Fbkid's AFC North draft grades

The draft is now over so it is time to grade the teams to see how they did in the draft. I will be grading the teams and doing them by division. The first installment is the AFC North which is one of the toughest divisions in football. All of these teams have had great success building through the draft so it should be interesting to see who gets the best grade.


Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens should be happy with their draft as they traded down and got the guy they wanted in Joe Flacco. The only problem was they didn't have to trade up to 18 to get him. The Ravens probably could have got him at 26. Ravens fans agree with that as well. Just check Blogimore Ravens for more on the matter. Flacco though has a cannon arm which is something that the Ravens haven't had in a quarterback in a while. Ray Rice was a good pick in round 2 as he is very durable and is a good insurance policy for Willis McGahee. Tavares Gooden was a good pick in round 3 as he should develop and gives the Ravens depth to help a linebacker corps that is aging. Tom Zbikowski was a good pick in the 3rd round as well as he will help out immediately on special teams. Marcus Smith was a decent pick in the 4th round as the Ravens are still looking for a big play receiver. Smith is more of a project at this moment. Overall the Ravens had a good draft but they needed to address the cornerback position as both Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister are aging.

Grade:C+


Cincinnati Bengals: Lots of Bengals fans don't like the draft they had but it wasn't as bad as people think. Keith Rivers was a great value at number nine as he will be starting at linebacker for years to come. Jerome Simpson is a good pick in the second round but the problem is that more established receivers such as Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed were still on the board. Pat Sims was a good value in the 3rd round as he filled a need and many people had him as a first day pick. Andre Caldwell was a good pick in the 3rd round as he should immediately make an impact. Anthony Collins was a good pick in the 4th round as he brings depth to the offensive line. The Bengals got some good players in the draft and chances are that some of the picks will play from the start. If Mario Urrita pans out as a 7th round pick and turns into a good redzone target this draft looks a lot better.

Grade: C



Pittsburgh Steelers: Many people say the Steelers had the best draft out of any team. But lots of that is based on the name recognition of the class. Rashard Mendenhall was a good value for where the Steelers were picking and should compliment Willie Parker to improve the Steelers ground game. Ben Roethlisberger wanted a tall receiver and he got one in Limas Sweed in the second round. Sweed was a great value in the 2nd round and could start in a few years. The best pick the Steelers had was Bruce Davis as he fits perfectly with the Steelers 3-4 scheme. He and Lamarr Woodley should be book ends for the Steelers at linebacker for years to come. Dennis Dixon was a bit of a reach in round 5 as he will mainly be used on gadget plays. The Steelers got good value for where they picked but they didn't address the biggest need with the offensive line. If they addressed that more it could have been a great draft.

Grade:B


Cleveland Browns: The Browns didn't have a pick in the first three rounds but if you look closer they got great value out of those picks. With those three picks the Browns got Brady Quinn, Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers. I'm sure the Browns aren't complaining about that haul. Both Williams and Rogers are pro bowl caliber defensive tackles and where the Browns were taking it's not like Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis would have fallen to them. Unlike a quarterback they could have drafted, Quinn already knows the playbook and should start in a few years. In the 4th round Beau Bell was a good pick as he should get some playing time right away. Martin Rucker was a decent pick in round 4 as the Browns now have two great pass catching tight ends in Rucker and Kellen Winslow. The Browns didn't do much in the draft with the picks they had but what makes the draft is what came with the picks they traded away.

Grade:B

Fbkid's 2008 NFL Mock Draft Two Rounds

With the draft only two days away we've already seen lots of first round mocks. (I've posted 4 myself) Most include the same 31 players, shuffled in different order. However there are a lot of other great players on war-room boards and any GM and fan will tell you that some of the best picks are made after the first round. So if the first round alone isn't enough for you, here's how the rest of the first day might develop.



