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Cam Ward was selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans, but the expected nature of the pick meant it lacked the usual fanfare, especially with so much drama unfolding elsewhere. One of the standout stories came from Green Bay, where Travis Hunter, regarded as the top receiver and cornerback of the draft, was snapped up by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars aggressively traded with the Cleveland Browns, giving up their second-round pick and next year's first-rounder to move up and take Hunter at number two overall.
Newly appointed Jaguars general manager James Gladstone, just 34 years old, made a statement with the move, signaling an aggressive approach to building a contender. Adding a rare two-way star like Hunter could be transformative, especially with him set to form an explosive partnership with Brian Thomas Jr. as a wide receiver for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. If Hunter also contributes defensively, the Jaguars' gamble could prove a masterstroke.
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders' draft journey turned into an unexpected saga. While falling out of the first round wasn't entirely shocking given the limited number of quarterback-needy teams, dropping to the fifth round at pick 144 overall was surprising. Despite the bold predictions from his father, Deion Sanders, Shedeur's college performances didn't quite show elite NFL talent. Watching other quarterbacks get picked while hosting a draft party must have been painful, though Sanders handled it with dignity. Some speculate his slide was due to perceived arrogance, while others suggest personal biases played a role. Now he faces a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland, joining a team that had already selected another quarterback before him and six players overall.
The financial hit was significant too; Sanders' fifth-round deal will earn him about $5 million compared to the $18 million he might have made as a late first-rounder. Cleveland's draft strategy has also raised eyebrows, especially with their decision to pass on Travis Hunter. While the extra first-round pick next year could justify it if things break their way, the Browns have taken a major gamble. Adding both Dillon Gabriel and Sanders to a roster already featuring Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett could either spark healthy competition or lead to more quarterback chaos. And with Deion Sanders unlikely to stay quiet if things don't go well for his son, it's a situation that could quickly become volatile.
Elsewhere, the Las Vegas Raiders made steady moves in the draft. With the guidance of head coach Pete Carroll and part-owner Tom Brady, first-time general manager John Spytek executed a solid draft plan. The Raiders made 11 logical selections, starting with star running back Ashton Jeanty, who should immediately energize the offense alongside veteran quarterback Geno Smith. They added multiple receivers and are transitioning Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott to wide receiver and special teams. Brady likely had input on the selection of Cam Miller from North Dakota State, a dual-threat quarterback who could develop into a valuable backup.
Not every team had a smooth draft, though. The Atlanta Falcons, desperate for a pass rush, arguably overreached by drafting Jalon Walker at 15 and then aggressively trading back into the first round to grab James Pearce Jr., sacrificing next year's first-round pick in the process. Their gamble recalled last year's controversial decision to draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. after investing heavily in Kirk Cousins. Adding to the Falcons' embarrassment, a prank call by defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's son to Shedeur Sanders pretending to be the New Orleans Saints was revealed. Although both the Falcons and Jax Ulbrich apologized, the incident left an unfortunate stain on Atlanta's draft weekend.
