Okay, so we’re two weeks away from the NFL draft — April 23 in Pittsburgh. The draft that’s going to decide whether the Raiders get their long-suffering fans a new quarterback or just another wide receiver who can’t catch a cold. The Jets are about to pick second and maybe third, but they’re still stuck with the idea that somehow, someday, they’ll have a quarterback who isn’t named Sam Darnold. And the Cowboys? Man, I don’t even know where to start.
Let me tell you, this is not just another draft. It’s the culmination of years of bad decisions, missed opportunities, and front offices that think drafting is like cooking — it’s all about having the right ingredients in the right order. But here we are, two weeks out from a big day for the NFL, and I feel like I’m sitting at a bar with my buddy Joe, who’s been trying to get me to watch “The Godfather” since 2017 because he thinks it’s about football.
Starting with the Raiders — they’ve got the first pick. That’s a given, right? They’re going to take a quarterback, and let me tell you, it’s not just about talent. It’s about legacy. The Raiders have had so many QBs in recent years that I can’t even keep track. From Derek Carr to Jimmy Garoppolo to Marcus Mariota — hell, they even tried to trade for Deshaun Watson. And now? They’re back at square one.
I remember when they drafted Justin Herbert in 2020. That was the last time they actually had a good QB on the roster. But then they traded him away because, I don’t know, he wanted more money or something. And since then, it’s been all downhill. The Raiders have become this NFL version of the New York Islanders — you can’t find your way out of your own locker room.
So here we are with the first pick again. The question is: Who do they take? I’ve heard whispers that maybe they’re looking at someone like Jayden Daniels or Will Levis. Both are college QBs, both have upside. But let me tell you, if I were a Raider fan right now, I would be worried as hell.
The Raiders also have picks 36, 67, 102, etc. And the experts say they’re going to use those to bolster Fernando Mendoza’s support system. That makes sense — because what is this team without its quarterback? They need a good receiver, a solid right tackle, maybe even a running back on Day 3.
But wait, here’s the thing: Mendoza is not a sure thing. He’s not like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. He’s more like a guy who might be decent if he can stay healthy and avoid being hit in the head. And let me tell you, that’s not exactly the kind of QB you want leading your team into playoff games.
Then there are the Jets — they’re picking second and third. They’ve had enough of Sam Darnold, but they haven’t found a replacement yet. The idea is to draft a quarterback in the fourth round? That seems like an excuse for them to keep waiting for the perfect QB who will never come. Drew Allar from Penn State has been working out at their facility. He’s got size and arm strength, but he also looks like he’s going to be a project. And if they end up picking Ty Simpson in 16 or 33, then all of this goes out the window.
I’ve heard some analysts say the Jets are taking a “best player available” approach with their three early picks. But I don’t trust that. They’re not going to draft someone just because they’re good — they’re going to draft someone who fits into their system and doesn’t require constant coaching adjustments. And if Omar Cooper Jr. is on their radar, then maybe they’re looking for a receiver who can actually catch the ball.
But let me tell you, I don’t think this team has been close to having a good offense in years. They’ve had so many different coordinators and schemes that it’s like watching a movie where the main character keeps changing every 10 minutes. And now they’re going to take a QB in the fourth round? That feels like they’re trying to avoid responsibility.
Then there are the Cowboys — I don’t even know how to start with them. They’ve got the sixth pick, and their front office has been all over the map. Jerry Jones keeps saying he wants to be aggressive, but then they go out and draft someone who’s not even close to being a starter. The last few drafts have been a disaster — they took Micah Parsons in 2021, which was a decent move, but since then it’s been all downhill.
The Cowboys are looking for a pass rusher? That seems like a bad idea when you’ve got Dak Prescott at quarterback and a defense that can’t stop anyone. Maybe they need to get back to basics — find a QB who can actually throw the ball accurately instead of trying to build up their defense again. But I don’t know, maybe they’re hoping Dak will finally learn how to read defenses.
And let’s not forget about the Patriots — they’ve had some great drafts in the past, but now? They’re just holding on for dear life. The last few seasons have been a nightmare with Mac Jones and then Matt Cassel. And now they’re picking 13th? That seems like a sign that they’re hoping someone else will take care of their problems.
The Eagles are another team I don’t know what to think about. They’ve had some great drafts, but they’ve also made some terrible mistakes. Their offensive line has been a mess for years, and now they’re picking 19th? That doesn’t make sense. If you have a great offense, you need a great O-line — and the Eagles don’t have that.
Then there’s the Bills — they’ve had some good drafts in recent years with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. But I feel like they’re just trying to win now instead of building for the future. They’ve been aggressive in free agency, but their draft picks have been all over the map. And if they keep going after players who are already in their prime, then I don’t see a long-term plan.
The Bengals — I love them, honestly. Joe Burrow is a great quarterback, and their defense has been improving. But they’ve had some bad drafts too. They took Ja’Marr Chase in 2021, which was a good move, but since then it’s been hit or miss. And now they’re picking 16th? That seems like a sign that they’re trying to be aggressive again.
The Ravens — I don’t even know what they’re doing with their draft picks. They’ve had some good players over the years, but they’re always trading up for quarterbacks who never pan out. Lamar Jackson is one of the best QBs in the league, so why are they still looking for someone else?
The 49ers — I don’t know what to say about them. They’ve been rebuilding since the Kyle Shanahan era, and their draft picks have been all over the map. They took Trey Lance a few years back, which was a disaster, but now they’re trying to build around Brock Purdy. And let me tell you, if I were a 49ers fan right now, I would be worried as hell.
The Ravens — again, I don’t know what their strategy is. They’ve had some good players over the years, but they always seem to take chances on quarterbacks who never pan out. Lamar Jackson is one of the best QBs in the league, so why are they still looking for someone else?
And let me tell you, this is not just about talent. It’s about consistency and having a plan that actually works. The NFL draft should be about building a team with players who fit into each other’s strengths and weaknesses — not just taking the best player available no matter what.
So as I sit here two weeks before the draft, I feel like I’m watching a soap opera where everyone is trying to make up for past mistakes. And honestly? I don’t know if any of these teams are going to do anything right this time around.