Well, the first round is officially in the books (finally). Since the Eagles are MIA and the Lions are trying to deal their pick, I figure I’ve got another 4 to 6 hours before my pick comes up. As such, I’m trying to find a way to waste some time, so I thought I could grade the second half of the NFL draft. As with the first time around, these grades are simply my opinion – and as such they could very well be incorrect. After all, I’m nothing but a drunken Viking … not an NFL GM. Let’s take a look at the second half of round 1. 17. Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama (Denver) – The Broncos traded up to pick up a falling McClain, who at one point was projected to possibly break into the top 10. It’s a good pick for Denver, who clearly needed help at LB. I would have possibly considered going WR here (especially with Golden Tate still on the board) considering that the only proven receiver on the roster is the 36 year old Terrell Owens. McClain is probably more at home as a 3-4 ILB as opposed to a 4-3 ILB, though it looks like Nicky is the latter. Not a bad pick, but one that didn’t blow me away, either. Grade: B 18. Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech (New England – This was the guy I expected the Broncos to pick. There’s absolutely no reason for Derrick Morgan to still be on the board at #18. I gave him some consideration at #3 overall, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him go Top 5 in April. The big question mark surrounding Morgan is whether or not he’s strictly a 4-3 DE, or if he can make the transition to OLB in the 3-4. Griddles certainly seems to think so, but I’m not 100% sure. That makes grading this difficult, as the Pats get tremendous value, but it’s ultimately a guy who may not be successful in their scheme. I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Grade: A- 19. Sean Witherspoon, OLB, Missouri (Atlanta) – I’m not that big fan of Sean Witherspoon, having had the opportunity to watch him play several times in person. I think he’s a little bit undersized and can be victimized in the run game a little bit. Still he’s very athletic and can make plays. I’m not sure what defense the Falcons are running (I’m assuming a 4-3) but he could be very successful in a Cover-2 type defense that maximizes his speed and ability to fly to the ball. Grade: B+ 20. Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State (Jacksonville) – I think Kyle Wilson has the tools to eventually become one of the league’s premier shutdown corners, and he’s arguably got more upside than Joe Haden, who went off the board earlier to New York. Wilson was arguably the most impressive player during Senior Bowl week, turning a lot of heads (and making himself a lot of money) in the process. The only thing that keeps this from being a clear home run is that I think there were more pressing needs for the Jags, though they may have plans that I am unaware of. Grade: A- 21. Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame (San Francisco) – The second WR taken in the Draft, Tate should eventually develop into a very good #2 option alongside Michael Crabtree in San Francisco. I like him out of the slot to begin with, and I think he should flourish in that role for the 49ers. Tate is also an underrated athlete. I’d like to see what he could do in the backfield with the newly acquired Brad Smith … the WC possibilities are endless. That said, I think his ceiling is that of a very good #2 WR, though he’s certainly got the work ethic to prove me wrong. Grade: A 22. Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State (Pittsburg) – I actually think Odrick represents great value for the Steelers here. He can play pretty much any position for them. I’d imagine they play him at the 5 technique (I am assuming that they are still running a 3-4), and that’s a position that Odrick should excel at. He can also slide to DT on passing downs and offer some versatility for them when the go to the nickel. Nice follow-up pick to the Tate pick. Grade: A 23. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma (Indianapolis) – Indianapolis finally joins the party and they take … a tight end? I like Gresham as much as the next guy, but they have one of the best, and most underrated, TEs in the NFL already in Dallas Clark. I know that GM Boik has mentioned they’ll likely be using a 2 TE set as their base offense, but I’m still a bit shocked that they didn’t go a different direction. I probably would have considered going O-Line here, or possibly even WR. Gresham is the best TE in the draft, but I don’t recall the 2 TE base formation working out that well at the NFL level. As such this grades out a bit lower. Grade: B- 24. Brian Price, DT, UCLA (Green Bay) – The first round run on DT talent continues with the selection of Brian Price from UCLA. I like Price, but I see him as more of a 4-3 DT … perhaps the Packers are considering a switch back with BJ Raji (another 4-3 guy IMO) on their roster already. But if they’re running a 3-4, Raji will likely remain at the NT spot, meaning that Price probably won’t see the field. So I don’t really understand this pick, unless PTG was going strictly off of BPA and had Price as his #1. Grade: D+ 25. Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas (New York Giants) – Adam fills the OLB/DE spot with Sergio Kindle, and his selection makes it even harder for me to figure out just what the heck he’s doing on defense. Now I think he’s converting to a 3-4, in which case Kindle is probably destined for a WOLB spot. Of the 3-4 OLB “big name” prospects (i.e. projected to go in rounds 1-2), Kindle is my least favorite. I think he got by on athleticism and reputation at Texas, and didn’t really dedicate himself to getting any better. There’s minor character concerns as well – but those are as I say, minor. Still, he was probably the best pass rusher left on the board here. I don’t know if I wouldn’t have gone OLB first and CB here though. Grade: B- 26. Nate Allen, FS, South Florida (Tennessee) – With the selection of Nate Allen, the Titans reinforce my thoughts on taking Berry over Bryant at #3 overall (I had thought about going Bryant and then getting Allen in Round 2). It’s probably a little early for Allen here (I’m sensing a trend with the Titans in that regard), but he’s easily the third best FS prospect in the draft behind Berry and Thomas. If it was me I probably would have tried to trade down a couple spots and still pick up Allen, but it’s possible that Tennessee ran out of time Grade: B+ 27. Mike Iupati, G, Idaho (Dallas) – Dallas gets a great value here in Iupati, as the offensive linemen continue to fall down the board. I like Iupati more as a G than a T, and he should add some youth to an aging Dallas Line. Linemen aren't the sexiest picks, but on a team with only a few holes, it was probably the right pick, especially considering how late in the first he came off the board. Grade: A- 28. Everson Griffen, DE, USC (San Diego) – I don't know what it is, but I always find myself not liking USC players. Maybe that's because it's due to the recent success of that program. Skeet nabs the guy he thinks will replace Shawne Merriam at OLB, and he may be right. Griffen is no doubt an elite athlete, but his motor runs hot and cold. He reminds me a lot of a certain former Ohio State Buckeye in that he's somewhat of a workout warrior, but doesn't always show up for the games. Like Kindle, I think he's very much a boom-or-bust type of project. Still he's probably the best pass rusher left on the board at this point, and Skeet clearly needed that after loosing Merriam in the offseason. Grade: B- 29. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois (Denver) – Here’s the WR for Denver that I talked about earlier. Benn regressed a little bit as a senior, but that was probably more than likely due to the horrible quarterback play for Illinois. Benn has the upside to develop into a #1 receiver at this level, and it’s good that he’ll get some time to learn from Terrell Owens, provided Owens is up for being a mentor at this stage in his career. Grade: A- 30. Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers (Minnesota) – There's another CB out there that I grade out slightly higher than McCourty, who I think will be good, but not necessarily great, as a pro. With Minnesota trading Antoine Winfield (I think), there was a clear hole in the secondary. BK made it clear that his #1 target was Kyle Wilson (who I was not surprised to see go where he did), so McCourty was a bit of a fallback. I probably would have considered a S here had Allen fallen, but CB is probably the right direction to go. Grade: B+ 31. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland (Indianapolis) – I’m not going to lie. I love Bruce Campbell. Primarily because of his name. I mean, it’s Bruce Freakin’ Campbell. I expect Campbell to show up ready to take on the Army of Dead, complete with chainsaw on his arm. (I have the wrong Bruce Campbell? Really? Damn, I thought Boik was really thinking out side the box with this pick). Campbell may be somewhat of a workout warrior, but he should be able to handle things for the Colts. I’d think about putting him at RT and leaving Alberts at LT though. Grade: A- 32. Taylor Mays, SS, USC (New Orleans) – I’m not going to lie. Taylor Mays just might be my least favorite prospect in the entire NFL Draft. I watched Mays take bad angle after bad angle in the Senior Bowl, looking more for the big hit than the smart play. His tackling style makes me cringe, as he will often launch himself like a missile at the target. It makes for great YouTube videos, but doesn’t make for smart football. Mays will have to be completely redeveloped at the NFL level. If he can be properly coached, he’s got the body of a Greek god and could very well reinvent the S position. I just don’t see that happening – like a QB a lot of what I see with Mays I think is already ingrained in his playing style. He’s a project, that’s for sure. Grade: C Overall a few more surprises at the bottom half of the first round as when compared to the top half. My favorite pick out of all of these was probably Golden Tate, who should excel for the 49ers and will be a tremendous complement to the developing Michael Crabtree. I didn’t really care for the Mays and Kindle picks, but that’s mainly because I think these players are more workout warriors than solid NFL players. I'm also really confused by the Price pick. I don't see a spot for him on Green Bay's roster. He has talent, I just wonder when he is going to see the field. Like I said at the top though, this is all just for fun … so don’t take what I said personally. I think, again, most of these picks were very solid and made sense for what the GMs of their respective teams are trying to do.
