Green and Jones

[FalconsfanDK]

i was wondering.

do you think in any way you could compare AJ Green and Julio Jones to Tebow and Bradford?

in the sense that... AJ, like Tebow was the biggest college star, but JJ, like Bradford is the best suited to succeed in the NFL.

i do believe Julio is the best fit for our system, so no matter what i like him above Green when it comes to playing for the Falcons.

I don't know, it was just something i thought about. what are your thoughts?

[niels petersen]

I think both will be very very good, but Julio is a better fit for us and that is all that matters when they are so close talent-wise.

Julio will have a better qb throwing to him though, so he might get his career started in a better way.

[AthensDirtyBird]

not to derail the thread at all, but i was wondering if anyone has espn insider and can post this article that mcshay wrote? he seems to be reaming on the falcons from the headline on espn but id like to read it

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/insider/news/story?id=6456201&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2fdraft2011%2finsider%2fnews%2fstory%3fid%3d6456201

[Warrior999]

Go look for Mark Bradley article on ajc.com. He has some quotes from all of them.

[The Don™]

No, I don't think so.

AJ already has a skill set that should make him more of a pure WR and very few questions about how he will transition to the NFL.. Tebow had a lot of questions coming out(taking snaps under center, elongated throwing motion, reading defenses, etc.). AJ just doesn't have many questions.

And i guess a Bradford-Jones comparison isn't bad in terms of being NFL ready...

[Tribal Chief]

Green will have a chance to prove his greatness alot sooner than Jones only because he will quickly become the Bengals go to receiver. Jones wont become our primary until his second contract. Both will have great careers but Green may have the slight advantage because of his teams situation. I could be wrong though

[FlyHighFalcons]

Where are posters getting this "JJ is better," "JJ is better suited for the NFL crap?" AJ Green is easily the better prospect, and that's fine with me. AJ Green is going into a number one WR role, Julio doesn't need to do that.

[Tribal Chief]

Where are posters getting this "JJ is better," "JJ is better suited for the NFL crap?" AJ Green is easily the better prospect, and that's fine with me. AJ Green is going into a number one WR role, Julio doesn't need to do that.

Falcons homers vs UGA homers lol

[Guest whitestain]

Why is JJ best suited to succeed in the NFL?

[FalconsfanDK]

Green will have a chance to prove his greatness alot sooner than Jones only because he will quickly become the Bengals go to receiver. Jones wont become our primary until his second contract. Both will have great careers but Green may have the slight advantage because of his teams situation. I could be wrong though

hard to say, because on the other hand, other teams know that Green is gonna be the go to guy, and they can focus on taking him out of the game, because they don't have much else to be scared of.

with us, they can't do that, because they have to beware of Roddy on the other side of the field. as well as Gonzalez to some extent, and also to some extent Rodgers out of the backfield. so opponents can't afford to give him the same amount of attention as they can AJ, which should come to his, and the teams advantage.

also, it's gonna be interesting to see how Roddy will do this year, now that teams can't give him the attention they did last year. and he did pretty darn good last year anyway.

[va2gafalcons]

Updated: May 1, 2011, 11:27 AM ET

Lions, Bengals shine on draft weekend

Plenty of good picks in 2011, but just as many questionable decisions

Email

Print

Comments99

McShay By Todd McShay

Scouts Inc.

Archive

NFL Draft Winners, Losers

Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. recap the 2011 NFL Draft

The 2011 NFL draft is in the books, and after digesting all 254 picks, here's my look at the best and most questionable move by every team.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

Best move: Taking Marcell Dareus

Yes, the Bills were fortunate he was around at No. 3 because, in my opinion, he was the best player in the draft. Dareus is a centerpiece they can build their defense around. He gives defensive coordinator George Edwards a lot of flexibility. Edwards mixes it up with this fronts and Dareus has the ability to play just about every position along the front.

Most questionable move: Failing to address their quarterback need

The Bills had an opportunity to bring in someone -- Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick were still on the board when they selected CB Aaron Williams in the second round -- to fill the need. It would have been a great year to develop a player for 2012, when they hope to be competing for a playoff spot.

