NFL Draft 2008 – Round 6

| Sunday, April 27, 2008

The 6th round of the 2008 NFL Draft is underway.

1(167) Dallas (From Miami) Erik Walden DE MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
Walden excels at getting to the quarterback and has experience lining up at linebacker and end. This is the second pick in a row on which we feel Dallas has reached; Walden isn’t big enough to hold his ground at defensive end position and his speed will make it difficult for him to be effective in coverage as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

2(168) Washington (From St Louis) Durant Brooks PT GEORGIA TECH
He was the best punter at the college level last year, winning the Ray Guy award. This was a major need for the Redskins and they took the best punter available.

3(169) Oakland Trevor Scott DE BUFFALO
Scott lined up at tight end for his first three seasons at Buffalo, but he was moved to defensive end because of the lack of depth there. The fact that he played one season at defensive end means he has a lot of work to do in terms of technique, but he did a good job getting to the quarterback and is showing potential to develop into a productive pass-rusher.

4(170) Kansas City Barry Richardson OT CLEMSON
His lack of a mean streak is a concern. He should be a better drive blocker for a player with his size. That being said, he moves well for his size and has long arms to ride edge rushers past the pocket.

5(171) NY Jets Marcus Henry WR KANSAS
He’s a smooth route-runner with good size and he’s not afraid to go over the middle. However, his lack of ideal upper-body strength is a concern because physical corners can muscle him off routes. In addition, he drops some catchable balls.

6(172) Atlanta Thomas Brown RB GEORGIA
There are concerns about his ability to stay healthy and he doesn’t have breakaway speed. He reads his blocks well, though, and his small stature means linebackers have trouble finding hem. He fits as a between-the-tackles runner and has good hands out of the backfield.

7(173) Houston (From Baltimore) Dominique Barber S MINNESOTA
He plays a lot like his older brother — Dallas RB Marion Barber: aggressive and physical. Dominique fills hard in run support and fights off blocks, though he has limitations in coverage because he doesn?t have great speed or ideal athletic ability.

8(174) San Francisco Josh Morgan WR VIRGINIA TECH
Morgan isn’t much of a threat after the catch and he takes far too many plays off. On the other hand, he has good quickness and changes directions well for his size, so he can get open underneath. He can also contribute on special teams.

9(175) Tampa Bay (From Chicago) Geno Hayes OLB FLORIDA STATE
Hayes is an excellent value at this pick, especially for a Cover 2 team like the Bucs. Although he has problems anchoring against the run, he has good instincts and sideline-to-sideline range as a run defender. He can also cover a lot of ground in zone coverage.

10(176) Miami (From Detroit) Jalen Parmele RB TOLEDO
He’s a big back who runs hard between the tackles and catches the ball well. He also has good top-end speed, but he takes too long to reach it. As a result, he’s going to have a hard time turning the corner at the NFL level.

11(177) Cincinnati Corey Lynch S APPALACHIAN ST
He isn’t big enough to line up in the box and he doesn’t have great man-to-man coverage skills. However, he is a sound tackler who fills hard in run support, makes the occasional big play on defense and will contribute on special teams.

12(178) New Orleans Taylor Mehlhaff PK WISCONSIN
We are surprised to see Mehlhaff as the first place kicker to come off the board because his mechanics are inconsistent. However, he has excellent range, so he can kick on deep field goal attempts and get touchbacks on kickoffs.

13(179) Buffalo Xavier Omon RB NW MISSOURI ST
He is a big back who makes a crisp first cut and gets upfield in a hurry. However, he isn’t quick enough to turn the corner at the NFL level and he doesn’t have breakaway speed.

14(180) Washington (From Denver through St Louis) Kareem Moore S NICHOLLS STATE
Moore is a playmaker both in coverage and as a return man. He also has good size and the potential to develop into an in-the-box safety, but he faces a steep learning curve.

15(181) Carolina Nick Hayden DT WISCONSIN
He has good size with the ability to put weight on and not lose quickness. He is a very active player with a high motor. He shows the ability to collapse the pocket with power moves, but is not a great athlete and he lacks some explosiveness. He needs to locate the ball better.

16(182) Kansas City (From Minnesota) Kevin Robinson WR UTAH STATE
Robinson isn’t fast enough to stretch the field and he’s going to get pushed around by physical corners. However, he shows good body control and he isn’t afraid to go over the middle. He’s also an effective return man who should make immediate contributions on special teams.

17(183) Denver (From Houston) Spencer Larsen ILB ARIZONA
He is a tough and instinctive inside linebacker with good awareness in pass coverage. He plays with a mean streak and he is not the type of guy you want to meet in a dark alley. He plays too high at times and has trouble shedding blocks. He is overaggressive at times and finds himself out of position.

18(184) Philadelphia Michael Gibson OG CALIFORNIA
Gibson has a quick first step and he sustains his blocks once he’s in position. Although he plays with a mean streak he doesn?t appear to have great lower-body strength, so he isn’t going to drive defenders off the ball. He’s also had problems staying healthy.

19(185) Arizona Christopher Harrington DE TEXAS A&M
He is a high-motor player who has good athletic ability, but he might never develop into an every-down player. He lacks the speed to consistently get to the quarterback off the edge and struggles to hold his own when teams run at him.

20(186) Washington Colt Brennan QB HAWAII
Brennan put up outstanding numbers at Hawaii. He’s quick enough to buy time in the pocket and accurate enough to lead receivers when throwing underneath. However, there are substantial concerns about the Hawaii spread scheme inflating his numbers and he doesn’t have great arm strength, either. His recent hip surgery raises concerns about Brennan’s ability to stay healthy.

21(187) Minnesota (From Tampa Bay through Kansas City) John Sullivan OC NOTRE DAME
He is an excellent value at this point in the draft. While he doesn’t have great lateral mobility, he masks this weakness by locking out his arms and riding pass rushers down the line. He is also a physical drive-blocker. Vikings now have an heir apparent for an aging Matt Birk.

22(188) Pittsburgh Mike Humpal OLB IOWA
Humpal is an instinctive linebacker; he reads his keys very well and is able to locate the ball carrier quickly. He also plays with sound leverage and does a good job of wading through traffic. He is a solid open-field tackler. However, he’s a bit stiff in the hips and might struggle to run with tight ends, and Humpal needs to work on utilizing his hands better.

23(189) Seattle (From Tennessee) Tyler Schmitt LS SAN DIEGO STATE
He is a four-year long snapper who is accurate and puts good zip on the ball. He is also an adequate open-field tackler.

24(190) Cleveland (From Seattle) Ahtyba Rubin DT IOWA STATE
At this point, Rubin plays with too narrow of a base and not enough leverage. In addition, he’s never going to be a great pass-rusher. But he has the size and quickness to develop into an effective nose tackle once his technique improves.

25(191) Cleveland (From Philadelphia) Paul Hubbard WR WISCONSIN
He has the athletic ability and size to make plays in the red zone. He also has the speed and body control to make plays downfield, but he needs to improve his route-running and become more consistent catching the ball.

26(192) San Diego DeJuan Tribble CB BOSTON COLLEGE
Tribble has good short-area cover skills; he quick and athletic. He can also contribute in the return game. However, he gets pushed around by bigger receivers and he isn’t fast enough to run with receivers down field.

27(193) Minnesota (From Jacksonville) Jaymar Johnson WR JACKSON STATE
He is a big-play threat both as a receiver and a punt-retuner, but he’s also undersized and lacks ideal upper-body strength. He is going to have problems beating press coverage and he will get muscled out of some routes.

28(194) Pittsburgh (From Green Bay through NY Giants) Ryan Mundy S WEST VIRGINIA
Mundy has had some problems staying healthy, and he doesn’t have great top-end speed or the ability to change directions quickly. On the plus side, he hass experience lining up at both corner and safety.

29(195) Miami (From Dallas) Donald Thomas OG CONNECTICUT
He displays adequate feet, bends naturally in the knees, displays brute strength and does a good job rooting defenders off the ball. Does not possess elite lower-body strength and struggles to adjust on the fly while trying to hit moving targets.

30(196) Indianapolis Michael Santi TE VIRGINIA
Santi isn’t going to knock defenders off the ball or burn defenses deep. But he is a better football player than athlete. He gets into position as a blocker, runs good routes and can contribute as a blocker in the return game.

31(197) New England Bo Ruud OLB NEBRASKA
He has good straight-line speed and also takes sound angles in pursuit. He is a solid open-field tackler, shows good instincts in zone coverage and good quickness when closing in coverage. He lacks ideal athleticism, though, and is stiff in the hips.

32(198) NY Giants Andre Woodson QB KENTUCKY
The hitch in Woodson’s release played a big role in his poor showing at the Senior Bowl and caused his stock to plummet. In addition, he makes questionable decisions and telegraphs some of his throws. He does, however, have great size, excellent arm strength and he shows toughness in the pocket.

33(199) NY Giants Robert Henderson DE SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
He is big enough to hold his own against the run and can collapse the pocket as a pass rusher, but he doesn’t have great speed and is going to have a harder time at the NFL level.

34(200) Philadelphia Joe Mays ILB NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Mays has adequate size, good instincts and plays with a great motor. He’s also a sound tackler and flashes the ability to make the big hit, but he isn?t a sideline-to-sideline run defender and he has limitations in coverage.

35(201) Indianapolis Steven Justice OC WAKE FOREST
He shows great initial quickness. He is able to snap the ball and gets into position very quickly. He moves well laterally and can cut off defenders down the line, but he needs to work on overall strength, especially in his lower body.

36(202) Indianapolis Mike Hart RB MICHIGAN
At one time he was a first-round prospect, but he dropped due to pre-draft workouts. He is a natural runner who displays great patience setting up his blocks. He is very slippery and is able to break arm tackles. But he is very undersized, lacks top-end speed and shows an inability to be very helpful in pass-protection.

37(203) Philadelphia Andrew Studebaker DE WHEATON
Studebaker is a ‘tweener; he’s not big enough to holdup against the run as an end and might not have enough athletic ability to develop into an every-down outside linebacker. Also, he doesn’t show great instincts. However, he has good quickness and he closes well, so he can get to the quarterback.

38(204) Miami Lex Hilliard RB MONTANA
Hilliard lined up at running back at Montana and should be a productive short-yardage runner at the NFL level. However, he’s probably going to fit better at fullback in the NFL; he doesn’t have great speed or elusiveness. It will also take some time for him to develop as a blocker.

39(205) Indianapolis Pierre Garcon WR MT UNION
He shows solid quickness off the ball and possesses a good burst in and out of breaks. He adjusts well to poorly thrown balls and he’s not afraid to go over the middle and shows solid strength after the catch. He lacks top-end speed and elusiveness in the open field.

