The NFL draft got started up on Thursday with a flurry of activity and surprises, including five first round trades and a whopping amount of offensive linemen selected in the top 32 picks, including three big names in the top four selections, including Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel and Lane Johnson, who was picked by the Eagles at number four.
The first big trade came from the Miami Dolphins, as they jumped up to number three in a deal with the Oakland Raiders and while many felt they would select Johnson, they grabbed Dion Jordan, fueling sopeculation that they will trade for Branden Albert from the Chiefs. The Dolpphins felt they got a steal by switching picks and giving up a second rounder, while the Raiders felt they got a good deal because they got the picik and the selection they wanted in DJ Hayden at number 12.
The Lions and Browns went defense with Ziggy Ansah and Bark Mingo, while Jonathan Cooper was the next lineman to go to the Cardinals at seven. The St. Louis rams had two picked to work with and they used them wisely, trading up to get Tavon Austin before the Jest selected Dee Milliner. The Jets added Sheldon Richardson a few picks later, while Chance Warmack and DJ Fluker ended up going back to back to the Titians and Chargers..
The Saints got the best safety in Kenny Vaccaro, while the biggest surprise as quarterback EJ Manuel at 16 to the Buffalo Bills, who had said they planned on taking Ryan Nassib or Matt Barkley with that pick. One of the most underrated is Justin Pugh to the Giants, as he was an All-American despite missing four games, and Jarvis Jones to the Steelers, who could be their linebacker of the future.
There was more activity at the end, as the Falcons trad3ed up to get Desmond Trufant and the Patriots traded out of the first round so the Vikings could get Cordarrelle Patterson. The team also had two other picks and took Xavier Rhodes and Sharrif Floyd, while Alec Ogletree ended up with the Rams and Sly Williams to the Broncos. The Ravens ended things with Matt Elam.
The second round will be streamed on Watch ESPN and NFL.com and a number of big players are expected to go, including Manti Teo, Eddie Lacy and the quarterback class of Nassib, Barkley and Geno Smith.
