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AFC South 2011 Draft Grades

May 2, 2011 No comments

Houston Texans

Picks

1 – J.J. Watt – DE – Wisconsin
2 – Brooks Reed – OLB – Arizona
2 – Brandon Harris – CB – Miami
4 – Rashad Carmichael – CB – Virginia Tech
5 – Shiloh Keo – S – Idaho
5 – TJ Yates – QB – North Carolina
7 – Derek Newton – OT – Arkansas State
7 – Cheta Ozougwu – OLB – Rice

Analysis:

Great draft. Added two pieces that will start right away on their new 3-4 defense. Added two great CB’s at a great  value. Keo at worst will be a stand out special teamer. I also really like the Newton and Ozougwu picks. Awesome draft.

Grade: A

Indianapolis Colts

Picks

1 – Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College
2 – Ben Ijalana – OT/OG – Villanova
3 – Drake Nevis – DT – LSU
4 – Delone Carter – RB – Syracuse
6 – Chris Rucker – CB/S – Michigan State

Analysis:

The Colts don’t have a lot of needs but their biggest goal was to address the OL to protect Peyton. They did just that. Castonzo was a great pick and Ijalana might have been an even better one. Those are two guys who can start right away. Nevis was also a great pick in the 3rd. Carter is a sleeper RB who will push Brown for the starting spot. Rucker is a versatile guy who might end up having to play safety.

Grade: B+

Jacksonville Jaguars

Picks

1 – Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri
3 – Will Rackley – OG – Lehigh
4 – Cecil Shorts III – WR – Mount Union
4 – Chris Prosinski – S – Wyoming
5 – Rod Issac – S – Middle Tennessee State

Analysis:

The Jaguars got some solid players in this draft however they failed to draft a pass-rusher. Gabbert was a great value pick and walks into the perfect situation. Rackley can start right away. Shorts was an ok pick but he is not a #1 WR that they need. Prosinski is a sleeper who will probably start for them. I have no clue who Issac is but they seemed really high on him.

Grade: C+

Tennessee Titans

Picks

1 – Jake Locker – QB – Washington
2 – Akeem Ayers – LB/DE – UCLA
3 – Jurrell Casey – DT – USC
4 – Colin McCarthy – LB – Miami
4 – Jamie Harper – RB – Clemson
5 – Karl Klug – DE – Iowa
6 – Byron Stingily – OT – Lousville
7 – Zach Clayton – DT – Auburn
7 – Tommie Campbell – S – California (PA)

Analysis:

The Titans got their new franchise QB and I can’t fault them for that. I have no clue how Ayers will fit in for them. He is a tweener and he is at his best rushing the passer. Casey is a solid DT but needs to be coached up. McCarthy is another LB that I’m not sure they need unless Tulloch is gone. I’m not a big fan of the rest of their picks and I can’t see any of them making a significant impact.

Grade: C+

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AFC East 2011 Draft Grades

May 2, 2011 No comments

Buffalo Bills

Picks

1 – Marcell Dareus – DE – Alabama
2 – Aaron Williams – CB/S – Texas
3 – Kelvin Sheppard – LB – LSU
4 – Da’Norris Searcy – S – North Carolina
4 – Chris Hairston – OT – Clemson
5 – Johnny White – RB – North Carolina
6 – Chris White – LB – Mississippi State
7 – Justin Rogers – CB – Richmond
7 – Michael Jasper – DT/OL – Bethel

Analysis:

An impressive draft for the Bills but some picks leave me confused. Is Williams going to play corner or safety? Was corner a need? If Williams will play safety, why draft Searcy? I don’t like Searcy either. I doubt Hairston will significantly help their OL and they still need a lot of help here. I really like Chris White and Justin Rogers late though.

