NFL Draft: Fifth Round Breakdown

FROM WES BUNTING:

In day five of my NFL draft value and scheme breakdown, I take a look at the fifth round and discuss some of my impressions now that the draft is more than a week over. The mid/late rounds are where teams not only have a chance to add substantial depth to their rosters but also find a possible future starter. Here’s a look at teams that made the most of their picks – and a few that didn’t.

Picks I like from a value and scheme perspective…

TE/H-back James Casey, Houston Texans

As if the Texans needed another guy to create mismatches in the pass game, Rice product Casey has the versatility to line-up all over the offense. He may possess the best ball skills of any receiver in the draft and is consistently able to make plays over his outside shoulder down the field. He does lack the type of size needed to be an everyday TE, but with Owen Daniels and Anthony Hill on the roster, I expect the Houston coaching staff to use Casey in a variety of roles. He can line up in the backfield, outside or in the slot and has the athleticism and body control to separate vs. man coverage. Casey understands how to run routes and knows how to go up and get the ball, and he’ll be a tough match-up for most linebackers or safeties in the NFL. Plus, with all the weapons the Texans have on offense, he should never see any type of coverages rolled his way.

CB Joe Burnett, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers lost starting cornerback Bryant McFadden this offseason and needed to add another body to develop at the cornerback position. They used a third-round pick on Oregon State corner Keenan Lewis, but I like Burnett’s potential a lot more. He’s a tough, fluid DB who showcases great awareness and ball skills in coverage. It’s those traits that make him such an ideal fit in the Steelers’ aggressive 3-4 defense since they consistently ask their corners to play on an island when they bring pressure with their front seven. Corners who lack ideal size and speed numbers like Burnett, but possess clean footwork and a nose for the ball, tend to hold up better than corners like Lewis, who possess the size/speed numbers but lack the same kind of instincts.

OT Fenuki Tupou, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles do a great job identifying the type of big, physical offensive lineman they like in the draft and bringing in intriguing bodies at the position. This year, that guy is Oregon product Fenuki Tupou who possesses the kind of size, power and fluidity the Eagles love in their tackles. He likely won’t see much playing time soon, but he gives the Eagles a formidable back-up at right tackle and could see his share of reps this summer in mini/training camp with questions surrounding the Eagles’ depth and health at the position. Even if they re-sign 2008 starting RT Jon Runyan as a backup, I still like Tupou as a great fit on the Eagles’ offensive line and think he has a shot to develop into a starter in time.

Picks I like from a scheme perspective…

FB Quinn Johnson, Green Bay Packers

The Packers have two tough, blue-collar fullbacks on the roster in Korey Hall and John Kuhn, but Johnson gives Green Bay an added dimension at the position. Not only can he be a sufficient lead-blocker at the next level, but he also can make plays in the pass game and is a threat to push the pile in third-and-short situations. Johnson’s full arsenal was on display at the Senior Bowl this year, as he consistently made plays in all facets of the game. It’s that type of versatility that made him my top fullback prospect in the draft, and he should certainly see plenty of opportunities to help the Packers on offense.

OT/OG George Bussey, New England Patriots

A lot of people were left scratching their heads with the fifth-round selection of Bussey, but what the Patriots got was a versatile offensive lineman who has the ability to develop at a number of positions across the O-line. Bussey played left tackle at Louisville and is a smooth, fluid-footed lineman who has the body control to slide in space and mirror defenders laterally. He also understands leverage, can anchor at the point of attack and has the flexibility to kick inside to guard. He may need some time to develop, but he has plenty of guys to learn from on the Patriots’ offensive line and is the type of smart, coordinated athlete who could develop into a solid starting lineman for New England at some point in his career.

Picks that left me wondering…

OT Colin Brown, Kansas City Chiefs

Brown was a bit of a shocker on draft day as I didn’t even expect to see him get picked. So I went back and looked over my scouting reports and realized why I didn’t give him a draftable grade. It read: “Plays too tall, lacks the type of strength a frame his size would indicate. Does a decent job on his initial kick step, but lacks the fluidity and body control needed to redirect in space. Not a natural bender who looks stiff and plays too top heavy, has a tendency to lunge and will lose his balance easily.” I saw Brown only twice this past year, but once was against the talented Oklahoma Sooners, and his lack of athleticism was apparent vs. their defensive line. That shortcoming will be even more apparent at the next level.

SS Michael Hamlin, Dallas Cowboys

I thought one of the Cowboys’ biggest priorities on draft weekend was to add a more athletic safety to their defensive secondary. They did draft Hamlin in the fifth round, but I don’t think he offers them anything they don’t already have. He’s a tall (6-2), leggy safety who doesn’t run well (4.62) and struggles changing directions in space. He has a build and skill set similar to current teammate Pat Watkins, and I don’t see him being the type of fluid, rangy safety the Cowboys need to upgrade their secondary.

OT Garrett Reynolds, Atlanta Falcons

I never have a problem with a team adding additional prospects to the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball. The Falcons needed to find more talent at their tackle spots, especially on the right side, where there isn’t much depth behind RT Tyson Clabo. However, I simply am not the biggest fan of Reynolds and thought there were better values still on the board at the time he was selected. Offensive tackles like Fenuki Tupou, Andrew Gardner, Lydon Murtha and Joel Bell all make more sense to me because they possess the athletic ability needed to handle the speed of the NFL better than Reynolds. Reynolds has a tendency to play too high, isn’t a real gifted athlete and lacks the ability to slide laterally in pass protection. I don’t doubt the need for an offensive tackle in Atlanta -- I just thought there were better options still available.

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