SnoTap's Hot First Round NFL Draft Takes

First round of NFL Draft was great last night. We really had everything, some drama thrown in there with Manziel plus a couple trades that we will look back on fondly. Let's do some quick hitters on the first round of the NFL Draft.  

Houston - Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina) Yes, this will be awesome to watch with J.J. Watt and Clowney play on opposing sides of the ball. These guys are going to tear apart the AFC South. Get the right quarterback, in the playoffs.

A Clowney/Watt Black Hammer/White Lightning 'shop for @bellyflope pic.twitter.com/OFPQqyM7kV
— Mike Tunison (@xmasape) May 9, 2014

St. Louis - Greg Robinson and Aaron Donald (Auburn & Pittsburgh)  I thought they got the two biggest beasts of the draft.  Just straight up monsters on both sides of the football. NFC West keeps getting better.

Jacksonville -Blake Bortles (UCF) This is a risk for the Jaguars. Bortles will need some time to develop so don't be surprised if they give him a half year of bench time.

Bills - Sammy Watkins (Clemson) It is pretty clear Buffalo wants to make the playoffs. They needed to make a drastic move, but if the Bills aren't in the playoffs this year or near it and give Cleveland a top 10 pick, this is an awful decision.

Raiders - Khalil Mack (Buffalo) All the sudden you look at Oakland's defense, and it looks pretty sexy to be honest if all the old guys stay healthy. Additionally, Mack learning under Lamarr Woodley and Justin Tuck will be great.

Falcons - Jake Matthews (Texas A&M) Matt Ryan gets some protection, but Atlanta has to be upset Oakland went with Mack as they need to rebuild their defense.

Tampa Bay - Mike Evans (Texas A&M) Is Tampa Bay's offensive gameplan going to be... "Okay, Mike (Glennon) we are going to have you throw two verticals routes, either pass it to Evans or Vincent Jackson."

Cleveland - Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel  (Oklahoma State & Texas A&M)  I didn't get this pick, and then ESPN Adam Schefter said this morning on Dan Patrick, new coach Mike Pettine, loves defensive backs like his old coach Rex Ryan. Not a bad pick, maybe a slight reach. Manziel is the savior of Cleveland sports now. The reaction to Manziel getting picked was like Christmas come early for a lot of these people.

Minnesota - Anthony Barr and Teddy Bridgewater (UCLA and Louisville)  Dammit Vikings stop doing smart things. Both are great picks for this team. Barr will give their front seven a much needed boost and Bridgewater could be special for the team, might take a bit yet he could be really good.

Detroit - Eric Ebron (North Carolina) Let's hope this big tight end is not Brandon Pettigrew!  No, Ebron will be an added asset to the Lions offense.

Tennessee - Taylor Lewan (Michigan)  Do the Titans care this guy is a part of a rape investigation or him beating up some dude.... NOPE. 

New York Giants - Odell Beckman (LSU) Giants get a new weapon, but they have a slot wide receiver in Victor Cruz, why do they need another one?

Chicago - Kyle Fuller (Virginia Tech) Bears need so much help on defense. It really doesn't matter where they drafted for the defense, it will help them out right away. I am a little surprised they didn't go safety though.

Pittsburgh - Ryan Shazier (Ohio State) Steelers love their Buckeyes. I am unsure on what his position will be in a 3-4 system, but learning under Dick LeBeau is never a bad thing.

Dallas - Zack Martin (Notre Dame) I have no idea why didn't draft Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, it seemed like an obvious choice. Instead, Dallas bulks up their line.

Baltimore - C.J. Mosley (Alabama) Death, Taxes and Ozzie Newsome drafting a kid from Alabama.

New York Jets - Calvin Pryor (Louisville) I felt like the last couple years the Jets did not have the same edge as they did in the first couple years of Rex Ryan, Pryor adds a badass streak to them.

Miami - JuWan James (Tennessee) He ended up in the first round without anyone really talked that much about him. Only an offensive tackle could that happen where no one talks about him.

New Orleans - Brandin Cooks (Oregon State) They basically get their Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles back on their team with this draft pick. Adds another element to the potent Saints offense.

Green Bay - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Alabama) READ HERE FOR MY UNBIASED OPINION 

Kansas City - Dee Ford (Auburn) I wonder if Timmy Jernigan's failed drug test had something to do with the Chiefs deciding to reach for Ford. They could have traded back to get him.

Cincinnati - Darqueze Dennard (Michigan State) How in the hell did fall this far?  There are certain players you just know would be special on Sundays, and that's how I felt about Dennard for most of his time at Michigan State.

San Diego - Jason Verrett (TCU) San Diego taking a cornerback was a bigger lock than Packers fans thinking they are General Managers after the team taking Ha Ha.

Philadelphia - Marcus Smith (Louisville) This is kind of a reach here, but Chip Kelly seems to really find a way to use his defensive ends in creative way.

