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The 2013 NFL Draft has arrived. May the next 72 hours pass as slowly and sweetly as molasses.
Now that there's no more mock drafts for the first round to be done, the live blog can kick off. I've been doing a live blog in one form or another since 2007, but given the stakes associated with this year's draft and how tantalizingly close the Falcons came to a Super Bowl in 2012, it feels as important as the first draft of the Thomas Dimitroff era. The caliber of player isn't the same, more than likely, but the importance is in the air.
So the Draft will move on, and we'll be here watching it. For the casual draft watchers, fear not, we'll have recaps of the action tonight and tomorrow. For those who are hardcore and, like me, plan to at least track all seven rounds, we'll be here for you.
Check this all night for continuous updates on the first round, and especially for the Atlanta Falcons' pick, whether it comes at #30, higher or not at all.
11:51 p.m. First round wraps up with the Ravens taking safety Matt Elam. Lots of good players still on the board, and we move on. Goodnight, Falcons fans!
11:32 p.m. So apparently Te'o was not the target. Vikings go Patterson.
11:16 p.m. The Broncos choose Sylvester Williams. That's a lot of defensive tackles in the first round, folks.
11:09 p.m. Apparently that Coradrelle Patterson hype was for naught. DeAndre Hopkins headed to the Texans.
11:01 p.m. The run on defensive ends begins! Bjoern Werner and Datone Jones off the board.
10:54 p.m. So needless to say, I love the Trufant pick!
10:29 p.m. Bears pick Kyle Long. Tyler Eifert is free falling.
10:21 p.m. The Giants select tackle Justin Pugh. I don't even know what's going on anymore.
10:15 p.m. 49ers trade up to grab safety Eric Reid. Athletic playmaker they'll probably groom. A little bit of a surprise here, though.
10:13 p.m. Jarvis Jones is very talented. The fact that he's in the AFC and not playing for the Saints is probably going to save a few Falcon fans from serious brain damage.
10:07 p.m. The Bills picked E.J. Manuel. In the first.
10:00 p.m. The Saints surprise the hell out of me, going with safety Kenny Vaccaro. Apparently their front seven is just fine. STOP ASKING QUESTIONS.
9:54 p.m. Damn Panthers. They lucked into one of the best defensive tackles in the draft in Star Lotulelei. They're suddenly more imposing up front.
9:47 p.m. Jets wind up with Sheldon Richardson. Turning an already good defense into an even nicer one.
9:40 p.m. Raiders wind up with D.J. Hayden. Great, great pick. Very good player. Now the Panthers have a shot at a DT.
9:32 p.m. D.J. Fluker to the Chargers. That's...surprising.
9:26 p.m. Chance Warmack to the Titans. Chris Johnson is finally happy...but at what price?
9:18 p.m. The first cornerback is off the board. The Jets have taken Dee Milliner.
9:07 p.m. The Rams trade up with the Bills to grab Tavon Austin, widely considered to be the most dynamic skill position player in this draft. Brilliant move for them.
9:02 p.m. Cardinals make an excellent pick. Jonathon Cooper will be a great guard for a very long time. Worth the money and the pick.
8:55 p.m. Little late here, but the Lions got Ezekiel Ansah and the Browns got Barkevious Mingo. There's going to be runs on positions all throughout the first round.
8:45 p.m. Eagles select Lane Johnson. Three out of four are tackles. Crazy draft.
8:36 p.m. The Dolphins traded up for Dion Jordan. Massive upset! He's going to be awesome.
8:33 p.m. Dolphins trade into the third overall pick!
8:27 p.m. Luke Joeckel heads to the Jags. Somewhere, Geno Smith weeps.
8:21 p.m. "I'm so proud of myself," says bashful Eric Fisher.
8:18 p.m. Chiefs select Eric Fisher! Mild surprise, but a guy I think is going to be a very good left tackle for a very long time. Smart little pick.
8:12 p.m. This draft is proceeding slowly.
7:51 p.m. We're nearly there! Pumped.
Remaining Needs
Cornerback
Defensive end
Linebacker
Offensive line
Tight end
Wide receiver
Returner
Follow along with the first episode of Rise Up Radio, as Caleb covers the draft LIVE for your entertainment! (And so you don't have to listen to Mel and Todd go at it all night)
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