Another year, another exciting NFL Draft in the books. After hours of analyzing and studying prospects, NFL front offices made their decisions on who they want to build their team around for the future. Now it's time to reflect on those choices and see which teams made the right moves this weekend. Beginning today through Friday, we will run through two divisions each day and evaluate the winners and losers of the 2009 Draft. Today we look at the NFC East and NFC North.
NFC East
New York Giants - Grade: A-
The Giants were in discussion with the Browns and Cardinals for Braylon Edwards and Anquan Boldin, respectively, but ended up sticking with the draft and selected North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks. Nicks is a solid receiver with great hands and route-running ability, and will be expected to come in and contribute from day one. In the second round, Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim can put heat on the quarterback and should supplant Danny Clark as the starter on the strongside. New York also added UConn left tackle Will Beatty in the second round and he will have time to develop into a future starter. In the third round, 6-foot-6 receiver Ramses Barden from Cal Poly dominated lower-level competition and has the potential to be a Plaxico Burress-like talent, while Wisconsin tight end Travis Beckum would have been a first round pick last year but returned to school and injuries slowed him down this season. NC State running back Andre Brown was solid in the fourth round and adds to an already solid backfield.
Philadelphia Eagles - Grade: B+
Like the Giants, the Eagles were in the market for a big-time receiver and secured a dynamic playmaker when they traded up a couple spots to take Missouri's Jeremy Maclin. Maclin can have an immediate impact on special teams and can take the ball the distance at any time. Philly also got a steal in the second round with Pittsburgh's LeSean McCoy. He can help take the load off of Brian Westbrook and is a perfect fit for the Eagles' West-coast offense. They also picked good value in the fifth round with Florida tight end Cornelius Ingram and Virginia Tech cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris. Ingram was out for the year with a torn ACL but has the speed to stretch the seam, and Harris is a tough player who can develop in the secondary.
Washington Redskins - Grade: B-
The Redskins got the best overall defensive end in the draft in Texas's Brian Orakpo. He has unfathomable strength and the speed to get around the edge. He fills a big need for the Skins and will be a force to reckon with for a long time. The rest of their draft didn't have any other major impact players, but Maryland's Kevin Barnes was a solid cover cornerback in the third round.
Dallas Cowboys - Grade: D-
The Cowboys didn't have a pick in the first two rounds but selected 12 players on the second day. None however, are going to be major contributors next season and may never develop into big-time players. Their first pick Jason Williams, a linebacker out of Western Illinois is a bit of an unknown, and there are no other picks of great consequence. It seems there was little quality in such big quantity of players for Dallas.
NFC North
Green Bay Packers - Grade: A
B.J. Raji was a steal at pick No. 9 and is a vital piece at nose tackle as the Packers transition into a 3-4 defense. Raji can take on double teams as well as collapse the pocket and put pressure on the quarterback on a consistent basis. It won't take him long to become one of the best in the league at his position. A 3-4 defense also needs a versatile outside linebacker so the Packers traded back into the first round to take USC's Clay Matthews. Matthews comes from great bloodlines and will develop into a beast in Green Bay. The addition of offensive tackles T.J. Lang from Eastern Michigan and Jamon Meredith from South Carolina were great value for a team that has several question marks at the position.
Minnesota Vikings - Grade: B+
A team with a history of some off-field embarrassments, the Vikings took a chance with electrifying receiver Percy Harvin out of Florida. A home run-hitter, Harvin can score every time he gets the ball whether it be on a handoff, after the catch or directly from center in the Wildcat formation. If he stays out of trouble and focuses in Minnesota, he could be a steal. In the second round Oklahoma behemoth offensive tackle Phil Loadholt is a monster at right tackle and can be an eventual starter this season. Georgia cornerback Asher Allen in the fourth and South Carolina inside linebacker Jasper Brinkley in the fifth round were two very good value picks from SEC teams and they have the potential to develop into starters for the Vikings down the road.
Chicago Bears - Grade: B
The Bears, like the Cowboys, didn't pick during the first day of the draft but came away with some solid players in the second day starting in the third round with San Jose State defensive lineman Jarron Gilbert who has great versatility and athleticism as well as Joaquin Iglesias, a receiver from Oklahoma. Both were solid value picks at those spots and should contribute in a rotation in their rookie seasons. A potentially big-time steal came in the fourth round in Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore whose lack of size and speed made him slip but who has the playmaking ability to become an eventual starter. Don't forget to incorporate the Jay Cutler trade when evaluating how Chicago used its draftpicks this year.
Detroit Lions - Grade: B-
Matthew Stafford has the physical tools to be a top-tier quarterback, and Detroit desperately needs him to drag them out of the cellar they have been in for the last decade. With their second pick in the first round, they elected for Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew over Mississippi tackle Michael Oher. Oher could have protected Stafford's blindside for the next decade, but Pettigrew isn't a terrible pick here because he is a phenomenal blocker from the position and has good receiver skills to develop into Stafford's security blanket on third downs. Second round pick, safety Louis Delmas from Western Michigan, is very underrated and has the potential to be a dynamic playmaker and leader from the safety position. Detroit did pass up on linebackers James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga with these picks, both of whom could have become the instant face of a defense that is lacking a fiery leader.
Be the first to comment on this article!