2003 NFL Draft at a glance
FIRST ROUND
1. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals, QB Palmer, the reigningHeisman Trophy winner, will play behind Jon Kitna this year, at least to startthe season. "I think in this first year, Coach wants me to get a goodgrasp of the offense and get a good grasp of my teammates and, hopefully, getcomfortable enough to where in the next couple of years I can step in and startcontributing," Palmer said. "The vibes I got from some of the playersand everything I've heard in the media, everything's changed and everything'sheaded in the right direction." Akili Smith and Joe Germaine are still onthe roster as well. Palmer was inconsistent at Southern Cal but part of thatwas the coaching and subsequent offensive system change as well as living infast-paced Los Angeles. At 65, 232 pounds, he has the size and strong arm thecoaches love as well as a nice touch on his throws. He also has good strengthand footwork.
2. Charles Rogers, Detroit Lions, WR Rogers has the hands,size, speed, receiving skills and athletic ability that coaches crave in awideout. He runs well after the catch and is a great leaper. Decided to leaveMichigan State after his junior season so he needs to improve the nuances ofthe position but is expected to be an impact player. Rogers will line up in theflanker position to take advantage of possible mismatches.
3. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans, WR Also has the perfectcombination of size, speed, strength and leaping ability and also excels atrunning after the catch. He has it all explosiveness, elusiveness elusive,downfield vision and is already a good blocker. He dropped too many balls lastseason but is expected to get much better quickly. He also needs someroute-running refinement but that is to be expected when you come out early. Willplay a lot his first year. "He's a rare physical specimen, Dom Caperssaid. In all our research, we were very impressed with his work ethic. Wethink he'll bring a physical presence to our offense and bring us a big-playguy."
7. Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville Jaguars, QB Leftwich willbackup the injury-prone Mark Brunell this year so he could see some playingtime. The Jags love his strong arm, size and leadership skills although somequestion his ability to adapt quickly to the west coast offense. Looks morecomfortable in the shotgun of a more open offense. Accuracy and improved fieldvision are plusses. He is also poised under pressure but is slow afoot.Brunell's $6.75 million salary with two years remaining will make it difficultto trade him, so the club will have to decide whether to cut Brunell or let himmentor Leftwich for a year. "We thought he was the best player in thedraft," James Harris, vice president of player personnel said of Leftwich.
17. Bryant Johnson, Arizona Cardinals, WR Big, physicalreceiver with great hands who is tough in traffic with excellent athleticability. Can get deep but is not a burner. He still needs to work on hisroute-running, consistency and concentration but showed improvements in thoseareas last year. He also lacks explosiveness and suffers from occasional dropsbut has a chance to start because of the weak receiving corps with
19. Kyle Boller, Baltimore Ravens, QB Really came on last year fora new head coach (Jeff Tedford), who turned him into a legitimate first rounderwith improved mechanics, accuracy and footwork. The Ravens love his strong arm,size, speed and athletic ability and had him rated almost on a par with Palmerand Leftwich. He still needs to improve his accuracy and ability to locatesecondary receivers. Head coach Brian Billick loves this guy and would not ruleout the possibility of him starting this year. Chris Redman is recovering fromback surgery but should be ready for mini-camp. "I really think they areboth talented guys, offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh said. But I don'tthink that because Kyle is a first-round pick and we haven't had one here thathe is automatically the guy. I think he is certainly going to be the future,but we are talking about the present, and Chris is going to have everyopportunity to win the job."
22. Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears, QB Grossman is strong andhas a good arm (not a good as Palmer, Leftwich, Boller) but has a quick releaseand is fairly sound in the pocket. But this guy loves to throw and is theconsummate leader oozing confidence. He came out early so will need to hold theclipboard for at least two seasons which will give him to work on his accuracy.He also needs to grow up. The signingof Kordell Stewart will allow Grossman to develop and mature at his own pace."I really like Kordell Stewart," coach Dick Jauron said. "Butthe value of Rex Grossman was very high. We couldn't pass it up. And everyoneknows you need more than one (quarterback)."
