NFL Draft: Winners and Losers

Culture
By Michael Calabrese

Winners

Tennessee Titans

The Titans hung tight and took the safest player in round one. Chance Warmack was an absolute beast this year, opening gaping holes for Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon. Many analysts had him as the highest rated guard to come out of the college ranks since Steve Hutchinson in 2001. That's great company.  

Dion Jordan

When the Dolphins traded up to third overall, many thought it was to snag Lane Johnson. Miami ended up going with Jordan instead, a player who was third in TFLs...on his own team. With productive edge rushers like KeKe Mingo and Jarvis Jones available, you have to wonder what they were thinking. All Jordan has to think about now is what he's going to spend his money on.  

Carolina Panthers 

Last summer Star Lotulelei was rumored to be the top prospect for the 2013 draft. After a heart scare, his stock plummeted. Now that he's cleared to play, the Panthers were able to grab a top-5 talent at 14. Their defense is really starting to come together and they've built it up the right way, through the draft.  

Pittsburgh Steelers

There was a whirlwind of trade activity around the Steelers but they just stuck it out and ended up with a great player. Pittsburgh let James Harrison walk this off-season and now they have his replacement. Jones led the country in sacks last year and he could wreak havoc from day one.  

 

Losers

Buffalo Bills

They traded down to take a QB in the middle of the first round. That was a great idea. There weren't any QBs who deserved to be top-10 picks. They then proceeded to take EJ Manuel, a prospect who belonged in the second or third round. This is what happens when the NFL goes overboard for a new system. Manuel can run the pistol and the options that go with it, but don't expect him to look like Cam Newton, RG3 or Russell Wilson.  

Geno Smith

There were rumors as early as this morning that he would be a top-10 pick. And then the long wait never ended for Smith. It's being reported that he's headed home and will not be attendance tomorrow. 

Dallas Cowboys

I said it during the draft and I stand by it, you have to get more than a third round pick in exchange for moving down 13 slots in the first round. The Cowboys compounded that error by reaching for Travis Frederick at 31. He may turn out to be a solid starter in the NFL, but he was a reach.