Bills Draft 2012

 

10. CB Stephon Gilmore B-

This is a little high for Gilmore. I had him 20th on my board. He’s certainly a phenomenal athlete, but he had some inconsistent play at times and he gambles a little too much on routes. Cornerback was definitely a need for the Bills with Drayton Florence and Terence McGee getting up there in age and Leodis McKelvin being on the roster bubble in his contract year, but there were better players available who would have also filled need (Riley Reiff, Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, Jonathan Martin, and Zach Brown just to name a few from my board).

41. OT Cordy Glenn A-

I had Glenn 24th on my board so he certainly is a great value here, but I had him 24th on my board because of his versatility. The Bills don’t really need anything other than a left tackle up front and if I were grading Glenn just on his ability to stay at left tackle, he’d probably be rated much lower. I don’t see him at that position long term, but it’s not like any of the remaining available tackles had much of a better shot. It’s too bad Jonathan Martin went the pick before. Maybe Glenn can be coached up into a solid left tackle.

69. WR TJ Graham C

I liked TJ Graham as a return man with upside as a kick returner…in the 5th or maybe late 4th round…for a team that actually needed a kick returner. The Bills don’t and they don’t even plan on using him as a kick returner. Buddy Nix said he views Graham as an outside receiver, which is drastically different than the return man/developmental slot receiver he is. This looks like a misevaluation of talent. There were better receivers out there, ones more suited to play outside. They did address a position of need however.

105. OLB Nigel Bradham A

They needed outside linebacker depth at the very least. In fact, if Kuechly hadn’t gone one pick earlier to Carolina, he might have been a Bill. Bradham is a good value in the 4th round.

124. CB Ron Brooks D

Did the Bills really need another cornerback? How many are they planning on carrying? Even if McKelvin is cut, Brooks is going to have a hard time making the roster and if he does it’ll be as a 5th cornerback, at least right away. Maybe they’ll cut one of the veterans, but that could result in a cap penalty since they resigned both just last offseason. That would be fine if this were the 7th round, but it’s the 4th. Speaking of the 7th round, that’s the grade I had on Brooks, though he didn’t have a ton of LSU tape for me to watch since he was a career backup.

144. OT Zebrie Sanders A

Another tackle? Well depth couldn’t hurt and Sanders is a solid value. By the way, Buddy Nix is true to his words. He said wide receiver, cornerback, left tackle, and outside linebacker were primary needs of his team and that he would probably pick in two tackles. 5/5 there.

147. MLB Tank Carder A

The Bills could use another depth linebacker and Carder is a strong value who could have an immediate impact on special teams.

178. C Mark Asper C

I didn’t have Asper in my top 250 so this is a little early for him and guard/center wasn’t really a need of theirs. Besides, Asper will be making a position change and I don’t see him as a natural fit at center.

251. K John Potter C

Normally I don’t hate on 7th round picks, but not only was Potter not ranked in my top 250, the Bills drafted him as a kickoff specialist. I hate when teams carry more than one kicker like this.

This was overall not a great draft for the Bills. They reached for need in the first round and they took a player in the 2nd who isn’t a natural fit for the only position he can possibly play for them, though I didn’t hate that one. They grossly misevaluated the receiver they drafted in the 3rd round, which was a reach and their 4th round cornerback didn’t fill a need or provide good value. They had some solid picks after round 3 (Carder, Bradham, Sanders), but they also got Cs on their last 2 picks for different reasons. I didn’t completely hate their draft, but it gets a C+

Grade: C+

 

Falcons Draft 2012

 

55. C Peter Konz A

The Falcons didn’t have a 1st round pick thanks to the Julio Jones trade (which I still argue was a good move), but they still managed to get a 1st round caliber player at a position of major need. Unbelievable.

