The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is in the books, and what started off as a pretty by-the-book, and dare I say boring, first round concluded in absolute pandemonium. No one traded up to get Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert. No one coveted any of the offensive tackles to trade up into the top 10 to grab one. No one traded up for C.J. Henderson. It was about what we expected.
Then, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Damon Arnette at #19, and it was as if the NFL Draft just descended into chaos. Trades left and right in the 20s…a couple of bona fide head-scratchers, and a developing quarterback situation in Green Bay that raised some eyebrows for sure.
But, that said, I honestly don’t have a whole lot of losers to talk about this year. I found myself struggling to pick losers out of any of the teams. Even the ones I did label ‘losers’ (hey – I had to write some, right? Or else I can’t call this column ‘winners and losers’) didn’t burn the team to the ground or anything. I liked…by and large…what most of the teams did in the first round last night. So, let’s get to it.
2020 NFL Draft: Round 1 Winners & Losers
Winner: Miami Dolphins – It’s easy to win the night when you have three picks in the first round, but I love the fact that the Dolphins addressed their two biggest needs, they found the cornerstone of their franchise for the future, and managed to trade down and pick up an extra pick in the process. The Dolphins, I believe, have approximately 69% of this year’s draft picks now. I wasn’t crazy about Noah Igbinoghene given how they invested in the position in free agency, but in a year or two’s time, the dude has the potential to be one of the best in the league. They could have the best cornerback group in the league in 2021. Could it be…could the Dolphins actually be heading in the right direction?
Winner: Los Angeles Chargers – My big winner of the night…I love what the Chargers did with their two picks more than anyone else. Justin Herbert landed in the best situation of all the first round quarterbacks. He has some weapons in Los Angeles. And, I don’t get the Herbert hate anyway. Dude’s good. Leave it alone. Then, they shore up their defense with Kenneth Murray at #23. This is a team that isn’t too far removed from a playoff run. It’s rare that you can accomplish both a foundational rebuild -AND- get more competitive in the same season, but that’s exactly what the Chargers are poised to do.
Loser: Las Vegas Raiders – LOVE the Henry Ruggs III pick. I think he’s the best receiver in this draft, and will undoubtedly be proving the haters wrong this season. But, the Arnette pick? With all of the corners that were still available? That’s the head-scratcher of all head-scratchers.
Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – You’re a couple of good offensive linemen away from having a scary offense down there in Tompa Bay. The quarterback is locked up. The skill positions are locked up. The Bucs HAD to shore up that offensive line and they landed a guy many considered the best tackle in the draft in Tristan Wirfs. An absolute home run.
Loser: Atlanta Falcons – A.J. Terrell being the third corner taken in this draft is an outright head-scratcher.
Winner: Dallas Cowboys – Fuck defense, they’re going to score 60 a game. Seriously, though – how can you not immediately love a wide receiving corps with Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb? You’re just going to have to remind Jerry Jones of this every time they get burned on defense because they only have one corner on the field.
Winner: Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings are another team that maneuvered around and absolutely killed it. They had two huge needs at wide receiver and cornerback and addressed them both with guys that can be impact players right away. Justin Jefferson is an awesome addition to that receiving corps, and Jeff Gladney can start at corner opposite Mike Hughes in Week 1.
Winner: Jordan Love – Notice I didn’t phrase this as the ‘Green Bay Packers.’ One of the biggest stories of last night was, as our guy John Mosley put it, ‘Aaron Rodgers getting Aaron Rodgers’ed.’ If I’m the Packers, I don’t know – it’s a heavy investment to make right now, and you’re running the risk of irritating your franchise quarterback. But, for Jordan Love, it could not have worked out any better.
Love has the explosive physical and athletic qualities that team’s are looking for in the next great dynamic quarterback, but he’s raw and needs a few years to develop before he can really be the guy. He landed in a good offensive system for easing quarterbacks in, and he’ll get the time he needs to get his feet wet. It’s a huge win for him.
Winner: Kansas City Chiefs – It’s going to continue to be an embarrassment of riches in that Chiefs offense. I absolutely love the versatility of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. I think he could end up being the best back in this draft. And, the Chiefs are going to get the most out of his versatility. Just sickening stuff for those of us who are fans of other teams in the AFC.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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