8) Denver Broncos:
Picks: Von Miller (OLB, 2), Rahim Moore (FS, 45), Orlando Franklin (OL, 46), Nate Irving (MLB, 67), Quinton Carter (S, 108), Julius Thomas (TE, 129), Mike Mohamed (LB, 189), Virgil Green (TE, 204), Jeremy Beal (DL, 247).
Summary: Miller should be an impact player from day one, who will get better and better throughout 2011. He provides excellent versatility and should immediately upgrade the Broncos’ pass rush, while being a little weak against the run at first. Moore is a solid pick and will start from day one at free safety, possibly alongside Carter, who may need a little more work. Franklin will likely be a swing backup at first, with starter potential at tackle or guard, and Irving will compete for the middle linebacker spot in 2011. Thomas and Green are both talented pass catchers, who are more long-term options than impact players, and Jeremy Beal is excellent value so late in the draft, although he is a more natural fit in the 3-4.
Verdict: A class with a little bit of everything for Denver. They get help at linebacker and in the secondary, with just defensive tackle remaining a big hole on defense, and add some developmental prospects on offense. A running back would have been nice, but DeAngelo Williams is a strong possibility, and they still need defensive tackles. A quality class for Denver, both for 2011 and for the long-term.
7) New York Giants:
Picks: Prince Amukamara (CB, 19), Marvin Austin (DT, 52), Jerrel Jernigan (WR, 83), James Brewer (OT, 117), Greg Jones (LB, 185), Tyler Sash (SS, 198), Jacquian Williams (LB, 202), Da’Rel Scott (RB, 221).
Summary: Amukamara’s fall was a surprise to most, who wondered how he got past Houston at eleven let alone Detroit at thirteen. Their loss is the Giants’ gain however as they pick a potential lock down corner to add to their already talented secondary. Austin too is a steal, but his character means he comes with a warning. If the Giants can make him work at his game and give him desire- which they should have no problem doing- he will be a top defensive tackle. Jernigan is a slot guy who will help the Giants’ return game and work his way into the offense eventually. Brewer is a developmental tackle, just what the Giants need, with a very high ceiling, which could see him become a starting left tackle in the future. Jones is a high character player who will be a core special teamer, and Sash could start for a lot of teams from day one.
Verdict: A draft where the Giants got a little bit of everything they wanted. A developmental tackle who could be very good, help in the secondary, a talented defensive tackle and a solid linebacker. Another linebacker would have been useful, and perhaps some help at guard, but this class is top quality, and should push the Giants forward in 2011 and beyond. One of the best of the draft.
6) Pittsburgh Steelers:
Picks: Cam Heyward (DE, 31), Marcus Gilbert (OT, 63), Curtis Brown (CB, 95), Cortez Allen (CB, 128), Chris Carter (OLB, 162), Keith Williams (OL, 196), Baron Batch (RB, 232).
Summary: Heyward is undoubtedly talented, and will have time to develop behind some quality defensive linemen. He will see time on the field in 2011, but will not likely start until 2012 or beyond. Gilbert is a very good pick, again as the Steelers look to the future, who should see some playing time in 2011 on the right side of the offensive line. Brown’s value is excellent, and he has the potential to develop into a number two corner sometime down the road. Brown will join Allen on special teams and hoping to get on the field as the dime corner, with both potentially seeing time. Carter will see most action on special teams as the Steelers look to develop him as a pass rusher for the future, and Williams will work to stay on the roster.
Verdict: A superb class looking to the future, as the top five picks could all develop into significant contributors, if not starters. Heyward, Gilbert and one of the two corners will contribute in 2011, and this could be the best under the radar class of the draft. No spectacular players to get noticed, but undoubted talent with most picks.
5) Cleveland Browns:
Picks: Phil Taylor (DT, 21), Jabaal Sheard (DE, 37), Greg Little (WR, 59), Jordan Cameron (TE, 102), Owen Marecic (FB, 124), Buster Skrine (CB, 137), Jason Pinkston (OT, 150), Eric Hagg (DB, 248).
Summary: The Taylor pick is baffling considering that the Browns already Ahtuyba Rubin, who is a very similar player. However, the defense is likely to see both playing together, which will be very difficult to run on. Sheard fills a pass rush need, and is a solid pick at thirty-seven overall. Little may be a bit of a reach, but he has intriguing upside for a team that need a big, physical receiver, and Cameron could become a star tight end if he develops well. Marecic adds to the Browns’ bruising running game, and Skrine and Pinkston could develop starters in the long term.
Verdict: Taylor and Sheard need some developing, but will no doubt make an impact in 2011, and Marecic and Little could start from day one. This class has a mix of impact players and long-term developmental prospects, aided massively by the trade with the Falcons. A top end class in 2011
4) New Orleans Saints:
Picks: Cameron Jordan (DE, 24), Mark Ingram (RB, 28), Martez Wilson (LB, 72), Johnny Patrick (CB, 88), Greg Romeus (DL, 226), Nate Bussey (243).
