This draft was the definition of the term “best player available” as all but 2 of the picks were players that fell. Spence in the 3rd was graded 86 overall (matched the 86th spot where we picked him) and Clemons was a reach as he was graded 7-UDFA at 368 overall (teams are gonna regret not selecting him). But the other 7 guys all fell over 15+ spots.
David DeCastro, OL Stanford- best OG in the draft. Similarities to Faneca and Hutchinson. Nuff said. I do think he will start at RG with Foster moving to LG. Though if Adams comes on strong and Tomlin decides to keep Colon (Ugh) then Destro (my nickname for him) could move to LG.
Mike Adams, LT Ohio State- this is on Tomlin and Colbert as theyre taking a risk. If it works out, we just drafted two 1strounders in the 1st 2 rounds. From what Ive read I might now be drinking the Kool-Aide. But Im just taking sips... no chugging.
Sean Spence- Tomlin loves position flexibility. Rumors we might move him to SS. The fact that Farrior played 2010 and 11 at 215 is enough to think Spence will be fine. His reaction time is unheard of, a very football intelligent LB. But we've heard he wont be the Buck. He'll backup Timmons at Mack. Then why the hell did we draft him?
Alameda Ta’amu, DT Washington- the 1 pick I don’t care for. Our 1st 3 picks could have easily been DeCastro, Mike Martin, Massie. Ta’amu has had weight problems. Ive read over and over that he might be a 3 tech in a 0 tech’s body, which means speed but no power. The photos from rookie camp show him to be nowhere near as sloppy fat as I was expecting. The last "Big Ugly" Ive ever known to have quick feet was Vince Wilfork. If Ta'amu can be 1/8th of that, we made out like bandits in the 4th round. Coach Mitchell says the team dietitian will help to keep his weight in check, and hes not concerned. But if he comes in for OTAs over the 348 hes at now, shits gonna hit the fan. Pass the Kool-Aide?
Chris Rainey, RB Florida- the last pure speed back after James and Pead were gone. This is a great pick. Watch him motion all over the field. He's easily faster than both James and Pead, and is very familiar with being moved around. His "brother" MP53 along with Gil will keep his love life texting in check. Id almost call him the steal of the draft. But then we picked...
Toney Clemons, WR Colorado- here's the steal of the draft folks. Toney has a head on his shoulders that eerily sounds like a young Hines Ward. He battles for the ball like Ward as well, going over the middle, fearing no one. Plus, he's a local kid, the tallest WR on our roster, and ran 4.37 40. Losing Wallace in 2013 might not hurt as much now. Clemons and Brown have 1 feature that Wallace hasnt shown- their ability to go over the middle, fight for the ball, and win that battle.
David Paulson, TE Oregon- the bottom of the TE group. Id prefer George Bryan TE NC State, but Haley likes receiving TEs. He’s essentially a heavy WR. He's biggest competition is with Wes. With Wes being out the first 4 games of the season, Paulson might not have to show too much to win the 3rd TE spot. One thing to remember- Pope was said to have been brought in to be the 3rd TE. Could we maybe bring in yet another TE cut from camp?
Terrence Frederick, DB Texas A&M- once again, position flexibility. He started at CB, FS, and SS and returned kicks. Not all in 1 game mind you. But here's the biggest question- if he's good at many positions, does that mean he's not great at one?
Kelvin Beachum, OL SMU- early reports have DeCastro labeled a RG, and Adams cant play inside. Beachum was the former starting LT (6’2 306) that will move inside to LG. Better pass protector than Legursky, but average in run blocking. Many reports have him a much better prospect than his former teammate LiRibeus, who was drafted in the 3rd round.
I did like a few of the UDFAs as well.
Grant Ressel, Kicker Mizzou- challenging Suisham. I think theres a chance he wins the gig too. Record setter at Mizzou.
Darron Thomas, QB Oregon- my original thought was "oh no, not another Dennis Dixon. But that was too harsh, and not well grounded. Thomas doesnt rely on his legs nearly as often as Dixon did. The kid can make the passes needed to be successful in the NFL. He's also a typical Tomlin QB- taller, bigger, and mobile. His competition is now between Jerrod Johnson and Troy Smith. Jerrod hasnt been the same since his shoulder surgery and Smith has already bounced around from Baltimore to the 49ers. My money is on Darron. He can let Batch and Leftwich fight their won battle. Im hoping Tomlin sees that Batch is FAR MORE dependable than Leftwich and just cut the ties.
Brandon Lindsey, OLB/DE Pitt- I dont think he's fast enough to be a 3-4 OLB. Probably best with his hand in the dirt. His primary competition is with Chris Carter. If you look at prototypical 3-4 OLB size, the money is on Brandon. But the speed and some playing time leans Chris' way.
