Best, worst draft picks in the NFC West
Now that the NFL Draft is completed, it's time for us to weigh in on bests and worsts. (By the way, the 2024 draft is April 25–27 in Detroit.)
BEST | Cardinals, LT Paris Johnson Jr. (first round): GM Monti Ossenfort hasn’t been in Arizona long, but he understands they’re not one draft pick away from contention. That’s why trading the third-overall pick for the best left tackle in the draft and more picks was one of the best moves of the weekend.
NFC: East | West | North | South | AFC: East | West | North | South
Johnson at No. 3 wouldn’t qualify for this list, but Johnson at No. 6 plus EDGE B.J. Ojulari, CB Garrett Williams, a pair of third-round picks and Houston’s 2024 first-round pick certainly does. Johnson had good stats with Ohio State, but when it comes to rebuilding a roster, finding extra assets is incredibly important. To be able to do so while still adding a player like Johnson Jr. is a strong move.
BEST | Seahawks, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (first round): The former Rose Bowl MVP barely played in 2022 due to a hamstring injury, but set Ohio State records with 95 receptions and 1,606 receiving yards in 2021.
Smith-Njigba would’ve been a top-five pick last year. Philadelphia reportedly considered him at No. 10, so getting the draft’s top receiver at No. 20 is a steal. With Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf on the roster, Geno Smith should have no problem finding open receivers next season.
BEST | Rams, OG Steve Avila (second round): The Rams haven’t had a first-round pick since 2016 and once again waited until the second round to make a selection. Luckily for them, their pick landed early in the round (36), where the versatile guard from TCU was available.
Pro Football Focus ranked the 6-foot-3, 332-pound center/guard as a top-three interior lineman. The Rams offensive line set a record for injuries last year with three starters missing more than half the season. Getting a top player at a position of need is a win for GM Les Snead.
WORST | Seahawks, RB Zach Charbonnet (second round): Charbonnet can play. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns with UCLA in consecutive seasons. But did the Seahawks really need to spend another second-round pick on a running back?
Seattle took Kenneth Walker III with the 41st pick last year, so many were surprised to see it take Charbonnet at No. 52 in 2023. Walker was outstanding last year, but the Seahawks’ defense wasn’t. Florida DT Gervon Dexter Sr. was taken by Chicago with the next pick and could’ve helped the league’s third-worst rushing defense.
WORST | 49ers, K Jake Moody (third round): If not for compensatory picks, GM John Lynch would’ve been watching the draft from Roger Goodell’s basement. The Niners didn’t have a pick until the third round, and Lynch still drafted a kicker.
Granted, the team needed to replace Robbie Gould, but championship-caliber teams should never rely on a rookie kicker. Does Lynch miss the broadcast booth? Picks like this get you kicked out of fantasy leagues.
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