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DALLAS � Those who loyally follow the Cowboys have hardly been able to contain themselves over this draft � generally considered the best since the Jimmy Johnson engineered drafts of the late-80�s early �90�s. DeMarcus Ware v. Shawne Merriman could be debate, but the pass-rushing of Ware in addition to the power of #20 overall pick Marcus Spears makes the Cowboys defensive line much more powerful overnight, both will be perfect fits for the new 3-4 defense being installed. Second round linebacker Kevin Burnett should also be able to work his way into the lineup before long. As good as Day 1 was, Day 2 may have even been better. Marion Barber (4-109) provides a nice #2 back, DE Chris Canty (4-132) is a good risk-reward proposition at this point, a bad knee sidelined Canty for much of �04 and an eye injury could keep him on the sidelines this year. At 6�7� 285, Canty could well work his way into a 3-4 rotation down the road. Sixth-round safety Justin Beriault is a hard hitter who was considered one of the hardest hitters in college football, but perhaps a year away from making a contribution on a pro level. Pitt tackle Rob Petitti flat out ate his way out of Day 1, but could develop if Parcells screams at him enough during practice. GRADE: A
NY GIANTS � Thanks in part to the Eli Manning trade, the Giants only had four picks this year � but that won�t be reflected in this grade since I already docked the Giants last year. That said, I still don�t like the Rivers/Manning unless Eli becomes as good as his brother down the road. As far as this year�s concerned � I think NYG did well. A bunch of teams picking just after #43 were cursing and throwing things across their War Rooms after LSU corner Corey Webster was selected. Hybrid Justin Tuck (3-74) went about where expected, the big question is whether he can either (a) bulk up and play end or (b) lighten up for linebacker. Former Auburn back Brandon Jacobs (6�4� 267) is expected to replace Ron Dayne as the teams short-yardage back. Sixth-round DE Eric Moore provides upside and is considered more of a run-stopper, he is expected to provide additional D-line depth. The team also picked up a couple of the more notable players not drafted in Penn St. LB Derek Wake and Georgia Tech safety James Butler. GRADE: B
PHILADELPHIA � While Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb continue to snip at each other, the Eagles did a fine job of reinforcing some key areas on the team with their 11 picks. #31 overall pick Mike Patterson is considered a stronger version of Chris Hovan, and will probably replace Corey Simon at defensive tackle by 2006. Georgia receiver Reggie Brown went four picks later, which will gladly allow the Eagles to give Freddie Mitchell his pink slip. LB Matt McCoy (2-63) is somewhat questionable in that he went before more heralded San Diego St. teammate Kirk Morrison. Third-round RB Ryan Moats (Louisiana Tech) is considered a stronger version of Bryan Westbrook, and the two will eventually split time in the Eagles� backfield by committee. Moats was highly regarded despite crapping out in a game v. Auburn in which he exited with a bad ankle after doing nothing in three carries. Fourth-round Iowa safety Sean Considine is a coaches dream, look for him to replace the departed Ike Reese as the special teams captain. It is no surprise that coach Andy Reid likes his BYU players, and considering guard Scott Young did 43 reps during the combine, it is no shock that he has landed in Philly. What you may not know is that Young moved from the D-line to O-line just in the past year. GRADE: B
WASHINGTON � Everything the Redskins have done and said lately has been lambasted in the media, but I don�t think they came away too bad in the draft. The Skins just missed out on Antrel Rolle, but Carlos Rogers at #9 should continue Washington�s tradition of strong corner play. The defining moment of Coach Gibbs second tenure as coach was selecting QB Jason Campbell at #25. My take is if you watch film of Campbell and then film of Aaron Rodgers, you will come away more impressed with Campbell, who is three inches taller and throws a prettier, more effortless pass. Wearing #17, Campbell reminds you a little bit of Doug Williams � just not with quite as good an arm. That said, the Skins gave up too much go get that second #1. The team thinks they may have found a goal-line back in UCLA fullback Manuel White in Round 4, while Louisville LB Rock McCune (Round 5) is a high-character player who was profiled earlier this year on NFLDRAFT05.COM. We won�t know the real grade of this draft until we see how Campbell develops. GRADE: C+
