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This is Matt McGuire's NFL Draft blog, where he'll talk about the NFL Draft, anything that has to do with football and whatever else is on his mind.
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Posted April 25, 2010
2010 NFL Draft Grades: Day 3
Arizona: I like O'Brien Schofield as a project that they will likely place on the PUP list to start the season. John Skelton is an intriguing developmental quarterback, but he likely will never be anything more than a backup and this franchise really thinks Matt Leinart or Derek Anderson can lead this team - neither can. This team really failed to capitalize on Jimmy Clausen falling to them at both Nos. 26 and 47
Grade: B
Atlanta: Joe Hawley is an interior linemen who is feisty and plays with good technique. He'll provide solid depth for Atlanta at guard and center. Dominique Franks has very good physical tools, but he was way too inconsistent with poor technique. He is a project and will likely start out as a dime corner. Kerry Meier is a reliable receiver, but will struggle to seperate at the next level. He might be able to produce in the slot. Solid draft overall for Atlanta, but I feel like they got Sean Weatherspoon and then a bunch of backups. I don't really see another sure-starter in this draft class.
Grade: C+
Baltimore: Dennis Pitta is a consistent tight end with very good intangibles and excellent hands. I love him providing depth behind Todd Heap and pushing Ed Dickson for playing time. This is how you stay true to the board and stack a depth chart. David Reed has some talent and does a great job of focusing on the ball when it is in the air. Arthur Jones was highly overrated and not a player I was a huge fan of, but in Round 5 he is a decent value. Ramon Harewood has an extremely high upside and Baltimore's offensive line coach can't wait to get to work with him.
Grade: B+
Buffalo: Marcus Easley has speed, but he was a bit of a 1-year wonder. Ed Wang looks like a backup, but he has a very unimpressive skill set. Buffalo waited until Round 7 to address their quarterback position - five rounds too late. If I were to lecture draftniks on what a bad draft is supposed to look like, this would be it.
Grade: F+
Carolina: I love Eric Norwood in the fourth round and I feel like he is a potential starter on the strongside. David Gettis and Greg Hardy both have potential late, but likely won't pan out. The Tony Pike pick, as Mike Mayock blogged, shows how little confidence Carolina truly has in Matt Moore. They take Jimmy Clausen then draft another backup? Great draft from Carolina, and if Clausen pans out then they hit the jackpot.
Grade: B+
Chicago: Corey Wootton was a very solid pick in the fourth round, but he fell because of the medical. Josh Moore has some potential as a nickel. However, I really wish the Bears would have selected Damian Williams or Andre Roberts in Round 3 to give Jay Cutler some help.
Grade: C-
Cincinnati: I love the pick of Jermaine Gresham at 21, but I just didn't expect the Bengals to draft a tight end who can't block early on. Carlos Dunlap was a player I had pretty low on my board and I felt like he was one of the more overrated players in the 2010 NFL Draft. Jordan Shipley will be a very productive slot receiver. Brandon Ghee is my No. 4 corner and I think he could really emerge with good coaching. Geno Atkins could be a productive pass rusher on third down.
Grade: B
Cleveland: I really like Larry Asante as he was impressive on tape, but he really lacks instincts. Maybe he steps up his game at the next level. Carlton Mitchell has some athleticism but drops a lot of catchable balls. I completely hated what Cleveland did in Rounds 2 and 3, and it shows why they are one of the worst teams every year in the NFL.
Grade: D
Dallas: "AOA" was a great fourth-round pick because of his immense upside. At worst, he provides solid depth and great return ability for the Cowboys. Sean Lissemore has some talent in Round 7 and Dallas will stash him on their practice squad and develop him. I really like what Dallas did. Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, and AOA were three solid value picks.
Grade: B+
Denver: The Perrish Cox and Syd'Quan Thompson picks show how quickly Denver has given up on second-round (but really first-round) pick Alphonso Smith. If you felt like you had a very good nickel back, then you wouldn't have drafted two more corners. I like J.D. Walton, Eric Decker, and Cox, but the rest of this draft was a pathetic performance with Tim Tebow being the biggest reach of the draft - not Tyson Alualu.
Grade: D-
Detroit: Suh was a no-brainer and Jahvid Best was a good value, but they did nothing on Day 3 that impressed me, and overall I just don't see this draft greatly lifting the talent of this team.
