Thoughts on the Draft.

Well, the draft’s done now and it’s time to see who did a good job and how didn’t.

Best Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals have been doing a lot of moving in the draft in recent years and found themselves some quality players at need positions. Every pick has a place and each one should find themselves a spot on the roster. Grabbing Dre Kirkpatrick and Shaun Prater gives the Bengals some young corners to work into the lineup next year. Devon Still and Brandon Thompson give them more depth along the defensive line who should work their ways into the lineup. Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones give the Bengals some good options at receiver and hopefully some playmakers to pair with AJ Green. Kevin Zeitler should slide into one of the guard spot and start immediately. Orson Charles, George Ilkoa and Dan Herron will all be solid special teamers and can find spots to play in sub packages. Every single pick can help this team and they took no major risks in taking who they took, which is the textbook definition of a solid draft.

Thoughts from the First Round

Alright, the first round of the draft is in the books. Let’s have a quick look at a few of the notable picks. I’ll be sure not to name the same pick to multiple categories, even if it deserves it.

BEST PICK

David DeCastro to Pittsburgh – What can I say? This was just a great selection, every way you look at it. DeCastro is widely touted (and deservedly so) as the best guard prospect since Steve Hutchinson. If he can be that kind of player, lined up next to Maurkice Pouncey, then the Steelers interior line is set for the next decade. I just really love this pick.

Mock Draft, 5.0

 1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck – QB – Stanford 

This is a done deal, Ryan Grigson said so. 

Previous Pick: Andrew Luck 

2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III – QB  - Baylor

If reports are to be believed, the Redskins are already teaching him the playbook. I think that, whether true or not, should say enough about this pick. Granted, it’s been a while since any actually questioned whether or not he would be the pick. 

Previous Pick: Robert Griffin III 

Free Agency, Days 31-35

 After a few days off, I’m back and with a ton of moves to cover.

Giants acquire LB Keith Rivers from Bengals

The Giants acquired linebacker Keith Rivers from the Bengals for a 5^th round draft pick on Thursday.

I like this moves from both sides. I like Rivers and think that he is a better linebacker than most people give him credit for. However he has had injury issues in his career and those could dog him in New York. However, if he stays healthy, he’s a very good weakside linebacker and can definitely help the Giants linebacker problems.

Free Agency, Day 30

The Bengals continue making moves and making me question if Mike Brown has been replaced by a clone.

Bears extend LB Lance Briggs

The Bears signed linebacker Lance Briggs to a one-year contract extension which keeps him in Chicago through the 2014 season. The deal pays $17.5 million over the next three years, $5 million of which is guaranteed.

Free Agency, Day 29

Well, I certainly didn’t see the biggest news of yesterday coming. Let’s go through it a bit.

Panthers extend WR Steve Smith

The Panthers signed wide receiver Steve Smith to a three-year contract extension with a team option for a fourth year. Financial terms were not disclosed but the deal could have as much as $18 million dollars guaranteed.

I’ve always believed in hang on to your own, but I really wasn’t expecting this to happen. I kind of had the feeling that the Panthers would let Smith’s contract run out and try to bring in younger receivers to mature with quarterback Cam Newton, but that being said, I like this move a great deal. Smith can still be a big play

Free agency, Day 28

Let’s see what’s happening in the NFL with the draft quickly approaching.

Seahawks re-sign CB Marcus Trufant

The Seahawks re-signed cornerback Marcus Trufant to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

I love this signing. Trufant has been one of the best corners to ever play in Seattle and I always thought I was a shame that he might not finish his career there. So I was glad to see that he re-signed with the Seahawks. It

Free Agency, Days 25-27

Three days, only a handful of signings, almost all of which took place on Friday.

Buccaneers sign DT Amobi Okoye

The Buccaneers signed defensive tackle Amobi Okoye to a one-year, $2 million dollar deal on Saturday.

The Bucs spent two-high draft picks on a pair of defensive tackles not that long ago, but both Gerald McCoy and Brian Price has struggled to stay healthy. Okoye provided a strong interior pass rush with the

Free agency, Days 23-24

Two major signings in two days. Let’s dive right in.

Ravens extend CB Lardarius Webb

The Ravens signed cornerback Lardarius Webb to a six-year contract extension worth $50 million dollars with $10 million of it guaranteed on Thursday.

Ozzie Newsome is always ahead of the curve it seems like. He always finds good players in the draft, allows them to develop and when they do, will give them a big contract commiserate with their skill level. That’s this signing in a nutshell. Webb had a great year and the Ravens have faith that he’ll continue to excel for years to come. I love this move.

Mock Draft 4.0

With free agency two weeks old and almost all the major signings made, there will likely only be intermittent changes from here on out. But let’s see what the second week of free agency did to the draft outlook. 

1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck – QB – Stanford 

*yawn* 

Previous Pick: Andrew Luck 

Free Agency, Day 22

Oddly enough, yesterday may have changed the face of the draft, or at least my mock draft.

Saints sign LB David Hawthorne

The Saints signed linebacker David Hawthorne to a five-year deal.

This is arguably one of the best and most perplexing signings of this offseason. One the one hand, Hawthorne was the third best middle linebacker (and overall linebacker) available in free agency, so signing him would be a good deal for any team. However, I just have no idea what they plan to do with him.

Free Agency, Day 21

Sadly the biggest news in the NFL yesterday was that Torry Holt retired as a Ram. For those not in the know, Holt hasn’t played since 2009, his retirement was merely formality. But a few moves were made, so let’s look at what they were.

Rams re-sign QB Tom Brandstater, sign LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar

The Rams re-signed third quarterback Tom Brandstater to an undisclosed deal and signed linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar to a two-year contract worth a maximum of $5 million dollars if he hits all of his incentives.

The Brandstater signing is sensible, though won’t make an impact. He’s just a developmental player who will likely never see the field.

Free Agency, Days17-20

After a few days off, let’s catch up with the signings from the past four days.

Panthers acquire OT Bruce Campbell for RB Mike Goodson

The Panthers traded running back Mike Goodson for offensive tackle Bruce Campbell on Friday.

I’m not willing to say there was a winner in this trade, but I can’t say there was a loser either. The Raiders definitely needed a backup running back to cover for when Darren McFadden either needs a blow or gets