Hector Mata / AP

Mark Sanchez speaks to reporters after the Jets selected him fifth overall in the NFL draft on Saturday.

Denver
The Broncos also wind up doing a nice job. Even though they have a ton of running backs, Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno with the 12th pick is a shrewd move. He’s the slickest running back in the draft and, if the talent is there, you take the player and worry about the depth chart later.

They also added a 3-4 defensive end, Robert Ayers with the 18th pick (acquired from Chicago in the Jay Cutler deal) and did more to help their horrendous defense early in the second with Wake Forest corner Alphonso Smith.

If there are winners, there must be losers, no?

Buffalo
With a yawning need at left tackle and some decent ones still on the board, the Bills took Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin with the 11th overall pick. Maybin played in college at 235 and, even at 250, may not be stout enough to be anything more than a pass-rush specialist. Bad play, Bills.

Rey Maualuga
The inside linebacker from USC was ballyhooed as a top 15 pick. Maualuga turned into a top 40 pick, going to the Bengals in the second round with the 38th pick. It’s a good get for Cincy (who also made a smart move getting tackle Andre Smith at No. 6) but it’s got to be a disappointment for Maualuga.

Oakland
Continuing to draft on 40 times and measurables rather than production, they take Darrius Heyward-Bey from Maryland with the No. 7 pick. Speedy, yes. Productive? Not like the other first-round receivers who were on the board. And then they come back in the second round and take another guy who tests well and plays less than well, safety Michael Mitchell from Ohio.

Buccaneers
Who was going to take Kansas State Josh Freeman between 17 — the spot they traded up to get him — and 19, the spot they were in?

Freeman is a first-round pick because he fits the suit — big arm, 6-6, 248 pounds — yet he’s got a long way to go before he’s a capable starter in the NFL. Really risky first-round pick for a team that has holes elsewhere. At least Freeman like his chances. He said of Stafford and Sanchez, “I’d take me over them. I feel like I’m the better QB, but they’re getting more of the hype. But I’ve got the rest of my career to prove that I’m the best guy.”

Chicago
Hello, you guys in this game or not? The Bears traded out of their second-round pick (49th overall) in a deal with Seattle and didn’t make a selection on Saturday. Their first pick on Sunday is No. 68. Tough deal, watching 67 players go off the board that could help a non-playoff team with an aging defense, don’t you think?

More news

NBC Sports

What's up with Alex and Cam?

  SportsTalk: 49ers quarterback Alex Smith rips on Panthers' second-year QB Cam Newton.

NBC Sports

Sanchez looking over his shoulder at Tebow?

  SportsTalk: Is Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez concerned about being benched for Tim Tebow? It's possible.

Headlines

• Label

PFT: Giants' confidence in Randle is growing

PFT: Bears have doubts about Forte's knees

PFT: Jeff Garcia still wants to play in the NFL

PFT: Ex-Dolphin testifies in bizarre murder case

PFT Live: Top picks bring QB competitions

PFT: Williams tape may hinder 'Hard Knocks'

PFT Live: Cardinals' DB Campbell is excited

PFT: Polamalu thinks kids should play football