2013 NFL Draft Team Grades and Notes: AFC East

The NFL draft's completion means the new season is underway. Here at the URFL, it means we will begin setting up our 2013 fantasy football leagues in just a few weeks. For fantasy franchise owners, the post-draft is a good time to look at the impact drafted players will have on their real world teams and, consequently, their fantasy point-producing possibilities. In this post I take a look at the AFC East team drafts, give each of them a grade, and then assess any projected fantasy impact.

AFC East

1. New England Patriots: The Pats did not get to pick until the 20th selection in Round 2, choosing to trade down and stockpile later picks. Apparently coach Belicheck and his staff found the talent just as good deeper into the draft. Still, you have to question this whole draft, not Coach's ability to spot talent, but rather when he chose to take the players he did. Most, if not all of them, could have been had later than when they were selected, and in this writer's opinion, missing out on any of them would not have been so devastating at all.

Had they retained their first round pick, New England could have had Ogletree, Carradine, Hankins, or Short. Instead they selected Jamie Collins in Round 2, a smart player who could start right away, but who was not anywhere near the value of those other defenders. Dobson is an OK receiver but, again, could have been had probably two rounds later, and Patterson would have been there for them in Round 1, too, had they chosen to go that route. Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon are wildcards and actually help this draft's grade because they could compete for jobs immediately, despite being lesser-known players. On those two we have to trust the Coach, but for now we can only grade what we see. GRADE: C-

Fantasy Implications: Dobson and Boyce have a chance at an opportunity and the situation is worth keeping an eye on, but other than that, don't expect any new fantasy producers up near Boston, at least via this draft.

2. Miami Dolphins: Under heavy fire and gasping for air, in Miami it is GM Ireland that everyone talks about, and the talk has not been good. Coach Philbin, it seems, has not yet been allocated any responsibility for any moves prior to last season. This year, though, Philbin will have to at least begin to bear some brunt of the responsibility. This draft, for instance, must include his impetus somewhere along the line. Regardless, the 'Phins were aggressive in this draft, trading up to grab Dion Jordan, then making a solid hit with Jamar Taylor in the 2nd. Clearly their "need" was playmaking defensive players, and they got two of the best in this draft.

Had Miami stayed put they would have certainly missed out on Jordan, but could have had Star Lotulelei, Sharif Floyd, Bjorn Woerner, Datone Jones, or even Ogletree. Remember Menelik Watson was taken by the Raiders with the pick they got from Miami, so theoretically they could have had any of those impact defenders, plus a slightly better lineman than Dallas Thomas. But it's hard to criticize this draft. Jordan was picked to play and he will start. Knowing Miami, Taylor will start right away also, and my bet would be Thomas starts some games, if not all of them. Will Davis is even money to win a job, at least as an extra nickel back. Even Gillislee, I predict, will get playing time. So, from that perspective, this draft is a success. Grade: B+

Fantasy Implications: You should watch the defense early in camp and in preseason because, for all the hooplah, they could be either better or worse than last year. Caleb Sturgis, the first kicker chosen in the draft, and one of three Gators taken by Miami in the late rounds, will be given every chance to win the job from the Carpenter, and my guess is he succeeds; those missed kicks by Carpenter last year stung. I am also supposing that Gillislee wins the backup role to Lamar Miller, and will supplant him if Miller struggles. One thing is for sure, Miami's backfield just got quicker. Forgetting for a minute about the questions at left tackle, one must first ask whether Tannehill is the answer. In many ways this team will go in 2013 as goes Tannehill.

3. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo does the bluff not only on football pundits but also on Ryan Nassib. We can only scantly imagine how he felt as Goddell went to the podium and said "...the Buffalo Bills select quarterback...EJ Manuel." All I'm hearing is a drain sound...Anyway, Buffalo's draft has to begin and end with Manuel. There are many questions we could ask here. Yes, the trade down was beneficial, but let's remember which slot they held, that same slot with which the Rams took Austin.