Sorry, thought I had things ready to go and posted prematurely. My doctor tells me I can take medicine to prevent premature posting ... I have an appointment tomorrow.
I don't know how anyone couldn't think Weatherspoon would be anything but an amazing fit for Atlanta's D.
Hmmm. I'm used to being criticized for my top pick. Getting some praise is a new feeling. Two years ago I was questioned for taking Jarrod Mayo at the top of the 2nd round and last year I was questioned for trading up a few picks (I think to 18) to get Percy Harvin.
I thought Odrick was a great pick, and if not for our glut of talent at DE (IMO) I would love to have him at 12. I would be ok with him at 12 still, just not as excited. I think he can play the nose too though, unlike many people.
Im in the middle as far as to whether I am going to run a 4-3 or a 3-4.... With McClain I may go back to my original plan and run a 34. Davis and McClain inside Williams and Ayers outside
You planning on pairing up a pass rusher with Williams on the outside or are you going to move Williams inside?
When was the last time a team used a two te set as a base formation? The pats had graham as their starting te and david Thomas as h-back. That worked out pretty well for them in 07.
NE used a three TE set in the goal line that year. Two tight ends on each end of the line and then an H-back.
My opinion of the FB position has never been high unless you want to run a lot of power I formation in your offense. Clearly an offense led by Peyton Manning will be proficient as a passing offense. So what's more productive, a TE who may be the safest pick in the draft or a WR who usually take 2-3 years to develop? And you mentioned OL in your criticism of the pick but I addressed that later on at 31.
The problem with a two TE set is the second TE is more of a blocker than a catching TE. Gresham is at best fifth option on your squad now and is a questionable blocker. I like the value of the pick, but like VO said I think Polian would have went OL or even CB.
I don't have a problem with him taking another te. I remember thinking the skins wasted a second round pick on Fred Davis a couple years ago because they already had Cooley. Next thing Cooley snaps an ankle and Davis gets 5 tds in the last 6 games. With Dallas Clark turning I think 30, the pick adds depth and security. I also like two te sets in the red zone as a whole not only on the goal line. Manning is as good at short crossing/timing routes across the middle as anyone.
My pick was kind of BPA. I tried to move up twice to get two players I like and failed both times. Also, there are plenty of players I like but I feel as though they would be major reaches at that point in the draft so it came down to Price or Anthony Davis. I just thought I needed more depth at D-line than O-line. I agree Price is better suited for a 43 but my hope would be that with some coaching and a little added weight he might be able to rotate at nose with Raji. And not that this can happen but I could see in obvious passing situations a defensive formation with just Raji and Price as the two down linemen and the rest LBs and DBs. Thanks for the reviews BTW.
i liked the mayo pick and was pissed you took him a spot or two before me. i took curtis lofton, so it worked out
dallas ran it a lot with martyb and witten the past 2 years, and even then with fasano before he was traded.
Yeah I hated you for taking Lofton... I wound up trading back and drafting Tavares Gooden, who had a decent season last year...
The more weapons I can get on the field at once the better. The fact that I can do it in a manner that will still allow me to dominate the line of scrimmage without running some variation of the spread which I cant stand and create even more mismatches for opponents makes it even harder to defend. Dallas Clark is a serious matchup problem. Now you figure out how to defend Clark AND Gresham with Royal and Gonzalez on the outside. If I want a more traditional version of a two TE formation I put Daniel Graham in to block some poor sap. Exactly, Manning kills those seam routes and crosses. Clark is also usually good for an injury every season where he needs to miss a game or two.
I'll do a shorter summary after the end of the second round. Beyond that I can't promise a lot because my prospect knowledge becomes hit and miss based on what I've looked for.
