LogFAQs > #967803093

First Round

Colts OT Jonah Williams (2nd overall) - As everyone knows, I love OL picks, and if there's one I wish to highlight in this opening round, it is the first one that was selected. The Colts have had a really rough go of it offensively ever since they let QB Charlie Whitehurst go and HB Steven Jackson retired. The OL was never really a strength of the team, but they had a couple of standout guys. Now the OL has fallen into complete disrepair, and they ultimately started people at G who would be #4s on a bunch of teams. They badly needed reinforcements anywhere along the OL, and high-end OL prospects have had a great history, and OL have better odds than essentially every other position to become immediate impact players. With a pair of 2nd-year players expected to start at HB and QB, the selection of Williams could really start to turn things around for them on that side of the ball.

Seahawks QB Gardner Minshew (6th overall) - It's not often that I fall in love with a 1st round QB selection, and well, maybe fall in love is a bit strong, but in the wake of their draft and trades, I'm really liking this selection. The offense was a complete disaster last season, mostly stemming from a poor running game and an interior OL that was the worst I have ever seen. They appear to be getting four new starters along the OL this offseason, and along with one of the better receiving trios in the league (WRs DeSean Jackson and Amari Cooper and TE Mike Gesicki), this could actually go from a nightmare to a dream scenario for a QB. Minshew might not win the job as a rookie, but he should at least have decent odds in his second season with a hopefully great supporting cast.

Vikings CB Denzel Ward (16th overall) - The Vikings unexpectedly failed to make the playoffs last season, and a depleted secondary was part of the reason why after seeing two retirements of Hall of Famers. Thrust into a starting spot, CB Aaron Colvin went from a slot ace to a seemingly mediocre starter. Ward should hopefully be good enough to be the favorite as the #2 and could potentially compete for the #1 spot over Xavien Howard. Just the shuffling of roles could be what the Vikings need defensively to reclaim the NFC South or at least back into the playoffs.

Honorable Mention
Falcons DT D.J. Reader (20th overall)

Regret Pick - Jaguars selecting WR Tyler Boyd

There were more than usual 1st round selections that I did not like, but this one has to be my choice. We all know that WRs are overpaid in this game for their production. The Jags had just re-signed both of their starting WRs to four deal years worth over a combined $65 million. They also privately revealed to me their free agent plans. With limited cap space, they would have to make some shrewd decisions going forward, only for them to upend their plans almost immediately, causing a ripple effect of losing a rising star at DE in Mario Edwards Jr. Boyd might turn out to be a fine player, but at the cost of ruining their own plans and saying goodbye to one of the best players they developed in recent seasons, Boyd is going to have to be a star to justify this selection.