NFL Draft Rundown: Key takeaways from the weekend
This special NFL draft edition of Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the weekend and examines their significance moving forward.
An unprecedented slide
It became clear in the weeks leading up to the draft that nobody really knew where Shedeur Sanders would end up. Once considered a potential No. 1 pick, at least in media circles, the Colorado quarterback appeared destined for a bit of a slide when word emerged that teams weren't nearly as bullish.
Nobody could have predicted the way things unfolded Thursday night. And then Friday. And then Saturday. Eventually, some of us were probably wondering whether he'd be drafted at all. Sanders did finally get the call, going to the Browns in the fifth round, 144th overall. The most staggering fall in NFL draft history makes Aaron Rodgers' green-room wait seem like a walk in the park.
The reason we couldn't have seen it coming? Sanders' draft stock appears to have been complicated by factors beyond what those of us on the outside can see on the field.
"Throughout the pre-draft process, Shedeur Sanders very much proceeded as if he was dictating to clubs where he was going to go," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Saturday.
Pelissero added, "At the combine, it is now well-documented, some of his formal interviews did not go well. One assistant coach told me, in all his years, it was the worst formal interview he'd ever been through. People said that Shedeur was trying to dictate how he wanted things to go and made them feel small."
That would be one thing if teams saw him as a Day 1 starter at quarterback. Evidently, they did not. So one after another passed, 143 times.
None of it matters now. Sanders will set out to make teams look foolish for passing on him. But it's fair to wonder whether he has much of a chance in Cleveland. He'll face an uphill battle to get on the field as a rookie, as the team has also made investments in Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and third-round pick Dillon Gabriel.
Plus, the Browns picking up a 2026 first-rounder in their trade down with the Jaguars gives them all the draft capital they'll need to get one of the top quarterbacks in next year's class. Sanders would need a rookie season for the ages to move them off that plan.
'F them picks'
That blockbuster deal between Cleveland and Jacksonville would have been the talk of the football world all weekend were it not for Sanders' slide. It really is one of the most fascinating draft trades we've ever seen.
The Jaguars, frankly, are not remotely close to contention. And even if they were, trading a future first-rounder to move up three spots for anyone other than a quarterback generally could, and should, be seen as reckless. But this is a unique situation. Travis Hunter isn't your average non-quarterback.
The Colorado star offers legitimate Pro Bowl upside at both receiver and cornerback, two valuable positions. He truly is unlike any player this league has ever seen. There was some question whether NFL teams would allow him to play both ways, with the thought being that such an unprecedented workload could impact his durability. The new Jaguars staff appears intent on taking advantage of his two-way skill set.
It's a fitting first move for new general manager James Gladstone, who joined the Jaguars this offseason after learning under Les Snead and Sean McVay in Los Angeles. You may remember that the Rams won a Super Bowl while trading away one premium pick after another.
"I've probably got some familiarity with the '(F--k) them picks' sort of process," Gladstone told reporters Thursday night. "For our fans, I'll tell you, don't be scared. This is something I'm uniquely positioned to navigate."
Is it risky? Sure. But you have to love the aggressiveness in this case. If ever there were a player worth swinging big for, this is the one.
Patriots win big
There's probably a large group of football fans, witnesses to two separate dynasties in New England, who had been thoroughly enjoying a new era in which the Patriots had become borderline irrelevant. The role reversal may prove to be short-lived.
The first offseason under Mike Vrabel's watch isn't even complete, and it's becoming increasingly easy to see how this team might soon return to a competitive level. Free agency got things started in the right direction, with the Patriots flexing their salary-cap muscle by adding four impact starters on defense and at least a few more on offense, including new No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs. Vrabel's first draft was even more impressive.
New England's top three picks should yield a trio of immediate starters and improve the supporting cast around Drake Maye. Campbell fills a major need on the offensive line, while Henderson provides both big-play ability and a rare level of pass-protection skills for a rookie back. Williams is a sudden athlete who runs good routes and has the ability to take the top off the defense. He'll operate as the No. 2 target alongside Diggs for now, and he's got sneaky WR1 upside long term.
