BALTIMORE RAVENS
GRADE: A
EXPLANATION: Baltimore's success over the years has been predicated on defense, so they went out and drafted two top-notch defenders. Texas LB Sergio Kindle (No. 43) is a very good pass rusher and a steal in the second round. The Ravens skillfully traded out of the first round with Denver, acquiring three picks. Alabama DT Terrence Cody (No. 57), another second round pick, is a monster in the middle. If he gets into shape, he and Haloti Ngata will wreak havoc on defense. Tight ends Ed Dickson (No. 70) of Oregon and Dennis Pitta (No. 114) of BYU are very good pass-catching TEs. Both were selected with picks acquired in that first round trade.
BEST REMAINING PICK: DT Arthur Jones, Syracuse (R5/157)
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
GRADE: B+
EXPLANATION: Indianapolis' first three picks were very good. OLB Jerry Hughes (No. 31), the Colts' first round pick, was an All-American at TCU. He had 26 sacks over his final two seasons. Iowa ILB Patrick Angerer (No. 63), their second round pick, is another solid player. He had over 100 tackles his junior and senior years, and had six interceptions over those two seasons. USC CB Kevin Thomas (No. 94), their third round pick, has the size and agility to be a good CB in the NFL. He sometimes gets beat off the line, but overall, he's a good player. The rest of the Colts' picks will look to compete for backup positions.
BEST REMAINING PICK: OLB Kavell Conner, Clemson (R7/240)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
GRADE: B+
EXPLANATION: The Patriots added a lot of depth, and some skill too. CB Devin McCourty (No. 27) was a solid but unspectacular pick in the first round. The selection of TEs Rob Gronkowski (No. 42) in the second round and Aaron Hernandez (No. 113) in the fourth round give the Patriots two pairs of great hands. Both are legitimate threats at the position. Florida LBs Jermaine Cunningham (No. 53) and Brandon Spikes (No. 62), both second round picks, have some work to do, but will have the chance to learn in Bill Belichick's system.
BEST REMAINING PICK: QB Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State (R7/250)
TENNESSEE TITANS
GRADE: B+
EXPLANATION: Tennessee came away with two great picks, and a few others who could pan out as well. DE Derrick Morgan was a great grab at No. 16 in the first round. He's adept at rushing the passer and a disruptive force against the run as well. The Titans added WR Damian Williams (No. 77) in the third round. He runs very good routes and excels at holding on to the football, making him an ideal #2 receiver. He reminds me of the Giants' Steve Smith. He's not particularly fast, but he's a solid all-around receiver. LB Rennie Curran (No. 97), a third round pick, and CB Alterraun Verner (No. 104), a fourth round pick, both have a lot of potential.
BEST REMAINING PICK: S Myron Rolle, Florida State (R6/207)
CINCINNATI BENGALS
GRADE: B/B+
EXPLANATION: Nothing about the Bengals' draft sticks out as a great pick, but Cincinnati turned in a solid draft. If first round Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham (No. 21) is healthy, he's a great pass-catching TE. Texas WR Jordan Shipley (No. 84) is quick and has good hands, but he'll have to prove he can do it at the pro level. The Bengals also made four hit or miss picks on defense, drafting Florida DE Carlos Dunlap (No. 54), Wake Forest CB Brandon Ghee (No. 96), Georgia DT Geno Atkins (No. 120) and Texas LB Roddrick Muckelroy (No. 131). Dunlap has great upside but major consistency issues. The same can be said for Atkins. If two of those four hit, this is a very solid draft.
BEST REMAINING PICK: WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas (R6/191)
CLEVELAND BROWNS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The success of this draft will be based solely on Cleveland's third round pick, QB Colt McCoy. If he succeeds, it's an A, but if not, it's a bad grade. For now, the Browns get a B. The McCoy pick was a great one, waiting all the way until No. 85 to snag him. Florida CB Joe Haden, their first round choice at No. 7, is a flashy player with a knack for picks (8 in 3 seasons), but he still has work to do to be more consistent. Oregon S T.J. Ward was a reach in the early second round, and Tennessee RB Montario Hardesty is a bit injury prone, making him a risky pick in the late second round. But again, as McCoy goes, so goes this draft.
BEST REMAINING PICK: G Shawn Lauvao, Arizona State (R3/92)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: Safety Eric Berry (No. 5) will be a star in this league for years to come. He's got the perfect combination of size, speed and skill for the position. CB Javier Arenas (No. 50) was another good pick in the third round, although some question his ability to be a starter in the NFL. Still, he has great speed and should make an impact in the return game. The same can be said for RB Dexter McCluster (No. 36), the Chiefs' second round pick. He's undersized, but he has great speed and he can be a playmaker with the ball.
BEST REMAINING PICK: TE Tony Moeaki, Iowa (R3/93)
MIAMI DOLPHINS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The Dolphins traded down from No. 12 to No. 28 and got three picks from the Chargers (one of which they traded away to the Cowboys), a very good move. They used that No. 28 pick to take Penn State DT Jared Odrick, a solid player. The Dolphins need help on their aging defensive line, and Odrick can step in immediately and work in the rotation. But nothing else about the Dolphins' draft stood out. LB Koa Misi (No. 40) was a good pick in the second round, but not a great one. Guard John Jerry (No. 73) was also a decent pick in the third round. There was nothing spectacular about the Dolphins' draft.
