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

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.