Jacoby Jones Ready for Change in Baltimore
Gayle Saunders
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After playing 5 years with the Texans, Jacoby Jones is welcoming change in 2012. Jones sounds like man whose dealt with change in his football career before.
“Change is good in life,” Jones I left one high school, went to another and I was successful. I left one college and went to Lane College and was successful. And now I’m leaving Houston and I will be successful.”
The odd thing with him signing with the Baltimore Ravens, it’s the last team he played against in the AFC divisional game during the playoffs. During that game in January, he muffed a punt return early in that game which lead to a Baltimore score.
As any professional would do, Jones has moved on, and he’s ready to put that game behind him with his new team. That new team now wants him to bring his talents to Baltimore in hopes he can elevate their return game and help their depth at wide receiver.
The Skinny: Last season he had 49 punt returns as well as a 79-yard touchdown for Houston. Currently the Ravens could use a return specialist now that they have Webb focusing on cornerback. David Reed is recovering from an injured ACL, so it’s the perfect match for Jones as he’s still a duel threat at WR and special teams. The Ravens WR corps still consists of Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Tandon Doss, Laquan Williams and rookie Tommy Streeter. It’s a full house but Jones is versatile playmaker with good open field speed.
Kenny Britt to have 2nd Knee Surgery?
The Titans are hoping that their star WR doesn’t need to have an additional surgery on his right knee but there is a possibility. Britt, who had his right knee surgically repaired after tearing his ACL and MCL may be facing a scope and possible “clean up” surgery.
Head Coach Mike Munchak told the press in Tennessee,
“I think it always is (possible),” Munchak said. “I don’t know if he will at some point, but I think that’s something that’s common with that injury. Derrick went through it last year. The good thing is that even if you do have it, it’s not a huge setback. It’s not something that sets you way back. But that is obviously part of the process, or could be, if that arises down the road.”
THE SKINNY: While the knee hasn’t required surgery yet and no date has been set to have it scoped or cleaned up, it’s still something the team and Kenny would more than likely hope to avoid. As the Coach said, it is very common for major knee surgeries to have follow up procedures, but the more times you’re under the knife the more likely you will be delayed getting back on the field.
Jets & Bengals Show Interest in Braylon Edwards Services
Gayle Saunders
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Adam Schefter reported the Bengals and Jets have shown some interest in WR Braylon Edwards.
It does make sense that the Jets have interest in Edwards due to his chemistry with Sanchez,and at this point in Sanchez’s career he needs a WR that is familiar with him asap. With the Bengals looking to solidify the WR corps signing Edwards could give them another deep threat and open things up for A.J. Green, especially now that Jerome Simpson is gone. The Bengals have put high hopes in draft picks on Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones to mature fast.
The Skinny: Edwards past injuries could play a part in his effectiveness in 2012. If fully healed, he can provide another weapon in the pass game for the red rifle. Don’t forget that Edwards is a good run blocker. Edwards underwent surgery late last season, and the word was he was still rehabbing early this spring. Don’t be surprised if the Texans take a flyer on Edwards with Jacoby Jones gone too.
Texans: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
Round 1: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois
Mercilus was drafted to replace Mario Williams. He’ll be developed behind starters Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed. He’ll play in passing situations next to Brian Cushing. They’ll play behind a four-man front of Barwin and Reed at end and J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith at tackle.
Mercilus started one season in college. He had 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles and 22 tackles for loss. He’s got a quick first step and a great closing burst to the quarterback. He plays hard on every snap and doesn’t shy away against the run.
Mercilus has tremendous upside, according to scouts. He started one year in college, then entered the draft to help take care of his parents, who emigrated from Haiti. He’ll get terrific coaching from linebackers coach Reggie Herring and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Phillips likes to be creative with his linebackers. Because of Mercilus’ skills, which are still developing, Phillips should be innovative when designing rushes for him. He might take time to develop because he started only one season.
Round 3: DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State
He will be groomed behind starters Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter and backup Jacoby Jones. He was suspended for 10 games as a senior last season and played in only three games, so he’s going to take time to develop. He’s got the size (6-1, 211) and speed (4.44 40), but he has to develop against tough competition.
DeVier won’t play much as a rookie because he’ll be fourth on the depth chart at best. The Texans don’t play four wideouts at the same time very often because they like to play two tight ends in a lot of formations. More than likely, the rookie will play if another receiver is injured or needs a breather.
Round 3: Brandon Brooks, G, Miami (Ohio)
Brooks started four seasons at guard and tackle in college. He’ll be used as a guard in Houston. Because he ran a 5.05, the coaches think he can do well in their zone-blocking scheme, even though he’s heavier than any player on the current roster by 33 pounds. He’s strong and quick off the ball.
