The Philadelphia Eagles won the NFC East at 10-6 during the 2010 NFL Season, and the sensational play of Michael Vick led the way. Two areas of concern for the Eagles was the offensive line and defensive secondary, and Philadelphia hit on picks at both slots.
Danny Watkins have may been the most popular player at Radio City Music Hall on Draft Day, as the former firefighter got a standing ovation from a group of New York firefighters. But Watkins can play. He can play tackle and guard, and he should be able to shore up the line right away.
The secondary was addressed in Rounds 2 and 3, with the selection of Jaiquawn Jarrett, a safety out of Temple in the second round, and Curtis Marsh, a cornerback out of Utah State in the third round. Both players have have been drafted higher than many experts had them pegged, but they both fit the Eagles system, and should play an important role in shoring up the defensive backfield.
Two late round sleeper picks for the Eagles look to be Casey Matthews, a middle linebacker out of Oregon, and Alex Henery, a kicker out of Nebraska, both selected in the fourth round of the draft. Matthews is the brother of Clay Matthews of the Packers, and he has the football IQ that Coach Andy Reid loves. Henery was the highest rated kicker in the draft, and he could be the eventual replacement for David Akers.
Draft Grade: B-
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
NFC East Draft Grades: New York Giants
The New York Giants missed out on the 2010 NFL Playoffs by the slimmest of margins. Looking back, if they had punted away from DeSean Jackson and defeated the Eagles, they would have had the sixth and final playoff spot in the NFC. The team that claimed that spot-Green Bay.
With the 19th pick, the Giants were looking to upgrade the running game or offensive line. But one of the top players in the draft fell to them, so it was a no-brainer to select Prince Amukamara in the first round. With the emphasis on the passing game, you can't have enough good cover corners. Amukamara was seen as a Top 10 talent, and the Giants got a gift in the first round.
Then New York got another in Round 2, when Marvin Austin was sitting there for the taking. Despite not playing at North Carolina in 2010 due to NCAA Violations, Austin was seen as a late first round pick, and I think more people were surprised that he was the 52nd pick than what would have been if he had been the 25th pick. Austin is a great fit for the Giants defensive scheme, and I can see him moving into the starting lineup by the end of the season.
The Giants got a speed receiver in Round 3 by selecting Jerrel Jernigan out of Troy. Small but very quick, Jernigan looks to be an excellent complimentary receiver to line up with Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith.
Two late round sleepers for the Giants look to be James Brewer, a tackle selected in the fourth round out of Indiana, and Greg Jones, a middle linebacker taken in Round 6 out of Michigan State. Brewer is an athletic giant of a right tackle, standing 6'8 and weighing 330 pounds. Jones is a productive player in the middle of the defense, and his leadership qualities can not be overlooked.
Draft Grade: A
With the 19th pick, the Giants were looking to upgrade the running game or offensive line. But one of the top players in the draft fell to them, so it was a no-brainer to select Prince Amukamara in the first round. With the emphasis on the passing game, you can't have enough good cover corners. Amukamara was seen as a Top 10 talent, and the Giants got a gift in the first round.
Then New York got another in Round 2, when Marvin Austin was sitting there for the taking. Despite not playing at North Carolina in 2010 due to NCAA Violations, Austin was seen as a late first round pick, and I think more people were surprised that he was the 52nd pick than what would have been if he had been the 25th pick. Austin is a great fit for the Giants defensive scheme, and I can see him moving into the starting lineup by the end of the season.
The Giants got a speed receiver in Round 3 by selecting Jerrel Jernigan out of Troy. Small but very quick, Jernigan looks to be an excellent complimentary receiver to line up with Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith.
Two late round sleepers for the Giants look to be James Brewer, a tackle selected in the fourth round out of Indiana, and Greg Jones, a middle linebacker taken in Round 6 out of Michigan State. Brewer is an athletic giant of a right tackle, standing 6'8 and weighing 330 pounds. Jones is a productive player in the middle of the defense, and his leadership qualities can not be overlooked.
Draft Grade: A
NFC East Draft Grades: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2010 NFL season with the highest of expectations, looking to be the first team to play in the Super Bowl in their home stadium, and finished with the bitterest of disappointments. A 1-7 start led to a coaching change, and with Jason Garrett at the helm, the Cowboys finished 5-3 down the stretch and 6-10 overall.
