N.F.L. Draft Picks and Analysis: How Round 1 Unfolded

Five quarterbacks were selected in the first round, starting with Trevor Lawrence going to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Teams wanted many more offensive players, too.

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One of many offensive talents selected in the top 10, tight end Kyle Pitts walked onstage after being selected fourth by Atlanta.Credit...Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

One of the N.F.L.’s best and most recognizable players let it be known that he wants out of the only franchise he’s ever played for — wait, the draft was Thursday night, too?

Reports about Aaron Rodgers’s interminable unhappiness in Green Bay ricocheted across the internet and teams’ draft headquarters, temporarily overshadowing Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and the three other quarterbacks selected in the first round.

As the league’s ceaseless news cycle churned on, a celebratory mood dominated the proceedings in Cleveland. A spectacle muted last season by the coronavirus pandemic returned in full force, with jersey-wearing fans (mostly) cheering their teams’ picks and (gleefully) booing Commissioner Roger Goodell, who, after a one-year break, again got to hug the players drafted.

By the end of a festive evening, Rodgers remained a member of the Packers — but numerous other franchises had dramatically reshaped their rosters.

The biggest makeovers began transpiring Thursday in team facilities where executives and owners basked in drafting quarterbacks. For only the third time — and the first since 1999 — quarterbacks were taken with each of the first three picks, a run that started, as expected, with Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Wilson (Jets), and then, with more of a surprise. The San Francisco 49ers, after trading up nine spots last month, ended a month rife with intrigue and subterfuge by taking Trey Lance of North Dakota State.

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Quarterback Trey Lance was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the third pick in the first round.Credit...Tony Dejak/Associated Press

The next quarterback to go was Justin Fields of Ohio State, who, given the Field Museum’s proximity to Soldier Field in Chicago, fittingly landed with the Bears. Their general manager, Ryan Pace, has been criticized for trading up to pick Mitchell Trubisky in 2017 when Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes were still available, and it will be just his luck after jumping nine spots to take Fields at No. 11 if the final quarterback chosen Thursday — Mac Jones of Alabama, selected by New England at No. 15 — winds up being the best of this draft.

The Patriots didn’t even have to trade up to take Jones, who at worst will back up Cam Newton this season, so good to see things finally working out for them.

The selection of Jones continued the trend of offensive players going early on Thursday: the first seven picks, and 12 of the first 15, play on offense. In an abnormally strong and deep draft class of receivers and linemen, teams capitalized by raiding the Southeastern Conference: tight end Kyle Pitts of Florida (Falcons), receiver Ja’Marr Chase of Louisiana State (Bengals) and receiver Jaylen Waddle of Alabama (Dolphins) went, in order, fourth through sixth, and Waddle’s Crimson Tide teammate, receiver DeVonta Smith, reunited with his former quarterback Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia at No. 10.

The Carolina Panthers snapped the offensive streak at No. 8 by drafting another SEC star, cornerback Jaycee Horn of South Carolina, the son of the former Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn. The Denver Broncos — a potential suitor for Rodgers — bolstered their defense by taking, yes, still another SEC star, Patrick Surtain II of Alabama, the son of the former All-Pro cornerback with the same name.

As the night neared an end, another cornerback went off the board — Eric Stokes of Georgia. He went to the Packers, who opted at No. 29 to improve their defense. Wonder if Rodgers noticed that?

The second and third rounds are scheduled for Friday, beginning at 7 p.m., and the draft ends with four more rounds on Saturday.

Here’s how the rest of Round 1 unfolded:

For all the picks, see our full draft tracker.

Emmanuel Morgan
April 30, 2021, 12:09 a.m. ET

Joe Tryon adds to Bucs’ fearsome pass rush.

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The Super Bowl champions drafted a versatile defensive player in Joe Tryon.Credit...Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

In one year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired Tom Brady in free agency, won the Super Bowl in their home stadium and retained all 22 starters despite a tricky salary-cap situation.

Without an obvious, glaring need, the Buccaneers concluded the first round of the N.F.L. draft by adding to their strength, selecting Washington outside linebacker Joe Tryon with the 32nd pick. He’ll join a stout defense that features pass rushers Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett. Opposing quarterbacks will need ice after they play against Tampa Bay.

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Ken Belson
April 30, 2021, 12:06 a.m. ET

Ravens take Jayson Oweh with pick acquired in Orlando Brown trade.

