NEW YORK — During Thursday night’s first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the collector-coveted skill positions made an early splash with Blake Bortles going third overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars, top receiver Sammy Watkins going one pick later to the Buffalo Bills and massive pass-catcher Mike Evans landing in Tampa Bay with the seventh overall pick.
While other promising collector-friendly weapons such as tight end Eric Ebron and receiver Odell Beckham went off the board in the middle of the first round (to Detroit and the Giants, respectively), the real fireworks took place near the end of Thursday night, when Panini America-exclusive athlete Johnny Manziel went No. 22 to the Cleveland Browns, helping the NFL draw its biggest television audience ever. Fittingly, another potential hobby heavy-hitter — QB Teddy Bridgewater — ended a historic first round by going to the Minnesota Vikings with the 32nd and final selection.
Panini America was there all night long, documenting the NFL Draft like only it can: By producing real-time 2013 Score Football Rookie Card reveals for 28 of the 32 first-round picks. The good news? Rounds two and three of the 2014 NFL Draft take place tonight, and we’ll be back at it again tonight. Enjoy — and check back after every pick for the world-premiere unveiling of each player’s first officially licensed NFL Rookie Cards.
You can also follow along on Twitter using the hash tag #ScoreRookie.
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