QBs dominate NFL Draft Round 1; Explaining Falcons’ shocking choice; Lakers on the brink

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THE NFL DRAFT FIRST-ROUND SELECTIONS, LED BY THE QUARTERBACKS

We knew the NFL Draft was loaded with offense and particularly with quarterbacks. We didn’t know it was this loaded. The first 14 overall picks were offensive players, the longest streak for one side of the ball in the modern era. Furthermore, four quarterbacks went in the top eight, and six went in the top 12.

• 1. Bears: Caleb Williams, USC (analysis)
• 2. Commanders: Jayden Daniels, LSU (analysis)
• 3. Patriots: Drake Maye, North Carolina (analysis)
• 8. Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., Washington (analysis)
• 10. Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, Michigan (analysis)
• 12. Broncos: Bo Nix, Oregon (analysis)

The shocker was Penix to Atlanta, and we’ll get to that in a bit. Nix to Denver was probably next-most surprising, but Sean Payton covets quarterbacks who operate on time. That’s why Nix is there and Russell Wilson isn’t.

But let’s talk about Williams to Chicago. Even though we knew it was coming, Bears fans should be ecstatic it finally arrived. He’s outstanding, and he’s going to one of the best situations we’ve ever seen for a No. 1 pick. Cody Benjamin has Williams atop the best player-team fits of the quarterbacks taken, and Will Brinson declared him a winner.

• The Bears already had D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet and D’Andre Swift as weapons and then added Rome Odunze ninth overall.
• The offensive line has some young talent, but it isn’t great. Guess what? Over the last two seasons, Williams threw for 22…