Now that the 2013 NFL Draft is more than in the books, let's do some draft grades. I have been given the task of the East teams and the South teams. There were certainly some surprises in this year's draft and, of course, the obvious picks. Alright, let's get right into it.
AFC East
Buffalo - eight picks, overall draft grade of B-
The Bills are done with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, need someone to compliment WR Stevie Johnson and S Jairus Byrd and need to add depth all over the field. They accomplished two of those.
EJ Manuel, QB - He can run, has a big arm, can take a hit, and allows receivers to go up and get the ball. Most importantly, he has tremendous character. After his name was called by Roger Goodell, he stopped his interview to honor the military service members. Should start Week 1. Pick grade, A
Robert Woods, WR - Can catch and run, does well on the sidelines, and can take a hit while catching the ball. He doesn't make many hand catches though, resorting to catching the ball with his body. Pick grade, B
Kiko Alonso, LB - Has a nose for the ball and blitzes well inside. He can get caught in traffic though, forcing him out of the play and has had two police run-ins. Pick grade, B
Marquise Goodwin, WR - Quick between blocks, has return ability, and can track the ball well. He should play a flex position, switching from the slot to the back field. Pick grade, C
Duke Williams, S - A big hitter, can wrap up, has good closing speed. Between him and Meeks, Buffalo has added some safety depth. Pick grade, C+
Jonathan Meeks, S - Has a little speed but needs to be more consistent. Seems to sit out some plays. Pick grade, C-
Dustin Hopkins, K - A power kicker who kicks well in Buffalo type weather. Pick grade, C+
Chris Gragg, TE - Has some hops for a TE and speed as well. Has some health issues. Pick grade, C-
Miami - nine picks, overall draft grade of C+
The Dolphins are an up and coming team but need a lot to get past the Patriots. They had holes on the front seven and at DB. They got that in the draft. What they didn't get was O-line.
Dion Jordan, DE - Has some speed, plays with ferocity, does not give up on the play. Should be a good compliment to Cameron Wake. Pick grade, A
Jamar Taylor, CB - Plays for the ball and wraps up well. He also seems to blend into the turf well. Pick grade, B+
Dallas Thomas, OG - Should play tackle for Miami, can block down field, and plays well in a passing offense. He can miss the first level if their not rushing and just continues to the second level. Pick grade, C+
Will Davis, CB - He gets his hands up but can get lost on the field. Pick grade, C+
Jelani Jenkins, LB - He's short and his size plays against him. Can get lost in blockers. Pick grade, C-
Dion Sims, TE - A big target with no top speed. Pick grade, C-
Mike Gillislee, RB - Miami wants him to be Reggie Bush's replacement, he won't be. Can be a good pass catcher. Pick grade, C
Caleb Sturgis, K - Will eventually replace Dan Carpenter. Was consistent kicking the ball. Pick grade, C+
Don Jones, S - Does not have top speed and is better playing over the top. Pick grade, C
New England - seven picks, overall draft grade of C+
The Patriots have no one at WR except their TEs. They need a lot of help at DB. They did get the positions but not the players.
Jamie Collins, LB - Doesn't have great size, but is quick and can run over the ball carrier. Looks more like a safety. Pick grade, B-
Aaron Dobson, WR - Will be compared to Randy Moss because he can make the spectacular catch. Is not Randy Moss. Pick grade, B-
Logan Ryan, CB - Can tackle but tackles low. Can give up short yardage all day long and has moderate speed. Pick grade, C-
Duron Harmon, S - A big hitter but plays too deep sometimes. Is not a good blitzer. Pick grade, C+
Josh Boyce, WR - Can catch the deep ball and has size of slot player but not the speed. Pick grade, C+
Michael Buchanan, DE - Is a leverage player and more of a pass rusher than a run stopper. Pick grade, C-
Steve Beauharnais, LB - Plays with brains over talent. Is a pass rusher. Pick grade, C-
New York - seven picks, overall draft grade of C+
The Jets need a lot on both sides of the ball. After cleaning house they need a great draft, and after Dee Milliner they didn't have it.
