WINNERS
Cleveland Browns: The Browns were debating between linemen Joe Thomas and quarterback Brady Quinn at the third overall pick, and ended up with both. Trading up to get Ohio born Quinn at 22 was as big a PR move as an on-field one.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders made a ton of noise in the draft. JaMarcus Russell was no surprise at No. 1, and second round pick Zach Miller will be a very good tight end. But the trades, acquiring quarterback Josh McCown and wide receiver Mike Williams from Detroit for a fourth-round choice, and trading Randy Moss to the Patriots, were big-time moves. Running Back Michael Bush could be a steal as well.
Detroit Lions: Can't believe the Lions took another wide receiver, but you can't call drafting the best player in the draft a mistake. And they came back in the second round and got their young QB in Michigan State alum Drew Stanton, who many think have first round talent.
Buffalo Bills: Running back Marshawn Lynch is very talented, linebacker Paul Posluszny is a first-round talent they got in the second round and quarterback Trent Edwards is very highly regarded. It would have been hard for them to have done much better.
New England Patriots: The Patriots did a ton with their picks, trading them for veteran players like possession receiver Wes Welker for a second and seventh rounder, and Randy Moss for a fourth-round pick. One of the few players they actually drafted was much-needed safety in Brandon Meriweather. They also came up with an extra first-round pick next year in a trade from San Francisco. That is some draft.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons drafted 11 players, and filled a lot of holes, especially on defense. They picked up three immediate starters in defensive end Jamaal Anderson, offensive tackle Justin Blalock and cornerback Chris Houston.
San Francisco 49ers: Nine picks and Darrell Jackson in a trade, not to shabby. Patrick Willis maybe the next great middle linebacker and offensive tackle Joe Staley could start right away. Wideout Jason Hill and defensive end Ray McDonald could be steals as well. 49ers are moving in the right direction.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ten total picks, seven of which to help rebuild an aging defense. Defensive end Gaines Adams is an explosive playmaker and Like Joseph, Sears has some bruising nastiness to him. Safety Sabby Piscitelli was an interesting choice in Round 2 and fourth-round defensive back Tanard Jackson is perfect in their scheme.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cornerback Leon Hall is very good, and fits the Bengals' scheme. Kenny Irons could have been a first round pick on talent, and could step in as a third-down back right away. Safety Marvin White's speed will also help in the secondary.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers really filled some need on defense. Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley were two of the top linebackers in the draft. Timmons will play right away, and Woodley is the edge rusher who can replace Joey Porter go. Steelers didn't do a whole lot to help the offense though.
Carolina Panthers: First four picks were all really strong, linebacker Jon Beason, wideout Dwayne Jarrett, center Ryan Kalil and defensive end Charles Johnson. Beason and Kalil will fight to start immediately, and Jarrett is the second coming of Keyshawn Johnson on a team with Keyshawn Johnson. A good, solid class.
Dallas Cowboys: Dallas slid back four spots in the first round, from 22 to 26, and gave up a third- and fifth-round pick for Cleveland's first-rounder next year, and still got the player they wanted in Anthony Spencer. That is some good maneuvering. Offensive tackle Doug Free could be a sleeper in the fourth, and kicker Nick Folk might finally solve their kicking problems.
New Orleans Saints: With all their offense it was odd the Saints went with wideout Robert Meachem in the first round. He is really good, but they should have probably went defense. Cornerback Usama Young could be a starter, which is good third-round value, and fourth-round pick Antonio Pittman is fantastic value at running back.
San Diego Chargers: Craig Davis is really fast, which is something the Chargers need at wide receiver to complement Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates. They also got cornerback Eric Weddle, who figures to start right away. General manager A.J. Smith has always been a great judge of talent, and they had a ton to begin with.
Denver Broncos: The Broncos had all kinds of problems with the defensive line last year, and that is exactly what they addressed with their first four picks. Jarvis Moss has the quickness to be a factor in the pass rush, Tim Crowder is a great pick in the second round and Marcus Thomas might be the biggest steal of them all in the fourth round. He loved to smoke weed in college, but he may have been the second-best defensive-tackle talent in this draft behind.
LOSERS
Miami Dolphins: Ted Ginn Jr. was such an unpopular selection that when Cam Cameron told the fans in Miami about the pick, they booed him. The fans wanted Brady Quinn at nine but the Dolphins believe they got just as good a quarterback prospect in the second round with John Beck. Maybe, but Ginn just isn’t worth the ninth pick in the draft.
