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Draft Gradings:

Raider_69

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61,174
Not to compete with Mick who is doing a great break down of each pick.
Im going to give my run down of each team briefly and give an over all grade.
This wont take into account UDFA

Ill also state i dont watch much tape, mostly i rely on scouting reports mostly and i like to read a lot of them. So i guess my opinion is based mostly off other opinions. I welcome any thoughts :cool:

Arizona Cardinals: B
I like most of their picks. Floyd is a great choice. They found value in the middle rounds on the OL, Potter in the 7th is a really nice pick up. Didnt really like the Jamell Fleming pick. thought there were better prospects on the board.

Atlanta Falcons: D
Up and down draft for mine. They got a nice piece in Konz at value and i dont mind the Massaquoi pick. Dont care for the Ewing pick, massive reach. They gave up a lot for Julio Jones, i guess an average draft is the cost of that

Baltimore Ravens: B
Same old Ravens, always finding value. Upshaw is a stud pick. And they hit on all their late rounders, i like the NT Tyson with their last pick. Really strong value and great chance to be a contributor. The rest were typical Ozzie, no massive reaches and all players who fit their system. Solid as always

Buffalo Bills: A
Hard to fault this draft. Some dont like the Gilmore pick, i do. Glenn is a fantastic pick up, as is Sanders. The rest were pretty good value picks until #178 and #251. Neither inspire me and i doubt either amount to much, but worthy of a pick and thats the nature of the beast in the late rounds.

Carolina Panthers: A
Strong draft. One of the winners of this years draft. Frank Alexander doesnt interest me as a prospect but Kuechley, Silatolu, Adams are all great selections. And i am a huge fan of Josh Norman. Strong draft

Cincinati Bengals: A+
This might be the best draft in 2012. Sanu, Thompson, Charles, Still, Kirkpatrick. All quality players. Not as sold on Zeitler, good player and a potential start, though there were better prospects on the board, Glenn being one. Great value in Jones and Iloka in the late rounds. The bengals are here to stay guys.

Cleveland Browns: F
What on earth. Richardson is a great pick. But it gets ugly after that. Weeden was a panic pick. And then when they had the chance they still didnt give him any weapons. They got some value late but those late round picks rarely pan out. Really bad draft for them. It could have been so good. Jerry Hughes is a particular head scratcher.

Dallas Cowboys: C
Hard to knock the Claiborne pick. He's the drafts top defensive player for a woeful backfield. And i like the Hanna pick, could be groomed as a potential Witten replacement. None of the other moves impress me. Those two are crackers though and will save the draft.

Denver Broncos: D
I dont like it. Wolfe isnt a 2nd rounder imo, better DT's on the board. Osweiler has talent but when you sign Manning, i think you're win now and that isnt a win now move. I think they should have given manning some more weapons.

Detroit Lions: B
Reiff is a great pick at 23. They are just trolling us by putting Ryan Broyles in this offense. Ronnell Lewis fits them well and Bently will compete as starter by 2013. The rest was average imo. Travis Lewis might be the steal of the draft in the 7th though.

Green Bay Packers: B
The top end was great, Perry and Worthy fill big needs and could take that D back to the top of the tree, The later rounds were solid for them, but i particularly Datko, who was great value in a need position.
 

Raider_69

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61,174
Houston Texan: C
Really up and down. I love Crick, awesome pick, really shocked he fell that far. Mercilus is interesting, ill be keen to see how they use him. And Brooks is just ok to me. Posley is a strange one and i think they struggled to find anything worth mentioning in the late rounds (Crick aside). I expected more.

Indianapolis Colts: A
All they had to do to get an A from me was not screw up the Luck pick. He's the best college QB in decades. Then they paired him with his Stanford BBF Flenner and added Allen. Their D is going to struggle but with Luck, Allen, Fleener and Wayne, they'll be exciting to watch i recon. Really this should be a B, or maybe even C. But they got Luck and Fleener. Thats an A.

Jacksonville Jaguars: F
Blackmon is good, he's not THAT good though. Taking a punter in the 3rd? Wrong Brandon Marshall i think. Sometimes you've got to understand that bad teams will always be bad teams. Jacksonville are an example of that. Dreadful draft Blackmon aside.

