Commentary: Happy Draft Day
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We interrupt the Stanley Cup Playoffs to bring you Round 1 of the NFL Draft.
That’s right; it goes tonight in Green Bay and a quarter million people are expected to be on hand. I have no idea how the NFL plans to fit that many in and around Lambeau Field but I guess we’ll have to tune in to find out.
My head’s been focused on the NHL’s Battle of Florida so I’m not totally sure on the start time of Round 1 tonight, but I believe it’s 7 pm ET. When will they finally roll around to making the first pick? God only knows.
And God bless the NFL — they’ve made this must-see TV.
Are you following it? The Tennessee Titans have the #1 overall pick and it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that they’ll select Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward.
The drama starts after that.
The Cleveland Browns pick #2 and the NY Giants are #3.
Funny how some teams always seem to be picking in the top five, isn’t it?. But whatever.
Behind Cam Ward, there are two – maybe three – can’t miss top prospects: Penn State rush end Abdul Carter, Colorado star two-way player and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, and Colorado quarterback Shadeur Sanders.
And that last one is where alllll the drama starts.
Shadeur Sanders is, of course, the son of Coach Prime, Deion Sanders. The younger Sanders had a career record of 34-16 in the NCAA and never missed a game at Jackson State and Colorado. (That counts for a lot, doesn’t it?)
Frankly this has provided the most fodder for the talk shows for months; just how good is Shadeur? And if you draft him, are you drafting his Dad too? And is that a good thing or a bad thing?
I’ve enjoyed the analysis. Some pundits are saying Abdul Carter is a once-in-a-generation pass rusher and you don’t pass up guys like that. But so too was Myles Garrett, and he hasn’t changed the fortunes of the Browns.
The safe pick is probably Travis Hunter. He’s from nearby West Palm Beach, Florida and the folks here rave about him. All the kids look up to him. Good person! Great player! Check!!!!
But quality quarterbacks don’t grow on trees and there seems to be way more pros on the list than cons when it comes to Shadeur Sanders.
Two things I know for sure: I can’t wait for Round 1, and I’m glad I’m not doing the picking.
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary.
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