As the dust settles from a momentous first round, the attention in Las Vegas now moves to Rounds 2 and 3 a day later. 100,000 people crammed in to the Strip to watch the events unfold on stage in Sin City.
Here's the highlights of Round 1 and a look ahead to Rounds 2 and 3...
Trades
Amongst the nine trades between teams in the first round, two involved highly rated receivers named Brown. AJ Brown moved from Tennessee to become an Eagle, landing with a cool $100million contract and joining a team that looks like it's in a hurry to win. The Titans picked up the 18th pick in exchange, which they spent on Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks, a less experienced and much cheaper version of Brown with real potential.
More confusing was the trade of Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, sent with the 100th pick to the Arizona Cardinals who aren't exactly short of receiving options. Baltimore received the No.23 pick in exchange which they subsequently traded to Buffalo. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was less impressed:
Among the most dramatic trades were the New Orleans Saints trading up five places to pick Ohio State wideout Chris Olave at No.11, followed by Detroit jumping up twenty places to take the highly talented Alabama receiver Jameson Williams at No.12.
Houston and Philadelphia swapped the No.13 and No.15 picks plus some change to get help on either side of the trenches, enabling the Eagles to secure highly touted Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis, while the Texans sensibly took the versatile Texas A&M lineman Kenyon Green. Buffalo and Kansas City both added talented corners Trent McDuffie and Kaiir Elam from Washington and Florida respectively.
The tail end of the first round saw a flurry of teams trading back in to take advantage of some falling talent. The Ravens, Jets and Vikings pounced to secure Iowa center Tyler Lindebaum, Florida State edge Jermaine Johnson II and Georgia safety Lewis Cine respectively.
A Run On Receivers
After the first eight picks which saw the best three edge rushers, the best two tackles, and the best two cornerbacks taken. NFL teams turned their attention to the receiving class. Drake London to Atlanta at No.8 set off a run on receiving talent that saw six wide receivers taken in Round 1. Picks 10-12 saw three former Ohio State receivers taken in quick succession - Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to the Jets and Saints, followed by their former team-mate and Alabama transfer Jameson Williams to Detroit. By No.18, six receivers had been taken. Penn State speedster Jahan Dotson by Washington at No.16, followed by Treylon Burks to the Titans.
New York, New York
Start spreading the news. Both New York football teams had a great first round. The Jets arguably won the first round. Going into Thursday with picks at No.4 and No.10, they emerged with three Top 10-15 talents, selecting the best corner and receiver in the draft in Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson. "Sauce" emerged from the Green Room resplendent in a light blue suit accessorised with two chunky necklaces emblazoned with "Sauce", one being a bottle bearing the name. Clearly not a man light on confidence for the biggest day of his football life so far.
The icing on the Jets' cake was their bold trade back into Round 1, sweeping up the falling Jermaine Johnson II, miraculously still on the board at No.26.
The Jets' room-mates at MetLife Stadium will also be celebrating after Day One. The selections of Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal at No.5 and No.7 gives them much needed strength and in the trenches. That both Thibodeaux and Neal were in the conversation as potential No.1 picks highlights the positive first round the Giants had.
Georgia's Defense
It's commonly said that defense wins championships. Georgia's stingy defense won them a long awaited national championship in January and the NFL has taken notice.
The Bulldogs broke the record for the most defensive players ever taken in the first round. Travon Walker was the top overall pick, selected by Jacksonville. Jordan Davis followed him at No.13 to Philadelphia. Green Bay, having selected cornerback Eric Stokes in the first round last year, went back for his team-mates Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt at No.22 and No.28. Safety Lewis Cine at No.32 to the Vikings rounded off the first round. Honourable mention too to Jermaine Johnson II who transferred from the Bulldogs to Florida State last year. Nakobe Dean, the standout defensive player in Georgia's national championship win, is still on the board as Round 2 approaches.
What to Look Out For in Round 2
Quarterback, anyone?
Pitt's Kenny Pickett was the sole quarterback picked in the first round, at No.20. Liberty's Malik Willis, Cincinati's Desmond Ridder, North Carolina's Sam Howell and Matt Corral from Ole Miss were all in the conversation as potential first-rounders. One NFL GM thought Corral might have the best career of all the 2022 QB class. Let's see. Going into Day Two, who will pick them up?
Looming in the background are Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo. While the 49ers have hinted they may keep Jimmy G, it's quite apparent that Mayfield wants a trade. Carolina and Seattle are touted as the most likely bidders. Is a move on the cards for the former No.1 overall draft pick?
Another Run On Receivers?
The receiving class is so deep this year that teams desperate to add pass caching talent can pick up good value in the second and third rounds. Step forward Green Bay. While they famously haven't selected a receiver in the first round, they've had plenty of success in Round 2 onwards. Davante Adams, Gregg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb were all second round picks.
We could see another run on receiving talent in the second round. Western Michigan's Skyy Moore, Christian Watson of North Dakota State, Alec Pierce of Cincinnati and Alabama's John Metchie III are all still on the board. If the Packers want to continue their run on Georgia players, they could do a lot worse than select George Pickens.
San Francisco's Deebo Samuel won't be far from conversation on Day Two as he has made his feelings on a trade out of the 49ers pretty clear. Rumour has it San Francisco's asking price is steep which priced the Jets out. There may be a deal to be done before the end of the Draft.
Running backs
Rarely seen as good value in the first round, running backs tend to be more in demand early in the second. Kenneth Walker III from Michigan State and Breece Hall from Iowa State are likely to be the top two taken. Isaiah Spiller from Texas A&M and the Georgia duo Zamir White and James Cook are worth keeping an eye on.
It promises to be another intriguing day and another stay into the early hours to watch it all will be well worth it.
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