NFL Draft 2009: Day One; Winners and Losers

After months of speculation the first day of the 2009 Draft is official over. As in any past Draft, there are winners and losers to be sorted out. Sure, the first day consists of only 2 rounds, but they are two critical rounds, and those players selected can turn around a losing franchise or sink one. Here then are the winners and losers of day one.

Winners:

Cincinnati Bengals:

The Bengals gambled in round 1, taking OL Andre Smith at #6. There is no denying that Smith is a talent, but he has character issues. Still, Tackles in the NFL are at a premium, and Smith has a world of potential. In the second round they went with Rey Maualuga, LB out of USC. Maualuga was one of the highest rated Inside Linebackers in the Draft. An intense, aggressive and instinctive player, Maualuga can range sideline to sideline while patrolling the middle for the Bengals. Both Smith and Maualuga can be cornerstones of a winning franchise. Grade: A-

New York Giants:

The Giants had only the 29^th and 60^th pick of the Draft, but they still manage to get good value out of it, taking highly rated WR Hakeem Nicks in round 1, and Tackle Will Beatty in round 2. Nicks has the potential to be a faster version of Anquan Boldin, a physical receiver with great hands who can add yards after the catch. The 6-6, 300 lbs Beatty, is a solid run and pass blocker, who is light and quick on his feet, and who should find a starting job in New York. Grade: B+

Detroit Lions:

The Lions got their franchise QB, in taking Matthew Stafford with the first pick of the draft. Stafford has a strong arm and the skill set needed to lead an NFL franchise. Signed before the Draft, Stafford should be in camp from day one, aiding his progress in the NFL. With the 20^th pick of round 1, the Lions took TE Brandon Pettigrew. Pettigrew is a solid TE along the lines of Jason Witten, who will make a great target for Stafford in the future. Big and strong at 6-5, 260 lbs, Pettigrew has great hands, gains yards after the catch, and can block. With the first pick of round 2, the Lions took perhaps the best Safety available in the Draft, Louis Delmas. Delmas is a bit undersized (5-11, 197 lbs), but has great ball-hawking skills (12 Int at western Michigan), and can read and react well against the run. There is very little not to like here. Grade: A

Other Winners from Day One:

Rams: Jason Smith, T (#2) and James Laurinaitis, LB (#35). Grade: B+

Broncos: Knowshon Moreno , RB (#12), Alphonso Smith, DB (#37). Grade: B+

Browns: Alex Mack, C (#21), Brian Robiskie WR, (#36), Mohamed Massaquoi WR, (#50) David Velkune, DL (#52) . Grade: B+

Losers:

Oakland Raiders:

Hard to know what the Oakland Raiders were thinking on day one. They reached with both picks they had. At #7 they took Darrius Heyward-Bey, even with Michael Crabtree and a few other higher rated receivers on the board. Bey is fast, but needs to develop better receiving skills. Then in round 2 pick they went after Safety Michael Mitchell. Mitchell is okay, but if they really wanted him, they could have had him 2 or 4 rounds later. Highly rated Darcel McBath was still on the board (he went at #16) when they took Mitchell. It is going to be hard to move the franchise to the next level with these two picks. Grade : D.

Other Losers from Day One:

Dolphins: Vontae Davis, DB (#25), Pat White, QB (#44), Sean Smith, DB (#61). Grade: C

Sources:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/live_draft

"Sporting New: Draft 09," America City Business Journal Inc, 2009