[1]

[2]

OFF THE CLOCK OFF THE CLOCK (Cont.)

BUFFALO BILLS 3 CHICAGO BEARS 23

MIAMI DOLPHINS 4 DETROIT LIONS 24

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 5 GREEN BAY PACKERS 25

NEW YORK JETS 6 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 26

BALTIMORE RAVENS 7 ATLANTA FALCONS 27

CINCINNATI BENGALS 8 CAROLINA PANTHERS 28

CLEVELAND BROWNS 9 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 29

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 10 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 30

HOUSTON TEXANS 11 ARIZONA CARDINALS 31

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 12 ST. LOUIS RAMS 32

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 13 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 33

TENNESSEE TITANS 14 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 34

DENVER BRONCOS 15 FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEW

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 16 QUARTERBACKS 35

OAKLAND RAIDERS 17 RUNNING BACKS 37

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 18 WIDE RECEIVERS 39

DALLAS COWBOYS 19 TIGHT ENDS 41

NEW YORK GIANTS 20 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN 43

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 21 LINEBACKERS 44

WASHINGTON REDSKINS 22 DEFENSIVE BACKS 45

TABLE OF

CONTENTSPhoto: Zach Green

STAFF Rick Serritella, Founder & Publisher

Administrative

Daniel Mogollon, President

John Murphy (Alum), Vice President

Senior Editors

Ross Mandel, Editor-In-Chief

Ralph Mancini, Executive Editor

Bo Marchionte, Public Relations

Justin Van Fulpen, NFL Draft Guru

Benjamin C. Klein, NFL Draft Analyst

Kelron Sykes, NFL Super Scout

Kenny Franek, Senior Writer

Wes Stueve, Senior Writer

Pat Schuster, Senior Writer

Peter Riley, Production Assistant

Jeff Blum, Design Coordinator

Gabriel Serra, Artwork

Dennis Hubbard, Photography

[3]

AFC EAST: BUFFALO BILLS OFF THE CLOCK(1-9) C.J. Spiller, Running Back, Clemson: There is no

denying that Spiller offers the Bills an electrifying

playmaker in the backfield, as well as an excellent return

man and receiver—he will contribute in many aspects of

the game. In an offense lacking excitement, Spiller will

certainly provide some. However, running back was far

from the biggest area of concern for the Bills. They

desperately needed help along the offensive line, yet

they passed on both Bryan Bulaga and Anthony Davis.

Failing to solidify the offensive line may cause Spiller to

struggle to showcase his talents in year one. It is hard to

argue with selecting a talent like Spiller—best player on

the board—but it!s also hard to improve by ignoring

glaring needs. Grade: B+

(2-41) Torell Troup, Defensive Tackle, Central Florida: With the Bills transition to the 3-4 defense, Troup will be

given every opportunity to win the starting nose tackle

job. Nose tackles are always at a premium, which is why

the Bills had to pounce on Troup early. With virtually no

one else at the position on their current roster, it was

definitely a need pick. Troup is a good run stuffer but

lacks elite athleticism and won!t make many plays in the

backfield. Some might argue that Terrence Cody was the

better player on the board but concerns about his weight

and work ethic pushed Troup ahead of him on the Bills

list. Grade: B

(3-72) Alex Carrington, Defensive End, Arkansas State: While he was successful playing in a 4-3 defense

at Arkansas State, he should fit in nicely at

defensive end in Buffalo!s new 3-4 defense.

This selection was another move geared

towards adding pieces to a defensive unit in

transition. Carrington was a very good

value pick and should pay immediate

dividends. Grade: B+

(4-107) Marcus Easley, Wide Receiver, Connecticut: The former Husky is a talented

receiver with great size and athleticism, though

he does need to improve his route running. He may

need a couple of years of seasoning but Easley is going

to be a solid player, one whose rise should—if all goes

as planned—coincide with that of the team. Grade: B

(5-140) Ed Wang, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech: A

converted tight end, Wang is an excellent athlete at

tackle. However, he sometimes struggles with elite pass-

rushers and may have to eventually kick inside to guard.

While Wang struggled at times during Senior Bowl week,

Buffalo is in dire need of some beef on the offensive line

and this was a solid selection. Grade: B

(6-178) Arthur Moats, Outside Linebacker, James Madison: Making the transition from defensive end

to outside linebacker, the Bills believe Moats can

come in and make an impact as a pass-rush/

pass-coverage linebacker. Grade: B

(6-192) Dan Batten, Outside Linebacker, South Dakota State: The Bills added another

hybrid in Batten, who played defensive end at

SDSU. He is also capable of playing both inside and

outside linebacker positions, which increases his

chances of making the roster as a backup. Grade: B

(7-209) Levi Brown, Quarterback, Troy: The Bills snag

their developmental quarterback. Chan Gailey loves

mobile quarterbacks and the team views Brown as a

potential starter down the road. Grade: B

(7-216) Kyle Calloway, Offensive Tackle, Iowa: He

could make the team as a versatile backup along the

offensive line but his long-term future is likely shifting

inside as a guard. Grade: A

OVERALL

GRADE

B

C.J. Spiller

Photo: Scott Huffer

[4]

AFC EAST: MIAMI DOLPHINS OFF THE CLOCK(1-28) Jared Odrick, Defensive End, Penn State: Though Odrick offers great value, the Dolphins arguably

had bigger holes to fill. Odrick is projected to play

defensive end in the Dolphins 3-4 defense and the team

will be counting on him to start from day one. When you

consider the talent, it!s hard to argue this selection but

Miami failed to address the nose tackle position, where

aging starter Jason Ferguson will serve an eight game

suspension to start the season. Grade: B

(2-40) Koa Misi, Outside Linebacker, Utah: The

Mountain West product is a very good edge rusher who

fits perfectly into Miami!s defensive scheme. With the

release of Joey Porter, adding a pass rusher was a

priority for the Dolphins. The former Ute should play

immediately in passing situations. A college defensive

end, Misi did see playing time at Utah in a two-point

stance, preparing him for the full-time transition to

outside linebacker in the Dolphins! scheme. Adding Misi

to the mix alongside free agent acquisition Karlos

Dansby could form one of the most explosive linebacker

duos in the league. Grade: B+

(3-73) John Jerry, Offensive Lineman, Ole Miss: Coming out of Oxford, Jerry is a physical, dominant run

blocker. A tackle at Ole Miss, he seems better suited to

play guard at the next level. In a one-on-one matchup,

Jerry can physically over-power virtually anyone. He isn!t

very agile but in the Dolphins! offensive attack mobility

isn!t a huge issue. Grade: B

(4-119) A.J. Edds, Inside Linebacker, Iowa: The Big

Ten product has fantastic instincts and good tackling

ability, to go along with his ideal size. Very good in zone

coverage, Edds projects to play the inside linebacker

position in Miami!s 3-4 defense and should see time in

nickel packages immediately. Though Edds was a good

value selection, Miami had bigger needs to

address with the pick. Analysis: B-

(5-145) Nolan Carroll, Cornerback, Maryland: With an exceptional

combination of size and speed, Carroll

earned himself a spot in the draft with a

strong pro day workout. However, while he

has potential, Carroll has very limited

experience and durability is a major concern.

While cornerback wasn!t a gaping need for the

Dolphins, they also do not have much depth behind

starters Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. Some believe

Carroll may be able to play safety, which would increase

his value as a backup. Grade: C+

(5-163) Reshad Jones, Strong Safety, Georgia: One of

the more talented safety prospects in the draft, Jones

provides excellent value towards the end of the fifth

round. Though he struggles in coverage, Jones is a solid

tackler and can play close to the line of scrimmage. If he

can become more consistent, look for Jones to end up

being one of the steals of the draft. Grade: B+

(7-212)!Chris McCoy, Outside Linebacker, Middle Tennessee State: This pick was the

perfect marriage of value and need. McCoy has

a high ceiling as a pass-rushing outside

linebacker in the Dolphins! 3-4 scheme. He

should make the final 53-man roster due in part to

their lack of current pass rushers. Grade: B

(7-252) Austin Spitler, Inside Linebacker, Ohio State: Unless he proves to be a special teams standout, odds

are he!ll start off on the practice squad. Grade: D

OVERALL

GRADE

B-

Reshad Jones

Photo: SEC Sports Media

[5]

AFC EAST: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-27) Devin McCourty, Cornerback, Rutgers: After re-

signing Leigh Bodden and the selection of Darius Butler

in the second round of last year!s draft, this pick seems a

bit unusual at first. However, with the passing game

having an increasingly large impact on the NFL, a good

defense truly needs three solid cornerbacks. Even if

McCourty doesn!t contribute much on defense in 2010,

he will likely see action on special teams, in both the

return and kickoff game. At best he will see action as a

nickel back but will eventually be expected to start,

possibly as soon as 2011. An exciting player with

excellent athleticism, McCourty should see his skills

maximized by Bill Belichick and the New England

defensive staff. Grade: A

(2-42) Rob Gronkowski, Tight End, Arizona: With their

first of three second round picks, the Patriots nab

Gronkowski, a legitimate first-round talent, whose back

injury (didn!t play in 2009) affected his draft stock and

pushed him into round two. A very good blocker and

receiver, Gronkowski is the most complete tight end in

the draft. If he is able to stay healthy, the former

Wildcat should become a great player for New

England. After losing Benjamin Watson to

the Browns in free agency, the Pats filled a

huge need and added a big red zone

target for Tom Brady. Grade: A

(2-53) Jermaine Cunningham, Outside Linebacker, Florida: After ignoring the

need for a pass rusher with their first two

picks, Cunningham fills a need as a threat off

the edge for the Patriots but may have been a

reach in the second round. His quickness and speed

should work to his advantage, as Cunningham has the

potential to thrive in New England!s 3-4 defense. He has

the athleticism to be effective in coverage, which is

something very important to Bill Belichick. Grade: C

(2-62) Brandon Spikes, Inside Linebacker, Florida: Back-to-back Gators for New England. Spikes is a smart

player with excellent instincts but he is incredibly slow for

a linebacker. He suits the 3-4 defense, which puts more

of premium on size over speed on their inside

linebackers. Spikes will compete for a starting spot in

New England. Though he struggles in coverage, Spikes

is a sound tackler and could be a solid two-down player

for the Patriots. However, the Florida product has very

limited upside and may have already peaked as a player

from a talent and production standpoint. Grade: C

(3-90) Taylor Price, Wide Receiver, Ohio: Coming from

the MAC, Price brings underrated athleticism to the wide

receiver position. He isn!t a very good route runner at this

point and he has had some problems with dropped balls

but Price has great potential and can be an excellent

deep threat. Grade: A

(4-113) Aaron Hernandez, Tight End, Florida: Even

after the Gronkowski selection, tight end was still a

position of need for the Patriots and Hernandez adds a

new dimension to New England!s offense. While not

much of a blocker, Hernandez can be utilized as an H-

Back or even line up in the slot. New England may have

struck gold with this selection, as Hernandez can make

an immediate impact in the passing game. Grade: A

(5-150) Zoltan Mesko, Punter, Michigan: The Patriots

chose not to re-sign punter Chris Hanson and were

linked to Mesko as early as February. The former

Michigan man has a booming leg and the potential to

impact the game of field position. With rather large size

and surprising speed, Mesko is actually an athlete as

well. Grade: C+

(6-205) Ted Larsen, Center, North Carolina State: A developmental center that used to play

defensive tackle, Larsen should make the team

due to his intelligence, versatility and

coachabilty."Grade: C

(7-208) Thomas Welch, Offensive Tackle, Vanderbilt: At the Senior Bowl, Welch proved he is a

nimble right tackle prospect with a chance to make the

final roster. Great value this late in the draft. Grade: A

(7-247) Brandon Deaderick, Defensive End, Alabama: A National Champion, Deaderick is a solid run stuffer

with a genuine chance to catch on. His experience

playing in Nick Saban!s 3-4 scheme can only help.

Grade: B

(7-248) Kade Weston, Defensive End, Georgia: The

five-technique end will battle for a roster spot in training

camp, possibly with Deaderick. Grade: C

(7-250) Zac Robinson, Quarterback, Oklahoma State: The Patriots have been trying to develop a backup since

Matt Cassel left but there were better quarterbacks on

the board. Grade: C

OVERALL

GRADE

B+

[6]

AFC EAST: NEW YORK JETS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-29) Kyle Wilson, Cornerback, Boise State: With few

glaring needs, it made sense that the Jets would go for

the best value with the 29th pick. Wilson was widely

expected to be one of the first two cornerbacks off the

board and it was surprising to see him still available

when the Jets were put on the clock—the fact that he

was still available is somewhat shocking. With Darrelle

Revis and Antonio Rogers-Cromartie already at

cornerback, Wilson will see time as the nickel back in

2010. The acquisition of Wilson likely gives the Jets the

best set of cornerbacks in the NFL. Grade: A

(2-61) Vladimir Ducasse, Offensive Lineman, Massachusetts: The small school product is a perfect fit

for the Jets! power offensive line. A great athlete with

tremendous strength, Ducasse is expected to battle

second-year man Matt Slauson for the starting right

guard spot vacated with the release of Alan Faneca.

Long-term, New York is hoping that Ducasse can mature

into a tackle but he will surely need some time to

develop. Grade: A

(4-112) Joe McKnight, Running Back, USC: The highly-touted McKnight

projects as a slashing third-down

back and receiver with playmaking

ability in the mold of Leon

Washington. In fact, the selection of

McKnight helped pave the way for

the Jets! draft day trade of

Washington to the Seattle Seahawks.

With Shonn Greene and LaDainian

Tomlinson ahead of the USC product on

the depth chart, the Jets are hoping for a three-headed

beast in the offensive backfield. Grade: C

(5-139) John Conner, Fullback, Kentucky: This former

Wildcat is a nasty lead blocker who is known for paving

holes in the run game. While he does have good

athleticism, Conner offers very little as a receiver or

runner. With Tony Richardson aging and few holes on the

roster, the Jets were able to build towards the future with

this pick. Grade: D+

OVERALL

GRADE

B

Kyle Wilson

Vladimir Ducasse

Photos: Zach Green

[7]

AFC NORTH: BALTIMORE RAVENS OFF THE CLOCK

(2-43) Sergio Kindle, Outside Linebacker, Texas: If he

remains healthy, Kindle could be the ultimate steal in the

early part of the second round. A skilled pass-rush

specialist who played linebacker and defensive end for

Texas, Kindle fell to the second round due to an

inconsistent senior season and concerns about his knee.

Talk inside Radio City was that Kindle may have a

fracture, which would require season-ending surgery.

Thus far, he has participated in mini-camp and looks to

be a perfect fit for the 3-4 defense that the Ravens run.

Grade: B+

(2-57) Terrence Cody, Defensive Tackle, Alabama: The man known as “Mount Cody” is a perfect fit for the

Ravens and should enable Haloti Ngata to

dominate even more, not to mention

help free up lanes for Ray Lewis to

run through. With Kelly Gregg

aging and often injured, nose

tackle was a dire need for

Baltimore. Though he isn!t very

disruptive, Cody is a great run

stuffer. If he is able to keep his

weight down, the Ravens may have

just added an elite nose tackle.

Grade: A+

(3-70) Ed Dickson, Tight End, Oregon: This Oregon

product is an all-around tight end who does everything

well, possessing decent quickness and blocking ability.

Dickson can also catch the ball effectively and be an

asset in the passing game. With Todd Heap often injured,

this selection was justified. Grade: B

(4-114) Dennis Pitta, Tight End, BYU: A proven pass

catcher, Pitta is a great athlete at the tight end position

with excellent receiving ability. However, he isn!t very big

and lacks blocking ability. Following the selection of

Dickson, the pick seemed somewhat unusual but many

believe that Pitta has the best pair of hands amongst the

tight ends in this draft. With the sudden added depth at

this position, don!t be surprised if the Ravens implement

more plays designed around the two-tight end formation.