BEST REMAINING PICK: LB Austin Spitler, Ohio state (R7/252)
NEW YORK JETS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The Jets got a big-time CB in Kyle Wilson (No. 29) in the first round. He's a playmaker who can be a star in the return game as well. But the "B" stands for a lot of things here. It stands for bold, as in the decision to cut Alan Faneca and draft Vladimir Ducasse (No. 61) in the second round was bold. The decision to trade Leon Washington and draft Joe McKnight (No. 112) was also bold. "B" stands for Bill, as in Bill Callahan. If the Jets' offensive line coach can't groom Ducasse into a solid replacement for Faneca, this draft will be far worse than a "B." The lack of draft depth isn't an issue in this grade, considering New York traded picks for WRs Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes.
BEST REMAINING PICK: FB John Conner, Kentucky (R5/139)
OAKLAND RAIDERS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The Raiders' draft wasn't bad at all, considering their recent track record. Alabama ILB Rolando McClain (No. 8) was a little bit of a reach, but he's a better player than people give him credit for. He's a tough player and a big hitter. DT Lamarr Houston (No. 44) was a very good pick in the second round as well. The Raiders grabbed OT Bruce Campbell (No. 106) in the fourth round, a lineman with good size at 6-6 314 and big upside. Some thought Oakland would reach for him, but the team stayed patient and grabbed him on day three.
BEST REMAINING PICK: WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson (R4/108)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION: The Steelers needed to come out of this draft with offensive line depth, linebacking depth and playmakers. They satisfied two of those needs. Florida lineman Maurkice Pouncey, their first round pick at No. 18, is a good player with versatility. He'll compete for a starting job and be a very viable backup. Pittsburgh chose three linebackers, including Virginia Tech's Jason Worilds in the second round (No. 52), but none who stand out. Ohio State's Thaddeus Gibson (No. 116), a fourth round pick, could end up being the best of the three, but he has work to do. The Steelers failed to grab an immediate impact playmaker on offense. All three skill position players they selected will need some work to develop into regular contributors.
BEST REMAINING PICK: RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (R6/188)
HOUSTON TEXANS
GRADE: B-
EXPLANATION: The Texans' biggest hole was at CB, and they addressed it in the first round when they drafted Alabama's Kareem Jackson (No. 20). Their decision to select Jackson over Kyle Wilson was surprising, but it might not have been the wrong move. The rest of the Texans' draft, however, wasn't great. Second round pick RB Ben Tate (No. 58) was chosen over a number of higher-ranked backs, and he'll probably be expected to play a big role for a team whose ground game wasn't very good last year.
BEST REMAINING PICK: TE Dorin Dickerson, Pittsburgh (R7/227)
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
GRADE: B-
EXPLANATION: The Chargers reached for RB Ryan Matthews, trading up in the first round to get him at No. 12. The trade wasn't too lopsided, with the Chargers and Dolphins giving up three picks each. But it was still a reach for a player some thought would be available at their original pick at No. 28. Washington LB Donald Butler (No. 79) was a solid pick in the third round, a player who tackles very well and brings great intensity to the team. But the rest of San Diego's draft was unspectacular.
BEST REMAINING PICK: QB Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee (R5/168)
DENVER BRONCOS
GRADE: C+
EXPLANATION: The only reason the Broncos get such a low grade is because of - you guessed it - their pick of Tim Tebow at the end of the first round. In my opinion he's not a viable NFL quarterback, he's not better than Clausen and McCoy, and he's definitely a reach at No. 25 overall. Other than that, the Broncos draft was pretty good. WR Demaryius Thomas is a physical specimen who thrived in a triple option scheme at Georgia Tech. If he is able to adjust to a pro offense and learn more routes, he'll be a threat at the position for years to come. Minnesota WR Eric Decker (No. 87) was a very good pick in the third round. He's got very good size and good hands.
BEST REMAINING PICK: CB Syd'Quan Thompson, Cal (R7/225)
BUFFALO BILLS
GRADE: C
EXPLANATION: The selection of RB C.J. Spiller in the first round (No. 9) is a solid pick, despite the crowded backfield in Buffalo. But the Bills missed the mark in the rest of the draft. Central Florida DT Torell Troup (No. 41) was a reach in the second round. Buffalo also failed to draft a serviceable QB despite having their chances. The Bills did get Troy QB Levi Brown (No. 209) in the seventh round, but they passed up other QBs who would have been better picks.
BEST REMAINING PICK: DE Alex Carrington, Arkansas State (R3/72)
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
GRADE: D
EXPLANATION: Jacksonville's draft started off on a bad note, when the Jaguars reached for Cal DT Tyson Alualu at No. 10 in the first round. He's a good player, but it's unclear whether he projects better in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Jacksonville could have traded down in the first round and still grabbed him, and picked up picks in the process. None of Jacksonville's remaining picks were particularly good, either.
BEST REMAINING PICK: RB Deji Karim, Southern Illinois (R6/180)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Day 3 Wrap-Up
The third and final day of the 2010 draft is in the books, and not before some drama. The Raiders acquired Jason Campbell in a trade, the Seahawks dealt for LenDale White and Leon Washington, and a number of big names remained on the board following pick No. 255.
So who won and lost on the final day of the draft? Here's the wrap-up.
Three Winners
1) Oakland Raiders: It was a very good day for the Silver & Black. They drafted Maryland OT Bruce Campbell in the fourth round (No. 106), a player some thought they would reach for in the first three rounds. Two picks later, they picked speedy WR Jacoby Ford from Clemson (No. 108), a solid addition for a team that likes to run a fast offense. But their biggest move of the day came in the form of a trade, when they sent a 2012 fourth round pick to the Redskins in exchange for Campbell. He should be their week 1 starter at a cheap price. I'm not ready to anoint the Raiders Super Bowl champs. They're probably still a couple of pieces away from being a playoff contender. But they're on the right track.
2) Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore got some very good talent on day two. The Ravens drafted Ohio State OLB Thaddeus Gibson in the fourth round (No. 116). He was a solid player for the Buckeyes, and can develop into a fine NFL player with a little bit of work. Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer, a sixth round pick (No. 188), is a talented runner who thrived in the triple option scheme in Atlanta. He needs some work in a pro scheme, but he has the athleticism to make it. The Ravens also got great value when they drafted Gibson's college teammate, DE Doug Worthington, in the seventh round (No. 242).
3) Cincinnati Bengals: Both of the Bengals' fourth round selections were good value picks. Georgia DT Geno Atkins (No. 120) is a little small at 6-2 293, and he's been inconsistent (7 sacks in 2007; 0 in 08; 3 in 09), but he's shown he can play at a high level. Texas LB Roddrick Muckelroy (No. 131) amassed over 200 tackles in his final two seasons, including two sacks and an interception in his final season.
Three Losers
1) Buffalo Bills: Buffalo didn't make any glaring mistakes on day three, but the Bills failed to come out of the draft with a serviceable QB. They did draft Levi Brown of Troy in the seventh round (No. 209), but he's a far cry from Clausen and McCoy. They also passed on Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour, who went at No. 181 to the Bears, and Cincinnati's Tony Pike, who went at No. 204 to the Panthers.
2) Former Heisman hopefuls: How the mighty have fallen. Before the season, Mississippi QB Jevan Snead and Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount had their sights set on big-time seasons. Instead, Snead had a terrible year and Blount punched a Boise State player on opening night, costing him most of his season. Both men have reportedly signed contracts, with Snead heading to Tampa Bay according to Scout.com's Adam Caplan and Blount on his way to San Francisco according to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora. Still, it's surprising to see both men go undrafted.
3) Draft change doubters: From what I could see, the three-day, twice-in-primetime 2010 NFL Draft was a big success. ESPN's Trey Wingo said there were plenty of fans left at Radio City Music Hall on Day 3. It also brought more intrigue to the second round and fourth round, with overnight trade buzz generating a lot of interest. The changes seemed to work.
Now it's on to the signing frenzy for undrafted rookie free agents. Snead and Blount are already signed. Michigan CB Donovan Warren is signing with the Jets, according to ESPN's Joe Schad. A number of other players will likely sign in the next couple of days as well.
That does it for the 2010 draft. Grades are coming over the next few days.
So who won and lost on the final day of the draft? Here's the wrap-up.
Three Winners
1) Oakland Raiders: It was a very good day for the Silver & Black. They drafted Maryland OT Bruce Campbell in the fourth round (No. 106), a player some thought they would reach for in the first three rounds. Two picks later, they picked speedy WR Jacoby Ford from Clemson (No. 108), a solid addition for a team that likes to run a fast offense. But their biggest move of the day came in the form of a trade, when they sent a 2012 fourth round pick to the Redskins in exchange for Campbell. He should be their week 1 starter at a cheap price. I'm not ready to anoint the Raiders Super Bowl champs. They're probably still a couple of pieces away from being a playoff contender. But they're on the right track.
2) Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore got some very good talent on day two. The Ravens drafted Ohio State OLB Thaddeus Gibson in the fourth round (No. 116). He was a solid player for the Buckeyes, and can develop into a fine NFL player with a little bit of work. Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer, a sixth round pick (No. 188), is a talented runner who thrived in the triple option scheme in Atlanta. He needs some work in a pro scheme, but he has the athleticism to make it. The Ravens also got great value when they drafted Gibson's college teammate, DE Doug Worthington, in the seventh round (No. 242).
3) Cincinnati Bengals: Both of the Bengals' fourth round selections were good value picks. Georgia DT Geno Atkins (No. 120) is a little small at 6-2 293, and he's been inconsistent (7 sacks in 2007; 0 in 08; 3 in 09), but he's shown he can play at a high level. Texas LB Roddrick Muckelroy (No. 131) amassed over 200 tackles in his final two seasons, including two sacks and an interception in his final season.
Three Losers
1) Buffalo Bills: Buffalo didn't make any glaring mistakes on day three, but the Bills failed to come out of the draft with a serviceable QB. They did draft Levi Brown of Troy in the seventh round (No. 209), but he's a far cry from Clausen and McCoy. They also passed on Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour, who went at No. 181 to the Bears, and Cincinnati's Tony Pike, who went at No. 204 to the Panthers.
2) Former Heisman hopefuls: How the mighty have fallen. Before the season, Mississippi QB Jevan Snead and Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount had their sights set on big-time seasons. Instead, Snead had a terrible year and Blount punched a Boise State player on opening night, costing him most of his season. Both men have reportedly signed contracts, with Snead heading to Tampa Bay according to Scout.com's Adam Caplan and Blount on his way to San Francisco according to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora. Still, it's surprising to see both men go undrafted.
3) Draft change doubters: From what I could see, the three-day, twice-in-primetime 2010 NFL Draft was a big success. ESPN's Trey Wingo said there were plenty of fans left at Radio City Music Hall on Day 3. It also brought more intrigue to the second round and fourth round, with overnight trade buzz generating a lot of interest. The changes seemed to work.
Now it's on to the signing frenzy for undrafted rookie free agents. Snead and Blount are already signed. Michigan CB Donovan Warren is signing with the Jets, according to ESPN's Joe Schad. A number of other players will likely sign in the next couple of days as well.
That does it for the 2010 draft. Grades are coming over the next few days.
Jets Gamble on Joe
It's not often that a team trades its most explosive player for an unproven, inconsistent rookie running back.
