Best draft in the AFC North?

[Bronco LB 59]

Since Denver plays AFC North division this autumn, I wanted to ask my fellow Broncomaniacs about the picks of our future foes.

I went with Cleveland. I liked their balance of picks and it seems like they haven't had a good linebacker since the days of Clay Matthews.

Baltimore

1. Haloti Ngata DT, Oregon
2. Chris Chester C, Oklahoma
3. David Pittman CB, Northwestern State
4. Demetrius Williams WR, Oregon
4. P.J. Daniels RB, Georgia Tech
5. Dewan Landry S, Georgia Tech
5. Quinn Sypniewski TE, Colorado
6. Sam Koch P, Nebraska
7. Ryan LaCasse OLB, Syracuse

Cincinnati

1. Jonathan Joseph CB, South Carolina
2. Andrew Whitworth OT, LSU
3. Frostee Rucker DE, Southern California
4. Domata Peko DT, Michigan State
5. A.J. Nicholson OLB, Florida State
6. Reggie McNeal QB, Texas A&M
7. Ethan Kilmer WR, Penn State
7. Bernie Brazell WR, LSU

Cleveland

1. Kamerion Wimbley OLB, Florida State
2. D'Qwell Jackson ILB, Maryland
3. Travis Wilson WR, Oklahoma
4. Leon Williams ILB, Miami
4. Issac Sowells OT, Indiana
5. Jerome Harrison RB, Washington State
5. DeMario Minter CB, Georgia
6. Lawrence Vickers FB, Colorado
6. Babatunde Oshinowo DT, Stanford
7. Justin Hamilton SS, Virginia Tech

Pittsburgh

1. Santonio Holmes WR, Ohio State
3. Anthony Smith FS, Syracuse
3. Willie Reid WR, Florida State
4. Willie Colon OT, Hofstra
4. Orien Harris DT, Miami
5. Omar Jacobs QB, Bowling Green
5. Charles Davis TE, Purdue
6. Marvin Philip C, California
7. Cedric Humes RB, Virginia Tech

[SoCalBronco]

Baltimore

1. Haloti Ngata DT, Oregon- Very good pick. He should be a force, although a little inconsistent. Ray Ray is certainly pleased.
2. Chris Chester C, Oklahoma- He's quite athletic for a center but this was a reach.
3. David Pittman CB, Northwestern State- Another reach.
4. Demetrius Williams WR, Oregon- Excellent pick and excellent value. This deep threat will help them out. Great hands and routes too.
4. P.J. Daniels RB, Georgia Tech- He doesnt time well but he was effective in the ACC this year. Its probably a tad early for him in the 4th but he is a decent project and they will need some RBs soon.
5. Dewan Landry S, Georgia Tech- I like Landry, took him in the UDFA round of our mock draft. He can cover well, and this is about where he should have come off the board. Not immediate impact but certainly worthy of this pick.
5. Quinn Sypniewski TE, Colorado- Good blocking TE for them to pair with Heap. Good value here.
6. Sam Koch P, Nebraska- Dont know anything about him.
7. Ryan LaCasse OLB, Syracuse- Dont know anything about him.
Overall: Not bad, not great. They did quite well with Ngata and Williams, the rest of the draft could have been improved upon.

Cincinnati

1. Jonathan Joseph CB, South Carolina- This was a real reach to me, i know he was rising but it didnt fit at all. They are fine at Corner and he wasnt deserving of a first anyway.
2. Andrew Whitworth OT, LSU- Good pick and okay value. Not going to be a LT prospect but can certainly start in the future.
3. Frostee Rucker DE, Southern California- This is just a tad high for Frostee but it was a decent pick.
4. Domata Peko DT, Michigan State- Big Guy likes this kid, thats good enough for me, although I think this is high for him.
5. A.J. Nicholson OLB, Florida State- Excellent selection. The most talented player in their entire draft class. Despite having a poor 40 time he can cover ground quickly in his zone pass drops. He was an INT machine in the BC game and actually more productive than Ernie Sims. The thuggery factor is a real problem though.
6. Reggie McNeal QB, Texas A&M- Good athlete, not sure if he's a QB in the league though. Probably about where he should have been picked. I am stunned they didnt address TE anywhere though.
7. Ethan Kilmer WR, Penn State- Dont know anything about him.
7. Bernie Brazell WR, LSU- See above.