Brooks will be groomed behind starters Wade Smith and Antoine Caldwell. They have no backup who’s started a game, so his lack of experience will fit right in. There’s no pressure for him to contribute right away. He could be the swing guard, at best, as a rookie. At worst, he’ll be inactive.
ROUND 4: BEN JONES, C/G, Georgia
He was the second-ranked center. He’ll back up Pro Bowl center Chris Myers. The coaches say he’s versatile enough to play guard, too. He’s a four-year starter in the SEC, a team leader who’s quick and nasty. He can contribute right away because they have no other backup center on the roster and no reserve guard who has started or even played in a meaningful game.
ROUND 4: KESHAWN MARTIN, WR, Michigan State
A slot receiver who has good burst and fast (4.4 speed), he scored touchdowns five different ways in college. He’ll compete for playing time with DeVier Posey, the third-round pick. His primary contribution as a rookie should be as a punt returner if the Texans are able to trade Jacoby Jones. At 5-11, 190, he lacks Posey’s size (6-2, 211).
ROUND 4: JARED CRICK, DT/DE, Nebraska
An outstanding defensive tackle as a sophomore and junior who combined for 20 sacks and 35 tackles for loss before suffering a torn pectoral muscle that cost him the last seven games of his senior season. He’ll play end in a 3-4 behind J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith, then move inside with them in passing situations. He’s got a quick first step, plays with leverage and goes hard until the whistle.
ROUND 5: RANDY BULLOCK, K, Texas A&M
They offered veteran Neil Rackers the minimum, and when he signed with Washington, they had to get a kicker. Bullock is a Houston native who won the Lou Groza Award last season. The coaches say they believe he can kick under pressure, and they think he has the distance and accuracy.
ROUND 6: NICK MONDEK, OT, Purdue
A former defensive tackle who moved to offense, the Texans like his speed, and they believe he has a lot of upside. He’ll try right tackle but could be moved to guard as a rookie. If he can develop and play both, he’ll become more valuable. At best, he’ll probably be on the practice squad.
Colts: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
ROUND 1: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
He’s like Peyton Manning, the quarterback he’s succeeding. Manning was all about putting in the time and paying attention to the smallest detail during his 14 years as the face of the franchise. That’s Luck’s MO as well. He’s a gym rat, a player who likely will be the first player at the complex and the last to leave. That will be critical as he heads into his first NFL season and the team heads into its post-Manning era. This isn’t going to be easy, but Luck has the tools to make it work.
The team’s rookie minicamp is May 2-4, and Luck will be running the No. 1 offense. The regular-season opener is Sept. 9 at Chicago, and Luck will be under center. Manning was thrust into the offense from his first day and that’s the way it’s going to be for Luck. In 1998, Bruce Arians was the team’s quarterbacks coach. He and the rest of the staff realized the best experience for Manning was for him to take virtually every repetition in practice and be on the field for every play. The same blueprint will be used with Luck.
ROUND 2: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Fleener is the pass-catching tight end that was lacking after the offseason departure of Dallas Clark and Jacob Tamme. He also will be a security blanket for quarterback Andrew Luck, the Colts’ first pick in the draft. Their relationship that began at Stanford continues.
The 6-6, 250-pounder will run with the starting unit from the first mini-camp practice next week. He fills a massive hole and should be a major contributor as a rookie.
ROUND 3: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
He joins second-round pick Coby Fleener to give offensive coordinator Bruce Arians two quality prospects. He can play in tight or flex into the slot. He has room to grow as a blocker, but averaged 11.6 yards per catch during his college career.
Like Fleener, Allen should see extensive playing time early. Defenses will have to decide whether to pay attention in coverage to Allen or Fleener.
ROUND 3: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International
Hilton adds speed and sudden striking potential to the offense. He has 4.3 speed, and should be an ideal complement to veterans Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie. Adding to his value is Hilton’s work in the return game. In college, he returned four kicks and two punts for touchdowns.
The transition will be quick. Like with most players in general manager Ryan Grigson’s first draft, Hilton will be used from the outset. The offense and return games need playmakers and that’s the type of talent he possesses.
ROUND 5: JOSH CHAPMAN, DT, Alabama
He described himself as more than 50 percent recovered after Jan. 17 surgery to repair a torn ACL. He hopes to be ready for the start of training camp, and that would be a good thing for the defense. Look for the 6-1, 316-pound Chapman to push veterans Antonio Johnson and Brandon McKinney for the starting job. Chapman might be relegated to backup duty while he completes his recovery. He’s an interior space-eater necessary in a 3-4 defense.
