23. OT Riley Reiff A

I had Riley Reiff 12^th 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 2^nd 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 2^nd round grade on him and ranked him as my 5^th 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 3^rd round grade on him, but he could have gone in the 2^nd. 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 2^nd 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 5^th round.

196. CB Jonte Green C+

A 3^rd 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 7^th 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

7. S Mark Barron D

Hmmm, Mark Barron and a 4^th 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 1^st/2^nd 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 4^th round pick. The 7^th 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 2^nd, so I have no problem with them moving up in this case.

140. MLB Najee Goode B-

This is a slight reach in the 5^th 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 6^th. 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 7^th 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 7^th 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 4^th 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-

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 3^rd and gotten Fleming in the 4^th, 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 5^th 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 7^th 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 6^th 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 7^th. I had a 4^th round grade on him.

The Cardinals traded their 2^nd 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 4^th 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

18. RLB Melvin Ingram B+

I actually had Melvin Ingram 18th on my board so I can’t hate this pick, but I had Whitney Mercilus, Nick Perry, and Courtney Upshaw higher than Ingram at this position, though they filled arguably their biggest need here.

49. 3-4 DE Kendall Reyes B+

They had other needs, but Reyes is a pretty good value here and they do need a young rotational lineman as Antonio Garay and Luis Castillo are aging players on one year deals.

73. S Brandon Taylor A

Safety might have been their 2nd biggest need after rush linebacker. Steve Gregory was awful last season and now even he’s gone. Taylor could start immediately next to Eric Weddle and starting safety were really tough to find this year given how this the class was.

110. TE Ladarius Green A

They need a developmental tight end behind an aging and injury prone Antonio Gates. I had Green rated one round earlier and he could have an immediate impact as a receiver in two-tight end sets.

149. G Johnnie Troutman C-

I had Troutman outside of my top 250 and that was without knowing about his pectoral injury. He could miss the whole season with that injury and the Chargers knew about that. They took him anyway. At least he filled a need, but what’s the point of spending a late round selection on someone who is hurt. Late round selections normally only have a year or so to prove themselves. It’s seems 50/50 that Troutman will ever suit up for them.

226. C David Molk A

Did they need another center? Not really, but Nick Hardwick is getting up there in age and there’s nothing wrong with finding a solid backup in the 7th round, especially when it’s a phenomenal value like this.

250. RB Edwin Baker A

They needed a 2nd back. I don’t know why they didn’t address this earlier. Are Curtis Brinkley or LeRon McClain capable of being the backup to Ryan Mathews, who hasn’t exceeded 222 carries as a pro? Anyway, Baker fits the range in the 7th round. He’ll probably be a 3rd or 4th back at best though.

The Chargers had two solid picks to start their drafts and, with the addition of Brandon Taylor, a very good pick, in the 3rd round, they really helped their defense. Ladarius Green was a great pick in the 4th round as value as a great value. They also drafted really well in the last couple rounds. It wasn’t a perfect draft for several reasons. I think there were better players at the same position available at 18 and I don’t think they filled a pressing need in the 2nd round. I also didn’t get the Troutman selection at all and I don’t think they did enough to address the running back position, but this was a solid draft which should have benefits for them next season and in the future, particularly defensively.

Grade: B+

11. NT Dontari Poe C

Dontari Poe is the definition of a boom or bust prospect. He has phenomenal measurables, but he had minimal production on a crappy team in a small conference in Conference-USA and the tape doesn’t match at to his measurables. He’s also more of a straight line athlete than anything too. I liked him a lot more in the 2^nd round, but I’ll average an A and an F here for him. He does fill a need, but I think they really reached for need.

44. G Jeff Allen C-

Guard was a need for the Chiefs, but I had Allen rated much lower than this. He’s also going to have to make a position change to guard. Peter Konz would have been a much better pick. He was a significantly superior prospect and he could play center for them, his natural position, and allow them to keep Rodney Hudson at guard, his natural position.

74. OT Donald Stephenson B

I had Stephenson as a borderline 3^rd/4^th round prospect. They had other needs, but they could use a 3^rd offensive tackle because Branden Albert is heading into a contract year so I don’t hate this pick.

