The Draft Academy

Best Draft:
Chicago Bears
What I liked: Just about everything. In fact, I can’t argue with any pick of theirs.
What I didn’t like: The only thing I could take issue with is not getting Qb to replace Rexy.
Best Pick: Take your pick.
Worst Pick: Ervin Balwin DE MSU
Comment: Amazing draft. Just a dazzling draft.

Accomplished their goals headed into the draft:
Denver Broncos
What I liked: There’s a lot to like in this draft, I thought Denver would punt this one, but they ended up with a very solid draft. Clady might be a RT, but great value for the pick.
What I didn’t like: They passed on a lot of quality prospects for Jack Williams.
Best Pick: Josh Barrett S ASU
Worst Pick: Jack Williams Cb Kent State
Comment: Shanny needed a home run draft to help an ailing team, and he came very close to it.

New Orleans Saints
What I liked: Trading up for Sedrick Ellis, finally realizing that they needed defensive talent.
What I didn’t like: Tracy Porter at 40? Blech.
Best Pick: Sedrick Ellis DT USC
Worst Pick: Tracy Porter CB Iowa
Comment: They reached for Porter, but otherwise, got themselves 2 very effective prospects at DT(their biggest need) in Ellis and Pressely.

New England Patriots
What I liked: Addressing their needs in the defense, and still picking up a future 2nd rounder. Hard to argue with most of the picks.
What I didn’t like: They probably should have gone with Branden Albert over Mayo.
Best Pick: Shawn Crable OLB Michigan
Worst Pick: Matt Slater WR UCLA
Comment: Mayo might look like a reach, but he’s a great fit for their scheme. It’s hard to argue with their picks when they always do so well with them.

Arizona Cardinals:
What I liked: Solid contributors all the way around, there’s no pick that I can nitpick.
What I didn’t like: Not much, Calais Campbell is a risky pick though.
Best Pick: Early Doucet WR LSU
Worst Pick: Calais Campbell DE Miami.
Comment: Only DRC will contribute early, but solid.

Washington Redskins
What I liked: They needed to overhaul their WR position, and they got 2 of the top prospects at that position. They also had a nice first 4 picks.
What I didn’t like: Neglecting their Dline yet again. They drafted 2 safeties with medical issues also.
Best Pick: Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
Worst Pick: Colt Brennan QB Hawaii
Comment: Thomas, Kelly and Davis should give Jason Campbell some serious firepower in a year or two, they’ll need it with their defense. I also like the Chad Rinehart pick, good value for that spot.

Minnesota Vikings
What I liked: Getting Allen and potential starters with their first two picks.
What I didn’t like: Jared Allen on the love boat.
Best Pick: Josh David Booty Qb USC
Worst Pick: John Sullivan OC ND
Comment: If Booty gives them improvement at Qb, this was a great draft for the Vikes considering Allen. Until then, very solid.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What I liked: All their picks were pretty solid additions, even Cory Boyd could contribute soon. I can’t really argue with any selection.
What I didn’t like: They could have done better. Talib was a solid pick, but how about Devin Thomas there and maximize value?
Best Pick: Dre Moore DT UMD
Worst Pick: Dexter Jackson WR App State
Comment: 5 Qbs are competing in Tampa? What a cluster fuck.

Cleveland Browns
What I liked: Despite not having many picks, they did do a good job collecting talent.
What I didn’t like: Giving away more picks for basically projects.
Best Pick: Ahtyba Rubin DT ISU
Worst Pick: Beau Bell LB UNLV
Comment: Trading up for Rucker makes me think they know something about KWII….

Seattle Seahawks
What I liked: They needed to set the table more for Mora, than fill short terms needs, in this, they did pretty well. Jackson, Carlson, Bryant and Coutu will all contribute in the long term and were good picks.
What I didn’t like: This team is basically unchanged, they have a team good enough to beat up on the pathetic NFC West, but not good enough to be a contender.
Best Pick: Lawrence Jackson DE USC
Worst Pick: Justin Forsett RB California
Comment: I have a feeling that they’re going to deal Darryl Tapp in the near future. Jackson is a polished player who just needs to work on adjustments, and with Tapp and Kearney in place, they probably are in the market for something like a vet RB or WR to help the offense out. Tapp would probably fetch that.

Green Bay Packers
What I liked: Really solid picks all the way through. The sheer talent acquired was amazing.
What I didn’t like: Undermining Rodgers by getting Brohm.
Best Pick: Patrick Lee CB Auburn
Worst Pick: Matt Flynn QB LSU
Comment: Can’t argue with this draft, except for the Brohm pick.

