The GML Press (Kiper & Kiper, Canglazer & McShay) at the 2013 Draft

Peter Kiper:

Talk about a slow moving day, I don't think I was awake to evaluate some of the moves made in the past 24 hours. It looks like we've been able to make it through round one, but I'm still not over what happened last night on The Walking Dead. Now that is what I'm talking about development and making someone give a damn and raising the stakes for the big one... much like the prospects in the first round are suppose to do.


Green Bay Packers select DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri 24th Overall

The Packers get their first pick of the draft in and find some immediate value by selecting the Missouri product. Beyond Kyle Williams there wasn't a whole lot at defensive tackle except maybe Jerel Worthy but he hasn't developed as some would have expect or wanted. However Richardson is a disruptive player who is natural thick and wide, he showed a really good motor this past year but then again he's only had one truly dominant season and started half the games he's played in. Some worry he might not try as hard with a contract in hand, but he'll be looking to prove those critics wrong.

Peter Kiper Grade: A+


San Francisco 49ers select CB Jonathan Banks, Mississippi 25th Overall

There is a lot of argument on how the better prospect is, Banks or Xavier Rhodes. Clearly they have some similar physical traits but the differences between their man to man and zone skills is what separate the players. Banks has great instincts on the pass and can be a very good ball hawk at the next level, however he measured a bit slower than most GMs would expect. He is a bit stiff and upright and drops his technique from time to time which can costs him with some of the faster receivers in the league. I'd give them the same value as Rhodes earlier.

Peter Kiper Grade: A


Green Bay Packers select OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina 26th Overall

Another excellent selection by the Packers who needed immediate help on the offensive line. I know they have Josh Sitton but after that they had Dallas Reynolds who filled in admirably as a starter but still left a lot to be desired. There's two top guards in the draft, Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper then everyone else. Similar to the big three at tackle, Cooper is a definite 10 year starter at guard and could be a pro bowler in a couple years. It fills a with a top fifteen to twenty player. Packers are doing great with some of the talent that is falling to them.

Peter Kiper Grade: A+


Jacksonville Jaguars select LB Kevin Minter, Louisiana State 27th Overall

Kevin Minter isn't the most physically imposing linebacker as he is a bit smaller, but he makes up for that with his smart play. A player with high football intelligence he anticipates where the ball is going and makes players based on his quick reads. He puts up great numbers because of how heady he is, he is actually similar to Larry Foote who uses his savvy veteran experience to make up for any athletic short comings. Minter is an immediate starter and is instantly the best inside linebacker on a unit full of veteran backups.

Peter Kiper Grade: A


Seattle Seahawks select TE Zach Ertz, Stanford 28th Overall

Early on I had Seattle taking Tyler Eifert if he dropped to them when they didn't have a tight end on the roster. An interesting move to bring in another Tight End with all the acquisitions at that position. You can argue it make sense because Ben Watson is advancing in age and John Carlson hasn't found his stride. The Seahawks are hoping Ertz is closer to the Gronkowski of the Duo to Dustin Kellers superior pass catching ability. A couple knocks on him is that he's only a one year starter and looks timid over the middle, but I don't really agree with those assessments. I like the player but value wise it's ok.

Peter Kiper Grade: B+

 

Peter Kiper:

New England Patriots select DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M 29th Overall

The Patriots have some issues elsewhere on the roster but still select potentially one of the best pass rushers who fits both as a classic 4-3 end or a 3-4 outside rusher. Value wise he was hard to pass up as I pegged him to go earlier in the bottom third of this draft. However it's a luxury pick for the Patriots who did spend a lot of money to bring in Connor Barwin (regardless of down year) and already had Chandler Jones drafted in the first round last year. This could be a potential to get back to the 3-4 the Patriots had used for years. What I like about Moore is his surprising quickness and lateral speed, not to mention his ability to separate the ball from the carrier as he caused 8 fumbles in the past three years. I'm torn on the grade to hand out.

Peter Kiper Grade: B+


Detroit Lions select DE Alex Okafor, Texas 30th Overall

Slightly early for Okafor then again pass rushers have been flying off the boards and the Lion needed to make a move, unfortunately they couldn't get their card in and this might not have been their first choice. He's still a find player, but the alarming thing is some scouts compared him to Ray Edwards. I don't believe it for a second, he has abilities that Edwards wish he had like his ability to set the edge and play the run. He is strong and has excellent hand chops, however he is not nearly the pass rusher that other prospects are because of his lack of lightning speed. He'll settle on using his power more at the next level.