Grade: B

(5-156) David Reed, Wide Receiver, Utah: While Reed

doesn!t possess very good size or speed; the former

Utah receiver is a great route runner and has consistent

hands. Known as a hard worker, Reed plays bigger than

advertised and has solid downfield blocking skills. With

added value as a returner, this was a solid pick in the late

fifth round. Grade: C

(5-157) Arthur Jones, Defensive Tackle, Syracuse: Prior to his senior season, Jones was projected as a first

round pick but slid on draft weekend due to concerns

about his durability. An ideal 3-4 defensive end, Jones

brings size, speed and quickness. Look for Jones to

contribute as a solid rotational player in Baltimore with a

future as a starter, if he puts his injury concerns behind

him. Grade: A

(6-194) Ramon Harewood, Offensive Lineman, Morehouse: Seat this man opposite Haloti Ngata and

Terrence Cody or the plane might tilt. Harewood is a

developmental offensive line prospect that has rare size

and strength. Grade: C+

OVERALL

GRADE

B+

Sergio Kindle

Photo: UT Photography

[8]

AFC NORTH: CINCINNATI BENGALS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-21) Jermaine Gresham, Tight End, Oklahoma: If not

for missing the entire 2009 season due to injury, there is

very little chance that Gresham would have made it into

the latter half of the first round. One of the more talented

and physical receiving tight ends to enter the league in

recent seasons, Gresham addresses one of the Bengals!

biggest needs. With Carson Palmer struggling at times

last season, it is logical that the Bengals would add a big

target for him to rely on. Though he is not a great blocker,

he gives solid effort, using his long arms to create

leverage. It seems likely that Gresham will come in and

start immediately for Cincinnati given his natural talent.

With the addition of the Oklahoma product, Cincinnati

has virtually no holes on the offensive side of the ball. If

he is able to remain healthy, Gresham should be an

excellent player for many years to come. Grade: A+

(2-54) Carlos Dunlap, Defensive End, Florida: The

ultimate risk/reward pick, Dunlap has the potential to

be an elite defensive end but he could also be a huge

bust—yes you!ve heard this before when it comes to

the Bengals. A very inconsistent pass rusher, the

Florida product has top-notch athleticism for a man of

size but lacks a good motor. Though he possesses the

strength to be great against the run, he often does not

give the consistent effort required. After drafting fellow

boom-or-bust defensive end Michael Johnson last year,

the Bengals could either have a great, or terrible duo

coming off the edge of their front four. Grade: B

(3-84) Jordan Shipley, Wide Receiver, Texas: With the

signing of Antonio Bryant in the off-season and selecting

Gresham in round one, the Bengals added yet another

weapon for Palmer with the selection of Shipley.

Cincinnati has received minimal contributions from Andre

Caldwell and Jerome Simpson, placing Shipley in the

thick of the competition for the slot wide out position.

Possessing superb hands and sneaky quickness, the

former Longhorn will likely be productive if he can remain

healthy. Grade: B

(3-96) Brandon Ghee, Cornerback, Wake Forest: The

former Demon Deacon flashed great talent during his

time at Wake Forest but he was also beat quite often and

was very inconsistent. Ghee has the potential to be a

good player and impressed with his measurables at the

NFL Scouting Combine. The Bengals were in need of a

nickel cornerback, so Ghee should be a welcomed

addition to both the defense and special teams.

Grade: B+

(4-120) Geno Atkins, Defensive Tackle, Georgia: With

no pressing needs at this point in the draft, Atkins was a

solid value pick for the Bengals in the middle of the fourth

round. Atkins is quick and fast, using his burst to cause

disruption in the backfield. Though he is undersized and

was inconsistent during his time “Between the Hedges,”

Atkins does possess very good strength. Likely a

situational player, he could end up being a productive

pass rusher. Grade: B+

(4-131) Roddrick Muckelroy, Outside Linebacker, Texas: While linebacker wasn!t necessarily a need here

for Cincinnati, Muckelroy was a solid value choice and

should provide the Bengals with depth. Muckelroy has

good size and the ability to wrap up ball carriers. Though

he isn!t very fast, he does possess decent coverage

ability. Grade: C+

(5-152) Otis Hudson, Offensive Guard, Eastern Illinois: The Bengals

surprised many with their selection of

Hudson, who played tackle while at

Eastern Illinois but projects as guard

in the NFL. Hudson has good size

and athleticism but wasn!t

considered to be valued as this high

of a prospect. Guard wasn!t a huge

priority for the Bengals but more depth

along the offensive line was needed. However, Hudson

was expected to go undrafted and looks to be a reach.

Grade: D

(6-191) Dezmon Briscoe, Wide Receiver, Kansas: The

highly productive Jayhawk must prove he is tough

enough to be an NFL player and he won!t have an easy

time making the team with such a crowded receiving

corps in Cincy. At the same time, many expected Briscoe

to go a round or two higher than he did."Grade: C+

(7-228) Reginald Stephens, Offensive Guard, Iowa State: Fit, value, and need. He!s a solid run mauler for a

team that prizes them. Grade: B

OVERALL

GRADE

B

Jermaine Gresham

Photo: OU Athletics Department

[9]

AFC NORTH: CLEVELAND BROWNS OFF THE CLOCK(1-7) Joe Haden, Cornerback, Florida: With Eric Berry

off the board, there was no obvious pick for Cleveland at

seven. Trading back would have been a sound move but

that is easier said than done. Cornerback remained a

priority for the Browns, even after acquiring Sheldon

Brown from the Eagles and Haden was at the top of

Browns! big board. The only cornerback in Florida history

to start as a freshman, Haden has a very impressive

résumé and looks to project as a shutdown coverman. In

2009, cornerback was arguably the team!s weakest

position. Now, with Eric Wright, Brown, and Haden in tow,

the team looks to have one of the league!s stronger

units. Eventually, Wright and Haden could be one of the

most dangerous cornerback duos in the NFL. Grade: B+

(2-38) T.J. Ward, Strong Safety, Oregon: While the

Browns definitely needed to add a safety, Ward may be a

reach as a top-40 pick. Don!t be overly concerned that

Taylor Mays was still on the board, as Ward has the

instincts that could allow him to be a better pro. With

Brodney Pool departing via free agency, Cleveland has

only Abram Elam at safety, so this clearly fits a major

need. Ward is a physical player who can

lay the lumber and is very good

against the run. With some

experience as a cornerback, he

can also cover. More than

anything else, Ward!s extended

battles with the injury-bug is the

biggest concern. Grade: C+

(2-59) Montario Hardesty, Running Back, Tennessee: With

Jerome Harrison as the team!s starting

running back, Hardesty will look to compete for playing

time and should move up to number one on the depth

chart sooner rather than later. Hardesty has good vision

and is a powerful back but injuries have hurt him

throughout his career. If Hardesty is able to remain

healthy, the Tennessee product should be a solid starting

running back for the Browns. Grade: B

(3-85) Colt McCoy, Quarterback, Texas: The Maxwell

Award winner has great accuracy and above-average

mobility at the quarterback position. His skill set makes

the West Coast Offense a fit for the Texas product.

Among his weaknesses are arm strength, size and lack

of experience in a pro-style attack. Once projected as a

late-first round or early-second round pick, McCoy was

properly slotted as a mid-third round selection. His

performances against elite defenses (see Oklahoma and

Nebraska) makes us wonder if he can be successful

starting at the next level. Grade: B

(3-92) Shawn Lauvao, Offensive Guard, Arizona State: While at ASU, Lauvao displayed he is a strong

guard who gets a good push in the run game and is also

a skilled pass blocker. Though he may need to refine his

technique at the next level, he has the athleticism to be a

solid player. With only Floyd Womack at right guard, the

position was definitely a need for the Browns. Grade: B

(5-160) Larry Asante, Strong Safety, Nebraska: The

former Cornhusker has excellent size and plays like a

linebacker, often delivering the knockout blow. Though he

has shown flashes in coverage, Asante is primarily an in-

the-box safety used to enforce the run. After the previous

selections of Ward and Haden, the Browns have made

an obvious effort to revamp their secondary. Grade: C+

(6-177) Carlton Mitchell, Wide Receiver, South Florida: A raw but talented wide receiver prospect who

was well worth a sixth-round pick, Mitchell has the

potential to develop into a dangerous starter in the

Browns! West Coast Offense. It isn!t out of the realm to

believe that Mitchell can emerge as their top wide

out."Grade: A+

(6-186) Clifton Geathers, Defensive End, South Carolina: This was a perfect marriage of need, fit and

value. A five-technique end in Cleveland!s 3-4 defense,

Geathers might develop with strong organizational

support and guidance."Grade: A

OVERALL

GRADE

B+

Joe Haden

Photo: UF Communications

[10]

AFC NORTH: PITTSBURGH STEELERS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-18) Maurkice Pouncey, Center, Florida: After

neglecting the offensive line in the first round for years,

the Steelers finally addressed the team!s most glaring

need. With Ben Roethlisberger typically taking a long

time to get rid of the ball, a strong line is even more

important. Pouncey was a dominating center at Florida

and displayed the versatility to play any of the

interior line positions. He will likely start at

guard in Pittsburgh before eventually

moving over to center. This strategy will

lessen the learning curve that Pouncey

will face and benefit the line as a whole.

While 18th overall is typically early for an

interior lineman, Pouncey appears to be

worthy of the selection. Pittsburgh had

recently faced criticism for going away from

their typical physical style of play. Pouncey

moves them back in that direction of the Steelers

smash-mouth mentality. Grade: B+

(2-52) Jason Worilds, Outside Linebacker, Virginia Tech: A college defensive end, Worilds has a lot of

potential to be a successful player. A great athlete with

tremendous strength, Worilds provides another pass

rusher for Pittsburgh to groom. At 32, James Harrison is

coming off a season in which his production dropped, so

the selection of Worilds provides somewhat of an

insurance policy down the road. Grade: B+

(3-82) Emmanuel Sanders, Wide Receiver, Southern Methodist: The former Mustang excelled as a return

specialist during his time at SMU and was an extremely

productive receiver. After trading Santonio Holmes to the

New York Jets, wide receiver was a position of need and

Sanders could contribute immediately. The SMU product

is undersized but has impressive speed and athletic

ability. The Steelers have had their fare share of success

with undersized pass catchers. Grade: C

(4-116) Thaddeus Gibson, Outside Linebacker, Ohio State: Pittsburgh continues their trend of hybrids with

Gibson, an athletically gifted pass rusher who has played

both linebacker and defensive end. While the Steelers

had already added Worilds to the barn of edge rushers,

history has proven that you can never have too many.

The value here was too great to pass up and Gibson

landed in an ideal spot to create the most of his abilities.

Grade: B+

(5-151) Chris Scott, Offensive Guard, Tennessee: A

college tackle, the powerful Scott is likely to be moved

inside to guard due to his lack of quickness. An excellent

run blocker with very good upper-body strength, Scott

projects as a road-grating right guard at the next level.

Adding Scott, along with Pouncey shows that the

Steelers plan to re-dedicate to the run game. Grade: B+

(5-164) Crezdon Butler, Cornerback, Clemson: The

former Tiger is a very good athlete at cornerback but

inconsistencies in his play hurt his stock. Possessing

good upper-body strength and speed, Butler has some

potential as a nickel back. Cornerback has long been

a need for the Steelers and one wonders why they

didn!t address the position earlier in this draft.

Grade: C+

(5-166) Stevenson Sylvester, Inside Linebacker, Utah: While definitely on the light

side, Sylvester is a classic overachiever who does

well, despite his lack of size and speed. Though he

will probably never be anything more than a backup,

Sylvester should contribute on special teams. However,

depth at linebacker wasn!t a huge concern for Pittsburgh,

especially after they!d already selected two in this draft.

Grade: C

(6-188) Jonathan Dwyer, Running Back, Georgia Tech: The one-time ACC Player of the Year will make the

team as a power compliment to Rashard Mendenhall.

This was a great value pick and a perfect fit for player

and team."Grade: A

(6-195) Antonio Brown, Wide Receiver, Central Michigan: A talented returner that offers upside as a slot

receiver, Brown has good burst in-and-out of his

cuts."Grade: C

(7-242) Doug Worthington, Defensive End, Ohio State: Somewhat of a long shot to make the team as a

five-technique end, as he transitions from defensive

tackle. Grade: C

OVERALL

GRADE

B

Thaddeus Gibson

Photo: The Ohio State Department of Athletics

[11]

AFC SOUTH: HOUSTON TEXANS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-20) Kareem Jackson, Cornerback, Alabama: Before

the off-season even began, cornerback was considered a

weakness for Houston. With Dunta Robinson departing

for Atlanta in free agency, the selection of Jackson allows

the Texans to plug in an immediate replacement.

Jackson is a physical cornerback who excels in press

coverage and is capable of playing in any coverage

scheme. Though he is not a flashy player, Jackson is

solid in virtually every aspect of the game and should be

an excellent fit in Houston. Grade: B+

(2-58) Ben Tate, Running Back, Auburn: The SEC

product is a physical running back with good bulk.

Pairing Tate with Steve Slaton should form a dynamic

duo in the Texans! zone-blocking run scheme. Many

Houston fans seemed to be upset initially that the Texans

passed on Toby Gerhart and opted to trade down but the

team coveted Tate the entire time. Look for Tate to thrive

and for Gerhart to become a distant memory. Grade: A

(3-81) Earl Mitchell, Defensive Tackle, Arizona: An

athletic defensive tackle who is primarily a penetrator is

what the Texans plucked here in the third round. Though

Mitchell isn!t very stout against the run and is undersized,

he has great lateral agility and can make some plays in

the backfield. He will likely see playing time in the

defensive front rotation from day one. Grade: C+

(4-102) Darryl Sharpton, Inside Linebacker, Miami: The linebacker from “The U.” is coming off a productive

senior campaign. With DeMeco Ryans already on the

team, inside linebacker position wasn!t a priority,

however in light of Brian Cushing!s four-game

suspension the selection of Sharpton could fill an

immediate need. His versatility should come in handy. A

history of injures and lack of speed could affect

Sharpton!s impact at the next level. Grade: C

(5-118) Garrett Graham, Tight End, Wisconsin: With

Owen Daniels on the mend seemingly all of last season

and unproven backups Anthony Hill and James Casey

the only other remaining tight ends, the Texans added a

much needed alternative should Daniels continue to be

hindered by the injury bug. Graham is a very solid two-

way tight end and has the potential to start. Grade: B

(5-144) Sherrick McManis, Cornerback, Northwestern: Houston continued to address their

obvious need at cornerback. McManis is a player who

doesn!t stand out in any one category but he is solid in

zone coverage and has good size. Overall he was a bit

of a reach with better players still on the board. Grade: D

(6-187) Shelley Smith, Offensive Guard, Colorado State: The general

consensus on Smith is that he can

provide valuable versatility along

the offensive line. While he has

struggled at times in pass-

protection the value equates to a

worthy pick with this selection.

Grade: B+

(6-197) Trindon Holliday, Return Man, LSU: He!s tiny and raw but boy, what an athlete! Holliday has

tremendous special teams potential but will have to be

coached up if he!s going to contribute on offense at

all."Grade: C+

(7-227) Dorin Dickerson, Tight End, Pittsburgh: An

offensive tweener, Dickerson doesn!t really seem to have

a true position but he can do damage with the ball in his

hands and the Texans will find ways to utilize his talents.

Grade: B

OVERALL

GRADE

B-

Kareem Jackson

Photo: Alabama Media Relations

[12]

AFC SOUTH: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-31) Jerry Hughes, Defensive End, TCU: With Dwight

Freeney and Robert Mathis both approaching 30, the

Colts injected a shot of youth into the mix with their

selection of the TCU pass-rush specialist. Hughes

possesses great rush moves and a tendency to get after

quarterbacks—a perfect schematic fit for what the Colts

look for in their ends. Hughes certainly won!t start in

2010 but will likely see action on passing downs and

allows Indianapolis flexibility in negotiations with Mathis

when his contract expires at the end of the 2011 season.

