Draft breakdown - By team

[Big Mick]

Pittsburgh Steelers:

1st pick David DeCastro will be an instant starter at guard and be there for the next 10-15 years.

2nd pick Mike Adams in 2-3 years will be a LT but in the meantime a solid RT.

Then in the 3rd they get a fantastic player in Sean Spence who'll be physical and fast and will be a fantastic player once in that system.

In the 4th you get Alameda Ta'amu who is a STEAL for a NT. He was projected as a second rounder and you get him in the late 4th. 348lbs and perfect fit as Casey Hampton substitute. Plays a little high...but with some tuning he'll be fine.

In the 5th you get the track star Chris Rainey. He'll be used a number of ways. He'll be a kick returner allowing Antonio Brown to focus on the receiver position. He'll be in the backfield on 3rd down, he'll be in the slot on some play's. The dude is lightning in a bottle.

As for your 7th rounders:
Toney Clemons - Don't know much about him. Sorry.
David Paulson - Oregon Pass-catching TE who will not block a wet lettuce leaf. But he's athletic, and will be a stretch the field TE.
Terrance Frederick - Special teamer
Kelvin Beachum - SMU tackle/Guard. Probably practice squad

 

[Big Mick]

I need a rest guys. I'll do the rest later.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Haha, so we can expect this task to take 32 days to complete given you need a rest after writing up each one?

 

[Jono078]

Have a good rest Mick and come back with a nice analysis of the Vikings

 

[Big Mick]

Haha, so we can expect this task to take 32 days to complete given you need a rest after writing up each one?

I was up since 2 am jackass. I had less than 2 hours sleep. Unlike you I didn't have my allotted sleep.

I was looking forward to doing the Bengals....now I might leave it till last.

 

[Monk]

Hell of a draft for the steelers. They got a whole bunch of... Steals... Geddit? Steal-ers!

But yeh, mad pickup in Ta'amu.

 

[DC_fan]

I was up since 2 am jackass. I had 2 hours sleep. Unlike you I didn't have my allotted sleep. So how about you shut up and be grateful.

I was looking forward to doing the Bengals....now I might leave it till last.

I am keen to see what you say about the Cowboys draft. I have seen one expert give the boys an A, while another gave a D.

 

[Big Mick]

I don't like giving grades. It is irresponsible imo.

We don't know how players definitely will fit. You don't know exactly what their desires are to be great.

Its best to do after 3 years.

 

[DC_fan]

I don't like giving grades. It is irresponsible imo.

We don't know how players definitely will fit. You don't know exactly what their desires are to be great.

Its best to do after 3 years.

I agree. Though I am more likely to extend that out to four or five years.

 

[Big Mick]

Arizona Cardinals:

Round 1 - Michael Floyd, WR
The pick seemed strange at first, particularly the fact that the Cardinals QB's were among the most sacked. But Floyd gives them a genuine game breaker other than Fitzgerald. This may not take the double coverage off Fitzgerald but it gives other teams something else to game plan for. Watch for quick slants like the Falcons utilised with Julio Jones.

Round 3 - Jamell Fleming, CB
Jamell Fleming is an underrated CB who isn't really effective in press and man coverage. He is a zone specialist and that should suit the Cardinals just fine. He is among the better tackling corners in the draft and with the Cardinals trying to move more to the Steelers defensive model, this is what matters.

Round 4 - Bobby Massie, OT
The Cardinals didn't pick up an OT in the first round but got fantastic value here in the 4th round with a guy who was a 2nd round grade at worst 3rd round. Massie has fantastic feet and good against the speed but has bull rush deficiencies. He'll be a RT primarily but has the ability to move to LT in a year or two.

Round 5 - Senio Kelemete, G
The Cards go O-Line again but Senio has played across all positions on the O-Line and projects as a good RG. Great in a phonebooth and will be a likely Day 1 starter.

Round 6 - Justin Bethel, CB
Small school CB who can transfer to FS. He'll contribute on special teams right away but may take time to adjust to the NFL as a #3 CB.

Round 6 - Ryan Lindley, QB
Interesting selection here. Not sure of the purpose.

