16) Buffalo Bills:
Picks: Marcell Dareus (DE, 3), Aaron Williams (DB, 34), Kelvin Sheppard (ILB, 68), Da’Norris Searcy (DB, 100), Chris Hairston (OL, 122) Johnny White (RB, 133), Chris White (ILB, 169), Justin Rodgers (DB, 206), Michael Jasper (DT, 245).
Summary: Dareus is a versatile defender who can start as a 3-4 end or a 4-3 tackle, and will generate pressure as well as helping to upgrade Buffalo’s run defense. Williams provides a versatile defender who can play corner or free safety, so will see a lot of time on the field as a rookie. Sheppard is also likely to see a lot of playing time in his rookie year, and the competition at inside linebacker should help Paul Poszlusny to improve on his disappointing 2010 play. Johnny White is a solid value pick who may see some goal line carries in 2011, as well as possibly taking the role as the short-yardage back. Searcy, Chris White and Rodgers will also help the Bills on special teams
Verdict: A solid draft class for the Bills, with all three top picks likely to be starters by the end of the 2011 season, if not before. The Bills will have improved their run defense and their pass coverage, although the three defensive backs may be a little excessive. The lack of a receiver and developmental quarterback drag the class down a little, but I like what Buffalo have done.
15) Philadelphia Eagles:
Picks: Danny Watkins (OG, 23), Jaiquawn Jarrett (S, 54), Curtis Marsh (CB, 90), Casey Matthews (LB, 116), Alex Henery (K, 120), Dion Lewis (RB, 149), Julian Vandervelde (OL, 161), Jason Kelce (OL, 191), Brian Rolle (LB, 193), Greg Lloyd (LB, 237), Stanley Havili (FB, 240).
Summary: Watkins is a solid pick with little risk, and should become one of the better guards in the NFL. His age acts against development, but he will be very solid and a great locker room guy. Jarrett’s selection is a little odd, although Quintin Mikell is a free agent, so Jarrett provides some insurance in case Mikell leaves. Marsh could see some playing time as a rookie, but he is not the number two corner to play opposite Asante Samuel yet. Matthews is an interesting pick, as he is best suited to the middle, where the Eagles have a lot of talent. Henery is a kicker in the fourth round, but he has a lot of talent and will be David Akers’ long term replacement. Lewis is a back in the mould of LeSean McCoy, and gives the Eagles another option alongside McCoy, Jerome Harrison and Havili, who will be the replacement at fullback for Leonard Weaver. Vandervelde should make the roster as a backup, as could Kelce at centre, with Rolle and Lloyd looking for special teams’ spots.
Verdict: A large class, with a lot of upside, but not a lot of initial impact. Watkins will start from day one, but the rest of the class may not, although they offer a lot of future potential and depth at key positions. A good class, but not enough impact players to make it towards the top of the list.
14) Washington Redskins:
Picks: Ryan Kerrigan (OLB, 16), Jarvis Jenkins (DL, 41), Leonard Hankerson (WR, 79), Roy Helu (RB, 105), Dejon Gomes (CB, 146), Niles Paul (WR, 155), Evan Royster (RB, 177), Aldrick Robinson (WR, 178), Brandyn Thompson (DB, 213), Maurice Hurt (OL, 217), Markus White (DE, 224), Chris Neild (NT, 253).
Summary: Kerrigan is much better suited to a role as a 4-3 defensive end than as a 3-4 pass rusher, but his work ethic is enough to make me think that he will make it work. Jenkins could play any position on the Redskins line, and is another piece in what was a terrible front seven in 2010. Hankerson is a physical, number one type receiver, who may not be great straight away, but he will develop into a good receiver for a team which needs one. Helu is a solid back who can contribute under Mike Shanahan, but Evan Royster does not project brilliantly to the NFL. Gomes can compete for a spot as the dime corner, and will be a good special teamer for the Redskins. Paul is a decent pick in the fifth and has potential to play in the slot, while Robinson could also see action in the slot. The seventh rounders could all find a roster spot in Washington and are likely to land somewhere if not.
Verdict: A surprising draft for the Redskins as they turn a few picks into a large number with some clever trades and add a lot to a depleted team. There are some players who can have an impact in 2011, but most are developmental players. Washington will continue to struggle in 2011, but this class could see them have the foundations of a good team for the future. A good class.
13) Arizona Cardinals:
Picks: Patrick Peterson (CB, 5), Ryan Williams (RB, 38), Robert Housler (TE, 69), Sam Acho (OLB, 103), Anthony Sherman (RB, 136), Quan Sturdivant (ILB, 171), David Carter (DT, 184), Demarco Sampson (WR, 249).
Summary: Peterson was the best player in the whole draft for me, so picking him up at five was excellent value. He will be a starting corner from day one, and should emerge as one of the league’s best in a short amount of time. Williams has talent, but dipped significantly in 2010. The 2009 Williams would be a good pick here, but there is risk. This means Beanie Wells is as good as done in Arizona. The value on Housler was not great, but the Cardinals needed a tight end who can be a factor in the passing game and there was little else after Housler. Acho’s value is good, and he will be a factor on special teams from day one. He is an intelligent player who will work hard to develop and should contribute in the long term. Sturdivant stands out among the late round picks as some had him going in the third. He could start from day one at inside linebacker, but should be a long term starter for the Cardinals.
