NFL Draft: Instant reaction to every 1st round pick

Perhaps the most interesting top 10 in recent NFL history, this is set up to be one hell of a draft. Let's take a look at some instant reactions to every team's selections.

Despite his size concerns, Young has all the talent in the world. Able to operate incredibly well outside of structure, he is going to be surrounded by exceptional coaching in Carolina to maximize his abilities. The Panthers may well have their franchise QB for the next decade.

Despite rumors suggesting a defensive player was going to be the pick here, ultimately the talented Ohio State quarterback was too tempting to pass up. Stroud is an exceptional player in structure able to pick defenses apart, showcasing this on the biggest against Georgia in the Peach Bowl. Demeco Ryans gets his quarterback.

A blockbuster trade at the top of the draft saw the Houston Texans trading for the third overall pick from the Arizona Cardinals. Demeco Ryans gets his franchise pass rusher to lead his defense after getting his QB one pick earlier. An impressive haul to leave with two of the most talented players in the draft. Ultimately the Texans gave up a lot to move from 12 to 3 to select Anderson, but if he plays to his potential it won't matter, this is an aggressive move by a franchise that needs to start winning.

Will Levis was the expected pick here, but ultimately Richardson's sky-high potential was too much to pass up. With new head coach Shane Steichen previously working with Jalen Hurts, the coaching staff has experience working with athletic quarterbacks. Not quite the finished prospect, but could well be the best QB from this draft when it's all said and done.

A slight surprise with the fifth overall pick, all the rumors were suggesting a defensive lineman but Seattle go for the ultra-competitive corner from Illinois. A tremendous football player but perhaps this is a little early. If he plays to his potential his draft position won't matter though.

After trading down from three, the Cardinals trade the 12th and 34th picks to move back up to six overall. The Cardinals selected Paris Johnson Jr. with the sixth pick. Probably the premier tackle prospect in the draft, Johnson adds potentially elite talent to a team lacking just that.

With cornerback Christian Gonzalez still on the board, the Raiders ultimately chose to take the edge rusher from Texas Tech. Wilson is the perfect frame for an NFL pass rusher with good hands and bend. If it all comes together at the next level he could be a force to be reckoned with.

The Falcons went against the grain with this pick, ignoring most conventional logic by selecting running back Bijan Robinson from Texas. An unbelievable talent, but taking a running back this early certainly comes with some risks.

Howie Roseman is never one to be shy about trading up for the guy he wants, and there was no change this year. Swapping their 10th overall pick and a fourth in 2024 to get the ninth pick this year, the Eagles select the exceptionally talented defensive tackle from Georgia. He has had some character concerns but is reunited with his mentor and good friend Jordan Davis at the center of the Eagles' defense.

Darnell Wright offers the Bears something they have been severely lacking in recent times, solidity at one of the tackle spots. Probably just a right tackle in the NFL, Wright has the potential to lock down that side of the line well into the future for the Bears. Really solid pick.

NFL teams are built through the trenches, with offensive and defensive lines prioritized more than any position outside quarterback.  By taking Skoronski the Titans have certainly improved their O line. Whether he plays at tackle or guard in the pros, he is polished and experienced and will start from day one.

Despite the pre-draft buzz about the Lions loving cornerback Christian Gonzalez, the Lions made the shock pick of Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at 12 overall. Whilst extremely talented this seems quite high to take the second-best running back in the draft.

Having moved up two spots as part of the Aaron Rodgers trade, the Packers were well-placed to take a wide receiver but chose the edge rusher out of Iowa. Far from a finished product, Van Ness needs some work to get the best out of his talent, but could well become a high-quality pass rusher in time.

The Steelers moved up three spots to go and grab the best tackle left on the board. Jones can play either left or right tackle and offers great size and understanding of space. He could well lock down either side of the Steelers' O line for the next decade if everything goes to plan.

Having moved back two spots whilst trading for Aaron Rodgers, the Jets missed out on the top offensive line options. They chose to take the Iowa State edge, Will McDonald. This will be viewed by many as a big reach considering some of the talent still available. He could well translate nicely to the NFL, but there were better options on the board.

Christian Gonzalez continues to tumble down the draft board, with the Commanders choosing Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Despite incredible ball skills, there are some serious size concerns with Forbes, weighing in at only 166lbs. An instinctual football player, teams will be loathed to throw near here, but he could well be bullied by physical receivers.

