NFC West Draft Grades

Arizona Cardinals Grade: A-
Best Pick: Patrick Peterson CB LSU

The Cardinals did not address the QB position, but if there's nothing there...not much you can do. I love the addition of Peterson, my best overall player in the draft. I also really like Ryan Williams, although I worry about combining him with Beanie Wells (two injury prone backs). Also, they landed Quan Sturdivant later in the draft who should turn into a solid player for them.

San Francisco 49ers Grade: B
Best Pick: Kendall Hunter RB Oklahoma State

The 9ers had a good, not great draft. Jim Harbaugh is a very good judge of Quarterbacks, being one himself, and Kaepernick is a very intriguing prospect to bring in--just don't expect it from him this year. Aldon Smith is another guy that could develop into a pro bowl type, but also could bust. You have to really like the Kendall Hunter pick--he's a guy who could fill in very well in an every down situation if Gore were to go down, and is otherwise a darn good backup.

Seattle Seahawks Grade: D
Best Pick: John Moffit OG Wisconsin

This draft left a lot to be desired. James Carpenter in the first round is an absolute joke. John Moffit if their best pick, but even he's pretty one-dimensional as a run blocker. They did little to help their god awful pass rush--and they had a chance to add a really good running back to their very average stable and they didn't do it. Very disappointing draft for the Seahawks.

St. Louis Rams Grade: B
Best Pick: Greg Salas WR Hawaii

Robert Quinn is a solid pick with a ton of upside, however he wasn't anywhere near the production of a Da'Quan Bowers and he had some questions about his health as well. The Austin Pettis pick is one I don't like, but adding Greg Salas and Lance Kendricks as receiving options for Bradford were good moves. The poor guy had Danny Amendola as his #1 target for most of last season...yuck. Also, don't overlook Spagnuolo's ability to scout players defensively that will make an impact down the road--particularly Jermale Hines and Jonathan Nelson.

NFC South Draft Grades

Atlanta Falcons Grade: B+
Best Pick: Julio Jones WR Alabama

You have to like the dirty birds being aggressive and flying up to get Jones. It was a move that shows how serious they are about winning, I respect that. I believe Jones will be better than A.J. Green. I also really liked the addition of 'Quizz Rodgers who will give them a receiving option out of the backfield--he also could help in the return game. The sheer amount they gave up to get Jones prevented this from being an A.

      Carolina Panthers Grade: B-
      Best Pick: Cameron Newton QB Auburn

People can argue about it all they would like, but Newton was the right pick. His ceiling is as high as any player that has been in the draft in years. And before you say, it wasn't the safe pick...look back to when the Dolphins took Jake Long (the safe pick) instead of Matt Ryan (the potential franchise QB). Don't they wish they had that back. Aside from Newton, the best pick they made was Sione Fua, a high effort DT who will be a starter in the league.

New Orleans Saints Grade: A
Best Pick: Tie-Cameron Jordan DL California and Martez Wilson LB Illinois

Really awesome draft by the Saints. They got great value from the Ingram and Jordan picks. Not to mention Wilson who I think will turn into a stud. Also, another guy to keep an eye on is Greg Romeus. He was an elite pass rusher in the big east and some saw him as a late 1st-early 2nd round pick before not playing all season due to suspension/injury. Jordan is going to be someone who on passing downs can play inside, running downs he can be stable against the run. Ingram gives them the most complete back they have had. This draft may have put the Saints over the top.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Grade: A
Best Pick: Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson

Speaking of taking the next step how about Tampa Bay. You have to love ESPN experts saying, "well if you draft Bowers you may only get him for 5-6 years". From the guys in the draft that bust every season, you would think you would accept 5-6 years of Bowers considering what he did at Clemson with an injured knee. If your medical team does it's job they can keep him on the field even longer...amazing pick by the Bucs. Clayborn and Bowers is going to be scary in a year or so. Two other picks...Mason Foster at inside backer is very stout and is always around the football, and Ahmad Black of Florida has been told how small he is for years now. All he does? Make plays. I expect the same at the pro level.

