The three day extravaganza that is Christmas...eeerrr...the NFL Draft is finally over and all 254 presents...eeerrr...picks are in (although, I wonder if we need to start calling it Hanukkah because the NFL draft is now three full days). NFL Teams have gathered all of their presents, big boxes and small gift bags, and are ready to tear into them and see what they have received. Will the big, nicely wrapped box that was their first round pick be the special gift that they have been begging for all year long, dropping hints and leaving behind notes to their GM and owner? Or will it end up being the same wool sweater you receive every year from the same aunt who still thinks that you are 8 years old?
Detroit Lions - A
Analysis: The Lions only had 5 draft picks, but man did they make them count. First, they grab Nick Fairley, who fell to them at number 13. This right here was the steal of the draft and worthy of such a high grade, even if they traded away the rest of their draft picks. But to grab Titus Young and Mikel Leshoure in the second round was also as equally special. Young will help bolster their WR core which is a need position for them. Leshoure provides a nice 1-2, power speed combo, with him and Javhid Best.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - A
Analysis: Tampa Bay is showing signs that they are going back to their core, which is defense, defense, defense. After spending the first two picks of last years draft on DT, they spend their first two picks this year on DE's. Clayborn will contribute immediately, and if Bowers' knee holds up, he could be one of the all-time steals of any draft, top-5 talent falling to them in the second round. Plus, getting Mason Foster to play ILB was a great pick up.
Baltimore Ravens - A-
Analysis: Baltimore year after year continues to draft well. They somehow draft players that are of great value for where they were drafted. Jimmy Smith, while being rated the third CB in the draft, was not that far behind Prince Amukamara and Patrick Peterson in terms of talent. Character issues dropped his stock, but those will go away once he steps foot in the Ravens locker room and meets Ray Lewis for the first time. They made use of their other picks as Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss are fast receiver who will be more weapons in Flacco's arsenal. Jah Reid is a underrated tackle and Tyrod Taylor will be a real asset for them in multiple ways.
Indianapolis Colts - A-
Analysis: If there is ever a franchise that relies so much on their QB, it's the Colts. As long as Peyton is upright, they win their division. So what did the Colts do this draft, beef up their O-line. Anthony Castonzo will be that bookend that need at LT and Ben Ijalana will move inside and play guard for them despite playing tackle in college. Drake Nevis is also a big space eater at DT.
Cincinnati Bengals - B+
Analysis: The Cincinnati Bengals made a state with this draft class. This is the class that will be the new look Bengals, as the drafting of A.J. Green and Andy Dalton spell the end for Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson. A.J. Green was the best receiver in the draft and getting Dalton in the second was a great pick. Some scouts had him rated higher than Locker and Ponder, and they went top 15. They also got great value with Dontay Moch and Ryan Whalen.
Buffalo Bills - B+
Analysis: Buffalo got a lot better with this draft. They really hit home with three very good defensive players that should start immediately. Marcell Dareurs (1st round), Aaron Williams (2nd round), and Kelvin Sheppard (3rd round), should all be started going into training camp, and when you can say that about your draft class, that is a very solid draft. Still wondering who there QB of the future will be after not drafting one this class, but I still like what they did. It would have been really tough to pass on Dareus for Gabbert at number 3. They could have had Andy Dalton in the second round, which I still question, but Aaron Williams is a solid pick that fills an immediate need.
Houston Texans - B+
Analysis: Well, this draft class tells you how much say new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has in the coaching staff. After producing the worst pass defense in the league and in the history of the NFL, defense of a major focus, as they spent their first five picks on a DE, OLB, and three defensive backs. But it's the talent that they got which will immediately improve their defense. The Texans manage to draft three players with first round talent. J.J. Watt will slid in at that 3-4 DE spot, Brooks Reed is a pass rushing OLB, and Brandon Harris will start opposite last years first round pick Kareem Jackson.
New Orleans Saints - B+
Analysis: Two players: Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram. These two players will now make the Saints the team to beat in the NFC. I know that is a bold statement to make this early, but when the Saints add this type of talent to their team, it's hard not too. Martez Wilson will also be a solid contributor to their defense.
St. Louis Rams - B+
Analysis: I like what the Rams did here in the draft. Robert Quinn is a top five talent had he played last season and adding solid receivers in Austin Pettis and Greg Salas, both coming from pass happy offensives in Boise St. and Hawaii respectfully, will only improve their offense.
Chicago Bears - B+
Analysis: Talk about adding beef to a team, you don't get any bigger than Gabe Carimi and Stephen Paea. Carimi will start day one at left tackle for the Bears and Paea will be a contributor on the D-line, eating up space. Chris Conte is a little slow, but makes good reads at safety.
NY Giants - B
Analysis: When you go up against Tony Romo and Mick Vick 4 times a year, you need as many good CB's as possible. While I'm not sure Prince Amukamara starts right away, he will be a contributor on defense and will see plenty of action as a nickel CB. Marvin Austin is also another great value pick in the second round.