Grade: B

Miami Dolphins

Picks

1 – Mike Pouncey – OG – Florida
2 – Daniel Thomas – RB – Kansas State
4 – Edmond Gates – WR – Abilene-Christian
6 – Charles Clay – FB/TE – Tulsa
7 – Frank Kearse – NT – Alabama A&M
7 – Jimmy Wilson – CB – Montana

Analysis:

The Dolphins addressed their needs well in this draft. Pouncey will help out the OL although I think he is overrated. Thomas will be a great addition for them at RB but I don’t like him much as a prospect. Gates was a steal. Clay is a good versatile player. Kearse is a sleeper with a lot of potential as a NT. Overall a solid draft, but I have my doubts about some of the players.

Grade: B

New England Patriots

Picks

1 – Nate Solder – OT – Colorado
2 – Ras-I Dowling – CB – Virginia
2 – Shane Vereen – RB – California
3 – Stevan Ridley – RB – LSU
3 – Ryan Mallett – QB – Arkansas
5 – Marcus Cannon – OG – TCU
5 – Lee Smith – TE – Marshall
6 – Markell Carter – OLB – Central Arkansas
7 – Mlacolm Williams – S – TCU

Analysis:

I’m not a fan of this draft. First of all, Solder isn’t a first round talent. He is a huge boom or bust guy. Not a fan of Dowling either. Verene I like but why take Ridley as well? Seems like a waste. I actually like the Mallett pick. Good value and he can develop into Brady’s successor. Cannon was a steal. Lee Smith is a good blocker but do they really need another tight end? There is still a big hole on the DL and at OLB. The Patriots failed to fix either of those two positions.

Grade: C

New York Jets

Picks

1 – Muhammad Wilkerson – DE – Temple
3 – Kenrick Ellis – NT – Hampton
4 – Bilal Powell – RB – Louisville
5 – Jeremy Kerley – WR – TCU
7 – Greg McElroy – QB – Alabama
7 – Scotty McKnight – WR – Colorado

Analysis:

Well the Jets failed to get an OLB in this draft.  They did address the DL though with two great picks. RB is a questionable pick since they already had McKnight. Kerley is an ok receiver who I can’t see ever doing anything in the NFL. Not a big fan of this draft outside of the top two picks.

Grade: C

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AFC North 2011 Draft Grades

May 2, 2011 No comments

Baltimore Ravens

Picks

1 – Jimmy Smith – CB – Colorado
2 – Torrey Smith – WR – Maryland
3 – Jah Reid – OT – Central Florida
4 – Tandon Doss – WR – Indiana
5 – Chykie Brown – CB – Texas
5 – Pernell McPhee – DE – Mississippi State
6 – Tyrod Taylor – QB – Virginia Tech
7 – Anthony Allen – RB – Georgia Tech

Analysis:

Very good draft for the Ravens. They wanted a CB with size and they got two of them. They wanted faster receivers and they got that. They also added a developmental tackle, quarterback and 3-4 end.

Grade: B+

Cleveland Browns

Picks

1  - Phil Taylor – NT – Baylor
2 – Jabaal Sheard – DE – Pittsburgh
2 – Greg Little – WR – North Carolina
4 – Jordan Cameron – TE – USC
4 – Owen Marecic – FB – Stanford
5 – Buster Skrine – CB – UT-Chattanooga
5 – Jason Pinkston – OG – Pittsburgh
7 – Eric Hagg – S – Nebraska

Analysis:

I don’t understand the Phil Taylor pick. They already had a NT on the roster and he doesn’t help the pass-rush at all. Sheard is an ok prospect but shouldn’t be relied upon as the primary pass-rusher. Little and Cameron we’re good picks. I also like Skrine and Pinkston late. No MLB was drafted and the pass-rush will still suffer.

