
You want to go to the draft?
Mike knew it was on my bucket list and with both of us in Chicago we decided to give it a try.
To get tickets, you needed to enter a lottery. We didn’t win. Probably due to the fact we didn’t enter. By the time we looked it up the entry date had just passed.
So we went on line to see what the scalpers were charging. Nothing. As in there were no tickets tickets to be had at any price. Nothing on Ebay, Stub Hub, no one was selling any tickets.
Too bad. The venue looked fantastic. The Auditorium Theatre was every bit as amazing as Radio Music City Hall. Bruce was hoping I would “keep my legion of faithful readers” updated from under the dome. That would have been a blast!
But, no such luck. Chicago hadn’t hosted the draft in over 50 years, back when it was a non-event. Bears’ fans weren’t allowing any tickets to get outside the Loop.
Mike and I would have to watch the draft the old fashioned way – on TV.
This year’s draft, while entertaining lacked the drama of last year’s – like which moron franchise will take Manziel (that would be Cleveland Chris). For the most part in went according to script starting with:
Mike knew it was on my bucket list and with both of us in Chicago we decided to give it a try.
To get tickets, you needed to enter a lottery. We didn’t win. Probably due to the fact we didn’t enter. By the time we looked it up the entry date had just passed.
So we went on line to see what the scalpers were charging. Nothing. As in there were no tickets tickets to be had at any price. Nothing on Ebay, Stub Hub, no one was selling any tickets.
Too bad. The venue looked fantastic. The Auditorium Theatre was every bit as amazing as Radio Music City Hall. Bruce was hoping I would “keep my legion of faithful readers” updated from under the dome. That would have been a blast!
But, no such luck. Chicago hadn’t hosted the draft in over 50 years, back when it was a non-event. Bears’ fans weren’t allowing any tickets to get outside the Loop.
Mike and I would have to watch the draft the old fashioned way – on TV.
This year’s draft, while entertaining lacked the drama of last year’s – like which moron franchise will take Manziel (that would be Cleveland Chris). For the most part in went according to script starting with:
1st – TAMPA BAY – QB Jameis Winston – Florida State – On the field, perhaps the best QB prospect of the century. Famous Jameis has the arm, vision and toughness in the pocket that makes scouts drool. His football IQ was off the charts. He was always finding a way to win (even if he never covered).
Off the field? Yikes. Supposedly, the Bucs interviewed at least 75 people about Jameis. Other than that 2nd grade with the restraining order on Dobby, how many people really know you? One analyst feared that Winston would be the “Devil spawn of JaMarcus Russell and Johnny Manziel”.
If he keeps his nose clean, he is a franchise perennial Pro Bowl player. If he keeps up the antics, Ryan Leaf category bust. He passed all the interviews but so did Johnny Football.
And things didn’t get off to a good start when he teased with this Instagram
Off the field? Yikes. Supposedly, the Bucs interviewed at least 75 people about Jameis. Other than that 2nd grade with the restraining order on Dobby, how many people really know you? One analyst feared that Winston would be the “Devil spawn of JaMarcus Russell and Johnny Manziel”.
If he keeps his nose clean, he is a franchise perennial Pro Bowl player. If he keeps up the antics, Ryan Leaf category bust. He passed all the interviews but so did Johnny Football.
And things didn’t get off to a good start when he teased with this Instagram

Yup – those are crab legs. His football IQ may be off the charts but his standard IQ must be somewhere just north of Forrest Gump.
The Bucs had to make this pick. There is way too much upside for them to pass.
My guess – he will figure it out. Winston will be an excellent pick.
2nd - TENNESSEE – QB Marcus Mariota - Oregon – Coming into the draft, it was a lock that Winston would go first. But with the second pick, rumors were floating that Tennessee would trade back and roll the dice with last year’s sixth round pick Zach Mettenberger at QB.
No one came forward with a good enough deal and the Titans couldn’t afford to roll out Mettenberger again so Marcus it was.
