Download - 2010 NFL Post Draft Recap
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[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
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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+
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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]