The Lumberjacks took S Mark Barron with their top pick. We felt they could have traded down here and still gotten either Barron or Harrison Smith but Barron’s value is solid. Actually liked the second round choice of WR Stephen Hill better than the first round option! Hill is a 6’4” demon who will be a major issue to cover and a potential red-zone and chain moving machine and he has speed as well. Although many do not see him as being a great all-around threat, we feel this guy has the make-up to be special in New York. Vancouver did not have a third round pick and took CB Jamell Fleming in the fourth. This pick has the potential to be really good or a major flop. Fleming is in the mix to be Patrick Peterson’s secondary mate but he also has a couple of guys to beat out! One has to figure that teams will slowly move off of Peterson and that could mean big number s for the other DBs. At the very least, we like Fleming as a 3rd DB guy although his smallish 5;11” frame could cause some issues against certain sets. DE Tyrone Crawford was their next choice. The former Boise State terror is the perfect size to be a real problem at DE. At 6’4” 275lbs he has the size and speed to make life miserable for opposing right tackles and he projects nicely for a Dallas team especially if he lines up opposite of LB DeMarcus Ware. This would allow him to roam freely against right tackles without any chips or secondary blockers and could get him some trap sacks. Center Gino Gradkowski went next. The brother of Bruce, Gino is expected to compete for a starting guard slot although we believe either Kelechi Osemele, another rook, will end up there. Gradkowski will get time along the interior line and eventually become the Ravens’ center for the future. Vegas did not have any more draft picks…
Overall draft analysis and grade: Trades do not figure in evaluating a draft. Vancouver got a nice safety in Barron but we feel they could have done more there if that was their target. Hill seems like a very good pick in round 2. The next few picks were solid but some are a bit risky. Just not happy with the values here. C-
The Grimps did a marvelous job of positioning themselves properly in the early rounds of the draft but then quickly headed south with the rest of their draft! Still, they may have made a major coup as they were able to scoop up, perhaps, the top three linebackers in the entire draft! Rolling Rock used their first round pick to get stud ILB Luke Kuechley and then moved up in the draft to get the top second round choice. That pick turned out to be another great backer in the form of Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw! A few picks later, they were able to tab a third top linebacker when Nick Perry fell into their laps! All three are expected to be major contributors for their teams with Upshaw being groomed to play the same role as Terrell Suggs in Baltimore! As awesome as the front of their draft was, if linebacker was your thing, the rest was kinda ugly. Fourth round RB Bernard Pierce is not projected to have a major role while smallish fifth round LB Ronnie Lewis is going to have fight like crazy for any time in Detroit! And the theme continued for the rest of the draft. Sixth rounder T Zebrie Sanders will not likely have much impact, seventh round choice S Christian Thompson (fastest 40 time for all safeties at combine!) will be a depth player for now, and eighth rounder Markelle Martin might not even make his team’s 53 man squad! Ninth round selection WR Jordan White is no lock to make his 53 man either and tenth rounder Andrew Tiller is seen as a sub at best…
Overall Analysis and Grade: The linebacker picks were tremendous and that gives RG a good grade but they had so many chances to truly make this draft incredible with all those other picks and may have squandered a significant moment for their franchise. Still, they did grab three pro-bowl caliber backers and nobody can question that. B+
We will probably be wrong (nothing new!) but really did not like this draft at all. CB Stephon Gilmore was, as were much of your first and second rounders, a solid choice as was second round pick DL Jerel Worthy who could start in Green Bay but almost certainly will be no worse than a pass rushing demon. But the rest of the draft was mediocre… Third round selection WR Ryan Broyles has talent but will still almost certainly be a role player at best. This could easily translate into a 30 or less reception guy. CB Nick Bentley, taken in the fourth round, is being used mostly as a nickel back type and that does not translate well into good ratings going forward. Fifth round CB Omar Bolden is a growing long-shot to even make his 53 man roster! He has had a couple of knee injuries and is hurt now so we see him as being in real jeopardy. G Ryan Miller lacks big time ability so, at best, we see him as nothing more than a role or swing type lineman and those also do not rate out well. WR BJ Cunningham has some big time college numbers to his credit from Michigan State but his role seems vague. A bit slow, the ex-Spartan does have toughness and size (6’2” 215LBs) and seems a likely possession wide or maybe a red-zone weapon. He does not have separation speed to be a true #1 so, again, he is a likely 30 or less receptions guy. ILB Audie Cole is fast but really was not on anyone’s radar. We see him probably not even making the 53 man roster in Minnesota. You can add ninth round WR Alfred Morris as likely to not even make the 53 man unit while tenth round QB BJ Coleman is in Green Bay with Mr. Rodgers.
