It will be a good 3 or 4 years before we can even begin to fully analyze the success of this NFL Draft. But it’s always fun to hand out grades based on how good we THINK each team’s class will be.
I gave out grades based on how each team gained talent, filled needs, and acquired/lost extra picks in this draft or future drafts. Here’s my evaluation of the drafts of all 16 teams of the AFC:
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AFC East -
DOLPHINS: A-
Miami did a terrific job adding defensive talent after they were without a 2nd round pick from the Brandon Marshall trade. Adding Marshall immediately made them a more dynamic offense, so it was time to address defense. They did it well. Trading down from pick 12 to select dynamic defensive lineman Jared Odrick at #28 and pass-rusher Koa Misi in round 2 was a tremendous move. Both players are multi-talented guys than can play different positions. The Dolphins also added 2 other linebackers, and safety Reshad Jones was a nice day-3 pickup. Coming in with a slightly depleted pick set, Miami gets an A- for picking up several defensive playmakers.
PATRIOTS: B+
The Pats did a very good job acquiring pieces, but could have done better with their 3 second round picks. New England drafted 12 players in this year’s draft, including 4 in the first two rounds. They also picked up an extra 1st and 2nd rounder in next year’s draft. First round pick cornerback Devin McCourty is a terrific special teams player and potential nickel corner next season, and was a good value at #27. But drafting two Florida linebackers (Brandon Spikes, Jermaine Cunningham) with major questions marks, along with a falling tight end (Rob Gronkowski) all in round 2 was not an optimal outcome. They then added another tight end and a punter, amongst other later picks. I thought they could have gone after a playmaking safety or lineman with one of their picks on day 2. WR Taylor Price was a nice pickup in round 3. They could have received an A if they added a couple more dynamic players.
JETS: B
Tough to grade the Jets here. They had only 4 picks after all the offseason trading they did, but they did well with all of them. New York got a steal with cornerback Kyle Wilson at #29, and he fits right in with the tough defensive culture. Halfback Joe McKnight in round 4 will replace the traded Leon Washington, and he has a similar upside of shifty moves and breakaway speed. Offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse was a nice pick in round 2, and then they got a fullback later on. Ducasse is in the process of transitioning from guard to tackle. I like what the Jets did with what they had. A grade of “B” seems fair.
BILLS: C-
Owner Ralph Wilson said that the team has been boring for 10 years and needed some excitement. Well, taking running back C.J. Spiller, the most explosive player in this draft, was a great move for that purpose. Spiller is a terrific playmaker and was a great pick. But the rest of the draft? Completely mediocre. This is a team with a horrible offensive line, poor quarterback play, and no vertical passing game. They did absolutely nothing to address that. No o-lineman selected until round 5, no QB selected until round 7. Spiller alone does not make up for those gaffes, especially when the Bills strength already is running the ball, and they have 2 solid backs on the roster. Buffalo had no strategy in this draft, and they better hope that Spiller becomes a superstar and saves them. They drafted two defensive linemen on day 2 to help them transition to a 3-4 defense. They are just creating more problems and failing to fix the flaws.
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AFC North -
RAVENS: B+
A lot of people love what the Ravens did in this draft. I liked it enough to give them a B+, but I’m not ready to crown them as having the best class in the AFC, without a first round selection. OLB Sergio Kindle slipped to round 2 and seems like a steal, but I think he slipped for a reason. He is a fragile guy with injury concerns and character issues. Still could be a steal in round 2, though. DT Terrence Cody is a big name that also went in round 2, but again there’s a reason why. He needs to get in better shape immediately. They also failed to address a shaky secondary. But here’s what they did well: They got two first-round talents (Kindle and Cody) in round 2, drafted two playmaking tight ends in rounds 3 and 4, and traded out of the first round to acquire picks that they lost from the offseason Anquan Boldin trade. They had a great strategy, drafted playmakers late, and took the best slipping talent available in round 2. I fail to give them an “A” just because I don’t think they got any sure, safe picks that can make an impact next year. The future is bright, but they could have become a Super Bowl contender this season.
BENGALS: B-
The Bengals’ free-agency and draft-selection strategy never changes. They continue to draft risk/reward, big-name players that often times come with character issues. This year was no different, but they got some guys with nice value as well as improved a struggling passing game, starting with first round tight end Jermaine Gresham. He missed his 2009 season with a knee injury but is a very talented tight end prospect. If he’s right, he’s going to add a dimension to the passing attack that Cincinnati has lacked for 10 years. WR Jordan Shipley in round 3 will be Carson Palmer’s best friend in the slot, and can also be a dynamic special teams player. Still, they drafted the player with the most off-the-field issues in the draft, with DE Carlos Dunlap in round 2. He’s talented but lacks motivation and got a DUI arrest during the week of the SEC Championship. Cornerback Brandon Ghee is a risky pick, as well. The Bengals may have added lots of impact talent, but they might have wasted picks on guys that will never produce. I like Shipley and Gresham enough to give them a B-.