But that's essentially what happened today when the Jets traded Leon Washington to Seattle and drafted USC RB Joe McKnight. It's not a straight up trade, but it's close to the same thing.
And it's a head-scratcher.
Washington was electrifying in green. He seemed to be capable of scoring every time he touched the football, and he had become a fan favorite. Sure, he suffered a terrible injury last season, relegating him to the injured list as Shonn Greene became a star overnight in the playoffs. Yes, the Jets went out and signed LaDanian Tomlinson in the offseason.
But how sure can the Jets be that Greene wasn't a flash in the pan? Does LT have anything left in the tank? If the answer is "no" to either question, Washington will be sorely missed. He's had plenty of time to recover from that leg injury, and he'll be close to 100% when camp begins, if not at it.
Now, all eyes turn to McKnight.
Few players have more raw talent than him. If you've seen the YouTube videos of him in high school, you know what he's capable of. Some people - myself included - anointed him the next Reggie Bush upon his arrival at USC. He was that good.
But McKnight never put it all together in cardinal and gold.
There was the fourth quarter against Arizona in 2007, when he dazzled the Coliseum crowd with a 45-yard punt return and a 59-yard run to set up USC's final 10 points and give the Trojans a come-from-behind, 20-13 win. There was the final drive at Ohio State in 2009, when McKnight gained 54 of USC's 96 yards, setting up the game-winning score over the Buckeyes.
These are just two of the flashes of brilliance in McKnight's otherwise disappointing career. He scored just 15 touchdowns on offense in three seasons, and rushed for over 1,000 yards just once - amassing 1,014 in his junior season, his final year at USC. McKnight struggled to hold on to the football at times, especially in the return game. It became such an issue that he lost his spot as a punt returner.
It's a bit much to expect him to step up and fill Leon's shoes. He never came close to filling Reggie's.
Can he eventually be that type of player? He has the skill to do it. But it's going to take a lot of work to make it happen.
But that's essentially what happened today when the Jets traded Leon Washington to Seattle and drafted USC RB Joe McKnight. It's not a straight up trade, but it's close to the same thing.
And it's a head-scratcher.
Washington was electrifying in green. He seemed to be capable of scoring every time he touched the football, and he had become a fan favorite. Sure, he suffered a terrible injury last season, relegating him to the injured list as Shonn Greene became a star overnight in the playoffs. Yes, the Jets went out and signed LaDanian Tomlinson in the offseason.
But how sure can the Jets be that Greene wasn't a flash in the pan? Does LT have anything left in the tank? If the answer is "no" to either question, Washington will be sorely missed. He's had plenty of time to recover from that leg injury, and he'll be close to 100% when camp begins, if not at it.
Now, all eyes turn to McKnight.
Few players have more raw talent than him. If you've seen the YouTube videos of him in high school, you know what he's capable of. Some people - myself included - anointed him the next Reggie Bush upon his arrival at USC. He was that good.
But McKnight never put it all together in cardinal and gold.
There was the fourth quarter against Arizona in 2007, when he dazzled the Coliseum crowd with a 45-yard punt return and a 59-yard run to set up USC's final 10 points and give the Trojans a come-from-behind, 20-13 win. There was the final drive at Ohio State in 2009, when McKnight gained 54 of USC's 96 yards, setting up the game-winning score over the Buckeyes.
These are just two of the flashes of brilliance in McKnight's otherwise disappointing career. He scored just 15 touchdowns on offense in three seasons, and rushed for over 1,000 yards just once - amassing 1,014 in his junior season, his final year at USC. McKnight struggled to hold on to the football at times, especially in the return game. It became such an issue that he lost his spot as a punt returner.
It's a bit much to expect him to step up and fill Leon's shoes. He never came close to filling Reggie's.
Can he eventually be that type of player? He has the skill to do it. But it's going to take a lot of work to make it happen.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Day 2 Wrap-Up
The second and third rounds of the draft are complete, and a few key questions were answered. How far would Jimmy Clausen fall? Even more than expected. When would Colt McCoy come off the board? Later than many people thought he would. Could Taylor Mays slide into the third round? No, the 49ers wouldn't let that happen.
Many questions still remain as we head into the final day of the 2010 draft, but before we get to those, let's take a look at the winners and losers of Day 2.
Three Winners
1) New England Patriots: The Pats made four picks on day two, and each was a good selection. Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski (2/42) is a solid pass-catcher who can challenge Alge Crumpler for the starting job, as well as learn from him. New England chose two Florida LBs, Jermaine Cunningham (2/53) and Brandon Spikes (2/ 62). Neither will be expected to start immediately and can learn in the system. The Pats grabbed a receiver in the third in Ohio's Taylor Price, another player who can learn in the system. But perhaps their best move of the day came in the third round, when they traded pick No. 89 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the Panthers' 2011 second round pick. New England now has two first round picks and two second round picks in next year's draft.
2) Minnesota Vikings: The Vikes traded out of the first round on Thursday night and made just two selections on day two, both in the second round. But they made their two picks count. Virginia CB Chris Cook (34) provides depth at a position that needed it. Then they traded up to draft Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, a bruising back who will be a great complement to Adrian Peterson. Both players have the potential to make big impacts as rookies.
3) Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore's defense got even better, and their offense became more explosive. DT Terrence Cody (2/57) is a force to be reckoned with in the middle, and he can work with Haloti Ngata to learn the trade. Oregon TE Ed Dickson (3/70) is a solid pass-catcher who can be another threat with Todd Heap. Dickson can also line up as a receiver if the Ravens need him to.
