Value wise, the Pats got a steal. It was a classic "need v. BPA" pick, and they went with BPA. Very smart.
I think the Eagles had an amazing first round. Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith are both potentially studs.
Detroit puzzled me. They start at #6, with some excellent players available. They trade down to #12 and pick an RB?! I don't think I saw a single mock that had two RBs going in the 1st, let alone both inside the top-12.
Are you happy with the Bears trading down a slot with Carter sitting right there for the taking? OL was def a need but, man, if Carter plays to his potential and keeps his head on straight….
The Bears started all this by trading the #1 pick. They traded a $10 bill for a bunch of $1s and then traded one of them for some quarters. I get the strategy. In Football, getting that one high pick isn't the same as in basketball. But if Carter turns out to be a star, they may regret this. The historical percentages favor what the Bears did though, in terms of how to rebuild.
I wouldn't necessarily call it a $10 for a bunch of $1s.
I'd say it's more like trading in a $20 lottery ticket for two $10 tickets, a couple of $5 tickets, and a mystery ticket (Carolina's #1, which could be worth more than this year's #1).
But, I get the angst among a lot of Bears fans. When we were picking #1, a lot of folks (myself included) were hoping we'd stay in the top-4, picking up some future assets and grabbing Carter, a guy with #1 overall upside. It looked like the Bears could get best case scenario last night, getting a huge payment for #1 overall and still getting arguably the best position player in the draft.
Still, the Bears turned their first rounder into D.J. Moore, Darnell Wright, #61 overall, a 2024 CAR #1, a 2024 PHI #4, and a 2025 CAR #2. That should be at least five above-average starters.