By Josh Whittemore, PSO Sports Operations Executive
Apr 30, 2021

 

The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 4/29 here

The 1st Round of the 2021 NFL Draft occurred Thursday night with some major takeaways. As anticipated, quarterbacks dominated the headlines, but there were plenty of other historical and surprising draft picks. After his historic 50-point game, Kevin Porter Jr.’s development will play a major part in Houston’s future outlook, Jeff Green threw down another vicious slam, and on this day in 1986, Roger Clemens broke the record for most K’s in a game for a starting pitcher. 

Here is the best of the day from April 29, 2021:

The 2021 NFL Draft’s 1st Round was one for the books

The 1st Round of the 2021 NFL draft did not disappoint with excitement, as several notable storylines emerged from the NFL’s biggest offseason event. As expected, QB’s headlined the draft, as Trevor Lawrence (No. 1), Zach Wilson (No. 2), and Trey Lance (No. 3) were the first three selections, marking just the third time in the Common Draft Era (since 1967) that QBs have been selected with the top three picks in the draft.

After weeks of speculation, many expected HC Kyle Shanahan to pick Mac Jones after the 49ers traded up to the third spot. However, San Francisco somewhat surprisingly selected the likely more talented but raw option in Lance. With three of the top options off the board and several teams thereafter not necessarily needing a QB, the Bears were able to trade up from No. 20 to the Giants’ No. 11 spot to grab Justin Fields. These moves subsequently allowed the Patriots, who many thought would have to trade up to get their next potential franchise QB, to stand pat and still get their guy in Jones with the 15th pick.

Not just QBs, but offense as a whole dominated the opening round, as the first seven picks were all from that side of the ball, the most consecutive offensive selections to start a draft since 1967. Thursday night also saw some dominant duos from three recent CFB championship teams reunited. LSU’s Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase (CIN), Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne (JAX), and Alabama’s Tua Togovailoa and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) will all be hoping to replicate their success that made them nearly unstoppable in college.

Tagovailoa and Waddle weren’t the only former Crimson Tide players to team up, though. The Eagles traded up with division rival Dallas to 10th, above the division foe Giants, to select former Heisman Trophy winner WR DeVonta Smith. The move reunites Smith with likely starter Jalen Hurts, who Philadelphia drafted in the 2nd round of last years’ draft. With day one in the books, teams will look to add more talent with plenty of exceptional players still available in the remaining rounds. 

Related: Stories of the Day

KEVIN PORTER JR.’S DEVELOPMENT WILL DICTATE HOUSTON’S FUTURE OUTLOOK

The Houston Rockets are dead last in the league this year and have made it clear they are in full rebuild mode. They have recently parted ways with their head coach, James HardenRussell Westbrook, and Victor Oladipo, among others. Houston came to the conclusion that these players would not make them championship contenders, and have the future in mind.

One of their key pieces moving forward is 20-year-old Kevin Porter Jr., who is coming off a career-high 50-point performance in a win over Milwaukee. KPJ actually played 15 games in the G-league this year and has only been featured 22 times this season for Houston. He got the call-up after dominating the G-league with 24.1 points per game.

Porter Jr. is the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 50-point, 10-assist mark. Averaging 15.2 points per game this season for a poor Houston squad has proven that he can be a force in this league for some time to come. The USC product has showcased his potential as an offensive focal point, and Houston will want to keep him a part of their squad for as long as they can. KPJ will be an important building block for Houston as his continued development will dictate their future outlook. 

COLORS KEY | FULL ROCKETS OUTLOOK 

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day

Jeff Green caught another body

Related: NBA Highlights

Kevin Porter Jr., HOU (W v.MIL): 50 PTS (16-26 FG | 9-15 3P), 11 AST, 5 REB, 1 BLK, 0 STL, 5 TO

Related: Players of the Day

Milwaukee Bucks (136) vs. Houston Rockets (143)

[Highlights] @ROCKETS (+658; $4.04) d. BUCKS (-1000; $9.45143-136 [HOU +12.5 | o234]

Related: Games of the Day

The historic 2021 NFL Draft was one for the books

  • The 1st Round started with the most consecutive offensive players picked (7) in the Common Draft Era (since 1967)
  • Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne became the 1st QB-RB duo drafted by the same team in the 1st Round since 1967
  • Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow became the 1st QB-WR duo that played together in college to be Top-10 picks since 1967
 

Related: Facts of the Day 

2021 NFL Draft Top-25 Rankings by Ricky Eisenbart

PSO’s top-25 NFL Draft prospects as well as your chance to rank them

Related: Latest PSO Posts

DATE: April 29, 1986

SIGNIFICANCE: Roger Clemens recorded the most K’s (20) in one game by a SP 

Related: Significant Sports History

 

 

 

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