91. OT Lamar Holmes C

I had Holmes in the 5th round so this is a bit early for him. I don’t know if he address their left tackle needs. He’s more of a right tackle, which they definitely don’t need. They’ll certainly give him every chance to be the blindside protector next season, but I don’t see him ending up as a long term starter they. There could still be looking for a new left tackle next season (and maybe moving Holmes inside to guard?). At least they’ll have a first round pick then.

157. FB Bradie Ewing B

They did need a fullback and Ewing was my top fullback, but I had a 6th round grade on him and I don’t know that I totally agree with them using the 3rd pick of the draft on a fullback.

164. DE Johnathan Massaquoi A

They definitely needed a young defensive end and Massaquoi had a 4th round grade on my book. If they had taken him in the 5th and gotten Ewing in the 6th, those probably would have both been A’s.

192. S Charles Mitchell B-

I had Mitchell outside of my top 250, but it’s late so I guess it’s fine. Tight end and linebacker were bigger needs, but whatever.

249. DT Travian Robertson A-

The Falcons take a defensive tackle every year. Robertson fits the range here, but after the Aubrayo Franklin signing, Robertson will have a tough time making the roster.

The Falcons didn’t have a first round pick because of the Julio Jones trade, but I liked that trade so that’s fine. I’ll factor that into the grade. They still ended up with a 1st round caliber prospect at a position of major need. Lamar Holmes was a reach, but this was a thin left tackle class so I understand it a little. They’ll probably have to draft a left tackle early next year. Their late round selections were fine as they added a starting fullback (and my top rated fullback), a great value on a rotational end, and two guys who will be on the roster bubble in the late rounds. It wasn’t perfect, but overall, given the Konz pick and the Jones trade (essentially A’s on their top two picks), this was a good draft. They’re set up well for the future.

Grade: A-

 

Broncos Draft 2012

 

36. DT Derek Wolfe B-

This explains why the Broncos traded down twice. Wolfe is a solid football player and definitely fills a need, but I had Kendall Reyes and Devon Still ranked higher than him, among others. This was a reach.

57. QB Brock Osweiler C

I’m completely torn on this.

On one hand, I love Brock Osweiler. I had a borderline 1st/2nd round grade on him and had him graded higher than Ryan Tannehill. He’s a little raw and inexperienced, but he’ll get the chance to sit behind a Hall of Famer in Denver and he won’t have to contribute right away. He’ll have the opportunity to learn from not one, but two Hall of Famers, Peyton Manning and John Elway and he’s got a very good chance to be their quarterback of the future and that’s so valuable.

On the other hand, what about their quarterback of right now? The opportunity to have a Peyton Manning does not come around very often. They need to build around him because their team, as it currently stands, is not quite Super Bowl caliber. This pick could have been much better spent on a receiver, a running back, an offensive lineman, hell even a piece for their defense would have been more helpful. Manning cannot be happy about this.

It’s also worth noting that Donovan McNabb and Brett Favre each suffered arguably the worst seasons of their career the year immediately after their team’s drafted Kevin Kolb and Aaron Rodgers respectively. McNabb went 8-8 (one of two seasons he missed the playoffs from 2000-2009) and Favre went a career worst 4-12. I’m just going to average an A and an F for this grade.

67. RB Ronnie Hillman C

They needed a running back, but Ronnie Hillman is undersized and struggled against tough competition at San Diego State (3 carries for 8 yards against Boise State, 20 carries for 55 yards against TCU, 24 carries for 55 yards against Louisiana-Lafayette). I had a 5th round grade on him. This is way too early.

101. CB Omar Bolden A

I like this fit for the Broncos. Bolden was a 2nd round prospect before an ACL tear that he hasn’t fully recovered from, but the Broncos don’t really need him right away with Champ Bailey and Tracy Porter. However, Porter was only signed to a one year deal and Bailey will be 35 next offseason so they need a long term starter. That could be Bolden. Unlike the Osweiler pick, this was only a 4th round pick so I’m not going to knock them for building for the future instead of for now because 4th rounders rarely contribute as rookies anyway.

