NCAA Scouting
Team Draft Review - NFC South
by Paul Emery
June 13th 2010
 
While the Saints enjoyed Super Bowl success, the remainder of the NFC South had down years – could they springboard themselves back into playoff contention with a strong draft and can the Saints get some value to keep them on top? The Diner continues its division by division look at the Draft with the NFC South.
 
Atlanta Falcons
 
1 Sean Weatherspoon OLB Missouri
3a Corey Peters DT Kentucky
3b Mike Johnson OG Alabama
4 Joe Hawley C-OG UNLV
5a Dominique Franks CB Oklahoma
5b Kerry Meier WR Kansas
6 Shann Schillinger FS Montana
 
With the Falcons taking a step back and missing the playoffs last year, this draft is an important one as they look to get back into the post-season. They weren't helped by last years first round pick Peria Jerry missing the season through injury and he will help this year if healthy. It wasn't a good start to proceedings as the Falcons didn't get great value in the first round with Sean Weatherspoon. For me, Weatherspoon is a WLB only and taking one this high isn't the best move in my opinion. However, like Mike Peterson, Weatherspoon does bring leadership skills to the table – something that isn't always measured. As a LB, Weatherspoon's big problem is that he really struggles to get off blocks. His arm length measurement at the combine of 31.25”, one of the shortest in the OLB group, confirms this issue. Where he excels is as a read and react type – but to allow him to do this, the Falcons will need to scheme effectively to keep him clean. Too many concerns to view him as a good pick this early.
 
The Falcons then sprung a minor surprise by selecting Corey Peters. Peters is one of those players who was flying under the radar in media eyes and it wasn't until the last couple of weeks prior to the Draft that some got hold of the fact he was being viewed as a top 100 pick by many pro teams. I personally came away very impressed with Peters each time I saw Kentucky and as such I think it's a solid pick. Peters has a nice burst off the ball and a nice swim move – but he also demonstrates the ability to get off blocks, which makes him far more than a one trick pony. He should form a nice combination down the road with Jerry and should help provide an inside pass rush. He also has long enough arms to be viewed as a 3-4 DE should the Falcons wish to use any 3-4 looks down the road. Mike Johnson was the Falcons second third round pick. At times Johnson looked dominant – he can square up and hold his blocks – plus he's athletic enough to get to the second level and do a good job. But he switches off too much – he will lunge too much at his man, which isn't a huge issue as aggression is OK, but does need to be controlled. The bigger problems are when he doesn't square up to his man – he then is often forced to leave his feet and that lowers my opinion of him as I'm not a fan of “belly floppers”. His pass protection technique is also variable – he can bend too much at the waist at times and all in all the Falcons would have had to do some digging to discover just why he was inconsistent – was it stamina or was it all just too easy and he switched off? If he can become more consistent, the Falcons will have a solid starter for many years – if not, he'll probably be nothing more than a backup type.
 
The Falcons stayed with the offensive line in the fourth round with utility man Joe Hawley who can play Guard and Center. Hawley was viewed as a prospect who lacked top athletic ability, but his stock rose when he performed very well at the Combine. That immediately raises the question as to why his athletic ability didn't show in games. Hawley is an aggressive type – his arms are a little shorter than ideal, but his versatility should see him stick.
 
Dominique Franks was a Junior entry and viewed as a top 100 player by most in the media. His fall to the fifth round was a surprise, particularly with some of the smaller/slower types that went off the board before him. Franks has decent size and speed, but where he excels is being very quick out of his breaks. He's not particularly physical and isn't a good tackler – but he does have some coverage ability and it's a fine value pick. Kerry Meier is a former QB who converted to WR in 2007 after losing the QB job to Todd Reesing. Meier has solid hands, but I question whether he can get off the bump at the line and get enough separation. I think there were better WR's around and I'm not a huge fan of the pick.
 
Shann Schillinger was the Falcons final pick. Schillinger is a small schooler who is still very raw, but has excellent speed. He looks like someone who can contribute on special teams to begin with and does have the tools as a modern day safety with coverage skills. Time will tell with this one.
 
The Falcons undrafted free agent class really doesn't look the best – with no one standing out from the group. Dimitri Nance – RB – Arizona State is the best of the bunch – he has some ability as a receiver, but does have a fumbling problem.
 
After a shaky start with Weatherspoon, I think this is a solid effort with only Kerry Meier not being a great pick. The Franks pick edges the grade up a notch on its own.
 
