sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
NFL Draft grades: Lions, Patriots ace their tests; Jets swing and miss
Clifton Brown
Sporting News
There were trades. There were surprises. And now that the NFL Draft is over, it’s time to dispense the grades.
Lions: A +
With Nick Fairley joining Ndamukong Suh, the Lions’ defensive line will give quarterbacks nightmares. Titus Young and Mikel Leshoure are both offensive playmakers.
Patriots: A+
No pass rusher, but a slew of talented players led by Nate Solder, Ras-I Dowling, Shane Vereen and Ryan Mallett. Plus they have two picks next year in both the first and second rounds.
Buccaneers: A
They got a huge gift when Da’Quan Bowers fell to them at No. 51 to join Adrian Clayborn on the defensive line. Their draft is loaded with talented players.
Bengals: A
Getting quarterback Andy Dalton in Round 2 was critical and wide receiver A. J. Green should be a star. Maybe Carson Palmer will change his mind?
Packers : A–
Batted from the last spot in the draft, yet still hit a home run. Getting Derek Sherrod and Randall Cobb adds depth to a team already stacked.
Broncos: B +
Von Miller and Rahim Moore will upgrade a defense that desperately needs it, and Orlando Franklin will help the offensive line.
Texans: B +
Love those defensive players with their first five picks. If J.J. Watt, Brooks Reed and Brandon Harris are all legit, they could finally make the playoffs.
Titans: B +
Taking Jake Locker eighth took guts, but they like him and getting a quarterback is crucial. Then the Titans followed with two quality picks - Akeem Ayers and Jurrell Casey.
Ravens: B +
Jimmy Smith should step in as a starting corner, and wide receivers Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss give Joe Flacco speed receivers.
Browns: B +
Landed a boatload of picks in a trade with the Falcons, plus two defensive linemen (Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard) and an intriguing wide receiver (Greg Little).
Saints: B
Cameron Jordan upgrades the pass rush and Mark Ingram joins a potent offense in which he could become the featured back.
Bills: B
Counting on Ryan Fitzpatrick as their quarterback, they went heavy on defense. Tackle Marcell Dareus could be a star.
Cardinals: B
Patrick Peterson gives them a quality corner and Ryan Williams adds backfield depth. Now they need a quarterback.
Panthers: B
Taking Cam Newton was the right move for a team needing new direction. Terrell McClain and Sione Fua will help the defensive line.
Steelers: B
They continue to pick well from the bottom of the board. Cam Hewyard, Marcus Gilbert and Curtis Brown all look NFL-ready.
Rams: B
The Detroit Lions were big winners in the NFL Draft, in part because of their first-round pick of Nick Fairley. (AP Photo)
Two wide receiver prospects to help quarterback Sam Bradford, plus a pass-rushing defensive end in Robert Quinn made it a good weekend.
Bears: B-
An offensive lineman they needed (Gabe Carimi) fell to them, and defensive tackle Stephen Paea was good value in Round 2.
Colts: B-
They got two offensive linemen, Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana, to protect the franchise, Peyton Manning.
Chiefs: B-
Two third-round picks could be steals, linebacker Justin Houston and defensive end Allen Bailey. WR Jonathan Baldwin can get deep.
Giants: B-
Getting defensive tackle Marvin Austin in the second round could be huge, and they were fortunate to have cornerback Prince Amukamara fall to them.
Vikings: C+
Their draft depends on Christian Ponder developing into a starting quarterback they can win with. If he doesn’t pan out, they will regret not taking Nick Fairley or Robert Quinn.
Falcons: C+
You could argue that they gave up too much for Julio Jones. You could also argue his playmaking skill as a receiver was worth it. We’ll see.
Chargers: C+
Tackle Corey Liuget should help the defensive line, and general manager A.J. Smith’s history suggests that some of his other picks will pan out.
49ers: C+
They got a pass rusher (Aldon Smith) and smartly traded up to get quarterback (Colin Kaepernick). Problem is, he’s not ready to start right away. Maybe Blaine Gabbert would have been.
Redskins: C+
Instead of trading picks, they acquired some and the philosophy worked. Ryan Kerrigan will aid the pass rush. But they still need a quarterback.
Cowboys: C
They got offensive tackle Tyron Smith in the first round, but a pass rusher out of this draft would have been nice.
Dolphins: C-
Mike Pouncey will help the offensive line, but can Daniel Thomas take over at running back if they lose both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown? There is also no quarterback to push Chad Henne.
Eagles: C-
Danny Watkins will help the offensive line, but they could have used a pass rusher, and some of their defensive picks may have been reaches.
Jaguars: D
Blaine Gabbert is their quarterback of the future, but in the present, they still need more help to become a playoff team.
Jets: D
Not having a second-round pick hurt them, and they took a major risk on third-rounder Kenrick Ellis, who has serious legal issues.
Raiders: D
All of their first three picks looked like reaches. Perhaps running back Taiwan Jones (fourth round), the Combine’s fastest player, will provide a few big plays.
Seahawks: D
Their decision not to pick quarterback Andy Dalton could haunt them, especially if Matt Hasselbeck leaves. Could go from first to worst in NFC West.