Could Manuel have been available in Round 2? I say, yes he could have been. Robert Woods is a fine receiver, and will help the Bills, but a fast slot man to complement Stevie would have been even better. Alonso is a high-motor guy I like to succeed in the NFL, he will start for the Bills, and speedster Marquise Goodwin could put TJ Graham's job in jeopardy as the third receiver. All in all Buffalo grabbed some nice players, but Manuel that early is a head scratcher, he probably could have been had in Round 3. Grade: B

Fantasy Implications: A whole bunch. Kolb might best Manuel in accuracy but that's about it. I fully expect Manuel to win this QB job outright in camp, and the Bills will be dramatically improved because of the move. He will be ranked as a draftable QB somewhere around Jay Cutler range, and I will have him ahead of Cutler, Freeman, Locker, Tannehill, and many other known commodities. As for the other receivers, what they do in this west-cost offense will depend on the maturation of Manuel. If indeed he picks up the system quickly, as everyone seems to think he can do, all four of the receivers - Woods, Goodwin, Stevie, and Graham - must be put on the fantasy radar. If I had to choose today, I would draft Stevie, then Woods, and maybe take a late flier on Goodwin. Also expect rookie Dustin Hopkins, Manuel's fellow Nole, to win the Bills' kicking job.

4. New York Jets: The Jets made little noise in the draft, choosing to address needs with their picks, and also lucking out by grabbing their new starting QB - in Round 3. Brian Winters is a so-so lineman who will make the team but probably not the starting lineup, but the lineman to watch here is 5th rounder Oday Aboushi. He is big, very smart, and still learning the fine points of his craft. I think you will see the coaches take to him and make him into a starter by midseason.

Sheldon Richardson has the talent to be considered the steal of the draft at pick #13. While I think Dee Milliner was drafted too high, I think the Richardson pick does a flip-flop to correct the error. Really, it's LBs the Jets need, and they didn't so much as sniff one. Still, something had to be sacrificed. If I did their draft, I would have taken Ogletree, follwing it up with Richardson and then a DB like Trufant or Amerson. Yet, they added at least three starters, likely four, and let's not forget a Geno Smith, projected to go in Round 1 in a "QB light" draft, scooped up in Round 3. If Milliner succeeds, this draft is an A+. If he struggles, as I expect, A- anyway.

Fantasy Implications: Geno Smith has his faults, but he will be given the job as soon as Sanchez becomes, well, Sanchez-like. I would not bet the farm that Smith is the opening week starter, at least not yet, but he should see the field before the midway point of the season. If he wins the job he becomes very draftable in fantasy. Other than that, no new playmakers came to the Jets via the draft, but Chris Ivory, acquired via trade, suddenly complicates the backfield situation even more. Keep an eye out there.

Next time, the AFC West.