23. Willis McGahee, Buffalo Bills, RB The first questionablepick of the draft. Buffalo needs defense and already has Travis Henry andOlandis Gary at running back. "We thought he was one of the top one or twoplayers in the whole draft before he got hurt," coach Gregg Williams said."He's ahead of progress. We thought we had a great young football playerwith a chance to hit a real home run with him." Would have gone muchhigher but now is likely to sit out this year recovering from major left kneesurgery last January. Before the injury, scouts drooled over his combination ofsize, speed, power and strength. He works tremendously hard and is reportedlyway ahead of schedule in his rehab. The surgery has to take its toll on hisspeed and cutback ability and also he needs work on his receiving and passblocking. He should return next year but the jury is still out on his ceiling.
24. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts, TE Drafted for hisspeed and hands and ability to make the tough catch but needs to learn how toblock having played tight end for just two years. Could be a star down the roadif he does. Will line up in the two-tight end sets this year. This is a goodtough guy whos going to increase our team speed, Tony Dungy said. Hes goingto make plays for us. Hes going to help the whole offense. Hes going to be amismatch a lot in the passing game. Offensive coordinator Tom Moore makesliberal use of the two-tight end formation and Clark will compliment MarcusPollard just right. "He's Dilger with speed and spectacular hands, ownerBill Polian said.
27. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs,RB Drafted as insurance for Priest Holmes who has been slow to recover from a hip injury, Johnsonhas good size and is a good receiver and improving blocker. He breaks tacklesand is quick but does not have big speed. He works hard but is not really asgood as a first round pick appears (weak running back group this year).
SECONDROUND
41. Bennie Joppru, Houston Texans, TE Intelligent, reliablereceiver who is a physical blocking with soft hands. Doesnt have the speed toget deep and needs some improvement in his routes but is starting material.Stock rose this past season. "I feel that we're getting a tight end that'sa very good blocker with outstanding size and a good receiver," Dom Caperssaid. "He is a solid blue collar work ethic type of guy. He is really aquality individual that will fit in well with Billy Miller (receiver) andJabari Hollaway (blocker. Miller is still the starter but Joppru could competefor significant playing time, especially in the two-TE sets.
44. Taylor Jacobs, Washington Redskins, WR Good size,adjusts well to poorly thrown balls and has the speed to get deep with thetoughness for traffic catches. All around intelligent player who will fit innicely as the #3 option in a dangerous passing offense. Could start in case ofinjury as well.
45. Bethel Johnson, New England Patriots, WR A nice pickhere, Johnson is strong, very fast and athletic and runs well after the catch.Decent blocker and is not afraid of the middle but needs work on his routes andlearning the nuances of the position. Struggles against bump coverage and withhis concentration and work ethic. Sleeper as a future No. 2 receiver but needsto assert himself.
54. Anquan Bolden, Arizona Cardinals, WR Tough, strong possessionguy who could start in a wide-open situation. Bolden can make the difficultcatch and runs well with the ball. Needs to improve consistency and to prove heis healthy after ACL injury two years ago. Johnson and Bolden will battle JasonMcAddley and Kevin Kasper for the starting jobs in training camp but Bolden isstill kind of raw after coming out early."He always makes the first guy miss, he's physical and he's a tough guywho'll catch it over the middle and do something with it, Dave McGinnis said.
60. Tyrone Calico, Tennessee Titans, WR Big guy with excellentspeed and strength. He also is a good blocker but routes and consistency needimprovement. Can beat defenders off the line and runs well after the catch.Needs to play tougher in traffic. Has a chance to be the #3 guy this year butis regarded as somewhat raw but was drafted because of his speed. He cancontribute, Jeff Fisher said. There's a learning curve and there's a greatdeal of improvement and we hope that will take place very quickly. He certainlyhas the potential to do everything.
61. L.J. Smith, Philadelphia Eagles, TE Good hands and size and should play a lot in two-tight end
63. Teyo Johnson, Oakland Raiders, TE Johnson is a wide receiverdrafted for his and athletic ability with a switch to H-back coming in rookiecamp. Size creates mismatches in secondary but he needs to improve over themiddle and with his blocking. The Raiders drafted him strictly as a tight endbecause veteran Roland Williams may not return from knee and turf toe injuries.They want to use him with Doug Jolley in the two-TE, two-WR sets that spreadthe field. Johnson has not been a tight end since his sophomore year in highschool.
