17 | Bucs | | Quarterback | |
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This is a very difficult pick to grade at this point in time. Ideally, Freeman won't see significant playing time until at least 2010 if not later. He's very raw, but clearly has a ton of potential. Its a risky move, but its about time the Buccaneers brought in a young quarterback.
Grade: C+ |
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18 | Broncos | | Defensive
End | Tennessee |
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Ayers is a tough prospect to judge because he only started for one year at Tennessee. That's somewhat of a concern, but the Vols have a great track record producing NFL talent on defense. Denver needed to find a 3-4 defensive end and Ayers should be able to fill that role.
Grade: B |
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19 | Eagles | | Wide Receiver | Missouri |
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The first mistake the Eagles made was trading up. Did they really think Detroit would take a receiver? The second mistake was drafting DeSean Jackson for the second-straight year. I know Maclin is taller and strong, but both players are very soft and rely strictly on their speed to make plays.
Grade: C- |
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20 | Lions | | Tight End | Ok. State |
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The more things change, the more they stay the same... Detroit may never find their way if they keep drafting like this. Pettigrew is an elite prospect, but he's not the type of player that can make an impact on a team as bad as the Lions. They really should have taken Michael Oher here.
Grade: D+ |
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21 | Browns | | Center | California |
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Alex Mack is certainly worthy of a first round pick, but the Browns have much great needs. Hank Fraley has done a nice job at center for them the past two seasons. Unless Mack moves to right tackle, which could be an option, then I'm very confused by this selection.
Grade: C
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22 | Vikings | | Wide Receiver | Florida |
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Brad Childress knows his job is on the line this year, which likely contributed to this selection. The Vikings needed to add another weapon for Tarvarris Jackson, but I'm not sure Harvin was the right guy. He isn't the number one receiver that they really needed.
Grade: C | |
23 | Ravens | | Offensive Tackle | Ole Miss |
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This is a great pick for the Ravens and a great landing place for Oher. He'll likely only be asked to play right tackle in Baltimore, where he he should eventually take over for Willie Anderson. He has the potential to play on the left side, but Jared Gaither has that spot locked down.
Grade. A- | |
24 | Falcons | | Defensive Tackle | Ole Miss |
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I thought this would be the direction the Falcons would go until they lost both starting outside linebackers in free agency. At that point I assumed they had to address that need here. Jerry still fills a hole and should be a good pro, but probably wasn't the best option.
Grade: B | |
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25 | Dolphins | | Cornerback | Illinois |
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The Dolphins entered the draft knowing that cornerback was their top need. They would have like to see Malcolm Jenkins fall, but Vontae Davis is a nice consolation prize. He's somewhat of a rise, as his work ethic has been questioned, but he was the clear-cut best option for them here.
Grade: B+ | |
26 |
Packers | | Outside Linebacker | USC |
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This was one of my favorite picks from the first round. The addition of Matthews gives the Packers the personnel they need to run the 3-4 defense. He should start over Brady Poppinga from day one at outside linebacker. The Packers are a clear winner on day one of the draft.
Grade: A | |
27 | Colts | | Running Back | UConn |
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The Colts had much bigger needs on defense, but this is a solid pick. I'm a big fan of Brown and I think he is a perfect compliment to Joseph Addai. The recent injuries to Addai, and the loss of Dominic Rhodes certainly added to their need for a running back here.
Grade: B | |
28 | Bills | | Center | |
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I like Eric Wood a lot but I'm confused by this pick. The Bills simply can't enter the 2009 season with Kirk Chambers as their starting left tackle, yet that's who sits atop the depth chart right now. With Eben Britton still on the board, how did they justify taking a center?
Grade: B- | |
29 | Giants | | Wide
Receiver | UNC |
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I'm pleasantly surprised to see Hakeem Nicks go in the first round. I think he is a perfect fit for the Giants and will excel as Eli Manning's new favorite target. He lacks the speed to stretch the field but few receivers in the NFL have better hands than Nicks.
Grade: A- | |
30 | Titans | | Wide Receiver | Ohio
State |
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This pick makes a lot of sense, but I must admit I'm shocked to see the Titans take a receiver. Jeff Fisher has avoided taking receivers early in the draft because he knows that nearly 50 percent of them fail to make an impact in the NFL. However, it was the one weakness for the Titans in 2008.
Grade: B+ | |
31 | Cardinals | | Running
Back | Ohio State |
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If you take away the injury concerns Wells would be a top-ten talent, so the Cardinals have to like the value they got here. A smaller, faster running back would have been a better compliment to Tim Hightower, but Wells is the type that can carry the load and was too good to pass up.
Grade: A- | |
32 | Steelers | | Defensive Tackle | Missouri |
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I'm surprised by this pick only because the Steelers typically target the best available player, regardless of position. This pick, however, was clearly based on a need for some youth along the defensive line. I like Hood, but thought there were some better options here.
Grade: B | |