Round One:


1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long T Michigan

2.St.Louis Rams: Chris Long DE Virginia

3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey DT LSU

4. Oakland Raiders: Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Matt Ryan QB Boston College

6. New York Jets:Darren McFadden RB Arkansas

7. New England Patriots: Keith Rivers LB USC

8. Baltimore Ravens: Leodis McKelvin CB Troy

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis DT USC

10. New Orleans Saints:Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State

11. Buffalo Bills: Devin Thomas WR Michigan State

12. Denver Broncos:Chris Williams T Vanderbilt

13. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Harvey DE Florida

14. Chicago Bears: Ryan Clady T Boise State

15. Detroit Lions: Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee

16. Arizona Cardinals:Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois

17. Kansas City Chiefs: Phillip Merling DE Clemson

18. Houston Texans: Branden Albert G/T Virginia

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Jeff Otah T Pittsburgh

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:Mike Jenkins CB USF

21. Washington Redskins: Limas Sweed WR Texas

22. Dallas Cowboys:Aqib Talib CB Kansas

23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Gosder Cherilus T Boston College

24. Tennessee Titans: DeSean Jackson WR California

25. Seattle Seahawks:Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon

26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina

27. San Diego Chargers: Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech

28. Dallas Cowboys:Felix Jones RB Arkansas

29.San Francisco 49ers:James Hardy WR Indiana

30. Green Bay Packers: Antoine Cason CB Arizona

. New England Patriots:Forfited due to "Spygate"

31. New York Giants: Kenny Phillips S Miami(FL)



Round Two:

32.Miami Dolphins:Chad Henne QB Michigan
33. St.Louis Rams:Sam Baker T USC
34.Atlanta Falcons: Patrick Lee CB Auburn
35.Kansas City Chiefs:Anthony Collins T Kansas
36.New York Jets:Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
37.Atlanta Falcons:Dan Connor LB Penn State
38.Baltimore Ravens:Brian Brohm QB Louisville
39.San Francisco 49ers:Quentin Groves DE Auburn
40.New Orleans Saints:Justin King CB Penn State
41.Buffalo Bills:Dustin Keller TE Purdue
42.Denver Broncos:Pat Sims DT Auburn
43.Carolina Panthers:DeJuan Morgan S NC State
44.Chicago Bears:Joe Flacco QB Delaware
45.Detroit Lions:Chris Johnson RB East Carolina
46.Cincinnati Bengals:Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State
47.Minnesota Vikings:Tyrell Johnson S Arkansas State
48.Atlanta Falcons:Duane Brown T Virginia Tech
49.Philadelphia Eagles:Eddie Royal WR Virginia Tech
50.Arizona Cardinals:Charles Godfrey CB Iowa
51.Washington Redskins:Lawrence Jackson DE USC
52.Tampa Bay Buccaneers:Donnie Avery WR Houston
53.Pittsburgh Steelers:Marcus Monk WR Arkansas
54.Tennessee Titans:Dre Moore DT Maryland
55.Seattle Seahawks:Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M
56.Green Bay Packers:Oniel Cousins T UTEP
57.Miami Dolphins:Tyvon Branch CB Connecticut
58.Jacksonville Jaguars:Cliff Averil DE Purdue
59.Indianapolis Colts:Carl Nicks T Nebraska
60.Green Bay Packers:Reggie Smith S Oklahoma
61.Dallas Cowboys:Mario Manningham WR Michigan
62.New England Patriots:Tracy Porter CB Indiana
63.New York Giants:Xavier Adibi LB Virginia Tech

Fbkid's 2008 NFL Mock Draft #4

With the draft only a few days away contract negotiations have already started and one pick is signed.I have made lots of moves this time around as Keith Rivers goes back into the top 10 and Mike Jenkins falls all the way to the late teens early 20's.



