FloppingOut’s Floppy Draft Expert’s NFL Draft Grades

• Well the NFL Draft is in the books, and there’s nothing left but the crying……and the lockout, and the uncertainty of an upcoming season, and more billionaires fighting with millionaires….you get the point.

• You may or may not have been following my Twitter this whole weekend as I sat my Floppy ass on my recliner and watched EVERY SINGLE PICK of the 2011 NFL DRAFT, well if you weren’t…good for you, I have no life. But I WILL break down EVERY TEAMS 1-7 round picks, and give a draft grade because I have NOTHING better to do.

Lets kick it off in the AFC

Baltimore Ravens: B+

Draft picks: CB Jimmy Smith (first round), WR Torrey Smith (second round), OT Jah Reid (third round), WR Tandon Doss (fourth round), CB Chykie Brown (fifth round), DE Pernell McPhee (fifth round), QB Tyrod Taylor (sixth round), RB Anthony Allen (seventh round).

Analysis: The Ravens missed their pick in the first round thanks to the Bears ineptitude of completing a trade, but made the selection a few minutes later of Jimmy Smith. I LOVED what the Ravens did, both Smith’s are studs, and they addressed their OL. Love the late round addition of Tyrod Taylor too….the Ravens get it!

Buffalo Bills: B

Draft picks: DT Marcel Dareus (first round), CB Aaron Williams (second round), LB Kelvin Sheppard (third round), S Da’Norris Searcy (fourth round), OT Chris Hairston (fourth round), RB Johnny White (fifth round), LB Chris White (sixth round), CB Justin Rogers (seventh round), DT Michael Jasper (seventh round).

Analysis: SHOCKER the BUFFALO BILLS did something RIGHT! Granted Dareus fell into their laps, but it was good to see them not feel the pressure to draft one of the question mark QB’s. The Bills knew they were all but dead last in the league in total defense, and addressed it early and often. Good job Buffalo. *I LOVE JOHNNY WHITE IN THE FITH ROUND TOO!*

Cincinnati Bengals: B

Draft picks: WR A.J. Green (first round), QB Andy Dalton (second round), DE Dontay Moch (third round), OL Clint Boling (fourth round), S Robert Sands (fifth round), WR Ryan Whalen (sixth round), CB Korey Lindsey (seventh round), RB Jay Finley (seventh round).

Analysis: The Bengals did okay, they seemed to be ready to move on from the freak show that is Chad OchoCinco and Carson Palmer. A.J. Green is a MANIMAL, and Dalton’s ORANGE hair will blend right in with those Bengal helmets, other then those two picks, the only other pick that excites me is Robert Sands in the 5th…decent job Marvin Lewis.

Cleveland Browns: A

Draft picks: DT Phil Taylor (first round), DE Jabaal Sheard (second round), WR Greg Little (second round), TE Jordan Cameron (fourth round), FB Owen Marecic (fourth round), CB Buster Skrine (fifth round), RT Jason Pinkston (fifth round), DB Eric Hagg (seventh round).

Analysis: BOY DOES MIKE HOLMGREN KNOW WHAT HE’S DOING? I loved EVERY SINGLE PICK this team made. Taylor is the replacement for fat boy Shaun Rogers, Jabaal Sheard is one of my underrated prospects in the draft, and then they gave their little boy QB Colt McCoy some weapons in Greg Little and Jordan Cameron. Not to mention they drafted the only two-way player in Owen Marecic (plays TE and LB) WATCH OUT FOR ERIC HAGG too, very solid late round depth at Safety. GREAT JOB CLEVELAND, maybe now you can forget about that clown basketball player that left town, because the Browns are onto something.

Denver Broncos: B-

Draft picks: LB Von Miller (first round), S Rahim Moore (second round), OT Orlando Franklin (second round), LB Nate Irving (third round), S Quinton Carter (fourth round), TE Julius Thomas (fourth round), LB Mike Mohamed (sixth round), TE Virgil Green (seventh round), DL Jeremy Beal (seventh round).

Analysis: While Miller is a great player, he would be better off at defensive end rather than outside linebacker. Most personnel evaluators believe he would be a better fit for a 3-4 defense than Denver’s 4-3. Still love the pick. Moore is a solid safety, not sure how he’ll adapt to the NFL, but it was a good pick. Other pick that was good depth was both of their 7th round picks believe it or not, Green and Beal should make this team and have some impact.