108. C Phillip Blake A

The Broncos missed out of Jeff Saturday, but Phillip Blake could be an immediate upgrade over JD Walton, who ProFootballFocus graded as the worst starting center in the league last year. He’s a great value at this point in the draft.

137. DE Malik Jackson A-

I guess they could use another defensive lineman. This is the right range for Jackson, a versatile defensive end/defensive tackle. He could provide a nickel rusher at defensive tackle (they didn’t get any pass rush from the inside of their interior line) right away if they chose to use him in that role, that’s it’s not entirely clear that will be his role.

188. OLB Danny Trevathan B

This was a little early for Trevathan, but it’s late. This wasn’t a huge need or anything, but whatever.

The Broncos got Peyton Manning this offseason, but that far from solves everything. They may have gone 8-8 last season, but their -81 point differential suggests they should have gone 5-11 or 6-10. Regardless of whether or not you believe Tebow was the reason behind this, they won a ton of close games last year. That might not happen this year. They needed help at wide receiver, running back, the offensive line, as well as defensive tackle and some youth in the secondary.

They got their defensive tackle with their first pick, but there were better ones available. At least they traded down for him twice and didn’t take him at 25. I’ve already gone into detail on the Osweiler pick so I won’t repeat myself. That pick could help them a lot in the future, but it could really hurt them this season. It’s not good for team chemistry and it doesn’t help Peyton Manning. Ronnie Hillman in the 3rd round could help Manning at little, but that was way too early for him.

Omar Bolden also helps them build for the future with their 4th round pick, but that’s fine since it was the 4th round. They made some decent late round selections, including Phillip Blake, who could end up their starting center over JD Walton at some point this season, but I don’t know how much they helped their team for this season, which should have been the goal of this draft given Manning’s age. They didn’t get him a receiver at all, they only got him one offensive lineman, and the running back they got him was a major reach.

Grade: C+

 

Giants Draft 2012

 

32. RB David Wilson C

The Giants needed a running back, but I had David Wilson ranked about a round lower than this. On top of that, he’s way too similar to Ahmad Bradshaw. In fact, I made the exact comparison between Wilson and Bradshaw in my scouting report. Bradshaw is a fine running back, but ideally you want a running back who compliments your other back. They would have been much better off taking a bruiser like Bernard Pierce or someone in the 3rd round.

63. WR Rueben Randle A

The Giants love drafting BPA so they must have been thrilled when Randle fell to them. I didn’t have Randle rated as highly as most because of his inconsistencies at LSU (7 games of 3 catches or fewer) and his struggles against elite cover cornerbacks (combined 7 catches for 47 yards in 3 games against Dre Kirkpatrick and Brandon Boykin). However, he did have bad quarterback play and he is still a solid value here with the last pick in the 2nd round. He allows them to keep Victor Cruz in the slot where he’s best and could start right away opposite Hakeem Nicks.

94. CB Jayron Hosley B+

I guess the Giants needed cornerback depth, but they did have bigger needs and Hosley was a little further down on my down than this after his failed drug test at The Combine. Maybe the Giants just didn’t care about that as much.

127. TE Adrien Robinson C

They needed a tight end and they like tight ends who can block (why I didn’t make Coby Fleener to them in the 1st). Robinson can block, but he’s not much of a pass catcher. He’s got great measurables and upside, but this was a little early for him. He won’t start right away so the Giants’ tight ends won’t be very good in 2012 at the tight end position unless Martellus Bennett can break out or either Jake Ballard or Travis Beckum can come back from injury.

131. OT Brandon Mosley A

They needed offensive line help. Mosley can compete with James Brewer, their 4th round pick in 2012, at right tackle. He can also play some guard, where they need help because David Diehl is one of the worst starting offensive linemen in the league.

201. OT Matt McCants A

Another offensive lineman? Why not, it was a major need and McCants is an excellent value at this point.