Overall: I think Cincinnati missed the boat for the most part. I love the Nicholson pick, they have some nice young backers in Thurman, Nicholson and Pollack. They really needed to address TE though and failed.

Cleveland

1. Kamerion Wimbley OLB, Florida State- He fits the 3-4 OLB mold well but this was a huge reach.
2. D'Qwell Jackson ILB, Maryland- He's very instinctive but small, not unlike Vilma. Should be a good 3-4 ILB behind a big NT.
3. Travis Wilson WR, Oklahoma- Wilson was highly rated coming into the season, then took a dive. Ok pick but there were better receivers still on the board. I dont really think they needed another weapon anyway with KWII and Edwards.
4. Leon Williams ILB, Miami- Horrible pick. They probably want to use him as a 3-4 OLB, but he never showed that he was adept at getting to the quarterback and has horrible instincts. He did not improve one iota from the moment he reached campus in 2001 till now. He is well built and at times is okay against the run but he is just terrible in pass coverage and despite timing well in the 40 doesnt have on the field speed. A huge reach. This is a definite looks like Tarzan plays like Jane player.
4. Issac Sowells OT, Indiana- Reach.
5. Jerome Harrison RB, Washington State- Very productive at Washington State....not a bad project.
5. DeMario Minter CB, Georgia- Very good value here.
6. Lawrence Vickers FB, Colorado- He is a very good FB, nice pick.
6. Babatunde Oshinowo DT, Stanford- Excellent value here. Probably will be a NT for them. Good space eater.
7. Justin Hamilton SS, Virginia Tech- Have no knowledge about him.

Overall: Too many reaches. Jackson and a few players on Day 2 should help them though.

Pittsburgh

1. Santonio Holmes WR, Ohio State- I didnt like what they had to give up to move up. Holmes is a good WR, although size will limit him.
3. Anthony Smith FS, Syracuse- He's very instinctive, like a coach on the field although he doesnt possess too many physical gifts. Was able to snag several INTs this year despite his lack of ability just on smarts. Good pick at the end of the third.
3. Willie Reid WR, Florida State- This is a huge reach. Reid was not even a standout at FSU and did not deserve to be selected until late Day 2.
4. Willie Colon OT, Hofstra- No knowledge about him.
4. Orien Harris DT, Miami- Good value here but I understand why he fell. Orien is a very good run stuffer. He used to be a force against the pass in 2003 but hasnt played up to that level the last two years. Very inconsistent despite having big talent. Did better in 05 than 04 though. Gotta improve on getting off blocks, but he should be a good 3-4 DE.
5. Omar Jacobs QB, Bowling Green- He is a nice athlete and had great TD/INT ratio, but benefitted from an innovative offense and looked poor at the combine. Maybe they will use him at WR like Randle El.
5. Charles Davis TE, Purdue- No knowledge of him.
6. Marvin Philip C, California- Not bad value here.
7. Cedric Humes RB, Virginia Tech- Good, tough runner. Not special but worthy of a 7th rounder for sure.

Overall: Like the rest of the division, a few too many reaches although there was some good value picks on Day 2. Hosed in that trade.


Overall the Division did not stand out.

[Kaylore]

They were all so-so, but I guess Baltimore.

[Bronco LB 59]

SoCal

Remember last summer Clifton Dickson was the Seminole defensive lineman of note and Bunkley/Wimbley were practically nobodies. Its amazing how a good senior season can catapult you into the 1st round. I think Bunkley is legit regardless of the fact.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Good analyis SoCal, as usual. I like Peko, he was fun to watch. however he was picked too high because he needs a year on the PS to work on fundamentals.

[-Slap-]

Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Cincinnatti

[anthonypacino]

I think the Steelers had a great draft, at least 3 of their draftees I would not have minded coming to Denver, Smith, Harris and Humes Cowher and company continue to re-stock after free agenceny plucks and picks away at his teams.

[Arkansas Bronco]

Hard call. I cant realy say that I am impressed with any of them.

[Ballhawk]

I think Balt (once they get McNair) and Clev had very nice overall offseasons. None of these drafts were steller but added to what they had already done it looks good.