NFC:

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Hits: First round pick Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams is an ideal fit for the Bucs defensive scheme.  He's similar to current Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice and will likely be his heir-apparent at the position.  Second round pick Tennessee offensive tackle Arron Sears is a versatile player who will likely have to move inside to offensive guard for the team.  Sears has the potential to turn into one of the better offensive guards in the league within 3-4 years.  Second round pick Oregon State safety Sabby Piscitelli is an outstanding athlete who's strong against the run.  Fourth round pick Syracuse cornerback Tanard Jackson fits the Tampa-2 defense perfectly.  Sixth round pick Porland State linebacker Adam Hayward is a small school guy with a lot of potential. Seventh round pick Alabama running back Ken Darby provided outstanding depth that late in the draft.  He's a tough runner who could play in the league for a while. 

Misses: Third round pick New Mexico outside linebacker Quincy Black is a very good athlete and a fairly average football player.  Fifth round pick North Carolina Central defensive tackle Greg Peterson went earlier than was expected.  He's a smaller defensive tackle, who will likely have to move to defensive end in the NFL while possessing only average strength and quickness.  Seventh round pick Fresno State offensive tackle Chris Denman may not have the kind of power necessary to maintain an NFL career.  Seventh round pick Virginia cornerback Marcus Hamilton lacks the speed to stay with NFL wideouts. 

Grade: B+


New Orleans Saints

Hits: First round pick Tennessee wide receiver Robert Meachem adds yet another weapon to an already loaded Saints offense.  It's going to be difficult for opposing teams to work up a game plan to stop Brees, McAllister, Bush, Colston, Henderson and Meachem.  Third round pick Kent State cornerback Usama Young was one of the quickest risers of this past off-season.  Young combines good size, speed and ball skills.  Third round pick Akron offensive guard Andy Alleman gives the team another young talented offensive guard to play across from Jhari Evans.  Fourth round pick Ohio State running back Antonio Pittman is an underrated player who's shown he's able to handle a big workload without getting hurt, that's a valuable trait on a team with Deuce and Reggie Bush.  Seventh round pick Tennessee linebacker Marvin Mitchell has some character issues and lacks ideal speed, but he's a thumper in the middle who's valuable against the run.

Misses: Fourth round pick Towson offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod was the small school offensive tackle flavor of the week leading up to the draft.  However, Bushrod is shorter than you'd like, has only average strength and isn't a "nasty" lineman.  Fifth round pick Wingate cornerback David Jones doesn't have the kind of closing speed necessary to play cornerback in the NFL. 

Grade: C


Atlanta Falcons

Hits: First round pick Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson has excellent size and athletic ability.  He has a chance to become a dominating player at defensive end for the Falcons.  Second round pick Texas offensive tackle Justin Blalock is a big, smart physical player who projects to offensive guard in the NFL.  It shouldn't take Blalock long to become a true force at the position.  Second round pick Arkansas cornerback Chris Houston isn't a guy I liked when people talked about him as a first round pick, but he's a solid gamble as a two.  Houston is a physical man corner who isn't afraid to chip in against the run.  Fourth round pick South Florida outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas was an underrated player coming into the draft.  He has excellent instincts and is a proven solid tackler.  Sixth round pick Auburn cornerback David Irons has good athleticism and the type of arrogant demeanor I like in a corner.  Sixth round pick Ohio State offensive lineman Doug Datish is a player who can play nearly any offensive line position, and play it well.  Sixth round pick Maine safety Daren Stone could have been a first day pick and no one would have given it a second thought. 

Misses: Third round pick Illinois State wide receiver Laurent Robinson went a little higher than he probably should have.  He's not a terrible pick here, but the team could have moved down and taken him a little later on.  Fourth round pick Georgia tight end Martrez Milner lost his starting position during the 2006 season because of dropped passes.  Sixth round pick Washburn defensive tackle Trey Lewis is undersized at the position and hasn't played at all against more talented competition.  Seventh round pick Virginia fullback Jason Snelling could have been had as an undrafted free agent.  He's more of a runner (despite being slow) than he is a true blocker.

Grade: A


Carolina Panthers

Hits: The Panthers were able to move down and still get the player they wanted in first round pick Miami (Fl) outside linebacker Jon Beason.  Beason is a very good athlete who should be an impact player from day one for Carolina.  Second round pick USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett is a major steal in the middle of the second round.  People will knock him for his speed, but he could end up being the second best receiver from this draft.  Second round pick USC center Ryan Kalil was considered a potential first round pick and will be the starting center for the team in 2007.  Third round pick Georgia defensive end Charles Johnson was another major steal late on the first day.  Johnson had an outstanding junior season for the Bulldogs and will eventually take over for Mike Rucker.  Fifth round pick Penn State linebacker Tim Shaw is a guy who's going to contribute right away on special teams and challenge for a starting linebacker spot in a season or two.  Seventh round pick Baylor cornerback C.J. Wilson lacks ideal speed for the position, but his natural ball skills more than make up for it. 

