Round 1 of the NFL Draft was April 23 and was hosted in Pittsburgh for the first time since the late 1940s.
The Las Vegas Raiders are going to be set for the future with their selection of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He was the obvious choice for the first pick. So much so ESPN was already stating stats that he will be only the fourth QB to win the national title, Heisman Trophy and be selected as the first pick in the NFL draft.
The New York Jets selecting Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey in my eyes was the right decision. He was not looked at as the best prospect in the draft. But he has the mechanicsto be a great player in the league. He had 14.5 sacks in his final year of college, second most in the FBS last season.
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love was not a shocking early pick. But I did not expect it to be this early and to the Arizona Cardinals of all teams, who have a veteran RB in James Connor.It was impossible for the Cardinals to pass up on his explosive talent.
Big trade! The Kanas City Chiefs traded their ninth, 74th and 148th and picks to the Cleveland Browns for the sixth pick. The player they likely wanted to snatch Ohio State linebackerArvell Reese was selected right before by the New York Giants. I believe that LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane would’ve fallen to the ninth pick. The Chiefs got the cornerback they were not going to risk losing.
Utah Offensive Lineman Spencer Fano was taken by the Browns at nine. A small tackle who I believe will bust in the NFL. Miami Offensive Lineman Francis Mauigoa taken at 10 by the Giants who will have the better career.
The Dallas Cowboys needed Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs and likely got the steal of the draft at 11. Downs will help improve that with his football IQ, versatility and explosiveness.
Rueben Bain Jr fell all the way to 15 to the Buccaneers. The most explosive prospect left on the board goes to a win-ready organization in the Buccaneers. Nobody should have let him fall this far to a team of this caliber.
