pointed in the same direction. The Atlanta Falcons used the eighth pick to draft Kirk Cousins’s backup. The New York Jets declined to add a skill player for Aaron Rodgers. The New York Giants didn’t attempt to solve their quarterback issue, but the Denver Broncos did. The many disparate decisions were united by a common theme: Even when teams zagged from what was expected, they still wound up drafting for offense. Offense, offense, offense. So. Much. Offense.
The offensive glut, though, was not purely random. NFL front offices have leaned further into positional value, almost uniformly refusing to use extensive resources — either cap space or draft capital — on positions outside of quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, pass rusher and cornerback.