NFL Draft Recap: Round One
By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor

NEW YORK - The first round of the National Football League's annual college draft certainly didn't come without its expectations and surprises from not only an overall perspective but also at the local perspective. After weeks of projections, insights, breakdowns, and the building of the hype of the first round, its now time to disect the aftermath of that hype.

The runningback position and the University of Auburn was a common theme in the first round while four teams (San Diego, Dallas, Washington and Minnesota) had access to two first round selections. The San Francisco 49ers opened it up with the expected pick of University of Utah QB Alex Smith. After Smith was selected, the mock drafts were all torn to shreds when the Dolphins took the first of Auburn players to be selected in round one in RB Ronny Brown.

Two picks later at number four, the Chicago Bears took the first of four Texas and Louisiana players to be selected in RB Cedric Benson from Midland Lee. Benson, the 2004 Doak Walker award winner, amassed a grand total of 5,540 rushing yards. Good enough for sixth all-time in Division I-A, one spot behind former Longhorn and 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. Previous selections by the Bears at the number four spot in the draft include Dan Hampton, Gale Sayers and Walter Payton. Now current members of the NFL Hall of Fame.

The Kansas City Chiefs took their shots at a round one selection at the number 15 spot. With that pick, the Chiefs took the opportunity to begin the transformation of an improving defense by taking Waco's very own Derrick Johnson, who was a teammate of Cedric Benson at the University of Texas. The Butkus Award winner was already considered as the top outside line backer prior to the 2004 college season byThe Sporting News. At Waco, Johnson was an All-State selection in both his junior and senior years. He collectted a total of 458 tackles during his Texas Longhorn career, good for third all-time in the NCAA.

The Dallas Cowboys at number 20 became the first team to draft a player from the state of Louisiana. Marcus Spears would be the second defensive end taken by the Cowboys in round one after Troy's Demarcus Ware was selected nine spots earlier. Spears closed out his collegiate career with 152 tackles (101 solo), 19 sacks for minus-131 yards, 34½ stops for losses of 180 yards, 47 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, four interceptions, 10 pass deflections and a blocked kick. He should be used in a developing new 3-4 defense that Cowboys are using for the first time in franchise history.

Former Arlington Sam Houston grad Mark Clayton would not have to wait much longer for his fate to be revealed as the Baltimore Ravens came in at the 22 spot with their pick of the 5'10 wide receiver. Clayton has been regarded as one of the most prolific wide receivers to ever play at the University of Oklahoma. In 52 games, Clayton started 36 times. He holds the school career records for receptions (221), receiving yards (3,241), touchdown catches (31) and 100-yard games (15). Not only was Clayton a football star at Arlington Houston, he excelled on the track as well.

Round one of the 2005 NFL Draft had its history, expectations and surprises. But for Benson, Johnson, Spears and Clayton, the wait is now over and they must begin to write their own chapters of history at the next level of play.