Draft Grades: Bears

Considering they didn't pick until the 2nd day, the Bears put together an impressive draft.

Jarron Gilbert has a ton of upside, and he landed in a perfect situation in Chicago. He's raw and isn't ready to to start right away. With the Bears, he can be used as part of the rotation while he grows into a more prominent role.

Juaquin Iglesias doesn't have much upside, but he had good value in the 3rd round. The Bears needed a bigger receiver like Iglesias, and he should compete with Rashied Davis and Earl Bennett for a starting job.

Henry Melton was a reach. He's inexperienced, having made the switch from running back during his collegiate career. He's a decent athelte, however, and could develop into a decent pass rusher.

D.J. Moore was vastly overrated early in the draft process, but by draft day I think he was actaully underrated. He doesn't have great size, but he's a playmaker and should have come off the board earlier than then 4th round. He should be a solid nickelback at worst.

Johnn Knox isn't a great fit in Chicago. He has impressive speed, but he's very raw. Frankly, he isn't much more than a poor man's Devin Hester and I don't see room for him in Chicago.

Marcus Freeman was a steal in the 5th round. The Bears needed depth at linebacker, which Freeman will give them immediately, and I believe he has the potential to develop into a starter. He was one of the better late-round picks this year.

Al Afalava was a decent selection in the 6th round. He'll add to the depth in their secondary and should be able to contribute on special teams.

Lance Louis isn't much more than a backup. He has little upside and may not even make the team.

Derek Kinder will also struggle to make the roster. He's good route runner with reliable hands but he doesn't have the size or speed to make a major impact.

Overall, the Bears did all you ask of them with no first-day picks. The could easily wind with two or three starters from this draft class which is an impressive feat considering they skipped the first two rounds.

Grade: B+

Draft Grades: Lions

The selection of Matthew Stafford came as no surprise, but I still don't like the pick. I gave Stafford a 1st-round grade, but not a grade worthy of the number-one overall selection. On top of that, the Lions have far too many other holes to fill to be targeting a quarterback early in the draft. On a team this bad Stafford is going to have to play early. He'll be a sacrificial lamb behind their patchwork line with little chance of success. In a different situation Stafford could develop into a solid quarterback, but I don't see it happening in Detroit.

I love Brandon Pettigrew, but the Lions had no business selecting a tight end in the 1st round. There isn't a less significant position on the football field. Passing on linemen such as Michael Oher was a terrible decision.

Again, I like Louis Delmas a lot, but tight ends and safties aren't going to help Detroit turn things around. A team as bad as the Lions needs to build from the lines on out - exactly the opposite of what they're doing.

DeAndre Levy was a reach in the 3rd round, and again, I'm shocked they passed over some quality offensive linemen.

Derrick Williams was a decent 3rd-round selection. Stafford is going to need some receivers, and Williams could help stretch the field. He'll compete for playing time opposite Calvin Johnson.

I like the selection of Sammie Lee Hill. He's a project, but he's a massive body to plug holes on the Lions defensive line. Given the Lions lack of depth at the position he could end up starting. They'll try to groom him into the next Shaun Rogers.

Aaron Brown was a great 6th-round selection. He'll compete for playing time behind Kevin Smith. They could have used more of a goal line back, but anyone will be an upgrade over what they had last year.

The Lions finally landed an offensive lineman in the 7th round. Unfortunately though, Lydon Murtha is a project and won't offer much immediate help.

Zack Follett and Dan Gronkowski are mediocre picks in the 7th round. Neither has much upside and they'll struggle to make the roster.

Overall, this was a very disappointing draft for the Lions. Those that like Stafford will see it differently but I don't think this was the kind of the draft the Lions needed to get back on track. The Lions desperately needed to upgrade their offensive line and they got absolutely no help at that position. Its going to be another long season in Detroit in 2009.

Grade: C-

Draft Grades: Steelers

This was another solid, but unspectacular draft for the Steelers. They addressed some needs and added depth but didn't land any immediate impact players.

I was slightly surprised by the selection of Evander Hood. He adds some youth to their aging defensive line, but it wasn't an immediate need and it was a slight reach. A player such as James Laurinaitis would have served a similar purposed at linebacker, but had much better value than Hood.

I love the selection of Kraig Urbik. He's a hard-nosed offensive lineman that fits nicely in Pittsburgh. He could definitely develop into a starter, possibly even pushing Darnell Stapleton for his job this year.

Mike Wallace was another excellent selection. I was slightly surprised to see him come off the board in the 3rd round, but he has a ton of upside. He has the potential to develop into a starter.

Keenan Lewis was another solid pick that will add to their depth at cornerback. They could have used more of an impact player earlier in the draft at cornerback, but depth was a need.