Summary: Jordan is a player who should have gone much higher, so his value is good. He may be a better fit in a 3-4, and is similar in that respect to Will Smith. Saints fans should not expect a dynamic pass rusher, but he is a highly talented player who will have an impact. Ingram too is good value, and should see a lot of carries. There are concerns as to how well he holds up, but he should contribute significantly with a spread out field. Wilson too is a steal in round three, and could start at any one of the three linebacker positions for the Saints. Patrick is a talent who could see action early, and will keep up the Saints good record of creating turnovers. Romeus continues the top talent and value of this class, but he has injury concerns. If he stays healthy he will be a great pick at the bottom of round seven and could be the biggest steal of the draft.
Verdict: A small class, but a hugely talented one. The Saints added a defensive end, a potential starter on the interior of the defensive line, and other talent all over the field. An offensive tackle would have been nice, but with the talent the Saints have picked up they will be contenders for the Super Bowl in 2011 and beyond. An excellent draft class.
3) Kansas City Chiefs:
Picks: Jonathan Baldwin (WR, 26), Rodney Hudson (OL, 55), Justin Houston (OLB, 70), Allen Bailey (DE, 86), Jalil Brown (CB, 118), Ricky Stanzi (QB, 135), Gabe Miller (OLB, 140), Jerrell Powe (DL, 199), Shane Bannon (RB, 223).
Summary: Baldwin is a talented deep threat to take pressure away from Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles, and should make life easier for the Chiefs on offense. He is a diva, but so was Bowe to an extent, and the Chiefs were able to make him very productive. Hudson is a solid pick who will start for ten years at guard or centre, and both Houston and Bailey are excellent value pick-ups. Houston should start early, while Bailey needs to develop his technique a little, and has time to do so. Brown factors in as a situational player, and he and Miller should both see time on special teams. Stanzi has potential as a very good back-up, and will likely win the number two job before the start of the season. Powe too could make an impact in his first year, although it is unlikely to be a great one.
Verdict: Baldwin and Hudson will start from day one, and the Chiefs have a plethora of potential impact players, as well as long-term prospects. Even if the bottom three prospects do not work out, this will be considered a good class for the Chiefs. For the second year running, Kansas City deliver one of the best crops of rookies in the draft.
2) Baltimore Ravens:
Picks: Jimmy Smith (CB, 27), Torrey Smith (WR, 58), Jah Reid (OT, 85), Tandon Doss (WR, 123), Chykie Brown (DB, 164), Pernell McPhee (DL, 165), Tyrod Taylor (QB, 180), Anthony Allen (RB, 225).
Summary: Jimmy Smith has top ten talent, and should be kept in line by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed as Baltimore’s leaders. If they cannot keep him straight, then it’s highly unlikely that anyone could. He has lockdown corner potential. Torrey Smith is a speedster, who gives the Ravens an immediate deep threat. He will likely have one year playing with Derrick Mason to learn his craft, which will help immensely. Reid provides good value too, and should develop into a dependable right tackle. Picking up Doss in round four could be the best value of all, and he could have more of an impact than Torrey Smith in 2011. Taylor gives them someone to compete to back-up Joe Flacco, but he is never likely to be any more than that.
Verdict: A very good looking class here, especially for the long-term. All of the first four picks could become starters soon for Baltimore, and all of them present good value, with Brown and McPhee likely to see significant playing time as rookies. One of the best classes of the draft.
1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Picks: Adrian Clayborn (DE, 20), Da’Quan Bowers (DE, 51), Mason Foster (LB, 84), Luke Stocker (TE, 104), Ahmad Black (SS, 151), Allen Bradford (RB, 187), Anthony Gaitor (DB, 222), Daniel Hardy (TE, 238).
Summary: Clayborn was a top ten projection after his 2009 season but dropped after a dip in 2010 and some concerns over a condition which restricts his movement in his right arm. If he overcomes that condition, he could be an excellent defensive end. Bowers is also not without his injury problems, and he may have to sit for some time to ensure his knee is healthy, but if he can stay healthy for some time he will be a steal at fifty-first overall. Foster too is a steal, and he can play any of the three positions in a 4-3, which will be very helpful for him to see action in his rookie year. Stocker is primarily a blocker, but can catch passes, and may see some redzone targets off play action. Black is another value pick in the fifth who can contribute from day one. Bradford will see some goal line carries in 2011 and Hardy could see some action if he sticks on the roster.
Verdict: A class with a lot of impact players and a lot of potential too. Bowers and Clayborn could be the next Freeney and Mathis if they can get healthy, and Foster, Stocker and Black could all be starters sooner rather than later. An excellent class, possibly the league’s best.
No comments:
Post a Comment