THIRDROUND
65. Kelley Washington, Cincinnati Bengals, WR Has good size, speed,strength, and athletic ability and is a natural receiver. Needs to improveroute-running, consistency and blocking but has time since he came out early.
69. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys, TE Big, strong and athletic withgood hands and big potential as a blocker. Can make the tough catch in trafficbut came out early so 03 will be a learning year.
71. Nate Burleson, Minnesota Vikings, WR A polished receiver withgood hands who knows how to get open but is not a burner. Will probably breakcamp as the #4 guy but could move up quickly with Derrick Alexander andKenny Clark coming off injuries and Chris Walsh has yet to be re-signed.Some have labeled Burleson as a possession receiver because he lacks home runspeed but is very quick coming out of his cuts and has shown the ability togain yards after the catch.
74. Kevin Curtis, St. Louis Rams, WR Good hands, outstanding speedand work ethic but is a tad undersized. Can catch in a crowd and get deep buthas has trouble with bump coverage. Will probably break camp as the #4 guy buthe can fly. "He's not particularlybig, but he's got extreme speed," Mike Martz said. "He's one of thoseguys when you look at him, you say he fits us exactly.
76. Mike Seidman, Carolina Panthers, TE Good hands, durable andtough but needs work on his routes. Lacks speed and big strength but is animproving blocker.
77. Musa Smith, Baltimore Ravens, RB Power runner, especially nearthe goal line and is a decent receiver and blocker but does not have the speedto get outside on a consistent basis. Came out early but could start in anemergency. Will challenge backup Chester Taylor to be the third-down back."He's got excellent explosiveness," running backs coach Matt Simonsaid. "He's been very productive as a receiver out of the backfield, so hebrings quality to all parts of his game. He elevated Georgia's football team asa player and a competitor." One of the steals of the draft. "I wascertain the guy would be gone by the end of the second round," Simon said."There was no way he would pass that far. To be honest, when he was therefor us, I was shocked." Smith could find himself in the lineup at any timebecause Jamal Lewis has had two major knee surgeries, had two previousviolations of the league's substance and alcohol abuse policy and has a recklessrunning style. He is a healthier version of Lewis but without as much speed andexplosion, which is why he dropped a round. He doesn't have great breakawayspeed. "Chester Taylor has some qualities and may make a statement thathe's the guy in this league," Simon said. "Chester has a little moreburst and quickness than the other two, more lateral quickness He can beatlinebackers one-on-one. Musa has skills and is a better pass blocker. He stillgets overextended or takes some false steps, but that's expected coming out ofcollege. He is physical enough and has quick feet. He loves running intolinebackers and crashing into safeties. He has all the intangibles to be very,very good."
85. B.J. Askew, New York Jets, FB A fullback with running experiencewho is a very good receiver. A tweener who needs to improve his blocking.
88. Dave Ragone, Houston Texans, QB Big and tough with a strongleft arm. Lacks speed and athleticism and needs to work on his accuracy. Theylike his leadership qualities but he will hold the clipboard for a couple ofyears. Ragone, who was considered one of the top quarterbacks in the nationafter a stellar junior year, saw his stock drop this season after a mediocresenior year. "You can never pass up a quality quarterback," GMCharley Casserly said. "Quarterbacks are like pitchers in baseball youcan never have enough good ones. This was a value pick." Ragone wasconsidered first round material until amediocre Senior season dropped his status.
91. Vishante Shiancoe, New York Giants, TE Has good size, speed andstrength and can make the tough catch. Decent blocker but needs bulk andimproved routes. A project but he gives the team a second pass-catching tight end replacing Dan Campbell who signed withDallas as a free agent.
