Last week's NFL Draft gave us a solid three days to cover football's biggest event of the spring. And like true journalists, we pretty much missed all of it. Our bad.
So, to make up for it, here's a quick list of where Vanderbilt's starring seniors of the 2009 season could be playing on Sundays in 2010.
1. Myron Lewis - 3rd Round Pick (67th overall) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Lewis went about a round and a half higher than many expected, going early in the third round on Friday night. He'll be groomed to replace Ronde Barber and looks to form a cornerback tandem of the future with former Kansas standout Aqib Talib.
2. Thomas Welch - 7th Round Pick (208th overall) - New England Patriots - Welch was the first pick of the draft's final round, and he'll join a team that's experienced with developing offensive linemen. However, with a solid offensive line and 12 other draft picks competing for a roster spot, he'll have to have a strong training camp to prove he belongs in Foxborough. The Pats traded two later 7th round picks to get into position to pick Welch, so they must have seen something they like in the lineman.
3. Ryan Hamilton - Undrafted Free Agent - New Orleans Saints - The Saints took a flier on Hamilton, who put together an All-American caliber 2008 season only to follow it up with a torn pectoral muscle his senior year. Hamilton's status with the Saints will depend on how he performs in coverage during mini-camp and whether or not the incumbent starting safety, Darren Sharper, returns for the 2010-2011 season. If Sharper leaves, Hamilton's chances of making the final roster or practice squad would increase significantly.
4. Bradley Vierling - Undrafted Free Agent - Cleveland Browns - Pittsburgh Steelers - Vierling had a change of heart when the Steelers came calling, and his experience blocking in the run game will work to his advantage in Pittsburgh's system. However, he'll be stuck behind 2009 starter Justin Hartwig and 2010 first round pick Maurkice Pouncey at center, and will likely have to bulk up and move elsewhere on the line to have a spot on the team in the Steel City.
5. Broderick Stewart - Undrafted Free Agent - New York Jets - Stewart will join the new look Jets for the summer of 2010, where he'll join a patchwork squad of defensive linemen who will be trying to turn one of New York's weaknesses on defense into a strength. If Stewart can impress coaches, he could be in line for playing time more quickly than his counterparts Welch and Hamilton due to the Jets' relative weakness on the edges up front.
6. Patrick Benoist - Undrafted Free Agent - ??? - Benoist has yet to sign with a NFL team, but is likely to in the upcoming days before the start of mandatory rookie camps.