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First-round recap
Reminder of the first five picks:
1. Tennessee: Cam Ward, QB, Miami2. Jacksonville: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado3. NY Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State4. New England: Will Campbell, OT, LSU5. Cleveland: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Colleges with multiple picks
Ohio State 4 (starting with No. 19)Texas 3Georgia 3Michigan 3 (all in the first 13)Penn State 2 (No. 3 and No. 14)Mississippi 2Oregon 2Alabama 2
Surprising names still out there
Shedeur Sanders, QB, ColoradoWill Johnson, CB, MichiganMike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Storylines for the next few years
1. Did the Giants pick correctly in taking Dart over Sanders?
2. Will Ward be the franchise QB in Tennessee?
3. Can Jeanty handle a big jump from Boise State to Las Vegas?
4. Will Hunter reward Jacksonville’s faith in moving up to No. 2?
Oliver Connolly will have a full analysis early tomorrow, and then we can all enjoy Day 2. Enjoy.
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Updated at 00.00 EDT
No. 32, Kansas City …
With the last pick in the first round, the Chiefs take …
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Played one year at San Diego State, then one good year at Ohio State, then half a season before tearing a tendon in his knee.
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Trade! The Eagles and Chiefs have traded the last two picks of this round. The Chiefs will also get a fifth-round pick.
So who did the Eagles want?
No. 31, Philadelphia …
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
He’s been waiting a long time in the green room, and he’s wasting no time in taking long strides to get to the stage.
Campbell led Alabama in tackles, which is pretty much all you need on a resume.
If I’m counting correctly, that leaves two people in the green room. QB Jalen Milroe, also from Alabama, isn’t going to hear his name tonight. But what about cornerback Will Johnson?
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Updated at 23.43 EDT
Way back, several hours ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to get two-way player Travis Hunter with the No. 2 pick.
David Howell shares a suggestion: “A compromise I can imagine with Hunter is playing one side of the ball full-time, then being specifically an ‘obvious passing situation’ player on the other, deployed only in nickel/dime “sub package” defenses if he’s a full-time WR or in the multi-receiver sets they aim to counter if he’s a full-time CB.
“That way, he effectively has ‘only’ 1.5 playbooks to learn – as he wouldn’t ever play his secondary position in old-school formations – but still be a genuine two-way player who plays all the most important passing-down snaps.”
It seems pretty clear that he’s not going to be on the field for every snap. That would be absurd in this day and age. So a prescribed role on one side of the ball makes sense.
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What is Buffalo getting from you, Maxwell?
“They’re getting somebody who can get Josh Allen the ball back!”
This guy is going to be every interviewer’s dream.
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No. 30, Buffalo …
Mel Kiper is once again talking about Will Johnson. In fairness, he’s had some injury concerns.
We have another special presenter from the Make A Wish Foundation, a young man in a wheelchair. He’s 16 and has a neuromuscular disorder. A little fist pump gets the crowd going.
The pick is …
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
He’s been congratulating a lot of people who’ve walked past him in the green room, and it’s finally his turn. His speed is off the charts – a 4.28 40. He also has an electric smile and happily greets the Make A Wish presenter.
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Updated at 23.35 EDT
No. 29, Washington …
My hometown team took a giant leap forward last season, thanks in large part to their new franchise QB, Jayden Daniels, making a case for being the best in the league as a rookie.
Washingtonians are traditionally pessimists, so the region will be expecting a regression to the mean this year.
The Commanders need a lot of help in the secondary. Will Johnson’s still there. So they opt for …
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
ESPN has highlights. At least one of them looked like it should’ve been a holding call.
From the Associated Press:
Taking Conerly is another upgrade to the offensive line protecting franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 6ft 5in, 311lb-er started 14 games at left tackle for the Ducks as a junior last season. He was a third-team AP All-America selection. Conerly is expected to be moved to the right side after the Commanders acquired standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil in a trade with Houston last month.
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Updated at 23.32 EDT
No. 28, Detroit …
Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State.
ESPN’s microphones pick up someone yelling, “You’ve gotta be crazy!”
He tips the scale at more than 330 pounds. But “third-team all-Big Ten” isn’t a headline grabber.
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No. 27, Baltimore …
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia.
Grew up in Jefferson, Ga., and played for my high school’s rival.
More importantly, he fits a need – the chatter on ESPN and elsewhere was that the Ravens needed a safety, and they didn’t have to put a lot of thought into this pick with Starks still being available.
The purple Ravens hat clashes with his pinkish purplish suit, but other than that, he’ll fit in fine.
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Updated at 23.29 EDT
The six remaining teams in the first round …
BaltimoreDetroitWashingtonBuffaloKansas CityPhiladelphia
To put it mildly, none of those teams need quarterbacks. Barring a trade, Sanders is going to fall to the second round. The QB in the green room, Jalen Milroe, also will wait until Day 2, but that’s less of a surprise.