The next four selections have plenty of potential, too. Wilson is a supremely athletic center who should be pushing Garrett Bradbury for the starting job before long. Woodson is a versatile safety talent who was one of our hidden gems in this class, while both Farmer and Swinson offer some intriguing pass-rush upside for their respective draft slots on Day 3.
All things considered, it doesn't get much better than this. The outstanding haul earned the Patriots an A+ in our final draft grades, putting them in a class of their own this year.
A poor run of drafting in the latter stages of the Bill Belichick era had put this team in a real hole. Getting the quarterback last year was a big step in the right direction. And if this is the kind of drafting we can expect from a Vrabel-led operation, the Patriots are going to make a lot of noise for years to come.
Every team's best value pick
Biggest steal
Simmons falls to Chiefs
Josh Simmons was always bound to slide at least a bit in the first round, as a torn patellar tendon suffered in October complicated his draft evaluation. Teams will probably regret letting him get all the way to the Chiefs at the end of the first round. If healthy, he had a real case to be the No. 1 offensive lineman in this draft, as the Ohio State standout is far and away the best pass-protector of the group. And while Kansas City may have to be patient, all reports suggest his recovery is going well. Adding this kind of talent at left tackle, be it for this season or next, will address one of the few problem areas that has given opposing teams hope against the Chiefs.
Worst draft decision
WYD, Falcons?
The Jaguars got a pass for trading a future first-round pick for a non-quarterback, but the Falcons get no such consideration. While we can all appreciate the effort to double down on edge rushers after getting Jalon Walker at No. 15, giving up their top pick in 2026 to move up 20 spots for James Pearce Jr. is easily the worst move of the weekend. That's no slight to Pearce, either. The Tennessee product offers plenty of pass-rush juice, and he's a perfectly fine value at his draft slot. But giving up a future first to sneak back into the end of Day 1 is awful asset management. The bizarre move spoils what was otherwise an exceptional draft haul for Atlanta.
Early OROY pick
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Steelers
Johnson felt like a boom-or-bust pick heading into this draft. He wasn't going to be a good fit everywhere, but an outside-zone system would allow him to translate the success he enjoyed at Iowa. Pittsburgh provides that ideal landing spot from a scheme perspective, and the free-agent departure of Najee Harris leaves a massive early-down workload up for grabs. While it's certainly more of a long-shot pick for OROY, Johnson should be in a position to put up big numbers as part of a Steelers offense that will always remain committed to the run game.
Early DROY pick
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Giants
Maybe this one is too obvious. It's just tough to pick anyone else considering the talent and situation Carter is stepping into. The Giants have their fair share of shortcomings, but this won't be a case where a top pick is asked to do it all himself up front. Carter will have the luxury of working opposite Brian Burns, with Dexter Lawrence and sleeper third-rounder Darius Alexander on the inside. Barring a trade, 2022 first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux will be in the mix, too. That's a ridiculous collection of talent up front. Opposing offenses won't be able to send slide-and-chip help at Carter all game, potentially clearing the way for some major production right out of the gate.
Free agency/trade fallout
As of Monday, remaining free agents will no longer be a part of next year's compensation pick formula. You can bet that a few of the more savvy front offices were waiting on that date before dipping back into the market and trying to scoop up some of the established veterans still looking for a new home.
The Bears, for example, could turn to free agency after missing out on top running backs in the draft. JK Dobbins is still available after a breakout season with the Chargers, and Nick Chubb would be an interesting addition a year removed from his major knee injury.
Keep an eye on the trade market, too. There weren't many veterans on the move on draft weekend, but talks will likely pick up now that teams have a better idea of roster needs. On the running back front, NFL insider Josina Anderson reported this week there's been talk of the Jets making Breece Hall available. Elsewhere, the Dolphins are exploring trade options with Jalen Ramsey, Jaire Alexander could be on the way out of Green Bay, and the Steelers reportedly received calls about George Pickens.
2026 lookahead
Already getting curious about the 2026 class? Our college football expert, Dane Belbeck, has you covered with a way-too-early mock draft. This could be a really fun group, with Arch Manning and LaNorris Sellers among a number of top quarterback prospects eligible to go pro next year.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.