Rapid Reaction: Picks 9-12: 2015 1st Round Grades

9. New York Giants: OT Ereck Flowers

-The Giants definitely needed OL help early in this draft, but this feels like a reach pick. Flowers has the size you are looking for and typically got the job done in college, but he’s very raw when it comes to technique. There could be a lot of concerns with his play early on and you might need to take a lot of mistakes (or perhaps not even starting as a rookie) for the Giants. Maybe they can get him to put it all together, but they are taking a risk here. Side note the La’el Collins situation could definitely have helped push Flowers into the top 10 picks.

Grade: C+

10. St. Louis Rams: RB Todd Gurley

-The Rams took a promising back in Tre Mason last season, but that didn’t stop them from grabbing Gurley here. It definitely wasn’t their biggest need, and they are assuming a lot of risk, but boy can Gurley make an impact if he’s healthy. If he’s healthy and can avoid a serious injury, he could be the best back to enter the league since Adrian Peterson. In the tough NFC West, it’s been shown you can run and play great defense and win a lot of football games. The Rams also were maybe a bit more confident making this pick given all the extra selections they’ve had in recent years.

Grade: B+

11. Minnesota Vikings: CB Trae Waynes

-This pick made a lot of sense as the Vikings are led by defensive minded coach Mike Zimmer, and Waynes is the best corner in the draft. Not only could the Vikings use another corner to pair with 2013 1st rounder Xavier Rhodes in general, but when you play vs the WR’s and QB’s of the NFC North you can never have enough corner backs.

Grade: A

12. Cleveland Browns: DT Danny Shelton

-Danny Shelton to the Browns made a lot of sense as Cleveland needed to do a much better job of controlling the line of scrimmage and stopping the run. Shelton might not be the every down DT some are hoping for, but he should offer major impact on early downs and short yardage situations. The Browns scheme should allow him to make an early impact and this looks to be a great fit for both player and team.

Grade: A