2014 NFL Draft: Day 3 Recap

The best way to do this is to jump right into the perceived story of the day.  Michael Sam, the NFL’s first openly gay player, was selected 249^th by the Rams.  He will be a situational pass rusher and special teamer, which fits his positional tweener skill set.  Based on the film, this spot in the draft was possible but there will be rumblings that homophobia was afoot.  As a counter example to this, Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch was not drafted.  Lynch was a 2014 Heisman finalist but his positional tweener status saw him fall from grace.  Some of the best college players do not have skills that translate to the NFL.  Rejecting these talented players is the unforgiving reality of the NFL Draft.

Another reality is that Michael Sam should be a footnote of this third day of the 2014 NFL Draft.  The true storyline to follow was the SEC three.  Aaron Murray, AJ McCarron, and Zach Mettenberger each found an intriguing home.  Murray is poised for the best long range success.  Sporting Joe has long believed that Murray is a criminally underrated prospect (for more read 2014 NFL Pro Days).  He will learn from Andy Reid in Kansas City and be given the reins after Alex Smith’s run in Arrowhead ends.  McCarron will need to unseat a younger incumbent to succeed in Cincinnati.  Andy Dalton’s rookie deal is up after this season and the Bengal’s confidence appears to be ebbing in him.   The problem is that McCarron shares the same skill set; command of a playbook, situational awareness, and winning pedigree; as Dalton.  Look for Dalton to remain the starter and get a new deal from owner and renowned penny pincher Mike Brown.

Then there is Mettenberger.  Prior to the news of his diluted urine sample at the NFL Combine, he seemed to be the logical fit in Houston.  Coach Bill O’Brien’s system demands a prototypical pocket passer.  The 6’6” Mettenberger is such a player.  Instead, the Texans snatched Pittsburgh’s Tom Savage (6’4”) to fill that role and compete with T.J. Yates and Case Keenum.  Mettenberger finds himself in Tennessee.  Jake Locker is his primary competition so expect Mettenberger to see some playing time this season.

This third day of the draft had plenty of under the radar steals.  Pittsburgh seized an old school two-gap defensive tackle in Tennessee’s Daniel McCullers.  Indianapolis picked Andrew Jackson from Western Kentucky, who boasts three straight seasons with 95 tackles or more.  This linebacker may remind some Colts fans of Old Hickory with contributions to the defense and special teams, a unit that sorely needs improved play for an ascending team.  Yet it was the running backs that made news.  The Patriots added depth with James White from Wisconsin. The Chiefs replaced Dexter McCluster with former Oregon Duck De’Anthony Thomas.  Meanwhile, the Redskins gave Robert Griffin III some Baylor flavor with Lache Seastrunk.  Seastrunk will likely be given the Gionavi Bernard role in new head coach Jay Gruden’s West Coast system. 

Those picks were notable additions, but Jacksonville may have added the best running back they have on the roster with the 222^nd pick.  Storm Johnson, out of Central Florida, joins the suddenly stocked Jacksonville offense.  Johnson has surprising wiggle in the hole and open field.  If he stops fumbling and goes to the hole instead of forcing it outside, he is a load to tackle.  He and Toby Gerhart should form a decent tandem for Chad Henne.

             Every fan base can feel solid about their draft, even the Browns.  Cleveland did not add a notable receiver in the draft but even jaded Browns fans should respect Mike Pettine’s steadfast adherence to the draft board.  Look for the Browns to add an undrafted rookie free agent such as Rutger’s Brandon Coleman and a veteran free agent like Santonio Holmes.  Those moves, and the rest of the undrafted rookie free agent signings, will take place in the coming days.  NFL teams will be occupied with roster tinkering and OTA’s.  Unfortunately, fans do not receive much access behind those curtains.  The Draft is a three-day mirage in the NFL’s off-season desert for fans.  Hopes are high now but the soon to be played 2014 season will begin to reveal the mettle of this draft class.