2010 NFL Draft Grades: First Round Grades

Some teams were great in Round 1 while others bombed the test with a big fat “F”. It’s just the first round, and regularly true grades are made by about year 3 after the draft, but I’m a danged sports writer, and I feel it’s a must for me to tell everyone how I feel about the “Prime Time” action that went down in the NFL yesterday. I must say, it was good TV.

St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford – The Rams had to grab Bradford, it only made sense. The kid is going to be good, I’ve thought so for years, and I won’t stop thinking so until he pulls a Ryan Leaf. I’ve said it once, but a home run at quarterback is better than a home run at defensive tackle. A

Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, Jahvid Best- Couldn’t go wrong with their top pick as they plucked one of the most dominant defensive tackle prospects in many-many years. But, I don’t see why the Lions felt the need to trade up to grab Best, but they did, and they got him, and I think he’s worth the pick. Maybe they felt Minnesota would have taken him had they not traded their pick, and with that being the case, this makes a little sense. But you know Indy and New Orleans weren’t going to take Best, and neither were the Rams. But he was the best running back prospect left, and I like the kid a lot. Give them a little credit, they ended up with two first rounders and they didn’t blow either one. A-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy -Great pick for the Bucs, the guy fits perfectly and he’s a dominant player on every down. A

Washington Redskins: Trent Williams – The Redskins picked a talented offensive lineman, no doubt, and Splinter has done well picking the position in the past. However, questions about his work ethic and love for the game drop Williams a bit in my book. But he’s a good player and fills a great need for the Skins. C+

Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry -The Chiefs fought the urge to leave a safety on the board because the position isn’t usually drafted so high. But Berry is the exception, and that makes this an even greater pick because of their willing to ignore the common perception about the position. A+

Seattle Seahawks: Russell Okung, Earl Thomas -The Draft couldn’t have worked out better for Seattle. Well, I guess I would have liked it better had Berry fallen to them at 6 and had Davis fallen to them at 14. But drafting where they were, and considering who they got, this was an awesome draft for Seattle. Okung was my 2nd rated offensive lineman, and the most sure thing at the OT position – and Thomas was the 5th rated defender on my list, and he’s really close to Berry, Suh, McClain, and McCoy. Both were huge needs for Seattle. Perfect first round for Pete Carol. A+

Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden -The Browns drafted Haden, who is a very good and physical corner – a guy many had rated as the best CB in this class. I like Kyle Wilson more, but Haden might fit better in what the Browns do defensively. Still, when I heard that Holmgren might make his decision based on where the two corners played (Haden at Florida compared to Wilson at Boise State), I threw up in my mouth a little bit. That’s just flat stupid. Still, a solid pick for the Browns. B

Oakland Raiders: Rolando McClain -Finally the Raiders just picked a good player. Red-Red Ryan had McClain going to the Raiders in his Mock Draft back in January, and he got it right on the button. McClain is a weird pick for Oakland because he was so successful and productive in college. Tom Jackson had it right when he said, “The Raiders won’t be looking for a middle linebacker in next year’s draft.” McClain wasn’t a huge need pick for Oakland, but I have to give them a good grade for not picking a workout hero that didn’t excel in college. B+

Buffalo Bills: C.J. Spiller -I love C.J. Spiller. But he’s not a great pick for Buffalo. He’s a touchdown maker, and he’s good at everything, but for a team that needs so much, especially on the offensive line, a smallish running back at #9 is not great for them. However, if he turns out to be more Chris Johnson than Reggie Bush, then I’ll admit being wrong. Seems like a great kid, so I hope I’m wrong. C-

Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyson Alualu – “We like to “joke” with Jack Del Rio’s lack of intelligence, and expect him to do something mentally representative of that “joke”” – yeah, this is what I wrote prior to the draft – and while I liked Alualu as a solid defensive tackle prospect, I can’t help but believe they reached 20 picks early for the Cal defensive tackle, and the fact that 3 teams traded down into 11, 12, and 13 means they could have picked up a couple extra picks and still drafted their guy. I think Tyson will be solid, but that doesn’t help their grade. It’s like picking Tony Gonzalez with your first round pick in fantasy football – he’s good, but the pick is dumb. F

San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis, Mike Iupati – The 49ers traded up a couple picks to grab a guy I tabbed as the best and most talented offensive tackle prospect in the draft. I don’t think they needed to do so, but maybe they knew the next two teams were trying to trade down, and didn’t want to miss out on their top rated OT. With their second pick they grabbed one of the best all around offensive line prospects in the draft in guard Mike Iupati – and they did so right before Pittsburgh picked. The 49ers got a lot better up front, but more importantly, they might have drafted an identity. This was a very good start for the 49ers, though I don’t think they needed to trade up to get their guy – so I have to drop them a little bit. Having the balls to take two offensive linemen in the first 17 picks moves them up a little bit. A-

