My Reactions and Comments Throughout the 1st Round of the NFL Draft

“Somebody tell Gruden that Danny Shelton played at Washington not Utah!”

My reactions and comments throughout the first round of the NFL Draft…

            It’s 7:30! Just 30 minutes to go until of my favorite, most overrated, overhyped, least satisfying, yet most gratifying days of the year is almost under way. The 2015 NFL Draft! I cannot wait to see if I can score more than 10 correct entries on my mock draft (1 out of every 3? I could make the Hall of Fame with those numbers!) Can’t wait for it start, and can’t wait for it to be over.

           

Here are some early observations about the pre-draft coverage thus far….

1) Dante Fowler Jr. has the best suit ever made

2) Why is offensive tackle Donovan Smith there? I haven’t seen him in a single mock draft going in the first round. I’m betting it’s the Patriots selecting him…they never do what I want.

3) Shelly Smith looks excellent!

4) Does Michael Bay work for ESPN? All of these dramatic shots of the draftees, low angle shots, slow motion…The half of them that won’t make in the NFL may have a future as extras in the next Transformers movie.

5) How did the Bears get involved into trading up into the second pick??? Jay Cutler in Tennessee would be a good fit, especially with QB wiz Ken Whisenhunt. ButMariota in Chicago with John Fox? OR is Mariota the first pick to Tampa, and Winston will fall to Chicago…

6) Why couldn’t the NFL flown in Jet fans? Now what are we going to do when they select Garrett Grayson in the first round? I have booing Jet fans videos all cued up on YouTube.

Let’s get to the draft …

1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select QB, Jameis Winston, Florida State

Reaction: Took long enough. You think the NFL and ESPN could streamline this process?

2) Tennessee Titans select QB, Marcus Mariota, Oregon

Reaction: Just find it interesting that Tennessee waited so long to make this pick for their franchise quarterback. Have to wonder if there was dissention in their war room over this pick?

3) Jacksonville Jaguars select DE, Dante Fowler Jr., Florida

Reaction: Fowler called this three weeks ago, when he said he would be shocked if Jacksonville didn’t take him. Fowler may have a future on the ESPN set when he realizes he doesn’t fit very well in the Jacksonville system.

4) Oakland Raiders select WR, Amari Cooper, Alabama

Reaction: Excellent pick by the Raiders. Which sounds like an oxymoron? But finally, the Raiders did not drool over the “measurables” and take a chance on a Kevin White, but instead go with the more dependable Cooper. This Roll Tide alum could change the tide for Oakland.

5) Washington Redskins select OT, Brandon Scherff, Iowa

Reaction: It’s not a sexy pick for the Redskins, but it is a dependable one. If they want RG3 to stay healthy, Scherff is a good insurance policy.

6) New York Jets select DE, Leonard Williams, USC

Reaction: The Giants success was built on depth on the defensive line, and the Jets could be attempting the same thing here. Rumors are they could be trading Muhammad Wilkerson….so who knows what they are doing?

7) Chicago Bears select WR, Kevin White, West Virginia

Reaction: Good pick by the Bears, especially since Williams went just a pick before. The Bears may have the best young core of wide receivers in football now. Just too bad that Jay Cutler is still throwing to them.

8) Atlanta Falcons select LB, Vic Beasley, Clemson

Reaction: Dan Quinn could make him a Bruce Irvin clone…if he does not, this has flop written all over it.

QUICK NOTE: Somebody tell Jon Gruden that Danny Shelton plays at Washington, not Utah!

9) New York Giants select OT, Erick Flowers, Miami

Reaction: Giant fans may be upset because Kiper is going off about the Giants are “overdrafting” but the Giants can’t trade back if nobody wants to trade up. What player left on the board would be willing to trade up. Giants draft well. They got the guy they got. I don’t think that they said no to a trade, I just don’t think there is anybody to trade with.

10) St. Louis Rams select RB, Todd Gurley, Georgia

Reaction: Could not be more excited about this pick for both the Rams and Todd Gurley. I think this could be a perfect union.

11) Minnesota Vikings select CB, Trae Waynes, Michigan State

Reaction: Smart pick by the Vikings. I trust Mike Zimmer when it comes to drafting defensive players.

12) Cleveland Browns select DT, Danny Shelton, Washington

Reaction: Still want Gruden to acknowledge he played at Washington.

