NFC West Draft Grades

San Francisco 49ers


Draft Recap:
1 (30): A.J Jenkins WR, Illinois
2 (61): LaMichael James RB, Oregon
4 (117): Joe Looney G, Wake Forest
5 (165): Darius Fleming OLB, Notre Dame
6 (180): Trent Robinson FS, Michigan State
6 (199): Jason Slowey C, Western Oregon
7 (237): Cam Johnson OLB, Virginia


Impact Rookie: LaMichael James RB, Oregon
-The 49ers went with the play maker at 61st Overall and it was a steal for their offense. James reminds most people of Saints RB Darren Sproles thanks to his size (5'8) and game changing speed (4.45). He uses his incredible speed and elusiveness to avoid tackles and turn a small dump of pass into a 60 Yard TD. While the 49ers are stacked at RB with Frank Gore, Brandon Jacobs, and Kendall Hunter there may not be as many carries for him but he will find opportunities to make plays. The 49ers will likely give him the chance to return kicks and he could come in on passing downs as another speed demon. Due to his speed, James should have a immediate impact as a rookie.
Pick for the Future: Cam Johnson OLB, Virginia
-The 49ers went out with their last pick of the draft to pick up another OLB, Last season the 49ers managed to make it a full season short handed at the position. What they are hoping for is that Cam Johnson can come in as an insurance man at the DE or OLB position while they develop his game. Johnson has nice size but lacks the quick first step you look for in a pass rusher, and struggles to get low. He still struggles against the run, but if the defensive staff can work with Johnson to work on his weaknesses, he can develop into a situational pass rusher.
Questionable Selection: A.J Jenkins WR, Illinois
-I questioned the selection by the 49ers when it happened and I still question it today. While A.J Jenkins is a burner clocking in at a 4.39 40 time to go along with a 38.5 Vertical Jump I don't believe he was the best WR available at the time. Reuben Randle, Stephen Hill were both on the board at 30 and may have been the better WR to take. What Jenkins will bring to the 49ers is a deep threat who Alex Smith can hope to find down the field for the big play. Jenkins doesn't possess the strength or size of Reuben Randle or the upside of Stephen Hill, he could turn into a nice weapon to stretch the field for the 49ers.
Draft Grade: B











St. Louis Rams

Draft Recap:
1 (14): Michael Brockers DT, LSU
2 (33): Brian Quick WR, Appalachian State
2 (39): Janoris Jenkins CB, North Alabama
2 (50): Isaiah Pead RB, Cincinnati
3 (65): Trumaine Johnson CB, Montana
4 (96): Chris Givens WR, Wake Forest
5 (150): Rokevious Watkins OT, South Carolina
6 (171): Greg Zuerlein K, Missouri Western
7 (209): Aaron Brown LB, Hawaii
7 (252): Daryl Richardson RB, Abilene Christian

Impact Rookie: Janoris Jenkins CB, North Alabama 

-Despite being a mid 2nd Round pick thanks to enormous red flags revolving around character concerns, Jenkins was a Top 10 talent in this draft. When he joins Jeff Fisher in St.Louis you can bet there will be a crackdown on his off the field behavior as the team will keep a close microscope on him. What he will do on the field is give the Rams a legitimate CB duo of Jenkins and former Titans CB Cortland Finnegan. The Rams have put together one of the best secondaries in one season.

Pick for the Future: Michael Brockers DT, LSU

-Brockers was a first round pick for the Rams, so it may be a surprise to some that I have him as their pick for the future but consider this. He is being drafted for his enormous upside, which I strongly believe is legitimate. At 6'6 305 lbs Brockers is a force inside, who uses his athleticism to penetrate and create pressure. He is still very raw at the position and has to work on his pass rushing, but the talent is there to be one of the better DT's in the NFL.