Dee Milliner, CB - He's not afraid to lay some lumber, is fast, and watches for the ball. The man thinks he's the intended receiver. The Jets have sold Revis Island and drafted Milliner Island. Pick grade, A+
Sheldon Richardson, DT - Consistently pressures the QB and sees screens developing. He can't be double teamed. Pick grade, B+
Geno Smith, QB - This is the right spot for him, no QB truly deserved the first round. He's a scrambler who can put a lot on the ball. He is very confident and at times reminds me of Brett Favre. Should start week 1. Pick grade, B+
Brian Winters, OT - A strong lineman who gets shoved back entirely too often. Won't play tackle for Jets. Pick grade, C+
Oday Aboushi, OT - He controls his man but can also be pushed back. Won't play LT like he did in college. Pick grade, C
William Campbell, OG - Will play D-line for Jets as their previous two picks were O-line and he did half and half in college. This is a depth pick so he won't play much. Pick grade, D+
Tommy Bohanon, FB - A pass catcher who will play anywhere. Pick grade C+
NFC South
Atlanta - eight picks, overall draft grade of C
The Falcons don't need much, other than depth. They did get what they wanted.
Desmond Trufant, CB - Can play big and has excellent hands. Can play over zealous. Pick grade, B
Robert Alford, CB - Looks like the intended receiver most of the time but lacks top speed and size. Pick grade, C+
Malliciah Goodman, DE - Great size and can run around the blocker. Uses the fall down tackle. Pick grade, C++
Levine Toilolo, TE - He falls forward when tackled but is a blocking TE, not a catching TE. Not Tony's replacement. Pick grade, C-
Stansly Maponga, DE - A depth pick who won't start anytime soon. Pick grade, C
Kemal Ishmael, S - Good at run support and is a good tackler. Lacks coverage skills. Pick grade, D+
Zeke Motta, S - A big hitter who plays zone well. Will not run down WRs. Pick grade, C
Sean Renfree, QB - A depth pick who will grow under Matt Ryan. Pick grade, C
Carolina - five picks, overall draft grade of C-
The Panthers wasted this draft after they picked Lotulelei. They needed a lot more than five picks.
Star Lotulelei, DT - Can get off the block and stays with the play. A huge anchor for the D-line who has the ability to blow up the play in the back field. Pick grade, A
Kawann Short, DT - Plays well against a double team and always pushes his man. Sometimes just watches the play. Pick grade, B
Edmund Kugbila, OG - Could dominate in DII but won't in the NFL. Has some technique issues but good size. Pick grade, C
AJ Klein, LB - An old-fashioned LB who plays zone well. Not very quick though. Pick grade, C+
Kenjon Barner, RB - He is quick which means he's not a power runner. Has return ability. Pick grade, C
New Orleans - five picks, overall draft grade of C
The Saints were dreadful on defense last year and needed more DB help than they drafted. This defense hasn't improved much after Vaccaro.
Kenny Vaccaro, S - A big hitter who finds the ball quickly. Can rush the QB well playing off the D-line. A great start to a better defense. Pick grade, A
Terron Armstead, OT - Blocks well down field, but doesn't always stay with his man. Can lose his battle on run plays. Pick grade, C+
John Jenkins, DT - Good size and initial burst. He follows the ball well when he's not swept off his feet. The double team renders him useless. Pick grade, C
Kenny Stills, WR - Has some speed with a long body. Can play all over the field but won't be a top receiver. Pick grade, C
Rufus Johnson, DE - He will take awhile to be good in the NFL. Pick grade, C-
Tampa Bay - six picks, overall draft grade of C+
The Buccaneers snatched Darrelle Revis from New York and need a compliment. They have a pretty good offense needing only depth on both sides of the ball.
