EMQB's First Round Rantings

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The first round has concluded, and I have slept on it. Here are my observations going into the second round tonight:


1. Bradford needs some receivers to throw to.  I don't think the Rams are going to get any instant impact receiver in the rest of this draft:  that is a problem.


2. Suh and McCoy are the best players in this draft by far. The problem is they don't play quarterback.  If you watched the draft coverage on either network, you would have thought the Lions and Bucs drafted punters.


3. I have the "bust feeling' about Trent Williams. A left tackle with maturity issues is a little concerning. Then again, I had a lot of maturity issues a his age.


4. Eric Berry, Russell Okung, and Joe Haden were the best players available at each of their spots. I was happy to see that the Chiefs and Browns didn't settle for "safer" picks. Whatever a "safe" pick is in the NFL Draft.


5. The Raiders didn't shock me with their pick. I happen to like Rolando McClain. While he's not the hardest hitting player at linebacker, he will provide some sorely needed leadership, intelligence, and character to the Oakland locker room.


6. CJ Spiller was once again the best player on the board when Buffalo picked. He also was one of the last players I got right on that farce I called a mock draft.


7. Alualu was not as big of a reach as many are thinking. He projects to be a better 4-3 defensive tackle than his college position of 3-4 defensive end. He was a very good defensive end. The draft is all about "projecting".


8. Anthony Davis, Ryan Mathews, Brandon Graham, and Earl Thomas were all hot commodities. That's why teams traded up to get them. I believe they will all be productive NFL players barring injury.


9.  Pierre-Paul, Morgan, Iupati, Pouncey, and Weatherspoon went to perfect spots. Going to teams with a good core of talent will take the pressure of of them to be superstars overnight.


10. Kareem Jackson was another player flying up the board. His technique and knowledge will allow him to step in and be an immediate starter with the Texans.


11. The most boring pick of the first round was Jermaine Gresham to the Bengals:  that rumor had started months ago.


12. Tim Tebow and Demaryius Thomas are risky picks for the Broncos. They are both great kids by all accounts but injury and the fact that neither of them are near pro-ready has to be a concern.


13. Bryan Bulaga and Dez Bryant are the steals of this first round in my opinion. To get players with that type of potential at those picks shows the depth of this draft.


14. Dan Williams and Jared Odrick are great additions for the Cardinals and Dolphins. Their impact won't be noticed because of their playing positions, but they are filling big needs for talented defenses.


15. Kyle Wilson and Devin McCourty would have been top 15 picks in a typical draft. They were available towards the end of the first round. Great values.


16. Many Lions fans are bent out of shape about the Jahvid Best trade. Moving back 28 spots in the fourth round and a seventh round pick is not much to get a potential game breaker. Best just needs to stay healthy.


17. Hughes and Robinson were chosen because they were the best players available. You can do that when you play in the Super Bowl.


We will be doing pick by pick analysis again tonight and continuing coverage through out the weekend.


 


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