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 East
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Buffalo Bills Who They Took: 1.(12) RB Marshawn Lynch, California 2.(34) LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State 3.(92) QB Trent Edwards, Stanford 4.(111) RB Dwayne Wright, Fresno St. 6.(184) S John Wendling, Wyoming 7.(222) TE Derek Schouman, Boise St. 7.(239) DE C.J. Ah You, Oklahoma Key Team Needs: 1. Linebacker 2. Cornerback 3. Running back 4. Offensive tackle 5. Wide receiver The Bottom Line: Many people believe Lynch was a reach at 12, and so do I. I feel, talent-wise, he probably should have been a late round one to early round two pick. Since there was almost no other backs even close to Peterson, he went higher then expected. He still will get a chance to start most likely and may have a decent season. Getting Posluszny early round two should make up for the pick of Lynch. Posluszny could have been a mid to late round one pick, but slipping into the second round may motivate him to compete at an even higher level. He may be this years DeMecoRyans. Though J.P. Losman started coming on pretty good near the end of the season, the Bills still looked into finding a backup and picked up Stanford's Trent Edwards. Edwards can be a great QB if he stays healthy. The pick of Wright is kind of strange. Having already drafted Lynch in round one, I guess they just want someone to split some carries for Lynch and give him some breathers sometimes. Their Draft as a whole was better then it looks, but still not as good as it could have been. Grade: B-
Miami Dolphins Who They Took: 1.(9) WR Ted Ginn, Jr., Ohio State 2.(40) QB John Beck, BYU 2.(60) C Samson Satele, Hawaii 3.(71) RB Lorenzo Booker, Florida St. 4.(108) DT Paul Soliai, Utah 6.(181) FB Reagan Mauia, Hawaii 6.(199) C Drew Mormino, Central Michigan 7.(219) LB Kelvin Smith, Syracuse 7.(225) P Brandon Fields, Michigan St. 7.(238) DE Abraham Wright, Colorado Key Team Needs: 1. Offensive tackle 2. Safety 3. Linebacker 4. Defensive tackle 5. Cornerback The Bottom Line: I'm not sure who is in charge of the Dolphins recruiting because either he read the wrong notes, or he didn't pay too much attention. Having Brady Quinn on the board was a blessing for them and they passed on it. They passed on it for an injuries receiver that they think can really make a difference "in the return game." You don't use a top ten pick for a return man. He isn't nearly as good of a receiver as Calvin Johnson and probably isn't as good as Bowe, Meachem, Davis, Jarrett, and Gonzalez. The two things he has going for him is speed and excitement. They did take John Beck in round two. He can be a good QB, but didn't play against the best competition every week so it may be hard to judge. I like the pick of Lorenzo Booker in round three. Booker will have a chance right away to play as a third down back most likely. With it looking more and more like Ricky Williams isn't coming back, Booker may split some time with Brown. For their situation, not a good draft. Grade: C-
New England Patriots Who They Took: 1.(24) S Brandon Meriweather, Miami 4.(127) DT Kareem Brown, Miami 5.(171) OT Clint Oldenburg, Colorado St. 6.(180) LB Justin Rogers, SMU 6.(202) CB Mike Richardson, Notre Dame 6.(208) RB JustiseHairston, Central Connecticut 6.(209) OT Corey Hilliard, Oklahoma St. 7.(211) LB Oscar Lua, USC 7.(247) C Mike Elgin, Iowa Key Team Needs: 1. Linebacker 2. Cornerback 3. Safety 4. Running back 5. Offensive tackle The Bottom Line: Belichick has to be one of the best coaches of all time. Already having had one of the best offseasons this year, he went out and got Randy Moss for a fourth round pick. Moss makes it 20 receivers on the roster. Having two round one picks to start the day, they could afford to trade one of them down. They used the other one to select Brandon Meriweather from "The U." There were some questions about Meriweather's character but if any coach can correct that, it's Belichick. That put a wrap on their day one picks. They traded all their other picks away. I like the pick of Oscar Lua in round seven. If Lua plays up to his potential, he could be a real sleeper. If you throw out the Moss trade, this may be a really weak draft, but somehow Belichick will make it into a great one. Grade: C