13) New Orleans Saints select OT, Andrus Peat, Stanford

Reaction: In case you have not figured it out yet, the NFL sent a memo around the league informing teams that they need to select…NEED, NEED, NEED…

…the Jets did not get the same memo

14) Miami Dolphins select WR, DeVante Parker, Louisville

Reaction: Miami took a long time to make this obvious pick. Parker could be the steal of the draft thus far.

15) San Diego and San Francisco exchange first round picks (49ers get two additional picks)

San Diego Charges select RB, Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

Reaction: So do I get credit for this selection even though I had the Chargers doing this at the 20 spot? I’m counting it

16) Houston Texas select CB, Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest

Reaction: I thought the Texans would select a wide receiver like a Jalen Strong, or Philip Dorsett. But big tall, lengthy corners are rare and a hot commodity in the NFL. If the Texans want to beat the Colts, have to give Andrew Luck something to think about.

17) San Francisco 49ers select DE, Arik Armstead, Oregon

Reaction: With everything the 49ers have lost this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball, I am shocked the 49ers selected a ‘project’ in the first round.

18) Kansas City Chiefs select CB, Marcus Peters, Washington

Reaction: The last three picks in this draft have been interesting. Peters has had a troubled history at Washington, more troubled than Shane Ray or Randy Gregory. Lesson to learn…don’t get in trouble prior to the draft. Get in trouble before that.

Quick Note: These 2^nd Tier Wide Receivers are not flying off the board like the experts thought. The last three picks have been a surprise, but telling that three teams who needed a wide receiver are not biting in the first round.

19) Cleveland Browns select G, Cameron Erving, Florida State

Reaction: Two solid picks by the Browns in this draft. The Browns have filled major holes…except for the quarterback that is.

20) Philadelphia Eagles select WR, Nelson Agholor, USC

Reaction: Well the Eagles have done nothing exciting tonight. Is it just me or is Chip Kelly obsessed with USC players?

21) Cincinnati Bengals select OT, Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M

Reaction: The Bengals wouldn’t have been able to get in the 2^nd round, and they, like many other teams, are just not going near Shane Ray or Randy Gregory. One of these two have to go in the first round right?

22) Pittsburgh Steelers select OLB, Bud Dupree, Kentucky

Reaction: Steelers have not had much success drafting this position in recent years.

23) Denver and Detroit exchange first round picks (Detroit gets OT Manny Ramirez, and 2 5^th Round picks)

Denver Broncos select DE, Shane Ray, Missouri

Reaction: Brilliant pick for the Broncos! Good luck block Shane Ray and Von Miller.

24) Arizona Cardinals select OT, D.J. Humphries, Florida

Reaction: Lost Carson Palmer to an injury last year, and then lost Drew Stanton. Perhaps strengthening the offensive line is wise.

25) Carolina Panthers select OLB, Shaq Thompson, Washington

Reaction: So I guess the Carolina Panthers will just never select a skill player for Cam Newton. Just a shame.

26) Baltimore Ravens select WR, Breshad Perriman, UCF

Reaction: Just like the Ravens to score a great value pick late in the draft. Man how I loathe them…

27) Dallas Cowboys select CB, Byron Jones, UCONN

Reaction: Jerry clearly fell in love with his combine. Cornerback is a need for the Cowboys and they may have the most athletic corner in all of football now.

28) Detroit Lions select G, Laken Tomlinson, Duke

Reaction: He should be a very dependable pro, and providing protection for Stafford is always a worthy investment.

29) Indianapolis Colts select WR, Phillip Dorsett, Miami

Reaction: Andrew Luck got a new toy. Uh oh.

30) Green Bay Packers select S, Demarious Randall, Arizona State

Reaction: Sure.

31) New Orleans Saints select LB, Stephone Anthony, Clemson

Reaction: Under the radar pick by the Saints. They had a decent first round, but no immediate impact players from the initial looks of it.

32) New England Patriots select DT, Malcolm Brown, Texas

Reaction: As much as the Patriots will miss Vince Wilfork, Chandler Jones and Malcolm Brown on the defensive line for the foreseeable future, is a good future for the Patriots.

After the weekend, I will post my draft grades. 1^st round provides entertainment and hope, but the next 6 rounds will make or break teams around the NFL.