Grade: C+

Cincinnati Bengals

Picks

1 – A.J. Green – WR – Georgia
2 – Andy Dalton – QB – TCU
3 – Dontay Moch – DE/LB – Nevada
4 – Clint Boling – OG – Georgia
5 – Robert Sands – S – West Virginia
6 – Ryan Whalen – WR – Stanford
7 – Korey Lindsey – CB – Southern Illinois
7 – Jay Finley – RB – Baylor

Analysis:

Love the AJ Green pick, hate the Dalton pick. Dalton is not a franchise QB and he is not a starter in this league. He will struggle hard if he is forced to start. Moch is a very poor pick. Does not fit well in the 4-3 defense. Sands is another safety who can’t cover. I like the Lindsey pick late though.

Grade: C

Pittsburgh Steelers

Picks

1 – Cameron Heyward – DE – Ohio State
2 – Marcus Gilbert – OT – Florida
3 – Curtis Brown – CB – Texas
4 – Cortez Allen – CB – The Citadel
5 – Chris Carter – OLB – Fresno State
6 – Keith Williams – OG – Nebraska
7 – Baron Batch – RB – Texas Tech

Analysis:

I really like this draft for the Steelers. They got a future starter on the DL. A starting caliber tackle. Two, big, physical corners that could each fight for a starting spot. Carter who is a developmental OLB but at the least will be a good special teams players. Keith Williams is more OL help and Batch has potential as a 3rd down back. Great draft.

Grade: A

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AFC West 2011 Draft Grades

May 2, 2011 No comments

Denver Broncos

Picks

1 -Von Miller – LB – Texas A&M
2 – Rahim Moore – S – UCLA
2 – Orlando Franlin – OG – Miami
3 – Nate Irving – LB – North Carolina State
4 – Quinton Carter – S – Oklahoma
4 – Julius Thomas – TE – Portland State
6 – Mike Mohamed – LB – California
7 – Virgil Green – TE – Nevada
7 – Jeremy Beal – DE – Oklahoma

Analysis:

The Broncos came away with some very talented players in this years draft. Von Miller is great but he is a poor value in the 4-3. Moore was a great pick, I really like him. Franklin and Irving are OK. I think they both went a lot higher than they should have. The rest of the picks are all solid and it will be interesting to see the competition between Thomas and Green at TE. The Broncos did nothing to address the DT position and they are still incredibly thin there.

Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs

Picks

1 – Jonathan Baldwin – WR – Pittsburgh
2 – Rodney Hudson – OG/C – Florida State
3 – Justin Houston – OLB – Georgia
3 – Allen Bailey – DE – Miami
4 – Jalil Brown – CB – Colorado
5 – Ricky Stanzi – QB – Iowa
5 – Gabe Miller – OLB – Oregon
6 – Jerrell Powe – NT – Ole Miss
7 – Shane Bannon – FB – Yale

Analysis:

The Chiefs did a good job of addressing all of their needs. However, their draft is filled with risks. Baldwin can easily bust, Houston has issues with his effort on the field and Bailey has limited skills but has the athleticism to maybe one day develop into a good player. Brown and Stanzi are good picks as is Powe late. I doubt Miller and Bannon make the team. The Chiefs still didn’t draft an offensive tackle though and Richardson has to be replaced.

Grade: C+

Oakland Raiders

Picks

2 – Stefen Wisniewski – OG/C – Penn State
3 – DeMarcus Van Dyke – CB – Miami
3 – Joseph Barksdale – OT – LSU
4 – Chimdi Chekwa – CB – Ohio State
4 – Taiwan Jones – RB – Eastern Washington
5 – Denarius Moore – WR – Tennessee
6 – Richard Godron – TE – Miami
7 – David Ausberry – RB/WR – USC

Analysis:

As always with the Raiders drafts, there are some good picks and some bad picks. The bad… Van Dyke is nowhere near a 2nd round talent. Barksdale was a reach in the 3rd as well although he is versatile. I’m not a fan of Chekwa either. The good.. Wisniewski was a great pick and can start right away and improve the Raiders line. Taiwan Jones was a steal and will make the most of his carries. Denarius Moore was also a great pick and he can develop into a good #2 down the road.

