My draft evaluation
Grade: A+
- never given an A plus before but reallly feel like they hit it out of the part with this one. They came in with alot of needs (O line, RB, WR, defensive secondary, DE) and addressed them all. Although I dont think they hit the defensive line as hard as they needed to.
Round 1, Pick 6 (6) - OT Russell Okung (Oklahoma St)
I really wanted Trent Williams here but that was assuming Okung would be gone. I did not think their was a chance Okung would be there at 6. Offensive tackle was our biggest need and HAD to be addressed. To fill it with the most NFL ready tackle in the draft is a great marriage of value and need.
Round 1, Pick 14 (14) - SS Earl Thomas (Texas)
STUD, STUD, STUD. Really all you can say about Earl Thomas. Tremendous work ethic and love for the game. As instictual as any safety you will ever see. Can play inside or outside at Corner. Big time play maker in the defensive backfield.
Round 2, Pick 28 (60) - WR Golden Tate (Notre Dame)
How did Tate fall this far? I suppose because of his lack of great height. Think I love about Tate is how he fights for the ball and then is amazing running the ball after the catch. He reminds me of Hines Ward in many ways but his playing style is very similar to Steve Smith
Round 3 - NO PICKS
Round 4, Pick 13 (111) - CB Walter Thurmond (Oregon)
Big time talent coming off a bad knee injury. If he did not get hurt, he would have been a end of the 1st, early 2nd round pick. Great value here for an athletic cover corner that plays the posiition with strength and agressiveness
Round 4, Pick 29 (127) - DE E.J. Wilson (North Carolina)
Really dont know anything about this guy. Never seen him play other than highlight packages since the draft. Seems like he is an undersized and unathletic that has produced because of effert and toughness. Classic overachiever. Strength of his game is playing the run. Nothing more than a situational player in early and short yardage downs.
Round 5, Pick 2 (133) - FS Kam Chancellor (Virginia Tech)
Love this pick. This guy is basically Taylor Mays without the top end speed but you get him much lower in the draft. Seen this guy play a lot and he is big , athletic and will lay your ass out. Like Mays, he is a big hitter and is much more effective playing in the box than playing in coverage.
Round 6, Pick 16 (185) - TE Anthony McCoy (USC)
On the surface, TE is not a need with John Carlson and free agent acquisition Chris Baker on the team, however OC Jeremy Bates uses quite a bit of double-tight formations in his scheme. A 2nd round talent that fell due to off-field issues. I normally dont advocate picking guys like this but if anyone REALLY knows what kind of kid this is, it would be Carroll.
Round 7, Pick 29 (236) - DE Dexter Davis (Arizona State)
After grabbing an end that was better against the run earlier, here they grab a pass rush specialist. He has a chance to make the team with his speed and explosive ability off the line. BUt at most will be a situational pass rusher.
Round 7, Pick 38 (245) - WR Jameson Konz (Kent State)
No NOTHING about this guy. From all accounts he did not have a great career but had one of the best pro day workouts of any prospect in the draft. Dont expect him to make the team.
Acquired players during draft weekend:
RB Lendale White - I love this acquisition. I almost cost them NOTHING and they get a guy who is in shape now and motivated and playing with a chip on his shoulder. Love having a guy who runs tough.
RB Leon Washington - Hopefully he is healthy... if he is... WOW. Incredible in the return game and is a game changer out of the backfield. Great compliment to White
DT Kevin Vickerson - part of the White deal. Will add much needed depth to the inside of the defensive line.