Arizona - Deone Bucannon (Washington State) I didn't expect him to go this early, but Arizona has a secondary with Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie, Honey Badger and Deone... OH LAWD.  That team will do some hitting.

Carolina - Kelvin Benjamin (Florida State) People hated this pick because he has a high drop rate and too slow. Here's the thing, Cam Newton just needs to throw it up to him near the red zone which Carolina didn't have last season.

New England - Dominique Easley (Florida) Had he been healthy all season, he would have went in the top 10, possibly top five. That good of a player, great value pick by New England.

San Francisco - Jimmie Ward (Northern Illinois) Niners now have Eric Reid and Ward patrolling their defensive backfield for the next several years. That's pretty nice.

Charlie.

10 NFL Draft Prospects I Don't Want on an Opposing NFC North Roster

NFL Draft begins on Thursday night. There is a great deal of unpredictablity for the entire first round. With some much time from the end of the season to the draft,  there are smokescreens everywhere with people making up fake rumors all the time. Before you know, Brent Smith, Wyoming's quarterback, will make a rampant run to the second round. It is truly ridiculous. Despite all the craziness, one of the worst parts in the draft is seeing players you cheered for in college find their way to a  NFC North division rival. It is truly an awful thing to have happen because now you have to cheer against these players.

One of the worst ones for me was Mike Williams, the USC receiver.  I loved him in college along with most of that USC team so seeing him go to the Detroit Lions crushed me. Thankfully, Williams never amounted to the player I thought he could be in college therefore it was only a short-term nightmare for me. I came up with a list of 10 players that I do not want to see near an NFC North roster that isn't the Green Bay Packers. 

10. Eric Ebron - He should probably be higher on the list with this one. Ebron is a damn good player and will be a complete terror in the league. Let's either have him in Green Bay or nowhere near the NFC North because he will create all sorts of problems. I don't want to see him twice a year.   

9. Zach Mettenberger - I am starting to get a weird feeling about him. I realize he is a statue out there as his mobility is next to none, but he can really sling the football. He impressed me a couple times at LSU, and I would like it if he doesn't end up being on any three of the teams in the North. I don't think it is out of the question to have three of the four NFC North teams including Green Bay draft a quarterback. 

8. Kelvin Benjamin - With Calvin Johnson, Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall, there are already enough big wideouts meaning we do not need another one with 6'5 Kelvin Benjamin. The only team I could see him going to is Minnesota which would be awful especially if they get Manziel in the first round. BRB I'm going to cry. 

7. Louis Nix - This is the only one of two on the list where I generally like the guy. I don't need him on one of the rivals. I want to cheer on Nix and I think he will have some fun with the NFL. But in all honesty, I follow two Chicago Bears players - Kyle Long and Martellus Bennett, so I guess there is nothing wrong with it but he is money on Twitter.

Donald Sterling, you going Nascar or nah?
— lOUIS NIX III (@1IrishChocolate) April 29, 2014

6. Teddy Bridgewater - I am calling him the Aaron Rodgers of the 2014 NFL Draft. I think he will go lower than expected like everyone else around the 20's. Minnesota could trade up to get him if they don't go with a quarterback first. He is going to be a good quarterback and everyone is going to be blindsided by it so let's hope Bridgewater does not end up in the North. 

5. Darqueze Dennard - There are a ton of people whom watch more draft stuff than I do saying Dennard may have peaked a little bit and might not take another step yet he played so well at Michigan State. I refuse to believe he will be just a college player. Dennard locking up Packers receivers is not something I want in my life this Fall. 

4. Ra'Shede Hagman - He is a complete beast. I am on the Hagman bandwagon. People think he could either be a top tier player out of the draft, or a complete bust flaming out in fantastic fashion. If he goes to an NFC North team, I almost expect him to assault Aaron Rodgers on a regular basis. I hope that's not the case, but I wouldn't be surprised.  

3. Mike Evans - He probably will not go to the Lions as it appears they are obsessed with Sammy Watkins, but if they decide to go with Evans, holy shit, that's a massive receiver core comparable to Marshall and Jeffery.  

2. Sammy Watkins - There are ton of rumors he will be heading to Detroit. Lions add him with Calvin Johnson and this team is downright terrifying. Watkins will be an impact player from Day 1 and Matthew Stafford will finally have another wide receiver with Calvin Johnson. I also already have him for fantasy (In one of our leagues, we draft one college players and have him for the next three years) and I would prefer if his numbers came against teams not named Green Bay. 

1. Johnny Manziel - This is the obvious one. I would cry if Manziel found himself on the Minnesota Vikings. It really has nothing to do with Johnny Football either. I think I would still cheer for himself even if he was on the Purple & Gold. The real reason is Vikings fans. They would be absolutely obnoxious about getting Manziel and call him the savior throughout the next decade. It would be a dark time in Charlie.

I assume one or two of these 10 players will find a way to the NFC North, and let's hope they are in the Green and Gold.

Charlie.