107. WR Devon Wylie C

I liked Wylie, but in the 5^th round for a team that needed some help at wide receiver and needed a kick returner. The Chiefs have two solid return men in Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas. In fact, those guys were both drafted in the 2^nd round for their kick return abilities. The Chiefs have 3 solid wide receivers in Dwayne Bowe, Jonathan Baldwin, and Steve Breaston. And this is the 4^th round. So while I like Wylie as a player, I don’t like the fit with him on the Chiefs.

146. S DeQuan Menzie A

Menzie fills a need for the Chiefs at either cornerback or safety, depending on where they want to put him (though it sounds like safety). They need depth at safety and Romeo Crennel’s system puts a lot of value on the safety position. In fact, he called it the 2^nd most important position after quarterback recently. Menzie is a good value in the 5^th round.

182. RB Cyrus Gray A

Gray is a good value here in the 6^th round. Peyton Hillis was only signed to a one year deal and he could play some fullback and Jamaal Charles is undersized and coming off a major injury so there was a need for another back.

218. 3-4 DE Jerome Long B

I didn’t have Long in my top 250, but it’s pretty late so you can’t hate. There’s room for a depth defensive lineman like this in the 7^th round.

238. WR Junior Hemingway A

Did they really need another receiver? No, but Hemingway probably deserved to go a round or two before this and teams typically draft straight off their boards in the late round. You aren’t filling needs in the 7^th round.

This wasn’t a very good draft for the Chiefs (disagree with me if you want). I think Dontari Poe is way too big of a risk at 11. He’s a workout wonder whose tape doesn’t match up. He’s also a straight line athlete that didn’t fare nearly as well in agility drills as he did in the 40. In the 2^nd round, Allen was a major reach. He’s a 6^th offensive lineman type (first guy off the bench when there’s an injury, with great versatility), but Peter Konz could have been an immediate starter and allowed Rodney Hudson to stay at his natural spot in guard. Allen doesn’t really seem like he can be a long term starting guard in this league.

Donald Stephenson was a solid pick in the 3^rd, but I don’t like the Devon Wylie fit in the 4^th. They had some solid late round selections, but the early selections are what matter and I think they missed those up. I also didn’t like that they didn’t come out of this draft with a developmental quarterback. Brady Quinn and Tyler Palko aren’t very good and Ricky Stanzi couldn’t even beat out Tyler Palko last year. They had to sign Kyle Orton just to stay afloat. Matt Cassel, meanwhile, is a decent starter, but I don’t think you can go deep into the playoffs with him, which is a shame because the rest of their roster is really good.

Grade: C

6. CB Morris Claiborne A-

I don’t normally like when teams with a lot of needs trade up, but the Cowboys traded up 8 spots into the top 6 in a year where the consensus was there were 6 elite prospects and they did it inexpensively, only giving up a 2nd round pick. Claiborne fills a need.

81. 3-4 DE Tyrone Crawford C+

This pick I didn’t like as much. When you need help at as many areas as the Cowboys do (G, C, WR, DE, OLB, CB, S) and you trade away your 2nd round pick, you can’t afford to miss on a pick, which is what I think Crawford is. I had a 5th round grade on him and liked him a lot more in a 4-3 as a left end than in a 3-4 because of his size at 275. That’s a little small for a 3-4.

113. RLB Kyle Wilbur A

This pick I like a lot more. They need a developmental rush linebacker behind DeMarcus Ware and Wilbur is has good pure pass rushing abilities and experience in the 3-4.

135. S Matt Johnson C-

I didn’t have Johnson in my top 250 so the late 4th round is way too early for him. He does fill a need though, but I still think the Cowboys will be in trouble when Brodney Pool suffers his annual injury.

152. WR Danny Coale A-

I had a 7th round grade on Coale as a wide receiver and a 7th round grade on him as a punter, but a 5th rounder overall. This is the 5th round. I don’t think he fills their need as a #3 receiver and they’ll be in trouble if Dez Bryant and/or Miles Austin get hurt again, but I like him as a gadget player with some value, maybe even as a punter or wildcat punter long term.

186. TE James Hanna A-

They needed another tight end with Martellus Bennett gone. Hanna had a 7th round grade in my book (great athleticism, but barely did anything as a pass catcher in an explosive offense at Oklahoma and didn’t block much). This is the 6th, but it’s not a huge deal.

222. FB Caleb McSurdy B

They needed a fullback and McSurdy, viewed by some as a middle linebacker, will convert to fullback for them. This type of thing has a decent success rate, but I typically like when teams draft pure fullbacks and there were a couple on my board who fit the range.

