What grade would you give your team's NFL draft?

[mvd]

Poll question: What grade would you give your team's NFL draft?

I'd give the Eagles an A-. I think Patterson and Brown could be impact players next year. They filled most of the needs they have, though I think they need a tight end badly. I am also a little concerned that they used "expensive" when explaining why they didn't move up. It just leaves a bad taste when I think about their commitment.

[Cush]

1. Redskins: C

Carlos Rogers fills a need at CB, but Mike Williams would have been nice. Washington really doesn't have a #1 WR, they have a bunch of #2 and 3 guys, plus, not a huge guys.

I don't mind them taking Campbell (QB) at 25, but the price was pretty steep. If the team sucks next year, Denver could end up with a high draft choice.

I like the 2 LB's they took in the later rounds, as I do one of the RB/FB's, but why did they take two? Probably should have gone with at least one DE

[Wickerman]

2. Vikings B+ but its a tad early to tell

[KitchenWitch]

13. I agree that the Vikings get a B+

I would have rather had them draft Mike Williams, rather than Troy Williamson.

[LTR]

15. I give the Vikings a solid A

I like the Williamson pick. He's a speed guy, and highly regarded. I saw film of him, and he is very fast. Not to mention his QB in college was so-so. Imagine what he'll do catching balls from Culpepper.

I was a bit shocked when the Vikings passed up Mike Williams, but I think the whole Williams thing was a smokescreen. The Vikings front office is becoming very adept at mastering the draft game, and is certainly good at evaluating talent. I think Williamson plugs the Moss void better than Williams, who isn't as much a deep threat (which is sorely needed). I have warmed up to the pick.

Erasmus James is an excellent pick at #18. The Vikings' D-line will be a serious force this year.

Not sure the Vikings really needed another RB, but Ciatrick Fason looks to be a decent successor to Moe Williams. Good value here, and perhaps they can get something for, say, Michael Bennett in a trade.

And Justin Fox has a phenomenal vertical leap.

All in all, this is the best Vikings draft in years. They will be a force to be reckoned with in the NFC, and have really solidified their defense for the first time in over a decade.

[Goblinmonger]

40. I agree

Williams is a good receiver, but he is a possession receiver. The Vikings have a couple very good possession receivers. With Moss gone, they had a clear slot open for a very vertical receiver and Williamson filled that.

I liked the pick.

[trotsky]

48. I agree with your grade for the Vikes.

They've been drafting pretty well the last few years, and this year was no exception. Two impact rookies with their first two picks, and a potential steal in Fason. Would have been REALLY nice to pick up Nugent to solve our kicking problems, but other than that, I can't really complain. The OG we got in the 2nd round instead of picking up Nugent will be a great investment in depth for the line as well as a good starter in the future.

[neuvocat]

3. I gave mine a "C".

After what happened with Ryan Leaf I'll never really trust the Chargers on their draft choices.

[Catholic Sensation]

6. Shawn Merriman was GREAT in college

as a student in another ACC college, it's my outsider's opinion he was easily the best defensive player in the league after Antrel Rolle of Miami. Luis Castillo though I'm unsure of.

[kevinmc]

4. A "B'

[Baclava]

34. Our #3 pick sure pissed a lot of people off..

But - just switch the positions of the #6 big ugly for the #3 big ugly and this draft could still be one of the best in a long time...

[Catholic Sensation]

5. Cowboys certainly got an A

even the haters can't argue with their draft. DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears were excellent players at their positions, and since it looks like the Cowboys are going to go with a 3-4 Defense, they'll have a formidable front seven for the first time since their Super Bowl runs. If I'm not mistaken the starting defense for the Cowboys will look like this:

DE: Greg Ellis, Marcus Spears
DT: Laroi Glover, Jason Ferguson (no Glover if they run the 3-4)

LB: DeMarcus Ware, Bradie James, Kevin Burnett, Dat Ngyuen (3-4)

CB: Anthony Henry, Terrence Newman

S: Roy Williams, Tony Dixon

With the exception of Dixon, I can't see any problems on this defensive front. The only problem now is they need to pick up a decent receiver after the June 1st deadline. Not sure who is available though.

[bmbmd]

24. They signed HOF cb Aaron Glenn today.

I expect he'll beat out young Newman 'til he gets his head on straight.

[Catholic Sensation]

29. Newman's problem last season was a lack of help

You can only expect a second year corner to do so much when all he has is a strong safety who played more as a linebacker than a cover safety and crap occupying the rest of the defensive backfield. With Glenn the Cowboys have a sick nickel package now. I'm so hopeful!

[Mojambo]

7. Seattle C+

C Chris Spencer was the best interior offensive lineman available and I think is a lock to be a pro-bowler (as any center selected in round 1 should be.)

MLB Lofi Tatupu is being panned as a big reach, but he might have been one of the most productive defensive players in the entire draft. Undersized but no one has a better motor. They've been attacked for trading up to get him, but the word is that more than a few teams were looking to select in him round 2 (including the Patriots.)

