QBs dominate NFL Draft Round 1; Explaining Falcons’ shocking choice; Lakers on the brink

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Good morning everyone but especially…

THE NFL DRAFT FIRST ROUND PICKS, LEADED BY THE QUARTERBACKS

We knew the NFL Draft was loaded with offenses and especially quarterbacks. We didn’t know it was that loaded. O the first 14 overall picks were offensive playersthe longest streak for one side of the ball in the modern era. Furthermorefour defenders were in the top eight and six were in the top 12.

• 1. Bears: Caleb Williams, USC (analysis)
• 2. Commanders: Jayden Daniels, LSU (analysis)
• 3. Patriots: Drake Maye, North Carolina (analysis)
• 8. Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., Washington (analysis)
• 10. Vikings: JJ McCarthy, Michigan (analysis)
• 12. Broncos: Bo Nix, Oregon (analysis)

The shock was Penix to Atlanta, and we’ll talk about that soon. Nix to Denver was probably the next most surprising, but Sean Payton covets quarterbacks who operate at the right time. That’s why Nix is ​​there and Russell Wilson it is not.

But let’s talk about Williams for Chicago. Even though we knew it was coming, Bears fans should be ecstatic that it’s finally here. He’s excellent and is going into one of the best situations we’ve ever seen to be picked first. Cody Benjamin has Williams at the top best player-team fits of drafted quarterbacksand Will Brinson declared him a winner.

• The Bears already had DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet It is D’André Swift like weapons and then added Roma Odunze ninth overall.
• The offensive line has some young talent, but it’s not great. He guesses? Over the past two seasons, Williams has thrown 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions when pressured.
• The Bears have a strong and promising defense. Williams won’t have to play hero ball like he did for defense-averse USC.

Although the attack ruled the day early, I enjoyed the Seahawks elaboration defensive forward Byron Murphy II 16, the Eagles taking defender Quinyon Mitchell 22nd (one of rounds 1 biggest robberiesby Chris Trapasso) and the Lions jumping and selecting defender Terrion Arnold 24.

Here’s everything from the wild night that was:

Finally, after a historically heavy first round on offense, could things turn the other way next year? There are still 225 choices left in 2024, but Ryan Wilson already has a simulation of the 2025 first round.

Honorable mentions

And it’s not such a good day to…

COUSINS KIRK AND THE ATLANTA HAWKS

A dozen years ago, Kirk Cousins entered the NFL as a surprise fourth-round selection after Washington had already selected Robert Griffin III second overall. Cousins ​​would replace him.

Wow, how the situation has changed. The Falcons selecting Penix eighth overall surprised almost everyone, including Cousins, who was only told it was happening when Atlanta was on the clock and was reportedly “shocked” and “disappointed” with the decision.

There are several reasons for this.

1. A month and a half after signing a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons, they drafted his likely successor.
2. The cousins ​​were not notified.
3. Cousins ​​came to the Falcons to win now, and Penix is ​​not a win-now play. Atlanta could have drafted an opposite wide receiver Drake London or a pass rusher to augment a defense that finished 25th in pressure rate.

Believe it or not, though, teams have reasons to do things – even surprising things. Cousins ​​will be 36 in August and coming off a torn Achilles tendon. His four-year contract only includes two guaranteed years. The ideal scenario is what happened with the Packerswho prepared Jordan Love in 2020, choosing not to value Aaron Rodgers‘ supporting cast. Now, Love is a rising star with promising playmakers around him. Cousins ​​is also not at Rodgers’ level as a player and is coming off a serious injury.

But Love was 21 when he was drafted and clearly needed development. Penix is ​​about to turn 24 and looks closer to his ceiling. Although Love ultimately panned out, the Packers missed the opportunity to pair Rodgers with Tee Higgins or adding a defender like Queen Patriciaboth moves that would have increased Green Bay’s Super Bowl chances.

Things can still work out. Cousins ​​could (and should) overcome his initial frustration. Penix could be an elite short-term insurance policy and a long-term answer. The Falcons could target other positions or see players already on the roster move up. But that’s a lot of “could” and Atlanta is taking a big riskCody writes.

Not so honorable mentions

Lakers on the brink of the abyss; Joel Embiid’s 50-point game saves 76ers

They say a series only starts when the home team loses. If that is the case, the Nuggets–Lakers the series has begun – and it’s almost finished too. Denver capitalized on a massive third quarter to win 112-105 and take a 3-0 series lead.