Grade: A

(2-63) Pat Angerer, Inside Linebacker, Iowa: The Big

Ten product isn!t incredibly

athletic but he is a solid

player. Angerer makes up for

his lack of elite speed with

impressive instincts and

smarts, not to mention ideal

leadership skills for the middle

linebacker position. Grade: B

(3-94) Kevin Thomas, Cornerback, USC: After losing

Marlin Jackson in free agency, the Colts felt the need to

add depth at cornerback. While Thomas was expected to

be a good fit for the Tampa-two defense that Indianapolis

employs, he may miss the entire 2010 season with a

knee injury suffered in mini-camp. Thomas! history of

injuries as a Trojan made this a risky pick. Grade: C

(4-129) Jacques McClendon, Offensive Guard, Tennessee: With a huge hole at guard, the selection

here made sense for Indianapolis. McClendon has the

size that the Colts are looking for. A very strong player

with good athleticism, McClendon has the potential to be

a solid player. His ascent up draft boards was fueled by

numerous team workouts and visits. Grade: C+

(5-162) Brody Eldridge, Tight End, Oklahoma: An

incredibly versatile player, Eldridge has started at center

and guard, as well as tight end. Primarily a blocker,

Eldridge won!t offer much in the receiving game but he

may contribute on special teams. Dallas Clark is far from

an effective blocker, so the selection made sense for the

Colts, who may also consider using the former Sooner as

a fullback. Grade: D

(7-238) Ricardo Mathews, Defensive Tackle, Cincinnati: Coming out of the Big East, Mathews is

suited for the Colts defensive tackle position; a possible

sleeper. Grade: B-

(7-240) Kavell Conner, Linebacker, Clemson: A special

teams candidate, Conner will probably be relegated to

backup duty as a linebacker. Grade: C

(7-246) Ray Fisher, Cornerback, Indiana: If he can!t

make it as a returner, the local product likely won!t make

it at all. Grade: B

OVERALL

GRADE

B

Jerry Hughes

Photo: TCU Athletics Media Relations

[13]

AFC SOUTH: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-10) Tyson Alualu, Defensive Tackle, California: Even amongst the most optimistic of projections, Alualu

was seen as a mid-to-late first-round draft pick. That

being said, while Alualu is widely considered one of the

overall #safest! picks, it is unlikely he will ever earn top-10

money that the Jaguars will be obligated to pay out.

Alualu has the size and style of a penetrator and projects

to be a starter for a long time in this league. Grade: B

(3-74) D"Anthony Smith, Defensive Tackle, Louisiana Tech: Jacksonville decided to ignore other needs and

once again build up the defensive line, this time with the

wide-bodied Smith. The writing was on the wall for the

Jaguars to part ways with John Henderson and this pick

ensures they have a viable replacement in hand entering

the season, despite most scouts opinion that Smith was

best-suited as a nose tackle at the next level. Grade: C

(5-143) Larry Hart, Defensive End, Central Arkansas: If you didn!t know any better one might think that the

Jaguars were running a 3-4 defense, something they

have denied. Hart played defensive end in college but is

too small and will have to switch to linebacker, which

most likely translates to him being used as a situational

pass-rusher in the Jaguars! 4-3 defense. Grade: C

(5-153) Austen Lane, Defensive End, Murray State: Coming from the Football Champion Subdivision, Lane is

viewed as a raw player at defensive end who will need

some time to develop. While he already has tremendous

size, Lane has the frame to add more weight and is

versatile schematically. If Lane progresses as expected,

Derrick Harvey could soon be shown the door.

Grade: B+

(6-180) Deji Karim, Running Back, Southern Illinois: A fast third-down back without much wiggle, Karim

possesses intriguing potential down the road but seems

destined for the practice squad in year one."Grade: C+

(6-203) Scotty McGee, Cornerback, James Madison: This selection was made

solely with the hopes that

McGee can come in and win

the kick-return job. If not, he

will most likely be cut. With so

many needs, the Jaguars were

in no position to roll the dice with

any of their picks. Grade: D

OVERALL

GRADE

C

Tyson Alualu

Photo: GoldenBearSports.com

[14]

AFC SOUTH: TENNESSEE TITANS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-16) Derrick Morgan, Defensive End, Georgia Tech: After losing Kyle Vanden Bosch to the Lions in free

agency, it became obvious that Tennessee needed to

make a move at the defensive end position. The addition

of Morgan is a perfect fit for the Titans. He may not

develop into an elite pass rusher but he will be solid in

every aspect of the game. In fact, he may ultimately end

up being a similar player to Vanden Bosch. With no real

weaknesses, Morgan should be able to immediately step

in and contribute for the Titans. Grade: A

(3-77) Damian Williams, Wide Receiver, USC: The

former Man of Troy should provide a safe target for Vince

Young, a wide receiver who runs crisp routes and

possesses reliable hands. The wide out slipped because

he isn!t overly impressive in terms of his size or straight-

line speed but Williams will get every opportunity to

compete for the number two wide out position, as the

team certainly lacks quality depth in that area. Excellent

after the catch, Williams should also contribute as a

return man. Grade: B

(3-97) Rennie Curran, Outside Linebacker, Georgia: Coming out of Georgia, Curran is a raw player with high

upside; a player who could easily boom-or-bust. Due to

his lack of size, Curran struggles to get off blocks but is a

great athlete, solid in coverage and quick to the ball.

After Tennessee seemingly let Keith Bulluck walk,

outside linebacker was a big need. Grade: C+

(4-104) Alterraun Verner, Cornerback, UCLA: The

former Bruin provides good value for the Titans with the

potential to contribute as a nickel back immediately. With

a big hole at cornerback and four games against the

Colts and Texans on the docket, the pick was a smart

one. Grade: B+

(5-148) Robert Johnson, Free Safety, Utah: Hailing

from Utah, Johnson is athletic and effective both when

playing close to the line and deep in coverage. Not elite

in any one area, Johnson struggles some in man

coverage and doesn!t have the type of

frame NFL teams look for. Don!t be

surprised if the Mountain West

overachiever does the same at

the next level. Grade: B

(6-176) Rusty Smith, Quarterback, Florida Atlantic:

Once dubbed, “The greatest

quarterback I!ve ever seen,” by

FAU Head Coach Howard

Schnellenberger, Smith never quite fit the

bill. He is primed for the practice squad in all likelihood.

Grade: C

(6-206) Myron Rolle, Strong Safety, Florida State: A

great value pick for the Titans. Many NFL coaches are

afraid of players who are smarter than them, so good for

Jeff Fisher. Rolle should begin his football career as a

backup at strong safety with the potential to be a starter

down the line."Grade: B

(7-222) Marc Mariani, Wide Receiver, Montana: Don!t

discredit this pick because Mariani flashed big-play ability

at small school Montana—he will come in and compete

—at the very least he will be a key special teamer.

Grade: C+

(7-241) David Howard, Defensive Tackle, Brown: Howard could provide depth at defensive tackle but he!ll

have to earn it in training camp. Grade: C-

OVERALL

GRADE

BDerick Morgan

Photo: Georgia Tech Sports Information Office

[15]

AFC WEST: DENVER BRONCOS OFF THE CLOCK(1-22) Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech: The Broncos certainly needed to address the wide

receiver position but with Dez Bryant still on the board,

the selection of Thomas raised eyebrows in some circles.

Bryant is more or less a consensus top-10 talent, while

Thomas was considered a borderline first rounder. The

Georgia Tech product has all the physical tools desired in

a wide out and at 6!4 is an imposing, physical player.

Though his quickness has been questioned, Thomas can

split the seam and make plays down the field. However,

his route-running skills are suspect and he will need

some coaching up to fulfill his potential on Sundays.

Denver bypassed the more talented Bryant to avoid any

controversy after finally ridding themselves of Brandon

Marshall. However, the Broncos continue to downgrade

their talent at key positions and this is another case of

that matter. Grade: B-

(1-25) Tim Tebow, Quarterback, Florida: Though it was

not a surprise that Tebow went off the board by the end

of the first round, the pick is still a reach. Tebow is

incredibly raw as a passer and the odds of him becoming

a productive starting quarterback within the next two

years, if ever, are extremely low. The former Heisman

Trophy winner played in a system that is

incredibly different than anything in the

NFL. It seems likely that Josh

McDaniels and the Broncos will

utilize him in a Wildcat type role

early on but his contribution will

most likely be limited. Tebow was

a luxury pick for a team that had

other needs, which is why this

selection simply doesn!t make sense

and could be the undoing of McDaniels

in Denver. Grade: D

(2-45) Zane Beadles, Offensive Guard, Utah: While the

Broncos certainly need help along the offensive line,

Beadles was a reach in the second round. The former

Ute isn!t overly strong and may struggle to handle

defensive tackles on the interior of the line. Based on his

Senior Bowl performance, Beadles didn!t seem ready for

the big stage but he may find himself catapulted into the

starting lineup sooner than expected with the recent

injury to Ryan Clady. Grade: D

(3-80) J.D. Walton, Center, Baylor: With no centers on

the roster, Walton made sense for the Broncos. A strong

player who excels in the run game, Walton is at his best

moving defenders out of the way and clearing the hole.

While he needs to improve his pass protection, Walton

was a good value pick in the third round. Grade: B

(3-87) Eric Decker, Wide Receiver, Minnesota: The

Minnesota native is a good route runner, who possesses

very consistent hands and underrated athletic ability. An

injury in 2009, which curtailed his chances at impressing

scouts during the draft-season may have hurt him. His

talents perfectly complement those of fellow Broncos

draftee Demaryius Thomas; the two receivers should

make a good duo for years to come in the Mile High City.

Grade: B+

(5-137) Perrish Cox, Cornerback, Oklahoma State: The All-Big XII performer is a very talented cornerback

and no one would have complained had he been

selected in the third, or even the second round. Though

he has been inconsistent, Cox has demonstrated the

ability to be a very good cover man. With Champ Bailey

aging, cornerback is an issue for the Broncos and Cox

also offers value in the return game. This pick goes away

from Denver!s draft philosophy of putting an emphasis on

character. Grade: B+

(6-183) Eric Olsen, Center, Notre Dame: An

overachiever with limited potential; Olsen has a strong

chance to make the team as a backup interior

lineman."Grade: C+

7-225. Syd"Quan Thompson, Cornerback, California: A great value pick, the physical Thompson should make

for a versatile backup in the secondary. Grade: B+

7-232. Jammie Kirlew, Defensive End, Indiana: An

overachiever at Indiana, Kirlew still must prove he has

enough talent to stick. Grade: C+

OVERALL

GRADE

D

Damaryius Thomas

Photo: Georgia Tech Sports Information Office

[16]

AFC WEST: KANSAS CITY OFF THE CLOCK(1-5) Eric Berry, Free Safety, Tennessee: With the

selection of Berry, the Chiefs not only added arguably the

second best player in the draft but addressed one of their

biggest needs. Aside from Brandon Flowers, Kansas City

had little support in the secondary. With Berry on board

Kansas City now has a playmaker in the secondary, one

who can excel in both man and zone coverage. Not just

a ball-hawk, Berry is aggressive and willing to get

physical. Romeo Crennel could use Berry at either safety

or cornerback and he will likely be

moved all around the defensive

backfield. Prior to the draft, many

expected Kansas City to add an

offensive tackle with the fifth

pick. However, even with

Russell Okung on the board,

the Chiefs elected to address

the bigger need and take the

better player, despite the fact that

safety is not considered as

valuable of a position as offensive

tackle. Grade: A

(2-36) Dexter McCluster, Running Back, Ole Miss: This all-purpose talent is a playmaker who will contribute

as a slot receiver and return man. One could argue that

Kansas City has too many holes to be using such a high

pick on a player who can!t contribute on every down but

McCluster is unique talent who, if used properly could be

a difference-maker in what was an anemic offense in

2009. Grade: A

(2-50) Javier Arenas, Cornerback, Alabama: The

Alabama product projects as more of a nickel back than

a starting cornerback in the NFL. With sub-par height

and less than elite speed, Arenas gets by mostly on skill.

He is stronger than many of the bigger cornerbacks in

this draft and plays better near the line of scrimmage

than one would assume. Though the Chiefs already

drafted McCluster who can return, Arenas also offers

versatility on special teams. Grade: B

(3-68) Jon Asamoah, Offensive Guard, Illinois: The

Big Ten product began the season as the top offensive

guard on many draft boards. Asamoah isn!t dominating in

any aspect but is good at almost everything. He is a very

good athlete and will be looked upon to start immediately

on the interior of the offensive line, where Kansas City

could really use some help. With four picks in the top 68,

the Chiefs got themselves some immediate contributors

expected to play key roles this upcoming season.

Grade: B+

(3-93) Tony Moeaki, Tight End, Iowa: The former

Hawkeye is a solid tight end capable of doing virtually

everything at the position. He is a good blocker and solid

receiver, though he doesn!t have great speed or

quickness. Durability is a major concern but if healthy, he

should contribute. After trading Tony Gonzalez last off-

season, tight end still remains an issue. Grade: B

(5-136) Kendrick Lewis Free Safety Ole Miss: The

Chiefs snag another Ole Miss product. Lewis isn!t

particularly big or fast but has excellent instincts and was

extremely productive. Even after drafting Eric Berry,

safety was still a position of need for the Chiefs and the

selection made sense. However, it is unclear how Lewis

will fit in the NFL, as he was a fringe draft prospect in the

eyes of many. Grade: C-

(5-142) Cameron Sheffield, Outside Linebacker, Troy: A skilled pass rusher, Sheffield lacks the size to play

defensive end in a 4-3 and will transition to outside

linebacker in the Chiefs! 3-4 defense. Though he doesn!t

possess great speed, Sheffield is a good athlete and has

demonstrated the ability to drop back in coverage. With

linebacker arguably Kansas City!s biggest need, the pick

helps add some depth. Grade: B

OVERALL

GRADE

A

Dexter McCluster

Photo: Dennis Hubbard

[17]

AFC WEST: OAKLAND RAIDERS OFF THE CLOCK(1-8) Rolando McClain, Inside Linebacker, Alabama: Despite rumors of this pick prior to the draft, most were

surprised when the Raiders selected McClain eighth

overall. First and foremost, it seemed like too good of a

choice for the Raiders to make. McClain is known for his

top-notch instincts on the field and his exceptional

leadership. However, he possesses only average

athleticism, which makes him an odd fit for Oakland.

McClain should start from game one and make an

immediate contribution. With Kirk Morrison falling out of

favor with the Raiders (shipped to the Jacksonville

Jaguars on draft day), the pick makes sense from a need

standpoint. The Raiders may have added the best

football player (not athlete) on the board, a step in the

right direction. Grade: A

(2-44) Lamarr Houston, Defensive Lineman, Texas: An All-Big XII performer, Houston is a very explosive

penetrator who can make plays in the backfield. With a

big need along the front, Houston is a great fit for

Oakland. With the Raiders! attacking scheme along the

defensive line, Houston should find instant success.

Grade: B

(3-69) Jared Veldheer, Offensive Tackle, Hillsdale: This small school stud is an excellent athlete at offensive

tackle, with a very high upside. Though he is raw,

Veldheer projects as an eventual starter at right tackle

and will probably not contribute immediately.

Considering the Raiders! obvious need at

offensive tackle, Veldheer was a logical

selection. Grade: B+

(4-106) Bruce Campbell, Offensive Guard, Maryland: A workout warrior,

Campbell was expected by many to be a

first-round player and was a great value

choice in the fourth round. Though he is

also very raw, Campbell is a physical freak of

nature and has the potential to be a long-time

starter if he can improve his technique. It has since been

revealed that Campbell!s descent in the draft was due in

part to a learning disability and he has since been moved

from tackle to right guard. Grade: B

(4-108) Jacoby Ford, Wide Receiver, Clemson: Possessing 4.3-speed and excellent playmaking ability,

Ford defines what the Raiders emphasize on offense,

which is the ability to run like the wind! The former track

star should serve as a slot receiver who is capable of

stretching the field and dangerous return man for the

Silver and Black. Still raw as a pass catcher, the former

Tiger has intriguing potential. Grade: B

(5-138) Walter McFadden, Cornerback, Auburn: Coming out of the SEC, McFadden is a talented player at

cornerback but he lacks bulk and is easily

overpowered in coverage. He!s an excellent athlete

who possesses good speed and does have some

upside at corner. Other than Nnamdi Asomugha,

the Raiders have very little at the position, so the

pick was a solid one. Grade: B-

(6-190) Travis Goethel, Inside Linebacker, Arizona State: Somewhat raw as an inside

linebacker but Goethel has shown flashes of brilliance

—a fantastic late-round pick by Al Davis! The old man is

feeling young this year."Grade: B+

(7-215) Jeremy Ware, Cornerback, Michigan State: The Big Ten product possesses good speed for a slot

corner but will have to earn his keep on special teams.