40(206) Baltimore Haruki Nakamura S CINCINNATI
He was a tackling machine in college with good instincts, but he is a strong safety in a free safety’s body.

41(207) Cincinnati Matt Sherry TE VILLANOVA
His size causes matchup problems for safeties. He can make plays downfield and has good hands, but he offers little as a blocker at this point.

FEATURED POST: NFL Draft 2008 – Round 6- Dallas Cowboys – DE Erik Walden

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NFL Draft 2008 – Round 5

| Sunday, April 27, 2008

The 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft is underway. Here are the results, as reported by ESPN:

1(136) Detroit (From Miami through Kansas City) Kenneth Moore WR WAKE FOREST
He is an undersized receiver who doesn’t have great top-end speed, but he is a fluid route-runner who catches the ball well. He is sub-package receiver who fits in as a No. 4 wide receiver.

2(137) Minnesota (From St Louis through Green Bay) John David Booty QB USC
Booty doesn’t have elite arm strength or size, but he moves his feet well and is accurate, making him a perfect fit for a West Coast offense.

3(138) Atlanta Robert James OLB ARIZONA STATE
He is an undersized guy who struggles when teams run at him because he isn’t big or strong enough to anchor. But he is quick enough to make plays in the backfield and has the ability to develop and play in man-to-man coverage.

4(139) Denver (From Oakland) Ryan Torain RB ARIZONA STATE
Torain was slowed by ankle, knee and foot injuries last year. To make matters worse, he isn’t very elusive and he runs high, so he takes big hits. On the flip side, he’s a no-nonsense, north-south runner who excels at getting yards after contact.

5(140) Kansas City Brandon Carr CB GRAND VALLEY ST
He has good size for a cornerback with good athletic ability and decent speed, but he will struggle against quicker receivers.

6(141) Carolina (From N.Y. Jets) Gary Barnidge TE LOUISVILLE
Barnidge adjusts well to passes thrown outside his frame and is big enough to develop into a productive red zone target. Although he has the frame to get bigger, he’s undersized and can get driven back when lined up at the traditional tight end spot.

7(142) Chicago (From Carolina) Zack Bowman CB NEBRASKA
He missed all of 2006 and started just four games last year, which makes him difficult to evaluate. He is a developmental prospect who has to work on his footwork, but there is a lot to like about his blend of size and speed.

8(143) Dallas (From Chicago through Buffalo and Jacksonville) Orlando Scandrick CB BOISE STATE
Scandrick probably would’ve been better off returning for his senior year to work on his footwork and add some weight to his frame. On the other hand, he’s fast enough to run with receivers downfield and he opens his hips quickly. He also has shown a knack for blocking kicks and he can make an impact in the return game.

9(144) New Orleans (From Detroit) DeMario Pressley DT NORTH CAROLINA ST
He has had problems staying healthy, and he plays with a narrow base and gets driven off the ball at times. But Pressley has a strong upper body that allows him to shed blocks and the closing speed to get to the quarterback.

10(145) Cincinnati Jason Shirley DT FRESNO STATE
This is a surprising pick because Shirley comes with serious character issues. In addition, he is raw and tends to wear down quickly. Although we see this as a reach, he does possess good size and is very quick when he’s fresh.

11(146) Detroit (From New Orleans) Jerome Felton FB FURMAN
He isn?t a dominant lead blocker and will not put linebackers on their backs. He isn’t an explosive open-field runner either, but he’s adequate in both areas. Felton can reach linebackers at the second level and he is an effective short-yardage runner.

12(147) Buffalo Alvin Bowen OLB IOWA STATE
He isn’t fast enough to move to safety and might lack the size to become an every-down linebacker. His instincts, motor and open-field tackling should make him a valuable reserve and special teams contributor.

13(148) Denver Carlton Powell DT VIRGINIA TECH
He lacks the closing speed to develop into an effective pass rusher. He misses the occasional open-field tackle, but he plays with good leverage and has the upper-body strength to shed blocks. He is a better run-stopper than his size would suggest.

14(149) Arizona Timothy Hightower RB RICHMOND
Hightower is elusive and doesn’t show a second gear in the open field, so he won’t break many long runs. On the plus side, he’s a tough between-the-tackles runner who shows good vision and almost always falls forward. He also catches the ball well.

15(150) Green Bay (From Minnesota) Breno Giacomini OT LOUISVILLE
He is a developmental prospect who needs to learn how to control his emotions. He needs to improve his punch, but he has an excellent frame with long arms to ride edge rushers past the pocket.

16(151) Houston Frank Okam DT TEXAS
He’s a classic underachiever. Although he has outstanding size and flashes great lateral mobility, he’s extremely inconsistent. He takes far too many plays off and he appears to wear down. There are also questions about his work ethic and love for the game.

17(152) Minnesota (From Philadelphia) Letroy Guion DT FLORIDA STATE
He is a one-gap defensive tackle with an explosive first step who can make plays in the backfield. He plays to the whistle and flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly, but doesn’t have great size. He struggles to anchor when teams run at him.

18(153) New England (From Tampa Bay) Matt Slater WR UCLA
He went to UCLA as a wideout, got injured then moved to corner. As a result, he’s raw and needs some time to work on his technique. Still, the Patriots do a great job of finding special teams players in the middle rounds, and Slater is excellent in that phase.

19(154) Atlanta (From Washington) Kroy Biermann OLB MONTANA
He played defensive end in college but i?s not big enough to play there in the NFL. As a result, he will move to outside linebacker. He doesn’t have great speed but shows good instincts in coverage and doesn’t get caught out position.

20(155) Jacksonville (From Cleveland through Dallas) Thomas Williams OLB USC
He’s a very instinctive, smart player who plays physically and with a mean streak. He also shows good versatility; he’s able to play all three linebacker positions. He displays excellent awareness in coverage and breaks on the ball well. He also should be able to contribute on special teams immediately. On the down side, he doesn’t have great top-end speed or sideline-to-sideline range.

21(156) Pittsburgh Dennis Dixon QB OREGON
His stock dropped after he tore his ACL during his senior year, but he made great strides as a passer last season. He has great speed to develop into a reserve receiver. He could be the heir to Charlie Batch, and in the meantime he could see some time as a receiver. His ability to throw the ball allows the Steelers to work in some gadget plays.

22(157) St. Louis (From Tennessee through Washington) Roy Schuening OG OREGON STATE
He doesn’t have elite size, doesn’t change directions well in pass protection and he occasionally loses his balance. It’s also worth pointing out that he’s a relentless drive-blocker who plays with a mean streak and works to the whistle on every play.

23(158) Chicago (From Seattle through Jacksonville and Tampa Bay) Kellen Davis TE MICHIGAN STATE
He should be a better blocker for his size and he isn’t a crisp route-runner. There is no doubt he has awesome potential, though, as he is fast enough to chase balls down, has the wide frame to develop into a red zone target and is big enough to emerge as a quality blocker.

24(159) Jacksonville Trae Williams CB SOUTH FLORIDA
The biggest concern about Williams is his size. He gets pushed around by bigger wideouts and he doesn’t offer much in run support. On the other hand, he has the fluid hips, enough top-end speed and the ball skills to develop into a quality nickelback.

25(160) Tampa Bay (From San Diego through New England) Josh Johnson QB SAN DIEGO
The learning curve is higher for Johnson after playing at a small school. He is going to have to learn how to read the more complicated defenses in the NFL but has tremendous potential. He has quick feet and is dangerous as a scrambler, and he rarely tucks and runs too soon. He also has a strong arm.

26(161) Indianapolis Marcus Howard OLB GEORGIA
We thought Howard would land on a 3-4 team willing to move him to outside linebacker. That said, he’s also a good fit for a Cover 2 scheme like that of the Colts. Although he lacks ideal size and needs to improve his ability to defend the run, he has very good quickness and shows good closing speed when he gets a clear path to the quarterback.

27(162) NY Jets (From Green Bay) Erik Ainge QB TENNESSEE
He doesn’t have great mobility and he has only adequate arm strength, but has the potential to develop into an excellent game manager. He makes good decisions, reads defenses well and is a leader on the field.

28(163) Seattle (From Dallas) Owen Schmitt FB WEST VIRGINIA
Although Schmitt doesn’t always play with great leverage, he’s tough, has good size and possesses the lower-body strength to drive linebackers back once he gets in position. He doesn’t have great speed but he is an effective short-yardage runner.

29(164) New Orleans (From New England) Carl Nicks OT NEBRASKA
He plays far too high and doesn’t slide well in pass-protection. He is a developmental prospect who will have to develop his technique before pushing for significant playing time. However, he has outstanding size and the quickness to develop into a starting right tackle.

30(165) NY Giants Jonathan Goff ILB VANDERBILT
Goff lined up at middle linebacker last year but is arguably a better fit on the outside. He doesn?t have great lower-body strength and takes too long to disengage from blockers. On the other hand, he has good size, shows great range and is a strong open-field tackler.

31(166) San Diego Marcus Thomas RB UTEP
He has good size with adequate top-end speed, but this is a serious reach in our opinion. He dances far too much in the backfield and has a tendency to carry the ball away from his frame, which makes him vulnerable to fumbling

FEATURED POST: NFL Draft 2008 – Round 5 – Dallas Cowboys – CB Orlando Scandrick

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NFL Draft 2008 – Round 4

| Sunday, April 27, 2008

The 4th round of the 2008 NFL Draft is now underway. Some analysis from Scouts, Inc.:

1(100) Oakland (From Miami through Dallas) Tyvon Branch CB CONNECTICUT
Branch has good speed for the position and good short-area man skills. He can also contribute in the return game, but he isn’t very explosive. He will provide depth behind DeAngelo Hall and will also play on special teams.

2(101) St. Louis Justin King CB PENN STATE
King is the ultimate tease. He’s talented but just doesn’t finish plays. He doesn’t get his head turned around in time when running with receivers down the field and doesn’t time jumps very well either.

3(102) Green Bay (From NY Jets) Jeremy Thompson DE WAKE FOREST
Thompson is not a great run-stopper due to a lack of size. He has the frame to get bigger, though, and he is relentless. He will improve as he gets bigger. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is getting up there in years, and the Packers are obviously building depth along the defensive line.

4(103) Tennessee (From Atlanta through Washington) William Hayes DE WINSTON SALEM
At 6-foot-2, 258 pounds, Hayes is an undersized defensive end who may be a better fit at outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. This pick seems like a huge reach.

