Please note before reading: I wrote this draft before the first round of the playoffs so, obviously, Denver won’t be selecting at that spot so all the picks down the line are also affected.

Also Ryan Tannehill’s and Nick Toon’s injury will undoubtedly hurt their draft stocks but this was written before that but that will be reflected in the next version of the draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck QB Stanford
Jim Irsay wants Luck and Peyton I don’t think the GM is going to be able to convince him otherwise. Its unfortunate that the Colts have a great opportunity to really help their franchise and the owner chooses the wrong time to be pig headed.

2. St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon WR Ok State – The Rams fire everyone with the exception of Josh McDaniels somehow having one of if not the worst offense in the league isn’t enough to get fired from his job. But I digress I know that the addition of Brandon Lloyd makes the need for a top flight WR more of a neglectable one but having a young franchise QB adding this kind of weapon can resurrect a stagnant offense.

3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil OT USC – The LT position has proven to be a huge need since Bryant McKinnie left for Baltimore right now they are in a great position to grab the best LT in the Draft in Kalil.

4. Cleveland Browns – Robert Griffin III QB Baylor – Lets face it Colt McCoy isn’t the future in Cleveland this pick may end up being a trade, but if it isn’t , they will have their QB of the future the question is will Pat Shurmer be able to design an offense to fit Griffin’s abilities if he can the Browns could be a very dangerous team going forward.

5. Tampa Bay Bucs – Morris Claiborne CB LSU – The secondary of the Bucs is constantly in trouble off the field this isn’t good. Getting a high character CB with great talent really will help that secondary.

6. Washington Redskins – Ryan Tannehill QB Texas AM – I think the leash is getting really short for Mike Shanahan can he really go into next season with Rex Grossman at the helm? This is an enormous reach for Tannehill but just like Ponder he is the last passable starting QB and could get a real boost after the senior bowl forcing Washington to reach on a QB.

7. Jacksonville Jags – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame – The Gabbert experiment started horribly right now they are stuck with Gabbert for at least another year. The WR situation in Jacksonville is the worst in the league bar none. They really wish Blackmon could fall here but Floyd isn’t a bad consolation.

8. Miami Dolphins – Riley Reiff, T, Iowa – Jeff Ireland is somewhat predicatable as a GM look at the top three needs for the Dolphins take the best player in one of those needs. Right now the Phins would love one of those top 3 QBs to fall to them and I expect after a disappointing season Landry Jones will return to school for another chance to boost his draft stock that means QB is out. Jake Long is one of the best in the league but the Tackle position on the other side could use some help.

9. Carolina Panthers – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama – The Panthers have a pair of good pass rushers outside of that the Panthers have problems in almost every other position on the defensive side of the ball. Dre Kirkpatrick is a very good corner and should help the Panthers immediately.

10. Buffalo Bills – Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford – This is a BPA situation Ryan Fitzpatrick was one of the least sacked QBs in the league but Martin is just too good to pass up at this point.

11. KC Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama – Jamaal Charles isn’t an every down back Richardson is a top 5 talent but the RB position is undervalued due to their longevity in the league but having Richardson with Charles would give the Chiefs the best backfield in the league.

12. Seattle Seahawks – Quinton Coples, DE, UNC – Give Red Bryant some credit the giant at 300+ lbs he has done a bang up job but Coples is very talented and will make drastic improvement to the pass rush.

13. Arizona Cards – Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College –

14. Dallas Cowboys – Alphonso Dennard, CB, Nebraska – Dennard is very physical and would be a great fit to Rob Ryan’s scheme. I imagine that a trade down situation should happen but I’m not doing trades in this mock.

15. Philadelphia Eagles – Vontaez Burfict, ILB, Arizona St. – Casey Matthews nuf said

16. NY Jets – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama – The Jets havn’t had much success rushing the QB and at this point Upshaw is likely BPA.

17. Bengals – David DeCastro, G, Stanford – As a whole the Bengals O-Line has been playing well but one of the guards could use an upgrade and lets face it we’re looking at easily BPA on the board.

18. San Diego Chargers – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina – The Chargers are rumored to let Jackson walk this off season if that happens they will be in need of a #1 WR either Jeffery or Wright would be the guy here.

19. Chicago Bears – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor – Who ever isn’t a Charger will be a Bear. The WR situation in Chi town is horrid. When Roy Williams is the best your team has to offer you need help.

