El Gigante

The Raid-ahs, Bolts, Chefs and Broncos all had significant holes to address in this year's draft.
 
Kansas City Chiefs - Here's a team that had a massive quantity of picks after the Jared Allen trade to Minnesota and needed each and every one.  Surprisingly, Glenn Dorsey (DT) fell in the Chiefs' lap from LSU.  Most pundits (myself included) thought the Falcons would take Dorsey and his combination of strength and speed a la Warren Sapp with the 3rd pick, but they didn't.  Very nice pick-up.  Next, KC addressed the offensive line with another 1st-rounder in Branden Albert (G) from Virginia.  He projects as a Tackle at 6'5"+ and 310 lbs.  The Chiefs may have reached a little for Brandon Flowers (CB) from Va. Tech, but with a run on Corners, they felt they needed to get a decent one in the 2nd round.  Jamaal Charles (RB) from Texas was next for the Chiefs in a bit of a surprise in the 3rd round.  I can only assume they were concerned about injuries to their RBs in the recent past and wanted to have one from the line of Holmes, Williams & Benson.  Decent speed at sub-4.4 adds some explosiveness to Larry Johnson's power.  At 6'7"+ & 270 lbs., Brad Cottam (TE) from Tennessee will provide a big target for whoever the Chiefs put on the field at QB.  The fact that he runs a 4.6 40 is pretty remarkable, too.  DaJuan Morgan (S) from NC State was the final 3rd-rounder for the Chiefs.  Good nose for the ball and plays the run pretty well.  Not as much range as you might hope, but a solid contributor-to-be from day one.  Great 4th round pick for a need position with William Franklin (WR) from Missouri.  Excellent speed, size and ability to get downfield will make Franklin an impact player almost immediately.  Div-2 1st team All-American Brandon Carr (CB) from Grand Valley State was next.  Majoring in Bio-Medical Sciences tells me he may be a thinker as well as a player.  Decent size and credentials to add some depth at DB.  KC finished out the draft with four picks in the 6th & 7th rounds with a huge Offensive Tackle, an average Wider Receiver, a massive Defensive End, & a soon-to-be-converted Tight End (to Tackle or Guard).  Overall, KC addressed their needs and had a couple of Christmas gifts come early.  Grade: A
 
Oakland Raiders - Do you think the Raiders have enough RBs now?  With Fargas, Jordan & Rhodes, why pick up Darrend McFadden (RB) from Arkansas when Glenn Dorsey is still on the board & Warren Sapp just retired?  A larger problem was that the team had only 5 picks in the whole draft.  Move a couple of those backs for some decent interior linemen if you can Skeletor!  Tyvon Branch (CB) in the 4th round was a good pick-up.  Realistically, he'll move to Safety, especially with the addition of DeAngelo Hall at Corner.  Arman Shields (WR) from Richmond is a bit of a question mark since his knee was injured early in 2007.  He had some success against major college talent, but his injury keeps that shadow of doubt 'til he performs at the NFL level.  Their final two picks were reaches with a recently-converted Defensive End and a big, slow Wide Receiver.  Al and Kiffin-kid better do some movement beyond the draft pray McFadden is Walter Payton reincarnated or this is almost completely a bust of a draft.  Grade: D+
 
Denver Broncos - A team at a crossroads is how I think of the Broncos.  With Cutler last year, it became evident he needed a lot of help.  Denver listened and got the second highest-rated Offensive Tackle on the board by many in Ryan Clady (Boise St.) to take over after Matt Lepsis' retirement.  Next, they hunted down a speedy Wide Receiver to stretch the field a bit, but may have reached a little with Eddie Royal (Va. Tech) early in the 2nd round.  More than anything, Denver expects Royal to help with the return game.  Kory Lichtensteiger (C) continued the offensive-help mindset in the 4th round out of Bowling Green.  He will add depth to a depleted OL and plays a little mean to make up for his lack of athletic ability.  Speedy, little Corner Jack Williams (Kent) was the first defensive player the Broncos selected.  He's undersized so could have problems on the LOS, but will add depth, at least, to a veteran-laden secondary.  Ryan Torain (RB) will be a wait-and-see project out of Arizona St. in the 5th round.  Injuries have hampered his development, but he's a solid rusher between the tackles when healthy.  Denver had 4 more picks, taking a Safety, D-Tackle, Fullback and a gem of an Inside Linebacker in Spencer Larsen (Arizona).  Their goal was to provide some support to a flagging offense and they've done a pretty good job.  Grade: B
 
San Diego Chargers - It was all about depth for a Chargers team that keeps coming close in this year's draft.  After being unable to move up for one of the elite Offensive Tackles, San Diego went for completing their secondary by choosing Antoine Cason (CB) from Arizona.  He should immediately compete for, at least, the Nickelback spot and maybe the starting Cornerback job.  Next, I'm scratching my head wondering what the Chargers saw to make them pick supreme tweener Jacob Hester (FB?) from LSU in the 3rd round.  At best, I saw him in the 6th round at Fullback and a free agent as a Tailback.  With their next pick, you assume Hester is to be a Fullback, because San Diego selected Marcus Thomas (RB) from UTEP in the 5th round.  The Chargers took a return-man Cornerback in the 6th round named DeJuan Tribble (Boston College) & finally got an Offensive Tackle in the 7th round with inconsistent Corey Clark (Texas A&M).  Their brief draft was like someone who went to the grocery store without a list.  Grade: C-
 
The Chiefs & Broncos really did a lot to help themselves through the draft.  The Chargers & Raiders just looked confused.