Three Losers
1. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo filled a need when it drafted DT Torell Troup with the No. 41 overall pick, but it was a reach that high in the second round. The Bills also failed to get a QB, passing on Clausen with their second-round selection and McCoy with their third. DE Alex Carrington could develop into a good player, but drafting a QB would have been a better decision.
2. A certain USC safety: It's been a rough few weeks for Taylor Mays. He was considered a likely first round pick before sliding to the middle of the second round. It was almost certain he would be the third safety off the board after Eric Berry and Earl Thomas. Instead, he was the third safety taken in the second round. Then, he decided to take a shot at former USC coach and current Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. It was not a good day for Mays.
3. Ohio State: The total number of Ohio State players taken in the first three rounds: 0. No, that's not a typo. 0 Buckeyes have been chosen so far. In case you were wondering, the Buckeyes have had 329 players drafted in their history. But 0 so far.
Top 5 Players Remaining
1. Everson Griffen, DE, USC
2. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
3. Ricky Sapp, DE, Clemson
4. Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
5. Thaddeus Gibson, DE, Ohio State
What to Watch For on Day 3
The USC Three: Griffen might have the most talent of anyone left in the draft, but will his inconsistency cause him to drop even more? What about RB Joe McKnight, who never quite put it together for the Trojans but still has playmaking ability. And when does TE Anthony McCoy come off the board, given his pass-catching ability and positive marijuana test?
Where is Pike's Place?: Cincinnati QB Tony Pike is the best QB on the board entering the fourth round. Washington (103), Seattle (104), Oakland (106) and Buffalo (107) all could be interested.
Plenty of CBs left: There is still a lot of talent left on the board at this position, including Oregon's Walter Thurmond and Cal's Syd'Quan Thompson. There's also been a lot of talk about Akwasi Owusu-Ansah of Indiana (PA).
Many questions still remain as we head into the final day of the 2010 draft, but before we get to those, let's take a look at the winners and losers of Day 2.
Three Winners
1) New England Patriots: The Pats made four picks on day two, and each was a good selection. Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski (2/42) is a solid pass-catcher who can challenge Alge Crumpler for the starting job, as well as learn from him. New England chose two Florida LBs, Jermaine Cunningham (2/53) and Brandon Spikes (2/ 62). Neither will be expected to start immediately and can learn in the system. The Pats grabbed a receiver in the third in Ohio's Taylor Price, another player who can learn in the system. But perhaps their best move of the day came in the third round, when they traded pick No. 89 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the Panthers' 2011 second round pick. New England now has two first round picks and two second round picks in next year's draft.
2) Minnesota Vikings: The Vikes traded out of the first round on Thursday night and made just two selections on day two, both in the second round. But they made their two picks count. Virginia CB Chris Cook (34) provides depth at a position that needed it. Then they traded up to draft Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, a bruising back who will be a great complement to Adrian Peterson. Both players have the potential to make big impacts as rookies.
3) Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore's defense got even better, and their offense became more explosive. DT Terrence Cody (2/57) is a force to be reckoned with in the middle, and he can work with Haloti Ngata to learn the trade. Oregon TE Ed Dickson (3/70) is a solid pass-catcher who can be another threat with Todd Heap. Dickson can also line up as a receiver if the Ravens need him to.
Three Losers
1. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo filled a need when it drafted DT Torell Troup with the No. 41 overall pick, but it was a reach that high in the second round. The Bills also failed to get a QB, passing on Clausen with their second-round selection and McCoy with their third. DE Alex Carrington could develop into a good player, but drafting a QB would have been a better decision.
2. A certain USC safety: It's been a rough few weeks for Taylor Mays. He was considered a likely first round pick before sliding to the middle of the second round. It was almost certain he would be the third safety off the board after Eric Berry and Earl Thomas. Instead, he was the third safety taken in the second round. Then, he decided to take a shot at former USC coach and current Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. It was not a good day for Mays.
3. Ohio State: The total number of Ohio State players taken in the first three rounds: 0. No, that's not a typo. 0 Buckeyes have been chosen so far. In case you were wondering, the Buckeyes have had 329 players drafted in their history. But 0 so far.
Top 5 Players Remaining
1. Everson Griffen, DE, USC
2. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
3. Ricky Sapp, DE, Clemson
4. Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
5. Thaddeus Gibson, DE, Ohio State
What to Watch For on Day 3
Second Round Analysis
64. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Charles Brown, OT, USC - A steal by the Saints to close out the second round. He's a good all-around tackle with good size and intangibles. Some people - myself included - had him as a first round pick. The Saints picked a potential starter in Brown.
63. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Pat Angerer, LB, Iowa - A bit of a reach by the Colts, but he has good upside. He ran a slow 40-time (in the 4.65 range), but he had a solid senior season, recording 135 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and one interception. He also had five picks the year before.
62. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from Minnesota): Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida - Some people have Spikes rated higher than Sean Lee, who went earlier in the round. He's a passionate player who flies around the field. He's a hard hitter who can become a solid NFL player under the tutelage of Bill Belichick.
61. NEW YORK JETS: Vladimir Ducasse, OL, Massachusetts - The Jets need depth on the offensive line, and Ducasse is a good addition at this point. He's a big lineman at 6-4 330 and a solid guard. If the Jets trade or release Alan Faneca, Ducasse could challenge for the starting job.
60. SEATTLE SEAHAKWS (from San Diego): Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame - Tate is a steal for Seattle at this point in the draft. Head coach Pete Carroll knows him well, having coached against him at USC. He's a playmaking wide receiver with great hands and good speed. He runs good routes as well. Tate is versatile, in that he can throw the ball and run it, making him an ideal candidate for any type of Wildcat offense the Seahawks may run. He's also good in the return game.