Houston Texans: A

Draft picks: DE J.J. Watt (first round), LB Brooks Reed (second round), CB Brandon Harris (second round), CB Rashad Carmichael (fourth round), S Shiloh Keo (fifth round), QB T.J. Yates (fifth round), OL Derek Newton (seventh round), LB Cheta Ozougwu (seventh round).

Analysis: LESS GET IT HOUSTON, adding two white boy pass rushers isn’t easy, but the Texans pulled it off, and upgraded their awful defense IMMENSELY by taking Watt and Reed.  They also saw versatile CB/S Brandon Harris fall into their laps in the second round, who will upgrade their garbage secondary. One of my favorite drafts, not to mention they had the MR.IRRELEVANT draft pick, and took LB Cheta Ozougwu. Damn with a name like that you’re setting yourself up to be MR.IRRELEVANT.

Indianapolis Colts: B

Draft picks: OT Anthony Castonzo (first round), G/OT Ben Ijalana (second round), DT Drake Nevis (third round), RB Delone Carter (fourth round), CB Chris Rucker (sixth round).

Analysis: While the Colts had only five pick, but they made the most out of the first four. The Colts have always had one of the weakest trenches in the NFL, so getting some help on the OLine for Manning, and someone who could stop the run was huge. All in all it was decent, but boring.

Jacksonville Jaguars: C

Draft picks: QB Blaine Gabbert (first round), G/OT Will Rackley (third round), WR Cecil Shorts (fourth round), S Chris Prosinski (fourth round), DB Rod Issac (fifth round).

Analysis: The Jaguars wound up having only five picks after trading up for Gabbert. Nothing crazy, but it seems like the Jaguars may have finally found their franchise QB. This draft class maybe one that we have to wait the longest to see if it was a good one or not, due to the selection of Gabbert.

Kansas City Chiefs: A-

Draft picks: WR Jonathan Baldwin (first round), C Rodney Hudson (second round), LB Justin Houston (third round), DE Allen Bailey (third round), CB Jalil Brown (fourth round), QB Ricky Stanzi (fifth round), LB Gabe Miller (fifth round), DT Jerrell Powe (sixth round), FB Shane Bannon (seventh round).

Analysis: Scott Pioli knows how to work the draft board. I LOVED 6 of their 9 picks. Baldwin, Hudson, Houston, Bailey, and Powe may instantly have an impact, while Stanzi was a solid back up pick. Adding Houston in the 3rd round, along with Bailey is GREAT value, and Baldwin opposite Dwayne Bowe could be DANGEROUS.

Miami Dolphins: B

Draft picks: C/G Mike Pouncey (first round), RB Daniel Thomas (second round), WR Edmond Gates (fourth round), TE Charles Clay (sixth round), DT Frank Kearse (seventh round), CB Jimmy Wilson (seventh round).

Analysis: The Dolphins mad the RIGHT pick in Pouncey in the first, may have not been the best pick, or the flashiest, but it was needed. I was vocal about how much I HATED the trade up for Daniel Thomas in the second, but they saved themselves with the Gates selection in the 4th. Not a great draft, but not a terrible one. I felt they needed to add a spark, or that franchise QB especially playing in the division they play in.

New England Patriots: C-

Draft picks: OT Nate Solder (first round), CB Ras-I Dowling (second round), RB Shane Vereen (second round), RB Stevan Ridley (third round), QB Ryan Mallett (third round), OL Marcus Cannon (fifth round), TE Lee Smith (fifth round), LB Markell Carter (sixth round), DB Malcolm Williams (seventh round).

Analysis: Another BAD draft for the “Genius (if you ask anyone at ESPN) Bill Belichick. Bill outsmarted himself YET again by trading all over the place, but really never drafting an impact player on EITHER side of the ball. Solder is decent, I’m not a huge fan of his but I’m sure the Pats will make him work. I HATED the Dowling, Vereen, Ridley, and Mallett picks. They will continue to have ZERO pass rush. Good job Bill, you REALLY miss Scott Pioli huh? Oh yeah, and they added another 1st round and 2nd round pick in next years draft but who are we kidding? They wont pick anyone.

New York Jets: B+

Draft picks: DT Muhammad Wilkerson (first round), DT Kenrick Ellis (third round), RB Bilal Powell (fourth round), WR Jeremy Kerley (fifth round), QB Greg McElroy (seventh round), WR Scotty McKnight (seventh round).

