Here are the winners and losers from an eventful initial round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Winners
Caleb Williams
Williams could be the most fortunate first overall pick in draft history. The former USC standout will enter Chicago with a wide receivers room that includes DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, whom the Bears chose Thursday with the ninth overall pick. With the number of weapons available to Williams, he has a chance to produce impressive numbers as a rookie.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings not only acquired their quarterback in J.J. McCarthy but also secured the top edge rusher in the draft. Alabama’s Dallas Turner dropped, and Minnesota, which moved up from No. 23 to No. 17, took advantage. Turner accumulated 22.5 sacks in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 after gathering a career-best 53 tackles (14.5 for loss) and 10 sacks.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are another team that profited from edge rushers falling in the draft. They selected Florida State’s Jared Verse with the 19th pick. Verse tallied nine sacks in each of his two seasons with Florida State. In 2023, he had four games where he tallied at least two sacks. Verse also had a pass-rush win rate of 21.8%, according to Pro Football Focus. Los Angeles will have a young and formidable pass rush duo with Verse and Byron Young.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers need assistance at offensive line, and they found it in Washington’s Troy Fautanu. He did an exceptional job protecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., as he allowed two sacks and three quarterback hits in 623 pass blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Fautanu was named first-team All-Pac 12 in consecutive seasons while winning the 2023 Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the conference. He possesses the versatility to play either at tackle or guard, and that’s why you have to appreciate this pick for the Steelers.
Losers
Falcons
Atlanta's selection of Penix was the most surprising move of the night. The Falcons just signed Kirk Cousins, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, and added a quarterback with a lengthy injury history. Penix has the potential to be a top-tier starter in the league. But why not select a younger quarterback like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, who is 21 years old?
Raiders
This has no relation to Brock Bowers. He has the potential to be one of the finest tight ends in the league. But Las Vegas has more immediate needs at cornerback and offensive tackle. The Raiders would have been better off selecting Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell or Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga and picking a tight end in the later rounds. But ultimately, the best talent surpasses positions of need.
Chargers
Joe Alt is considered one of the top tackle prospects, but the Chargers require a wide receiver. They had the opportunity to select the second-best wide receiver in the class, Malik Nabers from LSU. The Chargers' new coach, Jim Harbaugh, aims to focus on running the ball offensively. However, Justin Herbert is a top quarterback in the league who lacks a true primary target. It wouldn't make sense to overlook Nabers.
Dolphins
Miami's decision to pick Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson over Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton is questionable. The Dolphins need assistance on the offensive line, particularly at guard and center. Barton is versatile and has the potential to become a Pro Bowl center. While Robinson has the potential to be a dynamic pass rusher in the future, the offensive line is one of the most crucial positions on the field.
