I really don't get the great need to pigeon-hole certain players to a particular position. Since the Minnesota Vikings selected UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr in the first round the local media has been peppering general manager Rick Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer with questions as to the position that their new player will play. Barr was a linebacker/stand-up end in college. He made his mark as a pass rusher. Where will he play for the Vikings? The media demands to know. First of all, that decision will likely be made in training camp, on the field. Not moments after the player is drafted. Second of all, anyone that has given the question a little bit of thought before asking it will know that Barr will be a player of many positions. Zimmer has a new toy for his defense. I'll bet that he can't wait to coach a defensive player like Barr. Percy Harvin and Cordarrelle Patterson aren't your typical receivers. They have the skills to do many things with the ball in their hands. They have the running skills of a back. If they are lined up in the backfield, it's not as a gimmick or decoy. They are a serious threat back there. Anthony Barr is like that on the defensive side of the ball. Use your imagination people. Much like the Baltimore Ravens did a few years ago with the versatile Adalius Thomas, Zimmer and his coaches will get creative. Thomas played at all levels of the defense. On the line, at linebacker, and in the secondary. Barr will be a linebacker. He'll rush the passer. He'll cover a tight end. Hell, he's fast enough to cover some receivers. Those receivers might faint to see the 6-5 255 lb Barr running with them. He's only played defense for two years. If his comfort level with the nuances of the defense ever catches up with his physical skills, he'll be a monster. He'll create a defensive position that we've never seen before. Mike Zimmer has said multiple times since he was hired in January that he fits his defense to his players. I'm sure that he's just dying to get his players on the field. The positions that they play will be determined then.
The first round of the 2014 NFL Draft had the most viewers in draft broadcast history. The NFL will likely use that data as proof that the move to May was a wildly popular one. They couldn't be more wrong. The only thing that those numbers show is that the draft is wildly popular. Fans will watch it no matter when it's held. That doesn't mean that they like when it's held.
I expected a few quarterbacks to populate the top of second round. I was wrong. The Oakland Raiders selection of Fresno St.'s Derek Carr was the only pick in that area. Eastern Illinois' Jimmy Garoppolo was selected by the New England Patriots at the end of the round. Making it two when I expected at least twice that.
I really like the Patriots selection of Garoppolo. After Teddy Bridgewater, he was probably the quarterback that intrigued me the most. This Patriots pick could be a lot like the Green Bay Packers selection of Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 NFL Draft. Rodgers waited a few years behind Brett Favre. Garoppolo will do the same behind Tom Brady.
When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Giovani Bernard with the 37th pick of the 2013 NFL Draft it was the longest wait before the first running back was taken. We sailed right by that spot this year. This year, Washington's Bishop Sankey was taken with the 55th pick by the Tennessee Titans. He was the first. Then we had a little run. LSU's Jeremy Hill went next to the Cincinnati Bengals with the next pick.
Receivers, on the other hand, were a very popular choice. 16 through three rounds.
USC center Marcus Martin was the last player in the Draft's Green Room. He lasted until the sixth pick of the third round. The San Francisco 49ers got a good one.
NFL Network showed a quick shot of the Green Bay Packers after their pick in the third round. Too often, general manager Ted Thompson looks like someone or something has seriously spooked him.
After one draft and two rounds, Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly picked his first Oregon player. Receiver Josh Huff in the third.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Pittsburgh St. receiver John Brown in the third round. I love it when the Gorillas have a player selected!
Bill Belichick on a Johnny Manziel leak: "I don't know. MyFace, YourFace, InstantFace. Go talk to whoever you want that does that stuff." Classic. Bill Belichick is the best.
Here are few drafts that stand out to me after three rounds:
Houston Texans:
1. Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
2. Xavier Su'a-Filo G UCLA
3. C.J. Fierdorowicz TE Iowa
3. Louis Nix DT Notre Dame
At various times in the draft evaluation process, Clowney, Su'a-Filo, and Nix were considered likely first round choices. A defensive line of J.J. Watt, Nix, and Clowney. My goodness.
Baltimore Ravens:
1. C.J. Mosley LB Alabama
2. Timmy Jernigan DT Florida St.
3. Terrence Brooks S Florida St.
3. Crockett TE Colorado St.
It looks like the Ravens defense has gotten better.
Oakland Raiders:
1. Kahlil Mack LB Buffalo
2. Derek Carr QB Fresno St.
3. Gabe Jackson G Mississippi St.
Part of my fondness for this Raiders draft is due to the puzzling drafts that I have come to expect from them. I really like the three players that they have selected through the first three rounds.
Cleveland Browns:
1. Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma St.
1. Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
2. Joel Bitonio G Nevada
3. Christian Kirksey LB Iowa
3. Terrance West RB Towson
Like the Raiders, I expect the Browns to be a little off the rails on draft day. All of these picks should be impact players. I've been very curious about Kirksey.
St. Louis Rams:
1. Greg Robinson T Auburn
1. Aaron Donald DT Pitt
2. Lamarcus Joyner CB Florida St.
3. Tre Mason RB Auburn
Like the Browns and Vikings, it's easy to be drawn to a draft with multiple first round picks. Joyner was one of my favorites in this draft. He reminds me of former Vikings corner Antoine Winfield.
New Orleans Saints:
1. Brandin Cooks WR Oregon St.
2. Stanley Jean-Baptiste CB Nebraska
The Saints only had two picks but I really like both picks.
San Francisco 49ers:
1. Jimmie Ward S Northern Illinois
2. Carlos Hyde RB Ohio St.
3. Marcus Martin C USC
3. Chris Borland LB Wisconsin
3. Brandon Thomas G Clemson
I'm not a big fan of the 49ers trading all over the draft but I'm a big fan of the players that they picked when they decided to pick one.
And of course, we have the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Anthony Barr LB UCLA
1. Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
3. Scott Crichton DE Oregon St.
3. Jerrick McKinnon RB Georgia Southern
Barr and Bridgewater are the big ones. Crichton will fit nicely into the defensive line rotation. McKinnon should be a tremendous change of pace back. Something that the Vikings have never really had behind Adrian Peterson. McKinnon's versatility might force offensive coordinator Norv Turner to add a bunch more pages to his playbook. He could be the Darren Sproles that Turner had in San Diego. Secondary and guard are possible targets for the Vikings today.
Day Three. Here we go.
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