Editor's Note: The NFL draft has concluded, and ESPN.com
draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. hands out grades for each team.
Arizona
Cardinals: C Arizona's draft was all about saving money.
The Cardinals moved down from the sixth spot and got Bryant Johnson,
the wide receiver they needed, and an athletic pass rusher in Calvin
Pace. Some will say they gave up too much to save dollars, but they
rebounded nicely, getting another receiver in Anquan Boldin and more
help for the defense.
Atlanta
Falcons: C+ Bryan Scott is a versatile DB who can play
safety or corner, and Justin Griffith is a multi-dimensional
fullback, but Atlanta didn't do a lot in the late rounds. Who knows
how much help they can get at WR with Jon Olinger and Latarence
Dunbar.
Baltimore
Ravens: A I like Terrell Suggs, Kyle Boller and Musa
Smith with the first three picks. Aubrayo Franklin fills a need at
nose tackle, and Jarrett Johnson has a great motor on the defensive
line, while Ovie Mughelli will be a solid lead blocker. The Ravens
also got a steal in the fifth round with Tony Pashos, and while
Boller was slightly overrated at No. 19, there is no way they would
have gotten a good young QB like him next year.
Buffalo
Bills: B Willis McGahee is going to be on the shelf for a
year, but the Bills have Travis Henry and Olandis Gary in the
interim. Chris Kelsay is the pass-rushing defensive end they need,
and I like Sam Aiken as a possession receiver, and Ben Sobieski made
sense in the fifth round if he can stay healthy.
Carolina
Panthers: B- Jordan Gross and Bruce Nelson will go a long
way toward strengthening the offensive line, and Mike Seidman is a
good addition at tight end. Colin Branch and Kindal Moorehead are
decent players who may help the Carolina defense, while Walter Young
and Casey Moore add some depth to the offense.
Chicago
Bears: B I like the addition of Michael Haynes at
defensive end, and I have always been high on Rex Grossman at
quarterback. Charles Tillman is a nice addition to the secondary,
and Lance Briggs will give the Bears some versatility at linebacker
with his ability to play inside or outside. Chicago also added some
depth at wide receiver with Bobby Wade and Justin Gage.
Cincinnati
Bengals: B+ The Bengals did what they had to do with
Carson Palmer, and Eric Steinbach has the ability to play guard or
center. Cincinnati followed those selections with good value,
getting Kelley Washington and Dennis Weathersby in the third and
fourth rounds, and the rest of the picks were spent on solid
players.
Cleveland
Browns: B Jeff Faine will be a great anchor on the
offensive line for years to come, and while I thought Chaun Thompson
went a little high, he has a great work ethic and dominated at his
level of competition. Chris Crocker was also off the board a little
early, but I like the fact that he can move from corner to safety,
and Lee Suggs will be a solid backup to William Green. Mike Lehan
also made a lot of sense in the fifth round.
Dallas
Cowboys: A The Cowboys played the game well. They didn't
let teams know they were locked in on Terence Newman, but they still
got the shut-down corner they needed, and Al Johnson could end up
being their starting center. Jason Witten will be in the mix at
tight end, and Bradie James is a heck of a bargain in the fourth
round.
Denver
Broncos: C+ I would have held off on George Foster, who
had a high grade entering the season but was hampered by a wrist
injury. Terry Pierce was a good pickup in the second round, and I
like Quentin Griffin because of his character and versatility. Nick
Eason is somewhat of an underachiever and needs to step it up a
little bit, while his college teammate Bryant McNeal is a good pass
rusher off the edge.
Detroit
Lions: B Charles Rogers and Boss Bailey certainly fill
immediate needs for the Lions, and if they can get Cory Redding up
to 290 pounds he can be moved to defensive tackle. Artose Pinner
could turn out to be a nice pick if he can recover fully from the
ankle injury he suffered at the Senior Bowl, I like Terrence Holt
because of what he can do on special teams, and they keep David
Kircus close to home.
Green Bay
Packers: B They decided on Nick Barnett to help them at
linebacker, and I like the defensive help they got with Kenny
Peterson in the third round and James Lee in the fifth.
Houston
Texans: A- I like all of Houston's picks. Andre Johnson
is an impact receiver, Antwan Peek will become an outside linebacker
in the Texans' scheme, and Seth Wand fits the mold of the tough,
athletic offensive linemen Houston prefers. And the addition of Dave
Ragone and Drew Henson give them the potential to make some deals
down the road, while Domanick Davis gives Houston a player with punt
return skills.
Indianapolis
Colts: B- Dallas Clark gives the Colts another tight end
to play opposite Marcus Pollard in the two-tight end sets, and Mike
Doss was the second-highest rated safety in the draft. Donald
Strickland is a decent corner, while Steve Sciullo will be in the
mix at one of the offensive tackle spots. Indianapolis also got a
potential sleeper in Robert Mathis, who could be good as a
situational pass rusher and special teams player.
Jacksonville
Jaguars: B+ Byron Leftwich was my favorite quarterback
heading into the draft, and Rashean Mathis will bring some
versatility to the secondary. Vince Manuwai can play center or guard
in front of Leftwich, and George Wrighster is a good receiver at
tight end. The Jaguars also helped themselves in the offensive
backfield with the addition of LaBrandon Toefield and the
multi-dimensional skills of Malaefou Mackenzie.
