New England Patriots
Top needs: DE, OLB, S, WR, CB
Summary: Any time you come out of a draft with two players who could be early starters on a good team, you feel pretty good. The Patriots had four total picks in the first three rounds, and got help in the pass rush when they traded up to get Chandler Jones at No. 21 overall. Then they dealt up again (I know, typical Patriots) to get Dont'a Hightower at No. 25. Neither guy is particularly special in terms of draft value based on the pick slots, but they both fill needs. Tavon Wilson, a safety they got in Round 2, was one of the bigger reaches on my draft board. I think he would have been available perhaps as late as the sixth round. Again, however, that's a need fit. Jake Bequette is a versatile defensive lineman -- he played with his hand on the ground at Arkansas but could stand up for Bill Belichick. Alfonzo Dennard is a great value based on his talent -- the Patriots did their homework on off-the-field issues. Good work targeting top needs, but the value was pretty average overall, given the big reach on Wilson.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 21 DE Chandler Jones Syracuse
(1) 25 LB Dont'a Hightower Alabama
(2) 48 S Tavon Wilson Illinois
(3) 90 DE Jake Bequette Arkansas
(6) 197 CB Nate Ebner Ohio State
(7) 224 CB Alfonzo Dennard Nebraska
(7) 235 WR Jeremy Ebert Northwestern
Carolina Panthers
Top needs: DT, CB, DE, WR, OLB
Summary: Given all the health problems in their linebacking corps over the last couple years, and an inability to defend the run, Luke Kuechly at No. 9 was no surprise. That's where I had him projected, and I obviously love what he can do -- he's among my top 10 players in the draft, which is saying something for an inside linebacker. I'm pretty shocked they didn't get a single defensive tackle. That was a glaring weakness in 2011, not at all helped by injuries. Frank Alexander has some ability as a pass-rusher, and I can see Josh Norman developing into a starter. As much as I like Kuechly, they drop a little because they didn't hit the top need. Hopefully their young defensive tackles continue to develop.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 9 LB Luke Kuechly Boston College
(2) 40 G Amini Silatolu Midwestern State
(4) 103 DE Frank Alexander Oklahoma
(4) 104 WR Joe Adams Arkansas
(5) 143 CB Josh Norman Coastal Carolina
(6) 207 P Brad Nortman Wisconsin
(7) 216 S D.J. Campbell California
Chicago Bears
Top needs: OL, DE, CB, WR, DT
Summary: Shea McClellin is a good player and will help out the pass rush, but I didn't see him going quite this high. I just don't think he has quite the ceiling of a guy like Whitney Mercilus. But he at least fills a need. Alshon Jeffery gives them another option at wide receiver, but needs to prove he can do more than beat defenders by using size to get to passes. For one, he's not as big as he'd been listed for several years, and he must get better as a route-runner. Can he separate? It's still a question. Brandon Hardin was a reach, though he'll stick. My big question is about needs. The Bears just don't have a lot of talent on the offensive line. Gabe Carimi will be back, but I'm really surprised they had six picks and didn't get a single offensive lineman. Even if it wasn't a big need I'd want to get a young guy in there. The Bears also didn't get a defensive tackle, which I had as a need.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 19 DE Shea McClellin Boise State
(2) 45 WR Alshon Jeffery South Carolina
(3) 79 S Brandon Hardin Oregon State
(4) 111 FB Evan Rodriguez Temple
(6) 184 CB Isaiah Frey Nevada
(7) 220 CB Greg McCoy TCU
Denver Broncos
Top needs: DT, RB, CB, WR, G/C
Summary: The Broncos traded out of the first round entirely, but got a player I thought could go in the late first in Derek Wolfe. He has an incredible motor and knows how to get to the QB from the inside. He's exactly what the Broncos needed. Brock Osweiler gives them some insurance at QB, but needs a ton of developmental work. He really could have used another year of reps, and you can start the debate about whether it's better to watch Peyton Manning on TV while getting playing time, or to watch him from the sidelines while holding a clipboard. (For the record, he's a better prospect than Jim Sorgi or Curtis Painter ever was.) Ronnie Hillman is really productive and could break off some big plays. Omar Bolden has a chance to stick, and that was a need position. Philip Blake could develop into a starter. Nothing spectacular, but Denver hit a couple needs and got a little insurance.