Analysis: The Jets had a solid draft for not having a 2nd round pick. I LOVE the Wilkerson and Ellis pick. It will almost be downright IMPOSSIBLE to run on Rex’s defensive line. While many fans wanted to see a pass rushing line backer or impact safety drafted, they just didn’t exist in this draft. I also LOVED the later round depth they added, not to mention they drafted Mark Sanchez’s BFF in Scotty McKnight with their last pick. Yet another solid draft by Mike Tannenbaum and Co.

Should have just given up after this. Right JaMarcus?

Oakland Raiders: ??= Why do they even draft?

Draft picks: C Stefen Wisniewski (second round), CB Demarcus Van Dyke (third round), OL Joseph Barksdale (third round), CB Chimdi Chekwa (fourth round), RB Taiwan Jones (fourth round), WR Denarius Moore (fifth round), TE Richard Gordon (sixth round), WR David Ausberry (seventh round).

Analysis: The Raiders, as expected, did zero. All they did was managed to get fleeced again by Belichick for next years SECOND ROUND PICK. Having no FIRST ROUND pick sucks, but the other day 2 picks were bad, keep up the great work Al Davis.

Pittsburgh Steelers: B

Draft picks: DL Cameron Heyward (first round), OT Marcus Gilbert (second round), CB Curtis Brown (third round), CB Cortez Allen (fourth round), OLB Chris Carter (fifth round), OL Keith Williams (sixth round), RB Baron Batch (seventh round).

Analysis: The Steelers did a nice job of drafting for value, which is usually the case with this team. The first three draftees have a chance to make an impact as rookies. They needed OL help and got i with Gilbert, and added much needed CB depth. Solid overall.

San Diego Chargers: B

Draft picks: DT Corey Liuget (first round), CB Marcus Gilchrist (second round), LB Jonas Mouton (second round), WR Vincent Brown (third round), CB Shareece Wright (third round), RB Jordan Todman (sixth round), OL Steven Schilling (sixth round), LB Andrew Gachkar (seventh round).

Analysis: The Chargers addressed their defensive early and often, which was needed, but didn’t really make a flashy pick. I LOVED the Vincent Brown pick in the 3rd, who could blossom with Phillip Rivers, watch out for him. Hopefully some of these later round guys could make an impact of the NFL’s worst special teams unit.

Tennessee Titans: B

Draft picks: QB Jake Locker (first round), LB Akeem Ayers (second round), DT Jurrell Casey (third round), LB Colin McCarthy (fourth round), RB Jamie Harper (fourth round), DT Karl Klug (fifth round), OT Byron Stingily (sixth round), DT Zach Clayton (seventh round), DB Tommie Campbell (seventh round).

Analysis: The Titans had some strong early picks, but didn’t do much after the second round. Im starting to love the Locker pick more, and more for this team. Adding a complete backer in Ayers was solid, but I don’t think they made a huge power move in a strong division.

ON TO THE NFC

Arizona Cardinals: B+

Draft picks: CB Patrick Peterson (first round), RB Ryan Williams (second round), TE Rob Housler (third round), LB Sam Acho (fourth round), FB Anthony Sherman (fifth round), LB Quan Sturdivant (sixth round), DT David Carter (sixth round), WR DeMarco Sampson (seventh round).

Analysis: The Cardinals did a great job of drafting for value, Peterson was the best player in the draft, and again another team that didn’t fall into the pressures of drafting a QB. They will definitely address the position in free agency or trade for Kevin Kolb. I LOVED the Ryan Williams pick.

Atlanta Falcons: B+

Draft picks: WR Julio Jones (first round), LB Akeem Dent (third round), RB Jacquizz Rodgers (fifth round), K/P Matt Bosher (sixth round), OL Andrew Jackson (seventh round), DL Cliff Matthews (seventh round).

Analysis: The Falcons were super aggressive and gave up A LOT to move up, time will tell if it was worth it, but their WR position is SCARY good right now. Loved the Rodgers pick, great change of pace/receiving back to spell Turner.

Carolina Panthers: C

Draft picks: QB Cam Newton (first round), DL Terrell McClain (third round), DT Sione Fua (third round), CB Brandon Hogan (fourth round), WR Kealoha Pilares (fifth round), LB Lawrence Wilson (sixth round), OL Zach Williams (sixth round), OT Lee Ziemba (seventh round).