• For the fourth time in franchise playoff history, four Nuggets scored more than 20 points: Aaron Gordon (29), Nikola Jokic (24), Jamal Murray (22) and Michael Porter Jr. (20).
• Denver outscored Los Angeles by 42 points in the second half of this series.
• LeBron James It is Anthony Davis combined for 59 points, and Austin Reaves added 22. The rest of the Lakers shot 33% (10 of 30) and as a team shot 19% (5 of 27) from beyond the arc.
• And, stop me if you’ve heard this – no team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the NBA playoffs.

The Nuggets have beaten the Lakers 11 consecutive times (regular season and postseason). Denver has more offensive options and firepower to overcome early deficits – it has lost by 10+ in six of its 11 straight wins. Jokic is the best player in the world. The Nuggets are much better than the Lakers, as was the case last year. Sam Quinn wonders why Los Angeles thought this year would be different.

In the early evening, Joel Embiid played with fire, somehow survived and then dominated. Embiid scored 50 points, overcoming an ugly (and perhaps ejection-worthy) start to lead the 76ers to a 125-114 Game 3 victory over Knicks which reduced Philadelphia’s series deficit to 2–1.

• Embiid had three controversial plays. He hit Isaiah Hartenstein below the waist trying to establish position, kicked Mitchell Robinson to the groin in an awkward sequence and dragged Robinson down while on the ground as Robinson went up to throw.
• The last, writes Sam Quinn, was by far the most dangerous and resulted in flagrant-1; Robinson later left the game with an ankle injury and did not return. Donte DiVincenzo called the piece “dirty” and I wasn’t alone in their discontent.
• Knicks fans certainly won’t like the way Embiid scored his 50 points. He made 21 free throws, making him 19. The Knicks made 19 free throws as a team. Still, he was magnificent across the board, going 13-for-19 from the floor and 5-for-7 from 3.
• Embiid joins Allen Iverson (three times) and Billy Cunningham as the only players in franchise history with a 50-point game. To make it all even more impressive, Embiid is playing not only with his knees stuck, but also with Bell’s palsy affecting the left side of the face.

Simply put, Embiid almost cost Philadelphia their season and then I savedwrites James Herbert.

finally, the Magic achieved their first home playoff victory since 2011, defeating Knights, 121-83. After not leading in Games 1 or 2, Orlando led almost the entire way. Paulo Banchero had 31 points.

Here are our full findings.

2024 NFL Draft: Best players still available before the second round

Despite not making a pick in Round 1, the Accounts It was one of my biggest winners. Buffalo fell twice, from 28th to 32nd and then from 32nd to 33rd, adding a ton of draft capital — crucial for a team that lost a lot this offseason, especially at wide receiver. According to Josh Edwards’ Best Remaining Players, Buffalo has plenty of options there and elsewhere to open tonight. Here are Josh’s top five:

1. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
2. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
3. DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
4. WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
5. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Chris has a second round simulationand David Cobb has 10 underrated sleepers.

What are we going to watch this weekend

Friday

Game 3: Bucks at Pacers5:30pm on ESPN
NFL Draft Rounds 2-37pm on the ESPN/ABC/NFL network
Game 3: Rangers in the Capitals7pm on TNT
Game 3: Canucks at Predators7:30 p.m. on TBS
Game 3: Clippers vs. Mavericks8pm on ESPN
Game 3: Jets at Avalanche10pm on TNT
Game 3: Timberwolves at Suns10:30 pm on ESPN
Game 3: Oilers on Kings10:30pm on TBS

Saturday

NFL Draft Rounds 4-7noon on ESPN/ABC/NFL Network
Game 4: Cavaliers at Magic1pm on TNT
Game 4: Hurricanes at Islanders2pm on TBS
Game 3: Thunder at the Pelicans3:30 pm on TNT
Reds at Rangers or Cardinals at Mets4:05 pm on Fox
Game 4: Panthers at Lightning5pm on TBS
Game 3: Celtics at Heat6pm on TNT
Game 4: Bruins at Maple Leafs8pm on TBS
Game 4: Nuggets at Celtics8:30pm on ABC
Diamondbacks at Mariners9:40 pm on FS1
Game 4: Stars in Golden Knights10:30pm on TBS

Sunday

Game 4: Knicks at 76ers1pm on ABC
Game 4: Jets at Avalanche2:30 pm on TNT
Game 4: Clippers vs. Mavericks3:30pm on ABC
Stars in the Rockies4:05 pm on ESPN
Game 4: Canucks at Predators5pm on TBS
Game 4: Bucks at 76ers7pm on TNT
Cubs on the Red Sox7pm on ESPN
Game 4: Rangers in the Capitals8pm on TBS
Game 4: Timberwolves at Suns9:30 pm on TNT
Game 4: Oilers on Kings10:30pm on TBS