We all know we have to do it at some point so I figure I will get mine out of the way:
1st Round - Andrew Luck, QB (Standford) – Yup: no further comment.
2nd Round – Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech) – I understand the guy can’t run routes perfectly right now. I also don’t expect him to posterize anyone day one. With a guy like Randle or – heck – even Alshon Jeffrey you are getting better quality day one; however, I want the long term guy if we really are “re-building.” You at least get a guy that can high-point the ball and out run coverage. Check please.
3rd Round – Alameda Ta'amu, NT (Washington) – In watching the Senior Bowl, I look for certain things in defensive linemen, but the primary is whether a guy has a pass rush move. Sometimes it is as simple as being able to show a consistent spin. Other times, it is more of a swim move. Consistently, during the Senior Bowl I saw Tamu pushing the pocket backward with a simple bull rush. I’ll take plenty of that for our new defense.
4th Round – Markelle Martin, S (Oklahoma State) – If you watch the draft boards year round, you know the only consistent name given even mildly consistently in the top half of the draft for the safety position is Markelle Martin. Injuries will and should scare off plenty of people to drive his stock down this far; however, I still see Martin as the best safety available in the class, and a steal if still on the board this late.
5th Round – David Molk, C (Michigan) – Obviously, this is not a need pick. There are just too many things to like to leave a guy like this on the on the board in the 5th round. Rimington award winner. 41 bench reps. Lots of college starts. Squat (which I prefer in a center). High football IQ. The only other considerations I made with this pick were Ryan Miller out of Colorado and Nate Potter out of Boise State.
5th Round (Compensatory) – Vontaze Burfict, LB (Arizona State) – A lazy, impulsive son-of-a-gun. Not a team player. Red flags all over the place. That being said, this was a guy who was considered a Top 25 talent when he declared for the draft. His primary skill is rushing the passer and can do so from both inside and outside linebacker positions. Also, he hits like a freight train. If we are done with the "Dungy Way," this is a guy you roll the dice on at this juncture.
6th Round (Compensatory) – George Bryan, TE (North Carolina State) – Nothing flashy. The 40 time alone will scare most teams off, and if you count the few red flags, you got yourself a late round pick. Here is what to like though: soft hands, able to find holes in coverage, good size at 6’5”, 265 lbs, solid run blocking skills.
7th Round – Matt Conrath, DE (Virginia) – Draws comparisons to Cory Redding, and we have Cory Redding on the roster. Plus, we had him do a private workout. Okay, that makes too much sense.
7th Round – Chris Owasu, WR (Stanford) – With Owasu, you get the obvious Stanford connection. A guy that has speed to take the top off and decent hands. The negative is that he is one good shot away from never playing football again due to concussions.
7th Round (Compensatory) – Buddy Jackson, CB (Pittsburgh) – You can’t teach 6’0” with a sub 4.4 40-time. Plus its Mr. Irrelevant, so who cares?


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