Four Star Draft for the Cardinals!

[Redheart]

Grading the 2007 NFL Draft
Tom Weir
USA Today
Apr. 29, 2007 09:59 PM

Here's a look at the grades the 2007 NFL Draft, to let you know which teams were the stars this weekend and which ones barely registered a flicker:

Four stars
- Arizona Cardinals: OT Levi Brown plugs a gaping hole for a team that ranked 30th in rushing. DT Alan Branch, widely projected as a first-rounder, might have been a steal with the 33rd pick. LB Buster Davis should also bolster the Cardinals' middle-of-the-road run defense. advertisement

- Cleveland Browns: Getting QB Brady Quinn with the 22nd pick could be the heist of this draft. OT Joe Thomas is a rock-solid No. 3 pick, and CB Eric Wright is a great third-round grab if his character issues don't resurface.

- Oakland Raiders: Having passed over Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler, the Raiders finally recognized the importance of a quarterback and took mighty-armed JaMarcus Russell. TE Zach Miller was s-l-o-w at the combine but has excellent hands. RB Michael Bush gives them another option in the backfield. Oakland is hoping the acquisition of WR Mike Williams from the Detroit Lions eases the loss of Randy Moss.

- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The defense got the talent infusion it needs, with DE Gaines Adams, second-round DB Sabby Piscitelli and third-round LB Quincy Black. An additional second-round pick added G Arron Sears to a developing offensive line.



Three stars
- Atlanta Falcons: Defensive end was a major need, and the Falcons got an excellent one in Southeastern Conference sack leader Jamaal Anderson. At 6-3, 320 pounds, G Justin Blalock brings size to one of the NFL smallest offensive lines. DB Chris Houston helps a weak pass defense.

- Baltimore Ravens: Ben Grubbs was the highest-rated guard in the draft, though taking him with the 29th pick may have been a little high for that position. WR/KR Yamon Figurs had the fastest 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. Heisman winner Troy Smith could play a role with QB Kyle Boller having just a year left on his contract.

- Buffalo Bills: RB Marshawn Lynch makes Willis McGahee's departure tolerable. LB Paul Posluszny is a mini-steal with the 34th pick. QB Trent Edwards is a questionable third-round pick, considering Buffalo has multiple defensive needs.

- Chicago Bears: Fourth-round G Josh Beekman begins to address the aging on their offensive line, plus they got the premier tight end in Greg Olsen, filling a need. Third-rounder RB Garrett Wolfe from Northern Illinois is an interesting gamble, and Michael Okwo adds needed depth at linebacker, where disgruntled Lance Briggs finds himself still in Chicago - for the moment.

- Cincinnati Bengals: The arrest-plagued Bengals needed an Eagle Scout, and they got a figurative one in CB Leon Hall, a widely projected top-10 pick who was available at No. 18. Hall also is a perfect fit for the NFL's worst pass defense. The Bengals had bigger needs than getting running back depth with Kenny Irons in the second round.

- Dallas Cowboys: The bottom line is swap-savvy Jerry Jones manipulated a first-round pick in 2008 by giving up third and fifth-round picks this year. LB Anthony Spencer is a solid pass rusher. But if QB Tony Romo doesn't rebound from a late-season slide, the Cowboys could regret passing on Brady Quinn.

- Detroit Lions: For the fourth time in five years, the Lions used a first-rounder on a wide receiver. But this one, Calvin Johnson, is considered a can't-miss. QB Drew Stanton doesn't figure to challenge Jon Kitna immediately. DE Ikaika Alama-Francis and DB Gerald Alexander should address two of the numerous defensive gaps.

- Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags traded up to get needed secondary help from FS Reggie Nelson. Second pick LB Justin Durant, from Hampton, may have been a reach but runs a 4.51 40. WR Mike Walker is a needed burner for a weak receiving corps.

- Minnesota Vikings: Despite durability questions, explosive RB Adrian Peterson is a good fit with Minnesota, where he has a top offensive line on the left side and can split carries with Chester Taylor. WR Sidney Rice adds zip to an offense that lacks big-play punch. CB Marcus McCauley gives some secondary depth.

- New England Patriots: S Brandon Meriweather fills the Pats' biggest need but brings character-issue baggage, something New England has traditionally avoided. Outside the draft, they acquired star WR Randy Moss as well as a first- and third-rounder next year.

- New York Jets: Trading up, the Jets plugged their biggest hole with CB Darrelle Revis, who also returns punts. They traded up to get second-round LB David Harris, a prolific tackler who should step right into their 3-4 scheme.