This was a mixed bag draft for the Cowboys. They didn’t address all of their needs and the Claiborne trade was a big part of the reason why they couldn’t do that, but I do like that they traded into the top-6 of a draft that the consensus was there was 6 blue chip prospects. Claiborne did fill a need. Tyrone Crawford and Matt Johnson address needs, but were major reaches who probably won’t emerge as starters.

Kyle Wilbur was a solid pick and they made some decent late round selections, but they probably only are getting 1 starter out of this draft, 2 if you count the fullback, but even that’s not a sure thing. However, Claiborne will pair with Brandon Carr to fix a pass defense that ranked in the bottom 3rd of the league against the pass last year. Within a year or two, they could rank in the top 3rd. They still have major issues on their defensive line, their interior offensive line, and their receiver depth. Safety is also a problem, but this was a poor safety draft anyway.

Grade: B-

8. QB Ryan Tannehill B

This is a boom or bust pick. Normally I give these picks a C in the first round (an average of an A and an F), but I’m giving the Dolphins a B. Tannehill is a better fit for the Dolphins than anyone because they have Mike Sherman as their offensive coordinator and because they have two stopgap quarterback so they can ease Tannehill into action. Also, the Dolphins absolutely had to do something at the quarterback position after missing on every quarterback in the offseason. They haven’t had a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino and their fans were starting to lose interest.

42. OT Jonathan Martin A

Jonathan Martin fell into the 2^nd round because he doesn’t have elite athleticism and feet or elite power and strength. However, he’s a pure football player, albeit a bit of a tweener. He fits really well on the right side in Miami, where they had a huge hole opposite Jake Long. This is a great value.

72. DE Olivier Vernon C-

They needed a defensive end, but this is really early for Vernon. He’s got elite athleticism, but only managed 1.5 sacks last season for a variety of reasons. He’s got a lot of upside, but this was way too early for him. He does fit both their 3-4 and their 4-3 defenses, important because they’ll probably be running a hybrid next season.

78. TE Michael Egnew C

They needed  a tight end, but this is two rounds too early for Michael Egnew, who doesn’t block and who had a poor statistical season last year. Both Orson Charles and Ladarius Green would have been much better values here in the 3^rd rounds at tight end.

97. RB Lamar Miller A

I had Lamar Miller in the 2^nd round, but he fell out of circumstance to the beginning of the 4^th round. The Dolphins moved up to grab him. They didn’t really need another running back, but Miller way was too good of a value. Besides, Reggie Bush hasn’t been the most consistent back in the past. He’ll also, believe it or not, be a 28 year old free agent next season and even durable backs don’t last much into their 30s so he might not be resigned. They also plan on using Miller on special teams as a return man.

155. OLB Josh Kaddu B+

Kaddu has more value in their 4-3 as an outside linebacker, but they plan on using that scheme at least in part next season. He’ll play some as a rotational player in their front 7 next season, but they did have bigger needs. Who is Ryan Tannehill going to throw to?

183. WR BJ Cunningham A-

Here’s a receiver. I had Cunningham as a 7^th round prospect, but this is a late pick so that’s not a huge deal. They needed at least one developmental receiver out of this draft.

215. DT Kheeston Randall A

They lost Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling from their 3-4 defensive end rotation so Randall, a good value at this point, could play immediately in a rotational role. If not, it’s just a 7^th round pick.

227. WR Rishard Matthews A

I actually had Matthews rated higher than Cunningham. I have no problem with them taking two receivers.

Their draft is obviously going to be tied to Ryan Tannehill. He’s a major risk in the top 10, but he’s got the ability to become their first franchise quarterback since Marino. However, I can’t really fault them for that pick because they absolutely needed to do something at the position to have any hope for the future and he’s a great fit in Miami with Mike Sherman there as offensive coordinator and Matt Moore and David Garrard there as stopgap quarterbacks. T

They also made a really good pick with Jonathan Martin in the 2^nd round, but you have to wonder why they didn’t get him a receiver until the 6^th round. Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are solid complimentary receivers, but unless Clyde Gates steps up as a #1 receiver this year (highly unlikely), Tannehill or whoever starts at quarterback won’t have a lot of open options. They also made 2 pretty big reaches in the 3^rd round. They could have spent either of those two picks on a solid wide receiver. Even if they didn’t, there were better players available at those positions, which were needs. They made some solid late round selections, but overall this was an underwhelming draft.

Grade: B-