FMT: DRAFT REACTION
In a special Friday Morning Touchdown column, Gridiron editor Matthew Sherry serves up his takeaways from the first round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Puttin’ Six On The Board
Don’t Jack Him In
If I’m the Cleveland Browns, I begin Day 2 of the draft by writing ‘Myles Jack, UCLA’ on my card and don’t give it a second thought. The linebacker slipping out of the first round was the biggest shocker of all for me on draft night. Medical experts have suggested his knee probably won’t be an issue for several years and, even if it becomes one, he’ll be able to have surgery. That’s when it will get dicey, with recoveries from microfracture surgery far from a sure thing given the prospect of needing to play with a brace. All that’s certain about Jack is that he is one of the best three players in this draft, a football nut who’s been watching tape since he was six and perfectly fits the modern game. If I’m an NFL general manager, knowing how often picks bust, I take my chances on an elite player and person.
Tanny Rolls The Dice
Watching Laremy Tunsil slide down the board brought a cocktail of mixed emotions for me. I fully understand the suggestions that he brought everything on himself by letting someone record him taking marijuana wearing a gas mask, and by allegedly texting members of the Ole Miss’ coaching staff to ask for money (and seemingly receiving it, which will become a huge story in college football). But imagine being in his position. Sitting in the green room knowing that video has been released by someone you know on the biggest night of your life, literally watching millions of dollars slip through your fingers. The difference between being picked sixth overall by the Baltimore Ravens, who are rumoured to have taken Tunsil from their board when the footage surfaced, and 13th is around $4million. It’s hard not to have some degree of sympathy, especially when you suspect he isn’t close to being the only regular pot smoker in the first round.
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The Miami Dolphins, according to sources close to Gridiron’s Simon Clancy, loved two players in this draft: Ezekiel Elliott and Jack. Come the 13th pick, the former was gone and the latter wasn’t. Yet Mike Tannenbaum couldn’t have predicted Tunsil, the number-one player on many boards, would still be available. Miami rolled the dice on a top-five player in an area of need who, according to insiders, earned a near-perfect grade from one team. Perhaps they’re left with egg on their face or maybe, just maybe, the ignominy of sitting in the green room and sliding down the draft board will resonate with Tunsil. The talent is so great that it’s worth the risk, even if South Beach doesn’t seem like the ideal fit for someone with these off-field issues.
JURY’S OUT, JOHN
Forgive me if I don’t join the groundswell of supporters lauding John Elway for another masterstroke just yet. I understand the instinctive reaction of many at the moment is to just assume the Denver Broncos supremo has pulled another rabbit out of the hat every time he makes a decision – and, to a certain extent, I’m a fan of their selecting Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch. However, my grade on their off-season remains incomplete, for I presume Elway is still on the hunt for another viable veteran quarterback. The prospect of Mark Sanchez, Lynch (who really should sit for one or two seasons) and Trevor Siemian heading into the campaign as the Super Bowl champions’ three quarterbacks is ridiculous, and could be extremely detrimental to Lynch’s development. The last thing this rookie needs is to be parachuted in to rescue a 2-4 team after Sanchez as stunk it up in the Rocky Mountains; Lynch is not ready to start in the NFL, and won’t be for a while yet. Let’s hope Elway et at remember that.
BOSA PLAYS THE RIGHT TUNE
If ever a prospect summed up the fickle nature of this crazy process, it’s Ohio State’s Joey Bosa. The consensus best player on the draft for the early part of the never-ending cycle, he became a victim of paralysis by overanalyses (yours truly was guilty here, too). Firstly, let’s address the myth his final campaign was poor. Bosa had more pressures than the year before despite playing two less games and was dominant throughout. The issues for armchair general managers, it seems, is that Bosa is guaranteed to be a very good player, but may never become a great one. Such a decision is basically the essence of the draft; do you take a guy who’ll definitely give you good production, or someone who could either be amazing and terrible? San Diego opted for the former, Tom Telesco choosing Bosa third overall with the whole class at his fingertips.
COLE, THE MAN!
One of the most interesting questions heading into the night was who the first wide receiver off the board would be, and when that choice would be made. The answer? Corey Coleman of Baylor. The Cleveland Browns, who traded down from eight, are getting a guy with outstanding speed, who beats the jam on the line better than anyone in this draft. We liked Laquon Treadwell, but this could be an indication that Hue Jackson is planning to tailor his offense around Robert Griffin III – who, like Coleman, is a former Baylor Bear. On reflection, we loved the pick for all sides. RGIII gets an explosive weapon as he attempts to salvage his career from the abyss; Jackson secures a piece to get an offense rolling and the Browns secure more picks and the receiver with the most upside in this draft.
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TRENCH WARFARE
It may not be sexy, but my two favourite picks were meat-and-potatoes guys. Tennessee traded up for Jack Conklin, a player who did nothing but beat the crap out of defensive ends and protect Connor Cook with aplomb at Michigan State. His similarity to Andrew Whitworth means I see no reason Conklin can’t eventually become a franchise left tackle, meaning Taylor Lewan can play on the right side of the line, where he has elite potential. For Conklin, see Ryan Kelly. The Alabama centre is the safest pick in the draft for my money, an outstanding interior lineman who immediately becomes Andrew Luck’s most reliable protector. He can play any of the inside spots and will give the reliability they crave.
P.A.T
Watching Roger Goodell roll out a series of human shields to stop the fans booing him was perhaps my favourite part of the night. The NFL commissioner initially reacted to the vitriol with smiles and comedy shrugs, before those gave way to a stonier expression and, ultimately, a few applause-worthy assistants. The only thing missing was Hot Rodg entering the auditorium with a case full of $100 bills and ‘making it rain’. He could certainly afford it…