Atlanta Falcons
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: C+
19. Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
Value Board #: 20
Grade: A
Only one pick ahead of my Value Board ranking, so this pick has great value. Spoon has the leadership qualities to lead this defense in the future. He’s very productive and has potential to get 100+ tackles year in, year out.
83. Corey Peters, DT, Kentucky
Value Board #: 156
Grade: C
Peters was regarded as a sleeper pick by some, but taking him up here isn’t good value for the Falcons. He had risen up a lot of boards by the time draft weekend came. But to me, this was too high for him.
98. Mike Johnson, G, Alabama
Value Board #: 118
Grade: B
Decent value here in Johnson. He’s a consistent pass blocker and good in short yardage situations.
117. Joe Hawley, C, UNLV
Value Board #: projected 6-7th round
Grade: D
Matt Tenant and other good centers were there. The Falcons must really love his run blocking and nastiness.
135. Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma
Value Board #: 63
Grade: A
Very good pick to help improve their pass defense who ranked 28th last season.
165. Kerry Meier, WR, Kansas
Value Board #: FA
Grade: D
Could be a decent option for Matt Ryan, but this was a reach. Slower than you’d like a receiver to be. Receivers who take long strides have trouble getting off the line. If you can’t get past the corner to start with, it’s hard to be successful in the league.
171. Shann Schillinger, S, Montana
Value Board #: projected 7th rounder
Grade: C+
This was their last pick, so they just picked out of need. Too bad there were still very good value players left on the board here, they had to reach.
Carolina Panthers
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: B+
48. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Value Board #: 4
Grade: A+
Ouch. I can’t believe that Todd McShay was right. Apparently he wasn’t a first round prospect. However, I believe he’ll prove McShay and the teams who passed on him wrong. I really like him as a prospect and hopefully Carolina is the right environment for him to grow into an elite QB.
78. Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
Value Board #: 68
Grade: A
Another great value for the Panthers. LaFell fell down boards a bit, but I still think he’s a very viable option at WR. He’ll battle to be the eventual replacement for Muhsin Muhammed.
89. Armanti Edwards, WR, Appalachian State
Value Board #: 153
Grade: C
This guy is a playmaker. It’s not a surprise that he was reached for. Carolina has the potential to have an explosive offense from this draft. He could prove that he was worth much more than where I had him ranked at. Great potential for making a position switch.
124. Eric Norwood, DE/OLB, South Carolina
Value Board #: 46
Grade: A
Everyone else had him falling down their rankings after the season, but I held out for the guy. I think he’s going to be a difference maker for Carolina at linebacker where the Panthers are in need of another outside linebacker.
175. Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
Value Board #: projected 3-4th round
Grade: B-
A lot of teams and mockers had Hardy dropping ever since last season. He has serious injury concerns on top of some doubt that he may not be the hardest worker. That is not a good combination. If he can get motivated and stays healthy, then obviously, this’ll be a steal, but don’t count on it happening.
198. David Gettis, WR, Baylor
Value Board #: projected 7th round
Grade: B
This is about where Gettis’ talent matches up with the draft slot. Competition at WR is a good thing for a team.
202. Jordan Pugh, CB, Texas A&M
Value Board #: FA
Grade: C+
Still to early to be drafting potential undrafted players.
204. Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
Value Board #: 90
Grade: A
Pike’s frame is too thin and there’s concern that he won’t be able to take NFL hits. He was on the verge of losing his starting gig last year, but kept it just barely. He’s a developmental guy, but still should’ve gone much higher.
223. R.J. Stanford, CB, Utah
Value Board #: projected 6-7th round
Grade: B
Carolina is so young in the defensive backfield. Good late round prospect to add depth to secondary.
249. Robert McClain, CB, Connecticut
Value Board #: projected 6-7th round
Grade: B+
More depth added to defensive backs. Carolina starts a new era with Jimmy Clausen and they have a good core of young players. Carolina will be interesting to watch in the next few years.
New Orleans Saints
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: B+
32. Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
Value Board #: 53
Grade: B-
There were definitely better prospects out there to pick. Robinson still will provide the Saints with an upgrade at the corner position in order to help their 26th ranked pass defense.
64. Charles Brown, OT, USC
Value Board #: 33
Grade: A
Great value. Brown could’ve gone in the first round. A former tight end, made the switch to tackle a few years ago.
95. Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami
Value Board #: 58
Grade: A
Graham, a former basketball player at Miami, played football just last year for the Canes. He’ll be great for the Saints offense and provide an upgrade over Jeremy Shockey.
123. Al Woods, DT, LSU
Value Board #: 135
Grade: B
New Orleans needed new defensive lineman especially.
158. Matt Tennant, C, Boston College
Value Board #: 80
Grade: A
How did he fall this far? Tennant was the 2nd, maybe 3rd, best center this year.
239. Sean Canfield, QB, Oregon State
Value Board #: projected 6-7th round
Grade: B
Good pick. He is from a pro style offense at Oregon State. The Saints had nobody behind Drew Brees, except for Chase Daniel, but there’s no way he’s a number 2 option. I mentioned in my mock draft how the Saints would draft a developmental QB.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: A-
3. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Value Board #: 2
Grade: A
This is the draft that will bring the Bucs’ defense back to prominence. McCoy is perfect for the defense and he’s the foundation along with Price with which the Tampa Bay Bucs will control games.
35. Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Value Board #: 27
Grade: A
People say, “WTF? You already drafted McCoy? You have other needs…” Blah, blah, blah. This is an excellent pick. It’s great value, it solidifies the middle of their defensive line, they’ll improve their dead last ranking in rush defense from last year. People who question the Jaguars and Bucs who have to rebuild their defensive lines and take a lot of defensive line players don’t know how to build a team.
39. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Value Board #: 38
Grade: A
Benn suffered greatly from being thrown to by Juice Williams. Benn could prove to be a first round talent if Josh Freeman can get it to him. Tampa’s rebuilding the roster the right way.
67. Myron Lewis, CB/FS, Vanderbilt
Value Board #: 126
Grade: C+
I like this pick, it’s just too early for me. Lewis was probably a coveted prospect and had to be taken here in order to get their guy.
101. Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse
Value Board #: 138
Grade: B
Serious risk here. Williams quit the team this past season, which I think is just the worst thing you could do when you’re a Senior draft prospect, not to mention what it does to your reputation with your teammates and school. Never the less, Williams potentially has first round talent, but mush for a brain. Stay tuned.
172. Brent Bowden, P, Virginia Tech
Value Board #: 7th round
Grade: D
Hmm, interesting. Good draft up until here. They didn’t have a punter, so they reached for one. Bad idea.
210. Cody Grimm, SS/ST, Virginia Tech
Value Board #: projected 7th round
Grade: B
There will be a competition for the CB opposite of Talib.
217. Dekoda Watson, OLB, Florida State
Value Board #: 110
Grade: A+
Excellent choice, how Watson fell down here all the way, I’m not sure. Somewhat of an injury risk, but he’s athletic, strong, and led the Seminoles in tackles for loss and sacks last year.
253. Erik Lorig, DE, Stanford
Value Board #: FA
Grade: B
Another player with injury concerns, but more so than Watson. Has a high motor and is strong enough to hold the point.
