NEW YORK (AP) - With several big names available, Jacksonville went to a lesser program for an unpublicized player to open the second round of the NFL draft Friday night: safety Johnathan Cyprien of Florida International.
Cyprien was a standout in the Sun Belt Conference and really solidified his stock with an excellent performance in the Senior Bowl. He was the first player taken from that conference in this draft, from which Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “We expect a lot more excitement” after a first round that featured 18 linemen chosen.
Yet to be chosen were the likes of Notre Dame All-America linebacker Manti Te’o and quarterbacks Geno Smith of West Virginia and Matt Barkley of Southern California.
Instead, the other early picks Friday were Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter by the Titans, who traded up with San Francisco, and Stanford All-America tight end Zach Ertz by Philadelphia.
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