Las Vegas, NV, USA

D-E-F-E-N-S-E, D-E-F-E-N-S-E. That sure was the chant at the outset of the NFL draft Thursday night, with the first five selections coming on that 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's 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. But no quarterbacks, hardly a surprise in a draft rich with linemen, receivers and defensive backs. 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. 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. Also Read | NFL Draft 2022: Ravens draft Hamilton with 14th pick to bolster secondary,“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. Also Read | NFL draft: A breakdown of top defensive players available,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. 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. Also Read | Brady got back: Tampa Bay Buccanneers look to bolster depth in draft,Atlanta, depleted of playmaking wide receivers, got Southern California's Drake London before Seattle went for tackle Charles Cross of Mississippi State. Then came three more wideouts: 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.

{\"time\":1651201978226,\"strCount\":4488,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"D-E-F-E-N-S-E, D-E-F-E-N-S-E.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"That sure was the chant at the outset of the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/nfl-salary-cap-set-at-2082-million-for-2022\\\">NFL draft</a> Thursday night, with the first five selections coming on that side of the ball, including edge rushers Travon Walker of national champion Georgia to Jacksonville and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/nfl-detroit-lions-draft-michigan-de-aidan-hutchinson-with-no-2-pick\\\">Aidan Hutchinson</a> of Michigan to Detroit at Nos. 1 and 2.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"It's 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.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"But no <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/top-5-quarterbacks-who-found-success-after-changing-teams-mid-career\\\">quarterbacks</a>, hardly a surprise in a draft rich with linemen, receivers and defensive backs.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"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 <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/who-is-trevor-lawrence\\\">Trevor Lawrence</a> as the second straight top overall selection by the Jaguars. 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.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/nfl-draft-2022-ravens-draft-hamilton-with-14th-pick-to-bolster-secondary\\\">NFL Draft 2022: Ravens draft Hamilton with 14th pick to bolster secondary</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“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.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Jaguars didn't blink.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Commissioner <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/nfl-draft-2022-why-does-commissioner-roger-goodell-get-booed-every-year\\\">Roger Goodell</a> 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.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"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.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“I always wanted to be at Detroit. I’m grateful to be a Lion,” he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/nfl-draft-a-breakdown-of-top-defensive-players-available\\\">NFL draft: A breakdown of top defensive players available</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner went next, to the Texans and Jets, respectively.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"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.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The defensive run concluded with Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/newyorkgiants\\\">New York Giants</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“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.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"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.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/brady-got-back-tampa-bay-buccanneers-look-to-bolster-depth-in-draft\\\">Brady got back: Tampa Bay Buccanneers look to bolster depth in draft</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Atlanta, depleted of playmaking wide receivers, got Southern California's Drake London before Seattle went for tackle Charles Cross of Mississippi State. Then came three more wideouts: 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.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Another Georgia standout, defensive tackle Jordan Davis, was taken by Philadelphia at 13 after yet another deal, getting matters back to the defensive side.\"}}]}

Shuvrajit Das Biswas

<ul>
 <li>The first five selections in the NFL draft were defensive players&nbsp;</li>
 <li>The next five choices were for offense&nbsp;</li>
 <li>This is the first time in 31 years that no offense players were in opening five picks&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Opoyi Central

No early quarterbacks in NFL draft shows focus on defence over offence

NFLDraft2022

Football

Sports

Detroit, MI, USA

The Detroit Lions selected Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, addressing a desperate need with a hometown star. Hutchinson, who is from suburban Detroit, set a single-season school record with 14 sacks for the Wolverines last season and was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. He hugged his parents and two sisters in Las Vegas before going on stage as Detroit's selection. Also Read: Jaguars pick up 5th-year option on pass rusher Josh Allen,Detroit also had an opportunity to add much-needed talent on both sides of the ball with the second pick in the draft, the last one in the first round along with six other selections this week. The Lions seem to have more needs on defense than offense with veteran quarterback Jared Goff surrounded by solid players on the line, at tight end and running back. Jacksonville took Georgia defensive end Travon Walker No. 1 overall, giving second-year general manager Brad Holmes a chance to draft the best player on the team's board. The Lions didn't waste much time to announce the pick. Detroit's defense averaged just 1.8 sacks last year, ranking ahead of only Atlanta. The lack of a pass rush led to the Lions giving up 5.9 yards per play and 27.5 points per game, two more categories in which they ranked No. 31 out of 32 NFL teams. The Lions drafted former Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell No. 7 overall last year and he helped the line become one of their strengths. With the No. 3 pick overall in 2020, Detroit drafted former Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah and he has not panned out so far due to injuries. Detroit has selected and missed more than it has connected with good picks over the years. That led to the Lions losing their first eight games and went 0-2-1 over the next three before finally winning a game under first-year coach Dan Campbell and closing with three wins over the last six games. Detroit's rebuilding plan included trading quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Goff and a pair of first-round picks, including the No. 32 selection this year.

{\"time\":1651193002841,\"strCount\":2477,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Detroit Lions selected Michigan defensive end <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/ncaa-aiden-david-help-purdue-boilermakers-defeat-iowa-hawkeyes-24-7\\\">Aidan Hutchinson</a> with the No. 2 pick in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/nfl\\\">NFL</a> draft Thursday night, addressing a desperate need with a hometown star.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Hutchinson, who is from suburban Detroit, set a single-season school record with 14 sacks for the Wolverines last season and was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He hugged his parents and two sisters in Las Vegas before going on stage as Detroit's selection.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/jaguars-pick-up-5th-year-option-on-pass-rusher-josh-allen\\\">Jaguars pick up 5th-year option on pass rusher Josh Allen</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Detroit also had an opportunity to add much-needed talent on both sides of the ball with the second pick in the draft, the last one in the first round along with six other selections this week. The Lions seem to have more needs on defense than offense with veteran quarterback Jared Goff surrounded by solid players on the line, at tight end and running back.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Jacksonville took <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/georgia\\\">Georgia</a> defensive end Travon Walker No. 1 overall, giving second-year general manager Brad Holmes a chance to draft the best player on the team's board.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Lions didn't waste much time to announce the pick.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Detroit's defense averaged just 1.8 sacks last year, ranking ahead of only <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/atlanta\\\">Atlanta</a>. The lack of a pass rush led to the Lions giving up 5.9 yards per play and 27.5 points per game, two more categories in which they ranked No. 31 out of 32 NFL teams.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Lions drafted former <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/oregon\\\">Oregon</a> offensive tackle Penei Sewell No. 7 overall last year and he helped the line become one of their strengths. With the No. 3 pick overall in 2020, Detroit drafted former Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah and he has not panned out so far due to injuries.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Detroit has selected and missed more than it has connected with good picks over the years.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"That led to the Lions losing their first eight games and went 0-2-1 over the next three before finally winning a game under first-year coach Dan Campbell and closing with three wins over the last six games.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Detroit's rebuilding plan included trading quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Goff and a pair of first-round picks, including the No. 32 selection this year.\"}}]}

Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

<ul>
 <li>The Detroit Lions selected Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft</li>
 <li>Hutchinson set a single-season school record with 14 sacks for the Wolverines last season</li>
 <li>He was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy</li>
</ul>

#NFLDraft2022

No early quarterbacks in NFL draft shows focus on defence over offence

NFL: Detroit Lions draft Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson with No. 2 pick