Since the NFL draft is right around the corner, I figured I'd throw in my 2 cents. It may be the wrong sport to blog about but most baseball fans are football fans so this shouldn't be straying too far off topic.
*Miami Dolphins
1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan
-Projected Pick: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
No surprises here. Long signed with the Dolphins early in the week and will provide the team with a solid bookend tackle for years to come. He was by far in a way the best O-lineman in the draft and has an excellent punch and burst coming off the snap. With new football czar, Bill Parcells at the helm, the team decided to fill a glaring hole and rebuild from the inside out. Parcells knows that success in this league is determined by the strength of your lines and everything else is secondary. The Cleveland Browns wildly exceeded expectations last season because of the offensive tackle they drafted the previous year, Joe Thomas. No doubt, the success of Thomas and the Browns undoubtedly helped Long's stock this season. There is a possible downside here. Former tackle (now converted guard), Robert Gallery was viewed as a "can't miss" prospect when the Raiders took him with a top 5 pick a few years ago. He's been a total bust to date and Long could always end up going in that direction. The problem here is he wasn't the top rated player on just about anybody's draft board so one could make the case that they could've made a better selection with the #1 overall draft pick.
-Grade: A
32. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
-Projected Pick: Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
I projected the Michigan QB to go to the Dolphins in this spot. Henne did get a call from Parcells himself by the end of the day but it wasn't at this spot. Miami was able to steal highly touted DE, Clemson's Phillip Merling, off the board with the 1st pick of the second round. You've got to love this pick if you're a Dolphin fan. You could make the case that Merling was a mid 1st round pick and should've gone anywhere from pick #11 onward. It was surprising that the Seahawks opted for Jackson over Merling but Miami has to be happy about that choice. I believe he would've been a higher pick had it not been for a sports hernia injury that he dealt with this offseason. Merling has tremendous upside and is very well rounded. He could eventually develop into an elite run stopper and effective pass rusher and can play end or LB/pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme. As far as I'm concerned, the Dolphins stole Merling at this spot in the draft.
-Grade: A-
57. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
-Projected Pick: Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
It was pretty well known that Michigan QB, Chad Henne, was in the Bill Parcells mold. I actually projected him to the Dolphins at the top of the 2nd round with the 32nd pick overall. Like former Parcells draftee, Drew Bledsoe, Henne is a pocket passer with a strong arm. He doesn't move all that well which makes him a sitting duck if he doesn't have good pass protection around him... Jake Long should go a long ways to help that aspect of the Dolphins game. The fact that Long was Henne's LT in college should only help the team that much more. I think Henne has a lot more upside than incumbent QB, John Beck and one would have to think that the team will eventually go with Parcells' guy but I'm sure there will be an open competition in camp. Beck will likely start this year since he has more experience starting at the pro level but nothing is set in stone and Henne could emerge as the guy in training camp. He was widely viewed as the 2nd or 3rd best QB in the draft alongside Delaware's Joe Flacco so the Dolphins did well getting him this late.
-Grade: B+
66. Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton (from KC thru DET)
-Projected Pick: Jeremy Zuttah, G, Rutgers
-Grade: D+
Notable Late Round Picks
-6th Round: Lex Hilliard, RB, Montana
*St. Louis Rams
2. Chris Long, DE, Virginia
-Projected Pick: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
The Rams decided to address needs rather than going for the best player on the board with this pick. Many of the insiders out there were convinced that they'd go with LSU DT, Glenn Dorsey with this pick about a week ago but something changed early this week. Their #1 draft pick last season, DL Adam Carriker out of Nebraska, now weighs in at 315+ Ibs. and is best used as a DT at that size. It's possible that he could trim down to about 290 or so and move to end but even if he lost the weight, he'd be extremely slow for the position. That's why Hall of Famer, Howie Long's son made the most sense. He obviously has good bloodlines and like #1 pick Jake Long (no relation), Chris is relentless off the snap and has an unstoppable motor. He'll provide the defense with leadership and is a solid kid all the way around...no red flags here. The only problem with this pick is again, the Rams like the Dolphins passed up the best player on the board, DT Glenn Dorsey.
-Grade: A
33. Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
-Projected Pick: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
The biggest surprise of the 1st round had to be the WR freefall. Devin Thomas was the top ranked wideout on most boards but he was passed up by a number of teams with a need for a WR. No one expected Houston's Donnie Avery to be the first WR off the board. It's particularly odd when you consider that the Rams had their choice at the position...every single one of them was still on the board...which tells us that Avery was always their guy. I figured they'd go with a big WR like Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed or Devin Thomas (since he was actually available) but they opted for the smaller, speed guy instead. Without a doubt, this is a pretty significant reach at this spot as most mocks that I saw had him going in the late 2nd or 3rd round. Avery will have to improve his game in a number of areas if he ever wants to live up to his draft status.
-Grade: C-
65. John Greco, OT, Toledo
-Projected Pick: Mike Pollak, C, Arizona State
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Justin King, CB, Penn State
-5th Round: Roy Scheuning, G, Oregon State
-7th Round: David Vobora, LB, Idaho (Mr. Irrelevant)
*Atlanta Falcons
3. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
-Projected Pick: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Many insiders thought that the Falcons would wait until the second round or later to address their biggest need at QB. The reason for this is it reduces the financial risk and potential for catastrophic failure. If you take a QB this high, you better be sure he's the right guy to lead your franchise because if he isn't, the team will be on the hook for a ton of money for years to come. With all that in mind, the Falcons don't have anyone with any sort of a future at the QB position. One could make the case that DJ Shockley may have some upside but it's not likely. After the respective Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino fiascos last year (the former being much more egregious than the latter), team owner Arthur Blank wanted to put a new face on the franchise and that's exactly what he did by selecting the best QB in the draft at pick #3. Ryan provides the team with an unquestioned leader and a sharp, decision maker with excellent accuracy. His arm strength isn't nearly as bad as people think it is either. Coming into this draft, a lot of scouts gave Ryan a grade equal to the likes of fellow QBs like Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Phillip Rivers and Eli Manning. The prospect of landing a cornerstone to the franchise was just too good for the Dirty Birds to pass up. The only downside I see here is the protection and tools that he has around him. With the he emergence of WR, Roddy White and recently signed RB, Michael Turner he'll have considerably more than Joey Harrington did last year but the team is still a ways off from contending. Good thing they have about 50 more picks in this draft... Another problem here is once again, they passed on Glenn Dorsey, the best player in the draft, even though they could've used him.
-Grade: B
21. Sam Baker, OT, USC (from WAS)
-Projected Pick: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
I was close on this one. I predicted Mich. State WR, Devin Thomas to drop to the Redskins at pick #21. He did end up falling to the Skins...but amazingly they were able to steal him away in the 2nd round rather than the first (as was projected by most mocks). On the other hand, I also projected USC OT, Sam Baker as a 1st round pick (which most mocks did not) to the 49'ers at pick #29. So I was off by a few picks...but I like Baker in this spot much more than I like Cherilus at pick #17. They are similar players and are both better suited to play on the right side rather than the left but Sam Baker comes with a mean streak that Cherilus does not. Once viewed as a sure fire first round pick, injuries held him back in his senior season and really hurt his stock...or so we thought. It appears that the Falcons had seen enough film on the guy from previous seasons to know that he was the right pick for them at this position. Baker isn't the greatest run blocker but he's quick for a tackle and gets good leverage at the point of attack. There's no question that he has the experience to compete at the NFL level coming from a juggernaut of a school like USC. Teams had to be impressed by his leadership skills and maturity level. Measurables are one thing but there is no substitute for big game experience.
-Grade: C+
37. Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma
-Projected Pick: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Even though I didn't have Lofton rated as high as some did, I really like this pick for the Falcons. Linebacker wasn't their biggest need but a big-time tackler was. Lofton doesn't have great cover skills but can deliver punishing hits and will instill fear into the hearts of opposing RBs. I projected Lofton to the Patriots at the end of the 2nd but the Falcons did well for themselves by snatching him up early. He should replace Keith Brooking at inside linebacker in his rookie season and should stay there for a good decade or so.