New York Jets Who They Took: 1.(14) CB Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh 2.(47) LB David Harris, Michigan 6.(177) OT Jacob Bender, Nicholls St. 7.(235) WRChansiStuckey, Clemson Key Team Needs: 1. Cornerback 2. Defensive end 3. Defensive tackle 4. Offensive tackle 5. Tight end The Bottom Line: The Jets went quality over quantity. They traded up twice to get Darrelle Revis and David Harris in the first two rounds. Both players fell lower then they should have. Harris could have been a mid round one pick but slipped into mid round two. I believe ChasiStuckey is a sleeper as well. He probably should have been taken higher. He has the talent and speed, but he isn't the biggest. Some teams may have passed on him because of injury concerns, but I still believe he may put up good stats as a rookie. This was a good class, it's just a problem only having four picks the entire draft. Grade: B-
Chicago Bears Who They Took: 1.(31) TE Greg Olsen, Miami 2.(62) DE Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan 3.(93) RB Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois 3.(94) LB Michael Okwo, Stanford 4.(130) OG Josh Beekman, Boston College 5.(167) S Kevin Payne, Louisiana-Monroe 5.(168) CB Corey Graham, New Hampshire 7.(221) CB Trumaine McBride, Mississippi 7.(241) OT Aaron Brant, Iowa St. Key Team Needs: 1. Defensive back 2. Tight end 3. Linebacker 4. Defensive tackle 5. Offensive line The Bottom Line: Greg Olsen was a steal at the 31st overall pick. Many scouts, included me, had him going a lot higher. I actually had him at 16 to Green Bay. He is a special player that wil have a great career ahead of him. With rumors that a DE like Agunleye may get traded to make more playing time for rookie phenom, Mark Anderson, the pick of Bazuin makes some sence. I don't agree with drafting Garrett Wolfe on day one at all. He will battle Adrian Peterson and undrafted rookie Darius Walker for the third down back position. I feel he could have been availible in round five or six. I also htink he may only contirbute in special teams and the Bears don't need help in that area. They tried to add some depth at DB by drafting 2 CBs and a S on day two. Overall, not the best draft. Grade: C+ Detroit Lions Who They Took: 1.(2) WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech 2.(43) QB Drew Stanton, Michigan St. 2.(58) DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, Hawaii 2.(61) S Gerald Alexander, Boise St. 4.(105) CB A.J. Davis, North Carolina St. 4.(117) OG Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech 5.(158) LB Johnny Baldwin, Alabama A&M 7.(255) CB Ramzee Robinson, Alabama Key Team Needs: 1. Defensive end 2. Offensive tackle 3. Cornerback 4. Linebacker 5. Tight end The Bottom Line: Calvin Johnson was the best player availible and he was the right pick. Trading Mike Williams and Josh McCown opened up room for drafting a WR and QB in the first two rounds. Stanton may even see himself starting by mid to late season. They did address DE and S in the second round also so day one was pretty productive. I feel A.J. Davis is a good prospect with a bright future. Then there is Mr. Irrelivant, Ramzee Robinson. He actually has a decent chance at making the team. The Lions are improving and actually may compete this season. Grade: B
Green Bay Packers Who They Took: 1.(16) DT Justin Harrell, Tennessee 2.(63) RB Brandon Jackson, Nebraska 3.(78) WR James Jones, San Jose St. 3.(89) S Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech 4.(119) OT Allen Barbre, Missourin Southern St. 5.(157) WR David Clowney, Virginia Tech 6.(191) LB Korey Hall, Boise St. 6.(192) LB Desmond Bishop, California 6.(193) K Mason Crosby, Colorado 7.(228) RB Deshawn Wynn, Florida 7.