CHICAGO � After more than a decade of discarding through the likes of Curtis Enis, Rashaan Salaam, and Anthony Thomas, it appears that the Bears have finally found their featured-back in Cedric Benson, who went through a hairstyle makeover in the days leading up to the draft just so people can stop comparing him to Ricky Williams. One worry is that Benson may have used himself up as a collegian, as Enis and Salaam did, but I think Benson is much better than those two. Second-round receiver Mark Bradley is considered more of a project, for now he will be used in spot situations and on returns. Fourth-round QB Kyle Orton should provide a better alternative to Chad Hutchinson or Craig Krenzel in case starter Rex Grossman goes down again. Fifth-round receiver Airese Curry is yet another speedster who could give the Bears a deep threat opposite Mushin Muhammad. GRADE: B
DETROIT � Give them credit for not hesitating. Although the likes of Derrick Johnson or another defensive player would of pulled a bigger name, you can�t blame the Lions for snapping up Mike Williams in all of three minutes after he slipped all the way to #10. Guess the Lions didn�t want to wait until Charles Rogers breaks his collarbone again two minutes into the season opener to realize that they could use even more receiving help. That said, no other current starting QB is on a shorter leach right now than Joey Harrington. If you draft Joey in a fantasy league, make darn sure you have Jeff Garcia as well, the two combined could be a top-five fantasy quarterback. Matt Millen did make a nice move in Round 2 moving up four spots and snapping up USC�s Shaun Cody. Added bonus is Cody can be used anywhere on the defensive line. In case you�re wondering, yes CB Stanley Wilson (third round) is the son of the one-time Bengals running back. I take it if the Lions ever make the Super Bowl he�ll show up. Evidently the Lions were scouting QB Dan Orlovsky (fifth round) when Connecticut played in the Motor City Bowl. I think Orlovsky has one of the better arms in this draft but accuracy is an issue. He�ll make for a nice NFLEL project. DE Bill Swancutt slipped to Round 6 and deservedly so, but he was worth the pick at that point. LB Jonathan Goddard (Marshall) led all of D-1 football with 16 sacks, he was overlooked in the draft since he�s considered a tweener � but still definitely worth a look. Utah receiver Steve Savoy (who really should had stayed in school, was inked in free agency. GRADE: B+
GREEN BAY � My theory of Jason Campbell being the better QB notwithstanding, you can�t blame the Packers too much for snatching Aaron Rodgers when he slipped all the way to #24. It�s a couple of picks that occurred later on that reinforces the fact that the team�s scouting department is quickly becoming one of the worst around. First John Dorsey made his Chaun Thompson reach with pick #51 by taking a Nick Collins cornerback, who many can�t tell from a Harper Collins paperback. The people at Bethune-Cookman will like to tell you that Collins is almost as good as Rashean Mathis (now starting in Jacksonville) and that he held Jerome Mathis (Texans fourth-round WR) to one catch for nine yards in a game last year. True perhaps, but this is a player with a fifth-round grade taken in Round 2. Then there�s CB Michael Hawkins, who says he always had himself playing for the Packers in the Madden video games. With 4.2 speed, Hawkins will look very good indeed on a video game � and was also considered one of the most talented athletes to come through the Oklahoma program in recent years (heady praise). That said, this is a kid who came from a tough background, and couldn�t hack it for very long at OU and couldn�t even find the field much in the Arena League last year. May had been worth a look in free agency or late in Round 7, but a blind stab in Round 5. One area where the Packers are taking heat where I�ll give them some slack is the selection of receivers Terrence Murphy and Craig Bragg. The two were rated #11 and #15 respectively by one publication, and anyone who saw what was left of the Packers receiving corps in the playoff game when both Javon Walker and Robert Ferguson were out knows the depth after the top three are painfully thin. Also Walker is already looking like an ugly holdout while we�ll don�t know if Ferguson will be fine after the Donovin Darius incident until he takes a few good hits, so I think the need is bigger than most think. Also Murphy, Collins, and Hawkins are candidates to return kicks, an area Green Bay hasn�t done well in recent years. Safety Marviel Underwood (4-115) looks like yet another reach while DE Brady Poppinga (4-125) is said to be a better fit for a 3-4 scheme. Poppinga will be 26 when the season starts, so there is a chance he could step in and play immediately. Green Bay was able to accumulate 11 picks through trades, but some of the defensive picks will really have to come through to save this crop. The worst thing is the rest of the division has gotten much better this off-season. GRADE: C-
MINNESOTA � The Vikings grade an A in off-season free agency, and some are giving this draft an A as well. I don�t think the Vikings had a bad draft, but I don�t think either of the two first-round picks are a lock. As speculated in the 72 hours before the draft, the Vikes did pass on Mike Williams for the explosive potential of Troy Williamson, who will bring his end zone double-somersaults in the Twin Cities. Troy may be what Randy Moss was, but Mike Williams would had served as a larger and even more talented version of Cris Carter. Considering Williams has landed with a division rival, the selection better work. I�m also not a huge fan of Erasmus James, as I heard someone on a talk show say, he just doesn�t seem to have enough lead in his shorts. And we haven�t even mentioned the Bo Jackson hip, James may work out but I have a feeling he could had slid through Round 1 had he not been selected at #18. Center Marcus Johnson is a good pick at #49 who zoomed up draft boards in recent weeks. The Vikes traded up twice to take Florida running back Ciatrick Fason in Round 4, he joins the deepest running back stable this side of Denver. Three-technique tackle C.J. Mosely was projected in the second round on some boards but slipped to Vikes in Round 6, if he and James pan out the Vikes could suddenly find themselves with one of the better front-fours around. GRADE: B
ATLANTA � Solid draft in which the Falcons worked on addressing some need areas. WR Roddy White may need some time to developed, but was selected just around where he was projected. DT Jonathan Babineaux (2-59) is your prototypical, smart Iowa player whose only red flag was a leg that he broke twice during his college career. Division 1-AA Jordan Beck was getting a lot of ink in recent weeks, and will be allowed to ease into a deep linebacking corps. Michael Boley was also added to the linebacker collection in Round 5, I think he is a good value. And Michigan Stafte RB DeAndra Cobb was also a good late pick, he lacks experience but he was also one of the faster backs available and is candidate to return kickoffs. Most notable free-agent pick-up was ex-NC State RB T.A. McClendon, who was once considered a top prospect. GRADE: B
CAROLINA � A typical Panther draft where the team seemed to have a definite plan and made solid choices. I don�t think #14 was too early to select Thomas Davis, while second-round RB Eric Shelton provides needed protection in case Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster both get hurt again. The offensive line was fortified with guards Evan Mathis (3-79) and Geoff Hangartner (5-169). Missouri DT Atiyyah Ellison was a great pick late in Round 3, he was eventually work his way into a three-technique position. GRADE: B
NEW ORLEANS � I�ve ripped the Saints draft in recent years, but I think they did a nice job this side around. The Saints traded up and took Oklahoma tackle Jammal Brown with the 13th pick, who says he models his play after former Saint Kyle Turley. Nebraska safety Josh Bullocks was a nice pick in Round 2 and LB Albert Fincher (Round 3) should also see time immediately. Wisconsin DT Jason Jefferson also wasn�t bad find in Round 6. Obviously, the most notable selection was quarterback Adrian McPherson in Round 5. I feel it�s worth the gamble (pun not intended) at that juncture, you just wonder if New Orleans is the right kind of town for hom. GRADE: B
TAMPA BAY � Coming off a bad season with the fifth overall draft pick, and 12 total draft picks � this was a critical draft in which the Buccaneers front office needed to deliver � mission accomplished. After weeks of projecting the Bucs drafting Cadillac Williams, I switched course at the last minute � having Tampa trading up for Mike Williams at #2. Alas, Tampa throws the fastball instead of the curve and take the player Jon Gruden has been eyeing ever since the Senior Bowl. As well as the backfield to improve the team�s 29th place standing running the ball, the Bucs turned their attention to the offensive line in the middle rounds, selecting tackle Chris Colmer and guard Dan Beunning in Rounds 3 and 4 respectively. Getting LB Barrett Ruud in Round 2 may allow the team to make Derrick Brooks a salary cap casualty. Receiving was also addressed, most notably with Stanford