Two areas of concern for Dallas was the offensive and defensive lines. The selection of Tyron Smith, the tackle out of USC, makes the offensive line stronger from the start. Smith may start at right tackle, then eventually move to the left side. But the defensive line did not get addressed on draft weekend, and that may come back to haunt the Cowboys.
Bruce Carter is coming off of knee surgery late in 2010, and he may not be ready to play right away. Once he is healthy, Carter will be a valuable addition to the Cowboys defense.
A late round sleeper pick for Dallas looks to be David Arkin, an interior offensive lineman selected in the fourth round out of Missouri State. Arkin dominated in the small college ranks, and with some seasoning and adjustments to the NFL talent level, Arkin will provide depth to the offensive line.
Draft grade: B
Two areas of concern for Dallas was the offensive and defensive lines. The selection of Tyron Smith, the tackle out of USC, makes the offensive line stronger from the start. Smith may start at right tackle, then eventually move to the left side. But the defensive line did not get addressed on draft weekend, and that may come back to haunt the Cowboys.
Bruce Carter is coming off of knee surgery late in 2010, and he may not be ready to play right away. Once he is healthy, Carter will be a valuable addition to the Cowboys defense.
A late round sleeper pick for Dallas looks to be David Arkin, an interior offensive lineman selected in the fourth round out of Missouri State. Arkin dominated in the small college ranks, and with some seasoning and adjustments to the NFL talent level, Arkin will provide depth to the offensive line.
Draft grade: B
Monday, May 2, 2011
AFC East Draft Grades: New York Jets
The New York Jets are coming off of their second straight season playing in the AFC Title Game, and many people feel the clock is ticking on whether or not they can get over the hump and make it to the Super Bowl. The biggest need was defensive line, and the Jets hit the mark on their first two picks.
Muhammad Wilkerson is an athletic end for their 3-4 defense, and Jets fans everywhere are hoping he isn't the second coming of Vernon Gholston. They also got the prototype 3-4 nose tackle in Kenrick Ellis from Hampton. But off the field issues scared away a few teams, but the Jets were willing to take a chance and select him in the third round.
A sleeper pick for the Jets was their highest pick on the offensive side of the ball, running back Bilal Powell from Louisville, selected in the fourth round. Powell is a between the tackles back, who looks to be a complimentary back to Shonn Greene and an eventual replacement for LaDanian Tomlinson for the Jets.
Draft Grade: B
Muhammad Wilkerson is an athletic end for their 3-4 defense, and Jets fans everywhere are hoping he isn't the second coming of Vernon Gholston. They also got the prototype 3-4 nose tackle in Kenrick Ellis from Hampton. But off the field issues scared away a few teams, but the Jets were willing to take a chance and select him in the third round.
A sleeper pick for the Jets was their highest pick on the offensive side of the ball, running back Bilal Powell from Louisville, selected in the fourth round. Powell is a between the tackles back, who looks to be a complimentary back to Shonn Greene and an eventual replacement for LaDanian Tomlinson for the Jets.
Draft Grade: B
AFC East Draft Grades: New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are coming off of yet another AFC East title following a 14-2 regular season. But disappointment hit the Patriots once again after getting knocked out of the playoffs by division rival New York Jets at home. Bu New England went into the draft with three of the first 33 picks, and they were looking to reload. Their first selection at #17 was Nate Solder, the athletic 6'8 tackle from Colorado, who will team up with fellow man mountain Sebastian Vollmer to protect the edges for Tom Brady for years to come. New England traded their second pick in Round 1, and continued their philosophy of accumulating picks in later rounds.
New England got a cornerback at the top of Round 2 in Ras-I Dowling to pair up with last year's number one pick Devin McCourtey. Then the Patriots went for running back with a second round and third round pick in Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, respectively. But their second pick in Round 3 was the attention getter. Ryan Mallett was sitting there, and New England snared the strong armed quarterback. He will be groomed to be Tom Brady's replacement, or he will be the next Matt Cassel and be shipped out to a team in need of a quarterback who is willing to pay a high price.
New England didn't address their needs of rushing the passer or wide receiver. But it is futile to argue about the picks Bill Belichick makes. He makes them work out in the long run.
A late round sleeper pick for the Patriots looks to be Marcus Cannon, the mammoth guard from TCU selected in the fifth round. Cannon was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and will undergo chemotherapy treatments. He may sit out 2011 while he recuperates, but if he can come back either this year or next with a clean bill of health he could be a fixture at guard for a long time.