Mariota is a phenom athlete but as a QB? His arm is so-so but he is fantastic throwing on the run. His eyes are always downfield looking to make a play. He torched MSU and a lot of other teams when plays broke down.
He is used to playing in space. But that doesn’t happen in the NFL. When down by the goal line and things tightened up, Mariota struggled.
His character is everything that Winston is not. Smart, likeable. You want him to be the face of the franchise down at the Children’s hospital (Dobby is banned there too).
So is he a taller Russell Wilson or a smaller Cam Newton? My take – he will struggle early then start to get it. He will always be compared to Winston, a comparison that he will constantly trail. Good pick, but he won’t take you deep in the playoffs.
The Bucs had to make this pick. There is way too much upside for them to pass.
My guess – he will figure it out. Winston will be an excellent pick.
2nd - TENNESSEE – QB Marcus Mariota - Oregon – Coming into the draft, it was a lock that Winston would go first. But with the second pick, rumors were floating that Tennessee would trade back and roll the dice with last year’s sixth round pick Zach Mettenberger at QB.
No one came forward with a good enough deal and the Titans couldn’t afford to roll out Mettenberger again so Marcus it was.
Mariota is a phenom athlete but as a QB? His arm is so-so but he is fantastic throwing on the run. His eyes are always downfield looking to make a play. He torched MSU and a lot of other teams when plays broke down.
He is used to playing in space. But that doesn’t happen in the NFL. When down by the goal line and things tightened up, Mariota struggled.
His character is everything that Winston is not. Smart, likeable. You want him to be the face of the franchise down at the Children’s hospital (Dobby is banned there too).
So is he a taller Russell Wilson or a smaller Cam Newton? My take – he will struggle early then start to get it. He will always be compared to Winston, a comparison that he will constantly trail. Good pick, but he won’t take you deep in the playoffs.

3rd – JACKSONVILLE – DT Dante Fowler – Florida – HC Gus Bradley is bringing his Seahawk’s defense to the Atlantic coast. Which means he needs a dynamic edge rusher. Check.
He’s not a dual threat linebacker, he’ll play with his hand on the dirt. But he is the best pure DE in the draft. It's going to be fun watching him chase down Mariota next year.
Excellent upgrade to the Jags defense.
4th – OAKLAND – WR Amari Cooper – Alabama – In a deep draft for WR, Cooper was the best. He is a #1 target with great speed, quickness and hands. He is also clutch, catching 32 passes on 3rd down netting 25 first downs.
He get separation and has breakaway speed.
The only thing that keeps him from being compared to Megatron is that he is 6’1” not 6'4"
With recently acquired Michael Crabtree, QB Derek Carr has some nice weapons. Good pick
5th – WASHINGTON - OT Brandon Scherff – Iowa – Leave it to the Skins to make the first goof of the draft. While guards (and Scherff is a guard at this level) have increased in value over the last few years as teams go more to the shotgun, this is way too high for Scherff. He was not a top 10 pick let alone top 5.
Scherff is more athletic than powerful. He did a pathetic 23 reps at the combine – the same as WR Kevin White. He’s better playing in a phone booth than setting the edge so he will be moved inside where he will have a decent career. Just not a “Top 5 Pick Pro Bowl” type career.
If you really wanted Scherff, Washington, you could have traded back. Way back.
He’s not a dual threat linebacker, he’ll play with his hand on the dirt. But he is the best pure DE in the draft. It's going to be fun watching him chase down Mariota next year.
Excellent upgrade to the Jags defense.
4th – OAKLAND – WR Amari Cooper – Alabama – In a deep draft for WR, Cooper was the best. He is a #1 target with great speed, quickness and hands. He is also clutch, catching 32 passes on 3rd down netting 25 first downs.
He get separation and has breakaway speed.