Round 7 - Nate Potter, OT
Potter is coached up really well. Is a big guy and decent but inconsistent feet at times. Will be a contributor but in time.

 

[Big Mick]

I agree. Though I am more likely to extend that out to four or five years.

Usually get a great idea after 3 but as the guys that usually work out in some fashion are still on the roster.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

ffs mick do buffalo first, f**k the other teams lol

Buffalo get an a in my book, amazing draft apart from number 3 and 7.

 

[Big Mick]

Atlanta Falcons:

Round 2 - Peter Konz, C
An excellent value in the 2nd round from what has become one the best O-Line universities along with Iowa. With fantastic technique he still plays a little light and is suspect to bull rush. But he is a good pulling centre and will be an asset to the Falcons.

Round 3 - Lamar Holmes, T

Holmes is decent tackle but he is a big, physical player who needs to fully develop his technique. Still a raw tackle and may need time to develop.

Round 5 - Bradie Ewing, FB

They want a lead blocker because they know Michael Turner's body is wearing down. This also shows the Falcons hand. They lacked an identity last year. They plan to be run heavy again and plan to use the I-Form a lot.

Round 5 - Jonathan Massaquoi, DE

Massaquoi is a guy that had a bit of buzz heading into the draft. But noone knows where he would fit. He'll stay with his hand in the dirt and be a 3rd down rusher initially at Atlanta. He wont need to be an every down player. And that suits his skillset just fine.

Round 6 - Charles Mitchell, SS

Don't know too much about him but he is a big hitter.

Round 7 - Travian Robertson, DT

May need to be on the practice squad to develop. May be camp fodder.

Not overly enthused by the Falcons drafting except for the first two picks. A lot of this draft will depend on if Ewing can keep Turner healthy and if Massaquoi is capable as a situational rusher.

 

[Big Mick]

ffs mick do buffalo first, f**k the other teams lol

Buffalo get an a in my book, amazing draft apart from number 3 and 7.

That's my view as well.

We should have taken James Brown with that last pick. Another fantastic interior lineman who could have contributed instantly and he's a hell of a lot better than Rinehart and Urbik.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

That's my view as well.

We should have taken James Brown with that last pick. Another fantastic interior lineman who could have contributed instantly and he's a hell of a lot better than Rinehart and Urbik.

yep, Cordy Glenn i rate extremely highly, i really do'nt think their is much between him and Kalil imo, and we got him in the 2nd! tank, Bradham absolutely love, man im stoked, i still think we shouldve taken another wr but i guess apart from that i cannot complain. Our D looks amazing now, plenty of speed and grunt.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Atlanta Falcons:

Round 2 - Peter Konz, C
An excellent value in the 2nd round from what has become one the best O-Line universities along with Iowa. With fantastic technique he still plays a little light and is suspect to bull rush. But he is a good pulling centre and will be an asset to the Falcons.

Round 3 - Lamar Holmes, T

Holmes is decent tackle but he is a big, physical player who needs to fully develop his technique. Still a raw tackle and may need time to develop.

Round 5 - Bradie Ewing, FB

They want a lead blocker because they know Michael Turner's body is wearing down. This also shows the Falcons hand. They lacked an identity last year. They plan to be run heavy again and plan to use the I-Form a lot.

Round 5 - Jonathan Massaquoi, DE

Massaquoi is a guy that had a bit of buzz heading into the draft. But noone knows where he would fit. He'll stay with his hand in the dirt and be a 3rd down rusher initially at Atlanta. He wont need to be an every down player. And that suits his skillset just fine.

Round 6 - Charles Mitchell, SS

Don't know too much about him but he is a big hitter.

Round 7 - Travian Robertson, DT

May need to be on the practice squad to develop. May be camp fodder.

Not overly enthused by the Falcons drafting except for the first two picks. A lot of this draft will depend on if Ewing can keep Turner healthy and if Massaquoi is capable as a situational rusher.

that is a woeful draft. Imo the worst would be the falcons, Vikings, Denver thus far from what ive seen, still cannot believe denver took a 5th round talent qb when they did, i do not see any upside in brock whatsoever, and for his size his arm strength is medicore

 

[Big Mick]

Baltimore Ravens:

35. Courtney Upshaw, outside linebacker, Alabama
The player who I think will end up the steal of the draft. He will be coming in with a massive chip on his shoulder. He fits Baltimores system perfectly and the absolute perfect replacement for Jarret Johnson who left. He'll come in, Lewis will take him under his wing and he'll ball out.