Johnthan Banks, CB - A big hitter who uses his hands well and looks for the ball. Pick grade, B+
Mike Glennon, QB - Great size and looks like Matt Ryan. Throws off his back foot too often. Could replace Freeman if he doesn't have a good season. Pick grade, B-
Akeem Spence, DT - Has pursuit ability and can blow up the run play. Can be taken out of plays and isn't a pass rusher. Pick grade, C-
William Gholston, DE - Has long arms and gets them up. Can destroy plays in the flats. Pick grade, C++
Steven Means, LB - Good size but should play DE. Pick grade, C+
Mike James, RB - Uses brain over talent but will be a special teams player. Pick grade, C-
AFC South
Houston - nine picks, overall draft grade of B-
The Texans have finally taken control of Texas and needed players at some key positions. They got them.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR - Catches passes through contact and uses good speed variations. Can turn on the jets and has good initial footwork. He can jump too. Pick grade, A
DJ Swearinger, S - A big hitter who can come up and tackle. He may be fined often because of his hit style. Pick grade, B
Brennan Williams, OT - He can't play the blind side and has trouble against top caliber rushers. Pick grade, C+
Sam Montgomery, DE - Has good size and stays with the play. Has flashes of brilliance. Pick grade, C++
Trevardo Williams, DE - Not great size but may fit anyway. A relentless rusher. Pick grade, C+
David Quessenberry, OT - A depth pick who will play OG. Pick grade, C-
Alan Bonner, WR - He's not a burner like Hopkins but a possession receiver. Also a depth pick. Pick grade, C-
Christopher Jones, DT - A tough player who shows up every play. A shorter player who is a depth pick. Pick grade, C
Ryan Griffin, TE - Not a big play threat. He's a possession receiver who needs to develop his blocking. Pick grade, C-
Indianapolis - seven picks, overall draft grade of C
The Colts made the playoffs last season due to hard work and a lot of Luck. They needed a better draft to get back.
Bjoern Werner, DE - Can look like JJ Swat and sheds blockers well. Still a lot of football experience to have, Pick grade, B-
Hugh Thornton, OG - Can play tackle. Is a bigger O-lineman. Pick grade, C
Khalen Holmes, C - Can read the defense but be easily pushed back. Pick grade, C
Montori Hughes, DT - He doesn't get consistent pressure but seems to get lucky on some plays. Pick grade, C-
John Boyett, S - Has some health issues but is a depth pick. May start in the future though. Pick grade, C
Kerwynn Williams, RB - Not a power runner but has top gear. He can catch the ball and has return ability. Pick grade, C
Justice Cunningham, TE - A blocker who can catch the ball in a crowd. Is Mr. Irrelevant. Pick grade, D+
Jacksonville - eight picks, overall draft grade of C+
The Jaguars needed a lot on both sides of the ball. They shored up LT, but that's about it.
Luke Joeckel, OT - Has excellent quickness and gets off the defender with great footwork. Can block down field and take on two defenders. Has power. Will play 12+ NFL seasons. Pick grade, A+
Johnathan Cyprien, S - A big hitter who knows how to tackle. Played in Sun Belt. Pick grade, B
Dwayne Gratz, CB - Plays smart and finished plays. Not a flashy corner who gets beat when he has safety over the top. Pick grade, B
Ace Sanders, WR - Fast with return ability. A patient runner. Pick grade, C+
Denard Robinson, WR - First WR to catch the deep ball at combine. Fast with return ability. No experience. Pick grade, C+
Joshua Evans, S - A big hitter who is a depth pick. Is not a center fielder. Pick grade, C
Jeremy Harris, CB - Has speed but needs to bulk up. Uses hands well. Pick grade, C-
Demetrius McCray, CB - No top gear and is a depth pick. Pick grade, C
Tennessee - eight picks, overall draft grade of C-
The Titans needed an O-line and receivers and some defense. They got part of the first half.
Chance Warmack, OG - Has strong arms and is quicker than he looks. A good pulling guard. You don't mess with The Belly. Pick grade, B++
Justin Hunter, WR - Has good size and speed. Looks like AJ Green but tries to do too much sometimes. Pick grade, B+
Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB - Has long arms and uses them. Can take some bad angles. Pick grade, C+
Zavier Gooden, LB - Has good tackle ability given his size. Lacks some instincts. Pick grade, C-
Brian Schwenke, C - Knows his assignment but can get pushed aside. He can get to the second level. Pick grade, C+
Lavar Edwards, DE - Has good size and strong hands. Pick grade, C+
Khalid Wooten, CB - Has good instincts but not a man defender. Tackling needs improving. Pick grade, D
Daimion Stafford, S - No top speed. Plays better over the top. Pick grade, C-
NFC East
Dallas - seven picks, overall draft grade of C
The Cowboys seemed to be out of it during the draft, or maybe just Jerry Jones. They got some need picks but not the right players.
