The first spherical of the 2019 NFL Draft was bookended by two very intriguing picks.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the No. 1 general decide Thursday night time in Nashville, ending a wild offseason experience that started with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner deciding between a soccer profession and making good on his dedication to Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics.
Then, roughly 4 hours later, the New England Patriots made Arizona State vast receiver N’Keal Harry the 32nd identify referred to as within the opening spherical, giving Tom Brady a giant, robust goal to work with because the defending Super Bowl champions look to reel in one other Lombardi Trophy (with out a dent?).
There was no scarcity of drama in between, both, so let’s break down the most important winners and losers from Round 1.
WINNERS
Washington Redskins
The ‘Skins resisted the urge to commerce up, and a possible franchise quarterback, Dwayne Haskins, fell proper into their laps at No. 15 general, thanks in massive to the ineptitude of New York Giants common supervisor Dave Gettleman (extra on that later).
Washington then traded again into the primary spherical at an inexpensive value (No. 46 decide and a 2020 second-round decide) to pick defensive finish Montez Sweat at No. 26. Sweat comes with well being issues associated to a coronary heart situation, however he’s one of the gifted go rushers on this 12 months’s draft. The Mississippi State product ran a 4.41-second 40-yard sprint on the NFL Scouting Combine, the quickest time by a defensive lineman since at the very least 2003.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers traded as much as No. 10 general — swapping their very own first-round decide (No. 20), a second-rounder (No. 52) and a 2020 third-rounder — to nab Michigan linebacker Devin Bush, who modifications the sport from sideline to sideline and will turn out to be the face of Pittsburgh’s protection in brief order. This decide addresses the staff’s greatest want and may assist the Steelers lastly get better from dropping linebacker Ryan Shazier.
Oh, by the way in which, the Steelers selected Bush one decide forward of the Cincinnati Bengals, who opted for offensive deal with Jonah Williams at No. 11. Williams isn’t essentially a foul decide by the Bengals, however Cincinnati’s protection wants all the assistance it could possibly get. Bush definitely would’ve been an possibility, and thus the Steelers helped themselves whereas additionally doubtlessly hurting an AFC North rival.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tom Coughlin didn’t get cute with the No. 7 decide. He chosen the most effective participant accessible in linebacker Josh Allen, who ought to’ve gone a number of picks earlier, even when it meant overlooking different areas of want, and the Jaguars consequently landed a game-changer who will assist revitalize Jacksonville’s once-ferocious protection.
AFC East groups
Brady may’ve acquired a brand new toy in Ok’Neal Harry — a big receiver with good ball abilities — however life additionally turned harder for the Patriots quarterback, because the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins all bolstered their defensive strains with wonderful picks that warrant “winner” standing.
The Jets picked Alabama defensive deal with Quinnen Williams (No. 3), the Bills picked Houston defensive deal with Ed Oliver (No. 9) and the Dolphins picked Clemson defensive deal with Christian Wilkins (No. 13), all of whom will likely be a handful for New England’s offensive line, which simply misplaced beginning left deal with Trent Brown to free company.
LOSERS
New York Giants
We don’t actually need to pile on the Giants, who’ve been closely scrutinized within the wake of constructing three first-round picks, together with the extremely controversial collection of Duke quarterback Daniel Jones at No. 6 general. But c’mon, man! Jones is a large attain — particularly with Haskins nonetheless on the board — and it’s honest to wonder if he nonetheless would have been accessible at No. 17, wherein case the Giants swung and missed on a possibility to draft the man they recognized as Eli Manning’s successor and an impression defender like Josh Allen,…