The NFL Draft has begun in Detroit, with the first round complete and rounds 2 through 7 still to come. Quarterbacks were a major focus in the first round, with six selected in the first 12 picks, bringing hope to their new franchises. The draft also had a strong offensive trend, with 23 offensive players chosen before the first defensive player was selected. Players like Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels were among the top picks, showcasing the talent in this year’s draft class.
Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals received some much-needed help in the draft with the addition of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Philadelphia Eagles landed cornerback Quinyon Mitchell without having to make any additional moves to trade up in the draft, addressing a position of need. The New York Giants opted for LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers instead of selecting a quarterback, giving Daniel Jones another opportunity to prove himself. LSU saw two wide receivers drafted in the first round for the first time, with Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. joining a long line of successful NFL wideouts from the school.
Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons was shocked by the selection of Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, potentially putting his future with the team in question. The Las Vegas Raiders missed out on the top quarterbacks in the draft and may need to address the position in later rounds. Zach Wilson, recently acquired by the Denver Broncos, now faces competition with the addition of Bo Nix in the draft. Defensive backs had a long wait for their names to be called, with the Eagles finally selecting Mitchell at 22nd overall.
The Buffalo Bills made some questionable moves in the draft, trading back and passing up opportunities to improve their wide receiver corps. This decision could potentially come back to haunt them, especially after the Chiefs selected a talented wideout with the pick Buffalo traded. Overall, the first round of the draft showcased the talent and potential of the incoming players, while also raising questions about the futures of some established players in the league. As the draft continues, teams will have more opportunities to address their needs and shape the future of their franchises.
