The months of scrolling through mock drafts and playing pretend-GM for your favorite team are over, the NFL Draft is finally here. While this was one of the rare years for the draft where there was uncertainty of what would actually happen in the early stages of the draft, many did project (including us) that there would be at least three quarterbacks taken off the board in the first 10 picks.
CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, and Anthony Richardson were all selected within the first four picks with Young being the top pick of the draft. The trio made history as their selections marked the first time in NFL history that three Black quarterbacks were selected in the top 10.
As the first round went on, we witnessed several surprising picks including a pair from the Detroit Lions and some surefire steals from the reigning NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles. But the most notable moment of the night was the moment that didn’t happen at all. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, who was projected to go in the top 10 on our most recent draft, fell out the first round unexpectedly despite several teams with quarterback holes.
Only time will tell if that will backfire for some teams but with that being said, we put together every winner and loser from the NFL Draft.
*This was based off the first round and will be updated following each day.*
WINNER: Houston Texans
LOSER: Detroit Lions
Selections: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell
The Detroit Lions will Detroit Lion. After a promising season, surely the Lions would build off that success with two solid first round picks. They didn’t. They reached for Jahmyr Gibbs. They reached for Jack Campbell. While they could turn out to be good players, it’s the spot you’re selecting them at which is the issue. Some might say that these prospects could’ve been available later. But if you’re looking at the Lions’ draft room, they feel like they won the Super Bowl. D’Andre Swift seems to be on his way out so Gibbs could be his replacement but it just seemed very early to select these two.
WINNER: Philadelphia Eagles
Selections: DT Jalen Carter, OLB Nolan Smith
How did this happen? There needs to be an investigation for this. How did the NFC champions draft arguably the best talent in the entire NFL Draft at No. 9? Let’s just blame the Lions for reaching with their picks but the Eagles landing Jalen Carter and then Nolan Smith with their second pick is just unfair. Howie Roseman is running laps around the competition. The depth of their defensive line is unreal and this was a defensive line that was the anchor behind the Eagles tallying the third highest total sacks in season in NFL history. Not to mention, the defense is full of Georgia Bulldogs that played together. The Eagles’ defense will be scary and as they lose players in the next few years, they’ll have reinforcements ready behind them. Pray for the NFC East.
LOSER: Washington Commanders
LOSER: Green Bay Packers
WINNER: Seattle Seahawks
WINNER: New York Giants
