Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Fred Faour: A look at the AFC South, Texas college-based players and some other first-night draft winners
While we have already praised the Texans for their move to get Will Anderson, the rest of the AFC South (and some other teams) made some nice moves on Thursday night as well. Obviously, the Panthers trading up to get quarterback Bryce Young was a huge move for them. The Vikings did a great job picking up Jordan Addison, who will be an impact wide receiver.
The Eagles (shocker) may have had the best draft of all, getting Georgia DT Jalen Carter and another Bulldog in edge rusher Nolan Smith. The Eagles just get things right every year. The Seahawks might have exited Round 1 with the best wide receiving trio in the NFL after adding Ohio State slot Jaxon Smith-Njiba and also picking up a terrific corner in Devon Weatherspoon.
As for the Texas-based schools, Bijan Robinson went eighth overall to the Atlanta Falcons. Robinson is a terrific player, but drafting running backs that high rarely works out long-term. Short term, he will be a weapon.
TCU’s dynamic WR Quentin Johnston went 21st to the LA Chargers, where he should provide an instant weapon for Justin Herbert. Promising Texas Tech defender Tyree Wilson went seventh overall to the Vegas Raiders.
For Texans fans, the more interesting teams are in the AFC South. The Colts sat fourth and got QB Anthony Richardson, who is an incredible, if unpolished talent. He has every skill known to man with the exception of consistent accuracy throwing the football. That, and his production in college was not exactly eye-opening. But he had questionable coaching there and could thrive in Indy. He also has high bust potential.
Rapidly improving Jacksonville was able to trade down and get one of the better offensive tackles in the draft in Anton Harrison of Oklahoma. They will need him because tackle Cam Robinson will miss the start of the season due to a PED suspension. Harrison should be plug-and-play for the Jags.
As for the Titans, they took OT Peter Skoronsky from Northwestern. He is a solid player but also brings some question marks. The Titans needed help everywhere, and their real impact might come tonight with two second round picks.
Overall, it was a fun first round, and the Texans made it more entertaining.