QB David Green was a bit of a reach because he played in such a similar system. Not a great pick.

OT Ray Willis was great value in the 4th round.

Seattle drafted as much on intangibles, effort and productivity as they did on talent and projectability. This was a very valid plan when you factor in the kind of chemistry issues that have dragged them down in recent years.

I'm a tough grader and I dropped them a bit because they didn't fill what was perceived to be their most pressing need, a pass rusher. But for the most part, they didn't reach and got good value on most picks.

[Spinzonner]

8. We don't need no Stinkin' NFL team

[KitchenWitch]

14. Lemme guess - Los Angeles?

[gizmo1979]

9. pack D-

It wasn't pretty.

[Poiuyt]

12. We'll have to wait a few years to find out how Rodgers turns out

Personally, I have my doubts like you. The Pack is definately on the decline.

[LTR]

16. The Packers are horrible at drafting

But I do like the Rodgers pick. They really needed to address the QB position, and would have caught serious hell if they passed him up. Favre has talked about retiring for years, and now they have a succession plan in place.

The rest of their draft is pretty blah. Sherman is terrible at drafting.

[Jimbo S]

21. Sherman is not the GM anymore

Thompson did the drafting.

[Goblinmonger]

41. Thoughts from a Vikings fan stuck in WI

With Favre saying it might be his last year for the past couple years, I think the Packers were brilliant for taking Rodgers. They need to address the possibility that Favre won't be there forever. He could get injured badly this season and then they are fucked. Nice pick, Packers. I hope he doesn't suck.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. Bears: B+

Good, but i'm reserving some judgment. It's not so much the guys they drafted, but i'm not sure that the linemen adjustments they made prior to the draft are enough. If i'm wrong about the new O-lineman, then the draft may be better than i think.

But, if not, they should have built from the line, back. Not the other way around. So, should make them better (they couldn't be any worse on offense). But, i don't think they get an "A".
The Professor

[Tafiti]

11. Bengals: B+

I really like their first two picks, and I think Pollack will definitely start and make an impact. Odell Thurman will compete with second-year LB Landon Johnson in the middle, so that should be an intense battle in training camp. Hell, if Thurman looks real good, he could move outside (they think he can play all three) and take Kevin Hardy's spot. Should help their run defense improve.

A lot of people thought WTF? on Chris Henry (WR, West Virg.), but I like it. Bengals coaches and scouts thought he was second-round worthy, but took Thurman 'cause they couldn't believe he was on the board, and crossed their fingers for Henry being there in Round 3. He lost value 'cause he has a reputation for being "uncoachable" because of some on-the-field and off-the-field antics, but they were saying the same thing about Chad Johnson three years ago. He'll be a great down-field threat, and will hopefully take some double-teams off Johnson.

They also took a good center and left tackle - you gotta like O-line pickups. IMO, your O-line is never good enough.

I say B+ because their picks weren't "big name" guys on draftnik boards, so we'll see, but I trust Marvin Lewis.

[On the Road]

18. I Like Cincinnati's Picks, Too

I was in high school there during the first year of the franchise. Paul Brown used the #1 pick of the draft for a center. At one point, I believe the entire offensive line consisted of first-round picks.

During the 90s, Cincinnati seemed to prefer running backs and quarterbacks. Unless a franchise quarterback is available, I think history shows that offensive "skill players" are much less likely to pan out and that it's best to go for defense and offensive line early. They're finally getting back to some of that this year.

[chyjo]

17. I give the Bills a C

Because I am including Losman in consideration of this year's draft. As for the players from this year Parrish in the second was just plain dumb, they should have gotten Justin Miller the CB from Clemson who was available, or traded up five spots to get Khalif Barnes, one of the top LTs in the draft. I liked getting Everett in the third round, but other than that I thought it was pretty much a poor set of decisions.

[On the Road]

19. I Like the Giants' Picks

Round 2: CB Corey Webster, LSU
Round 3: DE Justin Tuck, Notre Dame
Round 4: RB Brandon Jacobs, So. Illinois
Round 6: DE Eric Moore, Florida State

Defense first.

Corey Webster should be starter in a couple of years. His stock fell because of injuries last year. You can never have too many good defensive backs.

Justin Tuck is a little undersized but could have gone late 1st round in some other drafts. Pass rush needs improvement. The Giants had six players on the defensive line out last year at one point and were playing with people from off the street. They've shed a couple of people off-season and need to restock.

John Madden said that later in the draft if you don't have a strong conviction, go with someone who's "large and unusual." Brandon Jacobs fits that to a T -- a 267-pound halfback who averaged 6.6 yards a carry. Good addition for a team who couldn't make a third-and-short last year.

Eric Moore is small and quick like Tuck. He's a little too similar in style for my taste, but if he was the best player available, I have no problem with the pick.

The Giants made key free agent acqusitions at receiver, offensive tackle, and middle linebacker: Plaxico Burress from Pittsburgh, Kareem McKenzie from the Jets, and Antonio Pierce from Washington. They lost no one of importance.