239. DT Markus Kuhn B

Did they need a defensive tackle? Not really and Kuhn is slightly outside of my top 250, but whatever. It’s the 7th round.

The Giants normally draft really well, but this grades out as a pretty average draft. David Wilson was a reach in the first round and not the type of back they needed. Jayron Hosley was a decent, but not great pick and Adrien Robinson won’t help them much right away. Rueben Randle was a great value however and they got good values on two offensive linemen they needed. It wasn’t a great draft, but it wasn’t bad either.

Grade: B-

 

Browns Draft 2012

 

4. RB Trent Richardson B+

I would have given the Browns an A for taking Richardson at 4 because he was the 4th rated player on my board, but I’m giving them a B+ for moving up to 3 and taking him for two reasons. For one, I don’t think they needed to move up to get him. I think Minnesota was bluffing. Kalil was their guy and they didn’t want to move any further down than 4. Two, even if they were, the Browns wouldn’t have been much worse off at all settling for Blackmon at 4. In fact, they could have taken Kalil at 4. He would have been a great bookend for Joe Thomas.

22. QB Brandon Weeden D

I have made it really clear I don’t like Brandon Weeden. I think he’s a 28 year old developmental prospect. I would have had a 2nd round grade on him, similar to Ryan Tannehill and Brock Osweiler, had he been 22, but given his age I basically made him untouchable on my board. I like the fit in Cleveland even less. He made sense to a team that is competitive and ready to win now. Cleveland is more likely a 3 or so year rebuilding project, at the least. That means that by the time the Browns are competitive, they’ll have a 32 year old quarterback heading into a contract year and a decision to make, at the earliest. This isn’t an F because at least it’s a quarterback.

37. OT Mitchell Schwartz C-

There were plenty of capable receivers that fit the range here and that’s their biggest need and there were also better right tackles available. I had Schwartz in the 3rd round so this is a big reach for him, especially with who is left on the board (WR: Stephen Hill, Rueben Randle, Ryan Broyles, Mohamed Sanu and OT: Jonathan Martin, Cordy Glenn).

87. DT John Hughes F

When the Browns made this pick I joked on Twitter that by the time Brandon Weeden has any capable receivers, he’ll be heading into retirement. In all seriousness, this was one of the worst picks of the draft. I don’t give out a lot of Fs, but this absolutely made no sense. Defensive tackle wasn’t a pressing need and I didn’t even have Hughes in my top 250.

100. WR Travis Benjamin C

Well, it’s the right position, but it’s a 7th round prospect. Benjamin is a good kick returner with developmental abilities at wide receiver. I think he makes a lot of sense to a team in the late rounds who needs a return man and has time to wait on a receiver that might never come around. He doesn’t make any sense to a team in the middle rounds that already has a good return man (Josh Cribbs) and needs receiver help right away. Poor Brandon Weeden.

120. MLB James-Michael Johnson B

Finally a pick that makes sense. Depth at linebacker was a need and they have 2 marginal starters and an injury prone middle linebacker in their linebacking corps so JMJ has the potential to maybe break into the starting lineup at some point. Worst case scenario, he’s a solid special teamer and he’s only a minor reach by my board.

160. G Ryan Miller A

Another good matchup of need and value. Both Jason Pinkston and Shawn Lauvao were awful at guard last year. They’re still young so there’s time to turn it around, but the Browns needed to get another guard in the mix just in case. Miller fits the draft range well too.

204. OLB Emmanuel Acho A

A 2nd linebacker? Why not? I mentioned the Browns had questions at all 3 starting spots in their linebacking corps and Acho is a very good value here in the 6th.

205. DT Billy Winn A

A 2nd defensive tackle? It wasn’t really a huge need, but you can’t argue with getting a value like this in the late rounds. I had Billy Winn rated higher on my board than Hughes. Of course this makes the John Hughes pick even stupider because they couldn’t have used that on another position, but I already gave that an F. This is an A.