Overall draft analysis and grade: Did not like this draft as it just did not seem to have enough star-power in it but maybe we will be way off. Lakeland can only hope this analysis is a big miss! Grade D
The Braveheart draft did not wow us at all. Did not see a single player that will likely develop into a high caliber guy although the draft did have some decent selections along the way.
First round draft choice WR Kendall Wright is not projected as a #1 wide and ya need to get that type of value with this pick! He is extremely diverse and should be used a lot in the offense but he will be joined with a host of other guys all doing the same thing. This makes him a package receiver in a system that does that and could reduce his overall numbers…We shall see I guess. Second round pick Whitney Mercilus could become a starter but that is not guaranteed at all. He will not, though, be a pure DE but more like a hybrid OLB type Third round choice was WR Chris Givens who may or may not start but should at least see some significant time. This usually transfers into one of those 40 or less reception types. Smallish WR Joe Adams in the fourth round did not seem a good pick for value. Adams is way too small to be a #1 or even a #2 option and seems likely to be a 3rd down slot guy at best and that is assuming the team has a bigger WR out there to catch those tough ones to move the chains. He should see some action as a punt return guy and that could boost his value. Mammoth NT Josh Chapman could pan out of he can recover from his knee injury. Experience says though, that a 6’1 300LB+ guy trying to leverage in the trenches means another knee injury is coming or the knee will not hold up…He may be ready at the start of the season, be a mid-year guy, or someone who maybe gets back next season…who knows? DT Malik Jackson is a guy who really has no every-down skills or size but he could end up being a pass rushing option up the middle from the inside in Denver. He may get loose inside with JJ Watt off the end and Von Miller at LB drawing a lot of attention. Terrell Manning was their next selection in the seventh round. He will move to the inside in a 3-4 D scheme and probably put up pedestrian numbers. He is not seen as a starter and, in fact, will have to beat out several guys just to get back-up reps this year. Turin did not have an eighth round pick but did grab CB Trevin Wade in the ninth round. Wade is awfully small and cannot hold up as a starter. This, of course, puts him in real jeopardy unless he can match up with some smaller slot wides. He will not be a red-zone option versus bigger slots and he could even force a club to use a safety all the time against 2 TE sets…We see him as struggling to make the team. The tenth round was used on kicker Blair Walsh …
Overall draft analysis and grade: Just do not see a lot of big time value in this draft. There are lots of upside guys but many seem more the filler type over true top of the line value guy. D
RB Doug Martin seemed a solid pick and may still end up that way. He is a stud back with varied skills but is in the same backfield with LeGarrette Blount and this could end up cutting into his workload. Truth is, Blount has been a fumbler and he will either get that under control or watch Martin take over altogether. A nice pick but it does seem likely a sort of committee approach is in the making in Tampa Bay at least to start. Like Martin’s ability to catch the ball out of backfield to be the key to his success in the end. Second rounder DE-OLB Bruce Irvin has tremendous upside but could get limited time as only an edge rusher if he cannot improve his every down technique. Love his upside though, and he could blossom into an elite pass rusher. Crown City stayed focused on getting a pass rusher when they took DE Olivier Vernon in the third round. A similar talent to Irvin, he should be a serious pass rusher but it remains to be seen if he can get more reps on the field than just that role. WR Nick Toon has some plus assets as well. He is not slated to be a front line wide but should get some touches as a 4th wide option in New Orleans. He is a likely 25-35 grabs guy but an injury or two could improve his numbers. At 6’2” 215lbs he could become a nice red-zone option who will likely draw single coverage considering who the Saints other wides are so keep an eye on this guy. TE Ledarius Green is a bit of a back-burner pick. He will not supplant a healthy Antonio Gates but an injury could