tight end Alex Smith in Round 3. However their were also some late receiving picks that are intriguing. Junior college star Larry Brackins went in Round 5, along with Utah�s Paris Warren and Louisville�s J.R. Russell in Round 7. I like the chances of at least one of the three developing. Oklahoma safety Donte Nicholson was also a solid selection in Round 4, and he has experience playing Tampa�s Cover 2 schemes. Weight room phenom Anthony Bryant was yet another stout pick in Round 6 and a possibility at DT. Yet another sixth round selection was traded to provide QB depth with second-year man Josh McCown. Along with the Cadillac, I don�t see too many clunkers with this group � most grade this draft as either an A or a B. GRADE: A-
ARIZONA � If all else fails, there is usually at least the Arizona Cardinals draft to rip apart. No longer � in fact the Cards may have had the best draft in the entire league. The best move may have been resisting the urge to trade for Travis Henry, in fact the team says such a trade wasn�t even close. Then the team resisted the urge to select Aaron Rodgers and got an absolute steal in my estimation with the best corner in the draft with Antrel Rolle at #8 overall. As much as the perceived gap there was between the top three running backs and everyone else on the board, don�t be surprised if J.J. Arrington is as productive as any rookie back this year, and will probably turn out better than Travis Henry could ever be. Virginia Tech corner Eric Green was a nice pick-up in Round 3 and I think the team came out even better with Virginia teammates Darryl Blackstock (LB) along with guard Elton Brown in Rounds 4 and 5. Also Oklahoma linebacker Lance Mitchell carried at least a second-round grade before tearing his ACL two years ago, in Round 6 he could be a steal. There were even some nice free agent pick-ups with Michigan safety Ernest Shazor and Lehigh tight end Adam Bergen. A slow 40 time along with some of his turning ability caused Shazor to absolutely plummet, while Bergen was getting some small school sleeper hype. Quarterback is still a minor need but Kurt Warner and Cade McNown should do for this year. The only reason I don�t grade this as an A+ is that you can�t do better than 4.0. I do rank this as the #1 draft in the entire league. GRADE: A
ST. LOUIS � But at least Mike Martz can still befuddle us. It was one thing to see some mocks project Richie Incognito as a mid-round pick to the Rams, but to see it actually happen is a shocker. After the Kyle Turley meltdown, why would Martz tempt dealing with another potential migrane. And even if you look past Richie�s anger management issues, this is a guy who couldn�t get through a 40 prior to the draft without his knee buckling. I don�t like that Round 3 pick at all. I do like tackle Alex Barron at #19 overall, with Martz shocking some by not taking Aaron Rodgers at that point. Martz is also taking some heat for taking D1-AA corner Ron Bartell at 2-50, but I don�t think that was a bad pick, although some development is needed. Martz was able to get to his wide receiver and quarterback fetishes with Ball State�s Dante Ridgeway and Harvard�s Ryan Fitzpatrick in Rounds 6 and seven respectively. GRADE: C
SAN FRANCISCO � Utah quarterback Alex Smith probably doesn�t grade out as an overall #1 type, but I think the Niners made the right decision selecting him over Aaron Rodgers. You could argue the Niners would had made a killing trading down, but there appeared to be no takers. San Fran got some nice lineman with David Baas and Adam Snyder in Rounds 2 and three. Miami RB Frank Gore worked his way into shape prior to the draft, but not sure he was worth the first pick in the third round, it still wouldn�t be a stretch to see him supplant Kevan Barlow at some point. Converted West Virginia QB Rasheed Marshall will be a project as a receiver in Round 5. Other fifth-round pick was for Mississippi St. tackle Ronald Fields, who is expected to fit the team�s new 3-4 scheme. A decent draft but not a blockbuster, although I like the Smith selection. GRADE: B
SEATTLE � Mike Holmgren is another good one to second guess these days, as it appeared the Seahawks reach with all three first-day picks. Mississippi center Chris Spencer wasn�t too bad at #26 overall, even though centers rarely go in Round 1 Spencer�s stock had really taken a rise in recent weeks. However I feel that undersized USC linebacker Lofa Tatupu and Georgia quarterback David Green were both taken about two rounds too early. Clemson linebacker Leroy Hill and oft-injured Florida St. tackle Ray Willis were nice mid-round selections that might be able to save this draft. GRADE: C