Draft's first round starts, ends with Heisman QBs
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Cleveland Browns used the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday to select Oklahoma Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield, kicking off a first round in which five QBs were selected, one shy of the record.
"The guy knows how to play, knows how to win," Browns general manager John Dorsey said Thursday night of Mayfield after a tepid reception from the Browns' live draft party patrons. "Wins the game of football."
The more that 20,000 on hand inside of at AT&T Stadium, the first draft at an NFL stadium, erupted in cheers as commissioner Roger Goodell announced the Browns' decision.
With the No. 2 pick, the New York Giants selected Saquon Barkley of Penn State. The New York Jets then chose quarterback Sam Darnold of Southern California at No. 3.
The other quarterbacks taken were Wyoming's Josh Allen at No. 7 by the Buffalo Bills, UCLA's Josh Rosen at No. 10 by the Arizona Cardinals and Louisville's Lamar Jackson at No. 32 by the Baltimore Ravens. All three teams traded up to grab those QBs.
Cleveland threw a curveball with its No. 4 selection, taking Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. Dorsey said Ward's excellence in press-man coverage is the perfect fit for Gregg Williams' defense.
A shakeup in the draft order occurred after the Colts' drafted sixth. Tampa Bay traded the No. 7 pick to Buffalo for the Bills' first-round pick, No. 12, and two second-round selections (the 53rd and 56th picks overall). The Bills also got the Buccaneers' seventh-round pick.
Barkley, considered by many analysts as the top player in the draft, will join an offensive unit that includes Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard.
"Saquon is who we wanted," Giants GM Dave Gettleman said. "We were thrilled he was there. In all the years I've done scouting, I've only given one 9.0 grade. That was Peyton Manning. And this guy is a 9.0."
Two other running backs -- San Diego State's Rashaad Penny to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 27, and Georgia's Sony Michel to the New England Patriots at No. 31st -- went in the first round Thursday.
Darnold, who only a few days ago appeared to be a lock as the top overall choice, ended up in New York.
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said Thursday night he saw Darnold play live five times last season.
"I couldn't be happier," Darnold said.
Darnold, 20, was the first quarterback drafted this high by the Jets since Joe Namath went first overall in 1965. They selected USC quarterback Mark Sanchez fifth overall in 2009 and Richard Todd No. 6 overall in 1976.
Another trade put the Cardinals at No. 10, in position to select Rosen. The Cardinals made a trade with the Oakland Raiders to move up six spots.
"There were nine mistakes made ahead of me," Rosen said.
Jackson, a dual threat who won the Heisman Trophy in 2016, was selected with the final pick of the opening round following a trade with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
"It's on," a stoic Jackson said taking the stage after sitting through the previous 31 picks in the draft green room. "All day, every day."
Ward, whom most draft analysts had going no higher than No. 9, is considered a true cover corner with great quickness and speed. The 5-foot-11, 183-pounder ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb, viewed as an option for the Giants and Browns, gives the Broncos a potent pass rusher with pair with Von Miller. Chubb, 6-4, 275, had 10 sacks and 44 tackles for loss.
"I'm excited to get to work with guys like Von (Miller) and Shane (Ray)," Chubb said. "We have to make sure that we have the most dangerous pass rush in the NFL. I'm looking forward to the opportunity and I can't wait."
Broncos vice president John Elway said the Broncos rated Chubb "the best defensive player in the draft."
At No. 6, the Colts selected Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson. After Allen went to Buffalo, the Chicago Bears selected Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith with the eighth pick. Nelson's college teammate, offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, went No. 9 to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Dolphins used the 11th pick in hopes of boosting a suspect secondary with the selection of Minkah Fitzpatrick, a defensive back from national champion Alabama. The No. 2 safety in the draft, Florida State's Derwin James, was picked 17th by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Fitzpatrick's teammate, defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne, was taken at No. 13 by the Washington Redskins. And a third Crimson Tide defender, linebacker Rashaan Evans, landed with the Tennessee Titans at No. 22 following a trade with the Ravens. Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley (26th) joined the parade and will line up opposite Julio Jones -- another 'Bama product -- with the Falcons.
Ridley was the second wide receiver drafted. Maryland's D.J. Moore was picked 24th by the Carolina Panthers.
Right before Payne at No. 12, another defensive tackle, Vita Vea (Washington) went to Tampa Bay.
New Orleans moved up -- sacrificing next year's first-round pick -- in a deal with the Green Bay Packers to select UTSA pass rusher Marcus Davenport at No. 14. The Packers traded again to rise from the 27th pick (received from the Saints) to 18th, where they selected Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Buffalo also drafted linebacker Tremaine Edmunds from Virginia Tech (16th overall), whose brother, Terrell Edmunds, was drafted by the Steelers 28th. Pittsburgh's pick was announced by injured linebacker Ryan Shazier, who walked across the stage with the help of his fiancee.
The hometown Dallas Cowboys drew an eruption from the crowd with their selection of Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch at No. 19.
Back-to-back centers were claimed by the Lions (Frank Ragnow, Arkansas) and Bengals (Billy Price, Ohio State) at Nos. 20 and 21.
--By John Henry, Field Level Media
