NFL Draft analysis

Yes this is more than a month over due but due to school and work I was unable to put a lot of time into this. I had previously done a smaller analysis for the Antelope Valley Examiner but this is the full in-depth look into the first two rounds and certain picks that I find intriguing.

1ST ROUND

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma – The ultimate system quarterback. I have to admit I’ve never liked him but I still know my football. He is accurate and has a decent arm. BUT no QB from OU has been good. If Rhett Bomar had not been kicked off the team 4 or so years ago we would be like, Sam Bradford Who? The Rams needed a franchise cornerstone and a future quarterback. Was it the right choice though? Doubt it. Next year’s draft is loaded with better QB prospects like Andrew Luck, Ryan Mallett or Jake Locker.

Should have taken Ndamakong Suh.

Grade – C+

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska – Generally thought to be the number 1 overall prospect in the draft. Could have used an offensive tackle to protect Matt Stafford, admittedly, but still a great pick. Russell Okung or Trent Williams would have been a good pick but you can’t go wrong with Suh. Their defensive line should be the focal point of their defense and hopefully further their rise.

They took the right guy in Suh.

Grade – A+

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma – A great pick for the Bucs to return to their famous “Tampa 2” defense. Elite pass rushing defensive tackle will help the defense return to glory days. They also buffed it up in the second round (more on that later). McCoy has been compared to Warren Sapp and if the comparison is right, then the Bucs will have another dominant DT like that had in Sapp years ago.

Grade – A

4. Washington Redskins – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma – This pick was all about protecting newly acquired Donovan McNabb. Russell Okung would have been a safer pick, but the more athletic Williams will fit the ‘Skins zone blocking scheme better. Hopefully Mike Shannahan found his left tackle of the future like when picked Ryan Clady three years ago.

Grade – B

5.
Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry, SS, Tennessee – A lot of people thought they would go offensive tackle Russell Okung or even Bryan Bulaga, but the Chiefs did the smart thing and took the playmaking safety in the Ed Reed mold. Safeties obviously aren’t taken this high usually but Berry is a special talent that will be a pro-bowler sooner not later. The Chiefs secondary now seems to be loaded especially with second round pick (see later).

Grade – A

6. Seattle Seahawks – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State – The best tackle in the draft fell unexpectedly right into the Seahawks lap. Walter Jones finally announced his retirement and Okung has the potential to be a top 5 or 10 tackle. The ‘Hawks needed line help and Okung will anchor it for at least the next decade years.

Grade – A–

7. Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden, CB, Florida – The Browns needed a lot and a cover corner was certainly one of them. Haden had been predicted to go to the Browns for a long time but then when he ran a slower than expected 40 time at the combine. He was injured but teams didn’t believe him. Then at his pro day he ran a lot better, so he shot back up the boards. Some other needs could have been addressed sooner though, such as a pass rusher, wide out or safety.

Grade – B

8. Oakland Raiders – Rolando McClain, ILB, Florida – What a surprise, an actual smart pick. The Raiders are expected to transition to the ever increasingly popular 3-4 defense, and McClain is a perfect fit. They ended up trading away Kirk Morrison (stupidly) but McClain will take over for him quite easily. Some people thought this was a little too high for him he is a perfect fit for the Black Hole.

Grade – B+

9. Buffalo Bills – C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson – No this is not a reach but it sure is confusing. The Bills already have a couple capable running backs in Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch but a horrid line. Yet again, neither is Spiller who is UBER-Talented. He is ridiculously fast and quick. He is shifty yet powerful at the same time. He doesn’t need a great line to make him look good but he will need one that can at least prevent a lineman from pounding him in the backfield. Line was a bigger the need, but Spiller is a special talent.

Grade- C+

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Tyson Alualu, DT, California – THE definition of a reach. Alualu is a nice player but a late first / early second round talent. Should have tried harder to trade back or just plainly pick better. That’s all I can truly say on this pick. I could bag on it but I think everyone already gets it from the first sentence.

