May 10, 2013; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick (70) participates in drills during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters in Irving, TX. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

1. First round, 31st overall: Travis Frederick, OL, Wisconsin

This was a shocking selection to most. Frederick was considered a third round prospect by a majority of outlets, but the Cowboys obviously felt with their need at center and his abilities, they had to pull the trigger in the first round. Of course, he will be their starting center on opening day, and the Cowboys had a huge need here, but this wasn’t a great value pick. If Frederick turns out to be a perennial Pro Bowl center, than we’ll all stand corrected. Looking at what the Cowboys got here rather than what they passed on, Frederick is a big center prospect who comes from a program that knows how to move the ball offensively. He played with two of the more productive college players in recent history in Russell Wilson (2011) and Montee Ball (2010-2012). Frederick is an anchor for the line who can play guard or center, but with the Cowboys, he will almost assuredly be the center. Well-coached and technically sound, I think they got a good one here but it’s just an interesting fit in terms of value.

May 5, 2013; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback David Amerson (39) holds the ball during rookie minicamp at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

1. Second round, 51st overall: David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State

Amerson is a big, long, physical cornerback prospect who blew everyone away at the Combine with his measurables. He checked in at 6’1″ 205 pounds and ran a 4.35 second 40 yard dash, and also posted a 35.5-inch vertical jump and 15 bench press reps. Amerson is best known for his sophomore season at NC State when he picked off and absolutely unheard of 13 passes. Of course, those numbers regressed in 2012 to just five interceptions and 12 passes broken up, but obviously teams didn’t shy away from throwing this guy’s way. Amerson has first round ability but he fell to the middle of the second round because of some concerns with his consistency. He had a tendency to get beat on double moves last year, but I think with some work on his technique and discipline he can become a very productive starter in the NFL. I really love this pick for the Redskins, seeing as I thought their secondary was the biggest overall weakness on the team going into this offseason. This is a great way to address a top need.

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces offensive tackle Lane Johnson (Oklahoma) as the fourth overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

1. First round, 4th overall: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Lane Johnson is one of the most freakishly athletic offensive linemen you will probably ever see. The former quarterback and tight end joins an Eagles offensive line that was one of the most depleted and weakest in the NFL last season. Mike Vick was injured and sacked a terribly high amount of times last season, and having Johnson will significantly upgrade the pass protection. He has the kind of athleticism to be a key piece of an offensive attack run by Chip Kelly that is aggressive, fast-paced, and very versatile. The Eagles had to be jumping for joy when he fell in their laps at number four overall. I think this was a perfect fit for the Eagles’ offense, and a huge upgrade to the worst area of their offense.

May 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Justin Pugh (72) during the rookie minicamp at the Giants Timex Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

1. First round, 19th overall: Justin Pugh, OL, Syracuse

Pugh is a great fit for the Giants. He’s not an athletic freak like they’ve been going after in the early rounds the last few years, but Pugh is a guy who can play pretty much every position on the offensive line, and he should be an immediate starter right away for the G-Men. This is one of the smartest players in the entire draft, and he was gaining a lot of steam leading up to his selection. I wasn’t surprised he was a first rounder, but I thought he might slip out of the top 20. The Giants obviously felt like he could come in and be a key piece of their offense and start at right tackle, so they picked him at 19 overall. I think this is a very good pickup for them.

May 10, 2013; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during rookie mini camp at Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

1. First round, 5th overall: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

Ansah is a big risk, potentially even bigger reward pick for the Lions. This is a guy who is an athletic freak at 6’5″ 271 pounds who ran a 4.56 at the Scouting Combine, and you see that quickness and uphill speed on tape. Ansah needs to develop his overall game, as he is still relatively new to football, but for the Lions, I think he can come along slowly while still being a critical part of the Lions defense early on. He will be playing with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, two nasty and disruptive defensive tackles who command attention. Ansah will get a lot of one-on-one looks and it’s up to him to make the most of those. Ansah will come into Detroit and immediately be penciled in as the starting RDE. This is an incredibly talented pass rush prospect who simply has too much athletic ability to ignore for the size and position he plays, and I think after missing out on the top offensive tackles, the Lions had no choice but to take him at #5 overall. Not that he’s some kind of consolation prize or something, because many people felt like he was the best overall defensive player available in this draft. Detroit had a huge need at DE with Cliff Avril bolting for Seattle, and Kyle Vanden Bosch out as well. This is a good pick for Detroit, one that should pay immediate dividends.

Apr 26, 2012; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Leslie Frazier introduce the 2013 1st round draft picks Sharrif Floyd (76) and Xavier Rhodes (29) and Cordarrelle Patterson (84) at at a press conference at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

1. First round, 23rd overall: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

The Vikings may have gotten a huge steal here in Sharrif Floyd. Floyd was considered by some to be not only the best defensive tackle in a draft that is rich with them, but they considered him to be the best overall player on the defensive side of the ball. Then there were some who were concerned by his arm length, and his lack of sacks at Florida. There are valid concerns with this guy as a player, but I think at 23 overall, he is a steal. I think Floyd has the potential to be a very disruptive interior lineman who has quickness, power, and speed. I think learning with Kevin Williams for a year or two will really help grow this kid as a player, but also to learn the ropes off the field. I would pencil him in as a starter along with Kevin Williams, but he’s going to have to take that spot from Letroy Guion. Defensive tackle might not have been the Vikings’ top need, but they went into this pick knowing that they had another selection coming right up, so the value combine with the positional need makes this a great fit for the Vikings. I really liked this pick.

