NFC WestArizona Cardinals7) Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina
As I said in the Titans breakdown of picking Chance Warmack, I don’t think picking a guard this early is a bad move when they are an elite talent and fill a need. Cooper does just that for the Cardinals and he can play center. I was completely stoked about this pick and couldn’t be happier with it.
45) Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
Moved back, got a pick and got the guy they wanted. The Cardinals needed another ILB to go along with Daryl Washington (once he’s back from his suspension) so they grabbed Minter. I had Minter mocked to the Cardinals a number of times in round 2 so this pick makes a ton of sense. Now they need someone to fill in for DWash until he’s back, Urlacher anyone?
69) Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
I finally learned how to pronounce this kid’s name properly with the 30 minutes of coverage they had on him after the pick was made. I always said Math-eh-you but it’s really just like the name Mathew lol. Anyway, I’ll be the first to admit I’m a huge Mathieu doubter, I have very little faith in this kid to get his shit together. But, I also did say that out of all the teams that could draft him, the Cardinals were one of them that I thought it could work out. He didn’t start to have major issues with marijuana/suspensions/etc until Patrick Peterson left. Who is going to be his mentor in Arizona? Patrick Peterson. That along with weekly drug tests, I think he may realize this is shot, don’t blow it. Plus, the Cardinals plan to play him at FS which I question a bit but we’ll see. Still, even with all of that, my brain says this won’t turn out well, but my heart is holding out hope now that he’s a Cardinal lol.
103) Alex Okafor, DE/OLB, Texas
Are you kidding me? I about shat myself when they announced this pick. Okafor was a borderline first round talent and he fell this far? Not only that, but this fills a HUGE need for the Cardinals. Think about this set of starting LBs. Sam Acho – Kevin Minter – Daryl Washington – Alex Okafor. Show me a more talented, younger corps than that, I dare you.
116) Earl Watford, G, James Madison
Watford turned a lot of heads during workouts prior to the draft. Another case of a smaller school kid rising late. Clearly the Cardinals liked what they saw a lot since they reached for him a bit here. With guard being the biggest need for the Cardinals and Cooper possibly playing center, they had to grab another option and Watford is a very nice one to see what he can do with the big boys.
140) Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
Again? Hang on, did I become the Cardinals GM all of a sudden? This is another player I preached for the Cardinals for months and it really happened? I love Taylor. He’s not extraordinary in any particular area but he’s not bad in any area. He’s very solid and all around sound at everything.
174) Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
I started to breath so heavy and let out the most excited girly squeak ever when this pick was made. Swope fell due to some concussion issues but at this point in the draft, who the fuck cares? BA’s system requires speed and Swope sure as hell has it. Fitz and Floyd on the outside, Swope in the slot, that’s a tough one to match up with.
187) Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
This was a pure BPA pick. The Cardinals already had Mendy and Taylor (along with Ryan Williams and Alonso Smith from last year) so do they really need a fifth running back? Well, when it’s a consensus third round pick in the late sixth round, yeah, you go for it. When Mendy eventually falls to shit, I can’t wait to see Taylor and Ellington fight it out for the starting job.
219) D.C. Jefferson, TE, Rutgers
Never heard of the kid, last pick, can’t knock it. I know you want two TEs in this league now and we have little after Rob Housler for BAs system so it makes sense that we got one.
UDFA) Dan Bucker, WR, Arizona; Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma
Buckner had a solid season for the Wildcats and could emerge as a solid depth guy who can contribute when called upon and on special teams. Jefferson is an interesting grab. He’s a very boom or bust pick but he was rated by most as a third round prospect so I love the value here, especially when it’s a need. I would have been absolutely PISSED if we drafted him anywhere before round 7 but grabbing him as an UDFA is a fantastic move.
Overall I’m freaking cumming like a mother fucker over this draft for the Cardinals. I could not have asked for anything more. In BA and Keim we trust baby. No “+” because I don’t want to be too bias.
Overall Team Draft Grade – ASan Francisco 49ers18) Eric Reid, S, LSU
Why? Why Niners why? Why move up? Why move up for Eric Reid of all safeties? I understand the abundance of picks that they had allowed them to do as they pleased but this was a busted pick. Reid can’t cover worth a shit so that will fit right in line with Niner safeties and there were better options on the board. I don’t know, it’s whatever, hope it works out for them.
40) Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
Can’t deny the talent of Carradine one bit, but I question how he’ll fit in the Niners’ system. He’s not a good fit for a 3-4 DE/DT spot and idk if he’ll be successful standing up so we’ll have to see how it plays out. Still a good pick on talent alone.
55) Vance McDonald, TE, Rice
This caught me by surprise. Not the tight end pick, but the player they chose. I like McDonald, he’s solid, but I felt there were much better TEs on the board. Still, it was a need they filled so you can’t question it.
88) Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB, Auburn
Nice value here, good player, fits the scheme much better than Carradine, going to provide nice depth and in the case the Niners’ can’t keep all their current starters together once big money starts to come along, Lemonier should be a very nice replacement.
128) Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech
I was so happy the Niners still addressed the receiver position. I was afraid that they may overlook it with the addition of Q. Patton is a very talented receiver who should have been taken earlier than this. Nice addition.
131) Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
This was a simple case of the rich having the means to take a player who probably won’t even play this season. The Niners don’t need a RB right now, they didn’t have any glaring needs at this point to address so they took the most talented running back in this draft (without injuries of course) so he can spend a year rehabbing, recovering, getting to 100% and come out in a year and prove he has the skill to play in the NFL.