Questionable Selection: Brian Quick WR, Appalachian State

-I loved what the Rams did with nearly every selection in this draft, but one of the few problems I had was with the selection of Brian Quick at 33 Overall. Players like Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw (was my Best Player Available), and even if they wanted to address the WR position LSU WR Reuben Randle was the better WR available. This is not a slight on Quick as I think he has a high ceiling, I just believe Randle or Upshaw would have been the wiser choice/

Draft Grade: A-

Arizona Cardinals

Draft Recap:
1 (13): Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame
3 (80): Jamell Fleming CB, Oklahoma
4 (112): Bobby Massie OT, Mississippi
5 (151): Senio Kelemte OT, Washington
6 (177): Justin Bethel CB, Presbyterian
6 (185): Ryan Lindley QB, San Diego State
7 (221): Nate Potter OT, Boise State

Impact Rookie: Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame  

-The Cardinals kept their promise to Larry Fitzgerald at 13 by select Fighting Irish WR Michael FLoyd.The Cardinals have lacked a true No.2 WR since Anquan Boldin from a few years back and now they have their new man in Michael Floyd. Floyd struggled with an alcohol problem in his career at Notre Dame, but his play on the field remained consistent despite inconstant QB play. What Floyd gives the Cardinals is another weapon for Kevin Kolb to throw to with Fitzgerald drawing the double coverage on every play. At 6'3 225 lbs, Floyd will step in right away as the Cardinals No.2 WR and will be an impact player as a rookie.

Pick for the Future: Justin Bethel CB, Presbyterian

-Justin Bethel didn't face the greatest competition at Presbyterian but made an impact that was heard around the scouting world. Bethel blocked an outstanding 9 kicks in four seasons thanks in part to his 60' Vertical Jump he possesses nice size (6'0) and ran a 4.5 40 at his Pro Day. He shows great instincts with the ability to go up and grab the jump ball. He still has work to do when it comes to covering NFL WR's as it will be a big talent jump for him, but until he develops he should step in on Special Teams right away and create pressure on opposing Kickers.

Questionable Selection: Ryan Lindley QB, San Diego State

-This is more of a personal opinion rather then the selection of a QB in the 6th Round. I watched Lindley play 3 times, then once in the Senior Bowl and came away thinking he shouldn't be drafted. His accuracy is below average which is a big problem for QB's in the NF:. He has a big arm but if you can't hit your target that doesn't matter anyways. Lindley doesn't have good instincts and is a strict pocket passer due to his lack of athleticism. In the 6th Round there were plenty of options available that I feel could have offered more upside then Lindley and at a better value.

Draft Grade: B-

Seattle Seahawks

Draft Recap:
1 (15): Bruce Irvin DE, West Virginia
2 (47): Bobby Wagner ILB, Utah State
3 (75): Russell Wilson QB, Wisconsin
4 (106): Robert Turbin RB, Utah State
4 (114): Jaye Howard DT, Florida
5 (154): Korey Toomer ILB, Idaho
6 (172): Jeremy Lane CB, Northwestern State (La.)
6 (181): Winston Guy CB, Kentucky
7 (225): J.R Sweezy DE, North Carolina State
7 (232): Greg Scruggs DE, Louisville

Impact Rookie: Bobby Wagner ILB, Utah State

-Bobby Wagner was one of the more underrated LB's in this draft but what he can do for the Seahawks  is step in as a starter right away and contribute. Wagner is an athletic LB who can play both the ILB and OLB spots. He is fundamentally sound as a tackler, and as the speed to develop into a decent pass rusher. Wagner will start right away for the Seahawks, and be the top rookie performer this year.

Pick for the Future: Russell Wilson QB, Wisconsin 

-I am a believer in Russell Wilson and strongly believe if given a few years to develop he can be a solid NFL Starting QB. Wilson was looked down upon by many scouts and some teams because he stands 6'0 and that's on a good day, but he makes up for that with his athleticism and accuracy. That is no slight on Wilsons' arm as he has shown he can make the throws he needs to. What Wilson will need is just a few years to learn the Seahawks system and develop more as a QB. If after 3 years Matt Flynn doesn't work out Wilson will be ready.

Questionable Selection: Bruce Irvin DE, West Virginia

-The selection of Bruce Irvin with the 15th Overall pick was definitely one of the more sup rising picks for NFL Fans and some individuals inside the NFL. While Irvin was considered to be one of the most talented Pass Rushers in the draft. The problems for Irvin have to do with his smaller size (6'3 245 lbs), the biggest red flag is Irvins' off the field issues, which include an arrest the day after his Pro Day for destruction of property. The talent is there to be great, but at 15 I am not sure the Risk is worth the Reward in the first round.

Draft Grade: C