At long last, the NFL Draft finally has gotten underway from the city of Detroit.

The first round is officially in the books, and each of the 32 selections bring a renewed sense of hope to the franchises that made those picks. But plenty of work remains. Rounds 2 and 3 take place Friday night, and then Saturday features Rounds 4 through 7.

It’ll take some time to see how these picks pan out, but that won’t stop us from reacting and analyzing.

We’re taking a look at the winners and losers of the first round.

Winners

Quarterbacks — Quarterbacks flew off the board Thursday night with six of them going in the first 12 selections. Caleb Williams (Bears, first), Jayden Daniels (Commanders, second), Drake Maye (Patriots, third), Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons, eighth), J.J. McCarthy (Vikings, 10th) and Bo Nix (Broncos, 12th) combined to tie the historic 1983 QB draft class for the most taken in the first round. But never have six gone off the board as fast as they did Thursday night. Some of these quarterbacks will likely start right away. Others may sit for a bit. But for now, they serve as symbols of hope of brighter days ahead for their new franchises.

Offensive players — Each draft reflects a different trend, and this year has a strong offensive flavor to it because it took 14 picks before the first defensive player came off the board. That player was UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu, who went 15th to Indianapolis. In all, 23 offensive players went in the first round while only nine defensive players were drafted.

Kyler Murray — The Arizona Cardinals quarterback last season made his comeback from reconstructive knee surgery but returned to an offense short on game-changing talent. But Cardinals officials used the fourth pick of the draft to acquire Marvin Harrison Jr., who is regarded by many as the best wideout in the draft. Harrison gives Murray and the Cardinals a polished route runner that also boasts good size and speed.

Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles needed cornerback help, and they even made calls about potentially moving up in the draft so they could better position themselves to take the corner of their liking. But none of the teams ahead of them had a pressing need at corner and Quinyon Mitchell landed in their laps at No. 22 without Philly having to part with additional assets.

Daniel Jones — The New York Giants did a lot of homework on the quarterbacks in the draft. There was talk that they could have used the sixth pick on a passer, which could have signaled the end for Jones, who has largely disappointed since New York drafted him sixth in 2019. However, the Giants instead used the sixth pick on LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, and that means Jones will likely get another chance to establish himself.

LSU wideouts — First Nabers at sixth, and then Brian Thomas Jr. went 23rd to Jacksonville. It’s the first time that LSU has had two first-round wide receivers. Now, Nabers and Thomas will look to join Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, D.J. Chark and Odell Beckham as the next great wide receivers from LSU. It was a big night as a whole for wide receivers as a total of seven came off the board in the first round.

(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Losers

Kirk Cousins — Just months after they signed him to a four-year, $180 million contract, the Atlanta Falcons stunned Kirk Cousins by drafting Penix. Cousins, who didn’t learn of the team’s plans until the Falcons were on the clock, is coming off of a torn Achilles, but his recovery from surgery is going well, and he was looking forward to making Atlanta home. But now, Cousins could be looking for another opportunity sooner than he anticipated (most of the guaranteed money in his deal is in the first two seasons). Penix will likely sit and learn this year, and if Cousins falters in 2025, the Falcons could turn things over to the kid.

GO DEEPER

Cousins stunned Falcons drafted Penix Jr. in first round

Las Vegas Raiders — The Raiders needed to find their long-term answer at quarterback and were believed to have interest in moving up in the draft to ensure they were in position to take one. Well, the Raiders didn’t manage to move up, and by the time they got on the board at No. 13, all six of the quarterbacks viewed as potential franchise saviors had been taken. For now, Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew remain the Raiders’ only options at quarterback. They could look for a passer in the second or third round, but such a player would likely be a project.

Zach Wilson — The Broncos took Wilson off of the Jets’ hands just a few days ago, and it looked as if Wilson might have a chance to reset, learn from Sean Payton and potentially salvage his career in Denver. But then the Broncos used the 12th pick to draft Nix. Now, the best Wilson can hope for is a slow learning process for Nix and struggles from Jarrett Stidham, who started two games in Denver last season, so he can somehow work his way on the field. Otherwise, his practice reps and playing opportunities will be severely limited.

Defensive backs — Cornerbacks endured a long wait Thursday night as 21 players came off the board before Mitchell went to the Eagles. Mitchell, a Toledo product, does land in a good spot on a defense with a strong front. But he could’ve done without the wait. Mitchell’s wait wasn’t the longest, however. Two picks later, Alabama corner Terrion Arnold finally got the call as the Lions traded up to take him 24th. It was the longest cornerback wait endured since 1995 when Tyrone Poole went 22nd to Carolina and Ty Law 23rd to New England.

