Best Draft
St. Louis Rams
The Rams had the best draft and, personally, I don't think it's even close. The only way they didn't have the best draft is if you believe that Sam Bradford is not the answer. If so, then they would have been wise to draft a quarterback other than Garrett Gilbert in the 6th round out of SMU. I actually like Bradford as a QB quite a bit and think that one of these days, he'll surprise everyone and become a consistently productive QB in the league. Let's not forget that this is a former Heisman Trophy winner, NFL Rookie of the Year, and a QB that went 4-1-1 against the big, bad NFC West two years ago, the last season he played a full 16 games. Injuries and a lack of supporting pieces on offense are the main reasons why he hasn't been successful. Hopefully, these past two drafts has changed that.
They got Tavon Austin and Zac Stacy last year, and kicked this year off by selecting offensive tackle Greg Robinson second overall, the final pick from the Robert Griffin III trade they made with the Redskins two years ago. They also grabbed defensive tackle Aaron Donald with their regular draft pick, to bolster an already stout defense. If Donald turns out to be the player that experts are saying he will, then the Rams will easily have the best defensive line in the league with Robert Quinn and Chirs Long on the edges. Unlike their front seven, however, the back end of their defense hasn't been so spectacular. Enter cornerback Lamarcus Joyner from Florida State who they picked up in the second round. Joyner's height is certainly an issue (5'8"), but his football instincts should make up for that. Not saying he's the second coming of Richard Sherman, but he's a great addition to that defense. Add in running back Tre Mason, who I think was an absolute steal in the third round, and you got quite a draft there already.
Towards the bottom of the draft, the name that obviously stands out is Michael Sam. Sexual orientation aside, getting a SEC Defensive Player of the Year in the seventh round is quite the pick. It is highly doubtful that Sam will compete with Quinn and Long for the starting defensive end position, but as a rotational player, I think he has a shot. Special teams will also be key for him making the roster. If he does, I'm sure Jeff Fisher will give him a few plays a game in obvious passing situations to just go after the QB until the rest of his game becomes more polished.
Worst Draft
Carolina Panthers
I was going to go with the Colts, but that would be a bit unfair considering they didn't have a first round pick and only had five selections overall. The Panthers, meanwhile, used their first round selection on Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. The need at receiver was obvious as Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell both left during the offseason. The problem is that I think both Marquise Lee of USC and Jordan Matthews of Vanderbilt would have been better picks here. Consider that Benjamin has only played for two years and only got third team All-ACC honors last year when the Seminoles won it all. Matthews on the other hand, got first team All-SEC the past two years playing at Vanderbilt where he was the main focus of some of the best defenses in the nation. Lee didn't garner any awards this past season, but that was mainly due to quarterback and coaching inconsistencies. In 2012, he was a unanimous All-American award winner and won the award for best receiver in the nation. Benjamin fills a need, but it wasn't the best option available.
Kony Ealy, who played opposite Sam at Mizzou, adds to an already intimidating defense, but waiting until the third round to draft a guard was a questionable decision. Tackle was the main position they needed on the line, and they drafted a grand total of zero. Obviously things can change in free agency, but with the weapons that Cam Newton will have this upcoming year, he will need all the protection he can get. Steve Smith is one of the best route runners in the league and finding ways to get open. Even if they had selected Lee or Matthews, their weapons still wouldn't be close to what they were last year. Having that extra second or two in the pocket will be crucial to Newton's success this year, although the Panthers must believe the draft was not the way to do it.
Best Value Pick
Jordan Matthews
As stated previously, I'm a fan of this kid. Back to back All-SEC at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt! Not Florida, Alabama or LSU. It's not like Jay Cutler was throwing him the ball either. This is why I, as a Cowboys fan, was absolutely devastated when the Eagles grabbed him in the second round. In that offense, I think he has a good chance to contend for rookie of the year if Nick Foles continues to play like he did last year. Despite six WRs going ahead of him, I still think that based on where all the receivers ended up, that Matthews will have the best rookie year and might even turn out to be the best receiver in this draft when it's all said and done.
Worst Value Pick
Sammy Watkins
It's not that I think Watkins won't be a good player, he will, it's just what the Bills had to give up to get him. Also, the fact that he's going to the Bills. For starters, the Bills had to give up their first round selection this year (9th overall), their first round selection next year, and a fourth rounder next year. That's a high price to pay in a fairly deep WR class this year. Then you look at the fact that he's going to the Bills. They just traded away Stevie Johnson so it's not like Watkins makes this receiving corps that much better. He's really just replacing Johnson. They still need to feed the ball to C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, and they just made a trade to acquire Bryce Brown from the Eagles. With Johnson last year, the Bills finished 28th in the league in passing yards per game, and Watkins will have a sophomore quarterback throwing him the ball. It just doesn't sound like the formula for success. Perhaps he can contribute blocking for the second ranked rushing attack, but his receiving yards and TDs will leave something to be desired considering what they gave up.
