2020 NFL Draft: Round 1 Results + Round 2 Open Thread

In what felt to many in the sports world like an oasis after a long sojourn in the desert, the NFL draft kicked off last night, and quickly reminded us that this is not actually a sporting event, but the NFL presenting us a four-hour commercial spritzed with transactional information that could be disclosed in a single press release just as easily.

Maybe that’s the cynicism born of almost 6 full weeks isolated from most human contact, though. This year’s first round sure seemed to have more than its fair share of touching or heartbreaking personal stories, as well as badly-concealed draft parties at the prospects’ houses in violation of social distancing guidelines. But let’s get to the substance.

• The Big Ten had five players drafted in the first round. Ohio State predictably led this contingent, including two of the first three picks (DE Chase Young #2, Washington, and CB Jeff Okudah, #3, Detroit). Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs went to Tampa at 13, OSU CB Damon Arnette to Las Vegas at 19, and Michigan C Cesar Ruiz to New Orleans at 24.
• The SEC once again dominated the first round, claiming nine of the first fifteen spots and fifteen total first-rounders. Alabama did their usual thing with four picks, but national champion LSU led all schools with five.
• It was something of a quiet first round in terms of surprises. There were a few position-shuffling trades, but no Darrius Heyward-Bey-type left field picks, no obvious scrambling by the broadcast team to figure out who the hell is this guy. That’s not to say certain fanbases might not be disgruntled, though. /glances across Lake Michigan

What Should We See Tonight?

Well, according to ESPN’s Best Available list, there should be a ton of our favorite conference’s players hearing their names called soon. Five of the top ten purported best left on the board hail from the Big Ten - OSU RB JK Dobbins, Minnesota S Antoine Winfield Jr., Iowa DE AJ Epenesa, PSU DE Yetur Gross-Matos, and Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor. We’ll also likely hear Wisconsin LB Zack Baun drafted in the second round.