Early Analysis of the Draft Improved Offenses
Today we’re going to focus on the NFL offenses that looked to the draft for reboots. Five quarterbacks went in the first round, zero were picked in rounds two and three (crazy right?), and then a few more went on the final day of the draft. We are mostly going to focus on the teams that drafted quarterbacks in the first round and how they are going to build around them, but we will mention a few others who made some note worthy moves and selections. Haven’t said this in a while, so let’s break it all down.
Chicago
For the record, I still think it was a mistake for the Bears to trade Justin Fields. But here we are. Of course we know that Caleb Williams went first overall to become the new quarterback. Receiver Rome Odunze was picked at ninth overall and they also drafted help at the offensive line in Kiran Amegadjie. Shout out to Yale and the Ivy League. In free agency, the Bears also added Keenan Allen via trade, D’Andre Swift, and Gerald Everett.
Chicago was the 20th ranked offense in the league. Williams takes the mantle as the new face and already has a better room to work with than Fields ever had. The trio of DJ Moore, Allen, and Adunze will make a push for the best receiver trio in the division which will also allow tight ends Everett and Cole Kmet to get more favorable matchups. Swift is a tough runner who can do a little bit of everything which adds an extra dimension. The offensive line will need to hold up and they have had some struggles as of late.
Washington
Heisman winning QBs went back to back when Jayden Daniels got selected by Washington. On top of his arm, his legs are a major threat. He ran for over 100 yards and a touchdown against Alabama. It’s a team that needed a lot of help and they had one heck of a draft weekend. Washington snagged one of the better tight ends in the class in Ben Sinnot, and he has an amazing mentor in Zack Ertz to learn from. Brandon Coleman projects to be the next left tackle and with their third round pick, they added Luke McCaffery for some explosion and speed. In the offseason, center Tyler Biadasz and running back Austin Ekeler join the new regime.
Washington really couldn’t get anything going with the 23rd ranked offense. There were a lot of wholesale changes. But there is optimism with this group for the first time in a while. Sam Howell got traded to Seattle after it was determined he was not a part of the future plan. Right wrong or otherwise, Daniels is the better player. Washington should be at least competitive in the NFC East, but that division is unpredictable.
New England
Of course the Patriots were the team to take two quarterbacks in the draft. That is exactly something they would do. Drake Maye was drafted third overall while Joe Milton III was scooped up in round six. Personally, I’d rather have Milton. Maye is reckless at times with turnovers and bad footwork. Milton was the best arm in the draft and seemed more mechanically stable in certain phases. I’d be curious if they turn him into a Taysom Hill type do it all role player. The Patriots took two receivers in Jaylin Polk and Javon Baker. Polk played on the other side of Odunze in college and was more of the possession receiver than a speedster unlike Baker. Baker can get in space and leave people in the dust, and he is intent on proving everyone who passed on him wrong. Watch out. The Patriots also drafted tight end Jahiem Bell in the final round as well as guard Layden Robinson and tackle Caden Wallace.
The Patriots need these guys to make an impact early coming off a year where they had the 30th ranked offense. The pressure is more on the picks after only three free agents on offense were signed. KJ Osborne, Austin Hooper, and Antonio Gibson. The thought process with that did not make a lot of sense. The Patriots are still in rough shape but they took steps in the right direction.
Atlanta
There were a lot of surprised faces when Atlanta drafted Michael Penix sixth overall. They just signed Kirk Cousins to a massive deal. Before the draft, the Falcons added Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore by free agency and trade respectivley. Running back Jase McClellan and receiver Casey Washington helped round out a draft class that was mostly defensive.
This was the 17th ranked offense that also traded what was thought to be the franchise QB in Desmond Ridder. On paper, this offense looks really interesting. Three solid younger receivers with a unique talent in Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts if he can stay healthy. With Cousins or Penix, there is the potential for fireworks.
Minnesota
It seemed pretty clear once JJ McCarthy was still on the board at the Vikings pick that it was going to be him. It made perfect sense. The Vikings are going to have a similar offensive outlook like Michigan had. A solid run game let by Aaron Jones and elite playmakers outside with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J Hockenson.
The Vikings were the 10th overall ranked offense which is pretty good given their situation. Weapon wise they were fine so other than McCarthy they drafted OLs Walter Rouse and Michael Jurgens. I think if you wanted to identify which first round drafting QB team is in the best situation right now, Minnesota would be the top choice.
Denver
Bo Nix was the last quarterback taken in the first round and Denver is where he wanted to go all along. He was a Heisman finalist who started at Auburn but really improved his stock and skills by transferring to Oregon. His two years with the Ducks and what he showed led to optimism that he can help turn around the 26th ranked offense in the league.
He’s not the only Duck flying to Mile High. His receiver Troy Franklin is joining him. On offense the Broncos also selected physical and athletic running back Audric Estime, receiver Devaugh Vele, and guard Nick Gargiulo. The Broncos never looked steady under Russell Wilson. Nix has some things to work on, but his upside is through the roof.
Final Thoughts
In addition to all of this, a quick tip of the cap to some other teams. The Chargers drafted both Ladd McConkey and Brendan Rice to upgrade the receiver group. That was much needed after the departure of Allen and Mike Williams. The Rams and Eagles also picked up some steals at running back. Philly took Will Shipley who may have been the best pass catching scat back in the draft, and the Rams did what we predicted a year ago on this platform and drafted Blake Corum. To wrap things up, Houston reunited CJ Stroud with his college tight end Cade Stover and took a flyer on running back/returner Jawhar Jordan.