2007 NFL Draft Report Cards

How did your team do in this years draft? Here is my preliminary grades for each team, but of course we won't really know the true grades for a season or two.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

With RB Willis McGahee gone, RB was a position that needed to be addressed. The Bills answered this by taking RB Marshawn Lynch in the first, and RB Dwayne Wright in the fourth; both of whom will contribute immediately. Taking OLB Paul Posluszny in the second was also a good pick-up and they got good value for the pick.

Grade: B+

Miami Dolphins

Passing on QB Brady Quinn wasn't really that big of a deal, it's who they chose instead. Most boards didn't have WR Tedd Ginn Jr going for at least another 10 picks, and there's a chance he could never develop as a WR in the pros; you don't draft return specialists in the early first round. Taking RB Lorenzo Booker also doesn't make sense if Ricky Williams is supposed to return.

Grade: D

New England Patriots

FS Brandon Meriweather is a good pick in the first round, assuming he has no future incidents. Trading a 4th for Oakland WR Randy Moss was a good deal if Moss can return to his old form, but even if he doesn't they aren't exactly hurting for depth at the position.

Grade: B-

New York Jets

CB Darrelle Revis was considered by some to be the best CB in the draft (With the others going with Leon Hall), and the Jets traded up to get him. This is a good choice for the Jets as they are lacking a #1 CB talent and Revis should step right in and start contributing. MLB David Harris is also a good choice for Eric Mangini's 3-4 defense will also contribute a lot.

Grade: B

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens took OG Ben Grubbs with their first round pick, and he will more than likely end up starting. WR Yamon Figurs who had the fastest 40-yard dash time at the combine was taken with their third round pick. They were also one of the teams who tried to trade up for Brady Quinn in the last first but lacked the ammo to do so. They instead drafted Heisman winner QB Troy Smith in the end of the fifth round, it will be interesting to see how he develops at the next level.

Grade: C+

Cincinnati Bengals

CB Leon Hall was a good pick in the first, but some wonder how he will fare at the next level against elite receivers. Taking RB Kenny Irons in the second was a bit of a reach as they could have filled more pressing needs with the pick, and they already have a solid RB corps with Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry. QB Jeff Rowe will be a good backup to Carson Palmer, but will probably be nothing more than that.

Grade: D+

Cleveland Browns

The Browns were among one of the winners on draft day, their first three picks alone might kick-start a revival for this franchise. OT Joe Thomas was a great pick, as he could end up being a starter for 10-12 years for them. Although they gave up quite a lot to get him, getting QB Brady Quinn near the end of the first round was a good move as they desperately needed a possible elite QB talent. CB Eric Wright was considered by some to be the 2nd best CB of the draft behind Darrelle Revis, but has some possible character issues.

Grade: A

Pittsburgh Steelers

With the loss of Joey Porter, LB was a position that needed to be addressed and they did so by selecting OLB Lawrence Timmons in the first round. Further bolstering their defense, they picked DE Lamarr Woodley in the second who was a premiere pass-rusher in college but some have labeled him a tweener. TE Matt Spaeth is both a solid receiver and blocker and they got exceptional value for him with their third round pick. Their seventh round pick was used on WR Dallas Baker, who some had listed as a sleeper.

Grade: B

AFC South

Houston Texans

The Texans drafted DT Amobi Okoye; the youngest player ever drafted with their first round pick. Okoye is certainly an intriguing prospect with TONS of upside, so they certainly made a good pick with him. But then they wait until the fifth and sixth rounds to address their biggest need which is their pathetic offensive line. I am sure their new QB Matt Schaub is just thrilled.

Grade: C-

Indianpolis Colts

The Colts selected WR Anthony Gonzalez with the last pick in the first round, which might be considered a reach by some because Gonzalez was primarily considered a low second-round prospect. I would have figured them to focus mostly on defense due to how many starters they lost, but their first two picks were on the other side of the ball.

Grade: C

Jacksonville Jaguars

Most mocks had the Jaguars selecting Florida safety Reggie Nelson with their 17th overall selection, then for them to trade down with Denver and still be able to get their guy is great value. The rest of their picks were pretty solid, Justin Durant is a speedy LB who figures to contribute immediately to an already lackluster LB corps.

Grade: B

Tennessee Titans

Quite surprising to see them go with safety Michael Griffin with their first pick as it didn't figure to be a position of need, also I think it was a bit of a reach for him. Then they select RB Chris Henry with their next pick which was another reach, evidently they are not too high on their second round RB pick from last year; Lendale White.

Grade: D-

AFC West

Denver Broncos

The Broncos traded up with the Jaguars in the first round to move up five spots to select DE Jarvis Moss, this was rather pointless and a waste of picks as Moss would have been there at their original pick. Moss also has possible character issues, and this is not the year to have them. Then they spent more picks to select DT Marcus Thomas who also has character issues.

Grade: D

Kansas City Chiefs

With lots of holes to fill on their team, the Chiefs did fairly well with their picks. Dwayne Bowe is a very physical receiver and I like this pick for them. DT's Turk McBride and DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler will provide them with some long needed support against the run.

Grade: C+

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders were either going to pick QB JaMarcus Russell or WR Calvin Johnson, both of whom who are great prospects at their position. They decided to finally draft a QB in the first round after passing on Matt Leinart last year, and they selected Russell. Getting RB Michael Bush in the fourth round was a major steal, one of the best of the draft. Bush, who was first round talent and a potential Heisman contender prior to breaking his leg is a bruising RB, and he will compliment their offense and JaMarcus Russell very well.