Grade: C+
Green Bay: The Packers got a left tackle in Bryan Bulaga at 23, but maybe he was overrated by draftniks. Morgan Burnett was a solid value in the third round. I loved the James Starks pick late and I think he could be a steal if he stays healthy.
Grade: B
Houston: Kareem Jackson was a solid pick at No. 20 and Ben Tate provides this team with some talent at running back, but I wasn't impressed with any other pick by Houston. I felt like this was a very average draft.
Grade: C-
Indianapolis: I've been a big Jerry Hughes fan all year, but I don't see another starter in this draft class.
Grade: D
Jacksonville: Deji Karim has some upside and versatility, but this was just a really, really, really bad draft and their second pick, D'Anthony Smith, didn't address a need.
Grade: F
Kansas City: Kendrick Lewis flashed on tape, and it wouldn't shock me if he surprised everyone in the NFL. I love Eric Berry and I think Jon Asamoah will start, but they didn't draft a starter in the second round and failed to protect Matt Cassel with Russell Okung on the board.
Grade: C
Miami: A.J. Edds was a good pick in round four. He's tough and he will likely play inside in Miami's 3-4 defense. Reshad Jones has some athleticism and potential in Round 5. Solid overall draft by Miami, but nothing really blew me away.
Grade: C+
Minnesota: You would think Everson Griffen is a steal in Round 4, but apparently the rest of the NFL was as high as the media and draftnik community. He has a great first step, but I saw Vernon Gholston on tape. Minnesota will regret passing on Jimmy Clausen and I'm just not a Toby Gerhart fan. I think this was an overrated draft.
Grade: D+
New England: Aaron Hernandez was a solid addition in the fourth round and I like Zoltan Mesko in Round 5. Brandon Deadrick, Kade Weston and Zac Robinson were all great picks in Round 7. However, I just don't know how even half of the Pats' draft makes their roster.
Grade: B+
New Orleans: Matt Tennant was a solid addition in Round 5 and Al Woods has significant value in Round 4. However, I felt like this draft was too much potential and not enough immediate impact.
Grade: C
New York Giants: The Giants didn't make any picks I liked on Day 3, and I felt like Days 1 and 2 were all upside with not enough substance. Jerry Reese put on his gambling shoes with this draft class.
Grade: C+
New York Jets: The Jets got three impact players with Kyle Wilson, Vladimir Ducasse and John Conner, my top fullback and top 100 prospect in the 2010 NFL Draft. Jets fans - this guy will remind you of Lorenzo Neal with the way he blocks. I'm not a Joe McKnight fan, but I did have a fifth-round grade on him so the fourth round isn't a big stretch. I just don't like trading away Leon Washington.
Grade: B
Oakland: If you want to gamble on upside and athleticism in Round 4, then nobody will criticize you for doing so. Dare I say - Oakland had a good draft? Bruce Campbell was a great pick in the fourth. Lamarr Houston certainly is a good value according to some, and Walter McFadden was a nice addition in the fourth round. Rolando McClain will be a great fit in their 3-4 scheme.
Grade: B
Philadelphia: Mike Kafka has some potential as a backup behind Kevin Kolb, and Clay Harbor has a lot of potential and athleticism at tight end. Ricky Sapp had second-round tape, but a really messed up knee. Riley Cooper was a great pick in Round 5. Charles Scott has some real power and is a great short-yardage back. Jamar Chaney was one of my top inside linebackers in the draft and an amazing value in Round 7. Philly really rebounded on Day 3 with me and I'll notch up their grade a little bit.
Grade: B-
Pittsburgh: Thaddeus Gibson was a great pickup in the fourth round, and I mocked him to Pittsburgh in Round 3. Crezdon Butler has a lot of potential. Jonathan Dwyer was heavily overrated and comes with condition-weight concerns, but they only spent a sixth-round pick on him. Solid draft for the Steelers.
Grade: C
San Diego: I like Darrell Stuckey and Cam Thomas in Rounds 4 and 5. However, I am just not a fan of trading up that high to get Ryan Mathews. We'll see what kind of runner he is in the NFL, but he reminded me too much of Donald Brown.
Grade: D+
San Francisco 49ers: Walter made a great point that while Anthony Davis has horrible intangibles, if anyone can get through to him it is Mike Singletary. Taylor Mays was a solid addition in the second round. I love Anthony Dixon in Round 6 and he was my No. 3 running back. Navorro Bowman comes with character concerns, but he put out first-round tape. Solid draft for San Francisco.
