Best Draft Classes:
Jerry Reese and the Giants showed why they are the such a great team year in and year out, they had multiple picks with few needs and filled those needs while getting certain players with tremendous value. The best pick by far was Hakeem Nicks, one of my personal favourite players in the entire draft and ranked #25 on my big board. He fills an immediate need and will help Eli Manning out now that Plaxico is no longer an option. They got tremendous value in the 2nd round with Clint Sintim who is another favourite of mine and wrapped it up with a potential franchise LT in William Beatty, a talented and low mileage back in Andre Brown and a very talented possession wide receiver in Cal Poly's Ramses Barden. Amazing work by Reese and company.Grade: A+
I think the Bengals surprised a lot of people with their drafting strategy and I gotta say I think it will pay serious dividends for this franchise. They got an absolute mauler in the run game with Andre Smith, a lot of people want to knock him for his immature offseason but the kid has immense talent and will likely be the day one starter. The Bengals got good value with their second rounder Rey Maualuga who many projected to be a mid 1st round guy. Then they got a HUGE steal with Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson in the third round and followed it up by finally getting a tight end who can stretch the field in Chase Coffman. They also got good value on guys like Luigs who will replace what they lost at center in the free agency along with role player/projects like Clinton McDonald, Morgan Trent and Bernard Scott. They also got a boomin' Punter!Grade: A
The Cleveland Browns quietly had a superb draft, they got a lot of players who can contribute from day one and have set themselves up pretty nicely. The reason they don't get a higher grade is for allowing a team like the Jets to get so much for so little. Mangini got a couple of his Jet scrubs and two selections, hardly seems worth it for the number 5 selection. But the remainder of their draft was solid, they got an amazing player in Mack who could start at C or OG. They got two great receiving options to compliment (or replace) Braylon Edwards. They got some good developmental corners in Carey and Francies and great value on linebackers Maiava and Veikune who could be immediate impact players in situational spots and on special teams. They also got a solid back late in James Davis.Grade: A-
Best of the Rest: Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots.
Mediocre Classes:
The Rams had a decent class last draft and followed it up with a decent class this year. Nothing ground breaking, nothing revolutionary, just basic and essential. They picked what they thought was the #1 tackle in Jason Smith from Baylor who will give them some mean on the outside. They got a solid inside backer in Baby Animal and added quality depth throughout the remainder of the draft, solid but nothing that will change the franchise dramatically.Grade: B-
The Detroit Lions had their first decent class in awhile, the Matt Millen era is long gone but some of the effects are still being felt. I just can't understand why with Michael Oher sitting there at #20 they went with a blocking tight end who has trouble stretching the field in Brandon Pettigrew. I think the Lions had a solid draft, they weren't a mover and shaker like other teams but they quietly addressed their needs and helped the team out. Nothing ground breaking, but a couple bad picks. DeAndre Levy was a huge reach and then grabbing another blocking tight end late in the draft? Not a big fan.Grade: C+
The Vikings had few picks and addressed most of their concerns but it really isn't all that ground breaking. The get Percy Harvin who is decent but will probably need time to develop and may see the brunt of his work in the slot. Loadholt is a solid RT, Asher Allen isn't big or physical enough to play the Cover 2, Jasper Brinkley is a steal and Jamarca Sanford could be a nice project. But all in all, fairly forgettable.Grade: C
Best of the Rest: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers.
Worst Classes:
The Broncos had a lot of picks and didn't do a lot with them. They are trying to make the transition to a 3-4 and didn't get any of the essential parts where they need it. No NT, no 5-Tech and the DE they did draft is more likely a base 4-3 end then a stand up backer. Moreno was a good pick but considering the ridiculous amount of backs on the Denver roster it seemed like overkill and they got rid of a lot of future picks for subpar talent. Not a very great draft in my opinion.Grade: D
The Chiefs had plenty of ammunition to start building their roster and they failed pretty miserably. They got a nice first rounder in Tyson Jackson, whom I love. But after that, the draft just looks fairly pathetic. Magee is an UT and lacks the size and range to be a 3-4 DE, Donald Washington is a year or two away from being NFL ready and the rest of the no names just seem like reaches. A fairly terrible draft.Grade: D-
Terrible, just absolutely terrible. I know Al Davis loves speed but jeezum crow. Reach city all over the board. The only good picks were Louis Murphy and Stryker Sulak and that won't save this class from getting the lowest grade.Grade: F
"Best" of the Rest: Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints.
There you have it ladies and gents, the 2009 NFL Entry Draft Grades courtesy of All Day Football.
-Matty
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