Sporting News: Draft Dish: Grading the draft

[bubba9497]

Grading the draft

http://ultimate.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft//voices/dan_pompei/20040426a.html

LIONS: A+

The Lions got the best receiver and running back in the draft, as well as an outside linebacker, cornerback and offensive tackle who should be solid starters by next season.

CHARGERS: A+

In addition to getting an elite quarterback and 10 other solid players, the Chargers received first- and fifth-round picks next year. Plus, they had an outstanding second day.

FALCONS: A

With every pick, the Falcons took a solid prospect who fit their system and filled a hole. All seven choices should make the team, and a few should be big contributors.

RAIDERS: A

The first two picks, OT Robert Gallery and C Jake Grove, make the Raiders' draft. They should be the foundation of Oakland's offensive line for years to come.

CARDINALS: A-

The Cardinals didn't need WR Larry Fitzgerald as much as they needed players at other positions, but he'll be a star. They got good value with subsequent picks.

BRONCOS: A-

Denver needed LB D.J. Williams more than it needed RB Steven Jackson. And knowing the Broncos, Tatum Bell will develop into a 1,000-yard back. Their first day was excellent.

49ERS: A-

The 49ers fulfilled their objectives well. They needed a lot of warm bodies, so they acquired multiple picks and made them count. There weren't any reaches here.

TITANS: A-

The Titans had a lot of holes, so they cast a wide net and came back with 13 players. They could end up with six starters from this draft.

TEXANS: B+

The Texans had a nice first round with CB Dunta Robinson and OLB Jason Babin. Robinson could be the best corner in the draft.

VIKINGS: B+

DE Kenechi Udeze may have been a steal with the 20th pick, and he's just what the Vikings need. Minnesota had a great second day, starting with OT Nat Dorsey

BEARS: B

The Bears took some calculated risks on players with significant upside: DTs Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson, WR Bernard Berrian, OLB Leon Joe and DE Claude Harriott.

JAGUARS: B

The Jaguars wanted to move up for WR Roy Williams but had a solid draft. They scored with some nice Day 2 picks: WR Ernest Wilford, CB Chris Thompson, DE Bobby McCray.

DOLPHINS: B

The Dolphins did what they had to do to get Vernon Carey, who will be their starting right tackle. CB Will Poole might have been the best value pick of the draft in the fourth round.

PATRIOTS: B

DT Vince Wilfork is a great fit and was a good value. TE Ben Watson might have been a slight reach. RB Cedric Cobbs and WR P.K. Sam were excellent Day 2 choices.

SAINTS: B

You have to admire the Saints for picking the best player on their board, Will Smith, even though they didn't need a defensive end. They could have addressed needs better, though.

STEELERS: B

This was a good, solid draft with logical picks throughout. If there is a complaint, it's that the Steelers probably won't get much help this year from this class.

RAMS: B

RB Steven Jackson was an incredible "get" with the 24th pick. He'll make the Rams more dangerous than ever. Sixth-round QB Jeff Smoker could come on in Mike Martz's offense.

REDSKINS: B

They had only four picks, but the Redskins made a great choice in the first round with S Sean Taylor. Chris Cooley should be a weapon at tight end for Joe Gibbs.

RAVENS: B-

Considering they had no first-rounder, the Ravens did well. Trading a fourth-rounder for WR Kevin Johnson was critical because the Ravens did not draft an elite receiver.

PANTHERS: B-

For a team that was picking so low, the Panthers did OK. CB Chris Gamble was a good value pick at No. 28, and WR Keary Colbert should be able to contribute quickly.

GIANTS: C+

The Giants overpaid for QB Eli Manning but got the best player in the draft. Otherwise, their draft was average. Their best pick may have been DE Isaac Hilton (seventh round).

JETS: C+

LB Jonathan Vilma will be a good pro, but the Jets picked him a little higher than he was rated. OT Adrian Jones in the fourth round was a good value.

BILLS: C

Loved the pick of WR Lee Evans. Did not like the trade to get J.P. Losman. The Bills gave up too much to draft a quarterback who is not a sure thing.

BENGALS: C

With 11 picks, the Bengals will get some good players out of this draft. But they did not consistently get the best value with their picks, starting with RB Chris Perry.

PACKERS: C

CB Ahmad Carroll might have been a bit of a reach in the first round. CB Joey Thomas and DT Donnell Washington, both third-rounders, might take time to develop.

COLTS: C

Three trades down left the Colts without a player they can count on for immediate help. Bob Sanders is an interesting pick, but the Colts already have two starting safeties.

CHIEFS: C

A team that was on the verge last season got little quick help. The Chiefs needed a receiver in a receiver-rich draft, and the best they could do was fourth-round pick Samie Parker.

EAGLES: C

Was it really necessary to trade up for an offensive lineman? The Eagles had a number of holes, and keeping the picks might have made more sense.

SEAHAWKS: C

Not much stands out here. The Seahawks filled their need at defensive tackle with Marcus Tubbs in the first round. Good luck turning Michael Boulware into a safety.

BUCCANEERS: C

The Bucs passed up some pretty good prospects to take WR Michael Clayton in the first. LB Marquis Cooper might have been a reach in the third round.

BROWNS: D

The Browns picked players who will improve their team, especially TE Kellen Winslow Jr. But they paid a second-round pick to move up one spot to take him -- a ridiculous price.

COWBOYS: D

It doesn't make sense for a playoff team to trade down and pass over the best running backs in the draft (Steven Jackson and Kevin Jones) when that position is a great need

[Prosperity]

Heh, I completely agree.