The Rams got their man in the first round of this years draft. Carriker will come in and be an iunstant starter most likely and he will help out on an improving defense.
Breaking Down The Draft - AFC North
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Baltimore Ravens Who They Took: 1.(29) OG Ben Grubbs, Auburn 3.(74) WR Yamon Figurs, Kansas St. 3.(86) OT Marshall Yanda, Iowa 4.(134) LB Antwan Barnes, Florida International 4.(137) FB Le'Ron McClain, Alabama 6.(207) LB Prescott Burgess, Michigan Key Team Needs:
1. Offensive line 2. Linebacker 3. Running back 4. Cornerback 5. Defensive tackle They Bottom Line: Baltimore has a very solid team. They addressed offensive line right away with Grubbs, who should turn out to be a great player. After not picking in round two, they made a surprising pick with Yamon Figurs. Figurs is talented, but his main role may be a return man. Normally, you don't use a third round pick on a return man. I like the pick of Burgess in round seven. He may turn out to be their next Adalius Thomas type player. He is very athletic and can play LB or S if needed. For what they had and what they needed, this was an average draft. Grade: C+
Cincinatti Bengals Who They Took: 1.(18) CB Leon Hall, Michigan 2.(49) RB Kenny Irons, Auburn 4.(114) S Marvin White, TCU 5.(151) QB Jeff Rowe, Nevada 6.(187) DT Matt Toeaina, Oregon 7.(230) OG Dan Santucci, Notre Dame 7.(253) S Nedu Ndukwe, Notre Dame Key Team Needs: 1. Cornerback 2. Tight end 3. Defensive tackle 4. Saftey 5. Guard/Center They Bottom Line: The Bengals got a gift when Leon Hall slipped to 18. Hall could be considered the top CB in the draft and could have gone in the top ten. THe Bengals needed defensive back help and Hall will help. I like Kenny Irons, but I don't really know if this was the best pick for the bengals in the second round. Their was still a lot of good players availible and running back isn't that high of a need. They must not have too much confidence in Chris Perry. Other then those two players, a pretty basic draft, nothing that stands out to me. Grade: C+
Cleveland Browns Who They Took: 1.(3) OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin 1.(22) QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame 2.(53) CB Eric Wright, UNLV 5.(140) CB Brandon McDonald, Memphis 6.(200) DE Melila Purcell, Hawaii 7.(213) DE Chase Pittman, LSU 7.(234) WR Syndric Steptoe, Arizona Key Team Needs: 1. Cornerback 2. Offensive tackle 3. Wide receiver 4. Nose tackle 5. Quarterback They Bottom Line: The Browns may have had the best first day of this years draft, but their day two wasn't nearly as good. Obviously, fans have heard plenty obout Thomas, the dominating tackle from Wisconsin, and Quinn, the golden boy who slipped down to his hometown team. Eric Wright has the talent level, but his experience and off the field issues may hurt his career. After transfering away from USC after only one season from suspicion of rape, Wright only played one year at UNLV before declaring for the draft. If he keeps his record clean and plays to his potential, cleveland should have 3 players to build a great team off of. I like the pick of Chase Johnson in the seventh round. He has good size and uses his hands well. The Browns were a perfect fit for him. This years draft doesn't reflect that they will not have a 2008 first round pick, but on paper, this class looks good. Grade: B+
Pittsburgh Steelers Who They Took: 1.(15) LB Lawrence Timmons, Florida St. 2.(46) DE LaMarr Woodley, Michigan 3.(77) TE Matt Spaeth, Minnesota 4.(112) P Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor 4.(132) DE Ryan McBean, Oklahoma St. 5.(156) OG Cameron Stephenson, Rutgers 5.(170) CB William Gay, Louisville 7.(227) WR Dallas Baker, Florida Key Team Needs: 1. Linebacker 2. Cornerback 3. Running back 4. Defensive line 5. Center/Guard They Bottom Line: Lawrence Timmons should turn into a great player in the pros. It shouldn't take long for him to come in, learn the system, and dominate the league. Woodley is an interesting pick in the second round. There were a lot of ends off the boards by this time. Woodley is athletic enough to play DE or OLB. He may not contribute as early as Timmons, but should put up decent numbers during his career. I like the pick of Dallas Baker in round seven. Baker has improved every year through college. He probably could have gone early day two, but his speed didn't wow anyone. He may slip into playing time and get a good number of catches as a rookie. The Steelers took care of the need at LB and DE, but didn't do too much else to improve right now. Grade: B-
Winners of Draft Weekend 1. Carolina - Trading down and still getting the great talent of Jon Beason. Then they got a big steal by selecting Dwayne Jarrett mid round two. Jarrett would have been a top 10 overall pick had his 40 time not been so disappointing. He still plays hard and can be dominate at times. Later in round two, they got another steal with center, Ryan Kalil. Kalil was a late first-early second round talent. Charles Johnson is a good end that will help add depth to that position. Ryne Robinson can help out the receiving core. Since that position is already deep, it may take time or an injury to really give him some gametime.
