The annual NFL Draft has recently wrapped-up in what was expected to be one of the most chaotic drafts in recent history. Draft picks had been tossed left and right with many teams not having a single selection in the first round. On top of that, there was no clear consensus on who would be the number one selection due to the competitive level of talent in positions like defensive end. Like the years before, there were plenty of surprises with the selections in this year’s draft. 

For their first overall pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Travon Walker. The main debate up until draft day had been between Walker and another defensive edge, Aidan Hutchinson. Many believed Hutchinson was a better selection from his college days, but Walker’s amazing performance at the combine earned him the number one selection. 

For Indiana, the first round was uneventful. Kyle Hamilton, who played at Notre Dame, was selected 14th overall to the Ravens. ESPN analyst Melvin Kiper Jr. considered Hamilton to be one of three defensive elites in the draft. Kiper believed he could slide down near picks seven through eleven, but it came as a surprise to many that he was still available at pick 14. There was a little buzz for Purdue fans as George Karlaftis went 30th overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. According to twitter user @Mathbomb, who created a website that ranks athletes’ athleticism on a scale of one to ten, Karlaftis scored an impressive 9.18 with his main knock being his size.  

The Colts did not have a first round pick this year after they dealt it to the Eagles as part of a trade for Carson Wentz the previous offseason. Despite this, their draft was full of promising prospects. Using the Relative Athletic Scorer, the Colts averaged a 9.7 across eight prospects which is practically unprecedented. Their third-round selection in Jelani Woods scored a perfect ten out of ten which is number one out of 1,014. That statistic accounts for any tight end draft since 1987.  

Including this year’s draft, 10 of the 14 first overall picks since 2009 have been a quarterback. This year’s draft only saw one quarterback be selected in the first round, which was Kenny Pickett to the Steelers. Between nights one and two there were four total quarterbacks taken. Desmond Ridder, Malik Willis and Matt Corral (listed in draft order) were all taken in the third round. Prior to the draft, there had been a lot of hype for Willis going in the first round. However, it is common practice that unconventional players receive a lot of praise before the draft in hopes that another team will select them too early, giving up a more traditionally desired player in the process. This tactic failed with Willis as he was not selected until the third round.  

Rookie Development Programs are set to begin as soon as May 16. 

Cover graphic by Nicole Morris. Additional information provided by https://ras.football.