Miami Dolphins

Best move: Hitting the trifecta

The Dolphins filled needs with their first three picks. C Mike Pouncey solves a lot more problems at No. 15 overall than a rookie quarterback would, and they found a potential starter at running back in Daniel Thomas. And while WR Edmond Gates will never be the No. 1 guy, even without Brandon Marshall's uncertain situation, Miami needed another wideout and got Gates at a good spot.

Most questionable move: Not getting a QB

It's hard to fault the Dolphins for the strategy they employed, but they could have taken a different road and gotten the quarterback they need. Miami traded up from No. 79 to 62 to get Thomas, and if the speculation about their interest in QB Ryan Mallett was true, why not get Mallett with the 62nd pick? The Dolphins could have then gotten a similar running back value later in the draft while filling their need under center.

New England Patriots

Best move: Acquiring extra picks via trade

Getting OT Nate Solder was a good move at No. 17 and I like CB Ras-I Dowling at 33, but trading the 28th pick to the Saints for No. 56 this year and a first-rounder next year and getting No. 219 and a second-rounder next year helps just as much. The Patriots had only five 2012 picks when this draft started, and next year's picks will count less against the salary cap than those in this draft.

Most questionable move: Stevan Ridley in the third round

The Patriots had just taken Shane Vereen in the second round, and Ridley was a reach in the third. They already have the same kind of player on the roster in BenJarvus Green-Ellis and could have gone in a lot of different directions at that point. New England needed to get a pass-rusher, and could have taken one instead of Vereen and gotten a single running back later on.

New York Jets

Best move: Drafting Muhammad Wilkerson

The Jets got good value at No. 30 and Wilkerson is a prefect fit for Rex Ryan's three-man defensive front. Wilkerson can play the role of a two-gap space eater and also has the ability to get pass-rush pressure. He can also line up as a nose tackle, a traditional defensive tackle and as a 3-4 end. That versatility should give the Jets a lot of flexibility up front, especially with Shaun Ellis nearing the end of his career.

Most questionable move: Bilal Powell at No. 126

I like Powell as a player, and New York needed another option if Joe McKnight doesn't pan out because LaDainian Tomlinson is at the end of his career. However, they could have had a much more versatile back in Johnny White, who went 133rd but graded out significantly higher.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

Best move: Jimmy Smith at No. 27

You could make the argument this is one of the best value picks of the entire draft. The only thing keeping Smith from being a top-10 pick was concerns about his character, and those concerns, at least in the immediate future, all but go away because of the presence in Baltimore of players like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. There is no way Smith gets away with the things in Baltimore he did in Colorado.

Most questionable move: Chykie Brown in the fifth round

When you're critiquing pick No. 164, things are going pretty well, but the Ravens already drafted a corner in the first round and could have gone defensive end with Pernell McPhee or linebacker with Quan Sturdivant.

Cincinnati Bengals

Best move: Not reaching for a quarterback

The Bengals resisted the temptation to take a quarterback at No. 4 and instead selected the best player on the board in A.J. Green, who just happened to fill a significant need. And whether it was genius or luck, staying put and not trading away picks to move up, and still getting QB Andy Dalton, worked out well for them. Dalton is the quarterback offensive coordinator Jay Gruden wanted and is the best fit for Gruden's version of the West Coast offense. Cincinnati has had some great play from its quarterbacks and receivers in recent years, but it just hasn't worked out for them. Maybe this time they got it right in a span of 35 picks.

Most questionable move: Dontay Moch in the second round

Moch is best suited to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, and while he will be worth the pick if he becomes a good situational pass-rusher, Moch's exceptional speed just doesn't translate to the field. He is too much of a straight-line player and doesn't have the flexibility to bend the edge tightly. He's simply too tight and doesn't fit Cincinnati's 4-3 scheme very well.