-Grade: B-
68. Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU
-Projected Pick: Tavares Gooden, LB, Miami
-Grade: C+
84. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville (from WAS)
-Projected Pick: Joshua Barrett, S, Arizona State
-Grade: C+
98. Thomas DeCoud, S, California
-Projected Pick: Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU
-Grade: C
Notable Late Round Picks
-6th Round: Thomas Brown, RB, Georgia
-7th Round: Keith Zinger, TE, LSU
*Oakland Raiders
4. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
-Projected Pick: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
A lot of people saw this one coming. Knowing that Dorsey would fall to them...I didn't. The DT would've filled an immediate need. They already have several RBs to choose from but there's no question that "Run-DMC" is head and shoulders above the whole lot of them. Al Davis loves star quality in his players and coming out of college, McFadden's numbers looked better than Bo Jackson's did when he came out oh so many years ago. He'll provide the team with an explosive offensive weapon and should instill fear in the hearts of opposing defenders...the fear that they will be made to look like fools when this guy runs circles around them on national television. Of course, having the worst offensive line in football raises some serious questions. Will McFadden be able to find room with the likes of Cornell Brown and Kwame Harris blocking for him? That will remain to be seen but pair him with last year's #1 overall pick, JaMarcus Russell and they have the makings of what should be a formidabble offense for the next decade or longer. This is a move that could bring the Raiders back to prominence. Although the team passed on the highest ranked played in the draft (Dorsey) who would've filled their biggest need (DT), they still landed the best offensive player on the board which they needed just about as badly.
-Grade: A
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Tyvon Branch, CB, Connecticut
-4th Round: Arman Shields, WR, Richmond
*Kansas City Chiefs
5. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
-Projected Pick: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Darren McFadden can't be too happy about this pick. Dorsey, the highest ranked player on most draft boards, gives the team an elite run stopper who should plug holes in the middle for years to come. He's a dominating presence with overwhelming strength, an outstanding initial burst and surprisingly shifty moves for a man of his size. Kansas City needed a lot of help on their D-Line, especially with the recent trade that sent their best pass rusher, Jared Allen, to the Minnesota Vikings. Unlike DE, DT has been a need for them for what seems like eternity. Some scouts were worried about an injury Dorsey suffered while in college but any doubt was cleared up during the combine and pro day workouts. I really can't see any downside to this pick other than the fact that I'm a Raider's fan who just landed an elite running back. Dorsey will likely be McFadden's worst nightmare.
-Grade: A+
15. Brandon Albert, OT, Virginia (from DET)
-Projected Pick: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
I was almost certain that the Lions would opt to take premiere RB, Rashard Mendenhall, with this pick due to their woeful running game but they surprisingly traded out of the spot to stockpile extra picks. Of course the Chiefs weren't going to take Mendenhall in this spot as they already have an elite RB in Pro Bowler, Larry Johnson...they were going to address their dire needs on their once proud but now depleted offensive line...and address their needs they did. By trading up the Chiefs were able to steal Virginia OT/OG, Brandon Albert off the board with the 15th pick. Most mock drafts (including my own) projected Albert as a top 10 pick so it was a shock to see him fall this far given the value that's placed on LTs in this league. So not only did the team steal Dorsey off the board (the top ranked player), they were able to steal Albert as well (the #2 OL), making them the biggest winner of Day 1. Chiefs fans have to be happy with their front office because they were able to land exactly what the team needed most. It couldn't have worked out any better for them.
-Grade: A-
35. Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
-Projected Pick: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Well, I'm not one to gloat but I really hit the nail on the head on this one. Flowers was projected as a first round pick on many draft boards but managed to fall to the second round when corners didn't come off the board as quickly as expected. Flowers isn't the physical specimen that some of his fellow CB counterparts are but he has excellent instincts and football skills...which is all that really matters when you're playing football. He's an excellent tackler for a CB and can be used in blitz schemes or against the run. I really like this pick for the Chiefs and think Flowers will develop into a reliable corner in short time. Not only does this pick fill a need but they probably got the best value on the board as well.
-Grade: B+
73. Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas (from DEN thru MIN)
-Projected Pick: Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
-Grade: B-
76. Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee (from DET)
-Projected Pick: John Greco, OT, Toledo
-Grade: C+
82. DaJuan Morgan, S, NC State (from MIN)
-Projected Pick: Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: Brandon Carr, CB, Grand Valley St.
*New York Jets
6. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
-Projected Pick: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Having missed out on all of their top ranked players (McFadden, Dorsey and Chris Long), the Jets settled for the second best pass rusher in the draft, Ohio State's Vernon Gholston. Gholston's stock skyrocketed during the combine due to his physical skills but his production in college was nothing to scoff at. Some say that he took plays off and doesn't have the same relentless drive as a Chris Long or a Jared Allen but I would beg to differ. He racked up the sacks last year and did it while facing the #1 pick in the draft, Michigan's Jake Long. Being that Miami and NYJ are in the same division, this pick makes a lot of sense for the Jets. The DE/OLB hybrid position has become the hottest position on defense due to the success of players like San Diego's Shawne Merriman and Dallas' DeMarcus Ware. Gholston can line up as a DE in a 4-3 scheme or as a LB in a 3-4 scheme and will excel at either position. I like this pick but it is a gamble. He's only really had one great year under his belt but one can make the case that he's still fresh and didn't use up his best production in college. They just traded away former #1 pick, DT Dewayne Robertson, and I thought Sedrick Ellis would've been the safer move at this spot but he probably is better suited for a 4-3 scheme.
-Grade: B+
30. Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue (from GB)
-Projected Pick: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Everyone knew that the Jets were in the market for a pass catching TE but I had Keller going in the top of the 2nd rather than the end of the 1st. Nonetheless, the Jets did not reach for Keller here and were able to get good value while filling a need. Some would argue that USC's Fred Davis or Notre Dame's John Carlson would've been a better pick due to their blocking ability but it's hard to argue that there's a better pass catching TE in this draft. I had projected CB Mike Jenkins, falling to the Packers with this pick but they ended up trading out of the spot. Jenkins did in fact fall but the Cowboys were able to trade up to get him late in the 1st.
-Grade: B
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee
-6th Round: Marcus Henry, WR, Kansas
*New Orleans Saints
7. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (from SF thru NE)
-Projected Pick: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
I knew that Ellis would be taken in this spot one way or another. The Saints made no secret of their desire to trade up to land Ellis and the Patriots were more than happy to oblige them with no particular need with that high of a pick (and a pick forfeited later in the round due to the Spygate scandal). New Orleans had plenty of needs on the defensive side of the ball but Ellis was the highest ranked player on their board and gave them much better value than if they had taken one of the CB's at that position. He should give the team an elite run stopper up the middle, similar to the caliber of Glenn Dorsey. A lot of teams had Dorsey and Ellis ranked as #1 and #1A so there's no question the Saints got excellent value here. Had the Patriots selected him it wouldn't have made as much sense since they don't have a particular need for him and can get a LB a little later on. The downside here is the recent success (or failure) of USC lineman. They've had a history of falling short of draft day expectations but Ellis should break that trend.
-Grade: A
40. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
-Projected Pick: Patrick Lee, CB, Penn State
Again, I had the right position but wrong player. The 2nd round corners are pretty much interchangeable. Porter has a smaller frame but is one of the faster CBs in this year's draft. He can return punts and has a good eye for the ball. The Saints filled the biggest need with this pick and are hoping that Porter can eventually develop into a #1 CB (which Lee probably will not).
-Grade: B-
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State
-5th Round: Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
*Jacksonville Jaguars
8. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida (from BAL)
-Projected Pick: Brandon Albert, OT, Virginia
The player selected here isn't as surprising as the team selected him. I projected Harvey to go one pick later to the Bengals but the Jaguars apparently wanted him more and felt they had to trade up ahead of the Bengals to get him. This move is surprising because of how far up JAX had to move up to get him. They were scheduled to pick at #26 so moving up to #8 is quite a leap. Many scouts out there will likely say that this pick is a reach, which it may very well be, but Jacksonville felt confident enough in his abilities and that's all that matters. It wouldn't have been my pick but it addresses an immediate need for the team. Personally, I would've just waited to see how far Clemson DE, Phillip Merling, falls and target him instead. But what's done is done and JAX got the player they wanted. From what I've seen, Harvey doesn't particularly stand out as a pass rusher but has the potential to become a productive player in time.
-Grade: B-
52. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn (from TB)
-Projected Pick: Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
After having moved way up in the first round to select Florida DE, Derrick Harvey (which was a reach in my opinion), the Jags traded back into the second round and took another DE, Auburn's Quentin Groves. Pass rushing was a major need for the Jags last year and they've done well for themselves to address it but Groves lacks ideal size for an NFL-level end. At only 6'3, 259 Ibs. he'd be better used at LB than DE. If kept at DE, he won't be an every down starter. If everything pans out for him I think Denver's Elvis Dumervil could be a good comparison.