Travis Frederick, C - Blocked for record-breaking RB in Montee Ball. Always seemed to move forward. A slower O-lineman. Pick grade, B
Gavin Escobar, TE - Can create space and is a big target. Has great hands but needs to improve blocking. Pick grade, B+
Terrance Williams, WR - Can put it into high gear. Not going to get that extra yard but can be an edge run blocker down field. Pick grade, B
JJ Wilcox, S - A big hitter who wraps up. Looks for the ball and uses his hands. Didn't play top teams in college. Pick grade, C
BW Webb, CB - Takes advantage of bad throws and not afraid to tackle. Has return ability. Pick grade, C+
Joseph Randle, RB - A receiver in the back field but not a strong runner. Pick grade, C+
DeVonte Holloman, LB - A depth pick that will play special teams. Pick grade, C-
New York - seven picks, overall draft grade of C+
The Giants need help on both lines, at RB and DB. They picked okay to start and it went downhill from there.
Justin Pugh, OT - Can be the lead blocker and is relentless. Can become flustered and continue after the whistle. Pick grade, B-
Johnathan Hankins, DT - A bull rusher who doesn't give up on the play. Can be double teamed. Pick Grade, C++
Damontre Moore, DE - Senses the snap well and has good size. Can get pushed out of the play. Pick grade, C+
Ryan Nassib, QB - Throws well in the rollout and just looks like Eli. Fires the ball every throw and needs some technique work. Pick grade, C+
Cooper Taylor, S - He has an awkward size being too big for S, but not big enough for LB. Will be backup S. Pick grade, C
Eric Herman, OG - A run blocker who plays gritty. Pick grade, D+
Michael Cox, RB - Not much experience. Only a two down back who might be a project player. Pick grade, D
Philadelphia - eight picks, overall draft grade of C+
The Eagles are now coached by Chip Kelly and his first draft went well. He got players that fit his schemes and added depth where they needed it.
Lane Johnson, OT - Can get down field and takes away the lead rusher. Can play either side and played fast at Oklahoma which fits Kelly's offense. Pick grade, A
Zach Ertz, TE - Can catch the tough ball and doesn't go down easy. More receiver than blocker. Pick grade, B+
Bennie Logan, DT - Can get outside and uses hands well. Is a bull rusher. Pick grade, B
Matt Barkley, QB - Can make reads to change the play. WRs can catch in stride. Can escape from pressure but is sometimes oblivious to it. Pick grade C+
Earl Wolff, S - Can wrap up and is a big hitter. Plays centerfield. Pick grade, C+
Joe Kruger, DE - Has good size but needs to play lower. A depth pick. Pick grade, D+
Jordan Poyer, CB - Plays the ball but is small and has no top speed. Pick grade, C
David King, DE - A run stopper who is a depth pick. Pick grade, D+
Washington - seven picks, overall draft grade of C
The Redskins needed some DB help and depth on offense. They may have their DBs and got a couple steals, but not a great draft.
David Amerson, CB - Tackles bigger than he is and uses his hands well. Can be beat and plays better in zone. Pick grade, C+
Jordan Reed, TE - Not really a TE. Should play flex but needs to grow at receiving. Pick grade, C+
Phillip Thomas, S - Can snag ball from the air and is a big hitter. Led nation with 8 ints last season. Pick grade, C++
Chris Thompson, RB - A speed back who can compliment Alfred Morris. Health issues let him drop. Pick grade, C+
Brandon Jenkins, LB - A pass rusher and a depth pick. Pick grade, C-
Bacarri Rambo, S - A nose for the ball but is a depth pick. May start in the near future. Pick grade, C+
Jawan Jamison, RB - No top speed but falls forward when tackled. Pick grade, C
Well, that's it. Criticize me if you like. I'm sure I've made some mistakes but overall it was not a great draft for any team. We will truly see how well I did by the time September rolls around.
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