Round 1 in the Books

For the first time ever, the NFL held their draft with a prime time billing. The results were hectic and bizarre all in the same 3+ hours of coverage. The reviews for some are good and bad for others. Last night's winners and losers. To view the entire first round, go to NFL.com.

Winners (in no certain order):

Suh will learn the ropes from
Nebraska alum Vanden Bosch.

1. Detroit Lions - While the need for a DT wasn't viewed as a pressing one, shoring up the D-line is always a good way to go. Despite the number of DTs that have been labelled as busts, the Lions tabbed Ndamukong Suh at #2. I don't see Suh being a bust. I see Suh and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (also a Husker) creating havoc at the line of scrimmage. With other pre-draft moves, the Lions will be better than 2-14 next year.

Detroit then traded back into the back end of the first round to snare RB Jahvid Best. Best was rated as the second best RB on the board and Detroit was taking no chances in dealing with divisional foe Minnesota for the #30 pick. It was a good move for the Vikes as the CB they may have wanted was off the board, too. Minnesota will now pick second tonight as part of the deal.

Okung must aid in keeping Matthew
Hasselbeck healthy in '10.

2. Seattle Seahawks - OT needed, check. Secondary help needed, check. When the Washington Redskins selected OT Trent Williams at #4 and Kansas City taking Eric Berry at #5, Pete Carroll and the guys had to be ecstatic. That "left" the Seahawks with OT Russell Okung at #6. Okung was rated as the most complete OT in the draft. Seattle addressed two major needs.

Throw in S/CB Earl Thomas at #14. The Seahawks may have been holding their breath when the Philadelphia Eagles traded with Denver at #13 (who had traded with San Francisco at #11). The thought was that Thomas was the Eagles guy. Philly took DE/OLB Brandon Graham instead. Despite what many thought as a no-brainer to take the USC safety in Taylor Mays (who was not selected last night), Carroll went with his head and not his heart. I give props to Pete for that.

Bulaga just looks like a Packer.

3. Green Bay Packers - At #23, did anyone think OT Bryan Bulaga would be available? I didn't and neither did a lot, but the Packers landed the Big Ten stud. Bulaga could play guard this year with Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher still there. The big plus, QB Aaron Rodgers gets more protection and that's scary. Very scary.

4. Dallas Cowboys - Jerry did it again. Trading with New England at #24 (from Denver from Philly) to nab WR Dez Bryant almost seemed to good to be true. I'm guessing Roy Williams may be available. Just sayin'.

Losers (in no particular order):
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - I know they had a pressing need at DT. Taking DT Tyson Alualu in the second round would've been a great pick has he still been on the board, but at #10 overall? The highest I saw him rated was around 38 overall. The Jags passed on NT Dan Williams, DT Jared Odrick, DE Derrick Morgan and DE Jason Pierre-Paul at that spot. Williams, Morgan and Pierre-Paul would not have been a stretch. Odrick, maybe a bit, but Alualu was a major leap. Can you say Derrick Harvey?

That's the only real one I see in that column.

I just want to address this. Some may think the Denver Broncos took a huge risk in trading up for QB Tim Tebow and I concur: however, with Josh McDaniels' selection of WR Demaryius Thomas, it's a wash. Great pick, highly questionable pick. Makes you wonder if Brady Quinn and/or Kyle Orton may be moved today.

The Same goes for the San Francisco 49ers. I still question trading from #13 to #11 to draft OT Anthony Davis. I highly doubt that Denver (who the Niners swapped with) or Miami (who traded with San Diego) would have taken Davis. But their pick at #17 makes their two first round picks a wash when OG Mike Iupati went to San Fran. QB Alex Smith loved those picks, I'm sure.

Biggest shock - Tebow. I know he's the highest character guy in the history of the draft, but with all the questions about his throwing motion and accuracy, this move will make or break McDaniels.

Biggest "fall" - NT Dan Williams. When Buffalo passed on Williams At #9, I knew he'd slide a long way. None of that was in any way due to anything Williams has any control over. It was mere needs and Williams found a home in which he is greatly needed in Arizona. Williams falling was a major gain for the Cards.

There were a few surprises in who wasn't taken. S Taylor Mays, DE/OLB Sergio Kindle, OT Bruce Campbell and the biggest surprise non-pick, QB Jimmy Clausen.

Tonight could start out with a flurry of activity as Buffalo, Cleveland and maybe even Oakland and Jacksonville rumored to be looking at the QB position. With Clausen and Colt McCoy still on the board, it will be interesting to see if Cleveland will try to move up from #38 overall to get McCoy. Will Buffalo now look to nab Clausen? The Bills were thought by some to take the Notre Dame QB at #9.

Oh, it will be busy.