Name them the Idle Eight.
A file one-quarter of the NFL’s 32 groups might be spectators Thursday when the league phases the opening spherical of its annual draft, the primary in Las Vegas.
Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco and the Rams might be watching from the sidelines, assuming they don’t attempt to commerce again into the spherical.
Six of these traded their first-round picks to amass quarterbacks, together with the Rams, who haven’t chosen within the opening spherical since 2016, after they packaged picks to maneuver as much as take Jared Goff first general.
The Rams specifically have reaped the advantages of buying and selling picks for confirmed expertise, profitable the Tremendous Bowl with seasoned acquisition Matthew Stafford on the helm.
Not surprisingly, within the copycat NFL, the Rams could have loads of fellow groups auditing this opening spherical.
A take a look at this yr’s groups with no first-round decide:
CHICAGO BEARS
Why no first-round decide? The Bears traded that decide final yr to maneuver up for quarterback Justin Fields.
When was the final time they didn’t have a first-round decide? They didn’t have a first-rounder final yr, both, however picked up stable tight finish Cole Kmet within the second.
Their first decide this yr? The Bears choose thirty ninth, within the second spherical.
Notable gamers chosen thirty ninth? Inexperienced Bay took guard Jerry Kramer there in 1958, Buffalo grabbed linebacker Darryl Talley thirty ninth in 1983 and Pittsburgh took Kendrell Bell in 2001. Extra just lately, that’s the place the New York Jets took Geno Smith in 2013 and the Bears took sort out Teven Jenkins final yr.
No picks within the first, however are the Bears completely satisfied to have two within the second and one within the third? “I’m enthusiastic about it,” normal supervisor Ryan Poles informed reporters. “It places us in vary of actually good gamers. And on the similar time, that additionally permits us to maneuver slightly bit.”
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Why no first-round decide? The Browns gained’t have a first-round decide this yr — or till 2025 — because of their commerce for Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Texans personal the thirteenth decide, which might have belonged to Cleveland.
When was the final time they didn’t have a first-rounder? 5 years in the past, they sat out the primary spherical due to the commerce for receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Their first decide this yr? The Browns have the forty fourth decide, within the second spherical.
Who're some notable gamers who went forty fourth? Chicago took operating again Matt Forte there in 2008, 4 years after Indianapolis obtained security Bob Sanders there. Miami used the forty fourth decide in consecutive years on defensive backs Sam Madison (1997) and Patrick Surtain (1998). Pittsburgh obtained two glorious gamers in that spot: linebacker Chad Brown (1993) and Corridor of Fame middle Dermonti Dawson (1988).
Will the Browns attempt to commerce again into the primary spherical? “I might by no means rule out something. I might say, simply candidly, I feel it’s unlikely,” normal supervisor Andrew Berry informed reporters just lately. “However I don’t need to say something in absolutes since you simply by no means know the way conditions. ... Fairly truthfully, I wouldn’t have anticipated us to maneuver up final yr, so it's important to be versatile for the scenario.”
DENVER BRONCOS
Why no first-round decide? The Broncos despatched their choice within the opening spherical to Seattle as a part of the commerce for quarterback Russell Wilson.
When was the final time they didn’t have a first-round decide? It has occurred eight instances in franchise historical past, most just lately in 2012.
Their first decide this yr? The Broncos have the sixty fourth decide, within the second spherical, a variety they acquired in buying and selling Von Miller to the Rams.
Notable gamers chosen sixty fourth? Seattle took receiver D.Okay. Metcalf with the sixty fourth decide (2019), Inexperienced Bay chosen receiver Randall Cobb (2011) and Arizona landed defensive finish Darnell Dockett (2004).
How will the Broncos deal with sitting on their fingers within the first spherical? “It’s robust to attend that lengthy. ... I do know I’m going to get jumpy,” GM George Paton informed reporters. “... However then once I stroll over to this presser and see our quarterback throwing to these receivers, I really feel fairly good about it.”
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Why no first-round decide? The Colts gave up their first-round decide as a part of their deal final yr to purchase quarterback Carson Wentz from Philadelphia.
When was the final time they sat out the opening spherical? Two years in the past, the Colts traded their first-round decide to San Francisco for defensive sort out DeForest Buckner.
Their first decide this yr? No. 42, within the second spherical. That was a part of the deal for delivery Wentz to Washington.
Notable gamers chosen forty second? The largest star taken in that spot was tight finish Rob Gronkowski, chosen by New England in 2010. 4 years in the past, Miami obtained a fairly good tight finish there in Mike Gesicki. Denver used the forty second choice on quarterback Drew Lock.