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: Thomas Williams, LB, USC
-5th Round: Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
-7th Round: Chauncey Washington, RB, USC
*Cincinnati Bengals
9. Keith Rivers, LB, USC
-Projected Pick: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Well, I was off here by one spot but trust me...that's exactly why JAX jumped ahead of Cincinnati. The Bengals (rather foolishly) made it well known that they were targeting Harvey at #9. JAX made a huge jump from #26 to get him but Cincinnati should be thankful that they did. USC LB, Keith Rivers, the consolation prize, is a much better pick in my opinion. Not only does he give the team a solid presence on defense but he also gives them a team leader with good character...something that Cincy has lacked over the years. He may never be a superstar but should enjoy a productive and lengthy career in the NFL. What makes this pick all the better for the Bengals is the fact that he's ready to play now. You can plug this guy in at outside linebacker (strong or weakside) and let him do his thing. A very safe investment, Keith Rivers will be a pick that the Bengals won't regret.
-Grade: B+
46. Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
-Projected Pick: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
I thought the Bengals would address their defensive backfield with this pick but they choose to replace recently cut WR, Chris Henry instead. That being said, Simpson was a major reach here, especially since WRs like DeSean Jackson, Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed and Early Doucet were still on the board. Simpson has decent size (6'1, 199 Ibs.) but didn't play against elite competition in college and was inconsistent production-wise. His combination of speed and size are what makes him a 2nd round pick but it is a gamble. Cincy is hoping that his considerable upside is worth the pick.
-Grade: C
77. Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
-Projected Pick: Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Grade: C+
97. Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
-Projected Pick: Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
-6th Round: Corey Lynch, S, App State
*New England Patriots
10. Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee (from NO)
-Projected Pick: Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Right position, wrong player. I actually had USC DT, Sedrick Ellis going to the Pats at pcik #7 but they were able to trade out of that spot. Instead, they picked in the #10 spot and took the player that they were targeting. Word came late out of New England that the team actually preferred Tennessee's Jerod Mayo over USC's Rivers because he was a bigger, more versatille linebacker that was a better fit in their system. There's no doubt that they needed help at the position being that the linebacking corp they have there at the moment is the oldest in the league...by far. It was never a problem in the past but age finally started to catch up to the legendary Junior Seau, the relentless Tedy Bruschi and the versatille Mike Vrabel. They looked sluggish at times and have definitely lost a step over the years. Mayo makes a lot of sense at this spot because he has more upside than RIvers and is extremely fast for the position. You can bet that he's a "Belicheck" type player if he was willing to take him this high in the draft.
-Grade: B
62. Terrance Wheatley, CB, Colorado
-Projected Pick: Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma
Of course, Curtis Lofton was long gone by the time this pick rolled around so the Pats decided to draft a replacement for ex Pro Bowler, Asante Samuel. Wheatley would've probably gone a lot higher had it not been for health concerns. He's a smallish corner who's been plagued by injuries throughout his career which is a major red flag for most teams...but not the Patriots. They have a history of drafting and signing players solely based on talent and nothing else. Character problems and injuries are not enough to ward off Bill Belichick if you can play ball. Despite his small stature and injury problems, Wheatley is a good tackler, capable of providing run support. His ball hawking skills are above average and he moves well while in coverage. This pick could pay off if Wheatley can overcome injuries but it is a gamble...but it's not like a team like the Patriots can't afford to take a chance on a player.
Grade: C
78. Shawn Crable, LB, Michigan (from NO)
-Projected Pick: Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida State
Grade: C-
94. Kevin 'O Connell, QB, San Diego State
-Projected Pick: Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
-Grade: D-
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: Matt Slater, WR, UCLA
-6th Round: Bo Ruud, LB, Nebraska
*Buffalo Bills
11. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
-Projected Pick: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Again, right position, wrong player. You're basically splitting hairs with any of the first round CBs as they are all quality 1st round picks and the case can be made for any of them at this spot. McKelvin was a matter of personal preference for the Bills' staff. I personally liked Talib better due to his on-field production and proven ball hawking skills but McKelvin is much faster and can return kicks as well. His catchup speed is probably the best out of all the CBs in the draft so he should make a for a good cover corner. However, his tackling and run support is lacking and that will be an area that he'll have to work on to get to be able to start at the NFL level. Buffalo does well for themselves because they were able to fill two needs with one pick...CB and kick returner.
-Grade: B+
41. James Hardy, WR, Indiana
-Projected Pick: James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Bullseye, Hardy was the pick. Many believed that the Bills would opt for Michigan State's Devin Thomas with their 1st round pick but they went defense instead. Hardy was a projected 1st rounder on a lot of mock draft boards and is one of the biggest WRs in the draft. For that matter, he's bigger than some of the TEs in this draft. At 6'5, 217 Ibs. he shouldn't have any problems getting seperation from CBs. He's a perfect compliment to #1 WR, Lee Evans and has elusive speed for his size. I really like this pick and think Hardy should make an immediate impact for a team that has a pressing need for a big wideout like Hardy.
-Grade: B
72. Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
-Projected Pick: Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
Grade: C
Notable Late Round Picks
-6th Round: Xavier Omon, RB, NW Missouri State
-7th Round: Kennard Cox, CB, Pittsburgh
*Denver Broncos
12. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
-Projected Pick: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Good pick for the Broncos as they were able to grab the tackle who many thought was the second best in the draft, behind #1 overall pick, Jake Long. I had both Vanderbilt's Chris Williams and Virginia's Brandon Albert ranked ahead of him in terms of skills but figured there was a good chance he's be the second tackle off the board. His speed and size make him ideal for Denver's zone blocking scheme so this is a pick that many saw coming. Clady has the talent to step in and produce on the offensive line right away. In time he should shift over to left tackle and stay there for a long time. I like this pick and as you will see, so did a lot of other teams. This selection sparked off somewhat of a run at the position.
-Grade: B+
42. Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech
-Projected Pick: Chilo Rachal, OG, USC
I think Royal was a pretty major reach at this pick. There are a number of WRs that I would've taken long before Royal. With the departure of Javon Walker to OAK, the Broncos has a need for WR but it wasn't as pressing as some of their other needs. Royal is a quick WR with excellent speed but doesn't have very good size. He needs to work on his route running and is somewhat of a project. His upside is high enough that he could eventually develop into a #2 WR but a #1 is probably out of the question.
-Grade: C-
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Jack Williams, CB, Kent
-5th Round: Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State
-6th Round: Spencer Larsen, LB, Arizona
-7th Round: Joshua Barrett, S, Arizona State
-7th Round: Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas
*Carolina Panthers
13. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
-Projected Pick: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Well I was close on this one. I had Denver and Carolina flipped flopped. There was word coming out of Denver that they may be targeting Stewart but that turned out to be a smokescreen. It actually works out well because Carolina has a much clearer need for a sturdy, reliable running back that can be counted on for the tough yards week in and week out. That's what they get with Stewart. The case can be made for Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall at this spot but the Panthers preferred the bruiser. Stewart is a big, power back who will pound the rock up the middle, exactly what the Panthers need. DeAngelo Williams is more of a complimentary, finesse back so Stewart gives them the starter they need. RB tandems are the new trend in the NFL and it is a copycat league. I definitely think Carolina made the right choice here. Stewart was much more proven than Mendenhall and the team can feel 100% confident that he can handle the load. Expect Stewart to be a 1,000+ yard back in his rookie season. He may not be as flashy as Darren McFadden but he may get a lot more work in his rookie year.
-Grade: B+
19. Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh (from PHI)
-Projected Pick: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
This pick here is who the Lions should've taken over Cherilus. I had projected Tennessee LB, Jerod Mayo to come off the board to the Eagles with this pick but he ended up as a top 10 pick to the Patriots (who had been rumored to prefer Mayo over Rivers and ended up trading back to get him). The Panthers were very lucky to be able to get a top running back at pick #13 and then landed one of the premiere LTs in this draft at #19. Otah has a nice initial burst and gets plenty of leverage off the snap. He may not have the same upside as a Chris Williams, Brandon Albert or Ryan Clady but he does have the potential to develop into a solid tackle. It was obvious that they Panthers needed help on the O-line and they were able to get their guy in Otah thanks to a reach by the Detroit Lions.
-Grade: B-
67. Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa (from NYJ)
-Projected Pick: Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan
Grade: C+
74. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
-Projected Pick: Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
Grade: B-
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: Gary Barnidge, TE, Louisville
-7th Round: Hilee Taylor, LB, North Carolina
*Chicago Bears
14. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
-Projected Pick: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Bingo, I called it, hit the nail right on the head, aren't I cool...(sarcasm). It was pretty obvious that Chicago was either going to take an OT or a RB and Williams is just as good as Clady, if not better. He may not have the upside of Virginia's Brandon Albert but he has plenty and is a much safer bet to fit in at tackle. Albert was a guard for most of his college career and a lot of teams weren't confident in his ability to block at the edge. That's where Williams fits in. He should start at ROT in year one and will eventually shift over to the left side in a year or two. The puzzling thing about this pick is the fact that Williams is better at pass blocking than clearing a path for the RB. Granted, neither Cedric Benson or Rex Grossman is particularly impressive at either position but one would think the Bears would want to build around the run rather than the pass. Perhaps Williams will eventually catch on as a run blocker but only time will tell. It's a bit of a gamble for this team but he could very well end up as the best tackle taken in this draft, even better than Jake Long.