The only thing that keeps him from being compared to Megatron is that he is 6’1” not 6'4"
With recently acquired Michael Crabtree, QB Derek Carr has some nice weapons. Good pick
5th – WASHINGTON - OT Brandon Scherff – Iowa – Leave it to the Skins to make the first goof of the draft. While guards (and Scherff is a guard at this level) have increased in value over the last few years as teams go more to the shotgun, this is way too high for Scherff. He was not a top 10 pick let alone top 5.
Scherff is more athletic than powerful. He did a pathetic 23 reps at the combine – the same as WR Kevin White. He’s better playing in a phone booth than setting the edge so he will be moved inside where he will have a decent career. Just not a “Top 5 Pick Pro Bowl” type career.
If you really wanted Scherff, Washington, you could have traded back. Way back.

6th – NY JETS – DT Leonard Williams - USC - Even though they have Wilkerson and Richardson on the DL, the Jets weren’t about to let the gift from the Redskins pass them by. They immediately grabbed who many considered the best overall player in the draft.
A true run stopper with the ability to get to the QB, Williams will be a force for the Jets – and he is just scratching the surface of his potential. Wilkerson has wanted to be traded and this move allows it. But if he stays – watch out.
7th – CHICAGO – WR Kevin White – West Virginia – A no brainer pick with Brandon Marshall off to the Jets. White is strong (he matched Scherff in reps), fast with a 4.35 and good height at 6’3”.
He can be the next Dez Bryant without the headaches. The knock is that he always always lined up on the right side. His route tree is limited.
The other knock is that Jay Cutler will be throwing him the ball. Cutler will check out by the bye week and White’s talent will be wasted.
Still – a good pick while the Bears try to fix the Cutler situation.
A true run stopper with the ability to get to the QB, Williams will be a force for the Jets – and he is just scratching the surface of his potential. Wilkerson has wanted to be traded and this move allows it. But if he stays – watch out.
7th – CHICAGO – WR Kevin White – West Virginia – A no brainer pick with Brandon Marshall off to the Jets. White is strong (he matched Scherff in reps), fast with a 4.35 and good height at 6’3”.
He can be the next Dez Bryant without the headaches. The knock is that he always always lined up on the right side. His route tree is limited.
The other knock is that Jay Cutler will be throwing him the ball. Cutler will check out by the bye week and White’s talent will be wasted.
Still – a good pick while the Bears try to fix the Cutler situation.

8th – ATLANTA – DE/OLB Vic Beasley – Clemson – New HC - new philosophy. For the first time in forever, the Falcons drafted defense going with the best pure pass rusher in the draft. He is strong, quick and explosive. He’s a one trick pony though as stopping the run is not part of his game. He needs to bulk up.
Bruce's take "As for Falcons, the local pundits here are saying "Beasley is too small." Jeez, 6'3"/250lbs is small??!!. I need to eat more Blizzards." Not that many more Bruce.
In a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newtonan now Jamies Winston, the Falcons desperately needed a pass rusher. Done
9th – NY GIANTS – OT Ereck Flowers – Miami (FL) - Hey, Scherff – try 37 reps. That’s what a tackle is supposed to do. Flowers is the prototypical blind side protector. He is also quite adept at run blocking too.
He’ll move the 19th pick in the 2013 draft, Justin Pugh to the inside and give Eli much more time to find Odell Beckham.
Too early to take Flowers? Nah – good pick.
10th – ST LOUIS – RB Todd Gurley – Georgia – With QB Nick Foles, St Louis needs a balanced attack. Foles isn’t going to get you deep into the playoffs with his arm. So the Rans took the best RB prospect in years.
When healthy Gurley can dominate a game. Strong and freakishly fast, he can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. His pass catching is underrated to add to his arsenal.
But can he stay healthy? He always seemed to be hurt and tore his ACL last fall.
