By The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The NFL draft has begun! The Carolina Panthers kicked off Thursday evening’s proceedings by taking quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 choose. The draft could be considered on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Follow for reside updates from Associated Press reporters throughout the nation (all instances EST).
What to know:
— Panthers make Bryce Young prime choose within the NFL draft
— Eagles choose Georgia’s Jalen Carter, who had position in deadly crash
FIRST TIGHT END, WIDE RECEIVER FINALLY SELECTED
Buffalo’s Josh Allen has a red-zone choice now in Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, the primary tight finish off the board within the NFL draft.
Five picks earlier than Kincaid heard his title known as because the twenty fifth choice, the Seattle Seahawks made Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba the primary vast receiver taken on Thursday evening.
The Bills jumped forward of the Dallas Cowboys to get Kincaid, who together with Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer are thought-about one of the best of a crop of tight ends that’s the deepest within the final decade.
Seattle’s number of Smith-Ngiba was the beginning of a run of 4 consecutive wideouts being chosen for the primary time within the first spherical. Quentin Johnson went to the Chargers. Zay Flowers was chosen by Baltimore and the Vikings chosen Jordan Addison.
—-
TRADING PLACES AT NFL DRAFT
NFL groups are wheeling and dealing on the primary evening of the draft.
After choosing quarterback C,J. Stroud with the second total choose, the Houston Texans kicked off a flurry of draft-day trades by getting the third total choose from Arizona and choosing linebacker Will Anderson Jr.
The Cardinals obtained the twelfth choose from the Texans however shortly despatched that choice to Detroit for the sixth total choice so they might draft deal with Paris Johnson.
The Lions chosen working again Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 after the Eagles and Bears swapped picks so Philly might take Jalen Carter at No. 9. Chicago, which as soon as owned the No. 1 total choose earlier than sending it to the Panthers, drafted deal with Darnell Wright at No. 10.
Then, the Steelers and Patriots swapped picks. Pittsburgh obtained deal with Broderick Jones at No. 14 and the Patriots grabbed cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the seventeenth total choose.
—-
ROLL TIDE: ALABAMA PLAYERS GO EARLY
Alabama is the early chief on NFL draft evening.
Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young was the highest total choose by the Carolina Panthers and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. went third to the Houston Texans. No main surprises there, however then Alabama working again Jahmyr Gibbs going twelfth total to the Detroit Lions.
Gibbs is the second working again chosen up to now. Bijan Robinson of Texas went eighth total to the Atlanta Falcons.
And whereas Gibbs was thought-about the following finest working again behind Robinson, he was extensively anticipated to get drafted in the midst of Friday’s Round 2.
Running again is a place that groups are often reluctant to spend first-round picks on, a lot much less on the prime of Round 1.
—-
EAGLES TAKE JALEN CARTER AT NO. 9
Carter is a 313-pound defensive-stopper with energy and quickness who collapses pockets as deftly as he splits double-teams. The Eagles chosen him ninth total however he may need gone even increased had been it not for questions on his maturity and authorized issues. He’s on probation after pleading no contest to reckless driving and racing, fees associated to an auto accident that killed a Georgia teammate and a soccer staffer.
—-
ANTHONY RICHARDSON’S DECLARATION
“I’m going to be a dynamic player for the franchise. I’m going to work hard and I’m going to be a leader. But it’s time to make my own legacy now. No more Cam-Jacksons. It’s Anthony Richardson now.” – new Colts QB Anthony Richardson, who has known as himself Cam Jackson, a mixture of Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson, in describing his stature and elegance.
—-
SEAHAWKS TAKE DEVON WITHERSPOON AT NO. 5
As a senior, Witherspoon is a rarity by being chosen this excessive within the NFL draft. He’s a bodily and disruptive defensive again who’s aggressive on the sector however affected person in life. He didn’t play soccer till halfway via highschool and spent a yr at a junior school earlier than going to Illinois, the place he took an enormous leap as a senior to change into one of many nation’s finest gamers.
—-
ANTHONY RICHARDSON GOES NO. 4
Some issues to know in regards to the quarterback the Indianapolis Colts chosen out of Florida. Richardson is 6-foot-4 and simply shy of 250 kilos. He’s probably the most intriguing quarterback prospect within the class with Cam Newton-tipe measurement, athleticism and arm energy. But he’s nonetheless very uncooked. He had 13 profession begins and solely 393 go makes an attempt in three seasons at Florida. He’ll must work on his mechanics and change into a extra correct passer within the professionals like Josh Allen did in Buffalo.
—-
TEXANS TRADE UP, TAKE WILL ANDERSON JR.
After the Houston Texans obtained their franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud they made a blockbuster commerce with the Arizona Cardinals to maneuver up and took Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. Here is a few issues to know in regards to the defensive standout:
With so many potential franchise quarterbacks popping out this yr, there was no approach Anderson was going to be the primary total choose. But he was projected as the highest non-QB prospect within the draft and was the one of the best defensive participant chosen. He racked up 34 1/2 sacks and 62 tackles for loss in 41 video games at Alabama.
