Atlanta Falcons Position Needs: TE, LB, S, OL, DL
1 Pick 6 Jake Matthews OT – Some say that Jake was the safest pick in this year’s draft. I disagree and believe he has the lowest ceiling of the top ten picks, I am sure that he will get more than fair recognition being a Matthews. College film means much more to me than bloodlines and I saw limitations in his game. Grade B
2 Pick 37 Ra’Shede Hageman DT – Hageman seems like the classic boom or bust pick. He flashes greatness but he also disappears for stretches of the games. Either way it was a position of need and a solid pick. Grade B
3 Pick 68 Dezmen southward FS – Here the falcons picked a position of need and the pick might wind up being better than the guy he replaced. I like this pick Dezmen is good in pass coverage and does not shy away from contact. Grade B+
4 Pick 103 Devonta Freeman RB – Another great picks here Freeman might become one of the steals of the draft. In the championship game he was great and did not get the credit he deserves. He has a compact build and is not slow, good pick and could see some starting time if Jackson cannot stay healthy. Grade B+
4 Pick 139 Prince Shembo OLB- He looks the part but does not play like it. Prince will more than likely need to bulk up in order to stand his ground in the NFL. Shembo is a big project and did not show me that he was worthy of a 4th round pick. Grade C
5 Pick 147 Ricardo Allen CB- Undersized corner who will be limited to the slot and special teams most if not all of his career. Grade C+
5 Pick 168 Marquis Spruill ILB- He is a good athlete with a fast straight line speed. Spruill performed well for a mediocre team. He has a shot to become a starter and it is also a position of need. I like this pick more than Shembo. Grade B
7 Pick 253 Yawin Smallwood OLB – He has the size and athleticism to be a starter in the NFL. Yawin looked adequate at least of film and sometimes he made some big plays. If he continue to work hard he might see himself in a rotational role a few seasons from now. Grade B-
7 Pick 255 Tyler Starr OLB- Since the Falcons did not get a sure fire contributor at linebacker they opted to go with quantity over quality at this position. I am sure that one of these picks will see some playing time and one might even pan out at linebacker. Grade B
Overall Grade: B-
Carolina Panthers Positions of Need: WR, CB, OL
1 Pick 28 Kelvin Benjamin WR – I do like this pick Kelvin has a lot of potential however he has had one successful year under his belt. I would prefer that they would have taken Jordan Matthews here but I guess that is why they are the professional scouts. Either way good pick with a high ceiling and a position of need. Grade B+
2 Pick 60 Kony Ealy DE – Some say that Sam did as well as he did last year because the teams were more worried about Ealy and often doubled teamed him. With two great defensive ends already in Carolina in makes me wonder about Greg Hardy’s status for next season. Grade B-
3 Pick 92 Trai Turner OG – A smaller guard with the ability that came out a year too soon. He may be able to crack the lineup in a few seasons, but I see nothing special here. Grade C+
4 Pick 128 Tre Boston SS- Tre plays strong and has decent size for the position. I do not think he is better than Mike Mitchell who he might be set to replace. Boston could prove me wrong they needed a safety and the Panthers think they got it. Grade B-
5 Pick 148 Bene Benwikere CB- It is never a bad idea to take one cornerback a year. Since he is the only one drafted at this position he will be given a lot of chances and attention for a 5th round pick. Grade C+
6 Pick 204 Tyler Gaffney RB- In my opinion this was the best pick from Carolina, not that he is the best player that they drafted. Tyler could easily become the next Toby Gerhart. The good thing for him is that he will not be asked to play too soon and could slowly work his way into the NFL. Grade B+
Overall Grade B-
New Orleans Saints Positions of need: LB, CB, OL, WR
1 Pick 20 Brandin Cooks WR – A position of need and a weapon that the Saints have lacked for a while. Cooks can take screen plays to the house and also take the roof off of the defense. I like this pick a lot. Grade A
2 Pick 58 Stanley Jean-Baptiste CB – Another position of need and he has great size. He is the modern day cornerback when it comes to numbers and he is going into a good situation. Grade B+
4 Pick 126 Khairi Fortt ILB- If he can stay healthy he will be in the mix early and should earn a starting spot within a few seasons if he does everything right. Grade B
5 Pick 167 Vinnie Sunseri SS- an injury is why people claim this kid dropped so much but I saw more on film that discouraged me than just an injury. I have concerns that he cannot cover and is too small to play inside the box. Grade C+
5 Pick 169 Ronald Powell OLB- I do not care too much for this prospect. Went to an elite school and has elite size unfortunately that is where it ends. Grade D+
6 Pick 202 Tavin Rooks OT – Good height but needs to put on some muscle, he is a long shot to ever make a difference on this line. Grade C
Overall Grade B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Position of Need: OL, LB, QB, WR
1 Pick 7 Mike Evans WR- There is a reason why Evans was picked before Johnny Manziel and that is because on some plays Johnny would make a boneheaded throw then Evans would bail him out. I like this pick and I think he should be a pro bowler at some point. Grade A
2 Pick 38 Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE – Although it was not a position of need, Austin has a ton of upside. He has the size and ability to be a difference maker in the receiving and blocking game. Although there is bust potential here, at worst he will be a Brandon Pettigrew who is not bad at all. Grade B+
3 Pick 69 Charles Sims RB- Sims has good size and he is a good runner between the tackles. Where you get your worth with him is through his receiving abilities, it will be interesting to see how he is used. Grade B
5 Pick 143 Kadeem Edwards OG- He has good size and went in the spot he should have gone in the draft. He may never become more than a backup, however he will be given the opportunity to start at some point in his career. Whether he wins the starting job is up to him. Grade B-
5 Pick 149 Kevin Pamphile OT- Another decent sized lineman and has better athleticism than most lineman in this year’s draft. Although it could be a long shot he may be able to step into a starting role after a few years of hard work. Grade B
6 Pick 185 Robert Herron WR- Great pick in the 6th round the Bucs select one of the most NFL ready slot receivers in the draft. I would not be shocked for Robert to pick up at least some slot work at some point this season. Grade B+
Overall Grade B+