5(104) Cleveland (From Oakland through Dallas) Beau Bell ILB NEVADA LAS VEGAS
Bell is a big, instinctive tackling machine who fits best as a two-down inside linebacker in a 3-4. The Browns needed to move up to get a position of need, and with Andre Davis coming off a down year in 2007, Bell looks like his eventual replacement.

6(105) Kansas City William Franklin WR MISSOURI
Franklin has had some problems staying healthy and occasionally drops passes he should catch, but he does have a good combination of size and speed.

7(106) Baltimore Marcus Smith WR NEW MEXICO
Smith has good size and enough speed to stretch the field, but he isn’t a great route runner and drops some passes. Still, he will provide depth in the receiving corps, as the Ravens are trying to find playmakers and Derrick Mason is getting older.

8(107) San Francisco Cody Wallace OC TEXAS A&M
Wallace is a technician who gets into position well and sustains his blocks, but he isn’t an overpowering run-blocker and has problems redirecting in pass protection.

9(108) Denver Kory Lichtensteiger OC BOWLING GREEN
Lichtensteiger can play center or guard and plays with a mean streak, but he lacks athletic ability and struggles in pass protection. He will provide depth on the offensive line, however.

10(109) Philadelphia (From Carolina) Michael McGlynn OG PITTSBURGH
McGlynn could be the heir apparent to the Eagles’ aging tackles. He might be a better fit at guard, but he has experience at right tackle and is an excellent drive-blocker.

11(110) Miami (From Chicago) Shawn Murphy OG UTAH STATE
Murphy is a small-school prospect with good quickness for his size, but he needs to develop a mean streak. With this pick the Dolphins are continuing to build depth on the offensive line.

12(111) Cleveland (From Detroit through Dallas) Martin Rucker TE MISSOURI
Rucker shows good athletic ability for his size and is a fluid route-runner, but he isn’t a great drive-blocker and isn’t fast enough to stretch the field at the NFL level.

13(112) Cincinnati Anthony Collins OT KANSAS
Collins has good size with the frame to get bigger. He is a developmental prospect who will have to learn to play on the right side. The Bengals add depth to the offensive line with this pick, as there are concerns about Willie Andrews and Levi Brown, who didn’t play up to speed last year

14(113) NY Jets (From New Orleans through Green Bay) Dwight Lowery CB SAN JOSE STATE
Lowery is a playmaker who changes directions well and shows good burst out of his backpedal. He gets pushed around too much, though, and is going to struggle to run with pro wideouts.

15(114) Buffalo Reggie Corner CB AKRON
Corner has good athletic ability and top-end speed but can be pushed around by physical receivers. Buffalo continues to address its need in the secondary with this pick, adding depth to an area that was a weakness last year largely because of a lack of pressure on the quarterback.

16(115) Tampa Bay (From Philadelphia though Miami and Chicago) Dre Moore DT MARYLAND
Moore is a one-gap, athletic defensive tackle with great upside. But he’s one of the most consistent players in this year’s draft on film.

17(116) Arizona Kenny Iwebema DE IOWA
He’s athletic and has the frame to develop into an effective run stopper, but doesn’t have great closing speed off the edge. This is the second DE the Cardinals selected in the draft and Iwebema will provide depth at this position.

18(117) Philadelphia (From Minnesota) Quintin Demps S UTEP
Demps isn’t great in run support and his footwork is a little inconsistent. But he has great speed and can play a centerfielder-type role.

19(118) Houston Xavier Adibi OLB VIRGINIA TECH
Adibi will struggle in run support, but is a good value here. He has good sideline-to-sideline speed and can run with backs in coverage.

20(119) Denver (From Washington) Jack Williams CB KENT
Williams has the instincts and athletic ability to become an effective No. 2 corner. He’s also an excellent player on special teams. Still, he doesn’t have great size, so he’s going to have problems slowing receivers down at the line of scrimmage.

21(120) Chicago (From Tampa Bay) Craig Steltz S LSU
Does not have great speed, but he is a playmaker who jumps underneath routes. He is very good in run support and a good blitzer when called upon.

22(121) Seattle Red Bryant DT TEXAS A&M
Bryant has excellent size and is quick enough to disrupt running plays in the backfield. However, he’s a one-dimensional run-stopper; he doesn’t have great closing speed and isn’t an effective bull-rusher.

23(122) Dallas (From Cleveland) Tashard Choice RB GEORGIA TECH
He doesn’t have breakaway speed and can put the ball on the ground, but Choice reads his blocks well and is a north-south runner who falls forward. This is the second RB the Cowboys drafted and he will provide depth. Also, there may be concern about getting Marion Barber signed long term.

24(123) NY Giants (From Pittsburgh) Bryan Kehl OLB BYU
Kehl plays too high, so he has problems anchoring against the run and lacks ideal man-to-man cover skills. However, there’s a lot to like about his upside. He has good speed, is athletic and has the frame to get bigger.

25(124) Washington (From Tennessee) Justin Tryon CB ARIZONA STATE
He plays bigger than his size suggests and opens his hips well. Tryon is comfortable in press coverage, but bigger receivers can shield him from the ball and struggles tackling bigger ball carriers.

26(125) Oakland (From Jacksonville through Baltimore) Arman Shields WR RICHMOND
Shields sustained a season-ending knee injury early in the 2007 season. He doesn’t have great size, but played very well against Vanderbilt in the 2007 season-opener, quieting concerns about his ability to make the jump to the NFL. He’s fearless going over the middle and fast enough to stretch the field.

27(126) Tennessee (From Dallas) Lavelle Hawkins WR CALIFORNIA
He is another receiver who will get pushed around at times and doesn’t have great top-end speed. But he runs good routes. Even though this was the first WR the Titans drafted, this is a good value pick.

28(127) Indianapolis Jacob Tamme TE KENTUCKY
Tamme is a wideout trapped in a tight end’s body. Although he may never become an effective in-line blocker, he has excellent speed and catches the ball in stride.

29(128) St. Louis (From Green Bay) Keenan Burton WR KENTUCKY
He is quicker than fast and isn’t a great vertical threat. He does show excellent body control and flashes the ability to make spectacular catches. This is the second WR taken by the Rams. They had a need with the loss of Isaac Bruce and the underwhelming production of Drew Bennett. He fits better as a No. 2, rather than Donnie Avery, who was the first receiver taken off the board.

30(129) New England Jonathan Wilhite CB AUBURN
Although Wilhite is susceptible to getting flagged for pass interference and defensive holding, there’s a lot to like about his physical style of play. If he learns to play with better discipline, he could develop into an effective press corner for his size. In addition, he has very good speed.

31(130) Pittsburgh (From NY Giants) Tony Hills OT TEXAS
He is coming off a season-ending leg injury and needs to work on using his hands to control defenders. But he has the size and mobility to develop into an excellent right tackle or adequate left tackle.

32(131) Philadelphia Jack Ikegwuonu CB WISCONSIN
Unfortunately, Ikegwuonu sustained a serious knee injury while preparing for the combine. He’s not expected to play this season, making his selection by Philadelphia puzzling. Before the injury he was a physical corner who used his hands well and could slow down wideouts at the line of scrimmage. However, he’s never had great speed and the injury makes that more of a concern. In fact, he may have to move to safety.

33(132) Buffalo Derek Fine TE KANSAS
He lacks ideal size and isn’t ever going to be an in-line blocker. But he’s versatile enough to line up at fullback and is a smooth route runner who reads defenses well.

34(133) Baltimore David Hale OT WEBER STATE
Hale has adequate feet and uses his hands well. He also sustains his blocks and plays with a mean streak. At times will play too high and hasn’t shown good lower-body strength.

35(134) Tennessee Stanford Keglar OLB PURDUE
He is a sideline-to-sideline run defender with good size. But he has problems running with backs and tight ends in man-to-man coverage.

36(135) Green Bay Josh Sitton OT CENTRAL FLORIDA
Sitton has excellent size, but lacks ideal explosiveness and range. He might be a better fit at guard.

FEATURED POSTS:

• NFL Draft 2008 – Round 4 – Dallas Trades Down Again – And Again!- And Again!

• NFL Draft 2008 – Round 4 – Dallas Cowboys – RB Tashard Choice

Tags | James Joyner, NFL 2008 NFL Draft, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, James Joyner, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

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NFL Draft 2008 – Round 3

| Sunday, April 27, 2008

I’ll limit my coverage of the second day of the 2008 NFL draft to summaries from ESPN and Scouts, Inc. and separate analysis of the picks made by the Dallas Cowboys and any particularly newsworthy picks by other teams.

64. Detroit Lions

The pick: Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida

What he brings: Smith can dance in the backfield too much and he’s a little bit of an upright runner, so he takes some big hits. However, he does an excellent job of reading his blocks and shows good burst in the hole. He also has good vision and enough lateral mobility to make defenses pay when they overpursue.

How he fits: This is a good move to trade up and get Smith. With guys like Tatum Bell, Aveion Cason and Brian Calhoun, Smith will be able to come in right away and compete to be a feature back. The Lions have put a heavy emphasis on running the football and Smith can be a two-down back in this offense. The league has become a two-back league and Smith can fit as part of a 1-2 punch.

65. St. Louis Rams

The pick: John Greco, OT, Toledo

What he brings: Greco lined up at left tackle for Toledo, but chances are he’s going to have to play right tackle in the NFL. Although he has good initial quickness, he lacks ideal agility and has some problems redirecting in pass protection. Also, he’s going to have to learn to play with better leverage if he’s going to develop into a dominate drive-blocker.

How he fits: This pick makes sense because the Rams had to address the line on Day 2. Greco can hopefully be the heir apparent at right tackle once Orlando Pace retires and Alex Barron moves to left tackle. The Rams were hit hard with injuries on the offensive line last season and depth at the tackle position is key for this team. The Rams have enough players on offense, but the offensive line struggled last year.

66. Miami Dolphins

The pick: Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton

What he brings: Langford’s never going to be an elite pass-rusher. He simply doesn’t have the explosiveness or agility to get to the quarterback off the edge on a consistent basis. On the other hand, he has the makings of an excellent 3-4 end. He has good size and the frame to get even bigger, show good lower-body strength and has the upper-body strength to control blockers.

How he fits: It’s obvious the Dolphins are building the trenches on both sides of the ball. Langford is a perfect fit as 3-4 defensive end. Along with second-rounder Phillip Merling, the Dolphins are preparing for the eventual departure of Jason Taylor.

67. Carolina Panthers

The pick: Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa

What he brings: He has limitations in man coverage because he takes too long to open his hips when he’s forced to turn and run downfield. However, he shows good burst coming out of his backpedal and is a playmaker. He can line-up at safety and is an outstanding special teams player.

