The first round of the NFL Draft was highlighted by the wide receiver position - everywhere you looked. For the first time in history, 6 WRs were selected in the Top 20 of the draft, with all of them picked between #8 & #18 overall. Of the 6, 3 were traded up for to select:
- New Orleans jumped up 5 spots for Chris Olave
- Detroit jumped up 20 spots for Jameson Williams
- Tennessee added #18 for Treylon Burks
But the bigger news of night probably wasn't the 6 receivers who were drafted, but the two currently NFL wideouts who were traded amidst the selections.
The Cardinals acquired WR Marquise Brown from the Ravens with a 3rd round pick in exchange for the #23 overall pick last night. Brown reunites with college QB Kyler Murray, joining DeAndre Hopkins & A.J. Green to fortify a strong pass-catching arsenal in he desert. Arizona subsequently exercised Brown's 5th year option for 2023, locking him in at 2 years, $15.5M.
Not to be outdone, the Eagles soon after made an even bigger splash, acquiring WR A.J. Brown from the Titans for the #18 & #101 overall picks this year. Philly announced a 4 year, $100M extension for Brown shortly after, guaranteeing the 24 year old $57M according to initial reports. Tennessee used the #18 overall pick to select Treylon Burks out of Arkansas, who should come with a 4 year, $14.3M contract through 2025.
The run on WRs likely isn't done, as teams like Buffalo, Kansas City, Green Bay, & Baltimore should all be seeking another wideout Friday.
Best Available WRs (ESPN)
- Christian Watson, North Dakota State
- Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
- John Metchie, Alabama
- George Pickens, Georgia
- Alec Pierce, Cincinnati
Subsequently, the immediate futures of both DK Metcalf (SEA) & Deebo Samuel (SF) remain in question, as the former may not want to extend amidst a rebuild, while the latter has reportedly asked out of his role with the Niners.
Trade Compensation for Recently Traded WRs
A.J. Brown: 2022 1st, 2022 3rd (extending to $57M guaranteed)
Marquise Brown: With a 2022 3rd, for a 2022 1st (exercised $13.4M option)
DeVante Parker: With a 2022 5th, for a 2023 3rd (no financial change)
Tyreek Hill: 2022 1st, 2022 2nd, 2022 4th, 2023 4th, 2023 6th (extended to $72M guaranteed)
Robert Woods: 2023 6th (no financial change)
Davante Adams: 2022 1st, 2022 2nd (extended to $65M guaranteed)
Amari Cooper: With a 2022 6th, for a 2022 5th, 2022 6th (no financial change)