2011 Draft Grades: New York Giants
This draft showed why Jerry Reese is one of the most under-appreciated general managers in the game and why the New York Giants have remained competitive throughout his tenure. He finds the perfect blend of value and need and puts together another excellent draft class. The selection of Prince Amukamara was all about value. Cornerback wasn’t their [...]
2011 Draft Grades: Dallas Cowboys
This wasn’t the most exciting draft in Dallas Cowboys history, but I like the way they addressed their biggest needs while still getting players who had good value at each slot. It was a smart, safe draft which should immediately improve their team. Tyron Smith isn’t your typical top-10 pick in the sense that he [...]
2011 Draft Grades: San Diego Chargers
Does A.J. Smith want to get fired? The San Diego Chargers GM is on the hot seat, and this was not the draft of someone looking to save his job. After a decent 1st-round selection, Smith made reach after reach and could now be in his last few months as GM if the 2011 season [...]
2011 Draft Grades: Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders won’t be contenders until Al Davis is dead. This is the sad but very real truth that Raiders fans have to live with. He continues to insist on making the draft day decision, despite the fact that looking at combine numbers appears to be his only participation in the scouting process. Stefen [...]
2011 Draft Grades: Kansas City Chiefs
Maybe Scott Pioli had less of a say in the Patriots draft plans than we all assumed. In his first draft with the Kansas City Chiefs he selected safety in top 10 (very un-Belichick-like) and this year he reached for a receiver in the 1st round (even more un-Belichick-like). The selection of Jonathan Baldwin was [...]
Quinton Coples investigated by NCAA
North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples is reportedly being investigated by the NCAA for his actions at a post-draft party hosted by Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn, according to ESPN. Coples is an early candidate to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft (assuming the team at No. 1 doesn’t need [...]
2011 Draft Grades: Denver Broncos
The Broncos had too many holes to fill in just one draft, but they did a nice job identifying the most glaring issues and got the rebuilding process started. The franchise won’t be turned around in one year, but this was a step in the right direction. Von Miller was a legitimate early 1st-round prospect, [...]
2011 Draft Grades: Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings class is very similar to the Titans: a complete debacle in the 1st round, followed by some very solid mid-round selections. Unfortunately no amount of mid-round picks can make up for reaching for a quarterback with the 12th overall selection. Christian Ponder was mediocre college quarterback with a history of arm injuries. [...]
2011 Draft Grades: Green Bay Packers
The Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers added very little immediate help, but did a nice job adding depth in the form of players who could develop into starters down the road. The first such pick was Derek Sherrod, who will likely ride the bench for much of 2011 before stepping in for soon-t0-be 35-year-old [...]
2011 Draft Grades: Detroit Lions
It’s hard not to like the players the Lions added in this class, but I do have some concerns about their strategy. You can add flashy players in the draft, and it appeases fans the media critics, but you still need to remember you’re the Detroit Lions. They weren’t in a position to make these [...]