channtheman
04-27-2009, 06:36 PM
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9501382/Grading-every-team's-NFL-Draft
Green Bay
The Packers are coming off a disappointing 6-10 season in which their rush defense ranked 26th in the NFL. Dom Capers is installing his 3-4 defense and GM Ted Thompson went for Boston College nose tackle B.J. Raji with his first pick — he's a quicker Gilbert Brown — and then made a big trade in order to draft USC outside linebacker Clay Matthews. With their holdovers and if both of these rookies produce as expected, the Packers' front seven should be solid this season.
LSU fullback Quinn Johnson is a converted former linebacker who isn't a bad lead blocker. Late picks such as Cincinnati cornerback Brandon Underwood and Colorado linebacker Brad Jones don't figure to make the final roster. Grade: C
Chicago
GM Jerry Angelo took the draft's first day off, but that's because he made his major move weeks ago when trading for Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, a proven performer. Based on his recent results, Angelo's trade for Cutler was undoubtedly better than any players he could have taken in the draft. If Cutler leads the Bears to the playoffs, this draft was a total success.
Oklahoma receiver Juaquin Iglesais was a solid pickup with the 99th overall selection. Some teams rated him in the second round. Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore is a very tough player despite his 5-9 frame. But the steal for the Bears could be San Jose State defensive end Jarron Gilbert, who was known for his You Tube video of being able to jump out of a swimming pool. Grade: B-
Detroit
OK, the fans booed the selection of Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, but the Lions loved his workouts and his big-league arm. Stafford does have some physical downside (poor footwork in the pocket), but the Lions are never going to win without a franchise quarterback. Yes, the Lions wanted to trade out of this pick, but there were no takers because of the guaranteed money ($41.7 million) involved with such a decision. The coaching staff wanted Stafford and that's good enough for me.
While the fans were still moaning about passing on defensive players, the Lions took the draft's best tight end in Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew at No. 20. He is a solid blocker. Western Michigan safety Louis Delmas was projected as the draft's top safety and he's a very aggressive tackler. I really liked the selection of Penn State receiver Derrick Williams, who can also help the kick return game. Williams was the high school player of the year in 2004.Cal linebacker Zack Follett and Nebraska offensive tackle Lydon Murtha both had super value in the seventh round. Grade: A
Minnesota
Oklahoma's Phil Loadholt is 6-8, 336 pounds. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
The Vikings added the draft's most intriguing playmaker in Florida's Percy Harvin, who has blistering speed and quickness, but also a positive marijuana test. Still, the drug issue didn't scare off Minnesota's coaching staff. Harvin could be a special weapon, considering Minnesota has the league's best running back in Adrian Peterson.
In the second round, the Vikings took mountainous offensive tackle Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma. Big Phil is 6-8, 336 pounds. South Carolina ILB Jasper Brinkley had third-round value but slid to the fifth round. Grade: C
I just copy/pasted the other 3 North teams but I haven't yet read them. I would have to disagree with the grade that Czarnecki gave the Packers. He ignored the 2 OT's we got and just kinda shrugged off the FB and both Matthews and Raji. Then he brings up that the 6th and 7th (right?) picks might not make the roster. All around a bad evaluation, IMO.
Green Bay
The Packers are coming off a disappointing 6-10 season in which their rush defense ranked 26th in the NFL. Dom Capers is installing his 3-4 defense and GM Ted Thompson went for Boston College nose tackle B.J. Raji with his first pick — he's a quicker Gilbert Brown — and then made a big trade in order to draft USC outside linebacker Clay Matthews. With their holdovers and if both of these rookies produce as expected, the Packers' front seven should be solid this season.
LSU fullback Quinn Johnson is a converted former linebacker who isn't a bad lead blocker. Late picks such as Cincinnati cornerback Brandon Underwood and Colorado linebacker Brad Jones don't figure to make the final roster. Grade: C
Chicago
GM Jerry Angelo took the draft's first day off, but that's because he made his major move weeks ago when trading for Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, a proven performer. Based on his recent results, Angelo's trade for Cutler was undoubtedly better than any players he could have taken in the draft. If Cutler leads the Bears to the playoffs, this draft was a total success.
Oklahoma receiver Juaquin Iglesais was a solid pickup with the 99th overall selection. Some teams rated him in the second round. Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore is a very tough player despite his 5-9 frame. But the steal for the Bears could be San Jose State defensive end Jarron Gilbert, who was known for his You Tube video of being able to jump out of a swimming pool. Grade: B-
Detroit
OK, the fans booed the selection of Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, but the Lions loved his workouts and his big-league arm. Stafford does have some physical downside (poor footwork in the pocket), but the Lions are never going to win without a franchise quarterback. Yes, the Lions wanted to trade out of this pick, but there were no takers because of the guaranteed money ($41.7 million) involved with such a decision. The coaching staff wanted Stafford and that's good enough for me.
While the fans were still moaning about passing on defensive players, the Lions took the draft's best tight end in Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew at No. 20. He is a solid blocker. Western Michigan safety Louis Delmas was projected as the draft's top safety and he's a very aggressive tackler. I really liked the selection of Penn State receiver Derrick Williams, who can also help the kick return game. Williams was the high school player of the year in 2004.Cal linebacker Zack Follett and Nebraska offensive tackle Lydon Murtha both had super value in the seventh round. Grade: A
Minnesota
Oklahoma's Phil Loadholt is 6-8, 336 pounds. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
The Vikings added the draft's most intriguing playmaker in Florida's Percy Harvin, who has blistering speed and quickness, but also a positive marijuana test. Still, the drug issue didn't scare off Minnesota's coaching staff. Harvin could be a special weapon, considering Minnesota has the league's best running back in Adrian Peterson.
In the second round, the Vikings took mountainous offensive tackle Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma. Big Phil is 6-8, 336 pounds. South Carolina ILB Jasper Brinkley had third-round value but slid to the fifth round. Grade: C
I just copy/pasted the other 3 North teams but I haven't yet read them. I would have to disagree with the grade that Czarnecki gave the Packers. He ignored the 2 OT's we got and just kinda shrugged off the FB and both Matthews and Raji. Then he brings up that the 6th and 7th (right?) picks might not make the roster. All around a bad evaluation, IMO.