Now that the anticipation, drama, and excitement of Day 1 of the NFL Draft is in the books. I wanted to take a look back a day that was unpredictable and enjoyable. And let’s no forget long!! The 72nd NFL Draft’s first day was the longest including a record 1st round of 6 hours, 8 minutes.
Some topics that must be talked about from Day 1 are listed below:
- Raiders Return to “Excellence”? – In one of the only picks that I was able to predict, the Oakland Raiders decided that their man was JaMarcus Russell and selected him with the first overall pick. The big-armed quarterback calmly took the stage and the Raiders brought him home. There was no haggling over contracts, which cost Reggie Bush the first overall pick in 2006 and led the Texans to take Mario Williams. Russell will now team with Dominic Rhodes, Lamott Jordan , and the Raiders’ current set of WR’s (Ronald Curry, Mike Williams – traded from Detroit , and Jerry Porter) to restore their vertical passing game. Russell will get time to learn behind former Lions QB Josh McCown, who the Raiders acquired in a trade along with Williams.
- Rip, Rip – That was the sound of mine and everyone’s Mock Drafts. No one can predict what will happen on Day 1 of the NFL Draft especially in the first round. Nothing was certain from the Lions selecting another WR Calvin Johnson in the first round to the Browns passing on Brady Quinn at #3 and then trading up to save him at #22. We saw rare in-division trades (Jets trading with Patriots and the Eagles and Cowboys working a deal ???) and players going places no one saw coming like Patrick Willis going to the 49ers at #11 after leading up to the draft everyone had Adam Carriker going at that pick. I even commiserated with ESPN NFL Writer John Clayton about the fun and unpredictability of the event as he didn’t have a lot of the slottings right.
- Aggressive Trades – Teams not wanting to miss out on their guy were willing to ship later and future picks to move into position. The day included 17 trades starting with New York Jets to the delight of their fans at Radio City Music Hall moving into position with a trade with Carolina in the first round to scoop up Pitt CB Darrelle Revis at pick #14. Other bigger trades that I liked included:
- Cleveland trading a high 2nd RD pick (#36) in 2007 and 2008 first rounder to Dallas for the Cowboys’ first (No. 22) pick. The Browns then grabbed Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn their hometown boy, who was suffering the green room until they rescued him. Dallas now will have two first round picks next year and they then shipped the #36 pick to Philadelphia to take OLB/DE Anthony Spencer, who should team with DeMarcus Ware to former a devastating combo at DE.
- The Falcons moved up in the 2nd Round to grab my #1 man to man CB Chris Houston from Arkansas . They traded with the Vikings with the Falcons getting the #41 overall pick and the Vikings getting #44 ( 2nd Rd ) and #121 ( 4th Rd ). The Vikings used the pick to grab raw, but potentially explosive WR Sidney Rice from South Carolina
- I don’t know how Scott Pioli and Bill Belichek do it every year, but they always have a plan for the future on draft day and they execute it. The Patriots sensing that a team would want to make a splash at the end, where some prospects are not worth a 1st Rd pick, traded down and gain a base for next year. They shipped their #28 pick ( 1st Rd ) to the 49ers for a 4th rd pick in 2007 (#110) and a coveted 2008 1st Rd pick. The 49ers think they got a cornerstone O-lineman Joe Staley in the deal, but I thought the Patriots got the better of the deal.
I don’t like to give “Letter Grades”, because as I always like to say, “It takes 2 to 3 years to evaluate a draft”. That being said, some teams definitely did seem to strengthen and weaken their teams for the upcoming season on Day 1.
Day 1 Winners
Cleveland Browns – I know everyone is questioning they gave too much to land quarterback Brady Quinn with the 22nd overall pick, but remember Charlie Frye is not the answer (17 INT’s) and they also landed Quinn’s new bodyguard left tackle in Joe Thomas. The team also moved up to grab troubled, but talent CB Eric Wright from UNLV. Many teams passed on him for “character” issues, but my scout and several teams think has turned the corner.
St. Louis Rams – The Rams went with “High Character” leadership type players. They added their new Grant Wistrom in Nebraska Defensive end Adam Carriker in the first round and Rutgers FB Brian Leonard in the second round. Carriker has the high-motor and effort needed to be a two-way DE and Leonard will flourish as a versatile back with his ability to block, run hard (especially at the goal line, 45 TD’s in College), contribute on special teams, and catch over. I also liked the move of adding CB Jonathan Wade from Tennessee , he is a raw and fast player who should contribute and add depth their young secondary.
Carolina Panthers – They probably had the best day of anyone going for “big school” players, who will be able to contribute right away. They traded down to grab more picks and then got Dan Morgan’s replacement in tough Miami LB Jon Beason. I also like that they brought in Keyshawn Johnson clone USC WR Dwayne Jarrett. They then grabbed USC Center Ryan Kalil 3rd round, which was a real steal, because he has first round value. They ended their day by grabbing Georgia speed rusher Charles Johnson in the 3rd round.
Day 1 Head Scratchers
I really didn’t see many huge reaches or losers, but two teams did some head scratching moves that caused their fans to be unhappy.