Grade: C+

San Diego Chargers

Picks

1 – Corey Liuget – DE – Illinois
2 – Marcus Gilchrist – CB/S – Clemson
2 – Jonas Mouton – LB – Michigan
3 – Vincent Brown – WR – San Diego State
3 – Shareece Wright – CB – USC
6 – Jordan Todman – RB – Connecticut
6 – Steve Schilling – OG – Michigan
7 – Andrew Gachkar – OLB – Missouri

Analysis:

People are hating on this draft like crazy but it’s not so bad. I’m not a fan of Liuget and I’m not sure how he will transition to the 3-4. That’s a pretty risky pick. Gilchrist I don’t like. I love Mouton and Brown but the value is off. Mouton is a great 3-4 ILB and brings a lot of toughness and Vincent Brown is one of the most underrated receivers in the draft. Wright has potential but needs to work on the fundamentals. I wasn’t a fan of Todman but he is worth a 6th and Schilling was also good value. Pretty good draft for a team with not a lot of needs.

Grade: B

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NFC South 2011 Draft Grades

May 1, 2011 No comments

Atlanta Falcons

Picks

1 – Julio Jones – WR – Alabama
3 – Akeem Dent – LB – Georgia
5 – Jacquizz Rodgers – RB – Oregon State
6 – Matt Bosher – K/P – Miami
7 – Andrew Jackson – OG – Fresno State
7  - Cliff Matthews – DE – South Carolina

Analysis:

The Falcons made a splash by trading up for Julio Jones. WR is a need and they got Matt Ryan another big target to throw to. I like the Rodgers pick as he was great value and will get a lot of playing time as a rookie. Dent was a solid pick as was Jackson. I don’t like any team that drafts punters or kickers and I’m not a fan of Cliff Matthews. There is still a need for more corners and a defensive end.

Grade: B

Carolina Panthers

Picks

1 – Cam Newton – QB – Auburn
3 – Terrell McClain – DT – South Florida
3 – Sione Fua – DT – Stanford
4 – Brandon Hogan – CB – West Virginia
5 – Kealoha Pilares – WR – Hawaii
6 – Lawrence Wilson – LB – Connecticut
6 – Zach Williams – OG – Washington State
7 – Lee Ziemba – OT – Auburn

Analysis:

The Panthers addressed their biggest need by drafting Cam Newton, however he has huge bust potential. I don’t like either of the two DT’s they picked. McClain is overrated and Fua was a reach. Hogan was a good pick but has major off-field issues. Pilares was a reach. I like Wilson and the late round OL are good value but won’t be starting any time soon.

Grade: C

New Orleans Saints

Picks

1 – Cameron Jordan – DE – California
1 – Mark Ingram – RB – Alabama
3 – Martez Wilson – LB – Illinois
3 – Johnny Patrick – CB – Louisville
7 – Greg Romeus – DE – Pittsburgh
7 – Nate Bussey – LB – Illinois

Analysis:

The Saints had some great picks in this years draft. Both Jordan and Ingram we’re steals in the first. I’m not a fan of Wilson but he was definitely worth a gamble in the 3rd. Patrick is a solid player that will add depth. Greg Romeus was also worth a late round flier. Solid overall draft.

Grade: B+

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Picks

1 – Adrian Clayborn – DE – Iowa
2 – Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson
3 – Mason Foster – LB – Washington
4 – Luke Stocker – TE – Tennessee
5 – Ahmad Black – S – Florida
6 – Allen Bradford – RB – USC
7 – Anthony Gaitor – CB – Florida International
7 – Daniel Hardy – TE – Idaho

Analysis:

The Bucs biggest need was upgrading their pass-rush and they did just that. However, both Clayborn and Bowers are big risks. Bowers because of his knee and Clayborn because he’s really a strong side end or a 3-4 end. He won’t help the pass-rush much. Foster was a great pick, as was Stocker. I like Ahmad Black and Gaitor as well late.

Grade: B

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