Misses: Fourth round pick Miami (Oh) wide receiver Ryne Robinson is mainly a returnman and almost certainly could have been had a bit later on in the draft.  Fifth round pick Oregon tight end Dante Rosario could play either tight end or fullback in the NFL, either way, he could have been picked later on. 

Grade: A+

NFC North

Green Bay Packers

Hits: Second round pick Nebraska running back Brandon Jackson is a real talent.  He's the kind of player who could potentially start for the Packers from day one and contribute.  Third round pick Virginia Tech safety Aaron Rouse is a fantastic athlete who projects as an in-the-box type of safety in the NFL.  Fourth round pick Missouri Southern offensive tackle Allen Barbre will likely have to move to offensive guard in the NFL.  He's an advanced talent on the o-line, especially for a small school player.  Fifth round pick Virginia Tech wide receiver David Clowney is one of the fastest wide receivers in this group and he gives the Packers a true deep threat.  Sixth round pick California inside linebacker Desmond Bishop is very good against the run and presented good value for the Packers here.  Sixth round pick Colorado kicker Mason Crosby went into the draft carrying the highest ranking of any kicker in the past few seasons.  Crosby has outstanding leg strength and shows good accuracy. Seventh round pick Florida running back DeShawn Wynn is a bigger running back with a solid second gear. 

Misses: First round pick Tennessee defensive tackle Justin Harrell was a shocking pick at #16, as no one really considered the possibility of him going before the #23 pick.  If the Packers wanted Harrell so badly, they should have moved down to the early 20's where they still would have been able to select him.  Third round pick San Jose State wide receiver James Jones potentially could have been had two rounds later.  He has average speed and tends to lose the ball in the air.  Sixth round pick Boise State inside linebacker Korey Hall is a classic overachiever whose skills don't translate all that well to the professional ranks.  Seventh round pick Rutgers tight end Clark Harris has questionable speed and has been inconsistent catching the ball.

Grade: C-


Minnesota Vikings

Hits: First round pick Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson is rivaled only by Calvin Johnson in terms of being the most talented player in this year's draft.  While he's had his share of injures during his time at Oklahoma, it would take an act of god to stop Peterson from being an impact running back for the Vikings.  There's an added bonus in that he won't have to shoulder the full workload with Chester Taylor also in Minnesota.  Second round pick South Carolina wide receiver Sidney Rice has been one of the most productive pass-catchers in college football over the past couple of years.  While he doesn't have blazing speed, Rice has outstanding hands and has proven himself to be a natural playmaker.  Third round pick Fresno State cornerback Marcus McCauley came into the season carrying a first round grade, but seemed like he was playing not to get hurt in 2006.  A big, strong and fast defensive back; there's no reason Marcus won't be a good pro corner.  Fifth round pick East Carolina wide receiver Aundrae Allison could have gone in the second round and no one would have said a word.  Seventh round pick Florida International wide receiver Chander Williams is an interesting player with very good speed and solid hands.  He could make the team as a returnman. 

Misses: Fourth round pick Texas defensive end Brian Robison had an outstanding combine, which made people forget that he was completely average throughout his time at Texas.  Sixth round pick Oklahoma outside linebacker Rufas Alexander was exposed to a degree as a senior.  He's a smallish linebacker with average speed who constantly tries to run around blockers.  Seventh round pick Coastal Carolina quarterback Tyler Thigpen struggled when facing better talent.  Considering some of the quarterbacks who went undrafted, that pick could have been used more effectively. 

Grade: A


Detroit Lions

Hits: First round pick Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson is as close to a can't miss prospect as there comes.  Combining outstanding size, speed and ball skills, Johnson should be an impact player from the second he walks into training camp.  Wide receiver wasn't really a need for the Lions, but it's hard to say that adding a player like Calvin Johnson constitutes a "miss".  Second round pick Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton basically walks into a dream situation.  The talented and gritty quarterback has all the talent in the world to throw the ball to and a quarterback guru in Mike Martz to coach him up.  Fourth round pick North Carolina State cornerback A.J. Davis lacks ideal height but makes up for it was good quickness and anticipation.  Fourth round pick Texas Tech offensive guard Manuel Ramirez is one of the strongest players in the draft and is comfortable playing in a passing offense.

