NFL Draft Day Two

So yesterday we started up the draft again with rounds 2 and 3 being called out. A lot of hidden gems, and some really talented players can be had in the mid rounds-this is where teams can get real "value" picks.

Let's kick it off by going over some of the noteable picks.


No. 35-Cincinnati Bengals select Andy Dalton QB TCU-
This is one of those "value" picks in my mind. Dalton is a great fit for the type of offense the Bengals run-more of a "West Coast Offense". Pairing Dalton with the Bengals first round pick WR A.J. Green is a great start to rebuilding this team. Love the pick here.

Draft Grade: A

No. 36-San Francisco 49ers select Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada-
The very next pick, the 49ers move up to grab a QB to possibly compete for the starting job. Kaepernick isn't a QB that is probably fit to move right into the starting role, but his raw athletics and arm could get him there with some grooming. Can't blame the 49ers for at least looking to fix there glaring problem. Still would have drafted Ryan Mallett before both Dalton and Kaepernick.

Draft Grade: B

No. 38-Arizona Cardinals select Ryan Williams RB Virginia Tech-
The Cardinals drafted Chris "Beanie" Wells only a couple of years ago, and then they draft another RB here in the second round? I guess with the NFL becoming more of a running back by committee they feel the need to have 2 running backs to rotate out, but their styles are very similar. This might have simply been a pick where Ryan Williams was the best player left on the Cardinals draft board, and simply couldn't pass it up.

Draft Grade: C+

No. 44-Detroit Lions select Titus Young WR Boise State-
The Lions have killed it this year in the draft. Titus Young was a star for Boise Star, and throwing him on the same side of the ball with stud Pro Bowl WR Calvin Johnson can only help. Now, if only they can keep QB Matthew Stafford healthy.....

Draft Grade: A-

No. 51-Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson-
I can't believe this guy dropped all the way to No. 51. We are talking about a guy who was labeled potentially as the No. 1 pick in this draft. After having a major knee surgery, close to the infamous micro-fracture surgery his stock dropped tremendously. At this point in the draft I really can't see what there is to lose, but I can definitely see what there is to gain...and that's the true meaning of a "value" pick. Buccaneers could be scary on defense next year and regain that tough status they had for so long.

Draft Grade: A+

No. 57-Detroit Lions select Mikel Leshoure RB Illinois-
Another huge pick for the Lions...picking the best player available. I think the Lions have had the best draft this year as a team. Can't go wrong here with adding potentially another weapon to this offense. The Lions are extremely young, but they have to start somewhere.

Draft Grade: B

No. 58-Baltimore Ravens select Torrey Smith WR Maryland-
Baltimore got a home grown stud in Torrey Smith. He was one of my favorite wide receivers in this draft...this guy can flat out play. The Ravens really needed another WR to put along side of Anquan Boldin, and this guy should have the opportunity to step right in and contribute.

Draft Grade: A

No. 64-Green Bay Packers select Randall Cobb WR Kentucky-
Great, just what QB Aaron Rodgers needs. Another dynamic play maker to add to an already stacked offense. Cobb was used all over the field at Kentucky, and I don't think he has a specific position he's necessarily great at, but he's good at a lot. He played mostly at WR, but also got some playing time at RB and doing kick off and punt returns.

Draft Grade: B

Noteables in the 3rd round:

No. 71-Dallas Cowboys select Demarco Murray RB Oklahoma-
This pick kind of surprised me. They just drafted 2 years ago Felix Jones, but I'm assuming this will be Marion Barber's replacement. Demarco has a lot of speed and big play ability.

No. 74-New England Patriots select Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas-
This is a major, major value pick. But, I was definitely not expecting the Patriots to select a QB here. Maybe they plan on grooming Mallett under Tom Brady for the future, or maybe to groom him and trade him like they did with Matt Cassel? Either way I was both surprised for how far Mallett slipped, and that the Patriots were the team to pick him up.

No. 78-St. Louis Rams select Austin Pettis WR Boise State-
St. Louis needs some weapons on offense to give Sam Bradford something to work with. This pick makes perfect sense, and Pettis could turn into a good No. 2 wide receiver. Like this pick a lot for the Rams.