Arizona Cardinals
Picks
1 – Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU
2 – Ryan Williams – RB – Virginia Tech
3 – Robert Housler – TE – Florida Atlantic
4 – Sam Acho – OLB – Texas
5 – Anthony Sherman – FB – Connecticut
6 – Quan Sturdivant – LB – North Carolina
6 – David Carter – DE – UCLA
7 – DeMarco Sampson – WR – San Diego State
Analysis:
I really like this draft for the Cardinals. They came away with some very good players, even in the late rounds. The only pick I question is the full back and the fact that they did nothing to address the offensive line. That’s what prevents this draft from being rated an A.
Grade: B+
San Francisco 49ers
Picks
1 – Aldon Smith – OLB – Missouri
2 – Colin Kaepernick – QB – Nevada
3 – Chris Culliver – CB/S – South Carolina
4 – Kendall Hunter – RB – Oklahoma State
5 – Daniel Kilgore – OL - Appalachian State
6 – Ronald Johnson – WR – USC
6 – Colin Jones – S – TCU
7 – Bruce Miller – OLB – Central Florida
7 – Michael Person – OT – Montana State
7 – Curtis Holcomb – CB – Florida A&M
Analysis:
This draft can either be really good, or really bad. The 49ers took a lot of risks. Aldon Smith is a big risk because I question how he will fit in the 3-4 scheme at LB. Kaepernick, like all of the QB’s in this draft, has a lot of question marks. Culliver was a reach based on measureables. My favorite pick would have to be Kendall Hunter. Great value and he will be able to take the load off of the injury prone Frank Gore. Miller and Person are also good late round picks.
Grade: C+
Seattle Seahawks
Picks
1 – James Carpenter – OT – Alabama
3 – John Moffitt – OG – Wisconsin
4 – K.J. Wright – LB – Mississippi State
4 – Kris Durham – WR – Georgia
5 – Richard Sherman – CB/S – Stanford
5 – Mark LeGree – S - Appalachian State
6 – Byron Maxwell – CB – Clemson
7 – Pep Levingston – DT – LSU
7 – Malcolm Smith – LB – USC
Analysis:
The Seahawks did a very poor job of addressing their needs. Some of the players they drafted I like, such as Moffitt, Wright and Durham, but how will these players fit? The Seahawks don’t need a LB and they don’t need another receiver. They’re good players, but what’s the point if they will struggle to make the team? They also did a very poor job addressing the needs in the secondary. Mark LeGree may get a shot but the corners won’t make any sort of impact. And of course James Carpenter was a huge reach in the 1st round.
Grade: C
St. Louis Rams
Picks
1 – Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina
2 – Lance Kendricks – TE – Wisconsin
3 – Austin Pettis – WR – Boise State
4 – Greg Salas – WR – Hawaii
5 – Jermale Hines – S – Ohio State
7 – Mikail Baker – CB – Baylor
7 – Jabara Williams – LB – Stephen F. Austin
7 – Jonathon Nelson – S – Oklahoma
Analysis:
This is a really good draft for the Rams. Quinn was a steal and Kendricks is going to be a fine player. It’s a bit odd they drafted both Pettis and Salas since they are almost the exact same player. I doubt either of them will be really successful in the NFL since they both struggle to separate. I like their late round picks too, especially Jabara Williams. The Rams still didn’t get a back-up RB though which is concerning, but there are still some talented ones left as undrafted free agents.
Grade: B