-Grade: B+
44. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
-Projected Pick: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
As has become commonplace now, I had the right position yet again but wrong player. Ray Rice was considered by many to be a top 5 back in this draft but his size ultimately hurt him (5'9). Forte is a much bigger back (6'1) and runs hard with vision. His stock skyrocketed during the combine and Senior Bowl. The Bears needed a RB who could take over for (or at least share the load) with 1st round bust, Cedric Benson. Expect Forte to get a lot of carries right out of the gate and eventually become the starter if he succeeds in the role. He's a good pass catcher out of the backfield which gives him an edge over Benson already. Even though I projected Rice at this spot, I think the Bears made the better pick by going with Forte. He fits their system much better.
-Grade: B-
70. Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt (from SF)
-Projected Pick: Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Grade: C
90. Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas (from SD)
-Projected Pick: John David Booty, QB, USC
-Grade: B-
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Craig Steltz, S, LSU
-5th Round: Zack Bowman, CB, Nebraska
-7th Round: Chester Adams, G, Georgia
-7th Round: Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas
*Arizona Cardinals
16. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn State
-Projected Pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn State
Dubbed by many as the top corner in the draft, Dominique is the cousin of Pro Bowl and last season's top NFL cornerback, the Charger's Antonio Cromartie. He's very fast, has good ball skills, good hands, can cover big and fast receivers but needs to add some weight if he expects to make any kind of an impact blitzing or against the run game. At 6'1, 180 Ibs. he has excellent size but still plays small. The Cards are hoping that he'll get up to about 200 Ibs. as he matures and will play up to his size. He needs to develop a mean streak and play with a chip on his shoulder but playing with passion will not be a problem. During his college career he blocked an amazing 8 kicks which is not an easy feat to pull off. Most players (especially CBs) are lucky if they block a kick at all, let alone 8 of them. He can return kicks and even played a few downs on offense in college which goes to show just how valuable he can be to an NFL team. His upside is extremely high and fills an immediate need for a team that struggled against the pass last season.
-Grade: A-
50. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
-Projected Pick: Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
This is a great pick for Arizona in the mid second round. Campbell is a 1st round talent who's stock took a hit due to off-field issues. Some contend that he doesn't have the skill to ever develop into an elite pass rusher but I'd beg to differ. During his best college season in '06, he managed to record 20 tackles-for-loss and 10.5 sacks. At 6'7, 290 Ibs. he has a massive frame and a long wingspan to go along with it (which bodes well for batting down passes). Because of his size, he's an ideal fit as an end in a 3-4 system which is exactly what he'll be in Wisenhunt's system in the Valley of the Sun. In that role I don't expect many sacks but think the potential for it exists. Expect him to be used mainly as a run stopper. I projected him going one pick later to the Redskins at #51.
-Grade: B-
81. Early Doucet, WR, LSU
-Projected Pick: Dexter Jackson, WR, App State
-Grade: B
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: Timothy Hightower, RB, Richmond
-7th Round: Brandon Keith, OT, Northern Iowa
*Detroit Lions
17. Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College (from MIN thru KC)
-Projected Pick: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
I don't think I'm breaking any news here when I say that the Lions reached for Cherilus. Otah (who I projected to KC with this pick) is a superior prospect compared to Cherilus and would've been a much safer pick in this spot. Most boards (including my own) still had Cherilus as a late 1st round/early 2nd round pick but no one thought he'd go off the board before Otah. The reason why is because Cherilus cannot play LT, which is the premiere O-Line position (if they're blocking for right-handed QBs, which Cherilus will be) and is more of an RT. The Lions had to know this. They must intend to play him on the right side (or even at guard) but it just seems odd that they'd go in that direction when they could've gone to the left side instead. I can't be too hard on them because they did pick the right position to address at least (OL) but I think Cherilus is a bit of a stretch at #17...especially when they could've used a LT (or a RB like Mendenhall or Jones) just as badly.
-Grade: C+
45. Jordon Dizon, LB, Colorado
-Projected Pick: Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
Another reach for the Lions. Dizon was a late second rounder on some mock draft boards but was widely viewed as a 3rd or 4th round pick since he is undersized for the position. However, his lack of size has no effect on his heart and motor. He plays like a much bigger LB, has good instincts and is good in pursuit. There are other LBs I would've gone with before Dizon but it may work out ok for DET. Due to the departure of DE, Kalimba Edwards this offseason I thought the Lions would want to replace him with this pick because there was still some pretty good value on ends here, like Groves, Miami's Calais Campbell or Eastern Michigan's Jason Jones (who were all selected later in the round). That's the direction I would've gone with this pick.
-Grade: C
62. Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida (from MIA)
-Projected Pick: Oniel Cousins, OL, UTEP
Grade: C
87. Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida State
-Projected Pick: Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech
-Grade: C+
92. Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue (from DAL)
-Projected Pick: Steven Justice, C, Wake Forest
-Draft Grade: B-
Notable Late Round Picks
-7th Round: Caleb Campbell, S, Army
*Baltimore Ravens
18. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware (from HOU)
-Projected Pick: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
After missing out on Matt Ryan at pick #8, the Ravens were able to jockey up and down the first round and wound up with the second best signal caller in the draft. The team originally moved back to pick #26 when they made the deal with JAX at #8 but were able to entice HOU into trading out of pick #18. Joe Flacco of Delaware was the reason why they made such a ruckus in the 1st round. Unlike a lot of mock drafts, I projected Flacco as a 1st round pick to the Bucs two picks later at #20. I figured Gruden would want to continue his recent trend of stockpiling QBs but Flacco wouldn't last that long. With the best arm in this class, Flacco gives the Ravens a solid QB prospect with all the tools to excel at the pro level. He's very big for a QB (6'6) which should give him a good edge in the NFL when he needs to look over a D-Lineman's head to find a WR going deep... New coach, John Harbaugh is hoping that he's the answer to the QB problems that they've had ever since the team drafted Kyle Boller a few years ago (which ultimately cost former coach, Brian Billick, his job). I'm betting that Flacco will pan out much better than Boller did but he's no lock to succeed at this level...for that matter, no rookie is a lock. What will give him an advantage that most young "franchise" QBs don't have is veteran tools on offense. He inherits a playoff caliber team and will be able to rely on the likes of Willis McGahee, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap and Mark Clayton to bail him out when the going gets rough.
-Grade: B-
55. Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers (from SEA)
-Projected Pick: Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
Had Seattle stayed in this spot, I thought they'd go with O-line help but I really like this pick for the Ravens. Ray Rice was the 5th ranked RB on my draftboard so the Ravens did well for themselves by getting him here. Even though they already have Willis McGahee at the position, the NFL is turning into a 2-back league. Rice's size is a little underwhelming but he plays with a big heart and hits gaps with conviction. He's basically a wolf in sheep's clothing as he doesn't look like the punisher that he actually is. I was surprised that some of the other teams that needed RBs didn't opt for Rice earlier on in the round. Great pick for BAL.
-Grade: B
71. Tavares Gooden, LB, Miami (from DEN thru BUF and JAX)
-Projected Pick: Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
-Grade: C+
86. Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame (from SEA)
-Projected Pick: Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee
-Grade: C+
99. Oniel Cousins, G, UTEP
-Projected Pick: Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-6th Round: Haruki Nakamura, S, Cincinnati
-7th Round: Allen Patricks, RB, Oklahoma
*Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
-Projected Pick: Joe Flacco, QB, Maryland
I commend the Bucs for taking the right player at pick #20 rather than going QB happy yet again. Talib, in my opinion, is the best overall corner in the draft who is the best natural ball hawk in this draft. He has excellent size for the position and is above-adequate when playing up in run support. The problem here is he's not the fastest corner around and can get beat deep by more athletic WRs. It's a give and take with him. He may not have the blazing speed but has good instincts. Versatility is a part of his game as well. Not only did he lead the Big 12 in INTs (6) and pass breakups per game (2.8) but he's also able in the return game even though it's not a particular strength. The biggest complaint against Talib is his shoddy footwork. Of course, as long as he's getting INTs, I don't think the Bucs will care how pretty it looks as long as he's forcing turnovers. That's all you can ask out of a cornerback. Talib should provide the team with a tough, physical corner that they haven't seen the likes of since they drafted Ronde Barber 11 years ago.
