No. 24 Cincinnati Bengals, Jonathan Joseph
At one point, Joseph was the top rated cornerback on Mel Kiper’s draft board. However, as the draft neared, Kiper swapped Joseph with Tye Hill. Joseph is explosive in his first step and has the speed to compete at the next level. He tends to gamble much and doesn’t have much experience after being a former juco transfer, but Joseph could add to an up and coming Bengal secondary.
No. 25 Pittsburgh Steelers, Santonio Holmes
The Steelers traded up to select a man that they think will replace Antwan Randle El. The Steelers cough up a third and fifth round pick, but they must feel that Holmes, arguably the best wide receiver in the draft, is going to be the perfect match to Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward.
No. 26 Buffalo Bills, John McCargo
Another member of the NC State defensive line is selected as John McCargo gets picked by the Bills. McCargo wasn’t highly ranked at all, which only adds to the confusion of why the Bills traded with the Bears to nab McCargo. I’m not saying that Buffalo didn’t get quality players in Whitner and McCargo, but their strategy has got me lost.
No. 27 Carolina Panthers, DeAngelo Williams
Desperate for a runningback with Stephen Davis on the way out and DeShuan Foster often injured, DeAngelo Williams is a speedster with great agility. Williams will join the likes of Duece McAllister, Reggie Bush, Cadillac Williams and Warrick Dunn in the highly competitive NFC South.
No. 28 Jacksonville Jaguars, Marcedes Lewis
Jacksonville selected Marcedes Lewis, which was a definite need for them at 28. The Bears were interested in Lewis before they traded out of the first round. The Jags must be excited to select a player that they figured probably wasn’t going to bet there when they were up to pick.
No. 29 New York Jets, Nick Mangold
The biggest hole coming into the draft for the Jets was the offensive line and they have defiantly upgraded the position with D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Mangold. The loss of Jason Fabini is a little less dramatic with Mangold stepping into the fold. Mangold has great power and is tough off the ball.
No. 30 Indianapolis Colts, Joseph Addai
The choice of Joseph Addai over LenDale White has to tell me that White’s off the field problems are very fresh in teams minds. Addai is fast and versatile with a powerful build for a guy who is only 5’11. He might lack ideal size, but Addai is highly underrated and he’ll obviously get a solid shot at the starting RB position with Edgerrin James bolting to Arizona.
No. 31 Seattle Seahawks, Kelly Jennings
Seattle needed DB help, but mostly at safety with Ken Hamlin trying to recover from a skull fracture. Marquand Manuel left via free agency so I wonder why the Seahawks didn’t take a shot at Jimmy Williams here at 31. Williams is slated at cornerback, but is big enough to play safety. Jennings isn’t as thick as Williams, but he has solid football instincts and is very quick.
No. 32 New York Giants, Mathias Kiwanuka
As Chris Berman so nicely put it, the Giants have a solid group of names for Scrabble. Kiwanuka joins fellow defensive lineman Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. Kiwanuka was once thought of as a top 15 pick and with the Giants addition of Lavar Arrington, they have a solid defensive front seven to compete with any opposing running game.