245. CB Trevin Wade A

There’s no such thing as a bad 7th round pick, but there are good ones. Cornerback was a big need of theirs and Wade had a 7th round grade.

247. TE Brad Smelley B+

The Browns already have 2 tight ends and they spent a 4th round pick on a fullback last year, so I don’t see where Smelley fits, but it is the 7th round and you can’t knock a team for picking a pure football player like Smelley. Worst case he’s a hustle special teamer.

I joked that Weeden would be heading into retirement by the time he had capable receivers, but I might not be too far off. If I’m going to be fair, I have to bash the Browns for not building around Weeden after I praised the Colts (and to some extent the Redskins in free agency) for building around their new quarterback. It’s even more imperative in Cleveland’s case because Weeden, at the very least, has 6 fewer years to wait around than Luck or Griffin.

Yes, Trent Richardson will be a stud, but at the same time, they were duped into moving up 1 spot to get the guy who was an obvious pick anyway. Mitchell Schwartz fills a need, but there were much better players available at various positions of need. Travis Benjamin doesn’t make any sense at all. He’s a return man, which they already have, and a developmental receiver. Who is Weeden going to throw to next year? He has the same shitty receiving corps that made people argue that McCoy deserved another shot.

I also have to bash the pick of Weeden itself. I don’t see Weeden as a day 1 or year 1 top-15 quarterback, which he almost has to be because of his age and where he was drafted. It’s almost like the Browns just spent the 22nd overall pick on Matt Cassel (similar age and ability). That makes even less sense for a rebuilding team because Weeden will be 32 and in a contract year, by the earliest, by the time the Browns are competitive. Some solid late round selections make up some for terrible picks in the first 3 rounds, but the first 3 rounds are what count.

Grade: C-

Jaguars Draft 2012

5. WR Justin Blackmon A

I normally don’t like when bad teams move up because they have so many needs, but everyone said there were 6 blue chip prospects in this draft class and the Jaguars were in a bad spot at 7. If I’m going to knock the Buccaneers for trading out of the top 6 for just a 4th round pick, I have to praise the Jaguars for trading up into the top 6 for just a 4th rounder and filling their biggest need in the process.

38. DE Andre Branch A-

The Jaguars had a very good defense last year before injuries struck and even had a solid defense after injuries. Their biggest hole was defensive end opposite Jeremy Mincey. This is a little early for Branch according to my board, but the Jaguars could actually have one of the best defenses in the league next year.

70. P Bryan Anger F

A punter? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA But in all seriousness, punters shouldn’t be drafted before the 5th or 6th round. There isn’t a ton of difference between good ones and bad ones and it sends a bad message to the fan base. Instead of helping their franchise quarterback, they got someone who will help them when their franchise quarterback fails. Not exactly a sign of confidence. Though given the way Gabbert played last year, they’ll probably be using Anger a lot.

142. OLB Brandon Marshall C-

I didn’t have Brandon Marshall in my top 250, which would be fine, but the 5th round is a little early for someone like that. Linebacker isn’t much of a need either, though I suppose Marshall could play special teams.

176. CB Mike Harris B+

The Jaguars lost their top 3 cornerbacks to injury last season and have 4 2013 free agents at the position next year so they needed some depth. This is a little early for him.

228. DT Jeris Pendleton C-

Normally I hate to hate on 7th round selections, but Pendleton is already 28 years old. What the hell is the point of that?!

The Jaguars’ draft started out really well. They ripped off the Buccaneers to trade from 7 to 5 in a draft with 6 blue prospects and filled their biggest need at the same time. Blaine Gabbert has to be happy about that. They also added another piece to an already stout (when healthy) defense in the 2nd round with Andre Branch, a good value who fills a need.

