NFC Draft Grades

Click here for 2011 AFC Draft Grades

Arizona Cardinals B+
Landing Patrick Peterson, arguably the draft’s top player, with the fifth pick was a steal. He has all the tools to be a shut down corner in the NFL, and should form one of the most exciting corner tandems in the league with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Ryan Williams’ quickness and big play ability should complement the power that Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower provide. TE Rob Housler in the third should give the quarterback a big, athletic option over the middle of the field and help open up the entire offense. On the third day, the Cards added two players on the defensive side of the ball with some intriguing upside. Sam Acho can get after the QB with a great motor, and Quan Sturdivant is an inside linebacker that has a nose for the football. There are still questions on the offensive line and at the quarterback position, but the Cardinals did a very good job this weekend upgrading the talent level throughout their team.

Atlanta Falcons B-
The Falcons draft is going to be judged solely on how well Julio Jones performs. He was drafted to immediately bring more size and playmaking ability opposite Roddy White, and he’ll need to perform immediately. He is a gamebreaker, but the Falcons gave up quite a bit to get him. They traded their 1st, 2nd, and 4th rounders this year, along with a 1st and 4th in 2012. Akeem Dent in the third round gives them an instinctive middle linebacker, and Jacquizz Rogers could be a steal in the fifth round. His quickness and receiving ability should allow him to see the field, and be a nice complement to Michael Turner.

Carolina Panthers C
This is another team whose draft will be determined on the success of their first selection. In taking Cam Newton at #1, the Panthers are gambling on his all world physical tools and the potential he has. There’s no denying the ways Newton can impact the game with his arm and legs, but there are questions about his fit as a pro style passer and his character. He’s the ultimate boom or bust player, and the Panthers went with the biggest upside player in the draft. After Newton, the Panthers selected two defensive tackles in the third round, South Florida’s Terrell McClain and Stanford’s Sione Fua. The two fit well together, as McClain has the quickness to be a disruptor and Fua the bulk and strength to control the run up the gut.

Chicago Bears B
The Bears drafted as well as anyone in the league with their first two picks. Not only did they fill obvious holes, but they got tremendous value with both players. OT Gabe Carimi in the first was a steal. He is a tough, physical player that could project on either side of the line, at tackle or guard. In the second round, they traded up for Stephen Paea. Landing him at 51 was excellent value and he should be able to step into the starting lineup and help right away. Of their final three picks, QB Nate Enderle is an intriguing developmental QB.

Dallas Cowboys B-
Dallas went the route many expected them to go, selecting USC OT Tyron Smith in the 1st round. His blend of natural athleticism, wingspan, and power should allow him to flourish on either side of the offensive line. Second round LB Bruce Carter is one of the more gifted athletes in the entire draft. Had he not suffered a knee injury late this season, he could have gone much higher. There is a certain level of risk drafting kid off a serious injury, but there is a lot of upside there as well. 3rd round RB DeMarco Murray is a questionable pick, not because of talent, but need. The Cowboys already three backs to split carries among, and Murray is just another body in the mix. The offensive line has been an issue for the past couple years, and the selection of David Arkin in the fourth round to go with Smith in the first is a nice way to build up the depth and talent on the line.

Detroit Lions A
Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh will be lining up next to each other on the field. That thought has to be frightening to opposing offenses. Landing Fairley at 13 was a flat out steal. The Lions moved around in the second round and landed two playmakers to the offense in WR Titus Young and RB Mikel LeShoure. Young gives the team an explosive weapon for the defense to worry about opposite Calvin Johnson, and LeShoure gives the team a big body between the tackles to team with Jahvid Best in the backfield. Adding these two talents in the second round to the talent the Lions already have is going to give the offense a completely different look. Matthew Stafford has to be ecstatic at the moment.

Green Bay Packers B
The defending champions sat patiently at the end of each round and waited for talent to slide to them. In the first round, they selected OT Derek Sherrod, getting solid value and landing their future left tackle. In the second round, they took WR Randall Cobb, who can do a little bit of everything. In an attempt to upgrade the RB position, the pack reached a bit on Hawaii’s Alex Green in the third, but bounced back in the fourth with a high upside pick in New Mexico State’s Davon House. He has all the tools to develop into a starter at the NFL level, and playing with a guy named Woodson could help him tremendously.

Minnesota Vikings C
Overall, the Vikings added a lot of talent to their roster. Their first five picks have the talent to start during their professional careers. However, the selection of Christian Ponder at 12 definitely raised some eyebrows. Their top choice, Jake Locker, came off the board before their pick but they were dead set on grabbing a QB. They reached for a need, and it set the tone for the rest of the draft at the QB spot. Ponder has talent, but not top 12 talent, and the Vikes should not count on him starting from day one. After that, they did a very good job drafting the best available player. Kyle Rudolph was very good value in the second, and will give Ponder a big target over the middle. Christian Ballard in the fourth was a flat out steal. He has 1st round ability, and will play behind some talented interior lineman while he develops his game. In the fifth and sixth rounds, they drafted CB Brandon Burton and OL Demarcus Love, both once projected as second rounders.