20. Tenn Titans – Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan St. –

21. Denver Broncos – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis – Imagine a 325lber taking blocks away from Elvis and Von scary.

22. Bengals (f. Oak) – Devon Still, DT, Penn St – Geno Atkins is great and can get after the QB this move would solidify that D-Line. It was very difficult to choose which DT I wanted at this spot.

23. Browns (f. Atl) – Mohamed Sanu WR Rutgers – Instead of one WR in Jones the Browns bring in two Greg Little has came along well but they need more weapons specially when Robert Griffin is coming into the league. Sanu is the best WR available.

24. Detroit Lions – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama – Lions two biggest needs at this point are Corner and OL they go BPA and after the humiliation that they got at the hands of Matt Flynn and inevitably at the hands of Drew Brees they decide to spend a high pick on this risky prospect.

25. New York Giants – Daunta Hightower ILB Alabama – I’ve been mocking a LBer to the Giants for years now it is 100% likely that they will ignore it again but Hightower is a very good ILB and should be the pick here.

26. Houston Texans – Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin – The Texans now have very little holes the secondary is working great they have depth at most positions the only real need is a #2 WR the Texans have at times reached on needs Toon shouldn’t be a first rounder but walking into a season with Andre and a bunch of scrubs is not the best idea.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordry Glenn, G, Georgia – The steelers need even more O-Line help Glenn should be a good pick here.

28. New England (via Saints) – Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall – The Pats ignored the pass rush last draft when there were plenty of talented players available but this year Belichick sees the error of his ways getting a beast in Curry.

29. San Francisco – Chase Minnifield CB Virginia – The only weaknesses on the 49ers if you can even call them weaknesses is the QB and the secondary maybe they could use a #2 WR but the first round WRs are long gone by now. So Value dictates that they go CB.

30. New England – Mark Barron, S, Alabama – After the strange cutting of Merryweather the SS position has been a major issue in New England Barron should start right away but I wouldn’t be surprised if this pick was traded… again.

31. Baltimore Ravens – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina – The addition of Smith was a good start but the Ravens could use more CBs.

32. Green Bey Packers – Alameda Ta’amu DT Washington – Ta’amu did an amazing job in the bowl game and has been a beast all season at worst he is a backup to Raji at best he can slim down and work the DE position.

Here lies the season of the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have been,perennially, a playoff team since Peyton Manning came into his third season with the team. Now this year’s Colts team has secured the worst season record in the team’s history and nearly joined the 2008 Detroit Lions and the expansion Bucs as the third team to go winless in a full season.

Causes of Death:

1. Severe neck injury – The injury and subsequent surgeries to the nerves in Peyton Manning’s neck have held him out of play for the entire season. The lack of depth that they had at the QB position forced them to go after Kerry Collins who then got injured and placed the season in the hands of Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky. Very few teams can win with those two.

2. A team built around one player – This is a bit redundant but I think it bears repeating the entire offensive and defensive scheme is based around one player being there and that guy is obviously Peyton Manning. The offense is built for Manning to read the defense and surgically pick apart the opposition. The defense was built around the team being ahead and the ends being able to pin their ears back and getting after the QB. Losing Manning essentially made the offense and defense inoperable.

3. The Defense – While I’ve already said that the D was based off from Manning, the fact still remains that the Colts D needs a major overhaul. The Colts have only drafted three defensive players in the first round in the past eight years. None of whom are starting, and only one of whom is still on the team. The Polians have completely and utterly ignored the defensive side of the football for years now. When it hasn’t been completely ignored it has been poorly addressed. Even without the best player on the team the defense should at the very least be able to be respectable.

What’s For The Future:

Now I can’t begin to think what Jim Irsay will actually do but if it were me Polian and Caldwell would both be out as the GM and Head Coach of the organization respectively. While Polian has been considered a genius this season’s record has shown that his draft picks have been carried by Peyton Manning for years now. Its time to clean house and start again as for head coaches here is what I see as the top coaching candidates for the Colts organization.

1. John Gruden – Gruden is an offensive mind and the Colts have been basically going from one coach to the next from that 2002 Tampa Bay Bucs team Gruden is now available could be the choice.

2. Mike Zimmer – Zimmer has transformed the Bengals Defense to a top 5 D in the league what wonders could he do with a ton of draft picks and two of the most dominant DE’s in the league. The mind wonders or he could slowly build a D who does have some talent (be it most of it injured) and have Peyton Manning do what he’s done for years now.