Draft Grade: B+
New England got a cornerback at the top of Round 2 in Ras-I Dowling to pair up with last year's number one pick Devin McCourtey. Then the Patriots went for running back with a second round and third round pick in Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, respectively. But their second pick in Round 3 was the attention getter. Ryan Mallett was sitting there, and New England snared the strong armed quarterback. He will be groomed to be Tom Brady's replacement, or he will be the next Matt Cassel and be shipped out to a team in need of a quarterback who is willing to pay a high price.
New England didn't address their needs of rushing the passer or wide receiver. But it is futile to argue about the picks Bill Belichick makes. He makes them work out in the long run.
A late round sleeper pick for the Patriots looks to be Marcus Cannon, the mammoth guard from TCU selected in the fifth round. Cannon was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and will undergo chemotherapy treatments. He may sit out 2011 while he recuperates, but if he can come back either this year or next with a clean bill of health he could be a fixture at guard for a long time.
Draft Grade: B+
AFC East Draft Grades: Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins come off of a 7-9 season, and their division title in 2008 seems to be a long time ago. There were issues all over the field that needed to be addressed, and the Dolphins got 2 of them right off the bat. Mike Pouncey will help solidify the offensive line, which outside of Jake Long has not performed up to snuff. Poincey can play guard and center, and it looks like Miami will have him anchoring the middle. Another area of concern was running back. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown are free agents, and Miami got a solid power back in Daniel Thomas. Thomas is a north-south runner who should thrive going through holes opened by Long and Pouncey.
With only six picks, the defense wasn't addressed until Round 7. But the quarterback position wasn't addressed at all. It looks like the Dolphins are either going to hand the keys of the offense back to Chad Henne, of go after a veteran in free agency.
A late round sleeper looks to be Edmond Gates, a wide receiver from Abilene Christian selected in the fourth round. Gates is a burner, but transitioning to the NFL may be difficult.
Draft Grade: B-
With only six picks, the defense wasn't addressed until Round 7. But the quarterback position wasn't addressed at all. It looks like the Dolphins are either going to hand the keys of the offense back to Chad Henne, of go after a veteran in free agency.
A late round sleeper looks to be Edmond Gates, a wide receiver from Abilene Christian selected in the fourth round. Gates is a burner, but transitioning to the NFL may be difficult.
Draft Grade: B-
AFC East Draft Grades: Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills come off of a 4-12 season in 2010, and held the third overall selection of the 2011 NFL Draft. The offense was good last season, but the defense needed the most help. And the Bills hit the mark with their first two picks. Marcell Dareus is an athletic defensive tackle who can both stop the run and pressure the passer effectively. But their second round pick may turn out to be just as valuable. Aaron Williams is a solid corner who can also play safety. The Buffalo secondary got lit up way too much last season, and Williams looks to be a solid piece to the defensive puzzle. Third round pick Kelvin Sheppard is an athletic linebacker who can play inside and outside.
Buffalo helped the defense through the draft, but quarterback was a position that they should have addressed at some time. Ryan Mallett was available when the Bills picked Sheppard, but Arizona also passed on the Arkansas quarterback in the third round. Both teams need help at the position and passed. That may say what you need to know about Mallett. Buffalo has said that Ryan Fitzpatrick is their guy at quarterback, and they will go into 2011 with the Harvard grad calling the shots under center.
A late round sleeper for the Bills looks to be Chris Hairston, an offensive lineman selected in the fourth round. Buffalo's offensive line has had issues since Jason Peter went to Philadelphia, and it may not be long before Hairston her a chance. He has the size, strength and athletic ability to make an impact on an offensive line that has been thin at times.
Draft Grade: B
Buffalo helped the defense through the draft, but quarterback was a position that they should have addressed at some time. Ryan Mallett was available when the Bills picked Sheppard, but Arizona also passed on the Arkansas quarterback in the third round. Both teams need help at the position and passed. That may say what you need to know about Mallett. Buffalo has said that Ryan Fitzpatrick is their guy at quarterback, and they will go into 2011 with the Harvard grad calling the shots under center.
A late round sleeper for the Bills looks to be Chris Hairston, an offensive lineman selected in the fourth round. Buffalo's offensive line has had issues since Jason Peter went to Philadelphia, and it may not be long before Hairston her a chance. He has the size, strength and athletic ability to make an impact on an offensive line that has been thin at times.
Draft Grade: B
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