(243) TE Clark Harris, Rutgers Key Team Needs: 1. Running back 2. Wide receiver 3. Defensive back 4. Tight end 5. Linebacker The Botttom Line: The pick of Harrell in round one was horrid. To me, it didn't make too much sense and it was aweful. I can't see how the Packers had him ranked as the best player availible. THen in round two, they reached for another player in Brandon Jackson. They could have got him in round three or even four. Plus, I think Vernand Morency is a lot better back then people give him credit for. He should and will be the starter this season and in the future. I think their best pick was with Aaron Rouse. He will come in right away and challange Manuel for the starting role. Jones and Clowney can come in and contribute early maybe too, though the Packers have like 10 WRs on the roster already. Crosby could have been taken in round two, but fell into round 6. I actually like the pick of him their. Another problem I saw was Ted Thompson not offering higher then a 5th round pick for Moss. He is Randy Moss! Overall, they didn't do enough to help out Favre. Dissapointing draft for packer fans. Grade: C-
Minnesota Vikings Who They Took: 1.(7) RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma 2.(44) WR Sidney Rice, South Carolina 3.(72) CB Marcus McCauley, Fresno St. 4.(102) DE Brian Robison, Texas 5.(146) WR Aundrae Allison, East Carolina 6.(176) LB Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma 7.(217) QB Tyler Thigpen, Coastal Carolina 7.(233) WR Chandler Williams, Florida International Key Team Needs: 1. Quarterback 2. Wide receiver 3. Linebacker 4. Cornerback 5. Running back The Bottom Line: The Vikings must really like Tavaris Jackson, because Brady Quinn would've looked good in purple. I don't disagree with the Peterson pick though at all. I never though much of Chester Taylor and I think Peterson may come in and carry the bulk of the role right away. I really like the pick of Sidney Rice. The Vikings need a big play threat as Troy Williamson hasn't proved much yet. Though Rice is a hit or miss becasue of his lack of experience, I think he will do good. I also really like the Marcus McCauley pick in the third round. He could have gone early two, and he can and should contribute early. Aunrea Allison is still developing, but shows a lot of potential. Alexander is a playmaker, but may only see special teams action early. As I posted before, I really like the Viking draft this year, They found talent that will help them out for many years. Grade: B+
Seattle Seahawks Who they Took: 2 (55) Josh Wilson, CB - Maryland 3 (85) Brandon Mebane, DT - California 4 (120) Baraka Atkins, DE - Miami FL 4 (124) Mansfield Wrotto, G - Georgia Tech 5 (161) Will Hering, OLB - Auburn 6 (197) Courtney Taylor, WR - Auburn 6 (210) Jordan Kent, WR - Oregon 7 (232) Steve Vallos, G - Wake Forrest Key Team Needs: 1. Safety 2. Cornerback 3. Defensive end 4. Tight end 5. Offensive line The Bottom Line: Drafting without a first round pick automatically puts your team in a handicap. They addressed they need of a CB right away with their round two pick. Wilson is good and he may get right into the action. They also took care of D-Line needs. After getting rid of Darrell Jackson, they took care of WR with two near the later rounds. They had a pretty good draft for their situation. Grade: C+
San Fransisco 49ers Who they Took: 1 (11) Patrick Willis, ILB - Ole Miss 1 (28) Joe Staley, OT - Cental Michigan 3 (76) Jason Hill, WR - Washington State 3 (97) Ray McDonald, DT - Florida 4 (104) Jay Moore, DE - Nebraska 4 (126) Dashon Goldson, FS - Washington 5 (147) Tarrell Brown, CB - Texas 6 (186) Thomas Clayton, RB - Kansas State Key Team Needs: 1. Wide receiver 2. Defensive end 3. Cornerback 4. Linebacker 5. Safety The Bottom Line: Drafting Patrick Willis is nothing to be ashamed of. I believe he was the best linebacker in the draft by far and he will be a dominate player in his career. The trade up to get Joe Staley wasn't really necessary. Sure a good OT is great to have around, but where they got him and where they could have got him was a different story. They solved their need of a WR by trading for Darrell Jackson and still drafted the talented receiver Hill in round three. They helped the D-Line out in the middle rounds. McDonald was a good pickup for the third round. They tried to address the DBs but