Handing out draft grades for AFC teams
Kansas City
On paper, the Chiefs had the best draft of any team. Granted, GM Carl Peterson had the ammunition with seven picks in the first 107. The Chiefs had their eyes on Chris Long but ended up with LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, who they had rated higher. Dorsey may need right leg surgery down the line in his career, but Kansas City is not worried. Peterson made a trade with Detroit for Virginia guard Branden Albert, who has the ability to play guard and tackle, although he is a better guard and is tremendous in open space. Virginia Tech cornerback Brandon Flowers has the ability to start right away. Texas RB Jamaal Charles will be a great change-up runner to counter Larry Johnson, and Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam has the physical tools to potentially replace Tony Gonzalez when he retires despite only starting 10 games in college. Missouri WR Will Franklin has 4.3 speed and some teams had him graded in the third round.
Grade: A+
2008 NFL Draft
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Draft tool kit
News
Analysis
- Czar: AFC draft grades | NFC
- Marvez: Another bumper crop for N.Y.?
- Kriegel: Why bad can be good in NFL
- Marvez: Best, worst drafts since '03
- Whitlock: 10 NFL Draft truths
- Hench: We don't have to love draft
Sights and sounds
Baltimore
With Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan gone, the Ravens did the wise thing and traded down with Jacksonville, knowing they would be able to take Delaware's Joe Flacco later in the first round. Flacco was a definite need with Steve McNair retired and Kyle Boller never holding onto the job. Flacco is 6-foot-6 and has a solid arm. Rutgers RB Ray Rice was a steal with the 55th pick, and he'll give Willis McGahee a chance to rest. Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski is a former boxer and tough guy. David Hale of Weber State played well in the East-West Shrine Game and could develop into an offensive tackle, although he lacks athleticism.
Grade: A-
Miami
The Dolphins already signed their man, Michigan OT Jake Long, who is physical, tough and a hard worker. The debate still rages between whether he is a right or left tackle, but regardless, he should be a starter. However, the best pick might have been his Michigan teammate in quarterback Chad Henne with the 57th overall choice. Henne is a very competitive player and figures to compete with John Beck and Josh McCown at the position. On defense, Miami added Clemson DE Phillip Merling, who had 12 sacks in 26 games, and Kendall Langford from tiny Hampton, who figures to be an end in the 3-4 scheme. Langford is 6-foot-6, 300 pounds.
Grade: B+
New York Jets
There's no question the Jets wanted Arkansas running back Darren McFadden and opted to take Ohio State Vernon Gholston, who was the flavor of the month in all the draft previews. Gholston wowed all the coaches and scouts in workouts and finished his college career with 23 sacks despite often taking plays off during games. Purdue TE Dustin Keller is viewed as another Dallas Clark, who has helped Peyton Manning's career in Indy — Keller was a former wide receiver who can't block. San Jose State CB Dwight Lowery led the nation in interceptions in 2006, but a broken jaw slowed him down last season.
Grade: B
Cincinnati
The Bengals didn't trade unhappy Chad Johnson but filled a linebacker need with USC's Keith Rivers in the first round. Rivers played as a true freshman and started 36 games for the Trojans. With Johnson mad and wanting a trade and Chris Henry gone, the Bengals addressed Carson Palmer's favorite position with Coastal Carolina's Jerome Simpson and Florida's Andre Caldwell, who is the younger brother of Reche. Caldwell caught 185 passes in college, while Simpson has long arms for a guy that is 6-foot-2. He set school records, including 41 touchdown catches. Kansas OT Anthony Collins projects to be a guard.
Grade: B
New England
Coach Bill Belichick has never drafted a linebacker with the Patriots in the first five rounds, but he needs Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo, who was the fastest moving player on most team's draft boards. Mayo is a sure tackler and will give the Patriots some youth with so many older linebackers in Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Junior Seau. Give Belichick credit for a "vision pick" in the third round, when he chose San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell, who has pro size and a great touch throwing the ball. This could be Matt Cassell's last season in New England. Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley has had fusion surgery on his right wrist, which sounds risky but he played two seasons with it. Both he and Auburn CB Jonathan Wilhite are 5-foot-10 — never a good size in the NFL. Michigan OLB Shawn Crable doesn't cover well, but he can rush the passer. Crable needs to get stronger.
Grade: B
Jacksonville
There is no question that coach Jack Del Rio believes his team is right on the verge of beating the Colts and Patriots in the AFC, and that's why he boldly traded into the top of the round for Florida DE Derrick Harvey, who is a natural pass rusher and was rated at a top 10 player by the majority of teams. Quentin Groves had 26 sacks during his Auburn career and gives the Jaguars more speed to go after Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, especially with John Henderson anchoring the middle. South Florida CB Trae Williams had great value in the fifth round.
