The Titan's loss is the
Card's gain. Antrell
Rolle will have an
instant impact on a soft
defense. Rolle was
wrapped up and tied with
a gold bow and given to
them ― Great pick for
the Cardinals. Derrick
Johnson was my choice
here, but you can't
blame them for not
snatching up Rolle
immediately. J.J.
Arrington fell to them
as well, saving them
from having to trade for
Travis Henry and pay him
big money ― 2 glaring
needs sewn up
immediately. Add Daryl
Blackstock who was
talked about in the
first round for a long
time and he falls to the
3rd. The
Cards had one HELL of a
first day.
Day two: Just when I
thought they couldn't
outdo day one, they
draft Elton Brown and
Lance Mitchell. Not
they needed another WR
but they got a guy that
can come in and help in
4 wide out sets in LeRon
McCoy. Still, Brown and
Mitchell just added to
the all-star cast they
had already created on
day one. A fabulous
draft for the Cards.
Atlanta Falcons
B-
Roddy White will have an
instant impact on this
team. They needed
receivers and were able
to capitalize on this
early. Johnathan
Babineaux fills a big
need on the defensive
line and could have an
instant impact, along
with Jordan Beck at
linebacker. The
Falcons’ defense made
much needed big strides
last year, Vick only
plays offense and can
only do so much…they
helped themselves again.
Day two: As stated from
day one, more help on
defense is how to help
Vick, and their draft
continued along those
lines. Davis and Boley
are nice pickups and
will help to shore up
the defense. However, I
still think they needed
to address the offensive
line earlier than they
did with Omiyale. It
will also be interesting
to see where Cobb fits
into this offense.
Baltimore Ravens
B
If Boller can’t succeed
with Mark Clayton in the
line up, he’s done.
Receiver was an obvious
pick here and they could
not go wrong with
Clayton. Dan Cody was a
gift as well. I guess
I’m not as good as I
thought, because I
didn’t see him lasting
anywhere near into the
middle of the 2nd
round. He will be a
great addition to an
already nasty defense.
If Mark Clayton can’t
help Boller, maybe Adam
Terry can at OT.
Day two: Another solid
day for the Ravens.
Although Derek Anderson
might be the only
recognizable name,
Smith, Green and Brown
all have a serious shot
of making the team.
Depth was a day two
headline for the
Ravens. Anderson was
solid for the Beavers,
and will add some
pressure to a struggling
Boller.
Buffalo Bills
C-
I suppose you can’t
blame the Bills for
trying to help Losman
improve by drafting
Roscoe Parrish…or their
special teams. They also
add Kevin Everett at the
tight end position.
They’d like to place
themselves in position
to be an offensive
threat in the future to
match their defense. I’m
just sort of OK with
their day one.
Day two: Buffalo didn't
do a whole lot to make
up for not having a
first rounder by being
aggressive in the later
rounds. Although there
is some talent in the
mix of Preston, King,
Geisinger, and Gates,
their day two was a
yawner at best.
Carolina Panthers
C+
Offensive line was a big
concern but wasn’t
addressed until the 3rd
with Mathis. Alex
Barron would have been
just what the Doctor
ordered here. Thomas
Davis is a big time
safety however and their
defense improved
instantly. Eric Shelton
will look great in this
offense as well, nice
pick up for the Panthers
in the 2nd. Atiyyah
Ellison will definitely
help to bring the
defensive line alive in
time.
Day two: It was a busy
second day. I thought
they helped themselves
by drafting LeFors, a
sleeper QB in this draft
with a lot of upside.
They did begin to
address the offensive
line better with
Hangartner and Berger,
but was it too late?
Emanuel and Seward are
productive players, as
was Haye; those picks
continue to bolster
their defense.
Chicago Bears
A-
The Bears, like the
Steelers, have always
liked big strong RBs.
They can't go wrong with
Cedric Benson, he fits
that mold very
well...and RB was a big
need for them. Then they
get a great compliment
for Muhammad in the 2nd
with Mark Bradley, who
in my opinion is just as
good as Clayton.
Day two: Kyle Orton was
a good signing here.
Grossman can't stay
healthy, and the Bears
backups are inadequate.
