billdawg12185

I'll start off by saying I am no expert, just an avid sports fan and took in my fair share of the NFL draft this weekend. Pizza, beer and some picks leaving me scratching my head. My mock draft exploded like many others mainly because we can't predict what trades might be made. Granted it is too soon to tell how this draft will pan out, but just based on needs, talent and potential I'll give this a shot. So without further ado here are my grades.


Arizona Cardinals: They addressed offensive line last year with Levi Brown but still needed more in this draft to open some holes for James and give whoever plays quarterback some time to throw the dam ball. They didn't had any depth at o-line until the 7th round, but they did address their secondary needs with their first pick.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie should be a solid corner in the NFL and is the Cardinals best player taken in the draft. I like that they took three defensive ends because that is a huge need for this team. They are betting on one of the three to be a solid pass rusher. Also to picks of Early Doucet and Tim Hightower are inexpensive picks to bring in depth at both positions. Edge is getting old and Doucet provides insurance in case Boldin is traded (especially with him unhappy with his contract).

Grade: B

Atlanta Falcons: Arthur Blank needed a face of the franchise so they can finally put the Michael Vick saga behind them. I question the choice of Matt Ryan with the third pick because Glenn Dorsey would have been a stud on their defensive line. I know teams were worried about his injuries but he is a difference maker on D. They could have gotten a quarterback in the second round pretty easily considering how far Chad Henne and Brian Brohm fell.

Taking Sam Baker in the first round and trading up might be a stretch but they felt he'd be gone by their next pick. I agree with taking some line help to protect your new franchise QB, but it might have came pretty steep. The thing I like is that they added a lot of picks to their defense.

I think their best pick was Chevis Jackson from LSU. He will be a starter at CB and was a great pick in the third round.

Grade: B-

Baltimore Ravens: I started off really liking the first round trade with Jacksonville and getting more picks to rebuild. Then trading back up to take Flacco baffled me. I know they need a quarterback now that Steve McNair called it quits and Kyle Boeller never panned out. I think Flacco would have been there at No. 26 for the Ravens and they would have had more picks to use.

I really like taking Ray Rice in the second and having him team up with McGahee in the backfield. Tavares Gooden and Tom Zbikowski should fit right in with the Ravens defense and be contributors. They didn't get any huge picks in this draft but filled the teams needs. If Flacco pans out and is the franchise QB the Ravens hope obviously this draft grade goes up.

Grade: C+

Buffalo Bills: I think the Bills came out of this weekend with some starters and a lot of good role players. I love the Leodis McKelvin pick. He gives them youth in the secondary and a future starter. Getting James Hardy in the second was a steal and I also like the pick of receiver Steve Johnson in the seventh. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a solid slot receiver for the Bills.

If the Bills can stay healthy they could be a surprise team in the AFC this year. They played tough last year and lost some close games. These picks should fill in some key holes.

Grade: B

Carolina Panthers: Taking Jonathan Stewart at No. 13 kind of shocked me. I thought they would go for Branden Albert with this pick. The Panthers weren't worried about Stewart's injury coming into the draft and think he and DeAngelo Williams will be a heck of a tandem and they might be right. Getting Jeff Otah was a huge pick in a few ways. He's a big guy and will be an immediate starter on the line.

Charles Godfrey is a hard hitting safety and Dan Connor fell to the third round and is a steal and a half. He will take over for Dan Morgan in the middle and should start right away.

Grade: B+

Chicago Bears: The Bears had a ton of picks to make this team better and try to get back to the playoffs. The NFC North is wide open, but unfortunately for Bears fans the only pick that will have an impact is Chris Williams. He will protect either Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton and should help open some holes for the running game that was no existent last year.

After Williams I don't understand any of the Bears selections. Taking a running back in the second confused me. I don't know much about Forte, but a receiver or d-lineman might have been a better choice. There were a lot of great receivers and a solid running back class this year. Earl Bennett should pan out for them but they could have gotten a better guy in round two. Not taking a quarterback in any round makes no sense. Grossman and Orton both have one year deals and they need a QB to build around. Taking a guy in the later rounds would have been the smart thing to do especially with Colt Brennan and Andre Woodson falling into the sixth round.

Grade: D-

Cincinnati Bengals: Cinci got much needed help on defense in this draft which is good. Pat Sims and Keith Rivers will be starting this season for the Bengals. They should improve one of the league's worst defenses. I know Marvin Lewis keeps saying he is going to sit Chad Johnson and not trade him so with that in mind they drafted three receivers. Chris Henry is gone and TJH wil assume the No. 1 receiver role. Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson are both good size targets and could give Carson Palmer a few more targets.

Corey Lynch will be a force on special teams and battle for a starting spot at safety. He could be a wild card for this team and with a sixth round pick is a good value. He has a ton of potential and should help this team out.

Grade: B

Cleveland Browns: The Browns did as much as they could with limited second day picks. If you take in consideration the studs they got on their defensive line for their picks this is a great draft. They go two defensive run stoppers in the middle of the line for their first few picks. They improved the D and added role players through the draft. The Browns felt Shaun Rogers and Cory Williams, proven starters, were better than taking a chance on rookies. They were 10-6 last year and are hoping these guys get them over the hump and into the playoffs.

Martin Rucker is a big target and should give Derek Anderson an option five to 10 yards out in case he gets in trouble.

Grade: B

Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones went with his Arkansas boy in Felix Jones. Marion Barber III is used to being the home-run hitter for the Cowboys and not being the main man. I'll be interested if he can step up and be a No. 1 back. He wants to get paid like one and I think that is why Dallas went with Jones instead of Mendenahll. Barber might have felt more threatened if they took Mendenhall.

Mike Jenkins is a great pick and will be a starter for many years. Even if Pacman Jones is reinstated having a lot of corners is a must in the NFL. Jenkins is by far their best pick. Bennett is a huge tight end and will be a nice target for Romo. Teamed with Whitten, Bennett will get his fair share of catches in the red zone.

Grade: A-

Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady will be a 10-year starter for the Broncos and is a great pick. The rest of their picks can be seen as need picks, but none will be immediate starters. Eddie Royal should be their third or fourth wide receiver this year and there is potential he could become a nice target for Jay Cutler.

The pick I like the most is a guy I don't know much about. Ryan Torain was a fifth round pick and we all know what happens with running backs Denver takes in late rounds. I see this guy rushing for 1,000 yards within his first three years in the league.

Grade: B

Detroit Lions: This was an unusual draft for the Lions. What I mean is they didn't take a wide receiver in the first round and actually got some nice prospects. Apparently the Lions liked Gosder Cherlius a lot and took him to protect Jon Kitna. Getting rid of Kevin Jones the Lions main need in this draft was running back.

I was really shocked they passed on Mendenhall in the first round but at least they didn't take a receiver. I am a big fan of Kevin Smith and thought he'd be a great investment in the third or fourth round for any team. Detroit thought so too and traded up to take him first overall in the third. They will be extremely happy with this decision.

Jordon Dizon and Cliff Avril will solidify their defense and I think Caleb Campbell will be a good special teamer. If he gets a chance to play safety or linebacker for the Lions he will be a huge value at a seventh round choice. Just because the Lions drafted unlike they normally do they get a great grade.

Grade: A

Green Bay Packers: The Packers were one game away from the Superbowl and didn't have too many needs in this draft. They had to address their aging corners and replacing Cory Williams on the d-line. Picking Jordy Nelson with their first pick was odd to me. They didn't need a wide receiver, but they must h