Round 3
65. Detroit Lions - Fili Moala, DT, USC
Just one of the many USC prospects, Moala has been overlooked all the way into the third round. He is a massive man with good strength, and should give the Lions an inside presence they haven’t had since Shaun Rogers.
66. St. Louis Rams - Chip Vaughn, S, Wake Forest
They got their tackle and receiver, now addressing the defense is their top priority.
Previous: Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia
67. Kansas City Chiefs - Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin
Despite the solid tight end class, a lot of the prospects are still on the board. That allows the Chiefs to take a luxury pick, saving them future trouble when Tony Gonzalez inevitably is traded. Even if he isn’t traded, he’s 32, so getting a young guy is a good idea.
68. Seattle Seahawks - Andre Brown, RB, North Carolina State
Julius Jones is less likely to be the answer by the day, and Andre Brown is highly underrated.
Previous: Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa
69. Dallas Cowboys (From Cleveland) - D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
The Cowboys desperately need a safety, but could also use a corner. Moore is athletic and versatile enough for Dallas to contemplate a switch to safety.
Previous: Chip Vaughn, S, Wake Forest
70. Cincinnati Bengals - Jarett Dillard, WR, Rice
The Bengals are in dire need of a receiver, with only Chad Johnson as a receiver worth mentioning, and he has the worst season of his career last season. Dillard probably isn’t a top-ten talent, but he’s athletic, has good size, and was extremely productive in college (60 touchdowns).
71. Oakland Raiders - Cody Brown, OLB, UConn
The Raiders have a solid linebacker corps, but it definitely could stand to be improved. Brown adds depth and versatility, while bringing freakish athleticism and good pass rushing skills.
72. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly
If they hadn’t gotten B.J. Raji, Marks would be their guy at this spot. However, they now have the luxury of going after a guy with a ton of potential in Ramses Barden.
Previous: Sen’Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
73. Green Bay Packers - Troy Kropog, OT, Tulane
After getting a stud linebacker and a corner, Green Bay can finally focus on beefing up their offensive line.
Previous: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
74. San Francisco 49ers - Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State
The 49ers finally have the defensive mindset that they had in the 80’s, so it’s either a secondary pick or a look at the linebackers. The linebacker pool isn’t elite at this point, so taking a top-10 corner is in order.
75. Buffalo Bills - Austin Collie, WR, BYU
They have Lee Evans and Terrell Owens, but Owens is only under contract for one season. Collie is a fundamental stud with great hands and crisp route-running. He makes up for only average speed with great quickness and sound awareness.
76. New York Jets (From New Orleans) - Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma
The Jets are already throwing caution to the wind by waiting this long to get a quarterback, so why not wait until the third round to get a starting receiver? Iglesias definitely has all the athleticism and abilities needed to start at the next level, but has questionable game-breaking skills.
77. Houston Texans - Kory Sheets, RB, Purdue
Even if the Texans are content with running Steve Slaton 25 times a game, they still need a quality back up to lean on. Sheets should be able to become the perfect complement to Slaton’s.
Previous: Andre Brown, RB, North Carolina State
78. San Diego Chargers - Jason Phillips, ILB, TCU
The Chargers appear to have their offense set for next year, so addressing the safety position opposite of Eric Weddle or beefing up their linebacker corps is next on the list. Phillips possesses unmatched toughness and smarts, despite playing against relatively weak competition.
79. Denver Broncos - Stephen McGee, QB, Texas A&M
There are arguably better options available at quarterback, but it’s hard not to like McGee’s physical tools, including his natural speed and athleticism. If the Broncos’ do in fact opt for a passer here, don’t be surprised if they go for the talented Nate Davis, either.
80. Washington Redskins - T.J. Lang, OT, Eastern Michigan
This is a huge need for the Redskins, and they’ll be doing themselves (and Jason Campbell) a huge favor by forgetting about any other needs with this pick. Lang has the talent to be a solid starter, and could fight for a starting spot in training camp.
Previous: Troy Kropog, OT, Tulane
81. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty
The Buccaneers just signed Derrick Ward and still have Carnell Williams under contract, but adding Jennings could be huge for their offense. It’s also hard to ignore Williams’ injury history, as well as Ward’s age. This is a solid need and luxury pick.
Previous: Kory Sheets, RB, Purdue
82. Detroit Lions (From Dallas) - Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida
Ingram is far from being an established blocker, but has good athleticism and speed for the position. His skills are extremely raw, but his potential is something the Lions would be advised to invest in at a position where they haven’t had a play-maker in years.
