A = Tremendous value for players who should make an immediate impact.
B = Good value for players who will immediately play a solid role.
C = Decent players who should contribute.
D = Players of questionable value, ability, character, or fit for team's system.
E = Tremendous reach for a players of questionable ability.
NFC
Arizona Cardinals
1 (13) Michael Floyd, wr, Notre Dame; 3 (80) Jamell Fleming, db, Oklahoma; 4 (112) Bobby Massie, ot, Mississippi; 5 (151) Senio Kelemete, g, Washington; 6 (177) Justin Bethel, db, Presbyterian; 6 (185) Ryan Lindley, qb, San Diego State; 7 (221) Nate Potter, ot, Boise State.
Comment: The Cardinals grabbed a receiver to play opposite Larry Fitzgerald in Michael Floyd, although for a first round pick he wasn't much of a game changer in college. Fortunately, after passing on a tackle in the 1st round, the Cardinals were able to land Bobby Massie as a bargain in the 3rd. While he may not be able to initially supplant Levi Brown at LT, he should stabilize the right side.
Grade: B-
Atlanta Falcons
2 (55) Peter Konz, g, Wisconsin; 3 (91) Lamar Holmes, ot, Southern Miss; 5 (157) Bradie Ewing, rb, Wisconsin; 5 (164) Jonathan Massaquoi, de, Troy; 6 (192) Charles Mitchell, db, Mississippi State; 7 (249) Travian Robertson, NT, South Carolina.
Comment: The Falcons were playing short-handed in this year's draft after trading their first round pick away last year in the Julio Jones trade. While they received great value at a position of need in 2nd round pick Peter Konz, they did little in the later rounds to help their team.
Grade: D+
Carolina Panthers
1 (9) Luke Kuechly, lb, Boston College; 2 (40) Amini Silatolu, g, Midwestern State; 4 (103) Frank Alexander, de, Oklahoma; 4 (104) Joe Adams, wr, Arkansas; 5 (143) Josh Norman, db, Coastal Carolina; 6 (207) Brad Nortman, p, Wisconsin; 7 (216) D.J. Campbell, db, California.
Comment: Carolina may not have directly addressed their needs at DE and DT, but they landed potential future stars in LB Luke Kuechly and G Amini Silatolu. Additionally, Josh Norman should immediately be an impact player in the return game, while Josh Norman could develop into a reliable corner.
Grade: A-
Chicago Bears
1 (19) Shea McClellin, de, Boise State; 2 (45) Alshon Jeffery, wr, South Carolina; 3 (79) Brandon Hardin, db, Oregon State; 4 (111) Evan Rodriguez, te, Temple; 6 (184) Isaiah Frey, db, Nevada; 7 (220) Greg McCoy, db, TCU.
Comment: I like Shea McClellin, just not as a DE in a 4-3 scheme. Apparently new GM Phil Emery doesn't realize that the Bears run a very traditional 4-3 defensive set. Alshon Jeffery went at about the right spot in the 2nd round, and gives the Bears a much needed receiver to play opposite Brandon Marshall. That should allow Devin Hester to move to more of a flanker back role in the next season or two. Unfortunately, the rest of their draft added little value.
Grade: B-
Dallas Cowboys
1 (6), Morris Claiborne, db, LSU; 3 (81) Tyrone Crawford, de, Boise State; 4 (113) Kyle Wilber, de, Wake Forest; 4 (135) Matt Johnson, db, Eastern Washington; 5 (152) Danny Coale, wr, Virginia Tech; 6 (186) James Hanna, te, Oklahoma; 7 (222) Caleb McSurdy, lb, Montana.
Comment: I love the deal to trade up for Morris Claiboren. Only 3 or 4 corners drafted in the first round since 2007 have become impact players, and you usually know who they are coming in. Claiborne is destined to become the next in that line. Unfortunately, the Cowboys draft after Claiborne was questionable at best. Tyrone Crawford was a reach in the 3rd round, and may not even be match for the Cowboy's 3-4 system.