Kansas City Cheifs: D
Poe is not the best defensive tackle in this draft. And nothing else about their drafts excites me a great deal. There is some potential there, particularly in Gray and Allen who i think will both make the team and contribute. But i just think they could have done a lot better job. They left some talent on the board imo.

Miami Dolphins: B
This draft will be defined by Tannehill. If he's good its a good draft, if he's not, its horrible. Martin is a nice selection of value. Miller, well i'm not sure why he slid but the Dolphins did great and with their last pick they got someone with high upside at the WR position. Engew is an interesting prospect. I think he might pan out for them. Based on Tannehill, this could in years go up to an A or down to an F.

Minnesota Vikings: A
Liked it a lot. They played the board well, moved up and down to secure the guys they wanted. Got Kalil, got Harrison. Both huge needs. Hit big on Josh Robinson imo, and got genuine quality and value in the late rounds. The GM there should be very happy with how this went, they really got some players they can build around. 2 more drafts like this and the Vikes might be a contender.


New England Patriots: C
Strange to be grading a Pats draft a solid C. Its Bill so in years to come it will probably be an A++. Love the Jones and Hightower picks. About time they used their 2 First rounders and really improved their D. The middle was pretty ordinary imo. No one i think will pan out to be someone. But getting Dennard in the 7th was absolute joke, typical joke Bill pulls on the league. 2 months ago he was a potential 1st rounder.

New Orleans Saints: D
Ingram cost them and so did bounty-gate. Like the Falcons, the price of their actions previously was a pretty ordinary draft. Toon was a really solid pick and i think he could be productive in their system. They got some project players who have some potential to be good. But i think the only player of note from this class is Toon. Not far off an F imo.
 
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Raider_69

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61,174
New York Giants: B
Typical Giants draft. They just take the BPA and figure it all out later. They reach a bit for a need with Wilson but thats ok. They come back and got Randle who is exceptional value. Hosley is another good value guy despite pot smoking, and Mosley is a really good OT prospect who i think will develop into a quality starter. Always solid drafting from the giants. They take the BPA and make it work. Big part of why they are SB champs.

New York Jets: D
Not a fan. Couples is a big bust imo. The only players they drafted that i think will develop into starting players is Steven Hill, who is a tremendous pick and something i could be one of the games best WR's in a few years time. And Antonio Allen, who they could get a really strong player for the cost of a seventh rounder. He's a 3rd round talent imo. Would have loved him to land in Philly but obviously there was some reason he fell.

Oakland Raiders: C
They didnt have a lot to work with, but they did ok with what they had. Criner is an interesting prospect, ill be keen to see how he goes. And i like Bergstrom who gives them versatility on the line. Nothing else jumps out at me worth commenting on, some players who can go in and compete at training camp but i dont think they improved themselves greatly. Maybe the last bad draft they can blame on Crazy Al...

Philadelphia Eagles: A+
Ok im biased. But what a draft. They covet Cox, they got him, and only gave up a 6th and 4th to do it. They then come back and grab Kendricks who is a really strong player for a need in the LB core. Vinny Curry might be the best pick of this draft for the Eagles. What a steal. Foles im warming too but he's the only pick i dont like. Boykin as a RS and slot CB just fits this scheme so well. Washington and Mc Nutt are two of the other real value picks. If you formed a list of the leagues best draft, the eagles would be in the top 3.

Pittsburgh Steelers: B
Like the Giants and Ravens. Just you run of the mill solid to good draft by the Steelers. It doesnt knock you off your feet but it probably will in a few years. DeCastro, how did he fall to them? Another example of good teams making bad teams pay. Adams is no LT yet, but he will be in a year or so. They got a return specialist, a long term prospect at NT and made Big Ben's life easier. There is a reason some teams always stay good.

San Diago Chargers: A+
What a draft for them. Ingram falls into their lap and then they double up at Kendall Reyes. Instantly their D looks better. With Gates getting on, they take a monster at TE in Ladarius Green, that helps Rivers. And they pick up a solid Safety prospect, aswell as late round gems at Centre and provided some depth at RB with Baker.

San Francisco 49ers: C
It was ok. Jenkins is a reach, no two ways about it, if you like him, move down, collect picks and draft him later. Whilst i like James as a RB, im not sure he will be best used in the Niners system. Looney i like, fits them well. Good pick. Same with the S Robinson. Cam Johnson is absurd in tge 7th round, makes me wonder why he fell so far. It was just ok for me. Harbough is a good coach so he'll get more out of this class than i expect but on paper, its not great.