2. Indianapolis - Normallydrafting last will hurt your picks, but not for the Colts. They filled their need of a good slot receiver right away by selecting Anthony Gonzalez. They got another good value pick by taking Tony Agoh near the middle of the second round. Then with their two third round picks, they snatched up Daymeion Hughes and Quinn Pitcock. Both players were first round projections at the start of the offseason, but there stock fell. If the Colts can get them to play to their full potential, they got some real steals. Finally, I really like the pick of Michael Coe at the 173rd overall pick. Coe will fill in at a CB spot and I think he can contribute early in his career.
3. Minnesota - I like the Vikings Draft because they got some explosive players. The addition of Adrian Peterson, healthy or not, will help out a lot. He will split time with Taylor and eventually take the full load. Sidney Rice is either a major hit or a big flop. He only played two years in college, but what a two years they were. He had monster receiving stats. Becasue he doesn't have the full experience as most, he may not know how to adjust his game to the NFL. Getting Marcus McCauley in the third round is also a very good pickup. He will help address a week pass defense. Rufus Alexander could turn out to be a big steal as well. If he can perform at his potential, he can be very good.
4. Cleveland - Cleveland got what everyone is calling the "sexiest" draft, it doesn't reflect that they don't have a first round pick next year. Getting Joe Thomas at 3 was a good fit for them. They decided to pass on Brady Quinn, but got lucky when they traded up to get him at 22. Both players had top 10 grades. Getting Eric Wright in round 2 was a good pick as well. Wright was a part of USC until off the field issues led to a transfer to UNLV. He's got enormus talent, but some teams didn't want to take the gamble on him. Other then those three players, their draft wasn't too special.
5. New England - Belichick gets another one. It wasn't the draft that impresses me, it't the fact that they get Randy Moss for a 4th round pick. They started Saturday with two first round picks and ended it with one one total pick. That one pick was Brandon Meriweather though. Meriweather is a versitile safety that will help out the team right away. Oscar Lou was a good pick that they got in the seventh round. Coming from USC, he's bound to be good. Moss alone would make this draft one of the best, but add Meriweather and I give them a top 5 grade.
Quinn Goes Home After falling almost as low as Aaron Rodgers did in 2005, the Cleveland Browns traded up to snatch Brady Quinn. Quinn grew up in Ohio and was a Brown's fan. Coming back home to Cleveland was a dream to him. When the opportunity passed when the Browns took Joe Thomas with the #3 overall pick, Quinn was left to tumble. And tumble is what he did. many thought the Dolphins would take him at #9, but even they passed on him. Cleveland had to give up their 2nd round pick and their first round pick of next year to get him, but it should be worth it. Though they just took Charlie Frye in 2005, Quinn may move into the starting role. Great day for Browns fans as they get 2 of the top 10 players in the draft.
Thomas can come in and help out the weak Brown offensive line. The Browns passed on Brady Quinn and Adrian Peterson, baasically saying they are happy with Charlie Frye and Jamal Lewis. Thoams can help out the pass and run game.
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinatti Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers
