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So over the weekend we experienced the pinnacle of football season, other than the Super Bowl.  It was the draft.  252 players getting drafted across the NFL.  252 players all with different talent and skill levels.  Here we grade the teams based on their picks.

The players are numbered according to when they were drafted.

We start with the AFC East.

Miami Dolphins

1. Jake Long OT, Michigan

32. Philip Merling DE, Clemson

57. Chad Henne QB, Michigan 

66. Kendall Langford DT, Hampton

110. Shawn Murphy OT, Utah State

176. Jalen Pamele RB, Toledo

195. Donald Thomas G, Connecticut

204. Lex Hilliard RB, Montana

245. Lionel Dotson DE, Arizona

 The Dolphins addressed some of their more pressing needs, DEs, O-linemen, and especially QB, but the RB pick is a little confusing to understand considering the vast they have in Ronnie Brownand Ricky Williams.  THey could have picked more according to their needs, regardless of how deep some of their picks came. They needed a CB, WR, and a S, they could have used one of their picks n that, instead of chosing 2 RBs.

Overall grade: B-

New England Patriots

10. Jerod Mayo OLB, Tennessee

62. Terence Wheatley CB, Colorado

78. Shawn Crabel OLB, Michigan

94. Kevin O'Connell QB, San Diego State

129. Jonathan Wilhite CB, Auburn

153. Matt Slater WR, UCLA

197. Bo Ruud OLB, Nebraska

The Pats addressed some pressing needs on defense.  They needed to get younger and with all but 2 selections being on defense, expect a younger, quicker defense to make the offense look even better.  O'Connell will be a better backup than Cassell is, so that pick wasnt wasted, and another WR catching all fo those BRady TDs wont hurt either.  This is the draft of a champion.

Overall grade: A

New York Jets

6. Vernon Gholston DE, Ohio State

30. Dustin Keller TE, Purdue

113. Dwight Lowery CB, San Jose State

162. Erik Ainge QB , Tennessee

171. Marcus Henry WR, Kansas

211. Nate Garner OT, Arkansas

The Jets addressed some very pressing needs: QB, WR, TE, but beyond that, they did little to solidify their defense.  Yes Gholston will help, but with losing Vilma and others to trades and free agency, the Jets D will be too young to amke an impact on top AFC offenses liek INdy, SD, or NE.

Overall grade: C-

Buffalo Bills

11. Leodis McKelvin CB, Troy

41. James Hardy WR, Indiana

72. Chris Ellis DE, Virginia Tech

114. Reggie Corner CB, Akron

132. Derek Fine TE, Kansas

147. Alvin Bowen OLB, Iowa State

179. Xavier Omon RB, Northwest Missouri State

219. Demetrius Bell OT, Northwest State (LA)

224. Steve Johnson WR, Kentucky

251. Kennard Cox CB, Pittsburgh

The Bills addressed all their needs: RB, WR, TE, CB, and got outstanding talent with those picks.  They were already tough to beat at home, and if they can work out their QB issues and get a decent coach, they will be tough to beat.

Overall grade: B

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers

23. Rashard Mendenhall RB, Illinois

53. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

88. Bruce Davis DE, UCLA

130. Tony Hills OT, Texas

156. Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon

188. MIke Humpal LB, Iowa

194. Ryan Mundy FS, West Virginia

The Steelers drafted all their needs except CB, however Mundy is versatile enough to play CB, so that really isnt an issue.  I think the big names like Mendenhall, Sweed, Dixon make this pretty self-explanatory about how dangerous the Steelers can be in upcoming years.  Dixon has that leg injury and may not be as good as he once was, but Mendenhall is a dangerous back that can go a great job of spelling Willie Parker.  Some of these players went so low because some teamd rat boards decide to make crackpot picks, like the 1st round selection of the East Carolina RB, which we will analyze later.  OVerall, the Steelers did well, stealing alot of good players deep in the draft.