Clifton Brown
Sporting News
There were trades. There were surprises. And now that the NFL Draft is over, it’s time to dispense the grades.
Lions: A +
With Nick Fairley joining Ndamukong Suh, the Lions’ defensive line will give quarterbacks nightmares. Titus Young and Mikel Leshoure are both offensive playmakers.
Patriots: A+
No pass rusher, but a slew of talented players led by Nate Solder, Ras-I Dowling, Shane Vereen and Ryan Mallett. Plus they have two picks next year in both the first and second rounds.
Buccaneers: A
They got a huge gift when Da’Quan Bowers fell to them at No. 51 to join Adrian Clayborn on the defensive line. Their draft is loaded with talented players.
Bengals: A
Getting quarterback Andy Dalton in Round 2 was critical and wide receiver A. J. Green should be a star. Maybe Carson Palmer will change his mind?
Packers : A–
Batted from the last spot in the draft, yet still hit a home run. Getting Derek Sherrod and Randall Cobb adds depth to a team already stacked.
Broncos: B +
Von Miller and Rahim Moore will upgrade a defense that desperately needs it, and Orlando Franklin will help the offensive line.
Texans: B +
Love those defensive players with their first five picks. If J.J. Watt, Brooks Reed and Brandon Harris are all legit, they could finally make the playoffs.
Titans: B +
Taking Jake Locker eighth took guts, but they like him and getting a quarterback is crucial. Then the Titans followed with two quality picks - Akeem Ayers and Jurrell Casey.
Ravens: B +
Jimmy Smith should step in as a starting corner, and wide receivers Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss give Joe Flacco speed receivers.
Browns: B +
Landed a boatload of picks in a trade with the Falcons, plus two defensive linemen (Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard) and an intriguing wide receiver (Greg Little).
Saints: B
Cameron Jordan upgrades the pass rush and Mark Ingram joins a potent offense in which he could become the featured back.
Bills: B
Counting on Ryan Fitzpatrick as their quarterback, they went heavy on defense. Tackle Marcell Dareus could be a star.
Cardinals: B
Patrick Peterson gives them a quality corner and Ryan Williams adds backfield depth. Now they need a quarterback.
Panthers: B
Taking Cam Newton was the right move for a team needing new direction. Terrell McClain and Sione Fua will help the defensive line.
Steelers: B
They continue to pick well from the bottom of the board. Cam Hewyard, Marcus Gilbert and Curtis Brown all look NFL-ready.
Rams: B
The Detroit Lions were big winners in the NFL Draft, in part because of their first-round pick of Nick Fairley. (AP Photo)
Two wide receiver prospects to help quarterback Sam Bradford, plus a pass-rushing defensive end in Robert Quinn made it a good weekend.
Bears: B-
An offensive lineman they needed (Gabe Carimi) fell to them, and defensive tackle Stephen Paea was good value in Round 2.
Colts: B-
They got two offensive linemen, Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana, to protect the franchise, Peyton Manning.
Chiefs: B-
Two third-round picks could be steals, linebacker Justin Houston and defensive end Allen Bailey. WR Jonathan Baldwin can get deep.
Giants: B-
Getting defensive tackle Marvin Austin in the second round could be huge, and they were fortunate to have cornerback Prince Amukamara fall to them.
Vikings: C+
Their draft depends on Christian Ponder developing into a starting quarterback they can win with. If he doesn’t pan out, they will regret not taking Nick Fairley or Robert Quinn.
Falcons: C+
You could argue that they gave up too much for Julio Jones. You could also argue his playmaking skill as a receiver was worth it. We’ll see.
Chargers: C+
Tackle Corey Liuget should help the defensive line, and general manager A.J. Smith’s history suggests that some of his other picks will pan out.
49ers: C+
They got a pass rusher (Aldon Smith) and smartly traded up to get quarterback (Colin Kaepernick). Problem is, he’s not ready to start right away. Maybe Blaine Gabbert would have been.
Redskins: C+
Instead of trading picks, they acquired some and the philosophy worked. Ryan Kerrigan will aid the pass rush. But they still need a quarterback.
Cowboys: C
They got offensive tackle Tyron Smith in the first round, but a pass rusher out of this draft would have been nice.
Dolphins: C-
Mike Pouncey will help the offensive line, but can Daniel Thomas take over at running back if they lose both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown? There is also no quarterback to push Chad Henne.
Eagles: C-
Danny Watkins will help the offensive line, but they could have used a pass rusher, and some of their defensive picks may have been reaches.
Jaguars: D
Blaine Gabbert is their quarterback of the future, but in the present, they still need more help to become a playoff team.
Jets: D
Not having a second-round pick hurt them, and they took a major risk on third-rounder Kenrick Ellis, who has serious legal issues.
Raiders: D
All of their first three picks looked like reaches. Perhaps running back Taiwan Jones (fourth round), the Combine’s fastest player, will provide a few big plays.
Seahawks: D
Their decision not to pick quarterback Andy Dalton could haunt them, especially if Matt Hasselbeck leaves. Could go from first to worst in NFC West.
