NFL Draft: Winners And Losers - Full Recap

NFC West

The NFC West went from- worst division in football, to best division- in a snap of the fingers. The 49ers were in the Super Bowl, with a 2nd year QB, and an amazing defense. The Seahawks came from out of no where with their "QB Battle" in which Russell Wilson won out and tied Peyton Mannings' record of passing TDs in rookie year. The Rams were on the rise and had a set back year in which Bradford regressed, they have since lost Steven Jackson and are trying to get back to the playoffs. The Cardinals are the furthest out and have had a rough time with QBs, recently bringing in Carson Palmer. The division looks to be even better with the Rams probably competing in 2013. Cardinals- RD 1 Johnathan Cooper (OG), RD 2 Kevin Minter (ILB), RD 3 Tyrann Mathieu (CB), RD 4 Alex Okafor (DE), RD 4 Earl Watford (OG), RD 5 Stepfan Taylor (RB), RD 6 Ryan Swope (WR), RD 6 Andre Ellington (RB), RD 7 D.C. Jefferson (TE) The Cards want to solidify their line, Cooper came in first and Watford second. Both of which are big, dominating, guards. Protecting Carson Palmer and hopefully creating running room will become important for a rebuilding team. Kevin Minter, the linebacker from LSU, isn't fast. He is big and strong, he is the big hit guy. He isn't going to run with fast guys, but he takes effective angles to make plays. Alex Okafor has more speed and can maybe move to standing up and play outside for the Cardinals Tyrann Mathieu was a guy we were all waiting on to get taken. He hasn't played for a year, he admits to failing multiple drug tests (too many to remember) and he is undersized. But, the "honey badger don't care." He wants to prove everyone wrong and has vowed to be mature. He is a gamble, but, you sometimes hit it big. The Cards also brought in Stepfan Taylor from Stanford. He was an effective runner and the Cards look to build some type of running game. Ryan Swope was very good for Johnny Football down at A&M, he will get playing time very soon. The Cards get a B+ from me. They had a very solid draft. Cooper will be a great linemen for them, Minter makes that defense a little bit better. Mathieu has incredible upside and he is with his mentor Pat Peterson. Okafor, Swope, Ellington, and Taylor were all really good value picks and will all be productive. This draft will not turn them into a Super Bowl champ. But, it is a very good start. 49ers- RD 1 Eric Reid (S), RD 2 Tank Carradine (DE), RD 2 Vance McDonald (TE), RD 3 Corey Lemonier(DE), RD 4 Quinton Patton (WR), RD 4 Marcus Lattimore (RB), RD 5 Quinton Dial (DE), RD 6 Nick Moody (OLB), RD 7 B.J. Daniels (QB), RD 7 Carter Bykowski (OT), RD 7 Marcus Cooper (CB) The Niners lost Dashon Goldson to Tampa Bay in the off-season, he was an all pro safety, not easy to replace. So, they go out in round 1 and bring in the hard hitting safety from LSU, Eric Reid. He will fit in nicely and the 9ers have leadership to teach him how to play. Tank Carradine, is a beast. With a name like Tank, he fits. He now goes into a system with the Smith Bros. to learn how to be an NFL DE. Vance McDonald is going to learn from one of the best TEs in football, Vernon Davis. They bring in Lemonier is going to have to muscle up a little, but, he is a lightening rod on the end. Quinton Patton was brought in to catch some footballs, he runs sharp routes and can turn into a good pro. The real big flyer was Lattimore. He is one of my sleepers and has tremendous upside. With all the picks the 49ers have, its a good pick. Quinton Dial was brought in to add even more depth to the D-Line. The 49ers get an A from me. With all the picks, how could ya not. Reid, Carradine, and McDonald will all fit into the system and be productive in year 1. Lattimore is the most intriguing pick in the draft. If he comes back at the form he was at pre-knee injury, he can be the best back in the entire league. He has speed, size, moves, and vision. He is a flyer right now, but it could pay off. If it does, watch out for the 49ers. Seahawks- RD 2 Christine Michael (RB), RD 3 Jordan Hill (DT), RD 4 Chris Harper (WR), RD 5 Jesse Williams (DT), RD 5 Tharold Simon (CB), RD 5 Luke Willson (TE), RD 6 Spencer Ware (RB), RD 7 Ryan Seymour (OG), RD 7 Ty Powell (OLB), RD 7 Jared Smith (DT), RD 7 Michael Bowie (OT) The Hawks don't have much to add. The pick of Michael in the first round will allow him to jump into a 3 man rotation of backs, spearheaded by Beast Mode. He will just try to gain experience through minimal carries. Jordan Hill was brought in to fill depth, but also, he will see a lot of early playing time. He is fast for a big guy. Chris Harper was a pick to bring speed into the bag of tricks. He can take the top off and fly. Williams was a depth filler and Simon will be an early depth guy. Simon is a long defender and that is what Seattle likes. Willson was brought in to add tight end depth, and probably will not see too much playing time early. The Hawks from Seattle are going to get a B with this draft. They added 2 running backs that are going to learn from Beast Mode, Marshawn Lynch. Tharold Simon is a big lengthy CB that will fit in with their system. It was a good depth draft, nothing too exciting. But, they don't need much. Rams- RD 1 Tavon Austin (WR), RD 1 Alec Ogletree (ILB), RD 3 T.J. McDonald(S), RD 3 Stedman Bailey (WR), RD 4 Barrett Jones (C), RD 5 Brandon McGee (CB), RD 5 Zac Stacy (RB), The Rams had an excellent draft. They needed a good draft to get back into competition this season. Tavon Austin gives them something important, a game breaker. Tavon can run, catch, return, and draw attention to open others. He does so much and has been described by many as "The Fastest Man Ever." He has speed for years! Ogletree was also brought in to an okay defense, Ogletree has speed, smarts, and strength. He can be a great addition to a tough league. T.J. McDonald was an excellent safety pick, he is smart and has some pop on his pads. Stdeman Bailey, Tavons' teamate, was brought in as another threat to a team that needed some incredibly bad. Barrett Jones played, and won a championship, at Tackle, Center, and Guard. The only player to do that. He appears undersized for the NFL, but, he is durable and reliable. Brandon McGee was brought in to give speed and game breaking ability to the defensive backfield. He gambles and gets burned, but, he gambles and wins also. Stacy has above-average talent and great vision, he could be the back of the future. The Rams are going to grade out with an A. Tavon Austin was the best offensive, game breaker in the draft. He goes 0-100 in no time and is electric. Alec Ogletree will command that defense and likely become a pro-bowl linebacker. T.J. McDonald is a big hitting center fielder that will make any receiver think twice. Stedman Bailey will be another toy for this offense and Barrett Jones was the most versatile linemen in the draft. Excellent draft.