Open Rants by DawgMan01181985

No grades, but I'll give some opinions

1) Carolina Panthers: No surprise at all that they went with Bryce Young. His size could make him a bit susceptible to injury like it has with Kyler Murray, but the Panthers badly needed a franchise QB and couldn't go wrong with either Young or C.J. Stroud

2) Houston Texans: There was lots of speculation that they would pass on a QB at 2, but ultimately, they chose C.J. Stroud and I think they did the right thing. My only real concern with him is he had so many first round caliber receivers at Ohio State to work with. He won't have that same luxury with the Texans. In my opinion, his mobility is a little underrated by some.  I'm not sure I'd have given up a first rounder next year to trade up to get Will Anderson at 3, but I get it. He's sort of the Aidan Hutchinson of this draft in that he's a very safe bet to become a nice foundational piece for DeMeco Ryans' defense.

3) Indianapolis Colts: I'm sure they'd have loved for Young or Stroud to fall to them, but if they had to take a big swing on a high risk/high reward QB, I feel going with Anthony Richardson over Will Levis was the right move. Shane Steichen worked wonders with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, so Richardson is going to a solid spot. The Colts and their fans will need to be patient, though. He likely won't be great right away!

4) Seattle Seahawks: I really think they wanted to trade down from both 5 and 20, and while some are giving them flak for the Devon Witherspoon pick at 5, I can understand it. I feel they really wanted one of Anthony Richardson or Will Anderson, and once they were off the board, were kind of stuck once they couldn't trade down. They obviously weren't comfortable with Jalen Carter's issues on and off the field. I think they got two very good players with Witherspoon and Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. JSN, Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf should be an excellent trio for Geno Smith and perhaps a QB of the future if they decide to draft one of Will Levis or Hendon Hooker in Round 2. Plus Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen is a strong 1/2 punch at corner. Hard to complain too much.

5) Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson was their target all along, and they essentially got him while picking up a first round pick in next year's draft while swapping out a 4th this year for a third rounder next year. Shrewd bit of maneuvering up and down the board by Arizona.

6) Las Vegas Raiders: Some teams had Tyree Wilson ranked ahead of Will Anderson based on potential, so I think the Raiders just took the best value on their board. He may have fallen a bit due to concern with his foot. The Raiders really need to get after the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson in the division, and with Chandler Jones not working out last season, taking him here was a smart move.

7) Atlanta Falcons: I don't think I would've taken Bijan Robinson 8th, but at the same time, an offensive trio of Robinson/Drake London/Kyle Pitts does look awfully exciting in a very winnable division. GM Terry Fontenot went best player available all the way here. Head coach Arthur Smith gets his Derrick Henry.

8) Philadelphia Eagles: Tonight is why the Eagles are one of the most well run organizations in the NFL. Nolan Smith was a steal at 30. I never expected he would still be available at that juncture. Given the concerns surrounding Jalen Carter, I wouldn't have loved his fit just anywhere. In Philly though, with former college teammates (Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith) as well as veterans like Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham around, I fully expect him to thrive and live up to his full potential.

9) Chicago Bears: I'm somewhat surprised they didn't stay put and take Carter, but protecting Justin Fields with a ready made right tackle in Darnell Wright makes a lot of sense. Will Anderson said Wright was the toughest guy he faced in college football the past couple seasons. He and Braxton Jones should be excellent bookends.

10) Tennessee Titans: Some thought a trade up for C.J. Stroud was imminent. That didn't happen, but I like that they didn't panic and just went for the best player on their board in Peter Skoronski. His short arms could push him inside to guard, but he could be an All-Pro at guard. I also think he could play tackle and hold up out there if needed.

11) Detroit Lions: Some may have been surprised by Jahmyr Gibbs at 12, but it sounded like he was going in the top 20, and obviously the Lions didn't want to risk the chance he'd be gone by Pick 18. Gibbs will give them an immediate Alvin Kamara type of back. Jack Campbell at 18 went a bit earlier than I expected, but I don't think they were interested in Christian Gonzalez, and Campbell was thought to be a dark horse selection for the Giants at 25. He's also a more NFL ready than the other top linebackers in the class and will be an excellent fit with Dan Campbell, so I totally understand it.

12) Green Bay Packers: Once again, the Packers passed up a first round pass catcher. It shouldn't surprise anyone anymore. Lukas Van Ness will likely go on the Rashan Gary plan of part-time rookie contributor and hopefully eventual double digit sack artist once he gets more refined. He also fits their mold of bigger and stronger guys off the edge.

13) Pittsburgh Steelers: If they wanted to get the last top tier tackle prospect in the class in Broderick Jones, jumping ahead of the Jets was a must. They did that, having a very willing trade partner in New England. I feel Jones could have the highest upside amongst the top tackles in the class, although he admittedly doesn't come with the floor that the guys taken ahead of him might have. Protecting Kenny Pickett was prioritized, which I can't gripe with. Also, is there any way Joey Porter Jr. isn't their pick at 32?