San Diego Chargers: Ryan Matthews – The Chargers traded way up and reached a bit for Ryan Matthews. Will he be worth it? Maybe. He’s the only every down running back rated as a first round pick, and they must think they are an every down back away from a Super Bowl. I happen to think they are a good nose tackle and a better secondary away from a Super Bowl, but what do I know? I think Matthews was reached for here, but he is going to be good, and did fill a need. C+

Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham – The Eagles never seem to hesitate to trade up and get the guy they want, and I like their style. Brandon Graham was the 10th rated player on my big board, and the 6th rated defensive player. The Eagles got him at 13, and they moved up just in time to assure they got their guy. Seattle might have snagged him, and so could the Giants. They might have given up a lot, but he’s going to be a game changer right off the bat for a defense that has struggled to get after the quarterback in big games. A

New York Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul - Maybe the Giants like what Pierre-Paul brings to the table a lot more than Osi – but I’m not so sure. I like Pierre-Paul’s athleticism and upside, but I’ve seen Osi do work at defensive end. They are likely to trade him now, and Pierre-Paul’s ability was good value at 15, but I’m not sure the eventual trade will make them better. B-

Tennessee Titans: Derrick Morgan – The Titans needed a consistent player on their defensive line, and you can’t go wrong with Morgan. He’s not a pure pass rusher, and he’s not an all run defense guy – he’s very good at both. He’s an every down player that will help the Titans get after the quarterback and stop the run. He’s got a great motor, and is a good fit. Plus, the value for Morgan at 16 was great. A

Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey - I think this is a little high to take Pouncey, but the kid can really play. He’s got great feet and understanding, and he did lots of good stuff at Florida. The Steelers really needed help up front, they got it with this guy. B+

Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon -This was a bit of a reach, value wise, but ability wise I think it was perfect. I had Weatherspoon rated as the 19th best player in the draft because of his ability to positively effect the offense on every down. Not enough is said about that, and the Falcons have a very good and smart player to help their mediocre defense turn the corner And Sean fills a need for the Falcons. A-

Houston Texans: Kareem Jackson – I liked Kyle Wilson as the top corner, and he ends up getting picked as the 4th corner, behind Jackson, McCourty, and Haden. Kareem is a very physical player that helped the Crimson Tide dominate defensively all year long. His ability to do many things in coverage allowed Alabama to use many defenses, and he’s ready to help a Texans team that desperately needs help in the secondary. B

Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham – The Bengals drafted the surest receiver in the draft, he just happens to be a tight end. The way Carson Palmer has regressed a bit means Gresham might be just what he needs. He’s more into throwing safer passes, and Gresham’s advantage over safeties and linebackers should help Palmer feel more comfortable on balls throw that way. B+

Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas, Tim Tebow – Oh Denver, you were doing so well with all your trade downs. Honestly, I like Thomas, I just think Dez Bryant is better. Also, I’m starting to like Tim Tebow, but mainly because there are so many haters for a guy that plays the game with all the passion and effort any fan could hope for. I think he has a chance to be a good quarterback at the NFL level, and now I’m rooting for him. I think Denver reached a little bit on both picks, and I would have loved to see them grab Dan Williams and Dez Bryant, but they traded down to get the guys they wanted at a better value than they would hvae been had they drafted them at their original draft slot. Take notes, Jacksonville, write it on your hand, use a sharpie. C+

Arizona Cardinals: Dan Williams – The Cardinals are good at drafting. Dan Williams is only going to make that elite defensive front that much better. Great value pick for the Cardinals, even though they didn’t have a high need at defensive tackle. A

New England Patriots: Devin McCourty – The Patriots traded down to draft who they wanted, and maybe McCourty is better made for their defensive schemes than Kyle Wilson – but I think the Patriots should have drafted Wilson at this spot, or Dez Bryant, or Jared Odrick – even Jahvid Best possibly. Smart teams draft corners that help in Round 1, but I thought there was a lot of value to be had elsewhere. C+

Miami Dolphins: Jared Odrick – The Dolphins traded down a few times and ended up with a great 3-4 defensive end prospect – a kid that has very functional strength on the football field, and a motor to match his ability. This is a perfect player for the Dolphins defense that needed help up front. They made a good choice to pass on a pass-rushing OLB with so many still on the board. A

New York Jets: Kyle Wilson – The Jets just gave themselves the best corner trio in football. Wilson’s ability to man up on receivers will allow the Jets to come up with some crazy blitzes and still be safe in coverage. They have 3 playmaking man corners that will do work for them. They are going to be good. Great value pick, as they didn’t feel like they needed to press for a need. They get an extra bonus for taking my top rated corner back. A

Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Hughes - The Colts are also smart. They happened to get the best pass rusher in the draft to fall into their laps at 31, and they took him. It’s not brain surgery, but they seem to make it look a lot easier than most. A+

New Orleans Saints: Patrick Robinson - The Saints see the value in adding depth and strength at corner. Robinson has the ability to help a Super Bowl caliber team right away at a position where they needed depth and ability. Good move by them. Great value? Probably not, but a good move nonetheless. B+