-Grade: A-
58. Dexter Jackson, WR, App State (from JAX)
-Projected Pick: Reggie Brown, DB, Oklahoma
I really like Dexter Jackson as an NFL prospect even though he came from a small school and lacks ideal size for a receiver (5'9, 182 Ibs.). He's undeniably fast and is an excellent, shifty route runner that can make defenders miss. Jackson is an able punt return but will have to work on his strength to get up to an NFL level. He moves with fluidity and plays with a natural ability that is what you expect to see from an NFL receiver. Anything could happen, he could end up as one of the better slot receivers and punt returners in the league or he could be a bust. There's a small chance he could develop into a Steve Smith-like #1 but that is a longshot. A #2 billing is probably the best he can hope for.
-Grade: C+
83. Jeremy Zuttah, G, Rutgers
-Projected Pick: Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
-5th Round: Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
-6th Round: Geno Hayes, LB, Florida State
*Dallas Cowboys (from CLE)
22. Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (from CLE)
-Projected Pick: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
This one was pretty obvious although it was a little surprising they didn't opt for Mendenhall since he was available with their first pick. Even so, team owner and former Arkansas alum, Jerry Jones decided to show his loyalty to his alma-mater by drafting Jones. He was nowhere close to Mendenhall (on my board) which made the pick surprising in a sense but just about everybody and their mothers had projected McFadden's backup to the Cowboys with this pick. It makes sense for them in the regard that Jones is an excellent kick returner on top of a rusher. His style compliments Marion "the Barbarian" Barber a lot better than Mendenhall would've being that they are similar types of backs. He's also a strong pass catcher out of the backfield which makes him all the more intriguing of a prospect. While it can be argued that the Boys could've waited until later rounds to address their needs at RB, they did well by getting a versatille player like Jones who can do a bit of everything.
-Grade: B+
25. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (from Seattle)
-Projected Pick: DeSean Jackson, WR, California
This pick was an absolute steal for the Cowboys. After RB, one of their biggest needs was CB and Jenkins was easily the best available DB at this point. The CBs in this draft were virtually interchangeable as some had Cromartie ranked the highest, some had Talib, others had McKelvin and some had Jenkins. You've really got to hand it to Jerry Jones for spotting an excellent deal and taking the initiative to jump on the opportunity. Had they waited to pick until the 28th spot, there's little doubt that a team like Houston or San Diego would've snatched up Jenkins before Dallas ever got a chance. This is the reason why Jerry Jones felt it was necessary to leapfrog both teams. We'll see what kind of arrangement the Cowboys go with in their defensive backfield this season but Jenkins is a guy who could start right off the bat if need be.
-Grade: A-
61. Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
-Projected Pick: Tyvon Branch, CB, Connecticut
It's really too bad that Bennett ends up in Dallas behind Jason Witten because he's a guy who could've started for a lesser team. At this point he's probably a better run blocker than a pass catcher but most scouts expect his hands to get better with time. Unlike USC's Fred Davis (who went off the board earlier in the round), Bennett has great size for the position at 6'6, 260 Ibs. He has deceptive speed for his size and is obviously strong enough to run thru defenders. The Cowboys are getting good value getting him here as he has enough upside that he could eventually prove to be the best TE in this draft class...but now that he'll be in Anthony Fasano's old role, he probably won't get the same chance that a Dustin Keller or a Fred Davis will get.
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech
-5th Round: Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State
*Pittsburgh Steelers
23. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
-Projected Pick: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
No one thought that Mendenhall would fall this far and the Steelers did well for themselves by taking him. Ranked by many as the #2 overall back in the draft (second only to McFadden), Mendenhall is a bruising back who runs with heart and determination. It was surprising to see so many teams that needed a RB pass on him (like Detroit, Arizona, Tennessee, etc..). He's an explosive presence out of the backfield capable of carrying the load full time. He may not be the best blocker when it comes to pass protection but he does run with determination and play with heart which is all you can ask from your RB. He'll take a pounding and will not shy away from contact. Luckily for him, the Steelers won't need to rely on him as an every down back since they already have Pro Bowler, Willy Parker playing at the position. Since he's a decent pass catcher, expect Mendenhall to take a 3rd down/goal line role with the team this coming season.
-Grade: A-
53. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
-Projected Pick: Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
After having RB, Rashard Mendenhall fall to them at pick #23, another offensive weapon fell to them at #53 in Texas WR, Limas Sweed. Considered by many as 1st round material, Sweed is an imposing WR (6'3, 215) with good hands. An injury during his senior season that ultimately led to surgery probably hurt his 1st round prospects but the Steelers benefit because of it. He has the potential to eventually develop into a #1 WR and could be a Pro Bowler for years to come. This is an excellent pick for Blitzburgh who really lucked out with both of their picks so far.
-Grade: B
88. Bruce Davis, LB, UCLA
-Projected Pick: Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Tony Hills, OT, Texas
-5th Round: Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
-6th Round: Ryan Mundy, S, West Virginia
*Tennessee Titans
24. Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
-Projected Pick: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
The Titans could definitely use a compliment to bruiser, LenDale White, but taking Chris Johnson this early was a reach. He's extremely fast for a RB (with a 4.24 40 time) but isn't very instinctive and is undersized. Johnson should provide a boost in the return game as well but this is a player who probably would've been available when the Titans picked in the 2nd round. I had a few backs ranked ahead of Johnson including Ray Rice of Rutgers and Jamaal Charles of Texas but all were projected as 2nd rounders. This pick is definitely a gamble for the Titans but it could pay off in the long run depending on how quickly Johnson develops. A work in progress.
-Grade: C
54. Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan
-Projected Pick: Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Jason Jones is a good pick here for the Titans because of his versatility. He has experience lining up at both end and DT and has good size for an NFL lineman. If the Titans opt to use him at DT he'll have to put on some weight but that's where they have the biggest need (next to Albert Haynesworth) and that's where they can probably get the most value out of him. I like this pick but it's hard to project how he'll turn out since he hasn't played against elite competition coming out of a small school like Eastern Michigan. It's a bit of a risk but could payoff for the Titans. I had projected a WR going to them here because they desperately need to get some offensive weapons for Vince Young. Considering all the WRs that are on the board, they probably made the right decision by holding out for later.
-Grade: C
85. Craig Stevens, TE, California
-Projected Pick: Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
-Grade: C-
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
-4th Round: Stanford Keglar, LB, Purdue
*Houston Texans
26. Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech
-Projected Pick: Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
This pick was surprising to some...but not to me. Even though I had Brown projected as a 2nd round pick, I knew that there could be a run on tackles in the first and he could find himself going to a team in the 1st. It may not be the best value available but the Texans were able to fill a major need. Brown is a very athletic tackle with a bit of an unorthodox style. He's a converted TE and doesn't have the greatest technique. Run blocking is not his forte (which won't matter in HOU since they have no RB to speak of) but he has all the tools to develop into an effective pass blocker in time. He'll be a project in the works but the Texans got the best available LT left on the board.
-Grade: C+
79. Antwaun Molden, CB, Eastern Kentucky
-Projected Pick: Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue
-Grade: D+
89. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia (from JAX)
-Projected Pick: Early Doucet, WR, LSU
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech
-5th Round: Frank Okam, DT, Texas
-6th Round: Dominique Barber, S, Minnesota
*San Diego Chargers
27. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
-Projected Pick: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
It was a little surprising to see Cason come off the board before Flowers but the Chargers were able to address a need and get decent value in the process. We're basically splitting hairs at this point when it comes to CBs...it's really just a matter of preference. Cason is a fast, athletic corner with all the tools you look for in a pro prospect. His footwork and moves need a little work but there are is a lot of potential here. Offensive tackle was probably a bigger need...and I'm a little surprised they didn't opt for USC OT, Sam Baker, at this position but Cason must've been a little higher on their board. He should fill in for the recently departed Drayton Florence immediately. The only thing that concerns me here is the fact that they did pass on their biggest need with their 1st pick. The quality at the position rapidly drops off after the 1st and 2nd round so if they are looking to fill that hole, they may have missed their chance.
-Player Grade: C+
69. Jacob Hester, FB, LSU (from OAK thru NE)
-Projected Pick: Bruce Davis, LB, UCLA
Grade: C-
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: Marcus Thomas, RB, UTEP
-6th Round: DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College
-7th Round: Corey Clark, OT, Texas A&M
*Seattle Seahawks
28. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC (from DAL)
-Projected Pick: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
I had actually projected Lawrence Jackson to go to the Jaguars at pick #26 but they ended up trading out of the spot, leaving Jackson to the Seahawks at #28. It appears that I like this pick much better than most people out there. The biggest knock on this pick is the fact that Clemson DE, Phillip Merling was still available. Personally, I don't have Merling ranked that much higher than Jackson so I really don't see a problem with this pick. The only knock on the guy is his closing speed (which can be fixed at the pro level). He's viewed as more of a run stopper than pass rusher but should develop over time. Size is not a problem for him as he's one of the bigger edge rushers in the draft, weighing in at 271 Ibs. He is very strong and could conceivably be used as an OLB in a 3-4 system if need be.
