Philadelphia Eagles B plus- The Eagles usually do a solid job in the draft, and they did a good job this year. Danny Watkins is definitely going to start at guard, and he's a huge upgrade on the line. The Eagles' linebackers were poor last year, so the addition of Casey Matthews in the fourth round was a huge one for Philly. He was a nice deal there, and he will start. Dion Lewis can be a solid running back in the draft, and he was a nice pick in the fifth round.

Pittsburgh Steelers D plus- I really didn't like the draft the Steelers turned in this year. I love the Cameron Heyward pick a lot, but there was really nothing of note besides him for Pittsburgh.

San Diego Chargers B Corey Liuget will play at end in the Chargers' 3-4 and will effectively replace the poor Luis Castillo. Vincent Brown runs good routes, and he'll be productive for the Chargers; who may lose a few wideouts to free agency. Jordan Todman was my favorite pick by the Chargers. He was incredible for UConn, and he should be able to get some carries because the Chargers don't exactly have a steady running game. Todman was a very good deal in the 6th round.

San Francisco 49ers B Aldon Smith was a reach at number seven, but if you think he's the guy; you take him. Smith will fit in nicely in new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's defense. He's a very good edge rusher with a ton of upside, and this may mean that Manny Lawson- another quality edge rusher- will depart via free agency. Kendall Hunter was good value in the fourth round, and he will be right where he belongs; a solid backup to a great running back.

Colin Kaepernick can be a good starting quarterback in the NFL with another season. His funky delivery suits him well, and it actually helps him get rid of the ball faster. That quirky throwing motion is a good thing. Jim Harbaugh likes Alex Smith, and I hope Smith stays for another year as a bridge for Kaepernick. Kaepernick is a smart QB with great arm strength, and he is very athletic. With a year on the bench to learn an NFL playbook- he came from a pistol offense in college- Kaepernick could be the answer for San Francisco.

Seattle Seahawks F plus- This was a horrible draft. First, they took James Carpenter when Derek Sherrod and Gabe Carimi were on the board. The only solid player they picked in this draft was Wisconsin guard John Moffitt. That was a nice pick- he will be a solid contributor and leader right off- but that was just one guy. If Seattle wants to get better and build through the draft, they need to draft well in the first place.

Nice Pick By Niners

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL, NFL Teams, Steelers, Cameron Heyward, Chargers, Corey Liuget, Jordan Todman, Luis Castillo, Vincent Brown, Eagles, Casey Matthews, Danny Watkins, Dion Lewis, Derek Sherrod, Gabe Carimi, 49ers, Aldon Smith, Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh, Kendall Hunter, Manny Lawson SF, Vic Fangio, James Carpenter, John Moffitt

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2011 NFL Draft Team Grades Part 2

May 3rd 2011 14:29

Detroit Lions B minus- Nick Fairley slipped, and the Lions knew that his value at the 13th pick was too good to pass up on. While he doesn't fill a need- the Lions are already beastly at D-Tackle with Suh, Corey Williams, and Sammie Lee Hill- Fairley was far too talented to not pick. Titus Young will definitely help out Matthew Stafford because Detroit's third receiver last year- Bryant Johnson- was horrendous. Mikel LeShoure will spell the end of Kevin Smith in Detroit.

Green Bay Packers B minus- Derek Sherrod was needed to bulk up the tackles, and Randall Cobb was a nice selection at the end of the second round. He's a playmaking receiver that will most likely replace James Jones. Cobb will probably handle returns, and he will also make an impact in the passing game because the Packers love their four receiver sets.To me, Davon House was the best pick the Packers made. Although they are already stocked at corner, House was a steal as a compensatory pick in the fourth round. House fits what Dom Capers does defensively, and he is another one of those really good press corners. D.J. Williams was a solid 5th round choice at tight end.

Houston Texans B I thought the Texans did a good job in the first round by making the safe choice and getting J.J. Watt. His pass rushing abilities will alleviate the pressure put on the corners to perform their pass coverage duties. Brooks Read is a huge upgrade over the Texans' other outside linebackers, and he will also make an early impact as a pass rusher. Brandon Harris was a solid pick, and he should be better than Kareem Jackson.

Indianapolis Colts A minus- I thought the Colts did a great job in this draft. Anthony Castonzo and Benjamin Ijalana were huge upgrades on the O-Line, and Delonte Carter brings another body into the running game. Drake Nevis is a great one-gap DT that fits the Colts' scheme perfectly. Getting him in the third round was a steal. Bill Polian is such a beast.

Jacksonville Jaguars D plus- I really didn't like this draft for the Jags. While Blaine Gabbert is good, and William Rackley is solid; there was nothing else I liked in this draft for them.

Kansas City Chiefs A I thought Scott Pioli and the Chiefs turned in another really good draft. Jonathan Baldwin was a huge risk, but he'll finally give them a big-play receiver. Justin Houston will give the Chiefs a nice pass rusher next to Tamba Hali. Rodney Hudson gives the Chiefs O-Line depth and will be a solid starter once Casey Wiegmann retires. Wiegmann will also mentor Hudson. Allen Bailey gives the Chiefs depth, and he fits their system well. Jalil Brown will give the Chiefs a lot of depth at corner, and Ricky Stanzi will develop into a good backup.

Miami Dolphins F plus- Mike Pouncey will come in and be a solid starter, and Edmond Gates is a sleeper receiver. However, there was nothing else that I even remotely liked about the Dolphins' draft.

Minnesota Vikings A If you think a QB can be that guy for your team, then take him the first chance you get to. Bill Musgrave runs a strict West Coast Offense filled with PA's and bootlegs. Ponder will succeed there, and he's the best WCO QB prospect we've seen in the last few years. Kyle Rudolph gives the Vikings another tight end option. Christian Ballard was a steal in the fourth round, and he can play end or tackle although his true position is tackle. 6th rounder Brandon Fusco is one of my sleepers. The center out of Slippery Rock gives the Vikes another O-Lineman on a terrible line, and I think he has a chance to start and play well at the end of the year.