Grade: B-
Detroit Lions
1 (23) Riley Reiff, ot, Iowa; 2 (54) Ryan Broyles, wr, Oklahoma; 3 (85) Dwight Bentley, db, Louisiana-Lafayette; 4 (125) Ronnell Lewis, de, Oklahoma; 5 (138) Tahir Whitehead, lb, Temple; 5 (148) Chris Greenwood, db, Albion; 6 (196) Jonte Green, db, New Mexico State; 7 (223) Travis Lewis, lb, Oklahoma.
Comment: The Lions filled a huge need at LT when Riley Reiff unexpectedly fell to them at #23. WR Ryan Broyles was a reach in the 2nd round when the Lions desperately needed a corner. However, they filled that position with quantity lead by Dwight Bentley, who could compete with Stephon Gilmore and Dre Kirkpatrick as the 2nd best corner to come out of this year's draft class. Ronnell "The Hammer" Lewis should play an immediate role on special teams and move in to the Lions DE rotation next year.
Grade: B
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| The Lions have minimized their busts like "Joey Blue-skies" Harrington after firing Matt Millen |
Green Bay Packers
1 (28) Nick Perry, lb, Southern Cal; 2 (51) Jerel Worthy, de, Michigan State; 2 (62) Casey Hayward, db, Vanderbilt; 4 (132) Mike Daniels, de, Iowa; 4 (133) Jerron McMillian, db, Maine; 5 (163) Terrell Manning, lb, N.C. State; 7 (241) Andrew Datko, ot, Florida State; 7 (243) B.J. Coleman, qb. Chattanooga.
Comment: The Packers addressed two huge needs with players that weren't expected to be available when they were selected. Nick Perry is a rush threat from the OLB position in the 3-4 scheme who was expected to go in the top 20 picks. Jerel Worthy will be a disruptive force from the DE position in Green Bay's 3-4 defense who was expected to go in the first round. Throw in Vanderbilt Cb Casey Hayward along with strong armed and ultra competitive QB B.J. Coleman from UT-Chattanooga, and Green Bay added some depth with upside at key positions..
Grade: A-
Minnesota Vikings
1 (4) Matt Kalil, ot, Southern Cal; 1 (29) Harrison Smith, db, Notre Dame; 3 (66) Josh Robinson, db, UCF; 4 (118) Jarius Wright, wr, Arkansas; 4 (128) Rhett Ellison, te, Southern Cal; 4 (134) Greg Childs, wr, Arkansas; 5 (139) Robert Blanton, db, Notre Dame; 6 (175) Blair Walsh, k, Georgia; 7 (210) Audie Cole, lb, N.C. State; 7 (219) Trevor Guyton, dt, California.
Comment: I've got to give Rick Speilman props. After doing very little in his NFL front office career, he put the #3 pick up for bid knowing that Tampa and Cleveland were both competing for Alabama RB Trent Richardson...Okay, I don't think Speilman was actually smart enough to realize that Tampa and Cleveland were competing for Richardson considering he kept feigning interest in LSU CB Morris Claiborne, but he ended up getting lucky. Harrison Smith was a bit of a reach to trade up into the first round for considering that they could have drafted the #1 receiver they needed in Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill instead. Josh Robinson was a solid pick in the 3rd round.
Grade: B
New Orleans Saints
2 Forfeited; 3 (89) Akiem Hicks, dt, Regina (Canada); 4 (122) Nick Toon, wr, Wisconsin; 5 (162) Corey White, db, Samford; 6 (179) Andrew Tiller, g, Syracuse; 7 (234) Marcel Jones, ot, Nebraska.
Comment: The Saints foolishly parted with their first round pick for slow RB Mark Ingram in last year's draft, which was a negative draft grade that keeps on giving. They also lost their second round pick as a result of "Bounty-Gate." Akiem Hicks of Regina (Canada) is a boom or bust pick, and Nick Toon's best case hope is to fill the role of WR Devery Henderson several years down the line.