3. An unknown – The way it is right now if Polian is let go (which seems less and less likely by the week) then there is no telling who would be the next head coach of the organization will be. The new GM will bring in one of his guys to be the new head coach.

Suck For Luck:

Right now in spite of their recent winning streak the Colts are still in the drivers seat when it comes to the suck for Luck sweepstakes if they lose to the Jags they get a draft pick rumored to be worth between three and six first round draft selections.  I usually never suggest a team lose on purpose but I don’t think either of these franchises really want to win on New Years Day.

Here lies the season of the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins were a promising team back in 2008 when the “wildcat” offense was new and the phins were in the playoffs. But, since then they have fallen back into the den of inequity from whence they came and this year seems to be the franchises worst yet.

Cause of Death:

1. A lack of support from ownership to the coach: The fiasco that happened last off-season when Dolphin’s owner Steve Ross tried to give then Stanford now 49er head coach Jim Harbaugh the head coaching job in Miami. Only problem is, that the Dolphins neglected to tell Tony Sporano that his job was currently vacant, because it wasn’t they tried to give Harbaugh the job before firing Sporano. So what? some might say so if your owner doesn’t respect the head coach why would the players? Currently, the players are working for a lame duck coach so they have to only play good enough to not have some rookie take their jobs.

2. Chad Henne’s injury: Unlike the aforementioned players who for the most part won’t lose their starting jobs Chad Henne’s goal for the season was to win enough games to put the Dolphins in no position to draft a top QB prospect this season. The Dolphins had a chance to beat San Diego had Henne not left the game and lets face facts the Jets game and the Broncos game were very winnable had Henne been at the helm.

3. The schedule: To this point in the season the Dolphins have only played one team with a sub 500 record seven weeks in the NFL season. Looking at the rest of the season they are only playing one more team that currently has a sub 500 record. That ladies and gentlemen is a brutal schedule.

The rest of the schedule:

@Kansas City

WASHINGTON

BUFFALO

@Dallas

OAKLAND

PHILADELPHIA

@Buffalo

@New England

NEW YORK JETS

Currently I can see a maximum of 1 or 2 wins over the rest of the season. I can easily see the Dolphins going 0-16 for the rest of the season as the pressure mounts to get a win and on the other side teams don’t want to be the one. All of the teams save Philadelphia has a 500 or better record. Philadelphia is getting vastly better and so are the Chiefs.

Looking into the Crystal Ball:

Head Coach Wish List: I’m not going to pretend to predict the future but from what I see out of the front office this is what I think is the wish list for Miami.

1. Bill Cowher – If you look at the off season moves made by Miami it screams a team built for Bill Cowher to take over. You can make the comparison between Reggie Bush and Willie Parker while Daniel Thomas is no Jerome Bettis he would be able to play that role. The team already runs a 3-4 D with some very interesting talent at the LB positions. Bill Cowher wants complete organizational control something that only Miami can give at this point.

2. Rob Ryan – I may be reaching here but seeing Rob Ryan’s defenses continually stifling the biggest threat in the division (Tom Brady) has to put this guy on the list. Finding a great offensive coordinator will be tough but that small piece aside this can be a match made in heaven and also make the AFC East the most entertaining division in the league.

3. John Gruden – Will be a longshot considering he signed a huge deal with ESPN but this owner wants a big name at the head coach position. John Gruden is a well known Super Bowl winning coach who could really bring out the best in Davon Bess.

4. Urban Meyer – When it is all said and done the NFL is a business.  Nothing will put more rumps in the seats of a struggling franchise more than a beloved hero coach returning to the bench.  Add a ill informed trade for Tim Tebow and the people of Florida will sell out Sun Life Stadium for years to come.

Suck for Luck Sweepstakes:

Can it be possible that the Dolphins go 0-16 and still come in second in the Suck for Luck sweepstakes? It very well could happen if the Colts also go 0-16 they have the weakness of schedule to steal the #1 overall pick from the Dolphins. If that happens it becomes very interesting do the Dolphins trade up with the colts? Do they trade for Peyton Manning? I’d be willing to bet that one or the other happens.

The lockout is over now there will be a rush of new information coming of teams resigning their players as well as one of the most under rated parts of the NFL off season, undrafted free agent signings.  There is a long, long, list of players over the years who were undrafted free agents who came on to their teams and had pro bowl and hall of fame careers.  Every year there are diamonds in the ruff that for one reason or another are not selected.  As I’m typing this there have already been many, many, undrafted free agents signed to different teams.   So I’m going to go after the ones I find to biggest names/sleepers in this draft process.

