Best Value: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Panthers
The Panthers wanted to wait to select a developmental quarterback late in the draft and had targeted a wide receiver with their selection in the second round. But as Clausen continued to fall, they couldn’t pass on the opportunity to nab him at No. 45. He’s going to a great situation where he won’t be pressed to start right away, but he could also challenge Matt Moore in preseason. It’s hard to argue that Carolina didn’t get tremendous value for a player that could have went in the top 15.

Potential Steal: Vladimir Ducasse, G, Jets
The J.E.T.S. followed up the first round steal of cornerback Kyle Wilson with the selection of Ducasse in the second. At 6’5”’ and 330 pounds, Ducasse is a mauler in the run game and is a candidate to start at guard once Alan Faneca is released later this offseason. I thought the Jets might take a guard to replace Faneca at No. 29, but they did well to nab Ducasse at No. 61, seeing as how he had a first round grade and they were able to land Wilson earlier.

Another potential steal is the Patriots’ selection of linebacker Brandon Spikes with the 62nd overall pick. Spikes ran a 5.0 40 in pre-draft workouts and teams decided to avoid him the smelly kid in class thereafter. But he was extremely productive at Florida, he played against top competition and he could do wonders playing alongside Jerod Mayo in Bill Belichick’s 3-4 scheme. And while we’re on the subject, the Patriots did well to add tight end Rob Gronkowski in this round, too. The Arizona product had a first round grade but slipped due to concerns about his back.

Biggest Head Scratcher: Brian Price, DT, Buccaneers
Price is a fine prospect, but I’m a little confused by the Bucs’ plan of attack here. They used the third overall pick on Gerald McCoy (who is also a three-technique player like Price) and also have a promising youngster in Roy Miller already on the roster. Price must have been the top player on Tampa’s board, or else why would Raheem Morris and company draft the UCLA DT with so many other needs to fill? I like the player, but I don’t know what the Bucs’ strategy was behind the pick.

Boom or Bust: Taylor Mays, S, 49ers
I posted a more in-depth piece about Mays here, but the long and the short of it is that he’s a sensational athlete with a ton of weaknesses. He can’t cover, he has poor ball skills and he isn’t a reliable tackler. But he’s 6’3”, 230 pounds, can run a sub-4.4 40 and is relentless. His physical style of play should work well on Mike Singletary’s team and he might wind up pushing Michael Lewis for the starting strong safety job. But he’s got a lot to prove after a so-so senior season at USC.

Another potential boom or bust pick is the Bengals’ selection of Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap at No. 54. He has outstanding size at 6’6”, 277 pounds and runs a 4.6 40, but he was busted for DUI before the Sugar Bowl this year and is often criticized for his inconsistent play. If he isn’t motivated, his effort is sub par, but he did record nine sacks last season and is a physical freak.

Biggest Reach: T.J. Ward, S, Browns
For as well as Mike Holmgren did to land Colt McCoy in the third round, I felt as though he reached with the selection of Ward at No. 38. With Taylor Mays, Morgan Burnett, Chad Jones and Major Wright still on the board, Holmgren selected a player in Ward that had a fourth round grade. Granted, he’s a thumper and plays against the run well, but there’s a very good chance that he would have been there for one of the Browns’ picks in the third round (or even in the fourth).

Best Need Filler: Daryl Washington, LB, Cardinals
There are many players that filled needs for teams in the second round, but this was an excellent pick by the Cardinals. Paris Lenon was set to start at one of the inside positions in the team’s 3-4 scheme, meaning linebacker was a huge need for Arizona coming into the draft. Washington is a little undersized, but he has excellent range, sub-4.6 speed and is a powerful hitter. He could have gone late in the first round.

The Rams also did well at the start of the round by selecting offensive tackle Rodger Saffold. They were rumored to be interested in receiver Arrelious Benn, which would have been a good pick as well, but by taking Saffold the Rams showed their commitment in protecting Sam Bradford.

Potentially Bad Fit: Koa Misi, OLB, Dolphins
The Dolphins wanted an outside edge rusher to replace Joey Porter and Jason Taylor, but what they got was an athletic defensive end in Misi who may struggle generating a rush at the next level. He’ll have to learn an entirely new position in the pros and therefore, could struggle to make an impact right away, although far be it for me to judge any player that Bill Parcells has scouted. He’s one of the best talent evaluators in football, if not the best.

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