CHICAGO BEARS
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| (photo credit: bigcatcountry.com) |
No team did more with less over the first two days of the draft, then the Bears, who moved up to acquire the most explosive edge rusher in the draft in Leonardo Floyd, nabbed one of the toughest and most versatile offensive lineman in the country. Starter Cody Whitehair in the second and scooped up the run - stuffing base end Jonathan Ballard - who will prove a steal in the third.
Safeties Deon Bush (No. 4) and Deiondre' Hall (No. 15) will compete for early playing time for a club that has struggled to fill those positions for years, but it might be former safety turned linebacker, Nick Kwiatkoski (No. 6), who might prove to be the best player. Powerful running back, Jordan Howard (No. 7), could prove to be the steal in the fifth-round if he can stay healthy. Daniel Braverman is one of the better slot receiving prospects in the draft, and could prove to be an immediate favorite for Jay Cutler.
GRADE: A-
DETROIT LIONS
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There is something appropriate about Detroit focusing on the framework of the team over the first two drafts, nabbing blue collar lineman Taylor Decker (offensive tackle), A'Shawn Robinson (defensive tackle), Graham Glasgow (guard/center) and Joe Dahl (guard). All are quality players with the consistency and reliability of a Ford-150.
Safety Miles Killebrew has the speed and power, but lacks ideal fluidity, projecting better as a special teams assassin than in coverage against quick NFL receivers. Relatively local product Jake Rudock (Michigan), will get the attention, but he lacks the top arm strength to serve much better than former backup quarterback Kellen Moore. Running back Dwayne Washington, on the other hand, is a long-striding runner with the acceleration to generate big gains behind Detroit's reinforced offensive line.
GRADE: B-
GREEN BAY PACKERS
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The Packers surprised some with their selection of UCLA defensive tackle, Kenny Clark, at No. 27 overall, but he ranks as one of the favorite defenders in his class. Standing out as a true freshman on a defense full of NFL prospects and simply improving every year. He is a plug-and-play replacement for B.J. Raji inside.
Ted Thompson showed aggression by trading up to nab highly athletic tackle, Jason Springs and then found a worthy edge rusher in Kyler Fackrell in the third round, both of whom are future starters with immediate impact potential. Day three selections, Blake Martinez, Kyle Murphy and Dean Lowry do not possess the same caliber of athleticism as Spriggs or Fackrell, but also are clean schematic fits.
GRADE: B
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
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| (photo credit: foxsports.com) |
Laquon Treadwell is considered the top rated wide out entering the draft (all year long) and his insertion into an offense that will feed him the ball while surrounded by exciting talent, that will only reinforce his game. Strong, competitive and a better athlete than most give him credit for (due to his 4.65 time in the 40-yard dash), Treadwell will prove a star at split end in Norv Turner's offense.
Mackenzie Alexander needs some ploshish, but who better to do it than Mike Zimmerman. Alexander will prove a steal at No. 54 overall. Fourth round pick Willie Beavers played left tackle at Western Michigan, but projects best inside and, while athletic and possessing legitimate size for this role at 6-foot-5 and 321-pounds, is understandably a bit of an project.
Throughout today, three with lottery tickets spent them on former German league standout, Moritz Boehringer, Vanderbilt's edge rusher, Stephan Weatherly and Clemson safety Jayron Kearse, the nephew of "The Freak," Jevon Kearse.
GRADE: A
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