Will the Colts draft for want or worth? “That’s the age-old query,” GM Chris Ballard informed reporters just lately. “You simply must ensure you’re not passing on an awesome participant. If it’s even then we’ll take the necessity. However I feel you’ve at all times obtained to have sufficient religion and confidence if you lay your head on the pillow that we’re going to seek out solutions between now and the beginning of the season.”
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Why no first-round decide? The Raiders traded their first- and second-round picks to Inexperienced Bay for receiver Davante Adams.
When was the final time they didn’t have a first-round decide? It has been 10 years because the Raiders sat out the opening spherical. In 2012, their first decide was the ninety fifth general choice, guard Tony Bergstrom.
Their first decide this yr? No. 86, within the third spherical.
Notable gamers chosen 86th? Buffalo drafted future Corridor of Fame receiver Andre Reed with the 86th decide in 1985. That was three years after New Orleans used that choice on kicker Morten Andersen, who additionally wound up in Canton. And yet another Corridor of Famer: the Rams took sort out Jackie Slater there in 1976.
Is all of it about constructing your staff by means of the draft? “You want to have the ability to take a look at the entire yr as a chance to enhance your staff,” Raiders coach Josh McDaniels stated. “It’s not simply small home windows in March or April. There’s alternatives in professional free company. There’s alternatives within the draft. There’s alternatives after the draft. Gamers that didn’t get drafted, there’s alternatives which are going to current themselves in a while within the spring, the summer season, throughout the course of the season and the commerce deadline.”
RAMS
Why no first-round decide? As a part of the Matthew Stafford commerce with Detroit, the Rams despatched the Lions their first-round picks this yr and subsequent.
When was the final time they didn’t have a first-round decide? It’s extra instructive to say after they final had a first-round decide. That was 2016 when Los Angeles took Jared Goff first general.
Their first decide this yr? No. 104, the second-to-last decide within the third spherical.
Notable gamers chosen 104th? Pittsburgh took defensive finish Dwight White there in 1971, and USC linebacker Kaluka Maiava went to Cleveland in 2009. Extra just lately, San Francisco took C.J. Beathard, Cincinnati drafted quarterback Ryan Finley (2019), and the Rams chosen defensive again Terrell Burgess (2020).
How lengthy can the Rams’ philosophy of buying and selling picks for veteran gamers final? “Perhaps that’s not for everyone and possibly it’s not sustainable,” staff government Kevin Demoff informed reporters. “Perhaps it doesn’t work long run — we appear to determine that out yearly — but it surely’s working proper now.”
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Why no first-round decide? The Dolphins gave up their picks within the first and second rounds as a part of the blockbuster commerce for Tyreek Hill, Kansas Metropolis’s turf-melting terror.
When was the final time they sat out the primary spherical? It hasn’t occurred since 2003, when the Ricky Williams commerce sidelined them.
Their first decide this yr? No. 102, within the third spherical. That’s after each franchise besides the Rams has made not less than one choice.
Who had been notable 102nd picks? Washington took quarterback Kirk Cousins there in 2012. Pittsburgh used the 102nd decide on future Corridor of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas in 1955 however launched him earlier than the season with out seeing him take snaps in follow. In 1962, the Boston Patriots used that decide on Notre Dame linebacker Nick Buoniconti, who would go on to a Corridor of Fame profession with the Dolphins.
So what are the Dolphins going to do throughout the primary spherical this yr? Common supervisor Chris Grier: “One of many guys stated, `We’ll simply watch Tyreek highlights within the draft room to make us really feel good.’ ”
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Why no first-round decide? The 49ers traded their first-round picks this yr and subsequent to Miami in an effort to commerce up for quarterback Trey Lance in final yr’s draft.
When was the final time they didn’t have a first-round decide? That is the primary time since 1996 that the 49ers sat out of the primary spherical.
Their first decide this yr? No. 61, within the second spherical.
Notable gamers chosen 61st? Numerous proficient gamers went in that spot, amongst them Rams security Taylor Rapp (2019), tight finish Martellus Bennett by Dallas (2008) and late Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson (2005).
How are the 49ers coping with being first-round spectators for the primary time in 26 years? “Everybody talks, ‘We don’t have a first-round decide,’ and we’re not used to that,” normal supervisor John Lynch informed reporters. “However I feel when folks ask me what’s the signature of this draft, it’s the depth of it. So it’s a great yr to have it.”
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