by Anthony Fernandez, January 13th, 2014
[2.1] 
WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU | B
OBJ, in my opinion, seemed like mostly a name... so I wasn't surprised he fell to the 2nd round. He's decent value at this point though, and even skewed up 2 speed, which helps him seem less mediocre. He ends up at 6', 95 speed, 90 agility, 93 acceleration, and 78 catch. While he'll never be the star of a team (perhaps like his NFL counterpart), he has the tools needed to be a nice compliment to Mike Evans.
[2.2] CB Jason Verrett, Texas Christian University | C+
Verrett skewed way down in agility, which hurts, but he is pretty game ready for a 2nd round corner. While the 5'10" is shorter than I'd consider for a guy barely pushing 90's in speed, agility, and acceleration, I can see why a GM would pull the trigger. The main thing saving this at the C+ and it not being a D or F is the age. He's just 21, so there is a long runway for development here, BUT if he's truly going to become much of anything, the Rams will need to invest in him early and often. At 93/89/91 and 5'10"... I'd just ask... WHO is he going to cover? You putting him on the teams small burner? Nope. You having him cover the big guy? Nah. Hell, even with those sub 90's guys that are seemingly on every team... they would burn this guy. He's been getting playing time, too, and even has an INT. So who knows, maybe his higher overall will have him cheese some production out of the unpredictable engine.
[2.3] 
DT Jimmy Staten, Mid Tennessee State | A
Interesting skew - lost speed, gained agility and acceleration. Also got stronger and better at tackling. The speed thing sucks because it limits him from a move to defensive end, in my opinion. Also a little old, but a 6'4", 304lb unit with a little wiggle should be an asset for them moving forward.
[2.4] 
HB Jeremy Hill, LSU | A-
Hill isn't that far off of Hyde, who I didn't love. But the Panthers needed a HB more than the Chargers, with Lynch regressing. It's also a tad later, and I like the strength on Hill. I think this is good value at this point. I personally don't expect him to set the world on fire, or be a Top 5 back in this league... but he's got enough things that if given some love, he could be a Top 10 type guy well before he regresses in 9 seasons.
[2.5] 
ROLB Trent Murphy, Stanford | A++
Absolute steal. Murphy is big, SUPER fast, strong enough, and a reliable tackler with good hands and strength as a rookie. Being 24 is literally the only knock on this guy (unless you're afraid of 68 injury). Maybe one of my favorite picks of the draft. 87 speed, 88 agility, and 91 acceleration on a rookie OLB pushing 260lbs is insane. Great pick by Neal.
[2.6] 
QB Keith Wenning, Ball State | B
I hate every quarterback on this whole God damned roster. From Big Ben, who was verbally agreed to become a Cowboy, to Chris Simms the free agent who gave us our first loss, to this scrambler that I game planned against. Throw them all in the ocean! Then you have death threats to MY GUY Glennon?! Unacceptable behavior, really. Seriously though, a little high, but a good player. Apolo will obviously need to pay to make him not a scrambler at some point, but 57 awareness, 98 throw power, and 85 throw accuracy as a rookie is solid. He played well in relief and should be groomed to be the future in Tennessee now that Apolo has secured another year.
[2.7] 
HB Alfred Blue, LSU | A
"After starting one and sev, Kev is blue, if he was green would dieeeee!" That's a song, isn't it? It's been a rough year for Kev, but if there is a silver lining, they got a really good runner here at pick 39. Blue is huge for a runner, but also is quicker than most of the bulldozers in this class. He also has 68 strength and 76 break tackle, so it's not like he's easy to tackle. He's had a limited sample size, but he's looked good averaging 5 yards per carry. I think Kevin is going to like Blue.
[2.8] 
RT Joel Bitonio, Nevada | A+
Everything the Dolphins touch turns to gold, including getting a 6'4", 83 overall, 95 strength offensive tackle that is an amazing blocker in the 2nd round. Bitonio is so good he already is getting starts on an undefeated team. Just a master class by GM Daren Roberts, who is the early favorite to finally win a Super Bowl after winning the AFC the last two years.
[2.9] 
WR Shaq Evans, LSU | A+
This addition at this point in the draft eased the loss of AJ Green. Shaq has decent size at 6'1", yet still has great measurables with 93 speed, 97 agility, 96 acceleration, and 77 catch. It might take him some time to crack the starting rotation in Seattle, but he should be getting as much playing time as they can spare to develop him. Bright future ahead.