Misses: Second round pick Hawaii defensive end Ikaika Alma-Francis is an intriguing athlete who has limited experience as a football player having only started playing organized football in 2003.  Alama-Francis is a bit of a reach where he was selected and even more than that, defensive end wasn't a huge need for the team.  Second round pick Boise State safety Gerald Alexander wasn't considered a first day prospect by many people heading into the draft.  He's only got average size and his strength is questionable.  Fifth round pick Alabama A&M inside linebacker Johnny Baldwin wasn't expected to be drafted at all, let alone in the middle of day 2.  Seventh round pick Alabama cornerback Ramzee Robinson is short, has average speed and lacks ball skills. 

Grade: C+


Chicago Bears

Hits: First round pick Miami (Fl) tight end Greg Olsen was long considered a lock to go to the Panthers with the #14 overall pick in the draft, getting him late in the first round is an outstanding value.  Second round pick Central Michigan defensive end Dan Bazuin is an overachiever, the kind of kid who coaches fall in love with because he's a film rat and he's coachable.  While Bazuin doesn't have elite timed speed, he has a very good first step.  Third round pick Stanford linebacker Michael Okwo is a little undersized, but he reads offenses well and finds a way to get to the right spot on the field.  Fourth round pick Boston College offensive guard Josh Beekman is one of the better run-blocking guards in the draft.  Fifth round pick New Hampshire cornerback Corey Graham has a nice combination of size and speed.  He won't be able to play right away, but he's a good developmental prospect. 

Misses: Third round pick Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe is a reach in the third frame.  The smallish running back was extremely productive at NIU, but his size is going to be a real issue in the NFL.  He's going to need to learn to return kicks to justify this selection.  Fifth round pick UL-Monroe safety Kevin Payne had a poor post-season where he was consistently disappointing.  Seventh round pick Mississippi cornerback Trumaine McBride lacks both ideal size and ideal speed.  Seventh round pick Iowa State offensive tackle Aaron Brant doesn't appear to have the skill set to play in the NFL.

Grade: B

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

Hits: First round pick Mississippi inside linebacker Patrick Willis is an ideal fit for the 49ers and could contend for defensive rookie of the year honors.  Given his size, speed and skill set, he's a lock to rack up a huge number of tackles as a rookie.  The 49ers gambled and traded their 2008 first round pick to acquire another 2007 first round pick when they saw Central Michigan offensive tackle Joe Staley still on the board at #28.  Staley is an athletic marvel at offensive tackle and should be the team's long-term starter at left tackle.  Third round pick Washington State wide receiver Jason Hill came into the year as a potential first round pick, but saw his stock drop during the season.  Hill's a productive player with excellent speed who has number one receiver potential.  Third round pick Florida defensive lineman Ray McDonald is an ideal fit at defensive end for a 3-4 defense.  Fourth round pick Florida defensive tackle Joe Cohen came to school as a running back and would up as an interior defensive lineman, he's another ideal 3-4 player.

Misses: Fourth round pick Nebraska defensive end Jay Moore is a better athlete than he is a football player.  Fourth round pick Washington safety Dashon Goldson had a poor post season following a very average season and could have been had later on.  Fifth round pick Texas cornerback Tarell Brown is an outstanding athlete who came to school as a running back and never truly developed cornerback instincts.  On top of that, he's been in trouble off the field.  Sixth round pick Kansas State running back Thomas Clayton is a bigger back with average speed who has been in some trouble off the field and will put the ball on the ground.

Grade: B+


Saint Louis Rams

Hits: First round pick Nebraska defensive end Adam Carriker is talented enough to put an end to the team's long-term inability to stop the run.  A good athlete at 6'6" and 300 pounds, Carriker also possesses solid pass-rush skills.  Second round pick Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard is a unique player who can play either running back and fullback.  Leonard is a good blocker who's also Rutgers all-time leader in receptions.  Fifth round pick Clemson center Dustin Fry is a versatile player who can play any interior line position.  Fifth round pick Michigan State defensive tackle Cliff Ryan is an underrated player who's not flashy, but gets his job done. Seventh round pick Arkansas defensive tackle Keith Jackson is a hard-nosed player who plays the run well.

Misses: Third round pick Tennessee cornerback Jonathan Wade is a college track star who got away with average instincts in college because of his elite speed.  He's going to need a good deal of time to develop into a true cornerback before contributing for the Rams defense.     Sixth round pick Georgia offensive tackle Kendrick Shackleford is to short to stay at tackle in the NFL and is poorly conditioned.  Seventh round pick Wisconsin-Whitewater wide receiver Derek Stanley has elite speed, but is as raw as they come at receiver.

Grade: B


Arizona Cardinals

Hits: First round pick Penn State offensive tackle Levi Brown may have seemed like a bit of a reach at #5 overall, but he fills the Cardinals most glaring need.  Brown is a mauler at offensive tackle, he will do wonders to help open up holes for Edgerrin James and help keep defensive lineman away from second year quarterback Matt Leinart.  Second round pick Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch was considered a potential top 10 pick as little as two weeks ago, in fact no one would have been surprised to see him go in the top 10 this past weekend.  He feel because of concerns about his work ethic and a potential injury.  The Cardinals got a major steal in Branch who has the talent to anchor a defense when properly motivated.  Third round pick Florida State inside linebacker Buster Davis is smaller than you'd like, but he's a little sparkplug in the middle who should have a long career.  Seventh round pick Delaware tight end Ben Patrick could have easily been a third round pick.  He's a reliable pass catcher who has enough speed to get down the seam.

Misses: Fifth round pick Michigan wide receiver Steve Breaston never turned into the player that many expected him to.  He's still a bit of a body catcher and he lacks the size to do much across the middle of the field.

Grade: A-


Seattle Seahawks

Hits: Third round pick California defensive tackle Brandon Mebane isn't a player who got a lot of press this past year, but he is a player who made a ton of plays.  The stout defensive tackle put everything together as a senior and seemed to live in opponents backfields.  Fourth round pick Miami (Fl) defensive end Baraka Atkins is a player who was jerked around between positions throughout his career.  Once he's allowed to settle into the defensive end spot, I suspect he's going to put things together quickly.  Fourth round pick Georgia Tech offensive lineman Mansfield Wrotto only moved over to the offensive line his senior season (prior to his senior season he played defensive tackle).  Wrotto plays with a mean streak and has shown good progress at the position in a short period of time.  Sixth round pick Auburn wide receiver Courtney Taylor is a physical player who is one of the better run-blocking wide receivers available.  Seventh round pick Wake Forest offensive tackle Steve Vallos was one of the best offensive tackles in college football in terms of hand use.  He'll have to make the move inside to offensive guard in the NFL.

Misses: Second round pick Maryland cornerback Josh Wilson went a little earlier than his talent level would have dictated.  He's a good athlete who's all to inconsistent in coverage at this point.  Fifth round pick Auburn outside linebacker Will Herring is extremely undersized for the linebacker position and lacks the speed to make the move to safety.  Sixth round pick Oregon wide receiver Jordan Kent never even played organized football until 2005.  He has very good size, but as you could imagine by his lack of experience, he's extremely raw. 

Grade: C

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles

Hits: Second round pick Notre Dame defensive end Victor Abiamiri will jump right into the team's rotation at defensive end and should be able to contribute from the get-go.  Third round pick Penn State running back Tony Hunt will be an instant fan favorite and more importantly seems to signify the team's late season dedication to the running game will continue.  Fifth round pick Clemson cornerback C.J. Gaddis will likely move to safety at the NFL level.  A better athlete than football player right now, he'll be able to sit and learn from Brian Dawkins.  Seventh round pick Hawaii running back Nate Ilaoa is a former wide receiver turned bowling ball type runner.  He's shown surprisingly good feet for a player his size. 

Misses: Second round pick Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb may have been the single most surprising selection of the draft, considering that the Eagles were thought to be heavily invested in Donovan McNabb.  Aside from the presence of McNabb, this was earlier than anyone expected Kolb to go.  Third round pick Nebraska outside linebacker Stewart Bradley is a good overall athlete who doesn't show up as often as he should when watching film of the Cornhuskers.  Fifth round pick Cincinnati tight end Brent Celek is an undersized player who doesn't do anything extremely well.  Why the team reached for him over a player like Ben Patrick remains to be seen.  Sixth round pick Albany cornerback Rashad Barksdale is a former baseball player who only played football for one season in college.  He also projects more to safety than to cornerback in the NFL.

Grade: C-


New York Giants

Hits: First round pick Texas cornerback Aaron Ross is a potential playmaker in the defensive secondary for the Giants.  In addition to his solid cover skills, he ranks among the top return men eligible for this year's draft.  Third round pick Penn State defensive tackle Jay Alford was a quiet killer throughout his college career.  While he never got the headlines of some of his teammates, he was productive week in, week out.  Fourth round pick Brown linebacker Zak DeOssie was excellent value on the second day of the draft and should be able to get on the field in a hurry for the team.  Fifth round pick Western Oregon tight end Kevin Boss gives the team another weapon at the tight end position.  Seventh round pick Arizona safety Michael Johnson could have easily gone a lot higher in the draft.  Johnson has good size and speed and isn't scared to throw his body around.  Seventh round pick Marshall running back Ahmad Bradshaw was a productive player at the college level and provides good depth for the Giants.

Misses: Second round pick USC wide receiver Steve Smith seems a little redundant considering the team took Sinorice Moss in the draft last year.  It's not that Smith's a bad player per se, this is a miss more because they could have used the pick more wisely on another position.  Sixth round pick Oregon offensive tackle Adam Koets lacks the strength to be an effective player at tackle in the NFL. 