Grade: D
N.Y. Giants
1 (32) David Wilson, rb, Virginia Tech; 2 (63) Rueben Randle, wr, LSU; 3 (94) Jayron Hosley, db, Virginia Tech; 4 (127) Andrien Robinson, te, Cincinnati; 4 (131) Brandon Mosley, ot, Auburn; 6 (201) Matt McCants, ot, UAB; 7 (239) Markus Kuhn, dt, N.C. State.
Comment: The Giants replaced Brandon Jacobs at RB, Mario Manningham at WR, and Aaron Ross at CB. I guess that means they broke even since last year. Coming off of a Super Bowl, that's pretty good.
Grade: B-
Philadelphia Eagles
1 (12) Fletcher Cox, dt, Mississippi State; 2 (46) Mychal Kendricks, lb, California; 2 (59) Vinny Curry, de, Marshall; 3 (88) Nick Foles, qb, Arizona; 4 (123) Brandon Boykin, db, Georgia; 5 (153) Dennis Kelly, ot, Purdue; 6 (194) Marvin McNutt, wr, Iowa; 6 (200) Brandon Washington, g, Miami; 7 (229) Bryce Brown, rb, Kansas State.
Comment: The Eagles didn't have many needs, but they upgraded at several positions. Fletcher Cox is a nice addition to their DT rotation who will provide them with an added interior pass rusher. Mychal Kendricks will help solidify a weak LB corps from 2011 along with free agent signee DeMeco Ryans. Vinny Curry adds an immediate situational pass rusher ideally suited for their wide-nine scheme, while Nick Foles is a potential starter at QB down the road. On top of all that, Brandon Boykin is one of two playmakers at CB in this year's draft, and should be an immediate starter at the nickle to replace Assante Samuel. Very well done.
Grade: A+
St. Louis Rams
1 (14) Michael Brockers, dt, LSU; 2 (33) Brian Quick, wr, Appalachian State; 2 (39) Janoris Jenkins, db, North Alabama; 2 (50) Isaiah Pead, rb, Cincinnati; 3 (65) Trumaine Johnson, db, Montana; 4 (96) Chris Givens, wr, Wake Forest; 5 (150) Rokevious Watkins, g, South Carolina; 6 (171) Greg Zuerlein, k, Missouri Western; 7 (209) Aaron Brown, lb, Hawaii; 7 (252) Daryl Richardson, rb, Abilene Christian.
Comment: The Rams only had one mission in this draft, to draft Sam Bradford some impact receivers, and they failed miserably in that task. Brian Quick of Appalachian State is a developmental project at best, and was a huge reach in the 2nd round, especially with Stephen Hill still on the board. The more I watch DT Michael Brockers, the more I like him and his ability to blow up the run. Janoris Jenkins could be a good value talent wise, although he reportedly continues to smoke marijuana even after getting kicked out of the University of Florida for weed related offenses. Worse yet, he's said to have an infectious personality, making him less than ideal to bring onto a young team as a potential locker room cancer. Isaiah Peed of Cincinnati is not only an ideal compliment to RB Stephen Jackson, he should also immediately be an impact player in the return game.
Grade: C+
San Francisco 49ers
1 (30) A.J. Jenkins, wr, Illinois; 2 (61) LaMichael James, rb, Oregon; 4 (117) Joe Looney, g, Wake Forest; 5 (165) Darius Fleming, lb, Notre Dame; 6 (180) Trenton Robinson, s, Michigan State; 6 (199) Jason Slowey, ot, Western Oregon; 7 (237) Cam Johnson, lb, Virginia.
Comment: A.J. Jenkins of Illinois was a huge reach with Stephen Hill of Georgia Tech still available. LaMichael James has character issues and may not have the size to contribute on more than a situational basis like a 2nd round pick should. Trenton Robinson has great ball skills at safety, he's just not ready to tackle at the NFL level. The rest of the 49ers draft was average at best.