Diner Grade: C+
 
Carolina Panthers
 
2 Jimmy Clausen QB Notre Dame
3a Brandon LaFell WR LSU
3b Armanti Edwards WR Appalachian State
4 Eric Norwood OLB South Carolina
6a Greg Hardy DE Mississippi
6b David Gettis WR Baylor
6c Jordan Pugh CB Texas A&M
6d Tony Pike QB Cincinnati
7a R.J. Stanford CB Utah
7b Robert McClain CB Connecticut
 
Matt Moore must have had an interesting couple of days back in April as he went from feeling fairly comfortable as the Panthers starter to wondering if the Panthers really trust him with two QB's taken plus a QB/WR/athlete pick. On balance, I don't think the Panthers can be criticised for taking Jimmy Clausen who was the big name faller this year. QB is obviously the key position in this game and at some point someone couldn't ignore the value and it happened to be the Panthers. Clausen suffered, I believe, because the teams that needed QB's were cold weather teams and one concern with him are his small hands and the fact he didn't play that well in poor weather. Character concerns may have been an issue, but trying to work him out from afar is a real minefield – some say he grew up in the past year – others said he could be a problem in the locker room with his aloof nature. Clausen does come from a pro style offense in college and is therefore polished enough to push Moore for the starting spot, but even as a backup it's a good pick as if he sees some action and does well, he will have trade value down the road – or the Panthers could stick with him and move Moore (see the Eagles with Kolb and McNabb).
 
Brandon LaFell was rated as the number one senior WR coming into the season and some had him down as a top ten pick. To say I was not impressed with LaFell is an understatement – perhaps because he was viewed as a high prospect and thus I had high expectations. However, he didn't look like a good player at all and he is vastly over rated even at this point in the draft for me. The first thing I look for in a WR is the ability to catch the ball consistently – ideally with hands away from the body (there weren't many around this year that did consistently – hopefully it's not a trend that will continue in future years). LaFell had numerous drops over the course of the season and his hand length measurement at the Combine showed why, measuring only 8.75” – one of the smallest in the WR group. Together with a poor 40 time (4.58) and rumoured work ethic concerns LaFell wouldn't have been on my Draft board at all. A poor pick for me.
 
Armanti Edwards was a college QB but projects to WR as a pro, despite having a pro arm – he's under 5'11” and is thus viewed as being too small. However he could still see some time as a QB in the Wildcat formation, where he will be a dangerous player to defend. Edwards is a very exciting prospect who performed very well whenever Appalachian State came up against major schools – just ask any Michigan fan! He's clearly got a steep learning curve at WR, but the fact he can be used in the Wildcat will at least allow him to see some time straight away. He is a player who has that certain something about them and isn't someone who I would bet against.
 
Eric Norwood was a fine pass rusher at South Carolina, where he often got his sacks from the DE position. He was viewed as a 3-4 OLB prospect, but like a few others (Ricky Sapp, Thaddeus Gibson and Everson Griffen) he fell and like Sapp and Griffen he has ended up on a 4-3 team. Norwood was two different players for me – when up at the line and attacking he looked a super prospect – but when he was off the line at WLB, he looked hesitant – more and more so as the season progressed. Of course, the Panthers could use him as a nickel pass rusher – in which case I love the pick, but I'm not on board with him as a 4-3 LB. Tough to rate this pick until I see how they are going to use him.
 
The Panthers secured my top value pick this year with the first of their four sixth round draft picks. Greg Hardy was a top ten rated prospect coming into the season, but a second season of medical problems and rumoured character issues saw him fall dramatically. I watched Hardy very carefully when he was healthy and I loved his play. He was the best player on the field at the Shrine Game by some distance. I watched the game 14 or 15 times and no matter which position I was focussing on, Hardy always flashed into plays and just stood out. He's a superb pass rusher and has good football intelligence – being able to diagnose screens and make plays. He flashes ability to get off blocks, but could use some work in the weight room. Clearly his durability issues are a concern, but many players with such concerns were already off the board (Jahvid Best went in the first round for example) and in my view this is a fantastic pick. If healthy and motivated this kid has Pro Bowl talent and has to be worth a sixth round pick.
 
While the David Gettis pick isn't in the same class as Hardy, it's still a nice pickup. He is a body catcher – but he has an intriguing size/speed combination. The main worry is his ability to get off the bump in press coverage, but his size will help him here and with some technique work he could contribute.
 