93. Chris Brown, Tennessee Titans, RB Runs hard with speed. Cameout early but has time to improve, especially in his receiving and blockingskills. Missed some games with a bruised sternum last year possibly due to hisupright style that makes him prone to injuries and fumbles. Good enough thestart down the road though. He's going to come in and get an opportunity toback up, Jeff Fisher said adding that Brown could ultimately be Eddie George'ssuccessor. Brown will compete with veteran Robert Holcombe and second year proJohn Simon for the backup spot.
95. Billy McMullen, Philadelphia Eagles, WR Good size and strength with decentspeed but is not a burner. McMullen played in a West Coast offense in college, which willmake his transition to the pros easier. "He plays fast and he's really abig body," Andy Reid said. "He plays very physical football, andthat's one of his strengths." If Freddie Mitchell struggles in camp, thedoor could be open for McMullen to become the #3 guy. "I think we have apretty good receiving corps," Reid said.
96. Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders, RB Fargas has excellent speedand athletic ability but has been injury-prone in his career. Improved hisstrength and vision last year and could be a sleeper if he can stay healthy.Could take over the featured duties if Charlie Garner leaves in 2004. Hereminds some scouts of Robert Smith or Curtis Martin. The Raiders need a youngback to develop because Garner and Tyrone Wheatley are both over 30.
97. Chris Simms, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB Good size, work ethic,makeup and has a strong arm but needs time to learn and read defenses and findthe No. 2 receiver. Could be starting in a couple of years if he improves hisweaknesses. If anyone can get the most out of quarterbacks ability, it is headcoach Jon Gruden. So now they have Simms, starter Brad Johnson, and Shaun King,Jim Miller, Shane Matthews and Greg Zolman on the roster. We wantedcompetition, Gruden said. We wanted depth." The left-handed Simms has beenstreaky but Gruden believes in him. "I'm sure if you listen to those guys(on TV) there was some shock and surprise," the coach said. "We havesomething to prove, Chris and I both, that we made the right pick and Chris isthe right man for the job."
FOURTHROUND
99. Artose Pinner, Detroit Lions, RB Strong, powerfulnorth-south runner who breaks tackles and has good hands. Adequate speed but isnot explosive. Needs work on blocking. Also needs to improve work ethic.Suffered a broken left foot at the Senior Bowl on January 18 but says hell beready for training camp.
101. Domanick Davis, Houston Texans, RB Davis is not fastbut is quick and has good hands. He also runs well after the catch but is notan effective inside runner or blocker. He could develop into a third-down back,but will likely be used this year returning kickoffs and punts.
104. George Wrighster, Jacksonville Jaguars, TE Wrighster isa solid receiver who fits into the Jags' new West Coast offense and is animproving blocker. He also has the speed to get open down the field. Needs moreupper-body strength and experience. Came out early so this year will be alearning season for him. He could play a significant role if veteran Kyle Bradyis let go.
105. Onterrio Smith, Minnesota Vikings, RB Fluid, naturalrunner who is fast and strong and plays bigger than his size. Needs work on hispass patterns and blocking. Not a hard worker. Came out early so this year soit will be a learning season for him on special teams as a kick returner. He alsocould challenge Moe Williams and Doug Chapman as Michael Bennetts backup. Hedropped to the fourth round in part because he was kicked off Tennessee'sfootball team three years ago for breaking team rules.
106. Shaun McDonald, St. Louis Rams, WR Good speed and handsand polished route runner who is willing to go across the middle. Lacks sizeand height to be a starter though."He has remarkable quickness and change of direction," coach MikeMartz said. "We want guys that can run fast, beat people one on one, makeyardage after the catch. He has unusual hands, as good of hands as I've seencome out in a while." The selection of Curtis and McDonald probably meansthat QR-KR Terrence Wilkins is gone. Curtis and McDonald are both kickreturners,
108. Quentin Griffin, Denver Broncos, RB Good speed andhands with cutback moves but size will limit him to a third down role. Hardworker but doesnt have breakaway speed."We like this kid," Mike Shanahan said. "He's not very tall, butwe think he can fit into our system. Very seldom do you see a guy 5-foot-7, 195pounds in the National Football League, but what he's done throughout hiscareer is very impressive. He blocks, he can catch the football, he's got greathands. He's got the ability to make people miss."