Grade: B
Oakland
OK, Darren McFadden made this draft because he could end up being the best running back for this franchise since the days of Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen. McFadden, who has excellent hands, has tremendous upside after a stellar career at Arkansas, where he rushed for 4,590 yards and scored 41 touchdowns in three seasons. McFadden comes from a troubled family, but he's a good young man and figures to be the key to Lane Kiffin's offense. Connecticut CB Tyvon Branch is off the charts athletically and has tremendous upside at No. 100. Richmond WR Arman Shields has 4.3 speed. The only thing I didn't like was the trade of former first-round pick Fabian Washington for a fourth-rounder, though he had fallen out of favor in Oakland.
Grade: B
Pittsburgh
Next to offensive linemen, running back was the deepest position early in this draft. Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall can catch and also run out of a spread formation. Mendenhall slipped because he was only a two-year player, but he did score 17 TDs on 262 career carries. There is a chance that Texas WR Limas Sweed (6-foot-4, 212) can turn into Plaxico Burress — the big target that Ben Roethlisberger has been screaming for. Bruce Davis of UCLA was one of my favorite college players and he should develop into a fine linebacker after playing defensive end. Davis is smart and strong. Texas OT Tony Hills started 24 games in college, but he needs to get tougher if he's going to make it in the NFL.
Grade: B
Buffalo
The Bills made two solid picks on Saturday with cornerback Leodis McKelvin of Troy State and James Hardy, a big receiver from Indiana. Hardy had some discipline issues at Indiana, but he was the second ranked receiver on most draft boards. He was a solid choice at 41st overall. McKelvin returned seven kicks for touchdowns in college and should be a return threat. Virginia Tech DE Chris Ellis had 22 sacks and 36 tackles for losses in college, but has in-between size and attitude. Kansas TE Derek Fine has great hands, but lacks deep speed.
Grade: C
Indianapolis
The Colts didn't have a first-round pick, but still landed Arizona State's Mike Pollack, an athletic offensive lineman who may replace center Jeff Saturday one day. He could help at guard this season. Georgia OLB Marcus Howard has speed off the edge and played very well against the best opponents — he fits Tony Dungy's system. Ditto for Georgia Tech OLB Philip Wheeler, who had 16 sacks. Kentucky TE Jacob Tamme was excellent value in the fourth round and Bill Polian is hoping he's found another Dallas Clark.
Grade: C
Denver
Well, the Broncos became the first NFL team to ever take a Boise State Broncos player in the first round. Offensive tackle Ryan Clady should be able to protect quarterback Jay Cutler as well as Kory Lichtensteiger, who played at both guard and center at Bowling Green. He was a four-year starter. Both of these linemen are very athletic — a Denver trademark to success. Clady will probably be on the right side as a rookie, but has the feet to be a left tackle. Virginia Tech WR Eddie Royal was a need after the loss of Javon Walker and the wacky injury news regarding top receiver Brandon Marshall. Royal has been compared to Carolina's Steve Smith. Kent State CB Jack Williams has 4.32 speed, while Arizona State RB Ryan Torain is coming off a broken foot early in his senior season.
Grade: C
Houston
Virginia Tech's Duane Brown was considered a second rounder, considering he's an offensive tackle who was a tight end two years ago. Brown did play both right and left tackle in college, which gives him a chance of being a good pro. The Texans kept trading down once they missed out on Chris Williams of Vanderbilt. West Virginia's Steve Slaton will help immensely on special teams, but he remains a project. Both CB Antwaun Molden and LB Xavier Adibi should help the defense immediately because both were productive players in college. Fifth-rounder Frank Okam of Texas has a chance to be a starter unless he gets accepted to medical school.
Grade: C
San Diego
Chargers GM A.J. Smith had Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason circled as his potential pick weeks ago. Cason has excellent ball skills and should help immediately as a nickel back. The Chargers lost Drayton Florence in free agency. With Michael Turner gone, Norv Turner wanted a dependable inside runner, and LSU's Jacob Hester could fill the void at 5-11, 230 pounds.
Grade: C-
Tennessee
East Carolina running back Chris Johnson ran 4.24 seconds in the 40 at the NFL Combine, and many scouts believe he has the escapability of a Reggie Bush. He should complement the inside bruising running style of LenDale White. Jason Jones of Eastern Michigan will be given every shot to replace Antwan Odom at RDE. Cal receiver Lavelle Hawkins plays faster than he runs and has a chance to be productive as a rookie. They took another Golden Bear in TE Craig Stevens, who is a much better blocker than a receiver. The Titans didn't land a lot of quality after Johnson.
Grade: D
Cleveland
The Browns' big draft was last season and GM Phil Savage took Saturday off. UNLV linebacker Beau Bell was a solid pick in the fourth round, and he should help on special teams. Bell had 323 tackles in college. Missouri TE Martin Rucker is the younger brother of recently retired Mike Rucker, and he caught eight touchdowns last season. Rucker is not the deep threat Kellen Winslow is, but he can definitely sit down in a zone.
Grade: D
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