2015 NFL Draft: Twitter Reacts to Round 1 Results

Transplanted to Chicago from its longtime home in New York City, the 2015 NFL draft did not waste any time establishing itself as a unique entity. As commissioner Roger Goodell stepped up to the podium and announced the top overall selection, he held up a jersey and smiled for a camera—only not with the No. 1 pick.    

As had long been expected, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the top overall pick. Winston made the nearly unprecedented move to stay at home with his family in Bessemer, Alabama, one of three top-10 selections to not attend the proceedings. 

Winston also became the first player in Seminoles history to go No. 1, further solidifying his status as one of the program's all-time greats. Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports expressed surprise that no other Florida State player had landed atop the board:

A controversial selection given his off-field troubles, the Buccaneers front office and coaching staff are banking their jobs on Winston's talent outweighing the risk. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network highlighted the man-hours Tampa Bay put into investigating Winston:

His selection also started a trend, as three of the four top selections were not in attendance. Second overall pick Marcus Mariota stayed at home in Hawaii with his friends and family, while fourth overall selection Amari Cooper was also a no-show. Dante Fowler Jr., who went to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 3, was the first player to actually pose with Goodell onstage.

Adam Jahns of the Chicago Tribune noted the fans gave Fowler a raucous cheer for ending the awkwardness:

As for the absent Mariota, his night was far less hectic than expected. The Tennessee Titans came into Thursday engaged in trade discussions with multiple teams hoping to move up to No. 2. As the draft drew nearer, the trade offers got better, yet Tennessee surprisingly decided to hold on to the pick.

Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean the team plans on starting Mariota in Week 1:

Many have questioned whether Mariota, who comes from Oregon's wide-open scheme, will be able to fit with the more traditional Whisenhunt. Clay Travis of Fox Sports makes a solid point, noting perhaps it's the coach who needs to be making the adjustment:

Other than Tennessee keeping its pick, the two biggest surprises early on came from the NFC East. Washington, which seemed to be sitting on a goldmine when USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams fell to No. 5, instead went with Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff. While Scherff was considered the top tackle in the class and a top-10 talent, he'll likely be a right tackle or perhaps even guard long-term.

Rich Tandler of CSN Washington commented on the selection:

Williams would go off the board at No. 6, one of three straight picks people could easily see coming. The Chicago Bears got their Brandon Marshall replacement in West Virginia wideout Kevin White, and the Atlanta Falcons added a much-needed pass-rusher in Vic Beasley at No. 9. 

The New York Giants, Washington's division rival whom many expected to select Scherff, were left with a little bit of a dilemma at No. 9. Needing offensive line help for Eli Manning yet not having an obvious choice on the board, they seemed a prime candidate to trade down. Instead, they surprised many by selecting Miami (Florida) offensive lineman Ereck Flowers.

Like Scherff, there is no clear answer about where Flowers will play over the long term. As for why New York decided to take the plunge, head coach Tom Coughlin put it in better words than anyone else possibly could:

The St. Louis Rams kept the eyebrows in Chicago raised a pick later by selecting Georgia running back Todd Gurley. Gurley was considered a top-10 talent before suffering a torn ACL last November, an injury some saw as a first-round deal-breaker. Yet as the process wore on teams became more and more comfortable, leading to his meteoric stock rise.

That said, the reaction was mixed—especially from other members of the Rams running back depth chart:

"

Yikes

— Zac Stacy (@ZSTACY_) May 1, 2015"

Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com noted St. Louis' apparent affinity for SEC running backs:

Things largely calmed down again following the St. Louis pick, as the next four picks held to form.

The Minnesota Vikings scooped up Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes at No. 11. The Cleveland Browns grabbed Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton at No. 12. Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat went to the New Orleans Saints at No. 13. And Louisville receiver DeVante Parker became a Miami Dolphin at No. 14.

Shelton drew the most praise on social media for, well, everything about this:

He also drew praise for his play on the field, as noted by Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus:

The first trade of the evening came at No. 15, when the San Diego Chargers continued the running back resurrection by moving up and selecting Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon. After two straight years without a running back in the first round, Gordon and Gurley wound up breaking the streak as top-15 picks. 

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead wasn't exactly enamored with the draft-pick haul they gave up to move two spots:

The Chargers will hope Gordon works out better than the last time they selected a running back early in Round 1, as noted by ESPN Stats & Info:

The San Francisco 49ers, who traded the No. 15 pick, wound up essentially adding picks for free. Their selection of Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead at No. 17 was the one many had pegged for months. Armstead is a natural successor to stalwart Justin Smith, whose playing status remains up in the air.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com noted that having Jim Tomsula around should also help:

Overall, the first round of the 2015 draft has been defined by how straightforward it's been. Teams have kept trades to a minimum, most expert mock drafts look generally on the mark and even the surprise picks have been eye-opening instead of total shockers.

Maybe, after years of trying, the information age is finally putting together how NFL teams assess prospects.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.