- Mark Herzlich LB BC

Why wasn’t he drafted: Herzlich is a cancer survivor that scares many many teams off.  On top of which his play deminished during his senior season at BC.  Teams found the risk reward too high to take on Herzlich and he was passed on.

Where is he now: Mark Herzlich is a New York Giant! http://fb.me/srdWLxyn

from Mark Herzslich’s twitter.

Future Forecast: Mark has a shot to crack the starting lineup in New York he has very good opportunity considering the fact that the Giant’s line backing corps has been nearly nonexistent over the past few seasons and they have even resulted to placing DE Mathias Kiwanuka in at times.  I could easily see a linebacking corps of Clint Sintom, Mark Herzlich, and Greg Jones starting in the not so distant future for the Giants.

- Derrick Locke RB UK

Why He Wasn’t Drafted: Derrick Locke’s small frame adds to his already high injury concerns in which he has yet to complete a full season without missing a game. He also has a bit of a fumbling concern and has to take better care of the football.

Where is he now?: Pioneer Press >> Vikings sign Kentucky RB Derrick Locke, other rookie free agents http://buzztap.com/-yLW8G6 via twitter

Future Forecast: I see Locke as a very good 3rd down back and kick returner for the foreseeable future for Locke but he has high potential if he can keep his injury concerns to a minimum.

- Dane Sanzenbacher WR Ohio State University

Why Wasn’t He Drafted: Short and slow.  Didn’t seem to be a problem when drafting Jordan Shipley but its the only thing I can come up with.

Where is he now?: After being contacted by 30 NFL franchises Dane Sanzenbacher is now playing for the bears.

Future Forecast: We will hear from Sanzenbacher this season either as a 2nd or 3rd option for Jay Cuter and the Bears I think he will be mentioned in the same breath as Shipley when it is all said and done.
- Joe Lefeged S Rutgers University

Why wasn’t he drafted?: Lefeged’s play didn’t live up to his combine numbers.  There were a few off the field questions that also needed to be answered.

Where is he now?: He signed with the Indianapolis Colts last night.

Future Forecast: Lefeged has all the physical tools to make a huge impact on the NFL.  Right now it is up to the coaches to build him up to where he needs to be.

Bryant McFadden started fast as a Pittsburgh Steeler after getting drafted by them in 2005. McFadden played in Superbowls XL, XLIII which were wins as well as the most recent super bowl as a starter for the Steelers. Join Chefs TP and Broth as we dive into the James Harrison situation as well as wax nostalgic over his playing career. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sportcitychefs/2011/07/16/grid-iron-chefs-afc-north-preview-w-cb-bryant-mcfadden

Round 1, Pick 4 (4) A.J. Green WR 6’4″ 211 Georgia

Grade: A

AJ Green is the best player in this draft in my opinion with Patrick Peterson a close second. He is the best WR to come out since Calvin Johnson and the second best since Andre Johnson.  He has great hands and the ability to go up and make catches.  Has amazing body control and is faster than he times.  Great pick and is a vast improvement over Chad Ochocinco er Johnson er whatever he calls himself.

Round 2, Pick 3 (35) Andy Dalton QB 6’2″ 215 TCU

Grade: B

More often than not second round QBs fail in the next level or at the very least do not live up to their draft stock.  In fact only three QBs taken in the second or third rounds in the past decade  have been perennial starters and one Chad Henne is about to lose his job.  That said Dalton was a winner in college and has the tools to play QB in a west coast style offense.  I don’t see a major difference between Andy Dalton and Colt McCoy so if you keep your expectations to that level Dalton has a bunch of weapons in cinci to ease his transition.

Round 3, Pick 2 (66) Dontay Moch DL 6’1″ 248 Nevada

Grade ???

I really don’t now what the Bengal’s plans are for Dontay Moch.  Either they gave up on Michael Johnson already and are going to stick Moch in as a 3rd down pass rusher or they could try to force him into the SAM linebacker which would be a dynamic pass rush threat on the blitz specially when Carlos Dunlap could be rushing the same edge.

Round 4, Pick 4 (101) Clint Boling OL 6’5″ 308 Georgia

Grade A

I love this pick Boling in my opinion should have been a second or early third round selection projected to go to guard at the next level should start right away for the Bengals and hopefully add a push in the running game.

