The Guardian

NFL draft winners and losers: Bears and Pats excel as Steelers and Packers fumble

Chicago made an aggressive – and spectacular transfer – for the proficient Justin Fields whereas Pittsburgh overreached to take a working again Former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, heart, poses with workforce proprietor Robert Kraft, left, and workforce president Jonathan Kraft after his choice by the New England Patriots. {Photograph}: Charles Krupa/AP Winners Chicago Bears: Chicago had probably the most to shout about after the mud settled in Cleveland. The Bears executed the best transfer of the weekend once they traded as much as snag Justin Fields on the expense of first- and fifth-round picks this 12 months, and a first- and fourth-rounder in 2022. Aggressive selections like this are sometimes a determined attain however getting such an all-round proficient quarterback at No 11 seems like an unmitigated steal. Fields being given respiration room to be taught whereas veteran Andy Dalton begins in September factors to a really vibrant future. Certainly, Bears head coach Matt Nagy noticed the identical blueprint work when he was on the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and Patrick Mahomes acted as Alex Smith’s back-up in his rookie season. Chicago adopted up the Fields choose by addressing their threadbare offensive line within the second spherical with proper sort out Teven Jenkins, who ought to be an on the spot starter and can be a much-needed improve in Chicago’s run and move blocking. Lastly, the Bears could have pulled off one other solid-gold steal once they picked Thomas Graham Jr down in spherical six. The cornerback opted out in 2020 however his earlier three stellar seasons with Oregon level to a sky-high upside. New England Patriots: The scrutiny of Mac Jones’ shrank the second San Francisco handed on him at No 3. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan may need determined he wanted extra juice, within the type of Trey Lance, or San Francisco may need by no means been out there for Jones in any respect. However, as Jones tumbled all the way in which down to fifteen, all of negativity aimed his approach was wiped away. New England at the moment are the proud homeowners of probably the most correct quarterbacks accessible, an ideal match for Invoice Belichick. Jones has little working capability however he’s glorious when working from contained in the pocket, and the comparability with Tom Brady is of course exhausting to keep away from. Clearly Jones shouldn’t be assured even a sliver of Brady’s success however Pats offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can be delighted to be working with a expertise who would have match so simply into his pocket-passing schemes from New England’s glory years. The draft solely acquired higher for New England in spherical two. I had defensive sort out Christian Barmore pegged for the Pats with their first choose, so for him to slip all the way in which to No 38 was an enormous shock. He was comfortably the very best inside lineman going, a constantly fearsome move rusher for Alabama. Barmore’s small pattern measurement from school, with manufacturing towards small faculties, affords some threat however his athletic capability is simple. Barmore is one other steal, and New England look set to rise from the mat shortly and be a critical contender in 2021.Los Angeles Chargers: Los Angeles spherical off the weekend’s huge winners with the eye-catching addition of offensive sort out Rashawn Slater, Asante Samuel Jr at cornerback and a stable third choice at receiver in Josh Palmer. Finishing the offensive line rebuild for quarterback Justin Herbert could have been a no brainer for the Chargers however the record-breaking rookie’s second season can solely be enhanced with Slater, who was a real star in school. He was a real blocking menace, and allowed no sacks and solely 5 pressures in 355 snaps when move defending in 2019. Slater is a 300lbs miracle for Herbert, who was hostage to 21 pressures per sport in 2020. Samuel Jr is a great addition on the opposite facet of the ball for Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, too. Los Angeles’ new-look zonal protection now boasts a cornerback with a compelled incompletion price of over 20% throughout his profession with Florida State. The Chargers’ brutal file of seven one-score losses final season could possibly be reversed with Slater on receiver patrol. Lastly, the Chargers ought to be thrilled by pilfering Palmer with the 77th choose. The receiver’s inventory suffered from having poor manufacturing however that’s extra an indictment of his quarterback in Tennessee than something in his management. Palmer has searing tempo, demonstrated when beating new Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain II deep final season. He’s one other new face for Herbert to get enthusiastic about, a critical goal behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Losers Najee Harris could effectively prove to have been a attain as a first-round choose. {Photograph}: Gary Cosby/USA In the present day Sports activities Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh’s fame as grasp draftsmen took a big dent this 12 months. Sure, the Steelers want a working again, and so they could lastly have a authentic successor to Le’Veon Bell in Najee Harris, however he could find yourself routinely brutalised behind one of many league’s worst offensive strains. A working again within the opening spherical is a consensus attain, one Pittsburgh ought to have prevented. James Robinson’s bounce from scrapheap to indicate stopping 1,000 yard season for the Jaguars final season ought to have been a latest sufficient instance to assist keep away from an itchy set off finger. Harris is a superb move catcher however not a three-down again, and is the second-worst choose of the draft contemplating the Steelers’ holes at nook and on the sting in addition to o-line. As for the worst choose? Your picket spoon is within the mail for Alex Leatherwood, Las Vegas.Inexperienced Bay Packers: Amari Rodgers meet Aaron Rodgers (hopefully). The Packers lastly picked up a move catcher for his or her nice quarterback however it could possibly be a lot too little, too late. The reigning MVP’s want to go away Inexperienced Bay was arguably the draft’s largest story, however no matter occurs the waters seem, at minimal, briefly muddied to the detriment of the workforce. Ought to Aaron keep, Amari is a superb slot receiver and may ease the unceasing workload on Devante Adams’ shoulders. Elsewhere the Packers addressed the necessity for assist at nook and heart in spherical one and two respectively however with head-scratching alternatives in Eric Stokes and Josh Myers. Higher prospects at each positions have been accessible, notably Asante Samuel Jr at cornerback.