Jordan Pugh has experience at FS as well as CB – but with his 4.44 40 time at his pro day, he'll get a look at CB first of all. Pugh isn't that big – but he's tough and very physical. He will be ideal for special teams coverage units to start with and could push for some time at CB or FS down the road. Tony Pike was the next QB taken and it's a pick I just don't get. Clausen – fair enough – great value, Edwards the same due to his wildcat ability and also the fact his main position as a pro will be WR – but Pike seems to be to be overkill. I know the Panthers only had Moore and Hunter Cantwell on the roster at QB before the Draft, but this gives the Draft a real QB feel and I hope it doesn't undermine Moore, who I think has talent. As a prospect, Pike reminded me very much of current Redskins QB Colt Brennan – very successful in a spread offense – but both played in the Sugar Bowl and both looked very poor in that game. With Cincinnati losing their coach before the Sugar Bowl, I was closely watching Pike's body language and he really wasn't rallying the troops and indeed it was Mardy Gilyard who assumed this role. Pike will battle Cantwell for the third string job, but I don't see him as someone who stands much of a chance of success at the next level. Durability issues due to his stick thin frame only add to the concerns.
 
The busy later rounds continued for the Panthers with two seventh round picks and indeed this accumulation of late round picks is a solid move as it gives one a little freedom to take a gamble or two. R.J. Stanford was the first of the two picks – like Pugh, he got himself drafted because of a fine pro day workout – in Stanford's case a 4.42 40 time. Stanford came to Utah as a RB – moving to CB towards the end of his freshman year. He's therefore still a little raw compared to others – but his speed and break on the ball make him well worth a look. Like Pugh, he should also excel on special teams coverage – he blocked a kick in 2009, so could be useful in that area. Robert McClain rounded out the Panthers busy third day, adding another body to the CB competition. McClain was a one year starter – prior to his Senior year he was backing up current Patriots CB Darius Butler (2008 second round pick). He's another CB with decent speed (4.51 40), but he's only 5'9” – he will need to show up on special teams, but could get a look at nickel back down the road.
 
The highlight of the Panthers undrafted free agent class was Aaron Pettrey – K – Ohio State who missed some time in 2009 due to a knee injury. Pettrey has a good leg and has made several long FG's (long of 55 yards) – if the Panthers are willing to carry a second kicker, he could kick off and attempt long field goals. Also of interest is Rashawn Jackson – FB – Virginia – who has good size, but looked better when carrying the ball as opposed to blocking. He could push second year man Tony Fiammetta in camp though. Matt O'Hanlon – S – Nebraska is a guy who came up with some big plays – he lacks top speed, but could stick as a special teamer – although that area looks crowded.
 
I think this is a decent effort – the one main concern is that without a first round pick and then taking Clausen in the second round, they missed out on immediate impact players – unless Clausen beats Moore out of course. However, could they really pass on the Clausen value when they aren't 100% sure yet about Moore – probably not. Brandon LaFell and Tony Pike are two picks I really don't like – but the remainder of the Draft is interesting – it wouldn't surprise me to see some of the later round picks start down the road –particularly Greg Hardy, that pick alone raises the grade.
 
Diner Grade: B
 
New Orleans Saints
 
1 Patrick Robinson CB Florida State
2 Charles Brown OT USC
3 Jimmy Graham TE Miami (Fla.)
4 Al Woods DT LSU
5 Matt Tennant C Boston College
7 Sean Canfield QB Oregon State
 
After taking Malcolm Jenkins in the first round last year the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints went for a CB again this year, which gives them the flexibility to look at moving Jenkins to FS. Patrick Robinson fits the Saints system – he has good speed and can cover man to man effectively. His main weakness is that he can be over aggressive – he will gamble perhaps a little too much, which can cost him. However, his ability to cover the deep ball smoothly is a big plus and as such it's a good pick. Robinson isn't the best tackler, but he is physical enough and should push for time pretty quickly.
 
Despite having two solid players competing at Left Tackle already, the Saints could not ignore the value they saw in Charles Brown in the second round. He reportedly fell in the Draft due to concerns about a knee injury. Brown needs some work in the weight room – he needs to get stronger, but also get bigger so he can anchor effectively against power. He also needs to work hard to stay on his feet more as he goes for the cut block far too many times. However, when Brown stays on his feet he looks like he has the tools to play LT in the NFL. He sets up very quickly and has natural flexibility – so his knee bend is there. In the run game, he flashed ability to just engulf his man and also looked very good getting to the second level. The Saints can afford to let him bulk up for a year and then let him push for a starting job – he's certainly got the tools to be a fine player and as such it's a good pick – just like QB's – it's not a bad idea to make sure you have options at LT. The Bills for example could learn a lesson from the Saints.
 