Round 5, Pick 3 (134) Robert Sands FS 6’4″ 217 West Virginia

Grade: B-

Interesting physically gifted safety but may be too big. Great in run ssupport probably will sit behind Roy Williams while he will be a big special teams contributer early

Round 6, Pick 2 (167) Ryan Whalen WR 6’1″ 202 Stanford

Grade: C

With the glut of the Bengals WR corps I don’t know exactly where Wahlen comes in here.  I imagine he will end up playing on the practice squad until another team more desperate at the WR position picks him up.

Round 7, Pick 4 (207) Korey Lindsey CB 5’11″ 194 Southern Illinois

Grade: A

I’m not going to blow smoke up your rear but I do talk to people who know small school prospects very very well even if I recall correctly one that has come on our show and every small school scout that I’ve talked to loves Korey Lindsey-Woods. They love his quickness and  instincts more than anything and say he could be a great zone coverage type player for somebody.  Well worth the risk in the 7th round.

Round 7, Pick 43 (246) (Compensatory Selection) Jay Finley RB 5’11″ 203 Baylor

Overall Grade: B+/A-

Best Value: Clint Boling Round 4

Worst Value: Ryan Whalen Round 6

It looks to me like he Bengals are trying to rebuild the skill positions through a whole new youth movement.  Putting AJ Green with Simpson, Shipley, and Gresham gives Andy Dalton a good chance to succeed.  While some picks make me scratch my head I can’t argue the value they got in each round one of the better drafts in the league IMO.

Round 1, Pick 15 (15)      Mike Pouncey OL      6’5″      303      Florida

Grade B:

Pouncey got a huge jump in his draft stock from the success of his brother but he is the best guard or center in this draft strong and can get a good push off the line this was in my opinion the biggest need for the Dolphins.  The two Pouncey brothers are genetically identical so the upside is equal but Sporano better hope that they are identical on the field as well if he’s not then he will not be worth the 15th overall selection.

Round 2, Pick 30 (62) (From Bears through Redskins)     Daniel Thomas RB     6’0″     230     Kansas St.

Grade: B

If nothing else this pick gives you a good idea of what is going to happen as far as the Dolphins are concerned after the lockout is lifted.  The selection of a power type runner in Thomas means that Ricky Williams is going to not be around after this season and for good reason Williams is now 33 which is well past the expiration date of most RBs.  I also expect Ronnie Brown or DeAngelo Williams to be singed in free agency more than likely Williams.

Round 4, Pick 14 (111)     Edmond Gates WR     6’0″     192     Abilene Christian

Grade A:

I’m a huge fan of Gates reminds me a lot of the Colt’s Pierre Garcon supreme physical tools and able to make the big catch when it matters.  A big play threat whenever he gets the ball might drop an easy one every once in a while but I expect this kid to start early for the Phins.

Round 6, Pick 9 (174) (From 49ers through Packers)     Charles Clay TE     6’3″     245     Tulsa

Grade: B-

Is he a pass catching TE or is he an H-back?  very fast for the position but he doesn’t have an ideal fit at the next level.  Either way I wouldn’t expect him to start day 1. May be used as a special teamer early.

Round 7, Pick 28 (231) (From Jets through Lions 49ers, Packers)    Frank Kearse DT     6’4″     315     Alabama A&M

Grade: C+

Grade: Kearse is a developmental NT prospect who will likely be found on the roster as a backup for some time but does have the ability to eventually start in 3-4 years.

Round 7, Pick 32 (235) (Compensatory Selection)     Jimmy Wilson DB     5’10″     193     Montana

Grade: C

Wilson is a great story, arrested two years ago for a crime he didn’t commit to be released two years later.  A guy with good physical tools an a player who is 2010 all big sky honorable mention team.  Likely a special teams body early but how much time does he have with those extra two years that he has?

Round 2, Pick 16 (48) Stefen Wisniewski OL 6’3″ 313 Penn St.
Grade: B
I Really like Wisniewski as a player he is technically sound with a nasty demeanor. Has good weight to him and gives a good punch at the point of attack I could easily see Wisniewski starting day one at center for the Raiders under Hugh Jackson.