60. Kelechi Osemele, guard, Iowa State
Osemele came into the draft with high praise and he'll be the ideal fit for the Ravens scheme at guard. He'll replace Ben Grubbs who was lost to FA.

84. Bernard Pierce, running back, Temple
Complimentary back for Ray Rice. Pierce is an underrated running back who can be relied upon as a #2.

98. Gino Gradkowski, center, Delaware
Gino is the center of 2013 for when Matt Birk DOES retire.

130. Christian Thompson, free safety, South Carolina State
Thompson is going to be a special teams gunner and leader. May develop into part time starter.

169. Asa Jackson, cornerback, Cal Poly
Don't know much about him.

198. Tommy Streeter, wide receiver, Miami (FL)
Don't rate him. He has only one thing and that is speed. He slows down a lot out of breaks and isn't smooth. He may turn out to be that but I don't see much difference in what his skillset is and what Torrey Smith's is.

236. Deangelo Tyson, defensive end, Georgia
Camp Body.


I love the first part of the Ravens draft...and I'm a bit meh on the rest.

 

[Big Mick]

Buffalo Bills

10. Stephon Gilmore, cornerback, South Carolina
Fantastic cover corner who is athletic, durable and tall. He'll form part of a formidable secondary now with great depth. Having him as future #1, Aaron Williams (last years high 2nd round pick) as the #2 with Brooks as slot CB with Florence and Justin Rogers you have a decent core. I think the addition of Gilmore and Brooks may signal the end for under performing Leodis McKelvin and the aging Terrance McGee.

41. Cordy Glenn, tackle, Georgia
Unlike others I tend to think Glenn may be ok at LT. Maybe not right away but in the future. Nix said when he drafted him that he reminded him of Marcus McNeill. Buffalo seem content with Chris Hairston as their LT for now. Glenn will either be used as a developmental LT...or they will plug him in at RT instead of Eric Pears or place him at guard. At 41 it is a value pick as some mocks had him going to Buffalo at #10.

69. T.J. Graham, wide receiver, North Carolina State
The pick was puzzling, but you may have said the same when the Steelers drafted Mike Wallace in the 3rd round a couple of years ago. 4.38 speed and while not 6 foot, it wont be his height that'll win him battles. Great leaper and great run after catch. This was still a reach pick, probably 1-2 rounds early.

105. Nigel Bradham, linebacker, Florida State
Physical player with a nose for the football. He was top 5 in all categories for LB's at the combine and is tremendous value in the 4th round. He has tremendous speed for a LB and can drop back into coverage. Will be an asset.

124. Ron Brooks, cornerback, LSU
Was the #3 corner behind the Honeybadger and Morris Claiborne. Les Miles was full of praise for the young man and being a little thicker of a CB it is anticipated he'll be the slot/nickel corner who will cover Tight Ends and Slot Receivers. I think he'll develop and contribute. He is lightning quick.

144. Zebrie Sanders, tackle, Florida State
Sanders is a natural Right Tackle who was asked to play Left Tackle this year after Andrew Datko was injured again. While he is somewhat inconsistent he has long arms, big hands and smooth feet the majority of the time. Add some strength on him and we got a potential LT or RT in 1-2 years.

147. Tank Carder, linebacker, TCU
TANK...TANK...how can't you love a tank? Carder is a defensive captain of TCU. He has great insticts and can drop back into coverage. He'll be at the very least back up LB and special teams captain. But I see him competing with 4th rounder LB Bradham for the starting position.

178. Mark Asper, guard, Oregon
27 year old Guard from Oregon who has played every single position on the O-Line. He will more than likely beat out the existing depth on the chart in Michael Jasper and Chad Rinehart and probably Kraig Urbik. He'll be a swing guy that'll save a roster spot on game day.