Grade: B-
Seattle: Pete Carroll excecuted a great draft, and grabbed several of my favorite players in this class. However like I have stated multiple times, if Charlie Whitehurst isn't the answer, it doesn't matter how good the rest of the team is. Without a quarterback you aren't much, but Seattle did grab some great players. Walter Thurmond had an injury, but he's a second-round pick on tape. Kam Chancellor has some talent and provides good depth in the fifth round. Anthony McCoy is an excellent blocking tight end and should make the roster. If Seattle had traded up for Clausen in the second round, then I would have given their draft an "A+" grade.
Grade: A
St. Louis: Mardy Gilyard was a pick I just didn't like atop the fourth round - I had a sixth-round grade on Gilyard. Mike Hoomanawanui was a solid pick in the fifth round and provides depth at tight end. Maybe one of the Rams late-round picks pans out. This was a very solid draft overall by the Rams.
Grade: B+
Tampa Bay: Tampa said they did their homework on Mike Williams. Williams is a fourth-round talent, but I just don't believe that he's a good teammate - I hope I'm wrong. Tampa was rumored to take a punter later on and selected Brent Bowden in round six. Cody Grimm and Dekoda Watson might make the roster as special teamers. Very solid draft by Tampa, and if Williams stays relatively clean off the field, he will a be a gem much like the 2007 fourth-round pick out of Syracuse, Tanard Jackson.
Grade: B+
Tennessee Titans: Robert Johnson provides good depth at safety in Round 5. Obviously, the Titans wanted more intelligent guys late because they drafted Myron Rolle and the pride of Brown University in David Howard. Excellent draft by the Titans because they grabbed two prospects I had graded in my top 10.
Grade: A
Washington: The Redskins didn't do much on Day 3 that I liked, but Selvish Capers is the type of linemen you want to stash on your practice squad and attempt to develop.
Grade: D+
2010 NFL Mock Draft - Matt McGuire's
2010 NFL Mock Draft - Walt's
NFL Picks
2009 Fantasy Football Rankings
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Send Matt an e-mail here: mmcguire5@gmail.com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Posted April 25, 2010
2010 NFL Draft Grades: Day 3
Arizona: I like O'Brien Schofield as a project that they will likely place on the PUP list to start the season. John Skelton is an intriguing developmental quarterback, but he likely will never be anything more than a backup and this franchise really thinks Matt Leinart or Derek Anderson can lead this team - neither can. This team really failed to capitalize on Jimmy Clausen falling to them at both Nos. 26 and 47
Grade: B
Atlanta: Joe Hawley is an interior linemen who is feisty and plays with good technique. He'll provide solid depth for Atlanta at guard and center. Dominique Franks has very good physical tools, but he was way too inconsistent with poor technique. He is a project and will likely start out as a dime corner. Kerry Meier is a reliable receiver, but will struggle to seperate at the next level. He might be able to produce in the slot. Solid draft overall for Atlanta, but I feel like they got Sean Weatherspoon and then a bunch of backups. I don't really see another sure-starter in this draft class.
Grade: C+
Baltimore: Dennis Pitta is a consistent tight end with very good intangibles and excellent hands. I love him providing depth behind Todd Heap and pushing Ed Dickson for playing time. This is how you stay true to the board and stack a depth chart. David Reed has some talent and does a great job of focusing on the ball when it is in the air. Arthur Jones was highly overrated and not a player I was a huge fan of, but in Round 5 he is a decent value. Ramon Harewood has an extremely high upside and Baltimore's offensive line coach can't wait to get to work with him.
Grade: B+
Buffalo: Marcus Easley has speed, but he was a bit of a 1-year wonder. Ed Wang looks like a backup, but he has a very unimpressive skill set. Buffalo waited until Round 7 to address their quarterback position - five rounds too late. If I were to lecture draftniks on what a bad draft is supposed to look like, this would be it.
Grade: F+
Carolina: I love Eric Norwood in the fourth round and I feel like he is a potential starter on the strongside. David Gettis and Greg Hardy both have potential late, but likely won't pan out. The Tony Pike pick, as Mike Mayock blogged, shows how little confidence Carolina truly has in Matt Moore. They take Jimmy Clausen then draft another backup? Great draft from Carolina, and if Clausen pans out then they hit the jackpot.