Analysis: I know Newton HAD to be the first overall, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. I liked the addition of Fua, but the rest of the picks were decent. Nothing special, but not having a second round pick, in essence a late first rounder, hurt a lot.

Chicago Bears: B

Draft picks: OT Gabe Carimi (first round), DT Stephen Paea (second round), S Chris Conte (third round), QB Nathan Enderle (fifth round), LB J.T. Thomas (sixth round).

Analysis: For having just 5 picks, the Bears made the most of it, especially in the trenches. The Bears had the worst offensive lines in football last year, so adding a guy like Carimi who could swing out, and play guard/tackle is awesome. Paea will replace the recently cut Tommie Harris on that Bears defensive line, nice, but not great.

Dallas Cowboys: B+

Draft picks: OT Tyron Smith (first round), LB Bruce Carter (second round), RB DeMarco Murray (third round), OL David Arkin (fourth round), CB Josh Thomas (fifth round), WR Dwayne Harris (sixth round), FB Shaun Chapas (seventh round), C Bill Nagy (seventh round).

Analysis: Personally, I loved what the Cowboys did, Boys’ fans should be sick of seeing their QB on the ground, with his collar bone in pieces so adding a stud like Tyron is the right move. Bruce Carter has new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan written ALL OVER him, and the Murray and Arkin picks were fantastic value. GREAT job by the  Cowboys new regime.

Detroit Lions: A-

Draft picks: DT Nick Fairley (first round), WR Titus Young (second round), RB Mikel Leshoure (second round), LB Doug Hogue (fifth round), OT Johnny Culbreath (seventh round).

Analysis: Nothing more to say then FAIRLEY AND SUH. Another great value pick in Fairley, and Young and Leshoure gives the Lions some speed on the offense,. I would have liked to see them add some secondary, and offensive line help, but again Free Agency hasn’t started yet.

Green Bay Packers: B

Draft picks: OT Derek Sherrod (first round), WR Randall Cobb (second round), RB Alex Green (third round), CB Davon House (fourth round), TE D.J. Williams (fifth round), OL Caleb Schlauderaff (sixth round), LB D.J. Smith, (sixth round), LB Ricky Elmore (sixth round), TE Ryan Taylor (seventh round), DT Lawrence Guy (seventh round).

Analysis: The rich get richer here, only area of need for the Super Bowl Champs was offensive line, and in my opinion they may have gotten the best availbiel tackle. Cobb is a stud and will replace Driver down the line. Great job of mixing needs and value. They know what their doing when it comes to drafting.

Minnesota Vikings: B

Draft picks: QB Christian Ponder (first round), TE Kyle Rudolph (second round), DL Christian Ballard (fourth round), CB Brandon Burton (fifth round), OT Demarcus Love (sixth round), DB Mistral Raymond (sixth round), C Brandon Fusco (sixth round), LB Ross Homan (sixth round), DL D’Aundre Reed (seventh round), WR Stephen Burton (seventh round).

Analysis: While at the time I PONDERED what the hell they were doing drafting Ponder so early, I took time out to study it and let it marinate a bit, and Its growing on me. They made some very good mid round picks in Ballard, Burton, and Reed. They grabbed the best TE on the board in Rudolph, who I think will be a HUGE steal. Good job, just move on from Brett, don’t even think about it.

New Orleans Saints: A

Draft picks: DE Cameron Jordan (first round), RB Mark Ingram (first round), LB Martez Wilson (third round), CB Johnny Patrick (third round), DE Greg Romeus (seventh round), LB Nate Bussey (seventh round).

Analysis: Nothing more to say then Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram. HUGE steals for Nawlens. Im never an advocate of trading future first round picks, but to have a haul of Jordan and Ingram, you cant complain. Look for those two to immediately break out in this league. I also LOVE the Greg Romeus pick in the 7^th.

New York Giants: B+

Draft picks: CB Prince Amukamara (first round), DT Marvin Austin (second round), WR Jerrel Jernigan (third round), OT James Brewer (fourth round), LB Greg Jones (sixth round), S Tyler Sash (sixth round), LB Jacquian Williams (sixth round), RB Da’Rel Scott (seventh round).

