First things first, admittedly, my mock draft was way off. That post certainly isn't my bright and shining moment on this blog, but really I don't think you can blame me. This was a really strange NFL Draft. With no free agency or player trades allowed it really changed the dynamics of the Draft, and I'm not so sure the GMs of the NFL teams entirely knew how to react to the situation around them. What we got then was a hodgepodge of a draft with some major quirks to it. The following is just some bullet pointed thoughts I personally have about the draft with some analysis.
- Why did Cam Newton go number 1?
What did Newton do to convince anyone he's number 1 pick potential? Is it the fact he barely threw 200 passes at the NCAA Division I level in his college career? Or is it the potential bad character issues that continue to swirl around him? Or is it the fact that the Panthers just drafted a franchise QB last season? Dumb pick. The only silver lining may be that unlike other 1st overall picks, if the owner's get their way Newton will have a capped contract based on rookie status, no major signing bonus for him.
- Jake Locker and Christian Ponder so early?
Locker I can understand to an extent. Tennessee needed a QB and clearly they saw something they really liked in Locker. Its still a stretch, but whatever. Ponder to the Vikings though? Did someone forget to tell them they probably could have gotten Ponder in the 3rd round?
- Mark Ingram to Saints
I absolutely love it. I mean, hate it from a fantasy standpoint, considering I'm trying to keep Pierre Thomas, but for the Saints I love it. At the least they found someone for the redzone, at the most they have a guy who can finally really run between the tackles and really change the pace of the game for the Saints. Drew Brees is potentially all that more dangerous now. Teams will really have to honor the run, opening a legitimate playaction pass game.
- TE Kyle Rudolph will rot with the Vikings
I don't get this pick by the Vikes either. They already have Visanthe Shiancoe and Jim Kleinsasser, why pick another TE? Unless they plan to convert one of them to FB (maybe Kleinsasser), or are meaning to faze Kleinsasser out this doesn't make sense. Shouldn't the Vikes have used one of their top 2 picks to sure up their DBs instead of really stretching on a QB and adding a 3rd string TE?
- Tampa Bay steals Da'Quan Bowers
What was the entire NFL thinking? Bowers went 51st overall. There was a time that people were thinking he could be the first pick of the draft. I know I would have picked him over Newton. Bowers has the potential to be the best pass rusher to come out of this draft. Even with his knee concerns he's better than 51st overall. Kudos Tampa.
- Houston nabs Brandon Harris
Another guy that dropped surprisingly far. Houston definitely benefits here, they could use the defense, especially in the backfield, and the fact they could wait this long to take some major talent just bodes well for them. Excellent pick by the Texans and a smart trade to get him.
- Kansas City gets Justin Houston
I thought Houston was a 1st round talent, but apparently I was alone. The Chiefs add him in the 3rd round, and he has the potential to really provide some production to an ever improving defensive line for the Chiefs. He could work really well on the opposite side of Tamba Hali.
- New England takes a flier on Ryan Mallet
What does it say about how the NFL views Ryan Mallet that Christian Ponder got taken 12th overall but Mallet's gone 74th. Mallet's got all the physical tools, but I think its apparent he's got a bad attitude and a lack of mental toughness. This was very Belichek to take a QB like this with lots of physical talent in hopes that he will strike oil, but I think even Belichek doubts it will happen. He'd just kick himself too much if he let Mallet go and he turned out somewhere else.
- Casey Matthews namesake
I wonder where Matthews would go if he wasn't a Matthews. Probably not quite as high. I don't expect much from this Eagles draftee. He's not nearly as quick as his brother and not much of a pass rusher. He's probably a serviceable LB, but nothing special. I'm glad no one reached for him. Perhaps the Eagles get solid value with a 4th round pick.
- Green Bay gets DJ Williams
This pick disappoints me a little solely because I think Williams could be a major contributor to an NFL team. But with Jermichael Finley coming back this season for the Packers, Williams opportunities to prove himself will be limited, unless Finley hits a set back. From the Packers' perspective, its a good insurance pick, especially since Donald Lee is really aging.
Who had the best draft?
I think the Saints had an amazing draft. Cameron Jordan was a very underrated first pick that could really help them on the defensive line. I already mentioned Ingram. Martez Wilson was arguably the best ILB in the draft. Johnny Patrick adds depth to the defensive backfield, especially when guys like Darren Sharper are aging and injuries shredded up the Saints DBs at times last season. The Lions are an honorable mention. Its going to be nearly impossible to run on them as they've added Nick Fairley to their D-Line and RB Mikel LeShoure is a really interesting pick too. I like adding the WR depth of Titus Young as well.
Who had the worst draft?
The Dolphins. Not because of a lot of busts, just not a lot of major guys to really look at. They took Mike Pouncey on name reputation, didn't pick a defensive player until the 7th round, and didn't do anything to address their QB problem. I hope the Dolphins have something up their sleeve for when the lockout ends, because otherwise they really didn't bother to improve much in a division with the Patriots and Jets. The (dis)honorable mention here is the Seahawks, but I think they got a pretty good volume of players, if not any really breakaway talent. I just question the strategy. Does a team that won their division last season still need to be in "we need bodies" mode?
What's the baseline?
Lets not mince words here, it was a weird draft. It was an entertaining one though too. I liked the chaos. It made things interesting. I'll be happy to really see how thing end up shaking out. I just hope I did better here with my predictions than I did with my mock.
No comments:
Post a Comment