Cleveland Browns

Best move: Trading back with Atlanta

Cleveland traded out of the No. 6 pick and added Atlanta's first- and fourth-round picks in next year's draft and Nos. 27, 59 and 124 in this year's draft. Again, that's all for the No. 6 pick. The best use of these picks was the selection of North Carolina WR Greg Little. If he continues to develop and character issues don't cause any problems, Little could be the No. 1 WR that Mike Holmgren wanted to add all along.

Most questionable move: Giving a pick away to select DT Phil Taylor

It's not a terrible reach to take Taylor, but they might not have had to give up a third-round pick to get him. He's not a great fit as he's better as a 3-4 nose tackle. Defensive coordinator **** Jauron will get the most out of Taylor's ability and the Browns obviously value him in their scheme, but he also comes with some questions about his character. With the Little pick, two of their first three picks have red flags.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Best move: Cameron Heyward

Aaron Smith is no longer dependable from a durability standpoint, and Heyward should become a starter opposite Ziggy Hood, who they drafted early in 2009. If all goes well, these two will upgrade and infuse youth into an aging defensive line. Heyward will be able to take up space, provide versatility and wreak havoc early in his career.

Most questionable move: Cortez Allen in the fourth round

After addressing needs with their first three picks with players who have a chance to be starters down the road, they took Allen in Round 4. There were better corners on the board, including Josh Thomas. They certainly need bodies at the position, but the Steelers also had other needs, including offensive line and a big wide receiver.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

Best move: Brooks Reed

They didn't think he would fall to them in Round 2, but he's a perfect fit at outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. Reed will line up opposite Connor Barwin with DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing on the inside, forming one of the best young linebacker corps in the NFL.

Most questionable move: Rashad Carmichael

The Texans didn't have a third-round pick, but they could have drafted a better CB than Carmichael in the second round (Buster Skrine). The Texans could have also addressed needs at safety (Robert Sands) or offensive tackle (Jason Pinkston).

Indianapolis Colts

Best move: Attacking the offensive line

The Colts stayed at No. 22 overall and didn't have to give up picks to get OT Anthony Castonzo. While Tyron Smith might be more naturally talented and Nate Solder has more upside, Castonzo is ready to start immediately at left tackle and anything short of that would not have been good enough. Their next pick netted Ben Ijalana, who is a perfect fit in their system, and with their ability to move Charlie Johnson inside to guard, the Colts added protection for QB Peyton Manning and significantly upgraded a running game that finished 29th in the NFL last season.

Most questionable move: Delone Carter in the fourth round

Carter is worth the pick and they will be able to put him to use, but at that point Indianapolis could have gotten another weapon in the passing game for Manning. The Colts have Reggie Wayne and a bunch of injury-prone guys at wide receiver, and with the 119th pick they could have gotten Tandon Doss or Jeremy Kerley to help fill that need.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Best move: Blaine Gabbert

I might be in the minority here, but I think Gabbert's best chance of developing into a good starting quarterback in the NFL is for him to land in the exact situation he's in now. This gives him time to develop behind David Garrard -- who has played better than most people think -- and by moving up just six spots, the Jaguars solidified their future at the most important position on the field.

Most questionable move: Doing the safety dance

This is nitpicking, but the Jags could have found a better safety at No. 121 than Christopher Prosinski. Ahmad Black doesn't have the measurables, but he's instinctive and we think he'll be a better football player regardless of size considerations.

Tennessee Titans

Best move: Their handling of Rounds 3 and 4

The Titans got DT Jurrell Casey in the third round and LB Colin McCarthy in the fourth, and there's a chance Casey will be eating up blocks for McCarthy as both become quality starters. I think they are two of the more underrated midround players in the draft.

Questionable move: Jake Locker at No. 8.

