NFL Draft 2019: 1st Round Winners, Losers, Best Available Day 2

NFL Draft first round winners losers.

The 1st Round of the 2019 NFL Draft is in the books. Was your team a winner or loser? Did your team make the right move, who reached, who scored, the best story of the draft and whose left for today? Kyler Murray was the expected first pick. Daniel Jones made New York angry. Josh Jacobs just gave the Raiders a weapon we can all root for. Commissioner Goodell almost got killed.

Biggest Reach: What where the Giants thinking?

What?

The most significant reach of the first round? Oh, the booing heard in Nashville and New York City from Giants fan. The NFL Draft Pick which was the reach of the night, especially with the 6th overall selection, is Daniel Jones from Kentucky. Is this the new Christian Ponder? Yeah, I think so. One scout said of Daniel Jones that he is a “Backup” with “Pedestrian Talent.” Unfortunately, the Giants reached big time and better hope he beats that rap. And the only thing worse than the pick was the blaring bad music between picks. Lord that was bad.

Biggest Bust Candidate NFL Draft 2019?

Bust or Not?

The Biggest Bust potential of the first round is without question Kyler Murray. Let me say, I like the kid a lot, but he had one fantastic year with a boatload of talent. When you are the first pick in the NFL Draft is magnified just ask Johnny Manziel or JaMarcus Russell. Murray has the following attributes:

But, he’s smaller than you like and people have questioned his leadership abilities. At 5-foot and ten-inches, Murray becomes a big question mark. That being said, I want him to succeed but being drafted by Arizona makes you wonder if he is doomed to underperform. However, this organization just drafted Josh Rosen now they are selecting Kyler Murray? Better hope rookie head coach Kliff Kingsbury turns him into the next Russell Wilson. For other draft busts of the past, read here.

The Best Story of the NFL Draft 2019 1st Round…

The Best story of the night? The Oakland Raiders selected RB Josh Jacobs with the 24th overall pick. Jacobs is the definition of perseverance, success and overcoming adversity. He went from being homeless and running from gunshots to a first-round draft pick. Jacobs earned an Alabama scholarship by showcasing his highlight reels on Twitter (For more on Jacobs’ story, check out his self-written article on The Players Tribune. For more on his advanced stats and analytics, check out his instant draft reaction on numberFire). He is a guy you can root for no matter if you like the Raiders or not. Josh has Charlier Garner and Le’Veon Bell type skills which fits perfectly with Jon Gruden’s offense. He was the only Day 1 running back for a reason. Good Luck Josh! Other great stories of some of these draft kids.

“I’m never going to forget the nights spent in the back of that Suburban. I’ll never forget the motels. The gunshots. The helicopters. I know what it’s like to be scared. To be hungry. To have nothing in my future but uncertainty.

So I’m never going to take the privilege of playing in the NFL for granted. I’m going to come in and sacrifice whatever is necessary to succeed. I’m gonna hustle. I’m gonna put the work in and do the right things, like my pops always said.

Everything else will fall into place.”


Josh Jacobs, The Players Tribune

The Christian Wilkins Lift…

The Commish shows quick feet!

Second to Josh Jacobs in our hearts is Christian Wilkins. The second best moment of the NFL Draft is when Christian Wilkins almost destroyed the Commissioner. Roger Goodell showed some stellar moves avoiding 315 pounds of an elated monster prospect who just made the Dolphins defensive line much better. I sense the commish was a bit worried when he saw the lift by the athletic DT.

In addition to giving the commish an early heart attack, Wilkins brought honor to his late-grandfather’s name. He turned a life of tragedy into hope, leadership and success. Highlighted as one of our heartbreaking (and heartwarming) pre-draft stories, everyone at the UnAfraidShow cheered when the Miami Dolphins made him the No. 13 selection.

The Best Pick of the Night!

The Steal of the Draft!

I love the Buffalo Bills getting Ed Oliver. Landing the next Aaron Donald with the 9th overall pick in the draft was the steal of the night. There was talk of Buffalo trading up to get him, but the Bills held their ground and saw him fall to them. I like Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams, but Ed Oliver is the man he is a beast. Buffalo got the best defensive player at that spot and is a massive addition for the Bills rabid fan base to get excited about. Just watch the tape, Stud!

Seattle Seahawks Swap Meet

In Day 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks traded down into abundance. They were busy making lots of calls. The Seahawks turned pick 21 into picks 37, 114, 118, 132 and 142. Prior to the Frank Clark trade, the Seahawks only had four total draft picks. They had pick 21, 84, 124 and 159. The Seahawks traded away Frank Clark (and avoiding his big salary cap hit) and pick 84 to the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the draft in exchange for pick 29, 92 and a 2020 second-rounder.

