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Tennessee Titans (JBucc) - C+
The Titans' two jobs this offseason are to lock up Haynesworth and to finally surround poor Vince Young with some semblence of talent, after ripping it mostly away last year. Their first pick was a home run, as long as Jon Stewart stays healthy. He can develop very quickly into a stud RB that can punish you if you key in too much on Young -- it helps to finally have a RB who's a better rusher than your QB.
JBucc keeps trying to bail out Young by drafting WR in the second round, which at that point was a reach. Manningham was arguably the best WR left on the board at that time (although I'd say Bennett was), but it wasn't worth the 2nd rounder, not when they need help virtually everywhere else as well. But you can't give Young nothing, so I understand it. Chris Ellis was a fair pick in the third, but like I said, I'm lukewarm on DEs this Draft.
Miami Dolphins ('Hamas' Jenkins) - A-
Well it's impossible to argue with having the #1 pick in every round. The Dolphins had the best selection spot in the Draft, and appropriately took advantage of it. So much has been said about Gholston, but he is a beast in the making. Carl Nicks is basically a first-rounder anyway, and has the upside to man down the Dolphins LT for a decade. If he continues to progress, he's a Pro Bowler.
The Dolphins then treat themselves, perhaps for years, with Avril at the other OLB position to give themselves a potentially All Pro one-two punch with Gholston. Avril might have been a slight reach but Gholston makes this pick worth it. I did not like DeCoud at the top of the third, and I believe that was a reach when the Dolphins need sooooo many positions, but DeCoud is the exception in an otherwise great Draft.
New Orleans Saints (OnTheWarpath58) - B
The Saints are one of those polka-dotted teams in the need department it seems; in the several places they have needs, they have gigantic gaping needs. Most of them, unsurprisingly, are on defense. This is a defense that needs to get a lot tougher, and OTW did a Grade A job in the first round by selecting Rodgers-Cromartie, without a doubt in my mind the best CB in this Draft. Rodgers has the gifts to become a shutdown, and he's a lot tougher than people give him credit for.
DT Pat Sims is, despite his gigantic size, one of those DTs that's capable of playing anywhere from 0-tech to 3-tech if need be, but he's going to specialize as NT in the NFL. Thing is, I just don't think a beefy NT warrants a high 2nd rounder in the 4-3, but Sims' abilities somewhat reduces the reach. TE Dustin Keller, a pure receiving TE, is just what the doctor ordered for the offense, and was a good pick in the 3rd.
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