Tennessee could have gotten Blaine Gabbert, the top quarterback on our board, instead. Locker might have more upside if he's developed properly, but drafting him eighth overall means you think he is your franchise quarterback and have to play him right away. It's hard in today's NFL to draft a quarterback in the top 10 and sit him for a year, and I don't know if offensive coordinator Chris Palmer is the right guy to bring Locker along. The Titans are still trying to make up for the Vince Young pick and this just isn't a good situation for Locker.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

Best move: They didn't get cute

Loved how the Broncos got three good players -- OLB Von Miller, S Rahim Moore and OG Orlando Franklin -- who can start and make the team better. They locked down three upgrades at three positions with their first three picks.

Most questionable move: Reaching for Nate Irving

I don't think Irving, an ILB from NC State, is worth the 67th pick. USC DT Jurrell Casey would have been a better option at a position of need.

Kansas City Chiefs

Best move: Taking Rodney Hudson with the 55th pick

Hudson is exactly the kind of player GM Scott Pioli is trying to build the organization around. He's a high-character, intelligent hard worker, and center is a major need for the Chiefs. Outside of Pouncey, Hudson is the best at the position in this year's draft.

Most questionable move: Taking a few risks

Considering how much Pioli emphasizes limiting risk, there are some question marks with first-round WR Jonathan Baldwin, who was a menace to his coaches and teammates at Pitt, and third-round DE Justin Houston, who turns his motor off and on like a kitchen faucet.

Oakland Raiders

Best move: The surprising wideout

Denarius Moore has deceptive speed and is an underrated playmaker. He doesn't have great timed speed, which goes against the Raiders' usual MO, but he is slippery and tracks the vertical pass very well. Moore grew on me and the more tape I watched, the more I liked him.

Most questionable: Getting exploited by the Patriots

The Raiders traded pick No. 219 and a second-round pick in 2012 to the Patriots for picks No. 92 (OT Joe Barksdale) and No. 125 (RB Taiwan Jones). This is typical Raiders, not having a feel for where players are coming off the board and then getting impatient and making bad deals. The Patriots have a habit of exploiting teams like this and there's a reason New England keeps making deals with Oakland. Basically, this became Barksdale for a second-round pick, and that is not appropriate draft behavior.

San Diego Chargers

Best move: Great value with middle three picks

I really like the players they got with their middle three picks -- WR Vincent Brown, CB Shareece Wright and RB Jordan Todman. Brown is one of the more underrated receivers in the class, Wright is a naturally gifted corner and Todman could be an absolute steal in the sixth round as a quality backup to Ryan Mathews and a difference maker in the return game.

Most questionable move: Drafting Jonas Mouton too high

Jonas Mouton was the second of two second-round picks the Chargers had. There is at least one other team that had him with a third-round grade, so it's not as big of a reach as some might think, but in my opinion he is a very ordinary starter.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

Best move: Tyron Smith in the first round

The Cowboys stayed put at No. 9 overall and got the best available player at one of their top need positions in OT Tyron Smith, who can step in on the right side and be an upgrade over Marc Colombo from Day 1. Smith has the tools to play left tackle but would need time to adjust his footwork on the left side, so this works out perfectly for the Cowboys and Smith.

Most questionable move: Bruce Carter at No. 40 overall

Where Dallas got Carter is not the issue. The problem is trying to find a fit in the 3-4 scheme of new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. To me, Carter is the classic 4-3 weakside linebacker and it's hard to figure where he will play in a 3-4. Is he a weakside inside linebacker? Adding to the questions is the fact that Dallas took LB Sean Lee in the second round a year ago.

New York Giants

Best move: Landing a Prince

Cornerback was not a primary need and I'm sure it wasn't the Giants' plan to go after a corner in the first round, but rather than opting for need at offensive tackle or running back they stuck to their board and took the best player available in Prince Amukamara. This is a decision that could solidify the entire secondary, and Amukamara should step in right away as a contributor.

Most questionable move: Jerrel Jernigan at No. 83

We're nitpicking again, and while I like Jernigan as a player I just don't know if the Giants needed him. They drafted Hakeem Nicks two years ago in the first round and have Steve Smith and Mario Manningham as well, and while he was drafted to be their return specialist and fourth receiver, they could have gone in any number of directions and addressed other needs, then gotten a return specialist later.