Gurley is going to always seem like a great pick – for half a season. Then it’s back to Tre Mason. Not a bad situation for Ram fans
Bruce's take "As for Falcons, the local pundits here are saying "Beasley is too small." Jeez, 6'3"/250lbs is small??!!. I need to eat more Blizzards." Not that many more Bruce.
In a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newtonan now Jamies Winston, the Falcons desperately needed a pass rusher. Done
9th – NY GIANTS – OT Ereck Flowers – Miami (FL) - Hey, Scherff – try 37 reps. That’s what a tackle is supposed to do. Flowers is the prototypical blind side protector. He is also quite adept at run blocking too.
He’ll move the 19th pick in the 2013 draft, Justin Pugh to the inside and give Eli much more time to find Odell Beckham.
Too early to take Flowers? Nah – good pick.
10th – ST LOUIS – RB Todd Gurley – Georgia – With QB Nick Foles, St Louis needs a balanced attack. Foles isn’t going to get you deep into the playoffs with his arm. So the Rans took the best RB prospect in years.
When healthy Gurley can dominate a game. Strong and freakishly fast, he can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. His pass catching is underrated to add to his arsenal.
But can he stay healthy? He always seemed to be hurt and tore his ACL last fall.
Gurley is going to always seem like a great pick – for half a season. Then it’s back to Tre Mason. Not a bad situation for Ram fans
11th – MINNESOTA – CB Trae Waynes – Michigan State – Back to back years, State puts a DB into the first round of the draft. And Waynes was the best DB in the draft this year.
With Rodgers, Stafford and part time Cutler in the division, the Vikings needed all the help in the backfield they can get.
Waynes was targeted to go late in the first round. Then he ran the fastest time in the combine with a 4.31. Everyone agrees he has the coverage skills to take care of his side of the field but Gruden was dogging his tackling before, during and after the draft. It’s not that bad Chucky.
Dantonio is the best in teaching up DBs. Vikings coach is the same in the NFL.
Of course, it’s a great pick
With Rodgers, Stafford and part time Cutler in the division, the Vikings needed all the help in the backfield they can get.
Waynes was targeted to go late in the first round. Then he ran the fastest time in the combine with a 4.31. Everyone agrees he has the coverage skills to take care of his side of the field but Gruden was dogging his tackling before, during and after the draft. It’s not that bad Chucky.
Dantonio is the best in teaching up DBs. Vikings coach is the same in the NFL.
Of course, it’s a great pick

12th – CLEVELAND – DT Danny Shelton – Washington – Will Cleveland get the draft right this year after blowing it last year? Yup.
Shelton is a nose tackle pure and simple. Line him up in the middle and he’s not moving. Think vince Wilfork. Exactly what the Browns needed when facing LeVeon Bell twice a year. The problem is whether he can go all three downs. He was getting gassed during the Senior Bowl.
A great pick though for the team that ranked dead last in rush defense last year.
13th – NEW ORLEANS – OT Andrus Peat – Stanford – Peat seemed surprised when he was picked here. Small wonder, the Saints were expected to go defense with the pick.
But the Saints need to protect Brees in the final chapters of his career and Peat is what the doctor ordered. A great combination of pass protection and run blocking, Peat will crush most edge rushers. The quicker ones will give him trouble though. And he needs to work on his nasty streak.
Good pick for the Saints as they needed to counter the Beasley pick up in the ATL.
14th – MIAMI – WR DeVante Parker – Louisville – Parker is very good but not great. He’s fast (4.45) but not lightning quick. He’s big (6’3”) and strong but not physical. He struggle to get separation but his leaping ability means he will catch the ball on deep routes.
QB Ryan Tannehill needed a true #1 receiver and almost has it in Parker.
Good pick
Shelton is a nose tackle pure and simple. Line him up in the middle and he’s not moving. Think vince Wilfork. Exactly what the Browns needed when facing LeVeon Bell twice a year. The problem is whether he can go all three downs. He was getting gassed during the Senior Bowl.
A great pick though for the team that ranked dead last in rush defense last year.
