2001 NFL draft day coverage

Pulse of the draft, pick by pick

Go to round recap: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7

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Impressions of the fifth round

The difference between Ohio State DT Ryan Pickett and Kansas State DT Mario Fatafehi wasn’t very big, and according to Joel Buchsbaum’s player printout (as of March 25), Fatafehi ranked higher than Pickett. Yet Pickett was the 29^th overall pick (first round) and Fatafehi was the 133^rd overall pick, showing just how locked on a player some teams can be. The Rams felt Pickett fit their system well, while Fatafehi became a second-day hole-filling pick for Arizona.

The Falcons may have traded away WR Tim Dwight, but they drafted a Dwight prodigy in Purdue WR Vinny Sutherland. …Seattle added an imposing wide receiver to its arsenal in this round by taking Eastern Kentucky WR Alex Bannister. Bannister isn’t quite as fast as first-round selection Koren Robinson, but he’s about three inches taller and slightly heavier. If these two develop along with current WR Darrell Jackson, they could form a very good, very well-rounded trio of receivers. … Kansas State S Jarrod Cooper seems to be an insurance pick in case Panthers FS Deon Grant doesn’t return to form after a broken hip in August 2000. The Panthers also have Eugene Robinson, but he is on his very last legs.

Penn State TE Tony Stewart gives the Eagles another pass-catching threat at tight end to go along with TE Chad Lewis. Stewart is very big, but not very fast, and likely would play predominantly on passing downs since his blocking leaves a bit to be desired. … The Lions’ back-to-back picks were impressive in the sense that they got two players who have a ton of potential, but could also just fade into backup roles. Grambling WR Scotty Anderson has the athleticism and height to be a good receiver in the league, and he also has demonstrated a knack for making the big play. But Anderson’s overall size and strength, if they do not improve, could doom him into a becoming a role player. Rutgers QB Mike McMahon has the ability to be the quarterback of the future for the Lions if the new regime tires of Charlie Batch’s tendency toward getting injured. McMahon has the size and smarts to develop, and will be given Grade-A tutoring under Marty Mornhinweg.

Obviously someone in the Redskins’ camp was really obsessed with selecting Delaware State WR Darnerien McCants. Maybe the Redskins saw something in McCants that no one else did, but McCants barely registered on many draft boards, including Buchsbaum’s. … The final choice in the round, Washington S Hakim Akbar, was a solid choice for New England. The Patriots need help all over the place, but most definitely in the secondary. Akbar is a proven big hitter, and brings his fiery style of play to a defense that needs some big-play makers. Akbar’s instincts and tackling need work, but he can learn those skills with experience.

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