NFC North Draft Grades

Chicago Bears Grade: B-
Best Pick: Stephen Paea DT Oregon State

The only reason this grade is so low is because of the lack of picks. Both Carimi and Paea are awesome picks by the bears, and if we are going purely on first two rounds they did about as good as anyone. Carimi should help their running game big time and Paea could be a pass-rushing force at DT. Their drafting of QB Nathan Enderle was very questionable...he has pro size but did not stand out in the way you would like to see small school guys stand out.

Detroit Lions Grade: B
Best Pick: Tie-Nick Fairley DT Auburn and Mikel LeShoure RB Illinois

A defensive line that was already becoming one of the better units in the league can now add another monster. They didn't address their secondary needs in the draft which is the only reason this is not an A. LeShoure reminds some of Rashard Mendenhall, I don't believe he has quite the burst, but there's no doubting that LeShoure is the best option that the Lions have as a primary back. I think he will be very productive and should help give Jahvid Best more of a breather.

Green Bay Packers Grade: B+
Best Pick: Randall Cobb WR Kentucky

There is no better GM in all of football than Ted Thompson. He assembles talent and his staff develops them better than any in the game. Sherrod, I don't think is ready to play from Day one, but is an extremely attractive package. With James Jones likely departing, Cobb fills that role--he is an explosive playmaker who when people look back--will wonder why he was taken so late. Alex Green is
an underrated running back who could provide a little explosiveness to James Starks between the tackles. 

Minnesota Vikings Grade: C
Best Pick: Brandon Burton CB Utah

When the best pick you make is your 4th rounder--that's not a good sign. Ponder was picked in the 1st round, the Vikings do need a QB terribly, but wouldn't they be better off waiting to take a guy that's ceiling is being compared to Chad Pennington? Christian Ballard is a nice pick, who I thought would go higher--and they need him with Pat Williams getting older and facing suspension. Also, they took some guy from Slippery Rock...really?!

NFC East Draft Grades

Dallas Cowboys Grade: B
Best Pick: Round 2 Bruce Carter OLB North Carolina

I like the pick of Smith in round one they needed to sure up their O-line. Carter in my opinion, was their best pick, he's a fast LB, more suited to play inside in the 3-4, needs to bulk up a little more but was always around the ball and should be an immediate factor in Dallas. Also, DeMarco Murray should be a very good 3rd down back for the Boys. 

New York Giants Grade: A-
Best Pick: Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska

As usual, the Giants had an excellent draft. Amukamara will improve the secondary from day one and could turn into a huge difference maker. It's a little bit of a gamble taking Austin, but the Giants have had success with guys like him. I love the picks of Greg Jones (LB) and Da'Rel Scott (RB). Jones will be a starter in the NFL, he is tackling machine, and Scott could end up being a factor in the running game.

Philadelphia Eagles Grade: B-
Best Pick: Jaiquawn Jarrett S Temple

The pick of Danny Watkins was somewhat questionable, with guys like Derrick Sherrod and Gabe Carimi still on the board, but he's a versatile guy who will help them. I'm big on Jaiquawn Jarrett, he's a guy who even at small school Temple jumps off the film, is a very smart and instinctive player. Their last pick of Stanley Havili could turn out to be their best in the long run. The Eagles really missed Leonard Weaver last season, and Havili is in the same mold and is a very good receiver out of the backfield.

Washington Redskins Grade: B+
Best Pick: Leonard Hankerson WR Miami (FL)

Ryan Kerrigan was a very nice pick in the first round and should help their abysmal pass rush. My guy here is Leonard Hankerson, yes he's a Hurricane. The guy put up huge numbers while having Jacory Harris throwing to him...and looked like the best offensive player in the whole senior bowl. Evan Royster is a Mike Shanahan type back who could become one of those unheralded picks to become a star. I also like Markus White, he played DE at florida state, but will project as a 3-4 OLB. He's got the athleticism to do it.

Day One Thoughts

                                                                                    Best Pick of Round One:

Patrick Peterson CB LSU--Cardinals #5 Overall
-This in my mind is the best player in this draft. Athletically, no one has his size and speed...when you combine his ball-hawking skills and his ability to be a return-man on top of it...the uses for Peterson are endless. The Cardinals now have Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Patrick Peterson at Corner...Hey NFC Quarterbacks...turn around and hand the ball off.


