Winner:
Cleveland Browns
It was almost a given that Baker Mayfield was going to go in the top five in this years draft. Cleveland was in need of a quarterback in a bad way, so they grabbed one with Mayfield. He has the ability to have that save a franchise type of skills, he's that good. Some question his mental makeup, but the physical tools are all right there for this kid to be a big star in this league. What did surprise me about the Browns a little was who they took at 4th. Many felt Bradley Chubb, the defensive end out of NC State was going to be the pick, but instead Cleveland grabbed Denzel Ward, the cornerback from Ohio State. A very solid pickup in his own right, a guy who can really help bolster the weak Cleveland secondary. Again the biggest piece of the day was adding Mayfield, who can already add another weapon to what, at least on paper is an already improved football team. Will it get them into the playoffs right away? Probably not. Will it get them a win? No doubt it. Only time will tell how good this team could be down the road, but I'd say its off to a decent start right now with the guys they added early in the draft.
Loser:
Oakland Raiders
Oakland had made some interesting moves at the draft. First they had the 10th pick, then flipped it to Arizona for the 15th pick. Arizona then grabbed Josh Rosen out of UCLA at ten. With the 15th pick, Oakland added Kolton Miller, the tackle from UCLA. A good pick adding a little more depth to an already solid unit. Then they were able to trade one of the 3rd round picks they had to the Steelers for Martavis Bryant, a receiver with a lot of upside, but also a lot of baggage. It says something about the kind of player that Bryant might be if the Steelers had no trouble getting rid of him for just a third round pick. It just feels like some of the other picks that the Raiders made on this day were just risky moves.
Winner:
Arizona Cardinals
Think its safe to say that the Arizona Cardinals had themselves a pretty good draft. First they moved up five spots and grabbed themselves a franchise quarterback in Josh Rosen. Yes Arizona does have Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon, but neither guy is going to be the long term answer for the Cardinasl. Rosen has the talent and all around makeup that could get the Cardinals what they want as the years go on. So by being able to trade up five spots and grab their guy shows brilliance on the part of General Manager Steve Keim. It really was a case of highway robbery because all it cost was just a swap of the first round picks, it didn't cost them future first or second round picks, allowing them to really build a team down the road. Great job by Cardinal management getting the player they want and not giving up the whole lot in order to get him.
Loser:
Dak Prescott
In the weeks heading into the draft, Dallas had said that they were trying to make the offense a little more friendly for their stud quarterback Dak Prescott. His tight end, Jason Witten just retired. Witten finished his career with 1,152 career catches. The rest of the receiving core that's still here in Dallas, Allen Hurns, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Deonte Thompson, Noah Brown, Lance Lenoir, K.D. Cannon, Michael Gallup (who Dallas Just drafted in the second round), and Tavon Austin have a combined 948 career receptions. It was having that security blanket in Witten in the huddle and on the field for Dak and now that blanket isn't here. Dallas didn't really go out and make a splash in the draft to try and help Dak in the draft. Sure, Zek is still going to be an impact player for the Boys and maybe they can get something out of Gallup, Dalton Schultz the Tight End they got in the 4th round and Cedrick Wilson Jr. who they picked up in the 6th round. Something good could happen in Dallas, but on paper, the Draft didn't help them out much.
Winner:
John Elway
Denver is one of those teams that has struggled the last couple of years to try and stay competitive on the AFC West. It was just three seasons ago that the Broncos won the Division and the Super Bowl, but since then its been a 9-7 and 5-11 record for Denver. So it fell to General Manager John Elway to try and get the Broncos back on track. They just signed Case Keenum, which meant that they had something but could have still picked a signal caller with the 5th overall pick. At one point, there was a trade in place for the Broncos to make a deal with Buffalo. But when a player the caliber of Bradley Chubb is sitting there at the 5th pick, you sure take it. Elway knows a good thing when he's sees it and snatched up Chubb with the pick. The defensive lineman from NC State is a big threat in the pass rush department and throw him in with Von Miller, it makes for a very dangerous combination. Throw those two in with the likes of Chris Harris, Bradley Roby, Justin Simmons, Brandon Marshall and Todd Davis, it makes for a very dangerous defense and one that could help make Denver a threat again in the West.
Loser:
Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco's time as a member of the penthouse among QB's in the NFL seems to be running thin. After having a monster statistical year two years ago, Flacco's numbers took a bit of a dip last season. Ever since he signed his last contract, Flacco hasn't been able to really take the Ravens back to the promise land. Now, with the 2018 draft, Baltimore hopes they have found his heir apparent. Baltiomre traded up to the final pick of the first round and used that 32nd pick to select Lamar Jackson, the quarterback and former Heisman Trophy winner from Louisville. Baltimore has found luck with selecting good players in the draft, Flacco being one of them in 2008. Now, here in 2018, they may have found his possible replacement in Jackson. Again no telling just how good this kid could be in Jackson, but if he's going to be able to produce in this league, Flacco's days are numbered.
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