St Louis Rams
What I liked: They had a real nice run there from the 3rd to 5th rounds, picking up 4 steals on the cheap. Long should be a nice addition, but probably not much more than an upgraded version of Grant Winstrom.
What I didn’t like: Passing on Glenn Dorsey for Long, passing on Devin Thomas for Donnie Avery? Wtf?
Best Pick: John Greco OL Toledo
Worst Pick: Donnie Avery WR Houston
Comment: Not a bad draft for the Rams. Long, despite being taken above Dorsey, should be a quality DE for them, and their 2nd day should pay dividends fairly quickly.

Kansas City Chiefs
What I liked: Their first round, it may have cost them Jared Allen, but jeez: Dorsey AND Albert…wow.
What I didn’t like: Very raw prospects after the first round.
Best Pick: Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
Worst Pick: Jamaal Charles Rb Texas
Comment: A lot of pundits are lauding the Chiefs for their draft, and while Dorsey/Albert were great picks, it was costly for them. The rest of their draft just doesn’t impress.

Buffalo Bills
What I liked: Their first 3 rounds, addressing needs with solid prospects.
What I didn’t like: Too many raw projects on the 2nd day.
Best Pick: Leodis McKelvin Cb Troy
Worst Pick: Demetrius Bell OT NW State
Comment: Hardy should keep Evans happy, McKelvin was a total steal.

Pittsburgh Steelers
What I liked: Taking some solid players with the BPA theory. I really liked the Sweed and Hills picks.
What I didn’t like: Bruce Davis over Philip Wheeler. They don’t need another edge rusher, they needed a versatile LB.
Best Pick: Limas Sweed WR Texas
Worst Pick: Bruce Davis DE UCLA
Comment: Willie Parker and Hines Ward might be grumpy, but a quality draft. I can’t argue with the Mendenhall or Sweed picks at all. Hills might be starting soon.

Struggled with the draft:
Jacksonville Jaguars
What I liked: The idea of Derrick Harvey playing next to John Henderson.
What I didn’t like: Most of the rest of their draft.
Best Pick: Derrick Harvey DE Florida
Worst Pick: Thomas Williams OLB USC
Comment: Harvey might be good enough for to forget about the rest of the picks, but I just can’t get excited about it.

Detroit Lions
What I liked: Their 3rd round, Avril and Fluellen were solid picks.
What I didn’t like: I understand that there were after Mayo, Harvey, Chris Williams and Jonathan Stewart, but dealing out of #15 when Branden Albert was perfect for them? And getting Cherlidus? Wtf?
Best Pick: Cliff Avril LB Purdue
Worst Pick: Gosder Cherlius OT BC
Comment: Meh..Millen should have just taken a WR, it would have made more sense lol.

New York Giants
What I liked: The Champs had some big needs headed into this draft, and they filled a few of them without reaching. Phillips will help their secondary. Goff will make Pierce expendable.
What I didn’t like: Taking Mario Manningham in the 3rd? At best he’ll be the 4th WR this year. And they took him over Rinehart or Andre Caldwell, both of whom made more sense.
Best Pick: Jonathan Goff ILB Vandy
Worst Pick: Mario Manningham WR Michigan
Comment: Kenny Phillips will pay immediate dividends, Terrell Thomas might also soon, Goff in the future, but the rest of this draft was bizarre.

San Francisco 49ers
What I liked: Solid picks on both lines with their first 2 picks.
What I didn’t like: Where does Reggie Smith play again?
Best Pick: Chilo Rachal OG USC
Worst Pick: Reggie Smith DB Oklahoma
Comment: They addressed some issues well, but they need contributions from the rookies pretty soon in order to escape another shitty season.

Cincinnati Bengals
What I liked: Getting some quality players like Rivers, Simpson, Sims, etc.
What I didn’t like: Collecting more headcases.
Best Pick: Pat Sims DT Auburn
Worst Pick: Jason Shirley DT Fresno State
Comment: 2 WRs relatively high…maybe they’re preparing the way to dump a certain WR….

Houston Texans
What I liked: Great 2nd day.
What I didn’t like: Shitty 1st day.
Best Pick: Xavier Adibi LB Va Tech
Worst Pick: Duane Brown OT Va Tech
Comment: Really? Duane Brown over Sam Baker…really?