Joe Burnett was a reach and he doesn't offer anything that Keenan Lewis can't. This was an unnecessary pick and there were better players available.

I like the selection of Frank Summers. He'll never be an every-down player, but he has the potential to be an above average short-yardage back, which the Steelers needed.

Ra'Shon Harris could add to the depth at defensive end, but I'm not sure he'll be able to crack the active roster this season. He may needed year on the practice squad unless the Steelers run into some injury issues.

A.Q. Shipley is a competitor, but he doesn't have the build to hold up in the NFL. He was certainly worth a 7th-round pick, however, because every so often a player like Shipley finds a way to overachieve.

I don't see how David Johnson fits into the Steelers plan. He's a similar player to Sean McHugh who they just re-signed this offseason. I'd be somewhat surprised to see him on the active roster this season.

This was a decent draft for the Steelers, but they didn't add any impact players at their positions of need. The needed to upgrade their offensive line, but only added Urbik who likely isn't ready to start right away. The also could have used some depth at linebacker, which they completely ignored. I like their first three picks, but none of them fill a serious immediate need and none figure to make an instant impact. This was an adequate draft, but the impact won't be felt until a few years down the road.

Grade: B-

Draft Grades: Browns

This was a very bizarre draft for the Browns. And it makes me question if George Kokinis and Eric Mangini have any clue what they're doing.

Trading down in the 1st round was a nice thought, but they got absolutely fleeced by the Jets. To move up more than 10 spots in the 1st round requires giving up two 1st round picks (this year's and next year's). Yet the Jets managed keep their 2010 1st rounder by throwing in a few players that Mangini clearly has overrated because of his familiarity with them. Abram Elam and Kenyon Coleman may be able to start, but that isn't to impressive considering the lack of talent on the Browns defense. The other two trades the Browns made to move down were insignificant, as they only picked up late round picks. The Browns were clearly desperate to move down, and were willing to take any offer that came their way.

Alex Mack was a decent selection, but it doesn't fill a need. Hank Fraley has been an above average starter for the past two years and arguably their best offensive lineman aside from Joe Thomas. If the Browns were going to target an offensive lineman with this selection, a right tackle such as Michael Oher would have been a much better fit.

Brian Robiskie was an excellent 2nd round pick. Assuming they keep Braylon Edwards, Robiskie will be a nice compliment and should be able to fill the role that Joe Jurevicius did in 2007. The selection of an Ohio State player also appeases the fans - something that the new management team in Cleveland hasn't done much of since taking over.

Had the Browns not selected Robiskie, Massaquoi would have been a decent mid 2nd-round pick. But I cannont understand why the Browns felt they needed to spend their first three picks on the offensive side of the football.

The Browns finally added a defensive player with the 52nd pick, but they reached for David Veikune. He'll likely make the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker and could compete with David Bowens for a starting job. However, he's very raw, so the Browns shouldn't be counting on him in 2009.

Kaluka Maiava was a decent 4th round pick. He'll add some depth at inside linebacker and play special teams.

Don Carey and Coye Francies will add depth at cornerback and, because of the lack of talent in the Browns secondary, compete for a starting job. Francies is the better of the two, and could end up being a steal in the 6th round.

James Davis had great value in the 7th round. He could give the Browns a respectable trio of running backs along with Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison.

Overall this was a disappointing draft for the Browns. They added a few decent players, but they failed to address their needs and made a terrible trade which cost them a chance to add an impact player on defense.

Grade: C

Draft Grades: Bengals

If nothing else, give the Bengals credit for taking risks... lots of them.

Andre Smith has a ton of potential, but no 1st-round pick has as many red flags as Smith. His work ethic is a serious concern and he very well could fold once he receives his first NFL contract. Its a risky pick and one that would only by made by a coach on the hot seat such as Marvin Lewis.

Rey Maualuga is also a risky pick. Many believe that he is only a two-down player, which led to his fall out of the 1st round. Like Smith, however, its a pick that could have a ton of upside.

The Bengals took a leap of faith with their first two picks, so why should the third be any different. Michael Johnson is the most athletic defensive lineman in this draft class, but he was only a full-time starter for one year and failed to live up to expectations as a senior. That said, he's probably worth the risk in the 3rd round.

Chase Coffman is a great fit in Cincinnati. He could be the receiving threat at tight end they've been looking for. He should see significant playing time from day one.

Jonathan Luigs is another solid pick. The Bengals have a serious hole at center and Luigs will be give the opportunity to step in from day one.

Kevin Huber was the top punter in this year's draft class and should be the Bengals starter. Punters are hard to judge though, and I think the 5th round is almost always too early to select a special teams player.

Morgan Trent will add some depth to the Bengals weak secondary, but he doesn't have much upside. He struggled as a senior at Michigan and I don't see him making an impact in Cincinnati.

