HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Packers Select Lukas Van Ness At No. 13

April 27th, 2023 at 8:43pm CST by Ben Levine

With their first selection in their post-Aaron Rodgers era, the Packers have added a player on the defensive side of the ball. Green Bay used the No. 13 pick on Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness.

The move continues a run of Packers defensive investments in Round 1 and continues to leave Green Bay fans waiting yet another year for a first-round receiver move. The Packers were connected to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and tight end Michael Mayer, but Van Ness became the team’s pick at No. 13 — a choice it obtained in Monday’s long-awaited Rodgers swap. But after taking two defenders in last year’s first round and Eric Stokes in 2021, the Packers continued to bolster Joe Barry‘s unit.

Green Bay is betting on potential here; Van Ness did not work as a full-time starter at Iowa. But the 6-foot-5 defender showed versatility by operating as an outside and inside rusher for the Hawkeyes. Van Ness combines a 272-pound frame with 4.58-second speed, giving the Packers upside as they add yet another early-round defender to their roster.

Van Ness, who totaled 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, could give the Pack some options. The team used a 2022 first-round pick on defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt and still rosters anchor Kenny Clark. Dean Lowry departed as a free agent, joining the Vikings. Van Ness could also line up as a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Packers have Preston Smith under contract and Rashan Gary going into his fifth-year option season. Gary, however, is coming off a November ACL tear.

This marks a big night for the Hawkeyes, who saw two front-seven bastions — Van Ness and linebacker Jack Campbell — become top-20 picks. Campbell also stayed in Big Ten country, going to the Lions at No. 18.

Lions Select Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs At No. 12

April 27th, 2023 at 8:37pm CST by Ben Levine

Jahmyr Gibbs saw his draft stock rise in recent weeks, and that culminated in him being selected with the No. 12 pick. The Lions have used their selection on the Alabama running back.

After transferring from Georgia Tech, Gibbs put together a 1,370-yard, 10-touchdown season with the Crimson Tide. Almost a third of his total yards came in the receiving game, leading scouts to assume that he’ll serve in a Swiss Army Knife-type role in the NFL.

We’ve haven’t seen a single running back selected in the top 20 since 2018, and now Gibbs joins Bijan Robinson as the second prospect at the position to be selected in the top 12 tonight. While there have been some concerns regarding Gibbs’ 5-foot-11, 200-pound frame, he’ll now be a foundational piece on Detroit’s offense.

Gibbs was seen almost universally as the second-best back in the 2023 class, but recent reports indicated some NFL teams may have had him ranked higher than Robinson. In any case, it was assumed by the time tonight’s draft started that he would be a first-round lock. Most of the teams connected to Gibbs were slated to pick toward the end of the round, and in Detroit he will join a crowded backfield. Gibbs’ receiving chops were believed to have moved him, according to some teams, closer to Robinson. That pre-draft assessment of the backs’ draft stock turned out to be accurate.

The Lions have 2020 second-rounder D’Andre Swift in the fold, though he has struggled with injuries and generally failed to live up to expectations. Detroit inked David Montgomery on one of the most lucrative running back deals of free agency, a move which presumably set him up for the lead role. Gibbs should be able to establish himself as a pass catcher early on, though. His addition could lead to increased questions regarding Swift’s future in the Motor City, but in any event, the Lions’ rushing attack should be well-positioned for years to come.

Titans Take OL Peter Skoronski At No. 11

April 27th, 2023 at 8:34pm CST by Ben Levine

The Titans were rumored to be one of the team’s in hot pursuit of a quarterback. Despite Kentucky QB Will Levis still remaining on the board, the team isn’t pivoting to another position. The Titans have used pick No. 11 on Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski.

Skoronski was considered by some pundits to be the draft’s top offensive line prospect, but the Big Ten product was ultimately the third OL off the board. Skoronski was college football’s most dominant pass blocker this year, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), allowing only five pressures on 383 snaps in pass protection.

The lineman found himself susceptible to much of the same criticism as his former teammate — 2021 first-round Chargers pick Rashawn Slater. Slater fell victim to criticism that his 33-inch arms were too short for him to be a successful NFL tackle. Lo and behold, Skoronski’s arm length is reportedly almost an inch shorter. He may end up playing guard in the NFL, but it would not be shocking if the Titans at least give him a shot at offensive tackle.