May 10, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Datone Jones works out during the Green Bay Packers rookie orientation weekend. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

1. First round, 26th overall: Datone Jones, DL, UCLA

A lot of people were giving the Packers a standing ovation for this pick, and I think it’s a good one as well. Jones had 6.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss last year at UCLA, and is a perfect fit for the Packers’ 3-4 defense under Dom Capers. Green Bay showed a serious weakness on the defensive front last year, lacking that “attack” feel they had a couple of years ago when their defense was among the toughest in the league. Jones gives them that in spades. This is a near 285 pound defensive end who is exceptionally quick, and really packs a punch. He has good instincts to know where the ball is going, and he gets underneath offensive linemen to be able to make plays in the backfield on a consistent basis. I think as a rookie, Jones will come in and start at weakside defensive end for the Packers along with B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett up front. He’s not going to get a ton of sacks I don’t think, but he will make a lot of plays freed up by those two mountains of men, and his disruptive nature will allow guys like Clay Matthews to also step in and make more plays. I think this is a good, needed move for the Packers in the first round.

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Eric Reid (LSU) holds daughter LeiLani Reid as he is introduced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as the number eighteen overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

1st Round 18th Overall — Eric Reid S, LSU — B

Had the 49ers been able to grab him at 31, then this would be an A. Reid was great in 2011 and was being talked about as a top 10 pick. He didn’t have as good a year this past year. Many question his coverage ability down the field.

2nd Round 40th Overall — Tank Carradine DE/OLB, Florida State — A

If Carradine can come back and be 100% he could be the eventual replacement for Justin Smith. He is a strong athletic player who can pass rush from the DE position and give them depth in case Smith gets hurt again.

2nd Round 55th Overall — Vance McDonald TE, Rice –  B+

This pick really helps the 9ers keep doing what they like to do with the 2 tight end sets. The majority of his time at Rice was spent in the slot, so he doesn’t have much blocking experience. Is a big, strong, athletic guy.

3rd Round 88th Overall — Corey Lemonier OLB, Auburn — A-

Lemonier is a talented pass rusher who gives them depth at the OLB position. Lemonier has the talent to have been a late 1st/early second round pick, so this is a great value for the 9ers.

4th Round 128th Overall — Quinton Patton WR, Louisiana Tech — A

Another absolute steal for the 9ers. Patton is a polished receiver who can come in and start from day 1. He blocks well, has good hands and runs great routes. Was once being talked about being picked in the late 1st.

4th Round 131st Overall — Marcus Lattimore RB, South Carolina — A+

If Lattimore comes back and can be 100% this is the steal of the draft. He was the consensus #1 running back in the class and can do it all. He doesn’t have elite speed, but is great in every other facet. Couldn’t have landed in a better spot.

5th Round 157th Overall — Quinton Dial DE, Alabama — B

The 9ers needed depth on the defensive line so they took a 2nd guy there. Dial is very good against the rush, which is what the 49ers will need him to do.

6th Round 180th Overall — Nick Moody LB, Florida State — C+

I guess the 9ers decided to pick for some depth here with Moody. He played outside at Florida State, but will probably move inside and back up Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman.

7th Round 237th Overall — B.J. Daniels QB, South Florida — F

How a team could take B.J. Daniels with all of the quarterbacks left on the board is beyond me. If they wanted a running QB they should have taken Matt Scott who is a far superior prospect.

7th Round 246th Overall — Carter Bykowski OT, Iowa St. — B-

Played tight end when he first came to college. Gives the 49ers depth at the tackle position.

7th Round 252nd Overall — Marcus Cooper CB, Rutgers — B-

A tall, athletic CB who has some potential. I thought the 9ers might go corner earlier, but they felt they had other draft picks they wanted.

Overall — A-

The 49ers made a lot of really good picks and took some really good values even though they might not be the most pressing needs. Patton, Lattimore and Lemonier were all really good values at the point they were taken. I didn’t like trading up for Reid when I thought an equally talented player would be there at the safety position at 31, but they didn’t give up much so it wasn’t a killer. They can red-shirt Carradine and Lattimore if they want to and get them 100% for 2014.
Follow @bmeek23

April 26, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones (left) is introduced at the UPMC Sports Complex by Steelers president Art Rooney II after being selected the Steelers number one pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1st Round 17th Overall — Jarvis Jones OLB, Georgia — A+

This is one of the best picks of the 1st round. Teams get too caught up in measurables and don’t look at production. Jones dominated the SEC in back to back years and was an absolute playmaker. Jones should have been a top 5 pick.