Worst Pick of Round One:
                                                                                   Jonathan Baldwin WR Pittsburgh--Chiefs #26 Overall
-The Chiefs passed up a bigger need at O-line to take an extremely overrated receiver. He's tall, and fast for his size, but is an awful route runner. He has average hands at best, and from watching film you can see him giving up on numerous plays. I had Baldwin as a 3rd-4th round pick at best and am disappointed the Chiefs decided to reach as high as they did.

Runner-Up
James Carpenter OL Alabama--Seahawks #25 Overall
-I can't count this as worse because honestly my judging of offensive lineman is not near other positions. But I do know that all James Carpenter did during the Senior Bowl was get beat like he stole something. He does have some versatility, he played both tackle and guard, but as an overall package he's very stiff as an athlete and doesn't seem to be anywhere near a 1st round lineman.

How the hell is he still there?
Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson

-Bowers is the best pass rusher to come out of college since Mario Williams. Some had him as the #1 overall pick prior to the combine...but there it appeared his knee injury is hampering him more than previously thought. He tore his meniscus...something that as I learned in my athletic training class can be fixed and healed after a few months. So you're telling me a guy that was the best defensive end in college football (by far), played with a bad meniscus, is now falling because of this injury? If NFL medical teams can't solve this injury (and essentially have an even better player) then maybe your doctors need to go back to med school. He is STILL my 2nd best defensive player in this entire draft and teams will look back in regret.

Hilarious Analysis of Yesterday:
I love Jon Gruden as much as anyone else. But his analysis on Jake Locker is downright hilarious. He called Jake Locker a "winner". Let's review Jake Locker's record at Washington...Senior Year (7-6)--Junior (5-7)--Sophomore (0-12)--Frosh(4-9). That would be ONE bowl appearance. Does that really look like a winner to you? Not to mention Locker couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat with his awful accuracy and robotic mechanics. Although if you get him the right coach he's got the arm and athleticism to be a solid project.

What I'm looking for tonight...

• Where is Ryan Mallett going to go? He's the most NFL-ready QB in this draft.
• Will the Broncos FINALLY address the defensive line?
• What will the Patriots do with their plethora of picks?
• Who's going to snag Da'Quan?
• What team is going to take the next step? Every year, because of the draft a new good team emerges in the NFL.

Stare, Squint, Nod (FINAL)

Note: The selections are based not on need, not on who I think WILL be taken...but who SHOULD be taken. Hence Ryan Mallet so high...he is in my opinion the best QB in this draft.

1.     Carolina- Cam Newton QB Auburn
2.      Denver- Patrick Peterson CB LSU
3.      Buffalo- Marcell Dareus DL Alabama
4.      Cincinnati- A.J. Green WR Georgia
5.       Arizona- Von Miller DE/OLB Texas A&M
6.       Cleveland- Da’Quan Bowers DL Clemson
7.       San Francisco- Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas
8.       Tennessee- Nick Fairley DT Auburn
9.       Dallas- Tyron Smith OL USC
10.   Washington- Julio Jones WR Alabama
11.   Houston- Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska
12.   Minnesota- Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri
13.   Detroit- Akeem Ayers LB UCLA
14.   St. Louis- Anthony Castonzo OL Boston College
15.   Miami- Jake Locker QB Washington
16.   Jacksonville- Robert Quinn DL North Carolina
17.   New England- Corey Liuget DL Illinois
18.   San Diego- Ryan Kerrigan DL Purdue
19.   NY Giants- Nate Solder OL Colorado
20.   Tampa Bay- J.J. Watt DL Wisconsin
21.   Kansas City- Aldon Smith DE/OLB Missouri
22.   Indianapolis- Stephen Paea DT Oregon State
23.   Philadelphia- Gabe Carimi OL Wisconsin
24.   New Orleans- Danny Watkins OL Baylor
25.   Seattle- Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa
26.   Baltimore- Brandon Harris CB Miami (FL)
27.   Atlanta- Mikel LeShoure RB Illinois
28.   New England- Mark Ingram RB Alabama
29.   Chicago- Mike Pouncey OL Florida
30.   NY Jets- Muhammed Wilkerson DL Temple
31.   Pittsburgh- Jimmy Smith CB Colorado
32.   Green Bay- Drake Nevis DL LSU

Don't Call It A Comeback

The west coast road trip seemed to invigorate the Sox. They won 5 of the 6 games on the left coast including their first four-game sweep on the road over the Angels since 1980 (I was -9 years old). The pitching has been stellar, and at times the offense showed signs of breaking out. The offense isn't there yet but there has been improvement.