13th – NEW ORLEANS – OT Andrus Peat – Stanford – Peat seemed surprised when he was picked here. Small wonder, the Saints were expected to go defense with the pick.
But the Saints need to protect Brees in the final chapters of his career and Peat is what the doctor ordered. A great combination of pass protection and run blocking, Peat will crush most edge rushers. The quicker ones will give him trouble though. And he needs to work on his nasty streak.
Good pick for the Saints as they needed to counter the Beasley pick up in the ATL.
14th – MIAMI – WR DeVante Parker – Louisville – Parker is very good but not great. He’s fast (4.45) but not lightning quick. He’s big (6’3”) and strong but not physical. He struggle to get separation but his leaping ability means he will catch the ball on deep routes.
QB Ryan Tannehill needed a true #1 receiver and almost has it in Parker.
Good pick

15th – San Diego – RB Melvin Gordon – Wisconsin – San Diego makes the next gaffe in the draft. Although it was a small one. Not the pick, just the fact the traded up to leapfrog Houston to get it. Houston wasn’t going to take a RB. The Bolts could have waited. In reality they probably could have traded back if available.
San Diego needed a RB after losing Ryan Matthews and Gordon fits the bill. Powerful with excellent top end speed, he’ll break tackles and take off.
Phil Rivers is talking about bolting the Bolts rather than move to LA. Can Gordon settle him down? He’ll need to work on his receiving skills
And he needs to working on hanging on to the ball. Nothing gets you on the pine faster than a sloppy turnover.
Overall - good need and value pick
16th – Houston – CB Kevin Johnson – Wake Forest – Johnson is Waynes light. A bit shorter (6’0”) slower (4.5) and not as physical. But he has the quickness and size to stay with most NFL receivers.
Johnson will make a nice #2 CB opposite Kareem Jackson and move Johnathan Joseph to nickel.
Solid need and value pick
17th – SAN FRANCISCO – DT Arik Armstead – Oregon – Coming into the draft I thought the Niner front office was a mess and would botch the draft. Then they snookered San Diego. Maybe I got it wrong.
Nope. After making a sneaky move they pooched the pick. Armstead is athletic enough but didn’t have the production take justify a first round selection. He would be there in the second if you really coveted this Duck.
Armstead was predicted to get over drafted and he was. No surprise it was San Francisco
San Diego needed a RB after losing Ryan Matthews and Gordon fits the bill. Powerful with excellent top end speed, he’ll break tackles and take off.
Phil Rivers is talking about bolting the Bolts rather than move to LA. Can Gordon settle him down? He’ll need to work on his receiving skills
And he needs to working on hanging on to the ball. Nothing gets you on the pine faster than a sloppy turnover.
Overall - good need and value pick
16th – Houston – CB Kevin Johnson – Wake Forest – Johnson is Waynes light. A bit shorter (6’0”) slower (4.5) and not as physical. But he has the quickness and size to stay with most NFL receivers.
Johnson will make a nice #2 CB opposite Kareem Jackson and move Johnathan Joseph to nickel.
Solid need and value pick
17th – SAN FRANCISCO – DT Arik Armstead – Oregon – Coming into the draft I thought the Niner front office was a mess and would botch the draft. Then they snookered San Diego. Maybe I got it wrong.
Nope. After making a sneaky move they pooched the pick. Armstead is athletic enough but didn’t have the production take justify a first round selection. He would be there in the second if you really coveted this Duck.
Armstead was predicted to get over drafted and he was. No surprise it was San Francisco

18th – Kansas City – CB Marcus Peters – Washington – Taking a player with off the field issues is one thing. But on the field issues? Peters quit on his team and was a constant headache for the coaching staff – getting suspended for a time.
HC Andy Reid knows something about coaching headaches having coached Terrell Owens so maybe he decided the gamble was worth it. Peters is arguably the best cover corner available and fits Reid’s press coverage defense to a T.
