2014 NFL Draft Day Two Grades
Pittsburgh Steelers C
Stephon Tuitt was a good value in the mid-second round for the Steelers, and they have now added two strong players to their front seven in Tuitt and Ryan Shazier. I wasn’t a fan of Tuitt’s tape this past season, because he was quite inconsistent. While he would dominate at times, Tuitt would also get completely flushed out of plays and didn’t impress me as much as Nix. That said, he’s a great fit for the Steelers, and he, Cameron Heyward, and Steve McLendon form a solid, young starting D-Line in the ‘Burgh. The Dri Archer pick was a bit of a head-scratcher, but the Steelers are willing to bank on his incredible speed and agility. I don’t see Darren Sproles in him, and I was actually a bit surprised the Steelers took him over Lache Seastrunk.
Baltimore Ravens B+
After drafting C.J. Mosley in the first round, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome had an even stronger second day by grabbing three players who should make a significant impact on the team next year. I didn’t buy into the first-round hype surrounding Timmy Jernigan, but he’s an upgrade on the Ravens defensive line and has plenty of upside. He needs to become more consistent and could have trouble finding a niche in the NFL, but there’s no denying his talent and value in the second round. The Ravens needed a free safety, and Florida State product Terrence Brooks was someone they liked for quite some time. He fits as the center-fielder type the Ravens coveted next to 2013 first-round pick Matt Elam, who should be a very good strong safety next year. Brooks doesn’t have the total package as a safety, but he matches the prototype of a FS. As for Colorado State TE product Crockett Gillmore, the Ravens would have had no chance at him if they tried to wait for him to fall to them on the third day. Gillmore looked great at the Senior Bowl, and he is a well-rounded TE who should mesh well with talented “move” tight end Dennis Pitta. Gary Kubiak likes using multiple tight ends, and he has a solid one on his hands in Gillmore.
Cincinnati Bengals C
The Bengals decision to draft Jeremy Hill could mean that BenJarvus Green-Ellis‘s days in Cincy are numbered, and he is squarely on the chopping block if Hill impresses during the offseason. A plodding north-south type, Hill is easily the strongest running back in the class and moved plenty of piles at LSU. I’m not a big fan of his game and don’t like his character concerns, but I don’t think he’ll be a headcase in Cincinnati. Plus, Marvin Lewis is the best in the business at dealing with players who come to the team with some baggage, thus causing the Bengals to show the willingness to bring in more of these kinds of players. The Bengals other pick is of the high-upside variety, as Will Clarke could either be a no-name in the NFL or a long, athletic speed rusher who becomes a fixture as the starter opposite of Carlos Dunlap.
Cleveland Browns D
The Joel Bitonio picks almost saves the Cleveland Browns here, but I wasn’t as big of a fan of the other two picks. First of all, running backs are almost never worth trading up for, and I don’t think Terrance West is an exception to that rule. The Towson RB is talented and the Browns needed another running back behind Ben Tate, but I wouldn’t have traded up for him. The Browns needed to make an upgrade at linebacker, and drafting Christian Kirksey helps in that regard. I’m going to backtrack on my initial statement and state the Kirksey pick was a decent one because he can start for the Browns next season, but it’s disappointing to see that the Browns passed up on a wide receiver to take him. Johnny Manziel probably won’t have Josh Gordon to throw it to next season, and the Browns knew this when making their selections yesterday. Yet, they still gave their first-round QB and franchise passer no help at WR, passing up on some talented names in the process. There are still good receivers left on the board, and the Browns will have to scoop up two of them in order to make up for not drafting a single wideout in round two. I was surprised they passed on Marqise Lee, whom the Jacksonville Jaguars gladly scooped up, but at least Bitonio will be a big upgrade for Manziel on the offensive line. Because he can play at guard or tackle, the Browns can either choose to start him at guard and keep Mitchell Schwartz at RT, or kick Schwartz inside and start Bitonio at tackle.