NFC West Draft Grades

NFC West Draft Grades

Arizona Cardinals

Picks: 7

1^strd.(16) Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB

2^ndrd.(50) Calias Campbell DE

3^rdrd.(81) Early Doucet WR

4^thrd.(116) Kenny Iwemba DE

5^thrd.(149) Timothy Hightower RB

6^th rd.(185) Christopher Harrington DE

7^thrd.(225) Brandon Keith DT

Grade: B-

Best Pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Sleeper: Timothy Hightower

Comments: The Cardinals took three risky players in the first three rounds. This is a potential boom or bust draft for the Cardinals with a high upside and a good potential for disaster. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was highly rated for his cover skills but lacks bulk and could be a liability against the run. Second round pick Calias Campbell was considered an under achiever in college and third rounder Early Doucet was injury plagued during his career at LSU.

San Francisco 49ers

Picks: 6

1^strd.(29) Kentwan Balmer DT

2^ndrd.(39) Chilo Rachal OG

3^rd rd.(75) Reggie Smith CB

4^th rd.(107) Cody Wallace C

6^thrd. (174) Josh Morgan WR

7^th rd.(214) Larry Grant LB

Grade: C+

Best pick: Reggie Smith

Sleeper: Josh Morgan

Comments: A solid draft without any flash for the 49ers this year. This draft will fill holes a build depth for the future with Kentwan Balmer slotted to anchor Mike Nolan’s 3-4 Defense at nose tackle. Look for Reggie Smith play right away in nickel packages and may be moved to safety. WR Josh Morgan will get a long look because of the week corps of receivers in San Francisco.

Seattle Seahawks

Picks: 7

1^st rd.(28) Lawrence Jackson DE

2^nd rd.(38) John Carlson TE

4^thrd.(121) Red Bryant DT

5^thrd.(163)Owen Schmitt FB

6^thrd.(189)Tyler Schmitt LS

7^thrd.(233) Justin Forrsett RB

7^thrd(235)Brandon Coutu PK

Grade: B

Best Pick: Red Bryant

Sleeper Owen Schmitt

Comments: Lawrence Jackson is not a player in a need position for the Seahawks and was a bit of a reach in the first round. Other than that I like this draft class especially TE John Carlson and FB Owen Schmitt who will add toughness on the offensive side of the ball. Look for tackle Red Bryant to play a lot in running and short yardage defensive packages.

St. Louis Rams

Picks:8

1^st rd.(2) Chris Long DE

2^ndrd.(33) Donnie Avery WR

3^rdrd.(65)John Greco OT

4^th rd.(101) Justin King CB

4^thrd.(128) Keenan Burton WR

5^thrd.(157) Roy Schuening OG

7^thrd.(228) Chris Chamberlain ILB

7^thrd.(252) David Vobora OLB

Grade: B+

Best Pick: Chris Long

Sleeper: Justin King

Comments: The combo of Adam Carriker and Chris Long along the Rams defensive front could be devastating for years to many years to come. I love the talent of corner back Justin King and with Jim Haslett teaching him in the NFL he has a good chance of reaching his potential. On the other side I thought the Rams reached when they pick WR Donnie Avery and I actually like fourth round Keenan Burton at WR.