Grading the Draft: Arizona Cardinals

(Originally posted at http://www.draftinsider.net/)

Held back by pathetic quarterback play last season, the Cardinals decided to trade for Carson Palmer rather than take a chance on any of this year’s QB prospects in the first two rounds. For a team with plenty of holes on both sides of the ball and a star receiver going to waste this was probably a wise move, especially after Arizona used their first pick to provide some protection for Palmer and whoever winds up succeeding him. Chris Tripodi breaks down the Arizona draft class.

Jonathan Cooper/G/North Carolina (Round 1/Pick #7): One of the two elite guards who bucked typical draft trends this season, Cooper started the offseason as the #2 guard prospect. He gained steam over Chance Warmack late in the process thanks to his elite athleticism and ended up being drafted higher than the Alabama stud. Cooper is a quick, explosive and fundamentally sound lineman who is great blocking in motion. If there is one area to nitpick about Cooper’s game it’s a lack of lower body strength but he shouldn’t have a problem adding muscle in an NFL weight training program and once he does, Cooper has the ability to quickly develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber guard.

Kevin Minter/LB/LSU (Round 2/Round #45): With a hole at middle linebacker and Manti Te’o still on the board at 38^th overall, the Cardinals decided to pass on the Notre Dame linebacker and trade down, picking up an extra fourth-round pick in the process. This was a shrewd move for Arizona as they still got the linebacker they wanted in Minter. With Daryl Washington’s season now in doubt thanks to a recent assault arrest on top of a four-game substance abuse suspension, Minter is assured a spot as a starter and should be a great fit in Arizona. His lack of sideline-to-sideline range will be masked in Arizona’ 3-4 defense, where his instincts and ability to quickly penetrate gaps in the offensive line will help him make an immediate impact.

Tyrann Mathieu/CB/LSU (Round 3/Pick #69): This pick was somewhat surprising and while we had Mathieu rated as a fifth-round prospect, Arizona may be a perfect fit for the troubled former Heisman candidate. On talent alone, Mathieu was worthy of a second-round pick but his dismissal from the LSU program prior to last season has been well-documented, as have his issues with marijuana which have reportedly led to more than 10 failed drug tests. On the field, Mathieu is a big play waiting to happen on defense and in the return game. At his best playing in a zone due to his lack of size (5-8, 186), Mathieu’s great read-and-react ability and break to the ball leads to turnovers and he has good enough speed to recover when he makes a mistake. The presence of former college teammate and good friend Patrick Peterson may have played a part in this pick and if Peterson and the Cardinals can keep Mathieu in line off the field, he has the talent to be the league’s best nickel cornerback.

Alex Okafor/DE/Texas (Round 4/Pick #103): A second-round prospect on our board, Okafor was very productive with the Longhorns and is a max-effort player. He doesn’t have the size (6-4, 264) to play as a 5-technique end or the speed (4.85) to be a stud edge rusher and struggled in Texas’ 3-4 last season, the same defense he’ll be joining in Arizona. On the surface this seems like a questionable fit as Okafor is better suited as a 4-3 defensive end, but the Cardinals are hoping his instincts and intelligence will help him improve with more time playing in the 3-4.

Earl Watford/G/James Madison (Round 4/Pick #116): The Cardinals traded back here for the second time in the draft, moving down six spots from 110^th overall and picking up an extra sixth-round pick. Watford was a solid choice here for a team looking to rebuild their offensive line and while he needs time to develop, he could eventually earn a starting role on the other side of fellow rookie Jonathan Cooper. Watford received multiple All-American honors during his senior season, impressive for a small-school lineman, and his athleticism makes him great blocking in motion and quick to the second level. Starting left guard Daryn Colledge is under contract for another three seasons, so Watford will have time to physically mature before he’ll need to step into a key role.

Stepfan Taylor/RB/Stanford (Round 5/Pick #140): We reported on Taylor’s impressive Senior Bowl performance and had him rated as a potential third-round pick, but his fall isn’t too surprising considering his poor combine and the fact that many running backs in this year’s class seemed to go later than expected. Even still, this was a good pick for Arizona considering the uncertainty of their backfield this year and beyond. A 5-8, 216-pound bruiser, Taylor is a north-south runner who rarely gets tackled by the first defender. He has quick feet in small spaces along with good vision and may be the best blocker in this draft class, which could help him see playing time as a rookie. His upside is somewhat limited, but he could be a very good committee back.

Ryan Swope/WR/Texas A&M (Round 6/Pick #174): The Cardinals stopped Swope’s freefall in the sixth round, as he was no worse than a third-rounder on most boards. His concussion history with the Aggies apparently scared teams off and he has already missed time in OTA’s due to concussion symptoms. If Swope can get past those issues and get on the playing field, he has the talent to make an impact. He shocked many by running a 4.34 40-yard dash at the combine but he doesn’t show that speed on tape. If Swope can play closer to that time, his intelligence, route-running ability and solid hands will make him a favorite of any quarterback. With Andre Roberts entering free agency next season, Swope has upside as a very good slot receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd if he can get on the field.

