By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Every year for the NFL Draft, we have teams that were winners and some who didn’t do things their way. Let’s focus on the winners because we don’t know for sure how these players will pan out in the future.
It’s hard to label any team as a “loser” in the process or aftermath of an NFL Draft. Here are some of the team members received in this year’s draft.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens had one of this year’s most successful draft picks. The front office personnel did a good job with their selections. It’s the Ravens, for crying out loud—an organization you never want to underestimate or bet your money against.
The Ravens drafted safety Malaki Starks out of Georgia in the first round as a 27th overall pick. The Ravens also selected Kicker Tyler Loop out of Arizona in the sixth round. Tyler could be the future for that position for the Ravens and become the successor of Justin Tucker. Aeneas Pebbles is an outstanding defensive lineman out of Virginia Tech. Peebles’ impact on the Ravens’ defense can be big time if he studies and works hard.
Green Bay Packers
Packers quarterback Jordan Love should be smiling today because he found himself a playmaker to throw down the field to. The playmaker we’re talking about is wide receiver Matthew Golden, who is out of Texas.
Golden got selected by the Packers in the first round as the 23rd overall pick. Golden was sensational with the Longhorns. Love and Golden become a great QB-WR duo.
The Packers also drafted edge rushers Barryn Sorrell (Texas) in the fourth round and Collin Oliver (Oklahoma State) in the fifth round. Sorrell started all 16 games and recorded 44 tackles with six sacks in 2024.
Oliver is a standout defensive player. He had impressive seasons from 2021 through 2023, during which time he earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors.
Oliver can pick up a lot of deflections, tackles, and sacks. When he’s healthy, he’s an asset. Oliver only started two games in 2024 and missed the entire year with a right foot injury.
The Packers hope that he will stay on the field and be a strong presence in their defense.
Honorable Mentions:
– Arizona Cardinals: drafted several talented players on defense from schools such as Ohio State, Oregon, and Mississippi.
– Atlanta Falcons bolstered their defense by drafting Jalon Walker (Georgia) and James Pearce Jr (Tennessee)
– Tennessee Titans: drafted QB Cam Ward, Oluwafemi Oladejo (UCLA), safety Kevin Winston Jr (Penn State), and tight end Gunnar Helm (Texas).
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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