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| #17) New England Patriots (From Oakland)- Nate Solder (OT Colorado) |  |
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| It wasn't necessarily a surprise that the Patriots went with an
offensive tackle in the draft, but when, and who, was the surprise. With
the likes of Muhammad Wilkerson and Cam Jordan available, there was
thought that they would go in that direction. But instead they went
with Nate Solder (who was the topic of a Draft Geek Debate) over the
likes of Anthony Castonzo and Gabe Carimi. New England chose to go
with potential, rather than a NFL ready prospect that could come in right away.
But if you look closer at it, Solder fits right in line with what the
Patriots like in their offensive lineman. Look for them to resign Matt
Light to a short term deal and groom Solder behind him.
Grade- C+ |
| #18) San Diego Chargers- Corey Liuget (DT/DE Illinois) |  |
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| Here was another team that was looking for a 5 technique defensive end
to fill a huge hole on their team. They were rumored to be very interested in Cam Jordan, who we consider to be one
of the best 5 techniques in the draft. However,
instead of selecting the proven 3-4 defensive end, the Chargers went
with Corey Liuget. Corey Liuget is a talented player, but is more
suited to play in the 4-3 one gap system. But the Chargers must have
felt that Liuget was a better value than Jordan and went with the
younger player. But we don't necessarily agree.
Grade- C+ |
| #19) New York Giants- Prince Amukamara (CB Nebraska) |  |
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| One of the bigger surprises on draft day was Prince Amukamara sliding
down in the draft. Most people thought that Prince would go no later
than 13 to the Lions. However, with the surprise fall of Nick Fairley,
that sent Prince into an area of unknown. New York had some bigger
issues at offensive tackle, where they could have gone with Anthony
Castonzo or Gabe Carimi. But with a top ten player available to them
at #19, they couldn't pass him up. The Giants were pretty thin
at cornerback last year, and often had to play three safeties to make
up for it. Prince can step in right away and give them three corners
that have lock down ability.
Grade- A+ |
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| #20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Adrian Clayborn (DE Iowa) |  |
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| Most people foresaw the Bucs taking Da'Quan Bowers if he was available here at 20, but Tampa decided to just go with the guy they really felt confident in with Clayborn. They really felt that he was the guy who fit their scheme the best, and before this season Clayborn was projected to go in the Top 10. Now with Gerald McCoy, Brian Price, and Adrian Clayborn, the Buccaneers have a very strong, and energetic defensive line which will allow the to continue to be competitive in the NFC.
Grade- B+ |
| #21) Cleveland Browns- Phil Taylor (NT Baylor) |  |
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| Cleveland did a very nice job trading back and picking up a ton of picks later on, then trading back up to get the guy they really wanted. I'm not a huge Phil Tayor fan, but Cleveland did have a huge need for defensive line help, and Phil Taylor will immediately make them much better against stopping the run. He fits very nicely at nose tackle in their defensive scheme, and I expect them to continue to draft front 7 guys this year, all anchored around Phil Taylor.
Grade- B |
| #22) Indianapolis Colts- Anthony Castonzo (OT Boston College) |  |
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| Most people are giving this pick an A+ grade for Indianapolis, and while it was a very good pick, I'm just not as high on Castonzo as most people are. Indy did the smart, and predictable thing by drafting a tackle, as their pass protection and run blocking last year was horrid. But I have doubts as to whether Castonzo can really be a good left tackle in the league, he would do fine on the right side, but I expect Indy to use him on the left side, which concerns me. Nevertheless, they got a very highly regarded tackle prospect with great value here, so even though I don't love this prospect I give them a B+ grade.
Grade- B+ |
| #23) Philadelphia Eagles- Danny Watkins (Guard Baylor) |  |
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| When I saw the Eagles take Danny Watkins here, I was actually kinda mad at myself that I didn't predict this in my mock, as this is a perfect match. Danny Watkins fits exactly what the Eagles look for in lineman, which is, massive lineman. At 6-4 310, and tremendous brute strength, Watkins can really do some damage do a defensive front. Add into the mix that he played tackle in college, and has above average athleticism, and you've got a tremendous guard prospect. Philly struggled up front last year, so this was also a pressing need. Watkins will be an effective starter for them next year, and will make everybody around him better.
Grade- B+ |
| #24) New Orleans Saints- Cameron Jordan (DE California) |  |
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| I was totally shocked to see Cameron Jordan fall this far on draft day, and this pick goes right up there with Robert Quinn at #14 as the top pick of the first round. Cameron Jordan is exactly what they look for in their defensive ends, they need to have size, and be able to stop the run first, and ideally be able to penetrate as well. Jordan is everything Will Smith and Charles Grant were for them, but even better. He has the size, strength, and power to stop the run, but also is a terrific athlete who can rush the passer. Tremendous steal for New Orleans here at pick #24!