Andre Ellington/RB/Clemson (Round 6/Pick #187): Using the extra pick Arizona got from the Giants for their fourth-rounder, the Cardinals got great value on Ellington. If Rashard Mendenhall doesn’t impress on a one-year deal and Ryan Williams continues to struggle with injuries, the Clemson product may team up with Stepfan Taylor as a thunder-and-lightning combination in the Arizona backfield. Despite his size (5-9, 199), Ellington runs with good power and is quicker than he is fast, making him effective as an interior runner and also a receiver out of the backfield. He probably won’t hold up as a feature back but he is a playmaker who should provide a great return on investment late in the sixth round with a running style that complements Taylor’s nicely.

D.C. Jefferson/TE/Rutgers (Round 7/Pick #219): Jefferson is a late lottery ticket for the Cardinals, who have struggled to get much production out of the tight end position in recent seasons. His talent level is matched by his inconsistency but at 6-5, 255 pounds, he has the skills to be a mismatch down the field. Jefferson’s hands and blocking remain inconsistent but if Arizona can develop him, he has starting-caliber talent and could be in line to take over in a few years if starter Rob Housler doesn’t fulfill his own untapped potential.

Grade: B+. The Cardinals did a great job maximizing value in the later rounds, picking up multiple players that can help their offense in the future. Jonathan Cooper and Kevin Minter will be immediate starters who can make a big impact in their rookie seasons but this draft grade could go even higher if Tyrann Mathieu can fly straight and reach his potential. Every pick Arizona made has legitimate upside and their draft should build a nice foundation for the team in the future. It’s hard to see Arizona competing for a playoff spot in the NFC West and with another high pick likely on tap next season, the Cardinals may be able to find a quarterback that can take them to the next level in the years to come.

Grading the Draft: Atlanta Falcons

(Originally posted at http://www.draftinsider.net/)

With a secondary that struggled in 2013 and Pro Bowl quarterbacks on two of the other three rosters in the NFC South, Atlanta decided to focus on upgrading their defensive backfield with their first two picks. They did just that with two cornerbacks who could be their starting tandem within a year or two but as Chris Tripodi reports below, the rest of their draft left something to be desired.

Desmond Trufant/CB/Washington (Round 1/Pick #22): It was no secret that the Falcons were looking to move up from the 30^th overall pick to draft a cornerback and the Rams were interested in trading down to regain picks after trading up for Tavon Austin. Atlanta traded their third and sixth-round picks along with the 30^th pick to move up and take Trufant, who should step into the starting lineup immediately opposite Asante Samuel. A good athlete with ideal size (5-11, 190) and speed (4.41), Trufant defends both the run and pass well and his production earned him All-American honors his senior year. He should help the Falcons pass defense, especially against Drew Brees and Cam Newton.

Robert Alford/CB/Southeastern Louisiana (Round 2/Round #60): Alford isn’t ready to start right away like Trufant, but the Falcons don’t need him to fill that role with Asante Samuel still under contract for the next two seasons. Atlanta does have a need for a nickel back and while Alford is expected to fill that spot, his experience returning punts could also help the Falcons in 2013. He has the size (5-10, 188) to mix it up with receivers at the line of scrimmage and the speed (4.35) to stay with them down the field. Alford’s run defense and reaction time needs improvement and coming from a small school, it’s likely he’ll need time to adjust to the NFL. Luckily the Falcons can afford to start him in the nickel and reap the rewards of his athleticism and ball skills while grooming him to replace Samuel.

Malliciah Goodman/DE/Clemson (Round 4/Pick #127): An undersized athlete who showed flashes at Clemson, Goodman has a powerful lower body and has the ability to change direction quickly. Despite those skills, he tends to get caught up on blocks at just 6-3, 278 and doesn’t have great burst, which makes him a bit of a tweener. Goodman needs to bulk up to be an effective three-technique and is nothing more than backup at end without top-notch pass rush skills. He’ll need to become more consistent on the field as well if he wants to fully utilize his athletic gifts.

Levine Toilolo/TE/Stanford (Round 4/Pick #133): At 6-8 and 260 pounds, Toilolo is a huge target in the passing game. He has the speed to get downfield, runs good routes and shows solid hands to make the catch. While he has good physical skills, his inconsistent play and lack of improvement made him a fifth-round prospect. An early entrant into the draft, Toilolo will need to take better to coaching in the NFL than he did in college but lands in a good situation with Atlanta. He can learn from one of the all-time greats in Tony Gonzalez who is back for one more season and if he can show the ability to improve at the professional level, has the talent to provide Matt Ryan with another tall target at tight end once Gonzalez retires for good.

Stansly Maponga/DE/TCU (Round 5/Pick #153): The Falcons moved up 10 spots to take Maponga, a free agent on our board, surrendering a seventh-round pick in the process. An athletic end whose size (6-2, 256) will prevent him from ever being an asset against the run, Maponga has shown the ability to line up over tackle and in a three-point stance. He’s quick off the snap, has good pass-rushing moves and a nice burst to the quarterback. While he projects as little more than a specialist at the NFL level, Maponga could help an Atlanta pass rush that registered just 29 sacks last season.