Round 3, Pick 17 (81) Demarcus Van Dyke DB 6’1″ 176 Miami
Grade: C-
I’m a little higher on DVD than most are but still this was a bit of a reach in my mind. DVD has participated in both the East West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl players that do both I kind of want to take another look at in the next level. In classic Al Davis fashion the fastest player at this years combine is an Oakland Raider. Van Dyke beat fellow raider’s CB Stanford Routt as the fastest CB 40 yard dash time since 2005 coincidence I think not. All in all DVD is a developmental prospect who could do really good things in two or three years but shouldn’t have been a 3rd round selection.

Round 3, Pick 28 (92) (From Patriots) Joseph Barksdale OL 6’5″ 325 LSU
Grade B-:
Now this grade drops significantly if they plan on putting Barksdale at the OT position but I have a feeling they are looking for a replacement for Robert Gallery then I like the value and his versatility is a plus anyway. Barksdale has some good power to him and he is very athletic to be able to pull from the guard position. He impressed some at the OT position at the East-West Shrine Game but left others disappointed. I expect Barksdale to be a day 1 starter from the OG position or potentially the RT position for the Raiders.  That being said, the Raiders traded a 2nd round selection next season for Barksdale I don’t believe this was a good decision from the Raiders.

Round 4, Pick 16 (113) Chimdi Chekwa DB 6’0″ 191 Ohio St.
Grade B+

This selection more than makes up for the DVD pick. Chekwa is a versitile young CB who can play zone and man very well has great speed and athleticism and should be able to play year 1 as at least a nickle corner.

Round 4, Pick 28 (125) (From Patriots) Taiwan Jones RB 6’0″ 194 Eastern Washington
Grade: A

Taiwan Jones may be my favorite sleeper in this draft while he isn’t really a sleeper anymore he was at the beginning of this off season. Taiwan Jones has an acceleration that is truly special. To put it into a comparison. People raved about the 10 yard split of Mark Ingram, Jones beat his 10 yard split by nearly a tenth of a second. That is fast. But Jones isn’t just a track guy who wants to be a football player. He has great vision and can turn on a dime. The selection of Jones will at least make any injury of Darren McFadden much more tolerable and if he doesn’t Jones should be a premier kick returner for the Raiders if they wish to save Jacoby Ford’s legs.  The reason he fell to the fourth is due to his injury histyory and also has dislexia which may force him to take much longer learning the playbook.

Round 5, Pick 17 (148) Denarius Moore WR 6’0″ 194 Tennessee
Grade: B+
Wow! What a surprise.  Yet another track star with good hands for Al Davis although he has found success in the past with such pick most recently with Jacoby Ford in the 5th last season. But how many WRs does Al Davis need?

Round 6, Pick 16 (181) Richard Gordon TE 6’3″ 265 Miami
Grade: C
I’m honestly surprised he was drafted he is a mature young man and a decent pass catching tight end with a ton of upside but tbere were many many better prospects even if with higher upside in this position.

Round 7, Pick 38 (241) (Compensatory Selection) David Ausberry WR 6’4″ 243 USC
Grade: C
Big fast and physical he is a developmental WR who has worlds of upside. Will likely be a practice squad body for the foreseeable future.

Overall: C+
I think you have to add Richard Seymore into the equation as the first round selection. After that they got some great high upside players and one to three day one starters so four starters day one is not a terrible thing for a draft class. It is nothing great but it will be interesting to see how this one works out.

The 6-10 Detroit Lions have become relevant once again in the NFL.  Head Coach Jim Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew has purged the stink of the Matt Millen era to the point where national analysts are starting to talk about the Lions being a playoff contender in the 2011 season.  The last time the Lions went 6-10 was when Rod Marinelli was the head coach and the next season they went 0-16.  So this draft was vital to the future of the franchise and the career of Schwartz and Mayhew going forward. 

1/13 – Nick Fairley, DT – Auburn
Grade: A
At first blush this seems like a terrible decision by Mayhew and co. when you look at the talent on the board who were undoubtedly a higher need for the Lions in Prince Amukamara and Robert Quinn. But, after some thought I really like the selection. From a match up standpoint you have two DTs that require double teams one of them or a DE will have a one on one situation where as a DT/DE combo can always keep a tight end on a max protect block in the DT’s case you are asking a FB or RB to make the block on Suh or Fairley with some help with the OG. Let me add that interior O-Line is the biggest weakness in two of our biggest rivals the Bears and the Packers. I had Fairley projected as a top 5-10 pick so I think this was a good value at the 13th spot but I will be looking closely at the careers of Robert Quinn and Prince Amukamara.

