NFC Draft Grades

I talked about Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome being
one of the best at drafting and evaluating talent and New York Giants
general manager is right in the conversation with him. Coming off of a
Super Bowl victory, The Giants were hit by the free agency bug. Reese
knows how to draft the best athletes available and fill voids on his
team. I figured that running back Doug Martin would be available with
the last pick in the first round, but The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded
back into the first round to take him. The Giants opted for running back
David Wilson. Wilson is a tough runner who has a reputation of fumbling
the football. Giants head coach was able to cure Tiki Barbers fumbling
issues in 2004 and he should be able to do it again. I think that The
Giants got a steal in third round by selecting Wilson’s college teammate
Jayron Hosley. Hosley led the nation in interceptions in 2010, but
teams did not throw to him as much in 2011. Coming into the season,
Hosley appeared to be a late first or early second round pick. The
Giants will be able to use 2012 to develop most of their draft picks as
they try to make another run at The Super Bowl.

Philadelphia Eagles
Grade: B
Best Pick: Nick Foles-Quarterback-Arizona

The Eagles traded with The Seattle Seahawks to move up in the first
round to get defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. Cox will be plugged into a
defensive line that includes Jason Babin and Trent Cole. Eagles head
coach Andy Reid knows that you need players to get to the quarterback in
a division with quarterbacks such as Eli Manning (Giants) and Tony Romo
(Cowboys). It might seem weird to people that I have Nick Foles pegged
as The Eagles best pick, but Andy Reid has a history of drafting
quarterbacks in order to develop them to use them for trade bait. In
2007, Reid drafted quarterback Kevin Kolb in the second round although
Donovan McNabb was cemented as the starter. Last year Reid suckered The
Arizona Cardinals for a second round pick and cornerback Dominique
Rodgers-Cromartie for Kolb. Give Reid two seasons and he will be playing
“Let’s Make A Deal” again.

Dallas Cowboys
Grade: B
Best Pick: Morris Claiborne-Cornerback-LSU

I have to give Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones credit, he has a
good eye for individual talent. I expected The Bucs would be in the mix
for Morris Claiborne with the fifth overall pick, but they traded down
with The Jacksonville Jaguars. Dallas had flirted with the idea of
drafting defensive end Michael Brockers or safety Mark Barron, but
Claiborne was too good of an athlete to pass on. The Cowboys secondary
was the weak link on the defense last season and it got a much needed
upgrade with Claiborne. The problem for The Cowboys is that they still
lack leadership and 8-8 might be in the cards once again.

Washington Redskins
Grade: B-
Best Pick: Robert Griffin III-Quarterback-Baylor

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan has put all of his poker chips
behind Robert Griffin and I think that it will work out in D.C. The
‘Skins missed in the third round by passing on wide receiver Mohamed
Sanu from Rutgers. Washington has Santana Moss and Pierre Garcon at the
receiver position, but they are lacking a physical presence. Washington
might be 6-10 this season, but it will be an exciting season.

Green Bay Packers
Grade: B
Best Pick: Jerel Worthy-Defensive Tackle-Michigan State

The Packers went 15-1 last season, but the defense in Green Bay was a
liability all season and it finally caught up to them in the playoffs
as they lost to The Giants. Green Bay had eight picks in the draft and
seven of those picks were dedicated to defensive players. The Packers
drafted defensive end Nick Perry in the first round as they needed
another edge rusher to compliment Clay Matthews. Jerel Worthy had first
round talent, but fell to The Packers in the second round. Worthy will
be able to ease some of the pressure off of Pro Bowl nose tackle B.J.
Raji.

Detroit Lions
Grade: B
Best Pick: Riley Reiff-Offensive Tackle-Iowa

The Lions made the playoffs last season for the first time since
1999 and they are legitimately thinking Super Bowl in 2012. For Detroit
to be in contention, they must protect quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Riley Reiff fell to them late in the first round and he will be given
the job of protecting Stafford’s blind side. Second round pick Ryan
Broyles is a good possession receiver who is coming off of an injury to
his ACL, but once he gets healthy he should fit in nicely to one of the
best passing games in The NFC.

Chicago Bears
Grade; C+
Best Pick: Shea McClellin-Outside Linebacker-Boise State

The Bears didn’t make any selections that will jump out to people,
but they have players that could be effective in the long haul. Shea
McClellin will fit in because he is high effort player which Bears head
coach Lovie Smith covets. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was taken in the
second round. Jeffery was looked at as a top ten pick heading into the 
2011 season, but his production dipped for The South Carolina Gamecocks.
Part of that can be attributed to Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia
being dismissed from the team. The Bears should be in contention for a
wild card spot, but they will not beat out The Lions or Packers for
division supremacy.