However, that’s where it was downhill. Instead of drafting an offensive lineman in the 3rd round, to help protect Blaine Gabbert, who struggles under pressure, they drafted a punter, to help them punt the ball away after Blaine Gabbert struggles under pressure. They also had a few late reaches, including a 28 year old in the 7th round, but they hit their 2 most important picks so this is a pretty solid draft. If they had selected a reasonable offensive lineman in the 3rd, this probably would have been an A- or a B+. Instead it’s a B- (torn between a B- and a B, but a punter in the 3rd round? Really?)

Grade: B-

Buccaneers Draft 2012

 

7. S Mark Barron D

Hmmm, Mark Barron and a 4th round pick…or Morris Claiborne? That shouldn’t have been a tough question, but it was for the Buccaneers, who seem to have gotten it wrong. I know the Buccaneers had Barron higher than Claiborne on their board, but that’s ridiculous. Claiborne is a better player at a position of higher value. I had Barron in the 20s on my board. I don’t believe any player at a “luxury” position (linebacker, safety, running back, interior offensive line) should go in the first round unless they are an exceptional talent, which is why I gave Barron a 1st/2nd round grade. He’s not Eric Berry and he certainly was not worth a pick in the top 10. It’s only worth noting that everyone and their dog agreed that there were 6 blue chip prospects in this draft class, so I really don’t like the Buccaneers moving out of the top 6 for just a 4th round pick. The 7th spot was the one no one wanted, but the Buccaneers took it willingly.

31. RB Doug Martin B+

Martin fits the range and fills a need, but the pick isn’t getting an A just because they moved up for him. I don’t believe in bad teams moving up unless it’s an unbelievable value. The Buccaneers have too many needs to be giving up picks like this and they have so many needs that there would definitely be a player they liked that fit the range and filled a need at their original spot.

58. OLB Lavonte David A

Linebacker was a huge need for the Buccaneers, maybe even their biggest need. Since the stat has been kept track of, no team missed more tackles ever than the Buccaneers did last season. David is also a very good value at the end of the 2nd, so I have no problem with them moving up in this case.

140. MLB Najee Goode B-

This is a slight reach in the 5th round, but it’s not like they didn’t need another linebacker.

174. CB Keith Tandy A

Finally the Buccaneers get their cornerback. They could have gotten one earlier if they didn’t trade up twice. Anyway, Tandy is a very, very good value here in the 6th. I thought he was one of the underrated gems of the cornerback position in this draft. This need is not filled coming out of the draft, but they can’t be expected to fill every need.

212. RB Michael Smith B

Another running back? Again, you can’t hate 7th round picks, but Smith didn’t make my top 250 so this is a slight reach.

233. FB Drake Dunsmore A

I like this value a lot here in the 7th round. Dunsmore could probably be their starting fullback this year after they lost Earnest Graham and he also provides some depth at tight end.

I gave this a C yesterday and then I looked it that C after doing the write ups and that seemed a little ridiculous. Yes, I think they missed up big time with their first pick and that’s the most important one. However, the rest of their draft was really nice. I think they got 3 new starters out of this draft and while they didn’t address arguably their biggest need at cornerback, they couldn’t be expected to address all of their needs and they did address 3 prominent ones (S, OLB, RB). They might not be the most important positions, but 3 starters isn’t too shabby.

They also did some nice things in the late rounds, especially with Keith Tandy and Drake Dunsmore. Dunsmore might even make it 4th starters if he emerges as the starting fullback, but, then again, it is just the fullback position. Tandy, meanwhile, will provide solid depth behind Eric Wright and Aqib Talib. Cornerback will probably be a primary need of their 2013 draft because Wright is overrated (and overpaid) and Talib will be a free agent.

Grade: B-

 

Jets Draft Grades 2012

 

 

16. 3-4 DE Quinton Coples A

I love the fit of Coples in New York. Rex Ryan has a good chance to get the most out of him and he can use him in a variety of different ways. He’ll probably play mostly 5-technique, where he’s an upgrade over Mike DeVito, who is a run stopper and nothing else, but he can play some outside linebacker as well as long as he rarely has to drop into coverage.