move him up. A Bit smallish, he might not be able to block at the point of attack and this could limit him. At 5’10” Travis Benjamin might have some trouble getting on the field in Cleveland since they really need a bigger wide at the #2 spot. 6’2” Mohammad Massaquoi seems to fit that bill better in Cleveland and that could be a big factor in how Benjamin’s season goes. Do not think he will get the slot job either but we shall see. Nobody in Cleveland is all that great outside of Greg Little so we can expect to at least see Benjamin get his chance. ILB Tank Carder is an intriguing selection in the 7th round. He was an absolute monster while playing for defensive monster TCU in college but h might be just a bit too tall and lean to get it don inside. He is 6’3” but weighs just 237lbs and that is very small for his spot. Still, he has instincts and we like his potential… Eight rounder, Asa Jackson, was drafted as a special teams guy who should get both punt and kick return numbers posted. Ninth round choice, DB Jordan Bernstine, has solid speed and diversity in his favor but we do not see him as a major factor in his rookie season. Their last pick, OLB Danny Trevathan is a bit of s sleeper. A suspension to Denver’s D.J. Williams will force the Broncos to seek somebody to fill in and Trevatahn could be the guy…
Overall draft analysis and grade: This draft is typical of many others: Safe and somewhat predictable. There is nothing wrong with going safe in any draft and Crown City grabbed a number of solid guys here. Like the pass rush guys early on and am gonna bet Martin grabs the top role in TBay as the season eveolves especially if Bloiutn fumbles early on in any pre-season games, scrimmages, or at any time during the regular season! C+
The Greys were recently awarded the top spot for last year’s draft and may have done just as well this year if not better at least in terms of accumulating players that can help out! Carolina seems in line to get as many as four major contributors and a number of very solid players out of this draft who may make an impact come next season. First round pick, LB Mychal Kendricks was down on many draft lists but Carolina loved his combine numbers and now he resides as the starting SAM for the Eagles. He should flourish in their defensive scheme right away. Carolina wanted to rebuild their offensive line going forward and snatched up projected starting LT Mike Adams in the second round. Adams should start in Pittsburgh and could be a fixture for years to come on one of the NFL’s talented young lines that will also feature Markus Pouncey at C and G David Decastro. Third round choice S Brandon Taylor is slated to be the starting strong safety for the Chargers. A hard hitting safety, he may be more of a run stopper and tight end defender and will likely have to come off the field against some offensive packages. Still, he will start and could post some nice numbers from his position. Fourth round pick, G Joe Looney was a sure fire starter but an injury has slowed his progress. If he can get back on the field soon enough he could still be the starting right guard for the Lions but we shall see. Fifth round pick, T Lamar Holmes kept the offensive line rebuild going for Carolina. Not projected to be a starter he will probably become a swing type guy and that usually means a low rating. Sixth round choice LB Tahir Whitehead has created quite a stir in Detroit. He was under the radar playing for Temple but he did not escape the eye of Carolina. The Lions have not announced him as a starter yet and he is still likely to end up as more of a pass rush guy and nickel package type over an every down backer but he is making that choice tough in Detroit.. LB Najee Goode was the Grey’s next pick. He is expected to be a major reserve player but he is close to being a starter as well but that would have to be as an ILB. See him as a solid pick here but not likely to put up big numbers. Carolina took two special teams guys: a punter and a kicker. Brad Nortman will be a full time kicker while Greg Zuerlein will be a main punter so both should cover a basic need next season. The Greys fizzled with their final two choices although both could have some value. RB Dan Herron is probably going to become a short yardage specialist, lead blocker type, and maybe a goal-line option but he lacks the skills to be a major force in the game. C Jason Slowey will probably make san Francisco’s roster but is slated as a back-up.
