Last Thursday’s NFL Draft had plenty of drama even before the first pick was made. Two high-profile, veteran quarterbacks signed and that boosted the odds of their respective teams.
The Baltimore Ravens finally got Lamar Jackson under contract, making him the highest paid player in the game. As a result of the signing, the Ravens saw their Super Bowl odds go up. Baltimore opened at +1800 and after the draft the line went to +2500.
The exact opposite happened with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. Rodgers was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Jets. New York’s odds went from +2500 to +1400.
Once Bryce Young was picked No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers, the draft was on its way and there were plenty of picks that made sense and some that left us scratching our heads. Below are some of the winners and losers of the NFL Draft.
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Winners
Houston Texans
Apparently, the Houston Texans were tired of being the NFL’s doormat because they had one of the best drafts of any team. First, they took quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick.
Then they traded up to get the third pick. With that selection, they took defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who could be an All Pro for the next decade.
Picking up Tank Dell and Juice Scruggs will help the offense. This was a statement saying we’re tired of being in last place. Bettors might want to get in on the Over of 5.5 for regular season wins.
Anthony Richardson
There was no more physically gifted quarterback in this year’s draft and some would argue in the entire draft. Anthony Richardson’s stock shot up a couple of weeks before the draft.
Indianapolis Colts’ owner Jim Irsay said he wanted Richardson from the very beginning. Indianapolis General Manager Chris Ballard hinted the 21-year-old could get the starting job. It might be better, however, to let him hold a clipboard and learn from Gardner Minshew.
Philadelphia Eagles
The rich got richer as the Philadelphia Eagles loaded up on more defensive players. They already had the second-best defense last year. Now they have defensive tackle Jalen Carter as well as Nolan Smith and Kelee Ringo on the defense.
They also added some offensive line depth with Tyler Steen. And even managed to get a very serviceable back up quarterback in Tanner McKee.
This team is at +105 to win the NFC East and +350 to take the NFC Championship. They will make a deep run in the playoffs and could be in the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year.
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Losers
Will Levis
Former Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis was projected to be a first-round pick. He was invited to the draft and it all looked good. Until it didn’t.
Levis sat, and sat, and sat. Three quarterbacks were picked before him and with each shot of him on television the expression on his face grew sadder. After getting snubbed in the first round, he didn’t bother coming back for the second day.
The Tennessee Titans took him in the second round. By then the damage was done. Now his odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year are +3000.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are one of the up and coming teams and the draft seemed like a perfect opportunity to build on what they achieved in the Motor City last season.
Problem was the team decided to go all esoteric on its fans and take some truly head-scratching picks.
The first was running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12. Running backs have been shown to be an afterthought in most drafts. Gibbs probably could have waited until the second round.
Jack Campbell definitely could have waited until Round 2. Instead the Lions grabbed him at No. 18 and the linebacker better be pretty outstanding to justify going that high.
New England Patriots
Oh, Bill Belichick what were you and the rest of the New England Patriots thinking? Taking one specialty player in the draft is questionable.
The New England Patriots coach took two. Kicker Chad Ryland in the fourth round and punter Bryce Baringer in the sixth.
It was the first time that’s been done since the then-Oakland Raiders took kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler. Those two were worth the picks. Ryland and Baringer won’t be.
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