The other players in the green room are expected to be first-round picks.
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No. 26, Atlanta …
James Pearce Jr., edge, Tennessee.
The Rams get a second-round pick this year and a first-round pick next year. A couple of other picks are in the mix, but that seems like a lot.
Pearce posted a 4.47 40. That was fastest among edge rushers in the combine … by a full tenth of a second.
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Trade! The Falcons get the LA Rams pick.
This surely won’t be for a QB. They have Michael Penix Jr. from last year’s first round. Who are they getting?
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From his living room in Utah, Dart looks like he should be in a remake of Napoleon Dynamite.
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No. 25, NY Giants …
The NFL site says the pick is in. ESPN has just gone to commercial. Build that suspense.
We were promised a short ad break. This is … not that.
At last, it’s …
Either Sanders or Dart. Hey, I’m predicting Riley Leonard.
Finally, it’s …
… an overhead view of the crowd.
Guys, it’s a school night. Get on with it.
And the pick is …
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss. Not as flashy as Shedeur Sanders and not as well-known as a lot of QBs who’ll be picked later, Dart led the country in passer rating and several other stats while playing a typically murderous SEC schedule. He might have been getting some negative feedback, though – he abruptly decided last week that he would not attend the draft in person.
Trade details: Giants get this pick from Houston. Houston gets the No. 34 pick, the No. 99 pick and a third-round pick in 2026.
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Trade! The NY Giants now have the No. 25 pick
Surely, after finally pulling the plug on the Daniel Jones era (as a Duke grad, I’ll shed a tear here), they’re getting a QB.
But will it be Sanders or Dart?
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No. 24, Minnesota …
Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State.
From the Associated Press:
The 6ft 4in, 315lb Jackson was a second-team Associated Press All-American for the national champion Buckeyes. Jackson was a three-year starter at left guard before moving to left tackle midway through his senior season after an injury at that position. After struggling for several years to stabilize the interior of the offensive line, the Vikings finally got aggressive and signed center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries. Now they’ll likely have three new starters in the middle.
OK.
But we have news …
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Updated at 23.12 EDT
Dan Aitch says I should’ve said “GREEN AND GOLDEN.” Yeah, that’s a good one.
Next up: Minnesota. They need a cornerback, and ESPN has been listing Will Johnson as the best available player for hours now.
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Golden takes the mic. “LET ME GET A ‘GREEN BAY’ ON 3!” The fans oblige.
He ran a 4.29 40 at the combine. Only Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston was faster.
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No. 23, Green Bay …
The draft hosts get a reason to roar.
They’re being patient, as the Packers take a while to get this pick in.
Please pick someone from the green room so the crowd can really get into this …
We heard more than a minute ago that the pick was in. Is it a trade?
No, it’s a special guest announcing the pick. Maybe he was stuck in traffic. It’s Mark Murphy, Packers CEO/president.
“How about this atmosphere?” he asks. “HOW ABOUT GETTING US OUT OF THE GREEN ROOM?” surely runs through the minds of several players going through this excruciating wait.
Finally …
It’s …
“We’re honored … we’re the only community-owned team …”
GET ON WITH IT!!!
Cory Booker didn’t talk this long.
Finally …
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas.
He looks more relieved than thrilled as he makes the walk to the stage, shaking his head a bit as he goes. But he perks up when he hits the stage and hears the crowd.
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Updated at 23.04 EDT
No. 22, L.A. Chargers …
They have Justin Herbert and Trey Lance. Not likely that they’d take Sanders or Dart.
Cornerback Will Johnson? Wide receiver Matthew Golden? Someone else in the green room? (Linebacker Jihaad Campbell, cornerback Maxwell Hairston, QB Jaelen Milroe, safety Malaki Starks.)
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina.
As someone who went to Duke, I’m obliged to ignore anything positive about this pick.
OK, OK – 2,033 all-purpose yards as a junior for a team that didn’t do a whole lot. Finalist for the Doak Walker Award. But the ACC isn’t the SEC.
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Espen Bommen writes: “I’m surprised you rate Shedeur as high as you do. Based on some of the stuff I’ve read about him, and what anonymous NFL executives have said, he seems like another Johnny Manziel.”
Certainly possible. It’s just surprising that no one’s rolling the dice with him.
And if the Steelers didn’t want Shedeur, why not Jaxson Dart?
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Updated at 22.31 EDT
No. 21, Pittsburgh …
The Steelers’ QBs are Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. They’re talking with Aaron Rodgers, who’s about 90 years old.
The pick is in quickly …
WHAT????
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon.
“One of the stars of the combine,” says ESPN’s Mike Greenberg. Not really. He had a 4.95 40, which tied for fifth among defensive tackles, and a 1.74 10-yard split, which is statistically insignificant.
