Day 1 NFL Draft Winners and Losers
- Zak Drapeau
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
Winner
Jaguars
Jaguars may have traded away a 2nd today and a 1st next year, but the fit for Travis Hunter on both offense and defense means they essentially traded for 2 players anyway.
A great fit in Jacksonville, Hunter will be a starting corner, (or at least a Top-2 corner) and should pair with Brian Thomas Jr. beautifully in Liam Coen's offense.
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Loser
Packers
I think Matthew Golden is a great receiver but I do not understand the Packers adding another wideout when they have 4 already. To make matters worse, the Packers have several holes on defense and at Tackle they should've easily drafted for instead. Even if Golden becomes WR1 in Green Bay, this was the first time in 22 years they DIDN'T need to draft a R1 WR and now they do....
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Winner
Browns
The Browns traded back from 2 to 5 and yes they lost out on Travis Hunter, but they didn't really need a Cornerback anyway. They took Mason Graham, an extremely talented all-around D-lineman while acquiring another top-40 pick and a First Rounder next season as well.
To sweeten the pot... they have the chance to draft Shedeur in the Second round without even having to move up for him.
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Loser
Steelers
How did they not draft Shedeur Sanders at 21? I understand his drop make it look like he's not a good player... which is wrong... but even if Shedeur's character concerns were too grave he is such a better option than Mason Rudolph. The Derrick Harmon pick is good and he'll do well in Pittsburgh but it'll also make for a scramble as Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton both play Harmon's position already.
If Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign here soon this may be one of the worst oversights in history.
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Winner
Ravens
The Ravens do this every year and teams keep allowing them to! They sit at the top end of the draft and wait for one of the top guys to drop too far down the board and steal them like they did with Malaki Starks at 27. A dynamic Free Safety. this will allow Kyle Hamilton to roam the box like he should and make the Ravens' secondary that much scarier.
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Loser
Titans
I know this isn't fair to them but I've been very vocal about how Cam Ward won't work out in Tennessee. A great arm talent and Hurricanes' hero, Ward has potential but I believe in will be wasted in Tennessee. The Titans need a QB but they could've gotten one on Free Agency and got Hunter or Carter here instead.
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Winner
Eagles
Howie Roseman REALLY REALLY gets the draft. Jihaad Campbell falling to 31 will be a mistake that haunts NFL teams for a long time. A standup LB and edge threat, Jihaad Campbell is ALSO one of the best athletes in the draft. Another SEC stud going to Philadelphia to play Will LB and Edge is a scary thought.
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Loser
Shedeur Sanders and Will Johnson
For Shedeur, it's character concerns. For Will Johnson it's injuries. I've been very on record saying I think these are two future Pro Bowlers in the league who will be forver mentioned in the "draft fall" folklore. With both missing out on millions by going in the Second Round, they are likely to go in the top-6 picks of the Second Round and I believe are likely to make the league regret it.
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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft.
-Z.D.