251. John Potter, kicker, Western Michigan
Wasted pick. Still had better players on the board. James Brown OG, Vontaze Burfict, Lucas Nix OG, Dwight Jones WR, Chase Minnifield CB just to name a few.

Overall I love the Buffalo draft.

There was a wasted pick at the end when guys that were still on the board that could help us and now have gone elsewhere as UDFA. I didn't feel the need to draft a QB in this draft as I didn't see the value unless Kirk Cousins dropped. The 3rd round pick Graham is a reach and I may have preferred getting someone like Brandon Brooks in the 3rd round and picking up a Marvin Mmerkint in the 6th. I think that would have filled both issue areas better.

 

[Big Mick]

That's 5 for now.

I need to get to the hospital to see my dad so I'll do the rest over the course of the week.

 

[Mhartew]

Arizona Cardinals:

Round 1 - Michael Floyd, WR
The pick seemed strange at first, particularly the fact that the Cardinals QB's were among the most sacked. But Floyd gives them a genuine game breaker other than Fitzgerald. This may not take the double coverage off Fitzgerald but it gives other teams something else to game plan for. Watch for quick slants like the Falcons utilised with Julio Jones.

Round 3 - Jamell Fleming, CB
Jamell Fleming is an underrated CB who isn't really effective in press and man coverage. He is a zone specialist and that should suit the Cardinals just fine. He is among the better tackling corners in the draft and with the Cardinals trying to move more to the Steelers defensive model, this is what matters.

Round 4 - Bobby Massie, OT
The Cardinals didn't pick up an OT in the first round but got fantastic value here in the 4th round with a guy who was a 2nd round grade at worst 3rd round. Massie has fantastic feet and good against the speed but has bull rush deficiencies. He'll be a RT primarily but has the ability to move to LT in a year or two.

Round 5 - Senio Kelemete, G
The Cards go O-Line again but Senio has played across all positions on the O-Line and projects as a good RG. Great in a phonebooth and will be a likely Day 1 starter.

Round 6 - Justin Bethel, CB
Small school CB who can transfer to FS. He'll contribute on special teams right away but may take time to adjust to the NFL as a #3 CB.

Round 6 - Ryan Lindley, QB
Interesting selection here. Not sure of the purpose.

Round 7 - Nate Potter, OT
Potter is coached up really well. Is a big guy and decent but inconsistent feet at times. Will be a contributor but in time.

Thanks for the write up on my Cardinals. I really appreciate your commentary on the Draft over the last few days.

I love the Michael Floyd pick especially after they took 3 late O-line picks. A great weapon to be paired up with Fitz and a clear #2 receiver for the cards instead of the 2 slot receivers (Doucet and Roberts) sharing the role last year.

I wasn't sure why they went with CB's in the draft, we had a pretty good set already (Peterson, Gay, Toler, Jefferson, Adams & the safety's Wilson and Rhodes), but after reading up on them it makes sense and fits in with Ray Horton's defensive scheme. He likes physical receivers who can tackle. Reading up on Fleming, it looks like he'll be a good fit.

On Justin Bethel (Also known as the youtube guy who jumped 60" vertical flat footed), it looks like Horton is going to use him like he used Richard Marshall last year. Switching playing time between CB and safety. Apparently he's a ST ace as well and has blocked more than a few kicks in his college career.

The Cards finally picked up some O-line talent on the 3rd day and from all accounts they picked up some good value. Bobby Massie should slot straight in a RT and as has been said, is a steal in the 4th round. Kelemete and Potter are great value picks as well and should be pushing for positions on our OL.

On the Ryan Lindley pick, I'm really not sure why they took him. Some are saying he may be a project QB, but they've already been doing that with John Skelton. Sure we still don't have a definite franchise QB, with Kolb and Skelton to battle it out for the starting position in the off season. But I don't know what he'll add to the team. Whisenhunt must have seen something he really liked about this guy so we'll see what happens.

With the exception of the questionable pick of Lindley, overall I'm pretty happy with the Cardinals draft. Drafting both for need and getting the best player available at their draft position. Bring on training camp so I can see how these picks turn out.