NFL Draft: Winners and Losers from Day One

Losers from Day One

Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

LOSER: San Francisco 49ers

Arik Armstead has all the measurables of a first round pick. He’s got speed, length, and size.

Problem is that he doesn’t play with the motor of a first rounder.

While the pick will certainly boost the morale of Northern Californians (Armstead went to high school in Sacramento), I think wide receiver is still San Francisco’s biggest area of need.

Who they should have picked: Jaelen Strong, WR, ASU

LOSER: Washington Redskins

Don’t get me wrong, Brandon Schreff isn’t bad. He’s another really good offensive line prospect from the University of Iowa.

But when you pass on the best player in the draft, when he plays at a position that you badly, badly need, that’s called a bad pick.

And just a thought: bolstering the offensive line won’t actually help when a team doesn’t have a franchise quarterback…

Who they should have picked: Leonard Williams, DE, USC

LOSER: St. Louis 

The Rams added another talented back to their deep backfield in Todd Gurley.

But that wasn’t the right move.

Zac Stacy had a lackluster year, but he was also hurt for part of the season. Tre Mason stepped in and rushed for more than 750 yards and four TDs and had several flashes of brilliance.

I was high on Gurley before the draft and still am, but he shouldn’t have to compete for touches right off the bat. I can feel the tension building in the air already…

Meanwhile, the Rams still have the unproven duo of West Virginia wide receivers who should be in the slot…

Who they should have picked: Devante Parker, WR, Louisville

LOSER: Minnesota Vikings

Trae Waynes is good, but is he good enough to live up to the no. 11 pick hype?

With Adrian Peterson’s future in jeopardy, the Vikings needed to give Teddy Bridgewater a target to throw to. Devante Parker is a game-changing player for Minnesota on offense, Waynes isn’t that on defense.

Who they should have picked: Devante Parker, WR, Louisville

LOSER: Indianapolis Colts

The great Mike Silver tweeted this after the Colts drafted Philip Dorsett:

My question is: why?

Dorsett is basically a copy of T.Y. Hilton, and the wide receiving corps already had Hilton, Andre Johnson, and Donte Moncrief. Andrew Luck is going to find ways to win games no matter who is surrounding him.

However, he needs a defense to win a Super Bowl. With safety options like Landon Collins and Damarius Russell available at no. 29, the Colts needed to make a move to improve their Super Bowl chances.

Who they should have taken: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama