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2020 NFL Draft, winners and losers from first round: Raiders reach, Vikings hit home run

By Bob Blackwood

UNSPECIFIED LOCATION - APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Tua Tagovailoa shows off the lining of his jacket during the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23, 2020. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED LOCATION - APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Tua Tagovailoa shows off the lining of his jacket during the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23, 2020. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by NFL via Getty Images)
(Photo by NFL via Getty Images) /

Winner: Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers were able to draft their quarterback of the future in Justin Herbert at No. 6 and, no matter what you think about Herbert, he was pretty good value where the Chargers drafted him. He may need time to develop but coach Anthony Lynn is a big fan of Tyrod Taylor so the Chargers will give Herbert the time he needs.

They were also able to trade back into the first round and add a player to their defense. A talented unit added more with Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. Murray fills a hole and should develop into an every-down difference-maker for the Chargers.

Loser: Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders did a fine job with their two picks on night one but both of them felt like a bit of a reach. They drafted Henry Ruggs III as the first receiver taken in the draft. Ruggs is fast but he is less polished than Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb. Maybe the Raiders just wanted his speed element in their offense or maybe they channeled their inner Al Davis. It feels like with Jon Gruden, they could have really taken advantage of the skillset of Lamb and Jeudy even more.

The Raiders also drafted Damon Arnette at No. 19. He is another character first-round pick to go with some of the picks the team had in last year’s draft. He felt like a reach but maybe it works out for them. It just felt like there were more talented cornerbacks on the board.

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