Minnesota Vikings
Grade: A
Best Pick: Matt Kalil-Offensive Tackle-USC

Congratulations to Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman
for making a sucker out of The Cleveland Browns. The Vikes were able to
acquire additional picks as Cleveland swapped first round picks with
them. The Vikings got their man with the fourth overall pick in Kalil.
Minnesota traded with The Baltimore Ravens to move back into the first
round to draft safety Harrison Smith. Smith has great instincts which is
key for a safety in The National Football League. The Vikings selected a
pair of wide receivers from The University of Arkansas in the fourth
round. Both Jarius Wright and Greg Childs will be nice targets for
quarterback Christian Ponder. The only problem for Minnesota is that The
NFC North might be the toughest division in football.

New Orleans Saints
Grade: C-
Best Pick: Nick Toon-Wide Receiver-Wisconsin

The New Orleans Saints lacked draft picks coming in as they continue
to feel the effects of “Bounty Gate”. Nick Toon is not the speedster
that his father Al Toon was for The New York Jets, but he will work hard
for Saints quarterback Drew Brees. It will be a long season in The
Bayou.

Atlanta Falcons
Grade: C
Best Pick: Peter Konz-Center-Wisconsin

After trading up in the first round last year to draft wide receiver
Julio Jones, The Atlanta Falcons were spectators in the first round
this year. The Falcons got a versatile offensive lineman in the second
round in Peter Konz. Konz can play either guard or center and he is a
smart football player. The Falcons missed out on getting the heir
apparent for tight end Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez is 36-years old and it is
time for Atlanta to start grooming a replacement.

Carolina Panthers
Grade: B+
Best Pick: Luke Kuechly-Inside Linebacker-Boston College

Last year The Carolina Panthers drafted quarterback Cam Newton and
he gave the offense instant energy. This year Panthers head coach Ron
Rivera will get his quarterback on defense in Luke Kuechly. Kuechly is a
smart football player and it won’t take him too long to gain the
respect of his teammates in Carolina. In the fourth round, The Panthers
drafted wide receiver Joe Adams from Arkansas who is a burner. With
Newton throwing to Adams and wide receiver Steve Smith, The Panthers
offense will resemble the fast break in basketball.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade:B
Best Pick: Doug Martin-Running Back-Boise State

I was shocked that Tampa Bay passed on cornerback Morris Claiborne
with all of the off the field problems that are hanging over the head of
cornerback Aqib Talib, but The Bucs feel as if they got their guy by
drafting safety Mark Barron. Barron was injured throughout the most of
the process leading up to the draft, but when healthy he is a dynamic
player. The Bucs traded back into the first round to select Doug Martin.
Leading up to the draft I had Martin being selected with the 31st pick,
just not by The Bucs. Martin will push running back LeGarrette Blount
for carries as Tampa will have two physical runners.

San Francisco 49ers
Grade: C+
Best Pick: LaMichael James-Running Back-Oregon

The Niners did not have a glaring weakness coming into the draft
process, but they still could have done a little better. I like San
Francisco taking running back LaMichael James in the second round. The
49ers are loaded at running back with each one bringing something
different to the table. Offensively The Niners will be leaning on
opponents this season which is frightening.

Seattle Seahawks
Grade: F
Best Pick: None

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll completely missed the boat this
season at The NFL Draft. The Seahawks took defensive end Bruce Irvin
with the 15th overall pick. Coming into the draft, Irvin was projected
as a potential third round selection. If Seattle wanted Irvin, they
could have traded down. The Seahawks took quarterback Russel Wilson in
the third round which is an eye opener being they have Matt Flynn and
Tavaris Jackson on the roster. Time will tell how things work out in The
Pacific Northwest.

Arizona Cardinals
Grade: B+
Best Pick: Michael Floyd-Wide Receiver-Notre Dame

There were several directions that The Arizona Cardinals could have
gone in the first round and improved the team. The Cards passed on
outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, but improved the passing game with
wide receiver Michael Floyd. Floyd is a physical receiver than can bully
small cornerbacks. If this sounds familiar it is because Arizona has
wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald who is a physical receiver. Floyd’s
presence will allow Fitzgerald to see less double teams even though it
hasn’t slowed him down. The Cardinals will continue to have a tough
offensive line under head coach Ken Whisenhunt as they drafted offensive
tackle Bobby Massie in the fourth round.

St. Louis Rams
Grade: C
Best Pick: Janoris Jenkins-Cornerback-North Alabama