Peter Kiper Grade: B


San Francisco 49ers select WR Keenan Allen, California 31st Overall

The 49ers have a good receiving unit with Greg Jennings, Eric Decker and Randall Cobb and by adding Allen they have a "safe" prospect that they can groom to take over as a starter in a couple seasons. The potential for Allen is lower than others but you have a guy with solid hands who won't get much separation at the pro level. He's a natural catching the ball away from his hands but I do question his health. I think the 49ers could have looked at adding pieces elsewhere instead of playing it safe with a luxury pick this early. I don't think it makes much of a difference especially with Alex Smith behind center who is solid but not someone that will get the full potential out of a talented receiving unit.

Peter Kiper Grade: B-


Green Bay Packers select S Matt Elam, Florida

I had Cyprien going to the Packers with an earlier pick, but they took Jonathan Cooper who I had taken to end the first round but they expected someone to trade in for Cooper if they let him slip. Elam I had going as high as thirteenth to the Buccaneers because of his close relationship to Florida. I always thought of Elam being a borderline first/early second player. He doesn't have the coverage skill to play free safety as he is a definite in the box strong safety. He is athletic and gets to the receiver or running back quick and delivers hammer like tackles. He actually brings up images of John Lynch hitting, heck I day dream of Elam hitting running backs like he was Steve Atwater. Of course Elam isn't nearly the size of either, you get the picture of what I think he has potential to do.

Peter Kiper Grade: A

 

Round 2 – Pick 1
#33 Overall

San Francisco selects DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State

This pick was quickly passed from the Bengals to the Jaguars to the 49ers that my neck nearly snapped watching where it would end up. Personally I thought the 49ers could have had both their targets without giving up a sixth rounder. I like this pick here because the 49ers needed to add depth to their defensive line and managed to get first round talent that happens to be versatile enough that he can play nose tackle or defensive end in the 3-4. Hankins is a big kid who is a good run defender and will command the double team as a space eater. Perfect pick for the 49ers and the sixth rounder was minimal with the number of picks they had. According to my second round soundtrack this one is kind of silly with the quick trade around that it left my head spinning like a carousel, and I’m sure it left the 49ers GM head spinning in delight like a preteen girl listening to a silly and vapid pop song.

Peter Kiper Grade: A+
Kiper’s Soundtrack to the Second Round:
Eva Avila – Fallin for you

“Cause you got my head a-spinning just like a carousel
Thinking of you every minute, I know it's crazy but true,
I'm fa-la-la-la-falling for you”

-----​

Round 2 – Pick 2
#34 Overall

Buffalo Bills selects WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

The Bills make a significant jump to select the first wide receiver of the second round and start a possible domino effect. Patton is a quick accelerated as noted by top scouts and has the ability to catch balls away from his body with consistency. He will be an asset as a punt returner and could develop into a solid starter down the line. I’ve got a couple receivers just slightly ahead of Patton for this round, but it’s a smart move to grab a receiver early as they will be popular in this round. You also have to wonder maybe he was that good that he’s got his college quarterback some looks. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that because I’m sure the Buffalo GM will use that to sell his team hard on this pick and what it means in future PFF numbers. I guess when you believe you have the goods, you live hard and sell your team hard.

Peter Kiper Grade: B+
Kiper’s Soundtrack to the Second Round:
Toby Keith – I Wanna Talk About Me

“ Oh my, me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see
I like talking about you, usually, but occassionally
I wanna talk about me”

 

Round 2 – Pick 3
#35 Overall

Jacksonville Jaguars select LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State

The Jaguars had a lot of decisions to make, and it came down to the wire on who they wanted. What they ended up doing was double dipping into the linebacker pool and nabbing another solid player who could fit inside or even outside. Brown has great sideline to sideline speed and is a hard hitter. Another smaller linebacker, he happens to play bigger than he actually is. We can see the youth infusion for the 3-4 scheme the Jaguars plan to run. Though neither this pick or the Minter pick is a real thumper they offer better coverage skills in the middle to help against some of the bigger TEs they’ll face.

Solid, solid move by the Jags and now they can move on adding more pieces to build up their defense for future runs as they know they’re not ready to win this year, but they’ll continue to push for the next few seasons.

Peter Kiper Grade: A
Kiper’s Soundtrack to the Second Round:
Dead Prez – Hip Hop

“ I know better than that, that's game and we ready for that
Two soldiers head of the pack, matter of fact who got the gat?
And where my army at?
Rather attack and not react”

 

Peter Kiper @kingkiper
As predicted Buffalo nabs Rutger's Greene. #ESP....N

 

Peter Kiper @kingkiper
@GMVanDolPhan was that english, or mumblings from a NAMBLA member mentioning Bieber. #speakenglishmotherf....