NFL Mock Draft 2013

URFL

2013 MOCK NFL DRAFT

Green=Undervalued

Red=Overvalued
Updated April 27, 2013 

Team	Actual Selection	URFL Predictions	URFL Recommends
Kansas City	Fisher	Eric "King" Fisher	Joeckel
Jacksonville	Joeckel	Geno "The Gun" Smith	Barkley
Oakland	Hayden	Star Loutulelei	Loutulelei
Philadelphia	L. Johnson	Luke "Doctor" Joeckel	Jordan
Detroit	Ansah	Dion "Nike" Jordan	Hayden
Cleveland	Mingo	Sharrif "Rock The Casbah" Floyd	Floyd
Arizona	Cooper	"Running" Lane Johnson	Fisher
Buffalo	Manuel	Barkevious "Kiko" Mingo	G. Smith
NY Jets	Milliner	Tavon "Kilometers" Austin	Austin
Tennessee	Warmack	Sheldon Richardson	Ogletree
San Diego	Fluker	Chance "Wehrmacht" Warmack	L. Johnson
Miami	Jordan	Dee "B" Milliner	Woerner
NY Jets	Richardson	Matt "Barks" Barkley	Milliner
Carolina	Loutulelei	Sylvester "Tweety" Williams	Vaccaro
New Orleans	Vaccaro	Kenny "Vac" Vaccaro	Trufant
St. Louis	Austin	Cordarelle "Corduroy" Patterson	Patterson
Pittsburgh	J. Jones	Ziggy "'s The" Ansah	Hankins
Dallas	Frederick	Jonathan "Super" Cooper	Cooper
NY Giants	Pugh	Alec "Guinness" Ogletree	Rhodes
Chicago	Long	DJ "No" Fluker	Warmack
Cincinnati	Eifert	Eddie "The Cat" Lacey	Ball
St. Louis	Ogletree	DJ Hayden	J. Jones
Minnesota	Floyd	Bjoern "To Be Wild" Woerner	Richardson
Indianapolis	Woerner	Cornelius "Tank" Carradine	Ansah
Minnesota	Rhodes	Xavier "Dusty" Rhodes	Hopkins
Green Bay	D. Jones	Jarvis "Redwine" Jones	Elam
Houston	Hopkins	Datone "Beach" Jones	Mingo
Denver	S. Williams	Johnathan "Double H" Hankins	Fluker
Minnesota	Patterson	John "Zip" Cyprien	J. Williams
Atlanta	Trufant	Jamar "Rip" Taylor	D. Jones
San Francisco	Reid	Jesse "The Body" Williams	Lacey
Baltimore	Elam	Matt "The Eliminator" Elam	Minter
END ROUND ONE	END ROUND ONE	END ROUND ONE	END ROUND ONE
Jacksonville	Cyprien	Menelik Watson	Carradine
San Francisco	Carradine	DeAndre "The Cannibal" Hopkins	Woods
Philadelphia	Ertz	Kevin "Munderland" Minter	D. Jones
Detroit	Slay	Desmond "The Bishop" Trufant	Cyprien
Cincinnati	Bernard	Damontre "Dinty" Moore	J. Taylor
Arizona	Minter	Jonathan "Take It To The" Banks	Banks
NY Jets	G. Smith	Bidi Wreh-Wilson	L. Jones
Tennessee	Hunter	Tyler "Extra" Eifert	S. Williams
Buffalo	Woods	Ryan "Nasty" Nassib	D. Moore
Miami	J. Taylor	Margus "Gus" Hunt	Okafor
Tampa Bay	Banks	Jamar "The Jam" Taylor	Watson
San Diego	Te'o	Eric "The" Reid	Hunt
Buffalo	Alonso	Jonathan Franklin	Hayden
Dallas	Escobar	Giovanni "The Saint" Bernard	Bernard
Pittsburgh	L. Bell	"Bad Bad" Arthur Brown	Reid
NY Giants	Hankins	Alex Okafor "U"	Wreh-Wilson
Chicago	Bostic	Manti Te'O	Alonso
New England	J. Collins	Kawann "Silent" Short	A. Brown
Washington	Amerson	David "Waldo" Amerson	Amerson
Oakland	Watson	"Time For" Montee Ball	K. Long
Green Bay	Lacy	Quinton "The General" Patton	Eifert
Seattle	Michael	Kiko Alonso	Short
Houston	Swearinger	Justin Hunter	Armstead
Denver	Ball	Kyle "Nasty" Long	Patton
New England	Dobson	Terron "The Terror" Armstead	T. Williams
Atlanta	Alford	Justin "Stinky" Pugh	Pugh
San Francisco	McDonald	Trevardo "Trev" Williams	Te'O
Baltimore	A. Brown	Travis "The Anchor" Frederick OR Sidney "Sam" Montgomery	Montgomery
END ROUND TWO	END ROUND TWO	END ROUND TWO	END ROUND TWO

2013 NFL Draft Team Needs: NFC

Following up on last post, here is a list of all 16 NFC teams, along with a few snippets about what they should be looking for in this upcoming April NFL draft.