ROUND 5: VICK BALLARD, RB, Mississippi StateOffensive coordinator Bruce Arians will lean on a power running game, and the 5-10, 217-pound Ballard fits the bill. He initially will work behind starter Donald Brown and second-year pro Delone Carter. Not a breakaway threat, but should be strong between the tackles. Had 30 receptions at Mississippi State, so he must improve in that area.
ROUND 6: LAVON BRAZILL, WR, Ohio
The receiving corps gets another speedy deep threat, and the special teams units have another return candidate. Both areas had to be addressed. Brazill emerged with 74 catches, 1,150 yards and 11 TDs as a senior. Will be used for depth early, but could work into the mix as the third receiver in passing situations.
ROUND 7: JUSTIN ANDERSON, OT, Georgia
A project, but a big one at 6-5, 342 pounds. Likely will work at right tackle behind Winston Justice. Might have a tough time seeing the field early while competing with returnee Jeff Linkenbach.
ROUND 7: TIM FUGGER, DE, Vanderbilt
Interesting prospect who must contribute on special teams while finding a spot on defense. At 6-4, 250, might be a better option at outside linebacker than defensive end. Will have time to develop.
ROUND 7: CHANDLER HARNISH, QB, Northern Illinois
Mr. Irrelevant will have his work cut out for him to earn a roster spot. Might be a practice-squad candidate for a team that boasts No. 1 pick Andrew Luck and veteran backup Drew Stanton. Effective in college as a passer (8,944 yards) and runner (2,983 yards).
Jaguars: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
ROUND 1: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Jaguars desperately need a playmaker to give quarterback Blaine Gabbert, last year’s first-round pick, another weapon. Blackmon had more production by himself in 13 games last season, with 121 catches, 1,522 yards, 18 TDs for Oklahoma State, than eight Jaguars’ receivers had in 16 games—121 catches, 1,359 yards, 7 TDs.
The Jaguars, who traded up two spots to land Blackmon, are counting on his biggest strength—breaking tackles to make yards after the catch—to translate to the next level. Questions remain about whether Blackmon can be a true No. 1 receiver, but it’ll be a surprise if he’s not substantially better as a rookie than any of the previous 19 receivers the Jaguars have drafted.
It’ll be a shocker if Blackmon doesn’t win a starting job immediately. Look for him to be paired with Laurent Robinson, the Jaguars’ top free agent acquisition with a five-year, $32.5 million contract.
Blackmon is 6-1, 207 pounds, but plays bigger because of his ability to catch the football in tight coverage. His route-running skills could stand to improve, but with veteran receivers coach Jerry Sullivan as his tutor, the odds are good of that happening. With two new receiving weapons for Gabbert, it should also keep defenses from putting eight men in the box to contain Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
ROUND 2: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
The Jaguars have only one proven healthy starter returning in Jeremy Mincey, so Branch should be an immediate competitor for a starting job at right end. A lot will depend on how well injured pass-rushers Aaron Kampman, John Chick and Austen Lane recover from injuries that ended their 2011 season.
Though some teams view Branch as a 3-4 outside linebacker, he has the versatility and athleticism to play both end spots in a 4-3 scheme.
Branch should be able to at least work his way into the four-man rotation because he’s more athletic than his veteran competition. The Jaguars are desperate to fix a pass rush that has been in the bottom quarter of the league for the last four years. Branch may not start right away, but the Jaguars are counting on him to eventually be an impact player at a position that needs a significant upgrade.
Round 3: Bryan Anger, P, California
This will go down as the most head-scratching pick in the entire draft. Anger might be the best punter in the country, but it wasn¹t a glaring need. That said, Anger has the leg strength to flip field position as he had a net punting average of 39.7 yards last season. He has a knack for pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line and consistently has a five-second hang time.
Anger will have to win the job from veteran and fellow Cal alumnus Nick Harris, who took over midway through last season for Matt Turk. It’s hard to imagine a punter drafted this high losing out to anybody because general manager Gene Smith must justify this controversial selection. If Anger isn’t the team’s punter for at least the next five years, then it’s a wasted pick.
Round 5: Brandon Marshall, LB, Nevada
The Jaguars will be counting on Marshall to at least earn a spot on special teams. They think he’s versatile enough to provide depth at all three linebacker positions. He’s a tough, instinctive player that had two arthroscopic knee surgeries and still started four years in college. Lack of top-end speed could make it hard for him to become a starter.
