Eye on the NFL Draft: A CBS New York special
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NEW YORK -- The NFL Draft got underway Thursday night, and the Jets and Giants had some big decisions to make. Each team had two picks in the top 10.
This is the draft both teams are using to revamp their rosters. In the first round, the Jets went with speed guys, while the Giants went with big guys in the trenches.
In an NFL draft focused early on stoppers, it was the goers — wide receivers — who stole the spotlight Thursday night.
Not simply prospects, either.
Yes, the first five selections came on the defensive side of the ball, including edge rushers Travon Walker of national champion Georgia to Jacksonville and Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan to Detroit at Nos. 1 and 2. It was the first time in 31 years that no player on offense went in the opening five picks.
So, naturally, the next five choices were on offense. And those kept coming: right through No. 12.
And the theme throughout the first 20 picks was to get guys who could catch the ball — including Philadelphia acquiring standout A.J. Brown from the Titans, and Arizona getting veteran Marquise Brown from the Ravens.
"The more playmakers we can have, the better," Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
In all, six of the opening 18 selections were wideouts, starting with Southern California's Drake London at No. 8 to Atlanta. He'll team with tight end Kyle Pitts, the Falcons' first-rounder in 2021, on a rebuilding attack.
"I mean it's just two big dudes out there on the perimeter," London said. "... Obviously, I've got to earn my stripes to get out there on the field with him."
No quarterbacks went until 20th, when Pitt's Kenny Pickett found out he can simply switch to another side of the practice facility as he joins the Steelers and perhaps become Ben Roethlisberger's successor.
But this is a draft rich with linemen and defensive backs as well as wideouts.
The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Walker, who has some raw elements to his game but an extremely high ceiling for his skills, joins former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the second straight top overall selection by the Jaguars.
"I'm definitely prepared for it, being the No. 1 pick," Walker said. "I have to say there's a lot of expectations behind that, but it's just the game of football to me."
Walker was a one-year starter whose production (13 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks) doesn't jump out because he was part of a deep rotation at Georgia. His talent level certainly impressed the Jaguars, the NFL's worst team the past two years.
"He's an athletic freak," Georgia defensive coordinator Will Muschamp told The Associated Press. "I swear to God he could line up at middle linebacker and go be fine. I would take him at No. 1 and not even blink."
The Jaguars didn't blink.
Commissioner Roger Goodell began the proceedings by estimating more than 100,000 fans were on hand at the theater built specifically for the draft. Walker was not in Las Vegas.
Hutchinson, a sack-master whose consistency and relentlessness helped the Wolverines to their first College Football Playoff, is staying home as a pro. The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder whose father Chris was a star player at Michigan in the 1990s, was the Heisman Trophy runner-up last season.
"I always wanted to be at Detroit. I'm grateful to be a Lion," he said.
Cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner went next, to the Texans and Jets, respectively.
LSU's Stingley is the grandson of former Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley, who was paralyzed in a 1978 preseason game. Gardner, of Cincinnati, was a major reason the Bearcats broke through into the College Football Playoff last season. He wore a brash bejeweled necklace proclaiming his nickname, and even an accessorized chain with a bejeweled sauce bottle.
"I know I'm going to be a great teammate and I'm going to be a sponge, somebody that's able to take information from everyone and not feeling like I'm too good for anyone," Gardner said. "Just being a hard worker."
The defensive run concluded with Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to the New York Giants.
"I'm at this nirvana. I'm at peace," he said, noting that Hall of Famer Michael Strahan has been a mentor. "It's put up or shut up."
When teams got around to the other side of the ball, they couldn't stop. It began with North Carolina State tackle Ikem Ekwonu to Carolina and Alabama tackle Evan Neal to the Giants. Both teams are needy, to say the least, up front.
"It feels good legacy-wise," Ekwonu said. "You know, kind of cemented myself in history of this draft class. I know this class is gonna be special."
He loved the idea of staying in Carolina.
"My mom cried the second I picked the phone up," Ekwonu said. "Honestly, it was just like surreal. Growing up being a Panthers fan and being able to play on a team that you grew up being a fan is really almost like a movie almost. It's crazy."
Seattle went for tackle Charles Cross of Mississippi State at No. 9. Then came three more receivers: Garrett Wilson of Ohio State to the Jets and college teammate Chris Olave to New Orleans, which traded up with Washington for the 11th slot; and Alabama's Jameson Williams, coming off a serious knee injury, to Detroit, which moved up in a deal with division-rival Minnesota.
