The long wait is over. Round One of the NFL Draft begins tonight, and this will be a draft unlike any other. Looking like the world's most popular Zoom Call, it's going to be one of the more interesting watching experiences of draft memory. As the picks come in, I'll be giving my reactions and responses to the picks as they happen. Let's begin.
1. Cincinnati Bengals, QB Joe Burrow, LSU
No surprises here. After an all-time incredible season at LSU bringing in close to every accolade possible, Burrow adds Number One Pick to his resume. Bengals begin a new chapter with their new franchise QB.
2. Washington Redskins, DE Chase Young, Ohio State
Another easy one to predict. Redskins get a physical beast who is expected to make an impact from day one. DEs have never been more valuable and Young has the gifts to be an all-time great.
3. Detroit Lions, CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
First pick that was slightly up in the air still goes the expected way. Lions get a corner who is pro-ready and should replace Darius Slay immediately. Smart and lengthy on the outside, potential is through the roof.
4. New York Giants, OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
First surprise of the draft, Giants go with the expected offensive line pick but dip on most boards to get Thomas out of Georgia. High floor type of guy, probably could have traded down to get him if this was the guy they wanted. But, Jones looked rough last year too and that ended up working out alright.
5. Miami Dolphins, QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Second QB off the board is no surprise. Ball talent, athleticism, moxie is all there, biggest question is health. Has looked good in workouts, has the chance to be a Drew Brees-type. Dolphins get their guy here.
6. Los Angeles Chargers, QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Another QB gone, the Oregon legend steps into a situation in LA where he's going to get to learn and experiment with his skills. Physical, athletic, a lot of game experience, could be Josh Allen with a 4.0. Probably doesn't start day one but Chargers get a fun project at 6.
7. Carolina Panthers, DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
Best interior lineman on the board goes to the Panthers. Brown is a force in the middle, strong and quick off the line. Safe pick who should be playing most snaps next season.
8. Arizona Cardinals, OLB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Possibly the most athletic and versatile player in this draft, the Cardinals get a steal at 8. He can play anywhere and has the talent to match-up with many different offensive weapons. The Cardinals are stockpiling athleticism at all positions.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars, CB CJ Henderson, Florida
Jags decide to bolster the DBs, pick up one of the best on-ball corners in college football. Little earlier than most mocks had him, may have been on the board later for the Jags. Probably not a direct replacement for Jalen Ramsey but still really solid.
10. Cleveland Browns, OT Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
Browns snag one of the most dominant O-Lineman in college football at the 10 spot. Baker needs protection horribly bad, and Wills is a day one type of guy. Cleveland nails this pick and can look to skill positions later on.
11. New York Jets, OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
The Jets got this one right. Becton is enormous, stupidly athletic, and will be an anchor for their line for the foreseeable future. Darnold can't run for his life every dropback, and Becton will help that. Like the Browns, lets the Jets look for wideouts and other skill positions in the later rounds.
12. Las Vegas Raiders, WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
Staying on brand, the Raiders go with absolute speed and a TD threat with Ruggs. First wideout off the board, the man can fly and is disgusting in the open field. Little surprised he goes before the likes of Jeudy and Lamb, but will be entertaining for sure.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (trade with 49ers), OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
Looking to protect the new King of Florida in Tom Brady, the Bucs bolster the line with Wirfs. Was considered the best O-Lineman in the draft by many, has the athleticism to play anywhere on the line in the NFL. Tampa Bay keeps it simple and gets a steal at 13.
14. San Francisco 49ers (trade with Bucs), DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
One of the more incredible stories in the draft and an impressive talent, Kinlaw ends up in a great spot in San Francisco. He has the size and the speed to compete in the middle with any matchup, and finds himself already on one of the best teams in football.
15. Denver Broncos, WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
The Broncos get my favorite wide receiver on the board and one of the most technically skilled wideouts in draft history. Someone of his skill falling to 15 is really good for Denver considering he was a top prospect not too long ago. Drew Lock has a really fun new weapon.
(Side note: watching Goodell "pump up" the fans on the screen behind him is genuinely hilarious and making this a far more enjoyable watching experience.)