I'll be back Monday to take a look at the NFC's winners and losers in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Will the South rise again?  Let's take a look:
 
Houston Texans - Here's a team that thought needs-based in their strategy, but should have pulled the trigger on trading up.  Instead, they traded down and drafted Duane Brown (OT) from Virginia Tech #26 overall.  He's 6'4" & 315 lbs with good pass-blocking skills, but suspect run-blocking skills.  He was a reach this high, but Houston saw a run of Tackles early and made the move down taking what was left.  They reached again in the 3rd round with another need for the Texans at Cornerback with Antwaun Molden from Eastern Kentucky (Steve My-GEEE!). He's quick, but his coverage skills are in doubt.  Steve Slaton (RB) from West Virginia was next in the 3rd round.  At worst, he's a third-down back who's prone to injury.  At best, he'll put on some weight without losing any of his 4.5 speed and become an everyday back.  The Texans made a great pick with Xavier Adibi (OLB) in the 4th round from Virginia Tech.  While his run-stuffing ability is raw, he flows well in coverage and is instinctive to the ball.  The 5th round was Houston's big "maybe" pick with Frank Okam (DT) from Texas.  He's 6'4" & 345 lbs.  The coaches feel if they can keep his weight down to 320 or so, his inconsistent motor will become more dependable.  Dominique Barber (S) from Minnesota {Marion's brother} & Alex Brink (QB) from Wash. St. rounded out the draft for Houston.  Barber has a much better chance of making the team as a run-stuffing back.  Grade: C-
 
Tennessee Titans - A draft of tweeners, reaches and occasional positive surprises is how I would quantify the Titans' this weekend.  Chris Johnson, insert "who?" here, (RB) from East Carolina was the #24 overall for Tennessee.  He's light at 197 lbs., but fast beyond fast at 4.25.  Size and his ability to play between the Tackles makes this a bit of a reach to me.  Jason Jones (DE/DT) from Eastern Michigan was taken in the 2nd round.  Too slow to be an End and too small to be a D-Tackle, the Titans will probably still try him at DE first.  Tight End Craig Stevens from Cal was selected in the 3rd round.  The system he played in didn't really utilize the TE as a receiver, but Stevens is a good run-blocker which Alge Crumpler does NOT do for them.  Still, he could have been had later on.  Tweener #2 came in the 4th round in the form of William Hayes (DE) from Winston-Salem.  At 258 lbs., Tennessee will probably try to get him to shed a couple of pounds and more to OLB.  Lavelle Hawkins (WR) from Cal was a nice pick in the mid-4th round.  In this bad crop of WRs, he & Cal teammate DeSean Jackson look to immediately deliver in the NFL.  Stanford Keglar (OLB) from Purdue will provide depth and a solid special-teams player in the short-term for the Titan.  In the 7th round came Craig Williams (CB) from Washburn who has height and speed, but no experience against top-tier talents.  Grade: C
 
Jacksonville Jaguars - A trade with Baltimore gave Jacksonville the #8 pick overall (gave up 1-1st round pick, 2 -3rds, & 1 - 4th) and they selected Derrick Harvey (DE) from Florida.  This and their 2nd-rounder, Quentin Groves (DE) from Auburn, addressed an enormous need that they couldn't deal with in free agency, but was it necessary to move up to #8 and give up those picks.  They could have moved up to around #14, given up less and still gotten Harvey.  They also traded up to get Groves.  It's a dilemma for me, since Grady Jackson should provide "stability" to the middle of the line and two speed guys provide the edge-rush necessary for pressure, but was it too much?  The Jags weren't heard from again due to the trades 'til the 5th round with Thomas Williams (OLB) from USC who didn't even start for the Men of Troy.  He was a back-up to three 1st-round picks, though.  Trae Williams (CB) from USF was also selected in the 5th round.  Numbers comparable to former teammate & 1st-round pick Mike Jenkins make this a solid pick for the Jags.  In the 7th round, Chauncey Washington (RB) from USC was Jacksonville's final pick.  His academic problems and occasional injury couldn't completely blind the team to his good size and quickness through the hole.  Grade: B-
 