Kemal Ishmael/S/Central Florida (Round 7/Pick #243): Conference USA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, Ishmael wasn’t even rated as a free agent on our board but hails from the same school as starting cornerback Asante Samuel. The two obviously never played together but Atlanta saw enough from the UCF’s all-time leading tackler to take him with one of their three compensatory seventh-round picks. Ishmael has average size and speed and could make the roster if he can prove his worth on special teams.

Zeke Motta/S/Notre Dame (Round 7/Pick #244): Motta is a classic strong safety prospect with great size (6-2, 213) who lacks speed and sideline-to-sideline range. He’s very instinctive and forceful in the box and can be a good situational safety in running situations. Motta can cover short pass routes and can be very effective with limited responsibilities between the numbers. A hard worker whose game has developed well in the past few seasons, Motta will likely need to accept a special teams role at the outset of his career.

Sean Renfree/QB/Duke (Round 7/Pick #249): Renfree was a productive game manager in his three starting seasons at Duke and while he lacks NFL arm strength, he showed good leadership ability, accuracy and timing with his receivers. The Falcons have arguably the league’s worst backup quarterback in Dominique Davis so Renfree may have a legitimate chance to land a backup role as a rookie, although that would be a highly undesirable situation for the Falcons.

Grade: C+. While Atlanta made good moves to improve their secondary early, the lack of value later in the draft hurt their grade. They moved up in the fifth round to draft a player with a free agent grade after using their fourth-round picks on talented but inconsistent players who need to work on their games to make it in the NFL. This draft was very top heavy for Atlanta and while Trufant has a good chance to be a nice player and fills a big hole, one or two picks usually don’t make a draft unless a team drafts one of the top 3-5 players.

Grading the Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(Originally posted at http://www.draftinsider.net/)

After trading their first-round pick for Darrelle Revis, Tampa Bay was left with just six draft picks in 2013. Still not satisfied with their secondary even after acquiring Revis, the Bucs used their second-round pick on a cornerback before hedging their bets on Josh Freeman by taking a quarterback in round three. Chris Tripodi breaks down how the Bucs fared in April’s draft...

Johnthan Banks/CB/Mississippi State (Round 2/Pick #43): With the league’s worst secondary and three Pro Bowl quarterbacks in the division, upgrading their defensive backfield was the Bucs’ top priority this offseason. An aggressive cornerback who defends the run as well as the pass, Banks will likely slot in as Tampa’s nickel cornerback to start the 2013 season. With Eric Wright’s contract expiring after this season, it’s likely he will step into the starting role opposite Revis in 2014. Banks is a consistent worker with good instincts and while his lack of speed (4.59) makes him vulnerable to the deep ball, he will reap the rewards of playing with Revis and having safety help over the top to mask his deficiencies.

Mike Glennon/QB/N.C. State (Round 3/Round #73): After taking over for Russell Wilson two years ago, Glennon spent his junior and senior years wowing scouts with his arm strength yet frustrating them with his accuracy issues and questionable decision making. His completion percentage dropped as a senior and he threw more interceptions as well, showing the inconsistencies that make him an unfinished product. With Josh Freeman entering the final year of his contract and Tampa Bay not talking extension, Glennon could find himself with a starting role next season if Freeman doesn’t take the next step as a passer. If he works hard on his footwork and grows with NFL coaching, Glennon has as much upside as any quarterback in this year’s class and will benefit from a year on the bench.

Akeem Spence/DT/Illinois (Round 4/Pick #100): Despite having the NFL’s top rush defense in 2013, Tampa Bay has struggled to find a good complement to Gerald McCoy on their interior line since he was drafted in 2010. Spence struggled some in 2012 but the Bucs are hoping that suppressed his value enough to make him good value early in the fourth round after trading up 12 spots at the expense of a sixth-round pick. At his best, Spence is disruptive and explosive up the field and in pursuit. He’s not much of a pass rusher but has the potential to start at some point this season if he can improve his playing strength.

William Gholston/DE/Michigan State (Round 4/Pick #126): The last name Gholston is synonymous with draft bust after William’s cousin Vernon flamed out shortly after being drafted in the first round by the Jets in 2008. Unfortunately for William, he shows many similarities to his cousin which likely led to teams shying away from him as a top-125 pick. Fast, powerful and athletic at 6-6, Gholston has first-round talent but has a tendency to disappear and take plays off. Maybe the lack of first-round money will lead to him being more motivated than his cousin but if not, he will find it difficult to shed the underachiever label currently attached to him.

Steven Means/LB/Buffalo (Round 5/Pick #147): Ranked as a free agent on our draft board, Means is used to flying under the radar after playing on the same defense as All-American Kahlil Mack with the Bulls. A defensive end in college despite weighing just 251 pounds, Means will probably be little more than a situational pass rusher with the Bucs but has the athleticism and ability to be solid in that role as well as on special teams. He will need to improve his consistency and stay low rushing off the edge to avoid getting blocked out of the play by NFL tackles who have at least 50 pounds on him.

Mike James/RB/Miami (Round 6/Pick #189): After trading backup running back LeGarrette Blount for Jeff Demps and a seventh-round pick, Tampa Bay packaged that seventh-round pick with the 196^th overall pick to draft Blount’s replacement. A powerful runner at 5-10, 223 pounds, James is a similar runner to Blount without the character issues. James will see limited action behind last year’s standout rookie back Doug Martin and while he lacks speed and agility, James will fight for every yard he can get and is a solid receiver out of the backfield. He should prove to be a nice complement to Martin in limited action.

