UNC's Quinn closes out first day

Richard Quinn's college career consisted of 12 receptions at tight end for UNC. But his blocking and size (6-4, 264 pounds) were enough to make the Denver Broncos trade back into the second round to get him.

The Broncos traded two third-round picks for the 64th pick (and a fourth-rounder) and used the final pick of the first day of the draft on Quinn. The ACC had 10 players chosen on Saturday — five in each round.

"It has been a long journey from the combine," Quinn said before the draft. "The whole idea of being in the NFL, it's amazing."

Denver took two ACC players in the second round, using the 37th pick on Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith.

Smith's Wake teammate Aaron Curry kicked off the day for the ACC going fourth overall to Seattle. Four ACC players went in the top 10 — in a six-pick span.

Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey, going No. 7 to Oakland, was the biggest surprise of the first round. Heyward-Bey was the first receiver off the board, jumping Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree.

Virginia tackle Eugene Monroe followed at No. 8 (Jacksonville) and Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji went No. 9 (Green Bay).

There was a 20-pick gap until the New York Giants, as expected, scooped UNC receiver Hakeem Nicks.

Smith was the first ACC player taken in the second round, followed by BC defensive tackle Ron Brace (40, New England), Florida State defensive end Everette Brown (43, Carolina) and Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim (45, N.Y. Giants).

-- J.P. Giglio