43. WR Stephen Hill A

This was a great steal. Stephen Hill is boom or bust, but you absolutely take a chance on this guy in the 2nd round given that he could be the best receiver in this draft class when all is said and done. He could take a while, but I love the value in the 2nd round. Also, side note, the Jets got a triple option receiver after Tebow had so much success with one in Denver. Something tells me he won’t be the punt protector at the end of the season.

77. MLB Demario Davis C-

This is a couple rounds too early for Davis, a workout wonder with mediocre tape, but he has upside both inside and outside in the Jets’ 3-4. Best case for them is that he could emerge as a pass rusher on the outside, but depth at middle linebacker was also needed seeing as Bart Scott might not be around much longer.

187. S Josh Bush B-

This is a reach and I didn’t have him in my top 250, but they at least filled a need and it’s a late round pick.

202. RB Terrance Ganaway A

The Jets needed a ground and pound back to go with Shonn Greene. Ganaway could actually see significant snaps as a rookie and he might surprise a lot of people. This guy reminds me of LeGarrette Blount.

203. G Robert Griffin B-

The Jets got Robert Griffin! Well, I guess they needed guard depth, but I had him outside of my top 250. Again, this is the 6th round so it’s not a big deal.

242. S Antonio Allen A

How did Allen fall this far in a bad safety class? Did everyone forget he was on the board? I had him as a top 5 safety.

244. WR Jordan White A

They don’t have a ton of receiver depth, so they could use another one. I had a 7th round grade on White so this makes a lot of sense.

The Jets took high upside, high risk players with their first 2 picks, but they did so with picks low enough to be good values according to my board. Coples could end up being a perennial Pro Bowler and Stephen Hill has upside beyond any other receiver in this draft class. Both also filled major needs. I would have liked to have seen them address the safety, running back, right tackle, or rush linebacker position in the 3rd round. Those needs were all more pressing than middle linebacker (where I think Davis ends up) and they didn’t address them early. They had solid late round selections that might end up filling two of this needs (running back and safety), but they also reached with a few late rounders. This was a solid draft, but not perfect.

Grade: B+

 

 

 

Cardinals Draft 2012

 

13. WR Michael Floyd A

They needed offensive line help, but Floyd was the best player left on my board other than two pass rushers that wouldn’t have filled needs. Riley Reiff and David DeCastro were a little further down my board and those would have been good picks too, but I’m not going to argue with taking the best available at a position of need. Michael Floyd can be similar to what Anquan Boldin was for them and that will help Kevin Kolb and/or John Skelton out a lot.

80. CB Jamell Fleming B

Cornerback was a bit of a need, but Fleming is a minor reach by my board and that offensive line needs to be addressed.

112. OT Bobby Massie A

What a steal! Some players fell on draft day because of injuries that were unknown to the public, but Massie was not one of them. Adam Schefter tweeted that he texted a source in the league and asked why Massie was slipping. His response “no clue.” If the Cardinals had taken Massie in the 3rd and gotten Fleming in the 4th, those both would have been A’s. This is an excellent pick. Massie could easily start at right tackle for them next year.

151. G Senio Kemelete A

Another offensive lineman was definitely needed. Kelemete provides depth at a variety of positions and could even end up as a starting guard for them next year if Adam Snyder plays like he did in San Francisco. Kelemete is a good value in the 5th round as well.

177. S Justin Bethel B

The Cardinals needed more depth in the secondary and Bethel will probably play safety for them. I had him as a 7th round prospect, but this is a fine range for him.

185. QB Ryan Lindley A

The Cardinals certainly don’t have their quarterback situation resolved. Lindley is a fine value in the 6th round as a developmental prospect and could see playing time this year if both Kolb and Skelton struggle, a possibility.

221. G Nate Potter A

Another offensive lineman? Why not, especially when it’s as good of a value as Potter in the 7th. I had a 4th round grade on him.

