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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 Getty Images/Getty Images)
(Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) /

Loser: Carolina Panthers

There were many rumors and mock drafts declaring Derrick Brown was the guy the Carolina Panthers wanted. This was an ok pick and many teams like to solidify the line of scrimmage when drafting.

Unfortunately for Carolina, it looks like there may have been more impact still available on the board rather than a primarily run-stuffing defensive tackle. The Panthers could have drafted Isaiah Simmons to help ease the loss of Luke Kuechly or even C.J. Henderson to fill the loss of James Bradberry.

Brown felt like more of a safe pick, but at no. 9 the Panthers might have wanted to go for more impact.

Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars fans have not had many things to route for during this offseason, but the team rebounded nicely in the first round of the draft. They drafted C.J. Henderson at No. 9 to restock their cornerback group and this was a great pick. Henderson was the second-rated corner in this draft and there was a huge drop off after him. He has the skills and tools to develop into a shutdown corner in the future and he may have gone much higher in other years.

Later, the Jags were also able to draft K’Lavon Chaisson at No. 20. Chaisson has the potential to be an absolute beast off of the edge for Jacksonville and offers enough versatility to drop into coverage when needed. Pairing him along with last year’s top pick Josh Allen off of the edge could have the Jaguars forgetting about Yannick Ngakoue in the next couple of seasons.

With Henderson, Allen and Chaisson, the Jaguars may have the foundation for a dominant defense once again.

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