- Pittsburgh Steelers: It was a little surprising the Steelers didn't grab Jon Beason, but they still solved a linebacker need with Lawrence Timmons and have an excellent track record of drafting correctly there. Second-rounder LaMarr Woodley is a good fit no matter what defensive scheme new coach Mike Tomlin plays.

- San Diego Chargers: The Chargers addressed all three of their biggest needs with WR Craig Davis, DB Eric Weddle and LB Anthony Waters. Davis also can return punts and gives the Chargers the deep threat they've been missing.

- San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers needed defensive line help but instead took highly regarded LB Patrick Willis first. Trading up added a second first-rounder, OT Joe Staley. WR Jason Hill and DE Ray McDonald both filled needs.



Two stars
- Carolina Panthers: The biggest offensive need was tight end, and the Panthers passed up Greg Olsen. But LB Jon Beason was surprisingly available for the 25th pick. The second-round pick for WR Dwayne Jarrett might have been better spent on a safety.

- Denver Broncos: Ranked 21st against the pass, the Broncos will bring more pressure up front with DEs Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder. The third-round pick for OT Ryan Harris neglected the needs at linebacker, safety and running back. DT Marcus Thomas is a good fourth-round gamble, despite his marijuana issues.

- Green Bay Packers: DT Justin Harrell didn't fill a need with the Packers' first-round pick and at No. 16 was taken ahead of projections. RB Brandon Jackson (second round) will be hard-pressed to replace the departed Ahman Green. DB Aaron Rouse (third round) fills a need in the secondary.

- Houston Texans: DT Amobi Okoye answers a big need and might free up last year's disappointing No. 1 overall pick, Mario Williams. But with no second-round pick and WR Jacoby Jones taken in the third, the Texans ignored fixing an offensive line that yielded 43 sacks.

- Indianapolis Colts: WR Anthony Gonzalez has skills similar to Brandon Stokley and more speed. But adding another target for Peyton Manning meant passing on the impact player the defense sorely needs. Indy didn't take a defender until the third round with DB Daymeion Hughes.

- Kansas City Chiefs: Despite being a run-dependent team with looming offensive line problems, the Chiefs used their first picks on WR Dwayne Bowe, DT Turk McBride and DT DeMarcus Tyler. Bowe is a big, adept target but won't get many catches if his quarterback is getting flattened.

- New Orleans Saints: The Saints were expected to emphasize defense but couldn't pass up getting another wideout for Drew Brees when Robert Meachem was unexpectedly available at No. 27. Second-round DB Usama Young fills a need.

- St. Louis Rams: The Rams needed help on the defensive line and in Adam Carriker got a guy who can play anywhere there. RB Brian Leonard might not see much time.

- Tennessee Titans: S Michael Griffin helps solve the secondary problems of the NFL's 32nd-ranked defense that were compounded by the full-season suspension of CB Adam "Pacman" Jones. But RB Chris Henry hasn't been a consistent starter, and WR Paul Williams won't fill the holes left by the departures of Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade.



One star
- Miami Dolphins: Dolphin fans booed coach Cam Cameron heavily for taking versatile WR-KR Ted Ginn Jr. instead of QB Brady Quinn. John Beck can be groomed at quarterback, but the trade for Trent Green hasn't materialized. Got needed offensive line help from C-G Samson Satele in Round 2.

- New York Giants: Although Eli Manning lacks protection, the Giants ignored their OL needs. DB Aaron Ross and DT Jay Alford fill holes on a spotty defense, but a blocker was needed with the second-round pick used on WR Steve Smith.

- Philadelphia Eagles: Lacking a first-round pick for the first time since 1992, the Eagles added an unneeded backup quarterback in Kevin Kolb with the 36th pick. They got DE Victor Abiamiri with an additional second-rounder, but defense should have been the early priority.

- Seattle Seahawks: With their first pick at No. 55, the Seahawks didn't have much opportunity. DB Josh Wilson and DT Brandon Mebane could help. There are issues at tight end despite signing Marcus Pollard.

- Washington Redskins: The Redskins had only one first-day pick and used it on top S LaRon Landry. But they might have been wiser to add a pass-rusher to a defensive line that had only 19 sacks.

Nice to hear...

 

[Gambit]

Most comments I have seen are very positive. As has been said, it doesn't matter if it doesn't translate onto the field--but for the moment, it's very good to hear praise. Positive media treatment can do a lot for changing the culture and for building a national fanbase.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I like what Atlanta did with their first 3 picks ...