2003 NFL Draft - Team Grades

I have reviewed all 32 teams’ draft picks in terms of the sheer talent selected and how the clubs addressed their biggest needs.  The teams are listed from best to worst and also grouped by letter grade (A, B, C, D, and F).   

GRADE A 

1. BALTIMORE RAVENS – The Ravens arguably came away with the most collective talent, including two top-15 prospects.  After using the tenth overall selection to take DE Terrell Suggs, the team traded its second-round pick and 2004 first-rounder to the Patriots for the 19^th overall pick, which it used to take QB Kyle Boller, who will challenge Chris Redman for the starting job.  Possessing a rare combination of size, strength and speed, Boller has the potential to become a top-notch signal caller.  The team then added RB Musa Smith, who some considered an early second rounder, in the third round, and DL Jarrett Johnson (4-109), FB Ovie Mughelli (4-134) and OT Tony Pashos (5-173) are all solid prospects.  Additionally, DB Antwoine Sanders could be a seventh-round steal.  The one knock on the Ravens’ draft is that they failed to come away with a stud wide receiver. 
    
2. CINCINNATI BENGALS – In addition to selecting QB Carson Palmer with the first overall pick of the draft, the Bengals managed to grab three more first-round types – G Eric Steinbach (2-33), WR Kelley Washington (3-65), and CB Dennis Weathersby (4-98).  Washington and Weathersby have some medical concerns, but if they prove to be healthy, the Bengals will have made themselves quite a haul.  The club did fail to adequately address its needs at defensive tackle, selecting only DT Langston Moore in the sixth round. 
    
3. DETROIT LIONS – Wide receiver Charles Rogers (second overall) appears to be a lock to be a star in the league, though some favored Miami’s Andre Johnson as the top wideout in the draft.  The Lions also had LB Boss Bailey fall into their lap in the second round.  Many considered the speedy Bailey (4.35 forty) a top-15 prospect, but some clubs were scared away by a perceived lack of toughness and durability.  Rogers and Bailey filled immediate needs for the Lions, as did safety Terrence Holt (5-137). 
    
4. CHICAGO BEARS – Some experts were critical of the Bears’ decision to trade the fourth-overall pick to the Jets for picks 13, 22 and 116, but the deal appears to have worked for them.  By virtue of some subsequent trades, the Bears ended up with a total of 12 picks, and they were able to address nearly all of their pressing needs with selections of DE Michael Haynes (1-14), QB Rex Grossman (1-22), CB Charles Tillman (2-35), LB Lance Briggs (3-68), and DT Ian Scott (4-116). 
    
5. TENNESSEE TITANS – The Titans made two value picks in the first (CB Andre Woolfolk) and third (RB Chris Brown) rounds, and they still managed to address their pressing needs with the selections of WR Tyrone Calico and DT Rien Long in the second and fourth rounds, respectively.  All four prospects were considered by many to be among the top-50 players overall.  Long has some injury and maturity concerns, but if the 2002 Outland Trophy winner develops into a productive player, the Titans’ draft will likely be a great success.
    
6. OAKLAND RAIDERS – Thanks to the Jon Gruden “trade,” the Raiders owned two first-round selections.  The club used those picks to select two very promising players – DB Nnamdi Asomugha and DE Tyler Brayton.  Brayton filled the team’s most immediate need, while Asomugha joins an already-talented secondary.  The Raiders also did a good job adding quality depth by selecting solid prospects such as TE/WR Teyo Johnson, LB Sam Williams, and RB Justin Fargas between rounds 2-5.   

GRADE B 

1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – The Patriots packaged some of their 13 picks to move up four times in the first four rounds.  As a result, the team was able to address three major needs with the selections of DT Ty Warren (1-13), WR Bethel Johnson (2-45), and CBs Eugene Wilson (2-36) and Asante Samuel (4-120).  Running back was the only suspect position that the Pats ignored.  
    
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – The 49ers were rather pleased that OT Kwame Harris, considered a top-15 prospect by most, slipped to 26^th pick in the first round.  The 310-pound Harris will be groomed to eventually replace the aging Derrick Deese at left tackle.  The defensive line was the biggest concern heading into the draft, and the club used its second and third picks on DT Anthony Adams (2-57) and DE Andrew Williams (3-89).  The workmanlike Adams, who was overshadowed at Penn State by first-round linemates Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Haynes, should contribute immediately.  The Niners also addressed their thin receiving corps with WR Brandon Lloyd (5-161), TE Aaron Walker, and former QB, now sleeper WR Arnaz Battle (6-197). 
    
3. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – In rounds 1-3, the Seahawks managed to get three players who were considered to be among the top five at their respective positions – CB Marcus Trufant, S Ken Hamlin, and OT Wayne Hunter.  However, the Hawks did not start addressing their primary weaknesses until late in the fourth round with the selection of MLB Solomon Bates, a suspect prospect.  Defensive tackle was an even bigger concern, but the team may have filled that void by trading with the Saints for veteran run-stuffer Norman Hand and taking sixth-round sleeper Rashard Moore, who runs the forty in under five seconds despite weighing more than 320 pounds. 
    
4. MINNESOTA VIKINGS – Despite looking very inept when they took too much time to make their first-round selection (seventh overall) and subsequently slipping to the ninth pick, the Vikings had a solid draft.  Defensive tackle Kevin Williams (1-9) and linebacker E.J. Henderson (2-40) should help a defense that was already enhanced by free agency.  In the third and fourth round, the club added two promising offense prospects – WR Nate Burleson and RB Onterrio Smith, respectively.  However, safety was a position of need that was overlooked. 
    
5. HOUSTON TEXANS – With the third overall pick, the Texans chose Andre Johnson, a big receiver (6-2, 230) who possesses blinding speed (4.28).  Johnson was one of five offensive players that the team took in the first six rounds.  The lone exception was speedy outside linebacker Antwan Peek (3-67), who will help pick up the slack for the departed Jeff Posey (8 sacks).  Surprisingly, the club chose two quarterbacks – Dave Ragone (3-88) and Drew Henson (6-192).  Henson is currently playing minor baseball for the New York Yankees; otherwise, he would have been a first-round selection.  
    
6. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – The Chiefs had no glaring weaknesses heading into the draft, but they did need some help at six spots (RB, WR, OT, DE, OLB, and CB).  They addressed five of those six positions with their first six picks, including RB Larry Johnson (1-27), MLB Kawika Mitchell (2-47), and CB/S Julian Battle (3-92).  The addition of Johnson was necessary since there is some doubt that leading rusher Priest Holmes can fully recover from the season-ending hip injury that the Pro Bowler suffered last year.  In his senior year at Penn State, Johnson rushed for 2,087 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 41 passes for 349 yards. 
    
7. ST. LOUIS RAMS – The Rams focused on improving their defense in the draft, using their first two picks on DT Jimmy Kennedy (1-12) and LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (2-43), and selecting three not-so highly touted cornerbacks in the fourth and fifth rounds.  Kennedy was a good value pick at the 12^th spot, but the team would have been better off trading up to take CB Marcus Trufant.  The Rams addressed their fading receiving corps by adding two undersized speedsters, Kevin Curtis (4.34 forty) and Shaun McDonald (4.46 forty), in the third and fourth round, respectively.   Seeking a replacement for the departed Ernie Conwell, the team also selected two tight ends – Dan Curley (5-148) and Richard Angulo (7-254). 
    
8. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – Based on their primary needs (DT, MLB, and CB), the Saints made the right move trading up to the sixth spot.  It was a surprise that they passed over DT Kevin Williams and CB Marcus Trufant and chose DT Johnathan Sullivan, but Sullivan was also a highly regarded prospect.  With their remaining picks, the Saints selected more for value than need, but in the process, they collected quality depth with selections such as OT Jon Stinchcomb (2-37), G Montrae Holland (4-102), and WRs Kareem Kelly (6-203) and Talman Gardner (7-231).  Gardner was projected to be a second or third round pick, but an arrest shortly before the draft caused his stock to plummet.

GRADE C+ 

1. ARIZONA CARDINALS – The Cards used some questionable draft strategy when they traded the sixth overall pick to the Saints and when they took DE Calvin Pace, who was considered a second-round talent, with the 18^th overall selection.  However, the team did bolster two positions that were in bad shape with the additions of WRs Bryant Johnson (1-17) and Anquan Boldin (2-54) and Pace and fellow DE Kenny King (5-141).  Also, inside linebacker Gerald Hayes (3-70) has shot at being a solid contributor. 
    
