NFL Draft: Winners And Losers From Round One
We saw the first thirty two picks of the 2021 NFL Draft last night. There were plenty of surprises and those thirty two players will forever be known as a first round pick. With that being said here are my winners and losers from the first round last night of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Winner: Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears get one of the biggest wins of the 2021 NFL Draft last night after trading up to 11th overall to select Justin Fields. Fields was dropping down the board slowly and Ryan Pace decided that right now was the time to call up for a trade. Bears fans have been hypercritical of GM Ryan Pace since he became the general manager. He traded up a spot in 2017 and missed on both Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson when they took Mitchell Trubisky 2nd overall.
Having them trade up and get a quarterback that the fans like is a good sign for things to come in Chicago. The Bears have a solid offense and were looking for a quarterback. They got their quarterback for the future in my opinion. I love the move by Chicago, I think the Bears are big time winners here. Fields and Matt Nagy could be a good match made in heaven here. Look for Chicago fans to be looking for him to be on the field as soon as possible.
Loser: Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are in some serious turmoil right now. Since 2012, the Packers have drafted one offensive player in the first round and it was a quarterback. How do you expect to keep your franchise quarterback happy if you don’t get talent around him. Green Bay hasn’t been in the Super Bowl since 2011, they need a change. Aaron Rodgers wants out and there were some talented receivers on the board.
So what did Green Bay do, they took a corner back that they could have gotten in the later rounds. The Packers are losers because of two reasons. First reason is that Eric Stokes won’t be worthy enough of a first round pick. Second reason is that they still didn’t do anything to help make Aaron Rodgers wants to say.
Winner: College Reunions In The NFL
The Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles all drafted picks that involved some sort of college reunion. The Jaguars drafted both Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne who started at Clemson together last season. Cincinnati got Joe Burrow’s favorite target from LSU Ja’Marr Chase in the top five. Miami reunited Tua and Jaylen Waddle who were dynamic together at Alabama. Philadelphia reunited Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith as well. Four college reunions that we will see transition into the NFL.
I think all of these have potential to be very good next season. When I say very good I mean very good together. I think Burrow and Chase will be the better duo out of these four. It’ll go Burrow/Chase, Lawrence/Etienne, Hurts/Smith, and Tua/Waddle. Look at all of these college reunions to have some impact on the NFL season next season.
Loser: New Orleans Saints
The Saints drafted Houston defensive end Payton Turner. Turner sky rocketed up the draft board as of late and the Saints bought into that hype. New Orleans could have added to that defense in other ways. I don’t think Turner is going to work out for them. They could have gone and gotten some secondary help on defense. Instead they went for a guy who got some hype leading up into the draft. I don’t know how good the Saints will be in 2021.
Other Winners:
Pittsburgh:
The Steelers needed a running game after their awful running game from a season ago. So they drafted the best running back in the draft at 24th overall in Najee Harris. I think Harris is going to lead rookies in rushing yards, and he is going to be a top ten running backs in the league when it comes to rushing yards. He will easily be a 1,000 yard rusher and Pittsburgh got their running back of the future.
Indianapolis:
The Colts selected the best edge rusher in the draft in Kwity Paye from Michigan. Indianapolis could have used help on the offensive line, but they get a real steal at the 21st overall selection. Paye is going to be a big time factor for that defense next season. He could lead all rookies in sacks and tackles for loss next season. Watch out because I think Indianapolis is a real threat for the AFC South Title this year.
Dallas:
The Cowboys traded back and still got the player that they wanted. Micah Parsons was the best defensive player in the draft class and he got taken with the 12th overall selection. Dallas needed another linebacker after the retirement of Sean Lee. Parsons will fit right in with Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch. I do think Dallas got a great value pick here. The Cowboys defense needed a upgrade and boy did they get one in Micah Parsons.
-Chris Jones (@cjoneswho1212)
Use the Promo code “couchguy20” or “LLP” at Manscaped.com. Grab some of the best tools in men’s below the belt grooming. Furthermore, using the code you’ll get 20% off of your order AND free shipping. Help out the site and help out yourself by buying some products from Manscaped TODAY.