As it does every year, the NFL Draft was full of trades, surprises, and twists. Despite the fact that this Draft didn’t necessarily have the buzz that it typically does, it’s still arguably one of the most important weekends on the NFL calendar.
Here are some takeaways I had from the NFL Draft.
The Jaguars Roll The Dice
Image: Getty Images - Todd Kirkland
For almost the entirety of this process, Michigan pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson was considered to be the favorite to be the first-overall pick in this Draft. Hutchinson was coming off a season in which he recorded 14.0 sacks, and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy award. Many anticipated that the Jaguars would select Hutchinson first-overall, giving them a young, dynamic pass-rusher.
But, late in the process, Georgia’s Travon Walker suddenly become thrown into the discussion for the first-overall pick. Walker was a pass-rusher from Georgia, but he certainly did not endure the same amount of collegiate success that Hutchinson did. Walker recorded six sacks in 2021, and moved around the defensive line. The Georgia Bulldogs won the College Football Playoff National Championship, and by many accounts, Walker wasn’t the best player on their star-studded defense.
Now, I understand collegiate success does not necessarily mean success in the NFL, and a lot of it is based on projecting potential. But, when you pass on a guy like Aidan Hutchinson who will likely be a double-digit sack guy on a yearly basis, it’s a gamble. The Jaguars are putting a lot of faith in an unproven Travon Walker. It could very-much work out, and make them look like geniuses. But, if it doesn’t Trent Baalke and the Jaguars front office are in some serious trouble.
The Lack of Quarterbacks Selected In The First Round
Image: USA TODAY SPORTS - Kirby Lee
Only one quarterback was selected in the first-round of the Draft. The only quarterback to be selected within the first round was Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett. He was selected by the Steelers with the 20th overall selection. Coming into the Draft, there was a case to be made that up to four quarterbacks could have been selected in round one, but that did not come anywhere close to a reality.
Quarterback needy teams like the Panthers and Falcons both seemed like logical fits to draft a quarterback in the top-10, but both passed. That was a true inditement on this quarterback class, as it was something that I was surprised to see. Sure, most teams have their quarterback room in order, but in the past, quarterbacks always found a way to skyrocket up draft boards. It was clear that Draft analysts and NFL teams did not see eye-to-eye when it came to evaluating this classes quarterbacks.
Malik Willis Simply Wasn’t Given a First-Round Grade by Teams
Image: Jonathan Bachman
Staying on the theme of quarterback, one of the biggest surprises of the draft was Malik Willis getting drafted in the third-round, 86th overall. But, was it really a surprise to NFL teams?
We see players fall in the draft all the time, but I personally wouldn’t put Malik Willis into that same category. It’s one thing for Aaron Rodgers to fall to 24th overall, or Brady Quinn to fall to 22, this was a completely different case. Rodgers and Quinn were considered top-ten picks, that just slipped. But, they were still selected in the first-round, and teams did have a first-round grade of them.
Malik Willis was considered a day-two player by the NFL, and it’s just that simple. He didn’t fall in the draft, that’s just where NFL teams had him slotted with the rest of the field. It feels like Willis’ value was overinflated or misjudged. This isn’t an inditement on Willis’ NFL future, he may end up lighting the world on fire in Tennessee. But, at the Draft, team weren’t as enamored with him as we were led to believe they were, and that’s a fact.
Why did the Seahawks Pass On Every Single Quarterback?
Image: USA TODAY SPORTS- Kirby Lee
The Seattle Seahawks quarterback depth chart stayed the same after the completion of the NFL Draft. A depth chart comprised of Drew Lock, Geno Smith, and Jacob Easton doesn’t sound like a finished product, but is it? The Seahawks had an opportunity to draft a quarterback in every single round, and even had an opportunity to select the first quarterback off the board in Kenny Pickett. They passed every step of the way, surprising many.
It’s impossible to not connect the dots on a potential trade for Baker Mayfield. The Browns don’t have much of a trade market when it comes to Mayfield, so the Seahawks are a logical landing spot. It would make at least some sense why the Seahawks passed on taking a quarterback, if Baker Mayfield was the end goal.
Don’t tell me Drew Lock, Geno Smith, and Jacob Easton are the answers, because they’re all not.
The Titans vs. AJ Brown
Image: Getty Images - Wesley Hitt
The Titans made a franchise altering decision by electing to trade wide receiver AJ Brown on Draft day. The Titans sent Brown to the Eagles in exchange for the 18th overall pick and the 101st overall pick of this Draft. With the 18th pick, the Titans selected their replacement for AJ Brown, as they drafted Arkansas receiver, Treylon Burks. Ironically enough, Burks’ game has often been compared to AJ Brown.
After Brown was dealt to the Eagles, he immediately reached an agreement on a four-year $100 million contract extension with the team. So, instead of paying Brown, they drafted his replacement which will be making pennies on the dollar compared to Brown. Will it work out for the Titans, or will it backfire in their face?
The wide receiver market has been skyrocketing, and these receivers late on their rookie contracts are all aggressively making a push to get paid. But, if Burks can become AJ Brown or something close, it will have been a smart economic decision from the Titans. And it could ultimately lead to a trend in the NFL, if they’re right. If they’re wrong, and Brown lights the world on fire in Philly, there will be some major problems in Tennessee. This situation will result in a winner and a loser, and no in-between.