How he fits: He is a versatile player who can come in and contribute at safety or corner. Both Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas have struggled at times to meet expectations and the Panthers still have some holes at free safety. Also, don’t be surprised if Richard Marshall works out at safety as well during the offseason.

68. Atlanta Falcons

The pick: Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU

What he brings: Jackson doesn’t have great speed or hip fluidity, so you’re taking a risk if you put him on an island. On the plus side, he has excellent college experience at the highest level and simply doesn’t make many mistakes. He’s physical in both coverage and run support.

How he fits: With the trade of DeAngelo Hall to the Raiders and the signing of Von Hutchins, the Falcons had to address needs at cornerback due to the lack of depth. He will fit in well with defensive coordinator Bryan VanGorder’s zone schemes. He is a smart and instinctive player.

69. San Diego Chargers

The pick: Jacob Hester, RB, LSU

What he brings: Hester is a bit of a reach because he doesn’t have elite skills. He lacks ideal size, speed and athleticism. Hester, however, is a far better football player than athlete. He runs very hard between the tackles, does a good job getting in position as a blocker and is a reliable receiver out of the backfield.

How he fits: This is another solid pick by A.J. Smith. Since FB Lorenzo Neal is no longer there, he can fill their need along with Andrew Pinnock. Hester is a very good football player, but he is not going to be a pounder like Neal or Pinnock. Still, he understands angles and can adjust to moving targets as a fullback out of the backfield. He is also a good receiver out of the backfield and a short-yardage runner.

70. Chicago Bears

The pick: Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt

What he brings: Bennett doesn’t have the explosiveness to consistently separate from man coverage and isn’t a big-play threat after the catch. But he reads defenses pretty well, can make catches in traffic and is a crisp route runner. He’s a tough player and has no qualms about going over the middle.

How he fits: The Bears had a big-time questions at WR and Bennett is a very good pick with decent speed who can contribute right away. He is a good football player who can become a No. 3 or No. 4 WR based upon the development of Devin Hester.

71. Baltimore Ravens

The pick: Tavares Gooden, ILB, Miami (Fla.)

What he brings: Gooden isn’t as physical against the run as you would like. He doesn’t show great instincts in coverage, either. However, he clearly has the athletic ability and speed to develop excellent man-to-man cover skills. He also is versatile enough to line up on the inside or the outside and is a sideline-to-sideline run defender.

How he fits: The Ravens finally addressed the defense. Even though Ray Lewis is very productive, he is getting up there in years. Gooden is a versatile player who can fit in Rex Ryan’s defensive schemes. He will be developed slowly behind two great players and contribute on special teams right away.

72. Buffalo Bills

The pick: Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech

What he brings: Teams are going to have success running at Ellis — he’s undersized and doesn’t have great lower-body strength. In fact, he may never develop into an every-down player. But there’s a lot to like about his potential as a situational pass-rusher. He’s quick, relentless and has the foot speed to develop an arsenal of pass-rush moves.

How he fits: The Bills spent the offseason upgrading the interior of their defense and now they have a guy to work in the rotation in sub as a pass-rusher. They need to create pressure on the opposite of Aaron Schobel. They still have Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney, but adding Ellis helps.

73. Kansas City Chiefs

The pick: Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas

What he brings: Teams are going to have success running at Ellis — he’s undersized and doesn’t have great lower-body strength. In fact, he may never develop into an every-down player. But there’s a lot to like about his potential as a situational pass-rusher. He’s quick, relentless and has the foot speed to develop an arsenal of pass-rush moves.

How he fits: This is a great pick by the Chiefs. Larry Johnson had some injury concerns last year and Charles can come in and spell him. The league has become two-back reliant and Charles will be a good complement to Johnson.

74. Carolina Panthers

The pick: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

What he brings: Connor doesn’t have elite athletic ability and has problems matching up in man coverage, so he’s probably a better fit on the inside. He also has to get stronger at the point of attack. On the other hand, he has excellent instincts, takes great pursuit angles and is a reliable open-field tackler.

How he fits: He is a tough, smart and physical inside linebacker. Once he develops, the Panthers could move Jon Beason back outside. Connor is a very instinctive player who has flexibility and will contribute right away in the kicking game.

75. San Francisco 49ers

The pick: Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma

What he brings: Smith doesn’t have great speed and can be beaten deep when left on an island. But he’s a versatile playmaker who can line up at corner or safety and contribute to the return game. He’s also strong in run support and capable of limiting a receiver’s production after the catch.

How he fits: He is a versatile player and can give them a boost on special teams. With the age of Walt Harris and the lack of development of Shawntae Spencer, Smith can come in and contribute in 49ers’ sub defensive packages.

76. Kansas City Chiefs

The pick: Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee

What he brings: Cotam needs to learn to play with better leverage, which comes as no shock considering he’s 6-foot-7. He doesn’t show great athletic ability as a pass-catcher. However, he has the size to develop into an excellent inline blocker and has the strong hands to develop into a reliable possession receiver.

How he fits: He has a tremendous upside, but injuries have hindered his career. He will contribut right away as the No. 2 tight end. He replaces Jason Dunn, who was released in the offseason. He is also a big target in the passing game and will be used a lot in the Chiefs’ two-tight end sets.

77. Cincinnati Bengals

The pick: Pat Sims, DT, Auburn

What he brings: The biggest knock on Sims is he tends to ware down too quickly. He has tendency to come out of his stance too high when he gets tired. He also has some problems locating the ball. However, Sims is quick for his size when fresh and flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly.

How he fits: Under Marvin Lewis the Bengals have struggled stopping the run. Sims gives them a big body inside who will strengthen the interior of their run defense. He will immediately work in the rotation at DT with Domata Peko and John Thornton. This team needs to stop the run and Sims should help them do this.

78. New England Patriots

The pick: Shawn Crable, OLB, Michigan

What he brings: Crable needs to do a better job reading his keys and can be a step late getting to the football. Additionally, he takes too many false steps in coverage. On the plus side, he has the size and speed to develop into a starting outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme and should make early contributions in special teams.

How he fits: The Pats’ biggest needs are being addressed. They continue to add youth to an aging defense. Crable has an outstanding combination of size and speed with great straight-line speed. However, he is somewhat of a project learning the proper technique and the Pats’ complex defensive schemes.

79. Houston Texans

The pick: Antwaun Molden, CB, Eastern Kentucky

What he brings: Molden played at a small school and in a simple scheme, which didn’t allow him to showcase his abilities. As a result, there are some concerns about his ability to make the jump to the NFL. However, he made this less of a concern with a strong showing at the combine and the Texas vs. the nation all-star game. He clearly has the size, athletic ability and speed to develop into a starting corner down the road. He should also make an impacting in the return game.

How he fits: He is strictly a potential player. Molden has good athletic skills and size, but will only make an impact in sub defensive packages and special teams. He fits better in the Texans’ zone schemes rather than being on an island. He has good intangibles teams look for in young corners.

80. Philadelphia Eagles

The pick: Bryan Smith, DE, McNeese State

What he brings: Smith is vastly undersized for a defensive end, so teams will look to run at him and exploit that weakness when he’s on the field. As a result, he’s probably never going to be an every-down player. However, he has the instincts, initial quickness and athletic ability to develop into a solid situational pass-rusher.

How he fits: With the departure of Jevon Kearse in the offseason, Smith fills a need. The Eagles believe they can never have enough depth on the defensive line. He is a pass-rusher first, but will have to add bulk and strength to be an every-down player.

81. Arizona Cardinals

The pick: Early Doucet, WR, LSU

What he brings: Doucet had problems staying healthy and doesn’t have the speed to run away from defenders after the catch. However, he is quicker than fast and shows good awareness, allowing him to get open underneath. In addition, he shows good vision and enough elusiveness to make the first defender miss after the catch.

How he fits: This is a good pick and should replace Bryant Johnson as the No. 3 WR. He will have a lot of one-on-one matchups. He should play immediately and get a chance to make plays based on defenses scheming to stop Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. He is a proven big-time performer in college.

82. Kansas City Chiefs

The pick: DeJuan Morgan, S, North Carolina State

What he brings: Morgan doesn’t have prototypical range, so he can’t play a centerfielder-type role. He also has limitations in man coverage. However, he has great instincts, rarely gets caught out of position and plays the ball well. He should also make an immediate impact on special teams covering kicks.

How he fits: With the development of Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page, Morgan can come in and work in the rotation as a third or fourth safety. He will also contribute in the kicking game and eventually take over for Greg Wesley. He is a smart, instinctive player who could eventually contribute in Gunther Cunningham’s defensive packages.

83. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pick: Jeremy Zuttah, G, Rutgers

What he brings: Zuttah is versatile enough to line up at guard or tackle. We feel he’s a better fit at guard as he has some problems preventing edge-rushers from turning the corner. However, he has the size, range and upper-body strength to develop into an excellent starting guard.

How he fits: He will play better as a guard at the next level. The Bucs have a young offensive line and Zuttah can contribute as a backup as he develops. He can eventually develop as a starter and has is versate to play several positions on the offensive line, which is becoming a common trend in the NFL. The Bucs may be trying to move Dan Buenning.

84. Atlanta Falcons

The pick: Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville

What he brings: Douglass shows good quickness and has the agility to develop into a crisp route-runner. However, he doesn’t have elite speed and isn’t going to be as effective stretching the field at the NFL level. More importantly, he’s very lean, so teams are going to be able to push him around.

How he fits: He is an undersized WR who will work in the Falcons rotation. Due to the aging concerns of Joe Horn and durability concerns for Brian Finneran, he will play as a No. 4 or No. 5 WR.

85. Tennessee Titans

The pick: Craig Stevens, TE, Cal

What he brings: Stevens doesn’t stretch the field as well as you would think for a player with his speed and he lacks elite size for a tight end. However, he is fast enough and tall enough to improve in both areas. He also is a relentless run-blocker who plays with a mean streak.

How he fits: He is an excellent run blocker who can contribute right away. The Titans love to run two-tight end packages and even though they added Alge Crumpler and Dwayne Blakley, there are concerns about Crumpler’s knee. Stevens can contribute as the Y and allow Bo Scaife to be in the H position.

86. Baltimore Ravens

The pick: Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame

What he brings: Zbikowski is overaggressive at times and lacks the hip fluidity to recover when he gets caught too close to the line of scrimmage. However, he has great toughness and is a sound open-field tackler who fills hard in run support. He also is a fearless punt returner.

How he fits: He will immediately help on special teams and instant depth at safety. He is smart player who will play close to the line while he develops in his nickel package. A golden gloves champion boxer, Zbikowski is a tough player.