This is a stunner.
More on Harmon from the AP:
Pittsburgh are hoping the 6ft 4in, 313lb Harmon can help a defensive front that was frequently manhandled near the end of the season and gave up 299 yards rushing to Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and company in a first-round playoff loss to Baltimore.
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Updated at 22.46 EDT
No. 20, Denver …
The Broncos are taking their time. Maybe they were expecting the Bucs to go defense, leaving Egbuka to fall into their laps?
Matthew Golden is in the green room looking dejected despite his snazzy gold-colored suit. Is it his turn now?
The pick will be announced by someone from the Make-A-Wish foundation – a 17-year-old cancer patient and Broncos fan named Samuel. Good roar from the crowd.
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Would’ve been sweet if Barron had been there to greet Samuel, but no. Barron’s in a crowded room in Austin.
Barron has a solid 4.39 in the 40.
Is it Shedeur Sanders time?
From the Associated Press:
Barron, a versatile ballhawk, has elite speed and has lined up in the slot, on the outside and in the box as a dime linebacker. He figures to play alongside cornerback Patrick Surtain II in Denver. Surtain is the reigning NFL defensive player of the year. The Broncos didn’t have to worry about quarterback prospects as they have in recent drafts because of Bo Nix’s successful rookie season.
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Updated at 22.45 EDT
No. 19, Tampa Bay …
The likelihood of someone trading up for Sanders is dwindling. He might as well start packing for Pittsburgh, which drafts 21st.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State.
He’s caught the most passes in Ohio State history, so while ESPN’s crew is a little surprised, they can’t be that surprised.
From the Associated Press:
The four-time defending NFC South champions were thought to be leaning toward selecting a player to bolster a defense that hasn’t been as reliable as usual over the past two seasons. Both with franchise career receiving leader Mike Evans about to turn 32 and trusty sidekick Chris Godwin coming off ankle surgery, Egbuka was an easy choice.
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Updated at 23.13 EDT
No. 18, Seattle …
Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State.
Listed as a tackle, but the ESPN people believe he’ll be better at guard.
He can outlift Tyler Booker, so there’s that.
From the Associated Press:
Zabel started 41 games over five seasons at every position on the offensive line except center. He was an FCS All-American at left tackle as a senior last season. The 23-year-old started the final 36 games of his collegiate career, and figures to slot in on the interior of the Seahawks’ line, which is particularly in need of help. Zabel could quickly replace Seattle’s starting left guard from last season, Laken Tomlinson, who is now a member of the Houston Texans.
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Updated at 22.44 EDT
No. 17, Cincinnati …
Please pick someone in the green room. You hate to see these kids hanging out there this long, even though the place looks like a furniture showroom.
They’re playing Sweet Caroline, because why not?
Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&M. There’s relief in the green room.
He has a solid 4.59 time in the 40-yard dash, among the fastest in the combine. He’s seen as a high potential player but had only 1.5 sacks last year. He’ll hopefully produce when he makes the step up to the pros.
His suit is very green. It’s a pity he isn’t going to the Packers.
From the Associated Press:
The Bengals had the 25th-ranked scoring defense in the NFL last season and hope Stewart’s size and speed will help. He had only 4.5 total sacks across three entire seasons in college but at 6ft 5in and 267lb is seen as having the versatility and traits to make an impact against both the run and the pass. Stewart missed 26.9% of his tackles last year, but the Bengals are showing confidence in their ability to develop Stewart.
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Updated at 22.23 EDT
No. 16, Arizona …
Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi.
He was the No. 1 overall recruit in ESPN’s rankings in 2022. He transferred from Texas A&M to Ole Miss after his sophomore year.
From the Associated Press:
Nolen adds talent to a revamped unit. He had 14.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season while anchoring the Rebels’ defensive line. Arizona is trying to put the finishing touches on a multi-year rebuild, improving to 8-9 last season after finishing with a 4-13 record in both 2022 and 2023. The Cardinals spent much of their offseason improving their defensive front, adding Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell in free agency.
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Updated at 22.12 EDT
I count seven players who are in the green room who have not yet been picked. The furniture seems comfortable, though.
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So the only players for whom I prepped capsules before the draft who have not yet been picked are both QBs. We’re still in that stretch of teams that don’t really need a QB. I’m still thinking someone trades up to get Sanders. Surely. Shedeur-ly.
(Sorry, that’s an awful pun.)
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No. 15, Atlanta …
Will they stay in state for Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker? ESPN says there was less than a 1% chance he’d still be available at this point. He’s on his phone in Salisbury, N.C., best known for the cherry-flavored soda Cheerwine.
Most teams have been flying through these picks, but the Falcons are taking their time. Each team has 10 minutes in the first round, but no one has been coming close to that. Good news for those of us who have to wake up early tomorrow.