Round 6: Mike Harris, CB, Florida State
Harris was a jack-of-all-trades guy in FSU’s secondary. The Jaguars needed to add depth at cornerback because Rashean Mathis is in the final year of his contract, which would leave them thin behind starter Derek Cox and free-agent acquisition Aaron Ross. Harris’ long arms will help in breaking up passes, but it’s uncertain if he has the speed to operate on the outside.
ROUND 7: JERIS PENDLETON, DT, Ashland (Ohio)
At 28 years old, Pendleton is a huge under-the-radar pick because he played at a junior college before transferring to Division II Ashland. With Terrance Knighton still recovering from an eye injury, the Jaguars needed to fortify their interior defensive line. He has a chance to get into the rotation as a backup.
Titans: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
Round 1: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
The Titans desperately needed help on defense, but they believe Wright can make an immediate impact on offense because of his versatility. He played both inside and outside at Baylor, where he was Robert Griffin III’s favorite target.
Wright will add to a receiving corps that was already considered strong. He’s an electrifying player who runs well after the catch and has good hands. He also has good speed. Wright caught 108 passes for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. The one downside on Wright is his size—he’s a tad small at 5-10, 194 pounds.
The Titans expect Kenny Britt to be back for the start of the 2012 season after he tore an ACL in Week 4 last season. The addition of Wright not only gives them insurance, it gives them an immediate playmaker. Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer will find ways to get Wright on the field to complement not only Britt, but Nate Washington, Damian Williams and Lavelle Hawkins as well.
Wright is explosive and that’s something the Titans need in an offense that was bottled up more in 2011 when Chris Johnson struggled to find running room.
Round 2: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
The Titans have depth at the linebacker position, but they don’t have anyone like Brown, a speedster who’s better known for being a sideline-to-sideline player than for his physical style of play. But the Titans think he¹ll fit in well. Brown racked up 230 tackles in four seasons at North Carolina and is a great athlete.
Brown is expected to compete with veterans Will Witherspoon and Gerald McRath for a starting spot at weakside linebacker. What Brown lacks in experience he’ll have a chance to make up for with his speed. Brown will play as a rookie on special teams, but if he has an outstanding training camp he has a chance to be in the mix for playing time early. He’s undoubtedly the future at weakside linebacker.
Round 3: Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
Martin is a big-bodied defensive lineman who’s tough to block. The Titans plan to line him up in the middle and let him make life tough on opposing interior offensive linemen. Martin is a run-stuffer who can penetrate, and the Titans love the hard-working approach he brings to the game.
The Titans have depth at defensive tackle, so Martin will join a fierce competition in training camp with players like Karl Klug, Jurrell Casey, Sen’Derrick Marks and Sean Smith. The Titans believe Martin’s strength and work ethic will put him in a position to play early. He could also be a tone-setter on the defensive line for years to come.
ROUND 4: COTY SENSABAUGH, CB, CLEMSON
Sensabaugh played in the slot and on the outside at Clemson, and he’ll have a chance to work in both spots with the Titans. He has great speed, having run a 4.42 40-yard dash that attracted the attention of numerous teams.
Following the departure of cornerback Cortland Finnegan, the Titans have spots in the secondary there for the taking. Sensabaugh will be right in the middle of the competition.
ROUND 5: Taylor Thompson, TE, SMU
The Titans have an athletic tight end in Jared Cook, and sturdy blockers in Craig Stevens and Daniel Graham. On Saturday they moved up in the draft to take a wild card in Thomson, who played defensive end in college but will play tight end in the NFL.
The Titans aren’t worried about Thompson’s ability to make the transition. They believe he’ll make a bit impact on a team piling up weapons, but one has to wonder how quickly Thompson will catch on.
Final Draft Grades!!
It’s very difficult to “grade” a draft just days after the selections however it isn’t difficult to see where we feel value was found and how teams did or didn’t manipulate the board to fit their needs. Certain players are sure to reach the dreaded “bust” status while others will ascend to “late round gem” status. Here is how we grade all 32 teams in the 2012 NFL Draft! Read more
Breakdown of All The Draft Day Trades
Draft Trade Breakdown
DAY 1 – Thursday Trades
Professor Schloss’s 1st Round Draft Grades
Professor Schloss’s 1st Round Draft Grades
First my notes:
This was a super quick draft that was over before you knew it. I never understood the reason for dragging it on and on. Teams have had months to figure this out, so unless something really unexpected happens and your guy is taken or if you’re exploring a last minute trade, there really isn’t any reason to take the entire clock.
Trades, trades, and more trades. There is nothing more exciting on draft day than trades. Given the new rookie wage scale, this will probably be a trend more than an anomaly. Teams that traded down in the draft received great value and teams who traded up knew exactly who they wanted and what it took to get him. It’s always a good sign to a fan when your team has a plan and does what it takes to execute.