-Player Grade: B-
38. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame (from BAL)
-Projected Pick: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
Had the Ravens stayed in this spot, I figured a QB like Brian Brohm would've been the pick. After having missed out on Matt Ryan, QB was a major need but BAL decided to give their future QB (whoever it might be) a weapon up the middle. Fred Davis may have been rated higher on most boards but Carlson has better size. He's not nearly as fast but has good hands and is a good pass/run blocker. Davis would've been a better fit in my opinion but Carlson should fit in opposite of Donald Lee as the team's #2 TE.
-Grade: C
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
-7th Round: Justin Forsett, RB, California
*San Francisco 49'ers
29. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (from IND)
-Projected Pick: Sam Baker, OT, USC
I really like this pick for the 9'ers. Finally, a team at the back of the first rounder actually took a projected first rounder. Balmer was rated as the 3rd best defensive tackle in the draft, just coming in behind LSU's Glenn Dorsey and USC's Sedrick Ellis. He's perfect for a 3-4 system being that he can play nose tackle or can move to the edge, depending on which way the team wants him to go. This pick addresses and immediate need for the 9'ers and they were able to get good value at this position. They didn't necessarily steal Balmer off the board, as he was a projected late round pick, but they didn't reach for him here. The only real concerns about him is his track record. He's only really got one year of solid production under his belt so 9'ers fans better hope they were seeing the real Kentwan Balmer last season and not what will turn out to be a bust.
-Grade: B
39. Chilo Rachal, OG, USC
-Projected Pick: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
I really like this pick for the 9'ers. Ranked as the top guard in the draft, Rachal provides the team with an above adequate run blocker. He sometimes has problems in pass protection but has good size and athletic ability. There's no doubt that the 9'ers need all the help on the O-line that they can get and Rachal should provide that. It may have made more sense to go with a tackle in this spot because they could've always moved a guy like Kansas' Anthony Collins to guard but Rachal makes sense here.
-Grade: C
75. Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma
-Projected Pick: Erin Henderson, LB, Maryland
-Grade: C+
Notable Late Round Picks
-6th Round: Josh Morgan, WR, Virginia Tech
-7th Round: Larry Grant, LB, Ohio State
*New York Giants
31. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
-Projected Pick: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Everyone out there pretty much knew that the Giants would either target a safety or a linebacker in the first round and they did. It was largely believed that rising standout, Arkansas State's Tyrell Johnson, would be the pick at this spot but the Giants had Phillips rated higher on their board. Penn State's Dan Connor, would've been a nice pick (as I had projected) but you really can't argue with Phillips. The recent departure of safety Gibril Wilson made the position one of their biggest needs and they did well to fill it. Phillips is extremely fast for a 200+ pound safety and has excellent athletic abilities. Having played at a big school like Miami may help Phillips make the transition to the Big Apple. He has plenty of upside and should develop into a decent safety in time. The only real knock on him is the fact that he seems to get caught out of position too often. He always seems to be catching up to WRs which is something he'll have to work on. Anticipation skills can be taught so that shouldn't be too much of a worry.
-Grade: C+
63. Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
-Projected Pick: Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU
It was a big surprise that Thomas went in the 2nd round (I guess it was close to the 3rd since it was the last pick) as most mocks had him projected as a late 3rd round or 4th round pick. I thought my ranking in the 3rd round was generous but the Giants obviously felt differently. Thomas has good size and played for an elite program against tough competition which bodes well for his future in the NFL. He got beat deep at USC more than you'd like to see but can be moved to safety if need be (which is where he may eventually end up). There is decent upside here but there are injury concerns as well. The Giants were obviously addressing a need here since they didn't have another pick for a while...but they may have overreached for Thomas in the 2nd.
-Grade: C
95. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
-Projected Pick: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech
-Grade: B-
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Bryan Kehl, LB, BYU
-5th Round: Jonathan Goff, LB, Vanderbilt
-6th Round: Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
*Washington Redskins
34. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State (from OAK thru ATL)
-Projected Pick: Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
This is a flat out steal for the Redskins. I had actually projected Thomas to the Skins in the first round so getting him in the second is quite a coup. Had ATL stayed at this pick I was projecting them to take a DT (since they passed on Dorsey) but they did well for themselves by trading out of this spot. The front office in DC had to be pinching themselves when they saw team after team pass on Thomas. He has the most potential out of any of the WRs in this draft but is still somewhat of a project. The Skins coveted the size and speed combo that Thomas brings to the table and made a good choice for their team at this spot. Pairing Thomas with the likes of smaller WRs like Santana Moss and Antwan Randle El, should provide a nice contrast on the field on game days.
-Grade: B+
48. Fred Davis, TE, USC (from HOU thru ATL)
-Projected Pick: Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech
Had Atlanta stayed in this spot, they may have opted for Kansas OT, Anthony Collins here since Brown went off the board in the 1st round. Instead, they traded out of the spot and Washington was able to move up to land an above average pass catching TE. It was a little surprising when you figure that they already have an elite TE in Chris Cooley but Davis will be a nice compliment to Cooley and gives young QB, Jason Campbell one more target up the middle. I like this pick at this spot because the case can be made that he and 1st round pick, Dustin Keller have about the same upside. What Davis lacks in size (6'3, 255 Ibs.), he makes up for with his hands. If he could lose a few pounds and get down to the 230 range, he could conceivably be used as a WR. His blocking skills are adequate but don't jump out at you so he will likely be relied upon to catch passes more than anything else.
-Grade: B-
51. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
-Projected Pick: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
I missed Calais Cambell by one spot but it actually makes more sense that he's headed for a 3-4 system than a 4-3. The Skins managed to steal yet another pass catcher off the board in Malcolm Kelly. Thought of by many as the best receiver in this draft class, Kelly has the size (6'3, 224 Ibs.) and skill set to become an elite WR at the pro level. He was a bit of an underachiever at OU, having never topped 1,000 yards in a season, which probably hurt his draft value. Jason Campbell has to be one happy QB having come out of Saturday with a trio of young receivers with considerable upside. His job just got a lot easier. I really like what the Skins have done up to this point and feel like they've stolen every player they've drafted so far. Kelly is no different and may turn out to be the biggest steal of them all.
-Grade: B
96. Chad Rinehart, G, Northern Iowa
-Projected Pick: Jack Williams, CB, Kent St.
-Grade: D-
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Justin Tyron, CB, Arizona State
-6th Round: Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
-7th Round: Christopher Horton, S, UCLA
*Green Bay Packers
36. Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State (from NYJ)
-Projected Pick: Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
I had Tyrell Johnson falling to the Jets in this spot, which may very well have happened had they not traded out of the spot but I don't think anyone was projecting Green Bay to take another WR...especially this one. It's not like they aren't loaded at the position already. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Donald Lee make for pretty good targets and the Pack would've been better served addressing other needs elsewhere. I would've much rather have seen them take a player like Cal's DeSean Jackson, if they absolutely had to have a WR because he could've helped out in the return game. There were several directions they could've gone. They had a much bigger need for a CB, a safety (like Johnson), a TE or O-Line help but they apparently went for value over need (even though I don't think the value is so great here). Nelson isn't very big or fast but has good instincts and can run routes well. He may develop into a quality WR in time but I think this was a pretty big reach this high in the second round.
-Grade: C-
56. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
-Projected Pick: Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
So as it turned out, the Packers didn't give QB, Aaron Rodgers the vote of confidence he was hoping for. By taking Brohm in the 2nd round, the Packers now have what appears to be an open competition for the starting QB job in training camp. Brohm may not have an elite arm but he is extremely accurate and has enough experience to step in and get the job done at the pro level. His decision making skills need work but that's the case for most young QBs. Not so long ago (last year) Brohm was viewed as a 1st round QB and possibly the #1 overall QB in the draft. After a disappointing senior season, his value took a major hit...which worked out well for the Packers. However, this move may have unintended consequences when it comes to Rodgers. He'll now have to look over his shoulder every time he makes a mistake which is not the way you'd like to bring a young QB into the league. Rodgers would've been much better off had they signed a veteran backup rather than drafting another young QB. Then again, the competition could push Rodgers and bring out the best in him. That remains to be seen but regardless of what happens to Rodgers, the Packers did well for themselves by adding an alternative to Rodgers in case he doesn't pan out.
-Grade: B
60. Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
-Projected Pick: John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
The Packers could've grabbed another TE to accompany Donald Lee with this pick but it wasn't a huge need and Carlson was off the board at this point. CB wasn't their most pressing need either since they have Charles Woodson and Al Harris at the positions right now but factoring in their advanced age, it's probably a good idea to start looking towards the future. This is pretty good value for Lee at this pick...right about where he was projected. His upside is probably as a #2 CB at best but he's a good tackler and can help in the run game...which is always a big plus (and something the Packers like to see from their corners). He has good size at 6'0, 200 Ibs. and speed but is rather unpolished, only having started 9 games in his college career. Again, the Pack got good value here with Lee as I had him graded just under Arizona's Antoine Cason, who went in the 1st round to the Chargers.