Grade – D+

11. San Francisco 49ers (via Denver) – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers – They traded up for a top five talent but did so confusingly. Davis would have been there at their original pick of 13. They did give up quite a bit to move up two spots so again I’m dumbfounded. Otherwise, Davis is the future franchise left tackle and will keep Alex Smith upright for once in his disappointing career. Probably should have just stayed at 13 unless there was an unexpected jumper to get Davis

Grade – B+

12. San Diego Chargers (via Miami) – Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State – A great pick but traded too much to go too high, but Seattle was a threat to take Matthews since Spiller was taken earlier than expected. Will start from day one and pick up were LaDainian Tomlinson fell off three years ago. Matthews or Spiller would have been a good fit but Matthews will do quite fine. The Fresno State product will get the bulk of the carries; I'm predicting only around 250 though, due to the Chargers becoming a pass first offense.

Grade – B

13. Philadelphia Eagles (via Denver) – Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan – When they traded up everyone thought Earl Thomas was the pick, and well, he should have been. Secondary help was a must and they just blew it like the Jags. Graham is an overrated talent who fits their system but I’m predicting he will bust. Terrible job Philly.

Grade – C –

14. Seattle Seahawks – Earl Thomas, SS, Texas – Well where the Eagles messed up, the ‘Hawks pick great. A playmaking safety is just what the doctor ordered in Seattle. Just don’t tell Taylor Mays that. Thomas could also play corner for Seattle need be but he will be a great player at safety. This pick will be interesting since Mays went to division rival SF later in the draft. We will be able to compare these two for years.

Grade – A

15. New York Giants – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida – Injuries and bad signings doomed the Giants defensive line last year. Chris Canty was injured all year and really didn’t go to a system that he fits. JPP is an athletic freak and will make Osi Umenyiora available for trade regardless of what the Giants say, because it will happen. It might take time for Pierre-Paul to live up to his potential but man he sure is a special talent.

Grade – B

16. Tennessee Titans – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech – Generally rated the top defensive end in the draft and he slipped for some odd reason. He could have been taken even by the Browns at 7 but again he oddly slipped. It is reported that the Titans wanted JPP but Morgan is a great consolation prize. JPP is an athletic freak but Morgan proved that he isn’t a stiff; he had the highest vertical jump by a DL/ OLB, best to my knowledge.

Grade – B+

17. San Francisco 49ers – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho – A mauling giant of a man. Iupati could play any number of positions on the line and will quickly be an All-Pro on some position. Watch for the Niners to run the ball A LOT. I personally like Iupati more than most because I think his raw potential is limitless. But again, that’s just me. He should at least be a multiple time pro-bowler.

Grade – A

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Maurkice Pouncey, C/OG, Florida – The best center prospect in the past 10 years was a typical Steelers pick. There were other needs but Pouncey was too much of a value and need to let pass by. Pouncey should start from day one, making one of the Steelers OL very mad. And I'm tired of the Roethlisberger situation, no they shouldn’t have drafted a QB, and no he isn’t as bad as many other pro athletes (I'm looking at you Pac-Man)

Grade – B+

19. Atlanta Falcons – Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri – Secondary help was probably more of a ”pressing” need or a pass rusher but the linebacker from Mizzou is an excellent pick to go along side tackling machine Curtis Lofton. I don’t believe that Dunta Robinson will be back to his old form from a couple years ago so I might have gone with the secondary help but Weatherspoon should be able to cover the TE’s at the very least.

Grade – B

20. Houston Texans – Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama – Sorry but Jackson was not the second best corner in the draft, that title belongs to Kyle Wilson. Watch film of Jackson and you will see him being burned on too many plays. Whenever I watched film of ‘Bama, say against Florida, it seemed like they picked on Jackson and stayed clear of Javier Arenas. Sure he is more pro ready but I don’t see his ceiling as high as everyone else is saying.

Grade – C–

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma – Look at every great team in the league today and you will see that every single one of them has a good/great tight end. The Colts have Dallas Clark, the Jets have Keller, the Packers have Finley, the ‘Boys have Witten, Atlanta has Gonzalez, etc. Carson Palmer should be an extremely happy man now that he has a legit over the middle and down the field threat at TE.