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Jayson Oweh will give Baltimore a big, athletic edge rusher.Credit...Barry Reeger/Associated Press

The Baltimore Ravens took Jayson Oweh from Penn State with the 31st pick, strengthening an already daunting defense. Oweh (6-foot-5, 257 pounds) is an athletic freak and is an explosive and powerful rusher.

The Ravens, who had the seventh-best defense last season, acquired the 31st pick from the Kansas City Chiefs in return for offensive tackle Orlando Brown. Baltimore took Rashod Bateman, a receiver from Minnesota, with the 27th pick.

Ben Shpigel
April 30, 2021, 12:03 a.m. ET

I root for chaos so I was hoping the Bucs were going to take Kyle Trask there.

No. 32 Pick
The Buccaneers pick Joe Tryon at edge rusher.
College: Washington | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 259

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No. 31 Pick
The Ravens take Jayson Oweh at edge rusher.
College: Penn State | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 257
Emmanuel Morgan
April 29, 2021, 11:59 p.m. ET

Bills add Gregory Rousseau to bolster title hopes.

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Gregory Rousseau will help the Bills pass rush.Credit...Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Fresh off their first A.F.C. Championship Game appearance since the 1993 season, the Buffalo Bills selected Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau with the 30th pick.

Equipped with a solid offense, the Bills elected to add to their pass rush with Rousseau, who opted out of the 2020 college season. In 2019, Rousseau finished second in the nation with 15.5 sacks. He will be expected to tackle star quarterback Patrick Mahomes if the Bills again meet Kansas City in the conference’s title game. Good luck!

Ken Belson
April 29, 2021, 11:53 p.m. ET

As Rodgers grumbles, Packers focus on defense with 29th pick.

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Eric Stokes is one of the more athletic defensive backs in this draft class.Credit...Michael Woods/Associated Press

So much for pleasing Aaron Rodgers. The Green Bay Packers used the 29th pick to take Eric Stokes, a defensive back from Georgia. Stokes (6 feet, 194 pounds) has track-star speed and held up well in the SEC, where he faced quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones and offenses with receivers like Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase.

The Packers’ decision to focus on defense with this pick came just hours after stories surfaced that Rodgers, the reigning M.V.P., wants to play elsewhere next season. Rodgers was unnerved last year when the team chose quarterback Jordan Love in the first round without consulting him. He was also angered that the team would not give him a contract extension. Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said Rodgers will be the team’s quarterback in 2021 — unless he is traded in the coming months.

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No. 30 Pick
The Bills choose Gregory Rousseau at edge rusher.
College: Miami (Fla.) | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 266
Ben Shpigel
April 29, 2021, 11:48 p.m. ET

Saints draft a D-lineman to help with the pass rush.

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Payton Turner was the No. 28 pick.Credit...Matthew Hinton/Associated Press

The Saints lost lots and lots of depth this off-season — not to mention that Drew Brees fellow — as they strove to comply with the salary cap. One of those indirect casualties was sackmaster Trey Hendrickson, who left in free agency. To replace him, New Orleans took Payton Turner of Houston, who appeared in a grand total of zero of the eleventy billion mock drafts this week.

The pick came the same day the team announced it had picked up the fifth-year option on Marcus Davenport, the end who plays opposite Pro Bowler Cam Jordan, fully guaranteeing his 2022 salary of $9.553 million. Turner may be meant to challenge Davenport to produce.

No. 29 Pick
The Packers select Eric Stokes at cornerback.
College: Georgia | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 194

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No. 28 Pick
The Saints take Payton Turner at defensive end.
College: Houston | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 270
Emmanuel Morgan
April 29, 2021, 11:38 p.m. ET

Rashod Bateman to give Lamar Jackson a new target.

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Rashod Bateman will be a welcome receiver for Lamar Jackson and the rest of the Baltimore offense.Credit...Stacy Bengs/Associated Press

This off-season, the Baltimore Ravens addressed their most glaring need: wide receiver. After signing former Kansas City receiver Sammy Watkins in free agency, the Ravens took the speedy Rashod Bateman out of Minnesota with the 27th pick on Thursday. Quarterback Lamar Jackson now has another weapon to stretch defenses down the field, and still can lean on tight end Mark Andrews for short and intermediate routes.

No. 27 Pick
The Ravens choose Rashod Bateman at wide receiver.
College: Minnesota | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190

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Ken Belson
April 29, 2021, 11:33 p.m. ET

Browns snag cornerback help with the 26th pick.