Grade: B


Washington Redskins

Hits: Fifth round pick USC outside linebacker Dallas Sartz is an athletic linebacker who has shown the ability to cover both tight ends and running backs.  While he may not play right away, Sartz should excel on special teams while waiting his turn.  Sixth round pick Pittsburgh inside linebacker H.B. Blades lacks ideal size for the position, but he's one of the more instinctual players in this year's draft.  Sixth round pick UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer is blessed with a great deal of talent, but he's been inconsistent in terms of trying to do to much with the football. 

Misses: First round pick LSU safety LaRon Landry was easily the top defensive back available for this year's NFL Draft.  While Landry's a good bet to be a very productive pro, safety wasn't a major area of need for the Redskins.  They would have been better off building up their defensive line with Amobi Okoye or Jamaal Anderson.  Seventh round pick Michigan tight end Tyler Ecker probably could have been had as an undrafted free agent and this last pick makes us openly wonder why the team didn't use a single pick on a lineman when both lines could use improvement.

Grade: D+


Dallas Cowboys

Hits: First the Cowboys traded out of the first round (picking up the Browns 2008 first round pick) and then they traded back in when they reached a deal with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles to attain the #26 overall pick, which they used to select Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer.  Spencer projects to a rush-linebacker in the Cowboys 3-4 defense where he'll be able to wreak havoc playing opposite DeMarcus Ware.  Third round pick Boston College offensive tackle James Marten could have easily been a second round pick and presents good value for the Cowboys in the third.  Fourth round pick Northern Illinois offensive tackle Doug Free was an outstanding selection.  Free is one of the most athletic offensive lineman available for this year's draft and solid as both a run and pass blocker.  Sixth round pick Connecticut fullback Deon Anderson gives the team the kind of lead blocker they've been missing since Moose retired.  Seventh round pick Illinois cornerback Alan Ball was a good player who never got the credit he deserved because he was stuck on a bad team.

Misses: Fourth round pick Washington quarterback Isaiah Stanback was a reach with their early day two selection.  Stanback will likely make the switch to wide receiver in the NFL and is a project at best.  Sixth round pick Arizona kicker Nick Folk was an odd selection with Mason Crosby still on the board.  Seventh round pick Cal-Poly cornerback Courtney Brown has good size and speed, but is extremely raw.

Grade: A-

AFC:

AFC South

Tennessee Titans

Hits: Third round pick Fresno State wide receiver Paul Williams was a nice value late on the first day.  Athletically he's on par with nearly any receiver in this class, he just needs to find more consistency... that is to say he needs to find some consistency.  Fourth round pick North Carolina State center Leroy Harris could easily wind up being the second best center from this class, he can also play guard if needed.  Fifth round pick Mississippi State defensive tackle Antonio Johnson could wind up being one of the real steals from his draft.  The former JuCo player turned it on this past season for MSU and you couldn't help but feel there was a lot more left to be seen.  Sixth round pick Texas Tech wide receiver Joel Filani is a productive player with good size and speed (and for those counting, the third wide receiver the team has selected in the 2007 draft).  Sixth round pick Florida cornerback Ryan Smith lacks prototypical speed for the position, but has a good feel for the game and solid ball skills.  Seventh round pick Purdue offensive tackle Mike Otto is a classic over-achiever who can never be counted out.

Misses: While first round pick Texas safety Michael Griffin is a nice player, he has to be considered a poor pick at 19 overall.  For one thing, it was a little early for him, but more importantly the team simply had to many other needs they had to address.  This isn't to say Griffin won't be a good player in the NFL, he just wasn't a wise choice for the Titans in the first round.  Second round pick Arizona running back Chris Henry is actually something of a LenDale White clone, minus the college production.  The Henry pick is another that just didn't make sense to me.  Fourth round pick Florida State wide receiver Chris Davis is a solid athlete who has never become the player many expected him to be.  Sixth round pick Central Arkansas defensive end Jacob Ford is undersized for the position and lacks the strength to play against NFL offensive tackles.  To make matters worse, he hasn't learned to effectively use his hands to shed blockers. 

Grade: C-


Indianapolis Colts

Hits: The Colts used their first round pick on Ohio State wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, a player who can immediately step in for the departed Brandon Stokley and considering his precise route running and excellent hands, may even be a surprise rookie of the year contender while catching passes from Peyton Manning.  Third round pick California cornerback Daymeion Hughes dropped like a rock following the combine, but he's an ideal fit in the team's cover-2 defense.  Third round pick Ohio State defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock showed more pass rushing ability than expected as a senior, but his forte is playing against the run.  Fifth round pick Ohio State wide receiver Roy Hall is a physical marvel who remains quite raw after rarely seeing the field for the Buckeyes.  Fifth round pick Alabama State cornerback Michael Coe was very good value for the middle of day 2.  He doesn't possesses elite ball skills, but there's a lot of potential present. 