Verdict: A class which looks a little more long-term than short-term with developmental players like Acho and Sturdivant, and Peterson should contribute for years. Williams and Housler add some good talent to the offense and could have an impact in 2011. If the Cardinals can get a quarterback, this class should help them push forwards towards .500.
12) Green Bay Packers:
Picks: Dereck Sherrod (OT, 32), Randall Cobb (WR, 64), Alex Green (RB, 96), Davon House (CB, 131), DJ Williams (TE, 141), Caleb Schlauderaff (OL, 179), DJ Smith (LB, 186), Ricky Elmore (DE, 197), Ryan Taylor (TE, 218), Lawrence Guy (DT, 233).
Summary: Sherrod is a safe pick and allows the Packers to be happy with their replacements if Chad Clifton goes down hurt next year. He could play left or right tackle, but is likely to be a right tackle in the long term. Cobb is an exciting, do-it-all type who will be a factor in the return game, as well as giving this offense a new dimension in the style of Percy Harvin. Green is very similar to Ryan Grant, and a little bit of a wasted pick with Grant and James Starks on the roster, but it could mean the end of Ryan Grant in Green Bay. House is a developmental prospect, as is Williams, with the rest competing for a spot on the roster, and Smith likely to stick as a core special teamer.
Verdict: A large class which gives the Packers some intriguing options for 2011 and beyond. They will be likely to have hit on one of the late rounders, and will hope that Davon House can live up to his measurables to make this class a little better than the solidly above average group it looks to be.
11) Indianapolis Colts:
Picks: Anthony Castonzo (OT, 22), Ben Ijalana (OL, 49), Drake Nevis (DT, 87), Delone Carter (RB, 119) Chris Rucker (CB, 188).
Summary: Castonzo is the best pure pass protector in the draft, and to get him at twenty-two overall is a very good value pick. He is ideal for the Colts, and may develop into a top ten left tackle given some experience, which he will get from week one. Ijalana is flexible enough to be a swing back-up at first, but he should settle at right tackle in time or the Colts could decide he fits better at guard. Nevis is an undersized penetrator, who will be used situationally at first, until he gets a little bigger. Carter will probably factor in as the short yardage back who may get some goal line carries, rather than the starter, although with the Colts’ set of running backs he may well end up taking a lot of snaps. Rucker is not the usual small corner the Colts like, and will need to work hard. He could hang on as a special team gunner.
Verdict: The Colts have sured up their offensive line with two players who could start for ten years, and have found a potential impact player at defensive tackle who should develop in time. Carter is a solid pick given the value, and the class looks good for both immediate impact and long-term potential. The size of the class means it is not quite among the best, but it is pushing the top ten.
10) Houston Texans:
Picks: JJ Watt (DE, 11), Brooks Reed (OLB, 42), Brandon Harris (CB, 28), Rashad Carmichael (CB, 127), Shiloh Keo (DB, 144), TJ Yates (QB, 152), Derek Newton (OL, 214), Cheta Ozougwu (DE, 254).
Summary: Watt fits well into Wade Phillips’ one gap 3-4 scheme, and should be an impact player from the start of the 2011 season opposite Mario Williams, giving offensive linemen some problems. Reed is a value pick in the second, who also fills a big need, and he too will have an impact in 2011 as a pass rusher. The criticism of Watt for not being Prince Amukamara is eliminated with trade up to pick up Harris at the bottom of the second, which was the perfect thing for Houston to do. He will likely start in 2011, and may take some time to develop but should be a good player going forward. Carmichael will need some developing, but will be a long-term option, as will Keo. Yates will have time to develop, and has some potential as a back-up, while the others will fight to stick on the roster.
Verdict: A very good top-heavy class, with three players who could start in week one. The Texans have decided to attack the secondary with three picks, and all could develop into long-term starters, which would make this class very useful in the future. A good top end, with some developmental potential later makes the class better than solid.
9) Cincinnati Bengals:
Picks: AJ Green (WR, 4), Andy Dalton (QB, 35), Dontay Moch (OLB, 66), Clint Boling (OL, 101), Robert Sands (FS, 134), Ryan Whalen (WR, 167), Korey Lindsay (CB, 207), Jay Finley (RB, 246).
Summary: The Bengals wanted AJ Green and were happy to see him land in their laps. His ceiling is very high, and he seems to be a safe pick, probably the best pick the Bengals could have made. Dalton is more of a developmental prospect than a potential starter, but the Bengals needed a quarterback and he was the best fit for the system left on the board in round two. Moch’s measurables are elite, but where he fits in the system is difficult to say. He needs a lot of developing before being more than s special teamer. The value on Sands and Boling is excellent, and both could contribute in their rookie seasons, with the last three picks mainly to sure up one of the better special teams’ units in the NFL.
Verdict: This class gets better the more you look at it. Green has Hall of Fame potential, and Moch could develop into a stud in time. Dalton will be a good pick if allowed to sit for a year or two, but will likely be thrown into the fire in his rookie year. Some good 2011 prospects and some better long-term prospects figure to improve the Bengals if they can only find a startable quarterback.
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