Tennessee is close to starting over up front. The team cut its longtime starters at left tackle (Taylor Lewan) and center (Ben Jones) and let four-year right guard Nate Davis walk in free agency. The Titans signed former Eagles first-rounder Andre Dillard, giving him decent money despite Jordan Mailata having instead become Philly’s Jason Peters heir apparent. The Titans kept RFA guard Aaron Brewer, however, and used 2022 third-rounder Nicholas Petit-Frere at right tackle.

Skoronski — the grandson of former 1960s Packers starting left tackle Bob Skoronski — figures to be ticketed for one of the team’s starting guard spots come September.

Bears Select OT Darnell Wright At No. 10

April 27th, 2023 at 8:27pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears moved back one spot and got their guy. Chicago has used the 10th overall pick on Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), the Bears intended to select Wright at No. 9 before the Eagles came in with a trade offer.

Chicago picked up a 2024 fourth-rounder in the swap and will check a key box on offense. The Bears pursued Mike McGlinchey but bowed out of those sweepstakes, letting the five-year 49ers right tackle starter sign a monster deal with the Broncos. Now, the Bears moved down a spot and landed a likely early-season starter at the position.

In Wright, the Bears added a 40-game college starter who has experience at both left and right tackle. Wright spent more time on the right side with the Volunteers, starting 27 games at that position. The experienced blocker enjoyed a showcase performance against eventual No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson Jr. last season, and the Bears chose him over Georgia’s Broderick Jones, who entered the draft with similar grades as a prospect.

Coming into the draft with needs along both lines, the Bears opted to address their offensive front first. The team had Jalen Carter available at No. 9, and although pre-draft reports indicated Chicago was comfortable with the Georgia defensive lineman, it does not seem like Ryan Poles‘ team was willing to make a big bet — seeing as it took just a 2024 fourth to send Carter to Philadelphia. The Bears are set to enter Round 2 with some additional needs on their defensive front, but the team is in much better shape regarding the protection of Justin Fields.

The Bears have now added Wright and four-year Titans guard starter Nate Davis up front. Chicago replaced Larry Borom at right tackle last season, plugging in veteran Riley Reiff. The nomadic blocker signed with the Patriots this offseason. If Wright becomes a Day 1 starter, he looks set to join late-round find Braxton Jones as Chicago’s first-string tackles. With 2021 second-rounder Teven Jenkins having shown promise at guard and Cody Whitehair having center experience, the Bears — after Fields took a league-high 55 sacks last season — are positioned to be an improved front in 2023.

Eagles Move Up One Spot For Jalen Carter

April 27th, 2023 at 8:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles are moving up one spot. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter), Philly has acquired pick No. 9 from the Bears. In exchange, Chicago has acquired pick No. 10 and a 2024 fourth-round pick. With their pick, the Eagles have selected Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Carter entered the offseason as a probable top-three pick and potential No. 1 pick. He was subsequently hit with two misdemeanor chargers stemming from a fatal car accident that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy. Carter, who was driving a separate vehicle on that January night, was charged with misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. He avoided jail time via a plea agreement.

Later, Carter’s pro day left scouts less than impressed. The 6-foot-3, 314-pounder reportedly put on weight leading up to Georgia’s pro day and displayed a “less than stellar” performance. Carolina’s trade for the first overall pick ended Carter’s hopes of going No. 1, but it remained to be seen how far down the board he would actually fall.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus ensured Carter only took pre-draft visits with teams set to pick in the top 10, a sign of their view his stock wouldn’t take a considerable hit. Many analysts connected him to Seattle (which picked fifth), but the Seahawks were reportedly torn on assuming the risk associated with such a premium selection. Their decision to go with cornerback Devon Witherspoon allowed the Eagles to move up and acquire Carter.

Carter was a consensus All-American in 2022, once again playing a key role in a Bulldogs national championship. His performance the year before led many to believe he was the most talented member of the team’s vaunted defense (a unit which saw five of its players selected in the first round last year). He followed up on those expectations with three sacks and seven tackles for loss last year.

The Eagles were among the teams to invest in Georgia defenders on Day 1 last draft, adding fellow DT Jordan Davis. He and Carter will now be reunited on a team which won the NFC in 2022 in no small part due to the strength of their front seven. Off-the-field questions will justifiably surround him, but Carter could prove to be an impact player for years to come in Philadelphia.

