2014 NFL Draft Day Three Grades

Carolina Panthers B-

Dave Gettleman did a credible job on the third day of the draft after adding two impact SEC prospects in the second and third rounds, and Tre Boston is an intriguing pick for the Panthers. He has a knack for giving up big plays and making horrific tackle attempts, but the “local” UNC product has big upside due to his age, ball skills, range, speed, athleticism, and overall playmaking ability. Boston is a classic upside player, and he’ll join a Panthers safety group that became crowded after they added veterans Roman Harper and Thomas DeCoud, who are both iffy players due to their own issues with missed tackles. Tyler Gaffney is a much different running back than the other RBs on the Panthers roster, and I always viewed a late-round RB as a need for the Panthers; I’m fine with that pick. Bene Benwikere is a raw prospect out of San Jose State, but the cornerback was an interception-machine for the Spartans.

New Orleans Saints A

I loved the Saints decision to sign Brandon Coleman in undrafted free agency, and they made aggressive moves on the first two days of the draft. Yesterday, the Saints made some more good moves, and they added two very talented players from the SEC in the fifth round. Ronald Powell has the tools to be a big-time pass rusher, but injuries derailed his career at Florida. If he can stay healthy, then he’s a steal for the Saints. There were concerns coming into the draft regarding Vinnie Sunseri’s ability to play in the NFL due to concerns regarding his athleticism, which only grew thanks to the season-ending injury he suffered last year. Sunseri made huge plays in college at Alabama, and he formed an excellent safety duo with first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix; this was a great pick for the Saints. You can also chalk up the Saints fourth-round pick of Cal linebacker Khairi Fortt as a “win”.

Atlanta Falcons B-

The Falcons made two excellent selections on the third day of the draft, with the most praised one being Florida State RB Devonta Freeman, who is a talented all-around back. Freeman is uncannily proficient for a rookie running back in pass protection, he can make plays as a receiver, and he’s a solid rusher. I think he’ll be the Falcons No. 2 back, and he could be the starter at a moment’s notice if Steven Jackson goes down with an injury. RB was a need for the Falcons in this year’s draft, and Thomas Dimitroff is a great job of filling it. Yawin Smallwood is the other late-round pick I’m a big fan of, and I can’t believe the UConn product slipped all the way down to the seventh round. He has good all-around ability and intangibles, and I’m definitely willing to overlook his poor measurables at the combine. Ricardo Allen is an intriguing nickel or dime corner, but the rest of the Falcons draft picks are underwhelming project guys.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers B

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added two quality offensive line prospects in guard Kadeem Edwards and Purdue offensive tackle Kevin Pamphile, who was well-worth trading up for. Those two picks will help the Buccaneers line even more, and they also did a great job of adding a playmaker receiver in Robert Herron with just a sixth-round pick (they also signed his quarterback at Wyoming, Brett Smith who is a favorite of some draft analysts, in undrafted free agency). The Buccaneers needed someone with YAC ability in the slot between supremely talented, big, long-striders Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans on the outside, and Herron fits perfectly.