|
The Raiders aggressively moved up to the top of the fourth round to land one of the most physically impressive players in the draft in Connecticut CB Tyvon Branch. He is big, fast, physical and tough and will contribute immediately as a gunner on special teams. He also brings versatility to line up at safety.
The fourth round is a time when players with great measurables who have slipped through the first three rounds usually begin coming off the board, and Penn State CB Justin King (Rams), Wake Forest DE Jeremy Thompson (Packers) and little-known Winston Salem State DE William Hayes (Titans) all fit the category. King is a very raw prospect who still plays cornerback like a receiver and would have benefited from another year in school. Thompson has great physical ability, but his motor does not always run and his passion for the game is questionable. Hayes worked out very well at his pro day, clocking in the low 4.7s at 6-3 and 260 pounds. The Titans majorly reached again on a player that they likely could have signed after the draft. GM Mike Reinfeldt, or whomever he is entrusting to make decisions, clearly does not understand the meaning of value.
UNLV LB Beau Bell has great size and take-on ability and is a great fit for the Browns' defense. With the Browns having dealt all their picks in the first three rounds, this was their first of what appears to be some good selections given that they should have spent more time focusing on the draft's lesser talent than any team in the league.
The Chiefs landed a blazer with big-play ability in Missouri WR Will Franklin. Questions about his overall intelligence pushed him to the fourth round, but if kept simple and allowed to create with the ball, he could be a factor. The Ravens followed with another underrated receiving prospect in New Mexico WR Marcus Smith, who could turn out to bring the same type of value that Demetrius Williams (a 2006 fourth-rounder) has for Baltimore.
The 49ers reached on Texas A&M C Cody Wallace, but with Eric Heitmann struggling last season, the center position needed to be upgraded, and Wallace does have great intangibles and work habits. He could be challenged to match up physically with bigger bodies.
Bowling Green OG Kory Lichtensteiger is a great fit for the Broncos' zone-blocking scheme and brings versatility as a guard or center.
The Eagles found solid value in the fourth round with the selection of Pittsburgh OG-OT Mike McGlynn, who fits the same mold as Jon Runyan — very smart, tough and disciplined.
Bill Parcells loves big, strong, physical and ornery offensive linemen and Utah State OG Shawn Murphy has flashed those qualities and could have a chance to make it with the Dolphins.
Missouri TE Martin Rucker slipped in the eyes of evaluators after an average pro-day workout. He's an inconsistent catcher, but he was very productive in a spread offense and could provide insurance for the Browns behind an injury-prone, undisciplined Kellen Winslow.
Bengals assistant head coach/OL Paul Alexander has shown he could develop talent and will have his work cut out for him with Kansas OT Anthony Collins. OL coaches took more of a liking to Collins than evaluators late in the draft process, but he is very raw and will need time to develop.
A pair of instinctive, ballhawking cornerbacks came off he board back-to-back to AFC East foes — the Jets and Bills. San Jose State's Dwight Lowery had a better junior year than senior season, but should fit well in the Jets' defense. Akron's Reggie Corner plays bigger than his size and has very good ball skills to compete for a job in Buffalo. Combined with the selection of Leodis McKelvin, the Bills improved their corners considerably in this draft.
Maryland DT Dre Moore slipped in this draft because of his questionable passion for the game, but he does have the great measurables that Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden seeks and fits well as a three-technique in Monte Kiffin's defense.
The Cardinals were a logical landing spot for Iowa DE Kenny Iwebema given that his former position coach is on the staff. This could turn out to be a tremendous value pick for Arizona if Iwebema develops into the solid starter he is capable of becoming. He is a big, strong base end who could be very good if the light comes on.
UTEP FS Quintin Demps lacks strength and toughness and is not great vs. the run, but he is very fast and athletic enough to play off the hash. He could provide depth in the Eagles' secondary with Brian Dawkins aging.