Round Pick Position Player College
(2) 36 DT Derek Wolfe Cincinnati
(2) 57 QB Brock Osweiler Arizona State
(3) 67 RB Ronnie Hillman San Diego State
(4) 101 CB Omar Bolden Arizona State
(4) 108 C Philip Blake Baylor
(5) 137 DE Malik Jackson Tennessee
(6) 188 LB Danny Trevathan Kentucky
San Francisco 49ers
Top needs: RG, WR, S, CB, RB
Summary: San Francisco is working a "no excuses" plan. Meaning, the 49ers have added enough pieces to this offense via both free agency and the draft that Alex Smith should continue to develop. If he can't get to the next level with this group, my guess is Jim Harbaugh will look for someone who can. A.J. Jenkins was a bit of a reach on my board, but I know the 49ers really liked him. I'm a huge fan of LaMichael James, and I had a change-of-pace running back as one of their needs. Joe Looney is a decent player, though he's no immediate upgrade like I felt they needed. Trent Robinson has a chance to be a starter at some point, but I thought they could have used a corner. Not a bad draft at all, and you could see their strategy. It's tough to add early impact to a good roster.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 30 WR A.J. Jenkins Illinois
(2) 61 RB LaMichael James Oregon
(4) 117 G Joe Looney Wake Forest
(5) 165 LB Darius Fleming Notre Dame
(6) 180 S Trent Robinson Michigan State
(6) 199 C Jason Slowey Western Oregon
(7) 237 LB Cam Johnson Virginia
Tennessee Titans
Top needs: CB, DE, C, OLB, S
Summary: Tennessee goes into 2012 with a vastly improved group of wide receivers. I didn't see this as a top need, but with Kenny Britt back, the addition of Kendall Wright means Jake Locker has the necessary weapons to succeed if he starts the season. If you know you have the weapons, you can better assess if you truly have your franchise quarterback. I can see the strategy. Wright was no steal, however. I thought it was possible he could fall to Round 2. Zach Brown is an athlete, but he's not physical at all. He's better chasing down plays from the weak side than he will be taking on blocks. Taylor Thompson will be a fun one to watch as he converts to tight end. He caught passes there in high school, so it won't be a foreign concept. Coty Sensabaugh has a chance to stick, but I expected earlier urgency for a cornerback. Markelle Martin might be the best value pick for Tennessee at No. 190.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 20 WR Kendall Wright Baylor
(2) 52 LB Zach Brown UNC
(3) 82 DT Mike Martin Michigan
(4) 115 CB Coty Sensabaugh Clemson
(5) 145 TE Taylor Thompson SMU
(6) 190 S Markelle Martin Oklahoma State
(7) 211 DE Scott Solomon Rice
Dallas Cowboys
Top needs: G/C, CB, OLB, SS, DE
Summary: Dallas created one of the first dramas of the draft, moving up to No. 6 in a deal with St. Louis. The big question was whether they would take Mark Barron or Morris Claiborne. They went with Claiborne, and suddenly you look at their corners as a strength, adding the LSU star to a team that already has Brandon Carr. Problem is, Carr wasn't a draft pick and Dallas didn't get much after that. Tyrone Crawford is a decent player. He was my No. 8-ranked defensive end, but my first guess would be that he'll stand up. He profiles more as a depth pick as he adjusts. Kyle Wilber could stick. Really thought Dallas would get a player along the offensive line and improve the run game. I also don't see any immediate help for the pass rush. But the Cowboys can feel pretty good about landing Claiborne.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 6 CB Morris Claiborne LSU
