NFL Draft, Day One: Position-by-Position Recap

Thursday’s NFL Draft production went as well as expected given all the challenges that accompanied a virtual show. Commissioner Goodell showed more personality than ever before and even managed a wardrobe change as well as a dance. Thirty-two players were taken off the big board. Let’s recap shall we?

QUARTERBACKS

The Cincinnati Bengals stayed and selected at number one overall with LSU’s Joe Burrow. The record breaking signal caller was the safest pick at the QB position and projects as a ‘can’t miss’ prospect. The Dolphins ‘Tanked for Tua’ by staying at number five and got their quarterback without sacrificing draft picks. San Diego selected Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick as the Oregon Duck is staying on the west coast.

We talked about Jordan Love on the KSR Football Podcast and discussed how the Saints or a team with a veteran QB could take Love as a development project. The Packers did just that by taking Love with the 26^th pick.

Best Pick – Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow. The LSU Tiger smashed records by passing the football downfield. Many times record holders are dink-and-dunk passers. Not Burrow.

Stretch – Justin Herbert. Many have Jordan Love here. Herbert has the size, athletic ability, and arm-strength. But, there’s something missing that prevented him from being a dominant signal caller in the Pac-12 and in big game situations.

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OFFENSIVE TACKLES

Six offensive tackles went in the first round. Prognosticators had varying orders of selection in pre-Draft discussions; however, the OT class was strong, talented, and deep. I ranked Tristan Wirfs first in the pecking order but the Iowa Hawkeye was the fourth tackle off the board. Georgia had a pair of tackles drafted in Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson. Lexington’s Jedrick Wills was picked 10^th by the Cleveland Browns.

Best Pick – Tristian Wirfs. He was my guy pre-Draft and I like him at right tackle protecting Tom Brady in Tampa.

Stretch – Austin Jackson, Miami Dolphins. Stretch is not the correct word here. Jackson may have the highest ceiling of the bunch.

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WIDE RECEIVERS

Many experts that I trust said that this year’s receiver group was the deepest and best in recent history. Six pass catchers were taken on Thursday night. The Raiders have a long history of drafting the ‘fastest’ receiver and did so by selecting Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III. All of the first round receivers have a chance for immediate impact. Notably, the Cowboys got the best of the bunch in CeeDee Lamb.

Best Pick – CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys. Smooth and fast, Lamb fits the Cowboys’ scheme well and provides Dak Prescott an immediate home-run threat.

Stretch – Much like OT, there are no players that fit this description.

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DEFENSIVE LINE

Four defensive linemen were taken in the first round. Washington stayed true to pre-Draft projections and selected defensive end Chase Young with the second pick. Young has been described as a ‘generational’ player. K’Lavon Chaisson was the other DE taken and will join Josh Allen in Jacksonville. Two defensive tackles were selected: Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw.

Best Pick – Chase Young. See above. Javon Kinlaw is close due to San Francisco’s need at DT.

Stretch – None. Solid grouping.

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CORNERBACK

Here’s where the Draft got tricky. This year’s CB class is not deep yet several teams had a need at this position. Two separated themselves in the Draft process: Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson. The Lions took Okudah at three and Henderson went to Jacksonville at nine. Following those two, evaluations were all over the map.

Best Pick – Detroit’s Jeff Okudah. A true lock-down corner, Okudah was by far the best CB in the class.

Stretch – Atlanta Falcons’ A.J. Terrell. Terrell had a nightmare of a game against LSU in the national championship. With pass rushers and linebackers available, Terrell’s selection at 16 seemed odd to the collection of talking heads on television.

Stretch II – Oakland’s Damon Arnette. For the second consecutive year, the Raiders continued to provide a head-scratching defensive pick in the first round. Las Vegas picked Clelin Ferrell over Josh Allen a year ago. This pick felt equally as perplexing.

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LINEBACKER

Clemson’s do-it-all Isaiah Simmons came off the board first at eight by the Cardinals. Simmons is a rare and special talent that can play all over the field. The Chargers took an instant starter in Kenneth Murray with the 23^rd pick. The Ravens selected the most ‘Ravens’ linebacker of the group by taking LSU’s Patrick Queen at 28. Queen is relentless, physical, and plays with attitude.

Best Pick – LA’s Kenneth Murray. Simmons is by far the most talented, but may play other positions than linebacker. Murray is a plug-and-play linebacker with tremendous talent and high character.

Stretch – Seattle’s Jordyn Brooks. Brooks went much higher than projected. However, he fits a need with the Seahawks and Seattle has proven to be an upper echelon franchise in the personnel department.

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THE CHIEFS

Kansas City was in the perfect position. With no glaring need, Andy Reid had the luxury to sit and wait in order to pick the best player available. The Chiefs added LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the already potent arsenal that surrounds Patrick Mahomes. It’s crazy to say, but the Kansas City offense got better on Thursday night. Scary.

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POSITIONS WITH NO FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS

Offensive guard, safety, fullback, tight end, specialist

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WHAT THIS MEANS FOR LYNN BOWDEN AND LOGAN STENBERG

Bowden will benefit from six receivers being taken in the first round. New Orleans took center/guard Cesar Ruiz with the 24^th pick. That helps Stenberg as well. Normally centers and guards aren’t picked until the mid-rounds.

Rounds two and three will take place tonight starting at 7:00 PM. The picks will be faster as scouts and GMs will have the opportunity to showcase their evaluation skills. KSR will have all the content you need. Stay tuned.