While the season proper might not start until September, the 2014 NFL Draft is the must see off-season event for any American football fan. This season the suspense is magnified with the Draft being pushed back from April until May. Join us for updates and commentary from 10.00am AEST.
The NFL Draft, making its first appearance in 1936, is now an established institution of American sport being beamed primetime to millions of viewers in the US and around the globe.
The Draft is once again held in New York City’s world famous Radio City Music Hall. There are rumours that the venue could be auctioned off to other locations. It might the final curtain at the Radio City Music Hall.
The 2014 NFL Draft is considered to be the deepest draft in the Super Bowl era and will not fail to deliver all the drama and excess that fans have come to expect from the NFL. ESPN’s John Clayton went as far to say that this is the deepest draft in talent he has ever seen.
In particular for fans down under the presence of three Australians in the draft is sure to generate extra interest, with Memphis Punter Tom Hornsey being the top of many draft boards at the punting position. He is joined by fellow punters Jordan Berry (Eastern Kentucky) and Cayle Chapman-Brown (New Mexico State).
South Carolina Defensive End Jadeveon Clowney is expected to be the first player picked but the question will be what team with Houston Texans rumoured to be looking for trade offers. Clowney is the best player in the draft and is considered a once in a decade pass rusher.
Other big names in the draft include Texas A&M Quarterback Johnny “Football” Manziel who bedazzled fans with his octane play and freakish feet in the SEC. For the first time prospects are allowed to choose music to be played when they are drafted, anyone willing to be Johnny Football chooses Drake?
The other big name in the draft is Missouri’s Michael Sam, who is expected to be the first openly gay man to play in the NFL. Sam publicly came out earlier this year becoming one of the biggest stories in the draft. At the end of the day it is 2014 and racism and homophobia should be a non-issue. Michael Sam is a football player and he will be drafted as a football player. Look for him to come off the board somewhere after the fourth round.
As well as this there’ll be the usual draft day shenanigans of expensive suits, teary phone calls and trying to guess which picks will boom and which will ‘bust,’ as desperate teams go to great lengths under extreme pressure to secure the cream of college talent. Jon Gruden will say “I love this pick” at least 25 times but hey its Draft Day!
Join us at 10.00am AEST for all the action!
Follow Josh on Twitter @joshwye and @wootandwye
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The Rams are building a terrific young roster through the draft. They are going to be a force for years to come provided Bradford keeps improving. I wouldn't be surprised if they draft AJ McCarron tomorrow. He is going to be a good pro. Bradford needs a big season.
Cameron
Guest
As a chiefs fan I was not ecstatic with the pick however, Hali is 31 this season and has a cap figure of $15m in 2015 and Houston is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Realistically, this is either Hali's last season or Houston walks. Also, have a look at what Luck did in the Wildcard game picking apart the secondary, this was largely because we couldn't get pressure on him. We definitely had other needs but it is not the worst pick.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
Bradford was actually going good until he got injured in 2013. I think he deserves one more year. Robinson's presence helps heaps.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
I agree mate. The Rams smashed it again! 2013 NFL draft they did the same. That RG3 trade has completely revamped their franchise. I think Minnesota are big winners as well landing Bridgewater. As for the losers: the Colts and Chiefs. Remember the colts draft pick in this is Trent Richardson. Not many will agree but my favourite pick was the Cardinals selecting safety Deone Bucannon. Fits their scheme perfectly.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
They still have Bradford.
Distant Knight
Guest
QB's is the one position that is less about tangible physical skills, and more about the intangibles, making it hard to figure out where they will go. Even more so when the rest of the draft is loaded like this year. I'm sure if the ESPN analysts were allowed to sit in on the individual player meetings at the combine, they'd have a lot better idea on where these QB's would land in the draft process. Great move for Jacksonville and Minnesota grabbing their QB's this year, Cleveland look like they'll bury another career unfortunately...
BoneXV
Guest
Surely the Rams have to be the winners - arguably the best OT in the draft + the best interior D-lineman Favourite pick was Ebron at 10 and Clinton-Dix at 21 Josh - have to agree with you with the loser being the Cheifs - after coming off such a good year last year, they are nort really picking in an area of need and maybe not even the best player at that pick
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
That wraps up the first day of the 2014 NFL Draft. Hopefully for those that could not watch the coverage that this live blog was of help to you. Who were the winners and losers of day one!?
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
What a move by the Minnesota Vikings front office. Pairing Bridgewater with Adrian Peterson. A+. Bridgewater is a top 5 player in this draft, at 32 it is a steal. What a win to close the round.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
The Seahawks have traded down! They receive the 40th (2nd round) and 108th pick (4th round) from Minnesota. Vikings will draft a QB, which one? THE PICK IS IN: with the 32nd Pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the Vikings select Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville!
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
With the 31st pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State With DRC and Champ Bailey gone the Broncos needed Corners. The already have Chris Harris but he is coming off a severe injury and they acquired Aqib Talib from New England and now they draft a great replacement in Roby. A great selection. B+
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
The 49ers select Northern Illinois Safety Jimmie Ward with the 30th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Another great safety selection, he is a star. Can cover and tackle. Pair him with Eric Reid and you have a safety pairing to rival the Seahawks (no where near close but the potential is there)
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
The 30th pick is the San Francisco 49ers. Many expected the Niners to trade up with their plethora of picks but they are there now.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
I would have preferred Lee, they may double dip and go WR in round 2 as well.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
Analysts give Patriots pick a raving review, standard draft.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
With the 29th Pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the New England Patriots select Dominique Easley, DT, Florida. Really really risky pick considering his two ACL surgeries but if there were no injury concerns he would have gone top 12. Typical Belicheck pick up, high risk and high reward, and most of the time Belicheck gets the reward. B- grade
james
Guest
not sold on KB but at least we got a sexy pick this year.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
With the 28th Pick in the NFL Draft the Carolina Panthers took no time at all to select Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State. He is a big red zone guy, big vertical leap and a hard man to tackle. To be your number one target though, that is questionable especially with Marquise Lee still there. C+ grade. Upside is huge though, could be an Alshon Jeffrey.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
THE PICK IS IN: With the 27th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the Arizona Cardinals select Deone Bucannon. FANTASTIC SELECTION. Love the pick, they traded back, grabbed another draft pick and still landed a guy who will play a massive role with in the secondary with Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
The Cardinals are on the clock now at pick 27, many are expecting quarterback.