NFL Draft: A dummy’s guide for what you need to know
IT’S one the biggest days on the NFL calendar and it all kicks off this weekend. To make sense of it all, our dummies guide has you covered.
IT’S one the biggest days on the NFL calendar and it all kicks off this weekend. To make sense of it all our dummies guide has you covered.
HOW IT WORKS
Every year 32 teams of the NFL are allocated picks over the seven rounds of the draft. This is the avenue most players will take to gain entry into the league, with the rest picked up via trades and free-agency. For teams with a bad win-loss record from the previous season, this is an excellent chance to bag some serious talent, as they are usually given higher picks.
During the first round, each team has ten minutes from the moment the NFL Commissioner — Roger Goodell — announces they are “on the clock”. Trades can take place on the day, with teams able to swap picks and existing players to better suit their drafting strategy.
For those players in attendance, when drafted in the first few rounds, they will appear on stage in Chicago, and be handed their new team’s jersey with their name on the back. This fanfare fades as the draft goes on and the names drafted are not as high profile. This of course can be awkward if highly touted players do not end up being drafted and are left looking miserable in the green room.
TOP PICK BATTLE
Many believe it’s a battle of two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in this year’s draft — Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota.
Winston is widely touted to be picked first by the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay let go of quarterback Josh McCown which gives room for Winston to claim a place in the team and his playing style is better suited to Lovie Smith’s setup too. With top wide receiver Mike Evans set to line up for his second year with the Bucs this season, an exciting offense awaits Tampa Bay if Winston successfully lifts his game to NFL standards.
Mariota is widely expected to go at number two to Tennessee. Their current gunslinger Zach Mettenberger hasn’t shown enough to convince people he has his spot secured, and with Mariota on offer, it might just be too good for the franchise to pass up. There is debate over whether or not the Titans will trade their pick though, and also conjecture that if Tennessee pass on Mariota, he may slip as far as the fifth or tenth pick. Time will tell.
AUSSIE CONTENDERS
While punters don’t generally get much love in the NFL Draft, it is worth noting that two Aussies from special teams are eligible to be enter the NFL this year.
Sam Irwin-Hill finished his senior year with Arkansas ranked as high as the no. 2 punter in his graduating glass. On his Pro Day Irwin-Hill recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.99, and eleven 100kg bench reps, but his achievements through the year in the SEC are a better indicator of his value to the NFL. In his last year in college football, Irwin-Hill had a 40.1 yard average from 58 punts with 47 punts inside 20 yards and he also scored a 51-yard touchdown against Texas A & M. If Irwin-Hill doesn’t get drafted, there’s a good chance he’ll get a look in with a franchise as a free-agent.
Former AFL player Scott Harding is another from Down Under who is eligible to be drafted. Called “the most interesting man in college football” by prominent US sports site, Grantland, Harding ‘s value is a matter of whether you see a glass as half full or half empty. Able to play at wide receiver, punter and punt returner, in his last season Harding had a strong finish stats-wise. The Aussie Rules convert had the most gross punting yards in college football and an average of 41.3 yard from 86 punts. As a receiver Harding had three touchdowns for 457 receiving yards from 34 receptions, and from 25 punt returns the Queenslander had 220 yards gained. At 28, though an experienced competitor, his age could limit his value, as could playing at the University of Hawaii, hardly the apex in terms of quality college football. But nevertheless, Australia will be cheering him on. If Harding is drafted or picked up as a free-agent it would be an outstanding achievement for the code-hopping athlete.
TOP FIVE SLEEPERS TO WATCH
These are the guys that have slid under the radar. They’ve escaped major media attention and are not expected to be drafted too high. However they have plenty of potential and could still be top NFL prospects. Rattle off these names to impress your mates.
Tyler Lockett — Slightly undersized wide receiver who is much tougher than he looks, has excellent speed and good hands.
Henry Anderson — The Stanford grad is a powerful defensive lineman that boasts length, strength and position versatility.
James Sample — Dynamic safety capable of laying hits near the line of scrimmage with the vision and awareness to operate well in space.
Marcus Hardison — Big boy with the agility of someone half his size, the defensive lineman is light on his feet and makes quarterbacks very uncomfortable in the pocket.
Alani Fua — Explosive linebacker with impressive speed and football intelligence with a knack for getting his mitts on interceptions.
HOW TO WATCH THE DRAFT
The first round of the draft is the most anticipated day of proceedings. It takes place on Friday 30 April at 10am (AEST). Day two of the draft covers round 2-3 on Saturday 1 May from 9am (AEST), with the final day comprising of rounds 4-7 on Sunday 2 May from 2am (AEST).
Just like the Super Bowl many fine establishments open early for round one of the draft so NFL fans, diehard and novice alike, can get together for a good time discussing the league’s next crop of stars. Indulge in some American-style food and drink and don your favourite team jersey for the ultimate draft day experience.
YOUR TEAM’S PICKS
Dallas Cowboys — 27th (first round), 28th (second), 27th (third), 28th (fourth), 27th (fifth), 19th from San Diego (seventh), 26th from Baltimore (seventh).
New York Giants — 9th (first round), 8th (second), 10th (third), 9th (fourth), 8th (fifth), 10th (sixth), 9th (seventh), 28th from Denver (seventh).
Philadelphia Eagles — 20th (first round), 20th (second), 20th (third), 14th from San Francisco through Buffalo (fourth), 9th from St. Louis (fifth).
Chicago Bears — 7th (first round), 7th (second), 7th (third), 7th (fourth), 6th from Jets (fifth), 7th (sixth).
Detroit Lions — 23rd (first round), 22nd (second), 24th (third), 24th (sixth), 14th from Miami through Baltimore (seventh), 23rd (seventh).