Head cases can only stay straight for awhile. Peters will look like an All Pro candidate then something will cause a meltdown.
19th – CLEVELAND – C/G Cameron Erving - Florida State – Most teams projected Erving as a center but Cleveland already has Alex Mack. Which means he will move to guard or right tackle where he is not nearly as effective.
The line will be one of the better ones but to protect who – Josh McNown. Certainly not Johnny Football.
Good pick – just not for Cleveland
20th – PHILADELPHIA – WR Nelson Agholor - HC Chip Kelly likes multiuse players. Agholor can line up outside, in the slot even in the backfield. What he lacks is the elite athleticism favored by Kelly. Agholor ran a 4.44 nor is he big and physical. A jack of all trades master of none type player.
He’ll be a nice piece in Kelly’s schemes but not a mismatch.
A solid meh pick
HC Andy Reid knows something about coaching headaches having coached Terrell Owens so maybe he decided the gamble was worth it. Peters is arguably the best cover corner available and fits Reid’s press coverage defense to a T.
Head cases can only stay straight for awhile. Peters will look like an All Pro candidate then something will cause a meltdown.
19th – CLEVELAND – C/G Cameron Erving - Florida State – Most teams projected Erving as a center but Cleveland already has Alex Mack. Which means he will move to guard or right tackle where he is not nearly as effective.
The line will be one of the better ones but to protect who – Josh McNown. Certainly not Johnny Football.
Good pick – just not for Cleveland
20th – PHILADELPHIA – WR Nelson Agholor - HC Chip Kelly likes multiuse players. Agholor can line up outside, in the slot even in the backfield. What he lacks is the elite athleticism favored by Kelly. Agholor ran a 4.44 nor is he big and physical. A jack of all trades master of none type player.
He’ll be a nice piece in Kelly’s schemes but not a mismatch.
A solid meh pick

21st – CINCINNATI – OT Cedric Ogbuehi – Texas A&M – Ogbuehi is a solid in zone blocking schemes and is more of a finesse player than bruiser. 23 reps proved that. He needs to work on his nasty. And he is coming of a torn ACL so won’t start next year.
The Bungles blew this one.
22nd – PITTSBURGH – DE/OLB – Alvin Dupree – Kentucky – Another year another quality pick falls into Pittsburgh lap. Dupree was in the top 15 on many draft boards but slipped through to the Steelers.
Dupree is an outstanding athlete. How many 269 pound humans run a sub 4.6 and have a 42” vertical. Dupree is going to be an excellent edge rusher either in a 2 or three point stance.
He’ll contribute right away and be something special in a year or two.
Great pick
23rd – DENVER – OLB Shane Ray – Missouri – Denver traded up with Detroit to get Ray who had fallen due to an off the field incident. Three days before the draft Ray got a pot citation back in Columbia.
So what team takes him? Denver – where pot is legal. Doesn’t sound like a good mix to me.
But he is worth the chance he keeps the bong on the shelf.
Ray has a special type burst with a quick as lightning first step. Mix in a nasty streak and you get a Top 15 type player. Being a bit on the small side his run stopping ability is lacking. Teamed up next to Von Miller he’ll have an easy path to double digit sacks.
Excellent pick
The Bungles blew this one.
22nd – PITTSBURGH – DE/OLB – Alvin Dupree – Kentucky – Another year another quality pick falls into Pittsburgh lap. Dupree was in the top 15 on many draft boards but slipped through to the Steelers.
Dupree is an outstanding athlete. How many 269 pound humans run a sub 4.6 and have a 42” vertical. Dupree is going to be an excellent edge rusher either in a 2 or three point stance.
He’ll contribute right away and be something special in a year or two.
Great pick
23rd – DENVER – OLB Shane Ray – Missouri – Denver traded up with Detroit to get Ray who had fallen due to an off the field incident. Three days before the draft Ray got a pot citation back in Columbia.
