Welker wanted to hold out for a long-term deal.  At the end of the day, the Patriots probably decided it was in their best interest to stick to their franchise tag that they offered Welker.

There were two main reasons why the Patriots decided to go in this direction.  Patriots Head coach Bill Belichick likes to see players earn their paycheck without overpaying that player.

Welker dropped a critical pass that could have helped the Patriots’ win Super Bowl 46.  I definitely believe that was an x-factor in the Patriots decision to stay firm with their decision.

Welker not missing any games for the Patriots really helps the defending AFC Champions out in 2012.  I am sure Welker would like to get a long term deal done, but he realizes the Patriots have bigger issues to address.

Both parties may want to have a long-term solution in place for Welker, if the Patriots have a stable salary cap situation.  The deadline for both sides to get a deal done on is July 15, 2012.

There were at least five other receivers graded higher than Ebert.  This group of receivers includes North Carolina’s Dwight Jones, Stanford’s Chris Owusu, Texas A&M’s Jeff Fuller, Arizona State’s Gerrell Robinson, and South Dakota State’s Dale Moss.

Jones had character concerns off the field, Owusu was injury prone, many NFL scouts questioned Fuller’s work ethic, Robinson had a lack of game-breaking speed, and Moss attended a small school at South Dakota State.

Northwestern is one of the hardest colleges to get accepted into, so some NFL talent evaluators might believe Ebert has a tremendous football IQ.  He may not be the most physically imposing receiver, but there were no huge concerns with his decision-making off the gridiron.  Ebert’s passion for football may explain why the Patriots took him with a late-round pick.  He can be humble, yet very outgoing at the same time.

Ebert had 20 NFL teams watching him at Northwestern’s 2012 Pro Day.  He initially weighed in at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds.  The Wildcats wide out would follow that up with an unofficial 4.35 40 time before posting an official 4.41 time in the 40 yard dash.  Ebert also recorded a 33-inch vertical jump along with a 6.70 time in the 3-cone drill.

Multiple NFL teams were impressed with what they saw out of Ebert at the Wildcats’ Pro Day. His production at Northwestern translated to success as well.

In 2009 as a sophomore, Ebert got off to a slow start, but by the end of the season he showed tons of promise.  His best game of the year came in the 2010 Outback Bowl against the Auburn Tigers.  He did struggle on some plays against Tigers cornerback Walter McFadden, but he finished the game with six receptions for 64 receiving yards.

Ebert asserted himself as the Wildcats’ leader on offense following the departure of quarterback Mike Kafka.  He finished 2010 with 62 receptions, 953 receiving yards, 8 receiving touchdowns, a then career-long 45- yard reception and an average of 15.4 yards per reception.

In 2011, Ebert returned to Northwestern for his senior season.  Ebert had a career-high 75 receptions, 1,060 receiving yards, 11 receiving touchdowns, and a career-long 90-yard reception.

There is no question that the Patriots had other draft options available, but the Patriots selected with Ebert because of his pro day and his production for the Wildcats.

The Patriots are getting a B grade for taking Ebert.  The Patriots could have taken a wide receiver with more overall skill and talent, but they get a hall pass for taking Ebert for three main reasons.

The Patriots have a good track record for taking players.  New England did its homework by watching Ebert dominate his pro day, and decided that they had nothing to lose by taking him with a late-round flyer.

It’s the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft.  Can you really be too subjective about this pick?  I find it difficult to criticize the Patriots here, because late round picks for Super Bowl contenders sometimes miss the team’s final 53-man roster due to the competition of players competing for spots on the team.

The Patriots got a receiver with the 253rd overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft after winning Super Bowl 36 named David Givens.  Givens was not a long term asset, but he did contribute as a slot receiver leading the Patriots with six receiving touchdowns on a 2003-2004 team that won Super Bowl 38.  Givens won two Super Bowls with the Patriots before signing with the Tennessee Titans hoping for a bigger role.

For all we know Ebert, could contribute in the same exact way that Givens did.  It’s highly unlikely that Ebert achieves this feat, but I will not rule the possibility of Ebert’s impact on the Patriots in 2012 and beyond.

In 2011, Dennard became the featured cornerback that quarterbacks would throw away from thanks to the departure of Amukamara.  Amukamara struggled for the New York Giants as a rookie due to a broken foot during one of the Giants’ first team practice sessions.