Bernard Scott is a shot in the dark. He's a decent small school running back that will be given a chance to make the team as the third string running back.

Fui Vakapuna will compete with Daniel Coats and Jeremi Johnson for playing time at fullback. Fullback isn't a strong point on the team, so he's worth a shot.

Clinton McDonald doesn't have much upside, but he'll some depth the Bengals depleted defensive line. He won't be a starter, but could work into the rotation.

The Bengals needed a receiver in this draft, but I'm not sure why they waited until their last pick. Freddie Brown will struggle to make the roster and even if he does, he won't fill the hole left by the departure of T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

The Bengals landed some very talented players in this draft, including three potential 6 potential starters (including Kevin Huber). However, each of their first three picks come with some baggage. If all three live up to potential, this will be an elite draft. However, this is the Bengals, and they don't exactly have a good track record developing young talent.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Ravens

The Ravens didn't have a serious need at offensive tackle, but Michael Oher was simply too good to pass up in the late 1st round. He's capable of playing left tackle, but Jared Gaither appears to have that position locked down. As a result, Oher's position will likely be on the right side once Willie Anderson is out of the picture.

I thought Paul Kruger was a reach in the 2nd round, but I can see why the Ravens feel as though he's a good fit in their system. He's a fairly good athlete and should be able to move to outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. He'll be used primarily in passing situations to get to the quarterback and could eventually take over a starting role down the road.

Lardarius Webb is a tremendous natural athlete but he's had an up-and-down career. The Ravens definitely need to replace Chris McAlister and if Webb pans out, he could be able to fill that role.

Jason Phillips is a perfect fit in Baltimore. He's a tough, physical inside linebacker that will be groomed as Ray Lewis' potential replacement.

Davon Drew is a good athlete and should be used on occasion in passing situations. He likely will never be a starter, but he could contribute since the Ravens haven't gotten much from Todd Heap as a receiver in recent years.

Cedric Peerman was a decent late-round pick. He could contribute as a kick returner and should win the third-string running back position.

This was a very solid draft for the Ravens. Michael Oher should team with Jared Gaither to anchor the Ravens offensive line for years to come. Kruger, Webb and Phillips are also capable of developing into starters. When its all said and done, the Ravens should have at least 2 starters and a few contributors from this class, which by all accounts is a succussful draft.

Grade: A-

Draft Grades: Giants

I'm rarely a fan of taking a wide receiver in the 1st round, but its hard to find another hole on the Giants roster so I can't argue with the selection of Nicks. Receivers are never a sure thing, but Nicks is close. He catches everything thrown his way, which should be enough to at least make him an adequate starter despite his lack of speed.

Clint Sintim was a steal in the 2nd round. He'll compete for playing time at the strong-side linebacker position and I wouldn't be shocked if he won the starting job of Danny Clark at some point this season.

William Beatty didn't fill a need, but he was arguably the best available player in the late 2nd round. He has the ability to play left tackle and could take the starting job fro David Diehl down the road.

Ramses Barden is one of my favorite prospects in this year's draft class. He was nothing short of dominant at Cal Poly and I think he can be a serious red zone threat for the Giants from day one. He may be too slow to be a true number one receiver, but he'll find ways to make an impact.

Travis Beckum was a risky pick, but if he stays healthy he's a perfect fit in New York. He's essentially an over-sized receiver, and will be a nice compliment to Kevin Boss who is more of a blocker.

Andre Brown doesn't fill a need, but was the best available player. He'll compete with Danny Ware for the 3rd-string running back position and I expect him to win the job.

I don't think Rhett Bomar has much upside, but the Giants didn't have any holes to fill and felt as though he was worth the risk. It was probably a smart move, because it comes at no costs with a potentially high reward.

Neither DeAndre Wright nor Stoney Woodson has much upside. The Giants top three cornerbacks are locked in (Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Terrell Thomas) so they'll compete with others for the 4th and 5th spots on the roster.

This was a great draft for the Giants. Nicks, Barden and Beckum are all capable of contributing right away and will be used in situations to best fit their skill set. Those three, as well as Beatty, have the potential to develop into starters.

Grade: A

Draft Grades: Eagles

I was shocked when the Eagles selected Jeremy Maclin for a couple of reasons. First, he's too similar to DeSean Jackson. Maclin is a little bigger than Jackson, but just as soft. He also isn't going to make a significant impact while McNabb is still in Philly. The Eagles have a closing window of opportunity to win a Super Bowl and selecting a receiver in the 1st round isn't going to help much. There were other players available that would have made a more immediate impact.

LeSean McCoy was an excellent 2nd-round selection. I think there's a significant difference between him and the three 1st-round running backs, but he can still get the job done. He's an excellent receiver and will be able to take some of the load off Brian Westbrook's shoulders.