Overall: A

Baltimore Ravens

18. Joe Flacco QB, Delaware

55. Ray Rice RB, Rutgers

71. Tavares Gooden OLB, Miami

86. Tom Zbikowski FS, Notre Dame

99. Oniel Cousins G, Texas-El Paso

106. Marcus Smith WR, New Mexico

133. David Hale OT, Weber State

206. Haruki Nakamura FS, Cincinnati

215. Justin Harper WR< Virginia Tech

240. Allen Patrick RB, Oklahoma

The greatest snub pick is clearly Allen Patrick.  He is about as talented as Feliex Jones, yet was drafted 218 players AFTER Jones.  owever, Baltimore shored up plenty of talent.  Rice has the goods to be the number 1 back, with McGahee backing him up, but I dont see that happening.  However, Rice would provide that change-of-pace-back ability that Bradshaw has with Jacobs (a main reason the Giant were efficient in the SB and playoffs, they didnt have that tandem for the whole regular season due to injuries).  There is alot of talent in these picks, but I only see 4 players on this list that can make an impact: Flacco, RIce, Zbikowski, and Patrick.  Alot fo good picks otherwise, but not enough to help Baltimore out of the doldrums.

Overall grade: C

Cleveland Browns

104. Beau Bell OLB, UNLV

111. Martin Rucker TE, MIssouri

190. Antyba Rubin DT, Iowa State

191. Paul Hubbard WR, Wisconsin

231. Alex Hall DE, St. Augustine

Well, the Browns are notorious for picking defensive players, and with very few picks, they still amanged to have 3 out of 5 picks be on defense.  Hubbard and Rucker are not going to make a huge impact on the team, but will be better served as injury backups for Winslow and the receiving core.  I see them being more of the practice squad guys, the ones that are used 1/1000th of the time during the year, but practice with the team every week.  The D players they got are good, but will only make an impact behind a solid D, which Clevleand doesnt have.

Overall grade: F

Cincinnati Bengals

9. Keith Rivers, LB, USC

46. Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina

77. Pat Simms, DT, Aubrun

97. Andre Caldwell WR, Florida

112. Anthony Collins OT, Kansas

145. Jason Shirley DT, Fresno State

177. Corey Lynch FS, Appalachian State

207. No pick

244. Angelo Craig DE, Cincinnati

246. Mike Urrutia WR, Louisville

Ok, so the Bengals have mroe guys that can get themselves in trouble, haha, just kidding.  Keith Rivers and Mike Urrutia bookend picks that are talented but that really dont fit in the Bengals scheme.  They made alot of menaingless picks that they really didnt need.  But Rivers and Urrutia amke this more thana  failing grade.

Overall grade: D

AFC South

 Indainapolis Colts

59. Mike Pollak OT, Arizona State

93. Philip Wheeler OLB, Georgia Tech

127. Jacob Tamme TE, Kentucky

161. Marcus Howard OLB, Georgia

196. Tom Santi TE, Virginia

202. Steve Justice C, Wkae Forest

202. Mike Hart RB, Michigan

205. Pierre Garcon WR, Mount Union

236. Jamey Richard OL, Buffalo

Another very talented draft selection, and one that addresses the primary needs of the Colts: a backup RB for Addai in Mike Hart, a very solid WR in Garcon for Harrison's replacement once Harrison finally wakes up and smells the retirement roses.  I dont understand the pick of 2 TEs, but the Colts are winners, and they will find spots for those 2 somewhere.  Overall, decent talent acquired.

Overall grade: B-

Houston Texans

26. Duane Brown OT, Virginia Tech

79. Antwan Moulden CB, Eastern Kentucky

89. Steve Slaton RB, West Virginia

118. Xavier Adibi LB, Virginia Tech

151. Frank Okam DT, Texas

173. Dominique Barber FS, Minnesota

223. Alex Brink QB, Washington State

So believe it or not, but the Texans might have gotten the best RB in the draft with the exception of Darren McFadden.  Slaton is better than Jones, Mendenhall, Hart, Rice, and that guy from East Carolina.  He was a steal at #89.  The Texans address all 5 of their needs with speedy, quick, skilled players.  An 8-8 2007 campaign will be a distant memory.  With these draft picks, I see 10-6 for the 2008 Texans.

 Overall grade: A+

Jacksonville Jaguars

8. Derrick Harvey DE, Florida

52 Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn

155. Thomas Williams OLB, USC

159. Trae Williams CB, South Florida

213. Chauncey Washington RB, USC

The Jags raded up to number 8 and grabbed a slightly overrated DE, followed at 52 by another slightly overrated DE.  They failed to address the majority of their eneds in this draft.  Instead of taking 2 DEs with their picks, they should have been considered with their needs rather than the potential talent this draft had.  Not good selections by the Jags.

