Green Bay Packers
Draft Recap:
1 (28): Nick Perry DE/OLB, USC
2 (51): Jerel Worthy DT/DE, Michigan State
2 (62): Casey Hayward CB, Vanderbilt
4 (132): Mike Daniels DT, Iowa
4 (133): Jerron McMillian S, Maine
5 (163): Terrell Manning ILB, North Carolina State
7 (241): Andrew Datko OT, Florida State
7 (243): B.J Coleman QB, UT-ChattanoogaImpact Rookie: Nick Perry OLB, USC
-Nick Perry played DE at USC, but because the Packers are in dire need of a 3-4 OLB opposite Clay Matthews, he will have to make the transition in Training Camp. Perry possess rare speed (4.5 40) considering his size (6'3 270 lbs). The negative on Perry in the draft is his consistency with the belief around the league he took plays off at times causing teams to question his motor. When Perry is going 100% he is one of the best Pass Rushers in his class thanks to his impressive strength and speed off the edge. If the Packers can keep Perrys motor going he should have a fantastic rookie season with Clay Matthews drawing the double teams.
Pick for the Future: Terrell Manning ILB, North Carolina State
-The Packers had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year and General Manager Ted Thompson made it a focal point to fix that in the draft. While 5th Round LB Terrell Manning won't bring an instant impact, he could develop into a 5th Round steal down the road. Manning possesses great pass rushing skills, thanks to his great athleticism. What Manning still has to work on is his ability to wrap up and tackle, along with how to read the play and take the right angles to get to the ball carrier faster. He will sit behind Desmond Bishop for the next year or 2, but could find a starting job down the line.
Questionable Selection: B.J Coleman QB, U.T Chattanooga
-In the 7th Round, you can usually take a chance on a guy, and not have it be a risk to your franchise, and while this was a late 7th Round Pick, the QB selected is what I had a problem with. Coleman originally committed to University of Tennessee before transferring because then HC Lane Kiffin went with a different QB. Once Coleman was at U.T Chattanooga the issues continued as he chose to blame his teammates and coaches for his mistakes rather then take responsibility. A 7th Round pick is a 7th Round pick but when guys like Kellen Moore and Case Keenum were available, and Colt McCoy was available for a late pick, taking Coleman doesn't make much sense.
Draft Grade: B
Detroit Lions
Draft Recap:
1 (23): Riley Reiff OT, Iowa
2 (54): Ryan Broyles WR, Oklahoma
3 (85): Dwight Bentley CB, Louisiana-Lafayette
4 (125): Ronnell Lewis OLB, Oklahoma
5 (138): Tahir Whitehead OLB, Temple
5 (148): Chris Greenwood CB, Albion
6 (196): Jonte Green DB, New Mexico State
7 (223): Travis Lewis OLB, OklahomaImpact Rookie: Riley Reiff OT, Iowa
-While people will question if Riley Reiff can play the LT position in the NFL because he lacks great athleticism. In this case, I don't question his ability to protect. The Lions have holes throughout the Offensive Line, so even if Reiff had to make the transition to OG it is still a great pick. Reiff can steps into the Lions Offensive Line right away and give them a reliable player, who can start there every game for the next 10 years.
Pick for the Future: Ronnell Lewis OLB, Oklahoma
-Ronnell Lewis is one of the OLB's I absolutely loved coming into this draft. Lewis is all hustle with his balance of power and speed he can be a force off the edge. The main reason he fell to the 4th Round was knee injuries suffered earlier in the year, and the fact that he still has no moves to get off the blockers. If developed properly he could turn into a nice player on an already impressive Lions defense.
Questionable Selection: Ryan Broyles WR, Oklahoma
-I question this pick not because I don't think Broyles is talented, and not because I think he wasn't worthy of a 2nd Round Pick. I question this pick because Broyles was a 2nd Round WR before he tore his ACL, and he is still mid way through the rehab process. Broyles is a talented WR and showed that early on during the 2011 season, but ACL injuries don't heal quickly. It takes just over a year for players to recover from them, and that's what the Lions will have to expect in this case. Given the fact that Broyles tore his ACL I think it was a reach in Round 2.