Jeremy Shockey had problems staying healthy last year and with the future of the TE position in mind, the Saints decided to take the gifted, but raw Jimmy Graham. Graham is a former basketball player who only played one season of college football and only started the one game. However, as the season progressed you could see him developing. As a receiver he has natural soft hands and uses his basketball skills to box out defenders, shielding them from the ball. He will need work on routes as they are often a little too rounded, but that is to be expected. As a blocker he will always have to work on knee bend to win the leverage battle as a very tall man – right now he's a waist bender who won't be effective with that technique (will get thrown off easily). Clearly this selection has risk, but I thought Graham looked very natural as a receiver and he could contribute a little earlier than one might expect as even with rough routes, his speed, frame, ability to shield the ball from his man and his natural hands should allow him to contribute.
 
Al Woods was next up – playing his college football for the Bayou Bengals of LSU. Woods has talent, but has yet to put it all together into a dominant season. With his athletic ability and size, if he had managed it he would have been a first round pick. As it was his flashes on tape along with a fine combine workout saw him taken in the fourth round. The main thing he'll need to work on is getting off blocks – he particularly struggles against cut blocks – he has long arms, so with some strength and technique work he could make some noise. However, the fact that he hasn't made the most of his natural athletic ability and talent is a concern.
 
Matt Tennant was someone who most media types had down as a top 100 pick. I, however, was not high on him and as such I think the fifth round is about right. My concern with Tennant is that he's a tweener – he's too tall to play Center at 6'5” and when projecting him to Guard he lacks the strength (although he did perform OK at the Combine in the bench press). He does have decent technique and can move well to the second level, but he's not your typical BC mauler, being much more of a finesse type. I think with a year in the weight room, he could push to start at Guard.
 
Sean Canfield was a fast riser early in the season – but then seemed to lose some steam to the point where he was taken in the seventh round. Canfield is a classic pocket passer – he's tall, has a decent arm and is prepared to hang in the pocket and take a hit. Consistently I noticed that his ball placement isn't always the best and this will have been the main reason he wasn't taken higher. The most concerning aspect is his placement of out routes – he too often places them inside, where DB's can get involved. I always think drafting a late round QB most years is a solid move and Canfield has talent – how much he can develop without a developmental league is always a question these days, but I think he's worthy of this pick.
 
The Saints then secured the top rated player at his position to head the undrafted free agent class – Clint Gresham – TCU – a long snapper! The Patriots spent a draft pick last year on Jake Ingram, so decent value to get Gresham. Brandon Carter – OG – Texas Tech is a widely known prospect from Tech's fine 2008 season – the man with the face paint is very aggressive, but has poor technique. Junior Galette – DE – Stillman was viewed as a draftable prospect, but he was kicked off the Temple team and dropped down to a lower level to play with Stillman in 2009. He has some pass rush ability if he can sort himself out off the field. Jay Ross – DT – East Carolina is a fine pickup – I came away impressed each time I saw him – he's disruptive and has some ability to get off blocks. He did play on a very strong D-Line (Linval Joseph and CJ Wilson were both drafted), but I think he has enough talent to stick. George Johnson – DE – Rutgers had some fun battles with Raiders draft pick Jared Veldheer at the Texas vs the Nation Game, where his burst off the ball gave Veldheer some problems. Brandon Sharpe – DE – Texas Tech is another prospect who has a quick burst off the ball – he's undersized, but could offer some help as a pass rusher on obvious passing downs. Overall – a very strong class.
 
There is some risk with this draft – I look at Brown and Graham as picks who I think will develop positively, but don't have that same conviction with Woods. The fine free agent class adds to this draft very nicely.
 
Diner Grade: B+
 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 
1 Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
2a Brian Price DT UCLA
2b Arrelious Benn WR Illinois
3 Myron Lewis CB Vanderbilt
4 Mike Williams WR Syracuse
6 Brent Bowden P Virginia Tech
7a Cody Grimm SS Virginia Tech
7b Dekoda Watson OLB Florida State
7c Erik Lorig DE Stanford
 
The Buccaneers were clearly determined to solve their DT problem as they went for two similar types with their first two picks. This position makes their defense go and Gerald McCoy could well turn into a star. In many years he would have been the first pick in the draft but QB and a certain Mr Suh trumped him, much to the Bucs delight. McCoy's first step is his best quality and indeed he can rely on it a little too much, which gave the edge to Suh in the Lions view at pick number two. However, in this defense this is the most important attribute and he should be right at home. McCoy is also a smart player – often with players who have that great burst off the ball, they'll take themselves out of the play too much – but McCoy plays his role well and makes a ton of plays with control. Brian Price could be described as a poor man's McCoy – he's a very similar player – again being very quick off the ball and consistently disrupting. His ability to use his hands and get off blocks is perhaps a little better than McCoy – but on the negative side he rotated heavily in college and therefore conditioning could be an issue. He's shorter and stockier than McCoy, but did show up big time on tape. These two should be productive for many years to come. The Bucs are clearly very confident in these two guys as veteran Chris Hovan was cut shortly after the draft.
 
