Yes, Chris Berman, Jon Gruden, Mel Kiper, Jr., Mike Mayock, Deion Sanders and Rich Eisen all get big roles on Day 1 of the NFL Draft. They have the glamor assignments on Day 1 and they’re seen by the biggest audiences of the Draft.
For Days 2 and 3 and the later rounds, both networks make wholesale changes to their casts. For Rounds 2 through 7, this is where the draftniks and the analysts have to do lots of heavy lifting. Many of the draftees are unknown to viewers and it’s up to the analysts to educate them on their skillsets. It’s here where some of the best work can go unseen by those who left the Draft after Round 1.
Here are some of the people whom we at Awful Announcing feel are deserving of a Day 1 role. The list is in alphabetical order.
Charles Davis
Works with Gus Johnson on Fox’s primetime college football package as well as some NFL games. Davis also appears on NFL Network’s Path to the Draft show. He is always well-prepared and mixes well with Mike Mayock on Days 2 and 3 of the Draft. He never pounds the table or yells unlike Day 1 panelist Michael Irvin. Davis shows up and does yeoman’s work during long days on the set. NFL Network would serve viewers well by placing him on Day 1.
Daniel Jeremiah
A former college quarterback and NFL scout, Jeremiah isn’t as polished as Mike Mayock, but he provides solid information as the NFL.com draft expert. He does not talk as much as Mayock as Mike can be overpowering at times, but when Jeremiah is allowed to speak, he provides very good information on the draftees. Jeremiah isn’t abrasive like ESPN’s other draftnik, McShay, but he doesn’t have to be and is a nice addition on the lower rounds on the Draft. Let’s have him on Round 1 next year.
Bill Polian
Since he’s joined ESPN in March 2012, Polian has provided the Worldwide Leader with insight from inside the War Room. He not like other NFL analysts on the network who make strange pronouncements or falls into the debate trap. Polian is straightforward and this year spent all of Day 2 and most of Day 3 sitting apart from the main ESPN in Radio City Music Hall. He would make a fine addition to Gruden, Kiper and Ray Lewis during Day 1. And Polian doesn’t try to shoehorn his opinions onto others. His explanation on how the St. Louis Rams should handle the media after the team drafted Michael Sam was clear and concise. He’s a breath of fresh air on ESPN’s NFL coverage.
(Courtesy NFL)
Amber Theoharis
She’s been utilized during NFL Total Access to recap the draft picks. Theoharis would be a good interviewer on the stage in place of Deion Sanders whose appearances on Day 1 consist of making life statements to the draftees and hugging them. Deion is entertaining, but after the 15th draftee, the statements and hugging can become tiring. Theoharis joined NFL Network in September 2012 and has been a good co-host.
Trey Wingo
This goes without saying. Whenever ESPN or Chris Berman decides to end his days as Day 1 host, Trey Wingo would be the perfect replacement. He’s proven he can host whether it’s as a Berman substitute on Monday Night Football or on NFL Live, NFL Primetime or Days 2 and 3 of the Draft. He lets his analysts analyze. He’s never bombastic. Let’s move Trey to Day 1. Please … with a cherry on top.
Agree? Disagree? Is there anyone you would add or subtract? Let us know in the comments below.
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