[2.10] 
DT Ryan Carrethers, Arkansas State | B+
What time is the draft? THE EAGLES HAVE ENTERED THE CHAT. Carrethers is 99 speed and 333lbs, and his tackle isn't bad at 75. He doesn't move the needle much with his athleticism, but he's good enough to play NT in this league and the Eagles DL was so bad that he's already starting. Good addition, at a cheap price.
[2.11] TE Eric Ebron, University of North Carolina | A
Ebron is not that far behind talent wise some of the tight ends that were going early last year. 84/85/84 with 82 catch is plenty good for a starting tight end in this draft. Ebron is another big target that they'll pair with Mike Evans to form a potent passing attack in a few years.
[2.12] SS Haha Clinton-Dix, Alabama | A-
Another really good rookie for Neal. Pretty polished, again Neal displaying he's not afraid of Age 30 regression by drafting a 23+ year old. Haha is not quite as quick as I prefer, but has amazing hands and freaking 96 tackle as a rookie. Insane. Just tremendous value for this point in the draft.
[2.13] 
WR Martavis Bryant, Clemson | A-
Martavis Bryant is 6'4" with wheels, which is why I was very surprised he was there this late. We considered him at 15 overall, and then again at 25 overall, but were able to trade down, get a future 1st round pick (that eventually become WR Victor Cruz) and still got our guy. It doesn't always work out that good. Bryant himself will take some work, as he's very raw, but we have enough wide receivers that we can take our time.
[2.14] 
LG Charles Leno, Penn State | A
Leno, like Bitonio, is starting for a division leading squad. Leno, despite being 82 overall, is a little less ready to start, and has given up a pair of sacks. Even still 99 pass block, 86 run block, 93 strength, 65 speed, 73 agility, and 79 acceleration is tremendous for a prospect in the middle of the 2nd round. Well done.
[2.15] 
ROLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo | A
Good add here by Hickman. Mack has ideal size for an outside linebacker, and while the 81 speed is so low it almost relegates him to the right side longterm, but it's still great value at this point. He's a sound tackler and is strong enough to get off blocks. Really great value.
[2.16] 
LT Kadeem Edwards, Tennessee State | A-
Really like Kadeem. Huge size, 99 strength, 61 speed, 67 agility, 75 acceleration, 82 pass block, 83 run block? Yea, that'll do. If there's one knock, it's that he's already 23 years old, so that age 30 regression is just two short contracts away. Compounding that, he has got no playing time on an (0-7) team, so this year he's wasting away and not getting progression. He should probably be starting to try and speed up the AWR/PBK/RBK getting into the 90s.
[2.17] WR Allen Robinson, Penn State | C
This guy has killed me so many times in NFL fantasy I'm trying hard not to be biased, haha. But he's just 5'11", and his measurables are just average. If the Packers pour some resources into him he could be good, but only really his catch is above average right now.
[2.18] MLB Shaquil Barrett, Colorado State | A++
Absolute stud. As someone who drafted a MLB this round, I was really hoping Shaq would be there. 86 speed, 84 agility, 84 acceleration, 70 catch, 99 TACKLE, 75 strength, and 60 awareness?!?! Insane. Just such a steal. Neal is too good at this.
[2.19] 
CB Antone Exum Jr, Virginia Tech | C+
Good player at 6'1", but I wonder if his size got him overdrafted a bit. Strength is solid, tackling isn't bad, but at 91 speed, 91 agility, 95 acceleration - there were just more talented options here. Had he been 6'3" or taller, maybe then you can overlook the 4-6 points he is behind in some other categories, but the two inches just isn't enough to justify.
(that's what SHE said)
[2.20] CB Malcolm Butler, Western Carolina | A+
The 24 year old Butler fell clearly because of his age, but he's very polished for a rookie. I'm starting to think that Neal might be onto something with not giving a damn about the age of the prospects. Butler is 95 speed, 90 agility, 97 acceleration, 72 catch, 80 tackle, and is ALMOST 6'. I'm sorry, those are ELITE numbers. There are not 50 prospects better than this kid.
[2.21] LG Trai Turner, LSU | A+
6'3" with 97 strength, 86 pass block and run block? Yea, that'll do. Total steal at the 21st pick in round 2. Tons of LSU talent going this round. Trai is (checks card), 20 years old?!? What a steal for Kevin. This guy is going to be a Pro Bowl talent in a few short years. At (1-7), probably safe to get him some starting reps.
[2.22] RT Morgan Moses, Virginia | A-
Back to back offensive linemen steals for the Jets here. Moses is a polished blocker, and while his strength is low, the Jets have the means to improve that. I like him slightly less than Turner, so interesting to see him get starting reps before him. I'm sure they'll both get some play here down the stretch though.