Grade: D+
Seattle Seahawks
1 (15) Bruce Irvin, de, West Virginia; 2 (47) Bobby Wagner, lb, Utah State; 3 (75) Russell Wilson, qb, Wisconsin; 4 (106) Robert Turbin, rb, Utah State; 4 (114) Jaye Howard, dt, Florida; 5 (154) Korey Toomer, lb, Idaho; 6 (172) Jeremy Lane, db, Northwestern State; 6 (181) Winston Guy, db, Kentucky; 7 (225) J.R. Sweezy, ot, N.C. State; 7 (232) Greg Scruggs, de, Louisville.
Comment: While Bruce Irvin was a reach, word on the street is that he would have been drafted in the mid to late first round by another team had Seattle not taken him, so I can't blame them too much if Irvin was rated as their top pass rusher. However, aside from Bobby Wagner, I don't see another player making an impact on this year's team, let alone in the long term future. Seattle GM John Schneider found some diamonds in the rough late in the draft last year, and he better do so again this year or his competency as GM is going to start to come into question, especially if Irvin doesn't immediately produce.
Grade: D-
Tampa Bay Bucanneers
1 (7) Mark Barron, db, Alabama; 1 (31) Doug Martin, rb, Boise State; 2 (58) Lavonte David, lb, Nebraska; 5 (140) Najee Goode, lb, West Virginia; 6 (174) Keith Tandy, db, West Virginia; 7 (212) Michael Smith, rb, Utah State; 7 (233) Drake Dunsmore, te, Northwestern.
Comment: While Tampa Bay got three good players and immediate starters, I think they could have played their cards better. The Bucs would have been better served giving up a third round pick and trading up for Trent Richardson (who would have been the perfect fit for new coach Greg Schiano's running attack), rather than trading back for Mark Barron, who may or may not become an impact player in the NFL. Boise St. RB Dough Martin was a questionable pick, especially when they could have used the pick they gave up to trade back into the 1st round to get him to secure the better back in Richardson. Lavonte David was a solid pick with the Bucs second pick in the 2nd round, as he should develop into an impact player at LB.
Grade: B
Washington Redskinss
1 (2) Robert Griffin III, qb, Baylor; 3 (71) Josh LeRibeus, g, SMU; 4 (102) Kirk Cousins, qb, Michigan State; 4 (119) Keenan Robinson, lb, Texas; 5 (141) Adam Gettis, g, Iowa; 6 (173) Alfred Morris, rb, Florida Atlantic; 6 (193) Tom Compton, ot, South Dakota; 7 (213) Richard Crawford, db, SMU; 7 (217) Jordan Bernstine, db, Iowa.
Comment: The Redskins gave up the world to pick Robert Griffin, III, and it was probably the right move. They potentially got the best quarterback in the draft in terms of making bread and butter NFL throws like the deep out. As a Michigan State fan, I think Kirk Cousins was a huge reach in the 4th round even though he was projected to go in the third round. That pick could have been used on another position of need, like safety.
Grade: B
AFC
Baltimore Ravens
2 (35) Courtney Upshaw, lb, Alabama; 2 (60) Kelechi Osemele, ot, Iowa State; 3 (84) Bernard Pierce, rb, Temple; 4 (98) Gino Gradkowski, g, Delaware; 4 (130) Christian Thompson, db, South Carolina State; 5 (169) Asa Jackson, db, Cal Poly; 6 (198) Tommy Streeter, wr, Miami; 7 (236) DeAngelo Tyson, de, Georgia.
Comment: The Ravens traded back into the 2nd round where they still landed a potential first round 3-4 LB in Courtney Upshaw. They also solidified a position of need at guard with Kelechi Osemele. However, their draft kind of fell off after that point.
