Honestly this draft stunk I am very worried that this draft set us back years. too often we are drafting to cover up poor drafting in the past. This is a cycle that is highly detrimental to the success of this team. I greatly question how good our talent eavluation is. That said here is what I wish we would have done with the draft picks we had.
#5 Patrick Peterson CB/ LSU, love this pick he is an instant starter and gives us possibly the best secondary in the NFL. This will help our return game also.
#38 We drafted Ryan Williams RB/ VT because we promised him and he was "THE BEST PLAYER AVAILIBLE" this is where our talent evaluation comes into question. There were several players that were availible who where better like say DaQuan Bowers and several LB's, oddly though I would have liked us to Draft Kyle Rudolph TE/ Notre Dame. He fills a serious need and was the best TE in this draft by far. He does everyhting well.
#69 We drafted Robert Housler TE/ Florida Atlantic, really. How about Justin Houston OLB/ Georgia one of the top rated 3-4 LB's in this draft and played against elite talent. Yes he has character issues, but talent is freaking talent. This is where our coaches and lockerroom dod their job to mentor this kid.
#103 We drafted Sam Ocho LB/ Texas, decent pick, but still a project. I would have loved to see Christian Ballard DE/T/ Iowa, this guys is a beast who is a great 3-4 DLinemen, plays every position on it and can back up all of them. Could replace Dockett if we determine he isn't the right guy.
#136 Anthony Sherman RB/ Connecticut, WTF are we doing. How about Marcus Cannon G/ TCU yes there are injury/weight concerns(he is smaller than Duece), but it's the 5th round and this guy is a mauler.
#171 Quan Sturdivant LB/ NCU, I love this pick here, he is likely recovered from his hammy and is very quick and has some cover skills. I see our SLB here.
#184 Dan Carter DL/ UCLA, not even on anyones radar. he will be cut during TC. How about Lee Ziemba OT/ Auburn, he protected Cam newton the #1 PICK, that says enough for me to have him.
#249 We drafted Demarco Sampson WR/ SD State. Can you say UFA. There are three players availible here that would have bee choice signings. #1 was Ricardo Lockett WR/ Fort Valley, developmental, but spedd is speed and has decent hands. Not great competition, but could become a decent receiver. #2 Deandre McDaniel SS/ Clemson, do we have any safety depth....no. Rashad Johnson has proven to be worthless. This guy may take his job and would have provided great ST coverage. #3 Derrick Locke RB/ Kentucky, quick, great hands and decent in PP. not an everydown guy, but since wee seemed hellbent on getting a RB why not.
There we have it my gripes and what I wished we would have done.
This draft grades a D for what we failed to do.