So what team takes him? Denver – where pot is legal. Doesn’t sound like a good mix to me.
But he is worth the chance he keeps the bong on the shelf.
Ray has a special type burst with a quick as lightning first step. Mix in a nasty streak and you get a Top 15 type player. Being a bit on the small side his run stopping ability is lacking. Teamed up next to Von Miller he’ll have an easy path to double digit sacks.
Excellent pick

24th – ARIZONA – DJ Humphries – Florida – Humphries is more potential than actual production at this point. But what potential. He has quickness and power.
Arizona led the league in fewest sacks so this was not a position of need. Now the question is what to do with Humphries. The Cardinals need help with the running game not pass protection. Do they move him to left tackle to further solidify pass pro?
Not a bad problem to have
Good pick
25th – CAROLINA – OLB Shaq Thompson – Washington – Thompson is versatile – too versatile. Too small for a linebacker, too slow for safety and not quick enough for a RB. So what is he?
He’ll be a situational player playing linebacker is passing downs and safety in running situations. Oh and he’ll be a solid special teams player.
Not exactly what you’re looking for in the first round.
26th – BALTIMORE – WR Breshad Perriman – Central Florida – Perriman brings size (6’2”) and speed (a blistering 4.24). And he is special at getting the ball – getting more than his fair share of 50/50 balls.
Inconsistency is his real game. One play he’s making a fantastic catch. The next he drops an easy one. It was the drops that kept him out of the top of the first round.
With Torrey Smith gone to the Niners QB Joe Flacco needed a deep threat. He got one. Flacco will get him deep – just hope he hangs on
Good value pick here
Arizona led the league in fewest sacks so this was not a position of need. Now the question is what to do with Humphries. The Cardinals need help with the running game not pass protection. Do they move him to left tackle to further solidify pass pro?
Not a bad problem to have
Good pick
25th – CAROLINA – OLB Shaq Thompson – Washington – Thompson is versatile – too versatile. Too small for a linebacker, too slow for safety and not quick enough for a RB. So what is he?
He’ll be a situational player playing linebacker is passing downs and safety in running situations. Oh and he’ll be a solid special teams player.
Not exactly what you’re looking for in the first round.
26th – BALTIMORE – WR Breshad Perriman – Central Florida – Perriman brings size (6’2”) and speed (a blistering 4.24). And he is special at getting the ball – getting more than his fair share of 50/50 balls.
Inconsistency is his real game. One play he’s making a fantastic catch. The next he drops an easy one. It was the drops that kept him out of the top of the first round.
With Torrey Smith gone to the Niners QB Joe Flacco needed a deep threat. He got one. Flacco will get him deep – just hope he hangs on
Good value pick here

27th – DALLAS – CB Byron Jones – Connecticut - Is Jones a football player or a track star. He jumped a world class 12’ 3” in the broad jump. Then did a 44.5” vertical. That’s amazing. But did he convert that to the field
Sort of. He plays more like a safety than corner and may end up playing there. But if he can be coched up he has the raw skills and size to be a lock down corner.
The talent is worth taking a roll of the dice this far back in the first round
28th – DETROIT – OF Lakelin Tomlinson – Duke - I was excited. It looked like the Lions finally figured out the draft – trading back when the players they wanted got picked.
And then they take a mid second rounder. And a guard to boot. Specifically a right guard. He started all 52 games in his career as a right guard. And that is where Larry Warford plays.
The trade with Denver brought in a center/guard in Manny Ramirez. So they had time to wait on Tomlinson.
No doubt. The Lions needed help on the OL but taking Tomlinson here was a blunder.
I’ll say it again. The Lions don’t get the draft.
29th – INDIANAPOLIS – WR Phillip Dorsett – Miami (FL) – Could this be too much of a good thing? The Colts already have TY Hilton Donte Moncrief and Andre Johnson and now upgrade the speed at the position. Dorsett is a burner ripping off a 4.27 at his pro day.
