Handing out draft grades for NFC teams
Atlanta
First-year GM Tom Dimitroff favorably compared first pick Matt Ryan to New England's Tom Brady when it comes to taking a team on his shoulders and having the character to not make excuses. There is no question that Ryan is smart and has the arm to throw the out pass. Dimitroff downplayed Ryan's 19 interceptions because he viewed them as Ryan attempting to make plays to help Boston College win. This kid should start by midseason, if not sooner. To protect Ryan, the Falcons used several picks to return to the first round for USC tackle Sam Baker, whose play last season wasn't worthy of this round. But Baker is a tough kid who should improve. Louisville WR Harry Douglas may be small in stature, but he is nifty getting in and out of breaks. He should develop into a huge target for Ryan. Oklahoma LB Curtis Lofton has a chance to start on the inside where he should be a run stuffer.
Grade: A
2008 NFL Draft
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Sights and sounds
Chicago
The Bears may have been tempted to replace departed receiver Bernard Berrian in the first round, but instead may have found their slot receiver in Vanderbilt's Earl Bennett in the third round. Bennett is the first SEC receiver to have 75 receptions for three straight seasons. Top pick Chris Williams has the ability and feet to be a starting left tackle — he allowed only two sacks over a two-year period and almost 1,600 plays. The Bears allowed 43 sacks last season. Williams dominated most drills at the Senior Bowl. Arkansas DT Marcus Harrison was a need, and he played last season on a tender knee that had surgery in the spring. Harrison has first-round talent, but seventh-round character. LSU safety Craig Steltz will remind older Bears fans of Gary Fencik with his tremendous run support. Tulane RB Matt Forte was a need, considering the injury history of Cedric Benson.
Grade: A
Dallas
The Cowboys didn't land Darren McFadden, but still had a quality draft. Some may argue that Arkansas running back Felix Jones wasn't the best one available, but he did score 20 touchdowns in college and has breakaway speed. Georgia Tech RB Tashard Choice is a bruiser much like Marion Barber and adds to the depth at that position. At worse, he's a special teams player. South Florida CB Mike Jenkins has super coverage skills and Jerry Jones was wise to trade up to get him. Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett has the size to be a great blocker and with Jason Witten around, there's no reason he has to catch the ball.
Grade: A-
Carolina
The Panthers were thinking quarterback at this position, but they always loved Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, a guy who should play immediately alongside DeAngelo Williams. Carolina knew that Stewart's turf toe was fine because their doctor performed his surgery. Instead of thinking for the future, all the Panthers' moves suggested that they are trying to win this season for owner Jerry Richardson. They traded away next year's first-round pick for Pitt OT Jeff Otah, a move that will allow Travelle Wharton to move inside to guard and potentially allow Jordan Gross to return to right tackle. Penn State linebacker Dan Connor with the 74th pick was good value, while Iowa CB Charles Godfrey is a solid tackler, but poor in coverage.
Grade: B+
St. Louis
There is no question that some of the defensive coaches preferred LSU's Glenn Dorsey to first pick Chris Long, but it's really a debate over apples and oranges. Long should be the perfect complement to Leonard Little. Long has great upside, too, and has the ability to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme as well. Scott Linehan wanted a receiver who can also help in the return game and got that man in Donnie Avery of Houston. Toledo OT John Greco helped his cause with a solid Senior Bowl, and the position was also a need. The Rams weren't interested in Jake Long, considering the injury history of former No. 1 pick Orlando Pace. Cornerback Justin King left Penn State after his junior season, but did graduate. He could have been a first rounder next year, but gives the Rams a chance on the outside.
Grade: B+
Detroit
Matt Millen seems to be getting a handle on this draft business. After wasting picks on wide receivers in years past, Millen needed a right tackle and got one in Boston College's Gosder Cherilus. Of course, Millen will be questioned for trading with Kansas City and giving them Branden Albert. With the loss of Boss Bailey, the Lions had a need for an outside linebacker, and Jordan Dizon averaged 13 tackles a game at Colorado. Millen loves his instincts and nose for the ball. Central Florida RB Kevin Smith was very productive in college and could move right into the lineup with always injured Kevin Jones no longer on the team.
Grade: B
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| The Giants took a chance with Michigan wideout Mario Manningham. (Tony Ding / Associated Press) |
New York Giants
Well, Jeremy Shockey remains a Giant, and that's a good thing for Eli Manning. GM Jerry Reese made another smart move in the draft room by taking care of the secondary (starter Gibril Wilson signed with the Raiders) with Miami safety Kenny Phillips and USC cornerback Terrell Thomas. Both players are very versatile and also very good tacklers. The Giants took a risk in Michigan receiver Mario Manningham (marijuana), but with coach Tom Coughlin running the show, the kid will either shape up or find himself on the unemployment line.