This was yet another solid upside pick by the Raiders.

Grade: B

(7-251) Steven Brown, Safety, Michigan: Too small to

play linebacker and lacking the coverage skills to play

safety, Brown!s main contribution will be on special

teams as an enforcer type. Grade: C-

OVERALL

GRADE

A-

RolandoMcClain

Photo: Alabama Media Relations

[18]

AFC WEST: SAN DEIGO CHARGERS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-12) Ryan Mathews, Running Back, Fresno State: Even before

releasing LaDainian

Tomlinson, running back

was a huge position of need

for the Chargers. With

Darren Sproles the sole

running back of significance on

the roster, this position became

outright desperate, which led to the Chargers trading up

to ensure themselves of their prime target to replace

Tomlinson. Mathews is a physical back with excellent

athleticism and size. His vision, balance and cutback

ability made him a hot commodity among NFL teams.

However, durability has been an issue and 2009 was his

only big season. The perfect complement to Darren

Sproles, Mathews should help give the Chargers a good

run game to go along with their lethal passing attack.

Grade: A

(3-79) Donald Butler, Inside Linebacker, Washington: The Washington product is a high character player at

inside linebacker. Though he possesses no elite physical

tools, Butler is a good tackler and an excellent leader. He

will likely see most of his action in 2010 on special teams

and will probably need to bulk up to fit into the Chargers!

3-4 scheme. Grade: C+

(4-110) Darrell Stuckey, Strong Safety, Kansas: Coming out of the pass-happy Big XII, Stuckey is a good

coverage safety and with San Diego lacking in that

department, this pick made sense. Though he is not a

great overall talent, Stuckey has solid football instincts

and provides decent value. Grade: B

(5-146) Cam Thomas, Defensive Tackle, North Carolina: An ideal nose tackle prospect with excellent

size, Thomas tips the scales at 330 pounds. He was

projected to be taken on day two but ultimately fell into

the Chargers lap as a fifth-round steal. With the

Chargers! need at nose tackle, the pick was an excellent

one. Grade: A

(5-168) Jonathan Crompton, Quarterback, Tennessee: Once considered the top high school

quarterback recruit in the nation, Crompton has a live

arm and is able to make virtually every throw on the field.

After suffering through bouts of inconsistency during his

early years, Crompton was a late draft riser, viewed as a

developmental quarterback. After trading Charlie

Whitehurst, the Chargers will groom Crompton as Phillip

Rivers! eventual backup or future trade bait. Grade: B

(7-235) Dedrick Epps, Tight End, Miami (FL): Epps is

more of an H-Back who is likely destined for the practice

squad in year one. Grade: C

OVERALL

GRADE

B

Jonathan Crompton

Photo: UT Athletics

[19]

NFC EAST: DALLAS COWBOYS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-24) Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State: Prior to the draft, there was much talk of Dallas

possibly trading up to acquire Dez Bryant. It turned

out that they didn!t have to move up as far as most

expected. Bryant is widely considered a top talent

in the draft who dropped due to character concerns

and a rocky draft season. While most seem to view

these concerns as a lack of maturity, it seemed to

be a big enough issue for him to drop into the latter

half of the first round. An immensely talented receiver,

many feel Bryant is a better prospect than Michael

Crabtree was a year ago. He catches nearly everything

in sight and is a very physical player who can go up for

balls that aren!t thrown accurately. The only on-field

question mark is his route running. While wide receiver

isn!t a huge need for the Cowboys, Bryant can help make

their already dangerous offense, lethal! Grade: A+

(2-55) Sean Lee, Inside Linebacker, Penn State: There

is not much doubt Lee has the talent to be a very solid

player in Wade Phillip!s 3-4 defense but injuries could

hold him back. Lee was often dealing with some

assortment of ailments during his time at Penn State and

could easily bust out of the league. Though he doesn!t

have great speed or coverage ability, Lee!s excellent

instincts should make him a good number two inside

linebacker for the Cowboys barring injury. Grade: B

(4-126) Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Cornerback, Indiana (PA): Hailing from

the FCS ranks, Owusu-Ansah is a great

athlete at the cornerback position. With

4.4-speed and excellent size, he could

move inside to free safety, where Dallas

needs serious help. The Cowboys were

beneficiaries of teams bypassing Owusu-

Ansah due to an ankle injury—Dallas was

smart to pounce on this draft diamond.

Grade: A

(6-179) Sam Young, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame: Even after seeing his stock as a prospect slip, Young

remains an intriguing offensive line prospect that might

project to guard in the long-term. In the short-term, he

offers potential as a versatile backup. Grade: B

(6-196) Jamar Wall, Cornerback, Texas Tech: The

former Red Raider has the potential to develop into a

quality slot corner but he!ll have to earn his keep on

special teams until then."Grade: B

(7-234) Sean Lissemore, Defensive End, William and Mary: A small school talent/project who will need plenty

of coaching if he!s going to contribute but he has the raw

talent to play 3-4 defensive end. Grade: B-

OVERALL

GRADE

B+

Dez Bryant

Photo: Oklahoma State Athletics Media Relations

[20]

NFC EAST: NEW YORK GIANTS OFF THE CLOCK(1-15) Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive End, South Florida: While the speculation that the Giants were

shopping Osi Umenyiora turned out be false, that didn!t

prevent the G-Men from adding another defensive end.

Mathias Kiwanuka is a free agent after the 2010 season

and the addition of Pierre-Paul gives the team an athletic

freak, with virtually unlimited potential as a pass rusher.

However, he is still very raw and with only one year as a

Division I player, he is a very risky pick. With the typically

aggressive defensive scheme that New York likes to

emphasize, Pierre-Paul could excel getting after the

passer coming off the edge. It is likely that he will only

play in passing situations as a rookie. Sure, Sean

Weatherspoon or Derrick Morgan would have been safer

picks with higher floors (and lower ceilings), but it!s a risk

the Giants believed was worth taking after factoring the

USF product!s tremendous upside. Grade: B

(2-46) Linval Joseph, Defensive Tackle, East Carolina: With a huge hole at defensive tackle, the pick

makes sense for the Giants. Even though the former

Pirate was a high-riser as draft day approached, the

Giants may have panicked to get their guy. A good

penetrator, Joseph is a logical fit for New York!s attacking

scheme, with tremendous upside playing along the

interior defensive line. Grade: C+

(3-76) Chad Jones, Free Safety, LSU: The two-sport

star (baseball) is an excellent athlete at safety with

tremendous upside. Despite his great athleticism, he

never had great production during his first two seasons

at LSU, though he did begin to make plays on a more

consistent basis as a junior. A big hitter in the secondary,

Jones offers a safety blanket if Kenny Phillips is unable

to make a full recovery from injury. Grade: A-

(4-115) Phillip Dillard, Inside Linebacker, Nebraska: The Giants believe they have struck gold in Dillard, who

is a solid tackler with the athleticism to play in coverage

and ability to rush the quarterback. Inside linebacker was

a position of need and the former Cornhusker has decent

value here, though the team might have been wiser to

address the need earlier in the draft. Grade: B

(5-147) Mitch Petrus, Offensive Guard, Arkansas: Coming out of the SEC, Petrus is an athletic guard

who possesses tremendous strength, evidenced by

his record-tying 45 reps at the NFL Scouting

Combine. A former tight end, Petrus is quick on his

feet and versatile enough to play in almost any

blocking scheme. The Giants could use more depth

along the interior of the offensive line and Petrus will

surely help strengthen the unit. Grade: B+

(6-184) Adrian Tracy, Outside Linebacker, William and Mary: The Giants will always take late-round chances on

pass rushers. Tracy can make the team if he flashes

enough but the small school product likely would

have been better served by going to a team

that runs a 3-4 defense."Grade: B-

(7-221) Matt Dodge, Punter, East Carolina: He will be the favorite to

replace mainstay Jeff Feagles, who

retired as the Giants punter following

the draft. General Manager Jerry Reese

always likes to have a piece to plug-in no

matter what position needs a replacement.

Grade: B

OVERALL

GRADE

B-

Jason Pierre-Paul

Photo: USF Athletic Communications

[21]

NFC EAST: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES OFF THE CLOCK(1-13) Brandon Graham, Defensive End, Michigan: Even after trading with the Seattle Seahawks for Darryl

Tapp, the Eagles felt they needed to address the

defensive end position. Graham entered the draft

competing to be the first pass rusher taken. Despite not

being very tall or having long arms, he was extremely

productive at Michigan. As well as being an excellent

pass rusher, Graham is also very strong against the run.

Even in jumping up more than 20 spots, the Eagles

managed to hold on to both of their second round draft

picks. Many thought that Philadelphia was trading up to

acquire Earl Thomas but they instead elected to bolster

the defensive front. With Graham now opposite of Trent

Cole, the Eagles should now have one of the best and

most complete defensive end tandems in the NFL.

Grade: A

(2-37) Nate Allen, Free Safety, South Florida: After starting fifth round pick Macho Harris at

free safety in 2009, the Eagles entered the

draft with their last line of defense as a

position of need. While not elite at any single

aspect, Allen is capable in coverage and is a

good all-around safety. He isn!t a great

playmaker but won!t get beat much either.

Though he is not very physical, Allen is a solid

tackler and can play the run relatively well. While

we may like the upside of some other safety prospects,

Allen projects as a solid starter for the Eagles. Grade: B

(3-86) Daniel Te"o-Nesheim, Defensive End, Washington: It was a surprise to hear Te!o-Nesheim!s

name called on day two. He is a big defensive end with

decent burst and should eventually produce as a

situational pass rusher but with as many defensive ends

that the Eagles already had in tow, the pick didn!t do

much to address other areas of need. Grade: D

(4-105) Trevard Lindley, Cornerback, Kentucky: After

trading Sheldon Brown, cornerback became a position of

need for the Eagles. Lindley will need to improve on his

run-support skills if he is ever going to start but he is a

solid man coverage cornerback and should be able to

contribute in the nickel package. Grade: B

(4-121) Keenan Clayton, Outside Linebacker, Oklahoma: Even after adding Ernie Sims at linebacker,

the Eagles still felt the need to add depth at the position.

Clayton is undersized at linebacker but is quick and the

logic goes that the former safety should be good in

coverage. However, he was a reach in the fourth round—

the best case scenario, he plays special teams and

provides depth for Philadelphia. Grade: C-

(4-122) Mike Kafka, Quarterback, Northwestern: With

a stellar draft season, Kafka improved his stock after

starting just one full season at Northwestern. He is a

smart, accurate quarterback with good mobility—perfect

for the West Coast Offense. The former Wildcat has

better arm strength than advertised and will be expected

to develop as Kevin Kolb!s backup and eventually

replace Michael Vick. Grade: B

(4-125) Clay Harbor, Tight End, Missouri State: Impressive performances at the Texas vs. The Nation

game and the NFL Scouting Combine displayed Harbor!s

potential. He is a very athletic pass catcher but due to his

lack of prototypical size and strength, he may not be an

every-down player. Tight end depth was needed though

and the pick was a decent one. Grade: B+

(5-134) Ricky Sapp, Defensive End, Clemson: After already drafting two defensive ends, the

drafting of Sapp is somewhat puzzling. Sapp is

a great athlete with excellent burst but he

wasn!t very productive at Clemson and

struggles against the run. However, due to his

athleticism, Sapp does have a high upside and

is considered to have great value by some.

Grade: C

(5-159) Riley Cooper, Wide Receiver, Florida: The

Florida product has great size and athleticism, not to

mention he will run over the middle with reckless

abandon—they!ll love that in Philly. Though he

sometimes has lapses in concentration, resulting in

drops, Cooper projects as a number three receiver for

the Eagles. After DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin,

there wasn!t much at wide out for Philadelphia, so

Cooper should be able to contribute soon. Grade: A

(6-200) Charles Scott, Running Back, LSU: A perfect

compliment to LeSean McCoy, Scott is a powerful, brute

wrecking ball whose presence will allow Leonard Weaver

to remain at fullback full-time. Hopefully Andy Reid

decides to run the ball occasionally."Grade: A

(7-220) Jamar Chaney, Inside Linebacker, Mississippi State: We love that he plays fast…but he sometimes

looks like he has no idea which direction he is going. If

he!s coached up, Chaney could end up as a seventh

round steal. Grade: A-

(7-243) Jeffrey Owens, Defensive Tackle, Georgia: A

decent run stuffer, Owens rebounded nicely from a 2008

knee injury. That determination may be what got him

drafted. Grade: B

OVERALL

GRADE

B

[22]

NFC EAST: WASHINGTON REDSKINS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-4) Trent Williams, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma: It was blatantly obvious to anyone who watched the

Redskins in 2009 that they were in desperate need of

help along the offensive line. Not only did Washington

lack premiere offensive linemen, they really didn!t

even have any good ones. While many had

Russell Okung rated higher than Williams,

the former Sooner is a better fit for the

Redskins! zone-blocking scheme.

Williams saw his stock drop some during

the season, while he played through

injuries and struggled to adjust at left

tackle. However, he rebounded after

several great workouts and would not have

dropped much past the Redskins. Grade: B+

(4-103) Perry Riley, Inside Linebacker, LSU: The

Redskins need pieces to fit in their new 3-4 scheme and

Riley is a solid value pick. The 4-3 college outside

linebacker will kick inside in the Redskins! 3-4 defense

and will likely have to bulk up. At the very least, Riley

should at least be a solid special-teamer. Grade: C-

(6-174) Dennis Morris, H-Back, Louisiana Tech: A

college tight end, Morris is a raw H-Back prospect. They

already have Chris Cooley, so unless he seriously

flashes, Morris will have trouble contributing much as a

rookie."Grade: C-

(7-219) Terrence Austin, Wide Receiver, UCLA: The return man has the potential to be an effective

slot receiver but at this point, Austin has much

more value on special teams before that ever

happens. Grade: C+

(7-229) Erik Cook, Offensive Guard, New Mexico: This was a classic, late-round Mike

Shanahan offensive lineman pick. You never know,

Cook could end up starting. Grade: A

(7-231) Selvish Capers, Offensive Tackle, West Virginia: Lookout, Shanahan and Company once again

cornering the late-round market on sliding offensive

linemen. Capers could be another gem this late in the

draft. Grade: A

OVERALL

GRADE

C+

Trent Williams

Photo: OU Athletics Department

[23]

NFC NORTH: CHICAGO BEARS OFF THE CLOCK

(3-75) Major Wright, Free Safety, Florida: The ball-hawking safety

out of Florida is as talented, if not

more so than several of the

safeties who were selected ahead

of him. Wright possesses top-

notch ball skills and will deliver a

knockout blow when presented with

the opportunity. He!ll be a great fit in

Chicago!s Tampa-two defense. Grade: A

(4-109) Corey Wootton, Defensive End, Northwestern: The Bears scoop up a player who could

have easily been a second round pick in the 2009 draft.

Wootton is a polished player on the defensive line with

the versatility to move around. He has prototypical size

for a defensive end and is also capable of getting after

the quarterback—Wootton would have gone much higher

were it not for injury concerns. Grade: A

(5-141) Joshua Moore, Cornerback, Kansas State: During his time at Kansas State, Moore demonstrated

exceptional ball skills and sound tackling technique.

Moore does possess good speed but his lack of size

likely means that his upside is limited to nickel

cornerback. His tackling and ball skills make him another

perfect fit for the Bears! cover-two scheme. Grade: B-

(6-181) Dan LeFevour, Quarterback, Central Michigan: The talented dual-threat quarterback needs to

get stronger and throw tight spirals on a more consistent

basis. However, Mike Martz is a quarterback wizard, so

LeFevour stands a chance and provides great value in

the sixth round."Grade:!A

(7-218) J"Marcus Webb, Offensive Tackle, West Texas A&M: This was a real nice sleeper pick by the Bears;

there!s a lot of latent talent in this small school offensive

tackle."Grade:"A

OVERALL

GRADE

B

Major Wright

Corey Wootton

Photo: UF CommunicationsPhoto: Northwestern, Stephen J. Carrera

[24]

NFC NORTH: DETROIT LIONS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-2) Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Nebraska: In 2009, the Lions started fourth

round draft pick Sammie Lee Hill and 36-year-

old Grady Jackson at defensive tackle. Even

after acquiring Corey Williams from the

Browns, Detroit was still in the market for an

interior lineman. With Suh as the consensus

best player in the draft, this pick was an

obvious one. The former Cornhusker offers

versatility along the defensive front, with the ability

to line up at virtually any position on the line. A defensive

tackle who can both penetrate and stand stout against

the run, Suh immensely improves Detroit!s defense.

