The NFL Draft is finally here! We’re so excited that we’re sending out today’s newsletter a little early so you can pregame with all of our draft coverage.
Our team takes you into draft war rooms, where teams debate players and make trades, with lots of crazy stories from knowledgeable people. Also: We had our political reporter obsessed with military service Ben Kamisar set up a fictional project. We think he will do better than some experts.
Tonight we will be live blog the first roundso make sure to come with us as we provide instant analysis of all the choices and offers. We have more NFL Draft Coverageand there will be more to come, the NBC News website.
Inside the War RoomBefore the NFL Draft, teams try to plan everything. They hold marathon meetings to rank prospects, evaluate sales offers, and review all possible scenarios. But there is, almost always, something unexpected just around the corner. They could be cheated by other teams, undermined by their owner or surprised by the way the draft is going.
‘Shoot, there’s stories, man,’ former NFL coach Jeff Fisher told NBC News.
As the NFL Draft begins today, teams will be hunkering down in their “war rooms,” which sounds more exciting than it is. They are essentially conference rooms. But often, these are the rooms where planning is done, where debates are held, where decisions are made. It’s also where the team selection committee is located, the players’ final rankings, the result of all their hard work.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, a team of decision-makers meets there and hears the reports on each player, discusses them, and ranks the players on the board by grade. They go through an insider call process stack draft board.
“No one is banging the table. It’s all very collegial and, in many ways, academic,” said Bill Polianthe former general manager of the Indianapolis Colts.
Polian and his team would start with around 500 player cards. Ultimately, only about 125 players would make the draft board, and typically only about 18-20 received first-round grades. If they had a conviction in a player, they would put a Colts helmet sticker on his card so he would be easily identifiable.
But on draft day, anything can happen. NBC News spoke with knowledgeable people and gathered many crazy stories. It was just an excerpt. Read the rest of our report here.
Our mock draftIndiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza poses at the NFL Scouting Combine Feb. 26 in Indianapolis.Logan Bowles/AP fileBy Ben Kamisar, NBC News national politics reporter
After spending way too many hours studying college statistics, combining measurables, team needs, and position value, here is what I think will happen in the first round.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: I’m a national political reporter, not a hip NFL insider. I spend my days walking the halls of Congress and reviewing election data, not talking with players and coaches.
But I’ve been obsessed with military service since I was little, taking my Walkman to the airport so I could listen to Round 6 on the radio while going to visit my grandfather. And after a few years of I post my simulation of drafts on social networksofficials here at NBC News suggested I channel my obsession into an alien vision. Here are my choices:
1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
3. Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
4. Titans: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
5. Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
For the explanation of Ben Kamisar’s picks and the rest of his mock draft, read the full story here.
NBA PlayoffsPhoenix Suns guard Devin Booker drives past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort on Wednesday.Kyle Phillips / APFrustrations spilled over in the postgame press conference after the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Phoenix Suns 120-107 on Wednesday, taking a 2-0 series lead.
Star of the Suns Devin Bookerusually a measured player, tore into the referees after the defeat, targeting the official James Williams. Booker was called for a questionable technical foul during the match.
“In my 11 years I have not called a referee by name, but James [Williams] It was terrible tonight from start to finish,” Booker said. “It’s bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start looking at this as WWE if they aren’t held accountable. »
Booker added: “It just seems disrespectful. »
Phoenix was a big underdog in this series, and it’s been that way so far. The Suns let those frustrations show on the court, too, with a beefy forward Dillon Brooks get into a heated exchange with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during Wednesday’s match.
Brooks also expressed his displeasure with the officiating after the game, which became a common theme for the Thunder’s physical basketball opponents.
While OKC has two wins, the forward Jalen Williams aggravated his left hamstring again last night, which could be a factor in advancing in the playoffs.
Earlier Tuesday, the Detroit Pistons tied their first-round matchup with the Orlando Magic at one game apiece, winning a comeback slugfest 98-83.
Cade Cunningham scored 27 for the Pistons, and this time he got some help. After only two Detroit players scored in double figures in Game 1, six did so in Game 2, including all five starters.
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What we readMike Vrabel will attend consultations this weekend following the scandal involving Diane Russini. He will miss the last day of the draft.
Italy is disappointed by the prospect of be named to the World Cup if Iran withdraws.
Baseball players are saying ABS shrinks the strike zone.
Lamine Yamal will miss the rest of Barcelona’s season with a hamstring injury but he should recover in time for the World Cup.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the Grizzlies won’t leave Memphis but launched the idea to play games in Nashville.
Keldon Johnsona bruising forward for the San Antonio Spurs, won the NBA title Sixth Man of the Year Award.
What we watchHow many televisions do you have in your household? You might need an extra today – one to watch the start of the NFL Draft, the other to follow the NBA playoffs. In the NBA, there are a few crucial games, in two series that are tied 1-1.
Don’t forget: we will be live blog the draft tonight, providing expert analysis on every pick and keeping you up to date with all the latest moves.
All times are indicated in the East:
7 p.m.: No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Atlanta Hawks, on Amazon Prime8 p.m.: First round of the NFL draft, on ESPN8 p.m.: No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Toronto Raptors, on Amazon Prime9:30 p.m.: No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, on Amazon PrimeThat’s all for now! We will come back tomorrow.