Grade: C+. This grade is strictly for the picks that Tampa Bay made in 2013 and not the ones they traded, otherwise this grade would be in the B-range. Trading the 13^th overall pick for Revis was great value if he comes back at 100 percent and should help the Bucs cover the likes of Julio Jones, Roddy White, Marques Colston and Steve Smith. Johnthan Banks will be a good complement to Revis but Tampa’s next three picks involve a good deal of risk. Mike Glennon is a project, Akeem Spence’s production left something to be desired and William Gholston defines “boom or bust.” They filled out their draft with decent role players but it’s possible that this draft will be remembered for nothing more than the pick they traded for Revis in a few seasons.

Grading the Draft: Oakland Raiders

(Originally posted at http://www.draftinsider.net/)

A last minute trade down in the first round saved the Raiders a lot of value in this year’s draft, as they took the same player they were reported to have interest in with the 3^rd overall pick. They picked up only an additional second-round pick for dropping nine spots but all things considered, it was a move that worked out very well for Oakland since they were lacking a 2^nd-round pick from the Carson Palmer trade. Chris Tripodi puts the Raiders’ draft under the microscope below.

D.J. Hayden/CB/Houston (Round 1/Pick #12): The Raiders were reportedly ready to take Hayden with their 3^rd overall pick before moving the pick to Miami and even still, the pick can be considered a slight reach. Hayden was highly regarded before a freak practice collision in November caused a vein in his heart to tear. This injury was nearly fatal but after being medically cleared shortly before the draft, Hayden’s stock skyrocketed back to where it was before his injury. He has good size (5-11, 192), speed (4.44) and ball skills and is a high-upside cornerback who could justify the Raiders’ making him the second corner off the board. Hayden’s athleticism and physicality should help him start on the outside right away for the Raiders.

Menelik Watson/T/Florida State (Round 2/Pick #42): Oakland was able to parlay their early first-round pick into D.J. Hayden and Watson, who could be the Raiders’ starting right tackle in Week 1 but may be better off with a few games on the sideline. A junior college transfer who came to the United States to play basketball, his football experience is limited but his upside is huge. He has the size (6-5, 310) and strength to push defenders off the ball in the run game and is quick and agile enough to adjust to rushers coming off the edge. Watson’s movement skills are impressive for a big man and he improved consistently during his only season with the Seminoles. If he can continue to develop his fundamentals and learn balance and body positioning, he can be a very good player in the NFL.

Sio Moore/LB/Connecticut (Round 3/Pick #66): Moore was a prospect that we reported was gaining steam in the last few days leading up to the draft, with some talk of him landing in the second round. When that scenario didn’t materialize, Oakland was happy to grab him early in the third. Moore scrapes well and uses his 4.6 speed to cover a lot of ground and make plays in space and in pursuit. He’s slow shedding blocks but usually just runs around them to make plays. While that won’t work quite as well at the NFL level, if Moore can improve his playing strength he should be able to crack the Oakland 3-4 as an outside linebacker.

Tyler Wilson/QB/Arkansas (Round 4/Pick #112): After an outstanding All-SEC junior year, Wilson lost Coach Bobby Petrino and three NFL receivers heading into his senior season. His production suffered as a result and the team struggled to a sub-.500 record, but Wilson was widely lauded for the toughness he showed dealing with the adversity of the season. He’ll try to be the second mid-round rookie quarterback named Wilson to steal a starting job from Matt Flynn in training camp and even if not, he definitely has a shot to overtake Terrelle Pryor as Flynn’s backup. Wilson has surprisingly small hands and doesn’t have the arm to lead a vertical offense but neither does Flynn, and his hand size shouldn’t be an issue with good weather in Oakland. If he can play like he did in 2011 with NFL-caliber talent around him again, Wilson has a good chance to start at some point in 2013, especially if the Raiders struggle.

Nick Kasa/TE/Colorado (Round 6/Pick #172): A former defensive lineman who played his final two years at Colorado as a tight end, Kasa has untapped potential that the Raiders are hoping they can cultivate after losing Brandon Myers this offseason. Kasa is big (6-6, 269) and fast (4.74) but hasn’t learned to stretch the field or catch the ball consistently yet. His route-running is solid for a player with limited experience and he is a strong blocker who can develop a complete game in the NFL. Kasa has more upside than most sixth-round picks and can be a starter in the future if he works hard to improve.

Latavius Murray/RB/Central Florida (Round 6/Pick #181): The first thing most notice about Murray is his size at 6-3, 220 pounds and he plays big, showing the ability to move the pile and break tackles to keep runs alive. He shows good quickness and vision and his receiving skills are an asset, but he’s a straight-line runner who doesn’t accelerate well when changing direction. With the departure of Mike Goodson, Murray will battle fellow big back Rashad Jennings to be the primary backup to injury-prone Darren McFadden. Neither is well suited for a primary offensive role, so the Raiders better hope McFadden can stay healthy for once.

