Day 1 of the NFL draft is in the books

 

I love football might be an obvious statement and with that loves came one of my favorite times of the NFL season with the NFL draft. My wife and I go to the Vikings drafty party every year and love being a  part of the fans especially when the Vikings announcement comes. The SKOL chant is going loud and awesome to be a part of. The pick is announced and streamers from the US Bank Stadium begin to fall heavily. It’s an amazing sight and then seeing people wear the streamers afterward is just as much fun.

The Vikings slotted for pick 24 thanks to a phenomenal 2024 campaign. I was convinced in my head knowing the team has only 4 picks in the entire draft unless of course the team makes a trade or trades. It seemed like forever until 24 would be called and eventually the Vikings were on the clock. The TV screen showed Kwesi and Coach O’Connell on the phones so wondering if a trade is being talked about.

We soon got the answer is the screen at US Bank Stadium shows the Vikings pick Is in. The net anxious moment is waiting for Commissioner Goodell to make the long walk to the microphone. Oh boy what name is going to be revealed? Is it a position of need? A safety, offensive or defensive side of the ball?

The answer as we all was out of The Ohio State University, Donovan Jackson who can play offensive tackle or offensive guard?

I love the pick and as they say in the business not a sexy pick such as quarterback, running back, wide receiver, safety or cornerback? But what the Vikings picked was a player of huge need. The team’s run game has been brutal the last few years and Quarterbacks Cousins and Darnold have had to run for their lives way to much in my opinion.

The NFC North was the best division in NFL based on the incredible records each team had. The draft made the division even better. The Lions have had phenomenal drafts the last few years and their record speaks for itself. The Lions pick at 28 was DT, Tyliek Williams who is now added to a very good defense.

The Green Bay Packers pick at 23 was their first receiver chosen in the first round since 2002 and that was Matthew Golden. The Chicago Bears pick 10 was Tight end, Colston Loveland so he is added to a very talented tight end group.

I look at the NFL draft and see teams that got players I really like starting with the Denver Broncos pick 20 took DB Jahdae Barron who is now paired up with one of the best in the business, Patrick Surtain.

I love the Raiders pick at 6 running back, Ashton Jeanty who has the most scrimmage yards in the FBS. The Eagles who I don’t like whatsoever I thought got a great pick with pick 31 taking out of Alabama linebacker, Jihaad Campbell.

The shock of the night for me was hearing the Giants trade back into the first round and I was confident it would be a quarterback and that would be Shedeur Sanders. It was obviously not as they took Jaxson Dart out of Missisippi.

I love to look at the Vikings schedule and see who they will face from the first-round picks. The Vikings will see 2 of the top 10 picks on the road with #3 and # 5 picks.

The home schedule

#10 Chicago TE Colston Loveland

#17 Cincinnati DE Shemar Stewart

#23 Green Bay WR Matthew Goldn

#27 Batimore S  Malaki Starks

#28 Detroit DT Tyleik Williams

#29 Washington OT Josh Conerly Jr

#31 Philadelphia LB Jihaad Campbell

 

Away

#3 NY Giants DE Abdul Carter

#5 Cleveland DT Mason Graham

#12 Dallas OG Tyler Booker

#18 Seattle OG Gray Zabel

#21 Pittsburgh DT Derrick Harmon

#22 Los Angeles Chargers  RB Omarion Hampton

 

The overall NFL draft saw 17 offensive players and 15 defensive players.

Thursday April 24^th is in the books and I loved from start to finish. I can’t wait for Friday night and Saturday afternoon for the rest of the draft.

That’s all for now

Thank you for reading

Purplesstick