2009 NFL DRAFT GRADES: NFC | Blog Thugz 'N Harmony

NFC EAST

DALLAS COWBOYS: C+

Didn't have a pick until the 3rd round, but they make the best of their Day 2 picks. Mickens, Smith, and Brewster I especcially like. Also, their 7th round picks could end up being great steals. Slighty above average.

NEW YORK GIANTS: B+

One of my favorite drafts. Beckum, Nicks, and Brown could all have an instant impact on the Giant offense and Beatty, Barden, and Sintim could be great for them in a few years. Clint Sintim should be a standout special teamer from day 1.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: A-

Probably my favorite or next to favorite draft. And not JUST because they took someone from Arizona State in the 7th. Got steals with their first two picks. Getting Ingram in the 5th was also robbery. Macho Harris should if nothing else be a great locker room presense which will be much needed with B-Dawk gone. Gibson could be a standout receiver in 2-3 years.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS: C-

I struggled not to give them a D+ or lower. But I'll give my squad the benefit of the doubt even though I shouldn't. I love the first and last picks. Orakpo and Marko, I've seen a lot of and think they could be great for the Redskins...but we'll see about the rest.

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS: B-

Very similar in so many ways with the Cowboys' draft. But I actually like the Bears draft slightly more than the Cowboys' because I think the Bears instantly improved their team with this draft. Iglesias, Moore, and Freeman could all contribute a lot right away.

DETROIT LIONS: C+

Little above average for me. I should rate them below average because their biggest need in my opinion: Offensive line, wasn't even addressed in this draft. I don't like where the took Pettigrew and I think they were some other guys there at 20, that they will wish they had selected. Delmas pick was a decent one, but the rest is just alright for me. We'll see...

GREEN BAY PACKERS: B

I'm sold on this draft. like it a lot. They got everything they needed with great value. LOVE the Jamon Meredith and Brandon Underwood picks...

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: C

I wanted to grade them lower, but I'm fan of Loadholt and Jasper Brinkley, so average it is. Could end being a good draft when it's all said and done though.

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA FALCONS: C+

Like their first two picks a lot. I don't think Sidbury fits the 4-3 defense in the NFL, so I don't know about that pick. This is a draft that will take a couple years before we see results, since Peria Jerry will most likely be the only one getting significant minutes this year.

CAROLINA PANTHER: B-

I lot just about every pick for the Panthers, the only reason I minus their B, is because Fiametta is probably the only player that gives them instant results. But down the line, this should be a great draft.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: D+

As much as I love the pick of Malcolm Jenkins, the other three picks I only see being special teamers and they needed help otherwise. Jenkins saves them from a D or lower.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: C

Freeman could be good, but I think he went too high. They could've traded back got more picks and still grabbed Freeman...I think. I love their later round picks though. Miller, Moore, Fulton, all good players. Also, Sammie Stroughter could be the biggest steal in this draft.

NFC WEST

ARIZONA CARDINALS: B

With this draft I think the Cardinals will reverse the super bowl runner-up funk most teams run into. Beanie should solidify the backfield and give them a three-headed monster. And their later round picks sould even make a big impact immediately(Rashad, Herman, Brown, and even Canfield).

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: B+

One of my favorite drafts. Their first five picks should be money and everyone but Nate will make instant impacts on special teams, offense, and/or defense. The best thing about their draft is the fact that they got EXCELLENT value out of all of their picks. Watch out for DT Ricky Jean-Francois out of LSU. Could be the biggest(literally and figuratively) steal of this draft.

ST. LOUIS RAMS: B-

Very solid draft. Gotta love Smith and Laurinaitis. Big fan of Brooks Foster, who was overshadowed by two other UNC WRs, but could be the best of all three of them. Great value on Ogbonnaya.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: B-

They could've grabbed another OT in the later rounds, I think, but other than that I hav no problems with any of their picks. Big fan of Mike Teel, I think he could be a pro bowl QB after Matt HAssellbeck hangs it up. Cant go wrong with Curry or Unger.

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April 27, 2009 04:14 PM ET

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I liked the Lion's picks with Stafford - Brandon Pettigrew and Louis Delmas. They got the best QB- TE and S in the NFL Draft they should get an A- at least unless you truly think Matthew Stafford will be a bust. Good NFC South Analysis.

Southern Discomfort

Charlotte, NC

Total Comments (4843)

April 28, 2009 12:18 AM ET

I don't know why; but i feel like we (Eagles) are missing some thing. I don't know what is. I do think that we had a very solid off-season......

Sincerenjnj

Total Comments (53)

April 29, 2009 12:05 PM ET

OLB? another good safety?

DCforkIN'em

Total Comments (479)

April 29, 2009 02:52 PM ET

The Eagles had a top five passing offense last season. We add a game breaker in Maclin, the passing game should be even better. Westbrook is healthy and will be sharing some carries with Lesean Mccoy (should keep him healthy), Leonard Weaver is there for short yardage, and the O-Line is younger, more athletic, and even bigger than last year(our previous tackle duo was the largest in NFL history). All our backs have great hands too. The offense will be explosive! Number three defense last year. We lost my favorite Eagle of all time in Dawkins, but he has lost a step and was a liability in coverage. The defense should be better than last year if Sheldon Brown can suck it up and be the leader we need him to be.

Gmonks

Los Angeles , CA

Total Comments (2)

May 6, 2009 08:36 PM ET

Great draft niners, got crabtree (Thanks Al Davis) who could potentially become a SUPERSTAR wide receiver especially when he doesn't have much pressure in our current offense where we are running the ball more. Liked the Glen Coffee pickup from alabama in the third round, who can pick up some of the load from frank gore especially in gaining short yards like in the red zone. Bear is an absolute beast of a blocking tight end and now combined with Vernon davis (who has become an excellent blocker) but i would like him to use his speed to stretch the opponents defense and open our running game more. Loved the Nate Davis pickup from Ball State, this kid is special and has all the tools to make it in the NFl and yes his dylexia can be overcome in the nfl. I believe that Alex Smith will be given the starting position this year (in which i am glad because i believe he needs a chance to prove his immense talent but hasn't due to injuries and constant change in offense coordinators). If he screws up, i think Nate Davis should challenge for the position in the next couple of years but if all fails then we could thank Carolina receiving our 2nd and 4th round picks for their first rounder next year. Loved this deal because Everrete Brown was there when we were going to be picked but Florida State Pass rushers aren't really looked favorably upon nfl teams (which explains why he dropped from a projected first round pick as high as # 11 overall). Plus, it gives us leverage next year in the first round if we feel we need to draft a quarterback which by the way has a much deeper and talented class than this years crop. I didn't know much about our 7th round pick, Jean-Jacquies but i heard he has major talent who could become a huge steal.