UPDATED April 18, 2013 in ITALICS

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: Call me crazy but if I'm Dallas I take the best running back on the board. DeMarco may have what it takes, but as of yet he hasn't carried the ball on the field enough to show it. That move, if successful, would also free up DeM as trade bait in 2014. Yes, this team has needs elsewhere, especially at DB and on the OL, but a playmaker in the backfield would elevate the Cowboys' attack up with the best in the league. They could simply outscore most opponents. I expect them to go DB-LB-OL with their first three picks, but they should go RB-OL-DB.
UPDATE: There's been plenty of talk about Dallas trading out of the #18 slot, I have them taking Datone Jones as the best player available. The option would be Jonathan Cooper. In round 2 or 3, they should look hard at RBs, like maybe LeVeon Bell.

Washington Redskins: A gamebreaking WR from the slot, like Tavon Austin, would benefit this team, as well as make Fred Davis expendable. More protection on the offensive line is a necessity, and when DeAngelo Hall is your primary pass defender you have, well, problems. The 'Skins should build around their formidable linebacker corps and use this draft to improve the necessities. I would recommend they go WR-DB-OL in this draft, they will probably go DB-OL-WR.
UPDATE: DBs and OLs should still be the areas of focus for the Skinz. They finally get to play in round 2, at which time a DB like David Amerson or DJ Hayden would be a good first pick. 

New York Giants: Giants seemed to fall apart last year, not just by electing to play one and a half wide receivers on offense, but also by quite the bit of inconsistency on defense. They would have been better off running with Reuben Randle from the beginning. Coach Coughlin's commitment to his veterans has this one down side. Now by trading Hixon, and the uncertainty on the Cruz holdout, the Giants almost have to take a WR early, again. This means holes at LB and in the secondary might not all get filled. I expect them to make a few free agent signings, and to draft RB-DL-DB, they should go LB-WR-DB.
UPDATE: Jarvis Jones is a great fit and could still be available for the Giants with the #19 pick. Then they could follow that up with Kawann Short in the second round.

Philadelphia Eagles: The entire core of this team is in flux, except at RB and perhaps at WR. If they do the smart thing and avoid drafting those positions, the Iggs can have an entirely different look under Chip Kelly in 2013. They need help at LB and in the secondary the most, and then there is that offensive line situation, which run blocks very well, but has a hard time protecting the passer. Undoubtedly, Kelly will want to make his presence felt on offense, and will do something there, too. They will draft OL-DL-WR but should probably be going OL-DB-LB.
UPDATE: Talk persists that Chip is not happy with the QBs he has and will draft one, perhaps with his first round pick. I say that would be nuts. Take Eric Fisher first, or whichever tackle is still on the board first, then take Nassib as a project. Right now I think they will wait a couple of rounds before taking a stab at a QB. 

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: Falcons came close to the Super Bowl last year and on paper seem to have come out of free agency a bit weaker than before it. Bad move releasing Clabo, one of the league's better linemen, especially considering his manageable salary, as well as unwise dropping John Abraham, who could still be effective in a rotation; he WAS their pass rush in 2013, getting 10 sacks in limited play, while the rest of the team combined got 17... but they did sign Steven Jackson, which is a slight upgrade over the Michael Turner-Jacquizz Rodgers combo, but not much better. They will draft OL-DL-LB, they would be better off going DL-RB-LB.
UPDATE: Nearly the entire league has the Falcons grabbing a tackle with their first pick, and I originally had them tabbed for DJ Fluker. Fluker has since risen on the board considerably, and probably won't be available for Atlanta at #30. Jonathan Cooper may end up being their man, I have a strange feeling they will trade up. 

Carolina Panthers: Arguably, the two-headed beast (with an appendage) at RB is dragging this whole team down. Using RBs the way they have been has vastly reduced the value of both Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, so much so that the Panthers might as well stay the course and draft for more pressing needs. Steve Smith has needed a complement since Muhsin Muhammad, and neither Brandon LaFell nor Dominick Hixon has the breakaway ability to exploit single-coverage matchups enough. They also need some pressure from the DL. If Beason comes back to his old self they should be OK at LB. I would also grab a DB. They will draft DL-OL-LB, they should draft DL-DL-WR, and grab the best coverage DB they can find on the open market (besides Nakamura).
UPDATE: Sheldon Richardson would be a solid selection with the 14th pick. He fits their scheme nicely and is basically a pop-and-play talent with very limited downside and risk. Remember, the Panthers have no second round pick.

