We’re back for the favorite time of the year for most of us. The class is interesting, and I get the feeling there will be more surprises than usual when people run those private workouts. Excuse me while I hack the Jags and use some of those workouts for us.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 99 | STR 84 | AWR 78 | AGI 84 | ACC 95 | CTH 48 | TAK 79
WHY THE PICK
I know some lean Darrelle Revis, but Willis is out of this world. I just refuse to believe he will be passed up. He can play at an All-Pro level in his first year, with linebacker speed surpassed only by converted safety and Cowboys MLB Troy Polamalu.
The difference is that Willis is actually built like a linebacker and has a couple of inches on him. A freak's freak, Willis is fearsome right out of the gate. I wish I had him, and I pray the Raiders do not leave him sitting there for Green Bay. Hell, if it’s a cornerback they want, Willis is STILL better than Revis.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 99 | AWR 61 | AGI 99 | ACC 99 | CTH 67 | TAK 64
WHY THE PICK
Revis checks nearly every box; I just wish the height had a star next to it. His elite speed will allow him to pile up the statistics necessary to build that awareness, though I expect some rough patches early.
The investment should pay off long term. Barring injury, I would bet the 22-year-old Revis is among the elite by his age-25 season. He is easily the best corner in this draft, and it is not remotely close. Well, at least for players currently assigned to cornerback.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 89 | STR 75 | AWR 77 | AGI 88 | ACC 91 | CTH 50 | TAK 83
WHY THE PICK
Chicago has a new sheriff in town, and judging by a couple of his deals, he is already bending the law heavily in his favor. After dealing the young and talented Kawika Mitchell to Jacksonville last year, the Bears created a hole in their long-term plans at middle linebacker.
Timmons is more athletic and has significantly more developmental upside than his predecessor, so this does not feel like a lateral move. The daft is deep at MLB but Timmons is right below Willis and above everyone else, I believe.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 90 | AWR 52 | AGI 90 | ACC 87 | CTH 82 | JMP 79
WHY THE PICK
The Buccaneers got aggressive and moved up six spots into the fourth slot in a deal with Detroit, giving up next year's first-round pick in the process. Clearly, they feel very good about a couple of players, and I am guessing somebody's private workout skewed up nicely.
I will take a stab and say it is Jones, because it certainly is not Megatron... sadly. An established veteran might make more immediate sense for QB Derek Anderson's development, but Tampa Bay is thin outside former first-round pick ReShaun Woods. With a very good—not great—private workout, Jones could reach 93 SPD, 92 AGI, 90 ACC and 85 CTH. That’s top 5 worthy.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 99 | STR 74 | AWR 62 | AGI 67 | ACC 87 | CTH 55 | TAK 78
WHY THE PICK
The Saints should be intrigued by the 99-speed middle linebacker who could become the final piece of their 3-4 defense. Waters lacks agility before the private workout, but looking at the rest of his profile, I would bet it rises significantly.
If that happens, we could have three middle linebackers taken in the top five, which is kind of wild.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 87 | AWR 55 | AGI 96 | ACC 94 | CTH 77 | JMP 89
WHY THE PICK
WR Zuriel Smith had to be hit with the franchise tag after refusing to negotiate a long-term deal and attempting to test the market. The pressure to win forced the Giants to hold onto him for at least one more year and see whether an improved season can convince the former second-round pick to remain through his prime.
Rice is insurance against that plan failing. With elite size and only 21 years on him, his ceiling looks significantly higher than Smith's. Tony Romo would now have two long-term 6'4" targets who could eventually form an elite pairing. That’s a recipe for success.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 86 | AWR 57 | AGI 83 | ACC 93 | CTH 81 | JMP 96
WHY THE PICK
Megatron was nerfed in an evil manner, but with a few training camps and a little patience, I still think he becomes a very good receiver.
Johnson lands with former real-life Lions teammate Roy Williams, and together they should provide young signal caller Andrew Walter with two big, reliable targets as he continues to develop. Johnson reminds me of the giant receivers who once populated the SFL Dolphins. If I’m going to get bullied by a wideout, might as well be him. What threw me off to be frank was the suspect injury rating on top of the other disrespect.
RT Chad Clifton is now 31 and realistically has one really good year left before his contract begins to resemble a cap-casualty situation.
