2017

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell May 31, 2013 Solid Starter Leon McFadden, CB, San Diego State – Round 3 I’m cheating a little bit here because the 5-foot-9 McFadden looks like his long-term spot will be as a nickel corner. However, teams are using their nickel packages as much as any other personnel group, so…

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell June 11, 2013 Solid Starter Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois – Round 4 I wasn’t a fan of Spence as a prospect, but the Bucs like him so much that they are practically forcing him into the starting lineup as a rookie. Tampa Bay let veteran nose tackle Roy Miller leave…

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell May 28, 2013 Solid Starter Hugh Thornton, G, Illinois – Round 3 The Colts had to improve their offensive line this offseason to better protect Andrew Luck. The rookie spent too much of 2012 running away from defenders in the backfield. Indianapolis’ drafting of Thornton and key moves in free…

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell June 14, 2013 Solid Starter Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State – Round 2 The Lions have had a lot of problems at cornerback for years. The team was able to retain its one solid cornerback, Chris Houston, this sesaon, but still had a big hole on the other side from…

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell June 7, 2013 Solid Starter Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford – Round 2 The Eagles wanted to build up a stable of tight ends this offseason and Ertz looks like the eventual long-term starter. Either free agent addition James Casey or veteran Brent Celek may be the immediate starter in 2013,…

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell May 28, 2013 Solid Starter Dallas Thomas, G, Tennessee – Round 3 This pick made complete sense since Thomas is a great fit for Miami. The Dolphins wanted an upgrade over John Jerry at right guard. The big, heavy Jerry (6-5, 345) is a poor fit for Miami’s zone-blocking scheme…

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell June 10, 2013 Solid Starter Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington – Round 1 The Falcons were desperate for cornerback help and they needed to land a player who can start as a rookie with their first-round pick. Thus, the organization felt compelled to trade up for Trufant. We mentioned Atlanta was…

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell June 11, 2013 Solid Starter Datone Jones, DE, UCLA – Round 1 The Packers wanted to use the 2013 NFL Draft to become more physical on both sides of the ball, and they certainly accomplished that with the selection of Jones. He was in the discussion as the most physical…

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell June 6, 2013 Solid Starter Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin – Round 1 There were a number of reaches in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but none was larger than the Cowboys reaching for Frederick at the end of the first round. Dallas rated Frederick as the No….

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell June 5, 2013 Solid Starter Justin Pugh, G, Syracuse – Round 1 The Giants had to get some young talent on their offensive line as Eli Manning was under too much pressure last season. The running game also needed to improve its blocking at the point of attack, so taking…