The Cleveland Browns used the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to select Oklahoma Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield.
"The guy knows how to play, knows how to win," Browns general manager John Dorsey said after a tepid reception from the Browns' live draft party patrons.
The more that 20,000 on hand inside of at AT&T Stadium, the first draft at an NFL stadium, erupted in cheers as commissioner Roger Goodell announced the Browns' decision.
Baker Mayfield was the first pick of the 2018 NFL draft. Photo: NFL
Cleveland threw a curveball with its No. 4 selection, taking Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. Dorsey said Ward's excellence in press-man coverage is the perfect fit for Gregg Williams' defense.
A shakeup in the draft order occurred after the Colts' drafted sixth. Tampa Bay traded the No. 7 pick to Buffalo -- which drafted Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen -- for the Bills' first-round pick, No. 12, and two second-round selections (the 53rd and 56th picks overall).
The Bills also got the Buccaneers' seventh-round pick.
With the No. 2 pick, the New York Giants selected Saquon Barkley of Penn State. Barkley, considered by many analysts as the top player in the draft, will join an offensive unit that includes Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard.
There was some speculation the Giants might take a quarterback at No. 2, but the new front office and coaching staff is firmly in Manning's corner.
At No. 3, the Jets went quarterback, choosing Southern Cal's Sam Darnold, who before only a few days ago appeared to be a lock as the top overall choice.
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said Thursday night he saw Darnold play live five times last season.
"I couldn't be happier," Darnold said.
Darnold, 20, was the first quarterback drafted this high by the Jets since Joe Namath went first overall in 1965. They selected USC quarterback Mark Sanchez fifth overall in 2009 and Richard Todd No. 6 overall in 1976.
-Reuters