The first 20 minutes were super boring. Why did the first 3 teams announce who they were taking ahead of time? What do they have to gain? Totally took the luster and excitement out of the top of the draft. I really don’t understand why the Colts have to announce they are taking Andrew Luck 1st until they need to submit their pick. This is competitive league, so why throw your cards on the table before the game even starts. Only good thing that came out of this was it gave RG3 the chance to wear those fantastic Redskin colored socks which he proudly showed everyone.
How does the NFL have the jersey for the rookies as soon as their drafted? The only explanation is they print up 1 for each player they think will be drafted. What happens to all of those other jerseys?? What if a team picks someone out of left field, does that guy get a blank jersey?
Looks like the NFL heard my complaint last year and stopped showing the player before they were drafted. I take full credit. The draft was so much more enjoyable with this improvement. I actually looked forward to hearing what Roger Goodell had to say for once.
Draft Grades:
1.Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck – A+
Everything that can be said about Luck basically has been. Slam dunk of a number 1 pick and perhaps the best transition of quarterbacks ever with a #1 replacing a #1. Luck doesn’t have a ton of talent surrounding him yet, so hopefully expectations are tempered in year 1 in Indy. Let’s all remember Peyton came in and won only 3 games while throwing 28 picks his first year. Just because the recent crop of rookie quarterbacks have excelled year 1, doesn’t mean Luck has to. Side note on Luck, anyone else think he came off as kind of a dork? If I were him, I’d grow that ugly beard again he had before his senior year started. The dorky 15 year old look might not be too imposing to NFL defenses.
2. Washington Redskins – Roger Griffin III – A
Really liked what RG3 said after he was drafted. His focus remains on the team and showing the veterans he is there to work. A Cam Newton esque rookie campaign might be a little much to ask, but RG3 with Shanny coaching him up, can be a star from day 1 in Washington. The Skins gave up the house for him so I imagine they think this pick is pure gold. The massive haul is the only thing keeping this from being a top grade. Of course if he ends up being a franchise QB, all the picks will be more than worth it. Btw, could we be in for a Steve Smith like rejuvenation for Santana Moss this season?
3. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson – A
Brad Childress is the Phil Jackson of football (except for the 11 rings and ability to know what you’re doing). Phil went from Jordan to Kobe while Childress goes from Peterson to Richardson. Trent may go down as the best player to come out of this draft and the Browns made sure they nabbed him. While the entire league goes pass happy, the Browns will take a different approach and utilize the best RB prospect to come out since Peterson. I will say I’m not sure the Browns “had” to trade up and swap spots with the Vikings for this pick though. I realize other teams were interested in doing just that, Tampa perhaps, but my gut feeling tells me Vikings would have still just picked Kalil and Richardson would have been sitting there still at #4. Obviously I know a lot less than Cleveland did, or at least think they did, so perhaps this was necessary to get a much needed running back. After missing out on RG3, it’s tough to blame Cleveland for not taking any chances with the other player they loved in the draft. The city of Cleveland needed a star player, and they get one here.
4. Minnesota Vikings – Ryan Kalil – A
Anyone else wonder why Ryan was kissing Valerie Bertanelli after he got drafted? Anyway, the Vikings trade down, get 2 more picks, and still get the guy they wanted at 3. I’d say that’s Minnesota highway robbery. No one is happier about this pick than Christian Ponder though. I realize the sentiment these days are left tackles aren’t as important as they were thought to be a few years ago, but getting a cornerstone guy there for the next 10 years will only help the Vikings. They didn’t seem to fall in love with any one player in this draft, so picking probably the safest bet while trading down for more picks is smart play by the Vikes. Big question remains for Minnesota fans, how many years will they get to enjoy Kalil before the team picks up and leaves??
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Blackmon – A
Didn’t’ really understand the backlash as of late for Blackmon. A lot of scouts and talking heads didn’t feel he was a true #1. Did they watch him in college? The guy was dominant the past two seasons at OK State. There is no team starved more for wide receiver talent than the Jags so this pick is a no brainer. Even if Blackmon never develops into Calvin Johnson (who f’n does???) he is the best receiver they have had their since Jimmy Smith who retired over 7 years ago! Probably had to trade up to leapfrog the Rams to take Blackmon, so I applaud the initiative.