Currie and Harris were
picked up to strengthen
the secondary. I really
like Currie, great value
in the 5th.
Cincinnati Bengals
C
David Pollack may have
short arms, but I feel
he was a perfect fit for
the Bengals and Marvin
Lewis, checking off a
need right away. They
must have been impressed
with the Georgia defense
because Odell Thurman
was drafted in the 2nd,
again filling a hole for
the Bengals. Chris
Henry wasn’t a crucial
need however. Could
have gone with OL or
more defense in the 3rd.
Day two: Was a big day
for centers overall, and
the Bengals took Eric
Ghiaciuc, and OT Adam
Kieft to help tighten
the protection for
Palmer. My favorite pick
for the Bengals on day
two was DE Johnathan
Fanene from Utah.
Overall an average draft
for the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns
A
Did the right thing in
taking the best player
available, Braylon
Edwards will help this
team tremendously and
make some average play
at QB look good. Then
they get a giant bonus
in Charlie Frye in the
3rd. I’m personally sold
on Frye. I think he
could be one of the
names in this QB class
still talked about 10
years from now. Can’t
overlook the safety help
the acquired from
Brodney Pool in the
2nd. It was a very good
day one for
Cleveland…Excellent
actually.
Day two: Wow! Amazing
what sticking to your
board will do. Huge
difference between
Crenell and Davis eras
already ― Fantastic day
two for the Browns.
Perkins at Corner is an
unbelievable value in
the 4th. Toss in
McMillan and Speegle,
and the Browns are
drafting solid talent in
the later rounds at a
great value that will
contribute for them.
The McCown trade
surprised me a little
bit, but not enough to
take away from the draft
they had.
Dallas Cowboys
A-
I wasn’t sure what they
were thinking when they
took Ware before Spears,
but either way they got
them both and that soft
Dallas D won’t be soft
for too much longer. I
still believe they took
Ware too early. Of
course, when LT was
drafted by the Tuna,
that was frowned on at
the time and we all know
how that turned out.
Throw a linebacker like
Kevin Burnett into the
mix, and Dallas shows up
with a nice effort of
strong defensive
additions. However, the
secondary was a big need
for them, and probably
wasn’t addressed early
enough.
Day two: Unbelievable
drafting by the Cowboys
on day two. Canty and
Barber in the 4th? Are
you kidding me? Again
the Cowboys addressed a
huge problem for them
last year and that was
defense. They didn't let
up on day two. Deriault
and Ratliff along with
Canty, and suddenly
Dallas has a defense.
Very nice pick up with
Petitti in the 6th as
well. Parcells and Jones
have to be giddy.
Denver Broncos
D
Corner was a must…but
three in a row? Darrent
Williams was the best
talent on the board for
them at the time, and it
appears they felt the
same way about Karl
Paymah. Foxworth is a
good talent also, but
they could have
addressed a few other
needs before taking 3
CBs
back-to-back-to-back.
The big surprise was
jumping on Clarett so
early. Sure they lost
Droughns, and Denver’s
system is probably a
perfect fit to show
Clarett can play, but
it’s still a shocker.
Besides the Clarett pick
being an eye popper, I’m
not overly impressed
with Denver’s draft.
Day two: Even with only
two picks on day two, I
thought it would be a
better day for the
Broncos. It just
wasn't. Myers is OK and
the kicker, Paul Ernster,
could have easily been
an undrafted free agent
brought into camp.
Darrent Williams and the
possibilities of Clarett
are the only things
keeping Denver from
teetering on an F in my
opinion.
Detroit Lions
C+
Mike Williams? My first
thought was ― you gotta
be kidding me?! I’m
still in awe of this
pick, but it does make
some sense when you
think about Charles
Rogers not being able to
ever make it through a
full year, and
Harrington needs
confidence this year or
he’s done. Shaun Cody
was a gift, plain and
simple. He could have
gone earlier and
defensive was a first
round need, and they now
have first round talent
in the 2nd. Add Stanley
Wilson in the 3rd and
your defense starts to
take shape.
Day two: If Harrington
struggles, I'm not sure
Orlovsky is the answer
without a few years of
Mooch grooming him
first, and it's gonna
take more than a few
years of that Mooch
magic the way I see it.
