Neither the Cowboys nor the Texans messed up Thursday night. That may sound like faint praise, but I’ll consider it a “W” for both teams.
Picking at 24 in Round One, all of the elite edge rushers and receivers were already gone. That made it a no-brainer for the Cowboys to take an offensive lineman. They got a good one in former Tulsa guard Tyler Smith. He is smart and versatile. This is the fourth time since 2011 Dallas has drafted an O-lineman in the first round. The previous three—Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin—worked out pretty well, doncha think?
We…I…should have seen the Texans’ move coming. Lovie said two weeks ago that his team cannot play the kind and style of defense he wants to until it gets studs at CB. Spoken like the defensive guru he is. Any DC will tell you that if you don’t have badass corners, you are limited in what you can do schematically. Houston wound up with the most talented corner in the draft, LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. I’m a little concerned about his injury history and the slight drop-off in his play last season, but Lovie will get him right. And, yes, I would have taken Stingley ahead of Sauce Gardner, whom the Jets drafted with the very next pick. Excellent selection by Houston.
And then I came out of my SHOES when the Texans made their second pick of the first round, at #15. Former Aggie OL Kenyon Green is a BEAST! I’ve watched tons of video of that guy since The Combine. Hokie Smokes, Bullwinkle! Big. Fast. But more than anything else, NASTY! I mean, this guy plays with a ‘tude. I’m doing my happy dance!
I guess the Titans broke even. They traded star receiver A.J. Brown to the Eagles. But then Tennessee drafted former Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks, who reminds me of…A.J. Brown.
Nine first round trades. The first five picks were defensive players. Six WRs in the first round. I admit I was a little surprised that USC’s Drake London was the first receiver taken, going to the Falcons at #8. He’s a hellacious “offensive rebounder” on 50-50 balls, but he’s pretty raw as a route runner.
I was thoroughly entertained. And, believe it or not, I think Friday night (rounds two and three) will be every bit as interesting. How many quarterbacks go tonight? And where are they going?
Wow. The Cardinals are really kissing up to Kyler Murray. They gave up a FIRST ROUNDER to Baltimore in exchange for receiver Marquise Brown, who was a college teammate of Murray’s at OU? I don’t get it.
I know ND safety Kyle Hamilton ran a slow 40 at the Combine. I also know he has wonderful functional football speed and a nose for the ball. The Ravens got a good one. There are many Pro Bowls in that guy’s future.
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett doesn’t have to pack up and move. That pick made a lot of sense for the Steelers at #20. This is not a great rookie quarterback class. But Pickett is the guy who is least likely to blow up in a team’s face, in my view. That will be an interesting battle between Pickett and Trubisky.
From a purely talent standpoint, is it fair to say the 2021 Georgia Bulldogs defense was the best in college football history? FIVE first rounders, including the top pick. No wonder that Georgia D gave up only 16 touchdowns all season long.
Yeah, I know the Packers did not draft a receiver. Again. Enjoy the start of OTAs Monday, Mr. Rodgers.
It’s Friday morning and Chris Paul still hasn’t missed. Fourteen field goal attempts aren’t really a lot. But 14 field goals are. That’s the most buckets without a miss in NBA playoff history. And it’s on to the second round for the Suns.
And the Mavs advance after winning their first playoff series since 2011.
Doc Rivers is breathing again. His Sixers finally closed out a playoff series.
Astros above .500! I just wish they could play the Rangers 162 times.