Tennessee Titans: Michael Griffin is a terrific strong safety, which the Titans need, but they have a lot of holes on offense they did not fill. Chris Henry's selection in the second round was crazy, and proves they think nothing of LenDale White, The rest of the guys are pretty low-potential players also, like wide receiver Paul Williams.
New York Giants: Cornerback Aaron Ross will be a good addition for the G-men, but they have a much bigger hole at left tackle that they could have filled with Joe Staley. Wideout Steve Smith will turn into a great value in the second round.
Philadelphia Eagles: Not sure what Philly was thinking. Why would you draft quarterback Kevin Colb when you have much bigger needs, and if you were going to go QB, why pick Kolb with Drew Stanton, John Beck and Trent Edwards still on the board? And it's hard to believe the Eagles didn't take a wide receiver.
Washington Redskins: LSU safety LaRon Landry is amazing, and will give the Redskins the best safety tandem in the NFL with Sean Taylor, but why would you draft to your team strength? They had the worst pass-rush in the league and did nothing about it. And Landry was their only pick in the first five rounds.
Seattle Seahawks: Seattle didn't do a whole lot. They traded their first-round pick for Deion Branch, which didn't work out that well. Then they traded Darrell Jackson to the 49ers and took guard Mansfield Wrotto. Second-round cornerback Josh Wilson was probably a stretch as well, at best a nickel corner.
New York Jets: Darrelle Revis was the top-rated cornerback and will start right away, but they traded up to get him. Inside linebacker David Harris will also start right away, but the Jets needed more players then they ended up getting. Picks they lost trading for Thomas Jones from the Bears.
Chicago Bears: Miami tight end Greg Olsen was a good first pick for sure, but they didn't address the offensive line or find a replacement for most likely departing Lance Briggs at linebacker. Defensive end Dan Bazuin is undersized and running back Garrett Wolfe was great in college but is to small.
Green Bay Packers: Their first-round pick, Justin Harrell, is a defensive tackle with a lot of injury history, which is a big risk at the 16th overall pick. Wideout James Jones isn't the explosive player they needed, and running back Brandon Jackson two surgically repaired shoulders. Too many risks and question marks on the first day of the draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The offensively challenged Jaguars used both its first two picks on defensive. Safety Reggie Nelson might be the best player at his position in the draft, and they got him even after trading down. Linebacker Justin Durant might be the best defensive player in the country nobody knows about, but they got no help in the receiving core, which is really poor.
St. Louis Rams: Defensive end Adam Carriker with add depth and flexibility to the defensive, and running back Brian Leonard is a quality back in the second round that can do a lot of different things. The Rams however have a lot of problems in the secondary which they did not address.
JURY'S OUT
Indianapolis Colts: Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez will take the job once held by Brandon Stokley, and offensive tackle Tony Ugoh could have been a first-round pick. Cornerback Daymeion Hughes will have to fill in for Nick Harper or Jason David, which will remain to be seen.
Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson could be a stud at No. 7 overall, but they already have a running back. Wideout Sidney Rice is another risk as he is inexperienced (declared for the draft as a sophomore) and has an attitude problem.
Arizona Cardinals: Offensive tackle Levi Brown might be a slight reach at fifth overall pick, but they really needed a lineman. Moving up to get defensive tackle Alan Branch was an interesting move as well. He is a top ten talent but has many question marks about his motor. Linebacker Buster Davis might also be a surprise.
Baltimore Ravens: Guard Ben Grubbs was a top-rated interior offensive lineman, and filled a need. Return specialist Yamon Figurs has big-time speed which is always nice, but the big question mark will be former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith who they picked in the fifth round. Could he be the air apparent to Steve McNair?
Houston Texans: Matt Schaub cost Houston two second-round picks and a big contract, and a lot of the guys they actually drafted don't have a lot of upside. Wide receiver Jacoby Jones may be nothing more than a return man. The big question mark will be 19-year-old DT Amobi Okoye, why they took with the tenth pick. Even if he turns out to be good it could be a while.
Kansas City Chiefs: Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe might finally be the No.1 receiver the Chiefs need to help make the offense more dynamic, size and speed. Tank Tyler is one of those character guys but he's strong and maybe Kolby Smith can finally take some of the load off Larry Johnson's shoulders.
