An athletic young man from the 1890s enters the stage, wearing his vintage Yale football jersey.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ffelfinger.jpg

He nods toward the audience.

"My name is Pudge Heffelfinger. I started playing football at a young age," he says. "I was born in Minneapolis, and when I was in high school I would suit up for the University of Minnesota."

https://digitalcollections.hclib.org...ighlightTerms=

"Statistically, the best team I ever played on was the 1888 Yale football team. We went 13-0 and outscored our opponents 698 to 0 on the season. But I personally thought our 1891 team was the best team I ever played on. We went 13-0, outscored our opponents 488-0, and we were named the national champions. Here's a picture of the team. I'm the guy at top right."

https://www.frankhinkey.com/resource...=1493598975117

"But you may know me best for another thing. You see, I was kind of the guy who started this whole thing. I am the first professional football player ever. I was paid $500 by the Allegheny Athletic Association to play in a game against this Pittsburgh Athletic Club. Here's the receipt. This is the equivalent of about $15,000 today for one game."

http://stmedia.stimg.co/NEWname.png?w=970

"So I'm here today to announce the pick of another young man who, if he applies himself, might one day also get paid $15,000 for one game. Good luck to you."

He looks at the paper.

"The Minnesota Vikings select Osa Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA."

http://stmedia.stimg.co/desktop.jpg?w=970

Pudge dispatches a Western Union telegram to the next drafter on the list to let him know he's on the clock.

The Kansas City Chiefs select Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana

I know, I know. “WTF are you doing staylor? No edge rusher?”

I’m sorry guys, but the Chiefs are getting value in every single round here while filling other positions of need (for now and the future), but it just so happens that the stars haven’t aligned for an edge rusher just yet.

There are still a handful of guys I like, and if this were a real draft, I’d probably be using my 2 5ths to trade up and get one. But when you’re picking at the bottom of every round, you absolutely have to get value as much as you can.

McGrone and Johnson are terrific values in the 4th. I have both of those guys inside my top 100, so I’d be crazy to pass them up at the bottom of the 4th.

There are also a few free agents left, and I’m pretty confident that we end up with 1. If I were the GM, I’d be signing somebody like Ingram immediately after the draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars select Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida

The Jaguars get two young tackles in Hudson and Forsythe to push Robinson and Taylor who still haven’t proven themselves.

I personally like the pick (and logic).

This will be a hot take for some... but Clark, Taco, Danna, and Ward spelled with Chris Jones playing 30-50% of his snaps at end (as rumored thanks to the Jarran Reed signing) is a servicable unit without any additions. Sure, it would be great to upgrade now with the recognition that we probably lose Clark and Reed in 2022... But it's not a must. I'd also argue that any edge drafted after the 2nd probably doesn't provide an immediate impact in 2021 in contrast with Taco, Danna, and Ward. If we don't get one early, hold off until next year (no issue still taking a late flyer again like Danna).

Clark-Reed-Nnadi/Saunders-Jones (when Jones is split wide) is probably in the top half if not top third of starting units.

Clark, Reed, Jones, Charlton should be more than enough IMO

The New York Jets select Bryce Hargrove, OG, Pittsburgh..

Someone sold me on Jordan Smith UAB as an edge this week. He went 4th round here
Would be thrilled if KC grabbed him 3rd round this year.

I love Johnson and think he's a high day 2 pick. I don't mind McGrone at all in the 4th either, for the record.

The Atlanta Falcons select Thomas Graham Jr, CB, Oregon