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The first round had it’s share of surprises, with trades, and falling names galore.
I start this out by taking back my former statement that the first round wouldn't be exciting; I lied. Tonight, in a draft dominated by good defensive players, it was the offense that saw the love early. We all knew that Myles Garrett would be the first round pick and it was much deserved for the young man. However, the wheels came off the bus as the Chicago Bears pulled off a trade with the San Francisco 49ers and it was a whopper of a trade.
Basically, the 49ers fleeced the Chicago Bears who gave a truckload to move up one spot for a quarterback, Mitch Trubisky, out of North Carolina. From third overall to second, the Bears gave up picks 3+67+111+ next year's third round pick. The value actually checks out to only about 31 extra points paid but the value in this draft in those rounds will be a kicker if Trubisky turns out to not be the guy. The 49ers still got their guy, versatile defensive lineman Solomon Thomas out of Stanford.
After that trade, the offense became the focus in the next several picks. The Jacksonville Jaguars pulled a Dallas Cowboys and took LSU running back Leonard Fournette at fourth overall. The Titans were bold and took wide receiver Corey Davis who nobody knows any measurables on the guy due to his injury. The Jets stuck with defense and grabbed LSU safety Jamal Adams. It was then that the offensive run really began, Chargers took WR Mike Williams, Panthers took RB Christian McCaffrey, John Ross went early to the Bengals before another trade came a rolling!
Kansas City stood pat all offseason on the Tony Romo front, sticking close to their man, Alex Smith. Well, they shook things up by trading up 17 spots to the Bills 10th overall pick to land Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City gave up their third round pick (91st overall) plus next year's first-round pick for the quarterback. The Saints followed that up by drunkenly stumbling over themselves to run to the podium and select the top-rated cornerback in this draft, Marshon Lattimore from Ohio State. They then returned to Bourbon Street to celebrate in their luck.
Then it all went nutzo once again when the Texans traded up to the Browns' 12th overall pick, giving up the 25th overall selection and next year's first-round selection. That, of course, was for another quarterback, Deshaun Watson, the National Champion Clemson Tiger. The Cardinals then took a BTB favorite in Hasson Reddick, the linebacker out of Temple. 13 picks in and not a single visitor of the Cowboys' 30 visits had gone off the board. Finally, the Eagles stepped in to hurt the Cowboys' feelings and took Derek Barnett, the edge rusher out of Tennessee. The defense then started it's run halfway through the first round when Malik Hooker, the outstanding safety, finally came off the board to the Colts. The Ravens then swiftly picked up Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
Right after the Ravens, we go across the Beltway to the hated-rival Washington Commanders who lucked into drafting Jonathan Allen. With Barnett and Allen going to our rivals, you would think someone is tired of getting walloped by first-round offensive linemen. Much to my relief, the Cowboys were saved from taking Adoree' Jackson, as he went 18th overall to the Titans. After that mini-run on defense, the offense was back in play. The Buccaneers were thrilled to be able to have a sniff at tight end O.J. Howard and swiftly gobbled him up. No surprise for the Broncos who need a facelift on the offensive line and they get themselves the troubled tackle out of Utah, Garett Bolles.
It was back to defense with the Lions surprising folks by taking the Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis with Reuben Foster still on the board. The Dolphins took one of the Cowboys' 30 visits in the edge rusher from Missouri, Charles Harris, at 22nd overall. The Giants, desperately needing help on the offensive line, decided to go with the wrong tight end, Evan Engram from Ole Miss, David Njoku was still on the board. At 24th overall, the Raiders showed that they were not kidding around and they selected the fourth Cowboys' visitor in Gareon Conley, who is dealing with a rape allegation. Cleveland showed they have the gusto as well as they proudly took the linebacker/safety/running back hybrid in Jabrill Peppers.
The Atlanta Falcons made good on their draft rumors to jump the Cowboys and took the UCLA edge rusher Takkarist McKinley. As much as a lot of us loved Takk, he may not be available until October and he went hog wild when he was on the mic with Deion Sanders, good on that young man. Next up, the Buffalo Bills, who traded back from 10 to 27 with Kansas City, selected cornerback Tre'Davious White.
Finally, the Dallas Cowboys were on the clock and they took Taco Charlton. A lot of folks aren't happy with this pick and some preferred T.J. Watt, Kevin King or others. However, maybe we're overthinking this quite a bit and Dane Brugler said Cowboys' fans may have the next Justin Tuck. Is he better than the edge rushers on the roster? Probably so, Mike Mayock said he's Carlos Dunlap. Lastly, Daniel Jeremiah said he was his 24th overall pick and said "the Cowboys need to get home, Charlton gets home for the Cowboys. You bet I'm going to defend this pick." In Rod Marinelli we trust, he seemed pretty damn happy to make this pick. We have to give him a chance because this team needs some edge help and now, they need Taco. If anyone can get the cheese, sour cream, lettuce and pico de gallo out of this guy, it's Rod Marinelli and Leon Lett.
Finishing up the first round, Green Bay traded out of the first round entirely with Cleveland, who quickly turned in the card for David Njoku, the tight end out of Florida. Green Bay will now start the second round with the 33rd pick plus others that will be named later. Pittsburgh then took Watt at pick 30 but maybe that's the perfect fit for him, a 3-4 scheme. San Francisco then traded back into the first round within their division with the Seattle Seahawks, who now won't pick until the 34th overall pick. The 49ers selected the falling linebacker, Foster from Alabama. The New Orleans Saints (offseason trade with Patriots) finished us out for the night with an offensive tackle, Ryan Ramczyk.
As far as concerns for the Cowboys, it seems that the teams in this division are still playing catch up by trying to compete with this ridiculous offensive line that has become the envy of the National Football League. Both the Commanders and Eagles added to their defensive line in hopes to stop Ezekiel Elliott. The Giants want to put as many weapons around Eli Manning at the end of his career as they can. Overall, there were six trades into the first round, two teams that traded out of it entirely, 13 of 32 picks were on the offensive side but defense ultimately won the day.
The Cowboys, who are young, added a pass rusher and one that was rated highly by a lot of scouts, though some of us have our own preferences. After all, there are far more scouts and resources in the Cowboys' war room than we can imagine. Plus, give me Charlton over anyone that would be available at 60. We have to give them our respect and hit the ground running for more defensive help in the second day.
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