Cornelius Ingram was a steal in the 5th round. He's a major injury risk, but he has a tremendous upside. If healthy, he could start for them as early as this year.

Macho Harris is a little overrated because of his collegiate success but he had good value in the 5th round. He isn't a future starter, but he'll add to their depth and should contribute on special teams.

I love the selection of Brandon Gibson. He doesn't have elite speed but he has great hands and is an excellent route runner. He may actually be able to contribute more right away than Maclin.

Paul Fanaika is an unimpressive lineman with little upside. However, the Eagles do need depth at guard and there wasn't much else available in the 7th round.

Moise Fokuo will compete for the backup job at strong-side linebacker. He doesn't have much upside but could be an adequate backup.

Overall the Eagles had a decent draft, but they didn't get much in term of immediate impact players. McCoy and Ingram should see playing time right away and Maclin will contribute on special teams, but its possible that none of them crack the starting lineup. The impact of this draft class won't be felt until a few years down the road, which was a curious decision by the Eagles who hope to compete for a Championship in 2009.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Cowboys

The Cowboys didn't enter the draft with hopes of adding much in terms of immediate impact players, but they got absolutely nothing.

I like Jason Williams a lot, but he's a project. He's athletic enough to play inside or outside linebacker and will likely see time on special teams.

Robert Brewster was a major reach in the 3rd round. He played tackle at Ball State but may be better suited for guard in the NFL. He won't see much playing time right away, but could work his way into the rotation in a year or two.

Stephen McGee was a curious selection. I don't think he has much upside as a quarterback. He could be used as a running back/quarterback in the wildcat formation.

Victor Butler played defensive end in college but will make the switch to linebacker in the Cowboys 3-4 system. He won't be a starter in this league, but could be a decent backup behind DeMarcus Ware.

Brandon Williams was an excellent pass rusher at Texas Tech but I don't see him as a 3-4 linebacker. He's also too small to play defensive end in the system, which makes him a bit of a 'tweener in Dallas.

DeAngelo Smith is an adequate cornerback who excels in zone coverage. However, I didn't think he was even the best cornerback on his own team. Ironically, I would have selected Smith's teammate Mike Mickens first, who the Cowboys grabbed in the 7th round.

Mike Hamlin was a great 5th round selection. He'll could compete with Gerald Sensabaugh for playing time at free safety.

The selection of David Buehler was confusing. Nick Folk has been one of the league's best kickers since entering the league in 2007. Buehler will have a very hard time making the roster.

Stephen Hodge will compete for a spot at inside linebacker, but there isn't much room for him there. He'll struggle to make the active roster.

John Phillips is an excellent blocking tight end. He'll never be a starter, but he could make the roster as the 3rd tight end behind Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett.

Manny Johnson was a great 7th-round pick. He has little upside but he's a hard worker and an excellent special teams player. He'll compete for the 4th or 5th receiver position.

The Cowboys didn't have many needs, so this draft wasn't a complete letdown. However, they could have done much better. They added a few decent pieces to be puzzle, but only Jason Williams even has the potential to develop into a starter. This was one of the worst drafts of the year and one of the worst for the Cowboys in a quite awhile.

Grade: C-

Draft Grades: Redskins

The Redskins made a splash in the 1st round with Brian Orakpo. He's going to make an instant impact improving their anemic pass rush.

With just one pick in the 2nd through 4th rounds the Redskins didn't have many opportunities to add much else. Kevin Barnes was a reach in the 3rd round. He has speed, but that's about it. I don't see him being anything more than a nickelback. Cornerback wasn't a need and there were plenty of other potential impact players on the board.

Cody Glenn won't add much to the Redskins already crew of linebackers. He's undersized and should be much more than a special teams guy.

Robert Henson is a very similar player to Cody Glenn. They'll both compete for playing time as backups, but have little chance to make a significant impact.

Eddie Williams was a reach. He'll likely be moved to fullback because he's undersized and there isn't room for him at tight end.

Marko Mitchell has impressive size and speed and is a decent developmental prospect. Unfortunately there isn't much room for him in Washington. He'll have a hard time making the active roster.

The Redskins hit a home run in the 1st round with Orakpo. He was one of the top players on their draft board and a perfect fit for their defensive scheme. Beyond Orakpo, however, the 'Skins didn't get much. They got a few players that will contribute as backups, but no one that has much upside.

Grade: B-

Draft Grades: Jaguars

The Jaguars hit the jackpot in the 1st round with Eugene Monroe. He's one of the surest things in this year's draft class and should start from day one at right tackle before eventually replacing Tra Thomas on the left side.