Draft Grade: B
Chicago Bears
Draft Recap:
1 (19): Shea McClellin OLB, Boise State
2 (45): Alshon Jeffery WR, South Carolina
3 (79): Brandon Hardin FS, Oregon State
6 (184): Isaiah Frey CB, Nevada
7 (220):Greg McCoy CB, TCU
Impact Rookie: Shea McClellin OLB, Boise State
-McClellin was probably one of the hottest names rising up Draft Boards on Thursday, but I was surprised when the Bears took him at 19. McClellin was scene more as a 3-4 OLB, but will now have to put his hand in the dirt in the Bears 4-3 Defense. There is no doubt McClellin has talent, and despite the 4-3 not being a perfect scheme fit, there is no doubt he should dominate at the next level.
Pick for the Future: Evan Rodriguez TE, Temple
-After trading Greg Olsen last off season the Bears are still looking for their TE of the future. While Rodriguez may not be the most strongest TE in this class, he has nice athleticism and many believe his future is as an H-Back. The problems for Rodriguez are there, including legal issues that date back to his days at West Virginia. If the Bears can keep his head in check, and make sure he stays in the weight room, he could turn into a nice piece on that Bears offense.
Questionable Selection: Alshon Jeffery WR, South Carolina
-If Alshon Jeffery can get in shape and stay that way then this will turn into a great pick, but I am not entirely sure that can happen. After a stellar season in 2010, Jeffery saw a big production drop in 2011 due to poor QB play and conditioning issues. Jeffery came into the combine weighing in at 235 lbs and looked slow. Weeks later he showed up to his Pro Day weighing 215 lbs. There is no question Jeffery is talented, but when guys like Reuben Randle were still on the board, this pick doesn't make as much sense.
Draft Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings
Draft Recap:
1 (4): Matt Kalil OT, USC
1 (29): Harrison Smith FS, Notre Dame
3 (66): Josh Robinson CB, Central Florida
4 (118): Jarius Wright WR, Arkansas
4 (128): Rhett Ellison FB, USC
4 (134): Greg Childs WR, Arkansas
5 (139): Robert Blanton CB, Notre Dame
6 (175): Blair Walsh K, Georgia
7 (210): Audi Cole ILB, North Carolina State
7 (219): Trevor Guyton DE, California
Impact Rookie: Matt Kalil OT, USC
-When you think of the prototypical Left Tackle, you think of Matt Kalil. Kali was considered to be one of the best OT's this decade and should serve as the future star of the Vikings Offensive Line. While many people will look down on the O-Line as a star position, the LT is the 2nd most important position in football, and is the difference between a healthy QB and the backup QB. After taking Christian Podner in the 1st last year, the Vikings had to give him the protection he needs.
Pick for the Future: Greg Childs WR, Arkansas
-After taking Kalil at No.4 the Vikings had to start giving their franchise QB some weapons to throw to. Childs was considered an early round pick before suffering a devastating knee injury in 2010. The size is there for Childs (6'3 219 lbs) Childs has shown the tools to be a go to guy thanks to his big body and ability to stretch the field. The big question for Chidls remains if he can stay healthy and if he is fully recovered from the knee injury. If Childs is given time to work on catching the ball with his hands, and can stay on the field he could develop into a nice No.2 WR for the Vikigns.
Questionable Selection: Harrison Smith FS, Notre Dame
-I Don't question Harrison Smith the football player, I question the Vikings trading back up into the 1st Round to take Smith. While Smith should have a nice career in the NFL with his great instincts and size, he isn't the game changer you trade up for. Also the Vikings had a pick6 picks later, where I think they could have still picked up Smith.
Draft Grade: C
More Divisional Draft Grades
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