New Orleans Saints A-
The Saints hit a home run in the draft, even if they sacrificed next year’s 1st rounder in the process. Adding a DE like Cam Jordan to their front was tremendous value at 24. They then moved their 2nd round pick along with next years 1st to get RB Mark Ingram. He should bring much needed stability to the RB position, as well as a rather large talent upgrade. In the third round, they landed versatile LB Martez Wilson. A true physical specimen, Wilson could play inside or outside in the NFL, and may even be able to put his hand down in passing situations. With a second 3rd rounder, the Saints landed Johnny Patrick, whom many expected to come off the board in the second. To top it off, they went with big time upside in the 7th, selecting Pitt DE Greg Romeus. Romeus was a potential 1st rounder entering the season, but knee and back injuries derailed his senior year and crushed his draft stock. If healthy, he could be one of the guys you look at in five years as one of the biggest steals of this draft.

New York Giants A-
The front office of the Giants had themselves an excellent draft weekend. It started in the 1st round, where Prince Amukamara slipped to them at 19. In the 2nd round, Marvin Austin has 1st round talent but will need some time to develop his skills. In the 3rd round, Jerrel Jernigan is an exciting slot man and return man, and could provide an immediate boost of speed to the offense. In the 4th round, they landed James Brewer, a massive OT with very good natural athleticism and upside. Even in the 5th, they got great value in MLB Greg Jones, who just finds a way to get to the action. Somehow they managed to fill needs with players that have quite a bit of talent, even if some are projects that will need time.

Philadelphia Eagles C+
Danny Watkins was the Eagles 1st round pick, and he fills an immediate need inside at guard. He’ll be a 27 year old rookie, but he’s ready to make an impact right away. In the 2nd and 3rd rounds, they addressed the secondary with S Jaiquawn Jarrett and CB Curtis Marsh, although both were taken a bit early. Casey Matthews in the 4th is solid value, whose instincts and toughness should allow him to e a productive starter, even without ideal physical tools. Stanley Havili in the 7th is not your typical fullback, but his receiving and playmaking ability are special from the position.

San Francisco 49ers C+
The 9ers went with a bit of a surprise with the 7th pick, passing on Blaine Gabbert to select DE/OLB Aldon Smith of Missouri. Smith as big time upside as a pass rusher but may need some time to develop his skills. The second round brought another project, QB Colin Kaepernick. Jim Harbaugh could work wonders with the talented Kaepernick, but its going to take some time. 4th round RB Kendall Hunter and 6th round WR Ronald Johnson are third day picks that could surprise with their playmaking skills. The 49ers added some talent at key positions, but they may not get much production from their rookie crop this season.

Seattle Seahawks D
The Seahawks surprising playoff run pushed them down to the 25th pick. With that pick, they jumped the gun on OL James Carpenter. Carter brings some versatility and toughness but was not worth a 1st round selection. They traded down with their 2nd round selection, and took OL John Moffitt in the 3rd round. Two day three linebackers have potential: 4th round KJ Wright and 7th round Malcolm Smith. The Seahawks addressed the need on their offensive line, but may have reached in the process, and outside of that, didn’t add any instant impact performers.

St. Louis Rams B-
The Rams got one of the drafts elite pass rushers in Robert Quinn, and did so at pick 14. He should add an immediate upgrade to the defensive front with his speed and athleticism off the edge. The next three selections went to get Sam Bradford some weapons: TE Lance Kendricks, WR Austin Pettis, and WR Greg Salas. Neither Pettis or Salas are particularly explosive, but they know how to get open and catch the football. Bradford had an impressive rookie season despite a lack of receiving weapons, but the Rams made it a priority this weekend, and did a solid job getting him some weapons.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers A
The Bucs had a dire need for help at defensive end, making it a priority this weekend. In the 1st round, they selected Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn, who entered the season as a potential top ten pick. In the 2nd round, they may get one of the draft’s biggest steals if his knee holds up. Da’Quan Bowers was considered for the top overall pick just a month ago, until questions about a knee injury popped up. In the second round, the gamble was well worth it. Bowers and Clayborn could form a devastating front four with last years top two selections, Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. The collection of talent did not end there. In the 3rd round, the Bucs landed Mason Foster, who could push for immediate playing time. On day three, they added physical TE Luke Stocker, heady S Ahmad Black, and a powerful back with some speed in Allen Bradford. The Bucs took some risks, but landed big time talent at positions of need, and should be very happy with their haul this weekend.

Washington Redskins C-
The Skins had a few glaring holes, so there were a number of ways they could go and still fill needs. Surprisingly, they traded down when they had the chance to grab Blaine Gabbert, and ended up with DE/OLB Ryan Kerrigan. In the 2nd round, they again addressed the front seven, this time going for a slight reach in DL Jarvis Jenkins. Leonard Hankerson finally gave them a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball, and provided solid value at that point. The Skins got tougher in the front seven and added a wideout, but not much else. It was impossible to address every need, but passing on Gabbert could be something they regret down the road.