So, the Seattle Seahawks exchanged: Frank Clark, pick 21 and pick 84
For Pick 29, 37, 92, 114, 118, 132, 142 and a 2020 second-round selection from the Kansas City Chiefs. Well played Seahawks.

Who is left for Day 2…

NFL Draft 2019 Best available 2nd round

Ahead of Day 2, there are an abundance of good Cornerbacks, Wide Receivers, and some terrific Offensive Line talents. The NFL Draft 2019 is still loaded. With that being said, I like Greedy Williams CB LSU, Jawaan Taylor OT Florida, Cody Ford T, and if you need a QB, Drew Lock from Missouri is still on board. Also, the freakish body of DK Metcalf is still available. Who knows, maybe we will see some of my hidden gems be selected. Enjoy the draft everyone.

College Football Players Are Not Obligated to Play in Bowl Games

Will Grier Bowl Games Sitting West Virginia

Why do fans expect an “amateur” football player to put his career and livelihood on the line for what amounts to an exhibition game? On Saturday, West Virginia University announced that starting quarterback Will Grier will not be participating in the Camping World Bowl game against Syracuse. His decision not to participate in bowl games to focus on preparation for the NFL Draft did not sit well with some college football fans. He joined the list of more than a dozen players who will skip their teams’ bowl games.

Grier made the following statement informing fans of his decision.

Fans have no right to be upset with unpaid “amateur” athletes for choosing to further their professional careers.  After all is that not what a major part of the college experience is all about, learning to make tactical business decisions to be better professionally.  Grier did just that.  He made a tactical business decision to protect his potential professional career by not subjecting himself to injury in the bowl game.

Furthermore, Grier is slated to be a first or second-round draft pick. Would it really make sense for Grier to jeopardize his NFL draft potential by playing in a bowl game? The answer is simple. No, it would not make sense.

The Minimal Reward is Not Worth the Risk

The risk of injury in bowl games simply is not worth it for a college football player with a high NFL Draft potential. Bowl participants receive what amounts to very little for their participation. Participants receive a bowl gift and bragging rights for a year. Bowl gifts are nice and fun. However, they are minuscule when compared to the salaries and bonuses that coaches receive for bowl participation. This is especially true for a player like Will Grier who has already accomplished the pinnacle of what college sports and “amateurism” is supposed to be about – degree completion.

A degree is extremely valuable and can lead to a better life. Receipt of scholarship money to acquire a degree is very valuable as well.  However, a scholarship often does not equate to a college athlete’s full market value. Why should a player with the potential to finally receive their full fair market value for their athletic prowess risk a potential career ending injury in a game that is not going to compensate him up to his full value? Again, the answer is simple. No athlete should take that risk.  No fan should expect them to.

College Football Players Should not be Vilified for Opting Out of Bowl Games

Suiting up for any game carries a risk of injury. However, dissenting fans argue that it is only one more game, so the players should play. While it may only be one more game, the risk of injury is ever-present. In fact, the risk of injury is so prevalent that Grier is not the only player sitting out of a bowl game this year. In the past, players like Jaylon Smith and Jake Butt have suffered a serious injury which impacted their draft position.  Specifically, Ed Oliver, Rashan Gary, N’Keal Harry, Greedy Williams, and Grier’s teammate Yodny Cajuste are among those that have opted out of their respective bowl games this year to prepare for the NFL.

Some fans are equally upset by these decisions.  They argue that such players are being selfish and are quitting on their teams. However, that is not true. The players who opt out are not doing it to quit on their team. They are doing it to protect their future career prospects so that they may finally receive market value for their talents.  Despite what fans may think, college football players are not obligated to risk a career-ending injury for their viewing pleasure. Accordingly, players who opt out should not be vilified for their decision.

Players are not the Only Ones who Opt Out; Coaches do Too

Players are not the only ones who opt out of bowl games.  Coaches opt out as well.  Every year, several coaches leave their teams to take jobs at other schools in the midst of bowl game preparation.  Coaches are allowed to make business decisions for the betterment of their careers, just as players should be.

Whether people want to acknowledge it or not, college football is a business.  Therefore, all parties involved should be allowed to make decisions that are in the best interest of their careers. This freedom of movement may upset some fans. However, players and coaches should be able to make whatever decision is best for their career.