Grading every team's NFL Draft...See How they Did

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Arizona



After making it to their first Super Bowl, the Cardinals were in an unfamiliar position at the bottom of the first and second round. They came away with Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells and UConn linebacker Cody Brown. Wells, a powerful inside runner, has a chance to be the featured back next season because Tim Hightower is more of a third-down player.

The Cardinals rejected several low offers (no first-round picks) for unhappy receiver Anquan Boldin. Alabama safety Rashad Johnson plays a great center field and has a nose for the ball; he's a playmaker. Cornerback Gregory Toler flunked out of high school, but found a home at St. Pauls College, a small school in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Toler is a boom-or-bust selection. LSU offensive lineman Herman Johnson once weighed in at 390 pounds and he probably will be used at guard. Grade: B

 

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Atlanta


The Falcons focused on defense with their first two picks. Ole Miss defensive tackle Peria Jerry fits perfectly into Mike Smith's four-man line because he can rush the passer. Missouri strong safety William Moore was slowed by injuries last season, but when healthy he has the range and physicality to be a punishing tackler. But the key to general manager Tom Dimitroff's second draft with the Falcons was the trade for Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez, a big-time performer who will be a huge third-down receiver for Matt Ryan. None of the team's first four picks has any character flaws. Furman cornerback William Middleton was his team's MVP, but many scouts believe he's too stiff to be an NFL starter. Grade: B+

 

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Baltimore


GM Ozzie Newsome made a bold move to trade up and select Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher at No. 23. Oher was rated in the top 12 on most teams' draft boards and was considered the smartest player at his position. Utah's Paul Kruger reminds me of Jared Allen, a high-motor pass rusher who seems to fit Baltimore's defensive scheme. Texas Christian University inside linebacker Jason Phillips will be given a shot to replace the departed Bart Scott. Grade: B-

 

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Buffalo


The Bills are being praised for addressing most of their needs except for offensive tackle while getting value with their first five selections. Pass rusher Aaron Maybin was the 20th Penn State player taken by the Bills and he has a great first step off the ball. Louisville center Eric Wood will work at guard with the offseason signing of Geoff Hangartner from Carolina. Oregon State guard Andrew Levitre is one mean son of a gun and had an awesome game against USC. Cornerback Jairus Byrd has a chance to be the nickel back. Coach Dick Jauron is hoping holdover Brad Butler can slide from guard to tackle. Southern Miss tight end Shawn Nelson has a chance to stick; he's a big target. Grade: B

 

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Carolina


For the second consecutive year, GM Marty Hurney copied former mentor Bobby Beathard's strategy of trading away next year's first-round pick in order to draft a quality player. Hurney grabbed San Francisco's second-round pick in order to draft Florida State pass rusher Everette Brown, who was rated a first-round talent by some teams. Brown is undersized. I really like the fourth-round pick of Syracuse fullback Tony Fiammetta, who is a bruising blocker and fits what the Panthers love to do. In the late rounds, Oklahoma guard Duke Robinson cruised during the college season but has a chance to be a better pro. You have to like this name, Captain Munnerlyn, a cornerback from South Carolina. The Captain plays bigger than his 5-9, 188-pound size and has some return skills. Grade: B-

 

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Chicago


GM Jerry Angelo took the draft's first day off, but that's because he made his major move weeks ago when trading for Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, a proven performer. Based on his recent results, Angelo's trade for Cutler was undoubtedly better than any players he could have taken in the draft. If Cutler leads the Bears to the playoffs, this draft was a total success. Oklahoma receiver Juaquin Iglesais was a solid pickup with the 99th overall selection. Some teams rated him in the second round. Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore is a very tough player despite his 5-9 frame. But the steal for the Bears could be San Jose State defensive end Jarron Gilbert, who was known for his You Tube video of being able to jump out of a swimming pool. Grade: B-

 

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Cincinnati


This has a chance to be one of the best drafts in Bengals history, especially if Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith and USC middle linebacker Rey Maualuga develop into All-Pro performers. Both have the ability to be great NFL players. Maualuga slid into the second round because of off-the-field issues, plus the fact that he didn't call the defense at USC despite being a middle linebacker. But Maualuga is an upbeat, physical player who can lead in the locker room. Smith's bad body got him in trouble with some teams, but he weighed in at 333 pounds this week, plus Alabama head coach Nick Saban totally supported his status as a high pick. Missouri TE Chase Coffman, 6-5, broke his foot in the Alamo Bowl game vs. Northwestern, but he has a pro pedigree, being the son of former Packers tight end Paul Coffman. Georgia Tech pass rusher Michael Johnson has great physical skills although many scouts thought he took many plays off on Saturdays. A local kid, Cincinnati punter Kevin Huber, won the Ray Guy Award as the nation's best punter last season. Grade: A

