1st Day NFL Draft Recap

The first round is in the books and it was perhaps the most unpredictable opening frame of the draft that we've seen in quite some time. Here are some of the highlights (and lowlights) of the first round, including how the rest of the NFC East fared:

-The Kansas City Chiefs started off the draft taking offensive tackle Eric Fisher out of Central Michigan, Brian Orakpo will be looking to welcome him to the NFL week 14 when the Chiefs come to town.

-The Jaguars did something unprecedented, taking an offensive tackle back-to-back with the first two picks, when they selected Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel. Also a bit surprising with the pick is that Joeckel is expected to be a RT. This is definitely evidence of the rookie salary cap in effect.

-At number 4 the Eagles made it three offensive tackles in the top four picks when they selected Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson. Johnson is a bit more raw of a player, but had been flying up draft boards after a strong Senior Bowl and Combine. Brian Orakpo or Ryan Kerrigan (there might be a chance they start Johnson on the right side) will get to welcome him to the NFL week 1.

-Three more offensive linemen went in the top 11 as G Jonathan Cooper went to the Cardinals, G Chance Warmack went to the Tennessee Titans and RT D.J. Fluker went to the San Diego Chargers.

-The Dolphins at number 3 and the Rams at number 8 traded up into the top 10, for high upside players DE Dion Jordan and WR Tavon Austin respectively.

-The Jets with picks 9 and 13 went defense, taking corner Dee Milliner and Defensive tackle (defensive end in their 3-4 system). The Jets despite having an unsettled quarterback situation passed on taking any of the falling signal callers.

-The Bills took the first quarterback at 16 when they surprised people and went with Florida State's E.J. Manuel over Geno Smith and Syracuse quarteback Ryan Nassib, whom the coaching staff coached in college. Manuel is a high upside pick, but might need some more development time before he's ready to start.

-The San Francisco 49ers traded up (from the Dallas Cowboys) for safety Eric Reid at 18. With the most picks in the draft it was likely the 49ers were going to trade up to ensure they got their guy. Reid's a slight surprise as he had fallen in some people's eyes, but San Francisco has been a bit unconventional in recent years.

-The New York Giants drafted the 7th offensive lineman of the draft by taking Syracuse offensive tackle Justin Pugh at 19. Pugh will likely move to right tackle with William Beatty pretty entrenched on the left side. Pugh has some size concerns and short arms for a tackle, but he had a highly successful college career and at worst should be a very good guard. Still this represents a fairly big reach for the Giants.

-The Chicago Bears continued with the offensive line trend taking Kyle Long (Howie's son) out of Oregon with the 20th pick. Long is a bit more raw of a player, but he's got huge upside and protecting Jay Cutler has long been something the Bears have ignored. Another reach pick here, but it targets a big need. Long represents the 8th offensive lineman in the top 20 (or 40%)

-The Vikings ended up with three first round picks, after they traded their 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th for the Patriots first rounder. The end result for Minnesota: DT Sharrif Floyd, once thought of as a top 5 pick, CB Xavier Rhodes, and WR Cordarrelle Patterson. It's a draft with a ton of upside, but Rhodes and Patterson are two players who I think have a high bust factor and listed them as big risks in my 2013 NFL Draft Guide.

-The Dallas Cowboys traded back probably expecting a guy like Justin Pugh or Kyle Long to be there, with both being selected they reached for center Travis Fredrick out of Wisconsin. While the offensive line represented a huge need for the Cowboys, this is a bit of a shock. Dallas did pick up an extra 3rd rounder in the deal, but I'm not sure if they can be happy with this pick.

-The Baltimore Ravens grabbed safety Matt Elam with the final pick of the first round, making him the 3rd safety selected in the first frame.

-With just one quarterback taken, one tight end, three receivers and zero running backs, the first round saw just five skill players go off the board. There were as many safeties selected as wide receivers, which is basically unheard of.

-It was the first time since 2000 that a quarterback wasn't taken in the top 15. And the first time since 2001 that we only saw one quarterback taken in the first frame.

-From the Redskins perspective just four corners going in the first round is a good thing. Three safeties were expected, but with Jonathan Cyprien moving to the 2nd round it could lead to an intriguing trade up scenario if he gets past a certain point. Unfortunately the offensive line position got pretty picked over, likely meaning the Redskins won't address their need until later. Though it is not a pressing need, there could be great value still at the nose tackle position. The same is true at wide receiver as some of those guys have fallen. Though not a 2nd round target with running backs pushed down it helps their chances in finding a good one in later rounds.

Here are my top 100 players heading into day two of the draft: Best Available Prospects for Day 2