110. Seneca Wallace, Seattle Seahawks, QB Excellent athletewho can run and throw on the move with confidence and poise. Also has the armstrength to throw deep with accuracy. Lack of height is a concern though andneeds work on reading various coverages. Not many quarterbacks make who areunder six feet.
115. Lee Suggs, Cleveland Browns, RB Suggs has excellentspeed with good cutback moves and breaks tackles. Also is a strong insiderunner and is improving as a blocker but needs work catching the ball. Ran a4.38 in 2001 before ACL injury, 4.4 afterwards. Real nice pick here as hewouldve been a much higher pick if it werent for the injury.
118. Jeremi Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals, FB Huge insiderunner and is tough to tackle. Drafted for his lead blocking and pass blockingpotential. Has a chance to be a starter down the road if he stays between250-260 pounds and improves his work ethic. "He's a blocker, but he has really good hands coming out of thebackfield and can catch the football down the field," running backs coachJim Anderson said. "He was a very dominant player at his position."Johnson will compete for playing time with Mike Green, Chris Edmonds and TerryWitherspoon.
121. Justin Griffith, Atlanta Falcons, FB Undersized butpowerful with instincts for the position and pass catching potential. Has somerunning ablity7 and potential as a lead blocker but does not have ideal sizefor a fullback.
124. Brandon Lloyd, San Francisco 49ers, WR Excellentreceiver with very good hands and natural skills for the position but is not aburner. If he had better speed, he couldve been a first-round pick. Couldcontend right away for the third receiver spot.
127. Sam Aiken, Buffalo Bills, WR Has very good hands andinstincts for the position but lack of speed limits him to a possession type.Big and physical, he can also block.
129. Doug Gabriel, Oakland Raiders, WR Good size and speed butneeds work on his routes, separation and concentration (drops). If he improves,he could develop into a starting receiver but that would be a few years away.Has shown ability to make tough catches. There also is some question about hisattitude. A project.
132. LaBrandon Toefield,Jacksonville Jaguars, RB A strong determined runner but does not havegood speed and needs work on his receiving skills. Has also been injury-pronein college. Came out early so he has time to learn. Toefield sustained two kneeinjuries at LSU but challenge third-year pro Elvis Joseph as Fred Taylor'sbackup. "He's an inside-the-tackles runner with good running skills whocan catch," VP James Harris said adding that they are confident his kneein 100%. "He can come in and compete for some playing time rightaway."
134. Ovie Mughelli, Baltimore Ravens, FB A big, physical, blockingback that can also line up in two-tight end sets. Can catch the ball but stillneeds work in that area. The Ravens expect Mughelli to challenge starter AlanRicard. "We think he is one of the best lead blockers to come out of thedraft the last 10 years," director of college scouting Eric DeCosta said."We love his ability to run-block. To have him out there rotating withRicard is pretty intriguing."
FIFTHROUND
139. Bobby Wade, Chicago Bears, WR Wade has good hands, knows theposition and runs after the catch. He would make a perfect possession receiverbecause he does not have great speed but is also a tad undersized.
143. Justin Gage, Chicago Bears, WR Has good size, decent speed andhands and athletic ability but needs to get stronger and doesnt have burnerspeed. A hamstring injury prevented himfrom running at the scouting combine or else he might not have dropped to thefifth round. "This is a guy whohas only had one spring practice because he had been a basketball player,"offensive coordinator John Shoop said. "I think he's going to get betterand better the more he plays." Could break camp as the #3 or 4 guy becausehe has big play ability.
148. Dan Curley, St. Louis Rams, TE Good athlete who catches theball with decent speed but needs to improve strength as a blocker. Could be aneffective H-back though. "He runs4.6, he vertical jumped 35 inches," Martz said. "He's a physicalplayer that can block at the point of attack, line up in the backfield and be afullback. Pretty much the same type of things that Ernie Conwell did forus." Curley dropped in the draft because of injuries, including a chronicwrist problem that cost him four games last season. He's had six operations onthe joint.