Eben Britton had excellent value in the 2nd round. There isn't any room for him in the lineup right away, which is actually a good thing because I don't think he's ready to start. He'll be ready to play right tackle in a year or two when Tra Thomas calls it quits.

Terrance Knighton was a major reach. He has a ton of upside but he's a boom-or-bust prospect. They needed more of an instant impact player on the defensive line and I don't think Knighton's ready to be that guy.

As if Knighton wasn't enough of a reach, they made the second biggest reach of the draft on Derek Cox (nothing could top the Raiders selection of Michael Mitchell). Cox has limited upside and I don't see how he fits into the Jaguars plan.

Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard were both nice selections in the 4th and 5th round. Both will compete for playing time as the slot receiver and both offer a different set of tools. Thomas has the ability to stretch the field, while Dillard is more of a possession receiver.

Zach Miller is a good athlete but he played quarterback in college so he'll need time to learn a new position. Let's hope this experiment works out better than the selection of Matt Jones.

Rashad Jennings was a steal in the 7th round. I thought he could come off the board as early as the 3rd round. At worst he'll be a short-yardage back, but I could see him getting a decent amount of carries behind Maurice Jones-Drew this year.

Tiquan Underwood also had goof value in the 7th round. They clearly didn't need another receiver, but the Jaguars have been so terrible at drafting them in recent years that they probably figured: 'if we draft enough of them, one of them is bound to pan out.' It's actually not a bad theory.

This draft was filled with ups and downs for the Jaguars. The selection of Monroe was a great pick. However, Cox was one of the biggest reaches of the draft. They got a few impact players, but the picks of Cox and Knighton drag down the overall grade.

Grade: B+

Draft Grades: Titans

I am almost always against drafting a wide receiver in the 1st round, and the Titans situation is no exception. The Titans have a very small window of opportunity with Kerry Collins as their quarterback and Kenny Britt is unlikely to make an instant impact. It almost always takes receivers two full years before they live up to expectations. The Anquan Boldin's of the world only come along every so often. Britt could end being an elite receiver, but odds are it won't be with Kerry Collins as his quarterback. There were other players available that could have make a more immediate need in Tennessee.

Sen'Derrick Marks was a decent late 2nd-round selection. The Titans clearly needed someone to at least attempt to fill the very large shoes left behind by Albert Haynesworth. Marks won't live up to the standard set by Haynesworth, but he could win the starting job.

Jared Cood was a steal in the 3rd round. His blocking ability is well below average, which hurts his abilty to be an every down player. However, with Bo Scaife already on the roster, the Titans only need Cook to be a situational player. He'll give them exactly what they're looking for.

Ryan Mouton was one of the bigger reaches of the draft. He easily could have gone undrafted. Cornerback was a need, but there were plenty of others on the board that would have been a better fit.

Gerald McRath is very raw, but has a ton of upside. He's the best athlete in this year's crop of linebackers and was a tackle machine at Southern Miss. He'll be a standout on special teams right away and could develop into a Pro Bowl caliber linebacker. Then again, he could completely flame out in a year or two. He's a boom-or-bust prospect.

Javon Ringer was a safe 5th-round selection. He makes Chris Henry expendable and someone is likely to want to overpay for the former 2nd-round pick.

Jason McCourty has experience at safety and cornerback and that type of versatility always increases a player's value in the late rounds. He's likely to make the team and should be an adequate backup and special teams player.

Dominique Edison is a good developmental prospect. He has impressive size and speed and could develop into a quality receiver. He won't make an impact immediately however.

Ryan Durand and Nick Schommer were both selections purely based on adding depth. With as many picks as the Titans had, and as few holes to fill, its unlikely that either player spends much time on the active roster.

Overall this was a decent draft for the Titans, but they failed to add the type of immediate impact player that could put them over the top in 2009. A cornerback, defensive tackle or inside linebacker would all have been smart 1st-round picks. As I said, Britt could develop into an elite receiver, but the Titans are within reach of a Championship and a rookie receiver is unlikely to play a significant role in that.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Texans

The Texans got their wish in the 1st round with Brian Cushing. He certainly fills a need, but I still don't like the pick. I think Cushing is overrated and won't be a great every-down player in the NFL. His athleticism isn't anything special and he's little more than a pass-rush specialist. He'll start from day one at strong-side linebacker, but I think the Texans will be disappointed with the selection in the long run. His former teammate Clay Matthews would have been the better pick.

Connor Barwin will likely begin his career at defensive end but I wouldn't be shocked to see him moved to linebacker some day. He's a tremendous athlete, but he lacks the strength to stay on the field at defensive end. He'll likely step in for Antonio Smith in passing situations.

Antoine Caldwell was a great third round selection. I wouldn't be shocked to see him win the starting job from Chris Myers.

