Matt Bush, FISM News
The first round of the NFL draft was last night, and it was a reminder of why the NFL is still king. No other sport can televise its draft for three hours on network television and have people glued to the television set, and it did not disappoint.
Some of the most interesting topics and storylines to come out of this year’s draft are:
- The worst quarterback class in 25 years
Kenny Pickett was the first quarterback chosen last night by the Steelers with the no. 20 pick. The last time the first QB off the board went no. 20 or higher was in 1997 when Jim Druckenmiller was taken no. 26 by the 49ers. Since 1997, the first overall pick in the NFL draft has been a quarterback 18 times.
- Georgia Bulldog defenders
The 2021 UGA defense was legendary, truly one of the best college defenses ever, and that legacy grew last night. Four of the front seven from the Georgia defense were all drafted in the first round including an edge rusher, a linebacker, and two defensive tackles. Add to that a safety getting chosen no. 32 overall and five players were chosen from the same college defense for the first time ever in the first round.
- Draft Day trades
The most first-round draft day trades since 2010 occurred last night, and it was sometimes hard to know who was picking next. Draft day trades keep things interesting, and it was hard to know what was going to happen next.
- Wide receivers are more important than ever
For the first time in modern NFL history, six wide receivers were chosen in the top-20 and it looked like more were going to come. The position continues to grow in importance in the NFL, and we will see more and more receivers chosen in the first round in the years to come.
- Potential Hall of Fame corners
There were two cornerbacks chosen in the top-5 last night, and they are believed to be two of the most skilled defensive backs to come out of college since Jalen Ramsey a few years ago. It would not be shocking if at least one of them were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 20 years.
WINNERS AND LOSERS
Every year there are winners and losers, and while you cannot really know who they are until about three to five years later, here is an initial reaction to who drafted well and who did not.
Winners
- New York Giants
The Giants got one of the best left tackles and one of the best edge rushers in the draft. Both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal had been discussed as potential no. 1 overall picks and both fell to the Giants at the 5 and 7 picks respectively.
- Detroit Lions
The Lions got the defensive end they wanted in Aidan Hutchinson and then they got maybe the best wide receiver in the draft who fell to no. 12 because of a torn ACL in Jameson Williams.
- New York Jets
With three picks in the first round, the Jets got a haul. An underrated defensive end in Jermaine Johnson, a cornerback with all-pro potential in Sauce Gardner, and what many people consider the first or second best receiver in the draft in Garrett Wilson.
Losers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars chose Travon Walker no. 1 overall who had a total of 9.5 sacks in three years in college. The team then traded back down into the first round, and even though they scored fewer points than any team in the NFL in 2021, picked another defensive player in Devin Lloyd while several top-notch receivers were still on the board.
- New Orleans Saints
The Saints lost a pro bowl left tackle for nothing and then drafted his replacement, from Northern Iowa. Trevor Penning may end up being good, but it sure looked like a reach last night. They did get Olave at no. 11 and he has the makings of a really good NFL receiver.
- Las Vegas Raiders
Every other team not picking in the first round has at least one pick in the second, and the Raiders did not even get a quarterback in return like the Broncos, Colts, and Browns.