NFC North Draft Grades

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-Chattanooga

Impact 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, Oklahoma


Impact 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

4 (111): Evan Rodriguez TE, Temple
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
AFC North

Early look at the teams I think will breakout in 2011

We are still in the midst of this lockout, and there is no definite time table for when this lockout will end. While we have not had the chance for NFL Free Agency to start. I have decided to do my annual "Breakout" list

If the season started today these are the teams I think are really going to break out

St. Louis Rams

In his 1st season Sam Bradford fell       
short of the NFC West crown, he will get it this year

                                            

2010 Record: (7-9)

2011 Projection: (9-7)

Flashback:
-The Rams entered the 2010 season with heralded rookie Sam Bradford as their signal caller, Steven Jackson in their backfield and not much else. Their WR core took its first big hit early in the preseason when they lost Donnie Avery to a torn ACL. They were left with few targets for Bradford to throw to, and still had question marks on defense. Despite all these questions they managed to go 7-9, and let a Sunday Night Football game slip away and lose their spot in the playoffs.

Outlook:

The Rams ended up with the 14th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, and they got a steal in Robert Quinn. Quinn missed the 2010 season due to a party he attended, that was hosted by NFL RB Frank Gore. He is a Top 5 talent, and will bring immediate help for the Rams young defense. Later in the draft the Rams addressed another big need by giving Sam Bradford more weapons. Lance Kendricks will give him a trustable guy down the middle, and WR Austin Pettis is a tremendous route runner. Overall, it was a solid draft for the Rams, and really helps them on both sides. After a solid draft, they will get Donnie Avery back, and Sam Bradford will now have a full year under his belt. All of that leads me to believe in this team, and that they can win the NFC West.


Detroit Lions:                                                                               
2010 Record: (6-10)
2011 Projection: (10-6)


If Stafford can stay on the field, rather then
the IR, the Lions will be good



Flashback
The Lions entered the 2010 season with high hopes after a very strong draft. First round pick Ndamukong Suh lived up to the hype, and looks to be the next star DT in the NFL. 2nd rounder Jahvid Best played well early, but then struggled towards the end of the year due to fatigue and being knicked up. Matt Stafford tried to stay on the field but ended up playing only 3 games. Despite the setbacks the Lions ended the season on a hot streak winning their last 4 games, giving them some momentum going into 2011.

Outlook:
The Lions had the 13th overall pick in the draft, and they lucked out when Nick Fairley fell to them. Fairley will pair up with Suh to create the scariest interior line in the league. It will make running the ball impossible, and force teams to go to the air. The Lions gave Stafford another target in Titus Young, a guy who can stretch the field and get open. They also addressed the RB position with Mike Leshoure who will split carries with Jahvid Best. An outstanding draft by the Lions put them in place to really start winning games, especially if Stafford can stay healthy. As long as Stafford can play an entire 16 games, and the rest of this team can live up to expectations, they have a good chance to win 10 games.


Houston Texans                                                                           

Fans at Reliant stadium may finally
witness a playoff game at home

Last year: (6-10)

2011 Projection: (11-5)

Flashback

The Texans had high hopes going into 2010, believing that it would finally be the year they got over the (.500) hump and made the playoffs, instead they went 6-10, had the worst defense in the league, and Andre Johnson had a down year by his standards (only 8 TD's and 86 receptions). The biggest bright spot was Arian Foster who went from undrafted 3rd string RB to leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns (1616 yards and 16 TD's).  They finished 4 games back of the Colts, and fired their defensive coordinator, leaving Gary Kubiak on the hot seat.

Outlook:
The Texans went into the draft focused on adding pieces for their new 3-4 defense run by Wade Phillips. In the first 5 rounds, they targeted their DL and secondary. In the first round J.J Watt gives them a very talented but developing DE, who has shown skills to get after the QB. They followed it up by taking Brooks Reed, an energizer bunny who will never stop getting after the ball carrier. They also addressed their atrocious secondary with the selections of Brandon Harris and Rashad Carmichael. The Texans did a nice job of building their new defense, and may finally have a strong enough unit to put on the field. They have a great offense that can match any offense in the league, and they now have a nice defense that will progress as the season goes on, and could help lead this team to an AFC South crown.

Sean Smith is going to be a breakout player
on a breakout team in 2011

Miami Dolphins

2010 Record: (7-9)

2011 Projection: (9-6)

Flashback:
The Dolphins entered the 2010 season, hoping that Chad Henne would be the future of their franchise. He ended up being benched and finishing with a stat line of  15 TD's and 19 INT's leaving Dolphins personnel and fans wondering what is next. The RB situation worked well with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams continuing to split carries. The Dolphins lost 3 in a row which kills some momentum going into 2011

Outlook
The Dolphins went into the draft hoping they could get a good QB with the 15th overall pick. Unfortunately, none were available so they had to address the protection of their eventual QB. Mike Pouncey will bring toughness to their interior offensive line, and someone that can also bring leadership. They got insurance in case Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, don't come back with the addition of Daniel Thomas. Their defense will be even better with a year under Mike Nolan's defense. Look for CB Sean Smith to really break out as an elite Corner. With a good defense in place, and a strong offensive line and good WR core, the Dolphins could surprise some people.