AFC Draft

AFC EAST

D New England
The Pats moved back from their 7th spot, but could have moved back a lot further and still picked Jerod Mayo. At the end of the 2nd round they drafted a mid-level corner. Hardly a replacement for Samuel. They could have picked their favorite Cornerback at #10 and prevented their best divisional competition (Buffalo) from doing the same. NE, of course, forfeited their other 1st round pick as a penalty for cheating.

A Buffalo
The Bills needed a CB and a tall WR. Despite standing pat, they had their choice of CB and got the tallest WR in the draft. Many thought they would have had to trade back into the 1st round to get a good WR, but the Bills were patient, allowing their new red-zone target to fall to them.

B- New York
The Jets took pass rusher Vernon Gholston with the 6th pick which is pretty close to where he was ranked. They moved back into the 1st round to pick Dustin Keller (TE) even though he probably would have been available a bit later on. Now they have to pay him 1st round money.

B Miami got the top OL prospect in Jake Long with the 1st overall pick. Merling, their 2nd round pick, was a good value at pick 32. They created a QB controversy by picking Henne, but is it a 'good' controversy? All in all, an OK day, but nothing to get too excited about considering they were 1-15 last year.

AFC NORTH

A- Pittsburgh
Would be a higher grade if based only on value, but I added the minus b/c they picked more for luxury than need. Both Mendenhall and Sweed should have been picked higher and make Pittsburgh one of the most wealthy teams in terms of offensive skill players. AFC North defenses beware!

F Cleveland
Had no 1st day picks

A- Baltimore
Missed out on Matt Ryan (who it seems they wanted), but made some nice moves to get their 2nd ranked QB (Flacco) while picking up extra picks. Took the best player available with their 2nd choice of Ray Rice, an underrated runner who will push McGahee in time. Set up well for a good day 2.

D- Cincinnati
Pick #9 is pretty high for a player that is good and steady without the potential to be much more than that. Taking a project WR in the 2nd round when plenty of better WR's were available was a curious move.

AFC SOUTH

C- Indianapolis
Not much to say. Didn't have a 1st round pick, but got the top ranked Center in the 2nd round, not that he is without question marks.

C+ Jacksonville
Gave up a ton to move up a lot, but will it prove worthwhile. I like the aggression, but it's hard to justify for a guy who simply didn't show up every play. Solid 2nd round pick, but they sorta put all their eggs in 2 baskets that have me shrugging my shoulders.

Tennessee
D Took a fast RB higher than they should have, especially considering the WR talent that was available. 2nd round pick has lots of question marks. Very surprising picks for a team that had opportunity present itself.

D- Houston
Reached for a question mark OT with their only day 1 pick. Disappointing to say the least.

AFC WEST

D San Diego
They got a corner (Cason) in just about the right spot, but didn't have any other picks and, therefore, won't be helped much by this draft.


C Denver
Clady should be a good OT, but Royal was a reach in the 2nd round when better WR's were available. With no 3rd round pick, it'll be tough for this grade to reach the B level.

A Kansas City
Sort of hard to mess up when you have 3 of the top 35 picks in the draft, but I give the Chiefs credit for making real solid picks. Dorsey may be the most talented specimen in the draft. Albert was certainly worth a mid-1st round spot and Flowers is a very solid 2nd round CB. Didn't address some major needs, but that's tough to do when needs are so widespread.

B Oakland
McFadden was a no-brainer at #4 and the Raiders didn't have any other picks on the day. Even still, a star RB is just what the Dr. ordered.