Round 1 of this year's Draft lived up to the hype. Thursday night was entertaining, and TRO is here to break down key moments as we wait for Rounds 2 and 3 to get started.
via Logan Bowles / NFL via Getty Images
THIS YEAR'S DRAFT WAS ALL ABOUT REUNITING FAMILIAR FACES:
It's always cool when we get to see college or high school teammates reunited at the highest level. It's kind of unbelievable how many reunions were created just from last night's first round, maybe that has something to do with all of the Alabama players that littered the first round... Let's take a look at these college teammates that will be teammates once again:
The dominant QB/RB duo of Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne are headed down to Jacksonville;
After opting out in 2020, WR Ja'Marr Chase is heading to Cincinnati to join his former QB and last year's number one overall pick, Joe Burrow;
After catching passes from Mac Jones last year, WR Jaylen Waddle will return to catching passes from QB Tua Tagovailoa down in Miami;
WR Devonta Smith will have a familiar face throwing him the football in Philadelphia in Jalen Hurts;
CB Patrick Surtain II will have a familiar face in practice in Denver, where he will be joining WR Jerry Jeudy.
via Twitter / BleacherReport; Hilary Sheinuk / theAdvocate; Khon2
QUARTERBACKS QUEUED UP:
All of the talk and debate of which of the top 5 quarterbacks will go where finally came to an end last night. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson were obviously automatic locks for Jacksonville and New York, but all eyes were on San Francisco as everyone watched to see who they would take at the 3rd overall pick that they traded up for.
via Tony Dejak / Associated Press
Trey lance appears to be a great fit for Kyle Shanahan's offense, and honestly, this is the best situation any rookie quarterback can stumble into. The 49ers have an elite defense, a deep running back room, speedy wideouts, George Kittle, and have rejuvenated the career of Trent Williams to solidify their offensive line. It's always been said that a good tight end is a rookie's best friend. If that's the case, then George Kittle should be like a blood brother to Trey Lance. The only question is how long do the Niners keep current quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the picture. Reports say that he immediately reached out to Lance via text when he was selected. Jimmy G's sportsmanship could greatly benefit Lance's development.
via Tony Dejak / AP
The Chicago Bears found themselves a quarterback after all! After trading the New York Giants the 20th pick, the 164th pick, a 2022 first round pick, and a 2024 fourth round pick, the Bears selected Justin Fields with the 11th overall pick. Fields started the year as the second quarterback prospect behind Trevor Lawrence. All he did was dominate Clemson in the Sugar Bowl, battle through a gruesome shot to the ribs, and continue to display his talents, and somehow his stock fell. Some people (*cough* Chris Simms *cough*) had Fields falling as far as 32! The Bears weren't buying into the last minute noise, and decided to go get their guy. This is a great move for Chicago who started this offseason in terrible shape.
via Getty Images
After all the rumors that the Niners were interested in Mac Jones, Shanahan indicated that it "was Lance all along." This left Mac Jones to fall outside of the top 10. Luckly, for the New England Patriots (and probably for Jones), the Pats scooped up Jones without having to trade up. Jones was thrilled about where he landed, and he'll seemingly get handed over the keys to a team Bill Belichick has moved mountains this offseason to create. Whenever Cam Newton's time is up in Foxborough, Jones will stumble into an offense touting an elite two tight end set, a great ground game, and is complimented by a stout defense.
BUT WHAT ABOUT DEFENSE?:
The Carolina Panthers took the first defensive player off of the board, in selecting local kid, Jaycee Horn. Son of former NFL wide receiver, Joe Horn. Jaycee Horn locked down the country's best wide receivers during his time at South Carolina. The only wide receiver to break 50 yards on Horn was Heisman Trophy Winner Devonta Smith, and he only accumulated 60 yards. Horn's physicality even was successful against star tight end, Kyle Pitts.
via Brandon Todd / Carolina Panthers
Immediately following the Panthers, the Denver Broncos also selected another cornerback in Patrick Surtain II. Last night's First Round had 13 defensive players selected compared to the 19 offensive guys that were taken. The Dallas Cowboys took the first linebacker in Micah Parsons, and the Miami Dolphins used their second first round pick (number 18) to take the first defensive lineman, Jaelan Phillips. A safety was not taken in the first round this year, but look for Trevon Moehrig to go early in the second round tonight.
AND THE AWARD FOR BEST COMMISSIONER HUG GOES TO...:
Every year we get to look forward to the hand shakes, hugs, and even chest bumps the rookies exchange with Commissioner, Roger Goodell. Well, Micah Parsons takes the cake this year, by leaping into the Commissioner's arms as he could not contain his excitement to play for the team he grew up a die-hard fan of.
COOLEST SUIT:
The defensive end from Michigan, Kwity Paye was selected 21 overall by the Indianapolis Colts. While he did not attend the draft, he still managed to suit up from home, and he did not disappoint.
via Twitter / @OfficialKwity
If you didn't know, Kwity Paye is a HUGE Black Panther fan. It's all over his Twitter page, and he often threw up the superhero's patented pose as a celebration on the field. Paye felt it was only right to go full Black Panther in his suit. The color and texture match the real Black Panther's suit, and he even added the claws around the collar. Paye topped it off with a bolo tie-inspired elephant, and the clean Jordan I's.
WORST SUIT:
Northwestern Tackle Rashawn Slater is a smart guy, a very talented tackle, an incredibly strong human being, and by all accounts a good guy. However, the suit he chose to get drafted in was questionable at best.
via ChargersWire / USA Today
It wouldn't have been THAT bad of a suit if it wasn't for that extra white collar. It just makes no sense. The overall style of the suit is an older one, but it was cut by a modern tailor (luckily). It's honestly just the white collar that does it in. It looks like he has three collars going on.
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