[2.23] 
QB Blake Bortles, UCF | A
BLAKE BORTLES! In the 2nd round. Higher than I thought he'd go, but you can see the justification with the mentor rule getting a tweak this offseason. Bortles is 21 years old, 90 throw power, 92 throw accuracy, and a very good 62 awareness. Hopefully they plan to put some activity points into him, but I think they did a good job securing a future behind Eli (who can mentor in the mean time).
[2.24] 
LOLB Anthony Barr, UCLA | A++
Absolute gem here by the Super Bowl Champs. 6'4", 235 means he's plenty big. 86 speed, 85 agility, 85 acceleration is all the quicks you need to be great. Solid tackler, good strength. Only 22 years old. Just a great find, and no surprise he's already getting starting reps.
[2.25] 
RG Zack Martin, Notre Dame | A+
Martin is a stud. Great size, super strong, already a great blocker. Really nice add by Mr. Cook here late in the 2nd. A little bummy that the 80 injury rating, but so far Martin has been an absolute stud with 20 pancakes. Great pick here.
[2.26] ROLB Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College | A
I can't speak to the NEED of this guy for Neal, as he's already landed multiple stud linebackers in this draft, but again you can't beat this value. Pierre-Louis is a little undersized, but 85 speed, 83 agility, 86 acceleration, 75 tackle, 81 strength and only 22 years old. Crazy value at the end of the 2nd. Neal should teach classes on drafting. I'd take one.
[2.27] 
HB Davonta Freeman, Florida State | A-
I'm on record being in love with Freeman, he was actually considered at pick 1.15, but it was just too high. That 90 break tackle at 21 years old is fkn elite. He also has 78 strength, and is quick enough at 90 speed and 92 acceleration. While he's struggled as a rookie, I think he'll have a very good career. He's on the trade block now, and if he's still there next year I may come knocking. Ultimately added the minus on here because of the cost it took to get these two 2nd round picks (HB Murray). The Colts turned down an offer that included a 1st Round Pick for Murray, and I ultimately ended up trading 1/2/3 to Arizona, which was available for Indy (or close). Either way, they got two good players for Murray, so all is fine.
[2.28] 
CB Jaylen Watkins, Florida | A+
Nolan Carroll replacement? Watkins skewed down in speed, but up in acceleration, ultimately creating a more balanced prospect. He's a little undersized, but very capable for a super late 2nd round pick. I think the jump and great hands will really help him, and he's not even a bad tackler. Looks like he messed around and even got some playing time this year. Very good pick by Mr. Tinnin.
[2.29] MLB Anthony Hitchens, Iowa | A-
Hate the 72 overall, but he's only 21 years old. He won't be the instant replacement for Wheeler I had hoped for in a year or two, but long term he has potential. 85 speed, 85 agility, 88 acceleration, 81 strength, 79 tackle, and 64 catch ain't bad for a MLB prospect. He might even end up getting some activity point love in the near future.
[2.30] RT Michael Schofield, Michigan | A
I was a little baffled that this pick wasn't more popular on draft day, but I'm very happy to land Phil Loadholt's eventual replacement at pick 62. Schofield is a Michigan boy, 6'6", 300lbs, with incredible 97 strength, 66 speed, 72 agility, 75 acceleration, 80 pass block, and 83 run block. He'll be a focus of training camp the next year or two, and should be starting before he turns 25 years old.
[2.31] CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State | A-
Like Watkins a few picks earlier, just not as athletically gifted. Very sound tackler with amazing hands for a rookie. I think this is tremendous value for a Chargers team that is a little thin at corner behind their starters. Good pick by Mr. Cook!
[2.32] LOLB Tyler Starr, South Dakota State | A-
Starr is going to be a star. He's also on the tradeblock, and being 84 speed, 84 agility, 86 acceleration, 71 strength, and 78 tackle as a 21-year old rookie is going to have suitors. So far he hasn't had much action, so consider a redshirt year, but he's Training Camp eligible the next year (or two) and should be a stud by 25 years old.
Thanks for reading! No 3rd round coverage, so that's a wrap. Too bad though, as there were a few gems in the 3rd. Really liked SS Terrence Brooks (NYJ), LT Ulrick John (MIN), MLB CJ Mosley (MIN), QB Jimmy G (BAL), LT Seantrel Henderson (TEN), and of course LG Dakota Dozier (ME). Hope you enjoyed these articles, but if not, I hope you at LEAST enjoy my players getting better, cause that's what we're out here in these streets writing for!