Dennard, once a first round prospect, slipped to the seventh round because he was arrested for assaulting a police officer.  Karma came back to haunt Dennard thanks to his poor choices off of the gridiron.  One player who saw karma work heavily in his favor was West Virginia defensive end Bruce Irvin.  Many pegged Irvin as an undrafted prospect after he committed destruction of property.  Irvin still went 15th overall to the Seattle Seahawks.

In 2010, Dennard recorded 4 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, and 30 tackles.  Quarterbacks only completed 49 percent of their passes against Nebraska in 2010.  One area where Dennard struggled in 2010 was zone coverage.

In 2011, Dennard remained dominant in man and press coverage; he held Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt in check.

The 2011 season ended on a low note for Dennard.  South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery owned Dennard in the 2012 Capital One Bowl.  Jeffery scored a touchdown on a Hail Mary pass against Nebraska by torching Dennard in coverage.  Both Dennard and Jeffery got ejected from the Capital One Bowl after a fight broke out between the two players.

Dennard’s struggles would continue during the 2012 Senior Bowl.  Many wide receivers down in Mobile, Ala., managed to pick apart Dennard with relative ease.  Coaches had a hard time viewing Dennard as a first-round pick after he struggled in Mobile.

I love the value of Dennard going to the Patriots in the 7th round.  Dennard is a pure man coverage corner that can press too.  The Patriots coaching staff will improve his zone coverage ability.  I mocked Dennard to the Patriots at the end of the second round in my final seven-round mock draft.  To get Dennard this late on draft day really speaks volumes about what a steal New England got in terms of overall talent.

If Dennard stays out of trouble this is hands down New England’s best late-round gem since drafting Michigan quarterback Tom Brady back in 2000 with the 199th overall pick.  Will Dennard have a Brady- like impact?  Probably not, one thing Dennard will do is provide stability on the secondary next to cornerback Devin McCourty that the Patriots desperately need.

The Patriots are getting an A+ grade for taking Dennard.  Taking Dennard was the one big thing the Patriots organization did to save face after reaching for NFL prospects on multiple occasions in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Ebner was a former Rugby player that saw limited action on special teams in college.  Ohio State ranked 15th out of 120 FBS teams in pass defense in 2011.  Ebner is #34 for Ohio State if you want to watch the highlights and point out a few notes  for yourself.

In the first game vs Akron, you will see Ebner line up on special teams.  Ebner does a great job getting to the kick returner to execute the tackle.

Ebner displays outstanding versatility, Ebner can be used as a slot cornerback, reserve safety, nickel cornerback, dime cornerback, backup strong safety, or backup free safety.

On one play he lines up as a nickel cornerback and drops back into zone coverage to make a tackle which forces an incompletion.  The following play he sacks Akron’s quarterback for a loss when attacking on the blitz as a field cornerback.  Great job by Ebner mixing up his ability to remain unpredictable.

On the first play of the Colorado game, Ebner does a great job of sprinting towards the end zone when executing his block on the return.  Two minutes into the highlights vs Colorado, Ebner positions himself to make a key tackle on special teams.

On another kick return, Ebner does an exceptional job blocking.  His block sets up a fantastic kick return.  Ebner is even able to gain some separation by using his speed to excel downfield on the return.  The kick returner fumbled the ball, but  Ebner’s execution of his assignment on special teams leads to a huge fumble recovery for Ohio State which puts them on the goal line.

On the final play of the Colorado highlight, Ebner was able to hold his block.  After holding the block for a while, Ebner gets by his blocker to help Ohio State execute a gang tackle where multiple defenders would execute a tackle on special teams.

The Patriots also have Jonathan Fanene and Brandon Deadrick ranked higher on their depth chart at left end.  Rookie first round pick Chandler Jones is expected to start at right end for the Patriots right away in 2012.

I do believe Bequette could be molded into a rotational left end and used as a pass rusher on 3rd downs.  Bequette is a lot better at pass rushing than he is at run stuffing when you watch his tape.  The problem is, Bequette played a 4-3 scheme at Arkansas while weighing in at  6 foot 5 and 274 pounds.

Bequette needs some conditioning because Patriots head coach Bill Belichick likes pass rushers that have the versatility to play in both the 4-3 and 3-4 defensive schemes.  Bequette is a 4-3 only player.  Durability questions also make me question this pick.