Grade – B+

22. Denver Broncos (via New England) – Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech – Not as talented as Dez Bryant but the Broncos didn’t want another so called “diva.” Thomas needs work but is really talented. All the luck to him but with Brandon Marshall gone, he is now going to be compared to possibly the best wide out in the league. Can he handle the pressure?

Grade – C+

23.
Green Bay Packers – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa – This was a great fit for the Packers. They stayed in their spot and a good talent fell into their lap. Bulaga would have been a reach in the top 10 but here is a great pick. The talk of him going to KC at five was utterly appalling, but here is a good value and need pick.

Grade – B

24. Dallas Cowboys (via Denver through Philadelphia) – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State – Easily a top 10 talent. Jerry Jones jumped the Ravens because he was not risking a Randy Moss scenario again. By the way, Roy Williams, watch out and maybe pack a bag or two. Williams is acting like he has nothing to worry about, but trust me, he has a lot to be worried about. All the talk about Bryant being a diva was bogus anyways. I predict him to be excellent and very little drama in Big D.

Grade – A

25. Denver Broncos (via Baltimore) – Tim Tebow, QB, Florida – I like Tebow but Denver has too many needs for a developmental QB. Tebow has a chance to be good but I don’t believe that there were teams trying to trade up to take him in the first, plain and simple.

Grade – C–

26. Arizona Cardinals – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee – Arizona was extremely lucky to get the third best defensive tackle in the draft. Williams slide to a team that desperately needed a young nose tackle. The reason he slide was because many teams were skeptical about his only one good year at UT, but he is a great pick here. I had him going top 15 or even top 10.

Grade – B+

27. New England Patriots (via Dallas) – Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers – A lot of people say this is a typical Pats pick. Umm hello? Did they forget that Kyle Wilson was on the board? McCourty has potential and a lot of speed but this is not a “typical Pats pick.” They usually are smart about who they pick but where was their genius here?

Grade – C

28. Miami Dolphins (via San Diego) – Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State – A prototypical 3-4 defensive end. Miami bolster that defensive line which is that typical “Bill Parcells pick.” With the Marshall trade this is the best pick they could have made. They needed a young DE after the released the disappointing Matt Roth and having the aging Vonnie Holliday.

Grade – B

29.
New York Jets – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State – The Jets were reportedly trying to trade back until Kyle Wilson fell into their laps. Former Jets and current Browns coach Eric Mangini said that Wilson is the only Darrelle Revis in this draft class. Mangini, by the way, was the one that drafted Revis. So with a ridiculous secondary and an already crazy good defense, the Jets will be a very popular Super Bowl pick.

Grade – A+

30. Detroit Lions (via Minnesota) – Jahvid Best, RB, California – The Lions traded up four spots to get Best just in case Kevin Smith’s ACL tear is not fully healed. The lightning quick Best has some injury questions of his own though. Nowadays, two backs are more popular than a full time feature back.

Grade – B–

31. Indianapolis Colts – Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU – The possible heir apparent to either Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis, will start out as the third rusher. Typical great pick by the Colts. He will start out as a third rusher but Freeney has become injury prone and both he and Mathis aren’t getting any younger.

Grade – A–

32. New Orleans Saint – Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State – Apparently the Super Bowl champs do not have enough corners. Or maybe last year’s first round pick, Malcolm Jenkins, will be moved to safety. Either way, Robinson might have been had in the third round.

Grade – C

2ND ROUND

33. St. Louis Rams – Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana – This could actually be the left tackle of the future for the Rams. Last year’s pick, Jason Smith, was injured much of last year and had concussions, which also lead people to believe that his career might be in jeopardy due to s concussion syndrome. Saffold will now be trusted to protect the new million(s) dollar man.

Grade – A–

34. Minnesota Vikings (via Detroit) – Chris Cook, CB, Virginia – Over drafted and overvalued. They need a CB due to Cedric Griffin’s knee obliteration, but maybe they shouldn’t have traded with the Lions and just take Robinson. Cook is in the Deion Sanders mold and not in the good way. He isn’t as good a cover corner but he definitely won’t tackle like Deion.