—-
TEXANS TAKE C.J. STROUD NO. 2
The Houston Texans have chosen C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 choose. Here are some issues to know in regards to the former Ohio State quarterback:
He has elite accuracy and contact mixed with good arm energy and measurement at 6-foot-3 and 214 kilos. He broke a Big Ten report held by Drew Brees by throwing 85 landing passes over two seasons. But whereas he’s flashed above-average athleticism, he has at instances appeared reluctant to make use of it and tends to linger within the pocket and lock on receivers, habits he’ll have to interrupt within the NFL.
—-
BRYCE YOUNG GOES NO. 1
The Carolina Panthers have chosen Bryce Young because the No. 1 choose within the NFL draft. Here are some issues to find out about quarterback out of Alabama:
For the final quarter century or so any undersized quarterback prospect has been in comparison with Drew Brees. Maybe at some point Young, at 5-foot-10, would be the one drawing such comparisons. He is a poised chief and inventive playmaker with an elite mixture of instincts and intelligence with a superb arm, however, boy, is he small for an NFL quarterback.
—-
NFL HONORS VIRGINIA PLAYERS
The NFL honored the three University of Virginia soccer gamers that had been slain in November because the honorary first gamers chosen within the draft.
The households of Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry, and Devin Chandler had been offered jerseys with their names and the No. 23 on them earlier than a crowd of greater than 100,000 in entrance of Kansas City’s Union Station.
Christopher Darnell Jr., a former walk-on with the Cavaliers’ soccer staff, is accused of opening fireplace on a constitution bus as he and different college students arrived again on campus after seeing a play and having dinner collectively in Washington, D.C.
—-
RAIDERS FAN: DRAFT IS OUR SUPER BOWL
Fans from throughout the nation have converged on downtown Kansas City for the NFL draft.
Las Vegas Raiders fan Isaac Lingelbach mentioned he drove about 2 1/2 hours to have a good time what he calls their “Super Bowl” within the coronary heart of Chiefs nation.
It’s a reversal from a yr in the past, when many Chiefs followers headed to Las Vegas for the draft.
“The Chiefs fan are celebrating a Super Bowl season from last year, but they don’t realize that the draft is our Super Bowl each year,” Lingelbach mentioned. “There’s not a game today, so we’re just here to have a good time and we have so far. The Chiefs fans have been nice.”
—-
RICHARDSON’S MOM, BROTHER BY HIS SIDE
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson’s inventory has been on the rise, particularly given the best way he carried out within the exercises main as much as the draft.
Richardson’s mom, LaShawnda Cleare, joined him on the pink carpet outdoors Union Station. His youthful brother, Corey, was additionally readily available in a go well with that almost matched massive brother and a thick diamond-filled chain of his personal.
LaShawnda mentioned of Richardson: “I’ve always been proud of him. Everybody else is now getting to see how awesome they both are.”
Richardson is anticipated to hitch Bryce Young of Alabama, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and Kentucky’s Will Levis amongst QBs taken within the first spherical. There could possibly be a fifth in Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, too.
—-
BRYCE YOUNG’S PINK SUIT LOOKS FAMILIAR
The pink go well with that possible No. 1 choose Bryce Young wore to the NFL draft ought to resonate in Kansas City: It’s the identical jacket by Dior that Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce wore when he hosted “Saturday Night Live.”
The jacket retails for $3,300 and, in response to Dior, “reveals an ultramodern and unique silhouette with innovative details.” It is crafted in pink wool twill and “features a removable interior scarf that mimics the style of the sleeves.”
The pink carpet, and the types worn by NFL prospects, has change into a giant a part of the festivities in recent times.
Fellow quarterback C.J. Stroud was blinging with a diamond-encrusted chain within the form of the No. 7, which he wore at Ohio State. Alabama defensive again Brian Branch wore a diamond-filled chain that included a palm tree and his initials.
—-
ALABAMA’S ANDERSON ‘A COMPLETE PERSON’
Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is taken into account among the many finest non-quarterback prospects within the NFL draft.
His expertise is clear. The 6-foot-3, 253 pound Anderson has pace, uncooked energy and the flexibility to dominate a recreation.
Anderson additionally takes pleasure in being well-rounded off the sector, too.
“I bring a complete person,” Anderson advised the AP’s Rob Maaddi. “I hold myself to a very high standard and high expectation and never to embarrass myself or my family. I always treat people with respect. Whatever culture I get in, I’m gonna do my best to uphold that culture, hold myself accountable. Also, treat everyone in the facility with respect, with care, with love.”
—-
NO PARTY AT CHIEFS FACILITY
There is often a buzz of exercise across the Kansas City Chiefs observe facility on draft evening, when the Super Bowl champs welcome season ticket-holders to an enormous social gathering capped by them making their first-round choose.