Grade: B
Buffalo Bills
Comment: Stephon Gilmore was a huge reach for the 10th pick in the 1st round, as not many first round CB's make an impact in the NFL. While Cordy Glenn was a great pick value wise in the 2nd round, Buddy Nix yet again ignored a a huge need at LT to select him. Fortunately for Nix, Zebrie Sanders fell to the Bills in the 4th round, although it may take a year or two before he's ready to protect the blindside in the NFL.
Grade: B-
Cincinnati Bengals
Comment: The Bengals needed a young corner, and Kirkpatrick is a perfect match for their system. They also plugged a huge need at guard with Kevin Zeitler. The Bengals also solidified their DT position for years to come by drafting Devon Still of Penn State in the 2nd round and Brandon Thompson of Clemson of the 3rd, both of whom were at one point considered potential 1st round picks. However, my favorite pick of value was WR Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers in the 3rd round, who's the perfect possession receiver to play opposite A.J. Green.
Grade: A+
Cleveland Browns
Comment: I love that the Browns cock-blocked the Bucs by trading up for Trent Richardson. However, they reached for Brandon Weeden in the second round and failed to land the go-to receiver they should have drafted in the first two rounds to complete their 2012 draft "Triplets." None of their remaining picks appear to be difference makers, although Emmanuel Acho of Texas could develop into a nice player.
Grade: B-
Denver Broncos
2 (36) Derek Wolfe, dt, Cincinnati; 2 (57) Brock Osweiler, qb, Arizona State; 3 (67) Ronnie Hillman, rb, San Diego State; 4 (101) Omar Bolden, db, Arizona State; 4 (108) Philip Blake, c, Baylor; 5 (137) Malik Jackson, de, Tennessee; 6 (188) Danny Trevathan, lb, Kentucky.
Comment: Derek Wolfe is a high motor guy who can immediately contribute, but the Broncos would have been better served staying put at #25 and selecting Jerel Worthy. Osweiler seems to be a decent developmental project behind Peyton Manning, while Ronnie Hillman is a great value in round 3.
Grade: C
Houston Texans
Comment: Whitney Mercilus was a great pick, as was C Ben Jones. DeVier Posey is no upgrade over Jacoby Jones at WR, although Keshawn Martin should immediately replace Jones adequately at KR.
Grade: B-
Indianapolis Colts
Comment: I'm still not convinced that Andrew Luck and his unclosed mouth was the right pick over RGIII, but I don't think you can go wrong with either. The Colts have future bookends at tackle from last year's draft, plus a star receiver in Reggie Wayne returning. Giving Luck a two tight end attack in Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen provides the Colts with a cutting edge offense that should be able to exploit the NFL's smaller safeties in both the running and the passing game.
Grade: B
Jacksonville Jaguars
1 (5) Justin Blackmon, wr, Oklahoma State; 2 (38) Andre Branch, de, Clemson; 3 (70) Bryan Anger, p, California; 5 (142) Brandon Marshall, lb, Nevada; 6 (176) Mike Harris, db, Florida State; 7 (228) Jeris Pendleton, dt, Ashland.
Comment: The Jags traded up to get the #1 receiver that they desperately needed in Justin Blackmon, and still landed the elite pass rusher they coveted in Andre Branch in the 2nd round. Punter Bryan Anger was a huge reach, but at least the team filled their two biggest needs.
Grade: B+
Kansas City Chiefs
Comment: If Dontari Poe couldn't play NT at the Conference USA level, I have a hard time believing that he'll be an impact player in the NFL. I don't see an other players from this year's draft class that will help the Chiefs.
Grade: D+
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| Players were much more receptive to Commissioner Rodger Goodell this year now that the lockout has ended. Plus Dontari Poe just had bitchin' hair at the NFL Draft. |
Miami Dolphins
Comment: This was a mixed bag. Ryan Tannehill was taken too early, while Jonathan Martin was a bargain in the 2nd round. Lamar Miller was a nice pick at RB in the 4th round. WR B.J. Cunningham was a steal in the 6th round, and could make Dolphin fans forget about Brandon Marshall with his elite ball skills.