Gonzalez fell further than expected but ultimately finds himself in a great situation for defensive backs. With Bill Belichick loving lockdown corners as part of his defensive scheme, Gonzalez will be a huge part of his defense going forward. An extremely talented player, the Pats traded back and still got their guy.

Head coach Dan Campbell loves to play physical, hard-nosed football, and there are fewer more physical than Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell (no relation), standing 6'5" and able to cover fairly well in pass coverage, it's run defense where he excels, able to make early reads and blow through potential blockers, he's an old school type player. 18 does feel high for an inside linebacker though.

The Bucs had lots of options with this pick, including the free-falling Will Levis, but ultimately the undersized defensive tackle from Pitt was too good to pass up. Kancey has been rising up draft boards since blowing up the combine and looks to be a versatile interior pass rusher at the next level.

Another very solid pick by the Seahawks, managing to select the consensus top wide receiver in the draft alongside Devon Witherspoon at number five. Smith-Njigba is as talented as they come as a wideout despite his less-than-elite speed. A great route running and ball skills are exceptional giving QB Geno Smith another weapon to aim for.

Despite the links to Zay Flowers, the Chargers decided to go in a different direction with this selection taking wide receiver Quentin Johnson out of TCU. A big-play receiver with solid size and sub 4.5 40 speed, he adds a new dimension to the Chargers' offense. He is perhaps a little too similar to Mike Williams to change the paradigm for Justin Herbert, however.

One spot later than expected, the Ravens are able to draft Boston College wideout Zay Flowers. With great speed and quickness, Flowers is going to go a long way to improving the Ravens' passing game. The Ravens signed Lamar Jackson long-term and got him some weapons to throw to. Great value at pick 22.

The fourth wide receiver taken in a row, Addison is going to provide the Vikings with a great complement to All-Pro Justin Jefferson. Addison is a shifty route runner who knows how to get open. Wideout was an obvious pick here and the Vikings were able to stay put and take one of the best in the class.

The Giants move up one spot in the draft, swapping picks with the Jaguars and sending some late round picks for the 23rd overall pick. The Giants used this pick to take cornerback Deonte Banks. Standing over six feet tall and weighing in at around 200lbs, Banks has great size and all the physical tools to be a very solid defender at the next level.

The Jags move back once again, this time it's the Bills who move up 2 spots to go and get their guy. Their guy was tight end Dalton Kincaid coming out of Utah. In a very strong tight-end class, Kincaid was seen as the top prospect. He'll give Josh Allen another much-needed offensive weapon, taking some pressure off Stefon Diggs.

With Jonathan Hankins signed through 2023, the Cowboys will have a ready-made replacement in the middle of their defense. Smith is a giant of a man who can really move. He probably won't offer too much in terms of pass rush at the next level, but his size and burst will force offenses to double him, creating matchup issues for Micha Parsons on the outside.

After moving back multiple times, the Jags are able to shore up their offensive line by taking Oklahoma Sooner Anton Harrison. Harrison has great size for a left tackle but is sometimes let down by athleticism. Perhaps a slight reach for a guy who needs a little bit of work, but the Jags need to keep improving on offense to compete in the AFC.

Taking pass rushers with high upside is almost never a bad idea, and that's exactly what the Bengals did with the 28th pick. Myles Murphy has great size and good speed but never truly dominated in college, despite very solid production. If he can take his game to the next level, he will be a dominant pass rusher. Not a bad idea for a Bengals side looking to compete for Super Bowls.

Needing to add some more juice along their defensive line, adding Bryan Bresee with the 29th overall pick makes a ton of sense. Despite not quite reaching his potential whilst at Clemson, the Saints will hope he stays healthy and is able to fulfill his true potential. A good value pick this late in the draft.

With their second pick in the first round, the Super Bowl runners-up take Nolan Smith from Georgia. The National Championship-winning Georgia defense is being reconstructed in Philly. Smith is a freak athlete and by all accounts a brilliant locker-room guy so this is a smart addition by the Eagles.

A true pass rusher, Felix Anudike-Uzomah will come in to replace Frank Clark on one side of the Chief's defensive line. A true hustle player Anudike-Uzomah certainly needs some work to unlock his true potential, but overall his engine and work ethic on the field makes this a swing worth taking for the Super Bowl champs.