The big remaining need is for defensive tackle. That can be addressed between now and the beginning of the season. I give the Giants an A. They will be an improved team.

[rinsd]

23. I like 'em too....

....I like our offseason pickups even better.

[MrSlayer]

20. Other: It's impossible to grade a draft until two or three seasons later.

I like what the Eagles did from a future standpoint but we won't know if it was a good draft until a couple seasons down the road. I'll grade the 2002 draft as an A+ with Sheppard, Brown, Lewis and Westbrook coming out of it.

[mvd]

25. Well, that doesn't stop people from having opinions

It's fun to grade now and see how our grades stand up later. :hi:

[MrSlayer]

26. I realize that.

I was just saying it's impossible to accurately grade it until later. If it happens to match up with what you say now it's a lucky guess. Still, don't let me spoil the fun with cold logic. :P

[mvd]

27. It happens all the time

In the NCAA tourny, too. What would the tourny be without the grids? The purpose of this poll isn't to accurately grade - it's just gauging reaction.

[MrSlayer]

45. Fair enough.

I think the kid receiver we drafted will replace Mitchell as our possesion guy and might even get some work this year. I'm hoping the D-lineman can be effective right away, Reid hasn't done a great job drafting that position.

[mvd]

46. I hope so

Mitchell is not a team player. And who knows what will happen with Owens. When Owens is happy, he'll do a lot for you, as seen in the Super Bowl.

I'm a little worried about Patterson's size, but he sure was a playmaker in college on a tested team. I hope he can plug those gaps with his speed, as I'm worried about our run defense.

[Hobarticus]

22. Panthers, B

[Dawn Quixote]

28. Raiders reach and get fingers stomped?

IF second round corner (routt) and the studio (grip) de/olb from culver city 6th (b)with nickname (enigma) his last name is riddle,get it? do not make a list it will be sad!

[HuckleB]

30. Draft?

Dunno. Don't care. It's a draft, and, in my experience, fan reaction is typically the opposite of actual on-field performance.

I did watch a good baseball game (B+), read a few chapters of a good book (A-), hit Wordstock (A), catch a couple of decent movies (B), and work on the yard (C-).

All in all, a great weekend.

[mvd]

31. Well, I look forward to it every year

I find the NFL draft to be really fun. I'm a big football fan. Also, I don't think our grades will be any worse than Charles Robinson's grades at yahoo.com. :-)

[HuckleB]

32. Oh, I'm sure the grades here are every bit as accurate as the "experts."

Drafts, in general, just don't get me going.

Salud!

[Baclava]

33. Fuck the "experts"...it's all a crapshoot...

After the "consensus picks" in the first round (and even then - there will always be busts)...it's anybody's guess.

I fucking hate the offseason...at least 'The Draft' is the beginning of the next...

[HuckleB]

35. I hate the off-season, too.

November through January are hell!

[Baclava]

36. You wouldn't be saying that...

...if you had the Pirates for your team.

$25 mil doesn't buy much of a team these days...that's why I won't watch till baseball gets a salary cap.

The rich just get richer...bleh...

[HuckleB]

37. The Pirates aside...

salary cap or not, the worst baseball teams still have higher winning percentages than the worst football teams. And the best baseball teams have much worse winning percentages than the best baseball teams.

Nevermind how annoying it has become to watch an NFL game, live or at home. The money-making machine has lengthened games year after year, to the point where I end up reading a magazine or book instead of watching the game, because there are so many long interruptions.

Just my opinion.

Enjoy yourself!

Salud!

P.S. -- I am a Brewers fan, and last I checked, the Pirates were ahead of Milwaukee. So I have no sympathy for you!

;)

[Baclava]

38. There's nothing like the atmosphere of an NFL game...

Especially when you're on the road and can take over the opposing teams stadium...winning heals all evils...15-1.




edit - Those poor Jags fans are still in shock, they never knew what hit them, we OWNED that town!

(They had a great tailgate party lot though!)

[HuckleB]

39. Hit Argentina for a soccer match.

Now that's atmosphere! And the best part about it is that it's almost all fan built. No cheerleaders. No music blaring. Just incredible fight songs (with fan bands backing them up) and chants going back and forth, between the opposing fans.

Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed a couple trips to Lambeau Field, and they are wonderful, except for the constant delays. I'd still rather hit Safeco Field, though. The energy I get from that is so much more. That's me. And you're you.

Again, salud!

[Baclava]

42. "Soccer is not a sport"...George Carlin

...because there's dots on the ball.

[HuckleB]

43. I'm thinking of an old adage...

it goes something like, "football represents the worst aspects of America: committee meetings interrupted by spurts of violence."

Salud!

[Yavin4]

44. You Know What's Funny About NFL Draft Grades?

Every year the Cardinals always, always get high marks, and every year they stink.

[Baclava]

47. You'd think that eventually all that "talent" will accumulate...

I thought Dennis Green did a good job of putting some pieces together. That, plus playing in a weak division should help them this year. Lots of young guys on O, where's the D?

edit - Make that another good draft...

1. rolle
2. agington
3. blackstock
4 brown