59. CLEVELAND BROWNS (from Dallas): Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee - Cleveland was not a good rushing team last season, the Browns don't have a true No. 2 RB behind Jerome Harrison. Hardesty is a speedy back who can make people miss. Still a bit surprising, though, to see another running back taken instead of McKnight.
58. HOUSTON TEXANS (from New England): Ben Tate, RB, Auburn - Houston's ground game was not very good last season, and they needed to address it. Joe McKnight was the best running back left on my board, but Tate is bigger than McKnight and a better complement to Steve Slaton.
57. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama - Cody is a beast in the middle. He has the size to be a dominant nose tackle in the NFL, but he's a bit slow and seems to wear down as the game goes on. If he can get in NFL-level shape, he can wreak havoc in the middle with Haloti Ngata for years.
56. GREEN BAY: Mike Neal, DT, Purdue - He's too big to be a defensive end but a little small as a defensive tackle. He also has issues bringing it on every play. But when he's on his game, he can make things happen in the middle.
55. DALLAS COWBOYS (from Philadelphia): Sean Lee, ILB, Penn State - Lee is the second-best inside LB in the draft at a position the Cowboys need help. Still, he has injury concerns after tearing an ACL in 2008. But if he stays healthy, he can be a good player.
54. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida - Dunlap has the skills to be a top-15 pick, but he's had off
the field issues that accounted for his slide to this spot. If he can get things figured out, he has the potential to develop into one of the best steals in the draft.
53. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Jermaine Cunningham, OLB, FLorida - There's a group of linebackers left at this point in the draft who are similar in abilities, and the Pats pick a solid player out of that crop. new England needs to get younger on defense, and the youth movement continues with this pick.
52. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Jason Worilds, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech - He's a little small to be a full-time defensive end, but he's got very good speed as a pass rusher and good agility as well. The Steelers can use him as a hybrid defender.
51. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (from Houston): Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford - Gerhart is an old-school running back who isn't afraid to run people over on his way to the end zone. And he's very good at getting there. He provides a phenomenal complement to Adrian Peterson, Minnesota's own version of thunder and lightning.
50. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (from Atlanta): Javier Arenas, DB, Alabama - A bit of a reach for the Chiefs at this pick, but Arenas is an athletic defensive back. He has a knack for the ball, although his coverage skills are not top-notch. Arenas also gives the Chiefs a boost in the return game.
49. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Taylor Mays, S, USC - Mays has first round athletic skills with second or third round cover skills. With the right coaching, he can develop into a hard-hitting, Pro Bowl-caliber safety in the NFL. But he's going to have to work at it. Still, he's a physical specimen and the Niners get quite an athlete.
48. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame - A dream scenario for the Panthers. This was their first pick in the draft, and I doubt they believed they would have a shot at Clausen. Now, they add a QB with a pro-style skill set who has good pieces around him on the offensive line and at skill positions on offense. Clausen could start from day one.
47. ARIZONA CARDINALS (from New England): Daryl Washington, LB, TCU - The Cards had a hole at LB after the departure of Karlos Dansby, and this is a good move to fill the void. Washington can play as a LB and as a down lineman. He's a solid addition to Arizona's defense.
46. NEW YORK GIANTS: Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina - Solid pick by the Giants. He has been rising up draft boards in the last few days. He has good athleticism and great size (6-5, 328).
45. DENVER BRONCOS: Zane Beadles, OL , Utah - An interesting pick by the Broncos. USC's Charles Brown is a better overall offensive lineman and UMass's Vladimir Ducasse is a better guard. Still, Beadles is a big player with a bit of versatility on the line.
44. OAKLAND RAIDERS (from New England): Lamarr Houston,, DT, Texas - Back-to-back Longhorns off the board in the second round. He's a big guy at 6-2, 300, and has good burst through the line. Oakland showing a clear commitment to defense.
43. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas - An absolute steal for the Ravens. He's quick to the ball, and if his knee stays healthy, he's going to be a star at the next level. He has great skills, and will improve under the tutelage of Ray Lewis.
42. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from Oakland): Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona - Gronkowski is a solid pass-patcher with good blocking skills as well. He could start at tight end when the season opens.
41. BUFFALO BILLS: Torell Troup, DT, Central Florida - Troup is a bit of a reach, but he fills a need at DT.
40. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Koa Misi, LB, Utah - Interesting to see Misi off the board before Sergio Kindle, but a good pick by Miami. He has good size at 6-3, 251 pounds, and shows the Dolphins' continued commitment to improving their defense and getting younger.
39. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (from Oakland): Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois - Tampa Bay needs targets for Josh Freeman, and Benn is an excellent receiver. He's athletic and very good at jumping for the football. This is a great pick for the Bucs.
38. CLEVELAND BROWNS: T.J. Ward, S, Oregon - Ward's coverage skills are mediocre at best, but he's a physical specimen and he can hit. He does have injury concerns, though. It's surprising to see him off the board before Taylor Mays.
63. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Pat Angerer, LB, Iowa - A bit of a reach by the Colts, but he has good upside. He ran a slow 40-time (in the 4.65 range), but he had a solid senior season, recording 135 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and one interception. He also had five picks the year before.
62. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from Minnesota): Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida - Some people have Spikes rated higher than Sean Lee, who went earlier in the round. He's a passionate player who flies around the field. He's a hard hitter who can become a solid NFL player under the tutelage of Bill Belichick.
