We’ve already gone through the nuts and bolts of the draft. For thoughts on the early-round picks you better not screw up, click here. For the mid-round upside plays, bang it here. And for the sleepers, look here.
Now we’re in the “flier” zone. At this point in the draft, we’re taking some lottery tickets with upside and hope they work out. If not, we move on early in the season:
ROUND 10
10.1 David Wilson
10.2 Brandon LaFell
10.3 Alshon Jeffery
10.4 Leonard Hankerson
10.5 Kendall Wright
10.6 Robert Griffin III
10.7 Jay Cutler
10.8 Coby Fleener
10.9 Anquan Boldin
10.10 Tony Gonzalez
10.11 Peyton Hillis
10.12 Jerome Simpson
I love a ton of picks here. David Wilson has more natural talent than Ahmad Bradshaw, is healthier and Brandon Jacobs is gone. I’d take Wilson even higher. Brandon LaFell is the clear-cut No. 2 WR in an explosive Panthers offense. Alshon Jeffery will beat out Devin Hester for the starting flanker job in Chicago. Kendall Wright gets a BIG boost thanks to Kenny Britt’s legal and knee woes.
ROUND 11
11.1 Josh Freeman
11.2 Greg Olsen
11.3 Delone Carter
11.4 Shane Vereen
11.5 Carson Palmer
11.6 Jacoby Ford
11.7 Randy Moss
11.8 Jake Locker
11.9 Joe Flacco
11.10 Matt Schaub
11.11 Brent Celek
11.12 Michael Floyd
The pickings are starting to get slimmer now. Shane Vereen is an interesting lottery ticket as the possible starter in New England, but he’ll be a part of a committee. Randy Moss impressed during the offseason, but he’s a poor fit in a run-first offense with a tentative QB. My favorite pick of the round is Jake Locker, who will be starting games sooner rather than later. Michael Floyd has slipped down the Cards’ depth chart. He’s behind Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Roberts and Early Doucet for now.
ROUND 12
12.1 Ryan Fitzpatrick
12.2 Emmanuel Sanders
12.3 Mike Tolbert
12.4 Isaiah Pead
12.5 James Jones
12.6 Felix Jones
12.7 49ers D/ST
12.8 Santana Moss
12.9 Owen Daniels
12.10 LeGarrette Blount
12.11 Andrew Luck
12.12 Mike Williams (TB)
I don’t really understand the Mike Tolbert pick. He’s behind both Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. I like Isaiah Pead — he’s a rookie that could be real nice if/when the aging Steven Jackson goes down. Santana Moss looked revived in the offseason and is penciled in as a starter. Nice value there. Taking a D/ST this early is silly. There’s just not that much difference between the Niners and the No. 10 defense. James Jones is a handcuff for Jordy Nelson/Greg Jennings owners.
ROUND 13
13.1 Mikel Leshoure
13.2 Rueben Randle
13.3 Ryan Williams
13.4 Ryan Tannehill
13.5 Bernard Scott
13.6 Vincent Brown
13.7 Rashad Jennings
13.8 Kevin Smith
13.9 Golden Tate
13.10 Randall Cobb
13.11 Joe McKnight
13.12 Jacquizz Rodgers
Mikel Leshoure is suspended two games, coming off an Achilles tear and has to fight with Jahvid Best/Kevin Smith for carries. Yawn. Bernard Scott is a solid pick. He has more natural talent than co-commitee member BenJarvus Green-Ellis. I like Randall Cobb as a flier as well, he’s got tons of explosive ability. Joe McKnight is taking over the old LaDainian Tomlinson role behind Shonn Greene. He’ll get chances, but I’m not sure he can do much with them.