Glover Quin was a reach in the 4th round. They certainly needed a cornerback, but I don't see how he solves the problem. He's a nickelback at best and likely will offer very little in 2009.

I'm not quite sure what to make of their selection of two tight ends. I don't understand how a team could have graded Anthony Hill higher than James Casey. I also don't know why they felt it was necessary to take two tight ends. They've already talked about moving Casey to fullback. He isn't an ideal fit there, but he's a playmaker and anyway they can get him on the field would be a wise decision. Hill will be the odd man out, I don't see him making an impact in Houston.

Brice McCain is a phenomenal athlete with elite speed. He's a candidate to play special teams, but I don't see him making an impact at cornerback.

Troy Nolan can be an adequate backup safety and special teams contributor. He was a safe 7th round selection, but doesn't offer any upside.

This was a confusing draft for the Texans. They got a few players that can make an impact, but not necessary players that were right for their system. Cushing will start right away and Barwin will fit into the defensive line rotation. However, they also appeared to enter day two without any real plan. It raises some questions about the ability of their front office. For a team on the brink of playoff contention this was somewhat of a disappointing draft.

Grade: B-

Draft Grades: Colts

The Colts may have answered some questions about their confidence with Joseph Addai's ability to stay healthy with their first selection. While Addai is clearly still the feature back in Indy, Brown should get his fair share of touches and will be ready to take over should Addai miss some time as he did in 2008.

The Colts reached for Fili Moala, but there wasn't much left on the board at defensive tackle. Moala fills a serious need and could be forced into action as a rookie. I think he's a little overrated, but he should be an adequate starter.

Jerraud Powers was another reach, and doesn't really fill a need. The Colts need an impact cornerback, but Powers is best suited to play nickelback in the NFL. He'll get lost in the mix with T.J. Rushing, Tim Jennings and Dante Hughes.

I like Austin Collie a lot and think he's a perfect fit in Indy. He'll be given the opportunity to step in as the slot receiver, a roll he's well suited for.

Terrance Taylor had good value in the 4th round and will be given the opportunity to win a starting role. Don't be surprised if the Colts are starting two rookies on the defensive line at some point this season (Taylor and Moala).

The selection of Curtis Painter was decent risk to take in the 6th round. He has the physical tools to play in the NFL, but needs to work on his decision making ability before he's ready to see the field. There isn't a quarterback in the game that I would rather have a prospect learn behind than Peyton Manning, and that could allow Painter to exceed expectations down the line. He should be an adequate backup at worst.

Pat McAfee was a decent late-round selection. He should be able to replace the departed Hunter Smith as the starting punter. He'll likely handle kickoff duties as well.

Jaimie Thomas was a good 7th-round selection. He can play guard or tackle which adds to his value and should allow him to make the team.

Overall the Colts did a nice job addressing their needs. Moala should start from day one and Donald Brown will play a vital role in the offense. Terrance Taylor and Austin Collie also figure to see significant playing time. They have the potential to get a lot of production from this draft class right away.

Grade: B+

Draft Grades: Falcons

This was an adequate draft for the Falcons, but was missing a few key components.

Peria Jerry can be an instant player on their defense. He'll start from day one and could be the best player on their defensive line if he lives up to expectations.

I think William Moore is among the most overrated players in this year's draft class. He's a physical specimen but he lacks the instincts necessary to play at a high level. The Falcons will likely allow him to compete for a starting job at strong safety, but I don't envision him winning it over Erik Coleman.

Christopher Owens was a slight reach in the 3rd round. Cornerback is certainly a need, but there were players at other positions that would have been a better fit in Atlanta.

I like Lawrence Sidbury a lot. He's a tremendous athlete and could be groomed as John Abraham's replacement. He has a similar build as Abraham and comparable athleticism.

William Middleton was a reach. He's very raw, hasn't faced top competition and on top of that he didn't really fill a need since Christopher Owens had already been selected.

Garrett Reynolds isn't starter material, but he had good value in the 5th round. He'll compete for a backup job and I like his chances of winning a roster spot.

Spencer Adkins is another player that will add to the depth but has very little upside. Linebacker was a serious need for the Falcons entering the draft, but not inside linebacker where Adkins is likely to play.

I like the selection of Vance Walker in the 7th round. He's an active lineman and should be a nice backup behind Peria Jerry.

The Falcons had some nice picks in this draft and I think Jerry could be a star in this league. However, they desperately needed to add someone at outside linebacker and they came up empty. They're set to open the season with converted safety Coy Wire starting at weak-side linebacker which is a sobering thought for Falcons fans. Any number of players in the 2nd or 3rd round could have been added to fill that hole.

Grade: C+

Draft Grades: Panthers

Despite not having a 1st-round selection, the Panthers made the most of this year's draft.