61. NEW YORK JETS: Vladimir Ducasse, OL, Massachusetts - The Jets need depth on the offensive line, and Ducasse is a good addition at this point. He's a big lineman at 6-4 330 and a solid guard. If the Jets trade or release Alan Faneca, Ducasse could challenge for the starting job.
60. SEATTLE SEAHAKWS (from San Diego): Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame - Tate is a steal for Seattle at this point in the draft. Head coach Pete Carroll knows him well, having coached against him at USC. He's a playmaking wide receiver with great hands and good speed. He runs good routes as well. Tate is versatile, in that he can throw the ball and run it, making him an ideal candidate for any type of Wildcat offense the Seahawks may run. He's also good in the return game.
59. CLEVELAND BROWNS (from Dallas): Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee - Cleveland was not a good rushing team last season, the Browns don't have a true No. 2 RB behind Jerome Harrison. Hardesty is a speedy back who can make people miss. Still a bit surprising, though, to see another running back taken instead of McKnight.
58. HOUSTON TEXANS (from New England): Ben Tate, RB, Auburn - Houston's ground game was not very good last season, and they needed to address it. Joe McKnight was the best running back left on my board, but Tate is bigger than McKnight and a better complement to Steve Slaton.
57. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama - Cody is a beast in the middle. He has the size to be a dominant nose tackle in the NFL, but he's a bit slow and seems to wear down as the game goes on. If he can get in NFL-level shape, he can wreak havoc in the middle with Haloti Ngata for years.
56. GREEN BAY: Mike Neal, DT, Purdue - He's too big to be a defensive end but a little small as a defensive tackle. He also has issues bringing it on every play. But when he's on his game, he can make things happen in the middle.
55. DALLAS COWBOYS (from Philadelphia): Sean Lee, ILB, Penn State - Lee is the second-best inside LB in the draft at a position the Cowboys need help. Still, he has injury concerns after tearing an ACL in 2008. But if he stays healthy, he can be a good player.
54. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida - Dunlap has the skills to be a top-15 pick, but he's had off
the field issues that accounted for his slide to this spot. If he can get things figured out, he has the potential to develop into one of the best steals in the draft.
53. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Jermaine Cunningham, OLB, FLorida - There's a group of linebackers left at this point in the draft who are similar in abilities, and the Pats pick a solid player out of that crop. new England needs to get younger on defense, and the youth movement continues with this pick.
52. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Jason Worilds, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech - He's a little small to be a full-time defensive end, but he's got very good speed as a pass rusher and good agility as well. The Steelers can use him as a hybrid defender.
51. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (from Houston): Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford - Gerhart is an old-school running back who isn't afraid to run people over on his way to the end zone. And he's very good at getting there. He provides a phenomenal complement to Adrian Peterson, Minnesota's own version of thunder and lightning.
50. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (from Atlanta): Javier Arenas, DB, Alabama - A bit of a reach for the Chiefs at this pick, but Arenas is an athletic defensive back. He has a knack for the ball, although his coverage skills are not top-notch. Arenas also gives the Chiefs a boost in the return game.
49. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Taylor Mays, S, USC - Mays has first round athletic skills with second or third round cover skills. With the right coaching, he can develop into a hard-hitting, Pro Bowl-caliber safety in the NFL. But he's going to have to work at it. Still, he's a physical specimen and the Niners get quite an athlete.
48. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame - A dream scenario for the Panthers. This was their first pick in the draft, and I doubt they believed they would have a shot at Clausen. Now, they add a QB with a pro-style skill set who has good pieces around him on the offensive line and at skill positions on offense. Clausen could start from day one.
47. ARIZONA CARDINALS (from New England): Daryl Washington, LB, TCU - The Cards had a hole at LB after the departure of Karlos Dansby, and this is a good move to fill the void. Washington can play as a LB and as a down lineman. He's a solid addition to Arizona's defense.
46. NEW YORK GIANTS: Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina - Solid pick by the Giants. He has been rising up draft boards in the last few days. He has good athleticism and great size (6-5, 328).
45. DENVER BRONCOS: Zane Beadles, OL , Utah - An interesting pick by the Broncos. USC's Charles Brown is a better overall offensive lineman and UMass's Vladimir Ducasse is a better guard. Still, Beadles is a big player with a bit of versatility on the line.
44. OAKLAND RAIDERS (from New England): Lamarr Houston,, DT, Texas - Back-to-back Longhorns off the board in the second round. He's a big guy at 6-2, 300, and has good burst through the line. Oakland showing a clear commitment to defense.
43. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas - An absolute steal for the Ravens. He's quick to the ball, and if his knee stays healthy, he's going to be a star at the next level. He has great skills, and will improve under the tutelage of Ray Lewis.
42. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from Oakland): Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona - Gronkowski is a solid pass-patcher with good blocking skills as well. He could start at tight end when the season opens.
41. BUFFALO BILLS: Torell Troup, DT, Central Florida - Troup is a bit of a reach, but he fills a need at DT.
40. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Koa Misi, LB, Utah - Interesting to see Misi off the board before Sergio Kindle, but a good pick by Miami. He has good size at 6-3, 251 pounds, and shows the Dolphins' continued commitment to improving their defense and getting younger.
39. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (from Oakland): Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois - Tampa Bay needs targets for Josh Freeman, and Benn is an excellent receiver. He's athletic and very good at jumping for the football. This is a great pick for the Bucs.
38. CLEVELAND BROWNS: T.J. Ward, S, Oregon - Ward's coverage skills are mediocre at best, but he's a physical specimen and he can hit. He does have injury concerns, though. It's surprising to see him off the board before Taylor Mays.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
First Round Wrap-Up
The first round of the 2010 draft is in the books. It took just about 3 and a half hours - about as fast as any first round in recent memory. And in the span of 32 picks, there were surprises, trades, steals and everything in between. So who won, who lost, and what's left for the next six rounds? Here's the first round breakdown.
