Although it came two round later than most expected, UConn cornerback/kick returner Tyvon Branch was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the first pick in the fourth round (100 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Branch’s selection is the second highest for a UConn player in the modern era of the draft. Alfred Fincher holds the mark after being taken with pick No. 82 in the third round of the 2005 draft.
The Raiders, who hadn’t selected a player since taking running back Darren McFadden with the No. 4 pick in the draft, traded with the Dallas Cowboys to move up to the top of the round to select the Huskies defensive back.
Branch joins a crowded Oakland defensive backfield that just traded for Pro Bowl corner DeAngelo Hall from the Atlanta Falcons and already boasts three former first- or second-round picks, including the recently franchised Nnamdi Asomugha.
But the Raiders also traded away cornerback Fabian Washington, their first-round selection in the 2005 (No. 27 overall), to the Baltimore Ravens minutes after selecting Branch. This could open up some playing time for Branch on defense.
Regardless, he should inherit the second kick returner role next to Chris Carr immediately. Carr had a decent season returning kicks last year, accumulating 1,327 return yards, but the fellow defensive back did not record a touchdown and had 400 fewer yards on returns than he’d posted the past two years.
The ESPN crew also highlighted Branch after the selection, and draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. spent a good two minutes praising the pick and Randy Edsall for the progress he’s made with the program.
11:05 a.m.
No Branch siting yet, but the UConn corner has moved into Mel Kiper’s “Best Available Players.” He currently sits at No. 12.
10:15 a.m.
The second and final day of the draft is underway, and it is really early. The 3 p.m. start was nice yesterday, because I got to sleep in a bit, but I’m not really excited about waking up this morning. At least I have the dulcet tones of Trey Wingo joining the announcing crew. Also in the mix are Jaws and Chris Carter.
No running commentary today, as it’s way too early and there’s a chance I may fall asleep. But I’m eagerly awaiting the selection of Tyvon Branch — it could happen any minute now — and then the rest of the Huskies. Almost 10 picks have already gone off the board, and with players like Donnie Avery going at the top of the second round, Larry Taylor could be selected soon.
Stay tuned.
The first day of the NFL Draft has come and gone with no UConn player hearing his name called.
Although most of the Huskies were preparing to wait for the second day, Huskies cornerback/kick returner Tyvon Branch was being projected to land toward the end of the second round. However, Branch, who ran one of the fastest 40-yard dash times of all participants at the Combine, was not selected and will have to wait until tomorrow to learn his destiny.
Offensive Guard Donald Thomas should come off the board pretty early on Day 2. The senior, who blazed the second fastest 40 and one of the best three-cone times of all 48 offensive linemen in Indianapolis, is projected to land somewhere between the third and fifth round.
Linebacker Danny Lansanah could be chosen later on, perhaps in the seventh round, and defensive tackle Dan Davis and wide receiver Larry Taylor may have a shot in the final round.
Draft coverage resumes at 10 a.m. tomorrow on ESPN and the NFL Network.
As you might have guessed, the constant updates have stopped here at Draft central. I’ll be sure to post every so often with thoughts, and I’ll be sure to post when Branch is chosen — which is expected to come some time soon.
One I want to point out is the great move by the Ravens in moving up from pick 26 to 18 to select Delaware QB Joe Flacco. Not only is the gun slinger overrated, but 29 picks later and a quarterback still hasn’t been picked. Chad Henne and Brian Brohm, two QBs supposed to be flying off the shelves, are still hanging out at home.
I don’t know who the Ravens were talking to, but they received some pretty bad information.