Overall draft analysis and grade: Few teams can expect to get so many starters in a draft but it seems Carolina may have done just that. They focused more on offensive linemen then many other clubs and this did limit competition for them but still. Their draft kinda went south in the latter rounds and it remains to be seen about the wisdom of using two picks on a punter and kicker. Grade B-
The Dragons were down in the draft but still had an excellent haul! First rouder CB Dre Kirkpatrick has been slowed by an injury but does figure to mix in by around week 4 or so. Loved the second round pick of RB Isaiah Pead! The speedy, pass catching back is alot like Darren Sproles but he may get an even larger role in St. Louis. At the very least, he should come up with some very nice role player stats by next season! The Dragons took another RB in Ronnie Hillman in the third round and grabbed another solid player. Hillman should easily be a nice third down option in his rook season and should give Barcelona those critical grabs out of the backfield next year. T Tony Bergstrom was nabbed in the fourth round and he is now slated to push declining G Carlisle Cooper for s starting job. Our guess is Cooper still starts the season there or at least gets the nod in pre-season but any slip at all (and that is likely) and in will come Bergstrom! Sometimes a team gets a bit lucky and it would appear Barcelona may have done just that with their selection of DT Billy Winn in the 5th round. Injuries to NT Phil Taylor has opened the door for Winn to get significant time early on in the year. Another series of injuries has allowed 6th round pick, LB Jm Johnson to step right in! With Scott Fujita out with a suspension and now a seeeming season ending injury to Chris Gocong, the Browns are turning their attention towards Johnson who has the inside track to start now! S Trent Robinson is smallish but he plays hard and makes plays! He should see time with the Niners but might not get enough time to get a good rating come next year. LB Josh Kaddu, S Corey White, and T marcel Jones are all project types and do not project well.
Overall draft analysis and grade: Really liked this draft considering the fact this is the 19th pick in the draft. Excellent effort by the Dragons B-
It is hard to get great talent when drafting later in the rounds and such was the case for Bay City. First round pick LB Dont'a Hightower figures to be a major contributor for the Pata this season but just not sold he will be a big time impact type. Second rounder, G Jeff Allen is projected as a swing player in the interior and that likely means diversity but also not great ratings. Third round choice, RB LaMichael James is a change of pace back who may or may not put up some decent 3rd back type numbers. The rest of the Bay City draft was kinda bleak. QB Kirk Cousins is a major project and is not seen as a threat at all to The Redskins' starting QB. Fourth round pick, TE Mike Egnew has been a bust so far for the Dolphins while seventh rounder CB Shaun Prater is already done for the year with an injury. LB Tim Fugger is seen as nothing more than a special teams guy and the same can be said for another eigth round pick S DJ Campbell. DT Christo Bilukidi and DT Justin Anderson look like busts...
Bay City's Draft Grade and Analysis: Hate to say it, but this draft is shaping up as one of the weakest of any team in the league. Some hard luck really hurt the draft and that happens sometimes. D
Not a bad draft, at all, considering the slot in the draft and not even having a first round pick! 'Bama gobbled up two tackles, Miami's Jonathan Martin and Arizona's Bobbie Massie, with their thrid and fourth round picks and both project as possible starters on the right side! S Robert Blanton has been hurt. He has talent but injuries could also see him knocked off the final 53! Fifth round selection, QB Brock Osweiller, drew alot of rave when he was taken but has settled into the predicted role of being a third stringer with no immediate future in Denver. Alabama's sixth round pick may have been their best. They got WR Keshawn Martin who has worked his way into a likely starting position for the Texans! G Tom Compton is, as of now, a right side swing type who has enough size, reach, and ability to be a starting T. CB MIke Harris is a likely special teamer but he may see some time as a nickel back. Ninth round pick, TE Brad Smaller, seems a bust while final pick RB Daryl Richardson is ticketed for third back, change of pace roles.
Alabam's Draft Grade and Analysis: Really, one has to be excited about what Alabama did drafting so late and without a first rounder. To still get at least three, and maybe a fourth, starters is outstanding. Nice job here. B-
When a club does not have picks in the second, third, and sixth round, it is not likely to be a great draft...And such was the case for New York. First round option, TE Colby Fleener, has talent but seems locked into a battle with other tight-ends and, at best, looks like he will be splitting time and catches. Fourth rounder, WR T. Y. Hilton has terrific speed but seems a likely special teams return guy who could put up some numbers there. WR Danny Coale was their fifth round choice and does not appear to be a big numbers type at all. Seventh rounder, RB Chris Rainey is smalish and has no shot at every down work so he seems probably headed towards scat back duty although playing for the Steelers could mean some specialty stuff. New York nabbed WR Junior Hemingway with their ninth round pick. Hemingway might make the team as a specail teamer but does not quite seem to have enough talent to fit any full time role. Their final choice, DT JR Sweezy appears to be a bust.
New York's Draft Grade and analysis: Not a very good draft to be honest. Fleener may be the top TE in the draft but it seems probable he will end up splitting time and numbers in Indy. The rest of the draft did not contain a single top starter or impact type. D
