Biggest Surprises of the NFL Draft’s First Round

Five moves that caused the most confusion

Finally we got a taste of sports again. With the first round of the NFL draft taking place last night, fans were given hope for their favorite franchise. However, not all of the picks were well received. Below I will give the five moves from last nights first round which I found the most confusing.

The Giants selecting Andrew Thomas at 4

Leading up to the draft, many analysts had the Giants selecting either Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, or one of the four offensive tackle prospects. The surprise wasn’t New York selecting a tackle, but selecting this tackle. Thomas was the fourth rated tackle on many analysts big boards. Players like Jedrick Wills Jr. and Mekhi Becton were regarded as better prospects, so the move for Thomas with the fourth pick was a bit shocking.

Miami taking Tua Tagovailoa

Confusing isn’t the right word for this selection. Surprised fits better. In the days before the draft, many believed the Dolphins had decided the risk for Tagovailoa was too much, and that they decided Oregon’s Justin Herbert would be the selection. But I guess that was all smoke and mirrors. Some also thought that Miami might draft a tackle and wait for a QB like Jordan Love. That also proved to just be a smokescreen. Tagovailoa was the selection despite the injury concern, to the surprise of some.

CeeDee Lamb being available for the Cowboys at 17

The drafts top wide receiver prospect to some being available at 17 was definitely a major shock from last night. The move was in part made possible due to the Raiders selecting Alabama receiver Henry Ruggs III with the 12th pick (which was a bit of a shock in and of itself). That along with the 49ers passing on a wide receiver with their first selection for a defensive tackle (another shock), led to Lamb miraculously falling to the Cowboys. A player who some thought could go as high as 8th falling to 17 definitely was a surprise.

The Packers trading up for Jordan Love

Don’t look now, but Green Bay didn’t give QB Aaron Rodgers a first round receiver yet again. Not only did the Packers not give Rodgers some help, they also drafted what seems to be his replacement. It’s one thing to select Love, but trading up ahead of teams which didn’t appear as if they were going to select a quarterback is another. Love is a project, and the Packers are in win-now mode. They needed to go get Rodgers more help, not a backup to groom. But the Packers continually have ignored giving Rodgers first round receivers, so maybe it shouldn’t be that much of a shock.

The Seahawks drafting linebacker Jordyn Brooks

Seattle had more glaring needs than linebacker to address. They could’ve selected a tackle to improve the offensive line, or they could’ve drafted a pass rusher with Jadeveon Clowney still unsigned. Instead they opted to take a linebacker who received a fringe-starter grade from NFL.com. If Seattle really liked Brooks that much, they could’ve traded back to secure more draft capital. They instead reached for a player who many didn’t believe was a first round talent.