Intelligence issues pushed Virginia Tech OLB Xavier Adibi down draft boards, but he is big and athletic and will have a chance to compete for a job readily with the Texans if he can grasp the defense quickly. Physically, he has all the tools to become a solid starter.
Kent State CB Jack Williams played through injuries as a senior before having to shut it down and was undergraded by many scouts. He appeared too tight in his hips for a little cornerback in workouts, but he can make plays on the ball and compete for a job with the Broncos if he can stay healthy.
The Bears have struggled to stay healthy at the safety position and needed to bolster to the back end. LSU's Craig Steltz has battled through injury issues of his own, which is a concern, but he is smart and instinctive. He could provide immediate help on special teams and bring depth to the deep middle.
The Seahawks' biggest area of need was on the defensive line and after landing Lawrence Jackson in the first round, they added another big body to the middle with the selection of Texas A&M DT Red Bryant. Bryant has upside, but he has been inconsistent throughout his career and would be best in a rotation.
Landing Georgia Tech RB Tashard Choice in the fourth round was a steal for the Cowboys. Choice is extremely competitive at a position where the trait could not be more important, and he will find a way to compete for playing time and could be groomed to replace Marion Barber. The selection of two running backs in this draft should be a clear indicator to Barber that he may not get paid by the Cowboys to stick around next year, which both parties may have already known. If Choice stays healthy, he could prove to be the best player from this round.
The Giants added some needed youth and depth at the OLB position with the selection of BYU's Bryan Kehl. He is smart and athletic and should be able to contribute immediately on special teams.
The Redskins reached again on diminutive Arizona State CB Justin Tryon, who was beat too often and lacked consistency throughout college.
Richmond WR Arman Shields is a classic Al Davis pick for the Raiders. Shields really put himself on the map at the Combine with great measurables. If he can stay healthy and get stronger, he has a chance to develop.
WR Lavelle Hawkins stood out at the Senior Bowl, did a lot of dirty work at Cal and could have a chance to develop as a slot receiver for the Titans. Vince Young has to be disappointed that the Titans did not address the position sooner.
The Colts found a solid pass catcher in the mold of Dallas Clark in Kentucky's Jacob Tamme. He lacks great bulk, but he could be an effective weapon flexed out in Tom Moore's offense and brings great character to the locker room.
The Rams continue to bolster an aging receiving group, following the addition of Donnie Avery in the second round, with another very naturally athletic pass catcher in Kentucky's Keenan Burton, bringing two Wildcats off the board with consecutive picks. Burton, like Avery, however, is not a consistent catcher and could give head coach Scott Linehan fits.
The Patriots found another very solid cover corner in the fourth round in Auburn's Jonathan Wilhite. He has great feet, hips and cover skills but lacks great ball skills and hands. He could contribute for playing time and brings much-needed depth to the Patriots' secondary.
Texas OT Tony Hills was removed from many draft boards for injury concerns, but the Steelers took a chance here that he will stay healthy. His dropfoot condition could always be an area of concern and allow pass rushers to exploit him with inside moves.
The Eagles may not get much return from Wisconsin CB Jack Ikegwuonu in his first year, but he could turn out to be a fourth-round steal when he returns to full health next year.
Kansas TE Derek Fine lacks great size but he is strong and could be effective on the move blocking. He could help the Bills fill the void created by the career-ending injury of Kevin Everett and bring value as an underneath pass catcher.
Weber State OT David Hale is a developmental project who needs to get bigger and stronger and play more physical, but he has the raw athletic tools to develop with good coaching, which he should receive from the Ravens.
The Titans should help their special teams with the addition of Purdue OLB Stanford Keglar, but continue to value measurables more than tape, where Keglar did not stand out despite having some of the best workout numbers of any linebacker at the Combine.
The Packers have done a decent job of unearthing sleeper prospects and may have found another in South Florida OG Josh Sitton. He likely would have been available in later rounds, but he is big, smart and athletic enough to fit the Packers' zone-blocking scheme.
Related Articles:
Index to all Draft Day coverage
|