Arrelious Benn was taken with the Bucs second pick of the second round. Benn had a poor year as he had a niggling ankle injury much of the year and Illinois in general struggled. The old adage is never to take a prospect on film from two seasons ago and in this case, that's what the Bucs have done. Benn is a very thick built WR, but does show some athletic ability after the catch. His hands are generally good, but he does lose concentration too many times and drop some routine balls. There is some risk here as Benn came out early off a down season, if he can stay healthy he should be able to get some playing time though as the Bucs WR group doesn't look great.
 
Myron Lewis was a big winner at the combine, at just under 6'2” and 203 lbs – he ran a 4.42 40. A little known prospect was suddenly climbing up media ratings. NFL teams were probably aware of him from his junior pro day – but those times tend not to make it into the public domain and thus is one of the reasons the media have risers and fallers after the combine – data which isn't a surprise to NFL teams. Back to Lewis – who is more than just a burner – he has some ball skills (10 interceptions in his career) and in some ways he looks like someone who could become a rangy FS. But with his speed and Ronde Barber getting on in years, the Bucs might just keep him at CB.
 
The Bucs then rolled the dice big time with the selection of Mike Williams in the fourth round – a prospect who has first or second round talent, but has had major problems off the field – leading up to him leaving the Syracuse team midway through the season with another suspension apparently on the way. The NFL does not like quitters, so I'm a little surprised Williams was taken this early. Perhaps 5 years ago I would have expected this, but the strong way in which Roger Goodell deals with off the field mistakes makes this too early for my liking – indeed I personally wouldn't touch someone with his history of problems. When he was on the field in college, Williams did show he's a fine player – he's not the fastest, but he has good size and soft hands. It will all come down to whether Williams can stay out of trouble off the field and to date he has not shown he can do this.
 
If you are looking for help on special teams, then the place to head is Virginia Tech who consistently have superb special teams play. The Bucs drafted two Hokies in a row, starting with Brent Bowden who as my top rated punter is clearly someone who I was high on. Bowden's biggest test this year was against Alabama and the top returner in college football, Javier Arenas, Bowden's punts were very high on that day and he kept Arenas out of the game. Bowden has dropped a number of punts inside the 20 and I think he should win the job and perform well. Cody Grimm is someone who is ideal for special teams coverage to begin with – he only started one year in college, but was a very productive special teams player prior to that. When he did play defense in college it was at LB, but he has pro Safety size at 203 lbs. Grimm wasn't often used in coverage, but in limited views, he did struggle at times – so whether he can get himself on the field for the regular defense is questionable – but I like the commitment to special teams and he should star there.
 
Dekoda Watson was someone who I thought would go much higher and as a very fine athlete is a very good value pick here. Watson has decent size at 240 lbs and ran a 4.55 40 yard dash having the best overall combine workout on my LB scale. He did have some durability problems as a Senior, so perhaps that has cost him. He looks to be a WLB – he has a nice burst and is able to get some sacks by timing his blitzes nicely (he also looked good flying off the edge in college). I think he has the ability to start down the road. Erik Lorig was the Bucs final pick – a TE convert in his sophomore year – he's a high motor player who has a frame that could carry some more bulk and see him move inside. He flashes some quickness off the ball, but does struggle to get off blocks, so he will need some technique work.
 
The big name in the Bucs undrafted free agent class was Jevan Snead – QB – Mississippi who came out early, a decision he might now regret. Snead lost out to Colt McCoy at Texas and transferred to Ole Miss – he has tools, but his accuracy is all over the place and he will need time. Hunter Lawrence – PK – Texas would have been my top rated kicker had it not been for his inability to kick off better than he did at the Shrine Game (he didn't kick off for Texas as a Senior). He made some big kicks at Texas and although struggling on kick offs, he demonstrates a good leg on field goals. Sergio Render – OG – Virginia Tech is a nice pick up – he's not the best athlete, but he handled Terrance Cody very well in the first week of the season and could stick around. Rico McCoy – LB – Tennessee is someone who could stick as a nickel LB – he's undersized but has experience in coverage. He's a big hitter, but needs to learn to wrap up.
 
Overall, this is a pretty good effort to keep up with some decent drafts in division. Benn and certainly Williams carry risk at WR and it's questionable whether they can step up and lead a weak Bucs WR group but the remainder of the draft looks good.
 
Diner Grade: B-