not until the later rounds. I have no problem in this becasue the players they drafted will contribute well. Good draft for the most part. Grade: B Arizona Cardinals Who They Took: 1 (5) Levi Brown, OT - Penn State 2 (33) Alan Branch, DT - Michigan 3 (69) Buster Davis, ILB - Florida State 5 (142) Steve Breaston, WR - Michigan 7 (215) Ben Patrick, TE - Deleware Key Team Needs: 1. Offensive tackle 2. Cornerback 3. Linebacker 4. Safety 5. Running back The Bottom Line: Their number one goal was offensive tackle and that's what they wanted to address first. I don't believe Brown was a top five pick, but he wasn't too far behind Thomas, so it wasn't too much of a reach. I really like the pick of Branch in round two. Though it really wasn't a major need, Branch can be agreat talent if he plays hard and stays in shape. He was a top ten or even top five projected player at the beginning of the offseason and his stock kept slipping. The Pick of Davis was good. They needed an LB and Davis can be good if he can can stay in shape also. he isn't the biggest, but he plays tough. Breaston will add in the return game and he may even play some reveiver. His stock may have been higher if he came out last year. They didn't really need a TE, but patrick was sitting on the board for a lot longer then he should have been, and it was a good value pick. After Brown, they didn't really look into their needs. Grade B
St. Louis Rams Who They Took: 1 (13) Adam Carriker, DE - Nebraska 2 (52) Brian Leonard, FB/RB - Rutgers 3 (84) Jon Wade, CB - Tennessee 5 (139) Dustin Fry, C - Clemson 5 (154) Clifton Ryan, DT - Michigan State 6 (190) Ken Shackleford, OT - Georgia 7 (248) Keith Jackson, DT - Arkansas 7 (249) Derek Stanley, WR - Wisconsin-Whitewater Key Team Needs: 1. Defensive end 2. Defensive tackle 3. Cornerback 4. Wide receiver 5. Running back The Bottom Line: Carriker was just what they wanted. He is big, strong, pysical and intense.He has ben pretty consistant thoughout his career. Brian Leonard was a wildcard in this years draft. The Rams wanted a RB, and Leonard can play both FB and RB in the NFL. He will be a good power back that can catch out of the backfield. I'm sure that was one of the reasons the Rams used the pick on him. They had the oportunity to take either Darrelle Revis or Leon Hall in round one, but passed on both. Taking Wade in the third round may be a gamble. He is a converted WR that is still learing the position. The picks of Fry and Shackleford add depth to the O-Line that is still one of the better ones in the league. They could have drafted a wide reciever earlier. Dante Hall probably shouldn't be the 4th string, but may end up there. They filled their needs failey well and had a pretty good draft. Grade: B-
1. NT If St. Louis doesn't ship its second-rounder to Carolina for Kris Jenkins, it appears the Rams will address this spot in Round One. Branch and Amobi Okoye (who could grow into a nose) will be considered if available. The Rams must avoid reaching for a useful yet one-dimensional player like Justin Harrell (Tennessee) at No. 13.
3. WR This will probably be Isaac Bruce's final season in horns and Scott Linehan wants an eventual replacement. Drew Bennett is likely the Rams' slot receiver, now and for the future. There are numerous wideouts worthy of St. Louis' late second-round choice, including LSU's Craig Davis and Washington State's Jason Hill.
4. LB This isn't a pressing need after the Chris Draft signing, but the Rams could use depth in case Samoan superman Pisa Tinoisamoa breaks and dislocates every bone in his upper body again. The Rams love speed 'backers and Mississippi's Rory Johnson, a player with tremendous upside, could be available early on Day Two.
I agree with this article completely. I believe we will touch at least 3 of these needs on day one of the draft. I believe we will look at D-line in round 1, wide receiver in round 2 (maybe rd 1 if the right player is there), and RB in round 3 (as i said before, Chris Henry looks good here). We may also look at a cornerback if the right player becomes available.
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
