20. DE Adrian Clayborn C

I knew they were high on Clayborn, but over Cameron Jordan? Huh? Jordan is clearly the better prospect at this point. He was more productive than Clayborn. He’s more athletic. He doesn’t have a medical red flag and he doesn’t have any character red flags. They do fill a huge need though.

51. DE Da’Quan Bowers A

I wouldn’t have taken this guy in the first because that’s a 5 year contract commitment. However, with a 4 year commitment in the 2^nd round, he’s definitely worth it. I mean, this guy had the talent to be the #1 pick before all the injury red flags popped up. He also fills a major need for them. They needed two ends this year just like they needed two defensive tackles last year.

84. OLB Mason Foster A

Another good value who fills a major need. Foster can move outside if they resign Barrett Ruud and play opposite the emerging Dekoda Watson. He can also play inside if Ruud leaves.

104. TE Luke Stocker B-

I think they had bigger needs than tight end like cornerback, safety, and maybe another linebacker, but Kellen Winslow has a history of injury problems and more and more teams are going to two tight end sets. Stocker is also a better blocker than Winslow and fits the draft range.

151. S Ahmad Black A-

Tanard Jackson could be cut for disciplinary reasons. Sean Jones sucks so they’d need another safety opposite Cody Grimm. Black might not be athletic enough to be anything other than a depth safety and a special teamer, but he fits the range decently, though I think there were better safeties available.

187. RB Allen Bradford C-

They needed a running back behind LeGarrette Blount, but I think Bradford is a reach and I don’t think he compliments Blount at all. They’re very, very similar backs. Neither have great speed or can catch passes. They still need a speedy 3^rd down back.

222. CB Anthony Gaitor B+

They needed another cornerback in the mix given Aqib Talib’s legal troubles and Ronde Barber’s age. Gaitor is a minor reach and there were better cornerbacks available, but it’s the 7^th round.

238. TE Daniel Hardy C

A 2nd tight end? I wasn’t so sure they needed the first one. Hardy isn’t a huge reach though and he can play special teams.

Overall:

Their first 3 picks made a lot of sense in terms of filling needs. I think linebacker and 2 defensive ends were their biggest needs and the selections of Bowers and Foster were really good values. I think there were better available ends than Adrian Clayborn at 20, especially Cameron Jordan, but I like the idea behind their first 3 picks. They didn’t reach for anyone and they filled most of their major needs, especially on the defense side of the ball, the trouble side. If Clayborn and Bowers can beat injury problems and pan out early, they could have a very, very dangerous defensive line with those two, Gerald McCoy, and Brian Price. If Josh Freeman continues his development and their defense can stay healthy, this could be a very, very good team. I love their draft’s upside.

Grade: B+