Gary Connolly:
So who are the winners and losers in the draft?
Nick Montalti:
For me, I loved the cowboys trading up for Clairbone. I think they were a winner. The Jets and Seahawks were big time losers. The jets failed to address needs at right tackle and running back while the Seahawks reached heavily for Irvin.
I also think the Rams were winners. They traded back and stockpiled picks resulting in filling a lot of holes.
Gary Connolly:
The Jets were a team that definitely caught my eye. I think taking Coples instead of Ingram was a risky pick. Also I was never in on Hill as a first round WR but the Jets grabbing him in the second round is interesting. They seemed to draft on potential, so I’ll call them a loser for now, but those are two picks to keep an eye on
Nick Montalti:
If the jets can sign Braylon Edwards I feel he could teach Hill. They’re similar in body type. Except Hill can actually catch the ball.
Gary Connolly:
Thats actually yet to be seen. He’s very unproven at GA Tech. He showed he can make big plays but hasn’t caught all that many balls.
Nick Montalti:
So… He is a young Braylon Edwards.
Mike Chapman:
I loved what a lot of teams did in this draft. My top five have to be the Bengals, Buccaneers, Lions, Colts and Patriots. Also loved what the Rams, Eagles, Steelers and Packers did. I basically just listed half the league, but hey, I was a fan. My big winner has to be the Bengals. They not only addressed all needs, but got great value from all picks. They didn’t reach for anyone either, which is rare when filling holes on your team. I love getting Devon Still in the 2nd and Mohamed Sanu in the 3rd. I have the Lions up there too because I love getting Reiff probably later than he deserved to be picked. I’m also a big fan of grabbing Ryan Broyles in the 2nd, who would have undoubtedly gone in the 1st round if he hadn’t been injured this past season. Dwight Bentley from Lousiana-Lafeyette could end up being a steal in the 3rd round.
Gary Connolly:
Agreed on all those teams as winners. I think the Patriots are right up there with the Bengals as the big winner. What they were able to do, especially in the first round getting Jones and Hightower, will have an immediate impact on their team. They needed defense, and they got plenty of it.
Nick Montalti:
I feel as though Upshaw would have been the better pick over Hightower as an outside backer in the 3-4.
Mike Chapman:
Continuing my novel, I loved that the Colts grabbed Andrew Luck’s college teammate and favorite target in Coby Fleener. Dwayne Allen from Clemson had his stock slip, but provides great talent. Sure looks like the Colts might be adopting some type of system Luck ran at Stanford on offense, as he loved throwing to tight ends. Josh Chapman (no relation) was also a great pick in the 4th. The Pats shocked everyone by trading up twice in round one. They addressed a need by grabbing Chandler Jones, who will wreak havoc on passers around the league. If they had any type of pass rush last year, they would have been Super Bowl champs. Call me bitter, it’s true, though. Hightower will make an immediate impact and likely play weakside backer, which will be a great role for him paired next to Brandon Spikes…yikes, scary. Also liked grabbing a corner in Dennard in the 7th,. He was probably a 2nd-3rd round talent, but saw his stock slip following an arrest in the week leading up to the draft. Finally, Tampa Bay got Mark Barron and Doug Martin in the 1st. I’ll admit, I wasn’t high on Martin, but people seem to love the guy. He’s a workhorse and will create a nice part of the offense behind Freeman. I’m also a huge fan of the Lavonte David 2nd round pick, think that could be a steal.
Gary Connolly:
Mike care to elaborate?
Nick Montalti:
Haha! Mike is very fond of what his team did this year.
Gary Connolly:
Kidding. I agree with everything there. I think Martin and Blount will be a nice combo in that backfield in Tampa and Barron looks like he’s going to be a force at safety
Nick Montalti:
Tampa has already made a huge splash in free agency with Carl Nicks as Vincent Jackson. With the Saints team in limbo for this year, that division could be the toughest one to win.
Gary Connolly:
Also I think the Colts showed everybody that they are full on committed to building this team around Luck. Taking his personal tight end, followed by another tight end in Allen, and a wide receiver in Hilton
Mike Chapman:
We all know Bill Belichick loves versatility. There was concern about Upshaw’s arms being too short, which is flat out silly to me. A lot of teams also stayed away because they weren’t sure if he projected better as a pass rush DE type or hybrid OLB type. I think both will be tremendous players in the NFL. I like Hightower more because he provides more size and flexibility in Bill’s defense. I know Upshaw is versatile too, but I’m a big fan of the Hightower pick.
Gary Connolly:
Watching this draft, there really weren’t any teams that stood out to me as clear cut losers. Most team appeared committed to addressing their biggest needs
Nick Montalti:
I beg to differ. I think the Jets blatantly lost this draft.
Gary Connolly:
What do you make of the Redskins drafting arguably the 2nd, and 3rd best QB’s in this draft in RGIII and Cousins?
