Defense-first mentality on special night

First five picks are defenders as Goodell cites return to normal.

LAS VEGAS — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell figured this draft would be a return to normalcy in terms of major sporting events.

In a sense it was — precious few masks in sight on a balmy Nevada evening — but there was very little that was normal about the first draft in Sin City.

Five defensive players in a row to start the night?

A record six receivers in the first 20 picks?

Only one quarterback taken by a league so dominated by passing?

And NFL teams wrapping their arms around Georgia’s defense the way the commissioner bear hugs draftees on stage?

A memorable night, indeed. Some observations:

▪ Aidan Hutchinson had his dreams written into the lining of his sport coat, including becoming a firstteam All-American and a Heisman finalist. He’s the highest-drafted defensive player in University of Michigan history, surpassing Charles Woodson, taken fourth by the Oakland Raiders in 1998.

▪ A year after quarterbacks went 1-2-3, the first five players selected were defenders. This was the first time since 2000 that defen