Seattle Seahawks: F
My god. What is wrong here? Irvin as a first rounder? No way. Like the niners, if you like him, trade back, collect picks, get him later. Wagner is the only player in the group that i think can be an immediate impact starter. A lot of project guys in there who COULD be something but all of them could amount to nothing. They got no sure thing in this draft. Pete Carroll is certifiable. IMO of course.

St Louis Rams: A
Its a risky draft, but i think somehow it will pan out nicely. Jenkins is a top 15 talent, he always produces on the field. As long as his head is right he will be a real star in that secondary. Im not sure Brockers fits them perfectly but his upside is pretty special. Trumane Johnson in a secondary as bad as theirs is a great find. Givens and Quick give Bradford some new toys, we'll see how they pan out. I think Hill is better than Quick but to each there own. The Rams got better this draft no question.

Tampa Bay Bucs: B
I liked it alot. This is a team that will be a big improver. Barron is a nice pick, bit too early for mine. Martin is a nice pick for a side with Blount as the lead RB. David is a fantastic pick, he's a great pick up. Im not as big on Tandy as some. I think their first three picks are going to add to their FA signings and their division will be a really tough one this year.

Tennessee Titans: C
I like the Kendall Wright pick, that gives them someone opposite Britt. He can blow the top off. Which will open things up for others, CJ will benefit most, think the DeSean Jackson-Shady factor. Brown is fast and thats it, struggles to disengage and a poor tackler. I like the Safety Martin as a decent back up for them. They addressed needs but aside from Wright and DT Martin, no one who will make an immediate impact. In some years this mind be a good pick

Washington Redskins: A
Much like the Colts, its an A only for RG3. They needed a franchise QB and boy do they have one. They improved the Oline, which is exactly what they should have done after bringing in RG3. Nothing else really impresses me, but RG3 impresses me enough to make this an A. A redskin revival might be on the cards, and with the moves other NFC E teams have made, that division might well return itself to the crown of toughest division in football.
 
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Big Mick

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The head scratcher for me was the Lions passed on Peter Konz in the 2nd round.

Instead of Broyles they could have gone Reiff and Konz 1 + 2 and both with first round grades would have been an instant A.

You fill a need and get Reiff to replace Backus next year then Konz to replace Raolia (butchered the spelling). Then you could have picked up Broyles in the 3rd or a Marvin Jones later on....Broyles was a reach there.
 

Big Mick

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26,239
The Texans draft is one I look at and go...yeah not bad.

But then you look in depth at each pick. Getting Mercilus who is a one year wonder to transition from DE to OLB and even then will likely be the 3rd player in rotation behind Reed and Barwin...so spending a 1st rounder on rotation player.

Then in the 3rd getting Posey who IMO is massive overrated and wont stretch the field.

Brandon Brooks I like and fills a need. Ben Jones...yeah I don't rate him.

Keshawn Martin to me is just a guy. #3-4 WR at best.

Jared Crick I love but I'm not sure he has the size to fit as a 3-4 DE in the Texans defense and even so is behind JJ Watt and Antonio Smith. But still get value.

Then a kicker and mediocre tackle.

So while on face value it looks ok...I think the only picks that I really like as value are Crick pick and even then I'm unsure as to what the fit will be and Brandon Brooks.
 

Big Mick

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26,239
I think the Colts picked really well.

Their first 6 picks are all going to be hits imo.

After that it is a crapshoot.
 

Dogs Of War

Coach
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12,718
Bengals took Zeitler cause he is better against the run. I think the plan given how many DL guys we have now is to trade Pat Sims out of the club, as there is no reason to keep this many DL guys on the roster, when we could have depth at CB or WR (and given how many of those we drafted, there is no reason not to keep a competition going in those areas).
 

Dogs Of War

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12,718
I think the Colts picked really well.

Their first 6 picks are all going to be hits imo.

After that it is a crapshoot.

I like what the Colts did. Build a offence, giving Luck all the opportunity to succeed, and look to the defence in the next couple of years when Luck is just hitting his stride.
 

Ron Jeremy

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25,664
'Hard to fault this draft. Some dont like the Gilmore pick, i do. Glenn is a fantastic pick up, as is Sanders. The rest were pretty good value picks until #178 and #251. Neither inspire me and i doubt either amount to much, but worthy of a pick and thats the nature of the beast in the late rounds.'

