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We had an eventful night one after months of anticipation as the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft is officially in the books. Roger Goodell got his highly awaited hug’s in (thank the lord) as some of the nation's top prospects heard their name called on Thursday evening. Although Mac Jones fell past many analysts predicted landing spots Alabama owned the night as 6 players from the powerhouse went in round 1. We saw some stunning trade ups and very questionable mid-round selections, this list is meant to show our version of the three winners and three losers from day 1.
Photo Via: Tony Dejak/AP
Trending Up (Winners)
#1 Chicago Bears
The Bears made the biggest trade by far on day 1 trading up for future franchise QB Justin Fields at #11. The deal was made with the New York Giants as they got 4 picks, (#20, 21’ 5th, 22’ 1st & 4th) in return for their #11 selection. The Bears have been stuck in the bottom tier of QB play for the past decade and made fans erupt in anger this offseason signing Andy Dalton as their “QB1”. Justin Fields fell just enough for them to pull the trigger and grab the athletic QB out of Ohio State who many had as their consensus QB2 in this draft. His 4.4 40 time combined with elite throwing velocity and accuracy have Bears fans ecstatic. This one was an easy selection for our “winners” category.
#2 Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers had a gem in Rashawn Slater fall to them at #13 as we saw most OT’s fall lower than initial projections on day 1. Slater was frequently being put on the same tier as the #7 overall pick Penei Sewell as he wow’d scouts with his technical skill and game film against former #2 overall pick Chase Young. The Chargers biggest needs for us was shoring up their OL and grabbing a day 2 WR and they couldn’t have checked the first box any better with this one. Slater and Herbie will be quite the combo for LA fans for years to come.
#3 Minnesota Vikings
We had the Vikings taking one of the most versatile lineman in the draft at #14 in Alijah Vera-Tucker who was actually there for them before they traded back with the Jets. The Jets took AVT immediately after shipping picks #23,#66,#86 to the Vikings to move up to #14. My initial disappointment quickly flipped as the athletic powerhouse Christian Darrisaw dropped all the way to Minnesota at 23. The Vikings got a top lineman and gained two other picks in the process filling a big need on the line while gaining extra draft capital. Darrisaw has the size and length to play right away and has the athleticism to improve both the run and pass block.
Trending Down (Losers)
*For the record, this years first round didn’t have too many head scratchers, this list was more dedicated to some teams reaching rather than drafting a “dud”.
#1 Las Vegas Raiders
Unfortunately I think if you asked any one of us who would mess up their pick in round 1 it almost unanimously would've come back as Gruden and Mayock. They stunned the social media world by taking Alex Leatherwood, an offensive tackle many had going in the mid-late second round in this year's draft. Gruden has never been afraid to go and get his guy, and this year proved to be no different and to his credit Leatherwoods film / versatility actually project to help this Raiders squad right away as they have done a complete rehaul on their offensive line. Leatherwood has experience at guard and tackle in college and has very good numbers when considering sacks allowed. Vegas cracks this list purely based on a reach standpoint. The “Meme Connoisseur” will have plenty of analysts to prove wrong heading into year 1.
#2 New Orleans Saints
Asante Samuel Jr. being there at #28 almost seemed like a match made in heaven for a team that just lost Janoris Jenkins and is dealing with Marshon Lattimore drama. Right when Newsome was taken off the board at #26 to the Browns I thought secondary help was a lock for New Orleans but instead they decided to address the DL. Peyton Turner didn’t receive a ton of first round grades and was a head scratcher for most, nevertheless he’s an athletic long armed defensive end. He had a small sample size in 2020 for Houston but did produce, something tells me he would’ve been there for the Saints at pick #60. The reach combined with a couple top corners being available land New Orleans on this side of the list.
#3 New York Giants
I really liked the trade back as they got a solid haul and were still in a position to grab a good OL to help protect Danny Dimes and Saquan. The decision to go Kadarius Toney over Darrisaw and Jenkins was shocking, especially after they went out and paid Kenny Golladay 72 million this offseason. Toney was our WR7-8, and while I respect what he can do with the ball in his hands I'm still puzzled about how he went over guys like Elijah Moore and Terrace Marshall this early in the draft. Regardless the Giants did get a solid haul and will have two first round picks in next year's draft so it's hard categorizing them as “losers” on day 1.
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- Ryan Mobley / Upside Play
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