Philadelphia Eagles

Best move: Jaiquawn Jarrett in the second round

I believe Jarrett will be a good starter in the NFL, and with Quintin Mikell a free agent, Jarrett will ideally step in right away. He's not big, but he's tough, and Jarrett is one of the more underrated defensive backs in the 2011 class.

Most questionable: Taking a kicker in the fourth round

The 120th pick is simply too high for Alex Henery. Yes, he was the No. 1 kicker on our board, but Henery has had some inconsistent stretches in his career, and while he has a monster leg, the Eagles would have been better off addressing right offensive tackle, defensive line, tight end, wide receiver or return specialist, then taking someone like Kai Forbath further down the line.

Washington Redskins

Best move: Trading back from No. 10 to 16

The Redskins used the 16th pick acquired from Jacksonville on DE Ryan Kerrigan, who will never be elite but is the kind of quality player and character guy the organization needs. It was a patient move and sent the right message. You could argue Washington had more holes than any other team heading into the draft, and getting WR Leonard Hankerson with the 49th pick (also acquired in the deal) got the Redskins a player who could easily be a starter for them.

Most questionable move: Dejon Gomes in the fifth round

Washington could have gotten a better safety at that point, someone like Ahmad Black. Or how about bringing in a developmental quarterback like T.J. Yates?

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

Best move: Selecting OT Gabe Carimi at No. 29

Offensive line coach Mike Tice was targeting Carimi the whole time. While some teams were concerned about his mental toughness, the Vikings think the 6-foot-7, 314-pounder is a great fit at a position of need (Minnesota allowed a league-high 56 sacks last year). The only question is whether he plays left or right tackle.

Most questionable move: Taking a safety in the third round

The Bears addressed needs in the first two rounds, but the third-round pick is a bit of a head-scratcher. While Danieal Manning is a free agent and they needed to bring someone in, I just don't know if Chris Conte is athletic enough to ever become a good starting safety and not sure he's the answer at the position. I just wonder why they didn't get the big wide receiver they needed (Tandon Doss, or someone similar) to complement the speedsters they have on the roster.

Detroit Lions

Best move: Nailing their first three picks

The Lions slam-dunked their first three selections. DT Nick Fairley doesn't look like a need at No. 13, but putting him next to DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh under a coaching staff that will demand Fairley works hard gives Detroit a chance to have a nasty defensive front. Second-round WR Titus Young will be a nice complement to Calvin Johnson, and trading into the second round to get big RB Mikel Leshoure will allow RB Jahvid Best to maximize his skill set and take some pressure off QB Matthew Stafford.

Most questionable: LB Douglas Hogue in the fifth round Hogue is a developmental prospect with good size and speed, but there were players available (Lawrence Wilson, Quan Sturdivant) who might have had a better chance to contribute right away.

Green Bay Packers

Best move: Getting a versatile weapon in Randall Cobb

After addressing offensive tackle in the first round, the Packers were able to get one of the more underrated weapons in this year's class. He can create big plays if you find a way to get him the ball in space and his versatility will allow the Packers to get more creative on offense. Cobb is yet another weapon for QB Aaron Rodgers, and he can also help in the return game.

Most questionable move: Alex Green in the third round

This is hard for me to say because Green is a good player, but he was a luxury pick. Green Bay had just drafted a versatile offensive weapon in Cobb the round before and could have targeted a defensive front-seven player instead.

Minnesota Vikings

Best move: Kyle Rudolph

I love this pick. If you're going to bring in a quarterback with the intention of playing him as a rookie, like they did with Christian Ponder, you better do everything you can to put him in a position to succeed. Assuming Rudolph is 100 percent healthy and ready to return to form, he will be Ponder's best friend. Rudolph may never be Antonio Gates in terms of elite speed to get down the field consistently, but he's a consistent route runner who uses his size to separate and has rare ball skills. Adding Rudolph to RB Adrian Peterson, WRs Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin and fellow TE Visanthe Shiancoe at least puts a good supporting cast around Ponder.