Grade: B
Washington
The Redskins apparently got the message that they won't be trading for Cincinnati's Chad Johnson anytime soon. They took two of the draft's top three receivers in Michigan State's Devin Thomas and Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly. Thomas has great athletic ability, while Kelly plays a lot faster than his 4.6 time. USC tight end Fred Davis was an interesting pick in the second round, considering Chris Cooley is one of Washington's better players. I will say this: The first three choices all should help Washington's offensive production. Northern Iowa tackle Chad Rinehart shined at the Senior Bowl and gives them depth at a position that was battered last season. Hawaii QB Colt Brennan, who was hampered by his off-the-field transgressions, figures to be placed on injured-reserve due to his late season injury. Brennan knows coach Jim Zorn's West Coast offense and may have a future.
Grade: B
New Orleans
Well, the Saints talked a good game about trading up for Glenn Dorsey and also trying to acquire Jeremy Shockey from the Giants, and ended up doing neither. With a defense ranked 30th against the pass, they selected a great run stuffer in USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis with the seventh overall pick. North Carolina State's DeMario Pressley could develop into a pass rusher because he does have a great first step. Indiana CB Tracy Porter has a shot at being the team's third cornerback this season.
Grade: C+
Green Bay
Well, the Packers definitely believe that Brett Favre is retired, and they sent him a message just in case he was reconsidering his situation when they picked Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm with the 58th overall pick in a trade with the Browns. Brohm slid this season even though he started the year as a potential top 10 quarterback. The Packers went for value, much like Ted Thompson did when he grabbed a sliding Aaron Rodgers a few years back. The Packers spend their first choice on Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson, who caught 122 passes last season. Nelson has track speed, but the Packers already have a lot of youth at this position. Young defenders Jeremy Thompson, an end from Wake Forest, and Patrick Lee, a cornerback from Auburn, are very athletic guys who figure to stick and compete on a very young defense.
Grade: C+
Arizona
The pressing needs were running back and linebacker, and the Cardinals didn't address either at the top of the draft. There is no doubt that Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was rated as a top corner on their draft board, and that's why they traded up to get him. Second-round pick Calais Campbell struggled last season at Miami, but he did have sacks in seven consecutive games in 2006 and is 6-foot-8 with very long arms. LSU receiver Early Doucet tells me they figure to have contract problems with Anquan Boldin.
Grade: C
Minnesota
The Vikings didn't have much firepower after trading many of their top picks for Kansas City pass rusher Jared Allen and giving him the richest defensive contract in the NFL. Top pick Tyrell Johnson of Arkansas State is a very physical cornerback who could even play free safety. With Tarvaris Jackson as quarterback, the Vikes grabbed John David Booty, who started 20 games for USC, in the fifth round. Booty figures to know the system and is an accurate passer. Florida State DT Letroy Guion is a run stuffer with little pass-rush skill. With center Matt Birk moaning about his contract, Notre Dame center John Sullivan provided some insurance in Round 6.
Grade: C
Tampa Bay
Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib is the perfect Jon Gruden player — brash, aggressive and talented. Talib hasn't been a model citizen, but he's not a bad kid, either. With Brian Kelly gone, Talib has a chance to start. Dexter Jackson averaged almost 17 yards a catch for Appalachian State, the team that upset Michigan. Rutgers guard Jeremy Zuttah gives the Bucs some depth on a talented, young offensive line.
Grade: C
San Francisco
The 49ers love coaching the Senior Bowl, and this year they became acquainted there with a defensive tackle — North Carolina's Kentwan Balmer — who could become a gem and slide into the slot vacated by the retired Bryant Young. The 49ers filled some offensive line needs with USC guard Chilo Rachal, who was moving up draft boards the past two weeks, and Texas A&M center Cody Wallace. The only question about their draft is where are the receivers that Alex Smith desperately needs? He may be protected, but he needed at least one big playmaker.
Grade: C
Seattle
The Seahawks got their running back in free agency with Julius Jones from the Cowboys, and he should be helped by Notre Dame tight end John Carlson, who can block as well as catch. Carlson can be a third offensive tackle which makes Mike Holmgren's passing game all the better. DE Lawrence Jackson had 17 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in 2007, the most since Kenechi Udeze had 26 in 2003 for the Trojans. The Seahawks were talking about taking a quarterback at one time with this pick, but backed off that decision.
Grade: C-
Philadelphia
For the second straight year, the Eagles traded out of the first round. This time they picked up Carolina's first-round pick in 2009, one that the Panthers used on Pitt OT Jeff Otah. Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws is strong inside, but he can be blocked when he doesn't stay low. Coach Andy Reid went for Cal playmaker DeSean Jackson with his second pick, and he should be an excellent punt returner. Jackson has game-breaking speed, but will have trouble getting off the line against NFL cornerbacks. Pitt guard Mike McGlynn brings a roughhouse attitude, while Wisconsin CB Jack Ikegwuonu tore his ACL in January and may not be ready for training camp.
Grade: C-
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