1.Miami Dolphins:Jake Long T Michigan
2.St.Louis Rams: Chris Long DE Virginia
3.Atlanta Falcons:Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
4.Oakland Raiders:Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State
5.Kansas City Chiefs:Matt Ryan QB Boston College
6.New York Jets:Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
7.New England Patriots:Keith Rivers LB USC
8.Baltimore Ravens:Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
9.Cincinnati Bengals:Sedrick Ellis DT USC
10.New Orleans Saints:Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State
11.Buffalo Bills:Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
12.Denver Broncos:Chris Williams T Vanderbilt
13.Carolina Panthers:Derrick Harvey DE Florida
14.Chicago Bears:Ryan Clady T Boise State
15.Detroit Lions:Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee
16.Arizona Cardinals:Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
17.Kansas City Chiefs:Phillip Merling DE Clemson
18.Houston Texans:Branden Albert G/T Virginia
19.Philadelphia Eagles:Jeff Otah T Pittsburgh
20.Tampa Bay Buccaneers:Mike Jenkins CB USF
21.Washington Redskins:Limas Sweed WR Texas
22.Dallas Cowboys:Aqib Talib CB Kansas
23.Pittsburgh Steelers:Gosder Cherilus T Boston College
24.Tennessee Titans:DeSean Jackson WR California
25.Seattle Seahawks:Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
26.Jacksonville Jaguars:Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina
27.San Diego Chargers:Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
28.Dallas Cowboys:Felix Jones RB Arkansas
29.San Francisco 49ers:James Hardy WR Indiana
30.Green Bay Packers:Antoine Cason CB Arizona
31.New England Patriots:Forfited due to "Spygate"
32.New York Giants:Kenny Phillips S Miami(FL)

Fbkid's 2008 NFL Draft Big Board #2

The draft is only a week away so I feel it is a good time to release another big board. Considering the last big board was done in December many changes have happened. For instance, Andre Woodson was among the top 15 in the last installment. Now he probably won't even be a day one pick. So here is my second big board.


1.Jake Long T Michigan: Could be one of the safest picks in this draft after a great career at Michigan.

2.Glenn Dorsey DT LSU: Had a great pro day showing and could be a top 3 pick but durability is a concern.

3.Darren McFadden RB Arkansas: One of the most explosive players in the draft, McFadden should come in and make an immediate impact in the NFL.

4.Sedrick Ellis DT USC: Ellis is a force in the middle and will be a great additon to a team like the Bengals at number nine who have trouble stopping the run.

5.Chris Long DE Virginia: Long is another safe pick as he has a great motor and should be a force for years to come.

6.Matt Ryan QB Boston College:Has great mechanics and poise and is the closest it gets to a franchise quarterback in this draft class.

7.Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State: Had great workout numbers but is he the next Mike Mamula?

8.Branden Albert G/T Virginia: Albert was rising up the draft boards but his versatility now makes him a top ten pick.

9.Ryan Clady T Boise State: Has great potential but didn't play against much competition in college.

10.Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois: Mendenhall has the potential to be a very good back. The only problem is if he is a one year wonder.

11.Chris Williams T Vanderbilt: Has great size and has lots of experience against top competiton. The only question is if he is physical enough.

12.Keith Rivers LB USC: A great leader and has the potential to be the next great linebacker from USC.

13.Leodis McKelvin CB Troy: One of the best cover corners in the draft and has added value with his skills as a returner. The only question is the lack of competition he played in college.

14.Jeff Otah T Pittsburgh: Is versatile as he has played both left and right tackle. Has the potential to be a pro bowl caliber player.

15.Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee: Has good speed and is versatile as he has played inside and out. Has also been very productive against top competion in college.

16.Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State: Great athlete who has excellent leaping ability and will make a huge impact in the return game. The main question is how will he play against top competition.

17.Devin Thomas WR Michigan State: Has great size and isn't afraid to catch the ball in traffic and will also help in the return game. The only question is if he is a one year wonder.

18.Derrick Harvey DE Florida: Is a good athlete who has the potential to move to linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

19.Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon: If not for concerns for his toe injury, would be a top 15 pick.

20.Phillip Merling DE Clemson: Has great size and a motor that is always running. Most teams will be scared off by the sports hernia surgery he needed.

21.Mike Jenkins CB USF: Has good coverage skills along with great closing speed. The only problem is that he sometimes plays down to the level of the competition.

22.Felix Jones RB Arkansas: Has great speed and finds the hole fast but would be best used complemented with a hard nosed runner like Marion Barber.

23.Kenny Phillips S Miami(FL):Has great size and moves pretty well. The only problem is that his production dropped when Brandon Meriweather went to the NFL.

24.Chris Johnson RB East Carolina: Has fantastic speed as he ran a 4.24 at the combine. Is a good receiver and is a excellent return man. Could also be used as a 3rd down back.