Most questionable move: Ponder at No. 12

They got pressured into taking Ponder and it's easy to see how it happened, but it did in fact happen. The Vikings didn't have a quarterback on the roster they felt comfortable bridging the gap with, free agency and trades won't happen until after the draft and a run of three quarterbacks -- who in a typical year might all be mid- to late-first-round picks -- came off in the first 10 picks, and all that forced the Vikings to take Ponder. It was a perfect storm. I'll never know where the Vikings had Ponder on their board, but I know we had him at No. 45 overall; they were left reaching for Ponder.

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

Best move: Their next two picks after giving away the farm

The Falcons have Sean Weatherspoon and Curtis Lofton on the roster and Akeem Dent (second round) gives them a true middle linebacker. Dent is NFL-ready and will step in and be a two-down starter right away. They then picked up RB Jacquizz Rodgers in the fifth, who is all heart and will give QB Matt Ryan another weapon they didn't have to sell themselves out to get.

Most questionable move: Trading so much to move to No. 6 overall

Giving up Nos. 29, 59 and 124, as well as first- and fourth-round picks next year, to move up and select WR Julio Jones sixth overall is just a bad decision. I respect general manager Thomas Dimitroff and the job he has done as much as anyone, but after building the organization the right way, they gave up way too much to get a player whose positional value doesn't warrant what they paid. I would never give up that much to draft any wide receiver at any point.

Carolina Panthers

Best move: Bulking up at DT

After deciding to draft Cam Newton with the first overall pick, the Panthers were able to beef up their defensive line with Terrell McClain and Sione Fua. I'm not a huge fan of Fua because it seemed like a reach, but McClain is a second-round talent they got early in the third round. He is quick, powerful, strong against the run and someone they can start to rebuild the position around.

Most questionable move: Taking Newton

He was the 15th player on our board and he's a project at the QB position. We don't completely trust he's the type of guy you can build around and there are just enough questions about him as a teammate and leader to shy away from. In all fairness, though, they've been so impatient and done such a poor job of drafting over the last three years that they backed themselves into a corner this year and drafting Newton was a desperation pick. They need Newton to pan out to make up for a lot of bad picks in the past.

New Orleans Saints

Best move: Their handling of Round 1

I like the way the Saints attacked the first round. They didn't do anything special at No. 24 but did take the best player on the board in DE Cameron Jordan, which is a perfect fit. He'll never be an elite edge rusher, but he gives them versatility and upgrades their front-four pass rush. New Orleans then traded back into the first round to take Mark Ingram, the best running back in this year's class. Ingram will provide the Saints the inside presence they are missing and help take pressure off QB Drew Brees. And it's interesting that division-rival Atlanta also moved up for a skill player (WR Julio Jones) but gave up a lot more.

Most questionable move: Not solidifying the D-line

This is one of the two or three hardest teams to find fault with, but the one thing I would have done differently is to continue addressing the defensive front after having Jordan fall in the first round. If the Saints would have been able to land a defensive tackle in the later rounds to pair with Sedrick Ellis they would have solidified their defensive line for the future.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best move: Going 3-for-3

The Bucs took the best player on their board for three consecutive picks with DE Adrian Clayborn, DE Da'Quan Bowers and ILB Mason Foster. They continued to upgrade their front seven after selecting DTs Gerald McCoy and Brian Price.

Most questionable move: Taking Luke Stocker

Tight end was not a pressing need and could have addressed a need with that fourth-round pick. Maybe they go after CB Chimdi Chekwa or RB Kendall Hunter instead and fill needs there.

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

Best move: Covering all their bases

All signs point to Marc Bulger heading to Arizona when the lockout ends and the Cardinals think he can be a good QB in their system. Not only did this keep WR Larry Fitzgerald happy -- he did not want a rookie QB -- it also freed the Cards up to take CB Patrick Peterson. They were smart not to select a quarterback they weren't in love with. I also love the Ryan Williams pick, which was a good value and should help light a fire under current RB Chris Wells.

