The 2020 NFL Draft kicked off from commissioner Roger Goodell’s basement and the entire draft went off without a glitch.
Fears of technological issues or even hacking were never realised and the draft was as entertaining and enjoyable as ever!
Rounds two and three will be here before we can get any sleep but before that, let’s take a look at the major storylines from round one.
THE SEC DOMINANCE
Aside from Ohio State and Clemson, big boy football lives in the south. The vaunted SEC produced 15 of the 32 round one picks in a stunning display of draft dominance.
National Champion, LSU, had a handful of its players picked whilst Alabama managed four, something common to them.
Georgia and Auburn had two each and Florida and South Carolina each produced one. Clemson only had two opening round picks which was somewhat of a surprise whilst the Big 12 matched the Big Ten with five picks each.
The Southeastern Conference was responsible for six of the top ten draft picks!
RODGERS WILL NOT LOVE THIS
Aaron Rodgers went public pre-draft saying it was time for the Packers to get him some offensive help in round one. The team had not drafted a WR in the opening round in 15 years. Not only did Green Bay overlook a wideout, they took a quarterback and traded up to do so. Rodgers is not one to roll over so expect him to voice his displeasure at some point – and perhaps he has a point.
TUA OR HERB, HERB OR TUA
The back and forth between Miami and LA never eventuated with both teams remaining at their picks and the most likely outcomes coming to life.
The Dolphins #TankForTua became a reality at pick five whilst Oregon’s Justin Herbert was the next pick, going to the Chargers.
I expect Tagovailoa to watch on season 2020 and allow his body to develop and heal whilst Herbert will have some shot at starting with only Tyrod Taylor standing in his way currently.
THE WIDEOUTS
Much was made of the quality of the WR class of 2020 with a handful of receivers all laying claim to being a top 15 pick.
In the end, Henry Ruggs III was the first taken, landing in Las Vegas before Alabama team mate Jerry Jeudy was selected by Denver.
At 17, CeeDee Lamb was astutely picked by Dallas which left NFC East rival, Philadelphia, to nab Jalen Reagor from TCU. Justin Jefferson was the very next pick to Minnesota and Brandon Aiyuk was the sixth WR taken inside the top 25 picks.
CLYDE GLIDES TO THE CHAMPS
Clyde Edwards-Helaire was mostly an afterthought in the early portion of the LSU season. He made plays but everyone was gushing over Joe Burrow and the receivers – and rightly so. But, as the season wore on and the big games arose, Clyde was the one making big plays.
At Tuscaloosa, he rolled all over Alabama for 180 total yards and four touchdowns. He’s only 5-foot-7 but he’s punchy and nifty and Kansas City coach Andy Reid will love using him all over the field.
CEH will be a Fantasy Football dreamboat!
WHO’S STILL AVAILABLE
As Americans get some shuteye after a lengthy night one of drafting, team player personnel directors and coaches would have immediately been on the phone assessing which players had missed out on round one glory.
Here are the best three players available as round two looms;
D’Andre Swift (Running Back, Georgia) – Swift is yet another running back to emerge from Georgia. He’s a contact-first back who loves to strike the defender with force and make them miss through broken tackles.
Grant Delpit (Safety, LSU) – The LSU safety has dropped from potential top 10 pick to outside round one but I am still betting on his pedigree. As a Tiger he was everywhere, except when the injury bug struck. Many identified his tackling as an issue but he can make plays in any phase of the game, similar to former LSU safety and current Jet, Jamal Adams.
Tee Higgins (Wide Receiver, Clemson) – Higgins is a long, athletic WR who made some big plays for Clemson. He possesses great ball skills and will be a threat to anyone on the outside.
See you tomorrow for rounds two and three!
Josh Jenkins Sports 