Another Georgia standout, defensive tackle Jordan Davis, was taken by Philadelphia at 13 after yet another deal, getting matters back to the defensive side. Later on, linebacker Quay Walker of the Bulldogs went to Green Bay, as did teammate Devante Wyatt. It's the first time four players from the same defense went so early. And it became five when Minnesota concluded the dizzying first round by getting Georgia safety Lewis Cine.
The Jets got three players when they traded back into the first round to get the 26th spot from Tennessee once they saw Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson slipped. Johnson previously had been at Georgia.
Penn State's Jahan Dotson joined the receiving parade, going to Washington at No. 16, then the Titans added Arkansas WR Treylon Burks with the pick acquired for A.J. Brown.
"I think it's a really valuable position," Wilson said. "And I think the league is starting to show that in drafts and in the offseason. Being a receiver, I love to see it. You see people like Tyreek Hill and and Davante Adams, I mean those people, they change offenses. You know, Ja'Marr Chase, they change offenses, and I'm happy that receivers are starting to get that love."
While passers went in the initial three spots of 2021, there was some thought none would go in the first round this year. But Pickett fell to the Steelers, which sure seems like a comfortable fit for both player and team.
Pickett came back for a fifth season and that decision certainly paid off. He took Pitt to its first ACC title.
Just after Pickett was, uh, picked, two players who were projected by many as second-rounders were chosen: Quay Walker and tackle Tyler Smith to Tulsa. So the Packers did not get an offensive helper for league MVP Aaron Rodgers on Thursday, but the Cowboys addressed a fading offensive line.
AFC champion Cincinnati got Michigan safety Dax Hill before Minnesota kept the Georgia connection going by taking Cine.
No wonder the Bulldogs won the national championship.
Breaking down players selected in 1st round of NFL Draft
4) Jets — Ahmad Gardner, 6-2, 190, Cincinnati
Breakdown: Tall, long-armed and fast. Moves his lanky frame smoothly and plays aggressively at the line of scrimmage. Not a lot of power in his game and he can get grabby, but the corner nicknamed Sauce was the definition of lockdown.
Fact: Did not allow a TD reception in his three-year college career.
Notable: Gardner is the highest drafted player ever from Cincinnati and the first cornerback taken in the first round by the Jets since Dee Milliner (No. 9) in 2013.
5) Giants — Kayvon Thibodeaux, 6-5, 258, Oregon
Breakdown: Pounces past blockers to make plays in the backfield with uncanny burst and length. Long, lean build doesn't lend itself to adding weight.
Fact: Former five-star recruit seemed destined to be a first overall draft pick after freshman season, but between injuries and a shortened pandemic season he never put together a fully dominant year.
Notable: Giants had not drafted a defensive end/edge rusher in the first round since taking Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 15) in 2010.
7) Giants (from Chicago) — Evan Neal, 6-7, 335, Alabama
Breakdown: Remarkable combination of size and explosive athleticism. Balance and sustaining blocks need to become more consistent, but as long he keeps his weight in check there is a lot to like.
Fact: Started 40 games and missed only one in his three-year career, which ended as an All-American.
Notable: Alabama has had at least one first-round pick for 14 consecutive years, tying the record set by Miami from 1995-2008.
10) Jets (from Seattle) — Garrett Wilson, 5-11, 185, Ohio State
Breakdown: Highly skilled at tracking the flight of the ball. Works the sideline adeptly with excellent footwork and has speed and precision to run away from defenders. On the lean side.
Fact: Playing with other star receivers limited his production, but he caught 23 touchdown passes in 33 career games with 19 starts.
Notable: The last time the Jets took a receiver in the first round was Santana Moss in 2001
26) Jets from (Tennessee) — Jermaine Johnson II, DE, 6-5, 262, Florida State
Breakdown: Plays with power, leverage and great effort, making him effective rushing the passer and against the run. After he only played full time one season, Johnson's technique and fundamentals are underdeveloped.
Fact: With a fifth year of eligibility, Johnson transferred from Georgia to Florida State in 2021 and became the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.
Notable: Three first-round picks is the most for the Jets since 2000 when they took DE Shaun Ellis (No. 12), DE John Abraham (No. 13), QB Chad Pennington (No. 18) and TE Anthony Becht (No. 27).