Grade – C–

35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Brian Price, DT, UCLA – The Bucs continued to bolster their DL with a projected first round pick that slipped. Price and McCoy will shred through offensive lines and cause problems for years.

Grade – B+

36. Kansa City Chiefs – Dexter McCluster, WR/RB/KR, Ole Miss – OHH the possibilities for the lowly Chiefs. They could have taken a NT in mount Cody, a rushing OLB in Sergio Kindle, a TE in Rob Gronkowski, or even other WRs in Golden Tate, Arrelious Benn, or even Mike Williams (see him later). The NFL is a copy cat league and McCluster will be used in the Wes Welker mold. I would have rather had any of the guys previously named. (Yes I am a Chiefs fan).

Grade – C+

37. Philadelphia Eagles (via Washington) – Nate Allen, S, South Florida – I guess the Iggles make up for not taking Thomas in the first but still should have been used on a different player, say Koa Misi, if they hadn’t stupidly taken Graham in the first.

Grade – B–

38. Cleveland Browns – T.J. Ward, S, Oregon – They try to shore up their secondary with a safety to replace Brodney Pool, but reach here. They might have been able to take Ward in the third or fourth. And no I don’t give Holmgren the benefit of the doubt. He didn’t do a great job drafting in Seattle.

Grade – C

39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Oakland) – Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois – Tampa starts to get QB Josh Freeman some help here. Benn had slipped because he had a down year due to no fault of his own (Juice Williams stunk up the joint). He has the tools now it’s up to him to stay healthy and be focused.

Grade – A

40. Miami Dolphins (via Seattle through San Diego) – Koa Misi, DE/OLB, Utah – Again can you say typical Parcells pick? Sure Kindle was on the board but Kindle has knee issues and Parcells loves his little projects.

Grade – B+

41. Buffalo Bills – Torell Troup, NT, Central Florida – The Bills needed a NT so they got one. Was it the right one though? Ummm with Mount Cody, Linval Joseph and Cam Thomas still on the board? I’ll take that as a no…..

Grade – C

42. New England Patriots (via Chicago through Tampa Bay and Oakland) – Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona – Had he come back next year he would have been a first rounder but he is a Patriot so who cares? He will have competition from Aaron Hernandez (see later) but if his back is healthy he will start.

Grade – B

43. Baltimore Ravens (via Miami through Denver) – Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas – Must I say it again? Typical Ravens pick. Suggs had a down year last year and he needs someone to start opposite him (I like Kindle more than their other guys). The Ravens consistently draft amazing despite not having a first since they traded it away.

Grade – B+

44. Oakland Raiders (via Jacksonville through Patriots) – LaMarr Houston, DT, Texas – He might have been a slight reach, maybe an early third round pick, but I can’t complain. It was still a good smart pick.

Grade – B

45. Denver Broncos – Zane Beadles, OT, Utah – This pick was a little odd. Did they need help on the OL? Umm yea. But I think there were quite a few others I would have chosen before Beadles. Then again they do need an OT since Clady could be out for a while.

Grade – C+

46. New York Giants – Linval Joseph, DT, Eastern Carolina – Another DL prospect. Their defense was pretty pathetic last year but that was mainly due to injuries. This may be a little over the top. They could have used a little secondary help, mainly a corner.

Grade – B–

47. Arizona Cardinals (via Tennessee through New England) – Daryl Washington, LB, TCU – They lost their best linebacker, Karlos Dansby, in free agency but I think that Washington will make some people forget all about Dansby.

Grade – B+

48.
Carolina Panthers – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame – Wow did they luck into a great pick after not having a first rounder. I think Clausen will have a better career, and not just because he is in a better situation.

Grade – A++

49. San Francisco 49ers – Taylor Mays, S, USC – Boy was he mad about not being picked in the first by his old coach. I found it comical. Instead of talking about it, maybe he should prove that he should have been the pick.

