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The annual NFL draft always amazes me. The league has become so popular now that their annual drafting session of college players is more of an event than other sports’ actual games. This year was a really intriguing one, as opinions of the potential draftees seemed to be all over the board. Auburn QB Cam Newton has been compared to JaMarcus Russell, the colossal bust of the Oakland Raiders, and been labeled a “one year wonder” as his overwhelmingly great national championship year at Auburn this year was his only one. Other scouting reports marvel at his size and athletic ability and call him a once in a lifetime talent. The Carolina Panthers sided with the latter reports and picked him #1 overall. As a supporter of the local team, the Buffalo Bills, I was hoping that they would add a playmaker to their defense, and felt that Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller would be that guy. But the Denver Broncos must have felt that way too, as they chose Miller with the second overall pick. That left Buffalo with Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus. My thoughts on him are this: There were 12 defensive linemen in total picked in Round One, so obviously this a draft deep in D-linemen. Basically all pre-draft scouting reports had Dareus rated as the top lineman, so the guy must be an honest-to-goodness player. Also, his scouting reports all call him “the most NFL-ready defensive lineman available”, so he should make an immediate impact with a defense that couldn’t stop the run last year. He is also considered a versatile player, equally comfortable playing inside at tackle in a 4-3 defense, where he provides run-stuffing ability and a terrific inside pass rush,  or at end in a 3-4. Since the Bills have said their scheme on defense will likely be a “hybrid” of a 3-4 and 4-3 this year, Dareus looks like a great fit.

Some other thoughts about the first round: A couple of quarterbacks were surprise first round picks for different reasons. Jake Locker, who was considered to be the top pick of last year’s draft, but decided to stay in school, had a down year, and his draft stock fell considerably. He was thought to have fallen to the second round, then surprisingly was taken eighth overall by the Tennessee Titans. Christian Ponder of Florida State was thought to be a second or even third round pick, then had great pro day workouts, a terrific Senior Bowl and impressive team interviews, and jumped all the way to 12th, chosen by the Minnesota Vikings.  The other thought is this – is there any doubt now that the NFL is a pass-happy and quarterback-driven league?  Apparently the days of the O.J. Simpsons, Walter Paytons, Emmitt Smiths, Barry Sanders and Adrian Petersons is over. Only one running back, former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram of Alabama, was picked in Round One. Most teams use a running back by committee approach today, and being a copycat league, I’m sure a lot of teams watched Green Bay win the Super Bowl riding Aaron Rodgers’ arm and getting just enough running game contributions from an unknown like James Starks, to figure whatever RBs they have on their current rosters are good enough.