The NFL Draft is underway in Nashville, Tn. There will be 254 selections over the three days. On Thursday, the league drafted its 32 first-round picks.
32. New England Patriots: N’Keal Harry
The New England Patriots lost a tight end from Arizona in Rob Gronkowski. They still have that hole. But they grabbed N’Keal Harry from Arizona State with the last pick of the first round. Harry is a big body and represents another target for the legendary Tom Brady.
31. Atlanta Falcons (via LA Rams): Kaleb McGary
The Falcons grabbed Chris Lindstrom earlier and add another big lineman in Kaleb McGary from Washington. Adding two physical and nasty linemen to help Matt Ryan.
30. New York Giants (from Seattle via Saints via Packers): Deandre Baker
This was the first time in New York Giants history they drafted three times in the first round. The Giants made the Deandre Baker the first cornerback off the board. Tough and rugged with a lot of ball skills. the former Georgia star will be part of the rebuilding process with Big Blue. Baker is confident, saying he wants to match up with the opponent’s top receiver every week.
29. Seattle Seahawks (from Chiefs): L.J. Collier
L.J. Collier out of TCU has some big shoes to fill as he will likely have to try and repeat some of the magic Frank Clark brought to the Seattle.
28. Chargers: Jerry Tillery
The Los Angeles Chargers add a formidable lineman to a defensive front already featuring Joey Bosa. Jerry Tillery was bothered by a shoulder injury as a senior. Stanford coach Davis Shaw said on NFL Network that he thought Tillery would be a much higher pick.
27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas): Johnathan Abram
Back-to-back Bulldogs from Mississippi State as the Oakland Raiders go for Johnathan Abram. The All-SEC player will strengthen the Raiders secondary, as their third first-rounder.
26. Washington (from Indianapolis): Montez Sweat
Montez Sweat may have fallen to this level because of concerns over a heart issue that was diagnosed at the NFL Combine. However, as the draft approach reports came out the condition had been misdiagnosed and his heart was normal. He runs a 4.4.1 40 at 260 pounds. Wow.
25. Baltimore Ravens (from Philadelphia): Marquise Brown
Dubbed “Hollywood” by FOX’s Gus Johnson, the Baltimore Ravens have added another exciting player to go with Lamar Jackson at QB. He’s coming off an injury but should be ready for an electric season as a rookie. One possible concern: He is 5-foot-9, 166 pounds, as Keyshawn Johnson says “on a rainy day.”
24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago): Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs put his highlights on Twitter and earned himself a scholarship to Alabama. And now, the versatile RB can sign a rich contract with Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders. The recent exit of Marshawn Lynch opens the door for Jacobs, who has to hope linemen can open holes for him the way the Crimson Tide did. The first RB taken in the draft.
23. Houston Texans: Tytus Howard
The Houston Texans went small school to go big. After being scooped by the Eagles on Andre Dillard, Houston looked for an offensive lineman and grabbed Tytus Howard from Alabama State. He is 6-foot-5 and 322 and will face the challenge of higher level of competition. That said, he fared well against Auburn. Risk and reward?
22. Philadelphia (from Baltimore): Andre Dillard
The Eagles moved up from the 25th slot by giving the Ravens their first and a fourth- and sixth-rounder. The Eagles picked a big lineman who certainly can be the person to replace Jason Peters, who has had a fantastic career. Andre Dillard comes to Philly from Mike Leach and Washington State. He’s a tremendous pass protector.
21. Green Bay Packers (from Seattle): Darnell Savage
The Packers gave Seattle two fourth-round picks in order to move from 30 to Seattle, which gets the 30th pick, had three picks in the draft after its first-rounder so the deal worked for both teams. The Packers used the pick, their second in the first round, to grab Darnell Savage, a defensive back from Maryland. Savage’s stock grew as the draft neared. He’s 5-foot-11, 198 pounds and runs a 4.36 40.
20. Denver Broncos: Noah Fant
Denver traded back with the Steelers, going from 10 to 20 and picking up a second-rounder in the process. The Broncos found Joe Flacco a weapon in tight end Noah Fant out of Iowa. That makes two tight ends drafted in the first round from Iowa. Fant’s spot in the first round was elevated with a strong performance at the NFL Combine.
19. Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons
The Nashville faithful were out in force for the draft — NFL Network kept reporting 150,000 strong — and they were super-hyped when the Titans’ turn came. They went for Jeffery Simmons of Mississippi State. The defensive lineman is coming off an ACL injury and the belief is that he would have been a much higher pick had he not been injured. He also had the issue of a video that saw him hitting a woman in 2016 …
18. Minnesota Vikings: Garrett Bradbury
The Vikings rarely use a first-round pick on an OL to the tune of twice in their last 27 selections. So, one has to believe they think extremely highly of Garrett Bradbury, a center from North Carolina State. Bradbury is regarded as one of the top centers to hit the draft in recent years.
17. New York Giants (from Browns): Dexter Lawrence
This was the pick the Giants acquired when they dealt Odell Beckham Jr. to Cleveland. The Giants went defense and grabbed another player from Clemson, Dexter Lawrence a defensive tackle. He’s
6-foot-4, and 342 pounds of athletic ability. This marks the first time three defensive tackles from the same school were taken in the first round of an NFL Draft.
16. Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns
The Panthers went defense and into the ACC as they grabbed Florida State DE Brian Burns. The 6-foot-5, now 249-pounder is quick as evidenced by his 4.53 40. Will be a welcome addition for Luke Kuechly and the other Panthers defenders.
15. Washington Redskins: Dwayne Haskins
Dwayne Haskins becomes the hometown selection as the Washington Redskins choose the local guy from Maryland. There had been a lot of chatter about Haskins going as high as No. 6 to the Giants, who went for Duke QB Daniel Jones. The Redskins acquired Case Keenum from Denver in the offseason so there is the possibility Haskins will be an understudy. Then again, rookies can come in and start right away. A QB battle to watch in Washington.
14: Atlanta Falcons: Chris Lindstrom
Chris Lindstrom comes to the Falcons from Boston College. Atlanta has grabbed a 6-foot-4, 308-pounder to protect another Golden Eagle, their quarterback Matt Ryan. Lindstrom enchanced his draft position with a strong performance at the NFL Combine. He started every game at right guard during his senior season at Boston College. For the second straight year, he graded out as BC’s top offensive lineman, earned All-America and All-ACC honors, and was invited to the Senior Bowl.
13. Miami Dolphins: Christian Wilkins
Another member of the national champs to go in the first, Christian Wilkins is quite the force. He is 6-foot-3, 315 pounds and smart as they come, winning the Academic Heisman at Clemson. He has great effort and technique and should be a great pick for Miami. Wilkins said he wants to be an “ambassador and trendsetter” for the NFL.
12. Green Bay Packers: Rashan Gary
Rashan Gary was one of the elite recruits when he moved from high school in New Jersey to Michigan. Gary is about as athletic as they come and if he can deliver on his potential, the Packers have themselves a star. That’s the “if.” Gary also becomes the second Wolverine selected, going two picks after his Wolverine teammate Devin Bush. The Packers need help with the pass rush and Gary can provide it.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Jonah Williams
The Bengals grabbed Jonah Williams from Alabama and plan to play the versatile lineman at tackle. Williams is 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds. Another top pick out of the Alabama football factory.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Broncos): Devin Bush
The Steelers have been looking for fill the gap missing through the absence of Ryan Shazier. They sensed the perfect opportunity to get a linebacker they wanted at the 10 slot and traded up for Michigan’s Devin Bush.
9: Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver
The Buffalo Bills had to be thrilled Ed Oliver of Houston was there for the ninth pick. He was a beast for the Cougars from the first day of the first practice in Houston. He had troubles in 2018 with coach Major Applewhite and didn’t play in many games due to injury, too. At his best, Oliver is a tackling machine and incredible presence.
8: Detroit Lions: T.J. Hockenson
Matt Patricia came to the Lions from the Patriots, so he knows the value of an elite tight end since he watched Rob Gronkowski for years. Hockenson is one of two top Iowa TEs, the other being Noah Fant. Hockenson had 49 catches for the Hawkeyes in 2018.
7: Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen
Two years in a row a Josh Allen goes in the first round. In 2018, the Buffalo Bills selected quarterback Josh Allen. On Thursday, the Jaguars added a strong player to a solid defense in Kentucky’s Josh Allen. The 6-foot-5, 262-pounder loves to sack quarterbacks.
6. New York Giants: Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones was coached in college by David Cutcliffe at Duke. That’s the same combination that gave Eli Manning to the Giants. There was a lot of talk about Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State going here. The Giants have to pray Jones won’t be a repeat of their last Duke QB, Dave Brown, who was a supplemental draft pick that did not pan out.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White
The Bucs were in need of linebacker support as Kwon Alexander exited for San Francisco as a free agent. Devin White has tremendous potential to fill that void. The 6-foot, 234-pounder loves horses … and hitting.
4. Oakland Raiders: Clelin Ferrell
Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock, who was making his first pick as a GM, selected Clelin Ferrell, a defensive end from Clemson. Ferrell had 21 of his 27 sacks as a Tiger in his final two seasons. This would be considered the first “surprise” pick of the draft with many people believing Ferrell would have been available at a lower range in the first.
3. New York Jets: Quinnen Williams
There had been reports the Cardinals were interested in Alabama nose tackle Quinnen Williams. The Jets were fortunate to get the dominant Crimson Tide defensive lineman. He’s 6-foot-3 and 300-plus pounds of force for Gang Green. Nick Saban produces another high first-round pick.
2. San Franciso 49ers: Nick Bosa
Nick Bosa of Ohio State became the second pick in the draft, going to the Niners. Bosa’s brother, Joey, was a first-round pick of the Chargers and stars for them. Their father, John, was also a first-round pick (of the Miami Dolphins). Bosa missed most of last year due to injury but is expected to bring to SF exactly what his brother gives the LA Chargers: a force in rushing the quarterback.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray
The first pick in the draft was Kyler Murray, the Heisman Trophy winner out of Oklahoma. Coach Kliff Kingsbury said at Texas Tech when he was in Lubbock he would make Murray the No. 1 pick and he had the chance in Arizona and did.