(3) 81 DE Tyrone Crawford Boise State
(4) 113 LB Kyle Wilber Wake Forest
(4) 135 S Matt Johnson Eastern Washington
(5) 152 WR Danny Coale Virginia Tech
(6) 186 TE James Hanna Oklahoma
(7) 222 LB Caleb McSurdy Montana
New York Giants
Top needs: RB, OL, TE, LB, CB
Summary: I had running back as the top need for the Giants, and they got one with their first pick. David Wilson should be productive, but I think they really would have preferred Doug Martin. I might have gone with an O-lineman there, but the Giants have capably kept things patched up for a couple years, and will have to continue to do so, because they didn't get a tackle until the fourth round. Brandon Mosley has a shot (he's the No. 13-ranked offensive tackle on my board), but you don't want him starting in Week 1. Rueben Randle lacks explosiveness, but he was a pretty good value as the last pick in Round 2. Clearly, the NFL thought he'd be gone far higher -- he was the last player in the green room. Jayron Hosley is a really instinctive corner, and I wouldn't have thought he'd still be around based on his sophomore year. But he regressed in 2011. He can cover, but he lacks a physical element to his game. Some helpful pieces, but Wilson needs to provide impact.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 32 RB David Wilson Virginia Tech
(2) 63 WR Rueben Randle LSU
(3) 94 CB Jayron Hosley Virginia Tech
(4) 127 TE Adrien Robinson Cincinnati
(4) 131 T Brandon Mosley Auburn
(6) 201 T Matt McCants UAB
(7) 239 DT Markus Kuhn North Carolina State
Kansas City Chiefs
Top needs: NT, LG, S, DE, ILB
Summary: Dontari Poe is one of the mysteries of the draft. He has the measurables of Haloti Ngata, but when you roll the tape you think he's a player who could still be around in Round 3. Why does he go No. 11? He's the rarest of players, a possible solution as a 3-4 nose tackle. You can't rave about the value, but the pick made sense, and this was a top need. I like the pick of Jeff Allen, a tackle from Illinois who should move inside to guard. Two picks, two needs down. After that it was a bit more scattershot, as you'd expect. I think Donald Stephenson has the upside of a starter at tackle, which is pretty good. Devon Wylie is a burner and will return kicks, where he's dangerous. Would have liked to see a value shot at either linebacker or safety.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 11 NT Dontari Poe Memphis
(2) 44 T Jeff Allen Illinois
(3) 74 T Donald Stephenson Oklahoma
(4) 107 WR Devon Wylie Fresno State
(5) 146 CB De'Quan Menzie Alabama
(6) 182 RB Cyrus Gray Texas A&M
(7) 218 DT Jerome Long San Diego State
(7) 238 WR Junior Hemingway Michigan
Washington Redskins
Top needs: QB, S, RT, ILB, CB
Summary: If you feel like the grade is a tough one, remember I have to factor in the extraordinary value given up to acquire Robert Griffin III. I've looked, and it's as much as we've ever seen dealt for a top-5 pick. I think RG3 will be a very good player, and I think he can be pretty good right out of the gate, but he's this draft for Washington, and he came at the cost of (likely) three future starters. The pick of another quarterback, Kirk Cousins, obviously created some curiosity. I can see a plan: Washington develops an asset it can deal in a year to regain some draft picks. Is Cousins worth a second-round pick in a year? He could be. It was smart to get a couple of guards, because the offensive line is a weakness outside of Trent Williams. The Redskins got their guy in RG3, they just gave up an extraordinary amount to do so. Only fair to factor that in.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 2 QB Robert Griffin III Baylor
