Who Won The Nfl Draft?
Contents
Did your favorite team win the NFL draft? Check out our recap to find out who won, and who will be the next big thing in the NFL.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 2020 NFL Draft was held virtually for the first time in history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall pick. This is the second time in franchise history that the Buccaneers have drafted a quarterback in the first round, and the first time since 2005 when they selected former USC quarterback Matt Leinart.
The Team’s Needs
The needs for the team are a little bit all over the place, but they can be classified into a few different tiers. The first and most pressing need is at the wide receiver position. The team lost two of their top three receivers from last season, and they don’t have anyone who can step in and fill that void. They also need help on the offensive line, particularly at the tackle position. They also could use some help on defense, especially at the cornerback position.
The Team’s Strategy
In recent years, the Bucs have used a similar strategy in the NFL draft to the one they used this year. They’ve targeted prospects who fit a certain profile. For example, they look for players who are big and physical, especially on defense. They also look for players with speed, athleticism, and playmaking ability. This year, they focused on those attributes even more.
The Team’s Picks
Round 1, Pick 14: LSU CB Kristian Fulton
Round 2, Pick 45: Florida EDGE Jabari Zuniga
Round 3, Pick 76: Oklahoma G Dru Samia
Round 4, Pick 117: Notre Dame S Alohi Gilman
Round 5, Pick 161: UCF LB Nate Evans
Round 6, Pick 194: Clemson WR Amari Rodgers
The San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers had the seventh overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and used it to select Javon Kinlaw, a defensive tackle from South Carolina. The 49ers then added two more defensive lineman with their next two picks: DE Kentavius Street in the fourth round and DT Javon Kinlaw in the fifth round.
The Team’s Needs
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league’s National Football Conference (NFC) West division. The team plays its home games at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, located 38 miles (61 kilometers) southeast of San Francisco in the heart of Silicon Valley. Since 1988, the 49ers have been headquartered in Santa Clara.
The Team’s Strategy
The San Francisco 49ers traded back into the first round to take South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn at No. 12 overall. They then drafted a quarterback, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, at No. 3 overall.
By trading back into the first round, the 49ers ensured they got their top-rated cornerback on their board while also adding an extra first-round pick in next year’s draft.
The 49ers drafted Lance with the hope that he can be their franchise quarterback for years to come. Lance is a raw prospect, but he has immense upside and the 49ers are confident in their ability to develop him into a franchise quarterback.
The Team’s Picks
The San Francisco 49ers draft picks are as follows:
Round 1, pick 31 (via Kansas City Chiefs): edge rusher Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Round 2, pick 36: wide receiver Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Round 3, pick 67: strongside linebacker Dre Greenlaw, Arkansas
Round 4, pick 110 ( compensatory selection): safety Marvell Tell III, USC
Round 5, pick 133: tight end Kaden Smith, Stanford
Round 6, pick 176 ( compensatory selection): defensive tackle Kevon Frazier, West Virginia
Round 7, pick 212 ( compensatory selection): cornerback Tim Harris Jr., Virginia
The New York Jets
The New York Jets have won the 2020 NFL draft. This is a huge victory for the team, and for the city of New York. The Jets have been through a lot over the past few years, and this draft win is a sign that the team is finally turning things around.
The Team’s Needs
The Jets’ primary needs are on the defensive side of the ball, as they finished ranked 28th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed last season. They’ll be looking to add some big-play potential to their pass rush, as well as some help in the secondary.
On offense, the Jets could use some help along the offensive line and at the wide receiver position. They don’t necessarily need to add a franchise quarterback in this year’s draft, but they could certainly use an upgrade over their current options.
The Team’s Strategy
It’s official. The New York Jets have the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and they are not happy about it.
“We’re disappointed,” said general manager Mike Maccagnan. “But we’ll turn that into a positive.”
The Jets were expected to be in the mix for one of the top two picks, but they fell to third after losing to the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. It is the first time they have had a top-three pick since they selected quarterback Sam Darnold with the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft.
“It is what it is,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “We’ve just got to make sure we get a good player.”
The Jets’ draft strategy will be interesting to watch. They have needs all over the roster, but they also have extra picks in the second (No. 37 overall) and third (No. 69 overall) rounds thanks to trades made last year.
“We’re open to anything,” Maccagnan said when asked if he would trade down from No. 3 overall. “I think we’re in a good spot.”
The Jets are not expected to take a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick, but they could be in the market for one of the top prospects at other positions such as running back, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line or linebacker.
The Team’s Picks
The New York Jets traded up to the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and used it to select quarterback Zach Wilson out of Brigham Young University.
Wilson is a dual-threat quarterback who has good arm strength and accuracy. He’s also a mobile quarterback who can extend plays with his feet.
The Jets also drafted wide receiver Elijah Moore in the second round, and running back Michael Carter in the fourth round.