Swancutt was a nice
addition, as was Goddard
in the 6th round, but
with Rogers, Roy
Williams, and now Mike
Williams, the Lions
still take yet another
receiver in Maxwell in
the 7th…I'm
still scratching my head
here.
Green Bay Packers
B-
Aaron Rodgers…are you
kidding me? The
consensus #1 just a
matter of weeks earlier
falls in their lap at
24? Although I’m not as
high on Rodgers as some
may be, you can’t argue
about this pick and the
opportunity he will have
to learn under one of
the best. You also get
a solid young receiver
in Terrence Murphy for
him to throw to for a
few years to come. Nick
Collins was an attempt
to fill what amounts to
a pit, more than a hole,
at CB. Still, it’s an
average day one.
Day two: Green Bay did
some shifting and
improved their day two.
Underwood, Poppinga,
Hawkins, and Montgomery
were desperately needed
on a defense that
couldn't stop people
from scoring. Perhaps
that attention should
have been paid in
earlier rounds. Bragg
at WR is a possible
sleeper and worth a 6th
round pick. Campbell at
S and Whitticker at G
have their work cut out
for them.
Houston Texans
C+
Travis Johnson went a
little earlier than
expected, but Houston
needed DL badly.
Vernand Morency was big
in Oklahoma, but
everything is bigger in
Texas. I think he was a
solid 3rd round choice
by the Texans. They
filled some needs, but
it’s not a pump your
fist and holler draft
for them on the first
day.
Day two: WR Jerome
Mathis, the top small
school prospect, will
have to show he can play
with the big boys.
Adding to the smaller
school prospects that
they hope are hidden
gems are Ceandris Brown
and Kenneth Pettway.
Both come with
potential, but are
gambles.
Indianapolis Colts
B-
We all knew it was going
to be defense…early and
often. Corner was a big
sore spot for the Colts,
and they addressed it
early and with vigor.
Marlin Jackson was a
great pick for them.
They immediately went
back to corner in round
2 with Kelvin Hayden. I
like the pick, but I
think they could have
gone DE, or LB here and
another corner in the
3rd. They did however
land Burns in the 3rd to
shore up that defensive
line, but I’m not sure
he’s an instant impact.
Day
two: Gandy is the OG no
one is talking about,
but he is a solid pick.
The Colts did what they
needed to and primarily
stuck with defense,
adding S Matt Giordano,
DE Welsh, and LB Tyjaun
Hagler, but some of whom
are projects at best.
It's hard to argue the
Rayner pick even with
Vanderjagdt on the
roster, maybe they’re
getting tired of that
"Liquored up Kicker."
If Anthony Davis can
stay healthy, what I
thought this was a good
pick for the Colts, is a
great one.
Jacksonville Jaguars
C+
Matt Jones goes from 3rd
or 4th round to the
first…and almost
overnight. I didn’t see
this one coming, fully
expected defense in the
first. Love Matt
Jones’s talent, just not
this early. Kalif
Barnes was also talked
about as a
first-rounder, and the
Jag’s were fortunate
enough to see him fall
to them in the middle of
the second. Good value
there. Scott Starks,
the “tiny dancer,” was
one of the last “best”
corners available and
had to be taken.
Day two: Pearman was a
nice addition for the
Jags, and they decided
maybe Sensabaugh could
help Starks see over the
LBs helmets to let him
know what's going on.
Owens is a sensible pick
in the 6th, and coupled
with Jones will give
Leftwich some new
outlets. Pat Thomas and
Chris Roberson as the
last two picks were for
depth.
Kansas City Chiefs
C+
They completely ignored
their defensive woes at
this time last year, but
Derrick Johnson was a
monstrous addition to
this defense in the 1st.
With Bell and Fujita and
now Johnson, they could
become one of the
scariest LB units
around. Colquitt is a
name everyone knows, and
will for a while to
come. Still, with no
second round pick, I was
kind of shocked to see
them take a punter in
the 3rd when the defense
still needs attention.
Day two: Craphonso
Thorpe was a value pick
in the 4th and adds
depth. With defense
being such a sore spot,
I'm just not overly
impressed with names
like Hodge, and Long.
