The View From Valhalla: GML Picks 1-16

Alright, since none of you asked for it, and because this draft is taking forever, I thought I’d offer my keen insight and analysis on the first round of the 2010 GM League Draft.

Please note that these are my opinions, so don’t feel bad if you disagree with me. I’m not an expert; I’m just a Viking on a message board. This is just for entertainment purposes only … so please don’t take it personal.

Without further adieu, let’s take a look.

1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska (Cincinnati) – There were some late rumblings that the Vikings tried to trade into the top overall spot, but lacked the firepower to get a deal done. Regardless, I love this pick for the Bengals because I love Suh the player. He was clearly the most dominating player in the NCAA last season, and I think he’s the best defensive line prospect since Warren Sapp. Suh should be a force for years to come in the NFL.
   Grade: A+
2. Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State (Detroit) – I had Okung listed as #3 overall on my board, and I think he’s a better T prospect than Jason Smith was a year ago. This is a great value for Duss at 2, and it’s the move that Detroit should make in real life. If you believe Matt Stafford is the answer at QB (and it looks like he is), then you need to protect him. Solid pick for Duss.
   Grade: A
3. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee (Tampa Bay) – In private conversations with many of you, I mentioned how much I love Eric Berry. I had Berry as my #2 overall player behind Suh, and there really wasn’t any other option for me at 3. I think Berry will be the most dominating safety since Ed Reed, and that’s high praise. Still, part of me wishes I would have went WR, but I feel like at the end of the day I made the right pick.
   Grade: A-
4. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (Washington) – Ah Sam Bradford. To me there’s a number of concerns about Bradford, from the style of offense he ran in college to the shoulder that was recently repaired. He’s a bit injury prone, a trait that’s never good in a QB. Still he’s a gamer, and an underrated athlete. Looking at Washington’s roster it was clear they needed a QB, so the pick makes sense. Still, I don’t know if I wouldn’t have gambled on Jimmy Clausen, and I don’t even really like Clausen all that much.
   Grade: B+
5. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State (Tennessee) – Hmm Dez Bryant. Lots of folks love Dez Bryant, and with good reason. He’s arguably a better WR prospect than Michael Crabtree was a year ago. Still, there’s the character concerns and all of that, though I think those have been a bit overblown in hopes of him dropping in real life. With 3 first rounders Tennessee could gamble a bit.
   Grade: A-
6. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma (Seattle) – With this pick, 5 of the first 6 picks have been Big 12 players. I think that shows you where the power lies in the NCAA (I’m talking to you, Big 10 fans and SEC fans). About McCoy: He’s Richard Seymour 2, IMO. Capable of playing the under technique in a 4-3, can also play the DE spot in a 3-4. McCoy may be the “safest” pick in the entire draft, as I think he’s a virtual lock for a solid 10 year career with a couple of Pro Bowls sprinkled in. Versatility is something I know Alen loves, and he got not only versatility but value with this pick as well.
   Grade: A+
7. Jason Paul-Pierre, OLB/DE, South Florida (Detroit) – I am one of the few on this message board that actually likes JPP, and that’s mainly because I feel like someone needs to stick up for this guy. He’s the most athletic 3-4 OLB prospect in the draft, a bigger and faster version of DeMarcus Ware. Yes, he’s immature, and yes, he’s had his share of problems but he’s got potential out his wazoo. This is your classic boom-or-bust pick, as JPP could either be a multiple time Pro Bowler or wash out of the league completely. Still, I prefer my picks to be a little bit safer, especially in the Top 10.
   Grade: B
8. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson (Green Bay) – And we go from the most athletic to arguably the most exciting in CJ Spiller. I like Spiller, but I’m concerned that similar players (Reggie Bush, Darren McFadden, etc.) haven’t exactly translated at this level. Will Spiller be the next Percy Harvin or Chris Johnson? The Packers think so, which is why they drafted him. Still, I want my RB to not only be a demon in the open field, but also be able to get me a yard on third and short. I don’t think Spiller can do that.
   Grade: B-
9. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame (Buffalo) – No denying that Clausen has the one thing all great QBs need: Confidence. He’s also proven ready to come out as a junior. His stats for last season were pretty incredible: 7 to 1 TD ratio, 68% completion rate. Still, there are those that hope and pray he fails at this level. I’ll be honest, even with all his stats, and his arrogance, I don’t know if Clausen will make it as an NFL QB. I think he’s been overrated based on his coach (Weis) and college (Fighting Irish). Props to the Bills though, who need a QB and took a calculated risk with Clausen.
   Grade: B-
10. Earl Thomas, S, Texas (Jacksonville) – Earl Thomas is one of those “tweener” guys … his tools translate as either a FS or a CB at this level. I think Thomas will be a very successful FS in the NFL, and while he doesn’t have the upside of Berry, he still has the tools to be a very good pro. Some folks saw this as a reach, but I like Thomas and seeing him go in the Top 10 in the actual draft in April wouldn’t surprise me at all. Good pick for the Jaguars.
    Grade: A
11. Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee (Tennessee) – This was your definition of a need pick, as the Titans spent tons of money on aging FA Jason Ferguson, only to find out after signing him that he would be suspended for the first half of the season. Dan Williams is a bit of a sloth to me, he’s a 2 down NT that essentially takes up space. I don’t really like him at 12, and I think that Tennessee could have gone a different direction and picked him up at 26. Still, this is what happens when you are forced to draft to fill a need. You end up reaching for a guy that you could have probably got later.
    Grade: C-
12. Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan (Miami) – Paul gets the Phins an OLB with his pick here. I can’t argue with that approach, because I’m hoping the Dolphins go OLB at 12 in real life. I don’t mind Graham, but I had behind both JPP and Hughes in terms of pass rushing ability, which is what I thought the Dolphins would be going for here. Graham is a solid pick, certainly not horrible by any means, but I probably would have went with a different DE if it were me. Still, Graham should make Paul’s LB corps among the best in the league (though I’m not sold on Thomas Howard as an ILB, but that’s a story for another day).
    Grade: B+
13. Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa (San Francisco) – Sebo shows Griddles some love by drafting the big nasty O-Lineman from Iowa in Brian Bulaga. What I like about Bulaga is that he plays the game violently. If you want a physical road-grater type at OT, there’s no one better than Bulaga, IMO. Sebo also fills a need while getting the best value since McCoy went at #6 overall. This pick was a home run.
    Grade: A+
14. Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU (Seattle) – Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Alen absolutely loves him some Jerry Hughes. I think Hughes has the skillset to be an elite pass rusher at this level, whether that’s at DE in a 4-3 or at WOLB in a 3-4. Lots of folks are saying this pick came early, but when the best pass rusher is on the board, and you need pass rush, you take him. Adding Hughes to a stalwart line that already features the underrated Darryl Tapp and the recently drafted Gerald McCoy will mean headaches for NFC West offenses.
    Grade: A
15. Joe Haden, CB, Florida (New York Giants) – Knowing Adam like I do, I expected this pick to be defense. I just didn’t think in the secondary. I honestly thought this pick would be Derrick Morgan, considering that Umenyiora and Canty both underperformed as DEs last season. A DT would have made a lot of sense as well, as Rocky Bernard and Jay Alford aren’t exactly world-beaters. Still, Adam went with the guy that I had rated as my #1 corner, with an asterisk. I see Haden as a Cover-2 CB only, I don’t think he has the skills to handle man-to-man, nor the legs to keep up with the faster WRs in the NFL. Looking at Adam’s roster it looks like he’s running a 4-3, though I’m not sure what type of coverage he’s going to be running. After trading Webster, CB was obviously a need, though as I said I would have gone with someone for the front 4 instead.
    Grade: C-
16. Trent Williams, T, Oklahoma (Arizona) – Up next is AZ who selected the big road grater from OU, Trent Williams. I’m going to be honest. I’m not a big fan of Williams. I don’t think he’s got good enough footwork to be a LT in the NFL, and 16 is just too high for a guy I see as a RT in the pros. There’s no denying that this T class is as deep as it has been in years, I just think there were better options out there. Part of me thinks that AZ coveted Baluga (he said as much in the draft thread), and ended up reaching for a guy he sees as a similar player. It’s not a bad pick by any means, I probably would have just gone a different direction if it was me.
    Grade: C

Thus far I have to say I don’t really hate any of the picks that have been made. My two favorite picks (outside of Suh at #1 overall) have been McCoy at 6 and Baluga at 13 because they’re the best value, IMO. That said, none of these picks are terrible. Most, if not all, of them make a lot of sense. Admittedly there have been some curious selections and some picks that I would consider reaches, but then again, that’s what makes this thing so fun. Overall though I’ve come away generally impressed with most of the picks and that speaks to the intelligence of all of you (except Paul, who clearly just got lucky with his pick).

I’ll be back with the rest of the first round after it happens.