Chung has a lot to say at the Senior Bowl about how hard he hits, when he forces fumbles, and why he loves the game.  Almost hate to say it, but he’s a perfect Pat:

Houston Texans

I always felt Brian Cushing’s best fit was at SLB in a 4-3, he should be a good playmaking addition to the defense. Connor Barwin was a steal in the 2nd, even if all they do is line him up opposite Mario Williams on 3rd down and move Antonio Smith. Nothing that’s going to accelerate the push to a playoff berth, but excellent baby steps. I expect them to address running back in the 3rd round.

Grade: C

Indianapolis Colts

Quite possibly one of the top five first day drafts. Everything the Colts do on draft day indicates complete clarity from Bill Polian. They were in position to address the running back position, which seemed even more likely when they did not keep Dominic Rhodes, and they got a high character, high effort, high talent back in Donald Brown. Expect Addai to play second fiddle even if he gets the ceremonial first series for the veteran in every game.

Grade: A

Jacksonville Jaguars

Eugene Monroe at #8 was a coup. Michael Crabtree or BJ Raji would have been a coup. Sanchez, Jackson, and Heyward-Bey getting into the top 7 insured that they were going to get a player in a lot of people’s top 5 at the 8 slot. Tre Thomas is just keeping the LT spot warm for Monroe. Eben Britton gives the Jags a terrific bookend. The irony is that the lack of interior line depth was actually the downfall of the team last year, but I can’t argue with what they did.

Grade: C

Tennessee Titans

A classic Titans draft. Take the athlete and hope the game comes around. I like it a lot better with Sen’Derrick Marks because they seem to have been successful with this strategy on defense. Kenny Britt is big, strong, and fast, but his hands come and go. They finally addressed WR, but I think fans would have felt a lot better if the pick had been Hakeem Nicks.

Grade: D

Sebastian Vollmer had a great week at the Shrine Game and his Pro Day was excellent, as well.  All of that translates into him being one of the highest drafted players not invited to the Combine.  He certainly impressed us in Houston:

And not because he can jump out of a pool or do a 360 off-vert dunk on a regulation hoop.  He’s so versatile - in a 3-4 he’s a penetrator from the DE position, and a 4-3 D could use him outside on run downs and move him in on 3rd down.  He destroys guards with quicks and leverage. 

The WAC Co-Defensive Player of the year needs more love.  We like him a lot more than the Ravens choice of Paul Kruger.

Bloom thinks maybe so.  Then again, he grew up near Pitt.

You know what Miami loves? Players who can run, catch, and throw.  You know who’s decent but maybe not awesome at all of those things?  New Dolphin Pat White.  Expect him to make #1 Sportscenter highlights at least 3 times next year. 

Butler’s not a consistent corner.  But he’s got awesome instincts when it comes to attacking the ball, and he looks natural catching it.  Because the Patriots excel at hiding a player’s weaknesses, I can only assume they’ll try to keep the play in front of Butler and let him attack. 

Brace is strong as heck but known for giving up on a play when he’s beat.  He plays better in games than practice, though, and that fits the Pats mold.

Everette Brown, DE, Florida State - Sure he’s too short to play DE, his hips aren’t loose enough to play 3-4 OLB, he just makes plays. Brown plays with an angry killer instinct, and it’s going to get angrier.

Connor Barwin, DE, Cincinnati - Terrific natural pass rusher, very athletic, value as a TE. The guy is barely scratching the surface of his potential.

Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech - I don’t care if he takes plays off, the ones that he goes full speed are game changers.

Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut - He’s an explosive fluid athlete with a shutdown corner mentality.

Jarron Gilbert, DL, San Jose State - The next Richard Seymore

The bets player left (on my board) finally went!  Alphonso Smith is a Bronco.  And clearly, the Broncos thought he was worth as much as I did—they gave up a #1 next year, which could be a top 15 pick, to get him. 

But if anyone was worth it, Smith was:

A lot of people thought the Browns would choose Beanie Wells when they were trading down.  Instead, he’s a Cardinal. 

But the Browns come away with the much more professional and polished Ohio State Buckeye, Brian Robiskie.  All of the cliches about a coach’s son are true for Robiskie—he’s mature for his years, he does the little things well, and he’s a great locker room guy.  While his measurables aren’t off the charts, Robiskie can separate with decent short-area quickness and the way he masks his routes.  And his hands are reliable.

Robiskie doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but of all the wideouts in the draft, he’s the most ready to start today.

He’d look great next to Braylon Edwards if Edwards remains a Brown. 

Here’s what New England has coming up in the top 100 picks now:

2(34)
2(41)
2(47)
2(58)
3(73)
3(83)
3(89)
3(97)

The rest of the NFL, are you taking notes? Watch them deal at least two or three of these picks and somehow end up with another team’s first next year.

In the immortal words of Bloom, “Clay Matthews was a special teamer for 3 years.” Now he’s worth a second rounder and 2 third rounders, apparently. 

The Packers have a player who belongs in the 3-4, but this was a steep price to pay for a player who lacks explosion or other distinguishing tools.