NFL’s virtual Draft virtually perfect
If you were hoping the NFL Draft would be an escape from coronavirus, you were disabused of that notion in the first minute of ESPN’s broadcast Thursday night. It was “brought to you by Lowe’s,” the home-improvement store that’s being driven out of business by the pandemic. Then came the announcement that the most respected of draft analysts, Todd McShay, was absent because of the virus. And as if that were not enough of a downer, here comes Dr. Anthony Fauci to weigh in on the virtual evening. Could Donald Trump be far behind?
But after that ominous beginning – with ensuing tributes to the health-care workers — this was a surprisingly fine production, more compact than usual, very little wasted time. No Green Room cameras showing blank faces. Did we miss the hugs of Roger Goodell? Not that much. The commissioner did provide some happy news: Las Vegas, which would have been the site of this Draft if not for the pandemic, gets to try again next year.
I can’t recall a first-round draft with so much human interest, fascinating backstories. And a welcome shot of perspective. Other travails besides coronavirus deserve our attention. Before the totally predictable selection of the sublime Joe Burrow as overall No. 1, we saw a clip of the LSU Tiger/Cincinnati Bengal shedding tears for the impoverished town of 3,000 where he attended high school: The Plains, Ohio.
Fletcher Rollison, 12 years old, was shown at his home in Cleveland, buoyant after his recent cancer surgery at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis. He gave a shout-out to the Browns to introduce their selection of offensive tackle Jedrick Wills from Alabama.
Perhaps the most triumphant narrative was Javon Kinlaw, defensive tackle chosen by San Francisco out of South Carolina. He grew up homeless in Washington, D.C., spent winter days on a subway train just to stay warm.
At night he walked over dead bodies to reach whatever temporary shelter his mom could find. He had more pressing concerns than football, didn’t even begin playing the game until he was 15.
With the fifth pick in the first round the Miami Dolphins chose a fragile, if thoroughly charming, quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Then they used pick No. 18 for his much-needed protection: Austin Jackson, 20-year-old tackle from Southern Cal, who painfully gave bone marrow to his anemic sister, in a surgery that’s turned out well.
What always engages me about the NFL Draft is the debates over who did well and who didn’t. A.J. Terrell, Clemson cornerback whom Burrow bombed in the National Championship Game, drew this assessment from Mel Kiper Jr.: “The talent’s there; he just needs more coaching.” Thing is, he played for one of college football’s finest defensive coaches, Brent Venables. Will he find better coaching in Atlanta?
Judging from commentaries by draft gurus, the teams went overboard on receivers and defensive backs.
This was billed as the all-time deepest draft for quality receivers, so why were six of them impatiently chosen in the first round?
The Raiders are questioned for being too high on speed, taking Henry Ruggs as the first receiver, at No. 12, primarily because he was clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.27. They’re hoping he’s another Tyreek Hill, but some draftnicks see him as another John Ross. Ruggs was the No. 3 receiver at Alabama, though he did score 24 touchdowns.
With so many receivers on the boards, teams were drawn to cornerbacks to try to cover them. Atlanta reached for Terrell, and the Raiders chose a slow-footed Damon Arnette who figures to be a nickel back.
With the Draft strewn across more than 50 venues, it was inevitable there would be some slipups. Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel was shown in his living room while a door behind him was left open, providing a view of a cohort ensconced on a toilet with pants at his feet.
The second and third rounds, televised Friday night, will seem anticlimactic. But history has shown that more NFL starters rise from the two rounds that follow the first. This explains Bill Belichick’s penchant for trading out of the first round. He did it again Thursday, so now the New England coach has 13 picks for rounds 2-7. He’s not likely to reveal anything amusing, but Belichick’s machinations are always worth watching.