-Grade: C+
91. Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas
-Projected Pick: Mike McGlynn, G, Pittsburgh
-Grade: D
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest
-5th Round: Breno Giacomini, OT, Louisville
-7th Round: Matt Flynn, QB, LSU
*Minnesota Vikings
43. Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State (from CAR thru PHI)
-Projected Pick: Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Even though the Vikings didn't have a pick in the 1st round, they were able to steal a 1st rounder in the mid second. Considered by many as the top safety in the draft, Arkansas State's Tyrell Johnson provides the team with a solid tackler at safety and makes their defense that much stronger. With the recent addition of Jared Allen, and now Johnson, the Vikings defense is going to be scary this season. The Vikings did well for themselves by trading up to land Johnson as he was viewed as a late 1st rounder that most mocks had projected going to the Giants with the final pick in the first round.
-Grade: B
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: John David Booty, QB, USC
-5th Round: Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State
-6th Round: John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
*Philadelphia Eagles
47. Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame (from MIN)
-Projected Pick: Fred Davis, TE, USC
Philly initially traded with the Panthers to get out of the first round and eventually found themselves at pick #49, after trading back up with the Vikings. Had Minny stayed in this spot, I thought they'd go for a TE with this pick but Philly obviously didn't need one...being that LJ Smith was designated as their franchise player this offseason. DT was a major need for this Eagles team and they did pretty well for themselves by taking Laws. I had Arkansas' Marcus Harrison ranked ahead of Laws but they were pretty close in grades. Laws is a little undersized for an interior lineman at only 6'0 tall. However, he was debatably the best player on Notre Dame last season (which isn't saying much) and can fill the gaps and stop the run. He's not a very good pass rusher but it's rare for a team to find a good pass rusher from the inside position. This is fair value for Laws at this spot.
-Grade: C+
49. DeSean Jackson, WR, California
-Projected Pick: Jordy Nelson, WR, Indiana
In my opinion, this is an absolute steal for the Eagles. I had Jackson rated as the #1 WR on my draft board. Not only does he have the potential to develop into an elite WR, he already has the ability to be an elite return man in this league. Due to the recent hype around Devin Thomas, I thought he'd be the 2nd WR off the board but he ended up falling a lot further than I thought he would. That's great news for Philly because they were able to land the offensive weapon that QB, Donovan McNabb has been looking for. The only knock on him is his size but that's not a very big concern of mine. After all, players like Carolina's Steve Smith and Washington's Santana Moss have enjoyed a ton of success at the pro level despite their size.
-Grade: B
80. Bryan Smith, DE, McNeese State
-Projected Pick: DeJuan Morgan, S, NC State
-Grade: D+
Notable Late Round Picks
-4th Round: Mike McGlynn, G, Pittsburgh
-4th Round: Quintin Demps, S, UTEP
-4th Round: Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin
-7th Round: King Dunlap, OT, Auburn
*Indianapolis Colts
59. Mike Pollak, C, Arizona State
-Projected Pick: Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
I had a feeling that the Colts would go in this direction. Jeff Saturday is getting up there in age and it's time to look to the future. This pick is actually better than my projected pick (even in my own opinion) as Pollak was the top rated center on the board. So as it turns out, the Colts didn't pick in the 1st round but were still able to get a top ranked player. That's not saying he should've been a 1st round pick...I'm justing pointing out the fact that time after time, the Colts scouting department is able to get great value while addressing a need late in the draft. They did the same thing last year when they landed Ohio State WR, Anthony Gonzalez at the end of the first round. Over the years that Peyton Manning has been QB in Indy, the team has grown accustomed to picking towards the ends of rounds...yet they consistently manage to put a SuperBowl contender on the field year after year. Back to Pollak...he may not be an elite C prospect but he's good enough and has the potential to become a decent starter down the road. Scouts like his upper body strength and the leverage he's able to get against big defenders up the middle. The Colts could've could've gone with a guard or tackle prospect like Jeremy Zuttah or Oniel Cousins with this pick but they decided that center was a position that they needed to fill this season.
-Grade: C+
93. Phillip Wheeler, LB, Georgia Tech
-Projected Pick: Bryan Kehl, LB, BYU
-Grade: D
Notable Late Round Picks
-5th Round: Marcus Howard, LB, Georgia
-6th Round: Steven Justice, C, Wake Forest
-6th Round: Mike Hart, RB, Michigan
*1st Round
-Biggest Steal
1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU to the Chiefs at pick #5
The Chiefs had to be thrilled that the best player in the draft, Glenn Dorsey, actually fell past four teams all the way down to #5.
2. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas to the Raiders at pick #4
3. Brandon Albert, OL, Virginia to the Chiefs at pick #15
4. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois to the Steelers at pick #23
5. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida to the Cowboys at pick #25
-Biggest Reach
1. Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech to the Texans at pick #26
Brown was a late 2nd round/early 3rd round pick on most mock draft boards. The team was desperate for a tackle and went with the best available at the position rather than getting 1st round value with their first round pick.
2. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida to the Jaguars at pick #8
3. Sam Baker, OT, USC to the Falcons at pick #21
4. Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina to the Titans at pick #24
5. Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College to the Lions at pick #17
-Biggest Impact Player
1. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon to the Panthers at pick #13
Look for Oregon RB, Jonathan Stewart to shoulder the load in Carolina from Day one of the season. He's a big, bruising back who can carry the ball a good 25 times game and isn't afraid to run it up the middle.
2. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU to the Chiefs at pick #5
3. Chris Long, DE, Virginia to the Rams at pick #2
4. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas to the Raiders at pick #4
5. Keith Rivers, LB, USC to the Bengals at pick #9
*2nd Round
-Biggest Steal
1. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State to the Redskins at pick #34
Thomas was projected to go as high as pick #11 to the Bills on most mock draft boards but all WRs took a hit a fell to the 2nd round of the draft. The Skins had considered drafting Thomas with pick #18 in the first round but they decided to address other needs first. They couldn't have imagined that Thomas would fall all the way into the 2nd round. Once they saw that, they had to trade up and trade up they did.
2. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson to the Dolphins at pick #32
3. Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech to the Chiefs at pick #35
4. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma to the Redskins at pick #51
5. Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State to the Vikings at pick #43
-Biggest Reach
1. Donnie Avery, WR, Houston to the Rams at pick #33
It was surprising enough that no WRs were taken in the first round but it was even more surprising that the first one to go off the board was Houston's Donnie Avery at pick #33 to the Rams. He may be quick but isn't a good route runner and shies away from contact. Big WRs like Malcolm Kelly, James Hardy, Limas Sweed and Devin Thomas were all available here. Even if they were set on a smaller WR, guys like DeSean Jackson, Dexter Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins and Eddie Royal were all available as well, any of which would've been a safer pick than Avery.
2. Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech to the Broncos at pick #42
3. Terrance Wheatley, CB, Colorado to the Patriots at pick #62
4. Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan to the Titans at pick #54
5. Jordon Dizon, LB, Colorado to the Lions at pick #45
-Biggest Impact Player
1. Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech to the Chiefs at pick #35
Flowers is a big corner who goes to a team with a definite need for his services. He'll be expected to step up and provide KC with a playmaker in the defensive backfield capable of covering WRs or coming up from the edge to blitz or provide run support.
2. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson to the Dolphins at pick #32
3. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami to the Cardinals at pick #50
4. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane to the Bears at pick #44
5. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana to the Saints at pick #40
*Round 3
-Biggest Steal
1. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State to the Panthers at pick #74
This pick came down between Connor and Michigan WR, Mario Manningham who fell all the way to the Giants at pick #95. Connor was projected as a late 1st rounder/early 2nd rounder by many, expected to land with a team like the Giants with the 31st pick or the Rams with the 33rd. Many believe Connor is a better linbacking prospect than fellow Penn State LB, Paul Posluszny, who was a 1st round pick last season. He should replace Dan Morgan on the inside in Carolina. Panther fans have to be happy with this pick.
2. Oniel Cousins, OL, UTEP to the Ravens at pick #99
3. Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas to the Chiefs at pick #73
4. Early Doucet, WR, LSU to the Cardinals at pick #81
5. Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas to the Bears at pick #90
-Biggest Reach
1. Jacob Hester, FB, LSU to the Chargers at pick #69
I don't know where the Chargers were going with this one. They may intend to use Hester at RB rather than FB which would make sense since most RBs are bigger than he is. At only 5'10, 226 Ibs. I can't imagine him getting much leverage in blocks against 300 pound linemen. If they do intend to run him, there were several players available who would've been superior options like Texas' Jamaal Charles and West Virginia's Steve Slaton. I didn't see a single mock draft that had this guy ranked as any higher than a 5th round pick.