1. Miami — Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2. St. Louis — Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta — Matt Ryan, QB, BC
4. Oakland — Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City — Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU
6. NY Jets — Vernon Gholston, DE/LB Ohio State
7. New Orleans (from N.E., from San Fran.) — Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Jacksonville (from Baltimore) — Derrick Harvey, DE, Flo Rida (that is not a typo)
9. Cincinnati — Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10. New England (from N.O.) — Jerod “Hold The” Mayo, LB, Tennessee
11. Buffalo — Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
12. Denver — Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina — Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
14. Chi-town — Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (home of Terrence Jeffers)
15. Kansas City (from Detroit) — Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia
16. Arizona — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CD, Tennessee State
17. Detroit (from K.C., from Minn.) — Godser Cherilus, OT, Boston College
18. Baltimore (from Houston) — Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
19. Carolina (from Philly) — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay — Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
21. Atlanta (from Wash.) — Sam Baker, OT, USC (perhaps the top beard in the draft)
22. Dallas (from Clev.) — Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
23. Pittsburgh — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
24. Tennessee — Chris Johnson, RB, ECU
25. Dallas (from Seattle) — Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
26. Houston (from Balt., from Jax) — Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech
27. San Diego — Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
28. Seattle (from Dallas) — Lawerence Jackson, DE, USC
29. San Francisco (from Indy) — Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC
30. NY Jets (from Green Bay) — Dustin Keller
31. New England — Pick forfeited. Teehee.
32. Super Bowl Champion New York Giants — Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
6:29 p.m.
The Jets just took TE Dustin Keller. Hilarity ensues.
My Super Bowl Champion Giants will show them how it’s done.
6:19 p.m.
I’m pretty sure all of those blows to the head have made Steve Young forget that football games aren’t played solely on offense. I don’t think I’ve heard him mention a defensive player, and throughout the show he has been campaigning for the best WR for nearly every team in the bottom of the draft.
Also, his points don’t really make sense. He just went on a rant for two minutes where all he said was the 49ers will be better if they win games.
Jets just traded up. Apparently they want to blow another pick this draft.
6:13 p.m.
The run on cornerbacks seemed to be slowing down after Rodgers-Cromartie was taken,but is starting to heat up again. The Chargers just took Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona, marking the second corner taken in three picks. This could help Tyvon Branch’s cause, because even though some (including me) think he will be a better safety in the “L,” teams that run a cover 2 could stick him at corner.
6:01 p.m.
The Cowboys just jumped ahead of Houston and stole Mike Jenkins with the 25th pick. The Texans followed it up by taking Duane Brown (who?), OT, Virginia Tech with the next pick. Here’s an updated list of today’s action:
1. Miami — Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2. St. Louis — Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta — Matt Ryan, QB, BC
4. Oakland — Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City — Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU
6. NY Jets — Vernon Gholston, DE/LB Ohio State
7. New Orleans (from N.E., from San Fran.) — Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Jacksonville (from Baltimore) — Derrick Harvey, DE, Flo Rida (that is not a typo)
9. Cincinnati — Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10. New England (from N.O.) — Jerod “Hold The” Mayo, LB, Tennessee
11. Buffalo — Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
12. Denver — Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina — Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
14. Chi-town — Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (home of Terrence Jeffers)
15. Kansas City (from Detroit) — Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia
16. Arizona — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CD, Tennessee State
17. Detroit (from K.C., from Minn.) — Godser Cherilus, OT, Boston College
18. Baltimore (from Houston) — Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
19. Carolina (from Philly) — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay — Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
21. Atlanta (from Wash.) — Sam Baker, OT, USC (perhaps the top beard in the draft)
22. Dallas (from Clev.) — Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
23. Pittsburgh — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
24. Tennessee — Chris Johnson, RB, ECU (the third running back taken by the Titans in the first two round the last three years). This pick is essentially confirmation that they should not have taken Chris Henry, a player that was an unproductive version of Lendale White, a year ago.
25. Dallas (from Seattle) — Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
5:58 p.m.
This just in, Ron Jaworski studies tape. Before everything Jaws has said today — and now that I think about it, in his entire TV career — he’s made it known that he’s done his homework and studied tape. We get it, Jaws. We’ve all seen you on that ESPN show where you and Merrill Hodge break down tape and turned the channel immediately.
5:15 p.m.
A lot of movement and picks, but since I am in no way affiliated with a company that covers the draft, I’m only gonna be updating in order to bring the funny.
The latest hilarity: Joe Flacco being taken at 18 by the Ravens. Here’s a guy who couldn’t cut it at Pittsburgh, where Dave Wannstedt’s scared him off to Delaware.
Rating on the Verrier Bust-O-Meter: 10 out of 10.