2nd Round 48th Overall — Le’Veon Bell RB, Michigan State — C+

I like Le’Veon Bell a lot, but with better backs on the board this wasn’t a great pick. I think they could have gotten him a round later. He does catch the ball very well which will help him get some playing time.

3rd Round 79th Overall — Markus Wheaton WR, Oregon State — A-

This was another great pick by the Steelers. Wheaton can come in and take over the downfield threat that Mike Wallace once was. Wheaton was a 2nd round prospect so this is very good value.

4th Round 111th Overall — Shamarko Thomas S, Syracuse — B+

Thomas is a small player who also has some injury concern. He has a lot of talent and is a good value here though. Many see him being a player much like Bob Sanders in that when he is healthy is is really good, but how often can he be healthy.

4th Round 115th Overall — Landry Jones QB, Oklahoma — D+

I’m not a Landry Jones fan at all. I didn’t have him in my top 10 quarterbacks, so that he was drafted this early is a little mind boggling to me. Jones really doesn’t do well under pressure and Pitts line isn’t known for top notch pass blocking.

5th Round 150th Overall — Terry Hawthorne CB, Illinois — B

Hawthorne has good size for a corner to match up with any receiver outside. He doesn’t have a great backpedal yet and wants to catch interceptions with his body. He is still inconsistent in his coverage as well.

6th Round 186th Overall — Justin Brown WR, Oklahoma — D+

Brown wasn’t a prospect I had getting drafted and I thought there were a lot better prospects on the board. He does have good size, but he doesn’t run good routes and I’m not sure he has the speed to play in the NFL.

6th Round 206th Overall — Vince Williams LB, Florida State — B+

I really like Vince Williams as a player and is a really good value in the 6th round. He has a lot of talent and could possibly be a starter in Pitt in a few years.

7th Round 223rd Overall — Nick Williams DT/DE, Samford — B+

With the disappointment of some of the DE’s on Pitts line, Williams could possibly stick. He is a hard worker, who I thought would go in the late 5th/early 6th.

Overall — B+

Some of the picks the Steelers made were great picks. However, some of the picks the Steelers made just didn’t make any sense to me at all. Jones has a chance to come in and be the best pass rusher out of this draft right off the bat. Wheaton can step in and help the Steelers downfield passing game. Thomas gets to learn behind one of the best safeties in the NFL in Troy Polamalu. Bell will probably get a lot of playing time since the Steelers don’t really have a good running back.

Follow @bmeek23

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces E.J. Manuel as the number sixteen overall pick to the Buffalo Bills during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

1st Round 16th Overall — E.J. Manuel QB, Florida State — B

Manuel has all the tools to be an elite NFL quarterback. He is a big, strong, athletic quarterback who has a big arm. He can run the read option which is the craze of today. However, he is really inconsistent. If he can fix that, he can be great.

2nd Round 41st Overall — Robert Woods WR, USC — A

Woods is one of the most NFL ready receivers in this draft. He isn’t the strongest, fastest or most athletic but he runs great routes and he catches everything thrown at him.

2nd Round 46th Overall — Kiko Alonso LB, Oregon — B-

Alonso is a very talented linebacker. He can be a very good player in the middle of the Bills defense. However, he does have some off the field issues and he wasn’t the best linebacker on the board at the time, otherwise the grade would be higher.

3rd Round 78th Overall — Marquise Goodwin WR, Texas — B+

The Bills hope Goodwin will be their version of Mike Wallace. He is an Olympic track athlete who can absolutely fly. He isn’t a great route runner and he doesn’t have the best hands, but he can stretch the field.

4th Round 105th Overall — Duke Williams S, Nevada — B+

Duke Williams is one of my favorite safeties in the draft. He is a great athlete who is very fast for a safety. He has a lot of talent and unlike a lot of fast safeties, he doesn’t care to lay a receiver out over the middle.

5th Round 143rd Overall — Jonathan Meeks DB, Clemson — D+

This pick didn’t make much sense to me at all. They just picked a safety last round and they take another one here. Also, if they were going to double dip at safety, there were much more talented players still left.

6th Round 177th Overall — Dustin Hopkins K, Florida State — C-

Another pick that didn’t make a lot of sense. They just signed Rian Lindell to a 4 year deal last season and in 2012 he hit 21 of 24 FG attempts. Will they keep Hopkins as a kickoff specialist.

7th Round 222nd Overall — Chris Gragg TE, Arkansas — A-

I thought the Bills would get a tight end a lot earlier, but Chris Gragg is a good pick here. He isn’t going to do a lot of blocking, but he has good speed and good hands. He can also play the H-back position.

Overall — B

This draft really lives or dies with E.J. Manuel. If he becomes what they think he can, this will be an A+ draft. If he is a bust, it will be a much lower grade. They helped him out with a lot of weapons. He already has Steve Johnson, C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. Now add the reliable Robert Woods, the speed demon Marquise Goodwin and a new tight end.

Follow @bmeek23