The NFL draft kicked off tonight in what has been one of the more uncertain years in recent memory. However, who needs paragraphs of analysis when a player’s impact can be described in a single sentence or less? Here’s my quick first reaction to every pick of the NFL first round.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Travon Walker DE, Georgia
Little college production, but lots of upside
2. Detroit Lions- Aidan Hutchinson DE, Michigan
Power rusher stays in Michigan
3. Houston Texans- Derek Stingley Jr. CB, LSU
Best corner all around is off the board
4. New York Jets- Ahmad Gardener CB, Cincinnati
Loading up to stop Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs
5. New York Giants- Kayvon Thibodeaux DE, Oregon
Best player available for a bad defense
6. Carolina Panthers- Ikem Ekwonu OT, NC State
Number one tackle on the board to protect whoever’s at QB
7. New York Giants (from Chicago Bears)- Evan Neal OT, Alabama
Definitely needed for the Giants O-Line
8. Atlanta Falcons- Drake London WR, USC
A great addition to the worst wide receiver core in the league
9. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos)- Charles Cross T, Mississippi State
Versatile player that fits well on a bad O-Line
10. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks)- Garrett Wilson WR, Ohio State
Another weapon to help the development of Zach Wilson
11. New Orleans Saints (from Washington Commanders)- Chris Olave WR, Ohio State
Great deep threat opposite Thomas and Kamara
12. Detroit Lions (from Minnesota Vikings)- Jameson Williams WR, Alabama
High upside target in a barren wide receiver room
13. Philadelphia Eagles (from Houston Texans via Cleveland Browns)- Jordan Davis DT, Georgia
Fletcher Cox’s successor, joins a great rotation on the line
14. Baltimore Ravens- Kyle Hamilton S, Notre Dame
Really safe pick, surprised he fell this far
15. Houston Texans (from Philadelphia Eagles via Miami Dolphins)- Kenyon Green G, Texas A&M
Flexibility as a lineman on a team that needs a lot of help
16. Washington Commanders (from New Orleans Saints via Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles)- Jahan Dotson WR, Penn State
Joins a good duo in Washington as a weapon for Wentz
17. Los Angeles Chargers- Zion Johnson G, Boston College
Yet another investment to protect their young franchise guy
18. Tennessee Titans (from Philadelphia Eagles via New Orleans Saints)- Treylon Burks WR, Arkansas
Physical receiver that’s a solid replacement for Brown
19. New Orleans Saints (from Philadelphia Eagles)- Trevor Penning OT, Northern Iowa
Potential to replace Terron Armstead
20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Kenny Pickett QB Pitt
Future franchise guy to compete for the starting job next season
21. Kansas City Chiefs (from New England Patriots)- Trent McDuffie CB, Washington
Help for a struggling defense in a offensively loaded division
22. Green Bay Packers (from Las Vegas Raiders)- Quay Walker LB, Georgia
23. Buffalo Bills (from Baltimore Ravens via Arizona Cardinals)- Kaiir Elam
A luxury pick for a balanced team all around
24. Dallas Cowboys- Tyler Smith OT, Tulsa
A need to fill the voids from departures in free agency
25. Baltimore Ravens (from Buffalo Bills)- Tyler Linderbaum C, Iowa
A great power lineman for the Ravens run first scheme
26. New York Jets (from Tennessee Titans)- Jermaine Johnson DE, Florida State
A position of need for a weak defense
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers)- Devin Lloyd LB, Utah
An every down LB to replace Miles Jack
28. Green Bay Packers- Devonte Wyatt DT, Georgia
A run stuffer for a struggling run defense
29. New England Patriots (from Kansas City Chiefs via San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins)- Cole Strange G, Chattanooga
Very Patriots pick to protect their young QB
30. Kansas City Chiefs- George Karlaftis DE, Purdue
Great power rusher to work alongside Chris Jones
31. Cincinnati Bengals- Daxton Hill DB, Michigan
Versatile player to help a secondary that struggled last season
32. Minnesota Vikings (from Detroit Lions via Los Angeles Rams)- Lewis Cine S, Georgia
Pairs nicely with Harrison Smith in the secondary