Finally a chance to scratch the itch in the center of my back that is the NFL; the always interesting draft wasn't necessarily sexy this time around, but it did have me screaming at the TV at times, and others, just flat out scratching my head. Let start with the AFC Winners...
Buffalo addressed a key issue by selecting probably the best cornerback in the draft, Troy State's Leodis McKelvin and a big receiver in 6'5" James Hardy out of Indiana. The knock on Mckelvin is that he has bad hands, but he's a DB...so what!
Grade: A
When your offensive line gives up a league worst 117 sacks in two seasons, it would be prudent to draft a huge man child out of Idaho...OT, Ryan Clady out of Boise State was a great pick. Denver brass also addressed their WR concerns by selecting Eric Royal from VT. He's a little small though; may be a return guy before long.
Grade: B+Houston Texans: Simply put, Houston went into the draft to shore up their offensive line so they chose Duane Brown out of Blacksburg, VA. Good move. Look for the Texans to address backfield concerns in the later rounds.
Grade: B
KC may have had the best day in the draft thus far. Going into the day, they knew they would have to fill the void left by Jared Allen, so I give them tons of credit for no brainer Glenn Dorsey at pick 5. Trading with Det. to get the 15th pick and stealing offensive lineman Branden Albert was a great move as well. But after listening to Herm Edwards in post draft interviews, they may have selected Brandon Flowers to trade for a more potent defensive weapon.
Grade: A
So you know we were already geeked about Parcells preemptive strike (see April 25th entry), so we're waiting to see what else this guy is gonna do. First pick out of the second round, he picks the DE that JAX should have chosen in the first round, Phillip Merling out of Clemson. Then in the end, he grabs Michigan's Chad Henne off the couch with the 57th pick.
Note: Don't be surprised if MIA and ATL aren't forever linked because of their quarterback picks, and each organizations backstory to grab Parcells to build infrastructure.
Grade: A
Even though they could have kept their high pick, and chosen a super stud RB or CB, the ever shrewd Patriot organization traded their pick so they could move down and address their nursing home issues at LB. Jerod Mayo out of Tennessee goes at number 10. CB Terrence Wheatley gets the nod in the second round (Hope you can fill Asante's shoes Mr. Wheatley).
Grade: B+
With the loss of Jonathan Vilma and a shot down offense, GangGreen needed to show the hometown faithful that they had a plan going into Saturday, and they did. With the 6th and 30th pick, they grab Vernon Gholston (DE/OLB) and Dustin Keller (TE). Some don't like these picks...Here's why I do: Mangini comes from LB Boot Camp (New England), so I'm not concerned with Gholston's work ethic; they'll coach him up. As for Keller, don't scratch your head. He runs a 4.5, has Dallas Clark type skills and the Titans SHOULD HAVE CHOSEN HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!
Grade: B+
Steel City, stand up; You just got the steal of the draft. Six teams (BAL, ATL, ARI, CAR, CHI) with glaring backfield issues picked before you and they still didn't see Rashard Mendenhall on the board. Draft Rule Number One idiots: PICK THE BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE! PGH also snuck Limus Sweed out the building...cry now Tennessee.
Grade: A+
This team is already built to win. Not many holes on any front, except in that secondary. DB, Antoine Cason goes at 27.
Grade: B
AFC Losers...
Hey Ozzie...Your LB's are old, your DLine is old, your OLine is old, your backfield is supsect, and your WR's are old...You just got Troy Smith, and Kyle Bowler just settled into his backup role...Your team was 13-3 2 years ago, aaaaannnnd you drafted another unproven quarterback in the first round (out of Motha-effin UD!) that it will take AT LEAST 3 years to develop??? Your team aint got that kinda time. They're built for the right now! Then you get a third tier back out of Rutgers. I'll just continue omitting the agent here...Readers, I hope you know who their picks were. I'm too embarrassed to name them.
Grade: C-
In the words of Don Corleone "How did things ever get so far?" Only two years ago, Cincinnati was an elite team in the AFC conference with one of the best Wideout tandems in the league...I guess that's the reason the management said eff it and got character guys that don't solve any on field challenges. When Keith Rivers was chosen, did you see the Nati faithful??? No reaction. Marvin Lewis can blow all the smoke he wants, this pick will not help them. Then a receiver, Jerome Simpson, out of Coastal Carolina to fill Chris Henry's role or protect them in the event Chad Johnson sits? Oh brother!
Grade: C
okokok...I'm no GM, but tell me if this makes sense: You give up your stud DE (Marcus Stroud) for third and fifth round picks, only to deal two third round picks and a seventh rounder for an iffy DE (Derrick Harvey) out of Florida??? He wasn't even the best pick available!!! Better pick with Quentin Groves though.
Grade: C-
That's right, that is a Raider helmet you see. I'm sorry, but I'm not sold on Darren McFadden. Maybe because I was sold on Lawrence Phillips and Mauriece Clarrett, so on the third time, shame on them. Also, RaiderNation doesn't do well with bad boys (see Randy Moss). By the way, there's nothing wrong with Oakland's backfield now. Hope I'm wrong, kid's got a winning smile.
Grade: C
Tennessee Titans
Okay, you got a game breaking, confident, young (no pun intended) QB, a good looking defense (ranked 5th in Total Defense in '07), and a decent running game, you were dead last in the league in TD passes (9) and you select a double duty RB (Chris Johnson) and a DE (Jason Jones)??? Hey 'Skins fans...thank the nice Tennessee front office people for your new receiving corps.
Grade: D
I'll put out the NFC version later today...
D-Con
Since 2000, 22 defenseive players have been drafted out of the PAC 10 in the 1st or 2nd rounds and the league has hit or miss. Three are no longer in the league... 