Grade: B+
Chicago: Corey Wootton was a very solid pick in the fourth round, but he fell because of the medical. Josh Moore has some potential as a nickel. However, I really wish the Bears would have selected Damian Williams or Andre Roberts in Round 3 to give Jay Cutler some help.
Grade: C-
Cincinnati: I love the pick of Jermaine Gresham at 21, but I just didn't expect the Bengals to draft a tight end who can't block early on. Carlos Dunlap was a player I had pretty low on my board and I felt like he was one of the more overrated players in the 2010 NFL Draft. Jordan Shipley will be a very productive slot receiver. Brandon Ghee is my No. 4 corner and I think he could really emerge with good coaching. Geno Atkins could be a productive pass rusher on third down.
Grade: B
Cleveland: I really like Larry Asante as he was impressive on tape, but he really lacks instincts. Maybe he steps up his game at the next level. Carlton Mitchell has some athleticism but drops a lot of catchable balls. I completely hated what Cleveland did in Rounds 2 and 3, and it shows why they are one of the worst teams every year in the NFL.
Grade: D
Dallas: "AOA" was a great fourth-round pick because of his immense upside. At worst, he provides solid depth and great return ability for the Cowboys. Sean Lissemore has some talent in Round 7 and Dallas will stash him on their practice squad and develop him. I really like what Dallas did. Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, and AOA were three solid value picks.
Grade: B+
Denver: The Perrish Cox and Syd'Quan Thompson picks show how quickly Denver has given up on second-round (but really first-round) pick Alphonso Smith. If you felt like you had a very good nickel back, then you wouldn't have drafted two more corners. I like J.D. Walton, Eric Decker, and Cox, but the rest of this draft was a pathetic performance with Tim Tebow being the biggest reach of the draft - not Tyson Alualu.
Grade: D-
Detroit: Suh was a no-brainer and Jahvid Best was a good value, but they did nothing on Day 3 that impressed me, and overall I just don't see this draft greatly lifting the talent of this team.
Grade: C+
Green Bay: The Packers got a left tackle in Bryan Bulaga at 23, but maybe he was overrated by draftniks. Morgan Burnett was a solid value in the third round. I loved the James Starks pick late and I think he could be a steal if he stays healthy.
Grade: B
Houston: Kareem Jackson was a solid pick at No. 20 and Ben Tate provides this team with some talent at running back, but I wasn't impressed with any other pick by Houston. I felt like this was a very average draft.
Grade: C-
Indianapolis: I've been a big Jerry Hughes fan all year, but I don't see another starter in this draft class.
Grade: D
Jacksonville: Deji Karim has some upside and versatility, but this was just a really, really, really bad draft and their second pick, D'Anthony Smith, didn't address a need.
Grade: F
Kansas City: Kendrick Lewis flashed on tape, and it wouldn't shock me if he surprised everyone in the NFL. I love Eric Berry and I think Jon Asamoah will start, but they didn't draft a starter in the second round and failed to protect Matt Cassel with Russell Okung on the board.
Grade: C
Miami: A.J. Edds was a good pick in round four. He's tough and he will likely play inside in Miami's 3-4 defense. Reshad Jones has some athleticism and potential in Round 5. Solid overall draft by Miami, but nothing really blew me away.
Grade: C+
Minnesota: You would think Everson Griffen is a steal in Round 4, but apparently the rest of the NFL was as high as the media and draftnik community. He has a great first step, but I saw Vernon Gholston on tape. Minnesota will regret passing on Jimmy Clausen and I'm just not a Toby Gerhart fan. I think this was an overrated draft.
Grade: D+
New England: Aaron Hernandez was a solid addition in the fourth round and I like Zoltan Mesko in Round 5. Brandon Deadrick, Kade Weston and Zac Robinson were all great picks in Round 7. However, I just don't know how even half of the Pats' draft makes their roster.
Grade: B+
New Orleans: Matt Tennant was a solid addition in Round 5 and Al Woods has significant value in Round 4. However, I felt like this draft was too much potential and not enough immediate impact.
Grade: C
New York Giants: The Giants didn't make any picks I liked on Day 3, and I felt like Days 1 and 2 were all upside with not enough substance. Jerry Reese put on his gambling shoes with this draft class.