Grade: A

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers lost three veteran players at WR, Safety and MLB. And with their first three picks, they selected replacements at those three positions. WR Craig Davis and SS Eric Weddle might be considered reaches, especially considering they traded up for Weddle. ILB Brandon Siler was projected as a mid-fourth round pick, and the Chargers were able to get him in the seventh and thus got great value.

Grade: C+

Now for the NFC teams.

NFC East

New York Giants

A solid draft for the Giants, CB Aaron Ross, WR Steve Smith, DT Jay Alford, LB Zak DeOssie were all good pick-ups for them and they all should contribute in some way. Drafting OT Adam Koets in the sixth and safety Michael Johnson in the seventh were good value picks.

Grade: B

Philadelphia Eagles

With the loss of QB Jeff Garcia, it was a no-brainer that the Eagles would spend a pick in the mid to late rounds for a quality backup to QB Donovan McNabb. Instead they trade out of the first round and use their first pick of the draft to select QB Kevin Kolb. Although Kolb is a decent QB, McNabb is only 30 and he will or at least should be the starting QB of this team for five or so more years at minimum. RB Tony Hunt was a good pick up in the third, and he was probably their best pick.

Grade: D-

Washington Redskins

With only having one pick in the top 140, the Redskins should have probably traded their 6th overall for more picks. Instead they selected the best safety in the draft which is Laron Landry. A very solid pick, Landry figures to be a superstar in the NFL and will give the Skins a deadly tandem at safety. H.B. Blades in the sixth was a steal for them as well.

Grade: C

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Can't argue with their first round pick, TE Greg Olsen with the 31st selection overall is a steal hands down. Olsen will provide Rex Grossman with a solid red zone target. But then they reached with their next pick by taking DE Dan Bazuin in the second round. RB Garrett Wolfe was an interesting pick as many have said he's too small to play the position at the next level, but Wolfe should be quite a good compliment to their bruising RB Cedric Benson.

Grade: B-

Detroit Lions

The Lions have not had very good success recently with taking WR's in the first. However Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson was the best player in the draft, and it was a smart pick by Matt Millen to take him. QB Drew Stanton was a good pick in the second, and will more than likely end up as the starter of this team in a year or two.

Grade: A-

Green Bay Packers

With the loss of RB Ahman Green, the Packers figured to have their first round pick set on one of the two RB prospects to be taken there (Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch) but both were gone after twelve picks. So they ended up taking DT Justin Harrell who is coming off a serious injury, but will be a stud once he returns to full health. LB Desmond Bishop and K Mason Crosby in the sixth round were great day two picks.

Grade: C-

Minnesota Vikings

With their first round selection the Vikings opted to pick RB Adrian Peterson over QB Brady Quinn. Peterson who despite injury concerns, was considered to be the second or third best player in the draft. WR Sidney Rice is a physical and speedy receiver who fills a big need for the Vikings. LB Rufus Alexander could also be a sleeper pick and end up as a steal in the sixth.

Grade: B+

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

A lot of people figured Atlanta to use their 8th overall selection on safety Laron Landry, but when the Redskins took Landry with their pick the Falcons were happy to instead take DE Jamaal Anderson. Anderson will immediately step in as a starter and contribute for the Falcons after they lost DE Patrick Kerney. OG Justin Blalock and CB Chris Houston in the second round were both steals, and both have the chance to make their impact as starters.

Grade: A

Carolina Panthers

LB Jon Beason, WR Dwayne Jarrett and OL Ryan Kalil were all considered first round talent at some point, and that's who the Panthers used their first three picks on. The Panthers closed out day one by taking DT Charles Johnson, who was considered a second round talent. They had one of if not the best day one's of any team.

Grade: A+

New Orleans Saints

After losing WR Joe Horn, the Saints decided to replace him with their first round pick by selecting the speedster WR Robert Meachem. RB Antonio Pittman was a good value pick in the fourth, but the rest of their picks do not look to make much of an impact.

Grade: C+

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After weeks of speculation saying the Bucs would trade up to nab Calvin Johnson, they decide to help out their aging defense and take DE Gaines Adams who figures to be Simeon Rice's eventual replacement. They used their second round pick on OG/OT Arron Sears who is a versatile lineman that they can really put to good use. The rest of their picks were spent on depth and project players.

Grade: B

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Fifth overall was a bit early for OT Levi Brown to come off the board, but the imposing lineman from Penn State figures to start at right tackle and protect QB Matt Leinart's blindside. Arizona then made a trade to move up in the second to grab DT Alan Branch who is an elite run-stuffer and first round talent. MLB Buster Davis is also a solid pick in the third and will help to bolster an improving defense.

Grade: B

San Francisco 49ers

Among the winners of the draft was San Francisco, they picked up stud LB Patrick Willis with the 11th overall pick and made a trade to grab OT Joe Staley near the end of the first round. They spent their first third round pick on Pac-10 receiver Jason Hill who was very productive in college, and their other third rounder on DT Ray McDonald; both of which were good value picks.

Grade: A+

Seattle Seahawks

With leading receiver Darrell Jackson gone, the Seahawks used two late round choices to replace him by selecting Courtney Taylor and Justin Kent. DT Brandon Mebane was a solid pick in the third. Although they neglected to search for a backup to RB Shaun Alexander, they did select two offensive linemen in Mansfield Wrotto and Steve Vallos.

Grade: C+

St. Louis Rams

DE Adam Carriker was a solid choice to help improve a lackluster run defense. Also a solid pick and the best fullback in the draft was versatile FB/RB Brian Leonard who looks to contribute to the Rams offense in a multitude of ways. Jonathan Wade is a speedy play maker who will be a good addition to the Rams secondary.

Grade: B