BUFFALO, N.Y. — While the Bills didn't have a pick in the first round of the NFL draft the other teams did and one of them, New England traded out of the round.
The Miami Dolphins had three picks in the first round and selected a quarterback, Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa, USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson and Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene. Both of Igbinoghene's parents were Olympic athletes.
While there were plenty of rumors before the draft that Miami wouldn't take Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick the Dolphins did take the often injured quarterback. Tua is a left handed throwing quarterback, a rarity in the NFL. Tagovailoa suffered a a hip dislocation and posterior wall fracture suffered in November makes him a risky pick but the Dolphins believe he's the man who can be their franchise quarterback and lead them out of their constant rebuilding.
Later in the first round Miami selected Austin Jackson. He's 6-foot-6, 322 pounds. His dad played on USC's 1974 national championship team. The Dolphins had targeted one of the top four offensive tackles in the draft but weren't able to move into position to select any of them. Jackson will compete for the starting left tackle spot.
Adding Igbinoghene makes Miami's already strong secondary that much stronger. He switched from wide receiver to cornerback before the 2018 season. ESPN's draft expert Mel Kiper said "you could make an argument he's the third best corner in the draft."
The New York Jets had just one pick in the first round and selected Louisville’s Mekhi Becton with the 11th overall pick. Becton goes 6'7" and 370 lbs. Becton played right and left tackle at Louisville. The Jets need to do a much better job of protecting third year quarterback Sam Darnold who by most accounts took a step back in his second year. Becton is expected to make an immediate impact with the Jets.
The New England Patriots traded out of the first round. The Patriots sent the 23rd overall selection to the Los Angeles Chargers for two picks, a second and a third rounder. The Patriots get the 37th overall pick, and the 71st overall. With the Patriots Bill Belichick has made 78 draft day trades and its the 27th time he has traded down.
Its been an interesting off season for the Patriots to say the least. Quarterback Tom Brady signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent and earlier this week tight end Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement to join Brady in Tampa. So two key performers in the Patriots dynasty now play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bills traded their first round pick to Minnesota in the deal for wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