Misses:  The team traded away it's 2008 first round pick to acquire second round pick Arkansas offensive tackle Tony Ugoh.  Ugoh is a weird choice for the Colts here considering that he played in a predominately running offense while in college.  Fourth round pick Troy State safety Brannon Condren was a head-scratcher as he was considered more of a UFA/PFA type of player.  Fourth round pick Pittsburgh outside linebacker Clint Sessions is a smaller player who doesn't play all that well against the pass.  Seventh round pick Texas Tech defensive end Keyunta Dawson is a good athlete, but a marginal football player.

Grade: B-


Jacksonville Jaguars

Hits: First round pick Florida safety Reggie Nelson has one of the highest upside of any prospect in this year's draft.  He possesses nearly unlimited range in coverage and the knack for making big plays.  This pick looks even better still when you consider that the team was able to move back in the first round and still select him.  Second round pick Hampton linebacker Justin Durant is an outstanding athlete who was extremely productive throughout his career.  While the small school may concern some, the Jaguars have done a very good job with small school draft picks in the past.  Third round pick Central Florida wide receiver Mike Walker is a bigger receiver with excellent speed and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team.  Fourth round pick Missouri outside linebacker Brian Smith was hurt this past season, but when healthy is a top-flight pass rusher.  Fifth round pick Purdue offensive guard Uche Nwaneri is a guy who plays with a nasty streak.  Fifth round pick Wake Forest safety Josh Gattis is a dual-purpose safety who was outstanding value this late.  Seventh round pick Elon safety Chad Nkang is an interesting small school player who should help out on special teams while adjusting to the league.  Seventh round pick Arizona State offensive tackle Andrew Carnahan is a good gamble this late in the draft, he could potentially stick around for a while if the team can put some more muscle on him.

Misses: Fourth round pick Maryland punter Adam Podlesh was without question the top punter in this year's draft, but still is a punter really worth a fourth round pick?  Fifth round pick Notre Dame defensive tackle Derek Landri is a warrior, but he lacks the size to effectively play in the NFL.  Seventh round pick San Jose State wide receiver John Broussard has good speed, but an extremely frail frame. 

Grade: A


Houston Texans

Hits: First round pick Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye has the potential to become a dominating force at defensive tackle in a few years, but we wouldn't expect much from him as a rookie.  Third round pick Lane College wide receiver Jacoby Jones played well against the big boys in a few post-season all-star games.  He combines good size, good speed and solid overall ball skills.  Jones is also an accomplished return man, albeit at a lower level.  Fourth round pick South Carolina cornerback Fred Bennett came into the season with some people whispering "potential first round pick", but inconsistency pushed him down.  Sixth round pick Texas offensive guard Kasey Studdard is never going to be a special player, but he's a guy who could be useful for a long time. 

Misses: Fifth round pick Stanford safety Brandon Harrison is a big player who isn't overly physical and possesses only average speed for the position.  Fifth round pick Virginia Tech offensive tackle Brandon Frye has had some lingering injury issues.  He also lacks ideal height and strength for the tackle position.  Seventh round pick Kansas State inside linebacker Zach Diles hasn't been able to show the ability to disengage from blocks once he's tied up. 

Grade: B

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers

Hits: I was a little torn on first round pick Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons, mainly because of the uncertainty of the Steelers defensive scheme right now.  But ultimately, the Steelers know linebackers and that was enough to push Timmons into the hit section for me.  An outstanding athlete, Timmons could be a very good pass rusher for Pittsburgh.  Second round pick Michigan defensive end LaMarr Woodley has been a popular player to knock lately, but he has one of the best first steps in the country and is a naturally disruptive force on defense.  Fourth round pick Oklahoma State defensive tackle Ryan McBean is a tall, athletic defensive lineman who can help a team in a number of ways.  Fifth round pick Rutgers offensive guard Cameron Stephenson is a hard worker who'll fight for every inch on the field. 

Misses: Third round pick Minnesota tight end Matt Spaeth isn't an exciting player and likely could have been had later on in the process.  Fourth round pick Baylor punter Daniel Sepulveda almost certainly could have been had later on.  Fifth round pick Louisville cornerback William Gay is a little on the short side and a little on the slower side.  A strange pick when you think about some of the defensive backs who were still on the board.  Seventh round pick Florida wide receiver Dallas Baker lacks the suddenness to create separation at the NFL level, as well as being injury prone and only "iffy" in the hands category. 

