Three teams have new quarterbacks. Just two wide receivers, one running back and one cornerback were drafted on Thursday. Defensive linemen and edge rushers flew off the board. And a pair of Iowa tight ends were taken in the top 20 picks. Round 1 of the 2019 NFL draft had a little bit of everything.
Let's take a look at the biggest lingering questions from the first 32 picks of the draft, including how the five teams with multiple first-round selections fared.
Who were the best picks of the night?
I love the T.J. Hockenson pick. I know Detroit has missed on a couple of first-round tight ends in the past, but Iowa's Hockenson is a special talent. He brings elite athleticism, good speed and enough size to not only give Matthew Stafford a weapon in the passing game but also contribute as a blocker. There just aren't many assets in the Lions' passing game, and Hockenson is an instinctive route-runner with great ball skills.
I also really liked the Bills taking defensive tackle Ed Oliver with the following pick. He has the potential to be a high-end 3-technique. Oliver is disruptive in the middle, posting 53.5 tackles for loss over three seasons at Houston. He legitimately could have been a top-four pick, but Buffalo had some good fortune in the powerful lineman falling into its lap.
As far as value goes, Oklahoma wide receiver Marquise Brown to the Ravens at No. 25 was an excellent pick. He's just an absolute burner, and that Baltimore offense needs some help for Lamar Jackson. He's going to bring some big plays to that team.
Which pick left you shaking your head?
My thoughts on Daniel Jones are well-documented. While he has pretty good timing and size, the Duke quarterback crumbles under pressure and is erratic when throwing downfield. He has a very long delivery and his arm strength is middle of the road. So I can't wrap my head around the Giants taking him at No. 6 overall. I had a Day 2 grade on him as my sixth-ranked QB and No. 59 prospect overall, and I really think he is more of a backup in the NFL.
Which quarterback is in the best spot to have long-term success?
Kyler Murray will certainly put on a show in Arizona, but I'll go with Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins in Washington. The Redskins don't need to rush him along with Case Keenum and Colt McCoy there, so he can learn and develop for a year. And he is the best pocket passer in the class. He has great anticipation and good zip and trajectory on his throws. Washington got its guy without needing to trade up, and I expect him to be a very good NFL quarterback.
Which team best addressed a need?
The Falcons badly needed help on the offensive line. Matt Ryan took 42 sacks last season, and they were No. 27 in the NFL in rushing yards. Taking Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom and then trading up to snag Washington tackle Kaleb McGary at the end of the first round immediately improved the unit. Six different players started at guard last season for Atlanta, but Lindstrom will have no trouble pushing speed rushers past the pocket with his length and lateral mobility.
Which team had an under-the-radar solid Round 1?
I was really impressed with Denver's night. The Broncos traded back 10 picks, got a real weapon for Joe Flacco in Noah Fant rather than reaching at No. 10, and they walked away with an additional second-rounder and a third-round pick for 2020. That's knowing the board. And I think Fant will fit nicely in Denver, creating mismatches for new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello.
Which pick was the biggest reach?
I know its Jon Gruden making the picks, but I would have thought GM Mike Mayock would serve as a rudder for him in knowing where the value is on the draft board. Even if the Raiders truly think Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell is the fourth-best prospect in the class (he was No. 21 for me), it's still difficult to understand losing a talent like Khalil Mack and replacing him with Ferrell, finances aside. It's unlikely that Ferrell would have been there at No. 24, and perhaps Oakland did try to move back, but with Oliver, Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen and LSU linebacker Devin White all still there, this one is hard to understand.
The Packers went with two players on defense in Round 1. Do you think they missed an opportunity?
I would have liked the Packers to get Aaron Rodgers some guys to throw the ball to, but no, I don't think they missed anything here. Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage Jr. are both talented players who will improve the defense.
And look at the guys on the board where the Packers picked. Hockenson was gone already at No. 12, and it would have been too early to take Fant or a receiver. Maybe Brown would have made sense at No. 21, but Green Bay clearly liked Savage, and for good reason. He reads quarterbacks and receivers very well and will jump up to make plays. Plus, I do think the Packers look offense at No. 44 and maybe get one of those wide receivers still out there.
What was the best late steal?
I love the way Mississippi State safety Johnathan Abram plays the game. He's like a heat-seeking missile out there, taking good angles and packing a punch as an above-average tackler. Gruden is going to love him, and I think he was a great pick to cap off the Raiders' night at No. 27.
Another player worth mentioning? TCU defensive end L.J. Collier is going to be questioned as the 29th pick to the Seahawks (my No. 38 prospect), but he's a better pass-rusher than the numbers suggest. Once he develops his arsenal of pass-rush moves, he's going to be an asset off the edge for Seattle, filling that Frank Clark role.
Who are the five best guys left on your board?
Florida's Jawaan Taylor was the No. 10 player on my board, but some medical concerns pushed him out of the first round. He should be a high pick on Day 2 and will be a very good offensive tackle in the NFL.
Cody Ford, the versatile lineman out of Oklahoma, remains unpicked despite being my 25th-best prospect. He's a mauler and is overpowering at the point of attack.
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock (No. 24) slipping through was a little surprising. I thought we would see four QBs off the board on Thursday. And Lock has a rocket arm and above-average mobility.
Washington cornerback Byron Murphy is a real ball hawk, but he's a scheme-reliant corner, so he's not for everyone. The rush on the position never came Thursday, with just Georgia's Deandre Baker going in Round 1. Don't expect that to be the case on Day 2. Murphy is my top corner still out there as my No. 27 prospect overall.
Greedy Williams out of LSU (No. 29) is another corner worth getting early Friday night. He has been known to pick and choose when he tackles, but he can turn and run with pretty much any receiver.
What is the position to watch Friday?
Friday night will be loaded up with wide receivers. South Carolina's Deebo Samuel, Ohio State's Parris Campbell and the Ole Miss duo of DK Metcalf and A.J. Brown are all still out there, with only Brown and Arizona State's N'Keal Harry going on Thursday. That's some offensive talent. I love Samuel, and I think he's going to be dangerous out of the slot in the NFL.