For the first time in the NFL, the second round had a first round kind of feel because of players like Tyrann Mathieu, Geno Smith, Matt Barkley and Manti Te’o. The only question is, where did they go? And with that said lets take a look at who went where and just how well these teams did with their picks.
33. Jacksonville Jaguars – FS from Florida International – Johnathan Cyprien – Big ups to the Jaguars for making this selection and improving their secondary. They get a hard hitting, ball hawk in Cyprien who could end up being the best pick in the second round.
Grade: A-
34. Tennessee Titans (trade with San Francisco) – WR from Tennessee – Justin Hunter – Patterson was a reach for the Vikings in my eyes at the end of the 1st round and for the Titans, they basically steal Hunter from everyone in the second round. I like him staying in Tennessee.
Grade: A-
35. Philadelphia Eagles – TE from Stanford – Zach Ertz – I understand the athleticism that Ertz brings to the table but do the Eagles not realize what Mike Vick has left? Nothing. Geno Smith was here for them, why didn’t they take him?
Grade: C
36. Detroit Lions – CB from Mississippi State – Darius Slay – With Menelik Watson on the board, I don’t understand why they didn’t take him. Slay to me was bit of a reach and in all honesty, there should have been a trade. Slay fills a need but does have a torn meniscus. Fortunately no knee surgery is needed which is the only plus to the pick right now.
Grade: C
37. Cincinnati Bengals – RB from North Carolina – Giovanni Bernard – Eddie Lacy is on the board and the Bengals go with Bernard who is faster and more agile. I like this pick for the Bengals because of those two reasons. They just have to hope Lacy is the next Mark Ingram.
Grade: B
38. San Diego Chargers – ILB from Notre Dame – Manti Te’o – The wait is over for this young man. Now we just have to deal with ESPN. Te’o will be a fine fit for the Chargers and is now getting compared to Junior Seau. I see it but just let the guy lace up his shoes first before pulling out the comparisons.
Grade: B+
39. New York Jets – QB from West Virginia – Geno Smith – Cocky from the start. Smith is already guaranteeing the Jet fans with playoffs and now we all see why Rex Ryan drafted him. I don’t see how he’s saying this when they don’t have any WR’s. The only plus to this pick is that Mark Sanchez is on the verge of being cut.
Grade: B
40. San Francisco 49ers – DE from Florida State – Tank Carradine – Are the 49ers the new Patriots of the NFL? My vote is yes. First round talent (Mel Kiper) is here for the 49ers and without question, Carradine will develop into a good pro for this 49er defense.
Grade: A-
41. Buffalo Bills – WR from USC – Robert Woods – Finally a pick I get right. Woods will fit right in with EJ Manuel and Stevie Johnson. The Bills are looking to have a really good offense.
Grade: B+
42. Oakland Raiders – OT from Florida State – Menelik Watson – Most of the offensive tackles were taken in the first round, however, Watson is still here. The Raiders fill a need.
Grade: B
43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB from Mississippi State – Jonathan Banks – This pick had me by surprise as I was thinking they’d address their defensive line but they don’t and it looks like Banks is your future with Revis and eas Ronde Barber nears retirement.
Grade: B-
44. Carolina Panthers – DT from Purdue – Kawann Short – In my original 2nd round mock draft, I had Short going to the Panthers. Their first two picks are two big, athletic bodies for their defensive line and Ron Rivera shows how defensive minded he is.
Grade: B
45. Arizona Cardinals – ILB from LSU – Kevin Minter – Potentially this has steal written on it because the three teams in front of the Cardinals could’ve of used the services of Minter. I thought he was first round pick and he could step up big for the Cardinals and their defense.
Grade: A-
46. Buffalo Bills – ILB from Oregon – Kiko Alonso – With Arthur Brown on the board, it didn’t make much sense as to why the Bills went this route. He’s a good player but I question his tackling ability and instinct as a true MLB.
Grade: C+
47. Dallas Cowboys – TE from San Diego State – Gavin Escobar – Jerry Jones has be like Tony Romo’s dad or something. Just keep adding to their offense without worrying about their defense. This pick made no sense to me other than the fact Jason Witten is over the age of 30.
Grade: D+
48. Pittsburgh Steelers – RB from Michigan State – Le’Veon Bell – I’m a fan of Bell but not here with Eddie Lacy on the board. Bell isn’t the fastest running back on the field but he does have power. Stephens-Howling signed with the Steelers earlier in the day so this pick makes sense but I feel like they could have traded down.
Grade: C+
49. New York Giants – DT from Ohio State – Johnathan Hankins – Having a strict board limits your vision of the players out there. Not for the Giants though because they get a first round talented DT in Hankins. Getting younger in the trenches is the obvious goal of the Giants.
