College talent become superstars as the NFL Draft is here
Who will be the next superstar? The NFL Draft has arrived.
Casual and hardcore fans love this day. They look forward to it every season. Nobody knows how each pick will go. It’s a domino effect. One team picks a player the other wants and things can get haywire. Throw in trades, possible mistake picks, and other players go tumbling down the board. Wrap this up and we have a NFL soap opera.
The first six picks were not wild and made common sense according to needs. Many thought that Sam Darnold or Josh Allen could be the first pick, but Baker Mayfield went number one to the Cleveland Browns. Saquon Barkley (Giants), Sam Darnold (Jets), Denzel Ward (Browns), Bradley Chubb (Broncos), and Quenton Nelson (Colts).
Then we had the first NFL trade of the day, as Buffalo switched spots with the Buccaneers and selected quarterback Josh Allen out of Wyoming. Linebacker Roquon Smith (Bears), Mike McGlinchey (49ers), and Josh Rosen went next. Both McGlinchey and Rosen had some drama to it. McGlinchey had several people scratching their heads, especially San Francisco fans. The Cardinals would switch off with the Raiders to grab their quarterback of the future.
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Dolphins would add to their secondary in getting Minkah Fitzpatrick and Tampa Bay would get behemoth Vita Vea out of Washington, while the Redskins drafted defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne. With the Saints trading with the Packers, they would get their defensive end in Marcus Davenport.
At pick 15, Raiders fielded a need with offensive tackle Kolton Miller offensive tackle from UCLA. Tremaine Edwards would go to the Bills to add even more depth to their defense. Safety Derwin James (Chargers) and defensive back Jaire Alexander (Packers) went at the 17th and 18th spot.
Cowboys got a steal in linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Then back-to-back centers went, Frank Ragnow (Lions) and Billy Price (Bengals) went off the board. At 22nd the Titans went defense with outside linebacker Rashaan Evans. The Patriots went with help on their offensive line as they picked tackle Isaiah Wynn.
Carolina Panthers went with tiny and bulky wide receiver D.J. Moore. He reminds me of ex-NFL Panthers receiver Steve Smith. Baltimore went tight end which is imperative for their offense and grabbed Hayden Hurst. While Atlanta added to their already explosive offense by drafting wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
In a very emotional moment, Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier would introduce their first-round pick. You may remember Shazier was paralyzed after a football hit but made a great recovery and is walking. That pick would be safety Terrell Edmunds. If the name seems familiar his brother was drafted by Buffalo. Their father also played in the NFL.
Jacksonville added to their already impressive defensive and grabbed defensive tackle Taven Brien. Vikings followed suit and went with defensive back Mike Hughes. That Minnesota secondary is going to be brutal to pass against. Patriots love their running backs that can do multiple jobs. Sony Michel is exactly that. Which is a slight surprise since many thought Derrius Guice would be the number two back off-the-board. Ravens would trade with the Eagles and jumped up to take the last top quarterback in Lamar Jackson.
Notes:
- Five quarterbacks taken in the first round
- Two Heisman trophy winners in the first round
- Two brothers chosen in the first round
NFL Draft continues tomorrow on ESPN.