Grade: A+

(1-30) Jahvid Best, Running Back, California: With

little talent at the running back position, the selection of

Best makes sense for the Lions. Best has the ability to

break a long run on any given play but he likely isn!t an

every-down back. With Kevin Smith facing a long road to

recovery from an ACL injury, Best will likely start

immediately but would be better served to eventually split

carries as part of a tandem. A dangerous receiver, Best

has the speed and elusiveness to be a true weapon on

offense. The Lions appear to be sticking to the strategy

of surrounding Matthew Stafford with as many weapons

as possible, while largely neglecting the offensive line.

Best offers value but many wondered if the Lions really

needed to trade up to secure his selection. Grade: B-

(3-66) Amari Spievey, Cornerback, Iowa: Addressing their need in the defensive

backfield, Spievey is a proven cover man at

cornerback and could potentially be moved to

safety as well. He lacks elite speed but he

was a solid player to land in the third round.

Cornerback was a huge need for the Lions

and they were flying off the board at this point,

so the pick can!t be argued with. Grade: B

(4-128) Jason Fox, Offensive Tackle, Miami: Having

done nothing to address the offensive line until this point

in the draft, Fox was an excellent selection in the fourth

round. The former Hurricane has a high ceiling but a low

floor as well. An early-round talent who fell mostly due to

knee concerns, Fox is a terrific athlete and could start

immediately if he proves to be healthy. Grade: B-

(7-213) Willie Young, Defensive End, North Carolina State: Jim Schwartz likes aggressive players and Young

is a mean-streaked defensive end. However, he will need

to flash potential as a pass rusher to make the final

roster. Grade: B

(7-255) Timothy Toone, Wide Receiver, Weber State: “Mr. Irrelevant” will have some nice stories to tell the

grandkids. If he is going to enjoy more than the parade,

Toone will have to earn a spot with his special teams

play. Grade:"D

OVERALL

GRADE

B+

NdamukongSuh

Photo: Dennis Hubbard

[25]

NFC NORTH: GREEN BAY PACKERS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-23) Bryan Bulaga, Offensive Tackle, Iowa: Seeing a

tackle in the ilk of Bulaga fall this low was probably the

dream scenario for Green Bay. The athletic lineman was

widely considered a top-10 player and is an ideal fit for

the zone-blocking scheme that the Packers employ.

Aaron Rodgers! success in 2009 was incredible,

considering the constant pressure that he faced. An

improved offensive line will only make the passing

attack in Green Bay more ferocious. The selection of

Bulaga not only addresses the team!s biggest need

but he was also the best player available. Grade: A+

(2-56) Mike Neal, Defensive End, Purdue: With the

Packers entering year two of the 3-4 defense, the team is

still in need of some players who fit the system. Picking

up Neal allows for some depth behind starters Cullen

Jenkins and John Jolly. Neal possesses great athleticism

but has often failed to produce at a level that a player

with his talent should. The college tackle seems to be a

good fit in Green Bay!s one-gap scheme. Though

defensive end wasn!t a huge need for the Packers, Neal

has the potential to be a very good player for the Packers

but does carry some bust factor as well. Grade: C

(3-71) Morgan Burnett, Free Safety, Georgia Tech: While he doesn!t bring the glitz and glamour of some of

the other safeties in this year!s draft, Burnett is

considered to be one of the most pro-ready players and

fundamentally sound all-around. Burnett possesses

natural instincts and should fit in well next to Nick Collins.

He will probably never be a great player but he will be

sound in everything he does. Grade: B

(5-154) Andrew Quarless, Tight End, Penn State: The

former Nittany Lion possesses an excellent combination

of size and speed at the tight end position,

with the potential to stretch the field. His

hands are his biggest asset, as he rarely

drops a pass. However, there are some

character concerns, in addition to

having a reputation for not being the

hardest worker. Grade: B

(5-169) Marshall Newhouse, Offensive Line, TCU: The general feeling is that

Newhouse will need at least a year or two of

grooming before he is able to contribute at the pro level.

Whether or not he was worth a fifth round selection

remains to be seen. As a college tackle, Newhouse

showed athleticism to go along with his size and ability to

get to the second level when pulling; an ideal fit for the

Packers! zone-blocking scheme. After suffering through

major offensive line woes in 2009, the Packers cannot be

criticized for attempting to bolster the unit. Grade: C+

(6-193) James Starks, Running Back, Buffalo: Bravo,

Packers. Starks is talented enough (when healthy) to be

mentioned in Ryan Mathews! class as a running back.

He could be a starter for the Packers faster than you

think."Grade:"A+

(7-230) C.J. Wilson, Defensive End, East Carolina: A

good fit as a 3-4 end who provides great value at this

point in the draft. Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers

should love him. "Grade:"A

OVERALL

GRADE

B+

Bryan Bulaga

Photo: Iowa Sports Information

[26]

NFC NORTH: MINNESOTA VIKINGS OFF THE CLOCK

(2-34) Chris Cook, Cornerback, Virginia: The big, physical corner

fills a position of need for the

defending NFC North champions.

With Cedric Griffin recovering from

a torn ACL, stability at this position

was a concern. Antoine Winfield is

aging and often injury prone. Cook

wasn!t the best value at the top of the

second round but the Vikings may not have

been able to move back and could have been burned by

already trading out of the first round. Grade: C+

(2-51) Toby Gerhart, Running Back, Stanford: After

losing Chester Taylor via free agency, the Vikings needed

to add a running back to play behind Adrian Peterson.

Gerhart is a smart player who was extremely productive

in his time at Stanford. A Heisman Trophy finalist for the

2009 season, Gerhart has talent but there are questions

about his quickness. As a very good blocker, Gerhart is

likely to take over for Chester Taylor as the team!s third

down back. Grade: B

(4-100) Everson Griffen, Defensive End, USC: Many

believe that the selection of Griffen in the fourth round

could be one of the biggest steals in the entire draft. At

the same time, the former Trojan didn!t slip because he

was overlooked. As one of the most talented pass

rushers in the draft, Griffen was expected to go off the

board in the first or second round but his questionable

motor saw him slide. The Vikings will have to motivate

him to make this pick the boom it can be. Grade: B

(5-161) Chris DeGeare, Offensive Tackle, Wake Forest: The Wake Forest offensive tackle projects as a

guard in the NFL. Possessing great size, DeGeare is a

mauler who uses his size to dominate. The Vikings can

certainly upgrade on Anthony Herrera at right guard and

Steve Hutchinson isn!t getting any younger. Grade: C+

(5-167) Nathan Triplett, Inside Linebacker, Minnesota: In his only year as a starter for the Golden Gophers,

Triplett demonstrated good tackling ability to go along

with his excellent size. With the versatility to play both

inside and outside linebacker, he should provide good

depth while contributing on special teams. Grade: C-

(6-199) Joe Webb, Wide Receiver, UAB: The converted

quarterback displayed the ability to make a successful

transition to the wide out position leading up to the draft.

His performance in the Senior Bowl helped to boost his

draft stock. The development will take some time but he

could emerge into another weapon to add to the Vikings

offensive arsenal. Grade: B

(7-214) Mickey Shuler, Tight End, Penn State: The

workout warrior turned heads at the Penn State pro day,

lighting up the drills and posting eye-popping numbers.

With little depth behind Visanthe Shiancoe, it appears

Shuler has a good chance to stick. Grade: C+

(7-237) Ryan D"Imperio, Inside Linebacker, Rutgers: A gritty, hard-nosed player who will attempt to make the

roster as a fullback/linebacker. He may find himself on

the practice squad in year one. Grade: C

OVERALL

GRADE

C+

Toby Gerhart

Photo: David Gonzales, Stanford Athletics

[27]

NFC SOUTH: ATLANTA FALCONS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-19) Sean Weatherspoon, Outside Linebacker, Missouri: After losing Michael

Boley to the Giants in free agency a year

ago, the Falcons have been in search of

an outside linebacker ever since. A great

athlete with tremendous speed,

Weatherspoon is known for his vocal

leadership and offers a presence that the

defense in Atlanta has lacked in past years.

Pairing him with Curtis Lofton should make for

a formidable duo for many years to come. With his

ability to play all linebacker positions, Weatherspoon not

only filled a big need for the Falcons but was also a great

value. Grade: A

(3-83) Corey Peters, Defensive Tackle, Kentucky: An

agile, athletic defensive tackle, Peters isn!t very stout

against the run but has the quickness and smarts to be

an effective player. Some coaching is needed but over

time, Peters could eventually develop into a starter with

the proper grooming. Grade: B

(3-98) Mike Johnson, Offensive Guard, Alabama: Once again the Falcons have opted to tap into the SEC

talent pool in an attempt to help upgrade the offensive

line. Their efforts will most likely be well rewarded, as

Johnson will come in and be expected to compete for a

starting job from day one. A solid overall selection and a

great bargain at this stage of the draft. Grade: A

(4-117) Joe Hawley, Center, UNLV: Quick and

versatile, Hawley can play multiple positions on the

interior of the offensive line. Known as a bulldog of

a worker, Hawley should help provide immediate

depth and could compete for a starting job.

Grade: C

(5-135) Dominique Franks, Cornerback, Oklahoma: Coming out a year early, Franks has

ideal size at cornerback and was at times a shutdown

cornerback for the Sooners. The knock on Franks was

his inconsistency at Oklahoma and lack of natural

instincts to become a great cover man. Despite already

adding Dunta Robinson at cornerback, the position

remains a need for the Falcons and Franks fits the bill—a

talented fifth round selection as any. Grade: B+

(5-165) Kerry Meier, Wide Receiver, Kansas: A

somewhat surprising selection, as Meier is too slow to

play wide out at the next level and projects as an H-

Back. Despite his production at the college level this pick

was a reach. He could possibly emerge as a third down

passing option. Grade: D

(6-171) Shann Schillinger, Free Safety, Montana: Not

very talented coming out of Montana, Schillinger

provides good depth and upside as a safety but his true

value resides in his ability to play special teams."

Grade: D

OVERALL

GRADE

C+

Sean Weatherspoon

Photo: Mizzou Media Relations

[28]

NFC SOUTH: CAROLINA PANTHERS OFF THE CLOCK(2-48) Jimmy Clausen, Quarterback, Notre Dame: Before the draft, many expected Clausen to go in the first

round; his fall into the second round was a surprise to

some but probably where he should have been slotted all

along. With only unproven Matt Moore at quarterback,

the selection of Clausen was a need/value pick by

Carolina. An excellent run game and good offensive line

makes Carolina an excellent fit for Clausen, who played

in a pro-style offense at Notre Dame and has good

physical tools. Grade: B

(3-78) Brandon LaFell, Wide Receiver, LSU: The LSU

product is a very talented receiver who has drawn some

comparisons to former Bayou Bengal Dwayne Bowe. A

big receiver who has had some issues with drops, LaFell

offers a physical presence and red zone threat to

Carolina!s receiving corps. Once considered the top

senior pass catcher in this draft, LaFell provides good

value. Grade: B+

(3-89) Armanti Edwards, Wide Receiver, Appalachian State: The former college quarterback is still very raw but

he may be able to contribute as a slot receiver. Edwards

will also probably see some action as a Wildcat

quarterback. It was no secret the FCS star would hear

his name called but not on day two of the draft. Not many

had Edwards rated as a top-100 overall player. Grade: D

(4-124) Eric Norwood, Outside Linebacker, South Carolina: An athletic player, Norwood possesses the

versatility to play inside or outside linebacker. With

experience playing defensive end early on in his

Gamecock career, Norwood is a very skilled pass rusher

who could provide a threat off the edge for the Panthers.

An expected second or third round pick, Norwood

provided tremendous value in the fourth. Grade: B+

(6-175) Greg Hardy, Defensive End, Ole Miss: Drafting Hardy was a solid, cost-effective move.

Getting a year or two to kick the tires on the

inconsistent but talented pass rusher is worth a

sixth round pick."Grade: A

(6-198) David Gettis, Wide Receiver, Baylor: An

underachiever as a collegian, Gettis does possess

intriguing potential. He may have to settle for the

practice squad as rookie but has the talent to be a

contributor in the future."Grade: C+

(6-202) Jordan Pugh, Cornerback, Texas A&M: A

talented special-teams candidate who can also back up

multiple positions in the secondary means Pugh should

make the team."Grade: B

(6-204) Tony Pike, Quarterback, Cincinnati: He will serve as a third-string

quarterback for a year or two while the

Panthers figure out what they have."Pike

is a sleeper who could challenge Jimmy

Clausen down the road. Grade: A

(7-223) R.J. Stanford, Cornerback, Utah: A raw cornerback with decent upside, Stanford

will probably be a practice squad player initially.

Grade:"C+

(7-249) Robert McClain, Cornerback, UConn: Has a

chance to catch on as a cornerback due to his instincts

and athleticism. Grade:"C

OVERALL

GRADE

C-

JimmyClausen

Photo: Notre Dame Sports Information

[29]

NFC SOUTH: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-32) Patrick Robinson, Cornerback, Florida State: Despite acquiring several

cornerbacks last off-season,

the Saints still aren!t happy

with the position. This could

also be a sign that they may

look to move last year!s first

round pick, Malcolm Jenkins, to

safety at some point. Patrick

Robinson is a risky pick with his

tendency to get beat badly in coverage. However, he

does offer playmaking ability and excitement to the

Saints! secondary—he has starting cornerback talent.

With Jenkins, Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter and Randall

Gay already at cornerback for the Saints, the position

has incredible depth. Robinson was probably a bit of a

reach at the end of the first round but he likely wouldn!t

have made it past the Vikings at the top of round number

two. Grade: C+

(2-64) Charles Brown, Offensive Tackle, USC: Though

offensive tackle wasn!t much of a need for the Saints,

Brown was an excellent value pick at the end of the

second round. He isn!t much of a run blocker but he is

incredibly athletic and outstanding in pass protection.

The selection of Brown would likely entail Jermon

Bushrod eventually moving to the right side. Grade: B+

(3-95) Jimmy Graham, Tight End, Miami: A boom-or-

bust prospect, Graham is a great athlete, though he

comes with limited experience. The former basketball

player has phenomenal size and speed. Graham has

the potential to be a good player as he develops his

route running and receiving skills. With Jeremy Shockey

often injured, adding a tight end made sense. Grade: C

(4-123) Al Woods, Defensive Tackle, LSU: A talented

space eater who underachieved during his time at LSU.

With good coaching and motivation, Woods could

possibly develop into a solid starter next to Sedrick Ellis

but he needs to really step up his game after being more

tease than player as a Tiger. Grade: C-

(5-158) Matt Tennant, Center, Boston College: A

potential day-two pick, it was a shock to see Tennant fall

this far. Though Jonathan Goodwin made the Pro Bowl in

2009, he is not an elite player and depth was needed.

