Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
NFL Draft ’07 mini Review
Free for Full Subscribers
Sample mini Review - AFC North
AFC
North
Baltimore Ravens - Grade B+
The Ravens had another strong draft class and were able to address their offensive line and key need areas. On the 1st round, they chose guard Ben Grubbs, a highly developed blocker who should starter immediately at right guard. He is a physical blocker with good footwork and the ability to anchor inside or move and block on the perimeter. He is a strong mobile athlete who graded out high vs top competition in the tough SEC. On the 2nd round, they moved back in a trade with the Lions and held two 3rd round selections and chose WR Yamon Figurs and OL Marshal Yanda. Figurs is a speedster with big play ability as a receiver and return specialist. He has the rare suddenness to be a factor immediately in the return game and as a slot receiver. He is a top role performer and can provide impact in those roles early in his career and was a fine addition. They chose OL Yanda later on the round and he carries a stating grade at both tackle and guard. He is a sound technician and has the toughness and intangibles to have a long NFL career. On the 4th round, they added LB Antwan Barnes and FB LeRon McClain. Barnes is a fast edge rusher and a fine tweener defender for the situational pass rushing role. He figures to play in passing situations and can become a fine role defender with development. McClain fills a pressing need on this offense after FA losses. With their 5th round pick, they added QB Troy Smith, the ’06 Heisman Trophy winner. He is a savvy player who has produced vs a high level of competition and proven to be a winner with the AA and toughness to succeed. He has a good chance to win the #3 job in camp. With their 6th round pick, they drafted LB Prescott Burgess, a rangy defender who had a productive college career. He can compete for the nickel backer role early in his career and carries a possible starting grade in the right scheme. He should be a solid special teams performer early as a pro.
Baltimore
1 (29) Ben Grubbs OG Auburn
3 (74) Yamon Figurs WR Kansas St
3 (86) Marshal Yanda OG Iowa
4*(134) Antwan Barnes OLB Florida International
4*(137) Le'Ron McClain FB Alabama
5*(174) Troy Smith QB Ohio St
6*(207) Prescott Burgess OLB Michigan
Cincinnati Bengals - Grade C
The Bengals selected players with no off the field issues after the continuous problems in that area over the past year. On the 1st round, they chose corner Leon Hall to couple with last years #1 pick Johnathan Joseph. Hall is a fast tough athletic cover man with big time ability and a nice level of development. He is a prospect with the development in his technique and instincts to start as a rookie. On the 2nd round, they chose runner Ken Irons, a versatile tough back with some durability concerns. He was a surprise selection and a prospect who will have to find a niche, most likely as a 3rd down back. On the 4th round, they added defensive back Marvin White, a smooth safety with developed coverage skills. He was decent value. In the 5th round, they added QB Jeff Rowe, a big prospect with good talent for the position though a surprising pick here. He should be there #3 passer with the talent to become a top backup here. On the 6th round, they added DE Matt Toeaina, a tough mobile lineman with the talent to compete at end in the 3-4 scheme. He was a good late addition. With two 7th round picks, they added OG Dan Santucci and safety Chike Ndukwe. Santucci is a sound technician who graded out well vs a high level of competition. He should win a roster spot and carries a starting grade with development. Ndukwe is a raw athlete with size and some experience. He will have to find a niche on special teams to make this squad and develop his coverage skills further.
Cincinnati
1 (18) Leon Hall CB Michigan
2 (49) Kenny Irons RB Auburn
4 (114) Marvin White FS TCU
5 (151) Jeff Rowe QB Nevada
6 (187) Matt Toeaina DE Oregon
7 (230) Dan Santucci OG Notre Dame
7*(253) Chinedum Ndukwe SS Notre Dame
Cleveland Browns - Grade A
The Browns played the draft process perfectly under Phil Savage and had their best class in their existence. They addressed their front line with their top pick and chose LOT Joe Thomas, a premier left tackle with a blue chip label. He should start and become a fixture on their changing front line. When QB Brady Quinn fell in the first round and got past Miami, Savage set up a deal with the Cowboys at the 22nd overall selection. He choose Quinn there and gave the Browns the two players they coveted most for there struggling offense. Quinn can be a very good NFL passer with a good supporting cast and some time to settle into their offense. With those two players in line, he focused on their secondary and moved up again to select corner Eric Wright, a fast cover man with a high level of development. He could start as a rookie and be a fixture in this secondary. On the 5th round, they chose DB Brandon McDonald, a tough small corner who can play either spot. He was a surprise here and can be a factor in the nickel and dime packages. With their 6th round pick, they selected DE Mel Purcell, an experienced end in the 3-4 scheme. He has the potential to start on the outside and give them valuable backup experience in this defense. With two 7th round picks, they chose DE Chase Pittman and WR Syndric Steptoe. Pittman has the ability to surprise in this front line and see time in different situations. He was an excellent late selection. Steptoe is a tough returner with elusiveness and running skills to win the specialist role. He was a nice late addition.
Cleveland
1 (3) Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin
1 (22) Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame
2 (53) Eric Wright CB UNLV
5 (140) Brandon McDonald CB Memphis
6 (200) Mel Purcell DE Hawaii
7 (213) Chase Pittman DE LSU
7 (234) Syndric Steptoe WR Arizona
Pittsburgh Steelers - Grade C+
The Steelers addressed their defense with pass rushers on the first two rounds with the selection of Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley. Timmons is a playmaker with a good burst off the edge and the speed to close to the ball. He is small for this scheme and must bulk up to hold up at the point of attack to become a starter. Currently, he has the talent to be an effective situational performer. Woodley is actually better size for this scheme and did play up as an underclassman. He can be a strong contributor as a rookie and give this club some pass rushing ability from the outside. With their 3rd round pick, they chose TE Matt Spaeth, a talented prospect who recovered from some shoulder problems this offseason. He is a surprise selection here, though a prospect who figured in the top 100 picks if healthy. He gives them a fine two TE set with Heath Miller. With two 4th round picks, selected punter Dan Sepulveda and DE Ryan McBean. Sepulveda has a powerful leg and should win the starting job in camp. McBean played more inside in college but is an ideal end in the 3-4 set. He has the size to play the two gap scheme and also provide some pass pressure off the edge and is a good fit here. With two 5th round picks, they chose OG Cam Stephenson and CB William Gay. Stephenson is a developing blocker with the package to start within a short time after starting his career on defense. Gay is a tough cover man who can fill a role and compete for the nickel corner job in time. On the 7th round, they added wideout Dallas Baker, a big possession receiver with good hand and the toughness to go over the middle. He should win a backup job on a unit with only marginal depth.
Pittsburgh
1 (15) Lawrence Timmons OLB Florida St
2 (46) LaMarr Woodley DE Michigan
3 (77) Matt Spaeth TE Minnesota
4 (112) Daniel Sepulveda P Baylor
4* (132) Ryan McBean DD Oklahoma St
5 (156) Cameron Stephenson OG Rutgers
5* (170) William Gay CB Louisville
7 (227) Dallas Baker WR Florida