March 28, 2024

Draft is not for all, but it’s for me

The NFL Draft takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I learn each year that it’s not for everyone. It is for me though.

When I worked as a sports editor in West Texas early in my journalism career, a friend and I used to fill out our first-round mock drafts and see who did the best.

I have listened to every podcast I can get my ears on the past six months. I like to take it all in and learn where my Niners might go with their No. 9 overall pick.

There is so much to like about this year’s draft.

Will there really be five quarterbacks taken in the first six picks, will Buffalo, New England or anyone else trade up to find the QB of their future and how many Iowa and Iowa State players are going to get selected?

Iowa could have two players hear their names called Thursday night. Cornerback Josh Jackson has been mocked to Seattle by a lot of the guys who get paid to know. Center/guard James Daniels also is expected to go in the first round.

In all, the Hawkeyes could get six or seven draftees this weekend. Josey Jewell and Akrum Wadley are locks to be drafted, in my opinion, but offensive linemen Sean Welsh has a great chance, too. Fellow linemen Boone Myers and Ike Boettger also could see their names very late in the draft.

Iowa State wide receiver Allen Lazard likely gets picked. So will Northern Iowa’s Daurice Fountain. Both of them could get plucked starting in Round 4.

In past drafts, it’s usually known who the first few picks are.

This year, I have no idea. Will the Browns take Sam Darnold or Josh Allen? Is it Baker Mayfield or Josh Rosen to the Jets at No. 3? Will the Giants look for Eli’s replacement or take the best player in Saquan Barkley?

The Browns have two selections to make in the first four picks. They realistically could get their QB of the future and Barkley if things fall in place.

The Bills have two first-round picks they could package to get into the top five for their future QB.

Trading with a team like Denver makes some sense. The Broncos could take Barkley, too, if the Browns go with edge rusher Bradley Chubb at No. 4.

As a Niners fan, I hope to see five QBs go in the first eight picks. That way they get a top five talent at No. 9.

My first choice would be Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson. He’s a beast. Watch his film and be amazed.

If Nelson gets picked before nine, and he likely will, the next best options for me would be Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds or Minkah Fitzpatrick.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Niners trade back to get more picks. The draft is deep at positions they need so it’s not a must to get guys early.

The Niners made my year last season when they drafted two former Hawkeyes in C.J. Beathard and George Kittle.

Will they take another Iowa player? Even if they get Roquan Smith at No. 9, they still need more linebackers. That could mean Jewell in Round 3 or 4.

I also think a guy like Akrum Wadley fits the Niners’ offense. Kyle Shanahan runs a zone-based scheme like Iowa does. Wadley would be a good compliment to Jerick McKinnon.

As you can tell, I am excited about this weekend. I will be locked in to what is going on while covering the PCM boys’ track meet on Thursday night, and then will get re-focused on it while inside Drake Stadium covering the Drake Relays both Friday and Saturday.

Contact Troy Hyde
at thyde@newtondailynews.com