Grade – B+

50. Kansas City Chiefs (via Atlanta) – Javier Arenas, DB, Alabama – again an odd pick for the Chiefs. Not going to lie, I was pissed. KC needs depth in their secondary but Arenas better be their starting safety opposite Berry to warrant this pick. He especially better pan out since KC released Bernard Pollard who was great in Houston. Terrence Cody was still available along several linebackers, and even some wide outs or tight ends.

Grade – C+

51. Minnesota Vikings (via Houston) – Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford – Sure I'm a hater of Adrian Peterson (the most overrated running back in recent memory), but this pick did not make much sense to me… at first. AP is bound to get hurt with his running style, and has a complete fumblitis thing going on. I’ll take Gerhart. He could start on A LOT of teams, believe me.

Grade – B

52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jason Worilds, LB, Virginia Tech – James Harrison is on the wrong side of 30, but Worilds isn’t on his level. Plus he will have to sit for a while.

Grade – D+

53. New England Patriots – Jermaine Cunningham, DE, Florida – Ok so they wanted a big DE from Florida but they didn’t get the right one…

Grade – D–


54. Cincinnati Bengals – Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida – this is the guy who the Pats should have taken. Usually they don’t care about character issues but who knows. Bengals get a great talent but with issues. The Bengals obviously don’t care about issues.

Grade – B+

55. Dallas Cowboys (via Philadelphia) – Sean Lee, LB, Penn State – They needed a linebacker to start alongside Bradie James since Bobby Carpenter never panned out. But how did they get the Eagles to make a trade with them?

Grade – B–

56.
Green Bay Packers – Mike Neal, DT, Purdue – They had a great defense last year but their defensive line is aging. B.J. Raji was a nice and will be a great player soon but they need more youth on the DL. Secondary help would have been nice though, considering that their two starting corners are in their early to mid 30’s.

Grade – C+

57. Baltimore Ravens – Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama – Sheesh their line is HUGE with Haloti Ngata at DE. Cody is a pure NT (he weighs almost 350 pounds!) and he could end up starting next year.

Grade – A

58. Houston Texans (via Arizona through New England) – Ben Tate, RB, Auburn – The tools look nice but he didn’t produce much at Auburn. I would rather try and give Steve Slaton one more shot. Tate probably busts.

Grade – D+

59. Cleveland Browns (via Dallas through Philadelphia) – Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee – Look at Tate above but with knee issues.

Grade – D

60. Seattle Seahawks (via San Diego) – Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame – He is a good receiver and probably underrated, BUT he seems to be like the receivers they already have except shorter.

Grade – C+

61.
New York Jets – Vlad Ducasse, G, Massachusetts – He better pan out for his own sake. The Jets released Alan Faneca because they got this mean mammoth man. He plays with a mean streak which will be perfect for their run game.

Grade – B+

62. New England Patriots (via Minnesota through Houston) – Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida – He slipped after questions about his athleticism, but he looks like one of those players that players better than his measurables. This was the Pats second of three Gators and I think the second two (Spikes and see later) will be the better ones.

63. Indianapolis Colts – Pat Angerer, LB, Iowa – What a perfect football name. They needed linebacker depth and a new young project and Angerer fits the bill. He was drafted a little early but the Colts seem to do that. They pick they guy they like and don’t care what anyone has to say about it.

Grade – C+

64. New Orleans Saints – Charles Brown, OT, USC – How did he slip this far? He could have gone as early as the Packers in the first round! He doesn’t have an amazing ceiling but he could make a couple pro bowls.

INTRIGUING PICKS

These picks I find, well, intriguing. They all seem to be nice risks, but since they aren’t first or second rounders, I won’t be giving them a grade. Many of these guys could become better than even first rounders and many won’t.


3RD Round

69. Oakland Raiders – Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale – In his four years at Hillsdale he never allowed a sack. Pretty impressive. The Raiders could use line help, with his performance, it looks like they have a good pick here. He sure is a giant too. Nearly 6’9”, the Raiders sure do like those measurable guys.