Miami Dolphins – They passed on grabbing Brady Quinn, who could have replaced the underachieving Daunte Culpepper and went with WR Ted Ginn. I really like Ginn’s explosive ability, but OT and QB were greater needs. Also Ginn is reported to have a Lisfranc problem in his foot and is wearing a walking boot.
Philadelphia Eagles - I had one Eagles fan scream at me “A #$@$#ing quarterback, WHY”. I am not sure why the Birds went this route, but many of their fans were not happy after their team traded down with the Cowboys (Hated Archrival) and then selected University of Houston QB Kevin Kolb with their first pick at #36. It was probably a long drive back to Philly for their disgruntled fans, but you have to think that the Eagles got a replacement for McNabb, but they will have to wait 3 to 4 years to see him.
Players Still Available on Day 2
–QB – Troy Smith, Ohio State: Smith is a good passer (30 TD’s), but there are questions about his “cocky” heisman attitude and height.
–Louisville RB Michael Bush: Said to be 90% recovered after having a metal rod inserted into his injured right leg that he broke in the season opener against Kentucky . Has the character and ability to comeback from the injury. If fully healed the hard running 6’2, 248 pound “big” back should be a Day 2 steal for someone. Bush reminded me of Eddie George when he was healthy.
–QB Chris Leak, Florida : Leak is the National Championship QB from Florida and he needs to be picked. He is a great leader and he threw for 23 TD’s last year and is the 2nd leading passer of all-time in the SEC.
–WR Legedu Naanee, Boise State: Naanee (6’2, 225) was a little used backup quarterback at Boise State , but should be a “Ace” on special teams in the NFL
–Zak DeOssie LB, Brown: DeOssie (6-4 3/8, 249 pounds) is not your average “Ivy League” player. He is a transfer from Boston College , who has the pedigree (Father Steve played 12 years in NFL. He also is a Long Snapper which is a plus when looking at roster spots.
–Jermon Bushrod OT, Towson St: Bushrod (6-4½, 315) is a big tough developmental type of Tackle coming from a small school. He may be this years Jhari Evans, who also came from a small college Bloomsburg and made a huge contribution as a starting guard on the Saints O-Line.
–Tim Shaw, OLB, Penn State: Everyone is talking about Pozlusny, but Shaw maybe a more explosive pro. He was a three-year starter at Penn State , playing at defensive end in 2006 and outside and middle linebacker from 2004-05. Recorded 171 tackles, nine sacks in his career.
–Syracuse CB Tanard Jackson (6-0, 195 lbs) is a good nickel and special teams candidate. He has good speed (4.49) and is smart in coverage. Jackson may not have top level “cover” corner speed but he is physical corner and should fit in with cover 2 or zone coverage schemes.
–Notre Dame WR Jeff Samardzija (6′5, 200) – Samardzija had 78 catches, 1017 yards with a 13.0 avg and 12 TD’s in 2006 and reminds me of Joe Jurevicius. Though he signed with the Cubs to play baseball, including a clause not to play football, I believe he will be back at some time. Remember how well Chad Hutchinson and Drew Henson played in the minors. Henson was taken by the Texans in the 6th round in 2003 just to trade his rights, which they did to Dallas for a 3rd round pick in 2005.
–TE – Ben Patrick, Delaware: He maybe the Alge Crumpler of this class. The Duke transfer has good down the field potential.
–WR/QB/RB – Isaiah Stanback, Washington: A utility player that is a tough team “Football” player. He will help on Special Teams, As a Developmental QB, In the Slot, On Returns, In the Backfield and Trick Plays
- Others: RB Antonio Pitman – Ohio State, WR Aundrae Allison – East Carolina, WR – Courtney Taylor of Auburn, LB H.B. Blades – Pitt, QB/WR Paul Thompson – Oklahoma, DB David Irons – Auburn and K Jusitn Medlock – UCLA
Lloyd’s Leftovers
–LSU leads the way – The Tigers had four players taken in round 1: QB JaMarcus Russell (No. 1, Oakland ), FS LaRon Landry (No. 6, Washington), WR Dwayne Bowe (No. 23, Kansas City ) and WR Craig Davis (No. 30, San Diego ).
–Miami for the 13th year in a row had a player taken in the 1st round of the draft. They had three overall three first-rounders (Merriweather #24 to Patriots, Beason #25 to Carolina , and Olsen #31 to the Bears)
–Big Schools reign in round one – NFL teams know where to go to find players, BCS schools in case you didn’t know. The best conference in college football the SEC led the way with 11 players in the first round from the SEC were taken in the first round. The Big Ten and the Atlantic Coast Conference were next with six each.
–The “Commish” Roger Goddell was everywhere at Radio City Music Hall . He spent quality time with media, fans, and players while working the room with ease. I really like his hands-on style of administration and lets hope he keeps up the good work.
–BIGPLAY Radio Guests Aaron Ross (Giants – 1st Rd, 20) and Chris Henry (Titans – 3rd Rd, 50) were 1st Day Picks, now all we need is Chris Leak to come off the board to be 100%.
That is a wrap and BIGPLAY will be back at Radio City Music Hall for Day 2 of one of the biggest events on the NFL Calendar.
