Now it’s time for part 7 of my 11-part series on the 2011 draft.

But Hammond, how can you fire through these so quickly?

Good question reader.  The truth is, they are pretty easy to do because I’m only doing superficial research at best.

You are the model of efficiency. You’re fucking awesome.

Thanks.  On to the Bulldozers.

Biloxi Bulldozers

Studs

Nobody jumps out here.  But that’s okay, because we’re talking about an expansion team building for the future.  The strategy of drafting two big-time receivers with the first two picks (Greg Little and Jon Baldwin) is very intriguing to me.  Neither player is still with the team, but Little at least showed some promise.  What if by year three, both of these guys had developed into top-shelf receivers?  That would have made this draft awesome.  If they do develop, it won’t be with Biloxi.

Misses

Honestly, there’s nobody in this draft that I would call a miss.  The corners (Nate Clements and Terence Newman) were drafted late, and were decent enough.  They are what they are, but I wouldn’t say that Knight missed on anybody.

Too Soon to Tell

The Bulldozers did something interesting:  they drafted QB Jake Locker, signed him, and then released him a few weeks later.  They picked him up again in week 15 and signed him to an 8-year deal.  Now this is screwed up for a variety of reasons.  First of all, by signing him to his rookie deal, they set his salary at $7.00.  So then, when they resigned him again, they still had to pay the full $7.00.  Had they just not signed him to the rookie deal, he would have been an unrestricted free agent, and could have been paid far less.  By releasing him from his rookie year, they also lost the holdout protection that the contract gave them.  So now the Bulldozers have Locker for full price, and with no holdout protection.  It’s the worst of both worlds.

I like Randall Cobb and Jacquizz Rodgers.  Both seem to have big play capability.  If Cobb can turn into a more well-rounded receiver (and continues to return kicks,) then he can be a real asset.  Rodgers seemed to come on at the end of the season.  He seems small, but if the Falcons use him the way the Saints use Sproles, then you’ve got something there.

The Grade

I think it’s too bad the Bulldozers don’t have their first 2 picks.  But who knows, Knight could be right to let them go.  I think overall this is a very solid draft.  There is plenty of young talent here.  Nobody emerged as a superstar in year one, but I think the potential is there.  So, in my view, the Bulldozers get a B.

Knight also traded his first round pick (2012) for Matthew Stafford.  His team started to show something towards the end of the season.  I think this guy knows what he’s doing.

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