The bloodline for all NFL clubs, the moment when championship foundations are established, is the draft – and it’s Here!
This year’s edition of the annual bonanza at Radio City Music Hall in New York City starts to unfold tomorrow Thursday, April 25. As usual, it is a sold-out event, where fans are encouraged to yell, scream and cheer after their favorite team’s draftees walk across the big stage and prepare for that iconic photo opportunity with commissioner Roger Goodell.
Over the past five years, the number of prospects invited to this event has grown tenfold. Last week, the league confirmed that it had reached out to the following 23 individuals about attending in 2013:
Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Brigham Young
Barkevious Mingo, DE, Louisiana State
Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Eric Reid, DB, Louisiana State
Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
Kenny Vaccaro, DB, Texas
Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State
Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
There are currently three teams with multiple first-round picks. The St. Louis Rams have No. 16 overall and own the No. 22 slot thanks to last year’s trade with the Washington Redskins. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings boast selections Nos. 23 and 25 by virtue of shipping wide receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks in March. (Seattle and Washington, conversely, must go through the entire first round without a pick.) And the New York Jets with picks Nos 9 and 13.
In all, 254 total players will be selected, including the 32 compensatory picks granted to 16 clubs for loss of unrestricted free agents from the year prior. The compensatory picks are awarded – and can only be used – from the third round through the remaining portion of the draft. Below are the clubs awarded these special selections:
Round 3: Houston, 33; Kansas City, 34; Tennessee, 35. Round 4: Baltimore, 33; San Francisco, 34; Detroit, 35; Atlanta, 36. Round 5: Miami, 33; Green Bay, 34; Baltimore, 35. Round 6: Houston, 33; Tennessee, 34; Baltimore, 35; Kansas City, 36; Oakland, 37; Pittsburgh, 38. Round 7: Philadelphia, 33; Cincinnati, 34; Seattle, 35; Seattle, 36; Atlanta, 37; Atlanta, 38; Detroit, 39; San Francisco, 40; Baltimore, 41; Tennessee, 42; Atlanta, 43; Miami, 44; Cincinnati, 45; San Francisco, 46; New York Giants, 47; Indianapolis, 48.