Grigsby might be able to
produce but surprisingly
they went with a lot
more offense in the
second day than I
expected. Svitek and
Parquet are trainees at
best at OT, and Kilian
at QB could have been an
undrafted free agent.
Miami Dolphins
A-
Saban did the right
thing in a weak QB
class, not taking Aaron
Rodgers simply because
he would have been the
trendy pick. It wouldn't
have been wrong to go
with Braylon Edwards
here...but their dire
need was at RB. Ronnie
Brown is tremendous in a
struggling Miami
offense. Saban is
building a solid defense
now also. Roth, even
though he has the arms
of a Tyrannosaurs Rex,
is a very good addition,
as is Channing Crowder
in the 3rd…off the field
problems or not, first
round talent is a steal
in the 3rd.
Day two: Travis Daniels
was almost a given in
the 4th, like Webster,
he slid a little in his
senior season, but Saban
knows him as well as
anyone. Alabi at OT and
Vickerson at DT are
simply afterthoughts,
but thoughts that had to
be made. Overall I think
Saban had a really good
draft in his first year.
Minnesota Vikings
A-
It's hard to go wrong
with Williamson. He is a
Moss replacement and
should thrive in this
system. I know the Vikes
have been high on him
for a while now...but
you can't help but have
an eyebrow raised at the
thought of Mike Williams
being passed by here.
It was probably more of
a win/win situation than
a catch-22 in my
opinion. Erasmus James
was a need but should
they have gone with
Spears here? Again,
either way, it would be
a nice addition. Fox
will be good, and will
almost be forced to play
immediately…I hope he’s
ready.
Day two: Minnesota like
Denver seems to be a
running back machine.
Ciatrick Fason is a
terrific addition in the
fourth. To keep the
defense bolstered, they
add young but very good
talent in C.J. Mosley at
DT…a steal in the 6th.
Toss in the smart and
speedy Adrian Ward at DB
and I would say the
Vikings had a very nice
draft. Something they
just had to have.
New England Patriots
C-
With Andruzzi gone,
Mankins was a need, I
was just shocked to see
him go in the first.
Who can doubt the
Patriots and their draft
process however. Ellis
Hobbs fills a strong
need at corner, as does
Kaczur at Tackle.
Linebacker would have
been something I would
have looked at a little
bit earlier however.
But with so many of
their late-round picks
showing up to play in
the past, the Patriots
aren’t done yet.
Day two: Sanders at S
will help add bodies to
a hurting secondary yet
I'm still surprised they
didn't go after more
depth here and at LB by
simply adding Claridge.
The Matt Cassel pick
floors me as well.
What's this all about?
Matt Jones was gone, so
they saw the same thing
in him perhaps? As hard
as it is to question the
Patriots and their draft
in years past (which
happens to be the only
thing stopping me from
giving them a D), I'm
still left scratching my
head here.
New Orleans Saints
B
Jammal Brown? Not that
it’s not a fantastic
pick, it was just a
shocking pick for the
Saints…especially
trading up to do so. It
was nice move however,
and they don’t loose a
whole lot to gain a
great tackle. Bullocks
in the 2nd will fill in
nicely, and was the best
safety left on the
board.
Day two: Chase Lyman at
WR and Adrian McPherson
at QB are names that get
you excited. Is it
"Grade A" talent there?
It remains to be seen,
but still nice
additions. Jason
Jefferson, the forgotten
DT for Wisconsin, is a
plus, as well as Jimmy
Verdon at DE.
New York Giants
A-
I feel they scored huge
with Corey Webster, a
great corner with good
game speed despite what
his numbers say.
Although his senior year
wasn’t as strong as his
junior year, I feel
Webster is still
top-tier talent. Justin
Tuck is also a strong
pick for the
G-men…legitimate 1st day
talent with a tremendous
upside.
Day two: With only 4
total picks the Giants
made the best of them.
I'm absolutely elated
with the Brandon Jacobs
pick. He's going to be
good, and I know the
Giant faithful will be
very surprised with his
ability. Eric Moore the
DE gives them depth at
an aging position, and
will be an immediate
help.