2. Chad Rinehart, G, Northern Iowa to the Redskins at pick #96
3. Bryan Smith, DE, McNeese State to the Eagles at pick #80
4. Shawn Crable, LB, Michigan to the Patriots at pick #78
5. Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton to the Dolphins at pick #66
-Biggest Impact Player
1. Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame to the Ravens at pick #86
Zbikowski is a super-tough, super-versatile, safety out of Notre Dame who gained fame thru his boxing exploits. He plays with a mean streak and is a perfect fit in Ray Lewis' defense. You've got to love this kid's toughness and motor...he's non-stop. He's a hard hitter who can also contribute in the return game. Great pick for the new regime in Baltimore.
2. Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida to the Lions at pick #64
3. Jeremy Zuttah, G, Rutgers to the Bucs with pick #83
4. Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida State to the Lions at pick #87
5. Bruce Davis, LB, UCLA to the Steelers at pick #88
*Round 4
-Biggest Steal
1. Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas to the Bengals at pick #112
Given the value that placed on tackles in this draft, it was extremely surprising to see Collins fall this far. He was almost certain to go in the 2nd round, especially if Duane Brown went in the 1st. Most mock drafts and scouts gave Collins and Brown and equal grade. Some drafts even had Collins going long before Brown so to see him fall a full 3 rounds further than Brown did is undeniably odd.
2. Tyvon Branch, CB, Connecticut to the Raiders at pick #100
3. Dre Moore, DT, Maryland to the Bucs at pick #115
4. Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech to the Texans at pick #118
5. Justin King, CB, Penn State to the Rams at pick #101
-Biggest Reach
1. Shawn Murphy, G, Utah State to the Dolphins at pick #110
Murphy is a small school O-lineman who many question at the NFL level. He lacks the toughness you'd like to see in an NFL O-lineman prospect and may be overwhelmed by elite competition. I understand what the Dolphins were trying to do here but guys like Anthony Collins, Tony Hills, Roy Scheuning, Breno Giacomini and Carl Nicks were all available at this spot...any of which would've been a far safer bet than Murphy. If they were really serious about landing a guard, they should've tried to trade up a spot to take Pittsburgh's Mike McGlynn who was taken one spot earlier to the Eagles.
2. William Hayes, DE, Winston Salem to the Titans at pick #103
3. Josh Sitton, OT, Central Florida to the Packers at pick #135
4. Justin Tryon, CB, Arizona State to the Redskins at pick #124
5. Derek Fine, TE, Kansas to the Bills at pick #132
-Biggest Impact Player
1. Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California to the Titans at pick #126
Normally, I wouldn't pick a WR to make a major impact as a rookie as it's rare to see any of them make that big of an impact. The catch here (no pun intended) is Hawkins was the only WR the Titans took in this draft. There's no question that Vince Young needs more help at the position and you better believe he's going to take advantage of having a young, speedy playmaker like Hawkins.
2. Dre Moore, DT, Maryland to the Bucs at pick #115
3. Beau Bell, LB, UNLV to the Browns at pick #104
4. Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest to the Packers at pick #102
5. Stanford Keglar, LB, Purdue to the Titans at pick #134
*Round 5
-Biggest Steal
1. Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon to the Steelers at pick #156
Before he got hurt last year, Dixon was viewed by many as the Heisman Trophy favorite and a sure-fire 1st round pick. He has all the physical tools to be successful in the NFL and is a better than average decision maker as well. Again, if it was for a late season injury last year, Dixon would've gone much higher. Being that he'll now back up former SuperBowl winner, Ben Roethlisberger, he likely won't get many chances (if any at all) to play. It will take an injury to Roethlisberger and even in that case he probably won't be next in line for another few years. It's really too bad that Dixon didn't land on a team with a need for a QB but this may end up working out for him. He could end up like Matt Schaub and get eventually get traded to a team that needs him.
2. Trae Williams, CB, South Florida to the Jaguars at pick #159
3. Roy Scheuning, G, Oregon State to the Rams at pick #157
4. John David Booty, QB, USC to the Vikings at pick #137
5. Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska to the Saints at pick #164
-Biggest Reach
1. Robert James, LB, Arizona State to the Falcons at pick #138
The problem with James is he's too small (5'10, 219 Ibs.) to play LB and isn't strong enough to make tackles at the NFL level. Other than that...he'll make a fine LB...LOL. I don't see him as a safety either because his ball hawking skills aren't up to par and he's terrible in run support. I suppose he could wind up as a decent special teams guy because he does have quickness and can get down the field in a hurry. If that's not the Falcons' intentions, I really have no idea where they were going with this pick. What makes it an even worse is the fact that a few quality LBs who projected well to the NFL were still on the board...guys like USC's Thomas Williams, Georgia's Marcus Howard, Vanderbilt's Jonathan Goff, Florida State's Geno Hayes, Arizona's Spencer Larsen, Nebraska's Bo Ruud, Ohio State's Larry Grant and North Carolina's Hilee Taylor...all of which would've been better picks than James. Even Mr. Irrelevant himself, Idaho's David Vobora, probably has a better chance of succeeding at the NFL level than James does.
2. Jason Shirley, DT, Fresno State to the Bengals at pick #145
3. Matt Slater, WR, UCLA to the Patriots at pick #153
4. Kenneth Moore, WR, Wake Forest to the Lions at pick #136
5. Marcus Thomas, RB, UTEP to the Chargers at pick #166
-Biggest Impact Player
1. John David Booty, QB, USC to the Vikings at pick #137
Draft day couldn't have worked out any better for USC's John Davis Booty. Sure, he could've been a higher pick but he ended up landing in the perfect situation. Minnesota has a playoff caliber team but is shaky at the QB position with Tavares Jackson manning the helm. Booty has a ton of experience at an elite level, is a good decision maker and an accurate passer. He doesn't get sacked much because he's extremely quick with his release but that shouldn't be a problem anyway with one of the best O-lines blocking for him. If Jackson struggles to start the season (which I fully expect), Booty will probably get a chance once he's comfortable with the playbook. He's exactly the type of QB that Minnesota needs and could lead this team to a playoff berth as soon as this season.
2. Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State to the Broncos at pick #139
3. Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State to the Cowboys at pick #143
4. Roy Scheuning, G, Oregon State to the Rams at pick #157
5. DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State to the Saints at pick #144
*Round 6
-Biggest Steal
1. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky to the Giants at pick #198
2. Mike Hart, RB, Michigan to the Colts at pick #202
3. Geno Hayes, LB, Florida State to the Bucs at pick #175
4. Steven Justice, C, Wake Forest to the Colts at pick #201
5. John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame to the Vikings at pick #187
-Biggest Reach
1. Erik Walden, DE, Middle Tenn State to the Cowboys at pick #167
2. Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State to the Vikings at pick #193
3. Trevor Scott, DE, Buffalo to the Raiders at pick #169
4. Kareem Moore, S, Nicholls State to the Redskins at pick #180
5. Mike Humpal, LB, Iowa to the Steelers at pick #188
-Biggest Impact Player
1. Geno Hayes, LB, Florida State to the Bucs at pick #175
2. DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College to the Chargers at pick #192
3. Bo Ruud, LB, Nebraska to the Patriots at pick #197
4. Haruki Nakamura, S, Cincinnati to the Ravens at pick #206
5. Spencer Larsen, LB, Arizona to the Broncos at pick #183
*Round 7
-Biggest Steal
1. Joshua Barrett, S, Arizona State to the Broncos at pick #220
2. Brandon Keith, OT, Northern Iowa to the Cardinals at pick #225
3. Chauncey Washington, RB, USC to the Jaguars at pick #213
4. King Dunlap, OT, Auburn to the Eagles at pick #230
5. Justin Forsett, RB, California to the Seahawks at pick #233
-Biggest Reach
1. Cary Williams, CB, Washburn to the Titans at pick #229
2. Brian Johnston, DE, Gardner Webb to the Chiefs at pick #210
3. Ervin Baldwin, DE, Michigan State to the Bears at pick #208
4. Nate Garner, OT, Arkansas to the Jets at pick #211
5. Brett Swain, WR, San Diego State to the Packers at pick #217
-Biggest Impact Player
1. Joshua Barrett, S, Arizona State to the Broncos at pick #220
2. Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas to the Broncos at pick #227
3. King Dunlap, OT, Auburn to the Eagles at pick #230
4. Chauncey Washington, RB, USC to the Jaguars at pick #213
5. Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio State to the Bears at pick #247