons took a player who they believe will take the pressure off of QB Desmond Ridder. He has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, run the ball, & block any unblocked rushers. He has reliable hands to catch the passes thrown in his direction. The Falcons had other needs, but they chose to go a completely different path. Time will tell if the Falcons made the right decision.
Pick #9
CHI
CHI- Trade Pick to PHI
PHI- DT Jalen Carter
The Eagles traded up to the 9th pick & decided to take Georgia DL Jalen Carter. This was a player who encountered some legal trouble during his playing career at University of Georgia. Jalen Carter was present at the scene of the car crash that killed two individuals in Athens, GA. On March 1, he left the NFL Combine to turn himself in on two misdemeanor charges related to the crash. On Wednesday, March 1, Carter was booked & released from the Athens-Clarke County Jail on charges of reckless driving & racing. Jail records indicate he was booked at 11:33pm & released at 11:49pm. Knowing that, it just shows teams will overlook almost anything to obtain talented assets.
Pick #10
CHI- OT Darnell Wright
This is a team that is attaining OL help to give QB Justin Fields more assistance. He is not the "traditional" QB. He will not pick defenses apart from the pocket. It is possible that the Bears' thought process was drafting an OL would accentuate QB Justin Field's strengths. He is a running QB. This would open up more holes in the running game. We shall see.
Pick #11
TEN- OL Peter Skoronski
Seen as the best OL in this year's class, the Titans snatched him as a magnificent value pick. He will fit seamlessly into OC Tim Kelly's offense. Although Coach Kelly used to coach the DL at the college level, we find out how he adapts his methods to coaching on the other side of the ball at the NFL level.
Pick #12
DET- RB Jahmyr Gibbs
DET chose this player to assist their QB in numerous areas. Jahmyr Gibbs is a player who will be able to be of great value to the team. He will be a great fit for Lions OC Ben Johnson's scheme. His scheme does not put 100% of the responsibility on the QB because he knows the QB is not on that level. By drafting Gibbs, the only thing the QB will have to do is manage the game.
Pick #13
GB- DE Lukas Van Ness
The Packers are in the NFC North. This division includes teams such as the Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions, & the Minnesota Vikings. This was a move made for the future of the franchise. The Packers selected QB Sean Clifford in the 5th rd on Day #3. Based on this QB class & his draft position, the consensus is that he is the long-term answer at the position. But, injuries to other players, & his play may tell us a different story.
Pick #14
NE
NE Trade Pick to PIT
PIT- Select OT Broderick Jones
This was a pick made to add some youth to the aging PIT offensive line. By picking him, they now have a foundational piece who they can build the offensive line for the future. This will assist Kenny Pickett's development. Then, the organization & the fans will know if they are secure at QB.
Pick #15
NYJ- LB Will McDomald
The Jets are in a competitive division with teams such as the Bills, the Patriots, & the Dolphins. The Bills have a high-powered offense with QB Josh Allen. Regardless of the circumstances, the Patriots always find a way to be competitive due to the brilliant coaching of HC Bill Belicheck. The defense keeps the Miami Dolphins in the game, but the offense needs work.
Pick #!6
WAS- CB Emanuel Forbes
Emanuel Forbes will have competition for the starting CB spot in Washington with the other CBs. This was about depth. Teams are always cognizant that CBs get injured & that they can never have too many.
Pick #!7
NE- CB Christian Gonzalez
The Patriots went with CB Christian Gonzalez because of a very simple reason. They have a litany of unknown commodities at the position. With the offensive firepower that teams possess, the Patriots knew they needed someone who would be able to lock down the opposing #1 WR.
Pick #18
DET- LB Jack Campbell
With their earlier pick, the Lions took an offensive player. This time, they decided to take a defensive player. They believe Jack Campbell will be a keycog of the linebacking core. Give it time. We shall see how the events unfold.
Pick #19
TB- DT Calijah Kancey