16. Atlanta Falcons, CB AJ Terrell, Clemson
Probably the biggest jump from mocks to actual draft, Terrell is a project corner with really strong raw skills. Fearless and loves to make the big plays, was slightly exposed in the National Championship but Falcons must have saw something they liked.
17. Dallas Cowboys, WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
The slide stops at 17 for the Oklahoma product. One of the most electrifying players in college football and the best wideout on the board for a lot of people, Cowboys get a really good pick here.
18. Miami Dolphins, OT Austin Jackson, USC
Dolphins look to the O-Line after taking Tua earlier in the first round, and they go a little deeper into the boards to get Jackson. Really young and a bit of a project, was still the best choice for a team starving for protection such as Miami.
19. Las Vegas Raiders, CB Damon Arnette, Ohio State
Second Ohio State defensive back off the board, takes the title away from Terrell for biggest jump. A surprising pick for the Raiders, appears to be the guy they wanted though from the live reactions. OSU is a DB factory, so it's never too bad of a move to look there.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars, LB K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Jaguars pick up from the defensive side of the ball again and get the stud LSU product. With the top three wideouts off the board, Jacksonville decide to take one of the best available players instead. If the youth on the Jags's defense develops, could be very scary.
21. Philadelphia Eagles, WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
Philly takes their pick from the rest of the wideouts on the board and goes with the shifty, deep-ball threat out of TCU. Eagles badly needed someone who can space the field for Wentz to cut loose, and Reagor can absolutely be that guy.
22. Minnesota Vikings, WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
The Vikings also dip into the wideout pool to pick up the LSU stat-stuffer for Kirk Cousins. This is a really good pick for the Vikings after Jefferson slides a little bit, and shows just how strong this wide receiver class truly is.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (trade with Patriots), LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Chargers jump back into the first round to snag one of the best defensive prospects left on the board. Instinctive and athletic, Murray should fit in nicely with the Chargers' dynamic defense next to Derwin James.
24. New Orleans Saints, C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
Saints have the luxury of already being one of the most talented teams in the league, so going with the best center on the board makes perfect sense. Ruiz is strong and mobile and can play a lot of different places on the line, should develop nicely.
25. San Francisco 49ers (trade with Vikings), WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
49ers trade up and snag another wideout from the pile. Another really shifty route runner, could be an all-around weapon for San Francisco to help out a receiving core that badly needs bodies.
26. Green Bay Packers (trade with Dolphins), QB Jordan Love, Utah State
I'm not as surprised with this pick as a lot of people seem to be. He's not the Aaron Rodgers replacement right now and that's perfect because Love isn't ready. Big arm and could be really good in a couple seasons, let him learn under one of the best in the game.
27. Seattle Seahawks, LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
Seahawks take a guy a lot of teams had their eye on in the second round. Tested really well at the combine, fits well into the Seattle culture, makes good sense all around. Look for the Hawks to take at least one O-Lineman later on.
28. Baltimore Ravens, LB Patrick Queen, LSU
Another LSU Tiger off the board, the Ravens get a talented and instinctive linebacker to add depth to their impressive roster. Queen has athleticism, spunk, and will fit perfectly next to the rest of the Big Truss group in Baltimore.
29. Tennessee Titans, OT Isaiah Wilson, Georgia
Coming off a very successful season, the Titans bolster their protection for Tannehill and Henry with the gigantic tackle from Georgia. Immense natural talent, but needs some work to be a consistent NFL O-Lineman, the Titans are willing to take this risk.
30. Miami Dolphins, Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
Dolphins with their third pick of the first round go a little off-script and take a physical cornerback in Igbinoghene. Was considered the third best corner in this draft by some analysts, Miami is looking to stack up as much talent as possible.
31. Minnesota Vikings (trade with 49ers), CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
Another cornerback off the board, Vikings felt they could move back and still get a talented player in Gladney. Physical and could be a serious ballhawk, the Vikings get some depth in their defensive backs rotations.
32. Kansas City Chiefs, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
The last pick of the first round is the only running back taken, and it is the dynamo out of LSU who came on incredibly strong last season. The Chiefs add more firepower to their already destructive offense, and Edwards-Helaire's funky mix of size and speed should be useful immediately.
That's all for now folks, I'm going to bed. Thank you for following along with me!