If you're new to this NFL stuff you may hear terms thrown around that you aren't too familiar with. One such word is 'pick'. When an analyst is choosing a winner between two teams he'll often use the phrase 'pick'. Combine this phrase with another word you'll hear, 'draft' and we have a phrase truly unique to American sports. 'Draft picks' are players selected from the annual NFL Draft.
Basically, the draft consists of a huge bank of 'promising' college football players and each team is assigned draft 'picks' based on their performances year to year - the worst performers getting the best pick, and vice-versa - along with how they have saved and swapped draft picks over the previous years. It's a complex process that allows NFL teams to constantly re-build and potentially unearth that player that can turn around a franchise.
First round picks are particularly valued although you never know where the talent in that year's draft actually lies. Each team is given a draft pick in each round, so that's 32 teams, one pick per round (unless they've accumulated or traded picks) through seven rounds of picks. Front office strategising is akin to high-level, political game theory as teams scramble to hone in on the players 'of value'.
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Remember, Tom Brady was taken by New England in the 6th round. Basically, nobody really assessed him as a potential star player. How wrong can you be? Let's take a look at some of this year's high draft picks which are worth keeping an eye on this weekend.
1. Joey Bosa - San Diego Chargers
Bosa was drafted 3rd overall in this year's NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. It's been a fascinating contractual saga once again highlighting the shift of player power in the sport, mirroring the star dominated NBA. He was drafted by the Chargers, offered a very decent rookie contract yet refused to sign. It rumbled on like a good Coronation Street storyline with both sides firing off the standard social media originating salvos, even Bosa's mum chipped in.
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Eventually, the Chargers caved and seemingly gave him what he wanted. Doesn't look like they'll regret it either as Bosa has looked like the defensive Cadillac of a Pash-Rusher. He plays DE (Defensive End) which means he lines up on the outside of the Chargers Defensive line. His job is to get through the Offensive-line, pressure and ultimately attack the QB. He's from quality stock, is 21-years-old yet carries himself with a worldly, cool-vibe.
This season he's been on fire and in Week 8 is going up against an average O-Line at Denver. He could yet again wreak havoc and have Denver's QB, Trevor Siemian, releasing his quick, short passes even quicker. In the boom or bust world of draft picks, it's odds on he's a nice boom for the underachieving Chargers.
2. Ezekiel Elliott - Dallas Cowboys
Zek and Dak in Dallas. It's a young buck, draft-driven revolution down in Texas. Dak Prescott has been thrown into the NFL Coliseum as a result of Tony Romo's injury and as a 4th round pick has made Romo's absence look like a non-event. The young playmaker is making a reasoned argument that the Cowboys should trade Romo and plunge more resources behind himself and Elliott. Looking at the results, it's a fair shout.
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Part of the reason Prescott has found things so serene is the fact that the Cowboys have built a beautifully efficient Offensive Line behind which he operates. That O-Line is completed by another draft pick, overall 4th pick, RB Ezekiel Elliott. The guy is 21-years-old but plays and grinds like the gridiron is his sole purpose in life - it probably is.
This week he faces a divisional matchup vs. an underrated Eagles defence. He should be prominent and I suspect the game's storyline should see him with decent copy. It's tough with RBs though, they're often overworked and used up quick, like Boxer in 'Animal Farm'. Just this week, Arian Foster, RB for the Miami Dolphins called it quits at 30, his body unable to take anymore after seasons of NFL pounding.
Shelf life is short for an RB and these days the smart play is to compliment them with a varied backfield. The danger is that Dallas might lean too hard and too early on Elliott, but for now his performances are a joy to watch. What's the quote from Tyrell in 'Blade Runner'? 'Those that burn twice as bright burn half as long'. An NFL RB's mantra, it would seem.
3. Ryan Kelly - Indianapolis Colts
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This one isn't so obvious but he's arguably more important than the previous two put together. The Colts roster is like a teenager's bedroom, a complete mess. The GM, Coach pairing of Grigson and Pagano look like 'Dead Men Walking' after squandering numerous picks and failing to put a team together that can support their star QB, Andrew Luck. It's tough, though, Luck is the best paid player in the NFL so as a result there are fewer resources to spend elsewhere on the team.
When you come across a rare diamond the size of a baseball you need to put it in a vault. For QBs, that vault is his Offensive line. What the Colts wouldn't give for half of the Cowboys O-Line. Kelly was selected 18th overall and now plays Centre for Indy. The C is the focal point of the O-line, holding it all together as well as snapping the ball back to the QB. If this O-line is going to grow in Indianapolis then it'll probably start with Kelly.
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It's a tough position to be thrown into and you suspect there's a lot of pressure on the young centre. The Colts season is starting to turn around but you just feel that they need to protect their prized asset better, help him get into a rhythm and hopefully that will oil the other cogs in the machine. All this starts with Kelly stepping up,and despite the recent loss to an imposing Chiefs team, he's already beginning to build-up a head of steam.