NFL Draft 2018: First round loaded with multi-sport athletes
Photo via Washington Post
The 2018 NFL Draft kicked off Thursday evening at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. As usual, the first round was chock full of athletes who played multiple sports in high school or throughout most of their pre-college years.
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Eight of the first 10 opening round selections played at least one sport besides football in high school, including Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, who also played baseball at Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas.
Ninety-one percent of athletes selected in the first round participated in more than one sport during high school. Track and field (22) and basketball (17) were the most popular secondary sports.
Many NFL players have taken a stance against increased sports specialization, including Houston Texans All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt, who also competed in basketball, baseball and track.
So important for parents of young athletes to remember! Regardless if a child can develop into a major college, professional or Olympic-level athlete, it's important for them to have fun and play everything! https://t.co/ehyrRbDt28
— Phil Savage (@SeniorBowlPhil) April 27, 2018
Last year, USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck and National Federation of High School State Associations Executive Director Bob Gardner wrote an op-ed for USA Today that detailed the drawbacks of specialization, both athletically and socially.
"Young people involved in more than one sport have greater opportunities to forge new friendships or deepen those they already have with teammates who share their multi-sport experiences," Hallenbeck and Gardner said. "They also benefit from having additional positive role models in the form of coaches and volunteers."
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Here are this year's first-round draft picks, with multi-sport backgrounds in parenthesis:
Pick #1, Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma (Baseball)
Welcome to the Cleveland @Browns, @BakerMayfield! 🙌#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/0VWfVWoB8F
— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2018
Pick #2, New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State (Track, basketball)
.@saquon already reppin' that #GiantsPride!#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/xdXDHLOOA9
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 27, 2018
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Pick #3, New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB, USC (Basketball, baseball)
The 3️⃣rd pick by the @nyjets in the #NFLDraft was @USC_Athletics product Sam Darnold. #JetUp
— USA Football (@usafootball) April 27, 2018
Did you know he was a multi-sport athlete in high school?
(Video via @MaxPreps) pic.twitter.com/wtrx6K2AHS
Pick #4, Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State (Track)
No Better Place Like Home!!#GoBrowns! pic.twitter.com/w3599MQW8O
— Denzel Ward (@denzelward) April 27, 2018
Pick #5, Denver Broncos: Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
The top-rated pass rusher is off the board to the to the @Broncos!!
— USA Football (@usafootball) April 27, 2018
Want to find out more about your newest addition #Broncos fans? Listen to what his high school coach from @HgroveFootball has to say. #NFLDraft | #BroncosDraft
➡️: https://t.co/AXbJmIew8a pic.twitter.com/fs4vOpYbrr
Pick #6, Indianapolis Colts: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame (Basketball)
We got our guy: https://t.co/R4jHVBH6Yp#ColtsDraft | @BigQ56 pic.twitter.com/D2uT069rZQ
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 27, 2018
Pick #7, Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming (Basketball, baseball)
The 7️⃣th pick by the @buffalobills in the #NFLDraft was @wyo_football product @JoshAllenQB. #GoBills
— USA Football (@usafootball) April 27, 2018
Did you know he was a multi-sport athlete in high school?
(Video via @NFHSNetwork) pic.twitter.com/wsKtPllKxD
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Pick #8, Chicago Bears: Roquan Smith, OLB, Georgia (Basketball, track)
The newest Chicago Bear is @RoquanSmith1!!!
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 27, 2018
Tune-in for more #NFLDraft on NFLN/FOX/ESPN! pic.twitter.com/Pm9l7qrrG6
Pick #9, San Francisco 49ers: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame (Basketball, wrestling, lacrosse)
Welcome to the family, @mmcglinch68! #49ersDraft pic.twitter.com/y69xFuJiVX
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 27, 2018
Pick #10, Arizona Cardinals: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA (Junior tennis)
Rosen will wear red
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 27, 2018
He used to rock blue
Those that wanted us to take @Josh3Rosen
Your dreams have come true. pic.twitter.com/5xjcC9wUom
Pick #11, Miami Dolphins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama (Track)
With the 11th pick in the #NFLDraft...@minkfitz_21 @MiamiDolphins #23andCounting #RollTide #BamaDraft
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) April 27, 2018
📺 Tune into @nflnetwork & FOX for complete coverage pic.twitter.com/rH5WyoFNwf
Pick #12, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vita Via, DT, Washington (Basketball)
Happy to have you, @VitaVea!