Mychal Rivera/TE/Tennessee (Round 6/Pick #184): Oakland is hoping the sixth round can fill the depth chart at tight end and while Kasa has potential as an inline starter thanks to his blocking ability, Rivera is a move tight end that could be a very nice complement. Rivera can create mismatches in the secondary and shows good body control and the ability to make tough catches. At just 242 pounds, he isn’t much of a blocker but can be a weapon in the passing game if he can translate his college production to the NFL.

Stacy McGee/DT/Oklahoma (Round 6/Pick #205): McGee is the type of player that fits the Raiders’ reputation, and not in a positive way. He started his senior year on suspension for violation of team rules and was arrested for driving under the influence later in the season. On the field, he’s a nasty lineman with a great bull rush who shows flashes of dominance but never really developed in college. Consistency and maturity are McGee’s biggest issues and unless he can get those in line, he will have a very short NFL career.

Brice Butler/WR/San Diego State (Round 7/Pick #209): After transferring from USC, Butler had just 24 catches as a senior but his flashes of ability got him drafted late. He has average size and speed but solid hands, good timing and the ability to go up and get the ball in a crowd. Butler is not NFL ready and will struggle to make the active roster as a rookie, especially with four receivers already ahead of him on the depth chart. If he makes the practice squad and shows improvement throughout the year, he could provide depth at the position by the end of the year.

David Bass/DE/Missouri Western (Round 7/Pick #233): It’s rare to find a two-time All-American in the seventh round, but Bass’ elite production (26.5 sacks as a junior and senior) came on the small-school level and no team was willing to take a flier on his talents until Oakland did. Bass is on the small side for a 4-3 defensive end at 6-4, 262 pounds but is an explosive pass rusher off the edge. He struggles with leverage and staying low but if he can work on his technique, Bass has the potential to be a useful specialist at the NFL level since he can really get after the quarterback.

Grade: B-. This grade would have been a notch or two lower if Oakland hadn’t been able to trade out of the top-3, assuming they were taking Hayden anyway. He has the potential to be a very good player but will need to prove he’s fully healthy again to justify taking him 12^th overall, although he definitely has the talent to be the second best corner in this draft. Watson, Moore and Wilson were all solid picks who could be starting for the Raiders at some point this season and have good upside for their draft spots. With their six picks in the final two rounds, the Raiders are hoping they can solidify the tight end position and turn one or two of their other picks into solid rotational players.

Grading the Draft: Tennessee Titans

(Originally posted at http://www.draftinsider.net/)

Tennessee struggled on both sides of the ball last season and after a promising 2011 debut, quarterback Jake Locker didn’t take the step forward many expected. The Titans looked to the 2013 NFL Draft to fix some of their issues and overall, they did a nice job filling holes with solid prospects and finding upside in the mid-to-late rounds. Chris Tripodi tells you which rookies to keep an eye on in Tennessee this season.

Chance Warmack/G/Alabama (Round 1/Pick #10): The last time a guard was drafted in the top 10 was Chris Naeole in 1997, but Warmack wasn’t even the first guard drafted in 2013. A relatively weak draft and two standout prospects at the position led to the Cardinals taking Jonathan Cooper 7^th overall and the Titans taking Warmack 10^th. Precedent says guards aren’t valued as top-10 picks both Cooper and Warmack transcended that thinking this year. Warmack is a low-risk, high-upside mauler on the inside and while he is very slow and doesn’t pull out into space well, he should have no trouble opening big holes on the inside for Chris Johnson to run through. Warmack is a great fit for the run-heavy offense Tennessee wants to implement in 2013 and should make an immediate impact.

Justin Hunter/WR/Tennessee (Round 2/Pick #34): An obvious indictment of the coaching staff’s trust in Kenny Britt, the Titans used an early second-round pick on Hunter. If NFL teams drafted solely on athletic ability, Hunter would have been the first receiver taken thanks to his 6-4, 196-pound frame, 4.4 speed and 39.5-inch vertical leap. His inconsistent hands, poor route running and lack of focus at times adds some risk to the ultimate reward of a number-one receiver though, which is why he wasn’t a first-round pick. Britt will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and if he can’t regain the dominant form he flashed at the beginning of 2011 before tearing his ACL, it will likely be Hunter starting next to Kendall Wright at receiver next season. Hunter himself tore his ACL in 2011 and Tennessee seems to be betting on either him or Britt to reach their potential. If they both somehow can, Jake Locker will be a very happy quarterback.

Blidi Wreh-Wilson/CB/Connecticut (Round 3/Pick #70): The Titans ranked 26^th against the pass last season and with Alterraun Verner’s contract expiring next offseason, Tennessee was wise to draft his potential replacement at a third-round price. Graded out as a second-round pick by Draft Insider and garnering tons of pre-draft buzz, Wreh-Wilson was a steal in round three and has the skills to be the team’s best cornerback in the future. He is a bit raw and struggled with injuries during his junior and senior seasons, but there is no rush for him to start in Tennessee if he doesn’t force his way into the lineup. At 6-0, 195 pounds with 4.45 speed, Wreh-Wilson is athletic and physical and has the potential to shut down an opponent’s top target. The Titans have the luxury of starting him off as a nickel corner, but don’t be surprised to see him as their top corner in 2014.