Most questionable move: Not getting a pass-rusher in the third round

TE Robert Housler, their third-round pick, has upside but he's very raw and there are some concerns about his mental toughness. They needed a pass-rusher and DE Justin Houston came off the board with the very next pick. Houston is a much better player than Housler and it's not even a comparison when talking about Houston versus Sam Acho, who the Cardinals selected in the fourth round.

San Francisco 49ers

Best move: Trading up to get Colin Kaepernick

Alex Smith is expected to be back for another year, but this gives coach Jim Harbaugh a quarterback to develop. Kaepernick needs work and is a long way away, but with the right coaching he could be one of the steals of this draft.

Most questionable move: Reaching at cornerback

The 49ers had a pretty good draft, but there were better options, including Shareece Wright, Curtis Marsh and Johnny Patrick, available at cornerback than Chris Culliver at the No. 80 slot. They addressed the pass rush but could have done a little better here at cornerback. Still, if this is the most questionable move they made, the 49ers had a pretty good draft.

Seattle Seahawks

Best move: John Moffitt in the third round

Seattle has drafted four offensive linemen in the first two rounds of the last three drafts, but Moffitt gives the Seahawks a solid starting guard who also brings the versatility to play center if needed.

Most questionable move: Kris Durham in the fourth round

Durham is a developmental wide receiver who benefited from playing alongside A.J. Green in college. Durham is a No. 3 receiver at best and may never even become that, and at No. 107 there were better options such as Edmond Gates, Greg Salas and Tandon Doss available.

St. Louis Rams

Best move: Greg Salas at No. 112

The Rams were looking to add young weapons for QB Sam Bradford heading into Bradford's second season, and based on where they got him, Salas could end up being one of the best overall picks in this draft. I think he'll become one of the best No. 3 receivers in the league with his reliable hands, competitiveness and toughness after the catch.

Most questionable move: Austin Pettis in the third round

In theory, there's nothing wrong with drafting wide receivers back-to-back when you have a need at the position. However, they took Pettis too high. He doesn't have as much to offer as Salas, so why not use the pick on a receiver who can stretch the field and complement the other receivers better? Leonard Hankerson isn't much faster but could have provided more of a vertical threat with his size and hands.

[FalconsfanDK]

Why is JJ best suited to succeed in the NFL?

i heard some of the nfl network guys discuss, that this could be the case. because of his physicality and a few other things i don't quite remember.

i'm not saying that he is, just wondering.

and i'm gonna team up with AJ and Julio to say, i can't say anyone is the better player. they are different players.

[Tribal Chief]

hard to say, because on the other hand, other teams know that Green is gonna be the go to guy, and they can focus on taking him out of the game, because they don't have much else to be scared of.

with us, they can't do that, because they have to beware of Roddy on the other side of the field. as well as Gonzalez to some extent, and also to some extent Rodgers out of the backfield. so opponents can't afford to give him the same amount of attention as they can AJ, which should come to his, and the teams advantage.

also, it's gonna be interesting to see how Roddy will do this year, now that teams can't give him the attention they did last year. and he did pretty darn good last year anyway.

But they still have Ochocinco for this season though. Hard to see them giving him what he wants. He still plays the game as it should be played. They have some other weapons as well, they just have to show faith in them. Then again, they have to find out who their QB is gonna be as well

[FalconsfanDK]

But they still have Ochocinco for this season though. Hard to see them giving him what he wants. He still plays the game as it should be played. They have some other weapons as well, they just have to show faith in them. Then again, they have to find out who their QB is gonna be as well

i believe ocho said he was done in cinci

[Tribal Chief]

i believe ocho said he was done in cinci

He did but as long as he's under contract, his word mean nothing

[deja entendu]

I think the question is not so much who will be a better pro prospect, but as to who would provide a more seamless fit for our offense,and to my mind whilst green is probably the superior all round receiver and is much more a fluid athlete. I think there are two things julio brings which will suit him in our offence and thats his physicality and his demeanor.

