[ad_1]
The Canadian Press
NFL draft may see file run of QBs taken
As quickly because the San Francisco 49ers traded three first spherical picks to maneuver as much as No. 3 general, it turned clear that quarterbacks would come off the board at a file tempo on the NFL draft. Whereas QBs are extensively anticipated to go 1-2-3 for simply the third time within the widespread draft period that began in 1967, there are nonetheless questions on what number of others will observe within the prime 10 and first spherical. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are anticipated to be the highest two picks to Jacksonville and the New York Jets, with the Niners probably selecting between Mac Jones, Trey Lance and Justin Fields at No. 3. That might match 1971 (Jim Plunkett, Archie Manning, Dan Pastorini) and 1999 (Tim Sofa, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith) as the one drafts with quarterbacks taken with the highest three picks. A file could possibly be set with 4 QBs going within the prime 4 if Atlanta drafts the successor to Matt Ryan or trades right down to a quarterback-needy staff. If Fields, Jones and Lance all get taken within the prime 10, that might even be a primary, beating the 4 prime 10 QBs taken within the 2018 draft when Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen all went off the board shortly. All 5 of these QBs are virtually assuredly first-round picks, one thing that additionally occurred in 1999 when the 5 got here off within the prime 12, and in 2018 when Lamar Jackson was picked thirty second to affix the 4 prime 10 QBs. If someway, Kyle Trask, Kellen Mond or Davis Mills go off the board late within the first spherical, the 2021 draft may match the 1983 class with six first-round QBs. That class that featured Corridor of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, together with Todd Blackledge, Tony Eason and Ken O’Brien, is extensively thought of the most effective ever for quarterbacks. TOP PICKS With Lawrence set to be the twenty sixth quarterback to be picked first general because the merger, quarterbacks will account for precisely half of the highest picks since 1970. This would be the sixth time up to now seven years {that a} QB went first general with Cleveland defensive finish Myles Garrett the one different participant to interrupt by means of in 2017. It wasn’t at all times this fashion with a stretch from 1994-97 when the highest picks have been defensive deal with Dan Wilkinson, working again Ki-Jana Carter, receiver Keyshawn Johnson and deal with Orlando Tempo. There was even an 11-year stretch from 1976-86 when John Elway was the one QB to go first general. The most well-liked place apart from quarterback to go first general because the merger is defensive ends with 11, adopted by working backs (six), offensive linemen (3), receivers (2), linebackers (2) and defensive tackles (two). There has by no means been a good finish or defensive again drafted first. WAITING FOR D With many of the groups on the prime of the draft showing to be focusing on quarterbacks and different offensive gamers, this could possibly be the longest wait ever for a defensive participant to return off the board. The most recent the primary defensive participant has gone within the widespread draft period starting in 1967 was seventh general in 1999, when Corridor of Famer Champ Bailey was taken by Washington. As just lately as 2019, 4 of the primary 5 gamers drafted got here on the defensive aspect with Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams, Clelin Ferrell and Devin White following prime decide Kyler Murray that yr. This might additionally mark the primary time since 2012 {that a} defensive lineman didn’t get picked within the prime 10. Dontari Poe was the primary one off the board that yr at No. 11 to Kansas Metropolis. RARE TERRITORY Florida tight finish Kyle Pitts may make some draft historical past this week. If Atlanta picks Pitts at No. 4 general, he will probably be highest drafted tight finish within the widespread draft period. The one time a good finish was picked within the prime 5 got here in 1972, when Denver took Riley Odoms fifth general. Odoms was a two-time All-Professional and four-time Professional Bowler with 396 catches in 12 seasons. Simply 15 tight ends in all have gone within the prime 10 within the draft since 1967, with the gamers to do it up to now 25 drafts being T.J. Hockenson (eighth to Detroit in 2019), Eric Ebron (tenth to Detroit in 2014), Vernon Davis (sixth to San Francisco in 2006), Kellen Winslow Jr. (sixth to Cleveland in 2004) and Ricky Dudley (ninth to the Raiders in 1996). DOUBLE TROUBLE Alabama is about to have a pair of receivers picked within the first spherical for the second straight yr with DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle set to observe 2020 first-rounders Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy. The one different faculties to have a pair of receivers picked within the first spherical within the widespread draft period are 2007 LSU (Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis), 2007 Ohio State (Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez), 2001 Miami (Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne) and 1997 Florida (Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony). ___ Extra AP NFL protection: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL Josh Dubow, The Related Press
[ad_2]
supply