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Greg Newsome II will help bolster the Cleveland secondary.Credit...Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

The Cleveland Browns took cornerback Greg Newsome II from Northwestern with the 26th pick in a bid to strengthen their middling defense. Newsome (6 feet, 192 pounds) allowed only 12 catches, on 34 targets, for 93 yards last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He was the second Northwestern player taken in the first round, the first time the school has had two players chosen so early.

The Browns had the 17th-best defense in the N.F.L. last season, but they were 22nd-best at defending against the pass. Cleveland upgraded its defense during free agency, adding safety John Johnson, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and cornerback Troy Hill.

Ben Shpigel
April 29, 2021, 11:32 p.m. ET

Can anyone tell me why there’s a dude wearing an Eagles hat and a Carson Wentz jersey in Rashod Bateman’s draft party?

Ben Shpigel
April 29, 2021, 11:26 p.m. ET

They’re dancing in the streets of Evanston tonight!

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No. 26 Pick
The Browns select Greg Newsome II at cornerback.
College: Northwestern | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 192
Ben Shpigel
April 29, 2021, 11:24 p.m. ET

Jaguars pair Travis Etienne with Clemson teammate Lawrence.

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Travis Etienne, the No. 25 pick, led college football in forcing missed tackles.Credit...Brian Blanco/Associated Press

Siri, how do you make your just-drafted franchise quarterback happy? By taking his college running back, too. What a move by Jacksonville, drafting Travis Etienne of Clemson, the most dynamic running back in the class. He’s drawn — blasphemy alert! — comparisons to Alvin Kamara of New Orleans for his pass-catching skills and absurd acceleration, making him a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

Emmanuel Morgan
April 29, 2021, 11:23 p.m. ET

Curious to see how James Robinson and Travis Etienne share carries in Jacksonville’s backfield. An interesting pick, for sure.

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No. 25 Pick
The Jaguars take Travis Etienne at running back.
College: Clemson | Height: 5-10 | Weight: 215
Emmanuel Morgan
April 29, 2021, 11:18 p.m. ET

Steelers tab Najee Harris to replace James Conner at RB.

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Najee Harris was a dynamic running back for Alabama and could help the Steelers establish a ground game.Credit...Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers burst out to an 11-0 start last season but exited in the first round of the playoffs. Defenses learned how to stop their offense, which lacked a potent running game and used passing concepts with short and intermediate routes.

The Steelers tried to fix one of those problems by drafting Alabama running back Najee Harris, the first rusher to be taken on Thursday and the sixth Crimson Tide player. Harris will replace James Conner, who joined the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. In his final two seasons at Alabama, Harris rushed for 2,688 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Ken Belson
April 29, 2021, 11:12 p.m. ET

Christian Darrisaw to the Vikings makes it back-to-back picks from Virginia Tech.

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Christian Darrisaw will be adding to the offensive line of the Vikings.Credit...Matt Gentry/Associated Press

The Minnesota Vikings took Christian Darrisaw, a left tackle from Virginia Tech, with the 23rd pick to plug the team’s porous offensive line. Darrisaw (6-foot-5, 313 pounds), played 668 snaps — 293 pass-blocking — last season and didn’t allow a sack or a quarterback hit.

The Vikings had the fourth-best offense in the N.F.L., thanks in part to running back Dalvin Cook. But they also had only the 28th best pass-blocking offensive line. With the focus on quarterbacks and receivers early in the first round, the Vikings traded their 14th pick to the Jets, receiving this pick and two more tomorrow.

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Ben Shpigel
April 29, 2021, 11:12 p.m. ET

With Najee Harris off to Pittsburgh, that’s now a record five (!) offensive players from Alabama taken in the first round.

No. 24 Pick
The Steelers pick Najee Harris at running back.
College: Alabama | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 232
No. 23 Pick
The Vikings choose Christian Darrisaw at offensive tackle.
College: Virginia Tech | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 322
Ben Shpigel
April 29, 2021, 11:07 p.m. ET

Caleb Farley, the first college player to opt out, goes to the Titans.

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Caleb Farley was the No. 22 pick.Credit...Matt Gentry/Associated Press

All along, a cornerback made sense for the Tennessee Titans, who had released Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson. And so they picked Caleb Farley of Virginia Tech, who was the first big-name player to opt out of the 2020 college football season, moved by the loss of his mother, Robin, to breast cancer in January 2018.

Farley’s talent isn’t disputed; he has superb short-area quickness and ball skills. It’s his health that raises concerns. Farley — who played quarterback in high school and started out as a receiver with the Hokies — had a microdiscectomy in late March to clean up a back injury he aggravated in February. “If a team wants the best corner in the draft,” Farley said after Virginia Tech’s pro day, “they’ll come find me.” The Titans have.

