Top 10 surprising events of the NFL Draft
JEROME FOSTER - Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: Sports
The NFL draft was the weekend of April 25 and like every other draft, there were some major surprises. Players fell, players rose and teams made trades. These are the moments that may have surprised people on draft weekend.
10. Denver Broncos take Georgia running back Knowshown Moreno 12th overall
This was a surprising pick because the Broncos finished 29th in defense last season. Their defense was the biggest reason the Broncos didn't make it to the playoffs. Instead of taking a defensive player, the Broncos went with Moreno to solidify their running game. While the Broncos placed several running backs on injured reserve last season, the Broncos were expected to get much needed help on the defensive side.
9. Cincinnati Bengals take Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith ahead of Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe
This would not have been a surprise in the middle of the college football season. Smith was considered one of the best prospects in the draft, but his stock took a hit after he was suspended for the Sugar Bowl, left the NFL Combine early and fired his agent a couple weeks before the draft. Those events, combined with Monroe's strong play, vaulted Monroe ahead of Smith on draft boards. While Smith is considered the better player, Monroe was considered the safer pick.
8. Baltimore Ravens move up to the 23rd pick to take Mississippi offensive tackle Michael Oher
Michael Oher was not considered the best offensive tackle in the draft, but he wasn't expected to last until pick 23, either. Most mock drafts had Oher gone by the 15th pick and some even had him in the top-10. Oher was a victim of how the first half of the draft played out. Once Oher fell to 23, the Ravens traded up to get him to replace longtime left tackle Jonathan Ogden.
7. Miami Dolphins take West Virginia quarterback Pat White in the second round
The Dolphins surprised many people by taking dual-threat quarterback Pat White with the 44th pick. It is unclear what position White will play in the NFL. Many experts believe White isn't talented enough to play quarterback at the NFL level, but his running ability is too much to ignore. Besides, the Dolphins took former Michigan quarterback Chad Henne in the second round last year. Most believe White will play in the Dolphins' "wildcat" formation, but that is only expected to be six or seven snaps a game. What else will White do?
10. Denver Broncos take Georgia running back Knowshown Moreno 12th overall
This was a surprising pick because the Broncos finished 29th in defense last season. Their defense was the biggest reason the Broncos didn't make it to the playoffs. Instead of taking a defensive player, the Broncos went with Moreno to solidify their running game. While the Broncos placed several running backs on injured reserve last season, the Broncos were expected to get much needed help on the defensive side.
9. Cincinnati Bengals take Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith ahead of Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe
This would not have been a surprise in the middle of the college football season. Smith was considered one of the best prospects in the draft, but his stock took a hit after he was suspended for the Sugar Bowl, left the NFL Combine early and fired his agent a couple weeks before the draft. Those events, combined with Monroe's strong play, vaulted Monroe ahead of Smith on draft boards. While Smith is considered the better player, Monroe was considered the safer pick.
8. Baltimore Ravens move up to the 23rd pick to take Mississippi offensive tackle Michael Oher
Michael Oher was not considered the best offensive tackle in the draft, but he wasn't expected to last until pick 23, either. Most mock drafts had Oher gone by the 15th pick and some even had him in the top-10. Oher was a victim of how the first half of the draft played out. Once Oher fell to 23, the Ravens traded up to get him to replace longtime left tackle Jonathan Ogden.
7. Miami Dolphins take West Virginia quarterback Pat White in the second round
The Dolphins surprised many people by taking dual-threat quarterback Pat White with the 44th pick. It is unclear what position White will play in the NFL. Many experts believe White isn't talented enough to play quarterback at the NFL level, but his running ability is too much to ignore. Besides, the Dolphins took former Michigan quarterback Chad Henne in the second round last year. Most believe White will play in the Dolphins' "wildcat" formation, but that is only expected to be six or seven snaps a game. What else will White do?
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posted 4/27/09 @ 1:30 PM EST
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