Tampa Bay Bucs: Despite what some say, I like the way this team is going. Like the coaching, the team cohesion, and choice of talent under the new regime. Were I the GM, I wouldn't address the offense at all through the draft, except maybe some late stabs at QB and OL. Freeman seems to have improved a bit under Sullivan, a development which may also be due to Schiano's short leash and/or motivational skills. Still, Freeman will need to do better in clutch situations, and make better decisions with the ball, to realize his full potential. Look for them to draft TE-QB-DB, they should draft DL-LB-DB.
UPDATE: Talks for acquiring the services of Revis from the Jets have, as of this writing, broken down. Something still might get done, but as I have alluded to before, my suggestion would be for the Bucs to continue building the team their way and let someone else ransom the farm for Revis. Either way, they will be looking at DBs often and early, I still say they fool eveyone and take Ziggy Ansah, then follow that up with Jamar Taylor in Round 2.

New Orleans Saints: Payton's Place is back on the air which means more fast-paced, high-scoring offense. To keep it that way, expect them to send Colston a complement (and perhaps, a message) this year by spending a high choice on a WR. Yes, despite several defensive deficiencies and inadequate depth in key spots, this machine is built for speed. Other than that, expect them to wisely concentrate on upgrading the defense. Plus, don't underestimate what the cadence at  the line by Brees and the speed and variety of play calling does to cover up deficiencies on the offensive line. They'll go WR-DB-DL, they should go DL-OL-LB and hope somebody releases a starting-caliber DB. Can't fix it all in one year without it.
UPDATE: New Orleans has been pretty quiet in these days leading up to the draft. Dion Jordan should be their first pick at #15.

NFC North

Chicago Bears: This franchise will find it difficult to win much with Cutler as QB. The problem appears more locker-room than performance related, and I question sometimes the effort of his surrounding cast as much as I do Cutler's. My guess would be Cutler would have more success elsewhere. Assuming they roll with last year's starters on offense, and that the addition of Bennett at TE is more than a stop-gap measure, they will be able to use the draft to fulfill needs. I do like the signings of Anderson and DJ Williams to fill the holes at LB, and that move allows them to go for somebody big to help out Paea at the nose. On paper now they look better than last year already. They will draft RB-OL-LB, they would be better off going DL-OL-RB. You know who makes a lot of sense here? Geno Smith.
UPDATE: Almost sure Geno won't be around, but it would be interesting. Assuming the teams picking before the Bears address their most pressing needs, there is a very real possibility Chicago could luck into Chance Warmack, and that's my pick for them at #20.

Detroit Lions: Oh Detroit, where every step forward is one step back. Seemingly set at the skill slots, let's see which direction they go in the draft. The OL and DL are also already very good, if not great. The problem is primarily in the secondary and at LB, as neither could execute when required to finish ball games. Schwartz would be a better coordinator or sideline motivator than head coach, he is too excitable, too many ups and downs, and this is reflected by his players' performances on the field. They'll likely draft RB-DB-WR, the order should be DB-DB-DB. Yep.
UPDATE: Almost certainly either Dee Milliner or Xavier Rhodes will be the Lions' pick at #5. Then they could pick up Cyprien in the 2nd Round.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers have more or less been exposed as a two-trick pony. They throw the ball well, and rush the passer well with a certain three players. Stop the pass, play the pass, and when on offense, control those three men, and you can beat the Packers. It is imperative that this team draft or find its missing players soon, because the rest of the division is leveling the table. Top of that list is RB. I expect them to finally get it, kind of, and go RB-DB-DL, they should go RB-DL-DB. There also appears to be a problem with the coaching and/or conditioning of this team's defense, which has enough talent to be better than they are statistically. More beef or speed on the DL may be all that's missing.
UPDATE: Matt Elam makes sense for the Packers. I also like Hankins here, but DB is more of a priority for the Pack.

