For NFL fans, the offseason is a very long journey from the end of the Super Bowl in the beginning of February to training camps in August to the start of the regular season in early September. One of the only events NFL and sports fans can come together during the offseason is the NFL Draft. This is when the 32 teams draft players at the college, who they hope they develop to become stars. This year’s draft was a lot of fun, as there were surprises and picks that people expected.

The biggest story coming into the draft was the Cleveland Browns. After going 0-16 this past season, the Browns held the No.1 overall pick and the No.4 pick via a trade with Houston. With the first pick, the Browns took Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield. Mayfield was this past season’s Heisman Trophy winner but was expected to fall to around the 4-8 pick. This was an interesting move by the Browns as Mayfield has had on and off field issues in the past, but the Browns looked at him as a good football player and took him. Even more questionable was the No.4 pick. The Browns took CB Denzel Ward out of Ohio State. Denzel Ward was expected to be taken around the Top 10, Top 15, but the Browns took him at No.4 over top 5 prospect Bradley Chubb.

One of, if not the top prospect coming into the draft was Penn State RB Saquon Barkley. Barkley was picked No.2 to the New York Giants, and has a bright future ahead of him. Barkley rushed for 1,496 yards at Penn State in 2016 and 1,134 yards last season. On top of his monster running season last year, he added 594 receiving yards which made him a threat in both the running and passing game. Barkley should have one of the more intriguing rookie seasons.

Other notable prospects taken were USC QB Sam Darnold to the Jets, Wyoming QB Josh Allen to the Bills, UCLA QB Josh Rosen to the Cardinals, Florida State S Derwin James to the Chargers, and Louisville QB Lamar Jackson to the Ravens.

This year’s draft included some intriguing prospects which should make the coming up NFL season more fun to watch!