Category: NFL Draft (Page 86 of 102)

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

Best Value:
John Wendling, S, Bills (No. 184) – I’m shocked Wendling lasted this long because he at the very least will be a solid special teams contributor. He’s not a starter – at least not right now – but he’s got great speed and is an outright football player. Other values: Rufus Alexander, LB, Broncos; Ryan Smith, CB, Titans; Prescott Burgess, LB, Ravens.

Potential Sleepers:
Courtney Taylor, WR, Seahawks (197) – By trading Darrell Jackson to the 49ers for a fourth round pick, the Seahawks needed to address their wide receiver position. Taylor is almost a copy cutout of Jackson (without all the NFL experience of course) in that he’s got great size and athleticism. He’s not overly fast, but neither was Jackson. Other potential sleepers: David Irons, CB, Falcons; HB Blades, LB, Redskins.

What the hell were they thinking?
Hard to criticize this deep into the draft, so I won’t.

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

Best Value:
Aundrae Allison, WR, Vikings (No. 146) – Allison had some off field issues in college, but is an incredible athlete and has tremendous hands. He had an excellent week at the Senior Bowl and if it weren’t for his baggage, would have been at least a third round pick. Other values: Dustin Fry, C, Rams; Kolby Smith, RB, Chiefs; Troy Smith, QB, Ravens.

Potential Sleeper:
Kevin Boss, TE, Giants (No. 153) – Boss had a solid workout at the NFL Combine, displaying soft hands and running well in drills. If he makes the team – and he certainly should – he’ll be a nice compliment to Jeremy Shockey. Other potential sleepers: Josh Gattis, S, Jaguars; Justin Medlock, K, Chiefs; Tarell Brown, CB, 49ers.

What the hell were they thinking?
Steve Breaston, WR, Cardinals (No. 142) – Arizona didn’t reach – Breaston was projected in the fifth – but didn’t get an unbelievable prospect. His value is on special teams, but only on returns seeing as how he’s not that big. He struggles getting off the line as a receiver and unless he proves himself as an amazing returner, it’s doubtful he’ll even make the team.

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

Best Value:
Michael Bush, RB, Oakland Raiders (No. 100) – The fact Bush actually slipped into the fourth round – there were thoughts he might have gone in the late second or early third – makes this an even better pick. Bush would have been a top five pick if he hadn’t broken his leg at the start of the ’06 season and if he turns out to be healthy; this could be the steal of the draft. Other values: Jay Moore, DE, 49ers; Antonio Pittman, RB, Saints; Tarnard Jackson, CB, Bucs.

Potential sleepers:
Zak Deossie, LB, Giants (116) – Another small school product, Deossie has loads of speed, changes directions well and is a cover linebacker. He might be a bit raw, but for a fourth round pick and a team depleted of linebackers, he’s a solid selection. Other potential sleepers: Manuel Ramirez, G, Lions; Stephen Nichols, LB, Falcons; Doug Free, G, Cowboys.

What the hell were they thinking?
Marcus Thomas, DT, Broncos (121) – Don’t get it twisted about this pick, Thomas would have been a first round pick if he didn’t have so many off field issues at Florida last year. However, the Broncos unloaded a ton of picks (including a third rounder in ‘08) to move up and take the talented, yet controversial Thomas. Now, one could argue that if he fulfills his potential, it was all worth it, but you generally don’t give up multiple picks for a troublemaker. Other questionable moves: The Steelers traded a fourth and a sixth round pick to Green Bay in order to select punter Daniel Sepulveda. Granted he’s the top rated punter in the draft, but he’s still a punter…and the Steelers gave up two picks for him…yikes.

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.