The NFL College Draft has become the biggest and most anticipated event of the pro football off-season. This year it took place in Nashville, Tennessee. The draft has been held in New York City since 1936. But the owners and front office saw an opportunity to make much more money by having cities bid for the right to host the event, much like the Super Bowl.
This year the Arizona Cardinals held the first pick in the draft. There is an unwritten media-driven rule that the top college quarterback available should be selected with the first pick, even if he isn’t the best athlete available. This year the he top quarterback available was Kyler Murray. The fly in the oatmeal was that the Cardinals had used the 2018 number #1 pick to draft Josh Rosen, a quarterback out of UCLA. Kliff Kingsbury, the Cardinals’ new head coach, was really impressed by Murray and felt he was the player he wished to build his offense around. The Arizona front office, however, didn’t wish to throw a number 1 pick away that would be only in his second season. They shopped Rosen around to several quarterback-needy teams and asked for a #1 pick in trade. That did not happen. After day 1 when they had selected Murray, they finally traded Rosen to the Miami Dolphins in return for the Dolphin’s 2nd round pick. Oh, BTW, many experts considered Joey Bosa, the defensive end from Ohio State, to be the top player available. He was taken with the 2nd pick by the San Francisco 49ers.
The Colts Draft
As the Colts first pick was coming up, it was announced that Chris Ballard had traded the pick to the Washington Redskins in return for the Skin’s 2nd round pick and a 2020 2nd round pick. That gave the Colts 3 picks in the 2nd round and 10 total picks in the draft. With the 2nd pick in the 2nd round the Horseshoe selected Roc Ya-Sin, a cornerback from Temple University. Ya-Sin had 1st round draft grades from many scouts and will be a factor in the Colts defensive secondary. The next pick was edge rusher Ben Banogu from TCU. Some experts thought this pick was a bit for Banogu but the Colts see him as a stand-up linebacker/pass rusher in their defense. Their final pick in the 2nd round was Ohio State wide receiver Paris Campbell. Campbell is as fast as greased lightning and most everyone was shocked that Campbell was still available at this pick. He could be one of the steals of the draft and the Horseshoes see him as a long bomb threat for Andrew Luck. Bobby Okereke, a linebacker from Stanford, was taken in the 3rd round. He is considered fast and versatile. He can play inside or outside. Khari Willis, a safety from Michigan State, was taken in the 4th round. Willis is a hard defender and tackler and will play the strong safety position.
I will go over the Colts 3rd day picks next week.