 Overall grade: D-

Tennessee Titans

24. Chris Johnson RB East Carolina (this is a WTF pick)

54. JAson Jones DE, Eastern Michigan

85. Craig Stevens TE, California

103. WIlliam Hayes DL, Winston-Salem State

126. Lavelle Hawkins WR, California

134. Stanford Keglar OLB, Purdue

229. Cary Williams CB, Washburn

I understand needing an RB, but there were THREE RBs BETTER thsn Johnson that the Titans could have picked: Rice, Slaton, Patrick.  Even Kevin Smith of UCF.  Just because Johnson ran the fastest 40 means nothing.  he's fast in the open field yes, but Id be concerned between the tackles.  Slaton and Rice are the 2 best runners between the tackles in college football.  This was a poor pick for the Titans, and the rest fo the draft shows it.  They jsut picked up the leftovers.

Overall grade: F-

AFC West

Denver Broncos

12. Ryan Clady OT, Boise State

42. Eddie Royal WR, Virginia Tech

107. Kory Lichtensteiger G, Bolwing Green

119. Jack Williams CB, Kent State

139. Ryan Torain RB, Arizona State

148. Carlton Powell DT, Virginia Tech

183. Spencer Larsen OLB, Arizona

220. Josh Barrett S, Arizona State

227. Peyton Hillis FB, Arkansas

The Broncos drafted all f their needs while picking up extraordinary talent in Hillis and Torain and others.  By far the best draft selection (as far as needs, not as far as skill players) so far.

Overall grade: A+

Oakland Raiders

4. Darren McFadden RB, Arkansas

100. Tyron Branch CB, Connecticut

125. Arman Shileds WR, Richmond

169 Trevor Scott DE, Buffalo

226. Chaz Schilens WR, Miami

Other than McFadden, not a good draft at all.  They need alot more help than McFadden and failed to draft accordingly with their limited picks.  McFadden is the only pick preventing a grade of F.

Overall grade: D

San Diego Chargers

27. Antoine Cason CB, Arizona

69. Jacob Hester FB, LSU

166. Marcus Thomas RB, Texas-El Paso

192. DeJuan Tribble CB, Boston College

234. Corey Clark OT, Texas A&M

An interesting draft selection by the Chragers.  Needing help at OL, DL, S, and RB, they failed to drive DLs, and safeties.  But no one can overlook Hester or the fact that Cason is versatile enough to play safety.  THe Chargers will be more dangerous than Mel Kiper Jr thinks.

Overall grade: A

Kansas City Chiefs

5. Glenn Dorsey DT, LSU

15. Branden Albert G, Virginia

35. Brandon Flowers CB, Virginia Tech

73. Jamaal Charles RB, Texas (another one better than the Titans pick of Charles Johnson..somebody please tell the Titans they choked)

76. Brad Cottam TE, Tennessee

82. DaJuan Morgan S, North Carolina State

105. Will Franklin WR, Missouri

140. Brandon Carr CB, Grand Valley State

170. Barry Richardson OT, Clemson

182. Kevin Robinson WR, Utah State

210. Brian Johnston DE, Gardner-Webb

239. Mike Merritt TE, Central Florida

****-retentive Herm Edwards made sure KC drafted all their needs, well except for a backup to Brodie Croyle at QB.  All 12 picks Edwards is certain will help the Chiefs.  That remains to be seen but this is not a bad draft selection, and you cant go wrong with their first 5 picks.

Overall grade: B

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

22. Felix Jones RB, Arkansas

25. Mike Jenkins CB, South Florida

61. MArtellus Bennett TE, Texas A&M

122. Tashard Choice RB, Georgia Tech

143. Orlando Scandrick CB, Boise State

167. Erik Walden DE, Middle Tennessee State

Jerry Jones was un-Joens-like, not taking risks in the drat like he normally does.  HE stockpiled RBs and CBs, but failed to go younger at WR, a pressing need that will have to be addressed soon, or the window of opportunity for the Cowboys will close. All 6 players can be effective and help the Boys, but the lack of a WR forces me to not give them an A.

Overall grade: B

Washington Redskins

34. Devin Thomas WR, Michigan State

48. Fred Davis TE, USC

51. Malcolm Kelly WR, Oklahoma

96. Chad Rinehart OT, Northern Iowa

124. Justin Tryon CB, Arizona State

168. Durant Brocks P, Georgia Tech

180. Kareem Moore DB, Nicholls State

186 Colt Brennan QB, Hawaii

242. Rob Jackson DE, Kansas State

249. Chris Horton FS, UCLA

Alot of picks for the Skins, and alot of good ones.  They found every position except LB that they needed.  However, alot fo these players are overrated (Brennan, Kelly, Rinehart) so itll be interesting to see how they develop good NFL acumen. 

