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The first Tight end selected. NFL.com writes-
Pick Analysis: The Bengals fill their biggest void in the passing game with the selection of Jermaine Gresham. He gives the team a legitimate threat in the middle of the field, and his exceptional receiving skills should be a nice complement to Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant. Given Carson Palmer’s struggles a season ago, the Bengals’ revamped aerial attack should help him regain his Pro Bowl form.
Overview
Gresham will likely go later in the draft than he would have last year due to a season-ending knee injury in practice prior to the first game of the 2009 season. He had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee in October. He lacks premier top end speed but can challenge secondaries down the middle thanks to his stride length. Gresham is more of a finesse blocker in line but can and will smother opponents on the second level as well as down field. There are times where it looks like he has lapses of concentration from his route running to missing blocks, but he is smart and can pick things up.
NFL.com writes-
Pick Analysis: The Texans surprisingly take Kareem Jackson over Kyle Wilson as their franchise cornerback. The former Alabama standout has been flying up the charts in recent weeks, and his versatile skill set is a nice fit in the Texans’ scheme. While the argument will be made that Wilson is more talented than Jackson, it is hard to argue against taking a solid player well groomed in a pro-style defensive system.
Overview
Jackson has an excellent combination of size and athleticism for the position. He is a very confident defender that will play tight to his opponent in both man and zone coverage schemes. Jackson shows great foot quickness burst and speed to stay with top receivers. He is an instinctive player that is quick to anticipate and jump routes as plays unfold. He is a competitive player but is inconsistent to as a run support defender. Jackson needs to rap up ball carriers better on the perimeter as well as corralling receivers in the open field. Kareem Jackson is an excellent football player that won’t last long on the first day of the 2010 draft if his shoulder checks out.
NFL.com writes- Weatherspoon is an excellent combination of size, strength and athleticism for the position. He is a tough hard-nosed linebacker that plays with a great motor. Weatherspoon is a solid tackler but not a thumper in this area. He runs well and shows good range in pursuit as well as in coverage. Weatherspoon leverages the ball well with good angles and proper body positioning. He uses his hands well to ward off blockers and maintain gap responsibility. Weatherspoon is an intelligent linebacker that possesses great intangibles that along with physical attributes which should make him a productive player as a rookie.
A center in the first round. Something not seen too often.
NFL.com writes-
Pouncey is a versatile lineman that has lined up at both center and guard. He is a squatty, quick-footed athlete that can roll his hips to redirect and adjust to movement or sink his hips to hunker down against a powerful bull rush by big nose tackles. He is quick with his first step after the snap and quick to get a fit with his hands but will let his weight get too far forward at times. Pouncey had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder in May of 2009 and durability could become a concern down the road. He should be quick to see the playing field thanks to his versatility.
NFL.com writes- Iupati is a massive guard that started three years at Idaho although he did miss some time in 2008 after dealing with offseason shoulder surgery. He is one of the more powerful blockers in the draft and once he gets his hands on opponents it’s pretty much all over. Iupati was born in American Samoa and English is not his native language which can slow down his progress when it comes to learning new schemes and the playbook. While it may take Iupati a bit longer to develop into a front line player, he could have a long and productive career once he settles in.
I was hoping Miami would draft this guy.
NFL.com writes- Morgan has been an extremely productive starter for the Yellow Jackets over the past two seasons. He has a good combination of size and athleticism for a 4-3 defensive end. He doesn’t appear to have the overall athleticism to project him as an outside backer in a 3-4 scheme. Morgan has improved his overall hand use and counter moves as a pass rusher with good quickness to close to the quarterback. He needs to improve his pad level and power at the point as a run defender but gives consistent effort in this phase of the game. Morgan is an excellent football player that should test out well for his dimensions and likely be highly touted in the 2010 draft.
From NFL.com- Pierre-Paul is coming off a big year for the Bulls defense in his first season in the program. Pierre-Paul has a great frame to add additional bulk and strength which should improve him as a run defender. He shows natural quickness and anticipation as an edge rusher and has an expanded package to counter effectively. Pierre-Paul is a disruptive player with good range to run down plays from the backside but lacks the strength at the point of attack to stop the run. He will need to improve his hand use, pad level, strength and technique in this phase of the game at the next level but should fit in well in a 4-3 defensive scheme.
From NFL.com- Thomas is an undersized safety with great straight-line speed. He is an excellent athlete who has good hips and quickness for the safety position. He is competitive athlete who will fill the alley, but scouts question his effectiveness at the next level in that role. He is a solid open-field tackler, leveraging the ball well in the open field. He is an instinctive player who anticipates break points well to make plays in the passing game. He has excellent ball skills and has big-play potential when he makes the interception. Thomas is a very good football player who lacks ideal size but has high value in this year’s draft.
NFL.com writes- Brandon is a short thickly-built player with good athleticism. He has very good initial quickness as an edge rusher but doesn’t have elite speed or range in pursuit. Brandon uses his hands well to control and leverage blockers versus the run as well as to counter as a pass rusher. Graham is the Wolverines’ most disruptive defender and plays with a high motor. He doesn’t have enough burst and lateral agility to excel as a stand up player in the NFL but may be effective in zone blitz schemes in limited coverage responsibilities. Brandon is a good football player who should be productive at the next level in the right defensive scheme.
OTB Sports which is causing me to fall behind. If the blog continues to not cooperate I may abandon this. Sorry folks.
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