157) Quinton Dial, DE/DT, Alabama
Justin Smith’s successor maybe? Lol. Probably not, but he’s a nice depth guy for the time being.
180) Nick Moody, ILB, Florida State
Obviously the Niners have no need for a new starting ILB but they really needed depth. Right range for Moody, good pick.
237) B.J. Daniels, QB, South Florida
I really question a lot of team’s decisions on QBs in this draft. Yes, this draft was filled with a bunch of garbage QBs but for a late round developmental picks, there were a lot of solid options. Daniels wasn’t one of them but hey, they needed a backup so maybe Harbaugh sees something we don’t, wouldn’t be the first time.
246) Carter Bykowski, OT, Iowa State
Late round depth pick. I like his last name.
252) Marcus Cooper, CB, Rutgers
Really thought they’d go corner earlier than this. Are the Niners picks done yet? I’m tired of talking about them lol.
UDFA) Luke Maquardt, OT, Azusa Pacific
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! Maquardt is, he fucking IS a starting LEFT TACKLE in the NFL. The kid is LOADED with potential and just fuck. The Niners of all teams get him as an undrafted free fucking agent. Ugh. Great grab.
The Niners had an up and down draft. They made a few questionable, but I guess understandable moves but overall, they killed it. My favorite pick of theirs wasn’t even a draft selection, it was an UDFA acquisition.
Overall Team Draft Grade – A+Seattle Seahawks62) Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M
Although Wydz likes and called this pick, I am not a fan. They have Lynch and Turbin already, why do they need another unless they have no faith in Turbin. Michael is talented though so idk what their plans are.
87) Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State
A bit of a reach but a great pick none the less. Hill needs to be a little more consistent but this fills a need and he was one of the top DTs on the board so you can’t argue them reaching a little.
123) Chris Harper, WR, Kansas State
Like the Niners, I am glad the Seahawks weren’t satisfied with their current line of receivers. Harper is better than Sidney Rice right now, and he’s not a walking injury, so this is a very nice pick.
137) Jesse Williams, NT, Alabama
Did I say Jordan Hill was one of the top DTs on the board at 87? Well damn, I must have been a little stoned there because Jesse Williams was still available. This is a great pick, huge value, great talent, fills a glaring need, what more can you want?
138) Tharold Simon, CB, LSU
Simon is the prototypical Seahawks corner now. Big and physical. He’ll fit right in with their current crop of corners. I wouldn’t worry about his arrest, everything sounds like it was just a big headed cop butting heads with a big headed idiot (Simon) and it escalated to a level it did not need to.
158) Luke Willson, TE, Rice
Reach, could have got him as an UDFA and much better talent available at TE here.
194) Spencer Ware, RB, LSU
Carroll you be trolling us right? Why do you need another running back? Makes zero sense.
220) Ryan Seymour, G, Vanderbilt
Seventh round so can’t question who is selected but why did it take the Seahawks so long to take an offensive linemen?
231) Ty Powell, OLB, Harding
Nice pick here. Provides some great depth, Powell has incredible value here and he can push for a starting job so great pick.
241) Jared Smith, G/DT, New Hampshire
Wait what position does he play? I don’t know, that’s what he’s listed as lol. Probably won’t even make the team though.
242) Michael Bowie, OT, Northeast Oklahoma State
Another guy who probably won’t even make the team.
UDFA) Alvin Bailey, G, Arkansas
Why is it that the Seahawks best offensive line pick was an UDFA? Lol
Overall the Seahawks had a nice draft. A few questionable picks that may hurt them in the end (because they could have filled other needs or taken better talent) but they still addressed a few needs and made the team better. Did they do enough to overthrow the Niners though? We’ll have to see.
Overall Team Draft Grade – B+St. Louis Rams8) Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Sam Bradford just shit his pants and started crying out of joy. Consensus top receiver in this draft, very very receiver needy team, why not move up to get him? Good pick.
30) Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
Again, one of the top talents at the position, very needy position for the Rams, pull that trigger. Rams doing work.
71) T.J. McDonald, FS, USC
McDonald is the only safety in this draft that I’m actually labeling FS or SS in this analysis I believe. He is the most pure FS in this draft. That doesn’t mean he can’t play SS (or who knows, even corner) but it means that for what you want out of a FS, McDonald does it better than anyone imo. Again, a great talent, a huge need, Rams looking stronk as fuk!
92) Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia
OK, who took over the Rams and made them intelligent lol. Why not pair up Bailey and Austin? They great compliments to each other and I bet Sam Bradford couldn’t even speak when this pick was selected.
113) Barret Jones, C/G/T, Alabama
Oh look, the Rams figured it out. When you want your franchise QB to be good and succeed, you need to have receivers for him and protection. What a weird philosophy.
149) Brandon McGee, CB, Miami
McGee was a very underrated corner in this draft imo. I think he has very solid starting potential. Only time will tell but I like this pick a lot to go with Jenkins and GotBeatTheFuckUpByDre.
160) Zac Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt
I have no problem with the Rams waiting to select a running back. Hell, they could have just snagged one as an UDFA. Between Stacy, Richardson and Pead, the Rams have a nice three headed monster in the backfield. They’ll probably only utilize the best duo of the three but I have no idea which combo works best right now.
UDFA) None of note.
Well damn, the entire NFC West had themselves a hell of a draft. The Rams addressed most of their needs with quality talent and really made their team a significant amount better now. How can you argue with that at all?
Overall Team Draft Grade – A-Definitely not enough room for everything in one post. Going to keep posting but this 10% is going to slow me down. Try not to be that guy and post in between please. There will be 8 posts in total (one for each division). Don't be an asshole even though I know one of you will.