The Cardinals traded their 2nd round pick away for Kevin Kolb, so I have to knock them for that. However, even with that, they get an A. They only got 2 non-A grades, both Bs, and one could be seen as an A considering how good their 4th round pick was. They helped their offensive line with 3 talented players who were all more talented than their draft range and they added a legitimate #2 receiver opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Jamell Fleming adds depth at cornerback and could see playing time right away and Ryan Lindley adds another competitor to an unresolved quarterback situation.

Grade: A

 

Lions Draft 2012

 

23. OT Riley Reiff A

I had Riley Reiff 12th on my board, but I also had Bryan Bulaga high. I had a feeling Reiff, a similar player, could experience a similar fall on draft day and actually had Reiff to the Lions in my 2nd to final mock draft, but moved him back up to 15 (to Jacksonville after a trade down) in my final. The Packers took Bulaga at this exact same spot, 23, 2 years ago and I’d say they’re pretty happy with him. Reiff is a very similar player. He could play their left tackle of the future, but worst case I think he could be a Pro Bowl caliber right tackle or guard, two positions where they also had needs.

54. WR Ryan Broyles A-

I have called Ryan Broyles someone who could be the steal of the draft in the past and I even had a first round grade on him before a nasty knee injury (but the nasty knee injury did prove his value to the Oklahoma offense and his toughness as he was running in the 4.6s just 5 months later). However, even I didn’t see him going this high. I had a high 2nd round grade on him and ranked him as my 5th receiver, so he’s definitely a good value here and he gives the Lions 3 good young receivers for the future in Calvin Johnson, Broyles, and Titus Young. Nate Burleson could be on his way out in 2013, when he’ll be owed 4.5 million in his age 32 season. The only reason this is an A- and not an A is because Peter Konz would have filled a bigger need and was higher on my board.

85. CB Dwight Bentley A-

Cornerback was certainly a need of the Lions, maybe even their biggest as a their poor secondary lost Eric Wright this offseason. Bentley certainly fills a major need, but this is a tad early for him according to my board.

125. DE Ronnell Lewis A

Wow how was Lewis still available? I had a 3rd round grade on him, but he could have gone in the 2nd. He could be a long term starter for them at either defensive end (where Kyle Vanden Bosch is aging) or linebacker (where Justin Durant and DeAndre Levy are both heading into contract years).

138. OLB Tahir Woodhead C

I had Woodhead just outside of my top 250, so this is a pretty big reach. It does help fill a need, however, because of the aforementioned linebackers in contract years.

148. CB Chris Greenwood B

Another 2nd cornerback? Why not, they certainly need it. Greenwood was outside of my top 250, but he was a hot prospect coming into the draft (7 teams worked him out privately) and I obviously didn’t see a lot of tape of him coming from wherever the hell Albion is. I can’t fault them too much for this in the 5th round.

196. CB Jonte Green C+

A 3rd cornerback? That’s pushing it a little. Green also was not in my top 250, but unlike Greenwood, he was not a hot prospect coming into the draft. He didn’t go on any teams visit. Hell, I haven’t even heard of him, one of only 10 or so prospects I hadn’t heard of. This was one of the early ones too.

223. OLB Travis Lewis A

Wow, Travis Lewis in the 7th round? What a steal, even if they already did take one. Lewis could be a starter someday for them.

This wasn’t a perfect draft for the Lions, but in terms of pure talent as compared to their draft position, this might have, top to bottom, been the most talented draft class of any team this year. Riley Reiff could be a Pro Bowl caliber offensive lineman for them someday. He could also start immediately, which is what they really need as they gear up for a Super Bowl run in 2012. Ryan Broyles and Dwight Bentley will be in the mix at cornerback and wide receiver and Broyles could be an above average starter someday. Ronnell Lewis and Travis Lewis could also be starters someday at positions of need.

Grade: A