Bequette’s combined numbers probably got him selected this high.  Bequette ran a 4.82 40-yard dash time and jumped 34 inches when launching into the air for his vertical jump.

One of the strongest qualities about Bequette is his heart-he plays with a tremendous amount of heart.  Bequette’s Combine performance and high character played a factor in New England taking him here.

The Patriots could get a poor man’s Mike Vrabel if Bequette shows the work ethic while making major strides to improve, but  I think this is another Jermaine Cunningham SEC flop type of pick at defensive end.

I am giving the Patriots a C+ grade here.  Bequette’s character and heart boosts this pick from a C grade to a C+ grade.  You also have to consider that the Patriots took another Arkansas player in round 3 of the 2011 NFL Draft with Ryan Mallett.  Both former Arkansas players Bequette and Mallett will be considered hits if either player is on the Patriots’ roster as a great starter in 3 years.  I do not see either player developing into a long term starter because both players just have too much to overcome at the next level.

Mallett has a cannon for an arm.  The lack of accuracy plus the character concerns he had off the field at Arkansas made me initially question the idea of drafting Mallett as Tom Brady’s successor.

Bequette could develop into a backup rotational pass rusher on 3rd downs.  Overcoming durability concerns, showing the right work ethic, and improving his conditioning in New England will be the keys to whether Bequette becomes a starter down the road.

It’s pretty obvious that I am on the fence with the Patriots’ second round pick.  Patriots fans can decide this pick for themselves as I point out a few things you probably did not know about Wilson.

Wilson has been starting at safety for Illinois since his sophomore season in 2009.  Practicing against former teammate Michael Hoomanawanui, a 2010 4th round pick at tight end for the St. Louis Rams helped Wilson assert his safety role in 2010 and 2011 following Hoomanawanui’s departure.  Hoomanawanui could end up facing Wilson again on a play or two when the Patriots meet the Rams in London this season.

In 2009, Wilson managed to record 74 total tackles which was a 3rd best on the team in 2009.  Wilson led Illinois with 7 pass breakups in 2009.  Another noticeable achievement for Wilson was his 10 solo tackles against Northwestern.

Wilson’s tackling regressed in 2010.  Wilson only had 48 total tackles that year.  Wilson did have 2 tackles for a loss and 8 pass breakups for Illinois.  Wilson showed some flash while displaying ability to create turnovers.  Wilson also recorded an interception and two fumble recoveries.  Wilson had 7 tackles and a pass breakup when Robert Griffin III threw a pass Wilson’s way in a 2010 Texas Bowl win over Baylor.

Wilson was suspect in zone coverage at times in 2011, but he did finish with 81 total team tackles while being voted team captain for Illinois.

Some mocked Wilson’s pass rushing teammate Whitney Mercilus to New England in round 1 of the 2012 NFL Draft.  Only four pass defenses in college football held opponents to under 160 passing yards in 2011.  Alabama, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Illinois were those four pass defenses.  Wilson was the best player on Illinois’ secondary.

Belichick may have been intrigued by Wilson’s active leadership role and versatility as a safety to play either free safety or strong safety.  New England probably went to Illinois’ pro day just to gather final impressions on Mercilus.  The Patriots probably took a huge liking to Wilson as well during Illinois’ pro day.  That probably influenced New England to take Wilson this early.

I am going to give the Patriots a B- grade.  I initially doubted the pick.  After doing more extensive research on Wilson, it’s easy to see why the Patriots organization has taken such a huge liking to Wilson.  You cannot completely fault the Patriots front office for this pick since safety was one of the Patriots more pressing needs.

New England decided to trade up again four spots later when the Denver Broncos were picking with the 25th overall.  The Patriots moved up six spots from 31 to 25 to select Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower.

Dont’a Hightower was expected to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Pittsburgh opted for Stanford right guard David DeCastro instead of taking Hightower.  DeCastro was expected to be a top 20 pick, but he fell to Pittsburgh at 24 overall.  DeCastro will likely start at right guard for Pittsburgh in 2012 before making an eventual transition to left guard down the road.