6. Dallas Cowboys – Morris Clairborne – B+
This grade doesn’t reflect the player, but more what Dallas gave up to get him. If a Pro Bowl CB in Asante Samuel is worth only a 7th round pick, giving up a #2 and their #1 to move up to draft Morris is a huge price. Dallas does get the last of the ‘big 6’ though and do get the top cover man in the draft. As a Cowboy fan I had my heart set on Barron, but I guess I never thought they had a chance for Claiborne. Any Dallas fan will tell you how poor their secondary played last year so with Claiborne and the addition of Carr this offseason, along with the banishing of Terence Newman, suddenly cornerback is a position of strength for the Cowboys. I am just still a bit concerned about a playmaker at the safety position and a another pass rusher, which cannot be addressed now until the 3rd round.
7. Tampa Bay – Mark Barron – A
That awful Tampa defense just got a lot better on draft night. Barron is the real deal and seems like one of those rare playmakers in the secondary who seems to always be around the ball and make things happen. Bonus points for trading down and still getting one of the top 2 impact secondary rookies. Can we just start calling him “The Baron” now? Awesome nickname. I wish Dallas got him…
8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill – C
The first real boom or bust pick of the draft. The Dolphins were a mess this off-season so this pick needs to be a homerun or they will continue to fade into obscurity. We have seen so many quarterbacks enter the league with all of the tools Tannehill possesses, but flame out rather quickly. This pick is so tough to grade because you really don’t know what Tannehill will become. If Miami seriously thinks he is the answer as QB then this pick makes total sense. A part of me thinks they talked themselves into him though. He probably won’t play much at all in year 1 so the Fins might find themselves at the top of the draft next season where there are some stud signal callers available. Then what will they do? Ryan does win the award for hottest WAG in the draft room though, so that counts for something. (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/ryan-tannehill-wife-stole-show-thursday-nfl-draft-161434718.html)
9. Carolina Panthers – Luke Kuechly – A-
Carolina could have used help at receiver and picked the ND product Floyd, but elect to go defense here and it found a gem in linebacker Luke Kuechly. Luke is the poster child for productivity, and his ability to play the pass will allow him to be a three down linebacker. Cam can’t do anything while the defense is on the field, so upgrading that unit has Carolina back on the path to relevancy in the NFL. The only hesitation I have is the recent lack of success top 10 linebackers in the league has had. Kuechly seems as poised as anyone to break that mold though.
10. Buffalo Bills – Stephon Gilmore – A
The Bills needed a top flight corner to match up against #1 receivers and they grab one with Gamecock product Gilmore. The Bills have dedicated themselves to building a top defense and continue with a great secondary addition. While the offense might still need work, they are hoping Fitzpatrick gains some of his magic back while the defense becomes one of the best in the AFC.
11. KC Chiefs – Dontari Poe – B-
I hope KC fans like Vegas, because their team just took one of the bigger gambles in the draft. Poe is the typical workout wonder who everyone seems to become obsessed with right before the draft. His lack of productivity at Memphis is puzzling though and raises some major red flags. At the very least he should turn into a space eater. Chiefs fans are probably hoping Poe isn’t the second coming of Glen Dorsey though. Poe massive size should prevent that from happening hopefully.
12. Fletcher Cox – B+
The Eagles trade up to get a player they really liked and given Andy Reid’s draft history, we have to trust he knows what he is doing. While Cox wasn’t necessarily a position of need, he will certainly help sure up the between the gap defense that struggled mightily at times last season. The Eagles front four is pretty nasty but Cox gives them some nice depth, flexibility, and youth. Again, I trust Andy Reid here.
13. Arizona Cardinals -Michael Floyd – C
This pick seems like the Cards were nostalgic for the days of Fitz and Boldin catching passes together. Big difference between then and now though, those guys had Kurt Warner throwing to them. Fitz and Floyd will have the pu pu platter of Kolb and Skelton. Can’t help but think the Cards could have used some offensive line help here. Rief or DeCastro would have made sense. You can have Moss and Rice out there, but if Kolb or whoever else can’t get it to them due to lack of protection or “talent’ it won’t matter.
14. St. Louis Rams – Michael Brockers – A
Rams get a talented and much needed player in Brockers here while at the same time amassing multiple picks by trading down. They put themselves in the driver’s seat for round 2. If I’m a Rams fan, I’m somewhat distraught they didn’t come out with either Blackmon or Floyd, but looking back at draft histories, some of the best wide receiver talents have come in round 2, and I can’t imagine they don’t select at least one with all the picks they have. Besides lack of guys to throw the ball to, the Rams porous run defense was their achilles heel last year. Brockers immediately upgrades that unit. Great job of the Rams this draft to maximize their draft position and getting a ton of picks in return. RG3 might be fantastic, but they seem invested in Bradford and shouldn’t have let one poor season deter them from sticking with him. Bravo St. Louis.