Zaviar Gooden/OLB/Missouri (Round 3/Pick #97): On the surface, this was a slightly curious pick by Tennessee. Gooden was the fastest linebacker in this draft but the Titans drafted a speedy outside linebacker last season when they took Zach Brown. Brown has had injury issues in the past though and this pick can provide insurance for him as well as injury-prone middle linebacker Colin McCarthy, who could see less of the field in nickel packages to keep him healthy. Gooden is solid in coverage and could push Akeem Ayers to a rush defensive end position in the nickel, as Ayers was not on the field on most passing downs last season. Gooden’s lack of size (6-1, 235) is a limiting factor and while he won’t start over a healthy Brown on the weak side, he’s a good insurance policy who should see the field and help the Titans’ pass defense as a rookie. A slight reach in round three, but one that fits Tennessee’s defense and can contribute immediately.

Brian Schwenke/C/California (Round 4/Pick #107): The Titans’ interior line is undergoing a transformation after the signing of guard Andy Levitre and the drafting of Chance Warmack. Tennessee likely envisions Schwenke as their starting center as early as this season, meaning Chris Johnson will have at least three new offensive lineman to complain about when he continues to dance behind the line of scrimmage. Schwenke played both guard positions in college before switching to center last season and receiving All-Conference honors for his performance. He is explosive off the line, quick to the second level and has the intelligence and leadership qualities an NFL starting center needs. This was a good value pick as well for the Titans, as Schwenke was projected to go about a round earlier.

Lavar Edwards/DE/LSU (Round 5/Pick #142): Edwards flew under the radar as a part-time player at LSU, but his talent and potential warranted a pick earlier than the fifth round. He played a consistent role on a great Tigers defense since his sophomore year and his speed off the edge will be a nice addition to an already solid Tennessee pass rush. Edwards lacks bulk against the run and isn’t great in pursuit, but will add to the Titan’s depth at defensive end and has the upside to ultimately become a starter at the NFL level.

Khalid Wooten/CB/Nevada (Round 6/Pick #202): It’s obvious that the Titans went into this season’s draft focusing on improving their pass defense and while Wooten won’t be a starter in the NFL, he has the athleticism to develop into a nickel or dime corner. He never showed much consistency at the college level but if Wooten can improve his mechanics, his speed, physicality and aggressive mentality against the run could help him stick in the league.

Daimian Stafford/S/Nebraska (Round 7/Pick #247): Stafford was a two-year starter with the Cornhuskers after transferring from junior college before the 2011 season. His size (5-11, 221) and speed (4.58) are what teams look for at the safety position but Stafford struggles in coverage and has some work to do to be a contributor at the NFL level. His athleticism, discipline and toughness against the run leads me to believe he can be a solid special teams player for the Titans this season and he has enough upside to develop into a sub-package safety on defense if he can polish his coverage ability.

Grade: B+. Tennessee did a great job adding talent in this year’s draft, using the first two rounds to solidify their running game and add another big target for Jake Locker. Three of their next four picks netted them players who should have gone at least a round earlier on our board and the Titans added four players who could be starting by the end of this season and 2-3 more who could see the field as a situational players.

Grading the Draft: Indianapolis Colts

(Originally posted at http://www.draftinsider.net/)

Without a 2^nd-round pick in the 2013 draft thanks to the Vontae Davis trade, the Colts found themselves with just two of the first 120 overall picks. Even though Indianapolis made the playoffs last season, they still had some holes to fill and the 2013 draft won’t be one for Indianapolis fans to write home about. Chris Tripodi breaks down why below.

Bjoern Werner/DE/Florida State (Round 1/Pick #24): Werner was the 12^th-rated prospect on the Draft Insider big board and the Colts were very happy he fell to them in the back half of the first round. A high-upside pass rusher who had 13 sacks during his All-American junior season, Werner should help an Indianapolis pass rush that registered just 32 sacks last season. Quick off the snap and fast off the edge, the former Seminole is a high-motor player whose hard work over the past three seasons has been evident in his development. His doesn’t have great speed or pursuit ability, but those weaknesses should be masked as he steps into an outside linebacker position in the Colts’ 3-4 defense. Werner should be the eventual replacement for Robert Mathis.

Hugh Thornton/G/Illinois (Round 3/Pick #86): Graded as a 6^th-round pick by Draft Insider, we feel Thornton was a reach in the third round, which is bad news for a team without a 2^nd-round pick. Thornton is a big guard that can block very well in a small area but struggles when asked to move. He is slow to the second level and slow blocking in motion without the footwork to make up for his lack of foot speed. If the Colts plan to keep him in small spaces on the inside, this can be a decent pick. If they are expecting more from Thornton, they are likely to be disappointed in their second pick of the 2013 draft.

Khaled Holmes/C/USC (Round 4/Pick #121): Holmes is a more talented lineman than the player taken a round before him but while Hugh Thornton works hard and gets the most out of his ability, Holmes has had his passion for football questioned by scouts. The common axiom is that you must love the game of football to succeed at the NFL level no matter how much talent you have, and Holmes will need to prove that desire to make it in the league. If he does, Holmes is a complete lineman with upside and the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line. He plays with good vision, explosion and leverage and can get to the second level quickly, although he lacks great skills in space. A better fit at center than guard as a result, Holmes is definitely a boom-or-bust pick for Indianapolis.

