2023 NFL Draft: Revisiting Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson and other trades involving first-round picks
With the 2023 NFL Draft more than two months away, five first-round picks have already been traded. CBSSports.com is reviewing each of these trades to see how it has played out so far.
No. 5 overall: Seahawks via Broncos
Russell Wilson
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- Denver received: Defender Russell Wilson; 2022 Fourth Round Selection (Eyoma Uwazurike)
- Seattle received: Quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defenseman Shelby Harris; 9th overall 2022 selection (Charles Cross), 2022 second round selection (Boy Mafe) and 2022 fifth round selection [traded for a fifth-round selection (Tyreke Smith) and a seventh-round selection (Dareke Young)]; 5th in 2023 overall selection and 2023 second round selection
The partnership between Seattle and quarterback Russell Wilson seemed to have soured over the past two years. There were reports of “preferred destinations” even before the deal was requested. Denver was excited about acquiring a quarterback to work with freshman head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Fast forward a year: Hackett is gone and the media exploring ways to get the AFC West franchise out of Wilson’s recently signed contact in case new head coach Sean Payton is unable to fix it. The team finished last in the AFC West with a 5-12 record.
Seattle used their selection to rebuild the lineup. Forward Charles Cross and winger Boy Meif were added with medics acquired in a deal last year. General manager John Schneider can continue his impressive career by making the most of this year’s project capital. Drew Locke didn’t contribute to the team’s success, but Noah Fant and Shelby Harris were instrumental.
No. 6 overall: Lions via Rams
Jared Goff
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- Detroit received: Defenseman Jared Goff; 2021 Third Round Selection (Ifeatu Melifonwu); 2022 32nd overall pick (used to trade for Jameson Williams with No. 12 pick); 2023 No. 6 overall selection
- Los Angeles got: Defender Matthew Stafford
Detroit started the season 1-6. The season ended 8-2 thanks to Jared Goff and the attack. General manager Brad Holmes used 32nd overall to trade him and draft Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams. The franchise has a real opportunity to add top-notch talent to this year’s draft class. Can the Lions use this pick to choose a long-term replacement for Goff, or use it to bolster their weak position?
Clearly, the Rams haven’t done very well this season, given the Lions’ pick in the draft. However, the team won the Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford, which is more than enough to justify turning in capital as part of the deal.
10th overall: Eagles via Saints
AJ Brown
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- New Orleans received: 2022 No. 16 overall pick (used to trade for Chris Olav with No. 11 pick), 2022 No. 19 overall pick (Trevor Penning) and 2022 sixth round pick (Jordan Jackson)
- Philadelphia received: 2022 18th overall selection and 2022 third round pick (both used to trade for AJ Brown) and 2022 seventh round pick (used to trade to Kyron Johnson with a sixth round pick); 2023 No. 10 general selection; 2024 second round selection
Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman’s foresight to trade last year’s first-round pick benefited the Super Bowl runner-up. The Eagles are now 10th overall in this year’s draft and used last year’s first-round pick to acquire star wide receiver AJ Brown. The completion of the Eagles deal will be largely completed this year with the No. 10 overall.
The Saints have been desperate to meet some needs in 2022. New Orleans used their first-round pick on wide receiver Chris Olav and offensive tackle Trevor Penning. Penning has only played six games this season despite the injury. Olav was very productive, recording 72 receptions for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns. The team was heavily dependent on him due to the injury of Michael Thomas. The Ohio State product was in contention for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but it was ultimately awarded to his former teammate Garrett Wilson.
12th overall: Texans via Browns
Deshawn Watson
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- Cleveland received: Guard Deshawn Watson, 2024 sixth round selection
- Houston received: 2022 No. 13 overall [traded to Philadelphia in what resulted in the No. 15 overall selection (Kenyon Green), a second-round selection (John Metchie III), a third-round selection (Christian Harris) and a fifth-round selection (Thomas Booker)]; 2022 Fourth Round Selection (Dameon Pierce); 12th in 2023 overall selection and 2023 third round selection;…
Source: www.cbssports.com