2/44- Titus Young, WR – Boise State
Grade: B+
Derrick Williams was a bust at the #3 WR position so the Lions go back into the talent pool to select Titus Young WR from Boise State. Anyone who watched the senior bowl practices instantly fell in love with Young’s rout running abilities and speed as well as his ability to catch the football. He’s a big play threat any time he touches the ball. Once again it isn’t a huge need for the Lions but the value was there in spades. I gave him a late first round to early/mid second round selection grade so this pick was of value.

2/57- Mikel Leshoure, RB – Illinois
Grade: A
The major question with the pick is did the Lions give up too much to move up for Leshoure? While losing the 4th round selection did hurt us in our hunt for a CB but the real question is are any of those guys (like Jalil Brown) going to be #1 CBs in the league? I don’t think so and as far as corner goes that is the only corner the lions really need. So in my opinion it wasn’t a great trade but it was an acceptable one for the excellent value they got. I honestly had Leshoure as a late first, early second grade as well (I was thinking New England). He adds a sturdy between the tackles player for the Detroit Lions to have as a work horse back and be the thunder to the Javid Best lightning. Great value but still not the greatest need.

5/157-Doug Hogue, OLB – Syracuse
Grade: C
A converted RB with great hands and decent coverage skills. Still a bit raw as a OLB prospect but he also won a first team all-Big East honors. An excellent athlete he had one of the best 40 yard dashes amongst linebackers at the combine. Hogue will likely be a special teams player for most if not all of his career. Do NOT expect him to start at LB any time soon. Add to that the fact that Chris Carter was available at this selection makes me like this pick even less.

7/209-Johnny Culbreath, OT – South Carolina State
Grade: C

Overall Grade: A-
The Lions gained a ton of tallent and three players who will take at least 50% of the snaps on their side of the ball. That said if they do not address the OLB and CB issues in free agency this offseason the Lions draft will highly drop in my letter grade.

Analysis: It is good value here the Sherrodwent pretty much where I expected in the late first round but now they are looking good at the OT position after stealing Bulaga at the bottom of the first last year and taking Sherrod at this spot has the Packers gaining book end tackles for the next 10 years if it works out.

Analysis: Cobb is going to start out as a return specialist and a #5 WR I would imagine until Driver slows down or retires then will find himself in a more and more essential role in the future. But that said the burst they will get from Cobb in the return game will be more than worth the 2nd round selection for the Packers.

3/96 – RB Alex Green
Grade: C-

Analysis: This was a HUGE reach! A player I projected as a 5th or 6th round talent gets taken in the 3rd round. There were considerably better prospects on the board like Taiwan Jones and Kendall Hunter to name a few. TT has proven me wrong in the past so this could be one of those times but I don’t see it.

4/131 – CB Davon House
Grade: A

Analysis: Monstrous steal in the fourthround. House was a guy many were projecting in the 2ndor 3rd round. Also he is a perfect fit for the scheme that the Packers run. While unless Woodson moves to safety House won’t see the field much in year one but when Woodson retires house will be ready and when we look back on this draft this will be seen as a great pick for the pack.

5/141 – TE D.J. Williams
Grade: A

Analysis: Another considerable steal for the Packers. A great pass catching TE they won’t be caught off guard if Finley ends up going down again.

6/179 – OG Caleb Schlauderaff
Grade: B

Analysis: The only real memory of watching Caleb play was at the East/West Shrine game and he was very stout at the point and generally did well in pass blocking. He got beat once or twice but in the sixth round it isn’t a bad risk. High effort guy I like the selection.

6/186 – LB D.J. Smith
Grade: C-

Analysis: Very Meh pick Special teams player and a little slow to even do that not a real fan of this selection.

6/197 – LB Ricky Elmore
Grade: A

Analysis: Ricky Elmore is a huge steal and get some huge depth in the OLB position. If you’ve not seen film on the guy…

http://www.youtube.com/user/rickelmore

He has his own Youtube Channel. High motor guy who will be able to get to the QB every once in a while. GREAT pick in the 6thround.

7/218 – TE Ryan Taylor
Grade: D+

Analysis: Taylor is highly athletic. Another likely special teams guy not much to report here.

7/233 – DE Lawrence Guy
Grade: A

Analysis: Good depth pick at the DE position for the Pack. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he was selected a round or two sooner.

Overall Analysis:
Overall Grade: B

Day three was huge for the Pack they had good and bad picks but overall they did OK added depth to a super bowl champion and added one or two starters to the mix as well. Overall good job.