87. Detroit Lions

The pick: Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida State
What he brings: Detroit is very happy to get Fluellen at this point; the Lions fell in love with him after seeing him work out. He doesn’t have great size or the frame to get substantially bigger. He also has to learn to shed blocks quicker. However, he locates the ball quickly and has the burst to get into the backfield. He also is a good motor guy who works from the snap to the whistle.

How he fits: With the trade of Shaun Rogers, Fluellen will help bolster the depth on the interior line. He is an undersized DT who will fit well in their upfield one-gap schemes. He is a typical Rod Marinelli guy, who is relentless. He will be a backup under tackle who will in the rotation as a three-down player, while playing in regular and sub.

88. Pittsburgh Steelers

The pick: Bruce Davis, OLB, UCLA

What he brings: Pittsburgh gets another rush outside linebacker in Davis. Although he isn’t a powerful bull-rusher and needs to do a better job of anchoring against the run, he has the initial burst to turn the corner and big enough to become an adequate run-stopper at outside linebacker.

How he fits: The Steelers addressed the offense on Saturday and then get a typical Steelers linebacker on Sunday. He will play OLB in the Steelers 3-4 scheme. He provides them depth behind LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison.

89. Houston Texans

The pick: Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia

What he brings: Slaton is undersized and goes down far too easily. In addition, he’s struggled to stay healthy during his career. However, he’s quick enough to turn the corner and show good elusiveness in the open field.

How he fits: He is a very good change-of-pace player opposite Ahman Green and Chris Brown. He will be used a lot of ways in Houston’s offense to create mistmatches. He is quick and elusive, especially in space.

90. Chicago Bears

The pick: Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas

What he brings: Harrison is a bit of an enigma. Although he weighs 317 pounds, he doesn’t have great lower-body strength and takes too long to shed blocks, so he isn’t a great interior run-stuffer. However, he has good quickness for his size and shows good lateral ability scraping down the line of scrimmage.

How he fits: Tommie Harris is in a contract year and Harrison can play as an undertackle in the Bears’ 3-4 scheme. With the uncertainty of Dusty Dvoracek’s durability, Harrison brings instant depth in the rotation. He will fit in well in the Bears’ upfield attacking schemes.

91. Green Bay Packers

The pick: Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas

What he brings: Although he plays with a mean streak, Finley’s undersized and lacks great lower-body strength. He isn’t going to drive defenders off the ball. However, he has very good athletic ability for his size and the potential to develop into a crisp route-runner. In addition, he plays faster than his timed-speed suggests and can work the seam.

How he fits: The Packers play a lot of two-tight end sets and lack depth after moving Bubba Franks. Finley has a lot of versatility and once he learns the system, he will complement Donald Lee. But he is a raw player who will have to develop quickly in order to contribute in his first year.

92. Detroit Lions

The pick: Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue

What he brings: Avril doesn’t have great size and plays with a narrow base, so he has problems holding his ground when teams run at him. However, there’s a lot to like about his ability to get to the quarterback. He has very good initial quickness and great closing speed. We thought he would come off the board in the second round, so the Lions did well to get him here.

How he fits: He is a typical Marinelli guy — a tough and blue-collared player. He is a relentless pass-rusher who finds a way to get to the QB, which will help the Lions’ backend. He will work well in the rotation, especially on third down.

93. Indianapolis Colts

The pick: Philip Wheeler, ILB, Georgia Tech

What he brings: Wheeler doesn’t have the speed to match-up with backs in man coverage, and has a tendency to overpursue on the run. However, he shows good athletic ability for his size and is a sound open-field tackler.

How he fits: The Colts lost some depth at LB with Rocky Boiman and Rob Morris, so this pick makes sense. He provides instant depth behind Gary Brackett, while contributing in the kicking game. He is a better run player than coverage player at this stage of his development.

94. New England Patriots

The pick: Kevin O’Connell, QB, San Diego State

What he brings: He has prototypical size and is an above-average athlete. O’Connell has excellent and efficient feet with his drops and the arm strength to make all the throws. He has shown the ability to buy time with his feet and does a nice job keeping his eyes down the field when flushed out of the pocket. However, he is still very raw and needs a couple to develop.

How he fits: Obviously the Patriots don’t have a need this position, but he will add depth at the position. Nobody does a better job than Bill Belichick at finding value in the draft. O’Connell is a sleeper who a lot of teams are high on.

95. New York Giants

The pick: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan

What he brings: Concerns about character caused Manningham’s stock to drop. In addition, he lacks ideal size. However, Manningham simply knows how to get open; he’s a smooth route-runner and does a good job reading defenses. He also has the ability to make spectacular catches.

How he fits: Amani Toomer is aging and Steve Smith is at his best in the slot. Manningham will eventually become a No. 2 opposite Plaxico Burress. He will immediately provide another weapon for Eli Manning.

96. Washington Redskins

The pick: Chad Rinehart, G, Northern Iowa

What he brings: He needs to work on his technique, especially his ability to get his hands inside the defender’s frame, which would allow him to control his blocks. Obviously there are concerns about the level of competition he faced at Northern Iowa. However, he has excellent size, he’s quick and has the upper-body strength to jar defenders with his punch.

How he fits: Obviously the interior of the offensive line is getting up in age and the Redskins found value here. He will be brought along slowly with the intent of taking over next year. He plays with a mean streak and should be a good fit in the Redskins’ zone-blocking schemes.

97. Cincinnati Bengals

The pick: Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida

What he brings: Caldwell had problems staying healthy and you would’ve liked to see him make more plays downfield considering his excellent speed. However, he’s quick enough to get open underneath and catches the ball fairly well. He also runs hard after the catch.

How he fits: This is a good pick and provides insurance in the receiving corps. The release of Chris Henry and the uncertainty of Chad Johnson obviously influenced this pick. He is the second WR the Bengals selected in the draft and will be another option for Carson Palmer.

98. Atlanta Falcons

The pick: Thomas DeCoud, S, Cal

What he brings: DeCoud doesn’t have the burst or top-end speed to match up with slot receivers in man coverage. He’s also an inconsistent open-field tackler. But he’s fast enough to cover the deep half of the field and fills hard in run support. He has shown a knack for blocking kicks and is solid in kick coverage.

How he fits: Lawyer Milloy is aging and his career is winding down, so DeCoud will provide depth. He can also come in and contribute as a No. 3 or No. 4 safety and on special teams.

99. Baltimore Ravens

The pick: Oniel Cousins, G, UTEP

What he brings: Cousins moved from defensive tackle to offensive tackle in 2005. In addition he’s going to have to move inside to guard as he simply doesn’t have the balance to hold up in pass protection on the edge. On the other hand, he has the range, toughness and size to develop into a starting guard.

How he fits: He will switch to guard at the NFL level. He is a good value pick at the end of Round 3 as hehas position versatility. This will provide good depth on Ravens’ offensive line, something they needed.

FEATURED POSTS: NFL Draft 2008 – Round 3 – Cowboys Trade 3rd to Detroit

(Okay, so not much there. Blame Jerry Jones.)

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NFL Draft 2008 – Round 2

| Saturday, April 26, 2008

For the second round onward, I’ll just provide summaries courtesy ESPN and Scouts, Inc. I’ll break out Dallas Cowboys picks and trades and any major news in separate posts.

32. Miami Dolphins

The pick: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

What he brings: Merling’s stock dropped because of a sports hernia injury. He’s going to have a harder time turning the corner at the NFL level because he doesn’t have great speed. However, he has good size and some experience lining up at defensive tackle. If he can improve his upper-body strength and learn to play lower, he could be an excellent run-stopper and effective bull-rusher.

How he fits: With Jason Taylor, 33, aging, this pick makes a lot of sense based on Meling’s upside. He will come in and work in the rotation with Taylor and Matt Roth.

33. St. Louis Rams

The pick: Donnie Avery, WR, Houston

What he brings: This is a substantial reach in our opinion. There’s a lot to like about Avery’s speed and he’s a big-play threat whether he’s catching the ball down field, running after the catch or in the return game. However, he’s an undersized receiver who’s going to get pushed around and doesn’t appear comfortable going over the middle. Finally, he has a lot of work to do to improve his route running.
How he fits: He will play the slot in the Rams’ offense. He is quicker than fast and will work in the multi-receiver sets in passing situations. WR Torry Holt is a No. 1, but Drew Bennett has concerns. This is an Al Saunders pick based on how he fits in the offense.

34. Washington Redskins

The pick: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

What he brings: Washington couldn’t be happier about Thomas slipping, considering no one would have blinked had the Redskins selected him in the first round. Thomas isn’t as good at stretching the field as his speed would suggest and he needs to improve his route running. But he has the quickness and athletic ability to continue to improve in those areas. He’s also very good creating after catch for a player his size.

How he fits: Thomas provides them with a big receiver who had solid production at Michigan State. He is a good fit in Jim Zorn’s West Coast offense. He is a two-level receiver and a perfect fit in Washington.

35. Kansas City Chiefs

The pick: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech

What he brings: Flowers doesn’t have elite size or top-end speed. Occasionally, he gets caught out of position trying to make a big play. However, he plays far bigger than his size indicates and faster than his 40 time suggest. He opens his hips very well and has the upper-body strength to deliver a violent punch. There’s also a lot to like about his willingness to play the run.

How he fits: With the loss of Ty Law, the Chiefs had to address the left corner spot opposite Patrick Surtain. Flowers is a physical player who plays bigger than his size indicates, which is a good fit in the Chiefs’ defensive coverage schemes.

36. Green Bay Packers

The pick: Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State

What he brings: Nelson isn’t a very sexy pick; he doesn’t have great speed and isn’t elusive. However, this kid knows how to play the game. He is a very good route-runner, has a wide-frame that allows him to shield defenders from the ball and catches the ball very well. He is a high-character player who is going to have a positive influence in the locker room once he establishes himself.

How he fits: He is a big receiver who gives the Packers size and is a solid fit in their West Coast offense. This position wasn’t a major need, but he was a highly-productive player in college. They have Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Koren Robinson and James Jones, but Nelson gives QB Aaron Rodgers another threat in the passing game. He also has added value as a punt returner.

37. Atlanta Falcons

The pick: Curtis Lofton, ILB, Oklahoma

What he brings: Much like Nelson, Lofton isn’t going to wow you with his natural ability; he doesn’t have great speed and lacks the athletic ability to matchup with running backs in man coverage. But he’s a throwback inside linebacker. He’s tough, locates the ball and is a strong tackler who can deliver the big hit. Although he has limitations in coverage, Lofton gets adequate depth when in zone coverage and his ball skills are underrated.

