2009 NFL Draft - Day One Review |
33 | Lions | | Safety | WMU |
|
This is a decent pick, but nothing too impressive. I'm not nearly as high on Delmas as most and think he'll be only an adequate starter. The Lions really should have spent this pick on an offensive lineman or someone for the front seven on defense. Safety simply isn't an impact position.
Grade: C |
|
34 | Patriots | | Safety | | |
Very solid pick here. The Patriots had targeted Chung as someone that could step right in and make an impact as a rookie. He's a good athlete with the ability to play corner or safety. There were definitely better players on the board, but Chung fills a need and could compete for a starting job.
Grade: B |
|
35 | Rams | | Inside Linebacker | | |
I'm very high on Laurinaitis and had him graded as a top ten pick. He lacks the measurables to actually earn him that place in the draft, but he's going to start right away in St. Louis and be an impact player. He's an ideal inside linebacker in the 4-3 system and will act as the leader of their defense.
Grade: A+ |
|
36 | Browns | | Wide Receiver | Ohio State |
|
This is a decent pick, but I don't understand why they didn't select a linebacker or a defensive lineman with this selection. Robiskie is arguably the most NFL-ready receiver in this year's draft class and will be an excellent compliment to Braylon Edwards (assuming he sticks around).
Grade: B |
|
| | | Cornerback | | |
The Broncos traded their 2009 first-round pick to move up for this selection. This trade was almost as bad as the one the Browns made with the Jets to move down in the 1st round. Smith is a good cornerback, but he'll never be an elite player and wasn't worth a first rounder.
Grade: C |
|
38 | Bengals | | Inside Linebacker | | |
Its tough to argue with this pick considering Maualuga had a solid first round grade. However, I am little concerned that Bengals took two very risky players with their first two picks. Maualuga is a boom-or-bust prospect and the Bengals don't have a good track record developing players lately.
Grade: B+ |
|
39 | Jaguars | | Offensive Tackle | | |
Britton was arguably the top player on the draft board here, making a good value pick. However, Britton will sit the bench for at least a year (maybe more depending on how long Tra Thomas sticks around). This isn't a bad pick, but they could have gotten more of an impact player here.
Grade: B |
|
40 | Patriots | | Defensive Tackle | | |
An other solid pick for the Patriots. Vince Wilfork has plenty left in the tank, but the Patriots never wait for a hole to open before filling it. Brace has the size and strength to play nose tackle and will be an excellent addition to their defensive line rotation. The Patriots got a steal here.
Grade: A |
|
41 | Patriots | | Cornerback | UConn |
|
I thought the Patriots may consider Butler in the first round, so to land him here is a steal. He's an tremendous athlete and will be an excellent fit in the Patriots scheme. He likely will play the nickelback position for now, but definitely has the ability to be a starter in this league.
Grade: A |
|
42 | Bills | | Cornerback | | |
I understand that a large contingent likes Byrd, but I'm not in that group. He's a big play guy that jumps out at first glance, but upon closer inspections his flaws become apparent. He lacks the speed and the instincts to be an impact player and I don't expect him to be a starter in this league.
Grade :D |
|
43 | Panthers | | Defensive End | | |
Brown was overrated entering the draft because of his pass-rush ability but that exactly what the Panthers need. Even if he's a situational pass rusher he'll provide the athleticism that the Panthers need on the defensive line to improve their ability to get to the quarterback.
Grade: A- |
|
44 | Dolphins | | Quarterback/Receiver | | |
This was a reach, there's no denying that, but the Dolphins know what they want and they moved up to get it; you have to at least give them credit for that. White isn't an every-down player and he never will be. However, he can create mismatches and keep defenses on their toes.
Grade: C |
|
45 | Giants | | Outside Linebacker | | |
This was a great pick by the Giants - something we're getting used to saying about Jerry Reese's selections. Sintim doesn't stand out in his workouts but he's the type of linebacker that simply gets the job done. He could compete for playing time even as a rookie.
Grade: A |
|
46 | Texans | | Defensive End | | |
This is a fairly mediocre pick. With Antonio Smith and Mario Williams locking down both defensive end positions, there's little room for Barwin to play. He'll likely sub in for Smith in passing situations. It's a good strategy, but there were other impact players available here.
Grade: B- |
|
47 | Raiders | Michael Mitchell | Safety | | |
This pick was so off the board that I didn't even have a picture prepared for Mitchell. That's really all you need to know about this pick... hands down the worst selection I've seen in the six years I've been covering the draft on this site. Al Davis has sunk to a new low.
Grade: F (if I would go lower I could) |
|
48 | Broncos | | Safety | | |
This was a reach, but I do like McBath. He's certainly had plenty of experience defending the pass in practice at Texas Tech and he has the size to step up against the run. I could see him playing either safety position in the NFL, but he may be best suited as Brian Dawkins backup at strong safety.
