Biggest NFL draft surprises

The NFL draft is typically a spectacle of trades, reaches and chaos. While this year’s draft wasn’t filled with as much drama as others, there were still shocking moments. 

Starting with something that was predicted but still surprising was the Cleveland Browns trading down from the second overall pick. Analysts had projected they would take Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, and it seemed absurd to think they would trade out of that spot. 

Instead, in a draft that featured few trades, the biggest one happened upfront. The Jacksonville Jaguars only gave up their first round selection next year to trade up and get their player, which feels like a steal compared to what teams commonly have to give up to trade up.

It feels like the Browns could have squeezed Jacksonville for more, considering they are in desperate need of additional draft capital to help rebuild their team. 

Considering that they haven’t had a first round pick since 2021, this was a golden opportunity to make up for missed years in the draft or horde for the future, and they didn’t do either of those.

There were also teams who made head scratching picks. The first two were close together, with the Carolina Panthers drafting Tetairoa McMillan at eight and the Chicago Bears taking Colston Loveland at ten. 

Both players were seen as top two prospects at their positions — wide receiver and tight end, respectively — but the strength of their position class wasn’t that strong.

Both players play at positions the two teams needed filled, but it felt like they could have picked the best players available or traded down in the first round. Then, they could have drafted players at those positions at proper draft value in the second and third round.

Another two big draft reaches were on defense. First was the Atlanta Falcons trading a future pick to get back into the first round and draft James Pearce Jr. Second was the Buffalo Bills taking T.J. Sanders at pick No. 41, a player who wasn’t projected within any analyst’s top 75. 

Both teams added talent to defensive lines that sorely needed it, but fans are now expecting these players to fix issues on their team immediately, not in five years, since they traded up to get them.

Finally, quarterback was a hot topic of discussion going into the draft. Everyone projected Cam Ward at number one, after that, no one knew what would happen. 

The most unexpected pick was the Giants trading back into the first round to take Jaxson Dart. 

I have faith in Brian Daboll’s ability to be a quarterback whisperer, but they could have waited for Dart to fall to them at the top of the second round or later.

Then, as people were freaking out about Shedeur Sanders falling out of the first round, Tyler Shough was taken by the Saints in the second and everyone lost their minds. A 26-year-old with injury concerns over Shedeur? Have general managers lost their minds?

The answer is no. Despite sliding all the way to the fifth round, it’s just indicative of how teams evaluate talent and personality. Sanders may have some talent, but he really only showed flashes in Colorado’s offense.

And beyond that, he’s shown some concerns with personality and leadership ability. Flamboyance is one thing, but immaturity is another. If you want to be a top pick as a quarterback, you need to interview, which Sanders did not do.

It doesn’t surprise me that he fell out of the first round — or all the way to the fifth. It just shows that anyone who took a quarterback early probably could have waited until later picks, and talent still would have been there.