Denver Broncos - B
Analysis: Defensive minded head coach, defensive minded draft class. They would have add a higher grade from me if they would have drafted Marcall Dareus instead of Von Miller, but I like what they did in rounds 2-3 that makes the grade. Rahim Moore has a great chance to learn from one of the best to ever play safety in Brian Dawkins, and Orlando Franklin will help protect new starting QB (yes, he will be this year) Tim Tebow.
Green Bay Packers - B
Analysis: The Super Bowl champs managed to add good quality depth to their already stacked team. LT Derek Sherrod in the first was a good value pick and Randall Cobb is yet another weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Good, solid draft by the champs.
Arizona Cardinals - B
Analysis: When you draft the best player in the draft, it's hard to not give a grade lower than a B. Patrick Peterson definitely doesn't fill a need for the Cardinals, but you just can't pass on talent like that when it falls to you. Not sure why they drafted Ryan Willaims, RB from Va Tech, when they already have Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower, but he is a solid RB. I like Sam Acho to play DE for them as well.
New York Jets - B
Analysis: They really helped themselves on the defensive line by drafting Muhammad Wilkerson and Kendrick Ellis. Wilkerson is a raw talent at DE and Ellis is 6'5", 346 lbs. You talk about a space eater?! The jets are going to be beefy up front and Ellis and Wilkerson will help free up their stud linebackers.
Pittsburgh Steelers - B-
Analysis: They get a B- from me just because they are the Steelers and they have a history of drafting well, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt. They drafted Cameron Heyward in the first, but I still think with Brandon Harris and Aaron Williams on the board, they should have went CB. They addressed their need for tackle in getting Marcus Gilbert in the second.
San Francisco 49ers - B-
Analysis: Not a great draft, but good enough to pass with a decent grade. They needed a pass rusher in the worst way and they got Aldon Smith in the first, who they had rated as the second best pass rusher in the draft. I'm one of few who actually believes in Colin Kaepernick and think he will develop into a solid run-pass QB threat. Not thrilled with CB Chris Culliver in the third, but I really like the offensive picks of Kendall Hunter at RB and Ronald Johnson at WR. Hunter will add much needed speed at the RB position and Johnson will add depth at WR.
Cleveland Browns - B-
Analysis: I can't blame them for accepting the kings ransom from the Atlanta Falcons and moving way back in the draft. They are will prepared for the future will all of those picks they received. They bolstered their DL by getting Phil Taylor at DT and Jabaal Sheard at DE. Taylor doesn't wow me, the Sheard is a good pick. They will play early for them. Greg Little will be Colt McCoy's new favorite target at WR. And every team needs a Owen Marecic on their team.
San Diego Chargers - B-
Analysis: I'm not sure why experts like their draft so much. It's a good draft, but people are wow'd by it. Corey Liugent is a nice player, but after him, there picks were just ok. Marcus Gilchrist is an ok CB and fills a need. WR Vincent Brown will help fill the whole possibly being left by another Vincent, Vincent Jackson.
New England Patriots - C+
Analysis: How much longer are we going to have to wait until we see the New England Patriots really take over a draft and actually use their draft picks and not pay it down. They always seem to prove us wrong, but this year I think it may actually catch up to them. Nate Solder in the first and the second tackle taken off the board is a questionable pick, as they could have had Castonzo. Then drafting two RB's with two of their second round picks when they already have Danny Woodhead and BenJarvis Law Firm, is puzzeling. I like the Shane Vereen pick, but not sure about Stevan Ridley. And we will have to wait and see about QB Ryan Mallett.
Kansas City Chiefs - C+
Analysis: I really like what the Chiefs did with their second and third round picks. Getting Rodney Hudson in the second round to play the interior offense line was a great value pick. Third round picks Justin Houston and Allen Bailey are steals. Houston has first round talent but fell because of character issues. He will definitely contribute and be a player at OLB. Allen Bailey fell after having an unproductive year at DE but is talented. They get their low grade because of what they did with their first round pick, selecting Jonathan Baldwin at WR. Yes he fills a need, but picking him in the first round was a super reach and the Chief could have selected a better talented player that doesn't necessary fill a need, but will contribute.
Miami Dolphins - C+
Analysis: So the Dolphins are losing their two starting running backs to free agency and a Heisman Trophy winning RB was their for the taking, and you pass? I question their reasoning behind this move. They ended up taking Mike Pouncey to play in the interior of their offense line, but they had other needs. He will be a good player, but Ingram would have been the better pick here. They did end up getting Daniel Thomas in the second round to play RB, but he is no Mark Ingram. Edmond Gates is a speedster at WR and will be a nice complement to Brandon Marshall.
Dallas Cowboys - C
Analysis: If there was any team that desperately needed to trade down in the first round, it was the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, they were unable to and ended up taking Tyron Smith, OT from USC. He is rated the best tackle in the draft, and fills a hugh need in protecting Romo's blind side. What they ended up doing with their second and third round picks were confusing. They drafted Bruce Carter, OLB out of UNC in the second and DeMarco Murray, RB from Oklahoma in the third. What needs they fill, I'm not sure. Last time I checked, the Cowboys were just fine at OLB and RB. A CB would have serviced them much better.
