NFL Draft: Day 2 Winners and Losers

Teams I liked:

Raiders– Art Davis would be spinning in his grave if he saw the Raiders trading down and picking up the solid players they got. They followed up Khalil Mack with Derek Carr who can sit and wait a year, and Gabe Jackson. Plugging holes with long-term answers everywhere and picked up an extra 4^th rounder.

Jacksonville– The Jaguars went offense heavy, and they are 4 for 4. They’ve already stated Blake Bortles will sit and learn behind Chad Henne after the Gabbert fiasco.  They followed that by selecting receivers Marquise Lee and Allen Robinson, a good yin & yang combination.  Topping it off they got guard Brandon Linder who is a hard worker, and will be reliable. This team will do damage from 2015 on.

Pittsburgh– The Steelers quietly added speed….everywhere. Ryan Shazier pick was followed by bolstering their d-line with 300 pound Stephon Tuitt from Notre Dame, an area where they weren’t athletic enough last year. Then they snuck in Dri Archer in the 3^rd. Archer and his 4.26 speed will change the field position by +10 yards on punts and kickoffs not to mention the TD’s he’ll score.

Atlanta– The Falcons are killing this draft. They had problems on offensive line and defense, and have gotten potential starters in all 3 rounds of the draft so far. Ra’Shede Hageman provides supreme upside and immediate help on the d-line, and Dezmen Southward should take Thomas DeCoud’s starting safety spot.

Teams I didn’t like:

New York Jets– The Jets did absolutely great getting Jace Amaro. Then they confused me by getting Dexter McDougle CB from Maryland. It’s not that he’s not good (his tackling reminds me of Revis). The issue is when they drafted him Dante Moncrief, Gabe Jackson, and Josh Huff were available. McDougle is coming off injury and wasn’t expected to be drafted until 2 rounds later. Considering NY has a draft pick about 20 picks later, I think it was a safe bet he would have been there in round 4 while the last of the starting caliber receivers and guards are now gone.

San Francisco– I liked the picks they made, but I feel like it was unfortunate for the players.  Carlos Hyde could have went to a team and been a starter. Instead he’s a 49er on a depth chart behind Frank Gore,  and possibly Kendall Hunter. This does not include Marcus Lattimore who also has a spot on the team. Seems like a waste to me, and when he gets 20 carries for the season he’ll be begging for a trade.

Feb 21, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr speaks to the media in a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports