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BUFFALO � This is kind of a hard team to grade, since this year�s #1 was traded to acquire new quarterback J.P. Losman last year, so I won�t be as hard as other publications. The front office had no luck in trying to trade away RB Travis Henry before the draft � which hurt. The remaining two-first day picks were made in giving JPL more weapons to choose from this coming year. However I question WR Roscoe Parrish a bit since he is more of a return man, and the Bills already have one of the better return men in the league in Terrence McGee. Like Parrish, TE Kevin Everett (3-86) is also from Miami, but don�t compare him quite with the likes of Shockey, Winslow et al � he should still be good enough to eventually start however. Of the second-day picks, Vanderbilt lineman Justin Geisinger (6�4� 322) is perhaps the most intriguing and is expected to move from tackle to guard in the pros. Seventh-round running back Lionel Gates (Louisville) is expected to become a fullback. GRADE: C
MIAMI � Only one-third of the Dolphins 2004 squad was originally drafted by the team, so it was new coach Nick Saban�s priority to score big in this draft. Initial indications are that he�s done just that � there were rumors about Ricky Williams coming back (I, for one did not hold my breath) but Miami stayed at #2 overall and selected RB Ronnie Brown. DE Matt Roth and LB Channing Crowder are also first round talents who should eventually replace Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas respectively. Saban also tapped into LSU in Round 4 with CB Travis Daniels, who has also played safety. Word is Saban would had also selected CB Corey Webster instead of Roth had he not been taken two picks earlier. In fact, Brown, Roth, and Crowder had all performed well in games against LSU last year. 5th round tackle Anthony Alabi (who benches 500) has been a mainstay on TCU�s offensive line over the last three years and is also expected to compete for a starting job. South Carolina DE George Gause was the most notable undrafted pick-up. All in all, a very impressive draft. GRADE: A-
NEW ENGLAND � So much for all the Odell Thurman talk. Projected as no better than a third round choice on many boards, the Patriots selected versatile Fresno State lineman Logan Mankins with the final pick of the first round. Apparently Mankins got a strong recommendation from Head Coach Pat Hill, who worked for Bill Belichick for four years in Cleveland. Mankins delivered a school record 82 pancake blocks in 2004 and graded out at 91 percent � with 80% considered a benchmark. Patriots then got another mauling lineman later on with Toledo�s Nick Kaczur and tapped into Fresno State again in Day 2 with safety James Sanders. Undersized Iowa St. corner Ellis Hobbs was the other third round pick. Most interesting pick was USC quarterback Matt Cassell in Round 7, at least he�s used to backing up and could have a chance to move to #2 behind Brady down the road. Tight End Andy Stokes gets the title of Mr. Irrelevant for being the final pick in this year�s draft. Stokes road to immortality started in St. George, UT before enrolling at William Penn college in Iowa, a NAIA school � a fitting path for a Mr. Irrelevant. Except for fifth-round pick Ryan Claridge linebacking wasn�t really addressed, but retooling the O-line wasn�t bad neither. GRADE: B
NY JETS � The Jets and the Minnesota Vikings came into this draft in the same predicament. Both teams know what it�s like having to deal with lousy kicking � more specifically having Doug Brien on your payroll. With the Jets two picks ahead of the Vikings in Round 2, they knew that this was their only chance to select Mike Nugent, who becomes just the fourth kicker since 1990 to be drafted this high. Fortunately, Clemson CB Justin Miller was still available 10 picks later, so the Nugent pick did not hurt � although the likes of a Jonathan Nichols would had been available in Round 7. Miller of course cost himself a bunch of money getting in trouble the weekend before, and further investigation also reveals a DUI charge three years earlier. GRADE: B-
BALTIMORE � Most have the Ravens draft class ranked among the best, with needs filled at receiver, defensive end, and the offensive line. Being 5�10� was the only thing separating WR Mark Clayton from the top three receivers in the class. DE Dan Cody, as expected, fell into the second round for well documented reasons. The other knock on Cody is that he is considered a one-dimensional pass-rusher. However, like Terrell Suggs who was dogged by a slow 40-time two years ago, expect the Ravens to score on this one. 6�8� tackle Adam Terry (2-64) and North Carolina center Jason Brown (4-124) are expected to fill immediate needs on the O-line. Fifth round fullback Justin Green is thought of highly and is expected to quickly displace the disappointing Ovie Mughelli. Sixth-round QB Derek Anderson has the physical attributes (6�6� 242) but is considered more of a project. The pressure will now be on starting QB Kyle Boller to mature with Clayton and an improved line to work with. GRADE: A
CINCINNATI � While Buffalo loaded up on a pair of Miami Hurricanes and the Ravens went with a couple of ex-Oklahoma Sooners, the Bengals elected to go with two University of Georgia players along with a pair of other late-rounders from that football factory known as Central Michigan??? Tackle Adam Kieft (5-153) goes at 6�7� 337 lbs and joins Stacy Andrews (346 lbs) as lineman who could step in down the road. David Pollack (1-17), much like Dan Cody and some others in this draft, have lack of bulk concerns but are relentless. Bengals then took a pair of character risks with Odell Thurman (2-48) and WR Chris Henry (3-83). Thurman was a good mid-second round value but it is interesting to note that Cincy was the only team to bring Henry in for a workout. If it weren�t for the Bengals Henry may had been swimming very deep in this draft. If nothing else, Chad Johnson, Kelley Washington, and Henry will at least talk a good game. Interesting free agent pick up in LSU center Ben Wilkerson, whose stock fell considerably. Bengals also attempted to sign Tennessee tackle Michael Munoz, who decided to retire after surprisingly not getting drafted. GRADE: B
CLEVELAND � I was wrong about my prediction that the Browns would trade down and focus on defense, but that�s not necessarily a bad thing. #3 overall pick Braylon Edwards gives this incarnation of the Browns their first-ever true deep threat. Among other things, Edwards was credited with doing 22 reps, which wouldn�t even be a bad number for an offensive lineman. Cleveland also shored up it�s secondary with ex-Oklahoma teammates Brodney Pool (2-34) and Antonio Perkins (4-103). Even though Pool is compared in some respects to Roy Williams, he is versatile enough to potentially move to cornerback. Perkins would had been a second-rounder, but he comes to Cleveland with a chip on his shoulder as recent injuries pushed him early to the second day. Many thought the Browns would take Akron QB Charlie Frye in Round 2, but they wound up with him in Round 3. Frye gets two years to work behind veteran Trent Dilfer before we see in earnest if he can be the Cleveland version of Ben Roethlisberger. 6th round LB Nick Speegle is considered a tough guy in the mode of a Jack Lambert or Dick Butkus. That�s pretty lofty company to be mentioned in the same breath as � we�ll see. No Chaun Thompson reaches here � a great draft. GRADE: A
PITTSBURGH � The Steelers complete a strong quartet of drafts from the AFC North. Heath Miller was by far the top tight end in this draft and Pittsburgh got him at a discount at #30 overall because he wasn�t able to workout due to hernia surgery. CB Brian McFadden (2-62) was the best cornerback in the nation coming out of high school. Although he was solid at Florida St., he was not spectacular. It was the second day in which I think the Steelers made hay, as 4th rounder Fred Gibson should work nicely into the teams receiving corps. Rounds 5 and 6 brought a pair of players with talented, but checkered histories. Linebacker Goo Wallace was suspended by Temple for a game last season for a practice altercation with a teammate while mauling guard Chris Kemoeatu got into trouble for kicking opponents during games. The Steelers further added to their collection of Samoan players (and BYU defensive lineman) by taking DE Shane Nua (6-5, 270) in round 7. GRADE: B+
HOUSTON � This draft is being slammed in some corners, but I don�t think it was that bad considering that there were only six picks. In one of the few first round trades, the Texans went down three spots before taking Florida St. DT Travis Johnson � which should be a solid pick. I also think 4th round WR Jerome Mathis will be a tremendous value, stretching the field and helping to take pressure off of Andre Johnson. I�m not sold on Domanick Davis as a heavy-duty back, at the very least Vernand Morency (3-73) offers a change of pace. Fifth-round lineman Drew Hodgdon is known as a hard worker but is small for his position. Sixth-round safety Ceandris Brown is considered more of a project. GRADE: C+
INDIANAPOLIS � It was thought that the Colts would continue their tradition of picking Iowa players going into this draft. Well, no Hawkeyes were selected � but the Colts stayed in the Midwest and the Big Ten with most of their selections. Indy addressed their secondary concerns with Marlin Jackson and Illinois� Kelvin Hayden in the first two rounds, although I felt the inexperienced Hayden was a bit of a reach. California safety Matt Giordano also went in the fourth round, along with Texas Tech guard Dylan Gandy, who is expected to relace Rick DeMulling. If nothing else, sixth round kicker Dave Rayner allows the team to give controversial Mike Vanderjagt his walking papers. Smallish seventh-round RB Anthony Davis never seems able to stay on the field, but could offer a change-of-pace. GRADE: C+
JACKSONVILLE � The ultimate grade in this draft defends on how the career of first-round pick Matt Jones pans out. Depending on who you talk to, Jones was either the best or worst pick of the first round. As crazy as mocks that had Jones going late first-round seemed, Jones surpassed even those projections by going #21 overall. But before thinking that was too much of a reach, consider that some feel that Jones would had been a top-five overall pick had he played receiver as a collegian. Jones� numbers are outright paranormal, and he definitely had the wow factor to be taken where he was. Jags then got a nice value in Round 2 with tackle Khalif Barnes, who many thought would sneak into the first round. Third-round CB Scott Starks was a need pick, but size (5�9� 172) is an issue with him. Virginia running back Alvin Pearman (Round 4) had a good chance to see playing time right away. Even if the Jones pick winds up backfiring, I have to give Jacksonville credit for pulling the trigger. GRADE: B
TENNESSEE � Some have this draft ranked amongst the top, and with 11 picks Tennessee did get plenty of quantity. Myself though, I wasn�t nuts about the Adam Jones pick, I would had gone with either Mike Williams or Antrel Rolle myself, but I could be proven wrong there. However new offensive co-ordinator Norm Chow will get receivers in his arsenal with third rounders Courtney Roby (speedy) and Brandon Jones (great talent but raw), along with fourth-rounder Roydell Williams. Eastern Washingon tackle Michael Roos (6�7� 315) has been hopping up draft boards all winter, but no one envisioned him going #41 overall. I still don�t think that�s a bad pick though. The team is high on fourth-round tackle David Stewart, and running back Damien Nash (R-5) and injury-prone tight end Bo Scaife (R-6) will be a couple more interesting stories to watch. 12 of Tennesee�s 13 picks wound up on the roster last year, and coach Jeff Fisher thinks he can have similar success with this group. GRADE: B
DENVER � The Broncos came into this draft with only six picks, plus the memory of getting burned by Indianapolis in the last two playoffs along with the knowledge that they now have to face Randy Moss 2X per year. So the Broncos O�D by taking cornerbacks with their first three picks, selecting Darrent Williams (2-56), Karl Paymah (3-76) and Domonique Foxworth (3-97). Denver obviously needs one, and more preferably two of those to pan out. What the trio has in common is speed, as their 40 times have been clocked at 4.31, 4.35, and 4.34 respectively. Of course the big story was the selection of troubled Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett with the final pick of Day 1. In defense, Denver wasn�t picking again until Round 6 so this may had been their only chance, but they could had still traded down and got extra picks, and if Clarett was gone by Round 6 it still shouldn�t had been the end of the world. That said, Clarett has a golden opportunity to slowly work his way into playing team in the always crowded Denver backfield over the next few years. Miami guard Chris Myers went in Round 6 and is your proto-typical undersized Denver lineman. And as if the Broncos already didn't have enough corners, they also grabbed undrafted free agent Brandon Browner. Like Browner, Roc Alexander came from the Pac-10 and was undrafted last year, but wound up seeing significant time.GRADE: C+
KANSAS CITY � You couldn�t ask much more than having Derrick Johnson, perhaps the top linebacker available, still available at #15. Trading a second-round pick for Miami�s Patrick Surtain was a good move as well. The Chiefs also got good value with punter Dustin Colquitt late in Round 3. Let�s just say he�ll work out better than that B.J. Sander guy. Fourth-round receiver Craphonso Thorpe may be damaged goods, but has a good chance to start a couple years down the road. Fifth-round linebacker Boomer Grigsby will be a popular player who loves to hit on special teams and could also work his way into being a Scott Fujita-type linebacker. Former Heisman Trophy winner Jason White will also get a look at a free agent. Not expected to get drafted high anyways, it is said that White did not get selected because examinations showed his surgically-repaired knees to be a wreck. GRADE: B+
OAKLAND � Heading into the draft, it was said that Oakland desperately needed defensive lineman that would allow Warren Sapp to move back to a three-technique position. That wasn�t addressed until late, as once again the Raiders obsession with speed took over. Fabian Washington wasn�t bad at #23 overall, but the raw but fast Stanford Routt (2-38) was taken about two rounds too early. I did like the rest of the Raiders draft however. I�m high on linebacker Kirk Morrison (3-78) while they also got QB Andrew Walter (3- 69), who compares with current starter Kerry Collins and came at a discount due to a shoulder injury late last year. I really like both sixth-round picks, Cal DE Ryan Riddle along with DT Anttaj Hawthorne, who fell all the way from the second-round in part due to a positive marijuana test, which is hardly a blip on the Raiders scale. And don�t forget the receiver the Raiders traded their #7 overall pick for, but I can�t think of his name off hand. GRADE: B
SAN DIEGO � Classic proof on how quick a team could change it�s fortunes literally overnight. Just a year ago the Chargers were a train-wreck with writers predicting they�d go 0-16. Now they look very capable of not just winning the division again, but perhaps going all the way. As improved as their defense was last year, they become much more formidable up front picking up Shawne Merriman at #12 and Luis Castillo at #28. I had Merriman going top-ten which lets you know what I feel about him. The Castillo pick was controversial from the standpoint of his recent positive steroid test, and what kind of message does it send for someone who tests positive to still be picked in Round 1. To Castillo�s defense, he owned up and took responsibility, writing letters to all 32 teams and offering to return his signing bonus should he turn up positive again. Meanwhile, I look for the commissioner�s office to find a way to suspend potential draftees who turn up positive in the future. Fast and mammoth WR Vincent Jackson (2-61) sure looks impressive beating up on the Division 1-AA and D-2 boys, he should get a chance to develop as a pure receiver, as the presence of Antonio Gates ensures that he won�t be turned into a tight end any time soon. Speedy scatback Darren Sproles was another nice pick in Round 4, and he should get a chance to make an impact on about a dozen offensive plays per game. After their tremendous success picking offensive lineman late in last years draft, the Chargers are trying their luck again, finishing out the draft with 6�8� Alabama tackle Wesley Britt, followed by Oklahoma guard Wes Sims and Bowling Green center Scott Mruczkowski. Britt would carry a second round grade if not for some nasty leg and foot injuries over the last year and a half. Chargers were also very active picking up undrafted free agents, including Southern Utah LB Marques Harris and Vanderbilt FB Matthew Tant. I love this team�s draft. GRADE: A