Falcons Take RB Bijan Robinson At No. 8

April 27th, 2023 at 8:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

The draft’s first skill player is off the board. With the eighth overall pick, the Falcons have selected Texas running back Bijan Robinson.

Robinson was widely considered to be the most talented RB in the draft. However, considering teams’ recent penchant for avoiding first-round running backs, it was uncertain where the he would ultimately land. Rumored to be interested in Robinson, Atlanta indeed proved to be the landing spot. Robinson will join an offense that has invested plenty of assets into skill players in recent years.

Atlanta has used its top selections on tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London over the past two seasons, and the team’s running game will see a considerable boost with the addition of Robinson. The latter won the Doak Walker Award and was named a consensus All-American in 2022 after punctuating a stellar three-year Longhorns stint with a career-year in his junior campaign.

Robinson rushed for 1,580 yards (on an average of 6.1 per carry) and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground. He added 314 yards and a pair of scores in the passing game, demonstrating the dual-threat ability which has led many to draw comparisons to Saquon Barkley. If Robinson reaches that level of production at the NFL level, this selection will be an effective one.

This year’s free agent market demonstrated the league’s view of running backs and how their valuation has dropped in recent years. Robinson was connected to Atlanta in the pre-draft process, with many naming him as an exception to the rule pointing against the usage of premium picks on the RB position. He will step into a crowded backfield in Atlanta, but he is sure to carve out a sizable role.

The Falcons ranked third in the league in rushing yards last season, with 2022 fifth-rounder Tyler Allgeier topping 1,000 yards on the ground. Veteran Cordarrelle Patterson is also in the fold, after showing a continued ability to produce when healthy. Patterson is heading into his age-32 season. Robinson will enter a favorable spot for him to adjust to the NFL level, but he will ensure Atlanta remains a highly productive rushing team for the short- and long-term future.

Raiders Select DE Tyree Wilson At No. 7

April 27th, 2023 at 8:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the draft’s top edge rushers is heading to Las Vegas. The Raiders have selected Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson with the seventh overall pick.

While a foot injury ended Wilson’s 2022 season prematurely, it did not do much to hurt his draft stock. Wilson was generally graded as the second-best edge player in this class — behind only Will Anderson Jr. — and neither ESPN’s Scouts Inc. nor NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked the former Big 12 pass rusher too far behind the SEC star.

Wilson had two highly productive seasons with the Red Raiders, posting seven sacks in 2021 and ’22. He added 27.5 tackles for loss during that span, an illustration of his disruptive ability both in the running and passing game. In a year featuring a number of notable power rushers, Wilson has understandably heard his name called earlier than all others.

Las Vegas spent considerable time evaluating the top quarterbacks available, leaving many to believe it would add a signal-caller despite having signed Jimmy Garoppolo last month. Instead, the Raiders have seen three of the top passers come off the board and chosen to boost a defense which has plenty of room for improvement compared to last season.

The Raiders struggled in a number of categories in 2022, and their issues included a 30th-place finish in sacks (27). Wilson should help in that department, splitting time with Chandler Jones as a complement to Maxx Crosby early in his career. Over the long term, he could develop into a successor to the former.

Vegas has a bevy of other draft picks this year, which will allow them to fill other needs along the roster. With Wilson in place, though, their front seven should take a step forward in 2023 as the team looks to rebound from their disappointing defensive performance last season.

Cardinals Acquire No. 6, Select Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.

April 27th, 2023 at 7:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

After trading out of the No. 3 pick, the Cardinals are moving back up. Arizona has acquired the No. 6 pick (along with No. 81) from the Lions, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweets that Detroit will receive picks No. 12, No. 34, and No. 168.

The Cardinals will use their newfound selection on Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.

We heard that Arizona was considering a trade down in pursuit of an offensive lineman. It took multiple trades to get there, but the Cardinals ultimately got their way, selecting one of the draft’s top O-line prospects.

After playing sparingly through his first two collegiate seasons, Johnson took on a larger role in 2022, appearing in 13 games for Ohio State. The 6-6, 315-pound blocker was charged with only a pair of sacks this past season, and Pro Football Focus gave him one of the highest grades (88 overall) at his position. As a result of his performance, Johnson earned a consensus All-American nod after the season.

The Cardinals surrendered 46 sacks last season, leaving open the possibility of improving their pass protection during the draft. By virtue of this pair of moves, new general manager Monti Ossenfort has landed arguably the team’s top target, while adding draft capital next season. Johnson will join a new-look room along the offensive front in the desert.