Montori Hughes/DT/Tennessee Martin (Round 5/Pick #139): Rated higher on the Draft Insider board than both of the offensive lineman the Colts chose earlier, Hughes could prove to be a very good value pick in the fifth round. Indianapolis traded up to draft him so it would seem that they have big plans in store. Hughes’ game is still inconsistent but he’s shown the ability to be a dominant force and was impressive at the Senior Bowl. At 6-4, 330 pounds, he has the size and strength to play nose tackle in the Colts’ 3-4 but his production at the small school level after being dismissed from Tennessee was nothing special. He faced constant double teams and was able to control the line of scrimmage, but fatigue was an issue for him as games wore on. Hughes has potential, but may not be ready to help the Colts right away.

John Boyett/S/Oregon (Round 6/Pick #192): After being honored as an All-American after a great sophomore season, Boyett followed up a solid junior season by playing just one game as a senior before having surgery on both patella tendons. He lacks great size (5-10, 205) and speed (4.58) but has drawn Jim Leonhard comparisons as an overachiever who gets the most from his ability. Much like Leonhard, he won’t be effective in man coverage due to his height but his instincts, effort and awareness will serve him well in the right system. If he can come back to play at his pre-injury level and the Colts keep the action in front of him, Boyett has the ability to start in the NFL. If he has a career similar to Leonhard’s, Indianapolis will be very pleased with this pick.

Kerwynn Williams/RB/Utah State (Round 7/Pick #230): At just 5-8 and 195 pounds, Williams is the epitome of a third-down back. He will never be suited for feature duty but his field vision and ability to make people miss in the open field could make him a nice complement to plodding, one-speed starter Vick Ballard. Williams has good hands and can threaten a defense down the field as well as on short passes out of the backfield, giving Andrew Luck another weapon in the passing game and a good safety valve when the Colts blocking breaks down like it did often last season. Williams has experience returning kicks as well, which only adds to his potential value with the Colts.

Justice Cunningham/TE/South Carolina (Round 7/Pick #254): 2013’s “Mr. Irrelevant,” Cunningham’s NFL career will likely be just that. He has good size and run blocking ability though, which could land him third on the Colts’ depth chart behind Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener. With just 40 receptions in his last two seasons at South Carolina, don’t expect him to be much of a target in the passing game. The Colts don’t need that out of their third tight end anyway, so Cunningham at least has a chance to stick on the roster.

Grade: C+. Werner was a great pickup for the Colts in Round 1 but outside of him, the Colts failed to draft any high-impact players for the 2013 season unless Hugh Thornton or Khaled Holmes hit harder than we expect. Montori Hughes is a good developmental prospect and both John Boyett and Kerwynn Williams could play larger roles than expected but it’s possible that in two years, the Colts may have only added one or two starters from this year’s draft. They drafted for need but lacking a second-round pick hurt, as well as reaching with their next pick.

Grading the Draft: Cincinnati Bengals

(Originally posted at http://www.draftinsider.net/)

The Bengals struggled offensively in the playoffs last season, particularly second-year quarterback Andy Dalton. Recognizing this, Cincinnati drafted him some help with their first two picks, taking two skill players who should aid in Dalton’s development and give him playmakers not named A.J. Green. The excuses are running out for Dalton heading into year three and he will be expected to take a big step forward this season. His performance this season will determine if the Bengals can challenge the Super Bowl champion Ravens in the AFC North.

Tyler Eifert/TE/Notre Dame (Round 1/Pick #21): Draft Insider’s 21^st ranked player in the 2013 draft, Eifert lands in an interesting situation after being taken 21^st overall by Cincinnati. The Bengals already have an established tight end in Jermaine Gresham, who was drafted with the 21^st pick himself back in 2010 and has made two consecutive Pro Bowls. The team would not have spent a first-round pick on Eifert if they didn’t plan to utilize him in the offense right away, so it seems likely the Bengals will run many double-tight end sets to mask their lack of wide receiver depth behind A.J. Green. Second-year receiver Mohamed Sanu broke out as a red zone threat towards the end of last season before getting hurt and the addition of the 6-5 Eifert will give Andy Dalton another big target to throw to. Eifert is a complete tight end who can open up holes in the running game as well, which will be important to the team’s second-round pick.

Giovani Bernard/RB/North Carolina (Round 2/Pick #37): It was a slight upset to see Bernard come off the board as the first running back taken, but his landing spot shouldn’t be a surprise at all. Bernard had been linked to the Bengals by many experts who felt he would be a great complement to BenJarvus Green-Ellis. I won’t disagree and neither did the Bengals, as the size and durability questions about Bernard should be mitigated by Green-Ellis’ power running game, which will allow Bernard to show off his big-play ability with the ball in his hands and off the edge. Bernard should see 10-15 touches per game on offense and play in situations where he can break a game open, including kick returns. His receiving ability as a safety valve out of the backfield should help keep Andy Dalton from feeling like he has to force passes downfield if receivers aren’t open.

