Turf Show Times

I would like to start off by saying that I am loving how invested the TST community is in the draft. There have been some fantastic fanposts on the draft recently. Keep it up everyone! This draft took a while to come up with, and I did quite a bit of research. I watched as much video as I could get my hands on, so I hope you enjoy it.

This draft is operating under the assumption that we can either re-sign Lloyd or add another receiver such as Stevie Johnson, while also signing Cortland Finnegan. The only trade I have in this draft is the Redskins trading up to our second round pick so that they can select Ryan Tannehill. The compensation in the trade is their second, third and fifth round picks for our second and next years sixth. Also, please note that we are currently projected to have a supplemental pick at the end of the seventh round. Now on to the draft:

#2: (via Redskins) Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State: Cox is the perfect interior complement to Chris Long and Robert Quinn. He gives 100% on every play. He has no character concerns. Cox is versatile, seeing time at every position along Mississippi State's defensive line. I have even seen him drop back in coverage once or twice. Ideally, he would add ten or so pounds to help him fight through double teams, but he's well worth a pick at the top of the second round. You can find video of Cox (HAHA! You guys have dirty minds!) here.

#3: Joe Adams, WR/PR, Arkansas: Did you know that his real name is Adam Adams? I'm sure his parents love him... Anyway, Adams is a speed demon and he was one of the best punt returners in college football. I think he compares favorably to Devin Hester, with a receiving upside of DeSean Jackson (pre-contract dispute). In my review of Jeff Fisher's draft history (which is for another post), I remember reading about Fisher wanting to draft Hester, but the Titans front office nixed the idea. Well, here he gets Hester 2.0. Be sure to watch this incredible punt return.

#3 (via Redskins): Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple: Pierce would be an amazing back-up to Steven Jackson. He has a nose for the end-zone, as evidenced by his FIVE touchdown game against Maryland. I know Maryland is awful, but still, FIVE touchdowns in one game against a division-one program is an impressive feat. He has good size (6'0, 218), and he isn't exactly slow (He was a track star in high school). The only things keeping Pierce from being a top prospect are his lack of a second gear in the open field, the fact that he didn't consistently produce against big-time competition, and he has yet to really prove himself as a pass catcher. Fisher would love adding this kid and let him hone his craft behind Jackson. You can find video of Pierce here.

#4: Danny Trevathan, OLB, Kentucky: Trevathan is another great complement to an established defensive player, this time James Laurinaitis is getting the sidekick. Trevathan is incredibly fast for a linebacker, and he was productive at an SEC school. He had a whopping 143 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions his senior year. Adding him to Laurinaitis and Chris Chamberlain would help ensure that opposing offenses can't just pick on the OLB's to gain easy yardage.

#5: (via Redskins) Chris Rainey, RB/WR/KR, Florida: Rainey would provide the offense with more explosiveness, and he can be lined up all over the field. He was a special teams beast at Florida, blocking six punts (an SEC record), and he had three punt and kickoff returns for touchdowns in his last three years playing at Florida. You can find video of Rainey here.

#6: Adrian Hamilton, DE, Prairie View A&M: Hamilton started off his career at Oklahoma State before moving on to Texas Tech, and eventually, Prairie View A&M. You can learn all about Hamilton by reading this article. He actually broke Robert Mathis' sack record, racking up 20.5 sacks this past year at Prairie View. Letting Hamilton learn from James Hall for a year or two could turn him into a Quarterback seeking missile that Gregg Williams could move all over the defense. You can find video of Hamilton here.

#7: Janzen Jackson, S, McNeese State: Jackson was a five star recruit and was considered the next Eric Berry at Tennessee, before being booted off the team due to substance abuse problems. Athletically, he has all the tools to be a great safety in the NFL. He just needs to get his head straight, and learn to wrap-up, rather than launch into opposing players to make a tackle. This is a great low-risk/high-reward pick. Video of Jackson can be found here.

#7: (via Browns) Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas: Childs was considered a potential first round pick entering the season, but he never seemed to recover from his season ending injury from the 2010 season (a torn patella). He does have a ton of potential, and he is well worth a seventh round pick to find out if he can stay injury free and improve the receiving corps. Childs had all the makings of a great receiver before the injury, and I really think he could end up being the steal of the draft. You can find video of Childs here.

7: (Supplemental) Charles Deas, DT, Shaw: Deas was originally a four star defensive tackle who was going to play for LSU, but he had eligibility issues, so he ended up at Shaw. He has elite size (6'3, 336) and he has the potential to grow into Fred Robbins replacement. All of the issues that I've seen or heard about that he has are all correctable by NFL coaching. He has no conditioning issues, and is another small-school player who is well worth a late round flyer. He might take a year or two to start living up to his potential, but in the meantime he can learn the game from Robbins and be quality player towards the back end of the DT rotation.

I like this draft because we get the best OT since Jake Long, a stud defensive tackle, a sidekick for James Laurinaitis, a possible successor to Steven jackson, a bunch of quality special teams players, and some developmental picks with upside in the later rounds. Sam gets some protection and a few weapons, and the defense gets some of the last pieces it needs. Let me know what you think in the comments.