Tennant possesses exceptional football intelligence and

uses great technique. Though he lacks ideal size, he

should develop into a dependable player. Grade: A

(7-239) Sean Canfield, Quarterback, Oregon State: The Southpaw slinger was coached up by quarterback

guru Bob Johnson leading up to the draft. Now he gets to

learn from Sean Payton and Drew Brees. The Saints

may have found their backup quarterback. Grade:"C

OVERALL

GRADE

C

Patrick Robinson

Photo: FSU Sports Information

[30]

NFC SOUTH: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS OFF THE CLOCK(1-3) Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma: The

Buccaneers finished dead last against the run, allowing

over 158 rushing yards per game in 2009. The addition of

an interior defensive lineman was obvious and the

organization is happy to have landed McCoy with the

third overall pick. Along with having a poor run defense,

Tampa Bay also lacked much of a pass rush. There are

some who are of the opinion that McCoy was the best

pass-rushing defensive tackle in the draft. An excellent

penetrator, McCoy can dominate any game and may be

a perfect fit for Tampa Bay!s system. Grade: A

(2-35) Brian Price, Defensive Tackle, UCLA: After

already selecting Gerald McCoy, the addition of Price is a

real bonus! He has an exceptional first step and is a

good run stuffer who the Buccaneers expect to line up

next to McCoy for years to come. The Buccaneers are

obviously looking to overhaul their defense, especially

against the run. Price will probably fit in Tampa Bay!s

defense as the primary run stopper. The Bucs did have

bigger needs than defensive tackle after already

acquiring McCoy but building inside-out is an old NFL

adage. Grade: A

(2-39) Arrelious Benn, Wide Receiver, Illinois: The

Buccaneers entered the draft with a big hole at wide

receiver and few weapons for young quarterback Josh

Freeman. Benn has the talent to be a first round player

but wasn!t very productive during his career at Illinois, in

part due to quarterback play. Benn is very physical and

athletic, with the potential to be a number one wide out in

the NFL. Grade: B+

(3-67) Myron Lewis, Cornerback, Vanderbilt: The Vanderbilt

product may have been a bit of

a reach in the third round but

he has the potential to be a

solid player. Possessing good

size and athleticism, Lewis is

excellent at jamming receivers

at the line and his physical tools

make him a perfect fit for Tampa

Bay at cornerback. Grade: C

(4-101) Mike Williams, Wide Receiver, Syracuse: The

troubled Williams has the talent to be a very good wide

receiver in the NFL but character justifiably affected his

stock. However, in the fourth round, a player of Williams!

talent was worth the risk for the receiver-starved

Buccaneers. With Williams and Benn, Tampa Bay

continues to add talent to help out Josh Freeman.

Grade: B

(6-172) Brent Bowden, Punter, Virginia Tech: Tampa

was an ideal landing spot for such a talented punter; he

has a chance to be a long-time NFL starter."Grade:"B

(7-210) Cody Grimm, Strong Safety, Virginia Tech: At

best, a situational box safety but Grimm has a shot to

make the team in a thin secondary. Expect him to

contribute as a special teams standout in year one.

Grade:"C

(7-217) Dekoda Watson, Outside Linebacker, Florida State: The former Seminole provided excellent value this

late in the draft and is a perfect fit as an outside

linebacker in the cover-two scheme."Grade:"A

(7-253) Erik Lorig, Defensive End, Stanford: Love the

effort, hate the lack of talent."Grade:"D

OVERALL

GRADE

B+

Gerald McCoy

Photo: OU Athletics Department

[31]

NFC WEST: ARIZONA CARDINALS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-26) Dan Williams, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee: Adding a nose tackle was among the Cardinals! top

priorities entering the off-season. They were fortunate

that Dan Williams fell into their lap. Williams is a big, 330-

pound lineman who can clog up the middle. While he

lacks great pass-rushing ability, he is a force against the

run and is quicker than your average noseman, which is

exactly what Arizona craved. With Calais Campbell and

Darnell Dockett forming one of the NFL!s best 3-4

defensive end combinations, the Cardinals look to have a

great defensive line in the making. Williams may not start

immediately in Arizona but at worst he will rotate along

the defensive front. Grade: A-

(2-47) Daryl Washington, Inside Linebacker, TCU: After a strong draft season Washington was expected by

many to be a late first round draft pick and seems to be a

steal in the middle of the second round. Although at 230

pounds he doesn!t appear to be an ideal fit for a 3-4

scheme. Washington looks to fill the hole left by Karlos

Dansby who signed with the Miami Dolphins during the

off-season. Washington is very good in pass coverage

and offers some versatility along Carolina!s 3-4 defense.

Grade: A

(3-88) Andre Roberts, Wide Receiver, The Citadel: The small school product isn!t very big but he has good

speed and tremendous hands. At the Senior Bowl

Roberts demonstrated his ability to catch virtually every

ball within reach. Though he isn!t incredibly explosive,

Roberts can make things happen after the catch and

should manage to be a contributor. Grade: C+

(4-130) O"Brien Schofield, Outside Linebacker,

Wisconsin: A very talented

pass rusher, Schofield could

have gone as early as the

second round if not for the

ACL injury he suffered at

the Senior Bowl. Schofield

is a perfect fit for the

Cardinals! 3-4 defense,

although he is expected to miss

the entire 2010 season. He will need to bulk up but a bit

but he has the potential to be a starter for Arizona down

the road. Grade: B+

(5-155) John Skelton, Quarterback, Fordham: The

Texas native is best known for having an exceptionally

strong arm, with the ability to make every throw on the

field. He is, however, very raw and needs to improve on

his decision-making, touch and accuracy. With Matt

Leinart and Derek Anderson on the roster, Skelton

should have time to develop and improve upon his

weaknesses. Grade: C

(6-201) Jorrick Calvin, Cornerback, Troy: A nickel or

dime corner, Calvin will have to make his bones on

special teams to have a chance of sticking. Grade:"C-

(7-233)!Jim Dray, Tight End, Stanford: The former

Cardinal is a run-blocking tight end that might make the

team due to the lack of positional depth or quality.

Grade:"B-

OVERALL

GRADE

C+

DanWilliams

Photo: UT Athletics

[32]

NFC WEST: ST. LOUIS RAMS OFF THE CLOCK(1-1) Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Oklahoma: The

Rams have spent the last couple of drafts passing on a

quarterback. Now, in 2010, with the number one overall

pick, they finally got their guy. With unquestioned

accuracy and excellent football intelligence, Bradford

was the logical choice for the first pick. However, his

history of shoulder injuries makes this a somewhat risky

selection. Grade: B+

(2-33) Rodger Saffold, Offensive Tackle, Indiana: The

Rams add an offensive lineman to help protect their huge

investment in Sam Bradford. Saffold can play either

tackle or guard. He is a smart player and offers a lot of

versatility along a weak offensive line. A trade back would

have been ideal but teams were not offering much

according to the team. Grade: B+

(3-65) Jerome Murphy, Cornerback, South Florida: The former Bull is a talented cornerback with great

athleticism but he needs to clean up his technique to

avoid drawing penalties. With a tendency to go for the

big play, Murphy often finds himself providing one for the

other team. Cornerback was a huge need for St. Louis

and Murphy was exceptional value in the third. Grade: B

(4-99) Mardy Gilyard, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati: A

highly productive collegian, Gilyard is a quick receiver

and a big-play threat who offers the added benefit of

being an established return man. It was somewhat

surprising that the future slot man was available in the

fourth round but Sam Bradford and the Rams won!t

complain. Grade: A

(5-132) Michael Hoomanawanui, Tight End, Illinois: After Randy McMichael disappointed in 2009, tight end

was an obvious need for the Rams. Hoomanawanui is an

excellent blocker but he doesn!t offer much in the

receiving game. He will most likely see time in running

situations and on special teams. Grade: B

(5-149) Hall Davis, Defensive End, Louisiana-Lafayette: Overshadowed even in the Sun Belt, Davis is

a true sleeper. He has good athleticism and strength but

his speed is below average for a defensive end. Davis

also has excellent size for an end but he failed to live up

to his billing while in college. He should fit in well with

Steve Spagnuolo!s defensive scheme. Grade: B

(6-170) Fendi Onobun, Tight End, Houston: The Rams

are desperate to surround Bradford with weapons.

However, despite Onobun!s decent upside, he is injury

prone and far too raw to expect him to contribute as a

rookie. Grade: C

(6-189) Eugene Sims, Defensive End, West Texas A&M: If he

flashes enough pass-rushing

potential in training camp,

Coach Spags will find a way to

keep him. Sims needs to add

functional weight."Grade:"D

(7-211) Marquis Johnson, Cornerback, Alabama: A key cog to

Alabama!s title run as a backup, Johnson is likely to

make the squad in a similar role due to the lack of depth

in the secondary. Grade:"C+

(7-226) George Selvie, Defensive End, South Florida: The defensive end was a steal for the Rams this late in

the draft. Adding another pass rusher to the roster is

always beneficial. Grade:"A

(7-254) Josh Hull, Outside Linebacker, Penn State: The third linebacker drafted out of Penn State, Hull will

provide nothing more than depth at best but he could be

a valuable role player. Grade:"C+

OVERALL

GRADE

B+

Sam Bradford

Photo: OU Athletics Department

[33]

NFC WEST: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS OFF THE CLOCK(1-11) Anthony Davis, Offensive Tackle, Rutgers: In

2009, the offensive line and quarterback play were the

only two aspects that held the 49ers back. Alex Smith

showed signs of improvement at quarterback but the

offensive line needed to be addressed. When he played

his best football, Davis was arguably the top offensive

tackle on tape but questions about his work ethic and

mismanaged draft season lead to him falling out of the

top 10 entirely. Only 20 years old, Davis is still raw, but

he has the ability to be an elite left tackle for many years.

The only question with this pick is if the 49ers really

needed to trade up two slots in order to select Davis. By

addressing the offensive line, Mike Singletary will be able

to run the physical offense that he prefers. Grade: A-

(1-17) Mike Iupati, Offensive Guard, Idaho: Even after

adding Anthony Davis with the 11th pick, San Francisco

wanted to further improve its offensive line. Iupati is a

huge, physical guard who began to climb draft boards

shortly before the Senior Bowl. While still raw as a

technician and a somewhat risky pick, Iupati has the

potential to be a dominating presence along the interior

line. Oftentimes compared to Steve Hutchinson, Iupati is

a good value with the 17th pick, despite being a guard.

While some feel the Samoan monster can play tackle,

his best fit is in the interior of the line, which is where he

will play in San Francisco. The 49ers should see a much-

improved run game in 2010 with the additions of Davis

and Iupati. Grade: B+

(2-49) Taylor Mays, Free Safety, USC: While he was

never a guarantee to go in the first round, it was

somewhat of a surprise that Mays was available at the

49th selection for the 49ers. Though Mays struggled in

coverage and has sub-par instincts, he is blessed with

immense physical potential. With sub-4.4 speed and an

impressive 230-pound frame, Mays has the size of a

linebacker and top-notch speed, regardless of position.

San Francisco had very little talent at safety and Mays

could be a great fit. Grade: B-

(3-91) Navorro Bowman, Inside Linebacker Penn State: Bowman has a lot of talent and

dropped into the third round

due to questions about his

character and a less than

stellar combine performance.

However, he is a great athlete

and has the potential to be a

very good player, the 49ers could

use another linebacker next to

Patrick Willis, and Bowman may be it. Grade: B

(6-173) Anthony Dixon, Running Back, Mississippi State: A perfect fit for Mike Singletary!s vision of a

smash-mouth run game, Dixon is a big, downhill runner

who loves contact but has limited wiggle and lateral

agility. Injuries have seemed to plague him throughout

his career, which led to his slide in the draft."Grade:"A

(6-182) Nate Byham, Tight End, Pittsburgh: The 49ers

lack a true blocking tight end and Byham should

complement Vernon Davis well. Grade:"B+!

(6-206) Kyle Williams, Wide Receiver, Arizona State: This former Sun Devil is a speed-demon. Williams has a

chance to develop into a serious deep threat out of the

slot. He should get at least a year on the team to show

some progress and potential."Grade:"B

(7-224) Phillip Adams, Cornerback, South Carolina State: An athletic small school cornerback, Adams has a

chance to make 49ers due to their thin cornerback

corps."Grade:"C-

OVERALL

GRADE

B+

Anthony Davis

Photo: Tom Ciszak, Rutgers Athletics

[34]

NFC WEST: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS OFF THE CLOCK

(1-6) Russell Okung, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma State: With Walter Jones often injured and possibly

looking to retire, it was obvious that the Seahawks

needed to add an offensive tackle. After trading Rob

Sims, the offensive line became the team!s biggest need.

Okung entered the draft as most analysts! top-rated

tackle. Widely considered a safe pick, Okung has no

glaring weaknesses; he!s a great athlete, has excellent

footwork and can get to the second level in the run

game. By selecting him, the Seahawks not only filled

their biggest need, they also added the best player

remaining on the board. Grade: A

(1-14) Earl Thomas, Strong Safety, Texas: With the

exception of Marcus Trufant, the Seahawks have virtually

no one in the secondary with a proven track record.

Thomas is an extremely talented playmaker who can

play either cornerback or safety. Only a red-shirt

sophomore, Thomas played just two seasons of college

ball but could potentially be a steal. After setting a

University of Texas record with eight interceptions in

2009, Thomas definitely filled a huge need for Seattle.

With holes at both cornerback and safety, the Seahawks

could move Thomas around as needed. Grade: A

(2-60) Golden Tate, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame: With

T.J. Houshmandzadeh disappointing in 2009, wide

receiver was a big need for Seattle entering the draft.

Tate has good quickness and ability at wide receiver but

he can drop some balls and doesn!t have great size. In

the late second round, Tate was an excellent value pick

and at worst, he is a good number two wide receiver with

potential as return man as well. Grade: A

(4-111) Walter Thurmond III, Cornerback, Oregon: Though his stock was affected by injury, it makes

Thurmond a potential bargain for the Seahawks at this

point in the draft. The local product is a solid player

against the run and could end up being a very good

pick…a true steal if his health holds up. Grade: B+

(4-127) E.J. Wilson, Defensive End, North Carolina: Possessing excellent size and great athleticism, Wilson

provides the Seahawks with high upside, though he is

very raw. After trading Darryl Tapp to the Eagles, Seattle

had very little depth at end, but Wilson was a reach in the

fourth round. Grade: C

(5-133) Kam Chancellor, Free Safety, Virginia Tech: A big

safety who does a good job

against the run, Chancellor

struggles in coverage. Due to

his size and lack of coverage

ability some thought that he

might end up at linebacker in the

NFL. Pete Carroll may have passed

on Taylor Mays but added a similar prospect in round

number five. Though Seattle already selected Earl

Thomas in the first round, the safety position needed

some depth. Grade: B

(6-185) Anthony McCoy, Tight End, USC: This was a

great bargain pick but Pete Carroll needs to manage

McCoy better than he did at USC if he wants to exploit

his abundant talent."Grade:"B

(7-236) Dexter Davis, Outside Linebacker, Arizona State: If he shows pass-rushing ability, Carroll will find a

spot for the former Pac-10 foe. Grade:"B

(7-245) Jameson Konz, Tight End/Wide Receiver: A

roll of the dice worth the gamble, Konz is an athletic freak

of nature who boasts a 46” vertical jump. While he has

no true position, he best projects as an H-Back type of

player with the versatility to potentially play some slot

receiver or fullback. Grade:"A

OVERALL

GRADE

A

Russell Okung

Photo: Dennis Hubbard

[35]

Here are your rookie quarterback rankings. Quarterbacks were given two distinct lists since first-year signal callers aren’t often counted on to contribute early.

1. Sam Bradford (STL): Barring some unforeseen

occurrence, Bradford will be under center from day one

and take his lumps on a rebuilding team. He has the

strength and mental makeup to survive the punishment

and may even be worthy of serving as a late season

emergency option in the second half of the year.

2. Jimmy Clausen (CAR): Will mostly watch and learn

behind Matt Moore but should get a chance to see some

playing time on a non-playoff team. His lack of pinpoint

accuracy won!t allow him to prosper in year one.

3. Dan LeFevour (CHI): The Central Michigan product

may occasionally come in to replace a careless and

mistake-prone Jay Cutler. Home fans will fall in love with

his scrambling ability and his quick decision making.

4. Levi Brown (BUF): The Troy product will likely get

thrown to the wolves following the ineffective

performances of Brian Brohm and Trent Edwards. His

poise and pocket presence won!t be enough to win

games but his touch and confidence will win his

teammates over.

5. Tony Pike (CAR): The former Bearcat might come in

and finish off a couple of games by handing the ball off

and tossing a few of screen passes.

6. Mike Kafka (PHI): Kevin Kolb has never started a full

season and may be forced to sit out a couple of games

due to injury. Kafka and Vick could alternate snaps. The

Northwestern grad may get a chance to loft some pretty

looking strikes to DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

7. Jonathan Crompton (SD): The only way Crompton

sees the field is if the Chargers wrap up home-field

advantage with games left to play. That scenario isn!t too

far-fetched and Crompton could see late season action.

