(Photo: The Ringer)
1. Pittsburgh Steelers–It was a value-filled draft for the black and yellow. With their first pick, the Steelers selected Offensive Lineman, Troy Fautanu from the University of Washington. Throughout the mock process and a few radio appearances, I found myself saying that this was a very heavy draft with plenty of Offensive Linemen and Wide Receivers. Troy will have an immediate impact as he was the best run-blocking Offensive Lineman in this draft and he plays with that nasty and physical streak. This was a hand-and-glove pick for the Steelers as they look to be more physical in the running game. In the second round, they landed Zach Frazier, a Center from West Virginia who is also another physical addition to their line. They also added Mason McCormick on day three and he brings toughness and athleticism. I also loved the pickup of Roman Wilson from the Michigan Wolverines. He was one of the best blocking Wide Receivers in the country and he will also give the Pittsburgh passing attack a reliable, yet capable weapon in a receiver room that’s short on bodies after trading away Diontae Johnson. Arguably the biggest steal of the draft is Linebacker, Payton Wilson who I see producing early for this Pittsburgh defense.
2. Chicago Bears–I couldn’t be more excited for this organization. We already knew what they were going to do with the first overall pick and that’s take Caleb Williams from USC. The writing was on the wall for how many months now about this pick? The Bears also had another pick in the top ten as the first overall pick was from the deal they made last season with the Carolina Panthers. I felt they could’ve gone in so many directions at nine and I say that because they could’ve gone in the defensive direction or continued to build that offense and they selected Rome Odunze, a Wide Receiver from Washington who was one of the best in college football a season ago. Caleb, Rome, D.J. Moore, and Keenan Allen could give the Bears their best passing attack since the merger. I give Ryan Poles a lot of love because he knew what he wanted to do and went and got it. This is a very excited, yet optimistic fanbase right now as they should be.
3. Kansas City Chiefs–The rich just get richer, right? If you’re wondering how they’re able to stay on top, just look at their work in this draft. In the first round, they traded up with the Buffalo Bills and got their hands on Xavier Worthy, the speedy Wide Receiver from Texas which tells me they want to bring back the vintage speedy offense. Xavier ran the quickest 40-yard dash at the combine and will fit into the Kansas City offense perfectly. The Chiefs have been searching for that speedy receiver since trading Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in 2022. At 63, they drafted Kingsley Suamatia and the best way to keep your Quarterback happy is by keeping him protected and you can never go wrong with Offensive Line help. Surround your Quarterback with weapons and help up front and he will be a happy football player. I like that they’re building the roster from the draft and not through free agency which tells me they want homegrown football players which you can never go wrong with.
