NFL Draft: Players selected in the first round

Molly AronsonAugust 17, 2022

0 1 2 minutes read

Players were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Summary show

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence, 6-foot-6, 213 pounds, Clemson

Breakdown: Lawrence has been the presumptive No. 1 pick in this draft since his freshman season. Prototypical size, top-notch speed, athleticism, and rare arm talent. His delivery is a little long, and deep ball accuracy could be more consistent. Want to pick some nits?

Facts: First overall No. 1 from Clemson. Fourth straight overall, No. 1 to be a quarterback, and sixth in the last seven seasons. Lawrence is the fourth Q.B. taken in the first round by the Jaguars, joining Byron Leftwich (2003), Blaine Gabbert (2011), and Blake Bortles (2014).

2. New York Jets

Zach Wilson, 6-2, 214, BYU

Breakdown: Can throw accurately and with zipping from multiple arm angles. Their quick feet and hands made them especially effective with RPOs and play action. Made a big jump last season when BYU played a scheduled low-on top-flight competition.

Players

second in the last four seasons (Sam Darnold, third overall). It is the first time in NFL history a team has selected a Q.B. twice in the top three in four drafts.

3. San Francisco 49ers (from Houston through Miami)

Trey Lance, 6-4, 224, North Dakota State

Breakdown: Athletic, with good arm strength and the ability to decipher defenses before the snap. Not a lot of film. Lance is 20 years old and has played just one season against FCS competition, a total of 17 stars.

Facts: First time the Niners have taken a quarterback in the first round since Alex Smith went first overall in 2005. Lance is the second North Dakota State Q.B. in the top three in five years, with Carson Wentz (second overall) in 2016.

4. Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts, 6-6, 245, Florida

Breakdown: It became an impossible matchup last season; too big for the fast players and too fast for the big players. Rarely lets a pass. He can get his hands on a getaway. The blocking needs work, but maybe he’s just a super-sized wide receiver.

Facts: Pitts is the highest-selected tight end in NFL draft history, going one spot higher than Riley Odom to Denver in 1972. Before the merger, Mike Ditka was also drafted fifth overall by Chicago in 1961.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase, 6-0, 201, LSU

Breakdown: Good burst to get separation and consistently comes down with contested catches. Plays like a bigger receiver, despite the lack of significant length. Opted out of last season but was an All-American in 2019, setting SEC records with 1,780 yards receiving and 20 T.D. Catches. Facts: Chase is the third receiver Cincinnati has taken in the top 10 since 2011, joining A.J. Green (2011) and John Ross (2017).