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San Diego

With their first three picks, the Chargers not only addressed major needs but also received three of the top 50 players in the draft – CB Quentin Jammer, G Toniu Fonoti, and WR Reche Caldwell.  Jammer should start immediately and be a Pro Bowler in the not-too-distant future.  Fifth-round pick Terry Charles is a sleeper at WR, but the team still needs help at OT and DT. 

Detroit

QB Joey Harrington was the right choice at No. 3 overall, and DE/OLB Kalimba Edwards (2nd) and CB Andre’ Goodman (3rd) have the potential to make an immediate impact.  Also, the Lions were strong in the late rounds, grabbing prospects such as CB Chris Cash, RB Luke Staley, and OT Victor Rogers in the sixth and seventh.  

Houston

With 12 picks, including QB David Carr, WR Jabar Gaffney and C/G Fred Weary, the Texans clearly selected the most collective talent, but they could have done a little better job at meeting their needs.  For example, RB Clinton Portis, DT Anthony Weaver, and S Jon McGraw were all available when they selected OT Chester Pitts in the second round.  Pitts did not match a need and probably would have been available later.  As it was, the Texans ended up picking DT Charles Hill, RB Jonathan Wells, and S Ramon Walker in rounds three through five. 

New Orleans

The Saints had just one major concern, and they filled that by selecting DE Charles Grant with the 25th overall pick.  The club also grabbed the mercurial Donte’ Stallworth (15th overall) and the powerful LeCharles Bentley (44th overall), who were the top WR and center in the draft, respectively.  Additionally, CB Keyou Craver was a nice value in the fourth round.   

Dallas

In rounds one through three, the Cowboys selected four players that were considered to be potential first-rounders – S Roy Williams, C/G Andre Gurode, WR Antonio Bryant, and CB Derek Ross.  However, the club’s day-two picks were suspect.  Bryant and Ross slipped to the second and third round, respectfully, because of character issues, but they could be real steals if they keep their noses clean. 

Buffalo

While working on a deal for QB Drew Bledsoe, the Bills managed to grab four very good prospects in the first three rounds – OT Mike Williams, WR Josh Reed, DE Ryan Denney, and S Cory Wire.  The quality of their selections significantly dropped off after, and they did not address a primary need at DT until the fifth round (Justin Bannan). 

Oakland

The Raiders’ top two picks, CB Phillip Buchanon and OLB Napoleon Harris, were very good values at No. 17 and No. 23 overall.  The team traded up four spots to take Buchanon, who likely slipped down the draft board because of character questions.  He could start immediately if Eric Allen decides to retire, and that would justify the cost (third- and fifth-round picks) of moving up to get him.  The Raiders also received good value in the fifth round when they selected DE Kenyon Coleman, and they drafted lots of potential with their selections of OT Langston Walker (2nd), TE Doug Jolley (2nd), and QB Ronald Curry (7th).  However, Walker was somewhat of a reach in the second round, and they did not take any DTs, which was their biggest need position entering the draft.  

Tennessee

The Titans’ draft was loaded with players (7) that should significantly upgrade their defense, including DT Albert Haynesworth (1st), S Tank Williams (2nd), and CB Tony Beckham (4th).  The team had to be happy that Haynesworth slipped to the 15th overall spot, and WR Jake Schifino and DE Carlos Hall were nice sleeper picks.  On the downside, the Titans ignored their fading offensive line except for the long-shot pick of G Justin Hartwig (6th). 

Cleveland

The Browns filled their biggest void by selecting RB William Green in the first round.  Green should solve the team’s running woes if he can stay out of trouble.  The rest of the draft was mostly for depth, but WR Andre’ Davis (2nd), C/G Melvin Fowler (3rd), and LB Ben Taylor (4th) should all be solid contributors down the road. 

Baltimore

Since they needed help everywhere, the Ravens were bound to receive a decent grade for meeting their needs.  First-round pick Ed Reed should start immediately at safety, while DT Anthony Weaver was not only a good value at pick No. 52 but also helped fill a major void.  Punter Dave Zastudil seemed like a luxury that the team could not afford in the fourth round, but he will help in the all-important field-position battle.  Sixth-round pick Javin Hunter may be a pleasant surprise at WR.   

Arizona

The Cards mostly focused on their defense, selecting promising players such as DT Wendell Bryant (1st), LB Levar Fisher (2nd), and DE Dennis Johnson (3rd).  They also added three offensive prospects with big upsides – QB Joshua McCown (3rd), WR Jason McAddley (5th), and RB Josh Scobey (6th).  