The batting average has jumped up to .239 (still not very good). They have climbed the ladder (now in top 15 in runs scored) because of the at-bats they are putting together. The Sox (led by Youk) are tied with the Mariners as the best in baseball at drawing walks. This is giving them plenty of chances to drive in runs.

The pitching...simply amazing. You can't expect this current streak to continue, but their ERA has lowered from 6.77 to 4.50. A SIGNIFICANT improvement. The starters are going deep into games and the bullpen has been very well rested. Also, Jonathan Papelbon is looking a lot more like the guy of old...and not the one from the last 2 seasons (ironic that it happens in a contract year). Buchholz has really been the only guy that still appears to be laboring out there...but don't expect Dice-K to keep this up. Lackey on the other hand seems to have a nastiness on the mound to him as of late...and Beckett went into a hot-tub time machine to 2007.

The Sox will have three in Baltimore against the Birds and three back at the fens against Seattle. Let's take a look at how they stack up...

The Orioles (8-12 5th AL East) are the worst pitching staff that the Sox will have faced so far this season. Although, the Sox will see their 2 best, including young lefty Zach Britton who could give them fits as well as the consistent Jeremy Guthrie. Later on in the game, the O's turn to Koji Uehara and Mike Gonzalez (lefty) to set up for Kevin Gregg. This is a bullpen that can be smacked around. The Sox should really look to work counts and get guys like Britton and Guthrie out ASAP.

Their offense is also nothing to write home about. A .230 team batting average. They are in the top 10 in home runs but are dead last in both walks and stolen bases, which are very good indicators for the Red Sox. Their best hitter, average wise is Brian Roberts (hitting just .279), he also leads them with 15 RBI. And at the plate the power is more diverse than usual. Adam Jones is their leader with 4 big flies, but don't forget about Vlad Guerrero and Mark Reynolds (who either strikes out or hits it out it seems).

The Mariners (8-15 4th in AL West) are the worst offensive team in the American League...it seems they always are. They are not a threat for the long ball, and their main weapon is getting on base via the walk, tied as best in the bigs with the Sox. They do run often, good enough for top 10 in baseball, led by Ichiro (8 steals) and they also have Chone Figgins. Ichiro is also far and away their best hitter (.309) but watch out for 1B Justin Smoak who is swinging the bat a lot better. No one on the team has more than 3 HRs.

The pitching is more formidable. The Sox will see the reigning AL Cy Young Winner Felix Hernandez, who is off to a somewhat slow start but always seems to raise his game against the Red Sox. Fans should be disappointed they don't get the treat of seeing M's stud rookie Michael Pineda who has electric stuff. The M's staff has done a nice job keeping the ball in the yard (although that could be attributed to the park they play in). The bullpen is also an adventure for Seattle. Closer Brandon League (Sox fans may remember from Toronto) is a perfect 5-for-5 in save chances, but other than that who knows. The veteran Jamey Wright, Chris Ray, and lefty Aaron Laffey will be seen near the end.

The Sched:

 at Orioles (3 games)
Tues: RHP Clay Buchholz (1-2 5.31 ERA) vs. LHP Zach Britton (3-1 3.16 ERA)
Wed: RHP Josh Beckett (2-1 1.93 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (1-3 3.12 ERA)
Thur: LHP Jon Lester (2-1 2.59 ERA) vs. RHP Brad Bergeson (0-3 5.40 ERA)

vs. Mariners (3 games)
Fri: LHP Jason Vargas (0-2 5.53 ERA) vs. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-2 4.09 ERA)
Sat: RHP Doug Fister (1-3 3.19 ERA) vs. RHP John Lackey (2-2 6.35 ERA)
Sun: RHP Felix Hernandez (2-2 3.38 ERA) vs. RHP Clay Buchholz (1-2 5.31 ERA)

Forecast: 4-2 Week.
2 out of 3 vs. O's
2 out of 3 vs. M's