The first few to go in NFL Draft, plus a couple extra
Now, do bear in mind, I was going to save this column until next week. I mean, the NFL Draft is next Friday and all, and being a commonwealth bystander claiming his own draft projections even this early just smells like a bit of a jerk move, so I had no intentions of calling my shot at this point.
That was until my always-reliable Twitter feed informed me that a “reliable source” – I still have trouble figuring out what that means – told ESPN the Indianapolis Colts, keepers of the almighty first pick, have notified Stanford quarterback standout, Andrew Luck, he will be selected above the reason this year. I figured if teams are supposedly calling their shots now, I’d better get a leg up and call my projections now.
Here are a couple of my draft-pick projections, excluding Mr. Luck becoming a Colt. Hold onto your hats.
Second overall pick: Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III.
It just doesn’t make sense to me that a team who were licking their chops to places with the St. Louis Rams if they had no intentions of lassoing in the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and all-things combine machine. Griffin could be just what the Redskins need to click things into control for a young and hungry offense. It is just a matter of common sense.
Third overall pick: Minnesota Vikings – Justin Blackmon.
Now, I know what every football aficionado is saying, “But, Steve, why wouldn’t a team with an offensive line worse than an undercooked chicken breast pass on Matt Kalil? We need an offensive tackle, so isn’t Matt Kalil the best choice? What about Matt Kalil? Matt Kalil, Matt Kalil, Matt Kalil.”
I understand those sentiments, but what general manager in their right mind would pass on such an athletic freak as Blackmon? We’re talking about a speeding bullet with soft hands and, just to boot, is a proven return man extraordinaire. Perhaps if this team had a quarterback to swoon over, an offensive tackle would make sense, but I’m just not buying that logic with Blackmon staring them in the face.
Fourth overall Pick: Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson.
We’re talking about two plus two equals four in this case. Richardson is a young power back who could alleviate things for a standout running back in Peyton Hillis who a) had to survive far too many carries last season with an ill-fated offense, and b) is still recovering from the Madden Cover curse. The Browns have a chance to lock in two backs that could turn defensive lines into mincemeat. If Cleveland ends up landing this pick, don’t sleep on the orange helmets this season.
And Just for fun, 51st pick: Philadelphia Eagles – Bobby Wagner, and the 69th overall pick: Washington Redskins – Robert Turbin.
The Eagles need some way to attack the backfield, along with a means to creating turnovers and all of us in Cache Valley know Wagner’s ability to find such opportunities. A chance to lock in a solid linebacker will allow Nnamdi Asomugha to seize just about every wide receiver breathing in the league, making things potentially frightening this season.
Turbin feels like a great fit in Washington – a guy who can power through defenses and get well-needed late-down yards. Then pair him up with Griffin at quarterback? This move has the possibility of the nation’s capital becoming the biggest offensive three-ring circus in football.
And, in case you haven’t noticed, the Redskins and Eagles are in the same division. So, if things go as planned, expect two men who led the charge at making the USU Aggies a relevant option last season dueling each other twice a year in the pros.
It’s just too perfect that I couldn’t wait a week to tell you.
– Steve Schwartzman is a junior studying communication. He has had just about every job in sports writing, including blogs, analysis, statistics and fantasy football tips, but he especially loves making bold picks. Think you can out-pick Steve? Let him know: steve.schwartzman@aggiemail.usu.edu.