Grade: B- |
|
49 | Seahawks | | Center/Tackle | Oregon |
|
This was a great pick by the Seahawks. I don't think Unger is a Pro Bowl caliber player, but he's as reliable as they come and can play any position on the line. That type of versatility is invaluable. He could start at right tackle, or simply be a jack-of-all-trades.
Grade: A- |
|
50 | Browns | | Wide Receiver | Georgia |
|
The Robiskie selection was questionable, but this was simply horrendous. The Browns desperately needed to improve their defense through the draft, yet they spent their first three picks on the offensive side of the ball. That's no knock against Massaquoi, but he just simply wasn't needed in Cleveland.
Grade: D |
|
51 | Bills | | Offensive Guard | Oregon St |
|
This isn't a terrible pick but as I said about the Eric Wood select, why didn't they draft a left tackle? William Beatty and Phil Loadholt were both on the board and both would be better options at left tackle than Kirk Chambers. Levitre will start for the Bills but there were better options here.
Grade: B- |
|
52 | Browns | | Outside Linebacker | Hawaii |
|
Finally some defense for the Browns. Veikune has the size and strength to play outside linebacker in the Browns 3-4 defense which is exactly what they needed to get in this draft. They reached for him a little, but I don't fault them considering how important it was to get a player at this position.
Grade: B |
|
53 | Eagles | | Running Back | | |
Great pick by the Eagles. I don't McCoy is feature-back material, but he doesn't have to develop into a Pro Bowler to prove his worth as a second round pick. He'll be an immediate impact player sharing the load with Brian Westbrook and will be given the opportunity to start down the road.
Grade: A- |
|
54 | Vikings | | Offensive Tackle | Oklahoma |
|
The Vikings were looking for a right tackle in this draft, which led them to consider Eben Britton in the first round. Loadholt isn't a significant step down from Britton though, and obviously comes at a cheaper price in the second round. Its a very good pick and he could start from day one.
Grade: A- |
|
55 | Falcons | | Safety | | |
I liked William Moore a lot entering this season but I really soured on him as I watched him play. He's a gifted athlete but he lacks the instincts to be a starter in the NFL. I don't see him being much more than a special teams player. I'm sure Atlanta will give him a chance to start, but don't expect much.
Grade: D |
|
56 | Colts | | Defensive Tackle | USC |
|
This was a definite reach for the Colts, but it does fill a serious need. I think the Colts would have been better off targeting a tackle such as Ziggy Hood in the first round. Moala will improve their run defense, but I see little difference between him and guys like Alex Magee that went in the 3rd round.
Grade: C+ |
|
57 | Ravens | | Defensive End | Utah |
|
Kruger will be moved to outside linebacker in Baltimore. He'll need some time to learn the position, but the Ravens don't need him on the field right away. I'm unimpressed with his ability as a pass rusher, however, which makes me question whether he'll be a good fit in their defense.
Grade: C |
|
58 | | | Offensive Tackle | Houston |
|
This was clearly a reach by the Patriots, but I do like Vollmer. He has the potential to develop into a good left tackle. He reminds me a little of the Titans Michael Roos. Like Roos was coming out of Eastern Washington, Vollmer is raw but has the athleticism to play at this level.
Grade: B- |
|
59 | Panthers | | Cornerback | Troy | |
I'm not nearly as high on Martin as most. I feel as though he's a little overrated because of the success of recent Troy prospects. He does have impressive size, however, and with some good coaching he could develop into an adequate starter. The Panthers could end up moving him to safety.
Grade: C+ |
|
60 | Giants | | Offensive Tackle | UConn |
|
This was one of the better picks of the second round. The Giants didn't have a need to address here so they targeted the best available player. Beatty needs some work, but he can develop into a quality left tackle. In the meantime, he'll add some depth to Giants line.
Grade: A |
|
61 | Dolphins | | Cornerback | Utah |
|
Apparently the Dolphins really don't like their current cornerbacks. Smith has impressive size and could wind up starting next to Vontae Davis as a rookie. Its concerning that the Dolphins spent two of their top three picks on the same position.
Grade: B- |
|
62 | Titans | | Defensive Tackle | Auburn |
|
The Titans needed to add some depth to their interior defensive line to help easy the pain of losing Albert Haynesworth. However, Marks doesn't have the size to fill Haynesworth's shoes and neither does Jason Jones. Marks is a good player, but Tennessee isn't a great fit.
Grade: C |
|
63 | | | Defensive End | UConn |
|
I think this was a huge reach for the Cardinals. Browns is undersized for a defensive end and was best suited to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 system. I don't see him having much of an impact in Arizona. Everything about this pick was a poor decision.
Grade: D- |
|
64 | | | Tight End | UNC |
|
I like Quinn a lot, but this was a reach. He is strictly a blocking tight end and those types of players simply aren't worth a second round pick. He'll be an adequate player but I don't see him making an impact worthy of matching his draft position.
Grade: C- |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | Not
listed? Shoot us an e-mail |
 |
|