 

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Cleveland


There's a good chance that Eric Mangini's former employer, the Jets, picked the Browns' pocket. Cleveland didn't get enough value for the fifth overall spot in the first round from the Jets, unless you really love Jets safety Abram Elam, DE Kenyon Coleman and third-string QB Brett Ratliff. Well, Mangini does love those players and that's why he pulled the trigger on the draft's biggest trade. The Rams may not be the best judge, but they passed on these same players. Cal center Alex Mack should eventually be a starter and the fans had to love Buckeyes WR Brian Robiskie in the second round. Hawaii's David Veikune is a project at outside linebacker, but he does have power and good hands. Grade: C

 

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Dallas


The Cowboys used their first pick to acquire Lions receiver Roy Williams and then proceeded to trade out of the second round, too. Western Illinois linebacker Jason Williams should give them speed off the edge. Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee was a very good selection at the top of the fourth round. Remember, McGee ran 4.66 in the 40-yard dash. McGee is in a good situation. He's a great worker and has solid pocket sense, but is missing that big-time NFL arm strength. The Cowboys focused on defense with their picks and then used the 172nd pick on USC kicker David Buehler, who had better 40-yard times than teammate Rey Maualuga. But does Buehler beat out Nick Folk? TCU strong safety Stephen Hodge fills a need, but Cincinnati's Mike Mickens was viewed as a third-round talent until needing cartilage and meniscus knee surgery after playing 46 games. Good value in the seventh round. Grade: C

 

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Denver


The Broncos filled some needs and found some parts, but the bottom line is that they are without quarterback Jay Cutler now, and they definitely didn't replace him. Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno was a no-brainer with the first choice, especially since San Diego coveted him. Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers has the look of a Justin Tuck type; able to rush from an inside position or from the edge. In the second round, new Broncos GM Brian Xanders went for secondary performers in Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith, who has a chance to start, and Texas Tech safety Darcel McBath. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier called Kenny McKinley the best receiver he's ever coached. McKinley started 33 consecutive games and finished with 207 receptions. He could be a steal. The Broncos are still talking about trading productive tight end Tony Scheffler, and that could be a mistake. Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater has an NFL arm and was a very interesting pick at No. 174. Grade: B

 

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Detroit



OK, the fans booed the selection of Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, but the Lions loved his workouts and his big-league arm. Stafford does have some physical downside (poor footwork in the pocket), but the Lions are never going to win without a franchise quarterback. Yes, the Lions wanted to trade out of this pick, but there were no takers because of the guaranteed money ($41.7 million) involved with such a decision. The coaching staff wanted Stafford and that's good enough for me. While the fans were still moaning about passing on defensive players, the Lions took the draft's best tight end in Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew at No. 20. He is a solid blocker. Western Michigan safety Louis Delmas was projected as the draft's top safety and he's a very aggressive tackler. I really liked the selection of Penn State receiver Derrick Williams, who can also help the kick return game. Williams was the high school player of the year in 2004.Cal linebacker Zack Follett and Nebraska offensive tackle Lydon Murtha both had super value in the seventh round. Grade: A

 

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Green Bay


The Packers are coming off a disappointing 6-10 season in which their rush defense ranked 26th in the NFL. Dom Capers is installing his 3-4 defense and GM Ted Thompson went for Boston College nose tackle B.J. Raji with his first pick — he's a quicker Gilbert Brown — and then made a big trade in order to draft USC outside linebacker Clay Matthews. With their holdovers and if both of these rookies produce as expected, the Packers' front seven should be solid this season. LSU fullback Quinn Johnson is a converted former linebacker who isn't a bad lead blocker. Late picks such as Cincinnati cornerback Brandon Underwood and Colorado linebacker Brad Jones don't figure to make the final roster. Grade: C

 

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Houston


Several teams told me that the Texans picked some very athletic players, starting with USC outside linebacker Brian Cushing. Cincinnati defensive end Connor Barwin is a converted tight end who led the Big East with 11 sacks in his senior season. Barwin sounds like the next Mike Vrabel. Alabama's Antoine Caldwell started 34 of his 48 career games at center. He's a great long snapper and can also play guard. New Mexico cornerback Glover Quin had a record 40 3/4-inch vertical jump while also squatting 500 pounds; he may be the strongest athlete at the position. Quin could end up being a free safety. Anthony Hill is a blocking tight end from North Carolina State, while everyone will be curious about Rice's James Casey, who had 111 receptions last season. Casey is a former baseball player who is a very special athlete. Grade: A