How he fits: Atlanta could have gone a lot of ways with this pick, but with the concerns of aging MLB Keith Brooking, Lofton makes sense. He is an instinctive player who reacts well and should develop into a force on the interior against the run on first and second down. He has a knack for being around the football and the Falcons must continue to strengthen the interior of their defense.

38. Seattle Seahawks

The pick: John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame

What he brings: Carlson had a disappointing showing at the combine and his 4.88 40 time shows that he’s going to have problems working the seam. There are also concerns about the number of passes he dropped last year. However, he has the frame to bulk up and develop into an effective in-line blocker. He also has the wide frame and body control to develop into an effective short-to-intermediate receiver and productive red zone target.

How he fits: One of the key ingredients in Mike Holmgren’s West Coast offense has been the tight end, but the Seahawks have lacked at this position recently. Carlson is a smart and instinctive player who can be a factor in the short- and intermediate-passing game. This will open up other opportunities for WRs Deion Branch, Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson.

39. San Francisco 49ers

The pick: Chilo Rachal, G, USC

What he brings: The biggest knock on Rachal is his lack of athletic ability and has problems redirecting in pass protection. He struggles, at times, to reach blockers in the second level and athletically he has some limitations. However, he’s quick off the ball, jars defenders with a strong punch and gets in position quickly. He also does a good job holding his ground against bull-rushers.

How he fits: It’s obvious the 49ers feel they need to upgrade at guard with the loss of Larry Allen in the offseason. Rachal is a mauler who needs to be in a confined area due to his athletic limitations. However, he has the size and initial quickness to wall off and position while creating inside lanes. He should be able to come in and compete with David Baas at right guard.

40. New Orleans Saints

The pick: Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana

What he brings: Porter doesn’t have elite bulk, so bigger wideouts are going to be able to push him around, and he’s not going to be great in run support. On the flip side, he has good top-end speed and he’s a playmaker who does a good job of getting his head turned while tracking the ball downfield. He also the instincts and quickness to mirror receivers underneath. It’s also worth pointing out that Porter can contribute as a punt returner.

How he fits: Porter addresses a major need on the Saints. Even though they signed Randall Gay to cover up the mistake they made with Jason David, Porter will add even more help on the back end. Plus, the knee injury Mike McKenzie suffered last season is still a major question mark. This team has to find a way to get off the field on third down and force interceptions. He also has value as punt returner, which could take some pressure off RB Reggie Bush on special teams.

41. Buffalo Bills

The pick: James Hardy, WR, Indiana
What he brings: Hardy doesn’t make crisp cuts and needs to work on his route-running. He’s going to have a tough time separating from man coverage. On the other hand, you don’t have to separate from coverage nearly as much when you have the wide frame to shield defenders from the ball and you can make catches in traffic like Hardy can. Also, he’s fast enough to make teams pay when they try to jump the underneath route.

How he fits: This addresses the Bills’ need for a big, athletic receiver the opposite Lee Evans, who is a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Hardy steps in as the No. 2 and allows Josh Reed to move back to the slot. Hardy also gives young QB Trent Edwards another big-play threat on the outside and a big target in the red zone.

42. Denver Broncos

The pick: Eddie Royal, WR, Virgina Tech
What he brings: Royal has had some problems staying healthy, and the fact that he doesn’t have great size only accentuates concerns about his durability. He has to improve his route-running, but he has the quickness and athletic ability to separate from coverage once that happens. He’s fast enough to stretch the field and make an impact as a punt returner.

How he fits: The Broncos aggressively addressed their receiving corps this offseason with the additions of Samie Parker and Keary Colbert to play opposite No. 1 WR Brandon Marshall. Royal gives Mike Shanahan a slot receiver who can be effective in their multiple-spread sets. He gives Cutler another explosive weapon who can play in the slot. He also adds value as a punt returner.

43. Minnesoata Vikings (from CAR through PHI)

The pick: Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
What he brings: Johnson doesn’t have great man-to-man cover skills and is going to have trouble matching up with slot receivers. Additionally, you would have liked to see him make more big plays against inferior competition. However, he plays bigger than his size would suggest and is a sound tackler who can line up in the box. He has the range to cover the deep half of the field.

How he fits: The Vikings were active at safety in the offseason, adding Madieu Williams and Michael Boulware. Johnson gives them a physical safety who can play near the line of scrimmage or as a two-deep safety. This guy is the eventual replacement to Darren Sharper at strong safety.

44. Chicago Bears

The pick: Matt Forte, RB, Tulane

What he brings: This is a minor reach in our opinion. Forte is an instinctive runner who does a good job locating seams between the tackles and excels at picking up yards after contact. Also, he catches the ball well and is the best pass-blocker of all the running backs in this draft. However, he’s faster than quick, so he’ll have some problems turning the corner and won’t break a lot of long runs in the NFL.
How he fits: With the obvious disappointment in Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson not being an every-down back, Forte has a chance to play right away. He is a three-down back who can block very well. He is faster than quick, but he may struggle as a pass receiver. Depending on how Benson starts the season, Forte could take reps away from him. He will be on the heels of Benson all year.

45. Detroit Lions

The pick: Jordon Dizon, OLB, Colorado

What he brings: Looking at Dizon in street clothes or watching him run you wouldn’t think that he’d be an NFL linebacker. He lacks ideal size, doesn’t have great range and can be a liability in man coverage. But Dizon is a classic overachiever. He makes up for his lack of burst by reacting quickly. He takes sound pursuit angels and is an excellent open-field tackler. In addition, he rarely gets caught out of position when dropping into zone coverage.

How he fits: Dizon is a blue-collared athlete who plays hard on every down. He is going to play middle linebacker in this defense and that is an area the Lions wanted to address in the draft. He is a Cover 2 linebacker who is clearly a Rod Marinelli type of player.

46. Cincinnati Bengals

The pick: Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina

What he brings: We are surprised Simpson came off the board earlier than Limas Sweed, DeSean Jackson and Malcolm Kelly. Simpson isn’t a great route runner and played at a small school, so he faces a steeper learning curve. On the plus side, he has adequate size and the frame to get even bigger. He also has good speed, tracks the ball well and can make a spectacular catch.

How he fits: The Bengals obviously had Simpson rated higher than the other receivers on the board. This team was in a dire need of receiver due to the release of Chris Henry and the uncertainty of Chad Johnson. Depending on what Johnson does, Simpson could come in and play right away. What was once a strength in Cincy is now a serious question mark.

47. Philadelphia Eagles

The pick: Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame

What he brings: Laws lacks prototypical size for an interior run-stuffer and doesn’t have the burst to consistently get to the quarterback at the professional level. But he reminds us of the Energize bunny. He works from the snap until the whistle on every play. Also, he plays with excellent leverage and is strong for his size — he’s much stouter than you would think looking at his measurables.
How he fits: Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson loves to stockpile defensive tackles and Laws will be part of the rotation with LaJuan Ramsey and Montae Reagor. The surprising thing is that DTs Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley had good years last year, which allowed DE Trent Cole to dominate outside. This was not a serious need for Philadelphia, but it works within the Eagles’ philosophy.

48. Washington Redskins

The pick: Fred Davis, TE, USC

What he brings: There were concerns about Davis’ ability to stretch the field before the combine, and his slow 40 time backed up what we saw on film. He isn’t an overwhelming in-line blocker, either, but does a good job getting in position and fights to sustain his blocks. In addition, he has the athletic ability, big hands and long arms to emerge as a reliable possession receiver.
How he fits: Based on the offensive scheme Jim Zorn will run, the two-tight end packages will be key. Davis will allow the Redskins to move TE Chris Cooley all over and create mismatches on offense. There were no other quality tight ends on the roster and Davis fills this need for Washington.

50. Arizona Cardinals

The pick: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Fla.)

What he brings: Campbell has great size for a defensive end and is a decent tackler, so he has the potential to develop into a run-stopper. He also has long arms to get his hands up and knock passes down when he doesn’t get to the quarterback. That’s important because we don’t see him getting to the quarterback very often. Although he’s an adequate bull-rusher, he doesn’t have great lateral ability or closing speed.

How he fits: He is a true boom-or-bust player, but with the age and injury concerns of Bertrand Berry and Antonio Smith in the final year of his contract, Campbell will fit in nicely. He will be part of the rotation on the left side behind Smith because Travis LaBoy will bring pressure off the edge as a starting right defensive end. This pick gives the Cardinals valuable depth, but we see him as a better player versus the run.

51. Washington Redskins

The pick: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

What he brings: Campbell has great size for a defensive end and is a decent tackler, so he has the potential to develop into a run-stopper. He also has long arms to get his hands up and knock passes down when he doesn’t get to the quarterback. That’s important because we don’t see him getting to the quarterback very often. Although he’s an adequate bull-rusher, he doesn’t have great lateral ability or closing speed.

How he fits: Obviously the Redskins have taken advantage of the receivers falling on draft day. This team has lacked big and physical receivers who will open up the West Coast attack even more and the addition of Kelly will help them open up Antwaan Randle El and Santana Moss. This pick, along with WR Devin Thomas, helps bolster a questionable receiving corps.

52. Jacksonville Jaguars

The pick: Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn

What he brings: Campbell has great size for a defensive end and is a decent tackler, so he has the potential to develop into a run-stopper. He also has long arms to get his hands up and knock passes down when he doesn’t get to the quarterback. That’s important because we don’t see him getting to the quarterback very often. Although he’s an adequate bull-rusher, he doesn’t have great lateral ability or closing speed.

How he fits: Obviously the Redskins have taken advantage of the receivers falling on draft day. This team has lacked big and physical receivers who will open up the West Coast attack even more and the addition of Kelly will help them open up Antwaan Randle El and Santana Moss. This pick, along with WR Devin Thomas, helps bolster a questionable receiving corps.

53. Pittsburgh Steelers

The pick: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

What he brings: Sweed is, at best, an average route-runner and can struggle when he gets slowed down at the line of scrimmage because he doesn’t have great quickness. However, he has good size and is smooth changing directions. In addition, he has good speed and does a good job of tracking the ball downfield.

How he fits: He fulfills the need of a big, tall receiver, which QB Ben Roethlisberger so desperately wanted since WR Plaxico Burress went to New York. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians loves to throw the football and Sweed gives them a receiver who can move around in the formation and create matchup problems with Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward.

54. Tennessee Titans

The pick: Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan

What he brings: Jones is a classic ‘tweener. He doesn’t have great closing speed for a defensive end or the size to consistently hold up against the run and line up at defensive tackle. He has experience lining up at both spots, however. So he can line-up at end, at which he’s big enough to hold his ground on run-heavy down and is athletic enough to rush the passer from the inside on obvious passing downs.

