Exactly. They are not. They are but bets on unproven NFL talent, the majority of which don't work out.
Exhibit A - our 1st round picks the last 15 years:
- 2026: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (Pick No. 28)
- 2025: Will Campbell, OT, LSU (Pick No. 4)
- 2024: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (Pick No. 3)
- 2023: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
- 2022: Cole Strange, OL, Tennessee at Chattanooga
- 2021: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
- 2019: N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
- 2018: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia & Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia
- 2015: Malcom Brown, DL, Texas
- 2014: Dominique Easley, DL, Florida
- 2012: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse & Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
I'd take AJ Brown -- a proven high-level talent with an expected couple solid years left -- over everyone on that list except Maye and Gonzalez.