That social gathering moved about 10 miles west this yr to Union Station, the place the NFL is internet hosting the draft for the primary time.
Rather than tons of of automobiles pouring into the parking heaps at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday evening, there was a lonely FedEx employee delivering some packages and one automobile that apparently obtained misplaced and was turning round.
The Chiefs are scheduled to select final within the first spherical.
—-
RAVENS SIGN LAMAR JACKSON BEFORE DRAFT
One quarterback that wasn’t on the NFL draft board however was prone to affect some groups’ choices is not in play.
Hours earlier than the draft, the Baltimore Ravens agreed in precept with Lamar Jackson on a five-year deal, securing their star quarterback for the foreseeable future and ending a contract negotiation saga that was dominating the staff’s offseason.
It’s truthful to say that in Baltimore not less than, this information will overshadow whoever the staff would possibly take within the first spherical.
—-
C.J. STROUD NOT CONCERNED ABOUT CRITICISM
C.J. Stroud has gone from being thought-about the possible No. 1 total choose to probably dropping out of the highest 10 after reviews the Ohio State quarterback scored poorly within the S2 Cognition check.
“First, second, third, 20th, 105th, whatever it looks like, I’m just blessed to be able to have an opportunity,” Stroud, seemingly not involved about any of the damaging criticism, advised AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi hours earlier than the draft. “Wherever I do go, I’m gonna take full benefit of the chance.
“I’m not mad about it,” Stroud mentioned of the reviews. “I have nothing to hide or to be ashamed of.”
—-
STICK WITH YOUR PICK?
With about 4 hours earlier than the primary choose, are you sticking along with your man to be chosen No. 1 in tonight’s NFL draft?
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the overwhelming favourite in response to most oddsmakers and most mock drafts.
The Carolina Panthers will kick issues off after buying and selling 4 draft picks and vast receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 total choose.
The Panthers are selecting between Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson as they attempt to escape the quarterback quagmire they’ve been trapped in for half a decade.
—-
THE JALEN CARTER WATCH
The NFL draft is ready to start in Kansas City in 5 hours and one of many extra intriguing names to observe is that of Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, writes AP’s Rob Maaddi.
Carter was as soon as projected to be the No. 1 total choose within the draft earlier than the Chicago Bears made a commerce with the quarterback-needy Carolina Panthers.
There are questions on how far the Bulldogs’ standout defensive lineman might slip due to his involvement in a automobile crash that killed a Georgia teammate and a staff staffer. Carter was given 12 months’ probation and a $1,000 tremendous after pleading no contest to misdemeanor fees of reckless driving and racing
—-
NO DRAFT PICKS FOR YOUR TEAM
Draft events in some cities received’t be so raucous tonight as a result of 5 groups don’t have any first-round picks within the NFL draft that begins in six hours.
Moving up within the draft for quarterbacks has change into a standard incidence, however the Broncos, Rams and Browns bucked that pattern by parting with their 2023 first-round picks in trades for veteran quarterbacks. The 49ers don’t have a first-rounder due to the Trey Lance commerce in 2021 and the Dolphins forfeited their first-rounder for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton whereas they had been with different groups.
AP Football Writer Josh Dubow opinions among the finest and worst trade-ups for quarterbacks.
—-
FASHION STATEMENTS LOOMING
Who will steal the highlight with a daring trend assertion on the NFL draft tonight?
While prime prospects on this yr’s draft like quarterbacks Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson put together their outfits for the massive evening, Kristie Rieken seems again at among the most memorable draft evening ensembles since Deion Sanders made a splash together with his monitor go well with and gold chains in 1989.
—-
WILL BIJAN BE FIRST RUNNING BACK DRAFTED?
Bijan Robinson is anticipated to be the primary working again chosen within the NFL draft. How excessive he goes is the massive query.
The Texas star has top-10 expertise however NFL groups not place a premium on working backs, so he might nonetheless be on the board late within the first spherical. Only 4 working backs have been chosen within the first spherical since Saquon Barkley was chosen at No. 2 by the New York Giants in 2018. None went increased than No. 24.
“Everybody has their opinions and understandably so because the running back position came to be one-dimensional,” Robinson advised AP. “But if you have a guy who is really versatile and can line up as a receiver, in the slot and have as much effect (as a receiver) as at running back, that’s when the value really takes off.”
—-
DRAFT TAKES BACKSEAT ONLY TO SUPER BOWL
The NFL draft might be held at Kansas City’s Union Station, the place the league has constructed its largest stage advanced for its second-biggest occasion behind the Super Bowl, writes Dave Skretta.
Once a fixture at Radio City Music Hall in New York, the draft has grown in recognition because it took to the street eight years in the past in 2015. The occasion has change into a serious boon for the league, groups and host cities.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Source: www.bostonherald.com”