Minnesota Vikings — 11th (first round), 13th (second round), 12th (third round), 11th (fourth), 1st from Tampa Bay through Buffalo (fifth), 11th (seventh), 15th from San Francisco through Miami (seventh).
Buffalo Bills — 18th (second round), 17th (third), 19th (fifth) 12th from Minnesota (sixth), 18th (sixth), 17th (seventh).
Miami Dolphins — 14th (first round), 15th (second), 15th (third), 13th from Minnesota (fifth), 14th (fifth), 15th (sixth).
New York Jets — 6th (first round), 5th (second), 6th (third), 5th (fourth), 6th (seventh), 7th (seventh).
Baltimore Ravens — 26th (first round), 26th (second), 26th (third), 23rd from Detroit (fourth), 26th (fourth), 37th compensatory (fourth), 22nd from Detroit (fifth), 35th compensatory (fifth), 40th compensatory (fifth), 28th from Dallas (sixth).
Cincinnati Bengals — 21st (first round), 21st (second), 21st (third), 35th compensatory (third), 21st (fourth), 36th compensatory (fourth), 21st (fifth), 21st (sixth), 22nd (seventh).
Cleveland Browns — 12th (first round), 19th from Buffalo (first), 11th (second), 13th (third), 12th (fourth), 16th from Buffalo (fourth), 11th (fifth), 13th (sixth), 26th from Baltimore (sixth), 12th (seventh).
Pittsburgh Steelers — 22nd (first round), 24th (second) 23rd (third), 22nd (fourth), 24th (fifth), 23rd (sixth), 36th compensatory (sixth), 22nd (seventh).
Atlanta Falcons — 8th (first round), 10th (second), 9th (third), 8th (fourth), 10th (fifth), 9th (sixth), 8th (seventh), 32nd from New England through St Louis (seventh).
Carolina Panthers — 25th (first round), 25th (second), 25th (third), 25th (fourth), 25th (fifth), 33rd compensatory (fifth), 38th compensatory (fifth), 25th (sixth), 25th (seventh).
Houston Texans — 16th (first round), 19th second), 18th (third), 17th (fourth), 16th (fifth), 39th compensatory (fifth), 19th (sixth), 35th compensatory (sixth), 40th compensatory (sixth), 18th (seventh).
Indianapolis Colts — 29th (first round), 29th (second), 29th (third), 29th (fourth), 29th (fifth), 29th (sixth), 31st from Seattle (sixth), 27th from Dallas (seventh), 38th compensatory (seventh).
Tennessee Titans — 2nd (first round), 1st (second), 2nd (third), 1st (fourth), 2nd (fifth), 1st (sixth), 32nd (sixth).
Arizona Cardinals — 24th (first round), 23rd (second), 22nd (third), 24th (fourth), 23rd (fifth), 22nd (sixth), 24th (seventh), 39th compensatory (seventh).
St Louis Rams — 10th (first round), 9th (second), 8th (third), 20th from Philadelphia (fourth), 39th compensatory (sixth), 10th (seventh).
Seattle Seahawks — 31st (second round), 31st (third), 13th from New Orleans (fourth), 31st (fourth), 35th compensatory (fourth), 31st (fifth), 34th compensatory (fifth), 5th from Jets (sixth), 33rd compensatory (sixth), 38th compensatory (sixth), 31st (seventh).
Denver Broncos — 28th (first round), 27th (second), 28th (third), 34th compensatory (fourth), 7th from Chicago (fifth), 28th (fifth), 27th (sixth), 33rd compensatory (seventh), 34th compensatory (seventh), 35th compensatory (seventh).
Oakland Raiders — 4th (first round), 3rd (second), 4th (third), 3rd (fourth), 4th (fifth), 3rd (sixth), 4th (seventh).
Washington Redskins — 5th (first round), 6th (second), 5th (third), 6th (fourth), 5th (fifth), 6th (sixth), 5th (seventh).
Jacksonville Jaguars — 3rd (first round), 4th (second), 3rd (third), 4th (fourth), 3rd (fifth), 4th (sixth), 3rd (seventh).
San Diego Chargers — 17th (first round), 16th (second), 19th (third), 18th (fourth), 17th (fifth), 16th (sixth).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 1st (first round), 2nd (second), 1st (third), 10h (fourth), 26th (fifth), 32nd (fifth), 8th (sixth), 2nd (seventh).
New England Patriots — 32nd (first round), 32nd (second), 32nd (third), 2nd (fourth), 32nd (fourth), 2nd (sixth), 1st (seventh).
San Francisco 49ers — 15th (first round), 14th (second), 15th (third), 27th (fourth), 15th (fifth), 14th (sixth), 29th (seventh).
New Orleans Saints — 13th (first round), 31st (first), 12th (second), 11th (third), 12th (fifth), 11th (sixth), 11th (seventh).
Kansas City Chiefs — 18th (first round), 17th (second), 16th (third), 19th (fourth), 18th (fifth), 17th (sixth), 16th (seventh).
Green Bay Packers — 30th (first round), 30th (second), 30th (third), 30th (fourth), 30th (fifth), 30th (sixth), 30th (seventh).
Originally published as NFL Draft: A dummy’s guide for what you need to know
World erupts over man in Taylor Swift photo
Taylor Swift sent the sporting world into meltdown at a thrilling game, with the popstar getting as much attention as the game itself.
Michael Jordan at centre of $61m rumour
Michael Jordan is joining NBC’s NBA coverage from the beginning of next season, but questions surrounding his payday remain unanswered.
Aussie ‘weapon’ gets monster $25m deal
An Australian being the highest-paid player in his position in the NFL would seem hard to believe, but Michael Dickson is that man.