Minnesota Vikings: I like the style of this team, not the least because of the demeanor and sideline presence of Leslie Frazier. He reminds so much of Tom Landry I wonder what he would look like in a suit and wearing Tom's hat. His consistent patience, deference and allocation of responsibilities, and dedication to doing what his team does best paid off last year. Still, they have needs all over the field. I would also not count on Greg Jennings being the player someone of his new salary would be expected to be, but it is possible, especially if Frazier does as he has promised and moves Jennings around like he did Harvin. I would draft DL-OL-DB, the Vikings will probably go OL-DB-LB.
UPDATE: Vikings still wheeling and dealing and have decided to let the top-rated DB in the league, Antoine Winfield, go to Seattle. An already weak secondary just got weaker. Desmond Trufant and Robert Woods in the 1st Round, then Margus Hunt in the 2nd, and Minnesota should be A-OK. 

NFC West

St. Louis Rams: Jeff Fisher is a good coach that needs to make the personnel decisions in order to reach his coaching potential. He needs to have a majority of "his guys" in order to field his best team. When I think of Sam Bradford, Jay Cutler comes to mind, someone with all the tools and pedigree, who just can't seem to inspire those around him just a tad, or kick up his game when required. I would throw everyone for a loop and grab a QB early. Sure, this team has needs on the OL, even after signing Jake Long. They also should bring in a RB to at least push Daryl Richardson and Pead. I like the defense. Expect them to go RB-OL-DB, they should go QB-LB-DL and make that defense superb. Hopefully Jared Cook is the TE answer Lance Kendricks so far hasn't been.
UPDATE: With good QB play this team can make the playoffs in 2013 regardless of what it does in the draft. Since there is no QB better than Bradford in the immediate future for the Rams, they should draft Tavon Austin to help him out and play the Amendola role. Take a shot at Giovanni Bernard in the 2nd.

San Francisco 49ers: This team is strong, can go in virtually any direction, and is the most difficult team to figure out in this 2013 draft. I will hazard a guess that they go for a stand-up defensive end, or another rush-linebacker type first. They'll probably end up drafting DL-DB-OL, when they should draft RB-DB-OL. No, Frank Gore's successor is not yet on the roster.
UPDATE: Kevin Minter is my pick for them here. They also have the luxury of time to nurture the pedigree of Kyle Long if they grab him in Round 2. 

Arizona Cardinals: The desert birds look to rise like the fiery phoenix under new coach Arians. Expect a mix of what you saw last year in Indy and what he did in his last season with Pittsburgh. Having Mendenhall and Ryan Williams is a risky proposition, and despite his having other holes to fill, I anticipate Arians and his staff not being hesitant about taking a RB early. After that, they could use another "umph" factor on D. Finally, line, line, line, you can't do anything if you can't keep the defense off your QB. Even a tough blocking TE who can catch is a possibility. Their choices will probably run OL-DL-RB, would be better off in the long run going OL-OL-DL and use up some of their remaining picks on a RB and a QB.
UPDATE: After signing Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton I will say that the Cardinals stand pat at QB until the very late rounds. Lane Johnson should be their first selection, then Sylvester Williams in the 2nd.

Seattle Seahawks: This team has improved itself since the end of 2012. Its defense, especially, will be much better, and expect more consistency on offense if Russell Wilson continues to progress at the rate at which he so far has; it's arguable that he has more leadership qualities than any QB drafted in 2012, and of those, in my opinion, there are several good QBs who will be around for some time. Addressing most of their immediate needs through free agency and trades, expect Seattle to go for the best player available, with concentration on the OL. They will draft OL-DB-TE, they should draft OL-LB-TE.
UPDATE: The signing of Winfield will make it even more difficult for opponents to score through the air against Seattle. They have few needs except on the OL and perhaps at LB. I say they nab Tyler Eifert in the 2nd.