Grade: C
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| Something tells me that Ryan Tannehill's girlfriend, Lauren Ufer, is going to love South Beach. |
New England Patriots
1 (21) Chandler Jones, de, Syracuse; 1 (25) Dont'a Hightower, lb, Alabama; 2 (48) Tavon Wilson, s, Illinois; 3 (90) Jake Bequette, de, Arkansas; 6 (197) Nate Ebner, db, Ohio State; 7 (224) Alfonzo Dennard, db, Nebraska; 7 (235) Jeremy Ebert, wr, Northwestern.
Comment: For all the talk about how well the Patriots do in the draft, I'm not sure they use their picks very wisely. The Patriots used multiple picks to trade up in the first round to trade up for OLB Chandler Jones of Syracuse and Dont'a Hightower at ILB of Alabama. Not only is Jones more of a 4-3 end than a 3-4 OLB, but the Patriots ignored major needs at DE and S.
Grade: B-
N.Y. Jets
Comment: Even if Coples flames out at OLB in the Jets 3-4 system, I can still see him adding 20 pounds and becoming a disruptive 3-4 DE given that he was at his best playing as an undersized 4-3 DT at North Carlina. Stephen Hill might be the best best WR to come out of the 2012 draft, so like moving up a few spots to select him. Terrance Ganaway just might become the Jets new starter at RB, while Jordan White could be a steal at WR, at least in terms of 7th round value.
Grade: A-
Oakland Raiders
Comment: I thought things would have gotten better without Al Davis around. Of course, his ghost still haunts the team given that he posthumously robbed the Raiders of their first two draft picks in the Carson Palmer trade.
Grade: D
Pittsburgh Steelers
1 (24) David DeCastro, g, Stanford; 2 (56) Mike Adams, ot, Ohio State; 3 (86) Sean Spence, lb, Miami; 4 (109) Alameda Ta'amu, dt, Washington; 5 (159) Chris Rainey, rb, Florida; 7 (231) Tony Clemons, wr, Colorado; 7 (240) David Paulson, te, Oregon; 7 (246) Terrence Frederick, db, Texas A&M; 7 (248) Kelvin Beachum, ot, SMU.
Comment: The Steelers solidified their offensive line with David DeCastro at G and Mike Adams at T. NT Alameda Ta'amu also was a huge bargain at a position of need in the 4th round. Overall, the Steelers couldn't have hoped for things to go much better in the draft considering that they were faced with the prospect of rebuilding both their offensive and defensive lines.
Grade: A-
San Diego Chargers
Comment: The Chargers needed an OLB to rush the passer, and landed one of the best in Melvin Ingram. They needed help on their DL, and landed a 2nd round value in Kendall Reyes. They needed a safety, and found one in Brandon Taylor of LSU. They needed help on their OL, and nabbed David Molk at C of Michigan, who has a dirty/mean streak. 7th round pick of Michigan State RB Edwin "Rock" Baker could become Darren Sproles 2.0, as he was a pre-season All-American until fumbling issues cost him his job to another NFL caliber back in LeVeon Bell. It's obvious that A.J. Smith and the Chargers draft for need, and they did one of their best jobs this year..
Grade: A-
Tennessee Titans
1 (20) Kendall Wright, wr, Baylor; 2 (52) Zach Brown, lb, North Carolina; 3 (82) Mike Martin, dt, Michigan; 4 (115) Coty Sensabaugh, db, Clemson; 5 (145) Taylor Thompson, te, SMU; 6 (190) Markelle Martin, db, Oklahoma State; 7 (211) Scott Solomon, de, Rice.
Comment: Kendall Wright will be a great complimentary pick opposite Kenny Britt, but he wasn't necessarily a pick of reason or of need. Zach Brown may or may not pan out on the NFL level, while Mike Martin is undersized at DT. A defensive end in the first round would have raised this grade immensely.
Grade: C-