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No. 22 Pick
The Titans select Caleb Farley at cornerback.
College: Virginia Tech | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 197
Emmanuel Morgan
April 29, 2021, 11:01 p.m. ET

Kwity Paye completes long journey to the N.F.L.

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Kwity Paye will help Indianapolis’ pass rush.Credit...Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Already set at quarterback after an off-season trade to acquire Carson Wentz, the Indianapolis Colts added a defensive threat by selecting Kwity Paye. Boasting a solid linebacker corps and secondary, the Colts’ pass rush will be expected improve with Paye on the line. If he contributes at a consistent level, he will boost an already playoff-caliber roster.

Paye was born in Guinea after his mother, Agnes, fled Liberia’s civil war and the family later immigrated to Providence, R.I. In 28 games at Michigan, he had 11.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for a loss.

Ken Belson
April 29, 2021, 10:53 p.m. ET

Giants fans seemed confused by receiver pick.

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Kadarius Toney was an excellent tackle-breaker at Florida.Credit...Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Giants took receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida with the 20th pick to bolster the league’s second-worst offense. Toney (6 foot, 193 pounds) gives quarterback Daniel Jones an additional target downfield. Toney averaged 14 yards on his 70 catches last season, scoring 10 touchdowns. He is an elite tackle-breaker once he has the ball.

The Giants felt comfortable trading their 11th pick to the Chicago Bears in return for the 20th and additional picks later in the draft. General Manager Dave Gettleman, who’s been on the hot seat because of picks in previous years, had signaled his willingness to trade down: “Honest, I’ve tried to trade back, but it’s got to be value,” he told reporters last week. “I’m not getting fleeced. I refuse to do it. If somebody wants to make a bad trade back, God bless them.”

Giants fans seemed perplexed by the pick, but they can check the video to get up to speed on their new receiver.

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No. 21 Pick
The Colts take Kwity Paye at edge rusher.
College: Michigan | Height: 6-2½ | Weight: 261
Ben Shpigel
April 29, 2021, 10:47 p.m. ET

Giants fans, soothe yourselves by watching Kadarius Toney highlights. I promise, they’re worth it.

No. 20 Pick
The Giants pick Kadarius Toney at wide receiver.
College: Florida | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 193
Ben Shpigel
April 29, 2021, 10:43 p.m. ET

Jamin Davis adds jaw-dropping athleticism to Washington’s defense.

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Jamin Davis was the No. 19 pick.Credit...Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

The Footballers took one of the draft’s total athletic freaks in 6-foot-4, 234-pound linebacker Jamin Davis of Kentucky. He destroyed his pro day, finishing in the 99th percentile in the 40-yard dash (4.41 seconds) and the broad jump (11 feet) and in the 100th in the vertical jump (42 inches). Another reason he’s a good fit for Washington? He harbors dreams of becoming a NASCAR driver. It just so happens that the former Washington coaching icon Joe Gibbs owns a NASCAR team.

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Emmanuel Morgan
April 29, 2021, 10:40 p.m. ET

Jaelen Phillips will stay home in Miami.

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Jaelan Phillips, center, was an elite defensive player at Miami but has an injury history.Credit...Michael Laughlin/South Florida Sun-Sentinel, via Associated Press

After filling its need for an offensive weapon with the No. 6 pick, the Miami Dolphins added to their defense by choosing end Jaelan Phillips at No. 18. Coach Brian Flores, a disciple of New England Coach Bill Belichick, is known for his aggressive mind-set on defense, sending constant blitzes. Phillips, who will not have to move far from his college campus in Miami, will give Flores options with exotic pressures, or by allowing the team to simply rush four down linemen. But Phillips will need to stay healthy. Injuries forced him to medically retire at his first college, U.C.L.A.

Ben Shpigel
April 29, 2021, 8:36 p.m. ET

A look at the Jets’ history of futility at quarterback.

The Jets Try to Find a Quarterback … Again

Ben Shpigel
Ben ShpigelReporting on the N.F.L. Draft 🏈

The Jets Try to Find a Quarterback … Again

Ben Shpigel
Ben ShpigelReporting on the N.F.L. Draft 🏈
Steve Conner/Associated Press

The Jets took Zach Wilson with the No. 2 pick in the N.F.L. draft on Thursday night, their latest attempt to solve a decades-long quarterback quandary.

Let’s review some truly awful history →

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