New York Jets
B
In a shocker, the Jets
drafted Mike Nugent with
their first over all
pick. I know Jets fans
are mumbling, bumbling,
and stumbling over this
pick, but ask any New
England fan how
important it is to have
a clutch kicker…or just
ask Doug Brien. I think
this is a very nice pick
for the Jets. To boot,
they still were able to
land a top corner in
Justin Miller later in
the second. With Miller
they fill a glaring need
with solid talent.
Sione Pouha will be a
force on the defensive
line. I suppose it was
a quaint day one...they
chose a kicker first,
didn’t they?
Day two: Two safeties
back to back puzzled me
in Rhodes and Maddox.
Cedric Houston will be a
nice compliment to their
backfield, and Joel
Dreessen was an
excellent value in the
6th. Williams, the
small school WR, will
have some work to do
just to make the roster,
but wasn't a terrible
pick by any means.
Oakland Raiders
A
They looked immediately
to the secondary and
took speedy defenders in
Fabian Washington and
then Stanford Routt.
Although, I’m not sure I
would have taken two CBs
back to back. Andrew
Walter, like Charlie
Frye, is one of my
favorite QBs in this
draft, and I think the
Raiders will look back
on this 3rd round pick
as a steal. Then to top
off a very good first
day, Kirk Morrison, the
man-eating monster, was
the cherry on top. I
love Morrison as well.
Raider fans should be
pleased with their day
one.
Day two: Fantastic day
two as well. Are we
talking about the
Raiders? Even with off
the field problems
Hawthorne was easily day
one talent and they get
him in the 6th! Wow!
Throw in Ryan Riddle and
Pete McMahon at OT,
another Iowa bookend to
go with Gallery, and the
Raiders on paper are
cruising right along.
Philadelphia Eagles
B+
I admit being surprised
at the Patterson pick
being this early.
However, we knew that
the defensive line was a
need. I’m still shocked
however that his
teammate Shaun Cody
wasn’t first. Reggie
Brown fills a need at WR
and is a great 2nd round
value for the Eagles. I
also believe Ryan Moats
will thrive in this
system. It’s hard to
get a bead on him, and
he gives a struggling
backfield depth right
now.
Day two. The Eagles had
so many picks it was
almost like they were
just playing. Considine
is a nice add at S but
they spent most of the
day beefing up the
offensive line with
Herremans, Young and
Armstrong. Some will
make it, some won't;
it’s a luxury the Eagles
have. Trent Cole at DE
was a really nice
addition in my opinion.
I like Cole and his
motor.
Pittsburgh Steelers
C+
It was a dreadful first
day for the Steelers in
my opinion. Heath Miller
was just a glamour pick
for them unless their
offensive philosophy
changes…Can anyone say
Mark Bruener? Look for
the Steelers to tack on
30 more pounds on Miller
and have an extra
tackle. Bryant McFadden
was a big name early,
but will be a specialist
at best in the NFL
unless he gets back to
form. Trai Essex in the
3rd? This pick
completely baffles me.
He’s a project at best,
could have easily been a
5th or even 6th round
pick.
Day two: After giving
them a D+ on day one,
the Steelers pulled
themselves out of the
Essex mess with a very
solid 2nd day. Gibson
at WR to compete to
replace Burress, and
Wallace at LB to help
fill the Bell void were
mid-round steals. Kemoeatu at OG, who
should have easily been
taken before Essex, and
Nua at DE are very nice
late round picks. Noah
Herron RB, who has great
hands and would most
likely be used more as a
FB, fits right into the
Steelers’ mold of larger
backs.
San Diego Chargers
A-
With Williamson gone as
an option, the Chargers
went with their other
obvious need right away
and took Shawne
Merriman, and then
surprisingly took
Castillo in the first.
With their D solidified
they were able to grab
Vincent Jackson in the
2nd. Too early for
Jackson, but with all
other name receivers
gone, they obviously
felt he was the best
value on the board,
especially since they
didn’t have the 3rd
round to wait on him.
Day two: I don't care
what anyone says about
size, Sproles was an
excellent grab. Then
they get Wesley Britt in
the 5th at OT along with
Sims at OG and
Mruczkowski at center ―
a beautiful day two for
the Bolts, with just
about every single one
of these guys having a
chance to make this team
and be impact players.