USA TODAY International Edition
Rodgers report prelude to draft’s hyped- up 1st round
The first round of the NFL draft was about as dramatic as any in recent memory.
How many Day 1 preambles include breaking news that the league MVP wants to leave the team he’s called home for 16 seasons? And good luck dredging up a “Player Selection Meeting” that had more quarterback drama once the draft began – especially considering the top two picks were shoo- ins – as this one did starting with San Francisco at No. 3. Then throw in the requisite number of trades and head- scratching picks. With that, let’s knee- jerk some first- round champs. QBs: Five went off the board, one shy of the 1983 record. This was also the third time ( 1971, ’ 99) when passers – Trevor Lawrence ( Jaguars), Zach Wilson ( Jets), Trey Lance ( 49ers) this year – were picked 1- 2- 3.
Reunion tours: Quite a few incoming players will be teaming up anew with their college teammates. The Bengals grabbed LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase, who set Southeastern Conference records with QB Joe Burrow, their No. 1 in 2020. Alabama WRs Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith will be playing with ex- Crimson Tide QBs in Miami ( Tua Tagovailoa) and Philadelphia ( Jalen Hurts). The Jags became the first team ever to draft a QB ( Clemson’s Lawrence) and a RB ( Travis Etienne) from the same backfield in the same first round.
49ers’ smoke: After weeks of speculation they’d pick Alabama QB Mac Jones with the No. 3 pick they paid so much for, coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch invested in North Dakota State’s Lance, whose upside seems to significantly outstrip that of Jones, taken at 15 by the Patriots. With a motivated Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster, no need to rush Lance.
Alabama: College football’s ruling dynasty tied the 2004 Miami Hurricanes by getting six players – Waddle, Smith, Jones, CB Patrick Surtain II, OL Alex Leatherwood and RB Najee Harris – called.
Offense: For the first time, the first seven picked were on the offensive side of the ball. Eighteen offensive players were taken, one shy of the record.
Jets GM Joe Douglas: After deciding on a fresh start under center with BYU’s Wilson at No. 2, Douglas immediately went to work protecting his new investment – trading up for Southern California OL Alijah Vera- Tucker, who should team with 2020 first- round LT Mekhi Becton to give the Jets the makings of an ascendant offensive line.
Kyle Pitts: The newest Falcon, chosen fourth, becomes the highest- selected tight end in the common draft era ( dating to 1967).
Opt- outs: Players who chose not to play part or all of the 2020 college season due to the COVID- 19 pandemic seemed to make out pretty well. Chase, Oregon OT Penei Sewell ( Lions), Penn State LB Micah Parsons ( Cowboys), Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater ( Chargers), Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley ( Titans), Miami DE Gregory Rousseau ( Bills) and Washington DE Joe Tryon ( Buccaneers) all got chosen.
Bears brass: Four years after whiffing badly on QB Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago GM Ryan Pace might have saved himself by snagging Ohio State’s Justin Fields by trading up to No. 11.
Aaron Rodgers: The three- time MVP proved a scene- stealer. ESPN reported before the draft that Rodgers has expressed to Packers brass that he wants to leave in an apparent power play that could come to define the look of the 2021 season if he gets his wish.