Margus Hunt/DE/SMU (Round 2/Pick #53): As a good team with an extra second-round pick thanks to the Carson Palmer trade back in 2011, Cincinnati had the luxury of drafting for upside with their third pick. Hunt was discussed as a potential late-first round pick before the draft and is the quintessential high-risk, high-reward pick. A former track and field star and 2006 Gold medalist in the shot-put and discus throw, Hunt has only played a few years of football in the United States after coming over from Estonia. At 6-8, 275 pounds, Hunt should be an immediate asset blocking kicks and has good explosive ability on the inside and 4.6 speed around the edge. He needs to develop more moves rushing the passer and his height is viewed as a potential liability in the run game since he plays too upright at times, but if Hunt refines his game he can provide a very nice return on investment in the late second round.

Shawn Williams/S/Georgia (Round 3/Pick #84): The Bengals have struggled to find a complement to free safety Reggie Nelson in recent years and while we had Williams rated as a fourth-round prospect, he’s a hard hitter who fits well next to a center fielder like Nelson. Williams has good recognition skills in coverage and great speed for a safety that allows him to quickly get to the sideline. While competent in pass coverage, his strength is playing up in the box as a run defender and if he can transfer his abilities from the SEC to the NFL, this will turn out to be a good pick for the Bengals even if it looks like a slight reach on paper.

Sean Porter/OLB/Texas A&M (Round 4/Pick #118): A prospect Draft Insider felt was underrated heading into the draft, the Bengals had a similar opinion of Porter and drafted him for depth at outside linebacker behind Vontaze Burfict and James Harrison. A lack of size (6-1, 230) is the major knock on Porter but he’s a complete linebacker who delivers hard hits and shows solid ability in coverage. Porter’s size makes it difficult for him to shed blocks and while he’s smart and instinctive, he could benefit from the extra reps at the professional level to work on his angles of pursuit. The Bengals likely want him to start when Harrison moves on, as the veteran signed a 2-year deal a few weeks ago. Porter will also provide insurance for Burfict, who wouldn’t surprise anybody by finding his way into trouble after good behavior as a rookie.

Tanner Hawkinson/T/Kansas (Round 5/Pick #156): This is the first pick Cincinnati made that can really be considered a reach but once you get this deep in the draft, it’s tough to judge any pick too harshly. Draft Insider gave Hawkinson a 7th-round grade after two All-Conference seasons at Kansas, but he lacks the athletic ability to become a starter at left tackle. Hawkinson is a smart player who gets the most out of his talent and could have a nice career as an NFL backup while providing the Bengals with offensive line depth at multiple positions.

Rex Burkhead/RB/Nebraska (Round 6/Pick #190): After a great junior season where he rushed for 1,406 yards and 15 touchdowns, Burkhead missed time with a knee injury as a senior and didn’t come anywhere near his junior totals. Burkhead runs hard and despite average speed, shows good agility and quickness along with receiving skills out of the backfield. Nothing stands out about his game though, which makes him little more than depth behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Giovani Bernard. With Bernard Scott and Cedric Peerman also re-signing with the team, Burkhead may start 2013 on the practice squad unless injuries hit in training camp.

Cobi Hamilton/WR/Arkansas (Round 6/Pick #197): Stuck behind NFL-caliber receivers Jairus Wright, Greg Childs and Joe Adams until his senior season, Hamilton never had much of a chance to shine with the Razorbacks. Hamilton turned into Tyler Wilson’s favorite target this season with 90 receptions for 1,335 yards. As nice as that production was, he brings no distinguishing traits to the table at the pro level as a one-speed receiver who runs average routes. Measurables aside, it’s difficult to deny his level of production when SEC defenses were focused on stopping him. Hamilton projects as a solid future third receiver down the line who could be a good value pick this late, as Draft Insider had him rated as a third-round prospect.

Reid Fragel/T/Ohio State (Round 7/Pick #240): Looking at our draft board, Fragel was a 3^rd or 4^th round prospect who almost fell out of the top 250 picks. He’s a project who moved from tight end to right tackle as a senior, started every game and has impressive size at 6-7, 308 pounds with room to grow. Our projection is based on his footwork and awareness improving as he gains experience playing the tackle position, but this is the type of player teams should be targeting in the seventh round. It’s hard to tell what Fragel’s true upside is at this point but at a no-risk price, the Bengals could be reaping the rewards of this pick in a few seasons.

T.J. Johnson/C/South Carolina (Round 7/Pick #251): Apparently uncomfortable with their depth along the offensive line, the Bengals used three of their final five picks on lineman. While Fragel was an upside play for the future, both Johnson and Tanner Hawkinson were productive senior lineman who lack upside but play smart football and project to back up multiple positions on the line. Johnson began his Gamecocks career as a guard before starting the last three seasons at center and should help solidify the interior of the Bengals’ second unit if he makes the roster.

Grade: B+. The Bengals have risen from the bottom of the AFC North over the past few seasons thanks to solid draft strategy and this year was no different. Cincinnati’s picks struck a great balance between value, need and complementing their current roster. They made a few good value picks late who could become contributors in the future and their 10 picks gave them the opportunity to add depth at a few positions, particularly on the offensive line. While Cincinnati didn’t draft as well as Baltimore did, they certainly improved their team heading into next season and should be in contention again in the AFC North.