Ira’s Analysis: The Steelers are looking for a replacement for Antwaan Randle El and Holmes, the first WR off the board, should fill the bill. Holmes is a bit undersized, but he has a knack for creating separation. [*-Pick acquired in trade with N.Y. Giants]
Ira’s Analysis: Another apparent reach by the Bills, who must be using an avant-garde draft board. McCargo is the third defensive lineman from North Carolina State selected in the opening round, but unlike Williams and Lawson, McCargo lacks superior speed. [*-Pick acquired in trade with Chicago]
Ira’s Analysis: The Panthers give Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith some offensive balance with a very productive back. Williams posted an NCAA-record 34 100-yard games and the Bucs will now see him and Reggie Bush twice a year.
Ira’s Analysis: It’s about time the Jags gave Byron Leftwich a TE who could catch the ball and get downfield. Lewis has big-time hands and the speed to stretch a secondary.
Ira’s Analysis: The fifth Buckeye off the board makes sense for the Jets as a replacement for Kevin Mawae. With Ferguson and Mangold, the Jets have made some serious strides along the offensive line.
Ira’s Analysis: Good pick by the Colts, seeking to find the next Edgerrin James. Addai does everything well and his versatility is critical because Indy demands a lot from its running backs.
Ira’s Analysis: Jennings is very fast, but not overly physical. He’ll be thrown into the mix as Seattle revamped its secondary in the offseason.
Ira’s Analysis: Kiwanuka sat out the Senior Bowl with a shoulder injury, but he’s a skilled edge rusher who can be groomed behind aging Michael Strahan.
Fourth Round (No. 122)
School: Penn State
Ht./Wt.:6-1, 194
Personal: Survived a serious car accident in January 2003 when he fell asleep at the wheel and was ejected through the windshield. Suffered serious head injuries but was able to recover and played the entire season with a specially padded helmet. ... The oldest of seven children, he is especially fond of the youngest member of the family, the only girl, his sister Amber.
Noteworthy: Grew up wearing only one NFL team hat — the Bucs. ... Redshirted his first year at Penn State (2001), then started one game in 2002, backing up current Falcons CB Bryan Scott. ... Recovered from his car accident injuries and started 10 games in 2003. … Started 10 games as a junior in 2004 and started 11 games last season, recording three tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles.
Analysis: Tampa Bay began the second day of the draft addressing one of their most pressing needs - defensive back depth. Though he’s much bigger than Pro Bowl cornerback Ronde Barber, Zemaitis possesses similar traits who should thrive in the Bucs Cover 2 scheme. Known for his disciplined style of play, Zemaitis rarely played man coverage for the Nittany Lions and has the versatility to play the safety position. Zemaitis was ranked as high as a second-round pick on many draft boards, so the Bucs feel they got quite a steal.
Fifth Round (No. 156)
School: Stanford
Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 273
Personal: His father, Eddie, played 14 games for the Miami Dolphins (1972-74). ... Attended Atlanta’s Woodward Academy where he was selected Georgia’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
Noteworthy: Former college teammate of Bucs TE Alex Smith. ... Was one of two freshmen to letter at Stanford in 2002. ... Became a full-time starter his junior year, when he recorded 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks and eight tackles for losses. … He started 11 games last year and finished with 50 tackles, nine sacks and nine tackles for losses.
Analysis: Like several of his Buccaneer teammates, Jenkins has NFL bloodlines. His father Eddie was a running back for the Miami Dolphins. A two-year starter at Stanford, Jenkins led the team last year with seven sacks. Not known for his pass rushing skills, Jenkins is however, strong against the run - an area that might land him in the defensive end rotation.
Sixth Round (No. 194)
School: Toledo
Ht./Wt.: 6-1, 222
Personal: He grew up in Pittsburgh, playing in the same prep conference as George Blanda, Joe Namath, Joe Montana and Dan Marino.
Noteworthy: Broke Tim Couch’s Division I-A record with a career completion percentage of 68.2. ... Holds 19 school and three Mid-American Conference records. ... Fumbled the ball eight times in 2004 and only once last year.
Analysis: Gradkowski finished his career at Toledo with 19 school records and broke Tim Couch’s Division I-A record for highest completion percentage with 68.2. He earned Mid American Conference MVP honors last season, where he completed 207 passes for 2,469 yards, 12 interceptions and 29 touchdowns. With Luke McCown and Tim Rattay set to battle for the backup spot behind starter Chris Simms, Gradkowski will have to learn Coach Jon Gruden’s offense quickly and show something to land a roster spot.
Sixth Round (No. 202)
School: North Carolina State
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 253
Personal: Attended Hargrave Military Academy for one year before transferring to N.C. State. … Helped lead his North Carolina Tarboro High team to two conference titles and one state playoff appearance.
Noteworthy: A two-time recipient of the Gary Rowe Award, given to the N.C. State player who leads the team in receptions. ... Earned All-ACC second team honors last season after recording 35 receptions for 371 yards and two touchdowns.
Analysis: Two years ago , Williams led the Wolfpack in receiving with 31 receptions for 382 yards. Last season, he started 12 games and caught 36 passes for 407 yards and two touchdowns. Williams needs to improve his blocking skills, but has the hands and athletic ability to land on the Bucs roster behind starting tight ends Alex Smith and Anthony Becht.
Seventh Round (No. 235)
School: Oregon
Ht./Wt.: 5-11/200
Personal: Was a quarterback in high school where he threw for 738 yards and six touchdowns. ... born in Compton, Calif.
Noteworthy: Had four interceptions last year for the Ducks and was the team’s sixth leading tackler with 56 tackles. ... Named to the Pac-10 first team and won Oregon’s Gordon E. Wilson Award as the outstanding special teams player. ... Averaged 12.4 yards on punt returns in four years at Oregon.
Analysis: The Bucs weren’t done filling the needs of depth at the cornerback position. Phinisee had four interceptions last year and also averaged 11.5 yards on punt returns. Special teams will be Phinisee’s ticket to a spot on the final roster.
Seventh Round (No. 241)
School: Clemson
Ht./Wt.: 6-3/254
Personal: Earned All-American honors his senior year at South Carolina’s Camden High.
Noteworthy: Started 22 of his final 23 games for Clemson. ... Started every game at strongside defensive end last year, recording a career-high 53 tackles and collecting 3.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for losses. ... Gave FSU quarterback Drew Weatherford all sorts of problems in the Tigers’ victory.
Analysis: Bennett was somewhat of a late bloomer at Clemson, but had a strong showing against Florida State last year. He possesses the ability to become a finesse pass rusher, but not an every down defensive lineman.
Seventh Round (No. 244)
School: Michigan
Ht./Wt.: 6-2/259
Personal: At Pennsylvania’s Parkland High, recorded a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash.
Noteworthy: A two-year starter for Michigan, was fifth on the team last season with 18 receptions and 184 yards. … He made at least one catch in nine of the Wolverines’ 12 games. ... A converted receiver, played mostly special teams his first couple of years at Michigan.
Analysis: Massaquoi wasn’t featured prominently in the Wolverines offense. He’s a converted receiver basically still learning the tight end position. Will need to learn to block better to secure a spot with the Bucs.
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