Everette Brown fell down the draft boards throughout the offseason but he was an excellent value in the 2nd round. His stock fell because, although he's a tremendous athlete, he's a bit of a one-dimensional player. He's an elite pass rusher, but undersized and may lack the ability to be a three-down lineman.

I felt as though Sherrod Martin was a little overrated. The Panthers will likely move him to safety, but that's risky to spend a 2nd-round pick on a small-school player that needs to switch positions at the next level.

Corvey Irvin was a definite reach. He didn't even enter his senior year as a starter, but was pushed into duty when Jeff Owens went down with an injury. He impressed this year, but I wouldn't risk a 3rd round pick a college backup.

Mike Goodson is a decent developmental prospect. There isn't room for him in the Panthers backfield right now, but sooner or later they'll have to part ways with either DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart at which point he could step in.

Tony Fiammetta was the consensus top fullback in this year's draft class. Brad Hoover has held the job for nearly a decade now, but he's 32 years old. Fiammetta could take over the starting duties as soon as this year.

I said all along that Duke Robinson was overrated, and apparently NFL teams aggreed. He fell to the 5th round where he belonged. That said, he had good value where the Panthers took him and he could be an adequate backup with the potential to develop into a starter down the road.

I like Captain Munnerlyn a lot. He's undersized, but an excellent athlete. He won't make an instant impact, but I like his chance to stick around and potentially develop into an adequate contributor as a 3rd or 4th option at cornerback.

Overall the Panthers did an excellent job with the picks given to them. This won't be a draft that we look back on as a draft that retooled the franchise, but its was a solid draft to add some depth at positions of need. They did a nice job balancing against filling needs and taking good values.

Grade: B+

Draft Grades: Bucs

Question their strategy all you want, but you have to give the Bucs credit for targeting their man and moving up to get him.

I'm not entirely sold on Josh Freeman and I don't think he was worth a mid-1st-round pick. However, it sure is nice to finally see a young face in the mix at quarterback in Tampa. He needs at least a year to sit and learn, but he definitely has Daunte Culpepper-like potential.

I think they reached for Roy Miller, but some had him rated as high as a late 2nd-round value. He certainly fills a need though. Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims are adequate starters, but nothing special. Even if Roy Miller only adds to the depth, he'll serve his purpose.

I like Kyle Moore a lot and I think he's a perfect fit in Tampa. They needed a bigger defensive end to work into the rotation behind Gaines Adams and Stylez G. White.

Xavier Fulton is a decent 5th-round pick. He has some upside and is athletic enough to play left tackle. The Bucs offensive line needed more than just Fulton, but they filled other needs earlier in the draft so I can't penalize them waiting to address the line until the 5th round.

E.J. Biggers was a reach even in the 7th round. I was surprised to hear his name called at all. He wasn't even the best cornerback on his own team (Londen Fryar).

Sammie Stroughter was a decent 7th round selection. He's been dominant at times in college but there remains questions about his mental healthy after missing most of the 2008 season with depression. He's certainly worth the risk though and it would be a great story to see him catch on with the Bucs and make an impact. I'm certainly rooting for him.

Overall, the Bucs had a decent draft but a lot is riding on the shoulders of Josh Freeman. They took a big risk and Raheem Morris essentially bet his job on him. If he pans out, this draft will be the begining of another great run for the Bucs.

Grade: B

Draft Grades: Saints

The Saints didn't have much to work with this year, but they came away a few players that can help right away.

Malcolm Jenkins is a perfect fit in New Orleans. The Saints have needed a cornerback for years, but have failed to address that need through the draft. The free agent signings of guys such as Randall Gay and Jason David simply haven't lived up to expectations. Jenkins finally gives the Saints hope of having a true shutdown cornerback.

Chip Vaughn had excellent value in the 4th round. Roman Harper has done an adequate job as the starter at strong safety, but they're not sold on him as the long-term option. Vaughn adds to their depth and gives them someone to push Harper for playing time.

Vaughn's teammate Stanley Arnoux doesn't offer much except some depth. I felt as though he was a reach in the 4th round. He had a productive career at Wake Forest, but he's undersized and not a great fit for the Saints scheme.

I don't like it when teams take kickers and punters before the 7th round. Most drafted special teams players fail to work out and some quality players can still be found in the 5th round. Morstead was one of the better punters in this draft class, but not substantially better than what would have been available in free agency. He should win the starting job, but it was still a reach.

Overall the Saints did an adequate job addressing needs. Despite having just four picks, they managed to get one immediate starter (Jenkins) and potentially two others (Morstead and Vaughn). However, they failed to land a running back to share the load with Reggie Bush, despite trying to trade back into the 1st round for Chris Wells.

