Biggest Reaches of Round One in the NFL Draft

Bo Nix

While Nix was deemed a fit for the Broncos, the decision to select him 12th overall is questionable. Denver had a glaring hole at quarterback after releasing Russell Wilson in March. Moving on from Wilson when they did means that the team will be tight on cap space, so adding a cheap talent at quarterback makes sense. Nix gives the Denver Broncos just that. The team does not have a second-round selection, which would have made it difficult for them to address the position without giving up future draft picks. With holes throughout the roster, sacrificing future picks would only limit Denver’s chances of being competitive in 2024.

Even if Nix makes the team more competitive next season, the team could have used their first pick on a premier talent at edge rusher, cornerback, or wide receiver. The decision to stay put and draft Nix seems shortsighted, considering how rough the roster looks. Sean Payton is also entering year two of a five-year contract, so he has time to sort out the position. By neglecting the receiver position, Payton could be putting Nix in a position to struggle early. If Nix can succeed in Denver, this pick will not look like a reach. However, the team has to nail the rest of their draft picks if that is to happen.

Ricky Pearsall

The 2024 class of receivers has been tabbed as one of the deepest in recent memory. Teams throughout the league will look to add depth to their receiver rooms in all seven rounds. While Pearsall was considered one of the better slot receiver prospects in the draft, he was a reach at pick number 31. The San Francisco 49ers are in limbo with two of their top receivers, which could have something to do with the selection. But as it stands, Pearsall enters a crowded receiver room in San Francisco. With Christian McCaffrey serving as a do-it-all player who can line up in the slot, Pearsall’s fit becomes even more precarious. Kyle Shannahan is as good as any coach in the league at coming up with creative ways to feed his playmakers, but the offense now has a lot of mouths to feed.

The decision to draft Pearsall could look smart if the team moves on from Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. But as it stands, using a first-round pick on Pearsall when the team has other pressing needs appears to be a big reach.

Honorable Mention: J.J. McCarthy

The smoke heading into the draft that the Minnesota Vikings were targeting McCarthy turned out to be true. Minnesota ensured they would have the ammunition to get the Michigan product by trading picks with the Houston Texans, but the board fell in their favor. Not having to move up for McCarthy makes the decision less of a reach in terms of value. Rather, there have been questions about McCarthy being a difference-maker at the next level. At Michigan, he was not asked to put the team on his back, and this could become a sticking point in the NFL. McCarthy was widely considered a first-round talent but had some red flags to his game. While he has the tools to succeed, McCarthy must prove his worth as a franchise quarterback. Now he must also live up to the pressure of being a top-ten pick.