Grade: B
50. Chicago Bears – ILB from Florida – Jonathan Bostic – Understandable that the Bears are trying to find a ‘true’ ILB to replace Brian Urlacher but with Arthur Brown on the board, the Bears should have went with him. Bostic is a good pick but will he be better than Arthur Brown?
Grade: C
51. Washington Redskins – CB from North Carolina State – David Amerson – Good pick for the Redskins as they fill a need and get the best CB on their board. Personally I would have went with Jamar Taylor but Amerson should have a good couple of years for the Redskins.
Grade: C+
52. New England Patriots – OLB from Southern Mississippi – Jamie Collins – This team knows what they’re doing year in and year out. Collins is a pass rusher and fills a need for the Pats.
Grade: B
53. Cincinnati Bengals – DE from SMU – Margus Hunt – Perfect pick for the Bengals as they have Michael Johnson on the franchise tag this year. Basically he’ll play this year out and become a free agent while Hunt will be the new starter next year.
Grade: B
54. Miami Dolphins – CB from Boise State – Jamar Taylor – A replacement for Sean Smith is found. Taylor plays similar to Brandon Flowers and now the Dolphins have to hope they get the same productivity.
Grade: B+
55. San Francisco 49ers – TE from Rice – Vance McDonald – Expectations were Zach Ertz but with him being taken earlier, the 49ers settle for 2nd best in McDonald who has good ball skills. He’ll be the replacement for Delanie Walker and it’s just more icing to the cake for the 49ers.
Grade: B-
56. Baltimore Ravens – OLB from Kansas State – Arthur Brown – Usually the Ravens stay put but knowing that Denver and Houston were up next, they make a move and grab their guy. Arthur Brown in my opinion is the steal of the second round because of the team he’s going to. He brings terrific value and tackling skills to the Ravens defense.
Grade: A
57. Houston Texans – SS from South Carolina – DJ Swearinger – After Glover Quinn left the Texans, Swearinger is his replacement. Fortunately for Swearinger, he’s going to be paired with Ed Reed.
Grade: B
58. Denver Broncos – RB from Wisconsin – Montee Ball – Past his prime? Ball very well could be. He reminds me of Ron Dayne and I feel like the Broncos would have been better off with Jonathan Franklin or Eddie Lacy.
Grade: C
59. New England Patriots – WR from Marshall – Aaron Dobson – Keenan Allen was on the board and I thought for sure he was going to be the pick. The Patriots go with Dobson and after watching his tape, he looked very similar to Randy Moss. Tom Brady will help Dobson grow into a good pro.
Grade: B+
60. Atlanta Falcons – CB from SE Louisana – Robert Alford – After letting this pick set in, it all makes sense now. No more Brent Grimes or Dunta Robinson. They got Desmond Trufant in the first round and now follow up with Alford who had a very good pro day and combine.
Grade: B
61. Green Bay Packers – RB from Alabama – Eddie Lacy – Aaron Rodgers is what makes Eddie Lacy succeed and if I was an NFC North defense, I’d be a bit worried with Lacy running at me.
Grade: B+
62. Seattle Seahawks – RB from Texas A&M – Christine Michael – What?! Did they forget they have Beast Mode and Turbin on their roster? How about adding a weapon for Russell Wilson other than Percy Harvin?
Grade: D+
Trade tracker
- Tennessee Titans trade 40th overall pick (2nd round), 216th overall pick (7th round) and 2014 3rd round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the 34th overall pick (2nd round)
- San Diego Chargers trade 45th overall pick (2nd round) and 110th overall pick (4th round) to the Arizona Cardinals for the 38th overall pick (2nd round)
- San Francisco 49ers trade 61st overall pick (2nd round) and 173rd overall pick (6th round) to the Green Bay Packers for 55th overall pick (2nd round)
- Baltimore Ravens trade 62nd overall pick (2nd round), 165th overall pick (5th round) and 199th overall pick (6th round) to the Seattle Seahawks for the 56th overall pick (2nd round)
- Cleveland Browns trade 104th overall pick (4th round) and 164th overall pick (5th round) to the Miami Dolphins for WR Davone Bess, 111th overall pick (4th round) and 217th overall pick (7th round)
- New York Jets trade 106th overall pick (4th round) to the New Orleans Saints for RB Chris Ivory
- Miami Dolphins trade 82nd overall pick (3rd round) to the New Orleans Saints for 106th overall pick (4th round) and 109th overall pick (4th round)
- San Francisco 49ers trade 93rd overall pick (3rd round) and 216th overall pick (7th round) to the Green Bay Packers for 88th overall pick (3rd round)
- Miami Dolphins trade 109th overall pick (4th round), 146th overall pick (5th round) and 224th overall pick (7th round) to the Green Bay Packers for 93rd overall pick (3rd round)
