Sorting Out the NFL Draft Madness

The NFL Draft occurred last week and was about the only thing the sports world could talk about. Well, that and what is goaltending?

But before we begin talking about the events in Dallas, there are more important matters to attend to.

Three former Bison players signed undrafted free agent deals, and two more received invites to rookie minicamps.

Linebacker Nick DeLuca was not chosen in the draft, but signed with the Tennessee Titans. Fellow linebacker Chris Board signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Tight end Connor Wentz signed a deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Austin Kuhnert is staying close to home as he received an invite from the Minnesota Vikings, and James Fisher will be heading to the Chicago Bears.

As for the draft proper, there has always been one prevailing question over the past few years: Did Cleveland do a good job?

Cleveland has a history of passing on good quarterbacks in the first round. Two years ago they passed on the chance to take Carson Wentz. Last year, it was Deshaun Watson.

This time they picked one, but it may have been the wrong one.

Taking Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick was a shocker to many, despite news breaking before the draft saying they were thinking of selecting him at No. 1. Especially with Sam Darnold, who was predicted to be the first quarterback taken off the board, available.

Darnold was selected third to the Jets behind Saquon Barkley who went to the Giants.

The Browns took Denzel Ward with the fourth pick followed by Bradley Chubb to the Broncos, Quenton Nelson to the Colts and Josh Allen to the Bills.

Josh Rosen was taken 1oth after the Cardinals traded up from the 15th pick.

After the draft, Rosen said he believed there were nine mistakes taken in front of him. Confidence is a good trait to have as a quarterback in the NFL, but hopefully, it doesn’t go to his head.

Rashaad Penny was the second running back taken, shockingly by Seattle with the 27th pick. The Seahawks made the pick with running backs Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, Ronald Jones II, Kerryon Johnson, Derrius Guice and Royce Freeman still on the board. But with plenty of issues to fix both offensively and defensively, the running back selection was unexpected.

Guice fell toward the end of the second round to Washington, who stopped his slide with the 59th overall pick. Several sports outlets reported that his “childish” behavior concerned teams.

Baltimore moved back into the end of the first round to select Lamar Jackson. The Ravens now have Joe Flacco and Robert Griffin III to go along with Jackson.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made smart moves with drafting wideout James Washington from Oklahoma State in the second round and then his college quarterback Mason Rudolph in the third.

After Pittsburgh traded Martavis Bryant to Oakland, they needed a third receiver and they now also have Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement. Rudolph does have a nice deep ball, but coming from Oklahoma State brings caution with the offensive system they have in place.

The feel-good pick of the weekend was Shaquem Griffin to the Seahawks with the fourth pick in the fifth round, 141 overall. Griffin is reunited with his twin brother Shaquill Griffin, who also played together at the University of Central Florida.

Wide receiver Trey Quinn was picked by Washington at No. 256 for the “Mr. Irrelevant” selection. The former Southern Methodist University player received a trip to Disneyland and a new Rolex for the pick.

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