Grade: B-


Cleveland Browns

Hits: First round pick Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas was among the safest picks in the draft.  He'll start for the Browns at left tackle from day one and should eventually work himself into an All-Pro caliber player on the edge.  No one wants to see Thomas turn into an elite offensive tackle more than the team's second first round selection Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn.  After passing on Quinn at the #3 spot, Brady went into a freefall that was finally ended by his hometown team trading back into the first round to select him.  Quinn and Thomas alone should mean a bright future in Cleveland.  Second round pick UNLV cornerback Eric Wright may have been the most talented cornerback in this year's draft.  The knock on his was serious off-the-field issues early in his career.  After speaking to Wright this year, I believe that he's matured a good deal since he made his mistakes.  Seventh round selection LSU defensive end Chase Pittman has a chance to help in the defensive line rotation as well as solidify the special teams unit. 

Misses: Fifth round pick Memphis cornerback Brandon McDonald is the first miss for the Brownies.  McDonald simply doesn't have the strength of speed to play at a high level in the National Football League.  Sixth round pick Hawaii defensive end Melila Purcell is more of an athlete than a football player at this point.  Seventh round pick Arizona wide receiver Syndric Steptoe was a good return man in college but lacks the pure speed to excel in that area in the NFL. 

Grade: A


Baltimore Ravens

Hits: First round pick Auburn offensive guard Ben Grubbs is a former defensive lineman who has carried that nasty demeanor over to the offensive line.  He's a strong player who relishes contact, a mauler who'll help the Ravens run game.  Third round pick Iowa offensive tackle Marshal Yanda will likely have to make the move to offensive guard in the NFL.  He's a polished player who should be able to help right away at left guard.  Fourth round pick Florida International linebacker Antwan Barnes is the kind of player the Ravens seem to find every year.  A gifted pass rusher who's surprisingly solid overall at linebacker.  Fifth round pick Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith may be disappointed with where he went in the draft, but he falls into a perfect situation where he can learn from Steve McNair for a couple of seasons.  Sixth round pick Michigan linebacker Prescott Burgess can play any linebacker position and is the kind of athlete the team loves to have at linebacker.

Misses: Third round pick Kansas State wide receiver Yamon Figurs was drafted because of his speed and return skills, but ultimately wasn't worth a top 75 pick in this year's draft.  Fourth round pick Alabama fullback Le'Ron McClain wasn't a true miss, he's only here because he likely could have been had a little later. 

Grade: B+


Cincinnati Bengals

Hits: First round pick Michigan cornerback Leon Hall gives the Bengals their best chance at having a true lockdown cornerback.  While Hall may not play quite as fast as his timed speeds would indicate, he's more than quick enough.  He also possesses very good ball skills and a willingness to play a physical brand of football.  Second round pick Kenny Irons is an underrated player who did nothing but produce during his time at Auburn.  He should provide the team with a productive player behind starter Rudi Johnson at tailback.  Fifth round pick Nevada quarterback Jeff Rowe is an interesting player with natural quarterback skills, but he'll need some time to be broken of bad habits formed by playing in the Wolfpack's unique offense.  Seventh round pick Notre Dame offensive guard Dan Santucci is a blue-collar player who'll fight all out for his team.  Seventh round pick Notre Dame safety Nedu Ndukwe will bite on ball-fakes a little to often, but he has natural playmaker skills. 

Misses: Fourth round pick Texas Christian safety Marvin White doesn't offer a lot in terms of coverage and looks for the knockout blow to often.  There are also concerns about his ability to process the type of complex defense seen at the NFL level.  Sixth round pick Oregon defensive tackle Matt Toeaina lacks the pure strength or elite quickness to get the best of NFL interior lineman. 

Grade: B+

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Hits: Second round pick, Texas defensive end Tim Crowder is the complete opposite of the team's first round pick, Crowder is one of the more underrated players in this draft and more than capable against the run.  Crowder is a much safer bet than Jarvis Moss to have a long and productive NFL career.  Fourth round pick Florida defensive tackle Marcus Thomas has first round ability and first-rate off the field issues.  With that said, he's a solid gamble on the second day because of his upside alone.

Misses: The buzzword with first round pick Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss is that he CAN turn into an every-down player if he adds weight and overall strength.  You can't use a first round pick on a situational pass rusher.  Moss wasn't getting a lot of love from the scouts we talked to prior to the draft, one of which told us that he wouldn't touch Moss due to his lack of strength.  Add in the fact that the team actually traded up to get him, and this pick is a major miss.  Third round pick Notre Dame offensive tackle Ryan Harris is similar to Moss in that he lacks ideal strength for the position he plays.  A solid technician at the position, his lack of height and strength limits his potential. 