Analysis: Giant fans welcomed the Prince to town like his first name reads. He fell into their laps and they made the right move and ran the pick up. Austin, and Jernigan were great picks too. I would have liked to see them add a few solid linebackers a bit earlier, but cant complain with value like Amukamura and Austin. Now if Mike Francesa can pronounce Prince’s name, the Giant faithful will be estatic.

Philadelphia Eagles: B+

Draft picks: G Danny Watkins (first round), S Jaiquawn Jarrett (second round), CB Curtis Marsh (third round), LB Casey Matthews (fourth round), K Alex Henery (fourth round), RB Dion Lewis (fifth round), OL Julian Vandervelde (fifth round), C Jason Kelce (sixth round), LB Brian Rolle (sixth round), LB Greg Lloyd (seventh round), FB Stanley Havili (seventh round).

Analysis: A lot of people were a bit hesitant about Watkins, but it was a smart pick. He will step in day one and play well. The Jarrett pick, Matthews pick, and Lewis pick were great. A lot of depth, and two instant starters. Eagles fans cant boo this one (Im sure they will)

San Francisco 49ers: B

Draft picks: DE Aldon Smith (first round), QB Colin Kaepernick (second round), CB Chris Culliver (third round), RB Kendall Hunter (fourth round), OL Daniel Kilgore (fifth round), WR Ronald Johnson (sixth round), S Colin Jones (sixth round), DL Bruce Miller (seventh round), OL Michael Person (seventh round), DB Curtis Holcomb (seventh round).

Analysis: Many say they reached on both of their first two picks, but they obviously felt it was the right moves. Hunter will be a great change of pace to Frank Gore. All in all, it was a successful draft for Jim Harbuagh’s first.

Seattle Seahawks: D

Draft picks: OT James Carpenter (first round), G John Moffitt (third round), LB K.J. Wright (fourth round), WR Kris Durham (fourth round), CB Richard Sherman (fifth round), FS Mark LeGree (fifth round), DB Byron Maxwell (sixth round), DL Lazarius Levingston (seventh round), LB Malcolm Smith (seventh round).

Analysis: I don’t really know what to say with this class. Not in love with the reaches of Carpenter and Moffitt. Im all for suring up that offensive line, but they needed a playmaker on both sides of the bal desperately. They need to be active in free agency now.

St. Louis Rams: B+

Draft picks: DE Robert Quinn (first round), TE Lance Kendricks (second round), WR Austin Pettis (third round), WR Greg Salas (fourth round), DB Jermale Hines (fifth round), DB Mikail Baker (seventh round), LB Jabara Williams (seventh round), DB Jonathan Nelson (seventh round).

Analysis: Quinn was a GREAT pick in the first. Bradford, and Quinn are the faces of the new Ram regime, and I’m sure Rams fans couldn’t be more happy. Nice job by Spags adding weapons in Kendicks, Pettis, and Salas with their mid-round picks. I think Salas will be huge from day one.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+

Draft picks: DE Adrian Clayborn (first round), DE Da’Quan Bowers (second round), LB Mason Foster (third round), TE Luke Stocker (fourth round), S Ahmad Black (fifth round), RB Allen Bradford (sixth round), DB Anthony Gaitor (seventh round), TE Daniel Hardy (seventh round).

Analysis: The Buccaneers addressed their weakness at defensive end, but both Clayborn and Bowers have medical. If they both come in and perform, this draft grade could EASILY be an A. Love the Black pick in the 5^th also. All defense like the old school Buccaneers. Watch out for the Bucs!!

Washington Redskins: B

Draft picks: DE Ryan Kerrigan (first round), DT Jarvis Jenkins (second round), WR Leonard Hankerson (third round), RB Roy Helu (fourth round), S Dejon Gomes (fifth round),WR Niles Paul (fifth round), RB Evan Royster (sixth round), WR Aldrick Robinson (sixth round), DB Brandyn Thompson (seventh round), OL Maurice Hurt (seventh round), DE Markus White (seventh round), DT Chris Neild (seventh round).

Analysis: I liked this draft A LOT, it’d be much higher if I was higher on Kerrigan. Jenkins, Hankerson, and Helu were steals at their spots. The Skins had a ton of picks, and didn’t create a huge buzz, which is why their grades a little lower.

This draft was very deep, and had a ton of talent even into round 7. I feel like almost every team REALLY did their homework.

I only disliked a few drafts, but for the most part, maybe the Draft happening BEFORE Free Agency isn’t such a bad thing after all.