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

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

New York Giants

GM Jerry Reese really analyzed receivers in this draft after the release of big-time playmaker Plaxico Burress. So, Reese's first choice of North Carolina's Hakeem Nicks made a lot of sense. Nicks is polished and played in a pro-style offense. UConn offensive tackle William Beatty has great size and should develop into a reliable backup. Wisconsin TE Travis Beckum Ramses Barden of Cal Poly could be a real sleeper at wide receiver, considering he is 6-foot-6 and did play well against San Diego State and Wisconsin. South Carolina cornerback Stoney Woodson was a reach even in the seventh round. Grade: B

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

New York Jets

If USC's Mark Sanchez turns out to be the franchise quarterback a lot of teams believe he will become, then Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum made the best draft move of the year. Basically, Tannenbaum stole Sanchez on value because he jumped 12 spots in the first round while surrendering only New York's first and second-round picks to the Browns, well below the value chart. The Jets should have been forced to give up another second-round pick next year instead of three reserve players they no longer wanted. The Jets made another wise trade, moving into Detroit's spot atop the third round for Iowa running back Shonn Greene. Greene was the Big Ten offensive player of the year with 20 TDs and 1,850 yards rushing, a 6.0 average. RB is a definite need with Thomas Jones slowing down. And with the rumors of them possibly pursuing Plaxico Burress, you get the idea that Tannenbaum needed to make a splash in this draft. Grade: A

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

Oakland

Maybe all the experts are stupid, but the Raiders were ripped for their top three selections. NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock had low-round grades on both Ohio safety Michael Mitchell and Wisconsin linebacker Matt Shaughnessy, who was slipping down most team's draft boards. Yes, the Raiders have a need at safety with the disappointing play of former No. 1 pick Michael Huff. Reportedly, the Bears wanted Mitchell in the second round and that's why they traded out of the round. No. 1 pick Darrius Heyward-Bey may have been the fastest receiver in the draft, but he never had a 1,000-yard receiving season at Maryland and wasn't named to either the first or second all-ACC teams. Heyward-Bey was the first receiver taken No. 1 by Davis since Tim Brown in 1988. The Raiders took another track-star receiver in Florida's Louis Murphy, who ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the Combine. I think the only way owner Al Davis wins with the talking heads on television is by going out and either hiring Mayock or ESPN's Mel Kiper. Bottom line, the Raiders are 24-72 since losing to Tampa Bay in the 2003 Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean Al is going to change his ways. Grade: C-

steaktartar · Apr 27, 2009

GB a c?.......bad grade

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

Philadelphia

When rating this draft, start by remembering the Eagles used a first-round pick for Buffalo offensive tackle Jason Peters, who has Pro Bowl talent. Peters will team with ex-Bengal Stacy Andrews to give Donovan McNabb two new protectors on the outside. Then, the Eagles lucked into Missouri receiver Jeremy Maclin, who was rated No. 1 at his position on 18 teams' draft boards. Then in the second round, Pitt running back LeSean McCoy was another steal with 53rd overall pick. McCoy will give Brian Westbrook a breather this season. Virginia Tech cornerback Victor Harris has only 4.6 speed, but he should be a core special-teams player. Harris did have 15 interceptions. You have to like the trade with New England in order to land cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who gives the Eagles some added depth in case they ever deal unhappy starter Sheldon Brown. Florida TE Cornelius Ingram could be a steal if his knee is OK. Grade: A

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

Pittsburgh

The Steelers took Evander "Ziggy" Hood, a very good inside pass rusher from the defensive tackle position. Hood was the only player the Steelers took in the first two rounds because they don't have many needs. They took undersized Penn State center A.Q. Shipley in the seventh round, but scouts think this kid knows how to play despite his limitations. The Steelers went for a two-gapping defensive tackle in Oregon's Ra'Shon Harris in the sixth round and took a blocking tight end in David Johnson of Arkansas State at the end of the seventh round. Grade: C

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

St. Louis

The Rams toyed with the idea of trading with the Jets, but didn't believe the offered compensation justified their second pick in the first round. Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith should eventually become a left tackle and they passed on Rey Maualuga in order to draft Ohio State middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, a two-year captain with the Buckeyes. Laurinaitis should start immediately and he was taken over Maualuga because he actually can call the defense. The Rams went for defense in Iowa cornerback Bradley Fletcher and Clemson nose tackle Dorell Scott, who has some quickness. Scott was a three-year starter and collected 31 tackles for losses to go along with seven sacks. Grade: B

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

San Diego

The selection of Northern Illinois pass rusher Larry English helps because of the loss of Igor Olshansky and with Shawne Merriman entering his final season contractually. It's difficult to argue with GM A.J. Smith, but a lot of teams ranked English as a second-round player. English, who started 47 games, had 31 1/2 career sacks and twice was named the best player in Mid-American Conference. Colorado State running back Gartrell Johnson proved his worth with a 285-yard effort against Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl game. Johnson led the Mountain West Conference with 113.5 yards per game. Grade: B-