2.  JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – With an eye on the future, the Jags made QB Byron Leftwich (1-7) their top selection.  Jacksonville considered him to be the top player in the draft, but there are some concerns about his injury history, slow release, and lack of mobility.  The club addressed a couple of positions of need with their next two picks – CB Rashean Mathis (2-39) and G Vincent Manuwai (3-72), and fourth-round pick LaBrandon Toefield could be a solid backup for RB Fred Taylor.  The team did, however, overlook their needs at wideout and center.
    
3. CAROLINA PANTHERS – Heading into the draft, the Panthers had four major concerns – QB, TE, OT, and CB.  They addressed all of those spots except quarterback with the selections of OT Jordan Gross (1-8), TE Mike Seidman (3-76), and CB Ricky Manning (3-82).  However, Gross is the only sure-fire prospect among that trio.  The Panthers selected a few other prospects who have a good chance to contribute, including C Bruce Nelson (2-50), S Colin Branch (4-119), and WR Walter Young (7-226). 
    
4. NEW YORK JETS – By trading up to the fourth overall spot, the Jets were certain to come away with a star player to fill one of their major voids (WR, DT, and OLB).  They selected DT Dewayne Robertson, a can’t-miss prospect who weighs nearly 320 pounds and runs like a tight end (4.85 forty).  With their second-round selection, the Jets attempted to fill their need at linebacker with the selection of Victor Hobson.  The team failed to draft a wideout, but S Derek Pagel (5-140) and QB Brooks Bollinger (6-200) were nice sleeper picks. 
    
5. DALLAS COWBOYS – The Cowboys made three quality picks to start the draft – CB Terence Newman (1-5), C Al Johnson (2-38), and TE Jason Witten (3-69).  Newman gives the team a shut-down corner, Johnson adds much-needed depth to the offensive line, and Witten should be a quality target at TE, which is something that the team has lacked for a number of years.  The Cowboys did, however, fail to address their needs at RB, DT, and DE in the later rounds. 
    
6. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – Heading into the draft, the Eagles had three major concerns – DE, MLB, and an offensive playmaker to help QB Donovan McNabb.  The Birds helped themselves at two of those three areas with the selections of DEs Jerome McDougle (1-15) and Jamal Green (4-131), TE L.J. Smith (2-61), and WR Billy McMullen (3-95).  McDougle gives the team a pass rusher off the edge to replace Hugh Douglas, while Smith, considered by some to be the best tight end in the draft, gives McNabb a speedy target down the middle.
    
7. DENVER BRONCOS – The Broncos failed to adequately fill their major concerns at DE and CB.  The team did use three picks on defensive ends, but it is questionable if any of those three players will make an impact.  The Broncos did, however, make some quality value picks in the early rounds.  Tackle George Foster (1-20) is a promising prospect for an offensive line that has faded in recent years, and LB Terry Pierce (2-51), RB Quentin Griffin (4-108), and DT Nick Eason (4-114) add talented depth. 

GRADE C- 

1. BUFFALO BILLS – The Bills made the most controversial pick of the draft, selecting RB Willis McGahee at No. 23 overall.  Not only was McGahee a risky pick because he had major knee surgery just four months ago, but also the team was well stocked at running back with Pro Bowler Travis Henry, former 1,000-yard rusher Olandis Gary, and Sammy Morris.  The Bills did get good value and fill a need with the second-round selection of DE Chris Kelsay, who was considered a first-round prospect by many.  They also added some needed youth to their receiving corps by selecting sleeper WR Sam Aiken (4-127), but their needs at tight end and safety were overlooked.
    
2. GREEN BAY PACKERS – The Packers addressed their major needs with their first three selections, taking LB Nick Barnett (1-29), DE Kenny Peterson (3-79), and DT James Lee (5-147).  Barnett was a bit of a reach at the 29^th overall spot, and he is too small to play in the middle, where the Packers may need the most help.  Peterson, however, was a great value in the third round.  The Packers failed to find a promising prospect to groom behind QB Brett Favre, and their lack of offensive line depth is still an issue. 
    
3. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – The Colts have a habit of shocking many when it comes to the draft, and this year was no different.  Seemingly having most of their needs on the defensive side of the ball, specifically DT, OLB, and CB, they selected TE Dallas Clark with the 24^th overall selection.  The Colts plan to resume using a lot of two-tight end sets, and Clark is an outstanding receiver and has great speed for the position.  The team also got value by taking Mike Doss, considered to be the second best safety in the draft, late in the second round, and third-round pick Donald Strickland may be able to help at corner.  The rest of the team’s selections were questionable, and the defense may once again be an area of concern for the club. 
    
4. PITTSBURGH STEELERS – The Steelers sent three picks to the Chiefs to move up to the 16^th overall spot and take safety Troy Polamalu.  Strong, fast, and dedicated, Polamalu appears to be a lock to be a future Pro Bowler.  However, the trade left the team with only four other picks and two glaring weaknesses (CB and OT).  The Steelers did take CB Ike Taylor in the third-round, but chose no offensive linemen.  Taylor, a converted running back, is a gifted athlete, but he has played only one year at corner.
    
5. CLEVELAND BROWNS – After doing some house cleaning in the offseason, the Browns had five major areas of concern (TE, G/OT, DT, MLB, and OLB) heading into the draft.  Their first selection was C Jeff Faine, one of the best offensive linemen in the draft.  He will likely start immediately and allow fellow linemen Shaun O'Hara and Melvin Fowler to focus on playing guard.  In the second round, the team enhanced its depleted linebacking corps with Chaun Thompson, a talented athlete who will probably play on the weak side and could make an impact right away.  After the second round, the Browns ignored their other primary weakness, and made some questionable selections.  Their most notable late pick was RB Lee Suggs (4-115), a player who may have gone in the first round if it were not for a shoulder injury that will likely prevent him from playing this season. 
    
6. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – Based on their primary need (CB), the Chargers were wise to trade down from the 15^th overall spot to No. 30.  With that pick, they chose CB Sammy Davis, who was the first of three consecutive defensive backs to be taken by the team.  The Chargers appear to have solidified their secondary with these moves, but they failed to adequately address their needs at OT, DT, and OLB. 
    
7. NEW YORK GIANTS – As usual, the Giants left many scratching their heads when the draft was over.  Their first-round selection of DT William Joseph was solid, but many of their remaining picks were very questionable, including DE Osi Umenyiora (2-56) and TE Vishante Shiancoe (3-91).  Umenyiora was considered a day-two pick by many, and Shiancoe, a very gifted athlete, was not a necessity on a team that already has Pro Bowler Jeremy Shockey.  The Giants did eventually address most of their greater needs (G, OT, CB, and S) in the later rounds with the selections of CB Roderick Babers (4-123), G David Diehl (5-160), and S Charles Drake (7-240).  All three prospects are suspect. 

GRADE D           

1. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – Thanks to the Jon Gruden deal, the Bucs did not own a first-round pick, but they appear to have only one primary need – a free safety.  Surprisingly, the team did not address that position with any of its six picks.  The Bucs did bolster their thin lines with the selections of DE Dewayne Smith in the second round and three lesser-known offensive linemen between rounds 3-5.  The team also added QB Chris Simms, giving them a promising signal caller to groom behind Brad Johnson. 
    
2. ATLANTA FALCONS – The Falcons surrendered their first-round pick to Buffalo in the Peerless Price trade, so they were working from a disadvantage from the start.  They bolstered areas of weakness with their first two picks – DB Bryan Scott (2-55) and FB Justin Griffith (4-121), but they failed to come away with a stout end to aid their suspect run defense. 

GRADE F 

1. WASHINGTON REDSKINS – After signing a number of restricted free agents, the Redskins were left with only three draft picks.  Top pick WR Taylor Jacobs (2-44) was a steal in the second round, and G Derrick Dockery (3-81) should be a solid pro.  However, neither player filled an immediate need for the Skins. 
    
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS – Thanks to last year’s trade for RB Ricky Williams, the Dolphins were without a first-round pick for the second consecutive year.  Miami mainly needed offensive help, specifically at QB, WR, and OT, but it does not appear that they have helped themselves a great deal at any of those spots.  In addition, top pick LB Eddie Moore (2-49) was considered by most to be a third-round prospect at best.