Three Winners
1) Detroit Lions: The Lions got the best player available in the draft at No. 2 in Ndamukong Suh. He'll make an instant impact. They traded back into the end of the first round to grab Cal RB Jahvid Best at No. 30. He's another player who can make an impact from the start of the season, and in a big way. He's a playmaker who can dazzle in the ground game, catching passes and in special teams.
2) Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins got exactly what they needed in the first round - a solid interior defensive lineman in Jared Odrick and additional draft picks. They didn't see the right value at No. 12 and traded with San Diego, getting No. 28 overall (which they used on Odrick), a second-round pick (No. 40) and a fourth-round pick (No. 126). Odrick is a good addition to an aging defensive line, and the picks give them a chance to add more talent.
3. Oakland Raiders fans: For once, the Raiders didn't completely upset their fans. Rolando McClain may not be exactly what they wanted, and No. 8 is a little high for him. But he has the potential to be a fine NFL player, and the Raiders could make the pick even better with solid drafting on days two and three.
Honorable mention: Seattle Seahawks for landing Russell Okung and Earl Thomas.
Three Losers
1) San Diego Chargers: The Chargers swapped first round picks with Miami and gave up two more selections, all to move up to No. 12 and draft Ryan Matthews. He's been rising up draft boards and has great upside, but No. 12 was too early to draft him. San Diego could have drafted Matthews later in the round, or taken Best, who went two picks after San Diego's original draft position.
2) Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags needed help on defense, but reaching for Cal DT Tyson Alualu didn't make sense at No. 10. He's a good player and certainly would have been available at the end of the first round. Jacksonville's selection spot was highly-coveted, and the Jags would have been wise to trade down, add picks and still add Alualu. He's not a bad player, but the value isn't there at No. 10.
3) A certain Notre Dame quarterback: If you'd told me Jimmy Clausen was going to slide out of the first round, I would have been surprised, but not utterly shocked. If you'd told me Tim Tebow was going to be drafted before him, I'd have laughed. If you said both scenarios were going to play out, I would have called you downright crazy. But they did, and Clausen's wait lasts overnight. How much sleep do you think he will get before 6 pm ET on Friday?
Top 5 Players Remaining
1. Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas
2. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
3. Everson Griffen, DE, USC
4. Charles Brown, OT, USC
5. Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU
What to Watch For on Day 2
QB Crazy: There's likely to be a trading frenzy in the first few picks of the second round. Teams in need of a QB will try to move up to grab Clausen or Texas QB Colt McCoy. The Rams, Bucs and Eagles all could benefit from Clausen's slide. They could acquire additional picks in the process.
The Lions Line: Detroit added a couple of important pieces in the first round. Now, they need to bolster their offensive line in round three (they traded their second round pick to get Best). If the Lions are able to add a lineman on day two, they'll be in the running for the big winner of the draft.
Pittsburgh's Return Path: The Steelers went the safe route in round one and drafted an offensive lineman, Maurkice Pouncey of Florida. They have a hole in the receiving corps and a number of other needs. Pittsburgh needs to add a WR in round two.
Three Winners
1) Detroit Lions: The Lions got the best player available in the draft at No. 2 in Ndamukong Suh. He'll make an instant impact. They traded back into the end of the first round to grab Cal RB Jahvid Best at No. 30. He's another player who can make an impact from the start of the season, and in a big way. He's a playmaker who can dazzle in the ground game, catching passes and in special teams.
2) Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins got exactly what they needed in the first round - a solid interior defensive lineman in Jared Odrick and additional draft picks. They didn't see the right value at No. 12 and traded with San Diego, getting No. 28 overall (which they used on Odrick), a second-round pick (No. 40) and a fourth-round pick (No. 126). Odrick is a good addition to an aging defensive line, and the picks give them a chance to add more talent.
3. Oakland Raiders fans: For once, the Raiders didn't completely upset their fans. Rolando McClain may not be exactly what they wanted, and No. 8 is a little high for him. But he has the potential to be a fine NFL player, and the Raiders could make the pick even better with solid drafting on days two and three.
Honorable mention: Seattle Seahawks for landing Russell Okung and Earl Thomas.
Three Losers
1) San Diego Chargers: The Chargers swapped first round picks with Miami and gave up two more selections, all to move up to No. 12 and draft Ryan Matthews. He's been rising up draft boards and has great upside, but No. 12 was too early to draft him. San Diego could have drafted Matthews later in the round, or taken Best, who went two picks after San Diego's original draft position.
2) Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags needed help on defense, but reaching for Cal DT Tyson Alualu didn't make sense at No. 10. He's a good player and certainly would have been available at the end of the first round. Jacksonville's selection spot was highly-coveted, and the Jags would have been wise to trade down, add picks and still add Alualu. He's not a bad player, but the value isn't there at No. 10.
3) A certain Notre Dame quarterback: If you'd told me Jimmy Clausen was going to slide out of the first round, I would have been surprised, but not utterly shocked. If you'd told me Tim Tebow was going to be drafted before him, I'd have laughed. If you said both scenarios were going to play out, I would have called you downright crazy. But they did, and Clausen's wait lasts overnight. How much sleep do you think he will get before 6 pm ET on Friday?
Top 5 Players Remaining
1. Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas
2. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
3. Everson Griffen, DE, USC
4. Charles Brown, OT, USC
5. Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU
What to Watch For on Day 2
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