Thoughts on the first round

So the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft is officially in the books.

Thursday night really had it all, didn’t it? Suspense, trades, intrigue, trades, gambles, trades - it was all there. Did I mention there were trades?

There was even a romantic interest. And we all know who I’m talking about.

Yep – Mel Kiper, Jr.

ANYWAYS, since Adam did such an excellent job talking about the Green Bay Packers’ selection of Bryan Bulaga – my two cents: LOVE the pick – I will focus my attention on the rest of the first round this morning.

(Quick aside: I’ll be back later today with a look at some possible Friday targets for the Packers.)

Here are five things I loved from the first round:

1. The Detroit Lions kept it simple, stupid, with the No. 2 pick and took arguably the best player in the draft in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Detroit has put an increased emphasis on the lines of scrimmage this offseason – something Lions fans had never seen before – and it should equal more wins in 2010. As Packers fans, we’re going to hate Suh for the next, oh, eight years or so.
2. The Seattle Seahawks had glaring needs at left tackle and safety heading into this draft. What did they walk out of Thursday night with? Only the draft’s best left tackle (Russell Okung) and second-best safety (Earl Thomas). Both players dropped, through no real fault of their own, and the Seahawks will benefit in the long-term because of it. They still need playmakers on offense, but can address that Friday. John and Pete are off to a great start.
3. The New York Jets’ selection of cornerback/return ace Kyle Wilson at No. 29. Wilson is a bit undersized, yes, but he’s a dynamic, playmaking corner with exceptional ball skills. With Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Wilson as their top three corners, the Jets will be extremely scary to pass on this season. This only furthers my belief that New York is headed for 12 or 13-win territory this year.
4. Buffalo’s selection of C.J. Spiller at No. 9. Yes, the Bills are loaded at running back, but Marshawn Lynch is a disaster off-the-field and Spiller’s presence now makes him expendable. Spiller was, hands down, the best back in this draft. The Bills still need to sure up their o-line, but once they do, they’ve found their catalyst.
5. The Raiders’ selection of Rolando McClain at No. 8. He brings great value and fills a need. A smart pick by Crazy Al? Dear Lord – what has the world come to?

Here are five things I, um, didn’t love from the first round:

1. Denver’s selection of Tim Tebow. Look, I love Tebow’s intangibles. And, unlike many, I think he’s got the potential to turn into a starting NFL quarterback…somewhere, someday. I just don’t think Denver was the right team to take him. Remember, the Broncos were a borderline playoff team last season. With your first round picks – they had two – your goal must be to find players who can get you over the hump. You can go about that by drafting for need or by taking the best player available, but either way, that’s got to be your goal. Does Tebow fill a need? No way. Was Tebow really the best player available at that spot? Not. A. Chance. He might get his shot someday, but I’m starting to think that will happen with someone other than Josh McDaniels as his head coach.
2. Jacksonville’s selection of Tyson Alualu with the 10th overall pick was a shockingly dumb pick. Alualu was considered, almost universally, to be no better than a late first round pick. D-tackle is a crucial position, yes, but Alualu isn’t nearly the difference maker that Suh or Gerald McCoy (taken by Tampa Bay at No. 3) are. The Jags could have traded down, at least a few spots, and still got him. He could make a difference and prove me wrong. For his sake – and those in the Jacksonville front office – he’d better.
3. Similar story with San Diego trading up 16 spaces to grab running back Ryan Matthews. To me, this move stinks of “We’re only one player away” and, as I’ve always said, that’s a dangerous mindset to have. Sure, Matthews fills a real need, but did the Chargers have to jump that far? I can’t imagine they did, considering almost everyone had Matthews as a late first round pick. He doesn’t play nose tackle or anywhere in the secondary, last time I checked, and San Diego now has less ammo to address those crucial spots later in the draft.
4. Speaking of failing to address a crucial position, how ’bout them Cowboys? Someone has told Jerry Jones he has no left tackle at the moment, right? Leave it to Jones to get star-struck and trade up for the flashy, yet troubled, wide receiver (Dez Bryant). I know you can’t always draft for need – and Bryant does bring great value in that spot – but he won’t be able to make any impact if Tony Romo is constantly running for his life. Jerry – don’t go changin’.
5. Oh Detroit – how you tease us so. While I loved what the Lions did in taking Suh, I really did not like what they did at the end of round one. Is Jahvid Best really worth dropping 28 spots in the fourth round? When you are as bad as the Lions are, I say no way. Sure, they got the player they wanted, but they are now unable to address both o-line and corner – two crucial positions for them – on Friday. Plus, come Saturday, they’ll be waiting 28 picks longer than they would have, originally. All for a small, fast back with a concussion history. Nice.

What about you, gang? What were your thoughts on the first round? As always, comment, baby, comment!

-Chris Lempesis