As we move on in our three-part series, let's explore some teams who had some interesting drafts that could go either way. These teams had some questions going in, and still have some questions going out. What should we make of these teams?
The Tweeners:
St. Louis? – I was close to putting these guys in the L column. What held me back was the overwhelming promise and potential Chris Long carries with him. Long has all the fundamentals down and is a balanced rusher. He lacks elite speed or strength, but he is a smart rusher who can run sideline to sideline. Simply a pure football player. Adding to that, I think the Rams got steals in CB Justin King out of Penn State and WR Keenan Burton out of Kentucky, both taken in the 4th. The Rams don’t have to overpay either of the two, allowing a grace period where the two can be groomed into elite players at the next level. Both have the potential, but only time will tell. However, what knocks the Rams down are their other choices. WR Donnie Avery in the second round? I think there were a few other winners available here at the same position. Avery has elite mobility and speed, but there are too many question marks. OT John Greco won’t make an immediate impact, and neither will OG Roy Schuening. LB’s Chris Chamberlain and David Vobora are excellent options in the seventh round. Both have assets of their own, and can be developed over time.
Atlanta? – Is Matt Ryan the answer at quarterback? That is the major question here. I do not doubt his physical skills as a passer nor his playmaking ability in the clutch (a la at Virginia Tech), but he simply threw too many INTs in college to make me believe in him as an NFL kind of guy. 31 touchdowns is an impressive number in the ACC, but 19 interceptions is just average at best. Sam Baker should pan out, but he needs to develop his run blocking skills. WR Harry Douglas out of Louisville is quick and a great route runner, but he doesn’t have the top end speed to run away from DB’s. I also obviously like the selection of hometown player Thomas Brown for his quickness, agility, and raw power, but does he have the durability to play in the NFL? Questions like these also hold true for the rest of the players taken. Will Curtis Lofton continue to overcome his size to be an effective linebacker? Will Chevis Jackson’s experience as an SEC corner be adequate enough to overcome his lack of elite speed? Will Kroy Biermann make a smooth transition to OLB from defensive end? There are just too many questions you could ask about this draft class. But in the end, you cannot be measured until there are results.
Cincinnati? – Keith Rivers is a polished OLB ready for the NFL. Pat Sims could also make an immediate impact at DT, but he lacks consistency and stamina. Cincy took a few more shots at defensive players, picking a second DT in Jason Shirley, a safety in Corey Lynch, and another OLB in Angelo Craig. Cincy’s defense has been their downfall the past few years, so any help is help. There are several questions about each of these three, but they all have upsides that could pan out. Matt Sherry adds depth at the TE spot with his receiving abilities and mismatch capabilities. Perhaps the most surprising move is drafting three WRs. Is Cincy preparing to move on without Chad Johnson? It would appear so with picks of Jerome Simpson, the tall, speedy receiver out of Coastal Carolina, Andre Caldwell, a speedy guy with good YAC potential out of Florida, and Mario Urrutia, the tall Red Zone threat out of Louisville who has great hands. But the main question is, are these picks adequate enough to make up for the losses of Chris Henry and Chad Johnson? Carson Palmer hopes so.
New England? – It is obvious what the Pats were after in this one. With Asante Samuel gone and the linebacker corps aging, New England specifically targeted cornerbacks and speedy linebackers. All three of the linebackers drafted have great speed and all project as outside linebackers. Jerod Mayo (thank God he’s gone) out of Tennessee should make an immediate impact, and Shawn Crable from Michigan and Bo Ruud out of Nebraska could soon follow. All three have experience at big schools in big conferences, and all three have pretty good skill sets. The Pats also addressed their CB needs with Terrance Wheatley out of Colorado and Jonathan Wilhite out of Auburn, two more big-school big-conference players with speed. But other than Mayo, do all these guys have what it takes? Big time schools don’t always translate into big time plays at the next level. Another issue with this draft class is NE’s third round pick of quarterback Kevin O’Connell out of San Diego State. Who saw this one coming? O’Connell has a solid skill set, but he is too highly inaccurate to make an impact in the NFL. Besides, doesn’t some guy named Tom Brady or something play under center? Wasting a 3rd round pick on this guy is a little too much for me. Perhaps Bill sees something I don’t…
Buffalo? – Buffalo got three players they needed, two of which could make an immediate impact. Cornerbacks Leodis McKlevin and Reggie Corner have the speed to stay with receivers and both are very athletic. James Hardy fills a need for a top-end, tall WR who can make catches in traffic and has quickness. But other than those three, the rest of the picks are all potential hit or misses. I see a few position changes and no other outright players, other than maybe Xavier Omon, the RB out of Northwest Missouri State. He is a big back who can make the first cut, which can be a nice complement to Marshawn Lynch, but don’t expect a Brandon Jacobs. If some of these other guys can produce above expectation, huge props to the Bills scouting and draft teams. But at the same time, if they turn out to be flops, I don’t think many people will notice.
Detroit? - …didn’t draft a WR in the first round? Times really are changing in Detroit. Godser Cherilus is a gifted run blocker who has the abilities and frame to develop into a good pass blocker as a right tackle, but Jeff Otah was a better selection. Jordon Dizon’s size will be under a lot of scrutiny, but he possesses the speed and coverage ability to be an effective OLB. He is also a gifted tackler and can react quickly. Kevin Smith may turn out to be the best RB in this class. I love his style. He is a big back who isn’t the fastest, but he is quick to the hole and has good vision. It isn’t easy to run for 2,000 yards in a single college season, I don’t care who you are. Andre Fluellen out of Florida State is a potential steal in the late third round at the DT position. But the rest of the picks, with the exception of Army’s feel-good story in Caleb Campbell, are undersized at their positions. Can they overcome their small frames to compete in the NFL?
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