(3) 71 G Josh LeRibeus SMU
(4) 102 QB Kirk Cousins Michigan State
(4) 119 LB Keenan Robinson Texas
(5) 141 G Adam Gettis Iowa
(6) 173 RB Alfred Morris Florida Atlantic
(6) 193 T Tom Compton South Dakota
(7) 213 CB Richard Crawford SMU
(7) 217 CB Jordan Bernstine Iowa
Miami Dolphins
Top needs: QB, WR, DE, T/G, S
Summary: On my final Big Board, Ryan Tannehill was my 19th-ranked player. The Dolphins got him at No. 8, and probably felt like they couldn't move down. If he's your guy, you take him and live with it. Tannehill is all projection. My worry for him is he needs more game experience, but Miami can't put him out there as a rookie with the hope of being competitive. Remember, this team went 6-3 over its final nine games. Jonathan Martin isn't a bad get at all in the second round. But again, he won't help the team much in 2012. Olivier Vernon doesn't have a high ceiling, but targets a need. Michael Egnew was my No. 4 tight end, and has solid athleticism. He's 6-foot-5, but can run in the mid-4.5 range. Lamar Miller is a great late value; he has some explosiveness and provides some insurance if Reggie Bush gets dinged. Tannehill's success or failure will define this draft -- no way around it.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 8 QB Ryan Tannehill Texas A&M
(2) 42 T Jonathan Martin Stanford
(3) 72 DE Olivier Vernon Miami (FL)
(3) 78 TE Michael Egnew Missouri
(4) 97 RB Lamar Miller Miami (FL)
(5) 155 LB Josh Kaddu Oregon
(6) 183 WR B.J. Cunningham Michigan State
(7) 215 DT Kheeston Randall Texas
(7) 227 WR Rishard Matthews Nevada
New York Jets
Top needs: OLB, WR, S, RT, RB
Summary: The Jets surprised me when they went with Quinton Coples over Melvin Ingram in Round 1. To be blunt, I just think Ingram is the superior player -- and I have outside linebacker as New York's top need. Coples is a more natural fit as a 4-3 defensive end, and the obvious conclusion is Rex Ryan intends to move him inside. Still, I don't see him as a significant help in a need area -- the pass rush. Stephen Hill is a major physical talent, but he's a project in terms of route running. He can certainly keep safeties honest, however. You have to account for his deep speed, but I'm not sure he'll be able to help a lot in 2012. I like the value of Demario Davis. He was my fifth-ranked OLB in this draft. Size is a question, but Rex may set him loose situationally.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 16 DE Quinton Coples North Carolina
(2) 43 WR Stephen Hill Georgia Tech
(3) 77 LB Demario Davis Arkansas State
(6) 187 S Josh Bush Wake Forest
(6) 202 RB Terrance Ganaway Baylor
(6) 203 G Robert Griffin Baylor
(7) 242 S Antonio Allen South Carolina
(7) 244 WR Jordan White Western Michigan
Atlanta Falcons
Top needs: DE, OL, OLB, CB, TE
Summary: The Falcons didn't have a first-round pick, and worked on their offensive line with their first two picks. Peter Konz is the best center in the draft, so getting him late in the second round isn't a bad value. Bradie Ewing was my top blocking fullback. They didn't get help at defensive end early, but Jonathan Massaquoi has a chance to develop. The back of the draft class, including Travian Robertson, actually offers some promise, but it's fair to say this isn't a group you'll see a lot of in 2012 as it stands today. When you're not picking until No. 55 overall, that's not a surprising assessment. The Falcons scout well, and should end up pleased with Konz, in particular.