70. Baltimore Ravens – Ed Dickinson, TE, Oregon – Todd Heap isn’t getting any younger and Dickinson is a good project. He has good size, strength and speed to help out Joe Flacco immediately.

77. Tennessee Titans – Damian Williams, WR, USC – The dude is very skilled and athletic. He isn’t that great of a down the field threat due to his so-so first step, but has good to great straight line speed.

78.
Carolina Panthers – Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU – This is a problem area for the Panthers. They have never been able to find a good WR to pair with superstar Steve Smith. They tried Dwayne Jarrett, and he hasn’t lived up to expectations. He will have another shot but LaFell will at least be their new slot receiver.

84. Cincinnati Bengals – Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas – they sure were going for weapons for Carson Palmer weren’t they? In the first they took Gresham, and later they took more WR’s. Shipley is purely a slot receiver in the Welker mold, and has great route running skills, hands, and really good speed.

85. Cleveland Browns – Colt McCoy, QB, Texas – Holmgren got his QB later than he thought he would. The entire time Holmgren said he wouldn’t take a QB early if at all. Well we aren’t idiots Mike.

87. Denver Broncos – Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota – He probably should have gone into baseball but Decker sure is a special “athlete.” I wouldn’t bet against him being a really NFL player.

4th ROUND

99. St. Louis Rams – Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati – I really don’t know how he slipped so far after the past two seasons. He sure is fast, quick, and explosive. He can return kicks or play slot. Special explosiveness, that oddly fell for no apparent reason.

100. Minnesota Vikings – Everson Griffen, DE, USC– A man amongst boys in size and talent dating back to his days in high school. He has character issues, which were likely the reasons that he slipped, and sometimes doesn’t play up to his talent. If Ray Edwards doesn’t stop complaining about contract issues, Griffen could end up playing a lot.

101. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse – From what insiders are saying, Williams could already be THE steal of the draft. He has had some odd issues, such as quitting the football team, but he is a first round talent. If he turns his life around and focuses on football, expect him to be a multiple time ALL-PRO.

106. Oakland Raiders – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland – The typical workout warrior. He is a monster in size, strength, speed etc. But he doesn’t play up to his size and talent, and he doesn’t play with good technique. He is extremely raw but he might just be the most gifted talent in this entire draft.

112.
New York Jets – Joe McKnight, RB, USC – He was the No. 1 recruit in the nation a few years ago and just has never live up to the ridiculous talent he has. He has shown flashes of his game breaking talent but he needs to put it out on the field consistently. If he does, then expect the next big thing.

113. New England Patriots – Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida – A positive marijuana test at the combine dropped his stock severely. He could have been picked at least in the second round but had to be stupid (the Pats take these guys consistently; they took Brandon Tate last year after he did the same idiotic thing). He will team with Gronkowski to form a very talented TE duo and could even play TE the way Dallas Clark does in Indy.

114. Baltimore Ravens – Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU – Some more competition for Heap and Dickinson. He actually could have been taken ahead of Dickinson. That competition will be interesting.

126. Dallas Cowboys – Akwasi Owusu–Amsah, DB/KR, IUPUI – He is extremely interesting and not just because of his name. He dominated at the Division II level while he played corner, safety, returner punts and kickoffs but now is the true test. Is he that good or was it just the poor competition?

128. Detroit Lions – Jason Fox, OT, Miami (Fl.) – Obviously this is when picks are disappointing talents, character issues, etc. Fox isn’t entirely disappointing and doesn’t have character issues, but he did need major knee surgery, which in turn dropped his stock. If he can get healthy, he could be Detroit’s Left Tackle for years to come.

131. Cincinnati Bengals – Rodderick Muckelroy, LB, Texas – The Bengals typically like their linebackers from USC but Muckelroy is more than capable and only slipped due to he is slightly undersized. He was productive at UT and should continue in Cincy.

5th ROUND

134. Philadelphia Eagles – Ricky Sapp, DE, Clemson – This is another case of injury dropping a player’s stock. He was productive but his knees are shot. If he can get healthy he could be a great pass rushing weapon for the Iggles.