Kansas City
Chiefs: C Kansas City's selection of Larry Johnson in the
first round tells me the Chiefs have concerns about the health of
Priest Holmes. I thought Kawika Mitchell was a bit of a reach in the
second round, but while I thought Brett Williams was overrated
coming into the draft, I can't argue with taking him in the fourth
round.
Miami
Dolphins: C Miami reached some in taking Eddie Moore in
the first round, and there will be a question as to whether a raw
player like Wade Smith can be the Dolphins' left tackle. Taylor
Whitley is a decent addition to the offensive line and Donald Lee
gives Miami a solid backup to Randy McMichael.
Minnesota
Vikings: B+ The Vikings got bashed a little for their
handling of the seventh overall selection, but they still got the
player they wanted in Kevin Williams. E.J. Henderson was a solid
pickup in the second round, and I like Nick Burleson's skills, while
Minnesota got a steal in Onterrio Smith. Nick Johnson will likely be
the Vikings' punter this season, and Keenan Howry will be able to
return punts in addition to helping out at wide receiver.
New England
Patriots: A The Patriots did a great job organizing their
draft. They got the defensive help they needed with Ty Warren at
tackle and Eugene Wilson at corner, and I like what Bethel Johnson
can bring to the offense. Dan Klecko will add some depth on the
defensive line, and the rest of the picks were very solid.
New Orleans
Saints: C+ New Orleans passed on Marcus Trufant and took
Johnathan Sullivan instead, and that was a gamble. Coach Jim Haslett
feels he has good corners, but I feel they are average. Jon
Stinchcomb can give the Saints some help on the offensive line and
can play guard as well as tackle, and while I was not high on Cie
Grant, he was projected at about the same spot the Saints used to
take him. Montrae Holland was a good pick, but Melvin Williams is a
question mark because of injuries.
New York
Giants: C William Joseph can help the Giants, but they
reached in taking Osi Umenyiora in the second round and Vishante
Shiancoe in the third. Rod Babers and David Diehl should turn out
OK.
New York
Jets: C I don't necessarily agree with the Jets giving up
so much to get to No. 4 overall, but they were fortunate and got the
player they wanted. Victor Hobson and B.J Askew were picked a little
high, but Derrick Pagel and Matt Walters should be able to help some
on defense.
Oakland
Raiders: C- The Raiders reached for each of their first
four picks (Nnamdi Asomugah, Tyler Brayton, Teyo Johnson and Sam
Williams), but Justin Fargas was a good value pick in the third
round.
Philadelphia
Eagles: B Philadelphia got the help it needed on defense
with Jerome McDougle, and L.J. Smith and Billy McMullen will give
Donovan McNabb some help in the passing game. Jamaal Green,
McDougle's college teammate, is a hustler on defense and Jeremy
Bridges is a decent pickup on the offensive line.
Pittsburgh
Steelers: C+ I like the addition of Troy Polamalu to the
defensive secondary, and Alonzo Jackson will be a good outside
linebacker, but I wasn't particularly enamored with the rest of the
Steelers' picks (Brian St. Pierre, Ivan Taylor and J.T Wall).
San Diego
Chargers: B- The Chargers went heavy on defensive backs,
and I like the trio of Sammy Davis, Drayton Florence and Terrence
Kiel. I thought Courtney Van Buren was a reach in the third round,
but Matt Wilhelm is a decent pickup in the fourth.
San
Francisco 49ers: C+ Kwame Harris was a little overrated
coming into the draft, but the Niners did a good job with their
subsequent picks. Anthony Adams and Andrew Williams are decent
defensive linemen, while Brandon Lloyd and Aaron Walker should be
able to help the passing game.
Seattle
Seahawks: B I really like the addition of Marcus Trufant
and Ken Hamlin to the secondary, while Wayne Hunter could turn into
a solid offensive lineman. Seneca Wallace is a good pickup who may
be able to play more than one position, and Solomon Bates could
contribute on defense.
St. Louis
Rams: B- St. Louis did OK with the selections of Jimmy
Kennedy, Piso Tinoisamoa and Kevin Curtis early, and they got three
decent cornerbacks late. St. Louis also got depth at wideout with
Shaun McDonald.
Tampa Bay
Buccaneers: B- Dwayne White is a nice pickup in the
second round, and Chris Simms could develop into a nice quarterback
with some seasoning. Sean Mahan was a steal in the fifth round but
Lance Nimmo was a reach in the fourth, and Austin King was a good
pick at the end of the fourth round.
Tennessee
Titans: C+ Andre Woolfolk is a little raw but gives the
Titans the cornerback they need, while Tyrone Calico is a big
receiver who can help Steve McNair. And Tennessee also gets a nice
insurance policy at running back in Chris Brown, as Eddie George's
production has declined steadily over the last two seasons. And
while some said Rein Long was overrated, that is not the case after
he was taken in the fourth round, but Donnie Nickey was a bit
overrated.
Washington
Redskins: A The Redskins showed this year that teams
don't necessarily have to use their draft picks to get college
players. They got Laveranues Coles in return for their first-round
pick and Trung Canidate in for their fourth-rounder, while
Washington got Matt Bowen for a sixth-round choice and Jermaine
Haley for a seventh-rounder. Plus, Taylor Jacobs was one of the
steals of the draft at 44th overall.
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