STEELERS: B-
Pittsburgh was fairly quiet on draft day after they had been making all the headlines the last 2 weeks. They even drafted a center with their first round pick, which is as ho-hum as you can possibly get. Overall, they used their typical strategy of addressing needs over available talent, and they got some useful guys. The center Maurkice Pouncey will be a monster on the o-line, wherever he plays. Jason Worilds adds youth to the LB corps, and they hope Emmanuel Sanders can make plays for a suddenly lacking WR corps. They did a decent job, but perhaps needed to make a bigger splash after trading away Santonio Holmes and losing Ben Roethlisberger for at least 6 games. The Steelers drafted as if they are still a Super Bowl contender, and that might be quite ambitious. That said, they made some solid, safe picks.
BROWNS: C
Cleveland’s shaky draft looks a lot better when you see Colt McCoy as their late 3rd round selection. McCoy really was a steal there, and should become a productive NFL quarterback over time. But the rest of the Browns draft was filled with question marks. I really like cornerback Joe Haden, but at #7 you need to get a more important player. Haden is the type of guy that will pay dividends as a mid-late first round pick, but at #7 the Browns could have gotten a true playmaker and difference maker (Spiller, McClain, Earl Thomas, etc.). They need Haden and their second-round pick, safety T.J. Ward, to become very productive starters in order for this draft to become a success. Injury-plagued halfback Montario Hardesty was a poor pick. They could have gotten a good pass-rusher with that second round pick. When you’re a cellar-dwelling franchise and you don’t address the front 7 or offensive line in the draft, there’s something wrong. Rookie quarterbacks, running backs, and defensive backs won’t help them rebuild immediately if they are not surrounded by a strong foundation in the trenches. I like the talent of their guys enough to keep them at a C, but they could have done much better.
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AFC South -
TITANS: A-
I’m surprised about the reaction to Tennessee’s draft. I’m about as high on this draft as anyone I have seen. Derrick Morgan was a top-5 prospect all year until he disappointed late in the season and at the combine. It’s clear that he’s not a speedy, athletic freak like some other D-line prospects in this draft. But he is a polished pass-rusher and can be very productive immediately. Damian Williams is a playmaking WR in round 3 that will be an asset to their passing attack. By trading problematic RB LenDale White and drafting Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle in round 6, the Titans are improving the locker room as well. Rolle can be a nice player on and off the field; don’t sleep on his playmaking ability in the secondary. Linebacker Rennie Curran is undersized but was a great player at Georgia and he should get playing time right away. Overall, I think the Titans did well by addressing defensive needs and getting 3 players that can contribute immediately on defense. Trading White and drafting Williams will help the offense, as well.
COLTS: B
This draft had the potential to be an “A” after they landed dynamic pass-rusher Jerry Hughes at #31. But I am not a fan of second-round pick Pat Angerer, who does not seem to be a fit in the Colts fast, zone-defense scheme. He’s a stocky MLB who thrives on instincts and toughness rather than positioning and speed. They then picked up corner Kevin Thomas, who is a much better fit, and drafted two big offensive guards to aid the running game. However, I thought they could have addressed offensive tackle, safety, and linebacker better. Hughes is a terrific pass-rusher and a wonderful pick. But in round 2, a playmaking safety or coverage linebacker would have been better. And no tackles chosen to add youth to an aging line was a mistake. All in all, this draft is a solid B, but far from an A.
TEXANS: B-
Houston did well and drafted skill players at need positions. But there are questions about whether they drafted the right specific players. At #20 they were hoping RB Ryan Mathews fell to them, and they are disappointed that he was gone. At 20 they chose corner Kareem Jackson over Kyle Wilson, which was a surprise. I like Jackson and he’s a lot like the player they lost in Dunta Robinson, but Wilson might become the better player. They then addressed running back with Ben Tate in round 2, but he is more of a scheme, quick-cut back rather than a playmaker. They needed a guy like Mathews. The Texans have enough mediocre, red-zone backs on the roster. I thought they should have went for a more electric kind of runner. They did draft speedster Trindon Holliday in round 6, but they could have went after his kind of mold in round 2. LB Darryl Sharpton was a good pick, and tight end Garrett Graham provides insurance for the injured Owen Daniels. Overall they made some nice need-based selections that should continue their progress as contenders, but I’m not sure that they added the right impact guys, and they seemed a little unprepared when Ryan Mathews was picked in the top 15.