Carolina

Top pick Julius Peppers gives the Panthers a dominant passer rusher that they sorely needed, but many of their remaining selections were questionable.  At No. 34 overall, RB DeShaun Foster was a good value, but the club could have addressed a bigger need at wideout with a player like Josh Reed.  Also, LB Will Witherspoon was a reach in the third round.  The talented Dante Wesley was a solid pick at No. 100, but the team should have given even more attention to the CB position.     

Minnesota

Minnesota had a fairly solid draft from top to bottom.  OT Bryant McKinnie (1st) and G Ed Ta’amu (4th) will solidify the Vikings’ shaky offensive line, while OLB Raonall Smith (2nd) and CB/S Brian Williams (4th) should upgrade the defense. Safety Willie Offord was a big reach in the third round, and the wideout position was ignored, leaving the door open for veteran Cris Carter to return. 

Jacksonville

The Jags did a good job drafting for need, but the overall talent acquired was just average.  DT John Henderson was a solid selection at No. 9 overall, and OT Mike Pearson was somewhat of a steal in the second round. DE/OLB Akinola Ayodele was a reach in the third round, and is not likely to be an adequate replacement for the departed Kevin Hardy.  Two fourth-round picks, QB David Garrard and TE Chris Luzar, give the team depth with potential on offense. 

San Francisco

The 49ers did not select any glamorous players, but they did get good value from the start to the finish of the draft.  CB Mike Rumph (1st), LB Saleem Rasheed (3rd), and S Kevin Curtis (4th) give the team quality defensive depth, while G Eric Heitman (7th) and OT Kyle Kosier (7th) should do the same for the offensive line. The team did ignore the wide receiver position, but J.J. Stokes restructured his hefty contract over the weekend.   

Indianapolis

Seven of the Colts’ eight picks were on defense, and at least three of those players – DE Dwight Freeney (1st), DT Larry Tripplett (2nd), and CB Joseph Jefferson (3rd) – should contribute immediately.  Selecting Freeney at No. 11 overall may have been a little early, and the club ignored their needs at guard. 

Chicago

The Bears did not come away with a load of talent, but they did manage to address most of their weak spots with solid prospects like OT Marc Colombo (1st), CB Roosevelt Williams (3rd), and DE Alex Brown (4th).  Trading their second-round pick to Dallas cost the team a shot at TE Matt Schobel, and the Bears did not address the position until the sixth round (Bryan Fletcher). 

Philadelphia

There is little doubt that the Eagles strengthened their secondary, but they did not need to use their top three picks to do so.  CB Lito Sheppard (1st) was a solid selection, but S Michael Lewis, who has a heart condition, was a reach in the second round, and CB Sheldon Brown (3rd) appeared to be overkill.  Also, the third round was a little early to take RB Brian Westbrook from Villanova.  The Eagles did address their immediate needs on Day Two, taking mid-level prospects such as C Scott Peters (4th), WR Freddie Milons (5th), and MLB Tyreo Harrison (6th). 

Washington

The Redskins were very active on draft day, mostly trading down for additional picks.  However, they did not get the best value with some of their extra picks.  Moving down to No. 32 and selecting QB Patrick Ramsey was a very smart move, but RB Ladell Betts at No. 56 and CB Rashad Bauman at No. 79 were not good values and did not fill immediate needs.  The club did rebound late in the third round by grabbing speedy WR Cliff Russell, and FB/RB Rock Cartwright could turn out to be a seventh-round steal.     

NY Giants

Giving up a fourth-round pick to move up one slot and take Jeremy Shockey appeared to be a high price to pay for a tight end, but he is the best at his position and fills a big void for the Giants.  The club did not appear to get good value with most of its other selections, including the blazing but raw WR Tim Carter (2nd).  Also, the offensive line was not adequately addressed.  However, the athletic Wesley Mallard may prove to be a nice sixth-round pick if he can make the transition from LB to SS.   

Kansas City

The Chiefs gave up a third-round pick to move up two slots and grab DT Ryan Simms.  Simms filled a major void in the KC defense and was arguably the best DT in the draft.  Needing help at guard and OLB, the next two choices – DT Eddie Freeman (2nd) and RB/FB Omar Easy – were a surprise, though both players have a plenty of potential.  The Chiefs did get back on track by grabbing promising LB Scott Fujita in the fifth round. 

Cincinnati

The Bengals’ draft started on a low note, and with just six total picks, there was not a lot of margin for error.  With the 10th overall choice, the team selected OT Levi Jones.  Not only did Jones not fill an immediate need, but also would have been available 5-10 picks later.  The team did rebound with solid picks like S Lamont Thompson (2nd), TE Matt Schobel (3rd), and K/P Travis Dorsch (4th), but Cincinnati totally ignored the CB spot, which could have been bolstered by Phillip Buchanon in the first round. 