146. San Diego Chargers – Cam Thomas, NT, North Carolina – He was projected to go in the second round at the minimum but obviously that didn’t happen. His work ethic has been called into question along with his actual talent. He is big and strong but will need to be coachable to start in the NFL. If the Chargers are lucky, Thomas could be their next All-PRO nose tackle since they released Jamal Williams.

155. Arizona Cardinals – John Skelton, QB, Fordham – He is strictly a project quarterback at the moment but he has a huge arm and is surrounded by weapons. He has to wait two or three years but if he can be molded into the next Joe Flacco, then he is well worth the wait.


6th ROUND

175.
Carolina Panthers – Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss – The funny thing is is that Hardy was projected to go in the first or second round until he got hurt. Then his injury, weight issues, work ethic, AND character issues plummeted his stock.

181. Chicago Bears – Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan – There have been a lot of questions about whether he is system QB or if he really is a special talent. I think that he could be really good one day but they need to work on his delivery and his reads. It doesn’t help that the Bears have Jay Cutler.

185. Seattle Seahawks – Anthony McCoy, TE, USC – Again character issues and work ethic concerns are why he dropped. He is a pretty good talent but he is lazy. Maybe Pete Carroll can finally get through to him now.

188. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech - Many were projecting him to go to the Chargers in the first round had they not traded up for Matthews. Obviously there was no chance of that (as I predicted).

191. Cincinnati Bengals- Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas – He is a nice talent but then again issues. He is big and has decent hands, but needs a lot of work. More weapons for Carson, who should be a happy man.

197. Houston Texans – Trindon Holliday, RB/WR/KR, LSU – This dude is the definition speed. He will most likely return kicks exclusively at first, but then they will want to incorporate his speed into the offense as much as possible.

207. Tennessee Titans – Myron Rolle, S, Florida State – A once highly sought after high school prospect, he was even ranked a top 5 recruit, he missed a year after accepting a Rhodes scholarship. So he missed a year of football since he was overseas studying at Oxford. He needs work on the field but he is already smarter than the coaching staff. Expect him to be an extremely good safety in the NFL and then becoming a brain surgeon (the reason why he studied abroad).

7th ROUND

226. St. Louis Rams – George Selvie, DE, South Florida – Two or three years ago he would have been a top 10 pick. Then he was opposite of JPP and people realized he wasn’t as athletic or explosive as thought. I don’t care; I think this guy is extremely underappreciated. He could easily be a pro bowler in a couple years. He should start on that Rams DL and should produce decent to big numbers right away. There’s my reach of the draft (on prediction of production).

231. Washington Redskins – Selvish Capers, OL, West Virginia – Again they need to protect McNabb. He obviously won’t start at tackle but he could at guard. One day he could be their right tackle but he showed in the senior bowl that he is slow on the first step and probably best suited for interior OL.
250. New England Patriots – Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State – He is a talented guy but QB may not be where he plays in the NFL. Most likely he will be a DB or slot receiver.

UNDRAFTED

Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss – Had he come out last year (if he could have), he might have been a first or second rounder. There were a lot of questions of why he left this year after such a terrible year, but here has been speculation that he might not have even started for the Rebels. He has since signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and says he is happy he left.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon – He would have been at least a third round pick had he not blown up in the season debut. He is a big down the field runner who signed with the 49ers but then unexpectedly backed out and signed with the Titans. Again, showing that he may have character issues that he still has to deal with.

Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan – a possible first rounder after the season, he went undrafted. Probably due to his extremely slow 40 times but going undrafted is confusing. Anyways, he signed with the stacked Jets secondary and hopes to stay on with them.

Danario Alexander, WR, Missouri – He is a good, but not great talent with injury issues. But he had some huge games at Mizzou and even outshined former teammate Jeremy Macklin who went in the first round last year.

Ciron Black, OT, LSU – He is projected to be a RT in the NFL but we may never know. For some reason he has not signed on with a team since being undrafted. He was a four year starter at LSU and for some odd reason was not taken.