We actually liked this draft. QB Branden Weeden was their top pick in round 1 and he is an anticipated starter in Cleveland. That is good news but we are not sure we see big numbers out of Weeden. Did not like their taking of WR AJ Jenkins in the next round. Jenkins has almost no shot to break through a very deep and talented 49er receiving corsp and we see him as a good chance to bust. Fourth round pick, DT John Hughes is now expected to start for Cleveland at least until some other injured players come back. That will give him some value but we do not project him as an impact type. A nice pick might turn out to be WR TJ Graham taken in the fifth round! Graham has a super chance to start in Buffalo and we really liked this one. Sixth rounder, CB DaQuan Manzie is one of those types that has some skills but not enough to fit any one role. His 4.67 time out of Alabama is really too slow for corner while his size is too small for safety so we expect him to be a match-up guy and special situations type. Their next two picks were not very good. LB Brandon Marsahhll is a certain reserve guy while LB Darius Fleming is on the PUP list with a knee injury and likely out for the year. CB Terrence Fredrick has some nice tools to be a slot corner so we see him playing alot in certain third down situations and versus some three wide sets. QB Chandler Harnish was Mr. Irrelevant and will remain just that...
Penn State Draft Grade and Analysis: Liked the picks of Weeden and Graham although the rest was not very good. Still, drafting 23rd and getting a stsrting quarterback and receiver seems pretty solid to us. Grade: C-
Lady Luck can both bite and kiss! Salem may have had some good fortune come their way only enhancing the roster of one of the best franchises in the league. We always liked WR Alshon Jeffrey and were a bit surprised he fell right into the laps of Salem at pick 18 in the second round!!!. At 6'3" and 216lbs, this kid can play and seems a likely starter in Chicago with Jay Cutler heaving it deep. Alameda Ta'amu was their second choice in round two. Typical of the Steelers, he will begin his career slowly and start as the #3 NT there. Fourth rounder, S Jerron McMillan is almost certainly going to be little more than a reserve type in Green Bay this season. CB Alfonzo Dennard is competing for a starting job in New Engalnd but the fact so many guys are in the "mix" makes us think the Patriot tradition of bad DBs will continue. DT Andrew Patko could be a real sleeper. He had talent but slipped down NFL grids due to some injury concerns but he has skills and can flat out play. Not sure how far he will rise up the depth charts but we see him as a guy with at least some upside. Kinda liked their pick of RB Mike Smith too. The blazing 4.33 runner is intriguing and he will play behind both Martin and Blount in Tbay but his speed and third down poteniial cannot be overlooked. A slew of injuries has propelled WR Levon Brazil right up the charts in Indy and probably into a stsrter's role! A 4.48 kid, Brazil has talent and gets to join the baby bombers in Indy. S Antonio Allen probably is going to be a bust as well as their last three choices of Lions CB Chris Grrenwood (PUP list with injury), LB Travis Lewis (too slow and small and losing to Tahir Whitehead), and CB Jonte Green.
Salem Draft Grade and Analysis: Loved the Jeffrey pcik and they may have lucked out a bit with Brazil but thatw as after the fact. Mike Smith has potential to be a pocket version of Sproles so keep an eye on him. Grade C+. Note: This could get an upgrade if Smith gets more touches and if either Dennard or Patko come into the picture more.