The Buccaneers were elated to have DT Calijah Kancey fall right in their lap at #19. It was a flabbergasting moment that a talent such as this would be available to them. He will be a great addition to the Buccaneers' DT room.
Pick #20
SEA- WR Jaxson Smith-Nigba
This is a player who will be used as a weapon in the passing game. He will need to improve as a run-blocker. Once that happens, the running game will be utilized to a higher degree. That will unlock the potential of SEA as an offense.
Pick #21
LAC- WR Quentin Johnson
The Chargers drafted Quentin Johnson, a wide receiver who has major issues catching the ball with his hands. As of right now, he has been utilizing his body to catch the ball. In the NFL, that method hasn't been productive as an effective way to be productive. That will be a roadblock to going up against NFL-level DBs.
Pick #22
BAL- WR Zay Flowers
The Ravens went with WR Zay Flowers, all in hopes of securing the franchise. Now, they knew there was always the possibility of losing Lamar Jackson if they could not come to an agreement. They knew he wanted the bag. They also knew they needed to surround the requisite pieces to relieve him of some of the burden. Zay Flowers must develop chemistry with Lamar to achieve these goals.
Pick #23
MIN- WR Jordan Addison
The Vikings drafted a wide receiver in Jordan Addison, who will act as a deep threat for the starting QB. He will be able to stretch the field & take the top off of the defense with his speed. This element will be a welcomed addition to the Vikings locker room.
Pick #24
JAC
JAC- Trade Pick to NYG
NYG- Select CB Deonte Banks
The NFC East is a physical division, which likes to pound the ball & play defense. Deonte Jackson will probably cover the opposing WR. They already have a #1 CB in Adoree Jackson. He will be a complementary cornerback.
Pick #25
JAC
JAC- Trade Pick to BUF
BUF- Select TE Dalton Kincaid
The Bills selected TE Dalton Kincaid, a player who will act as a security blanket for QB Josh Allen. He will also be a formidable blocker in the run game. Will the mo ve help them get to & or win a Super Bowl. We shall see.
Pick #26
DAL- DT Mazi Smith
Mazi Smith will be an excellent interior disrupter, who will wreak havoc for not only opposing QBs, but for opposing offensive lineman as well. This will be a division that is settled in the trenches. Drafting Mazi Smith will only buffer DAL's chances at coming out on top.
Pick #27
JAC- OT Anton Harrison
The Jaguars drafted an offensive lineman to solidify protection for their franchise QB Trevor Lawrence. Keeping their franchise QB upright & clean is their #1 priority. That is the easiest way for Trevor to run the offense & score points. Drafting Anton is a step in that direction.
Pick #28
CIN- DE Myles Murphy
The Bengals went with DE Myles Murphy in a division that consists of teams such as the Ravens, the Steelers, & the Browns. The Bengals drafted Myles to disrupt the flow of opposing offenses, not only in their own division, but throughout the NFL. Myles Murphy has the traits to be a perfect fit for the Bengals in AFC North. Due to the nature of the division, Myles Murphy will be a welcomed addition to the Bengals organization.
Pick #29
NO- DT Bryan Bresee
In one of the toughest divisions, the Saints know they need to win inside-out. So, they take a DT, who can be a force in creating nightmares for opposing QBs, & opposing offenses. He will assist in getting linebackers in opposing backfields, which will shut those offenses down.
Pick #30
PHI- LB Nolan Smith
Nolan Smith was chosen to buffer the PHI defense. Once he learns Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai's scheme, the defense will be on par with the offense. If he is unable to pull his weight, then the team will be coerced to have QB Jalen Hurts save them during games. And if that's the case, the team will be in the same spot in 2024.
Pick #31
KC- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
The Kansas City Chiefs just added some more depth to the already potent defensive line. This move will take some of the pressure off of QB Patrick Mahomes. This gives the Chiefs another fresh body at the position, which will only make life simpler for QB Patrick Mahomes & the offense.

1 comment


  • Cole

    A great write-up on the first-round draft! I believe Dalton Kincaid is a steal for the Bills at #25. Hopefully, he helps bring a championship to Buffalo. I can’t wait to see what these rookies do on the field. Keep up the good work, Saagar!


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