15. Seattle Seahawks- Bruce Irvin – D+
Eek, this was a reach. Irvin goes from former high school drop out to #15 pick in the NFL draft. Not exactly the poster child for staying in school campaigns. While I don’t think Irvin can’t be a productive starter on the NFL level, with so many teams finding ways to trade down and accumulate more picks, it’s hard to figure out why the Hawks’ felt they had to reach at 15 for the WVU linebacker. Hard to imagine he wouldn’t have been there much later in the 1st round or even on day 2.
16. NY Jets – Quinton Coples – C+
Coples could have easily gone top 10 given his talent. His effort and motor remain a question mark though, as does his consistency. Rex Ryan sometimes brings out the best in defensive players so I’m sure that was the thought process here. The Jets defense was vastly over rated last year so if Coples plays like his raw talent suggests, this unit has received a huge upgrade. Given the locker room issues that plagued the Jets last year, you do have to wonder if this is the best environment for someone like Coples. I think they would have been better served to pick Ingram here but Rex and Co. swing for the fences with this pick.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Dre Kirkpatrick – B+
“Dr.” Dre Kirkpatrick is exactly what the Bengals needed to replace Jonathan Joseph, who was sorely missed last season when Leon Hall went down. With Hall and Kirkpatrick, Cinnci has a secondary duo who can match up with pretty much any receiving tandem in the league. Given Kirkpatrick’s unique size, he can match up against the bigger wideouts while Hall shuts down the quicker ones. Hard to imagine the Bengals nailing two drafts in a row, but it appears they are on their way.
18. San Diego Chargers – Melvin Ingram – A
Great job by the Chargers to get the guy many thought was the best pass rusher in the draft, all the way at 18. Ingram is the hybrid pass rusher that has become so popular these past few years, and gives the Charger defense some much needed flexibility. When a guy’s biggest knock is he has “short arms”, I’d say SD did well with this selection. Besides, it’s not like he has T-Rex arms. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/prehistoric/tyrannosaurus-rex/
19. Chicago Bears – Shea McClellin – C+
McClellin was a big riser coming into the draft and seems like another pass rushing specialist, which we are finding out teams cannot have too many of. Any pressure that gets taken off Julius Pepper is also a big positive. I’m just left feeling the Bears could have done more to protect Cutler and shore up a shaky offensive line. With Riley Reiff and DeCastro still sitting there, this pick is a bit puzzling to me.
20. Tennessee Titans – Kendall Wright – C
I’m not convinced about Wright. He’s fast but he’s not exceptionally fast. He isn’t tall. He was productive but he also had RG3 tossing him the ball. He is great after the catch and in space, but will he be able to get open against top corners in the NFL? If there is concern Kenny Britt cannot come back fully healthy this pick makes a lot more sense. Wright should be a nice slot receiver, but I want a little more with pick #20.
21. NE Patriots – Chandler Jones – A-
The Pats weren’t the best pass rush team last year and they might be without their top two sack men next season so this pick makes sense. Jones has as much upside as a pass rusher as anyone in this draft. Being a fellow Syracuse Alum, I am quite proud that our awful football team finally had a 1st round pick. Cuse grads tend to over achieve in the NFL (Marvin Harrison, Dwight Freeny, Mike Williams, etc…) so this pick could be special. The Super Bowl runner ups finally traded up in a draft instead of trading down, and they come away with a premier pass rushing talent.
22. Cleveland Browns – Brandon Wheedon – D
This was interesting… It was reported earlier in the day that the Browns gave Colt McCoy a vote of confidence and assured him they wouldn’t be selecting a quarterback in round 1. Lesson learned, never trust your bosses… This pick signals the white flag for McCoy as the starter in Cleveland as I can’t imagine he is willing to stay and mentor Wheedon who is about twice his age. Cleveland obviously plans to address who their QB will be throwing to in the later rounds as there isnt much to work with. A little unfair if you ask me though as Wheedon gets to work with Richardson right off the bat while McCoy had a list of cast offs last season. This selection seems like a medium risk medium reward type of pick. Wheedon probably won’t be worse than McCoy, but how much better will he actually be? Thoughts of Chris Weinke comes to mind…
23. Detroit Lions – Riley Reiff – A-
What is going on Detroit these days… The Lions are not only relevant again, but they have drafted well in the last few years, and their star player is now on the Madden Cover. (I fear for Megatron with this win. The Madden Curse is alive and well (just ask Peyton Hillis) ). Detroit is not without their weaknesses though and they address one of them right here with the second best tackle prospect in the draft. Even if Reiff doesn’t turn into a starter at LT, he should hold down the RT fort for a decade. Anytime you give Matthew Stafford more time to throw to Calvin, you are doing something right. Keeping Stafford healthy should be the #1 concern for the Lions going forward.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – David DeCastro – B+
I was certain pre draft they would take one of the Alabama linebackers with Upshaw or Hightower. Both guys screamed steel curtain defense. But with DeCastro slipping, the Steelers make a great pick here as keeping Big Ben upright is the most important to the Steelers success. Roethlisberger ran around like a chicken with his head cut off last season. Pouncy and DeCastro equals great anterior anchors for Pitt, and should also help what was a less than spectacular running attack last season.