Ravens blow another pick. Delaware’s uniforms are still a lame version of Michigan. Life continues.
Eagles just traded their pick to the Panthers. Carolina selected Jeff Otah, a player who could earn a starting spot at Pittsburgh.
Here’s a list of the first round up to this point:
1. Miami — Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2. St. Louis — Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta — Matt Ryan, QB, BC
4. Oakland — Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City — Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU
6. NY Jets — Vernon Gholston, DE/LB Ohio State
7. New Orleans (from N.E., from San Fran.) — Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Jacksonville (from Baltimore) — Derrick Harvey, DE, Flo Rida (that is not a typo)
9. Cincinnati — Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10. New England (from N.O.) — Jerod “Hold The” Mayo, LB, Tennessee
11. Buffalo — Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
12. Denver — Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina — Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
14. Chi-town — Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (home of Terrence Jeffers)
15. Kansas City (from Detroit) — Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia
16. Arizona — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CD, Tennessee State
17. Detroit (from K.C., from Minn.) — Godser Cherilus, OT, Boston College
18. Baltimore (from Houston) — Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
19. Carolina (from Philly) — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
4:19 p.m.
After the Jags took Derrick Harvey, the Bengals and the Pats each scooped up linebackers, grabbing Keith Rivers and Jerod “Hold the” Mayo, respectively.
Buffalo just picked Leodis McKelvin from Troy, my favorite Roman-sounding southern school.
By the way, did I mention the Patriots are cheaters?
3:55 p.m.
The Jaguars just moved up all the way from 26 to 8, giving up Jack Del Rio’s sweet leather jacket to do so.
3:52 p.m.
Will the Patriots just stay put for once. Of course, Bill Belicheat traded the pick to the Saints, who are looking to blow another pick on a DT. Sedrick Ellis was their pick.
Would just like to point out that the Pats are cheaters. Just saying.
3:45 p.m.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The Jets just took Vernon Gholston, the second-most overrated player in the draft. Gholston is just another example of what a fast 40 time and going to the gym a lot can do.
Funny story — I just went to Gholston’s wikipedia page and someone — most likely a person with a lo of time on his/her hands — already updated it to say he was a defensive end for the New York City Jets — you know, as opposed to the mighty New York State Jets.
Although Gholston fits better in the Jets’ 3-4 scheme better than if he went to another team and played end, I think he’s a bust in the waiting. Holler at me in three years.
3:36 p.m.
Anyone surprised that the Raiders took McFadden? I’m not.
Like I said in Friday’s mock draft, as soon as the Arkansas running back ran a 4.3, Al Davis’ heart swooned.
Glen Dorsey was taken by the Chiefs with the next pick in what is the best pick of this year’s draft. Dorsey fits a huge need for Kansas City, especially after Jared Allen was traded, and should be solid up front. Past injuries are a concern and the Chiefs haven’t had a good track record with taking DT high in the draft — I’m looking at you, Ryan Sims — but I’m convinced he’ll be a good one.
3:23 p.m.
Three picks have gone by and so far, nothing too exciting. Both Long’s were taken with the top two picks, and looking to turn their franchise around, Atlanta chose a quarterback that will set them back another five years. I don’t know what Arthurt Blank’s mustache was telling him in that war room, but Matt Ryan is by far the most overrated player this season. He was mediocre for a mediocre team in a mediocre conference — that, my friends, does not spell success. -
Teams at the top always reach for QBs, mainly because bad teams usually need them, but the Falcons should have waited until the second round. Matty Ice, good luck. As long as you don’t battle your pets, you’ll still be not that good.
2:45 p.m.
T-minus 15 minutes until the draft, and I am tingling with excitement.
The Dolphins are on the clock first, and I’m predicting they grab Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas with the first overall pick in the draft. There is the issue of the contract with $30 million in guarantees they already signed with Jake Long, but I have a feeling about this one.
After the ‘Fins, it looks like the Rams are poised to take Jake Long’s brother, Chris, and things will finally become interesting after that. Rumors have it that Arthur Blank and his mustache will take Matt Ryan, but in my opinion, Glen Dorsey will be the better pick.
Stay tuned, kids.
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