14) New York Jets: Once the Steelers jumped ahead of them for Broderick Jones, the Jets seemed dumbfounded. They undoubtedly wanted to trade back, but were unable to find a trade partner. Will McDonald is a very athletic edge rusher with nice bend. I feel he's ready to be a strong contributor right away. This was earlier than I figured he'd go. I thought late first round to mid second round, but good for him. The kid announcing the pick made it a great moment!

15) Washington Commanders: It was a bit surprising to me that Emmanuel Forbes went before Christian Gonzalez, but I'll respect the Commanders to sticking with their guy. I will say if Forbes were 10 to 15 pounds heavier, I think he could've challenged to be the top corner off the board. His length, height and cover/ball skills are top notch.

16) New England Patriots: Bill Belichick has made some head scratching picks here and there over the years, but he really knocked it out of the park with Christian Gonzalez at 17. I thought he would just stay at 14 and take Gonzalez. The fact that he was able to move back to 17, still get him and prevent the Jets from getting Broderick Jones (sorry, Jets fans) was excellent work.

18) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Aaron Donald comparisons Calijah Kancey garnered were too great for the Buccaneers to ignore. You get it, they're both very athletic, explosive and undersized pass rushing artists that went to the same school. I'm not sure I'd have gone with Kancey myself, but his skill set meshes very well with Vita Vea's. I'm sure the Bucs would've loved for one of the tackles to fall to them, but it wasn't meant to be.

19) LA Chargers: I personally preferred Zay Flowers over Quentin Johnston, but in a class that's lacking high caliber bigger/taller receivers like Johnston, I get it. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams aren't the most durable players around, but when the three are in the lineup together, they'll be tough to cover.

20) Baltimore Ravens: The day was already a big win for them with signing Lamar Jackson to the new mega 5-year deal. They can partially thank the Eagles, who may have indirectly helped out with the new contract they gave Jalen Hurts. Anyway, the day got better for Jackson with the pick of Zay Flowers. Despite a lack of talent around him at Boston College, Flowers put up some excellent numbers there. Imagine him catching passes from Jackson, and having support like Odell Beckham and Mark Andrews around. Good stuff!

21) Minnesota Vikings: I struggled deciding on whether the Vikings would take a receiver or a corner with their pick if they ultimately stayed at 23. I even thought Will Levis was a potential option once he was still available for them to pick. As great as Justin Jefferson is, the Vikings had very little in the receiving core after him (minus TE T.J. Hockenson). With a crafty route runner and sure-handed receiver in Jordan Addison around, Jefferson at least won't be the only Minnesota receiver opposing DBs have to pay attention to.

22) New York Giants: I wasn't sure Deonte Banks would last as long as he did, but the Giants decided to pounce once he did, giving up 5th and 7th round picks to Jacksonville to move up one spot. Banks is sort of like a discount Christian Gonzalez to me. Both have rare height/speed/length combinations, but Banks' ball skills aren't quite on par with Gonzalez's.

23) Buffalo Bills: Obviously they really wanted a receiver. Dalton Kincaid is basically a glorified receiver as a mismatch receiving weapon at tight end who doesn't offer much as a blocker. A pass rusher or O-Lineman would've made some sense with how the board was falling, but Kincaid should give Josh Allen another dynamic weapon to work with.

24) Dallas Cowboys: You know Jerry Jones wasn't calling the shots with the Mazi Smith selection. He reminds me a bit of a poor man's version of Jordan Davis. He's not quite as strong and athletic as Davis is, but it's the same general idea in that you know they're big/strong/athletic guys who will beef up the run defense and free up the other playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. I was somewhat surprised they passed on Michael Mayer, but to be fair to Dallas, it is a deep tight end class.

25) Jacksonville Jaguars: I can't say Anton Harrison was my favorite pick of the first round, but given that Cam Robinson may be facing a PED suspension, it's one that made complete sense and almost had to happen. I do like that Jacksonville was able to pick up three third day picks while moving down to take a guy they likely would've just taken at 24.

26) Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Murphy has traits galore. He didn't always dominate at Clemson despite those outstanding traits, but he could develop into something special learning the ropes behind the likes of Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson. You can never have enough pass rushing help knowing Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert (among others) stand in your way of an AFC title each year.

27) New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee was a consensus 5-star recruit out of high school, and if he can stay healthy in the pros, could still have his best football ahead of him. He's a guy you really want to root for. I may have gone with Adetomiwa Adeboware instead, but Bresee is more NFL ready, and signing Derek Carr does signal the Saints plan on trying to win this year, so I do understand why they'd take Bresee over him with the options available to them at defensive tackle.

28) Kansas City Chiefs: Aside from picking a player who grew up in Kansas City, I don't really think they knocked it out of the park by taking Felix Anudike-Uzomah to close out the first round, but I do think they hit a solid double. With the top receivers off the board, I think they made a smart decision going defense, and FAU fit the range of a late Round 1/early Round 2 selection for me. He and George Karlaftis give the Chiefs their bookend edge rushers. You could have argued for a defensive back (Joey Porter Jr. or Brian Branch) here instead, but like I said, solid if not spectacular pick by the Chiefs.

No thoughts on Miami, Denver, San Francisco and the Rams since they didn't make a pick in the first round. It was an exciting first round. I'm already looking forward to Rounds 2 and 3 later tonight!