The NFL Draft increasingly is being known for the fashion statements players make, and LSU S Jamal Adams made the "biggest impression" Thursday night, wearing a "double-breasted white windowpane plaid suit with a navy blue collared shirt underneath (and slightly unbuttoned)," according to Julia Hatmaker of PENNLIVE.com. The Jets draftee "completed the look with white oxfords and shades." Temple LB Haason Reddick also "stood out with his black-and-white patterned jacket, accented with a red pocket square" (PENNLIVE.com, 4/28). In Houston, Matt Wyatt writes Adams "easily stole the show with the most dynamic attire of the Draft." His suit "looked dapper, while also appearing unusual enough to remind you of the kitchen tiles at your mother's house." Central Michigan WR Corey Davis "rocked a pink suit with swagger, complete with floral designs on his tie and pocket square," while Washington WR John Ross "took pink to a whole new level at pick No. 9." He "fully enveloped himself with a cotton candy colored suit and pants" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/28). Style expert Sam Saboura said players every year "bring out the show-stopping jackets," and this year's Draft featured "three of my absolute favorites.” Davis' pink jacket was “very 1950's, very ‘Rat Pack, Sammy Davis Jr,” while Reddick's checkered jacket was "like a 1960’s Hugh Hefner meets a little pajama print." Saboura: "‘Mad Men’ meets kind of like smoking jacket. Very cool, very sharp, especially with the red tie.” He added Adams looks like he "stepped off a $20 million helicopter somewhere in Europe -- very jet set, very James Bond" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 4/28). In N.Y., Steven Kurutz notes Michigan State DT Malik McDowell "dared to be distinct," as he wore a "black and silver blazer that shimmered in the light." However, most players wore "standard suits of blue, black or gray whose main appeal was simply that they fit" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/28).
SHOES MAKE THE MAN: Saboura notes at least one player each year "busts out a cool pair of studded or spiked or thumbtack-ridden shoes," as it was Clemson QB Deshaun Watson filling that role this year. Watson, who went to the Texans with the No. 12 pick, "looked like 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,' all those spikes coming at you." Saboura notes Watson wore a suit from Michael Strahan's line at JC Penney, and "paired with those $1,995 shoes, that's true high-low fashion" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 4/28). In Miami, Michelle Kaufman writes the award for best shoes Thursday night "definitely goes to" Watson (MIAMIHERALD.com, 4/28).
ALL IN THE FAMILY: The N.Y. TIMES' Kurutz writes Utah OT Garett Bolles "was the fashion star" of the night," and it "wasn’t because of the gray suit he wore" from Strahan's collection. Bolles "stole the show by having the night’s best escort: his baby son, Kingston, who was also dressed in a suit of gray" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/28). Strahan said Kingston Bolles was the "sharpest dresser at the NFL Draft, which is like a fashion show" ("GMA," ABC, 4/28).
