Here are the winners and losers from an eventful first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Winners
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates after being chosen by the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Caleb Williams
Williams might be the luckiest first overall pick in draft history. The former USC standout will walk into Chicago with a wide receivers room that features DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, whom the Bears selected Thursday with the ninth overall pick. With the number of weapons at Williams’ disposal, he has a chance to put up some impressive numbers as a rookie.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings didn’t just get their quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. They also landed the best edge rusher in the draft. Alabama’s Dallas Turner fell and Minnesota, which moved up from No. 23 to No. 17, took advantage. Turner recorded 22.5 sacks in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 after collecting a career-best 53 tackles (14.5 for loss) and 10 sacks.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are another team that benefited from edge rushers falling in the draft. They took Florida State’s Jared Verse with the 19th pick. Verse recorded nine sacks in each of his two seasons with Florida State. In 2023, he had four games where he recorded 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 help at offensive line, and they got it in Washington’s Troy Fautanu. He did a great 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 back-to-back seasons while winning the 2023 Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the conference. He has that versatility to play either at tackle or guard, and that’s why you have to love this pick for the Steelers.
Losers
Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies reacts after a first down against the Washington State Cougars during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium on Nov. 25, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Falcons
Atlanta taking Penix was the wildest move of the night. The Falcons just signed Kirk Cousins, who is coming off a torn Achilles, and added a quarterback with a long injury history. Penix has the tools to be a quality starter in the league. But why not take a younger quarterback like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, who is 21 years old?
Raiders
This has nothing to do with Brock Bowers. He has a chance to be one of the best tight ends in the league. But Las Vegas has more pressing needs at cornerback and offensive tackle. The Raiders would’ve been better off taking Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell or Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga and taking a tight end in the later rounds. But at the end of the day, the best talent outweighs positions of need.
Chargers
Joe Alt is one of the best tackle prospects, but the Chargers need a wide receiver. They had a chance to take the second-best wideout in the class in LSU’s Malik Nabers. Yes, the Chargers’ offensive focus under new coach Jim Harbaugh is to run the ball. But Justin Herbert is one of the top quarterbacks in the league and lacks a true No. 1 target. It doesn’t make sense to pass on Nabers.
Dolphins
Miami made a questionable move by taking Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson instead of Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton. The Dolphins need help at offensive line, especially at guard and center. Barton can play anywhere on the line and has the potential to be a Pro Bowl center. Robinson has the athleticism to be a dynamic pass rusher down the road. But the offensive line is one of the most important positions on the field.
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