Winners and Losers from the NFL Draft, Round 1

I am fairly sure that Joey and Tyson will have some comprehensive views about the NFL draft, but I thought I would give you my thoughts of the First Round. There are some pretty interesting storylines that came about through the night.

WINNERS:

The NFL: They were hoping that the move to Primetime would make this event even bigger, and they hit a home run there. Even with the Pittsburgh/Rothelisburger drama the last few days, there was a lot of action in trading and such through the night. All the teams made it interesting and there wasn't a dead moment for all three hours.

The Big 12 Conference: Too often, if you read everything the SEC writers/fans/bloggers write, they will tell you that there is no way that the athletes in that conference even compare to any other conference. The Big 12 had the first four picks, 5 of the first 6, and 9 total picks out of the whole first round, three more than the SEC had. I'll listen to the argument that all 12 teams top to bottom may be better in the SEC, but player by player, no way can you tell me the Big 12 can't compete.

Oakland Raiders: This proves to me that Al Davis is either realizing getting the best player is the smartest thing to do, or he is in a coma and will pass soon. Getting Rolando Mcclain is a great move here, and will only help them for the next few years.

Buffalo Bills: Getting C.J. Spiller is a steal for them, but makes sense and fits well because they are beyond done with Marshawn Lynch. There are rumors out there by a lot of people that say they couldn't give away Lynch, and this just makes it easier to release him or trade him in the preseason, if they can get a buyer by then.

Dallas Cowboys: I am including Dallas here because personally I think getting Dez Bryant was a flat out steal. If Dallas didn't take him, the Ravens would have snatched him up with the next pick at 25. Amazingly enough, that pick make Baltimore trade that pick which we will talk about in a minute....

Seattle Seahawks: They get help on both sides of the ball. A solid blocker in Okung, and a great safety in Earl Thomas. An interesting point that seemingly no one brought up... If Pete Carrol went for Earl Thomas and not Taylor Mays, what does that tell you about Taylor and what other teams think of him??

Cincinatti Bengals: I'm only including them because they got someone to help Carson Palmer that he's NEVER had in his career, and getting Jermaine Gresham can only help that offense.




LOSERS:

Mack Brown: Of the nine kids from the Big 12 Conference, only ONE came from Texas. This is from, supposedly, one of the best recruiters of talent in America. Every recruiting class is supposed to be full of first-rounders... and yet Bob Stoops had four from a 8-5 team. Tennessee, California, Oklahoma State, Rutgers and Georgia Tech had more first rounders than Texas did.

Denver Broncos: Explain to me how they needed to trade three draft picks for Tim Tebow. Are they convinced that if they didn't take him at 25, that he wasn't going to be available?? I back down a little bit because of Demarius Thomas, and it's a good pick there... but I do not get the Tebow pick. If Dez Bryant isn't taken by Dallas, there is no way Baltimore trades that pick to Denver. Amazing how one thing happening makes teams do so many things.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Do not understand the pick for Tyson Alualu... at all. This team was telling everyone and anyone that they HAD to draft Tebow to save the franchise.

Stephen A. Smith: Do you remember how the NFL had someone from the Make A Wish foundation come up and announce the Pittsburgh pick? Stephen A. does, and he wasn't happy about it. Only guy I know in America that didn't like that. http://twitter.com/stephenasmith/status/12678284795

That's all I have tonight, I'm sure Ty, Joey, or I will have something more on Sunday. Till then, be good, but if you can't be good, be good at it.