How he fits: Based on the losses of Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy, the Titans had to address the DE position. He gives them a force against the run and will have to develop as a pass- rusher. He has some versatility to possibly play inside as a defensive tackle.

55. Baltimore Ravens

The pick: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers

What he brings: Rice is undersized and runs like a power back, so teams are concerned at his ability to take a pounding at the professional level. Also, he needs to improve his route-running ability before making a substantial contribution on passing downs. On the plus side, he reads his blocks well and has excellent lower-body strength, so he’s far more effective between the tackles than his size suggest. He also has the hands to develop into a reliable receiver, and he’s a surprisingly effective pass-blocker.

How he fits: He brings another dimension to the Ravens’ offense with Willis McGahee. They have a good, young offensive line and Rice adds another option in the offense as a playmaker. He will be a change-of-pace back who can take pressure off the quarterback. This was a good pick by Baltimore.

56. Green Bay Packers

The pick: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

What he brings: Brohm, like a lot of other young quarterbacks, can have a hard time beating pressure, doesn’t have great mobility and takes some big hits. He also needs to improve his decision-making. On the flipside, he has excellent mechanics, put great touch on his throws and is good at hitting his receivers in stride. In addition, he has good football smarts and reads defenses well.

How he fits: This is a good value pick by the Packers. Brohm clearly fell because there was a strong possibility of him being a first-rounder. Brohm has already played in a pro-style offense at Louisville, which has some similarities to Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers is still a question mark as a starting quarterback. and this pick puts pressure on him.

57. Miami Dolphins

The pick: Chad Henne, QB, Michigan

What he brings: Henne has good size and very good arm strenghth, so he can find the open receiver and get them the ball anywhere on the field. Much like Brohm, he’s a student of the game; his ability to breakdown defense should improve with time. However, he’s a little statuesque so he has problems buying time in the pocket and is not a threat to scramble. More importantly, he has tendency to lock on to his primary receiver.

How he fits: John Beck is not a Bill Parcells player and Henne fits the mold as a Parcells guy. Beck was very shaky as a starter last year and Henne will compete for the starting job right away. Beck has lots of questions about his size, arm strength and age. The Dolphins needed to take a quarterback and Henne fits this need perfectly.

58. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pick: Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State

What he brings: Jackson is a small-school prospect who lacks ideal size and played in a read-option offense in college. As a result, there are obvious concerns about his ability to make the jump to the NFL. That said, there’s no denying Jackson has great upside. He’s quick, explodes out of his cuts and is dangerous after the catch. When teams try to take away the underneath he’s fast enough to run by most corners. He does a decent job tracking the ball downfield.

How he fits: This is a great pick by the Bucs. Even though Joey Galloway continues to play at a high level, he is getting up there in age. Jackson gives the Bucs a fast and explosive receiver Jon Gruden can utilize. This team has some decisions to make at receiver because Ike Hilliard is best suited as a No. 3, Michael Clayton has underachieved and the uncertainty of Antonio Bryant. Jackson will also help in the return game.

59. Indianapolis Colts

The pick: Mike Pollak, C, Arizona State

What he brings: He isn’t an overwhelming drive blocker and is going to have some problems when nose tackles line-up directly over his head. However, he’s the best center available. He gets into position quickly and has the balance to sustain his blocks. He also has the upper-body strength and lateral mobility to hold up in protection.

How he fits: This is a great pick. He was the best center on the board and can eventually replace an aging Jeff Saturday. He may play some guard next year, but his eventual spot is center. He fits the mold as a typical Colts offensive linemen — smart, tough and physical.

60. Green Bay Packers

The pick: Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn

What he brings: The argument can be made that Lee best fits in a Cover 2 scheme as he doesn’t open his hips as well as some of the other corners in this class. However he has enough athletic ability and speed to develop into an effective No. 2 for a team that plays man coverage most of the time. In addition, there’s a lot to like about his toughness, willingness to step up in run support and ability to contribute on special teams.

How he fits: With the aging Al Harris and Charles Woodson in Green Bay, this pick makes a lot of sense. He can also fill a role in the Packers’ nickel and dime packages as a No. 3 or No. 4 corner. He will also have a role on special teams. This is a good pick for a defense that is getting younger and keeps getting better.

61. Dallas Cowboys

The pick: Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M

What he brings: Bennett isn’t an elite run-blocker and doesn’t have great top-end speed. However, he’s a great value. Watching him on film and knowing that he played college basketball for two seasons, it’s hard not to compare him to San Diego tight end Antonio Gates. Much like Gates, Bennett knows how to use his size to box defenders out, and he can make tough catches in traffic. Taking the comparison even further, Bennett is versatile enough to flex out wide.

How he fits: With the trade of Anthony Fasano to the Dolphins, this is a good pick by Dallas. The Cowboys had to get a second tight end. They run a lot of two-tight end sets and Bennett has some functional play speed. His best fit will be as an extra blocker. His presence allows the Cowboys to utilize Jason Witten out in the formation.

62. New England Patriots

The pick: Terrence Wheatley, CB, Colorado

What he brings: Wheatley is another example of a player who teams are concerned about staying healthy. He doesn’t have great size and has a long history of injuries. On the plus side, he has the fluid hips, speed and burst to develop excellent man-to-man cover skills. In addition, he’s a better tackler than his size would suggest; he can make play in run support and covering punts.

How he fits: With the loss of Asante Samuel, the Pats had to address the corner position. The Pats signed a lot of stop-gap corners in the offseason in Jason Webster, Lewis Sanders and Fernando Bryant, but Wheatley has more upside. He is a small corner, but has skills and will contribute in sub packages based on matchups. His upside is somewhat-limited based on his size.

63. New York Giants

The pick: Terrell Thomas, CB, USC

What he brings: Thomas doesn’t open his hips that well, and doesn’t always get his head turned around to locate the ball while running with receivers down field. Consequently, he is vulnerable to getting beat deep when left on an island. He is also another player who has a long history of injuries. However, he has excellent size and good upper-body strength, so he can slow receivers down at the line. There’s also a lot to like about his versatility; he can line up at safety and does a very good job covering kicks.
How he fits: The Giants’ main weakness on defense last season was their secondary. Thomas will help improve this area of the game. Sam Madison is getting up in age and has declining skills. R.W. McQuarters is better suited as a No. 4 or No. 5 corner. Thomas has some versatility, but played corner primarily at USC. He fits in Steve Spagnuolo’s system, who loves to run zone-blitz schemes.

Featured posts:

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 2 #53 – Green Bay Packers – QB Brian Brohm

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 2 #54 – Miami Dolphins – QB Chad Henne

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 2 #61 – Dallas Cowboys – Martellus Bennett

Tags | James Joyner, NFL 2008 NFL Draft, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, James Joyner, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

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NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #26 – Houston Texans – OT Duane Brown

| Saturday, April 26, 2008

The Houston Texans continued the amazing run on offensive tackles, grabbing Virginia Tech‘s Duane Brown.

Scouts, Inc.: 58th

Strengths: Has a quick first step and flashes the ability to get into position quickly. Gets adequate hand placement, has active feet and flashes the ability to sustain. Moves well laterally, can reach defenders lined up over outside shoulder and can seal the edge. Gets into pass set quickly and uses long arms to ride edge rushers past the pocket. Footwork is inconsistent and is vulnerable to double moves but can redirect in pass protection and has the potential to develop into a very good pass blocker once gains more experience. Moved from tight end to tackle in 2005 and can still line up there in goal line situations. Tall, times jumps fairly well and blocked a field goal attempt last year.

Weaknesses: Doesn’t always take sound angles to blocks and can struggle to get into position at the second level. Plays too high, hasn’t shown great lower body strength and is going to have problems driving two-gap defenders off the ball. Bends at the waist rather than the knees, is undersized and is going to have problems anchoring against bull rushers. Dives at defenders’ feet rather than attacking the thigh pad and isn’t an effective cut blocker at this point. Lacks ideal awareness and doesn’t always adjust well to line stunts and blitzes.

Overall: Brown arrived at Virginia Tech as a tight end in 2003 and redshirted his first year. In 2004, he played in all 13 games as a reserve tight end, finishing the season with three receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. He was switched to right tackle in 2005 and started all 26 games over the next two seasons (20005-06). He switched to left tackle in the spring of 2007 and started all 12 games as a senior. Brown is a former tight end who is still somewhat raw and inconsistent but there’s no questioning his upside, as he has prototypical size, initial quickness and athletic ability. With that mind he projects as a third round pick.

Rick Gosselin: 56

Quiiiite a reach here. Clearly, a need move rather than a value move. I don’t like it.

Tags | James Joyner, NFL 2008 NFL Draft, Houston Texans, James Joyner, Virginia Tech Hokies

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NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #18 – Baltimore Ravens – QB Joe Flacco (via Houston Texans)

| Saturday, April 26, 2008

The Baltimore Ravens moved up and grabbed QB Joe Flacco of Delaware, which is much higher than he was expected to go.

Scouts, Inc.: 29th

(6’6″, 236, 4.86)

Strengths: Tall enough to scan the field from within the pocket, he has excellent field vision and generally finds the open man given enough time. Has a strong arm, can fit the ball into tight spaces can make all the throws. Shows a good over-the-top release and can get rid of the ball quickly. Shows excellent pocket presence, possesses adequate athletic ability and instinctively sidesteps the rush while keeping his eyes downfield in order to find the open receiver. Is accurate, knows how to change velocities and can lead receivers when throwing underneath. Though lacks ideal elusiveness and isn’t very explosive possesses good top-end speed for size and flashes the ability to pick up yards with feet when nothing is available downfield. Shows good poise, is a leader on the field and doesn’t get rattled in pressure.

Weaknesses: Played in a shotgun heavy system at Delaware. Struggled with quarterback-center exchange early in week of Senior Bowl practice. Footwork is inconsistent on drops, needs to learn to read defensive coverage while dropping and can take too long to get set. Puts too much faith in arm strength at times and doesn’t always take what the defense gives him. Locks onto receivers too much and throws into coverage at times. Played at a small school and there are concerns about ability to make jump to the NFL level.