JAGUARS: D
The best move for the Jaguars in this draft was trading for LB Kirk Morrison by giving away a 5th round pick. But the rest of this draft is completely questionable. They took DT Tyson Alualu at pick 10, a player who was not on the top 25 of most teams’ draft boards. If you’re going to pick a guy like that, please trade down and add other assets, or hope to get him as a steal in a later round. Imagine if they had added playmaking safety Earl Thomas at 10 and found a way to get Alualu later. Their third rounder DT D’Anthony Smith could have been used to draft a different position. They used their final 4 picks on unknowns from small schools. They also had an opportunity to draft Tim Tebow, who is from the area and could have sold more tickets and created some buzz. But instead, GM Gene Smith perplexed the entire fan base, reached higher for their first rounder than anyone, and leaves us wondering what he’s thinking. Now, keep in mind that Smith went with some off-the-radar guys in the 2009 Draft and nailed it. That being said, one year does not convince me that this year’s draft won’t be a complete flop. No offensive help to a ho-hum attack, no Tebow, no secondary help, no attempt to trade down to get Alualu elsewhere, and no success in trading DT John Henderson. The Jaguars better hope that their 2 drafted defensive tackles become starters soon, or else this was a poor showing.
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AFC West -
CHIEFS: A
I give Kansas City the best grade in the AFC. First of all, Tennessee free safety Eric Berry is the best player in this draft. There has been no consensus top player, as different scouts have claimed any number of players (Bradford, Suh, G. McCoy, Spiller, Berry, Okung) as at the top of their boards. To me, Eric Berry is the obvious top guy. He is the only sure game-changing playmaker in this class, and Kansas City made the right move by scooping him up at #5. If the Chiefs passed on him in favor of Russell Okung (a franchise left tackle), this draft is still a B, but with Berry it’s an A. Master GM Scott Piolo went with dynamic RB/WR Dexter McCluster in round 2, as they needed more offensive weapons. CB Javier Arenas was added as a strong cover corner that should compete for time immediately. They added tackling machine, strong safety Kendrick Lewis to complement the free-ranging Berry, and also added a playmaking tight end Tony Moeaki. I think all of these pieces can compete for time right away, with Berry and McCluster as immediate playmakers.
RAIDERS: B+
Oakland pulled off a shocker this year and made several wise moves. First of all, they got beastly MLB Rolando McClain at number 8 and subsequently traded incumbent Kirk Morrison for a pick. Love that trade-off, and McClain should become the mainstay for that defense. They also traded for QB Jason Campbell, giving themselves a worthy starter. Remember, Oakland beat some good teams last year and showed some promise. Adding Campbell and McClain was huge. Next, they got dynamic defensive tackle prospect LaMarr Houston in round 2 and got two risk/reward guys in round 4, a good time to make such decisions. Tackle Bruce Campbell has first-round upside but bench-warmer work ethic, and WR Jacoby Ford is a track star with playmaking potential but limited football skills. All around, this was a good draft. My only complaints are the lack of drafting a safe offensive lineman and the failure to draft a quarterback. Just because you trade for Campbell doesn’t mean you can’t address the position and develop a youngster. Still, this draft was B+ worthy.
CHARGERS: B
San Diego had some glaring needs and traded up in the draft to make sure they got what they needed. I liked their selections. They absolutely needed RB Ryan Mathews, so trading up to #12 to get him was worth it. He will be a workhouse back for them and likely to get more carries on the team than any other HB. Defensive tackle Cam Thomas was another need selection, and he could be a late-round steal. LB Donald Butler is a nice MLB prospect and could become a productive player very soon. They also took Tennessee QB Jonathan Crompton, a nice guy to have as a backup to learn under All-Pro Philip Rivers. A good job by a team that had some glaring needs. However, it’s no higher than a “B” because they failed to address the cornerback position despite trading away Antonio Cromartie in the offseason, and they also lost some assets and picks by trading up so many times in the draft.
BRONCOS: B-
Denver made headlines in this draft by drafting Tim Tebow in round 1. I think it’s a perfect fit, as coach Josh McDaniels knows how to develop quarterbacks and shares the enthusiasm that Tebow brings. They also added WR Demaryius Thomas in round 1, a deep threat that will stretch the field immediately. They addressed their interior offensive line with their day 2 picks, and they added another upside receiver in Eric Decker. This team is completely retooled and has the making of a scrappy bunch that can make plays on both sides of the ball. Here’s the problem: Trading Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall the last 2 years has resulted in Tim Tebow, Demaryius Thomas, and a second round pick next year. I think that’s quite a downgrade. But we can’t judge this draft on that premise. I think the Broncos made some good moves, filled needs, and added some dynamic players in the process.
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Debate, questions, and comments are welcomed. Let me know if you agree/disagree with any of these grades. Check out my grades for the NFC, as well.