25. NE Patriots – Don’ta Hightower – B
The Saban Belichick connection continues. For the second time in the 1st round the Pats trade up to get their guy. Hightower is a winner and should instantly help with the Pats new pass rush attack pairing with Chandler Jones. Hate to say it, but the Pats just got a lot better already, which is terrible news for the rest of the AFC.
26. Houston Texans – Whitney Mercilus – B
I can’t imagine a guy named Whitney really making an impact in the league, but what’s in a name. Mercilus will have his work cut out for him to prove he is not a one year wonder. With the Ryans and Williams defections, this pick makes total sense as the Texans get a guy who had 16 sacks a year ago in the Big 10. You don’t get that many without having some unworldly natural ability. I bet the Texans were hoping DeCastro would fall to them here but Wade Phillips just got another toy to use for next year.
27. Cincinnati Bengals – Kevin Zeitler – B
Perhaps the most boring pick of the 1st round. Cincinnati needed a RB and another WR but resisted the urge of the sexier pick and probably makes the smart play here. The more time Dalton has to throw deep passes to AJ Green the better. Besides, there is always value in backs in the later rounds and Zeitler should help the running game whoever is back there in 2012, so they indirectly improve.
28. Green Bay Packers – Nick Perry – B+
Good news, we no longer have to hear how Clay Matthews has no pass rushing help in Green Bay. Perry is exactly what the Pack needed to add a second dimension to their pass rushing attack.
29. Minnesota Vikings – Harrison Smith – B-
The Vike’s needed help in the secondary and address some of that here with the #2 safety on the board in Smith. I watched the ND product play for 4 years, and while he never stood out, he always seemed to be around the ball and constantly making tackles and plays. Smith is never going to be a shutdown safety a la Ed Reed or Eric Berry, but he will help prevent the big plays that plagued Minnesota all of last season. Most importantly, Harrison seems like a great candidate to defend the ever dangerous Tight Ends in the league.
30. San Francisco 49’ers – A.J. Jenkins – C-
I got burned last year by questioning the Niner’s selection of Aldon Smith so I choose my words carefully with the evaluation of this year’s surprise selection. Forgetting the fact that SF essentially drafted a receiver who was much lower on most scouts boards than some other receivers still available (Hill, Randle), after an offseason that saw Manningham and Moss brought in, why did the Niners feel they had to reach for a WR in this spot? With Crabtree still there, Jenkins comes in essentially as the #4 on the depth chart. I’d want more out of my first round pick. San Fran didn’t have any pressing needs but probably could have used the pick to trade out of the 1st round of or at least sure up the offensive line and secondary. They are an elite team and should be in win now mode. Just not sure how this pick lines up with that.
31. Tampa Bay Bucs – Doug Martin – B-
Two Boise State guys in the 1st round??? The Potato state must be going nuts. LaGarret Blount was probably ecstatic they didn’t land Trent Richardson, but this can’t be too pleasing at the end of the round. Regardless, Blount and Martin should make a pretty interesting 1-2 punch for the Bucs. As much as a like Martin and think he can be productive, I can’t help but wonder if the Bucs should have continued to go defense here and hope to get a back in a later round. “The Baron” isn’t going to fix this awful defense by himself. I am also still confused who is playing cornerback for them next season. Ronde Barber will be looking at homes to retire at while Aquib Taliq will be looking at jail cells to serve in.
32. NY Giants – David Wilson – C
Ahmad Bradshaw is not an every down back in the NFL so teaming him with another back makes a lot of sense. What doesn’t make to me is why the Giants didn’t feel more inclined to pick the #1 rated Tight End on the board when their top 2 TE’s on last year’s depth chart are essentially out for the 2012 season. Do the Giants not remember they plucked Bradshaw out of the 7th round? First round TE’s have given teams a ton more value than RB’s over the last decade. The league seems to be moving to a more TE oriented offense to create mismatches and Fleener would have fit that mold. Wilson is a talented back and should provide some new energy into the Giants backfield, but I can’t help but wonder if the Giants let this pick go a bit by not shoring up the TE position or the offensive line. Fleener or Cody Glenn would have been better picks in this spot.
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