Jets get CB Gardner, WR Wilson, DE Johnson in 1st round
The New York Jets are adding some Big Apple Sauce to their defense. A big-time edge rusher, too.
And get ready for some Wilson-to-Wilson connections on offense.
On a busy night during which the Jets drafted three players — including pulling off a trade to get back into the first round — New York filled some major needs on a roster that appears to have gotten markedly better Thursday night.
Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner was taken by the Jets with the No. 4 overall pick. After bolstering the secondary, New York gave second-year quarterback Zach Wilson and the offense another playmaker by selecting Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson at No. 10.
But general manager Joe Douglas wasn't done. He acquired the 26th overall pick from Tennessee and New York drafted Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson, giving the Jets a pass rusher to pair with Carl Lawson to give opposing quarterbacks fits.
New York traded a second-round pick (No. 35), a third-rounder (No. 69) and a fifth-rounder (No. 163) to Tennessee for the 26th pick and a third-rounder (No. 101). It is the first time the Jets had three or more first-round picks since 2000, when they drafted Shaun Ellis, John Abraham, Chad Pennington and Anthony Becht.
Gardner, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound shutdown cornerback, didn't allow a touchdown reception in his three-year college career. He'll join free agent signing D.J. Reed to give coach Robert Saleh a new-look secondary — with both considered No. 1-type cornerbacks.
Gardner, wearing a diamond-encrusted "SAUCE" medallion and an equally gaudy sauce bottle on a chain around his neck at the draft site in Las Vegas, oozes confidence on and off the field. New York can only hope he can be as dominant a defender as their previous homegrown shutdown cornerback: Darrelle Revis, who went 14th overall in 2007.
"That's the main thing I know — when I think about the Jets, I think about Darrelle Revis," Gardner said during a Zoom call. "He used to be one of my favorite corners in the league. I still watch him to this day."
The Jets, who had two selections in the top 10 for the first time in franchise history, are looking to end the NFL's longest active playoff drought at 11 seasons. And this was considered a crucial draft for Douglas, who is overseeing his third full offseason after being hired in June 2019 to replace the fired Mike Maccagnan. The Jets have won only six games the past two seasons, but showed some positive signs last season under first-year head coach Saleh and rookie quarterback Wilson.
The focus this offseason has been on the progress of Wilson, who capped a down-and-up year by not throwing an interception in his final five games. Surrounding last year's No. 2 overall pick with playmakers has been a priority for Douglas and the Jets, who signed tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin, and guard Laken Tomlinson in free agency.
Wide receiver was expected to be a target early in this draft, and New York pounced on the speedy Wilson with their second pick of the night.
"What's better than 1 Wilson? 2 Wilsons," Zach Wilson wrote on Twitter shortly after the pick was announced. "Let's gooooooooo!!!!!!!"
But first, the Jets addressed their defense, which struggled mightily last season. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's unit ranked last or close to the bottom of the league in several statistical categories. Edge rusher and cornerback were considered priorities for New York in the draft, and Gardner addresses that need in a major way.
"I know I'm going to be a great teammate and I'm going to be a sponge, somebody that's able to take information from everyone and not feeling like I'm too good for anyone," Gardner said. "Just being a hard worker."
The 5-11, 185-pound Garrett Wilson had 23 touchdown catches in 33 career games with 19 starts with the Buckeyes, establishing himself as one of the top wide receivers in the country.
His ability to track passes and work the sideline with excellent footwork were plus tools that pushed him up the draft boards. Wilson joins a receiving group that includes Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Braxton Berrios and Denzel Mims, along with tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin, both signed in free agency.
The Jets went back to the defense to snatch Johnson, who was considered a possibility to go within the top five or 10 picks but slid to the bottom half of the first round.
"They said they'd come get me," Johnson recalled of his conversation with the Jets during his recent team visit. "And that's what they did."
The 6-5, 262-pounder is a powerful pass rusher who is also effective playing the run. Johnson, who transferred from Georgia to Florida State in 2021, became the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.
Giants take DL Thibodeaux and OT Neal with 5th, 7th picks
The New York Giants filled their two biggest needs in the first round, taking edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux of Oregon and tackle Evan Neal with the No. 5 and 7 overall picks during the NFL draft on Thursday night.
If there was anything surprising about new general manager Joe Schoen's picks it was the order in which they were selected.