Indianapolis Colts - How would you like to be Jeff Saturday, pro-bowl Center for the Colts, and see 3 people drafted at your position?  Granted most of the draftees will be "moved" to Guard, it's gotta make you wonder.  Mike Pollak (C) from Arizona State was the first with pick #59 (2nd round).  Tall for a Center at 6'3", he may get moved to Guard in the short-term to see playing time immediately.  Philip Wheeler (ILB) from Ga. Tech came in the 3rd round has the size (6'2" & 248 lbs.) to be successful in the middle, but will need to hone his run-stuffing.  The 4th round brought the Colts an oversized Wide Receiver in Jacob Tamme (TE) from Kentucky.  He's torn both labrums while in school and it sure doesn't seem like it's from blocking too much.  Marcus Howard (OLB) from Georgia is a gem that fell to Indy in the 5th round.  He has great speed (4.45) and good size (6'0" & 235 lbs.) to translate into another solid Linebacker for Coach Dungy. The remaining 5 picks saw the Colts looking for depth with those other 2 Centers, another Tight End, a Wide Receiver & Mike Hart (RB) from Michigan in the 6th round.  Here's a pick that sure can't hurt the team given Hart's numbers in school.  Grade: B
 
Looks to me like the rich got richer & the poor showed why they were poor.

<meta content="Microsoft SafeHTML" name="Generator" /><style type="text/css"> .ExternalClass .EC_hmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass body.EC_hmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;}</style>Moving from the East to the AFC North, we'll do reverse order again:
 
Baltimore Ravens - had a curveball thrown their way with the retirement of Steve McNair.  Obviously, a QB is a need. Issues on their both lines, secondary, & offensive backs were concerns, as well.  The best way I can quantify the Ravens seven picks, all in rounds 1-4, is that they overpaid for them.  Joe Flacco from Delaware addressed their QB need, but did you really need to move a 2nd-round QB up to the 18th overall pick?  Ray Rice from Rutgers had over 2,000 yards at Rutgers in '07, but at 5'8" and no moves like Barry Sanders, he was a 3rd-round pick, at best.  And so it goes with, Gooden (LB), Zbikowki (SS), Cousins (G), Smith (WR) & Hale (OT); all should have been drafted at least one round later.  The Ravens then took flyers with Nakamura(S), Harper(WR), & Patrick (RB).  Harbaugh says they have a plan.  We'll see.  Grade: C-
 
Cincinnati Bengals - talk about a team with issues!  Wide Receiver was an obvious issue w/Henry's dismissal & Ocho-cinco being... Ocho-cinco.  Too bad for Cincy that this was a down year for Receiver talent.  So they take Keith Rivers from USC (OLB) with their first pick.  No major injuries...major contributor to a major program...safe, dynamic pick.  Then, 2 of their next 3 picks cover the WR dilemma; Jerome Simpson from Coastal Carolina & Andre Caldwell from UF.  Simpson pick is very suspect with Limas Sweed & DeSean Jackson still on the board.  Caldwell was good timing for a good player.  Pat Sims (DT) from Auburn fell between the two burners.  Anthony Collins (OT) from Kansas provides a serviceable lineman who was 1st Team All-American & an Outland finalist.  Jason Shirley (DT) at 6'5" 335 lbs sounds great 'til you hear he was dismissed from Fresno State for a DUI arrest (among other things).  Same old Bengals?  Lynch (FS), Sherry (TE), Craig (OLB) & Urrutia (WR) round out Cincy's draft.  Grade: C
 
Cleveland Browns - well, I hope you enjoyed last year's draft Cleveland, because it was most of this year's for you.  Round 4 saw the first Browns pick with 2 guys who could have gone in the 3rd.  Beau Bell (ILB) from UNLV had 126 tackles last year and can stuff the run.  Martin Rucker (TE), former Panther Mike Rucker's brother, from Mizzou provides another good set of hands for whoever QBs and insurance for the oft-injured Winslow.  From there, it was just one-dimensional players.  Ahtyba Ruben (DT) from Iowa State will be useful as a Nose Tackle only with little athletic leverage.  Paul Hubbard (WR) from Wisconsin while having size and speed has questionable hands and is coming off of a knee injury in '07.  Finally, mystery man Alex Hall (DE) from little St. Augustine's College (Go Falcons!) was good for Div. II, but the NFL?  Limited picks (5) with limited success do not make me very comfortable.  Grade: D
 
Pittsburgh Steelers - here's a team that believes strongly in the "take the best available athlete" strategy of drafting.  Otherwise, you can't explain how they didn't take the offensive linemen they desperately needed.  Rashard Mendenhall (RB) from Illinois is a strong, serviceable, long-term back and Limas Sweed (WR) from Texas topped many GMs' draft boards at his position.  Next, was Bruce Davis (OLB) who played Defensive End at UCLA, but must lose weight to play his projected new position.  Finally, in the 4th round, they pick up Tony Hills (OT) from Texas.  Injuries killed his college career, though, with 2(!) broken legs and nerve damage in his knee.  Yeesh.  To round out the injury parade for the Steelers, Dennis Dixon (QB) from Oregon shows up in the 5th round.  Probably another year 'til he's as good as he was the 1st half of last year after his torn ACL.  Ryan Mundy (FS) & Mike Humpal (OLB) round out the Steelers draft.  Grade: C-
 
The North didn't help itself that much, in my view.