Arizona has re-signed right tackle Kelvin Beachum and added veteran Elijah Wilkinson so far this offseason. Johnson could compete for a starting role right away, despite only playing at that spot for one season with the Buckeyes. The Cardinals still have D.J. Humphries at left tackle, but the longtime starter missed much of last season. His previous experience includes time at right guard, versatility which could help the Cardinals improve along the O-line in one fashion or another – a needed development considering the long-term rebuilding path the team is likely on.

The Lions, meanwhile, had been connected to a few different defensive players at their original spot. Moving down has already taken them out of contention for DT Jalen Carter, though CB Christian Gonzalez could still be an option at No. 12.

Seahawks Pick Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon At No. 5

April 27th, 2023 at 7:49pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Seahawks had kept quiet about the No. 5 pick in the draft, with some pundits suggesting they were eyeing a quarterback or considering a trade. Instead, the team selected one of the draft’s top defenders. With the fifth overall pick, the Seahawks have selected Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

Witherspoon was a four-year contributor for the Fighting Illini. He showed off his defensive ability in 2021 when he finished with nine pass breakups, and he replicated that success with 14 PBUs (in addition to three interceptions and 41 tackles) this past year. That performance not only earned Witherspoon an All-American nod but also helped cement him as one of the best cover men in the draft.

Most analysts had either Witherspoon or Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez listed as their top option at the position. Seattle had success in last year’s draft at the CB spot, with fifth-rounder Tariq Woolen earning a Pro Bowl nod as part of a hugely impressive rookie campaign. Witherspoon could join Woolen to give the Seahawks a high-end tandem on the backend for many years to come.

This marks a deviation for the Seahawks, who have traditionally coached up late-round investments at corner while using top resources to stock other positions. With the top pick obtained in the Russell Wilson trade, Pete Carroll‘s team will now pair Woolen with a top-flight coverage prospect.

Seattle was named by many as the team to watch for Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. The Seahawks’ top need is arguably along the defensive interior, and Carter’s production on the field would have gone a long way in filling that need. Off-the-field concerns had left the team torn on whether selecting him was worth the risk, however, and he remains on the board.

Witherspoon represents solid value for Seattle with their first pick, but the team also has pick No. 20. Plenty of rumors have swirled that they will come away with a quarterback by the time the day is over, though three of the four consensus first-rounders have already been selected. While it will be worth watching how Seattle approaches their other pick, their secondary will be much-improved for the short- and long-term future.

Colts Select QB Anthony Richardson With No. 4 Pick

April 27th, 2023 at 7:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

Leading up to the draft, the Colts were sending out signals that they had their eye on Kentucky QB Will Levis. The organization was apparently hiding their true intentions, as it has selected Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick.

It seemed inevitable that the Colts would use their No. 4 selection on a signal-caller, and Richardson was apparently their guy. Richardson represented the largest wild card in this year’s class and was considered the rawest QB among the draft’s top players at the position. On the flip side, many evaluators believed Richardson also had the highest upside among the draft’s quarterbacks, and the Colts are clearly hoping that the Florida product will reach his potential.

Richardson put himself on the NFL radar with a strong 2022 season. The one-year Gators starter finished the campaign having completed only 53.8% of his passes for 2,548 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. However, he also showed off his game-changing running skills, compiling 654 rushing yards and nine more scores. Those figures were followed up with an historic Combine performance. Richardson also put together a monster Combine, further attracting interest ahead of this top-five selection.

Colts owner Jim Irsay made it very clear throughout the offseason that the team’s cycle of adding short-term QBs via free agency or trade would be coming to an end in 2023. The presence of the Panthers (who have selected Bryce Young) and Texans (C.J. Stroud) led to questions being raised about who would be available for them at No. 4, but the choice of Levis vs. Richardson has been made. The latter will have competition to see the field as a rookie.

The Colts signed Gardner Minshew in free agency, giving them a potential bridge starter familiar with new head coach Shane Steichen. The former Eagles offensive coordinator was brought in largely due to his success in developing quarterbacks, and Richardson represents his latest challenge. There may not be urgency for the 6-foot-4, 244-pounder to play right away, but his development will be a crucial storyline for the Colts in the years to come as they look to put an end to their search for Andrew Luck‘s long-term successor.

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