Philadelphia Eagles - C
Analysis: The Eagles had big needs at OT and CB, and the Eagles were in prime position to grab solid contributors in the first and second rounds. They could have drafted CB Jimmy Smith or OT Gabe Carimi, and either one would have contributed immediately. Instead, they went with Danny Watkins, OG from Baylor. Unless they feel he can slide out and play tackle, I'm not sure where he fits. Drafting Jaiquawn Jarrett in the second will add depth to the safety position, but Brandon Harris was available, and he would have been a nice addition at CB. Not a fan of Philly's draft.
Atlanta Falcons - C
Analysis: This draft grade hinges on one player and one player only; Julio Jones, WR from Alabama. They went up from pick 27 to pick 6, mortgage next years draft, and got a player they fill will take them over the top. The problem, the Falcons aren't one player away from being over the top. They are in need of a pass rusher in the worst way, and they didn't address that until the 7th round. Now, if Julio doesn't pan out and the Falcons take a step back, they can't improve through the draft next year. It's trades like this one were if they don't pan out, a good team becomes a bad one and a GM will lose their job. Julio Jones, you better be a stud. Jacquizz Rodgets was a nice pick in the fifth round.
Oakland Raiders - C
Analysis: Oakland proved yet again that they care about one thing and one thing only; 40-yard dash time. They already went into the draft without a first round pick, and then with their only second round pick, reached for a OG in Stefen Wisniewski out of Penn St. If the name sounds familiar, it's because his uncle is Steve Wisniewski, former Raider OG and current assistant OL coach. The only thing you need to know about the rest of their draft picks is that they hold the fastest 40 times at their position.
Carolina Panthers - C
Analysis: This draft grade is not a complete reflection on Cam Newton. While Cam wasn't the number #1 player on most people's draft boards, I understand why they made the pick. He will definitely have a learning curve but should play right away as his main competition, Jimmy Clausen, is about as good of a QB as he is fantasy baseball player. And I should know because I play in the same fantasy baseball league as Jim Clausen and I smoked him 9-1. I also don't like what the Panthers did with their two third round picks. I don't mind them draft two DT's, as that is a need position for them, but there were better talented players available at that position than the ones they drafted.
Washington Redskins - C
Analysis: So the Redskins had the 10th pick in the draft and the top QB in the draft falls to them. God must have heard Mike Shannahans prays right? Wrong! The Redskins ended up trading out of the 10 spot to the team that ended up taking Gabbert. So the question now is, who is going to play QB for the Redskins next season? McNabb? Rex Grossman? Good luck Redskin fans. They did end up taking Ryan Kerrigan at 16 which is a good pick and will play opposite last years talented rookie Brian Orakpo. Other than Kerrigan, draft class unimpressive.
Minnesota Vikings - C-
Analysis: The Vikings blow the top off of Radio City Music Hall when they took Christian Ponder, QB from FSU, with the 12th pick in the draft. While this mock drafter had Ponder going in the first round (not many experts did, for the record), drafting him at 12 was pretty outrageous. However, he is the most NFL ready QB in the draft and the Vikings are in a win now situation with their team, so I guess it makes sense to draft him, but they could have done so by trading down, getting value draft picks, and picking him later in the first round. If they would have done so, the grade would be a whole letter higher, as their second and third round pick are solid. Kyle Rudolph will be a solid pro at TE and Christian Ballard at DT had second round talent.
Tennessee Titans - D+
Analysis: The first true shocker of the draft was the Titans taking Jake Locker with the 8th pick. Now, I actually like Locker and think he is the perfect project QB, but you don't take a project QB at number 8. Not when you have the needs to fill as the Titans do. Yes QB is a huge need, but the value they got in taking Locker at 8 versus the talent that was available doesn't match up. There were so many different ways they could have gone. I do like what they got though in the second and third rounds with Akeem Ayers, OLB from UCLA and Jurrell Casey, DT from USC.
Jacksonville Jaguars - D+
Analysis: I can't give them a complete failing grade because they did land the best rated QB in the draft in Blaine Gabbert, QB from Missouri. But to trade up and give up picks and take him when it wasn't a need position is suspect. Plus, David Garrard isn't really that bad of a QB. If Gabbert pans out and becomes their QB of the future, than I was wrong and this was a great move. But when your team is .500, you need to use the draft to draft players that will have an immediate impact and get you over the hump, not draft for the future. Jack Del Rio, a head coach who is constantly on the hot seat, can't be happy about this pick. Getting an impact pass rush would have served them better.
Seattle Seahawks - D
Analysis: I really don't know what the Seahawks were doing in this draft. They use their first round pick to reach for an OG that may or may not be able to play tackle, which was their need. Then, they don't draft any QB, leaving everyone asking; who is our starting QB next season? They get John Moffit, OG from Wisconsin, in the third to add more support to their OL. But otherwise, this was clearly the worst draft class this year.
Mr.Armchair Speaking
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