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WR Little looms large for Browns; QB Kaepernick suits 49ers well
By Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.
A look at some of the bargain picks from the 2011 NFL draft:
Greg Little, WR, Cleveland Browns: Little could very easily fizzle out. Or he could become a Terrell Owens-type of force at wide receiver. He is great after the catch and extremely strong and physical. Even though he didn't play in 2010 after having dealings with an agent, Little should quickly grab ahold of the Browns' top wide receiver role -- even though he still needs a lot of work on his craft. His big frame and overall skill set are perfect for QB Colt McCoy and the Browns' new dedication to a West Coast scheme.
Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers: Kaepernick has a funky delivery and is going to have a huge jump in competition, but this is a perfect guy for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh to mold. And Kaepernick is as talented as any quarterback in this draft. To go along with that talent, Kaepernick is considered a very hard worker with exceptional character. And he makes very good decisions with the football. Even though Alex Smith is likely to open as the Niners' starter, Kaepernick, a four-year starter in college, might not be as far away as many tend to think. Kaepernick could be a star. I love this pick for San Francisco. The Bengals will regret passing on Kaepernick for Andy Dalton.
Brandon Harris, CB, Houston Texans: It was a bit of a mystery as to why Harris slipped as much as he did -- deep into the second round. But the Texans were having none of it as they aggressively put together a package to land the talented cover man. To keep up with the likes of Indianapolis, the Texans will need plenty of corners. And Harris might be starting from the outset if Houston fails to add a veteran corner in free agency. Also, this pick should allow Glover Quin to move to free safety, upgrading two spots in the secondary. Adding Rashad Carmichael in the fourth round was also a quality selection, although the Texans are now extremely young at corner overall.
Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers: The rich, pass-happy Packers got richer with this selection. Cobb is a jack-of-all-trades whose future could eventually be as one of the premier slot receivers in the league. But for now, Green Bay can bring Cobb along slowly. In the meantime, the Packers' return-man situation was enhanced a great deal. Cobb never should have lasted to the end of Round 2, and as usual, the Packers pounced on another great addition to their squad. Packers coach Mike McCarthy and QB Aaron Rodgers will soon find ways to get this kid the football in a multitude of ways. And, by the way, this is about where Green Bay selected Greg Jennings when he came out of college. I also strongly considered putting RB Alex Green on this list. The Packers' offense is going to be amazing.
Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Indianapolis Colts: The Colts were aggressive to trade up to land their second offensive lineman after drafting Anthony Castonzo in Round 1. Ijalana is smart and should adapt quickly to the Colts' offense, even though the jump in competition from Villanova will be steep. At worst, Ijalana should be a starting guard before long. At best, he could unseat Ryan Diem at right tackle and pair with Castonzo for years to come as the Colts' bookend tackles.
Drake Nevis, DT, Indianapolis Colts: I knew it was a long shot, but when appearing on radio in Indianapolis before the draft, I mentioned Nevis as a guy whom the Colts might love enough to actually consider in Round 1. Again, that praise might have been extreme, but three-technique defensive tackles who fit Indianapolis' system as well as the explosive Nevis does are extremely difficult to find. The Colts did a great job fortifying their offensive line with their first two picks, but Nevis could make just as much of an impact from day one, especially on passing downs. Yet another Colts draftee, Delone Carter, also almost made my list. Indianapolis had a great draft, folks. Look out for the Colts.
James Brewer, OT, New York Giants: As I hosted Cover it Live over the three days of the draft, Giants fans were livid that their favorite team did not address its offensive line early on. Well, they might have stolen a guy in Brewer. A former basketball player with great feet and length, Brewer probably will not make an impact during his rookie season on New York's veteran front. But a year from now, he might be in line to be the Giants' next starting left tackle.
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions: After going defensive tackle in Round 1, the Lions added two more talented offensive weapons (Leshoure and WR Titus Young) to further surround Matthew Stafford with a great set of weapons. Leshoure is an excellent complement to last year's high draft pick, Jahvid Best, in that Leshoure can do the heavy lifting while Best stays fresh. The Lions could be on the cusp of having an elite offense.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
By Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.