156. Donald Lee, Miami Dolphins, TE Has the size, natural receivingskills and strength for blocking necessary for the position but is slow. Couldbe a starter down the road.
158. Adrian Madise, Denver Broncos, WR Good hands and strength withdecent speed but is not a burner. Good athletic ability and runs well after thecatch. Also a good blocker. Built likea running back. Needs refinement in his routes and getting off the line
159. Jon Olinger, Atlanta Falcons, WR Good size and hands, belowaverage speed.
161. Aaron Walker, San Francisco 49ers, TE Big with a lot ofpotential as a receiver and blocker. Will contend with free-agent pickup JedWeaver for backup spot. . . . Needs to improve his blocking but speed makes hima good downfield target.
163. Brian St. Pierre, Pittsburgh Steelers, QB Good size withdecent speed and mobility but just average arm strength. Needs work on accuracyand timing. "He can place the ball very well, offensive coordinator MikeMularkey said. It may not be the perfect spiral that you see in somequarterbacks, but it gets to the right place. He's an intelligent quarterbackwho played in a pro-style offense. He is very, very confident. Sometimes, he isso confident, he'll force some throws."
165. Chris Davis, Seattle Seahawks, FB Good size, speed and cancatch the ball well and is a tad undersized. Needs to work on his blocking andpass routes.
169. J.R. Tolver, Miami Dolphins, WR Goodsize, hands and athleticism but just average speed. He is a big, more of a possession type receiver [with] verystrong hands, vice president of football operations Rick Spielman said. He'snot a great speed guy, but he made a lot of big plays.
SIXTHROUND
175. David Kircus, Detroit Lions, WR Good size, quicknessand hands but just average speed. Hard worker but must prove himself againstbetter competition. Has a knack for making the big plays and runs very wellafter the catch. Needs more strength to get of the line jams. The Lions saidthey will get him into the weight room immediately.
186.
192.
196. LaTarence Dunbar, Atlanta Falcons, WR Good speed andathleticism and runs well after the catch. He needs to improve hisconcentration (drops) but, with his running ability, could be a decent thirdoption in the future. A tad undersized.
197. Arnaz Battle, San Francisco 49ers, WR He has good hands and alot of natural receiving skills and is quick but has just average speed. Runswell after the catch and can catch in traffic. Has build of a running back.Needs work on his routes and needs more experience at the position. Has playedwide receiver for only a year after switching from quarterback. Could developinto a No. 3 receiver down the road.
199. Willie Ponder, New York Giants, WR Good size and hands with okspeed but not a burner. Needs more work on routes, blocking and separationskills. Raw.
200. Brooks Bollinger, New York Jets, QB Very good athletewith quick feet but has just an average arm. Intelligent and knows hisposition.
201. Kliff Kingsbury, New England Patriots, QB Works hardand is a great leader but has just an average arm. Intelligent and can find thesecondary receiver. Has good size but lacks mobility. Loves to throw and put upbig numbers in passing offense in college. I love New England's offense, hesaid. I've watched some of their games where they spread it out, no back,shotgun, things like that. That's similar to what we do down at Texas Tech. SoI feel like I've been in an offense like that.
203. Kareem Kelly, New Orleans Saints, WR An exciting player withgame-breaking speed and good hands and athleticism. But he is inconsistent inmost phases of the game and needs to toughen up in traffic. Also has the
206. Brock Forsey, Chicago Bears, RB All-purpose back who workshard and runs hard. Catches the ball well but lacks speed and quickness. A tadundersized.
211. David Tyree, New York Giants, WR Physical player who was pickjust for his special teams ability. Good blocker but needs a lot of improvementin all facets of the receiver position."We picked him as a special teams player," GM Ernie Accorsi said."He can be listed as a wide receiver, and he is certainly a decent widereceiver, but that is not why we drafted him. He was a high grade just based onspecial teams. If he plays as well for us at training camp on special teams ashe did at Syracuse, he will make it on that alone."
SEVENTHROUND
218. Malaefou MacKenzie, Jacksonville Jaguars, FB Good size, handsand athletic ability and can catch the ball well. Tweener who is aninconsistent blocker.