Thomas is the premier offensive lineman in this draft and does everything pretty damn well, even if he is not freakish in the speed department. He should become the Packers' long-term solution at right tackle and be elite at it.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 91 | AWR 50 | AGI 96 | ACC 99 | CTH 78 | JMP 85
WHY THE PICK
Smith needs to skew up a little in top-end speed for this to happen, but at just 22, he has time to add whatever is necessary. In the meantime, he can become a very useful slot receiver or eventually take over outside for veteran WR Scotty Anderson.
He also offers value as a kick returner and perhaps gives incumbent Eddie Drummond the competitive push needed to rediscover his dangerous early form or he’ll get moved instead of flirting with the idea last season.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 87 | STR 81 | AWR 61 | AGI 99 | ACC 95 | CTH 66 | TAK 77
WHY THE PICK
MLB Chris Claiborne is now 29, and since he is not exactly fleet of foot already, drafting his replacement now would be wise. It would also allow Detroit to continue mixing up its defensive scheme from week to week.
DeOssie is extremely athletic and quick to the ball, though his top-end speed cannot quite match a couple of players in this loaded class. His 6'4" frame fits Detroit's mold at linebacker. Already 23, however, he needs early snaps to maximize his development as an older prospect.
A center at No. 11? Kalil is a safe pick and a Day 1 starter. He possesses no glaring weakness and already has excellent technique, especially in the run game.
Give him a little time to season, and this selection will look like good value when he is playing in the Pro Bowl. Good centers are hard to find.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 83 | STR 86 | AWR 71 | AGI 81 | ACC 87 | CTH 59 | TAK 84
WHY THE PICK
I cannot imagine veteran Zach Thomas manning the middle in a full-time starting capacity this season. Beason has a very high floor because of his advanced awareness and tackling at only 22.
He is good rather than great athletically, but he still has several training camps ahead of him and could easily outperform this draft slot when everything is said and done.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 87 | AWR 60 | AGI 92 | ACC 95 | CTH 75 | JMP 96
WHY THE PICK
Washington was competitive last season and narrowly missed the playoffs. QB David Garrard is now 29, so there is no reason to keep looking toward some distant future. The time is now, and that means adding an impact player—probably one for the quarterback.
Bowe needs a favorable private workout in the speed department, but if he gets it, he would be an excellent complement to studs Braylon Edwards and Vernon Davis.
A 6'7" tight end with potentially 95 speed? Where do I sign up? Chandler has good hands, and although his agility sucks, do not let this guy build up a head of steam.
The Jets probably would have preferred another wideout, but Chandler presents the best receiving option on the board. He could receive extended snaps at WR3 and create a weekly headache for opposing nickel backs.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 93 | AWR 46 | AGI 89 | ACC 95 | CTH 78 | JMP 77
WHY THE PICK
QB Cody Pickett needs help after a rough season that followed an injury-shortened one the year before. He flashed plenty of promise during his rookie campaign, and Baltimore could use more playmaking ability in the receiver room.
Hill looks like a souped-up version of current WR Parris Warren with considerably more upside. Fifteenth overall feels high, but even a decent private-workout improvement would make this a good selection.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 93 | AWR 51 | AGI 86 | ACC 95 | CTH 63 | TAK 75
WHY THE PICK
Washington needs a long-term solution at free safety after filling the strong-safety opening with the 6'5" Pat Watkins. Goldson is not quite that big, but 6'2" is plenty when paired with his elite-tier speed.
He fits the kind of profile Washington typically drafts and should become a plus defender quickly once his awareness begins to catch up.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 93 | AWR 67 | AGI 93 | ACC 88 | CTH 70 | TAK 53
WHY THE PICK
Shawn Springs is gone, David Macklin is 29, Ricky Manning is 5'9", and former second-round pick Stanford Routt still sits at 59 awareness after two seasons of mop-up duty that did little to maximize his development.
McDonald is not the biggest corner, but he enters with excellent athleticism, useful hands and 67 awareness. Denver needs someone who can contribute now rather than another project buried on the depth chart.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 88 | STR 81 | AWR 62 | AGI 70 | ACC 95 | CTH 31 | TAK 66
WHY THE PICK
San Diego currently has only one outside linebacker on the roster in fifth-round pick Rocky McIntosh, so the need is obvious.