8. Armanti Edwards (CAR): He won!t take any snaps

from center but he could contribute as a return man, slot

receiver and Wildcat option.

9. Colt McCoy (CLE): Mike Holmgren promised that

McCoy won!t see the field and there!s no reason to doubt

him. Browns fans will have to endure a losing, colorless

season under the guidance of the stumbling, bumbling

Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace.

10. Tim Tebow (DEN): The cameras will find him and

he!ll look good holding the clipboard.

FANTASY RANKINGS: QUARTERBACKS (ONE-YEAR LEAGUE)

Sam Bradford

Colt McCoy

Photo: OU Athletics Department

Photo: UT Photography

[36]

1. Sam Bradford (STL): Not necessarily a rah-rah type

but will lead by example by accurately tossing the ball

into tight windows and showing excellent mobility in the

pocket. Compares to: Matt Schaub

2. Dan LeFevour (CHI): A fierce competitor who keeps

improving through endless hours of film study. He should

develop into a heady leader who will improvise and make

plays out of the pocket. Compares to: Stephen McGee

3. Jimmy Clausen (CAR): A tough, fiery triggerman

who!s not afraid to challenge defenses with his arm. He!ll

alternate good years with bad ones and might sneak his

teams into the playoffs a couple of times but will be very

mistake prone. Compares to: Sage Rosenfals

4. John Skelton (ARZ): After plenty of bench time, the

tall, rocket-armed gunslinger will learn how to move in

the pocket and become a better decision maker. He!ll

sometimes show the tendency to turn into Jay Cutler and

throw low-percentage passes into coverage because of

his gun. Compares to: Andrew Walter

5. Jonathan Crompton (SD): While he doesn!t always

demonstrate great pocket awareness, Crompton has the

physical tools to fire money throws on the run. He!ll need

to be guided by a nurturing coaching staff that will set his

mechanics straight when he loses his composure.

Crompton has the stuff to develop into quality starter. Compares to: Charlie Whitehurst

6. Tony Pike (CAR): May get a chance to start if he

leaves Carolina in a few years. Pike!s tremendous 6!6”

height helps him see over defenders. He will also supply

nice touch on sideline passes and balls thrown into the

end zone. However, his accuracy tends to come and go,

plus his slight frame may not be durable enough to

survive. Compares to: Derek Anderson

7. Colt McCoy (CLE): A West Coast quarterback who

may be serviceable if he!s asked to simply spread

shallow passes around, as he did in Texas. He!s mobile

enough to escape pressure, but doesn!t show the poise

to fight through obstacles. His slight frame will make him

very injury prone. Compares to: Brodie Croyle

8. Mike Kafka (PHI): A solid backup type and occasional

starter with a quick trigger. Kafka throws a good-looking,

catchable ball and has no problems reading coverages.

Compares to: Dan Orlovsky

9. Levi Brown (BUF): A gutsy, quick-thinking passer

who can get very sloppy with his footwork and release

point. While Brown may end up as a career backup the

Bills view him as a potential starter. Compares to: Matt Flynn

10. Jarrett Brown (SF): There!s lots of upside here but

he may not fulfill his potential due to his lack of starting

experience at West Virginia. While he has an NFL arm to

go with a quick, over-the-top delivery, Brown may have

trouble mastering complex coverages. He must be

brought along slowly or he!ll flame out in three years. Compares to: D.J. Shockley

11. Jevan Snead (TB): He may have the best arm in this

year!s quarterback class but his shoddy footwork and

sloppy mechanics will more times than not result in

turnovers. A cannon arm will only take you so far if

accuracy and sound decision making don!t come along

with the package. Compares to: Brian Brohm

12. Tim Tebow (DEN): A fish out of water who will

struggle with his accuracy and will show confusion

versus zone schemes when playing from behind.

Coaches will try to incorporate elements of Urban

Meyer!s offense but that may just result in Tebow getting

banged up when he runs it up the middle one too many

times. Compares to: Charlie Batch

FANTASY RANKINGS: QUARTERBACKS (DYNASTY LEAGUE)

Tony Pike

Photo: University of Cincinnati

Coming in September - 2011 Draft Prospectus

Go To: www.NFLDraftBible.com

[37]

1. Ryan Mathews (SD): A 220-pound banger with

speed, elusiveness, vision and a mighty stiff arm.

Mathews hits his cutback lanes and is hard to tackle in

the open field. He should see 20 touches per game or

more right off the bat. Compares to: Michael Turner

2. Ben Tate (HOU): The former Tiger is built like a

fullback but has enough burst to make plays on the

perimeter. He!s a patient north-south back that will thrive

in Houston!s zone blocking scheme. Tate is also a

reliable pass catcher. Compares to: Beanie Wells

3. C.J. Spiller (BUF): A versatile home-run hitter with

elite acceleration to get by an entire defense with two

steps. Spiller isn!t your typical back when it comes to

catching the ball either…he can actually run routes. He

can also take advantage of small openings in the return

game. It!s too bad that he doesn!t have enough around

him in Buffalo to truly take off in his first year. Compares to: DeAngelo Williams

4. Montario Hardesty (CLE): The former Volunteer will

pound away at a defense and start gaining chunks of

yardage once the enemy begins showing signs of

fatigue. He!s the sort of bullish runner the Browns are

lacking but can also make defenders miss. Look for

Cleveland to give him 15-to-20 touches per week given

the team!s sub-par options at quarterback. Hardesty!s

past knee injuries remain a concern. Compares to: Marion Barber III

5. Jahvid Best (DET): The playmaking running back

doesn!t need much room to slither through the line of

scrimmage and can turn on the jets in the open field.

With 4.3-speed, Best is almost impossible to catch from

behind and is a terror in the passing game when

matched up with safeties or linebackers. However, due to

past concussions and a relatively small frame, Best

would be better served as a between-the-twenties

complementary back rather than a workhorse.

Compares to: Leon Washington

6. Toby Gerhart (MIN): A classic power back with

enough speed and elusiveness to create big plays.

Gerhart will be used to relieve Adrian Peterson when the

star runner begins to tire or gets fumble happy. The

California native should get his share of goal-line carries

and will be a viable option in touchdown leagues. His

upright stance is a bit of a concern. Compares to: Michael Bush

7. Dexter McCluster (KC): The 172-pound dynamo will

play a slash role in Kansas City!s offense by splitting out

wide in the slot and lining up at quarterback, as well as

playing some traditional halfback. McCluster can

confound defenders as both a runner, receiver and return

man with his cutting ability and change-of-direction skills.

Due to his lack of size, the game-breaking weapon would

be best utilized in small doses. Compares to: Reggie Bush

8. Jonathan Dwyer (PIT): The gifted back combines a

large 230-pound frame with the quick burst of a smaller

man. Dwyer fills the role once occupied by Najeh

Davenport as Pittsburgh!s between-the-tackles hammer

and will be asked to gain the tough yards. His presence

will definitely save Rashard Mendenhall from wear and

tear. Expect seven-to-ten carries a game from J.D.

Compares to: Sammy Morris

FANTASY RANKINGS: RUNNING BACKS

Ryan Mathews

Photo: Ryan Watamura

[38]

9. Charles Scott (PHI): Scott, aka “Chuck The Truck,” is

a punishing back who runs with good lean, enabling him

to fall forward for positive yardage. He has excellent

short-area quickness but isn!t built to juke defenders at

235 pounds. The former LSU Tiger should see a few

goal-line opportunities, considering Mike Bell!s penchant

for getting nicked up. Scott would perfectly complement

the speedy LeSean McCoy, as Leonard Weaver returns

to serving as a full-time blocking back. Compares to: Chris Brown

10. James Starks (GB): Given Ryan Grant!s uncertain

contract status beyond 2010, Starks finds himself in a

favorable spot. Initially, though, Starks will have to

compete for a change-of-pace role with backup Brandon

Jackson. While the former high school quarterback is a

shifty runner who can twist and turn his way for yardage,

he!ll probably be called on to serve as a pass catching

weapon out of the backfield. Consider Starks a dynasty

league option for now. Compares to: Matt Forte

10. Joe McKnight (NYJ): Strictly an outside runner,

McKnight is extremely agile and resourceful in eluding

defenders. He does come with ball security issues and

will more than likely play second fiddle to Shonn Greene

and LaDainian Tomlinson. Compares to: Kevin Faulk

11. Anthony Dixon (SF): A one-dimensional inside

runner who squares his shoulders and churns his

massive legs on contact. He may be used to give Frank

Gore a blow every now and then in short-yardage

situations. Compares to: Laurence Maroney

12. LaGarrette Blount (TEN): A huge, nasty 241-pound

mule who will try to make the team as LenDale White!s

successor. Despite his size, Blount can take advantage

of open spaces with his impressive burst. He also helps

the offense with his blocking skills. Compares to: LenDale White

13. Stafon Johnson (TEN): Johnson is a well-built

runner who can run it inside and break tackles but he

often appeared hesitant at the line of scrimmage. He isn!t

easy to bring down once he generates a head of steam

but he doesn!t have the instant acceleration that most

game breakers possess. Expect Johnson to compete for

the backup role behind Chris Johnson along with Blount

and Javon Ringer. Compares to: Derrick Ward

14. Deji Karim (JAX): A small but stout back who runs

low to the ground. He may carve himself out a change-

of-pace role with his burst to the perimeter. Karim can

also return kicks. Compares to: Aaron Stecker

15. Curtis Steele (BAL): An undersized but explosive

runner at 194 pounds, the former Memphis Tiger uses

his tantalizing speed and cutback skills to gain yards in

traffic. He may eventually end up taking over for the

plodding Willis McGahee behind Ray Rice. Compares to: Justin Forsett

FANTASY RANKINGS: RUNNING BACKS

Charles Scott

Anthony Dixon

Photo: SEC Sports MediaPhoto: Steve Franz/LSU Sports Information

Coming in September - 2011 Draft Prospectus

Go To: www.NFLDraftBible.com

[39]

1. Dez Bryant (DAL): Move over Roy Williams, there!s a

new sheriff in town. Bryant has the fearlessness, body

control and leaping ability to make a sudden impact.

Compares to: Antonio Bryant

2. Brandon LaFell (CAR): The physical 6!2 receiver will

drop some gimmies but he also has the extraordinary

range to haul in poorly thrown balls. He!s tough to bring

down after the catch. He!ll easily overtake Dwayne

Jarrett as the number two receiver alongside Steve

Smith. Compares to: Muhsin Muhammad

3. Golden Tate (SEA): Look for Seattle to deploy him as

a joker by lining him up in the slot, in the backfield and

even as a Wildcat quarterback to create mismatches.

The former running back flashes balance, quickness and

change-of-direction ability after the catch. He!s still a bit

raw in terms of his route running but the coaching staff

will focus on putting him in favorable situations.

Compares to: Percy Harvin

4. Demaryius Thomas (DEN): A vertical threat with

terrific size and large hands who can outrun and out-

jump defenders. He will need time to learn the complete

NFL route tree. Thomas was often wide open on play-

action where opponents expected a run play from

Georgia Tech!s triple-option attack; that won!t be the

case in the pros. This physical freak will be dominant in

time. Compares to: Vincent Jackson

5. Arrelious Benn (TB): Among the strongest receivers

in this draft class, “Rejus” specializes in making catches

over the middle between the linebackers and safeties.

He can take a hit and has enough burst to take it to the

house once he builds up a head of steam. The

playmaker is also adept at adjusting to the ball. He will

get a shot to start right from the get-go. Compares to: Eddie Royal

6. Jordan Shipley (CIN): The sure-handed Shipley is a

master at finding openings in zone coverage and takes

off like a stallion once he secures the football. He

projects as a slot receiver who quickly gets into his

routes. The former Longhorn may have to split time with

Andre Caldwell inside but he can also line up wide, as

well as return kicks. Compares to: Brandon Stokley

7. Mike Williams (TB): He may not be the best

teammate in the world as far as his character goes but

the big 6!2, 221-pound pass catcher has the hands,

toughness and body control to be an effective

possession receiver. The Buffalo, NY native can make

himself a very big target for his quarterback when he

turns his back to shield defenders. He will be given a

chance to start for a talent deficient wide receiver corps. Compares to: Dwayne Bowe

8. Damian Williams (TEN): The NFL-ready Williams will

have to outperform Justin Gage and Nate Washington to

get some serious playing time early on. Look for him to

initially get sporadic opportunities in three-and-four-

receiver sets. D-Will runs clean routes and can create

separation with double moves. He!s neither super big nor

super fast, but he!s a fluid athlete who has the burst and

toughness to tack on extra yardage after the catch. Compares to: Derrick Mason

9. Carlton Mitchell (CLE): The raw but immensely gifted

rookie features deep speed and can pluck the ball out

the air while shaking off would-be tacklers. Mitchell is a

big and athletic marvel who shows the toughness to

make receptions in traffic. Expect some growing pains

due to his unrefined route running and propensity for

dropping the football. Don!t be surprised to see the USF

product rise up to the top of this class in three years. Compares to: Kenny Britt

10. Mardy Gilyard (STL): The agile and elusive Gilyard

shows great acceleration with the ball in hands as both a

receiver and return man. He may be limited when trying

to get off the line of scrimmage due to his slight frame

(184 pounds). In addition, the electrifying performer has

yet to absorb the entire NFL route tree and tends to let

the ball enter his pads instead of just snatching it with his

hands. We!re looking at a work in progress with upside. Compares to: Antwaan Randle El

FANTASY RANKINGS: WIDE RECEIVERS

Dez Bryant

Photo: Oklahoma State Athletics Media Relations

[40]

11. Taylor Price (NE): An

exceptional athlete with deep

speed and the quickness to

instantly get into his shallow

routes, Price will often put his

body on the line to make

acrobatic catches over the

middle. He could still stand to

improve his lateral agility and

become a more secure pass

catcher. The intriguing game-

breaker will gradually need to

earn his playing time with Randy

Moss, Wes Welker, Julian

Edelman, Torry Holt, Brandon

Tate and Sam Aiken on the

roster. Compares to: Santana Moss

12. Marcus Easley (BUF): The

one-time walk-on has game-breaking speed. While he!s

often criticized for not being physical enough, he began

showing the willingness to fight through tackles late in his

senior year. He!s still needs a bit more seasoning in

beating man-to-man coverage, but does an outstanding

job catching the ball cleanly in his hands and away from

his body. Compares to: Jabar Gaffney

13. Riley Cooper (PHI): The lanky wide out is a tough

competitor who!ll go across the middle but is also a

skilled route runner who can set up and fool defenders.

He shows good focus on downfield balls by flashing the

ability to make acrobatic receptions. His inconsistent

hands, on the other hand, are something he needs to

work on. He looks to be a fourth receiver with the upside

to move up to the third spot in Philadelphia. Compares to: Jordy Nelson

14. Armanti Edwards (CAR): The college quarterback

is an NFL project who will need to learn how to run

routes and set up his opponents. Carolina!s paucity of

viable options at the wide receiver position will allow

Edwards to get some early looks in the slot. He does

possess cat-like quickness as a runner but he!s also

injury-prone at 182 pounds. Compares to: Brad Smith

15. Eric Decker (DEN): The 6!3 Decker is an ultra-

competitive gamer who can take a lick and hang on to

the football. He creates separation thanks to his route

running but shows very little wiggle after the catch. His

recovery from a recent foot injury may stunt his

development. Compares to: Kevin Walter

16. Emmanuel Sanders (PIT): Viewed by

most as a slot receiver in the NFL, Sanders

excels when tracking the ball on deeper

patterns. He is also very agile and fluid in

the open field. His ability to run a multitude

of routes should ease his transition to the

pros. The ex-Mustang will have the

opportunity to supplant an aging Antwaan

Randle El. His slight frame (186 pounds)

may give him some trouble when it comes to

getting off the line of scrimmage. Compares to: Yamon Figurs

17. David Reed (BAL): A receiver who is

more quick than fast, Reed is a terror on

slant patterns with his ability to spin out of

the arms of would-be tacklers. He is a

technically-sound player who snatches the

ball cleanly in his hands. The former Ute will

have his work cut out for him in Baltimore, as

he!ll try to carve out a role with the likes of Anquan

Boldin, Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Donte

Stallwoth already on the roster. Compares to: Chansi Stuckey

18. Jacoby Ford (OAK): A very small role player-type,

who exhibits incredible speed but needs to be coached

up on how to properly run NFL routes. Ford will help

stretch the field lining up opposite Darrius Heyward-Bey

and could be in line for some big plays. Compares to: Johnny Knox

19. Andre Roberts (ARZ): The small school phenom is

not only a very fluid and limber weapon, he uses those

tools to shake and bake his opponents in the open field.