Grade: D+


San Diego Chargers

Hits: Admittedly, First round pick LSU wide receiver Craig Davis was a bit of a head-scratcher.  However, once you get past the initial shock of the pick, you start to realize that it was actually a pretty good selection.  Davis is similar to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Reggie Brown in a lot of ways and while Davis may never turn into a true number one, he projects as a very good second option with deep speed.  Third round pick Clemson linebacker Anthony Waters was a good gamble late on the first day.  Had he not been injured, Waters could have carried a first round grade into this draft.  Fifth round pick Boise State wide receive Legedu Naanee is raw, but his size/speed combination is to much to ignore here.  Seventh round pick Florida linebacker Brandon Siler presents outstanding value that late in the draft and hopefully his slide will knock some of that ego out of him.

Misses: It pains me to say this as second round pick Utah safety Eric Weddle is a personal favorite, but it's likely that he could have been had considerably later in the second round.  To give up a second round pick, a third round pick and a fifth round pick in this year's draft, along with a third round pick in 2008 is way to much to move up 25 or so spots in the second round.  There's a good chance that the Chargers made the worst trade of the draft here.  Fourth round pick Iowa tight end Scott Chandler probably could have been had a full round later, considering the tight ends who were still on the board with this pick.

Grade: B-


Oakland Raiders

Hits: First round pick (and first overall selection) LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell was an obvious fit for the Raiders.  Russell has the kind of out-of-this-world arm strength that the team loves, but unlike other Raider quarterbacks with big arms, Russell's actually accurate as well, which is a nice bonus.  We don't think that Russell's going to be ready to play from day one, but once he gets his feet under him, the Raiders will have a good one on their hands.  Third round pick Georgia defensive end Quentin Moses has the potential to be a major homerun.  Moses came into the year as a potential early selection, but looked like he was playing not to get hurt, and as such his stats suffered, as did his draft stock.  Third round pick UTEP wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins is the kind of wide receiver that the Raiders love, a fast one.  Higgins is in the top five in this draft in terms of football speed, he's similar to Ted Ginn Jr., only a hair slower and a considerably better route runner and natural pass catcher.  Fourth round pick Louisville running back Michael Bush could potentially turn into the steal of the draft.  The Raiders need to let him sit out until he's completely healthy, even if it means not playing him at all during the 2007 season.  He has first round talent and no chances should be taken with his future.  Fifth round pick Ohio State defensive end Jay Richardson will provide the team with a useful player against the run.  Seventh round pick Louisiana Tech wide receiver Jonathan Holland has good speed and should be able to contribute on special teams. 

Misses: Few players saw their stock slip this past season like that of second round pick Arizona State tight end Zach Miller.  Miller went into the season as the number one rated junior tight end, only to suffer through an extremely average season and poor workouts.  He could have been had later in the round and considering what teams were giving to move up, the team should have dropped down and taken him later.  Third round pick Florida State offensive tackle Mario Henderson has been a popular name among draft circles because of his feet.  The thing people don't mention however is that he's not a particularly effective offensive lineman.  Fourth round pick Cincinnati cornerback John Bowie has very good speed, but he's average in coverage and will forever be remembered as the player the Raiders got in return for Randy Moss.  Fifth round pick Washington State safety Eric Frampton is a little small and a little slow.  While solid on the field, he looks for the big hit more often than we'd like.  Sixth round pick Arkansas State fullback Oren O'Neal probably could have been had a round later or signed as a priority free agent. 

Grade: B+


Kansas City Chiefs

Hits: First round pick LSU wide receiver Dwayne Bowe made remarkable strides as a senior after under-going lasic surgery to improve his sight.  Bowe gives the team the type of dynamic wide receiver that it's been lacking for so long.  Third round pick North Carolina State defensive tackle Tank Tyler was very good value for the team.  Tyler holds up well against the run and also possesses the ability to get into opponents backfields.  Fifth round pick Louisville running back Kolby Smith gives the team another tough runner who could potentially excel in their system, he also provides insurance against a Larry Johnson trade.  Sixth round pick Texas Christian offensive tackle Herbert Taylor lacks prototypical size for the position, but has first rate technical skills at offensive tackle.  If Taylor were 3 inches taller, I believe he would have been a first round pick.  Seventh round pick Whitworth tight end Michael Allen was a good gamble late, he has good athletic skills for the position and can be brought along slowly while learning from Tony Gonzalez. 

Misses: Second round pick Tennessee DT Turk McBride was a strange selection.  He likely could have been had later, and he's extremely undersized for the defensive tackle position meaning that the Chiefs will have to give him a shot at defensive end, where he lacks the speed to really excel.  Fifth round pick UCLA kicker Justin Medlock was a strange choice considering the much higher rated Mason Crosby was still available. 

Grade: B