The NFL Draft beginning Thursday should be one of the most entertaining, compelling and feral since teams were picking out of (Francis Scott) Street & (Francis Shubael) Smith Football Annual.
The executives and owners of the 1960s-circa Broncos of the AFL admitted using the magazine as their guide because they had no scouts or even much of a coaching staff.
The Raiders and Al Davis never would acknowledge buying Street & Smith or Athlon Football Magazine, but the franchise did draft a player who was featured in magazines, but had died months earlier.
I read Street & Smith as a kid, worked on the side for Athlon publications as a young adult. My deadline for college and pro football previews usually was in February. Timeliness wasn’t a factor. Somewhat often, college players I wrote about would suffer severe injuries in spring practice and couldn’t play the next season. Pro players I included in, say, Jets predictions would be traded after publication and before the season.
Even today, with modern technology and the internet, podcasts, ESPN and everything else, the science is not as inexact, but many, if not most, of the predictions made are inaccurate and even laughable.
Add in this year the virtual draft with general managers, coaches, scouts and personnel administrators sequestered in their own homes, and the process will have some issues and surprises.
It’s possible that the Bungles cannot even get the first pick in the draft correct. In the rehearsal mock draft a couple of days ago, there was a glitch with the No. 1 pick. Nobody would say what happened, but is it possible the Bengals drafted a punter instead of quarterback Joe Burrow? Or did the conversation sound like this: “Cincinnati takes (sound breakup) Joe, uh (technical problem) DiMaggio.’’
Will some general manager blame his kids, who are in the basement fighting over Doritos, for yelling out a name, and the NFL home office gets confused and announces Justin Bieber? What if a head coach in one part of town and a general manager in a suburb and an owner in the Bahamas get into an argument over who should be chosen, and one of them blurts out a name that really wasn’t even being considered?
Denver Broncos Boss of football operations John Elway said in a pre-draft media conference earlier this week that he would expect fewer trades because of the procedures. Teams still have only 10 minutes between first-round picks, and there could be confusion, especially if a team is pondering several trade proposals.
Even though it can be suspected that the 32 teams might have a miscue or mistake or mispronunciation – remember the Academy Awards when the wrong winner of Best Picture was proclaimed – the NFL headquarters and ESPN will clean up on Aisle Dolphins.
I don’t mock draft. What I will do here is list the players the teams should draft (no trades are considered here).
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, quarterback, LSU – No-brainer. But, then, the Bengals have been accused in the past of being the Scarecrow in “Wizard Of Oz.’’
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, defensive end, Ohio State – Washington is another franchise that can screw up a good thing, but not even this team and owner can pass on the premier player in the draft.
3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, cornerback, Ohio State – Two of top three are Buckeyes, but when the draft is over, Alabama will have more players picked than any other team.
4. New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons, every position, Clemson – This is really the first mystery. The Giants likely will grab an offensive lineman, but Simmons is the right guy here. I’m thinking a next-generational, improved Troy Polamalu.
5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback, Alabama – Shoot for the moon. He can sit and heal and learn for a year.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, quarterback, Oregon — The Chargers have to make a splash in the new building. They would have preferred Tua and may trade up to three to get him.
7. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, defensive tackle, Auburn — Panthers have so many needs. Brown solves one problem.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Triston Wirfs, offensive tackle, Iowa – They’ve wanted him all along, so give him to them.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Andrew Thomas, offensive tackle, Georgia – The Jags probably will trade back because they require a lot of help. But, as I always say, don’t trade a sure thing for romance. Thomas is a sure thing.
10. Cleveland Browns: Jedrick Wills, offensive tackle, Alabama – Offensive tackles are the joy or the draft. The Browns want one. Wills is a great young one.
11. New York Jets: Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver, Alabama — Now begins the run on wide receivers. The smart crowd says offensive lineman. I say Adam Gase will win the discussion and take best of the bunch.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver, Oklahoma – Jon Gruden doesn’t pass up a receiver, and Lamb is second best.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Henry Ruggs III, wide receiver, Alabama – The general opinion is that the 49ers trade back to get more picks. I’m not including any trades in my draft. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch love Ruggs and his blazing speed.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mekhi Becton, offensive tackle, Louisville — Need more protection for an old man at quarterback.
15. Denver Broncos: Kenneth Murray, linebacker, Oklahoma – In reality the Broncos are going to trade up to get Jeudy or trade down to get Justin Jefferson. But Murray is an all-over-the-field every-down linebacker and tops in the draft. I think Vic Fangio coerces John Elway into this pick if the Bronco stay at 15. Cornerback C.J. Henderson would be the second favorite
16. Atlanta Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, edge, LSU – Another Bayou Bengal off the board.
17. Dallas Cowboys: C.J. Henderson, cornerback, Florida – Drafting for need and No. 1 cornerback.
18. Miami Dolphins: Javon Kinlaw, defensive tackle, South Carolina — He is the best player still available.
19. Las Vegas Raiders: Patrick Queen, linebacker, LSU – More championship players. This is a quality pick.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Xavier McKinney, safety, Alabama – Jags get the top safety in the class.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson, wide receiver, LSU – The Eagles have been hoping for weeks they can get possibly the superior wideout in the draft.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Aiyuk, wide receiver, Arizona State – Not exactly who they wanted, but position they want.
23. New England Patriots: Josh Jones, offensive tackle, Houston – Getting a tackle who could have gone in first 10.
24. New Orleans Saints: Trevon Diggs, cornerback, Alabama – Saints add a quality cornerback who can start right away.
25. Minnesota Vikings: D’Andre Swift, running back, Georgia – Bulldog running backs always achieve.
26. Miami Dolphins: A.J. Terrell, cornerback, Clemson – Another immediate starter.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Yetur Gross-Matros, edge, Penn State – The Seahawks always deal down, but, if they don’t. Jadeveon Clowney replacement?
28. Baltimore Ravens: Zack Baun, linebacker, Wisconsin – Seems like he should be a Raven.
29. Tennessee Titans: Kristian Fulton, cornerback, LSU – Good get.
30. Green Bay Packers: Jalen Reagor, wide receiver, TCU – Trying to hit a home run.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ezra Cleveland, offensive tackle, Boise State – Except the 49ers will trade out of this spot.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Caesar Ruiz, center, Michigan – But the Chiefs deal down.
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