I recently posted an article that evaluates the 2010 New Orleans Saints’ draft (www.profootballdraftnetwork.com/post-draft-analysis/nfc-south-post-draft-analysis/new-orleans-saints ).

The Saints strategically selected a cornerback with their 1^st round pick.  They could have gone the route of linebacker or defensive tackle, but opted for Patrick Robinson.  The former Seminole has a chance of being a good man coverage corner.  The added bonus to selecting Robinson is that it enables last year’s 1^st round pick (#14 overall), Malcolm Jenkins, to move to free safety.   Jenkins tackles well and has the size, strength and speed for the safety position.

The Saints need Jenkins to become a playmaker in their secondary.  He may not possess the speed or change of direction skills to be an exceptional cornerback.  However, the former Ohio State standout has the tools to be a terrific free safety.  New Orleans needs an heir apparent to Darren Sharper (soon to be 35) and Jenkins can take his place.  Jenkins may not have Sharper’s knack for making interceptions (few safeties do), but he will be more physical and a better tackler.  The Saints did not win a championship on the strength of their offense alone.  The defense stepped up last season.  New Orleans will need some of their young defenders to develop to challenge for future championships.

I recently posted an article that evaluates the 2010 Carolina Panthers’ draft (www.profootballdraftnetwork.com/post-draft-analysis/nfc-south-post-draft-analysis/north-carolina-panthers ).

Carolina made a poor decision when they resigned Jake Delhomme prior to the 2009 season.  Delhomme proved that his propensity to turn the ball over was not just an aberration.  The Panthers released the 35-year old Delhomme after last season.  The problem was the team only had the unproven, Matt Moore, at quarterback.  Moore played well in the 5 games that he started last year.  However, it made no sense for Carolina to hitch their wagon to such an inexperienced player who did not have a stellar collegiate career.

The 2010 NFL Draft was not deep at the quarterback position.  There were only two quarterbacks (Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen) in the draft that most teams evaluated to have a decent chance of developing into legitimate starting quarterbacks in the NFL.  Carolina figured that with their first selection being the 48^th pick overall that they had no chance at either quarterback.  Clausen dropped right to Carolina largely due to questions about his leadership skills.

Sometimes during the draft process teams focus too much on the potential weaknesses a player may have.  Prospects can be nitpicked to death.  The result is teams can overlook what a player can do well.  Clausen has a lot of ability and no one accused him of being lazy.  He finds himself in a positive situation in Carolina.  The Panthers have a quality offensive line and a top running game.  Clausen does not have to start right away.  He is only a mid-2^nd round draft choice and does not have the pressure of being a top 10 pick who is supposed to be a savior.  It will be interesting to see how well he develops in the coming years.

I recently posted an article that evaluates the 2010 Atlanta Falcons’ draft (www.profootballdraftnetwork.com/post-draft-analysis/nfc-south-post-draft-analysis/atlanta-falcons ).

Falcons’ GM, Thomas Dimitroff, has done a fine job of turning the team into a playoff contender.  The Atlanta GM likes to draft high character players with a solid work ethic.  This is a sound approach, but sometimes you have to also take a calculated gamble on a player.  Atlanta passed on a talented pass rusher (Everson Griffen) who likes to party for a safer player (G Mike Johnson) at the bottom of the 3^rd round.  They also avoided the more explosive cornerback, Perrish Cox, for a corner (Dominique Franks) with less personal baggage in the 5th.

The vast majority of prospects in the draft are 21 or 22 years old.  These are young men and a lot of them need time to mature.  There are numerous new responsibilities for NFL rookies and some will take a couple of seasons to adjust (and some never will).  Atlanta may find that to go from playoff contender to Super Bowl contender that they have to roll the dice occasionally on a talented player with some baggage.

I recently posted an article that evaluates the 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft (www.profootballdraftnetwork.com/post-draft-analysis/afc-north-post-analysis/pittsburgh-steelers ).

Pittsburgh went into the draft with a need for additional wide receivers.  They clearly targeted a wideout in the 3^rd round.  Their best options were Emmanuel Sanders, Jordan Shipley, Eric Decker and Andre Roberts.  The Steelers chose Sanders and time will tell if he was the best choice.

Pittsburgh having to decide which receiver to take is what makes the draft so interesting.  If Sanders develops into a highly productive player then he will contribute to victories.   If Sanders turns out to be a bust then Pittsburgh will have a weakness in their lineup.  These draft-day decisions have a major impact on a team’s record.  Pittsburgh in the 1972 NFL Draft had to decide between a pair of running backs in the 1^st round that they liked (Franco Harris or Robert Newhouse).  The Steelers chose Harris and the rest is history.  I doubt that the team would have won 4 Super Bowl championships (or had an Immaculate Reception) in the 1970’s had Newhouse been the selection.

I recently posted an article that evaluates the 2010 Cleveland Browns’ draft (www.profootballdraftnetwork.com/post-draft-analysis/afc-north-post-analysis/cleveland browns ).

I was pretty critical of the decisions that the Browns made in the draft.  The Browns came away with six critical players (Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Montario Hardesty, Colt McCoy, Shawn Lauvao and Clifton Geathers).  They could have had the following players: Brandon Graham, Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Eric Decker, Dennis Pitta and Jonathan Dwyer.  The most critical decision was the one to pass on Jimmy Clausen and hitch their wagon to Colt McCoy.

Time will tell if the Browns chose wisely.

I recently posted an article that evaluates the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals’ draft(www.profootballdraftnetwork.com/post-draft-analysis/afc-north-post-analysis/cincinnatti-bengals).  The Bengals’ tight end position was among the least productive in the NFL last season.  That will change with the selection of Jermaine Gresham.

The Carlos Dunlap selection in the 2^nd round certainly grabbed my attention.  It was good to see that a number of players (Bruce Campbell, Carlos Dunlap and Jacoby Ford among others) whose athletic ability surpassed their actual game production were not chosen in the 1^st round.   Cincinnati took a calculated gamble with Dunlap.

The Bengals now have two (Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap) very athletic and long-limbed defensive ends who have a lot to learn and prove.  The Bengals’ pass rush could be significantly improved if they start to translate their athletic tools into production on the field.  The article analyzes in detail every selection made by the Bengals.  I always include analysis on which key player a team passed up with every pick.   That is the best way to analyze a selection because the NFL Draft is all about choices.

I recently posted an article that evaluates the 2010 Baltimore Ravens draft (www.profootballdraftnetwork.com/post-draft-analysis/afc-north-post-analysis/baltimore-ravens).  What impressed me most about their draft was how fundamentally sound it was.  The Ravens’ defensive philosophy is you win football games by stopping the run and forcing the opposing offense to be one-dimensional.  The defense can then concentrate on getting after the quarterback.

The pick that could have the most impact is the nose tackle from Alabama.  Terrence Cody will prove to be a bargain in the 2^nd round.  Who is going to be able to run the ball against Baltimore with Cody and Haloti Ngata in the lineup?  They are two of the biggest physical freaks playing on the defensive line in the NFL.  They both are athletic and not just enormous.  The article analyzes in detail every selection made by the Ravens.  I always include analysis on which key player a team passed up with every selection. That is the best way to analyze a selection because the NFL Draft is all about choices.