Grade: C+
New York Jets: The Jets got three impact players with Kyle Wilson, Vladimir Ducasse and John Conner, my top fullback and top 100 prospect in the 2010 NFL Draft. Jets fans - this guy will remind you of Lorenzo Neal with the way he blocks. I'm not a Joe McKnight fan, but I did have a fifth-round grade on him so the fourth round isn't a big stretch. I just don't like trading away Leon Washington.
Grade: B
Oakland: If you want to gamble on upside and athleticism in Round 4, then nobody will criticize you for doing so. Dare I say - Oakland had a good draft? Bruce Campbell was a great pick in the fourth. Lamarr Houston certainly is a good value according to some, and Walter McFadden was a nice addition in the fourth round. Rolando McClain will be a great fit in their 3-4 scheme.
Grade: B
Philadelphia: Mike Kafka has some potential as a backup behind Kevin Kolb, and Clay Harbor has a lot of potential and athleticism at tight end. Ricky Sapp had second-round tape, but a really messed up knee. Riley Cooper was a great pick in Round 5. Charles Scott has some real power and is a great short-yardage back. Jamar Chaney was one of my top inside linebackers in the draft and an amazing value in Round 7. Philly really rebounded on Day 3 with me and I'll notch up their grade a little bit.
Grade: B-
Pittsburgh: Thaddeus Gibson was a great pickup in the fourth round, and I mocked him to Pittsburgh in Round 3. Crezdon Butler has a lot of potential. Jonathan Dwyer was heavily overrated and comes with condition-weight concerns, but they only spent a sixth-round pick on him. Solid draft for the Steelers.
Grade: C
San Diego: I like Darrell Stuckey and Cam Thomas in Rounds 4 and 5. However, I am just not a fan of trading up that high to get Ryan Mathews. We'll see what kind of runner he is in the NFL, but he reminded me too much of Donald Brown.
Grade: D+
San Francisco 49ers: Walter made a great point that while Anthony Davis has horrible intangibles, if anyone can get through to him it is Mike Singletary. Taylor Mays was a solid addition in the second round. I love Anthony Dixon in Round 6 and he was my No. 3 running back. Navorro Bowman comes with character concerns, but he put out first-round tape. Solid draft for San Francisco.
Grade: B-
Seattle: Pete Carroll excecuted a great draft, and grabbed several of my favorite players in this class. However like I have stated multiple times, if Charlie Whitehurst isn't the answer, it doesn't matter how good the rest of the team is. Without a quarterback you aren't much, but Seattle did grab some great players. Walter Thurmond had an injury, but he's a second-round pick on tape. Kam Chancellor has some talent and provides good depth in the fifth round. Anthony McCoy is an excellent blocking tight end and should make the roster. If Seattle had traded up for Clausen in the second round, then I would have given their draft an "A+" grade.
Grade: A
St. Louis: Mardy Gilyard was a pick I just didn't like atop the fourth round - I had a sixth-round grade on Gilyard. Mike Hoomanawanui was a solid pick in the fifth round and provides depth at tight end. Maybe one of the Rams late-round picks pans out. This was a very solid draft overall by the Rams.
Grade: B+
Tampa Bay: Tampa said they did their homework on Mike Williams. Williams is a fourth-round talent, but I just don't believe that he's a good teammate - I hope I'm wrong. Tampa was rumored to take a punter later on and selected Brent Bowden in round six. Cody Grimm and Dekoda Watson might make the roster as special teamers. Very solid draft by Tampa, and if Williams stays relatively clean off the field, he will a be a gem much like the 2007 fourth-round pick out of Syracuse, Tanard Jackson.
Grade: B+
Tennessee Titans: Robert Johnson provides good depth at safety in Round 5. Obviously, the Titans wanted more intelligent guys late because they drafted Myron Rolle and the pride of Brown University in David Howard. Excellent draft by the Titans because they grabbed two prospects I had graded in my top 10.
Grade: A
Washington: The Redskins didn't do much on Day 3 that I liked, but Selvish Capers is the type of linemen you want to stash on your practice squad and attempt to develop.
Grade: D+
2010 NFL Mock Draft - Matt McGuire's
2010 NFL Mock Draft - Walt's
NFL Picks
2009 Fantasy Football Rankings