Add in an aging Frank Gore in free agency and Andrew Luck is being surrounded with some serious weapons.
Time will tell if this pick should have gone to upgrade the defense instead but I’ll go down liking the pick
Sort of. He plays more like a safety than corner and may end up playing there. But if he can be coched up he has the raw skills and size to be a lock down corner.
The talent is worth taking a roll of the dice this far back in the first round
28th – DETROIT – OF Lakelin Tomlinson – Duke - I was excited. It looked like the Lions finally figured out the draft – trading back when the players they wanted got picked.
And then they take a mid second rounder. And a guard to boot. Specifically a right guard. He started all 52 games in his career as a right guard. And that is where Larry Warford plays.
The trade with Denver brought in a center/guard in Manny Ramirez. So they had time to wait on Tomlinson.
No doubt. The Lions needed help on the OL but taking Tomlinson here was a blunder.
I’ll say it again. The Lions don’t get the draft.
29th – INDIANAPOLIS – WR Phillip Dorsett – Miami (FL) – Could this be too much of a good thing? The Colts already have TY Hilton Donte Moncrief and Andre Johnson and now upgrade the speed at the position. Dorsett is a burner ripping off a 4.27 at his pro day.
Add in an aging Frank Gore in free agency and Andrew Luck is being surrounded with some serious weapons.
Time will tell if this pick should have gone to upgrade the defense instead but I’ll go down liking the pick

30th – GREEN BAY – S Damarious Randall – Arizona State – Normally the Packers nail the draft but this pick is a head scratcher. Randall is explsove for a safety but undersized. He struggles with tackling. He’s more a tweener corner/safety not exactly excelling at either.
He’ll find a role as a nickel back but could have been had in the second round
A rare overdraft by the Packers
31st – NEW ORLEANS ILB Stephone Anthony – Clemson – A huge need pick for the Saints. That could be said anywhere on the Saints defense.
Anthony rose quickly in the offseason with a good Senior Bowl followed up with some great numbers in the combine. At 6’3” and a 4.56 he go tons of looks by the scouts.
But his game film was underwhelming and didn’t justify a first round selection. With all the areas of need the Saints could have waited for Anthony.
32nd – NEW ENGLAND – DT Malcom Brown – Texas – And the rich get richer. All you teams from 20 on up (that includes you Detroit) – go ahead and kick yourself right now. Shame on you for letting Brown drop to the Pats.
Brown has the quickness to play DE but has the power to play DT. He’s not Wilfork in the middle but he has the quickness to scare QBs. With some training he will improve as a pass rusher.
Superb value pick
He’ll find a role as a nickel back but could have been had in the second round
A rare overdraft by the Packers
31st – NEW ORLEANS ILB Stephone Anthony – Clemson – A huge need pick for the Saints. That could be said anywhere on the Saints defense.
Anthony rose quickly in the offseason with a good Senior Bowl followed up with some great numbers in the combine. At 6’3” and a 4.56 he go tons of looks by the scouts.
But his game film was underwhelming and didn’t justify a first round selection. With all the areas of need the Saints could have waited for Anthony.
32nd – NEW ENGLAND – DT Malcom Brown – Texas – And the rich get richer. All you teams from 20 on up (that includes you Detroit) – go ahead and kick yourself right now. Shame on you for letting Brown drop to the Pats.
Brown has the quickness to play DE but has the power to play DT. He’s not Wilfork in the middle but he has the quickness to scare QBs. With some training he will improve as a pass rusher.
Superb value pick
And when the draft was all said and done the Rich Eisen offered up this interesting stat
In the common era of the draft only 5 teams had a player taken every year - Florida, Michigan (crap) Nebraska USC and Michigan State. Even when they sucked they still managed to land players. Nice
In the common era of the draft only 5 teams had a player taken every year - Florida, Michigan (crap) Nebraska USC and Michigan State. Even when they sucked they still managed to land players. Nice