221. Keenan Howry, Minnesota Vikings, WR Tough, diminutive puntreturner and receiver. Good athletic ability but is more quick than fast. Coulddevelop into a slot receiver as the #4 option on pass plays.
223. Trent Smith, Baltimore Ravens, TE An H-back type who can catchthe ball well and has potential as a blocker.
224. Taco Wallace, SeattleSeahawks, WR Good size and hands, average speed. Bill battleunderachieving wideouts James Williams and Alex Bannister for the fourthreceiver spot.
226. Walter Young, Carolina Panthers, WR Good size makes him effectivein traffic. Needs improvement running routes and as a blocker. Average speedand running ability makes him more of a possession receiver or special teamer.
229. Andrew Pinnock, San Diego Chargers, RB Big, strong, powerfulrunner who will be used more as a fullback than tailback. Can also catch theball but needs work on blocking. Could be an effective ball carrier ingoal-line and short-yardage situations.
231. Talman Gardner, New Orleans Saints, WR Good size and deepspeed and is not afraid to go over the middle. Still needs work in other areasincluding route running but could develop into a No. 2 receiver down the road.Good pick here. Wouldve gone much higher but was arrested last week forpossession (pot and handgun) for which he has expressed total regret. This guycould be a steal if he is on the up and up. He is looking to prove himself after being projected as asecond-rounder prior to the arrest.
232. Gibran Hamdan, Washington Redskins, QB Good size and has adecent arm but needs to improve accuracy. Intelligent. "We think he's gota lot of potential," Steve Spurrier said. "When you watch him onfilm, he's impressive. If I told you he can drop back and throw like Boller andCarson Palmer, you'd tell me I was crazy. Hamdan began his senior year as abackup but started eight games and threw for 2,115 yards, with nine touchdownsand 14 interceptions. "He's our third quarterback right now,"Spurrier said. "There's a good chance he'll make the team unless somethinghappens with another player down the road."
234. Spencer Nead, New England Patriots, TE Has good hands and goodsize and is improving as a blocker. Can make the tough catch and is tough butslow in the open field. He needs a lot of polish though.
235. Ahmaad Galloway, Denver Broncos, RB Wouldve gone a littlehigher but is coming off a serious knee injury. Prior to that, he was apowerful runner who excelled at breaking tackles, the kind of runner this teamloves. Not very fast and needs work on blocking.
236. Brandon Drumm, Detroit Lions, FB Tough inside runner andblocker and can catch the ball. Not optimum size for the position though..
241. Ken Dorsey, San Francisco 49ers, QB Intelligent andfundamentally sound but has a below average arm and mobility. Pure pocketpasser because has poor footwork. They love him for his leadership qualitiesthough. Will compete with four other quarterbacks for backup duties.
242. J.T. Wall, Pittsburgh Steelers, FB Good size and strength. Cancatch the ball and blocks well but has limited running skills. Works hard.
247. Casey Moore, Carolina Panthers, FB Good size and can catch theball well but still needs improvement in the running and blocking departments.
253. DeAndrew Rubin, Green Bay Packers, WR Big-time speedster andhome run hitter with good hands but lacks separation skills and work ethic.
254. Richard Angelo, St. Louis Rams, TE Angelo is 6-7 1/2, weighs 260 pounds and has 4.7 speed but is kind ofraw.
255. Kevin Walter, New York Giants, WR Excellent size and handsbut lacks speed and quickness.
256. Carl Ford, Green Bay Packers, WR Speedy, diminutive.
260. Travis Anglin, Detroit Lions, WR Good size and instincts butlacks big speed and experience. A project.
262. Ryan Hoag, Oakland Raiders, WR Has the size and deep speed butneeds to improve routes and learn the nuances of the position likeroute-running, blocking, etc. A project.
DraftDay trades
The Cowboys traded theirsecond pick (No. 236 overall) to Detroit for running back Aveion Cason. Cason,originally signed in 2001 by the Rams as a free agent, is expected to be athird-down back in Dallas.
The Lions traded veteran widereceiver Larry Foster to the Cardinals for a seventh-round pick.