83. Green Bay Packers (From New York Jets) - James Casey, TE, Rice
The Packers haven’t had a truly elite tight end since Keith Jackson played one season for them in 1996. It’s time they added a guy who can help on the line, but also can really open things up for Aaron Rodgers. Donald Lee is fine, but he isn’t the long-term solution.
Previous: Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri
84. Denver Broncos (From Chicago) - David Veikune, OLB, Hawaii
The Broncos could use another linebacker who can rush the passer. Veikune is a solid tackler with above-average athleticism, and could be an instant rotation guy.
85. Philadelphia Eagles - Sherrod Martin, CB, Troy
With the recent trade request by Sheldon Brown, the Eagles will have to act and snag a quality corner in the first three rounds. If Martin lasts this long, he could potentially be a perfect fit.
86. Minnesota Vikings - Eric Wood, C, Louisville
As great as he is, and as hard as it is to admit it, Matt Birk is getting older and can’t play forever. Wood is one of the top centers, and should sit behind Birk for another couple years before he takes over.
87. Miami Dolphins - Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State
The Dolphins should keep addressing their “no-name” defense by adding solid pieces like Freeman. Freeman is probably the best linebacker available at this spot, so it seems like a good match.
88. Baltimore Ravens - Cameron Morrah, TE, California
Todd Heap hasn’t been healthy or at the top of his game for a while now, and there are even rumors he could be part of a package in a trade for Anquan Boldin. Either way, adding the versatile and athletic Casey would improve their tight end situation, as well as their entire offense.
Previous: James Casey, TE, Rice
89. New England Patriots - Jared Bronson, TE, Central Washington
New England can’t wait forever for David Thomas to progress, and Ben Watson hasn’t been what they hoped, either.
Previous: T.J. Lang, OT, Eastern Michigan
90. Atlanta Falcons - Jasper Brinkley, ILB, South Carolina
With Keith Brooking gone, the Falcons need to add depth to the linebacker corps, as well as find a guy who could potentially mad the middle down the road. Brinkley just might be that guy.
91. New York Giants - Darry Beckwith, ILB, LSU
The Giants lost their defensive coordinator, but that doesn’t mean they’re changing their mindset. They need play-makers across the board, and that means getting a guy who can be the captain of their defense down the road.
92. Indianapolis Colts - Jason Watkins, OT, Florida
The Colts offensive line is usually one of the best in the league when healthy, but it’s time to start thinking toward the future.
93. Carolina Panthers - Louis Vasquez, G, Texas Tech
The Panthers would have liked to get an elite tight end, but due to other needs, they missed their opportunity. Adding depth to their stout offensive line will have to suffice. Trading up to nab Chase Coffman or James Casey (or either falling to them) is possible, too.
Previous: Jared Bronson, TE, Central Washington
94. Tennessee Titans - Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU
They need depth at receiver, and Byrd is ultra athletic. Byrd was involved in a car accident recently, but his talent is too pure to pass up at this point.
95. Arizona Cardinals - Macho Harris, CB, Virginia Tech
The Cardinals continue to get stronger and more athletic on the defensive side of the ball, as they add a true play-maker at corner in Macho Harris.
96. Pittsburgh Steelers - Darcel McBath, S, Texas Tech
There is open competition at one of the safety sports, and bringing in McBath will ensure a quality player will be obtaining that spot.
97. New England Patriots (Compensatory selection) - Bradley Fletcher, CB, Iowa
The Patriots are pretty well-rounded on both sides of the ball, but getting Fletcher gives them a solid group of corners to compete in training camp.
98. Cincinnati Bengals (Compensatory selection) - Kaluka Maiava, OLB, USC
The Bengals haven’t had a true play-maker at linebacker since they Odell Thurman, so the hope is they can find a quality linebacker in the first three rounds. Maiava is overshadowed by the other three stud USC linebackers, but should make a fine addition to the Bengals.
99. Chicago Bears (Compensatory selection) - Danelle Ellerbe, ILB, Georgia
The Bears need to start planning for life after Brian Urlacher. Ellerbe definitely isn’t the prime candidate to replace the Pro Bowler, but should add significant depth to an already solid corps.
100. New York Giants (Compensatory selection) - Asher Allen, CB, Georgia
The Giants should continue to beef up their secondary with Allen, a quality corner with sound fundamentals.