Nick Montalti:
The Redskins went purely on best available. Cousins could be a starter in this league. He could be dealt some time down the road.
Mike Chapman:
I hated what the Chiefs did. There is a guy every year who sees his draft stock soar because of combine stats, and Poe was that guy this year. The bottom line is he didn’t even dominate at Memphis. Hated what the Jags did too. Like the Blackmon pick but drafting a punter in the third is straight silliness. Also, think the Seahawks lost. Irvin was a huge reach, although he isn’t as bad as everyone is making him out to sound.
Mike Chapman:
I like it for the fact of trade value, but I think they could have addressed so many other needs. Fourth round picks aren’t irrelevant whatsoever. There were guys on the board who they could have selected to make an impact at positions where they actually needed help.
Gary Connolly:
Agreed. Obviously I’m a big fan of RGIII and I think Washington getting him was a clear cut win, but after that I don’t think they addressed some major needs and for that I see them as a loser. But again, can’t hate a teams draft class that includes RGIII.
Mike Chapman:
Redskins have a brutal opening schedule too. Might go 2-7 to start the year, but I still think RGIII has more tools around him for immediate success than Luck does in Indy. However, when that Indy team gets more experienced and more talent, that’s gonna be fun to watch.
Gary Connolly:
We touched on this in our NFL draft preview. The Cardinals were able to get Floyd at 13. Thoughts?
Nick Montalti:
Floyd get’s to learn from maybe the best WR in the league.
It gives Kolb a chance to earn his money and makes the Cardinals offense a force to be reckoned with.
Their in an up and coming division. Their team has had solid drafts. Patrick Peterson will be entering his 2nd year, after having a fantastic rookie season.
They could make a strong push for a wild card spot.
Mike Chapman:
I love it. Cards showed that they believe in Kolb when they paid him his $7 million option bonus this offseason. If he can stay healthy, he now has multiple targets in Fitzgerald and Floyd. Arizona was the hottest team in the league to finish last season, it’ll be interesting to see if they can start 2012 where they left off last year. Getting Massie in the 4th will also be a steal, he was rated very highly by many experts. It also fills there need for an OT, even though they brought back the immortal Levi Brown this year.
Gary Connolly:
I thought that WR may not have been their #1 need, but they got who they wanted, and addresses other needs after, overall I thought that Arizona had a decent draft.
Mike Chapman:
The NFC is loaded once again. It’ll be hard to get in the playoffs from the Cards, but they’re in the right division to rack up some wins. That was cruel to the NFC West, but it’s true. Cards have a fighter’s chance. It all rests on the health of Kolb and if he can make it through a full season.
Nick Montalti:
Cardinals will also get Ryan Williams back this year.
Nick Montalti:
Makes a nice compliment to Beanie Wells.
Mike Chapman:
I completely forgot about Williams. Cards could be a sleeper this year. That offense is stacked.
Gary Connolly:
I’m also curious to see what you guy think about Cleveland’s draft..
Nick Montalti:
Don’t like the Weeden pick.
They needed a WR. I understand they wanted Kendall Wright, but you haven’t given McCoy a chance, who I still feel is a quality QB.
Give the kid someone to throw too!
Gary Connolly:
I think considering the situation in Cleveland it wasn’t awful. Richardson has potential to be one of the best running back in the league right away, and sure Weeden is going to be 29 years old, but I’m not sure the Browns were ever really sold on McCoy, even when he was showing potential.
Mike Chapman:
I think Richardson was a can’t-miss pick. There’s no debate there. I think Weeden went a bit high, but only because he’ll be 29 by the start of the season. Fun fact: Weeden hit 97 on the gun when he was a prospect for the Yankees/Dodgers/Royals. I’d take Weeden over McCoy any day. I think McCoy is a nice player, just not a starter. Weeden has a great arm and tremendous knowledge of the game. Only problem is he has no one to throw to. The Browns had other chances at taking a WR in the draft before taking Benjamin, but they didn’t pull the trigger.
Nick Montalti:
I mean. they could always sign Terrell Owens. Hehe
He’s begging for a team.
All kidding aside, there isn’t anyone really out there they could sign at WR.
Gary Connolly:
There’s always next year?
Mike Chapman:
Poor Cleveland
Gary Connolly:
So let’s end by each of us giving our top 3 winners, and our top 3 losers.
I’ll say winners- 1. Bengals 2. Patriots 3. Buccaneers. And losers- 1. Seahawks 2. Titans 3. Jets
Mike Chapman:
Winners:
1) Bengals
2) Lions
3) Colts/Patriots
Losers:
1) Jaguars
2) Seahawks
3) Chiefs
Nick Montalti:
Winners: 1. Patriots 2. Bengals 3. Cowboys
Losers: 1. Jets 2. Seahawks 3. Jaguars
Nick Montalti:
Cowboys/Bucs for the final winners.
Gary Connolly:
Tim Tebow
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