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 27, 2018
#GoBucs☠️ | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/tr8xC0Ugyy
Pick #13, Washington Redskins: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama (Track)
With the No. 13 pick in the 2018 #NFLDraft, the Washington #Redskins select Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama. #HTTR pic.twitter.com/Jd4lwUaClj
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) April 27, 2018
Pick #14, New Orleans Saints: Marcus Davenport, DE, UT San Antonio (Basketball, track)
With the 14th pick in the #NFLDraft, the #Saints select DE Marcus Davenport! #SaintsDraft pic.twitter.com/mhc7VLHIZZ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 27, 2018
Pick #15, Oakland Raiders: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA (Track)
Your newest Raider.⁰⁰
— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) April 27, 2018
With the 15th pick in the 2018 #NFLDraft, we have selected T Kolton Miller from @UCLAFootball. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/q1sfOqWrNn
Pick #16, Buffalo Bills: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech (Basketball)
We’ve drafted Tremaine Edmunds with the 16th overall pick.
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) April 27, 2018
Welcome to Buffalo, @maine_savage23! pic.twitter.com/2uXGSATke4
Pick #17, Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James, S, Florida State (Basketball, track)
New threads. pic.twitter.com/mJDXtcsE0s
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) April 27, 2018
Pick #18, Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville (Track)
Welcome to the #Packers, @JaireAlexander!
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 27, 2018
📰: https://t.co/pWsQOwVTCy#PackersDraft #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/L6xC1ki6zy
Pick #19, Dallas Cowboys: Leighton Vader Esch, ILB, Boise State (Basketball, track)
Welcome to the #DallasCowboys @VanderEsch38 from @BroncoSportsFB #CowboysDraft pic.twitter.com/ABGhWTGOyX
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 27, 2018
Pick #20, Detroit Lions: Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas (Basketball, track)
With the 20th pick in the 2018 #NFLDraft, the #Lions select C Frank Ragnow! #OnePride pic.twitter.com/TrKTBX2xAO
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 27, 2018
Pick #21, Cincinnati Bengals: Billy Price, C, Ohio State (Track)
With the 21st pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati #Bengals select Billy Price, center from Ohio State.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 27, 2018
#OnTheClock with @Dannon pic.twitter.com/G1BcyprZlI
Pick #22, Tennessee Titans: Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama (Basketball)
Linebacker @616evans4 Alabama Highlights #NFLDraft #TitanUp @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/XssrZGJIWd
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) April 27, 2018
Pick #23, New England Patriots: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia
.@FootballUGA lineman @iwynn77 becomes the 1st National Team alum off the board in the #NFLDraft!! #EarnYourStars
— U.S. National Team (@USNFT) April 27, 2018
Can't wait to see his next step with the @Patriots.
More info: https://t.co/hcsxRBGXrx pic.twitter.com/TeonaDgnEg
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Pick #24, Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland (Track)
MOORE weapons for QB1!#PanthersDraft pic.twitter.com/ts3hzBqZfl
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 27, 2018
Pick #25, Baltimore Ravens: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina (Baseball)
Another multi-sport athlete goes in the first round as @haydenrhurst goes to the @Ravens with the 2️⃣5️⃣th pick of the #NFLDraft! https://t.co/IOOvsLCecj
— USA Football (@usafootball) April 27, 2018
Pick #26, Atlanta Falcons: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama (Track)
Make that two Alabama receivers 👀
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 27, 2018
You'll definitely want to check out @CalvinRidley1's highlights ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/HMTJdf0pFp
Pick #27, Seattle Seahawks: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State (Track, basketball)
With Pick 27, #SeahawksDraft RB Rashaad Penny! pic.twitter.com/8Yf9VGZtRo
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 27, 2018
Pick #28, Pittsburgh Steelers: Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech (Track, basketball)
With the 28th pick in the 2018 #NFLDraft, we have selected Terrell Edmunds. pic.twitter.com/N50fDmbdCl
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 27, 2018
Pick #29, Jacksonville Jaguars: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida (Track, basketball)
The @Jaguars just got a BEAST in the trenches.
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) April 27, 2018
@tavenbryan93 ➡️ #GatorMade
📰: https://t.co/SZnqFsEv2u#GatorsAlways #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/RvO9OnSu5c
Pick #30, Minnesota Vikings: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida (Basketball, track)
Welcome to the #Vikings, @_Bigmikee1! pic.twitter.com/XqAfNe4Br8
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 27, 2018
Pick #31, New England Patriots: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia (Track)
No. 1 in Round 1.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 27, 2018
Hello @Flyguy2stackz! #PatsDraft pic.twitter.com/OQWJU1PmQk
Pick #32, Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville (Track)
Welcome to Baltimore, Lamar! pic.twitter.com/4Leex1IrOf
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 27, 2018
There are multi-sport athletes all throughout the top ten of this years #NFLDraft.
— USA Football (@usafootball) April 27, 2018
| #BrownsDraft | #GiantsPride | #CardsDraft | pic.twitter.com/k23yd1cudH
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