He isn!t a burner but can separate from defensive backs

with an array of double moves and helps his signal caller

by coming back to the football. Roberts projects as a slot

receiver/kick returner with decent potential. He may take

some time to establish himself with Arizona looking to

focus more on running the ball with the unreliable Matt

Leinart at the helm. Compares to: Lance Moore

20. Dezmon Briscoe (CIN): A big, physical wide out who

can power his way off the line of scrimmage and go up

for the ball at its highest point. He doesn!t have the

speed to out race defenders but rather employs a

shivering stiff arm while running through them. Briscoe

needs to get into his routes a little quicker, as evidenced

by his issues with immediately getting in-and-out of his

breaks. He!s a project at this point and may end up on

the practice squad. Compares to: Justin Gage

FANTASY RANKINGS: WIDE RECEIVERS

Taylor Price

Photo: Ohio University

[41]

1. Jermaine Gresham (CIN): A dominant player at the

college level who appears to be the complete package

as a pass catcher. In addition to having superior range in

reaching out for poorly thrown balls, Gresham is blessed

with tremendous burst to attack the deep seams. He very

much resembles a wide receiver in the way he

immediately settles into his patterns. In addition, the 6!6

specimen works hard at becoming a better blocker.

Gresham should be a go-to guy from the outset with

Cincy, considering the team!s lack of playmakers at tight

end. Past knee issues are the only concern here. Compares to: Antonio Gates

2. Rob Gronkowski (NE): The man known as “Gronko”

has a massive frame, soft hands and ability to run

smooth routes. But what truly makes him stand out is his

rough-and-tumble running style after the catch.

Defenders routinely bounce off the 264-pound monster

truck. His size and strength should allow him to block

defensive ends one-on-one. Randy Moss won!t be the

only big target Tom Brady will be looking for in the end

zone. Compares to: Jason Witten

3. Dennis Pitta (BAL): The 25-year old is an NFL-ready

performer who can consistently create separation by

running precision routes, such as his patented curl

pattern. Pitta!s soft mitts and aggressiveness allow him

to make plays in traffic. The BYU product should see

plenty of playing time early on due to his ability to line up

in the slot or as an H-Back. Compares to: Dallas Clark

4. Anthony McCoy (SEA): This USC product brings

prototypical size to the table at 6!5, 260 pounds, along

with solid hands and the ability to sustain big hits while

hanging onto the ball. He also delivers punishment by

knocking defenders out of the way with his menacing

forearm shiver. While he!s a handful to stop in the open

field, he isn!t the type to outrun tacklers, although he

does use his short-area quickness to get in and out of his

breaks. Expect McCoy to make a fairly easy transition to

the pros as he reunites with his old head coach, Pete

Carroll. The rookie and fellow tight end John Carlson

have the makings of a dynamic duo. McCoy is far more

skilled than backups Chris Baker and Cameron Morrah.

Compares to: Ben Watson

5. Aaron Hernandez (NE): An H-Back type who!s

extremely elusive after the catch, as evidenced by how

the former Gator easily spins away from defenders.

While most of his routes were only a few yards downfield

in Florida!s offense, Hernandez did demonstrate great

concentration in tracking the football during the few times

he was asked to execute deeper patterns. Gator fans

also had the chance to witness the 6!2 phenom

showcase his athleticism while making acrobatic, one-

handed grabs. Since the Patriots don!t view him as a

traditional tight end, he may not get as many snaps as

Gronkowski. However, Bill Belichick and company should

be having loads of fun devising ways to single up

Hernandez on helpless linebackers. Compares to: Dustin Keller

FANTASY RANKINGS: TIGHT ENDS

Rob Gronkowski

Photo: University of Arizona

[42]

6. Tony Moeaki (KC): The oft-injured Moeaki finally held

up and had an outstanding senior campaign at Iowa.

He!s a natural hands catcher that extends away from the

frame of his body, exhibiting top-notch control. The

former Hawkeye is adept at making plays along the

sidelines and in tight areas, exuding good awareness.

The rookie is a bit tight hipped as a runner and won!t

remind anyone of Vernon Davis when it comes to

straight-line speed. Moeaki!s blocking is sub-par, which

will probably limit his snaps early on. Compares to: Bo Scaife

7. Dorin Dickerson (HOU): Dickerson is a man without

a true position and early word is that the Texans may use

him as a wide receiver. His measurables are through the

roof at the tight end position versus safeties and

linebackers. Moving him to wide out could make him an

ordinary Joe. The 6!1, 226-pound athlete has soft hands,

superior straight-line speed and the vision to make plays

with the ball in his hands. His route running, on the other

hand, is suspect and he doesn!t seem shifty enough to

separate from NFL defensive backs. He may make some

plays here and there as a rookie, but don!t anticipate any

sort of consistency. Compares to: Delanie Walker

8. Garrett Graham (HOU): Known as a skilled route

runner who specializes in finding openings in zone

coverage, Graham can also break down opponents

playing man-to-man defense. While he doesn!t possess

the long arms or elite size of some other players at his

position at 6!3, 243 pounds, the ex-Badger can hold his

own in the slot and as an in-line tight end. His

intelligence and versatility will get him on the field. He

projects as a solid number two tight end. Compares to: Desmond Clark

9. Ed Dickson (BAL): The athletic marvel moves like a

basketball player when boxing out defenders on shallow

routes and utilizing his agility to make tough catches. At

this point, he!s a pretty raw tight end who!s at his best

when split out wide but isn!t nearly big or strong enough

to be an in-line weapon. Dickson will also need to evolve

from just being a vertical route runner. The skills are

there but he!s a work in progress. He should only be

drafted in dynasty leagues. Compares to: Jared Cook

10. Jimmy Graham (NO): The one-time hoopster has an

incredible reach and major hops at nearly 6!7. Graham is

a supreme athlete who can stretch the field and has the

determination to match his physical tools. But all that

doesn!t take away from the fact that he!s a very raw

project with just one year of football under his belt. The

kid is behind the learning curve when it comes to

recognizing coverage and needs to show more

aggressiveness, which will only come with patience and

good coaching. Compares to: Kellen Davis

FANTASY RANKINGS: TIGHT ENDS

Garrett Graham

Ed Dickson

Photo: Zach Green Photo: Eric Evans

[43]

1. Brandon Graham (PHI): The Michigan man already

possesses great technique and likely won!t have much of

a learning curve in his first NFL season. Playing

defensive end opposite established pass-rusher Trent

Cole, Graham likely won!t garner much attention from

offenses and will be free to roam. Compares to: Derrick Burgess

2. Jason Pierre-Paul (NYG): A tremendous athlete at

defensive end, Pierre-Paul

doesn!t lack for potential.

With the Giants already

loaded at pass rusher, he

should be able to attack

opposing offenses. A boom-

or-bust pick here, JPP could

either have double-digit

sacks, or produce virtually

nothing. Compares to: Calais Campbell

3. Jerry Hughes (IND): The

Mountain West product

likely won!t start in 2009 but

he should be a solid

rotational player who comes

in on passing downs. The

defensive end was a

playmaker in college; he

could end up with good sack

and turnover numbers in his

first season. Compares to: Robert Mathis

4. Derrick Morgan (TEN) With a large hole at defensive end and Morgan being

relatively NFL-ready, the Georgia Tech product will likely

start from the get-go. Although his ceiling might be lower

than those above him on this list, Morgan offers a safe

pick for fantasy owners needing a player who will

produce. Compares to: Lawrence Jackson

5. Ndamukong Suh (DET): Even though Suh was the

first defensive player taken and the best player in the

draft, it doesn!t ensure he will have a huge fantasy

impact. Defensive tackles typically take time to adjust

and for Suh, who is accustomed to overpowering

everyone, the adjustment may be greater than expected.

However, he has elite ability and could beat the odds in

his rookie season. Compares to: Kevin Williams

6. Gerald McCoy (TB): With his elite penetration ability

McCoy has the potential to be an impact fantasy player.

Unfortunately the Buccaneers have very little on the

defensive line, so McCoy will likely be the primary target

of offensive lines. Unless he truly dominates, it is unlikely

that McCoy will have much of an impact as a rookie.

Compares to: Tommie Harris

7. Carlos Dunlap (CIN): The

former Gator is another risky

pick that could pay off for

fantasy owners. With the

Bengals already possessing

excellent depth at the

defensive end position,

Dunlap will have to impress

in order to get significant

playing time. However,

Dunlap is loaded with talent

and if he is on the field he

could put up huge numbers.

Compares to: Jamaal Anderson

8. Tyson Alualu (JAX): While Alualu probably

wasn!t worth the 10th pick of

the draft, he does offer

some fantasy value.

Possessing good

athleticism, the defensive

tackle is likely to be moved

around and primarily used to

attack the offensive

backfield. Compares to: Trevor Laws

9. Lamarr Houston (OAK): Hailing from Texas, Houston

is a very talented player who is capable of penetrating

the offensive backfield. With Richard Seymour already

on the roster, the Raiders have some talent on the

defensive line. If he gets enough playing time, Houston

should be able to make plays for the Raiders and offers

solid fantasy value. Compares to: Glenn Dorsey

10. Jared Odrick (MIA): A defensive tackle at Penn

State, Odrick has excellent size and athleticism but he

will be playing end in Miami!s 3-4 defense and won!t be

asked to make many plays. With the defensive line talent

already there, his fantasy value is limited. Compares to: Luis Castillo

IDP FANTASY RANKINGS: DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Brandon Graham

Photo: U-M Athletic Department

[44]

1. Sean Weatherspoon (ATL): Expect Weatherspoon to

step in immediately for the Falcons at outside linebacker

next to Curtis Lofton. With a history of making big plays,

Weatherspoon offers good fantasy value in his rookie

season. Compares to: Lance Briggs

2. Rolando McClain (OAK): The top inside linebacker in

the 2010 draft is likely to

start for the Raiders in his

first season and he will

make plenty of tackles.

While at Alabama, McClain

displayed the ability to get

into the offensive backfield.

After trading Kirk Morrison,

Thomas Howard is the

only figurehead at

linebacker, so McClain

should get plenty of action.

Compares to: Patrick Willis

3. Daryl Washington (ARZ): After losing Karlos

Dansby to free agency, the

Cardinals will look for

Washington to start

immediately at inside

linebacker. Though

Washington is just one of

four linebackers in Arizona,

he is well prepared for the

NFL and should have an

immediate impact.

Compares to: Jon Beason

4. Koa Misi (MIA): The

Utah product may struggle

to start for the Dolphins

from the get-go but at the

very least he will see

action as an edge rusher in

passing situations at the outside linebacker position. Misi

has good quickness, experience playing standing up and

in Miami!s defense, he should be able to rack up some

sacks. Compares to: David Veikune

5. Donald Butler (SD): With the Chargers struggling at

inside linebacker, it is likely that Butler will immediately

start for San Diego. An excellent athlete, Butler is a good

playmaker who will be used some as a rusher and

should do well in coverage. Compares to: Jerod Mayo

6. Brandon Spikes (NE): Once considered to be a first

round lock, Spikes fell into the second round and is

expected by many to step in and start at inside

linebacker. Though he will not make many big plays,

Spikes will make tackles and should gain some fantasy

points. With his lack of speed, Spikes is a far better fit in

a 3-4 defense. Compares to: Jasper Brinkley

7. Jermaine Cunningham (NE): Another former Gator in

new England, Cunningham is a

riskier pick, primarily because of

the position change he faces. A

talented edge rusher, the former

Florida Gator could see time as

a pass rusher, but he may

struggle for playing time if he is

unable to transition to

linebacker. Compares to: Jarvis Moss

8. Sergio Kindle (BAL): Most

expected Kindle to go in the first

round and though there was

talk of an injury affecting his

stock, he will likely see some

action for Baltimore. Though the

Ravens have depth at

linebacker, they don!t have a

great edge rusher opposite of

Terrell Suggs, so Kindle should

at least see time as a situational

pass rusher from outside

linebacker. Compares to: Kamerion Wimbley

9. Rennie Curran (TEN): Although it remains to be seen

whether Curran will start for the

Titans, linebacker is a bit of a

weak spot in Tennessee and he

will likely see playing time.

Though he is undersized, the outside linebacker is solid

in coverage and offers some playmaking ability.

Compares to: Cato June

10. Pat Angerer (IND): Primarily an inside linebacker, it

is not clear how Angerer fits in Indianapolis with Gary

Brackett currently manning the position. Though he has

never been a great playmaker, Angerer is good in

coverage and is a hard hitter as well. Compares to: Zach Thomas

IDP FANTASY RANKINGS: LINEBACKERS

SeanWeatherspoon

Photo: Zach Green

[45]

1. Eric Berry (KC): With new defensive coordinator

Romeo Crennel in Kansas City, Berry has an excellent

coach and will certainly be starting for the Chiefs. As a

big-time playmaker, Berry offers great fantasy value and

if Kansas City is able to get any kind of a pass rush, he

should be an excellent buy. Compares to: Ed Reed

2. Earl Thomas (SEA): As a playmaker, Thomas

has the potential to be a

great player for fantasy

owners. Despite his top-

notch ball skills, the pass

rush in Seattle is far from

elite, so the safety is a

somewhat risky pick.

Compares to: Darren Sharper

3. Joe Haden (CLE): Though Cleveland has

upgraded the position,

Haden is likely to start

immediately for the

Browns. In 2009, the

Browns were in the

top-10 in sacks; Haden

should be able to make

some plays from his

cornerback position as

opposing quarterbacks

are hurried. Compares to: Cortland Finnegan

4. Devin McCourty (NE): With Leigh Bodden and

Darius Butler already in

New England, McCourty

likely won!t be a starting

cornerback in 2010, but

he will see playing time in

nickel packages. McCourty also offers value in the return

game and is likely to make some exciting plays both on

defense and special teams. Compares to: Rhonde Barber

5. Kyle Wilson (NYJ): Though Wilson may not start for

the Jets as a cornerback, he will likely be the team!s

nickel back. With a good pass rush and aggressive

overall defense in New York, Wilson will be able to make

some plays. Compares to: Dre Bly

6. Kareem Jackson (HOU): After losing cornerback

Dunta Robinson, it seems likely that Jackson will start for

the Texans. Though he isn!t a big-time playmaker,

Jackson is solid and should produce for Houston.

Compares to: Marcus Trufant

7. Patrick Robinson (NO): With the Saints already

possessing great depth

at cornerback, it is

uncertain how

Robinson fits with the

team in 2010.

However, Robinson is

a great athlete with the

potential to make

many plays, and

though he is a risky

pick, he could end up

being a great player

for fantasy owners.

Compares to: Pacman Jones

8. T.J. Ward (CLE): Ward was a bit of a

surprise pick at 38 but

he is likely to start for

the Browns and offers

potential to fantasy

owners. He is a solid

athlete at safety who

excels when playing

close to the line and

making plays in the

backfield. Compares to: Roy Williams

9. Chris Cook (MIN): With an aging and

injury prone unit, it

seems likely that the

Vikings will be playing Cook often in 2010. The physical

cornerback probably won!t make many plays, but he will

be solid in run support and will make tackles. Compares to: Quentin Jammer

10. Nate Allen (PHI): After starting Macho Harris in

2009, Allen is likely to be the immediate starter at free

safety. The former USF Bull is a solid player but he is

unlikely to make many big plays, especially in his first

season. Compares to: Dashon Goldson

IDP FANTASY RANKINGS: DEFENSIVE BACKS

Eric Berry

Photo: UT Athletics

[46]

Photo: David Knachel/Virginia Tech Athletics Communications

[47]