Month: April 2011

Here’s a look at three of my favorite picks from round seven…

Buffalo Bills: Justin Rogers, CB, Richmond (Selection #206)

He’s not the biggest or fastest of corners, but Rogers is clean when asked to click and close, plays the football well and looks very comfortable in off/zone concepts. He’s built more like a nickel back, but if given a chance to keep his eyes in the backfield and jump routes, the guy will be able to make a roster and contribute in an NFL secondary.

Former Florida Atlantic cornerback Anthony Gaitor

Dallas Cowboys: Shaun Chapas, FB, Georgia (Selection #220)

Not much is ever made about the fullback position. However, if Chapas can stay healthy, the guy should be able to mature into the Cowboys starting lead blocker this year. He’s a strong kid who displays a pop on contact, sticks to blocks well and can catch the football in the pass game. Fullback is never a sexy pick, but if you can get a day one starter in the seventh round, the pick has to be looked at as a success.

Tampa Bay: Anthony Gaitor, CB, Florida International (Selection #222)

Like Rogers he’s thinly built and looks more like a nickel. But Gaitor played in the slot almost exclusively at Florida Atlantic and is used to holding up in space, getting in and out of his breaks and tracking the football. Is still a little raw with his footwork and will lose balance at times. However, Gaitor displays natural cover skills and I think he’s a great late round value who will make a roster and mature into a very good slot corner.

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With the 254th pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Houston Texans select Rice DE Cheta Ozougwu.

Ozougwu is an undersized pass rusher who will make the move to OLB in the Texans 34 front. He plays with good leverage, has a consistent motor and flashed when I saw him at the East/West Shrine game.

However, he’s not a real dynamic athlete, struggles when long armed blockers get a hold of him and seems too stiff to drop off into coverage.

A fringe roster guy who I gave a free agent grade to.

The New York Giants selected RB Da’Rel Scott out of Maryland in the 7th round of the NFL draft Saturday afternoon. Scott ran in the 4.3 range at the NFL Combine and talking to a scout following his performance in Indy, he said he thought Scott could get some first round looks because of his speed.

Watching Scott on tape he doesn’t have much wiggle to his game and is a bit linear as a runner. However, he does run hard, keeps his pad level down and has a good burst to his game. Overall, he should be able to make a roster and add some solid production as a reserve type back.

Alabama QB Greg McElroy isn’t going to blow anyone away with his physical skill set. However, on tape he’s extremely accurate and his ball placement is as good as any QB prospect in the nation. He throws on time, deciphers information quickly and should end up being a very solid back-up QB at the next level, in the Jason Garrett mold.

Here’s a look at three of my favorite picks from round six…

Philadelphia Eagles: OLB Brian Rolle (Selection #193)

ICONLinebacker Brian Rolle is headed to Philadelphia.

If Brian Rolle was three inches taller and ten pounds heavier, he likely would have gone within the top 50 picks. He’s tough, instinctive, finds the football and plays the game with a mean streak. However, Rolle lacks ideal size and will likely be more of a nickel backer in the Eagles 43 front, but he holds up very well in space vs. the pass game and should mature into a quality special teams guy as well.
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Arizona Cardinals: DL David Carter (Selection #184)

I really took a liking to Carter at this year’s East/West Shrine game. He’s a long kid at 6-6, 300+ pounds and displays natural athleticism when asked to fend off blocks and rush the passer. He’ll be asked to play the five-technique in Arizona, but has the length, anchor and coordination to consistently set the edge on run downs. Carter also adds some value as a pass rusher inside in nickel situations.

Baltimore Ravens: QB Tyrod Taylor: Virginia Tech (Selection #180)

The Ravens needed to find a better option to play behind QB Joe Flacco and I think Taylor can be that guy. He’s a gifted athlete who can create second lives in the pocket and be a threat in space. He’s also come a long way as a passer and in my mind has a lot of Seneca Wallace to his game. Looks like a long-term NFL reserve who can also be used in trick play situations in both the run and pass game.

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At 6-2 and 330+ pounds, Jerrell Powe has the ability to eat up space inside and consistently anchor at the point of attack as a two down player in the Chiefs 34 front. He’s a naturally gifted kid who is tough to move off the football and from a talent perspective looks like a 2nd/3rd round pick. However, he has battled weight issues in the past and comes with some character concerns. Nevertheless, taking a flyer on a talent like this in round six could pay off big time down the line if the coaching staff can keep him motivated.

The Broncos used a 6th round pick on California LB Mike Mohamed who has the ability to come in and play a key role on special teams from day one. He’s a rangy athlete who possesses natural fluidity in his drop and has a burst when asked to close on the football. He isn’t the biggest and will struggle when run at. However, he should be able to find a role as a nickel backer on passing downs early on, is a potential starter as a weak side guy and his passion/fire should make him a standout on kick coverage.

When I watch Evan Royster on tape I see a guy who runs hard, can pick his way through the line of scrimmage and churns out tough yards through contact. However, he’s a “blah” athlete who isn’t dynamic in any area of the game. But, as a no-none sense type one cut runner, Royster is the kind of runner that makes a lot of sense for the Redskins and their zone blocking scheme late in the draft.

When I first saw DeMarcus Love as a sophomore guard in 2008, I thought he would eventually end up being a top-50 pick. However, he has bounced back and fourth between both right and left tackle over the past two years and has never really gotten comfortable at a position. He’s a good athlete, possesses long arms and can bend. However, he too often gets overextended and is going to need time to clean up a lot of technical flaws. Nevertheless, he’s got some talent and I like his upside inside at the next level.

Here’s a look at three of my favorite picks from round five…

New England Patriots: OL Marcus Cannon (selected #138)

From a talent standpoint, Cannon is a second round caliber prospect who can play both tackle and guard. However, there was a medical scare with him last week pertaining to a mass found in his body, but there’s a good chance he will be 100% healthy in about 10-12 weeks. With so many picks to play with, the Pats may have found another late round steal.

Former Pittsburgh OT Jason Pinkston.

Cleveland Browns: OL Jason Pinkston (selected #150)

Pinkston played left tackle at Pitt, but will kick inside at the next level. He has some pop at the point of attack, can gain leverage and drive defenders off the football. Needs to play in tight areas, but as a downhill guard in the Browns power run game, I love this pick.

Washington Redskins: WR Niles Paul (selected #155)

He’s built like a running back and is a powerful strider down the field when asked to get vertical. I can see him making plays both from the slot and on the outside for the Redskins, plus he’s a load to bring down after the catch. The biggest question I have with Paul is in regards to his hands. However, it has more to do with his concentration than his ability to pluck the football.

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