April 23rd was finally here and with that came the first night of the NFL draft. It seems like forever since I have seen sports that is not a repeat. I had so many questions coming in such as just how would this draft work from so many sites? What would it be like not seeing the red carpet, or Commissioner Goodell not shaking and then the typical hug?
Yes 7:00pm finally was here and the Cincinnati Bengals were on the clock. I loved the way Goodell announced the Bengals were on the clock and he made a comment about bring on the booing. This pick who many thought including myself would be LSU Quarterback, Joe Burrows was finally in and with this we would get a glimpse of how each way the pick was shown. I loved seeing each pick shown and with that their families with them.
As the night went on we saw the groups of people with the player and at times showed what appeared to be too many people in the room. It appeared I saw a couple places where we saw people pushing back to spread the crowd out. It had to be hard because each player has worked for this day and these kids wanted to enjoy their day with friends and relatives.
The night itself I give an A plus to all the IT people that made this happen. It went as smooth as could ever be imagined. I give props out to Commissioner Goodell for keeping the draft on the date and making this happen with the casts of thousands.
I absolutely loved as each team name came on the screen and saying the pick was in we saw the team colors shown nice a clear. It was a win in my mind.
I loved the many war rooms and all the cameras that allowed the fans to see what was going on vs the typical year of many people in rooms working together to decide on a pick. I was so intrigued by different set ups.
The examples of I offer up are Tennessee Titans Coach, Mike Vrabel and his background. I look at Coach Mike Zimmer’s cool set up, Dallas owner Jerry Jones sitting in his yacht, and how about Arizona Cardinals Coach, Kliff Kingsbury’s pad? Wow!!! I watched NFL Network Friday morning and they actually ranked the war rooms placing Zimmer’s with 3rd place, Jerry Jones 2nd, and Kingsbury winning the best set up.
The draft itself was heavenly to watch as this event is my favorite every year and now this year it was historical.
I look at the teams draft and was surprised by no trades early on. The Detroit Lions and New York Giants both publicly said they were shopping the 3rd and 5th picks respectively.
I wanted to look at some of the picks and my thoughts starting with Miami at five taking much talked about Tua Tagovaila. I have heard so much talk about him with his injury problems yet as talented as they come. It was years ago the Dolphins passed on Drew Brees due to a concern of a shoulder injury. It was nice to see they may have learned from past mistakes. I was surprised when he was picked the lack of emotion from his family.
The San Francisco 49ers trade back with Tampa Bay and pick defensive lineman, Javon Kinlaw. The 49ers traded DeForest Buckner in the offseason and now get Kinlaw. This defensive line will be very dominant again this season. I use the phrase the rich get richer with the 49ers dominant line and they are all first round picks.
I loved the Raiders draft choice, wide receiver, Henry Ruggs and his wearing a robe and hanging out at home. Can we say comfort in our own house? The Tampa Bay pick, Tristan Wirfs if you haven’t seen his video at the swimming pool please check it out. He is in the pool and lunges out of the pool and lands on his feet. This is a big man and will be a key part to protecting Tom Brady.
The New Orleans Saints pick, center from the University of Michigan, Ceasar Ruiz and his emotional reaction to getting drafted. I loved the virtual hug by Commissioner Goodell to Ruiz.
The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers draft picks shocked the world as Dallas needing all sorts of defensive help takes Oklahoma wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb. The Packers maybe the biggest shock of the night trade up and draft quarterback. Jordan Love. Wow was this a shock and will be talked about for days and or months to come. How does Aaron Rodgers feel about this?
The Carolina Panthers select Defensive Tackle, Derrick Brown out of Auburn and my mind goes right to the Outback Bowl vs the Gophers. I thought the Gophers did a great job of making Brown look average. I know Carolina is on the Vikings schedule so we shall see how Brown does.
I think one of the more strange things of the night was the Commissioner announcing the Las Vegas Raiders with the pick. It was hard to hear even though I know it has actually happened. It will always be the Oakland Raiders in my mind.
The draft was in the twenties knowing pick 22 was getting closer knowing names I hoped were still available. The Philadelphia Eagles at 21 I thought for sure would take Justin Jefferson as they are in such need of help. I then heard Goodell announce the Eagles have taken Jalen Reagor my heart went back to normal beat.
It was awesome to see Commissioner Goodell do the SKOL chant before announcing the Vikings pick. I hoped with the 22nd pick I would hear the Minnesota Vikings take Justin Jefferson my team did not disappoint. Can you say fired up, wowed, joyous for a few words to describe my mindset?
I was even happier when the Vikings took with the 31st pick, Jeff Gladney a much needed cornerback for the Purple. I actually was nervous because the Vikings traded out of 25 and at the time I was not sure what pick we got. I was not sure if the team would trade out of the 1st round and save 1st round money.
First round Vikings cornerbacks have not worked out lately as we saw Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes both gone. I add with the last first round wide receiver pick, Laqoun Treadwell a bust I feel confident in saying I believe Jefferson and Gladney will make it. It’s a gut feeling and I will roll with that.
The draft in closing saw a record 15 SEC players go in the first round and 5 from the Big 10. I look forward to the next two days of the draft and see how Rick Spielman and Coach Zimmer pan out.
The teams I thought had a great night besides the Vikings were the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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