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

San Francisco

Everyone referred to Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree as a "diva," but on the field he was the best receiver in college the past two seasons with 41 TD receptions while averaging 120.3 yards per game. The 49ers are definitely not worried about his foot surgery for a stress fracture. GM Scot McCloughan made a solid decision in swapping his second-round pick for Carolina's first-round pick next year. The 49ers took a flyer on Ball State quarterback Nate Davis, who has dyslexia, in the fifth round. Davis passed for 56 TDs vs. 12 INTs in his college career. Davis has an unusual grip on the football — he never holds it by the laces. Alabama running back Glen Coffee has a strong upper body, but he has to learn that he can't take on tacklers at the NFL level. Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop could be a steal in the fifth round. He has 211 solo tackles in 25 starts for the Panthers. Grade: B-

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

Seattle

There is a lot to like about Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, possibly the safest top selection in the draft. Curry will start somewhere outside, plus he has the ability to rush the passer. GM Tim Ruskell received great value in trading his 37th overall pick to the Broncos for Denver's first-round pick next year. There's a great chance that pick will be among the top 15 selections in 2010. The lone downside of what Ruskell did this weekend was removing the franchise tag on OLB Leroy Hill, who rejected a $36 million, 6-year offer. This move could backfire, just like the silly decision not to franchise All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson two years ago. Hill now has the opportunity to sign elsewhere and the Seahawks would receive no compensation. Oregon center Max Unger was good value in the middle of the second round. Ruskell traded out of the fourth and fifth round. Cal tight end Cameron Morrah was very good selection at the bottom of the seventh round. Grade: B-

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

Tampa Bay

I'm not really convinced that the Bucs had to trade up in the first round in order to select Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman. Young head coach Raheem Morris, who has connections at K-State, was very involved in this selection, something that Freeman revealed he knew about for a long time. Many rate Freeman as a project, but the Bucs had to do something at this position with only Luke McCown, Brian Griese and Byron Leftwich on the roster. Those three all have the reputation of being backups in the NFL. By making the trade, the Bucs ignored some of their defensive needs. Western Michigan cornerback E.J. Biggers has 4.35 speed. Grade: D

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

Tennessee

First-round pick Kenny Britt of Rutgers dropped too many passes for some teams to consider, especially the Giants, who looked hard at him. Britt did catch 149 passes over his last two seasons. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he really likes Britt. Most teams believe that Auburn DT Sen'Derrick Marks in the second round was a huge reach for a one-gap performer who needs to improve his motor. It was a negative trading next year's second-round pick to New England for South Carolina tight end Jared Cook, who should provide some blocking and be a deep middle threat. Grade: C

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

Washington

After all the quarterback talk and trading-up possibilities, the Redskins were patient and had Texas DE Brian Orakpo fall into their lap with the 13th overall pick. Orakpo had some nicks, but some teams thought he was the draft's best edge pass rusher. The Redskins traded out of the second round and made a local pick in the third round with Maryland cornerback Kevin Barnes, who started 21 games and can be either a zone or man-cover cornerback. Nebraska LB Cody Glenn was suspended for his final three games and was ranked the 34th overall linebacker in the draft. Grade: C

steaktartar · Apr 27, 2009

Green Bay Packers
Picks: DT B.J. Raji, LB Clay Matthews, OT T.J. Lang, FB Quinn Johnson, OT Jamon Meredith, DE Jarius Wynn, CB Brandon Underwood, LB Brad Jones
Positives: Raji, Matthews, tackle prospects
Negative: Could have used a more highly rated cornerback.
Bottom line: A. Almost all the team needs were addressed in some way. Nose tackles in the 3-4 scheme are at a premium, and the Packers had a great one fall in their lap in Raji. Matthews has a ton of versatility and adds another badly needed piece in the Packers’ scheme change on defense. The two tackle prospects are something to work with long term.

GRADE A

Betallsports · Apr 27, 2009

steak tartar said:
Green Bay Packers
Picks: DT B.J. Raji, LB Clay Matthews, OT T.J. Lang, FB Quinn Johnson, OT Jamon Meredith, DE Jarius Wynn, CB Brandon Underwood, LB Brad Jones
Positives: Raji, Matthews, tackle prospects
Negative: Could have used a more highly rated cornerback.
Bottom line: A. Almost all the team needs were addressed in some way. Nose tackles in the 3-4 scheme are at a premium, and the Packers had a great one fall in their lap in Raji. Matthews has a ton of versatility and adds another badly needed piece in the Packers’ scheme change on defense. The two tackle prospects are something to work with long term.

GRADE A

Yes, I saw that Yahoo Sports gave them a A rating.

But don't you think it should be more like a B rating ?
Once you throw out any Negatives ( even as little as they are )
You bring the Rating down.