Overall grade: B-

Philadelphia Eagles

47. Trevor Laws DT, Notre Dame

49. DeSean Jackson WR, California

80. Brian SMith OLB, McNeese State

109. Mike McGlynn OT, Pittsburgh

117. Quentin Demps FS, Texas El-Paso

131. Jack Ikegwuonu CB, Wisconsin

184. Mike Gibson OT, California

200. Joe Mays ILB, North Dakota State

203. Andy Studebaker OLB, Wheaton

230. King Dunlap OT, Auburn

The Eagles hav a new, younger O-line.  They drafted about every possible O-line position except center.  But they covered their big needs, WR, S, OL, DL, so cant blame them for stockpiling.  Good draft.  Like always.

Overall grade: B

New York Giants

31. Kenny Phillips FS, Miami

63. Terrell Thomas CB, USC

95. Mario Manningham WR, Michigan

123. Bryan Kehl OLB, BYU

165. Jonathan Goff LB, Vandy

198. Andre Woodson QB, Kentucky

199. Robert Henderson DE, Southern Miss

Do I smell another title?  So far in this analysis, this is the sexiest draft selection out there.  Goodjob by the champs.  The only thing they failed to achieve was getting protection for Eli.  And if they have injuries again next year to that line, that could be their bane.

Overall grade: B+

AFC North

Green Bay Packers

36. Jordy Nelson WR. Kansas State

56. Brian Brohm QB, Louisville

60. Patrick Lee DB, Auburn

91. Jermichael Finley TE, Texas

102. Jeremy Thompson DE, Wake Forest

135. Josh Sitton OT, Central Florida

150. Breno Giacomini OT, Louisville

209. Matt Flynn QB, LSU

217. Brett Swain WR, San Diego State

The packers drafted for all their needs, including that gaping hole at QB.  Brohm and Flynn wont be nearly as good as Brett Favre, but they will help the 13-3 Packers stay in the NFC elite.  Overall, the Packers picks are not home run picks, just safe bets.

Overall grade: B-

Chicago Bears

14. Chris Williams OT, Vandy

44. Matt Forte RB, Tulane

70. Earl Bennett WR, Vandy

90. Marcus Harrison DT, Arkansas

120. Craig Steltz S, LSU

142. Zachary Bowman CB, Nebraska

158. Kellen Davis TE, Michigan State

208. Ervin Baldwin DE, Michigan State

222. Chester Adams G, Georgia

243. Joey LaRocque OLB, Oregon State

247 Kirk Barton OT, Ohio State

248. Marcus Monk WR, Arkansas

All these picks and the BEars still faile dto ge ta replacement for both crappy QBs known as Orton and Grossman.  They filled ni the rest of their holes nicely, but without a solid QB, they wont do much better than last year.

Overall grade: C

Detroit Lions

17. Gosder Cherilus OT, Boston College

45. Jordan Dizon OLB, Colorado

64. Kevin Smith RB, Central Florida

87. Andre Flueellen DT, Florida State

92. Cliff Avril OLB, Purdue

136. Kenneth Moore WR, Wake Forest

146. Jerome Felton FB, Furman

216. Landon Cohen DE, Ohio

218. Caleb Campbell S, Army

Well at least the Lions didnt waste their first pick on a receiver this year.  They got decent upgrades to their O and D lines, and Kevin Smith is a beast at RB.  Him, Ray Rice, and Darren McFadden wuld have been the only RBs (had they chosen to stay in CFB instead of entering the draft) that would have had a chance at breaking the all time rushing mark in NCAA Division I Football.  I dont like the latr picks of the Lions, as it seems tey are just waste picks.

Overall grade: C

Minnesota Vikings

43. Tyrell Johnson FS, Arkansas State

137. John David Booty QB, USC

152. Letroy Gulon DT, Florida State

187. John Sullivan C, Notre Dame

193 Jaymar Johnson WR, Jackson State

They got all their needs, but they amde a waste pick at FS to start.  They could have gotten a better player that fit the O-line rather than grabbing an FS, which is not so much of an issue.  Otherwise the draft selection si decent for the Vikes.

Overall grade: B

AFC South

New Orleans Saints

7. Sedrick Ellis DT, USC

40. Tracy Porter CB, Indiana

144. DeMario Pressley DT, North Carolina State

164. Carl Nicks OT, Nebraska

178. Taylor Mehlhaff K, Wisconsin

237. Adrian Arrington WR, Michigan

Well, the Saints didnt fill the need for a TE or LB, and didnt do much in the way fo any position.  The selection of a kicker is mind boggling.  They get higher than an F though since they are trying to fill the need for a TE by acquiring Shockey.

