DETROIT — The NFL Draft is a hope monger.
All teams dream that at least one of their selections will be the difference between winning and losing.
Six quarterbacks were chosen among the first 12 selections, and for those teams, the dream is to have found their franchise quarterback.
Without further ado, let’s go with my five winners of the draw, those teams that chose players that I believe will be differential, and used their draft capital intelligently.
As I always say, in the end, time is the only thing that will be right.
WINNERS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Pittsburgh Steelers went back to their roots. They have been struggling to transform their offensive line into a strength again for several years now, and I believe that after this draft, they will finally be strong in the trenches again.
Offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, former Washington Huskies player, was the 20th pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL
Offensive tackle Troy Fautanu is fluid in his movements, and transformed the Huskies’ line into the best in the country at the college level; He will contribute immediately. The same could be said for center Zach Frazier, a four-time champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, perfectly understands the low center of gravity and the use of his hands and his power. In addition, they took guard Mason McCormick, a member of my “Love of Men” column. Three great additions to his offensive line.
As if that were not enough, they added a top wide receiver after the departure of Diontae Johnson. I am one of those who thinks that if Roman Wilson had played at a university where he had thrown the ball more, perhaps he could have even been chosen at the end of the first round; he has elite speed. I also loved their fourth-round pick Payton Wilson, who fell there due to a history of injuries. However, Wilson has the size and athleticism to be a three-down linebacker.
Pittsburgh attacked their needs, drafting the best players available and getting great value.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Simply their first two selections would be enough to consider them one of the winners of the draw. The Kansas City Chiefs were aggressive, deciding to make a trade with the Buffalo Bills in the first round.
Editorial Selections
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The idea was to go find the wide receiver that would give them the explosiveness that they lacked so much last year, even more so in the midst of the legal problems in which Rashee Rice is involved. I understand that they added Hollywood Brown, but in my eyes Xavier Worthy is more complete than Brown. Of course, Worthy got the spotlight for running the fastest 40-yard dash in history (4.21) at the Scouting Combine, but in addition to his speed, he’s very quick out of his cuts, and he knows how to use his constant threat to take away. the defensive ceiling, and work in the intermediate zones with consistency.
The interior of the Chiefs offensive line is a strength, but the ends leave questions, and Kansas City may have found its offensive tackle of the future. Kingsley Suamataia was one of my favorite prospects at the position, and the Chiefs landed him at No. 63. Suamataia played right tackle, then moved to the left side. He is incredibly fast and athletic and has prototypical size. I don’t know if he’ll be the starter right away, but I do think he solves future problems for Kansas City.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The Jim Harbaugh Era began with the Los Angeles Chargers, and I would say he knows the prospects coming out of college after his time at Michigan quite well.
Former Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt was the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, selected by the Los Angeles Chargers. His father is former Chiefs Pro Bowl tackle John Alt. NFL
Whenever you have a franchise quarterback like Justin Herbert, your first, second and third priorities should be to surround him and protect him. With his first pick, the Chargers selected offensive tackle Joe Alt, for many, the best in the draft at his position. Although I would like him to play with more power, he is a technician, and he will be a starter from day one.
In the second round, the Chargers decided to trade up, taking wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who is athletic and surgical with his routes. He may not have the ideal measurables, but he is always open, and in my opinion, he will be one of the “steals” of the draft. Of course, after the departure of Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, he fits like a glove.
Harbaugh then turned to a familiar face in former Michigan linebacker Junior Colson, who can be a three-down linebacker. Los Angeles lost Kenneth Murray and Eric Kendricks, so the pick also fills a need. Defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe will help them stop the running game, and running back Kimani Vidal will help command it.
The future smiles for the Chargers with Jim Harbaugh.
DETROIT LIONS
The Detroit Lions didn’t have as much draft capital at the top of this draft, but they made sure to pick a couple of players that will help them take the next step after having a great season.
Terrion Arnold celebrates with fans after being selected 24th overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
It’s clear that the passing defense was the Lions’ main deficiency last year (they finished ranked 27th in passing yards allowed), and even though they brought in Carlton Davis, they needed more reinforcements. Their first two picks went to cornerbacks who will help them immediately. Terrion Arnold is the best “Cover Corner” in this draw, with an enviable ability to perform the mirror.
And in the second round they took, in my opinion, one of the best values in the draft in Ennis Rakestraw Jr. He is long and has top-of-the-line instincts. General manager Brad Holmes did a great job of landing two cornerbacks who will be starters right away, and much later than I had predicted, they would be drafted.
Guard Christian Mahogany represents great value in the sixth round.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Last year was supposed to be a transitional season for the young Los Angeles Rams. However, they are clearly closer to success than we thought, and this draft will only help them continue to progress.
The Los Angeles Rams used the 19th pick to select the talented EDGE Jared Verse. NFL
In the first round, they selected Jared Verse, a pass rusher with unmatched power and a tireless motor, who also fills a need for the Rams. Speaking of needs, after the retirement of Aaron Donald, there was a hole in the middle of that defensive line, and Braden Fiske, who they chose in the second round, will be a good complement to Kobie Turner.
In the third round, the Rams selected running back Blake Corum, who had an incredibly productive career with his low center of gravity and power despite his size. Corum will be a factor in the red zone, and a good complement to Kyren Williams.
As if that weren’t enough, they then took one of my favorite safeties in this draft. Kamren Kinchens had 11 interceptions in his last two college seasons, and with the departure of Jordan Fuller, he fills a need. Kinchens has phenomenal instincts, and I think he will have a great career in the NFL.
2024-04-28 22:15:00
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