I read that the opposition only had something like a 16% completion rate when throwing Gilmores way, very impressive stat, he's a gun.

I caanot get over getting Glenn, awesome, better then Reiff imo.
 

Jono078

Referee
Messages
21,112
People seem mixed on the Vikings draft.

Our first 2 picks no one denies, the rest seem solid except for the kicker. Potentially a wasted pick.

But our GM is one of the best in the league, wouldn't want any other. Rick Spielman has been the man for years now doing great things. The only big risk he's taken has been on Ponder last year.
 

DC_fan

Coach
Messages
11,980
Dallas Cowboys: C
Hard to knock the Claiborne pick. He's the drafts top defensive player for a woeful backfield. And i like the Hanna pick, could be groomed as a potential Witten replacement. None of the other moves impress me. Those two are crackers though and will save the draft.

Your C is better then a D I saw one expert give. But not quite as good as the A that Mike Lombardi of the NFL network.

The Dallas draft is starting to grow one me. I believe the Cowboys went in to the draft with a plan and stuck to it. It was all based around defense. What people need to remember is that Ron Ryan uses a number of different def formations. The 3-4 obviously is the base, but I would think we are going to see the Cowboys use the 4-2-5 a lot. The way I look at it the draft was as much about that as anything else.

This is where the selection of Crawford I believe comes in to play. I expect him to be a factor in the pass rush as a DE in the 4-2-5. Claibornes pick gives us four good corners. Wilber will be a part of the OLB rotation and could replace Spencer in 2013.

I wouldn't rate Cowboys draft an A or D. For mine it's a B.
 

Big Mick

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26,239
'Hard to fault this draft. Some dont like the Gilmore pick, i do. Glenn is a fantastic pick up, as is Sanders. The rest were pretty good value picks until #178 and #251. Neither inspire me and i doubt either amount to much, but worthy of a pick and thats the nature of the beast in the late rounds.'

I read that the opposition only had something like a 16% completion rate when throwing Gilmores way, very impressive stat, he's a gun.

I caanot get over getting Glenn, awesome, better then Reiff imo.

Alot of people say Glenn may not play LT.

Lets think who he DID play LT against this year and played quite well...the opposition was a LOT better than what Kalil faced..
 

abpanther

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Glenn won't play LT, hell i don't know if he can play RT. Watch his tape, his a massive phonebooth guy with long arms but bad feet, pass rushers will eat him up alive on the outside.
 

Eddie Lab

Juniors
Messages
2,410
I like the panthers draft with the exception of trading away the 3rd rounder for 2013. I've read a few reviews on it but the best description I've read is un-sexy but exactly what was needed.
 

Big Mick

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26,239
Glenn won't play LT, hell i don't know if he can play RT. Watch his tape, his a massive phonebooth guy with long arms but bad feet, pass rushers will eat him up alive on the outside.

He held his own against the toughest college conference.

I did watch his tape. He didn't do terribly

And he can definitely play RT at a pinch.

At any case...who cares. If he plays RG...it gives us one of the best Interior lines in football with Levitre - Wood - Glenn. And Glenn isn't a reach at all for an elite guard in the 2nd round.

Wherever he plays, it is still great value.
 

dogslife

Coach
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18,559
Happy we ended up with Konz, top rated center in the draft, will probably be an instant starter at guard this year and move to center once Todd McClure retires which will probably be at the end of this season. Don't really know much about the other picks, just happy we've got options on our O-line now
 

abpanther

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Staff member
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20,784
He held his own against the toughest college conference.

I did watch his tape. He didn't do terribly

And he can definitely play RT at a pinch.

At any case...who cares. If he plays RG...it gives us one of the best Interior lines in football with Levitre - Wood - Glenn. And Glenn isn't a reach at all for an elite guard in the 2nd round.

Wherever he plays, it is still great value.

Of course it matters, it explains why he went in Round 2.

If teams thought he could play LT he would went in the first.

I think he will be a very good RG
 

Big Mick

Referee
Messages
26,239
Happy we ended up with Konz, top rated center in the draft, will probably be an instant starter at guard this year and move to center once Todd McClure retires which will probably be at the end of this season. Don't really know much about the other picks, just happy we've got options on our O-line now

Check the other thread. I've done the Falcons already.
 
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