Grade: B-

Draft Grades: Raiders

I don't even know where to start with the Raiders. In terms of initial reactions, this was by far the worst draft I've seen in the six years I've been running DraftAce.com.

Darrius Heyward-Bey is a very talented receiver. Unfortunately that talent only comes out in workouts. He rarely makes plays on the field that live up to his physical ability. His apologists are quick to point out the inconsistent play of his quarterbacks at Maryland, but we've seen plenty of receivers in recent years find success in spite of their quarterback's play (Calvin Johnson, Hakeem Nicks to name a few). Heyward-Bey had a chance to develop into a good receiver had he landed in the right system, but being selected by the Raiders could end his career before it even starts. Through no fault of his own, he has been put in a position to fail.

While Heyward-Bey was a reach, at least most felt he was a worthy of a late 1st-round selection. Michael Mitchell, however, was the biggest reach I have ever seen in the draft. Teams reach for players all the time, but never before have I seen a player drafted in the 2nd round that shouldn't have heard his name called at all. Mitchell is a decent athlete, but I don't see him as an impact player in the NFL. He may play for the Raiders right away, but only because safety is a serious question mark for them right now.

Matt Shaughnessy was a reach in the 3rd round. I think he could be a decent player, but defensive end is arguably one of their strengths. With so many needs, I can't justify reaching for another position in the 3rd round. There were still quality players on the board that could have helped in areas of need.

Louis Murphy is a decent 4th round selection. He has speed (of course you probably already knew that since the Raiders drafted him) and he's a decent route runner. He'll be a good 3rd or 4th option at receiver.

Slade Norris played both defensive end and outside linebacker in college but is undersized and will move to linebacker in the NFL. He's very raw and will offer very little immediate help. He's a decent pass rusher, but that's about all he brings to the table at this point in time.

I like Stryker Sulak but he's very similar to Slade Norris. He's a little bigger and could probably play defensive line, but he's a one-dimensional pass rusher.

Brandon Myers will struggle to make the roster. Tight end isn't a need and he doesn't offer much that the Raiders don't already have.

No one had a worse draft than the Raiders. In fact, no one came even close. I've never seen a team make so many horrendous reaches in one draft. The Raiders failed to land a single player that will make an impact in 2009. We can expect to see them drafting in the top 10 again next year.

Grade: F

Draft Grades: Chiefs

Bill Belichick disciples have struggled without him, and early indications are that Scott Pioli is next. This draft displayed the typical arrogance that occasionally has gotten the Patriots in trouble over the years by reaching for players that they felt fit their system. Occasionally the strategy works, it frequently does in the 1st round. However, Pioli had the same problem identifying late-round talent that he did in New England.

The Chiefs reached for Tyson Jackson. No matter what becomes of him in the NFL, there's no denying that fact. He would have been available later in the first round. The Chiefs should have traded down, even if it meant essentially giving away the 3rd pick as the Browns did with the 5th selection. He's a good fit for their system, but 3-4 defensive ends simply aren't the worth the 3rd overall selection and the money that he will receive as a result.

Alex Magee was a great catch in the 3rd round. He's a good athlete and should play defensive end in their 3-4 system. The addition of Magee likely means the end of the road in Kansas City for either Glenn Dorsey or Turk McBride (Dorsey isn't a good fit in the 3-4 defense).

I feel as though they reached for Donald Washington, but there were some that felt he could have come off the board as early as the 3rd round. He certainly has some potential, but should have stayed in school for his senior year.

They also reached for Colin Brown. He has impressive size, but is very raw and doesn't have a clear position in the NFL. He's too slow to get a good fit at tackle, but may be too tall to play guard.

The Chiefs needed a receiver, so I understand the selection of Quinten Lawrence. However, he's a developmental prospect and doesn't figure to make an impact in 2009. They should have gone the safer route and targeted a more NFL-ready receiver.

Javarris Williams is another developmental prospect that wasn't worth the risk by a team needing as much immediate help as the Chiefs. There isn't much room for him at running back, which could mean they're planning on trying him out at fullback. It could work out in the long run, but he doesn't add any immediate help.

Jake O'Connell is an excellent athlete, but he wasn't very productive at Miami OH. He could provide some depth, but he's a third-string tight end at best.

Mr. Irrelevant Ryan Succop will be given the chance to win the stating job from Connor Barth. I thought there were better kickers available, but he's certainly capable of playing the NFL.

Overall the Chiefs got very little help for the immediate future. Jackson and Magee are capable of starting, but its concerning that the Chiefs spent both of their top picks on the same position despite having so many other needs. They have a few developmental prospects which could make this a solid draft class down the road, but this is a win-now league. The Chiefs took too many risks and only addressed one position of need early in the draft.

Grade: C-