KNOXVILLE— Cordarrelle Patterson was selected by the Vikings with the 29th pick in the first-round and became the first Vol drafted in the first-round since 2010 (Eric Berry and Dan Williams). Though he only played one year of major college football, the Vikings traded four picks to the Patriots in order to move up and take the dynamic playmaker. In his lone season at Tennessee, Patterson set a school record with 1,873 all-purpose yards. He became the first Vol since Carl Pickens to score a touchdown four different ways (receiving, rushing, punt and kick returns), and one of four Vols to return a punt and kick for a touchdown in the same season.

In Patterson, the Vikings are getting a dynamic, if raw, athlete who can contribute in a variety of ways. Look for him to return kicks and punts immediately in Minnesota and quickly work his way into the rotation at receiver. He’ll also command his share of carries at running back. The Vikings traded electric WR and returner Percy Harvin to Seattle in the offseason, and Patterson has the versatile skill-set to help fill that void. If you haven’t done so, check out Tennessee’s feature on CP. 

Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter entered the night as a borderline first-round pick, but was not selected. He should go early in round 2 tonight (6:30 pm ESPN). Vol QB Tyler Bray could also hear his name called, though it will likely be late in the third-round. Offensive lineman Dallas Thomas is nearly a lock to be selected sometime in rounds 2-3, and it would surprising to see him fall all the way to round-four. Keep on eye on former Vols Montori Hughes and Da’Rick Rogers who should be taken sometime in the next two days.

1st-Round Winners: The Minnesota Vikings used their three first-round picks wisely and were the clear winners last night. They added two top-10 talents in Patterson and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, plus met a need with physical defensive back Xavier Rhodes. Coming off a playoff appearance, the Vikings plugged several holes and will be primed to make another playoff run this season.

Linemen-A whopping 18 linemen (nine offensive and nine defensive) were selected in the first-round as teams chose to stay away from a group of seemingly flawed skill players. Offensive tackles were selected with picks one and two. Though it made for a relatively boring first-round, most teams elected to shore up the line of scrimmage rather than reach for quarterbacks, receivers, or running backs.

The New England Patriots– New England always drafts well, but entered the night with only five picks for the entire draft. They traded pick No. 29 to Minnesota for second, third, fourth, and seventh-round draft picks and hold eight picks headed into tonight.

1st-Round Losers:Running backs– For the first time since 1963, no running backs were taken in the first-round. Most teams have gone away from featuring a workhorse back and moved to two back systems; a move which has hurt the value of running backs in the early rounds. Alabama back Eddie Lacy should be one of the first players taken in the second-round, and will be a nice value pick wherever he lands.

Geno Smith-Though most mock drafts had him going early in the first-round, West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith didn’t hear his name called. Though he’s undeniably one of the most talented players in the draft, questions about his leadership abilities and attitude cost him millions. He could be the first pick in the second-round when Jacksonville goes on the clock.

The Dallas Cowboys- Not surprisingly, the Cowboys made the most befuddling pick of the night. In true Cowboy fashion, the night started positively. They traded the 18th pick to the 49ers in exchange for San Francisco’s 31st and 74th picks. Then they used that pick on Wisconsin C Travis Frederick. Most analysts gave Frederick a third to fourth-round grade, and though he may be a solid player, he certainly would have been available later. The Cowboys “Romo’d” or “Dooley’d” round-one and need to recover tonight.