When Does Loyalty Become Stupidity?
Loyal as in, being loyal to one's draft board. The Texans needed a quarterback and the Browns needed a wide receiver. Only one team actually drafted what they needed, and that team waited until the fourth round to do so. Let's talk about that team first, the Houston Texans. In defense of the Texans, they pretty much had to take Clowney number one since no trade offer was good enough, and I wouldn't be surprised if they thought Teddy Bridgewater was going to drop to the second round, before Minnesota traded up to get him with the last pick in the first round. Sometimes things don't go your way. I get that. The problem is that QBs were available during their next three picks and they didn't pull the trigger. They let Derek Carr slide to Oakland, Jimmy Garoppolo go to New England, and Logan Thomas go to Arizona before finally taking Tom Savage out of Pitt late in the fourth round. That's a bit too late for my liking when you have no true starter, with the NFL becoming a quarterback driven league. Look at the playoff teams from last year. You don't get anywhere in the NFL anymore without a star QB. Can Savage be that guy? I have my doubts.
Despite the Texans' stubbornness, I think the Browns were even worse. Although the news wasn't released to the public until after the first round of the draft, the Browns organization knew that their best WR, Josh Gordon, was facing a year long suspension due to a failed drug test. This means that, whether they drafted a QB or stuck with Hoyer, their most dangerous weapon from last year was gone. Knowing this, they traded away their pick to the Bills who drafted Watkins. Then, in a loaded class which included Mike Evans, Odell Beckham, Jr., Brandin Cooks, and others that I've mentioned already, the Browns decided to just select...none of them. You want to take Justin Gilbert and Johnny Football in the first round? Fine. No problems there. But then to go offensive tackle, linebacker, running back, and another cornerback with their next and last four picks is absurd.
The Browns must think that either a) Gordon somehow won't be suspended, or b) their receivers are good enough as is. Both of those statements would be incorrect. While it's entirely possible Gordon avoids a season long suspension, he is going to be suspended for some amount of time. I'm guessing it won't be a week or two. Let's say it's their first six games. That means no Gordon in Pittsburgh, at home against the Saints and Ravens, in Tennessee, the Steelers at home, and then in Jacksonville. I see a guaranteed 2-4, potentially 0-6 if the Titans and Jags can figure out their QB situation. Season done. And if they think that their receivers are good enough as is, then the entire Browns front office should be fired. Greg Little, Travis Benjamin, Andrew Hawkins, and Nate Burleson are the potential starting WRs without Gordon. Uh-oh.
Potential Tom Brady Award
A.J. McCarron
All he did in college was win three National Titles, one of which he won the Offensive MVP award, was a Heisman runner up last year, and only lost four times in the three years he was a starter. He didn't put up gaudy stats in college and probably won't in the NFL. But if you want a QB that will get you wins, he's the guy. Critics will say he played with a lot of talent at Alabama. Well, yea, they were also going up against pretty darn good defenses too. Also, it's not like he's going to be playing with scrubs in the NFL either. If he were to start for the Bengals today, he would get to play alongside A.J. Green, Giovani Bernard, Tyler Eifert, and Jermaine Gresham. Not bad. Taken in the 5th round, I think the Bengals got a steal. He can either develop behind Dalton and get traded, or take over Dalton's job if the Bengals don't think he's their guy. Either way, a smart pick late in the draft.
Running Back With A Vengeance
For those wondering, running back is indeed still a position in the NFL. I was starting to have my doubts after the first round. This draft set a record for the latest a running back has been taken with the first one not being snagged until pick number 54 when the Titans snagged Bishop Sankey. Then, backs starting going like hotcakes as two out of the next three players selected were running backs. Despite the Peyton Manning passing bonanza that went on last year, it was the ground and pound, throw it when you need to, Seattle Seahawks that wound up dominating in the Super Bowl. RBs aren't a requirement for a successful regular season, but you'll thank the Lord if you have a good one in the playoffs, especially with the NFL showing it's not afraid to take the Super Bowl to colder climates. I think that teams that waited on RBs or discount their importance should reassess how they view RBs. If not, they're going to spend Super Bowl Sunday like the rest of us, watching from their couch, instead of playing in it.
Matty O
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