Round Pick Position Player College
(2) 55 C Peter Konz Wisconsin
(3) 91 T Lamar Holmes Southern Mississippi
(5) 157 FB Bradie Ewing Wisconsin
(5) 164 DE Jonathan Massaquoi Troy
(6) 192 S Charles Mitchell Mississippi State
(7) 249 NT Travian Robertson South Carolina
Jacksonville Jaguars
Top needs: DE, WR, CB, RT
Summary: Give the Jaguars credit for hitting needs with their top two picks. Justin Blackmon isn't a guy you want to have to trade up for, but it didn't cost Jacksonville dearly, and the Jaguars had to find a receiver to complement Laurent Robinson. If they didn't get Blackmon or Michael Floyd, they would have been no closer to knowing if Blaine Gabbert can develop into a franchise quarterback. Andre Branch can start early. He's better when he goes wide -- he won't be able to rush through tackles -- but he's a viable guy for a team lacking any punch in the pass rush. Bryan Anger was the top punter on my board, but taking him in the third round, with several guys who profile as potential starting right tackles available? I didn't like that pick. The Jags also didn't adequately address the secondary. Their only pick at corner or safety was Mike Harris. He was my No. 27 corner prospect.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 5 WR Justin Blackmon Oklahoma State
(2) 38 DE Andre Branch Clemson
(3) 70 P Bryan Anger California
(5) 142 LB Brandon Marshall Nevada
(6) 176 CB Mike Harris Florida State
(7) 228 DT Jeris Pendleton Ashland
New Orleans Saints
Top needs: DE, CB, DT, OLB, WR
Summary: The Saints traded away their first-round pick in a deal that landed them Mark Ingram in last year's draft, and the second-round pick had to be forfeited. So they knew they wouldn't be getting much impact. Akiem Hicks is a player I actually projected to New Orleans in my three-round mock, and he's got some upside. He had the talent to go to LSU, but ended up in Canada. He's been good, but is a tricky profile because of the lack of competition. Nick Toon can catch but he won't separate (we said the same about Marques Colston, on the positive side). Corey White was a reach on my board. Hopefully Hicks is a great sleeper, but no pass-rusher, no cornerback and no linebacker help in this draft.
Round Pick Position Player College
(3) 90 DT Akiem Hicks Regina, Can.
(4) 122 WR Nick Toon Wisconsin
(5) 162 S Corey White Samford
(6) 179 G Andrew Tiller Syracuse
(7) 234 T Marcel Jones Nebraska
Oakland Raiders
Top needs: DL, TE, WR, OLB, RB
Summary: Oakland was pretty anonymous in this draft. The Raiders didn't have a pick until No. 95, and then went with a guy I project as a guard. Tony Bergstrom started at tackle for Utah, but he'll need to move inside. Miles Burris has a chance to stick at OLB, and Jack Crawford could get better and develop into a starter along the defensive line. He needs experience. Not a great draft, but it's hard to do much when you have so few impact picks. I would have liked to see a flier pick on a tight end late.
Round Pick Position Player College
(3) 95 G Tony Bergstrom Utah
(4) 129 LB Miles Burris San Diego State
(5) 158 DE Jack Crawford Penn State
(5) 168 WR Juron Criner Arizona
(6) 189 DT Chris Bilukidi Georgia State
(7) 230 LB Nathan Stupar Penn State
Seattle Seahawks
Top needs: DE, LB, WR, RB
Summary: Let's be clear: I think the Seahawks drafted guys they really wanted, and with a plan in mind for how to use them. They moved down once, and may have gotten worried that someone would take Bruce Irvin late in the first round if they didn't get him at No. 15. Again, you have to find the right dance partner to move around the board. But we're still talking about a player I had a late second-round grade on. I wouldn't be surprised if Irvin gets 10 sacks in 2012, but that's really his game. He's not a three-down player yet. Bobby Wagner fills a need at linebacker, but he's another guy who would have been around later on. Russell Wilson is a great test case for shorter QBs, because he has everything else, but did they need him in the third round after grabbing Matt Flynn to come in and likely start? I had running back as a need, and Robert Turbin could help out. The needs were met outside of wide receiver, but in terms of maximizing value, there are huge questions. Again, this is a grade of the draft process, not the players alone.
Round Pick Position Player College
(1) 15 DE Bruce Irvin West Virginia
(2) 47 LB Bobby Wagner Utah State
(3) 75 QB Russell Wilson Wisconsin
(4) 106 RB Robert Turbin Utah State
(4) 114 DT Jaye Howard Florida
(5) 154 LB Korey Toomer Idaho
(6) 172 CB Jeremy Lane Northwestern State
(6) 181 CB Winston Guy Kentucky
(7) 225 DT J.R. Sweezy North Carolina State
(7) 232 DE Greg Scruggs Louisville