Grade- A+ |
| #25) Seattle Seahawks- James Carpenter (Guard/Tackle Alabama) | |
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| While James Carpenter is a solid guard prospect, and should be an above average starter, this is not at all the type of prospect that should go in the first round. Carpenter played tackle at Alabama, and was very solid, but in all the Alabama games I have watched over the past 2 years, he never once stood out to me as a top prospect. He is the type of guy you pick in round 3, somebody who will be a solid starter for a few years, but in the first round you need to get an impact player, and Carpenter is not that. Poor value here by Seattle.
Grade- D |
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| #26) Kansas City Chiefs- Jonathan Baldwin (WR Pittsburgh) |  |
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| While this pick definitely surprised me, I really do like this pick for Kansas City. After Dwayne Bowe went on his midseason tear last year, teams toward the end of the season started to double and triple team him because the Chiefs had no other weapons. Some are saying that this was a stretch, but I don't think so. Baldwin is a 6-5 230 pound guy, who runs a 4.45 40, with excellent hands. He needs to sharpen up his route running skills, but he immediately makes this team better, and more dangerous.
Grade- B+ |
| #27) Baltimore Ravens- Jimmy Smith (CB Colorado) |  |
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| This is the ideal scenario for both parties here, the Ravens desperately need help at cornerback, and Jimmy Smith needs some help and leadership around him. There is no doubt Smith has the talent and ability to be a Pro-Bowl cornerback, but he has been in a lot of trouble in the past, and has really turned some people off. However, I think Baltimore is the perfect spot for him, where you have veteran leadership like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and a strong locker room that should be able to keep him in line. I see Jimmy Smith playing in many pro-bowls as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Grade- A+ |
| #28) New Orleans Saints- Mark Ingram (RB Alabama) |  |
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| New Orleans is getting a lot of high praises for this pick, and while taking the former Heisman Trophy Winner is not a bad move, I'm just not in love with this pick like many are. New Orleans already has about 5 guys capable of being above average running backs, granted they have all been injured, but I don't think New Orleans flopped in the playoff last year because of their running game. After stealing Cam Jordan a few picks earlier, I really would have liked to see the Saints take a Linebacker here like Akeem Ayers, somebody who can help them stop the run, which was the real reason they lost to Seattle last year. Solid pick, but not the way I would have used it.
Grade- C+ |
| #29) Chicago Bears- Gabe Carimi (OT Wisconsin) |  |
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| If you were to tell a Bears fan that they wouldn't have to move up, and
could still get Gabe Carimi at #29 I don't think they'd believe you.
Chicago almost traded with Baltimore to get Carimi, but the
trade fell through at the last second, however Carimi was still available at 29 and they wasted
little time making the selection. Carimi comes in, and will be an
immediate starter at either tackle spot, or even guard. Lets just say
Jay Cutler is a happy man. He just got engaged to Kristen Cavallari,
and now just got one of the best lineman in the draft. That might
actually put a smile on his face.
Grade- A |
| #30) New York Jets- Muhammad Wilkerson (DE Temple) |  |
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| As good as the Jets defense has been, they have been pretty thin on the defensive line. They really don't have anybody at the 5 Technique Spot who can really stir up an opponents backfield, but Wilkerson is the perfect man for the job. He has the ideal size at 6-4 315, and terrific athleticism which allows him to control 2 gaps and stop the run, all the while being able to penetrate and slip into the backfield. Because he played at Temple, Wilkerson really goes under the radar, but I think he will really open some peoples eyes to how good he is.
Grade- A |
| #31) Pittsburgh Steelers- Cameron Heyward (DE Ohio State) |  |
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| Very good job by Pittsburgh picking up Cam Heyward who I view as one of the most underrated players in the draft. The reason I give them only a B grade though, is that their offensive line was so bad last year, and with Derek Sherrod staring them in the face, I don't really agree with the decision to pass on him. I confidently view Sherrod as the draft's #1 tackle prospect, and think he would have been a great fit in Pittsburgh. That being said, Cam Heyward is also a great fit, and I think he will be one of the leagues better 5 Technique players in few years.
Grade- B |
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| #32) Green Bay Packers- Derek Sherrod (OT Mississippi State) |  |
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| Even though offensive tackle really wasn't a pressing need for the Packers, they were in a position to make a luxury pick, and did a great job picking up who I believe to be the classes #1 tackle. Although Chad Clifton did play very well last year is 34, so it makes sense to draft a good replacement for him. This also is protects Green Bay in case one of their top 2 tackles gets injured. All the way around this is a smart decision that helps Green Bay on many different levels.
Grade- A |