Firstly the physicality which is something that very much reminds me of roddy,who imo really makes the most of his natural strength to gain seperation something which if julio with his size and strength could pick up would be very useful.Another aspect of this physicality is his run blocking something which although often used to the derision of michael jenkins,is a great bonus for a number 1 receiver in any team that wants balance.

The second aspect is his demeanor or attitude,from all that i've seen he appears to have more of a fiery almost simialir to a defesnive player mentality,reminds me of a hines ward or dare i say even our own roddy white. And to mind A.J has a different( note not better or worse just different) mentality and when you look at guys like roddy/moore/our offensive line heck even smith has looked like he was about to throw down on the sideline so to my mind Julio looks like he was almost made into not the prototype for an nfl number 1 but for a mike smith no1 receiver.

However this is a very ill informed analysis,i will readily to admit to having never seen a single game either one of them has played so any counter arguments using evidence or reason are welcomed (holds breath)

[FalconsfanDK]

He did but as long as he's under contract, his word mean nothing

he could decide to go all in on a soccer career

[Psychic Gibbon]

Best move: Their next two picks after giving away the farm

The Falcons have Sean Weatherspoon and Curtis Lofton on the roster and Akeem Dent (second round) gives them a true middle linebacker.

It's nice to see McShay make it as obvious as possible that he has no idea what he is talking about.

[Terber]

AJ plays for a sucky *** team/ownership. Things may go bad for him regardless of his skill set in relation to Julio. As far as comparisons go though, I think that AJ has better hips/i.e more fluid and better control of his body in the air. He has better hands too. Julio is definately tougher, better blocker, will go across the middle without flinching, and also played with a bunch of game managers that would not throw to him on the deep ball unless he was wide open, so I truly believe that they are so close it is hard to compare.

[Psychic Gibbon]

AJ plays for a sucky *** team/ownership. Things may go bad for him regardless of his skill set in relation to Julio. As far as comparisons go though, I think that AJ has better hips/i.e more fluid and better control of his body in the air. He has better hands too. Julio is definately tougher, better blocker, will go across the middle without flinching, and also played with a bunch of game managers that would not throw to him on the deep ball unless he was wide open, so I truly believe that they are so close it is hard to compare.

Agreed. Jones is the more complete player but Green is the better receiver. That said, Jones definitely landed in the better position to succeed and grow. Green is already the premiere receiver for the Bengals who have been horrendous for the past two decades while Jones lands on a team where he's expected to be the #2 receiver and has elite players like White and Gonzalez to nitpick to improve his game.

[shaudyshaudback]

Terrible comparison. Tebow was the better college player but Bradford was projected to be the better player in the NFL.

Green is projected to be better the better player in the NFL considering he went 3 spots higher but Jones is still projected to be a stud in this league.

You're comparing 1 QB who was projected to be the number 1 pick, and a QB who was not projected to go in the 1st round

to

2 Wideouts projected to be top 10 picks.

Edited May 1, 2011 by Max B

[HouTexFalcon]

I would like to think of AJ as the Randy Moss type and Julio cast in more of a Andre Johnson mold. Though AJ may have superior atheletic skill set, Julio is gifted in his own right. Plus JJ landed in a better position to succeed instead of that catastrophe of a franchise in Cincy.

[chifalc]

Green will have a chance to prove his greatness alot sooner than Jones only because he will quickly become the Bengals go to receiver. Jones wont become our primary until his second contract. Both will have great careers but Green may have the slight advantage because of his teams situation. I could be wrong though

Who is throwing to Green?

[Tribal Chief]

Who is throwing to Green?

Carson Palmer isn't as bad as everyone makes him out to be and Andy Dalton may turn out to be Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco. Only time will tell. Everything that was done in college is now thrown out the window. Even if they keep Chad Johnson, Green will still have a darn good rookie season.

Who was Calvin Johnsons QB as a rookie. Better yet, who was throwing the ball to Andre Johnson as a rookie