Photo: US Presswire - Brett Davis
- Troy BallardWhat a first-round, right?
There were trades left and right, reaches and steals, and enough Bill Belichick drama to last a lifetime. It's the three staples of an excellent first-round, and from this point on (we hope), the 2012 NFL Draft will only get better.
Some teams walked out as big-time winners, some walked out as miserable losers, so why not grade each team's selections in the first-round? Let's break it down!
Indianapolis Colts:
Andrew Luck - QB
Grade: A+
Reasoning: There was never a doubt with this pick, he's the future. Bang-Bang selection.
Washington Redskins:
Robert Griffin III - QB
Grade: A+
Reasoning: Another pick that was a lock, RG3 should spark this entire Redskins team.
Cleveland Browns
Trent Richardson - RB
Brandon Weeden - QB
Grade: A+
Reasoning: Cleveland needed a running back and a playmaker desperately -- Richardson is both. And secondly, I can't get over how great the Browns picking Weeden is. Some may call it a reach, but Weeden can flat out play and is an immediate upgrade over Colt McCoy.
Minnesota Vikings
Matt Kalil - OL
Harrison Smith - S
Grade: B
Reasoning: I liked Minnesota to go defense early, but Kalil is a franchise lineman that will be solid for the next 10-years. Smith is also a solid pick-up in the late-first and should at least help solve some of the Vikings secondary woes.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Justin Blackmon - WR
Grade: A+
Reasoning: Jax was another team that defense was a sexy-pick, but Blackmon is a total monster and finally gives Blaine Gabbert a legit receiver.
Dallas Cowboys
Morris Claiborne - CB
Grade: B-
Reasoning: Well, we can say now that Dallas was clearly unhappy with their corners last season. The Cowboys made a surprising trade to snag Claiborne, but he is the best corner in the draft and should bolster Big D's secondary by leaps and bounds.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mark Barron - S
Doug Martin - RB
Grade: B+
Reasoning: Tampa Bay had players swiped away from them twice this draft, but still ended up making out really well with Barron and Martin -- two players that should make an impact early on.
Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill - QB
Grade: D-
Reasoning: Miami has put a lot of faith into a one-year wonder in Tannehill, and at this point, it doesn't even look like he will be able to start this upcoming season.
Carolina Panthers
Luke Kulechly - LB
Grade: C
Reasoning: This is no knock on Kulechly, but Carolina completely ignored a glaring need at defensive line when top prospects were still available.
Buffalo Bills
Stephon Gilmore - CB
Grade: C+
Reasoning: Gilmore is a very solid corner, and should contribute nicely to an already opportunistic defense. I still think that wide receiver was the biggest need here, hence the low grade.
Kansas City
Dontari Poe - DT
Grade: F to A (?)
Reasoning: There is no doubt that Kansas City needed interior defensive line help, but Poe is a really high-risk high-reward type of player. Depending on how he does, this could end up being either the best pick or the worst pick of the draft.
Philadelphia Eagles
Fletcher Cox - DT
Grade: B+
Reasoning: Philadelphia was targeting Cox from the get-go, and being a nearly perfect fit for Jim Washburn's system, there's little doubt he will do well with the Eagles.
Arizona Cardinals
Michael Floyd - WR
Grade: A+
Reasoning: Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd. That's all you need to know.
St. Louis Rams
Michael Brockers - DT
Grade: B
Reasoning: There's no doubt that the Rams have big needs on the offensive side of the ball, but Brockers is still an absolute machine that should solidify a talented St. Louis defensive line.
Seattle Seahawks
Bruce Irvin - LB
Grade: D
Reasoning: Scouts were really split on Irvin coming into this draft, and he still has the potential to be great. However, I don't think his incredibly speedy wheels will guarantee him success, and Seattle really reached on this pick.
New York Jets
Quinton Coples - DE
Grade: C+
Reasoning: I'm sure that Coples was the Jets target all along, but for a player that has had trouble finding motivation in the past, I'm not sure New York's ruthless locker room is the best fit.
Cincinnati Bengals
Dre Kirkpatrick - CB
Kevin Zeitler - OL
Grade: B
Reasoning: Cincy addressed two needs in the first-round, at corner with Kirkpatrick who has the potential to be great, and Zeitler who is a safe pick and should fill-in immediately as a starter for the Bengals.
San Diego Chargers
Melvin Ingram - DE
Grade: C-
Reasoning: Despite Jon Gruden calling Ingram the steal of the draft, I think the Chargers had a much larger need on the offensive line. Sure, the defense may have a nice pass-rush now, but I can't wait to see what happens when Philip Rivers is on his back every play.
Chicago Bears
Shea McClellin - LB
Grade: B
Reasoning: Chicago finally elected to go defense in the first round, and McClellin should be a starter from day-one on the outside. The timing is perfect as he will still have a few seasons to learn from Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.
Tennessee Titans
Kendall Wright - WR
Grade: A-
Reasoning: Tennessee may have had quite a few other needs, but possibly none as great as getting Jake Locker a target to which he can learn and develop with. I love this pick, and it should make Locker's transition to a starting role much easier.
Detroit Lions
Riley Reiff - OL
Grade: B
Reasoning: Just a safe and solid pick from Detroit in an effort to keep Matt Stafford as healthy as possible.
Pittsburgh Steelers
David DeCastro - OL
Grade: B+
Reasoning: Pittsburgh picked up a steal with DeCastro this late in the first, and he should start from day-one and make an immediate impact.
New England Patriots
Chandler Jones - DE
Dont'a Hightower - LB
Grade: A-
Reasoning: New England finally addressed major needs on both the defensive line and at linebacker. All I have to say -- about time. Jones is kind of risky, but Hightower is a sure-fire pick and a perfect match for Belichick's defense.
Houston Texans
Whitney Mercilus - DE
Grade: B+
Reasoning: Houston picks up a really strong rusher in Mercilus, adding to an already solid defense. This of course is an attempt to replace Mario Williams. I like the idea -- but don't expect the same production.
Green Bay Packers
Nick Perry - LB
Grade: A+
Reasoning: Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. USC. Pass-rush. Non-stop. It's going to be nasty in Green Bay next season.
San Francisco 49ers
AJ Jenkins - WR
Grade: C+
Reasoning: Stephen Hill should have been a lock with this pick. Jenkins will be solid, but I really think that San-Fran missed out on a great opportunity with Hill.
New York Giants
David Wilson - RB
Grade: B
Reasoning: I was puzzled at how New York managed to pass on Coby Fleener, but then I realized -- the Giants still don't trust Ahmad Bradshaw. Wilson may be a bit of a gamble, but if he comes into his own, he could make New York's front office look great.
How do you feel your team drafted? Comment in the section below with your thoughts on the first-round!
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