Buffalo Bills — Buffalo brass delivered a head-scratcher as they moved back in the first round after a trade of picks with the Chiefs. Kansas City used that pick to draft the speedy Texas wideout Xavier Worthy. Buffalo needs help at wide receiver, and the Chiefs are the one team Buffalo can never figure out how to beat in the playoffs. So, to pass up on a chance to help themselves, and then to help strengthen a chief adversary could really come back to haunt the Bills. Then, to make matters worse, the Bills turned around and traded out of the 32nd pick, moving back to 33rd. The Panthers, who moved into that spot, used that pick to take South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette — another player that really could have helped Buffalo.

Required reading

(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers star Russell Westbrook and Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington were ejected from the teams’ Game 3 matchup on Friday night following a scuffle.

The altercation occurred in the fourth quarter of Dallas’ Game 3 101-90 victory. Westbrook switched to guard Luka Doncic. After the Mavericks gained an offensive rebound, the ball swung back to Doncic. The Dallas sharpshooter drove into the lane when Westbrook got locked up with Doncic.

Westbrook was called for a foul and protested. When Doncic tried to argue with Westbrook, he received a forearm shove from the veteran NBA player. Washington got involved and pushed Westbrook, resulting in a shove from the Clippers player in retaliation.

Both players had to be separated and were ejected.

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Westbrook received a flagrant 1 foul for excessive contact on Josh Green during a breakaway chance earlier in the game.

LAKERS D’ANGELO RUSSELL FACES SCRUTINY FOR BEHAVIOR ON THE BENCH DURING TEAM’S PLAYOFF MELTDOWN

Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers’ Russell Westbrook, right, during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Dallas, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

“We’ve got to channel our aggression in other ways,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “It’s getting chippy. I like the physicality. I like the tough possessions. I like all of that. But we’ve got to make sure we’re not getting the technical fouls, we’re not getting thrown out of the game, because everybody’s important.”

Westbrook finished with one point and three rebounds in the loss.

Doncic and Kyrie Irving led the way for Dallas. Doncic had 22 points on 7-of-25 shooting. Irving had 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting. Washington had 10 points before he was tossed.

Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic talks to an official as Los Angeles Clippers’ Russell Westbrook, rear, listens during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Dallas, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas leads the series 2-1. Game 4 is set for Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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What did LeBron James do when he missed the shot that could’ve kept your team’s hopes alive? He blamed the Game 2 loss on the officials. He failed to mention the 20-point lead his team had in the third quarter. Columnist Bill Plaschke is right. The Lakers folded, wilted and disappeared.

Patrick Kelley
Los Angeles

::

Nikola Jokic is allowed to bump Anthony Davis off his spot and use his forearm to do it. That’s an offensive foul. He is allowed to go over the back and hook players’ arms for rebounds. Those are fouls. Getting hit in the head is not a foul anymore after a replay review. You just changed the momentum of the game. The Lakers might as well be playing the Celtics in a Game 7 with Mendy Rudolph as a referee. Like Chick Hearn used to say, ”If there is a foul and Mel Counts is in the building, it’s on him.”

Ed Villanueva
Chino Hills

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The Lakers losing the first two games to the Denver Nuggets was devastating. But when you analyze the game, and look at how the Lakers failed to come away with a win, it was because they made the same mistake in both games. In Game 1, Lakers’ third quarter, five minutes played, no points. In Game 2, Lakers fourth quarter, five minutes played, no points. Nuggets up 2-0. Lakers’ chances, maybe win one.

Donald Peppars
Pomona

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I am not one to make excuses for the Lakers, but it was obvious that the thin air and altitude in Denver played a major role in their two losses there. In both games they were worn out by the fourth quarter after great starts. Regardless, Coach Darvin Ham has done an excellent job with this team. Installing AD on the low post and making LeBron the “point forward” has helped them to post their best years as Lakers. As a fan since the Jerry West days, I plan on sticking by the team through the “thick and thin of it.”

Mike Anderson
Sherman Oaks

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Game 2 of the Lakers vs. Denver series provides an excellent example of sports mentality. Great players (Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady) and teams (Showtime Lakers) do not succumb to, or wilt under, pressure. They somehow maintain momentum throughout the game until its end. Good but not great players and teams are more prone to succumb to pressure by losing their focus and momentum.

Maybe it is just human nature for players and teams to shift from winning mentality to merely trying to defend a lead, thereby causing momentum to shift. The whole game is like a mystery novel that presents twists and turns, preventing the reader from knowing who done it until the final chapter. So, don’t be too hard on the Lakers for the loss in Game 2. They’re only human.

Richard Raffalow
Valley Glen

::

It’s time for the Lakers to fire coach Darvin Ham. Enough is enough. Ham is not a head coach. I don’t know why he was ever hired but it’s time to right a wrong. I too can stand with my hands in my pockets and watch blindly as the team blows lead after lead. I too cannot design an offense or a defense or a rotation. His last day needs to be Saturday.

Geno Apicella
Placentia