A look at some of the bargain picks from the 2011 NFL draft:
Greg Little, WR, Cleveland Browns: Little could very easily fizzle out. Or he could become a Terrell Owens-type of force at wide receiver. He is great after the catch and extremely strong and physical. Even though he didn't play in 2010 after having dealings with an agent, Little should quickly grab ahold of the Browns' top wide receiver role -- even though he still needs a lot of work on his craft. His big frame and overall skill set are perfect for QB Colt McCoy and the Browns' new dedication to a West Coast scheme.
Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers: Kaepernick has a funky delivery and is going to have a huge jump in competition, but this is a perfect guy for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh to mold. And Kaepernick is as talented as any quarterback in this draft. To go along with that talent, Kaepernick is considered a very hard worker with exceptional character. And he makes very good decisions with the football. Even though Alex Smith is likely to open as the Niners' starter, Kaepernick, a four-year starter in college, might not be as far away as many tend to think. Kaepernick could be a star. I love this pick for San Francisco. The Bengals will regret passing on Kaepernick for Andy Dalton.
Brandon Harris, CB, Houston Texans: It was a bit of a mystery as to why Harris slipped as much as he did -- deep into the second round. But the Texans were having none of it as they aggressively put together a package to land the talented cover man. To keep up with the likes of Indianapolis, the Texans will need plenty of corners. And Harris might be starting from the outset if Houston fails to add a veteran corner in free agency. Also, this pick should allow Glover Quin to move to free safety, upgrading two spots in the secondary. Adding Rashad Carmichael in the fourth round was also a quality selection, although the Texans are now extremely young at corner overall.
Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers: The rich, pass-happy Packers got richer with this selection. Cobb is a jack-of-all-trades whose future could eventually be as one of the premier slot receivers in the league. But for now, Green Bay can bring Cobb along slowly. In the meantime, the Packers' return-man situation was enhanced a great deal. Cobb never should have lasted to the end of Round 2, and as usual, the Packers pounced on another great addition to their squad. Packers coach Mike McCarthy and QB Aaron Rodgers will soon find ways to get this kid the football in a multitude of ways. And, by the way, this is about where Green Bay selected Greg Jennings when he came out of college. I also strongly considered putting RB Alex Green on this list. The Packers' offense is going to be amazing.
Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Indianapolis Colts: The Colts were aggressive to trade up to land their second offensive lineman after drafting Anthony Castonzo in Round 1. Ijalana is smart and should adapt quickly to the Colts' offense, even though the jump in competition from Villanova will be steep. At worst, Ijalana should be a starting guard before long. At best, he could unseat Ryan Diem at right tackle and pair with Castonzo for years to come as the Colts' bookend tackles.
Drake Nevis, DT, Indianapolis Colts: I knew it was a long shot, but when appearing on radio in Indianapolis before the draft, I mentioned Nevis as a guy whom the Colts might love enough to actually consider in Round 1. Again, that praise might have been extreme, but three-technique defensive tackles who fit Indianapolis' system as well as the explosive Nevis does are extremely difficult to find. The Colts did a great job fortifying their offensive line with their first two picks, but Nevis could make just as much of an impact from day one, especially on passing downs. Yet another Colts draftee, Delone Carter, also almost made my list. Indianapolis had a great draft, folks. Look out for the Colts.
James Brewer, OT, New York Giants: As I hosted Cover it Live over the three days of the draft, Giants fans were livid that their favorite team did not address its offensive line early on. Well, they might have stolen a guy in Brewer. A former basketball player with great feet and length, Brewer probably will not make an impact during his rookie season on New York's veteran front. But a year from now, he might be in line to be the Giants' next starting left tackle.
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions: After going defensive tackle in Round 1, the Lions added two more talented offensive weapons (Leshoure and WR Titus Young) to further surround Matthew Stafford with a great set of weapons. Leshoure is an excellent complement to last year's high draft pick, Jahvid Best, in that Leshoure can do the heavy lifting while Best stays fresh. The Lions could be on the cusp of having an elite offense.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