New England’s decision to move up for Hightower was an intriguing draft selection because New England already had two starting linebackers with right outside linebacker Jerod Mayo and middle linebacker Brandon Spikes.  Hightower is 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 260 pounds and played 3-4 middle linebacker at Alabama.  Hightower also had the versatility to be utilized as a 4-3 middle linebacker in the NFL.  When Alabama called some 4-3 plays to mix things up, Alabama inserted Hightower in the “Will” linebacker spot at right outside linebacker.

The only place where Hightower could possibly start in New England’s 4-3 scheme is at left outside linebacker.  Hightower is slightly unfamiliar with this role with his experience as a 3-4 middle linebacker at Alabama.  How can Hightower make this transition to the NFL?

Patriots fans should not have to worry about Hightower making this transition.  Hightower was named defensive captain for multiple seasons at Alabama in 2010 and 2011.  In 2011, Alabama’s defense ranked first overall out of 120 FBS teams in all five major defensive categories.  Alabama was ranked first in scoring defense, total defense, run defense, pass defense, and pass efficiency defense.

Hightower recorded 81 total tackles, 37 of those being solo tackles, 3 sacks, 9.5 tackles for a loss, and 8 quarterback pressures when being used as a rusher to get to the quarterback.  Hightower can also drop back into zone coverage.

From a talent standpoint, Hightower does provide an upgrade at left outside linebacker over current starter Rob Ninkovich. Ninkovich may have backup ability at linebacker compared to Hightower.  Ninkovich can teach Hightower how to conduct himself properly in the locker room and around other teammates with his veteran presence.

Hightower will turn out to be a great starter at linebacker for New England.  He can immediately play at left outside linebacker.  Hightower could play right outside linebacker or middle linebacker if Mayo or Spikes goes down with an injury.

Some will question the Hightower pick because the Patriots could have addressed a bigger need at safety or defensive tackle.  The safety class was really weak after Mark Barron.  The other thing to consider was that the Patriots could have taken a defensive tackle in round 2.

I give the Hightower pick an A grade.  Hightower is a premium talent that fell mainly due to the demand defensive lineman.  Seven defensive linemen were selected between picks 11-19 on the first day of the 2012 NFL Draft.  You cannot forget that the Patriots took Jones at 21 as well.

Chandler Jones has incredible versatility.  Jones has lined up at 4-3 right defensive end and 4-3 left defensive end when you watch him play.

Jones is 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 265 pounds.  With this size, Jones would likely project as a hybrid pass rusher playing in a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme.  Chandler Jones is the little brother of Baltimore Ravens 3-4 right end Arthur Jones.

One area where Jones excelled in during his career at Syracuse was executing tackles.  Chandler Jones ranked 11th on Syracuse’s all time roster in total tackles.  Jones would register 143 tackles over 3 seasons as a starter with Syracuse.

Jones had a promising 10 tackles for a loss as a freshman redshirt in 2009.   Jones only recorded 1.5 sacks during the 2009 campaign.  Jones would go on to record 10 sacks during his 3 year career starting at Syracuse.  After the 2011 FBS season, Jones opted to forgo his senior season to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft.

Jones’ lack of pass rushing resulted in Syracuse having an FBS pass defense that ranked 99th out of 120 teams in 2011.  Jones displays the proper technique and raw pass rushing ability to hurry the quarterback if he gets by an opposing offensive tackle.  Jones will need to work on getting to the quarterback quicker if he expects to succeed for New England as a first round pick in the NFL.

Thanks to Jones’ instinctive tackling, Syracuse ranked 33rd out of 120 FBS teams in run defense.  Every Patriots fan seems to be extremely optimistic about this pick.  Maybe I am in the minority here, I just got the impression that New England could have made a better selection.

Pass rushers like Andre Branch and Nick Perry would have been better fits for New England because of their track record for getting to the quarterback.  Branch recorded 10.5 sacks in 2011.  Perry registered 8.5 sacks.  The Green Bay Packers would select Perry with their 2012 first round pick.  Branch would fall to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2nd round.

New England needed a pass rushing defensive end.  There is no guarantee that you are getting that pass rushing defensive end with Chandler Jones.  Jones is more of a run stuffing defensive end with the versatility that Belichick covets.  I see a 4-3 left end at best.  I could turn out to be wrong, after all I did say the same thing about Jason Pierre Paul two years ago when JPP came out of South Florida.