 

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Indianapolis


It is difficult to always connect at the bottom of the round, but the Colts grabbed two quality performers in the first and second round. UConn running back Donald Brown has great vision and gives the team a big-time back when Joseph Addai needs a rest. The Colts averaged a woeful 3.4 yards per carry last season. USC defensive tackle Fili Moala was once projected as a first-round talent. Moala, who was selected 56th overall, didn't make a lot of plays last season for the Trojans, but he fits the mold of an Indy inside defender. Purdue QB Curtis Painter was grabbed in the sixth round. Auburn CB Jerraud Powers ran a 4.54 40-yard dash on a bad foot at the Combine. Grade: B-

 

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Jacksonville


The Jaguars did the smart thing by spending their first two picks on offensive linemen; both of them have a chance to be tackles. Virginia's Eugene Monroe was a no-brainer with the eighth overall pick, while the Jaguars were fortunate to get Arizona's Eben Britton in the second round after many mock drafts put him at the bottom of the first round. In the third round, the Jaguars went for defense in Temple DT Terrance Knighton and William & Mary cornerback Derek Cox, who blew scouts away with a 4.39 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical jump. The quality pick, though, looks like Arizona receiver Mike Thomas, who had a Pac-10-record 259 career receptions, including 23 for touchdowns. Grade: B+

 

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Kansas City


First-year Chiefs GM Scott Pioli didn't fool anyone with his choice of LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson, who figures to be a starter opposite former Tiger teammate Glenn Dorsey. Jackson also has the flexibility to slide inside when the Chiefs shift out of their 3-4 alignment. Alex Magee of Purdue can also play inside and outside along the defensive line and supposedly can rush the passer. Magee was a value pick. Tennessee State running back Javarris Williams is 5-10, 223 pounds and scored a school-record 42 touchdowns over four seasons while rushing for 4,329 yards. Pioli nailed the Mr. Irrelevant pick, No. 256 and the final player in the draft, by choosing a kicker, Ryan Succop of South Carolina. Grade: B-

 

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Miami


West Virginia QB Pat White gives the Dolphins' Wildcat offensive formation a totally imposing element because not only can White run like Michael Vick, but he also possesses a very good deep-ball touch. Let me tell you, there were several teams that were considering White as a quarterback prospect, not as a receiver or running back. White was either the third or fourth quarterback on most teams' draft boards. The Dolphins upgraded their secondary with Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis, who slipped because he has off-the-field issues, and Utah's Sean Smith. A lot of teams rated USC receiver Patrick Turner as a sixth-rounder, but the Dolphins took him in the third round, 87th overall. Grade: B-

 

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Minnesota



The Vikings added the draft's most intriguing playmaker in Florida's Percy Harvin, who has blistering speed and quickness, but also a positive marijuana test. Still, the drug issue didn't scare off Minnesota's coaching staff. Harvin could be a special weapon, considering Minnesota has the league's best running back in Adrian Peterson. In the second round, the Vikings took mountainous offensive tackle Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma. Big Phil is 6-8, 336 pounds. South Carolina ILB Jasper Brinkley had third-round value but slid to the fifth round. Grade: C

 

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New England


Most teams will tell you that this year's draft was 40 to 50 players deep, so Bill Belichick did the wise thing trading down and out of the first round. He made several trades, giving him 33 total since 2000 and picked up some ammunition for next season in two second-round picks. Belichick really likes Oregon safety Patrick Chung and UConn cornerback Darius Butler, who was rumored to be his first-round pick initially. Those picks allowed him to trade cornerback Ellis Hobbs to the Eagles. The Patriots made a risky pick with North Carolina receiver Brandon Tate, who tested positive at the NFL Combine and is coming off knee ligament surgery. Penn State guard Rich Ohrnberger may have been a reach in the fourth round. Grade: B+

 

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New Orleans


The Saints didn't have much firepower, but they did land the draft's best cornerback in Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins. He's a very physical player with great ball skills. The Saints spent 90 minutes late Saturday on trying to get back into the first round in order to draft Ohio State running back Beanie Wells, but failed. Sticking with defense, the Saints selected two Wake Forest players in the fourth round in safety Chip Vaughn and linebacker Stanley Amoux. Grade: C