The biggest non-game on the American sporting calendar is all done, as the 2014 NFL draft wrapped up Saturday afternoon in New York. After arguably its worst draft in the modern era in 2013, the Big Ten performed better this year with 30 picks. Still, the league finished fourth among conferences in selections, trailing the SEC (49), ACC (42) and Pac-12 (34).
After a big Friday night with six second-round selections -- including four in a row -- and six third-round selections, the Big Ten's momentum slowed a bit Saturday in the final four rounds. The league had only one sixth-round pick and only four in the seventh round.
Let's start the breakdown by listing Big Ten draftees by round (with comments below). Maryland and Rutgers players aren't included here because neither group competed in the Big Ten (Terrapins CB Dexter McDougle went in the third round; Rutgers had no players drafted).
FIRST ROUND (4)
No. 11: Michigan OT Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans
No. 15: Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier, Pittsburgh Steelers
No. 24: Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard, Cincinnati Bengals
No. 31: Ohio State CB Bradley Roby, Denver Broncos
Analysis: Click here for my first-round thoughts
SECOND ROUND (6)
No. 37: Minnesota DT Ra'Shede Hageman, Atlanta Falcons
No. 56: Indiana WR Cody Latimer, Denver Broncos
No. 57: Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
No. 58: Nebraska CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, New Orleans Saints
No. 59: Ohio State OT Jack Mewhort, Indianapolis Colts
No. 61: Penn State WR Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Analysis: Hageman ends up in a really good spot with the Falcons. Although Latimer had an excellent pre-draft performance, it wasn't surprising to see him end up in the middle of the second round. Hyde waited longer than many anticipated, but he enters a great situation with a team that loves to play power football. Robinson joins a new-look Jaguars passing attack featuring quarterback Blake Bortles and wideout Marqise Lee.
THIRD ROUND (6)
No. 65: Iowa TE C.J Fiedorowicz, Houston Texans
No. 68: Wisconsin S Dezmen Southward, Atlanta Falcons
No. 71: Iowa LB Christian Kirksey, Cleveland Browns
No. 77: Wisconsin LB Chris Borland, San Francisco 49ers
No. 78: Nebraska G Spencer Long, Washington Redskins
No. 95: Michigan OT Michael Schofield, Denver Broncos
Analysis: Everyone had Southward going before Borland, right? Borland, the 2013 Big Ten defensive player of the year, had an exceptional college career, but concerns about his height and perhaps his injury history moved him down the draft boards. The Iowa Effect shows up here as both Fiedorowicz and Kirksey were swept up by teams that respect what the Hawkeyes do. What does it say that Michigan's offensive line struggled mightily in 2013 but had two tackles drafted in the first three rounds? Those young Wolverines linemen had better step up this fall.
FOURTH ROUND (4)
No. 112: Penn State DT DaQuan Jones, Tennessee Titans
No. 119: Iowa LB Anthony Hitchens, Dallas Cowboys
No. 130: Wisconsin RB James White, New England Patriots
No. 131: Minnesota S Brock Vereen, Chicago Bears
Analysis: Some really good pickups in this round, especially White, who will fit in very well with New England's offense. Although James Morris received the most accolades among Iowa's linebackers at the college level, both Kirksey and Hitchens were mid-round selections, while Morris went undrafted and signed with New England as a free agent. As a Chicago Bears fan, I love the Vereen pick. He's a smart, athletic versatile player who knows from his older brother what it takes to succeed in the NFL.
FIFTH ROUND (5)
No. 147: Purdue CB Ricardo Allen, Atlanta Falcons
No. 149: Purdue OT Kevin Pamphile, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No. 161: Ohio State C Corey Linsley, Green Bay Packers
No. 175: Penn State G John Urschel, Baltimore Ravens
No. 176: Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis, Green Bay Packers
Analysis: Like his teammate Borland, Abbrederis had a much longer wait than expected but lands in a very familiar spot with Green Bay. I think he's a steal and will surprise people with his ability to make plays despite less-than-ideal measurables. Pamphile had a fairly quiet college career but is seen as a project and could develop into a better pro. Urschel is another player who lacks the ideal physical traits sought in the NFL, but could make up for it with exceptional intelligence.
SIXTH ROUND (1)
No. 209: Nebraska WR Quincy Enunwa, New York Jets
Analysis: Enunwa complemented his superb blocking skills with big-play ability in the pass game as a senior. He's a good value for a Jets team that needs to boost the league's 31st-ranked pass offense.
SEVENTH ROUND (4)
No. 217: Indiana TE Ted Bolser, Washington Redskins
No. 224: Wisconsin NT Beau Allen, Philadelphia Eagles
No. 241: Ohio State S Christian Bryant, St. Louis Rams
No. 244: Michigan WR Jeremy Gallon, New England Patriots
Analysis: All four players could be very good values. Bolser is an athletic tight end who had 15 career touchdown catches. Allen showed versatility as a senior, transitioning to a 3-4 scheme. Gallon heads to a Patriots team that has had success with smaller, productive receivers. Bryant likely would have been selected higher if not for major leg and ankle injuries last season.
Here are the draft picks per B1G team:
Ohio State: 6
Wisconsin: 5
Michigan: 3
Penn State: 3
Nebraska: 3
Iowa: 3
Purdue: 2
Minnesota: 2
Indiana: 2
Michigan State: 1
The big surprise is a Michigan State team that dominated Big Ten play and won the Rose Bowl had just one player selected, as standout linebackers Max Bullough and Denicos Allen didn't have their names called. Only four teams -- LSU, Alabama, Notre Dame and Florida State -- had more selections than Ohio State. Illinois, which led the Big Ten in draft picks last season (4) and had 18 picks between 2009-13, had no selections. Northwestern also went without a draft pick for the second straight year.
Curious about the Big Ten's undrafted free-agent signings? Check back in a bit as we take a look.