Pierre Paul really came into his own as a pass rusher in 2011.  That year, Pierre Paul would record 16.5 sacks after recording 4.5 sacks as a rotational rusher as a rookie.  With the struggles of Derrick Morgan and Brandon Graham it’s safe to say Pierre Paul was the best defensive end from the 2010 draft class.  Pierre Paul ranked 4th overall in sacks last season.  Pierre Paul anchored a New York Giants pass rushing unit that defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 46.

Jones may be a project.  There are some who feel Jones could be the best defensive end in this draft class two to three years down the road.  One person who feels strongly about Jones is NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock.

Mayock had Jones as his top ranked defensive end.  One other NFL Network analyst who agreed with Mayock on New England’s selection was Michael Lombardi.

I see a 4-3 left end with Jones’ skill set at defensive end because left ends are better at run stuffing than they are at pass rushing.  New England has other defensive ends that can run stuff like Brandon Deadrick and Jonathan Fanene.  This selection sort of confuses me because adding a pass rusher is at defensive end is clearly the greater priority here.

The reason I  disapprove this selection is because New England’s need for obtaining a pass rushing defensive end with versatility trumped the need to acquire a run stuffing defensive end.  Obtaining Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry in round 2 would have been a better option than trading up for Chandler Jones in round 1.  Curry was a run stuffer during his first two seasons at Marshall.

In 2010, Curry evolved into a pass rusher.  Curry had 12 sacks as a junior for the Marshall Thundering Herd.  Curry would nearly match that total in 2011 when he registered 11 sacks as a senior.

I give the Jones pick a B grade.  It addresses a dire need that New England needed to shore up at defensive end.   New England gets an A grade for addressing their biggest need and a C grade for trading up for a defensive end with the skill set of Jones as a pure run stuffer.  That averages out to a B grade.

The main problem that I have with this selection, is that New England chose to trade up for a defensive end that is better at run stuffing than pass rushing.  The other main problem I have with the draft choice was that there were other defensive ends available.  The bottom line is New England could have waited until 27 to get their pass rusher.

AFC North Day 1 Draft Grades

Baltimore Ravens A Grade The Baltimore Ravens had the luxury of trading down because they got 11 starters on both sides of the ball.  Baltimore gained extra picks and Minnesota passed on some quality wide receivers for Harrison Smith who is the poor mans Tom Zbikowski.  Decisions like this are why Ozzie Newsome is one of the leagues best GM’s.

Cincinnati Bengals C Grade The Bengals went out and signed a bunch of scrub cornerbacks in free agency like Terrence Newman and Pacman Jones to compete with Nate Clements in 2012.  Cincinnati used their two first round picks on a cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and Wisconsin interior offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler.

Cleveland Browns B Grade It was completely unnecessary for Cleveland to move up 1 spot Trent Richardson. I had Cleveland taking Weeden 22 in my final mock draft.  Cleveland landed the best running back and the 3rd quarterback in this draft class that can make an immediate impact.

Weeden won games against Luck, RGIII, and Tannehill in college like Steve Marriuchi pointed out.  Cleveland did not get a right tackle to run block for Cleveland and there is no #1 receiver for Cleveland to throw to.  I was not a huge Weeden fan at first.  I thought he was a 5th round talent.  Weeden really earned his stripes by producing in college, producing in the senior bowl, throwing at the combine, dominating

Cleveland landed 2 blue chip talents who will become long term starters.  Moving up one spot giving up a ton of day 3 picks for Trent Richardson was completely unnecessary.  Taking Weeden over both

The Browns instantly become the 3rd best team in the AFC North with these 2 picks.  If Cleveland can find a right tackle and wide receiver on day 2 the Browns could become the 2nd best team in the AFC North ahead of Baltimore.

Cleveland really needs a primary flanker wide receiver and a right tackle.  Why do I get the feeling that the Browns will be looking at Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater or Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion when the 2014 NFL draft rolls around if Cleveland fails to address these dire needs on day 2 of the 2012 NFL Draft?

Pittsburgh Steelers A Grade David DeCastro should have gone 18th to San Diego.  DeCastro should have gone 20th to Tennessee.  The Steelers wait for DeCastro to fall to their lap and take a blue chip run blocker.  DeCastro is ready to run block, pass block, zone block, and cut block.