Tackle was the biggest need but with an early run on defensive players, Schoen grabbed Thibodeaux at No. 5 and then knew he would be able to grab a tackle at No. 7 since there were three good options.
After Ikem Ekwonu was taken by the Carolina Panthers at No. 6, the Giants didn't wait long to grab Neal, who will be a bookend to Andrew Thomas. Thomas has played the left side since being drafted in 2020, and Neal can play both sides so expect new coach Brian Daboll to use him on the right side to start.
The Giants (4-13) had plenty of needs coming into the draft, but the offensive line and putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks were the top two.
Thibodeaux is a fast rusher who makes plays in the backfield with uncanny burst and length. He is a former five-star recruit and seemed destined to be a first overall draft pick after his freshman season, but between injuries and a shortened pandemic season he never put together a fully dominant year.
He will fit into defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's variety of multiple schemes.
Neal has size and explosive athleticism. He started 40 games for the Crimson Tide and missed only one game in his three-year career, which ended as an All-American.
New York has had five straight losing seasons and has not been to the playoffs since 2016.
Jets select DE Jermaine Johnson II
With the 26th overall pick of the NFL Draft, the New York Jets selected Jermaine Johnson II, of Florida State.
Jets select WR Garrett Wilson
With the tenth overall pick of the NFL Draft, the New York Jets have selected wide receiver Garrett Wilson, of Ohio State.
Giants add Evan Neal at No. 7
Evan Neal, a mammoth 6-foot-7, 335-pounder who has played both tackle positions at Alabama, is the second opening-round pick by the Giants. He's likely to fit right in with a line that has been a weakness in New York for years.
Neal improved throughout his stay with the Crimson Tide, and his explosion off the snap is exemplary. He started 40 games and missed only one in his three-year career, which ended as an All-American.
He joins edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux of Oregon, whom the Giants took fifth overall.
The Giants got this spot in a trade last year with Chicago, which took quarterback Justin Fields.
Giants select Evan Neal
With the seventh overall pick of the NFL Draft, the New York Giants have selected Evan Neal, of Alabama.
Thibodeaux heads to Giants at No. 5
Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux of Oregon will be bolstering the pass rush for the New York Giants after being chosen fifth overall in the NFL draft.
Thibodeaux, whose burst off the ball is spectacular, is the fifth straight defensive player taken at the top of these selections. The 6-foot-5, 258-pound mainstay of the Ducks regressed a bit since a terrific freshman season, and dealt with injuries.
But New York, which needs help on the offensive line, saw an opportunity for a disrupter on defense knowing there are plenty of blockers still available.
Giants select Kayvon Thibodeaux
With the fifth overall pick of the NFL Draft, the New York Giants have selected Kayvon Thibodeaux, of Oregon.
Jets add "Sauce" to secondary at No. 4
Ahmad Gardner is bringing the Sauce to the Big Apple.
The Cincinnati cornerback, a major reason the Bearcats broke through into the College Football Playoff last season, has been selected fourth overall by the New York Jets. He wore a brash bejeweled necklace proclaiming his nickname, and even an accessorized chain with a bejeweled sauce bottle.
"I'm the best cornerback in this draft," Gardner noted this week. He went second behind LSU's Derek Stingley Jr., but the Jets certainly liked him, knowing Gardner did not allow a TD reception in his three-year college career.
New York Jets select CB Sauce Gardner
With the fourth overall pick of the NFL Draft, the New York Jets have selected cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, of Cincinnati.
Eye on the Draft: New York Jets
The Jets have made key free agent pickups on the offensive line, at safety, at tight end -- but for a team that's had a combined six wins over the past two years, patience for the rebuild is wearing thin and there's an expectation that this team needs to take the big step forward this year. This draft will likely go a long way.
CBS2's Steve Overmyer spoke to Connor Hughes, the Jets beat reporter for the Athletic.
Eye on the Draft: New York Giants
To win in the NFL, you have to build through the draft. It's a mantra that's been preached by every general manager for decades, and for teams mired below mediocrity, this draft can be their saving grace.
That's where both the Jets and the Giants find themselves, and both teams have two picks in the top 10. By the end of Thursday night, cornerstones for each franchise could be put in place.
CBS2's Steve Overmyer spoke to Dan Duggan, the Giants beat reporter for the Athletic.