25.Limas Sweed WR Texas: Has great size and makes lots of acrobatic catches. The only problem is that he has a history of injuries.

Fbkid's 2008 NFL Mock Draft #3

The draft is only a week away and lots of changes have happened with my newest mock draft. Many players such as Malcolm Kelly I have moving out of the first round. While players like Jerod Mayo who wasn't in the first round in any of my previous mocks, is now a 1st round pick. So here is my 3rd mock draft.


1.Miami Dolphins:Jake Long T Michigan
2.St.Louis Rams: Chris Long DE Virginia
3.Atlanta Falcons:Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
4.Oakland Raiders:Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State
5.Kansas City Chiefs:Matt Ryan QB Boston College
6.New York Jets:Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
7.New England Patriots:Branden Albert G Virginia
8.Baltimore Ravens:Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
9.Cincinnati Bengals:Sedrick Ellis DT USC
10.New Orleans Saints:Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
11.Buffalo Bills:Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
12.Denver Broncos:Chris Williams T Vanderbilt
13.Carolina Panthers:Derrick Harvey DE Florida
14.Chicago Bears:Ryan Clady T Boise State
15.Detroit Lions:Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee
16.Arizona Cardinals:Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
17.Minnesota Vikings:Phillip Merling DE Clemson
18.Houston Texans:Keith Rivers LB USC
19.Philadelphia Eagles:Jeff Otah T Pittsburgh
20.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State
21.Washington Redskins:Calais Campbell DE Miami(FL)
22.Dallas Cowboys:Aqib Talib CB Kansas
23.Pittsburgh Steelers:Gosder Cherilus T Boston College
24.Tennessee Titans:Limas Sweed WR Texas
25.Seattle Seahawks:Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
26.Jacksonville Jaguars:Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina
27.San Diego Chargers:Reggie Smith CB Oklahoma
28.Dallas Cowboys:Felix Jones RB Arkansas
29.San Francisco 49ers:DeSean Jackson WR California
30.Green Bay Packers:Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
31.New England Patriots:Forfited due to "Spygate"
32.New York Giants:Kenny Phillips S Miami(FL)

Fbkid's 2008 NFL Mock Draft #2

The draft is now less than a month away which means pro days and team interviews are now going on. This is the second mock draft I have done so far and the last few will have all of the in depth analysis that you will look for come draft time. So without further explanation here is my second mock draft.



1.Miami Dolphins:Jake Long T Michigan
2.St.Louis Rams: Chris Long DE Virginia
3*.Atlanta Falcons:Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
4*.Oakland Raiders:Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State
5*.Kansas City Chiefs:Matt Ryan QB Boston College
6.New York Jets:Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
7.New England Patriots:Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
8.Baltimore Ravens:Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
9.Cincinnati Bengals:Sedrick Ellis DT USC
10.New Orleans Saints:Keith Rivers LB USC
11.Buffalo Bills:Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
12.Denver Broncos:Chris Williams Vanderbilt
13.Carolina Panthers:Jeff Otah T Pittsburgh
14.Chicago Bears:Ryan Clady T Boise State
15.Detroit Lions:Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
16.Arizona Cardinals:Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State
17.Minnesota Vikings:Derrick Harvey DE Florida
18.Houston Texans:Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
19.Philadelphia Eagles:Kenny Phillips S Miami(FL)
20.Tampa Bay Buccaneers:DeSean Jackson WR California
21.Washington Redskins:Limas Sweed WR Texas
22.Dallas Cowboys:Felix Jones RB Arkansas
23.Pittsburgh Steelers:Branden Albert G Virginia
24.Tennessee Titans:Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
25.Seattle Seahawks:Dustin Keller TE Purdue
26.Jacksonville Jaguars:Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina
27.San Diego Chargers:Reggie Smith CB Oklahoma
28.Dallas Cowboys:Aquib Talib CB Kansas
29.San Francisco 49ers:Quentin Groves LB Auburn
30.Green Bay Packers:Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
31.New England Patriots:Forfited due to "Spygate"
32.New York Giants:Dan Conner LB Penn State