Finally, the pick is in, and it’s …
It’s …
Jalon Walker, LB/edge, Georgia. The winner of the Butkus Award for top linebacker, a coach’s son, may also see some time at defensive end. Pre-draft buzz had him going to the Carolina Panthers, but one reason for that is proximity – Walker grew up in nearby Salisbury. He’s actually not going that much farther away, and he’s only 70 miles away from his college home in Athens.
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Updated at 21.48 EDT
No. 14, Indianapolis …
Finally …
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State. For all the Nittany Lions tight ends playing in the NFL – Mike Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth, Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson – Warren is the record-holder for single-season catches (104) and yards (1,233). He won the John Mackey Award as the country’s top tight end. When he gets past the line of scrimmage, he looks more like a tall (6ft 5½in) wide receiver than a lumbering lineman.
He’s at home at Glen Allen, Va., and someone in the living room appears to be asleep. Are we sure they’re watching the draft?
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No. 13 pick, Miami …
I’m going to guess TE Tyler Warren.
I’m wrong.
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan. The video from his home has a frame rate of about 4 per second.
From the Associated Press’s guide:
Needing to find a replacement for veteran Calais Campbell, who in March opted to return to the Arizona Cardinals team that drafted him after playing one season in Miami, the Dolphins used their top pick to add an experienced and versatile nose tackle who was one of the standouts of Michigan’s national title-winning team two seasons ago. Grant, a third-team Associated Press All-American this past season, started 12 games with 32 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks and five pass breakups.
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Updated at 21.53 EDT
No. 12 pick, Dallas …
Tyler Warr-
NO! It’s Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama.
He is by far the fastest person getting from the green room to the stage. Ironic, considering he was second-slowest among offensive linemen at the combine. He nearly breaks people’s hands high-fiving, and I’m seriously worried that he may have broken some of Roger Goodell’s ribs with that hug when he got to the stage.
From the Associated Press:
A somewhat surprising choice for a club without an overwhelming need, but with priorities seemingly higher than another blocker, despite the retirement of six-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin. The Cowboys got Martin with the 16th overall pick 11 years ago. There was a sense that Dallas might trade down because of the draft’s depth at other positions of need. Dallas stayed put, and took an offensive lineman in the first round for the third time in the past four drafts.
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Updated at 21.55 EDT
No. 11 pick, San Francisco …
Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia. How many top-tier pass rushers did the Bulldogs have last year? Maybe Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard should be a first-round pick just for surviving their playoff matchup, let alone winning it. Williams played his last season at Georgia hindered by an ankle injury but managed nine tackles for loss and five sacks, along with two passes defended and two forced fumbles.
He’s in Atlanta, surrounded by about 50 people. He seems pretty happy.
Narcissistic trivia: I played football on the field at Georgia’s Sanford Stadium. They brought out kids from the local YMCA to play before a game. I missed a tackle. Williams did a good bit better.
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I’m going out on a limb here to say we’re going to have a trade very soon. The next few teams don’t need QBs. A lot of other teams do. Trading up for Shedeur (or Jaxson Dart) would make a lot of sense.
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Peter Pearson writes: “I grew up in Green Bay. Feel for my mom – she said she isn’t leaving the house this weekend. Nice to see my hometown featured and the Lambeau parking lot full though. I hope the local business make a bajillion dollars and they’re cooking up lots of bratwurst.”
And Dan Aitch is looking for the Raiders to trade up and draft the green couch, I mean, Shedeur Sanders.
Oh, look – they got the uplink to Loveland’s living room in Idaho!
I’m glad there’s no draft for Guardian live bloggers. My living room would look horrible on TV.
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Updated at 21.31 EDT
No. 10 pick, Chicago …
Packers fans boo, of course, upon hearing the Bears being announced.
Then Goodell comes up and pays tribute to former Bear Steve McMichael, who has just passed away. The crowd sportingly gets very quiet and remains quiet as Goodell waxes eloquent about Walter Payton.
THEN they boo again just before the pick is announced, and it’s …
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan. ESPN says he grew up in a town of 258 people. That’s even smaller than Green Bay.
We get live video not of Loveland but of the Bears draft room.
Maybe the first surprise here? Loveland ahead of Tyler Warren?
From the Associated Press:
Loveland set a school record for a tight end with 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns as a junior last season. He was second-team, All-Big Ten and a finalist for the John Mackey Award given to college football’s top tight end. He was first-team, all-conference in 2023 national championship season, when he caught 45 passes for 649 yards and four TDs. Loveland gives the Bears a potentially potent tight end tandem with Cole Kmet.
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Updated at 21.55 EDT
Two women have come to the stage to hype the upcoming schedule release. You can feel the crowd thinking, “Get on with it!”
The schedule will be released May 14. We’re so glad to bring you this breaking news.
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