Overall grade: D

Atlanta Falcons

3. Matt Ryan QB, Boston College

21. Sam Baker OT, USC

37. Curtis Lofton LB, Oklahoma

68. Chevis Jackson CB, LSU

84. Harry Douglas WR, Louisville

98. Tom DeCoud FS, California

138. Robert James OLB, Arizona State

154. Kroy Biermann OLB, Montana

172. Thomas Brown RB, Georgia

212. Wilrey Fontenot CB, Arizona

232. Keith Zinger TE, Duke

Well the Falcons got pretty much what they asked for: crap, except in the QB department.  However, Ryan's accuracy is about as good as Vick's, meaning he is just an inaccurate.  Should be fun watching them lose again.

Overall grade: F

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

20. Aqib Talib CB, Kansas

58. Dexter Jackson KR, Appalachian State (he will more than likely fill the void at WR for the Bucs)

83. Jeremy Zuttah G, Rutgers

115. Dre Moore DT, Maryland

160. Josh Johnson QB, San Diego

175. Geno Hayes ILB, Florida State

238. Corey Boyd RB, South Carolina

Well the BUcs fuliflled all their voids,a nd their first 3 picks are outstanding and will be impact players.  The last 4 are solid players and should be a good fit.  Sexy, but not as sexya s the Giants picks.

Overall grade: A

Carolina Panthers

13. Jonathan Stewart RB, Oregon

19. Jeff Otah OT, Pittsburgh

67. Charles Godfrey CB, Iowa

74. Dan Connor OLB, Penn State

141. Gary Barnidge TE, Louisville

181. Nick Hayden DT, Wisconsin

221. Hilee Taylor OLB, North Carolina

241. Geoff Schwartz OL, Oregon

250. Mackenzey Bernadeau G, Bentley

I dont understand mos tof these picks by Carolina.  Their msot pressing need is QB and they didnt address that.  I like getting Stewart, Otah, and Godfrey, but beyond that, their choices are puzzling.

Overall grade: C

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

29. Kentwan Balmer DE, North Carolina

39. Chilo Rachal G, USC

75. Reggie Smith DB, Oklahoma

107. Cody Wallace OL, Texas A&M

174. Josh Morgan WR, Virginia Tech

214. Larry Grant OLB, Ohio State

San Fran filled all of their positions, but they ddint get the cream f the crop, so it should be hard to evaluate how these picks will wokr for the chemistry fo a team that has no chemistry.

Overall grade: C

Seattle Seahawks

28. Lawrence Jackson DE, USC

38. John Carlson TE, Notre Dame

121. Red Bryant DT, Texas A&M

163. Owen Schmitt FB, West Virginia

189. Tyler Schmitt LS, San Diego State

233. Justin Forsett RB, California

235. Brandon Coutu K, Georgia

The kicker is a hgue pick up from losing Josh Brown.  But the Seabags ahd much bigger needs to fill than a kicker.  They  failed to draft a single member of the OL, and they failed to draft a WR.  They draft an RB when they already have Julius Jones (overrated as he is).  These picks dont make snes except tomsolidify an already stalwart defense.

Overall grade: B-

St Louis Rams

2. Chris Long DE, Virginia

33. Donnie Avery WR, Houston

65. John Greco OT, Toledo

101. Justin King CB, Penn State

128. Keenan Burton WR, Kentucky

157. Roy Schuening G, Oregon State

228. Chris Chamberlain DB, Tulsa

252. David Vobora OLB, Idaho

Good selection by the Rams, they got a good WR to repalce Bruce and complement Holt, and they shored up their defense and O-line, the two most injured parts of their team last year.  Greco could spell Pace if Pace goes down again, an dhe would be successful.

Overall grade: B

Arizona Cardinals

16. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB, Tennessee State

50. Calais Campbell DE, Miami

81. Early Doucet WR, LSU

116. Kenny Iwebema DE, Iowa

149. Tim Hightower RB, Richmond

185. Chris Harrington DE, Texas A&M

225. Brendan Keith OT, Northern Iowa

The only pick I disagree with is the RB pik.  They should have drafted one with the 16th pick and waited until later to draft a CB, because that pool was deeper.  They need a replacement for Edge, and Hightower is not the guy.

Overall grade: A-

And that completes your 2008 NFL Draft Analysis.