Breakdown of the top ten takes at the 81st NFL draft

Things went as expected for the top two picks in the NFL draft Thursday.  But there were still a couple of surprises.  

By Bill Applegate, Larry King Now



The LA Rams, who traded up to the first pick, went with UC Berkley quarterback Jared Goff, while the Philadelphia Eagles went with North Dakota quarterback Carson Wentz.  Both players had been widely predicted to be first off the board, with the New York Times pointing out that Goff is considered the passer with the most long-term promise, though it might take longer to develop his talent.

There were only 31 picks in the first round, instead of the usual 32.  You can thank the New England Patriots and DeflateGate for that.

The Chargers pumped-up their defense, taking Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa, followed by fellow Buckeye running back Ezekiel Elliot, who went to the Dallas Cowboys.

Going fifth, the Jacksonville Jaguars got exactly who they wanted in Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

With the sixth pick, the Baltimore Ravens selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley.

At seven, the San Francisco 49ers went with defensive end DeForest Buckner from Oregon.

With the eighth pick, the Tennessee Titans selected Jack Conklin, offensive tackle from Michigan State.

The Chicago Bears, trading with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the ninth spot, selected Leonard Floyd, a linebacker out of Georgia.

And rounding out the top ten, a bit of a stunner: the New York Giants took cornerback Eli Apple, a draft-eligible red shirt sophomore from Ohio State, not expected by most to go that fast.  It was the third selection from that school in the top ten.

Click here for a list of all the players taken in the first round of the 81st NFL Draft.

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