Month: April 2007 (Page 2 of 12)

Here’s a snap shot of the NFL Draft’s third round:

Best Value:
DeMarcus “Tank” Tyler, Kansas City Chiefs (No. 82) – This pick comes with a, “yeah, but”. Tyler has the talent to be a first round pick, but he had some off field issues at N.C. State. Nevertheless, the Chiefs got a steal in the third round and a solid run defender. Other values: Marcus McCauley, CB, Vikings; Trent Edwards, QB, Bills; Charles Johnson, DE, Panthers.

Potential Sleepers:
Daymeion Hughes, CB, Colts (No. 95) – This pick actually covers both the value and sleeper section. Hughes should excel in the Colts’ Cover 2 scheme because while he’s not that fast, he is the ultimate ballhawk and plays the run extremely well. If Hughes could run a 4.4 40, he would probably be a first round pick. Indy got a steal late in the third. Other potential sleepers: Buster Davis, LB, Cardinals; Tony Hunt, RB, Eagles; Ray McDonald, DE, 49ers; Aaron Rouse, S, Packers.

What the hell were they thinking?
Garrett Wolfe, RB, Chicago Bears (No. 93) – Wow, what a reach. I realize the running back class isn’t deep this year, but Garrett Wolfe in the third round? He’s a sixth rounder at the absolute best and might have been available as an undrafted free agent. Granted, he had an unbelievable senior season – and was a Heisman candidate – but he’s incredibly small and unlike Jaguars’ back Maurice Jones-Drew, not that stout. Other questionable moves: The Falcons taking Laurent Robinson over nabbing Michael Bush when they had a chance. Robinson will compete with Joe Horn, Michael Jenkins, Roddy White, Brian Finneran, Fred Gibson and Adam Jennings for a roster spot while Bush could have potentially given Bobby Petrino the big back he covets.

Here’s a snap shot of the NFL Draft’s second round:

Best Value:
Alan Branch, DT, Arizona Cardinals (No. 33) – Thanks to a terrible pro day performance and a bad work ethic rep, Branch fell all the way to the top of the second round. However, he was once a top 10 pick, has an NFL-ready body and maybe he’ll have a little motivation for dropping so far. Other top values: Paul Posluszny, LB, Bills; Arron Sears, G, Bucs; Justin Blalock, G & Chris Houston, CB, Falcons; Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings; Dwayne Jarrett, WR, Panthers; David Harris, ILB, Jets; Ryan Kalil, C, Panthers; Eric Wright, CB, Browns; Steve Smith, WR, Giants.

Potential Sleeper:
Justin Durant, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 48) – Durant played at a small program (Hampton), so he might not catch the average fan’s eye. However, Durant is extremely athletic, fast and is used to making big plays. He’s just a bit of an unknown right now, but well worth the risk and is going into a fantastic defensive situation in Jacksonville. Other potential sleepers: Brian Leonard, RB/FB, Rams; Ikaika Alma-Francis, DE, Lions; Samson Satele, C, Dolphins.

What the hell were they thinking?
Drew Stanton, QB, Detroit Lions (No. 43) – I’m going to get heat on this, because I already have from Sparty On in the past. But this was a major reach for the Lions and worse yet, he doesn’t fit Mike Martz’s system. Martz’s system is predicated on timing and accuracy, plus its complex and based on vertical passing. What system did Stanton play in at MSU? A simple scheme with short to intermediate passing routes and he struggled with accuracy. He was a bad fit, bottom line. Other questionable moves: The Chargers giving up multiple draft picks to the Bears to move up and land safety Eric Weddle. I like the player, but not the compensation; The Bears taking Dan Bazuin, a defensive end, which is about the last thing Chicago needs. Once again, love the player and he’s a Bears-type of guy, but they reached a bit and could have probably addressed other needs.

The NFL Network is reporting the Oakland Raiders traded wide receiver Randy Moss to the New England Patriots for a fourth round draft pick (which the Raiders used on Cincinnati defensive back John Bowe).

The Patriots continue their impressive offseason by adding one of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history. Moss joins Donte Stallworth, Kelley Washington and Wes Welker to seemingly improve a unit that was suspect in ’06. However, it should be noted Moss barely made a blimp on the radar in Oakland the past two seasons, showing declining skills and a sorry attitude (well, he already had the sorry attitude before he got to Oakland). However, one has to believe that if Moss has anything left in the tank, he’s going to show it for Bill Belichick and the mega organization, the Patriots. New England might be the only franchise in the NFL equipped to take on Moss’s baggage.

On the flip side are the Raiders. Weren’t they supposed to draft Calvin Johnson if they could move Randy Moss? Maybe that wasn’t the plan the whole time, but it’s strange to think that Oakland was willing to part with Moss for a fourth round pick, yet they don’t draft arguably the best prospect in the entire class. Interesting.

The first round is over and it was the longest ever in NFL history (seriously). Other than Brady Quinn dropping to No. 22, there weren’t many surprises. And no, I’m not counting Ted Ginn Jr. being selected by Miami at No. 9, because I had that pick in my final mock draft and think it was a better selection than most are making it out to be. There were some reaches – Green Bay taking Justin Harrell at No. 16 for one – but other than that, JaMarcus Russell, Calvin Johnson and Joe Thomas were picked rather status quo.

Feel free to check out our first round blog with notes and comments on every pick. Then check back here at the Scores Report after every round for a recap of the best values, sleepers and, ‘what were they thinking?’ selections of rounds 2 through 7.