Durant brings excellent speed, a tremendous first step, great size and youth at only 22. If the private workout improves his agility, he may come off the board even earlier.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 97 | STR 76 | AWR 34 | AGI 73 | ACC 97 | CTH 41 | TAK 68
WHY THE PICK
Barnes does not have much between the ears, but he is a freak with the potential to reach 99 SPD and 99 ACC.
That may be enough for him to Bobby Boucher his way into consistent pressure and enough backfield plays to justify the selection despite the obvious flaws. Pressuring the quarterback pays, and Barnes has speed to spare for the assignment.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 91 | STR 85 | AWR 40 | AGI 57 | ACC 93 | TAK 58
WHY THE PICK
If Branch's agility were better, he might be a candidate to convert to corner on these Cowboys. He is 6'6", 350 pounds and already owns 90-plus speed and acceleration.
Nevertheless, he fits the profile of the linemen Dallas usually targets. I would expect him to clog running lanes immediately and eventually take over for 29-year-old Gerard Warren.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 89 | STR 70 | AWR 66 | AGI 78 | ACC 91 | CTH 47 | TAK 82
WHY THE PICK
Current starter Jeremiah Trotter is on the wrong side of 30, and it is not as though he had much speed to spare. He also carries a cap hit of nearly $8 million.
Smith has plus speed, decent starting awareness and solid tackling ability. It is a good selection that would look even better in a class that was not so deep at the position.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 90 | AWR 49 | AGI 85 | ACC 93 | CTH 76 | JMP 80
WHY THE PICK
The Jets continue surrounding their young quarterback, this time adding the 6'2" Robinson.
His private workout needs to improve upon the current ratings, but if he receives even modest bumps across the speed categories, he will be a worthwhile addition to the Jets' offense.
Staley checks nearly every box, though his agility may concern some teams and explains the slight drop.
He already has strong blocking skills, and when those are paired with excellent acceleration and awareness for a rookie lineman, he should lock down the starting left-tackle position early. He can eventually slide over to right tackle if needed.
Rex Grossman keeps getting injured, so it is time to protect his health with significant investment up the middle.
Grubbs moves very well and possesses a high football IQ, though his technique still needs a little refining. He is an immediate upgrade at left guard and should help keep Miami's stars off the injury report.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 88 | AWR 62 | AGI 87 | ACC 91 | CTH 72 | TAK 66
WHY THE PICK
2005 fourth-round pick Marviel Underwood is fine, but Rouse could be viewed as a significant upgrade. He is 6'4", has better hands, tackles well enough and should be far ahead of where Underwood was at the same age by next season.
After three seasons and two training camps, Rouse could look like a stud.
ATTRIBUTES SPD 89 | STR 73 | AWR 67 | AGI 72 | ACC 91 | CTH 57 | TAK 82
WHY THE PICK
Posluszny makes how many first-round linebackers? I have lost count. He can start alongside Jeremy Cain and form a formidable duo.
His only real weakness is agility, but as long as the private workout does not make it worse, he should remain a dependable middle linebacker for a long time. The awareness and tackling ability are already strong enough to get him onto the field.
Tight end is another position that appears unusually deep. Patrick has elite speed and acceleration, allowing Philadelphia to line him up as WR3 when desired.
He is a mismatch for most linebackers, and once he gets a little daylight, he may end up with six.
Now there is a run on tight ends. Milner has excellent size, very good hands for a rookie and elite speed.
His initial burst is merely average, but do not let him get moving downhill. He will be difficult to catch, let alone bring down, with his 70 break-tackle rating.
Finally, a quarterback? Matt Hasselbeck played lights out last season and is capable of doing it again, but he is approaching the end of his career and the heavy regression that comes with it.
Palmer is a big quarterback with a plus arm and potentially very good starting awareness. Accuracy is the concern, though it is far from disastrous. In another season he probably goes higher, but most franchises already seem to have someone worth building around.
Carnahan is a good athlete, but nothing special. He has good blocking skills for a rookie, but nothing special there either.
What makes him a potential first-rounder is that every part of the profile must be viewed through the lens of his age: he is only 21. Carnahan has plenty of time to develop, and after a couple of training camps, he could become a starting tackle for a very long time.
Yup, another tight end. Sue me. Olsen has the best hands in this class, excellent size and is only 22.
He looks like a safe bet, and with the other new tools at Byron Leftwich's disposal, Kansas City appears ready to take advantage of Peyton Manning leaving the AFC West for good.