Denver

Of all the teams in the draft, the Broncos probably were the worst in terms of drafting for need.  Top pick Ashley Lelie (No. 19 overall) should be a stud at WR, and you cannot blame the team for looking for depth at wideout after last season.  However, the selection of RB Clinton Portis, who was a good value at No. 51, was surprising, and taking WR Herb Haygood (5th) and TE Jeb Putzier (6th) was totally shocking considering the weak spots that exist at OT and S. 

NY Jets

Instead of adding some much-needed beef to their defensive line or trading down, the Jets stayed put and selected the undersized DE Bryan Thomas at pick No. 22.  Thomas may have lasted until the second round and did not fill an immediate need.  The Jets did draft the heady Jon McGraw (2nd) to replace the departed Victor Green at safety, but their other immediate needs were not addressed until the fourth and fifth rounds with DT Alan Harper and G Jonathan Goodwin, respectfully. 

Seattle

The Seahawks left many scratching their heads on draft day.  Needing a tight end, they traded down from No. 20 spot, where they could have grabbed Daniel Graham, to No. 28, where they ended up with Jerramy Stevens.  Stevens may turn out to be a decent tight end, but he projected to be available until late in the second round or early in the third.  The Hawks continued to perplex with their second-round selections of RB Maurice Morris and DE Anton Paleppoi.  Most projections had Morris lasting until the third or fourth rounds, and Paleppoi was considered a Day-Two prospect.  The overspending pattern continued for much of the Seahawks’ draft, but they may find a few gems among their 10 picks. 

Atlanta

The Falcons threw one of the biggest curve balls of the first round by taking RB T.J. Duckett and passing over WR Ashley Lelie.  Not only is Lelie a better player, but he also would have helped the team at its biggest trouble spot.  Instead, the Falcons addressed the wideout spot with Kahlil Hill (6th) and Michael Coleman (7th).  The club also reached for help at safety in the fifth round with Kevin McAdam. 

Green Bay

The Packers traded up to No. 20 to grab WR Javon Walker.  There is no doubt that Walker has tremendous potential and the Packers needed a wideout, but they could have stayed at No. 28 and selected Jabar Gaffney, Josh Reed, or Antonio Bryant.  The club did make a couple of nice picks in the third (S Marques Anderson) and fourth (FB Najeh Davenport) rounds, but not having a second-round pick likely cost the Packers a chance to upgrade at DT, one of their biggest trouble spots. 

New England

Did the Pats look at their roster before they drafted?  Besides starting TE Jermaine Wiggins, the team had two rookie TEs from last season and signed free agents Cam Cleeland and Christian Fauria this offseason.  Despite that, the team traded up to select TE Daniel Graham, while ignoring their needs DT, OLB, and CB.  In fact, the team did not take one player to fill those three weak spots.  Instead, they reached for WR Deion Branch, yet another undersized New England receiver, in the second round, and added three other offensive skill players with their remaining four picks. 

Pittsburgh

The Steelers passed on an opportunity to take QB Patrick Ramsey, and selected G Kendall Simmons, a borderline first-rounder.  They reached again in the second round, taking WR Antwaan Randle El, a former QB who may have lasted until the fourth round.  The Steelers also did not adequately address their thin defensive line, but they may have found a future starter at safety with Chris Hope (3rd). 

Tampa Bay

Considering that they had no picks in the first two rounds, the Bucs did a pretty good job in the draft.  They attempted to fill their biggest void (WR) by selecting the sure-handed Marquise Walker (3rd) and the speedy Aaron Lockett (7th).  They also added two other productive college stars to their offense with RB Travis Stephens (4th) and TE Tracey Winstrom (7th).     

St. Louis

There is no truth to the rumor that the Rams made their draft selections by pulling names out of a hat.  If they had, they may have fared better.  LB Robert Thomas filled a need, though he was a borderline first-rounder.  RB Lamar Gordon was a steal at No. 84, but how wise is it to use third-round pick for a No. 3 tailback?  CB Travis Fisher was a big reach in the second round, drafting Eric Crouch to play WR in the third was insanity, and taking former QB Steve Bellisari to play safety in the seventh was a complete waste. 

Miami

Having no picks in the first two rounds, the Dolphins were bound to receive a fairly low grade.  Center Seth McKinney (3rd) and CB/S Omar Lowe (5th) were solid picks.  The Dolphins hope that Randy McMichael (4th) can give them a lift at TE, but their other major concerns (OT and DE) were not address at all.