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Ira Kaufman's Draft Grades

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 28, 2008

NFC South

BUCS: Aqib Talib boasts superior ball skills and has a chance to be special. Trading down six spots in the second round cost Tampa Bay a shot at WR Limas Sweed, RB Ray Rice or QB Brian Brohm. Dre Moore is a bit of a project but he has enough talent to excel. Grade: C

FALCONS: Choosing QB Matt Ryan over DT Glenn Dorsey will come back to haunt a troubled franchise. Sam Baker looks like a reach at No. 21. Curtis Lofton will have every opportunity to make an immediate impact. Grade: D

PANTHERS: Dan Connor was a steal in the third round and S Charles Godfrey will be given a chance to contribute. Jonathan Stewart should push DeAngelo Williams, but giving up a 2009 first-rounder for T Jeff Otah is a huge gamble. Grade: C

SAINTS: Unable to trade up for Glenn Dorsey, New Orleans remained aggressive and ended up with solid run-stuffer Sedrick Ellis. This secondary needs help, but Tracy Porter simply doesn't represent value with the 40th pick. Grade: C

NFC East

COWBOYS: Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins should prove solid additions for the most talented team in the conference. Tashard Choice, a tough grinder, was a smart choice in the fourth round. This team appears loaded for the fall. Grade: A

EAGLES: Although Trevor Laws and DeSean Jackson fill specific needs, Philadelphia was idle until midway through the second round. Dealing for Carolina's No. 1 pick next season could pay big dividends. Grade: C

GIANTS: Kenny Phillips was surprisingly available at No. 31 and the Super Bowl champs didn't hesitate to take the draft's premier safety prospect. Mario Manningham, a good value in Round 3, could emerge as the top WR in the draft. Grade: B

REDSKINS: Washington didn't address its substantial OL issues early, but Devin Thomas could develop into a major weapon for young QB Jason Campbell. Fred Davis can get downfield in a hurry for a 255-pound TE. Grade: C

NFC North

BEARS: Determined to upgrade at T, Chicago bypassed RBs Felix Jones and local standout Rashard Mendenhall for Chris Williams. Young QBs Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton are still crying out for more weapons. Grade: D

LIONS: With DE Derrick Harvey off the board, Detroit adjusted and beefed up its leaky OL with the rugged Gosder Cherilus. Jordon Dizon has instincts, but he might be too slow for Joe Barry's Cover 2 scheme. Grade: C

PACKERS: The Pack wisely let Brian Brohm drift down to them toward the end of the second round, where he was well worth the risk. Jordy Nelson has the size and hands to develop into a dependable possession receiver. Grade: B

VIKINGS: In the aftermath of the Jared Allen deal, Minnesota selected only once until Round 5 - and it showed. Tyrell Johnson might help on special teams, but John David Booty's presence won't keep Tarvaris Jackson up at night. Grade: F

NFC West

CARDINALS: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie should start from Game 1, and Early Doucet could develop into an effective slot receiver, but Arizona failed to find a dynamic young RB to break in behind veteran Edgerrin James. Grade: C

49ERS: Kentwan Balmer will help against the run, but he's a minimal factor on the pass rush. Chilo Rachal brings size and power, but he is saddled with nagging health concerns. Reggie Smith could prove to be a third-round find. Grade: C

RAMS: Chris Long will make St. Louis fans remember DE Grant Wistrom and he arrives with few blemishes. Donnie Avery's a blazer, but the Rams might have reached for him at No. 33. John Greco once blocked for Bruce Gradkowski. Grade: B

SEAHAWKS: Lawrence Jackson should have been more productive at USC, and John Carlson probably could have been available later in Round 2. Owen Schmitt was overshadowed at West Virginia, but his versatility is intriguing. Grade: D

AFC East

BILLS: Leodis McKelvin is expected to start immediately and he has the size and skills to help against New England's prodigious weapons. James Hardy's size should make him an effective red-zone threat opposite Lee Evans. Grade: B

DOLPHINS: Jake Long and Phillip Merling represent the future of Miami's trench warriors as the Dolphins rebuild under Bill Parcells. Chad Henne wasn't worth a first-round selection, so Miami wisely waited until late in Round 2. Grade: A

JETS: New York played it safe and decided not to trade up from No. 6 for the dynamic Darren McFadden. Vernon Gholston has all the skills to excel, but his intensity wavers. Moving up for Dustin Keller cost the Jets a premium pick. Grade: C

PATRIOTS: Jerod Mayo was a mild surprise at No. 10, but the Pats don't miss often at the top with defensive picks. Shawn Crable will also have a chance to contribute as New England looks to get young in a hurry at LB. Grade: C

AFC North

BENGALS: Keith Rivers was the best LB in the draft and he'll offer immediate help for a floundering defense. Marvin Lewis is determined to motivate Pat Sims. Carson Palmer and Andre Caldwell could form an immediate connection. Grade: B

BROWNS: When the first 103 players in the draft pass you by, it's usually considered a Lost Weekend. Beau Bell has a chance to stick, but the Browns didn't have the tools to address their concerns in the secondary. Grade: F

RAVENS: With Matt Ryan off the board, Baltimore slid down and still reached high for Joe Flacco; the Ravens will need patience with the strong-armed QB. Ray Rice provides a nice change-of-pace option behind Willis McGahee. Grade: C

STEELERS: Pittsburgh went for some sizzle with Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed, but Ben Roethlisberger still needs some sturdy blockers on the front line. Even with his injury issues, Dennis Dixon was worth a gamble in the fifth round. Grade: C

AFC South

COLTS: Mike Pollak, a talented prospect who can learn behind C Jeff Saturday, was a savvy selection at the end of the second round. Philip Wheeler will be coached up, and don't be surprised if he's starting on Tony Dungy's defense in '09. Grade: B

JAGUARS: The Jags wasted little time targeting Derrick Harvey and they paid the price to get him at No. 8. Quentin Groves is another edge rusher with potential as Jacksonville takes another step toward rattling Peyton Manning. Grade: B

TEXANS: Duane Brown is a decent prospect, but he shouldn't have been taken in the first round with WR Devin Thomas and CB Antoine Cason still on the board. Steve Slaton was certainly worth a look late in the third round. Grade: D

TITANS: Tennessee had its choice of wide receivers late in the opening round, but the Titans instead went for a speedy back in Chris Johnson, who will struggle to get touches behind LenDale White and Chris Henry. Grade: D

AFC West

BRONCOS: Denver was locked into a left tackle at No. 12 and the Broncos are ecstatic that Ryan Clady fell their way. Eddie Royal is a bit of a project, and he'd better stop rounding off his routes at the next level. Grade: D

CHARGERS: If Antoine Cason flashes his skills in training camp, he should earn playing time as a nickelback. The former Arizona standout also factors in the return game. Jacob Hester might contribute in short-yardage situations. Grade: D

CHIEFS: A rebuilding club with an assortment of needs enjoyed a dynamic weekend. Glenn Dorsey fell to Kansas City at No. 5 and Branden Albert and Brandon Flowers also graded well. Massive TE Brad Cottam can move. Grade: A

RAIDERS: Oakland has plenty of backfield depth, yet Al Davis couldn't bypass Darren McFadden, who should ease the burden of fellow SEC standout JaMarcus Russell. As McFadden goes, so goes the Raiders' draft. Grade: C

Ira Kaufman

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