Miami Dolphins
What I liked: Fixed their lines(hopefully) finally.
What I didn’t like: Henne doesn’t do much for me. They would have been better off with Booty and using that pick elsewhere. They still didn’t fix their WR probs.
Best Pick: Kendall Langford DT/DE Hampton
Worst Pick: Chad Henne Qb Michigan
Comment: Unexciting draft, but I think the Big Tuna knows it’s a multi-year rebuild.

Indianapolis Colts
What I liked: Not much. Odd draft, and they seemed to over-do some positions of need, and ignore others.
What I didn’t like: Just about all of this draft.
Best Pick: Philip Wheeler OLB Ga Tech
Worst Pick: Where to begin…Mike Pollack OL ASU
Comment: I would give Polian the benefit of the doubt, but geez…he’s asking for a lot of faith here.

Atlanta Falcons
What I liked: Matt Ryan and getting 3 players who should contribute immediately.
What I didn’t like: It looks like the brain trust took the entire 2nd day off.
Best Pick: Matt Ryan Qb BC
Worst Pick: Harry Douglas WR Louisville
Comment: Good first day, shitty second one. Ryan might be enough to get people to forget that.

Get off the meth:
San Diego Chargers
What I liked: Antoine Cason, a steal imo.
What I didn’t like: Giving up a 2nd next year just to get Hester, but then drafting another RB…huh?
Best Pick: Antoine Cason CB Arizona
Worst Pick: Marcus Thomas RB UTEP
Comment: They did nothing about their RT or Safety issues, and didn’t snag a young 3-4 DLman to help out Williams. Bad draft even with Cason, horrible if he busts out.

Dallas Cowboys
What I liked: Not much. They got their name called a lot with all their deals. I can’t get excited about any of their picks.
What I didn’t like: They picked up a couple extra picks in 2009, but nothing high. They deal a conditional 4th for PacMan, but then trade up for Jenkins? They give themselves another headache by drafting 2 Rbs when Barber is in a walk year, and they don’t do anything to protect themselves from TO’s twitchiness in his walk year. And the Tuna royally fucked them in a deal for 2 decent players
Best Pick: Tashard Choice Rb G-Tech
Worst Pick: Martellus Bennett TE TAMU
Comment: Jeruh would cry about this performance, but his last plastic surgery removed his tear ducts.

Philadelphia Eagles
What I liked: They took some interesting projects later in the draft.
What I didn’t like: They just don’t like first round picks apparently. Trevor Laws and DeSean Jackson make little sense considering their needs.
Best Pick: Quintin Demps S UTEP
Worst Pick: DeSean Jackson WR California.
Comment: Weird, weird draft. Little rhyme or reason with their first 3 picks.

Tennessee Titans
What I liked: Not much. Jason Jones was a decent pick, but another damn Rb? Did they decide that since Vince Young can’t use WRs anyways, they just are ignoring the position all together?
What I didn’t like: Chris Johnson when they have LenWhale and Chris Henry on the roster? Also, a draft full of reaches.
Best Pick: Jason Jones DE EMU(almost by default).
Worst Pick: Chris Johnson Rb ECU
Comment: The draft equivalent of a 3 and out. I feel sorry for Jeff Fisher.

Carolina Panthers
What I liked: Their 3rd round.
What I didn’t like: Just about everything else.
Best Pick: Charles Godfrey Cb Iowa
Worst Pick: Giving away a future first for Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh

New York Jets
What I liked: Their final realization that in order to run a WCO variant, you need a fucking Tight End who can catch the ball.
What I didn’t like: Giving 68 million to both Pace and Thomas combined, then going out and using your #6 pick on a guy who plays the same bloody position.
Best Pick: Marcus Henry WR Kansas
Worst Pick: Vernon Gholston DE/OLB Ohio State.
Comment: Borderline pathetic. Keller should help, but jeez.

Baltimore Ravens
What I liked: High upside talent across the board, an Ozzie Newsome special.
What I didn’t like: Ozzie Newsome bravely drafting offensive players high again.
Best Pick: Tavares Gooden LB Miami.
Worst Pick: Joe Flacco QB Delaware
Comment: Kyle Boller, meet Joe Flacco..now that you’ve met, you can become the same player.
Comment: Bad enough that they dealt away a future first and totally botched their first round, but they didn’t bother to fix their Qb problems.

The Raiders:
Oakland Raiders
What I liked: Ummm…let’s come back to this.
What I didn’t like: The entire draft. Bad enough that they go out and take a Rb first, but McFadden? Typical Raiders.
Best Pick: Pass
Worst Pick: Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
Comment: Hang your track suit in shame.
What I liked: I got nothing.

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