Houston Texans
I always felt Brian Cushing’s best fit was at SLB in a 4-3, he should be a good playmaking addition to the defense. Connor Barwin was a steal in the 2nd, even if all they do is line him up opposite Mario Williams on 3rd down and move Antonio Smith. Nothing that’s going to accelerate the push to a playoff berth, but excellent baby steps. I expect them to address running back in the 3rd round.
Grade: C
Indianapolis Colts
Quite possibly one of the top five first day drafts. Everything the Colts do on draft day indicates complete clarity from Bill Polian. They were in position to address the running back position, which seemed even more likely when they did not keep Dominic Rhodes, and they got a high character, high effort, high talent back in Donald Brown. Expect Addai to play second fiddle even if he gets the ceremonial first series for the veteran in every game.
Grade: A
Jacksonville Jaguars
Eugene Monroe at #8 was a coup. Michael Crabtree or BJ Raji would have been a coup. Sanchez, Jackson, and Heyward-Bey getting into the top 7 insured that they were going to get a player in a lot of people’s top 5 at the 8 slot. Tre Thomas is just keeping the LT spot warm for Monroe. Eben Britton gives the Jags a terrific bookend. The irony is that the lack of interior line depth was actually the downfall of the team last year, but I can’t argue with what they did.
Grade: C
Tennessee Titans
A classic Titans draft. Take the athlete and hope the game comes around. I like it a lot better with Sen’Derrick Marks because they seem to have been successful with this strategy on defense. Kenny Britt is big, strong, and fast, but his hands come and go. They finally addressed WR, but I think fans would have felt a lot better if the pick had been Hakeem Nicks.
Grade: D
He’s got some moves for his size and has tons of heart. Jarron Gilbert woulda been nicer, but Hood should contribute to the rotation right away:
21. Cleveland - C Alex Mack - Another very safe pick, and they add a 2nd, two 6th, a starting DE, SS, and a QB to compete with Anderson and Quinn on the way down.
22. Minnesota - WR Percy Harvin - Imagine him and AD in the same backfield.
23. Baltimore - OT Michael Oher - The intelligence issues must have bigger than we thought, but Baltimore could be vindicated because they have a healthy offense that can help him.
24. Atlanta - DT Peria Jerry - Start building the defense now that they got Gonzo.
25. Miami - CB Vontae Davis - Tremendous athletic, they must be betting that the Parcells culture straightens him out.
26. Green Bay - OLB/DE Clay Matthews - Just about where he should have gone, Green Bay gets a real OLB for the 3-4.
27. Indianapolis - RB Donald Brown - Another great Polian pick.
28. Buffalo - C Eric Wood - Solid drive blocking center, but who is going to play left tackle in the future?
29. NY Giants - WR Hakeem Nicks - Terrific intersection of need and value
30. Tennessee - WR Kenny Britt - Classic Titans pick, terrific athlete but will he fix his flaws?
31. Arizona - RB Chris Wells - Dream pick for them, a banger to force defenses to stay honest.
32. Pittsburgh- DL Ziggy Hood - Safe, boring pick, Hood is a mean mofo who will fit in the Steelers culture.
The Titans take a wideout who can’t catch instead of a RB who can’t stay on the field. Lovely.
Britt is the guy everyone that everyone’s afraid Heyward-Bey is.
The Colts lacked toughness in the backfield. Not anymore.
Think about the holes that open up when a team is trying to defend against Peyton Manning’s arm.
Think about room to run on the trademark stretch play and short passes to the RB in the Colts O.
Think about the Colts grinding out leads in the 4th quarter.
Donald Brown is just the tonic this offense needed.
Listen to our interview with Donald Brown
In the immortal words of Bloom, “Clay Matthews was a special teamer for 3 years.” Now he’s worth a second rounder and 2 third rounders, apparently.
The Packers have a player who belongs in the 3-4, but this was a steep price to pay for a player who lacks explosion or other distinguishing tools.
Matt Stafford, meet your 3rd offensive tackle and fine safety valve:
John Abraham, meet the guy who’ll keep the double teams off you:
Cleveland fans, meet the center everyone thought would wind up a Steeler but will now anchor your line for years:
11. Buffalo - DE Aaron Maybin - Great first step on the pass rush, but he has a long way to come to make an impact on first and second down.
12. Denver - RB Knowshon Moreno - I love the player, but I don’t see how this gets them closer to being a winner.
13. Washington - DE Brian Orakpo - Absolute no brainer, easily BPA at that point.
14. New Orleans - DB Malcolm Jenkins - One of the worst kept secrets, will help no matter where he lines up.
15. Houston - LB Brian Cushing - Should be a good strong side backer
16. San Diego - DE/OLB Larry English - Have to wonder about Merriman’s knee. Biggest reach of the first.
17. Tampa Bay - QB Josh Freeman - Way to throw money at Leftwich and McCown for nothing.
18. Denver - DE Robert Ayers - Should be able to give the Broncos lots of versatility on defense
19. Philadelphia - WR Jeremy Maclin - Eagles finally take a skill position player in the first.
20. Detroit - TE Brandon Pettigrew - Lions are going BPA, as they should - he’ll help the passing game, running game, and pass blocking.
We’re not in total agreement with his meteoric rise up the draft boards (he only had 3 sacks as a senior, and he’s basically just a try-hard dude without elite tools), but we know that Ayers can play with a hand up or down, and McDaniels and Nolan will probably play the hybrid 3-4/4-3, so the pick makes some sense.
I wonder if guys like Pioli and McDaniels are almost avoiding dudes with elite physical tools, as though being a try-hard dude is *all* that matters. Like Tyson Jackson and Ayers.