Overall: Flacco attended Pitt his first two seasons (2003- 04), where he was redshirted in ’03 and played in just three games as a backup in ’04. He joined Delaware in August 2005, but he didn’t see any action that fall. He started all 11 games in 2006, completing 264 passes on 417 attempts (63.3 percent) for 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. As a senior, he played and started in 15 games, passing for 331 completions on 521 attempts for 4,263 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions for a 144.91 passer rating. Flacco also scored four rushing TDs. Although he started his collegiate career at Pittsburgh, the bulk of Flacco’s production came at Delaware against a lower level of competition. So there are questions about his ability to adjust to the speed and complexities of NFL defenses. He also lacks experience working under center, so he has much to learn when it comes to his footwork and reading a defense while dropping. However, there’s no question he has the natural ability to make the leap. Flacco shares a lot of the same qualities with Ben Roethlisberger. He is deceptively mobile, throws well on the run and has arguably the strongest arm of any signal caller in the 2008 class. Also, of the six quarterbacks at this year’s Senior Bowl, Flacco showed the most improvement from the beginning to the end of the week. It was important for the small school product to prove he can hang with the big boys and Flacco did just that. Don’t be surprised if he comes off the 2008 draft board in the second-to-third round range.

Rick Gosselin: 37th

Mel Kiper: 24th

Flacco is supposed to have the tools necessary to star in the NFL. I’m just not sure why trade up this high to get him.

Tags | James Joyner, NFL 2008 NFL Draft, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, James Joyner

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2008 NFL Mock Draft

| Friday, January 18, 2008

The playoffs aren’t even over yet but fans of 28 of 32 teams are already looking ahead to next year.

I read a lot about football and listen to Sirius’ NFL Radio on my daily commute but I’m not a professional scout. I can, however, see what the pros are saying and look for trends. It’s silly at this early stage to go beyond the 1st round, so I won’t; most of those who are linked below do, though, so you can click through if you’re interested.

Tags | *FEATURED, James Joyner, NFL 2008 NFL Draft, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, James Joyner, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

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NFL Power Rankings – Week 13

| Wednesday, November 28, 2007

ESPN has released their Power Rankings for Week 13 of the 2007 NFL season and, despite the AFC hype, two NFC teams are in the top three. The voting was done by ESPN writers John Clayton, Len Pasquarelli, Matt Mosley, Jeffri Chadiha and Mike Sando; Scouts Inc. Insiders Jeremy Green and Keith Kidd; and ESPN.com NFL senior editor Mike McAllister.

2007 Power Rankings: Week 13
	RK (LW)	TEAM	REC	COMMENT
	1 (1)	Patriots	11-0-0	Twenty different Patriots players have scored TDs this season. That equals or is more than the touchdown totals for 11 other teams this season. We know you never get tired of those kinds of comparisons, right?
	2 (2)	Cowboys	10-1-0	Home-field advantage in the NFC likely is at stake Thursday, and the last thing the Cowboys want to do is play the NFC title game at Lambeau in January. But Wade Phillips has won a playoff game at Green Bay — as Atlanta’s D-coordinator in 2002.
	3 (3)	Packers	10-1-0	Brett Favre has played five or more regular-season games against 18 different NFL teams — and his .286 winning percentage (2-5 record) vs. Dallas is his lowest. Add his 0-3 playoff record and Favre is batting .200 against the Cowboys.
	4 (4)	Colts	9-2-0	The Colts, according to the Indy Star, have led or shared the lead in the AFC South for 90 of the 97 weeks since the division was formed in 2002. Beating the Jags on Sunday would likely add the rest of 2007 to that total.
	5 (5)	Jaguars	8-3-0	The Jags are rolling into Sunday’s division showdown against Indy with a ton of confidence. "The guys are hungry," QB David Garrard told the Times-Union. "I’m sure everybody can feel this season is different."
	6 (7)	Steelers	8-3-0	Shame on the Steelers organization for allowing their MNF game to be played on such poor field conditions. It wasn’t fair to the players, or the fans who invested time and money to watch the game. Either get it right or start using the artificial stuff.
	7 (8)	Browns	7-4-0	The Browns are plus-2 in the giveaway/takeaway category. That may not mean much to you, but the Browns have finished on the plus side of turnover differential just once since 1993.
	8 (9)	Seahawks	7-4-0	In three previous meetings against the Eagles, QB Matt Hasselbeck has been sacked 11 times (including a career-high seven back in 2001) and has a 58.8 passer rating, his lowest against any NFC team. So what’s the over/under for sacks this Sunday?
	9 (10)	Buccaneers	7-4-0	You’ve heard of QB controversies, but with the backups? Jon Gruden isn’t revealing his hand on who will start against the Saints if No. 1 guy Jeff Garcia can’t play due to a back injury. The fans of Bruce Gradkowski and Luke McCown eagerly await.
	10 (13)	Chargers	6-5-0	Of the eight division leaders, none has a worse road record this season than the Chargers’ 1-4 mark. With their next two games at KC and Tennessee, LT knows what must be done: "We’re going to have to find a way to win on the road."
	11 (6)	Giants	7-4-0	Go ahead, blame Eli (and he deserves it). But don’t forget to blame the rest of the Giants for a wretched performance against the Vikings. After all, the defense allowed Minny QB Tarvaris Jackson to post a 139.2 passer rating.
	12 (11)	Titans	6-5-0	On five drives against the Bengals, the Titans entered the red zone. Three times they had goal-to-go situations. And yet they couldn’t find the end zone. It’ll be one of their many regrets if they don’t make the playoffs.
	13 (20)	Saints	5-6-0	The Saints have underachieved, but at least they have a meaningful December, starting with a key home game against NFC South leader Tampa Bay. "It doesn’t get any better than it’s about to get," QB Drew Brees told the Times-Picayune.
	14 (12)	Lions	6-5-0	Reports have surfaced that owner William Clay Ford Sr. wants the coaching staff to increase the workload of rookie WR Calvin Johnson. On the flip side, head coach Rod Marinelli is demanding that Ford build a better-looking SUV.
	15 (15)	Eagles	5-6-0	The question in Philly: Would Donovan McNabb had played better than A.J. Feeley did in nearly beating the Patriots? When healthy, McNabb’s still the main guy, but Andy Reid is adamant that nothing less than a fully healed McNabb will play.
	16 (22)	Bears	5-6-0	So is running back Cedric Benson’s season-ending ankle injury a plus or minus for the rest of the season? Benson’s an underachiever, but it’s not like Adrian Peterson (Bears’ version) has run like Adrian Peterson (Vikes’ version) this season.
	17 (14)	Broncos	5-6-0	Until Sunday, the Broncos’ special-teams play — after a dismal start — had recently been among the league’s best. Perhaps that improvement resulted in overconfidence. Ultimately, it just led to a harsh lesson: Don’t kick to Devin Hester.
	18 (23)	Vikings	5-6-0	Earlier this month, the Vikings were blanked by Green Bay, 34-0, and dropped to 3-6. Hard to imagine now that they’re in the playoff race. A win on Sunday vs. Detroit (Adrian Peterson may be back) puts them in good shape.
	19 (16)	Cardinals	5-6-0	Kurt Warner triggered the Greatest Show on Turf, yet he never threw for as many yards with those Rams offenses as he did Sunday against the 49ers. But his career-high 484 yards was overshadowed in the shocking way the Cards lost.
	20 (18)	Redskins	5-6-0	FedEx Field will be an emotional place the next two games, as the Redskins and their fans deal with the tragic loss of Sean Taylor. Joe Gibbs will need to draw on all of his coaching experience to get his team prepared for the rest of this season.
	21 (17)	Texans	5-6-0	No team has committed more turnovers; in fact, opponents have converted Houston’s 29 turnovers into 108 points. "There are a lot of things we can do to win, but turning the ball over ain’t one of them," OT Ephraim Salaam told the Chronicle.
	22 (19)	Bills	5-6-0	The Bills’ offense is not one for steady drives, as just four TD drives this season have been 10 plays or longer. J.P. Losman just doesn’t seem like a good fit, which explains why the Bills are going back to Trent Edwards this week.
	23 (26)	Bengals	4-7-0	Admit it — you’ve missed Ocho Cinco’s TD celebrations. Chad Johnson’s TV cameraman act opens up a whole new genre. Next time, let’s see him take a sideline reporter’s microphone and interview himself about his TD. Watch out, Rachel Nichols!
	24 (21)	Chiefs	4-7-0	It has been 30 years since the Chiefs lost six home games in a single season at Arrowhead Stadium, but with a 2-4 home record, it could happen this year if they can’t beat the Chargers and Titans in December.
	25 (24)	Ravens	4-7-0	The five-game losing streak is the longest in franchise history, and it figures to reach seven with games against the Patriots and Colts the next two weeks. Right now, not even the Dec. 16 game at Miami seems like a sure win.
	26 (25)	Panthers	4-7-0	Panthers fans, frustrated by their team’s inability to win at home, are starting to stay away from Bank of America Stadium. That’s not good for the job security of coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney, who are both on the hot seat.
	27 (30)	Raiders	3-8-0	After beating the Chiefs in the season finale of 1999, the Raiders went 33-15 the next three years, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance. Will Sunday’s win at KC have the same impact? "Maybe this is our roll," DT Warren Sapp told the Tribune.
	28 (31)	49ers	3-8-0	Let’s see … Ted Tollner arrives to assist with the offense. The 49ers then produce a season-high 374 yards in beating the Cards. Does A+B=C? Seems that way, but maybe not. "Ted was very uninvolved in the play-calling," QB Trent Dilfer said.
	29 (28)	Rams	2-9-0	Gus Frerotte’s fumbled snap was a heartbreaker, but the Rams should never have let it come to that in losing to Seattle. The offense went into a shell after taking a 19-7 lead, failing to produce points on their final nine possessions.
	30 (27)	Falcons	3-8-0	TE Alge Crumpler tells the J-C that "it just puzzles me that we can’t score points." But is it really puzzling that Atlanta’s averaging four points less than last season? Mike Vick’s absence accounts for at least that much, if not more.
	31 (29)	Jets	2-9-0	If the Jets can’t beat the winless Dolphins this week, this season will likely end up as the team’s worst since the Rich Kotite days. And QB Kellen Clemens isn’t making much of a statement in his audition as the starter.
	32 (32)	Dolphins	0-11-0	Hypothetical question: Could the Dolphins beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who won the Grey Cup on Sunday? It’d be tough, especially using those funky CFL rules. Of course, that wouldn’t faze Ricky Williams (2006 Argonauts).

It’s hard to argue much with these rankings, even if they’re a bit too closely related to teams’ overall records. Presumably, some teams that had hot starts but have since faded (Giants, Steelers) and teams that have started poorly but have gotten better of late (Rams) should have rankings weighted to reflect the recent performance. There might also be a strength of schedule component, as some teams play in much more competitive divisions.

Tags | James Joyner, NFL Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, James Joyner, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

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