DeCastro played center in high school and right guard at Stanford.  DeCastro has not played left guard and that position is tougher to play.  There may be a rookie transition where DeCastro has to learn how to pass block at left guard before blossoming in 2013.

Pittsburgh will have a sick run blocking unit if everyone stays healthy.  Issac Redman is a huge fantasy football sleeper for next fall to keep an eye on.

AFC South Day 1 Draft Grades

Houston Texans B Grade The Texans had a solid draft.  The Texans added a pass rusher who led the nation in sacks with Whiney Mercilus for depth behind Connor Barwin and Brooks Reid.

Indianapolis Colts A+ Grade The Colts got the best quarterback in the last 15 years with Andrew Luck.  The other two so called once in a generation game changing quarterbacks coming out of college were John Elway and Peyton Manning.  The Colts have an art for getting bad at the right time.  The Colts are also guaranteed to draft one of his teammates Jonathan Martin or Coby Fleener at 34.  Today was a moral victory for the Colts.  The Colts can take one of Luck’s teammates to boost Luck’s confidence in round 2 while looking for other options in round 3.

Jacksonville Jaguars D Grade Justin Blackmon is the next Braylon Edwards.  Among Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson, Morris Claiborne, and Justin Blackmon the player with the best chance of busting is Justin Blackmon.  Blackmon is a low end #2 target like Edwards getting the unwarranted hype of a Calvin Johnson type of target because of his mind boggling production where he posted video game numbers thanks to the likes of all pro quarterback Brandon Weeden.

He will not amount to anything in Jacksonville.  I had Gabbert as a bust last year.  The Jaguars were digging their own grave when they took Gabbert.  Now the Jaguars have landed in the pitfall after digging a gorge of a grave that appears unescapable.

Tennessee Titans C Grade Tennessee reached for a wide receiver with Baylor’s Kendall Wright.  This need was completely unacceptable when you had far greater needs to address at center along with adding defensive players for depth.

AFC East Day 1 Draft Grades

Buffalo Bills A+ Grade I think Stephon Gilmore is a great cornerback.  South Carolina was 2nd out of 120 college football teams in pass defense behind Alabama.  Alabama was stacked with NFL talent.  The Bills have Gilmore, Aaron Williams the 2011 Texas corner, Terrence McGee, and Leodis McKelvin.

Buffalo has a defense that is even better than the second tier defense that got 4 interceptions against Tom Brady and Tim Tebow.  Can you imagine what the Bills can do in 2012 with this defense?

Miami Dolphins C Grade The Dolphins had far greater needs than quarterback.  Ryan Tannehill is a product of his supporting cast.  Luke Joekel and Jake Matthews are great offensive tackles that bought Tannehill way too much time.  Tannehill had playmakers like Jeff Fuller, Ryan Swope, and Nehemiah Hicks bail him out in critical situations.

Texas A&M also had a 2 back tandem with Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray.  Miami does not provide Tannehill with a supporting cast even if Tannehill has a basic grasp of Miami’s offense.  Someone in South Beach is about to receive the David Carr virus.  That someone is named Ryan Tannehill.

New England Patriots A- Grade Chandler Jones is a 3rd round talent that only registered 4.5 sacks at Syracuse.  Dont’a Hightower is a talent at middle linebacker.  Hightower does not fill a need.  I’m sort of disgusted that Patriots fans are so stoked about these picks.  I wanted to give New England a C grade because I thought this was a really average draft that ignored need.

Dont’a Hightower is an A grade prospect from an overall talent standpoint.  Hightower is a C grade prospect from a need standpoint for New England.  That averages out to a B grade.

 I’m currently reading a book about the Patriots history of drafting and I realize New England has gotten a vast majority of their picks right due to an extensive scouting system that they use to rank players.

New England gets a A- out of generosity for their prestigious track record for obtaining premium value over previous years.  The other reason I decided to be generous with the A- pick is because Belichick traded up for 2 players the Patriots desired instead of trading down for second tier talent in round 2.

The other reason I’m trying to reserve judgement about Chandler Jones is because back in 2010, I thought Jason Pierre Paul would flop while Derrick Morgan and Brandon Graham would become pro bowlers.  Look how that turned out?  Belichick has an art for obtaining pro bowl talent which is why I’m trying to reserve judgement.

New York Jets A+ Grade The Jets got Quinton Coples at 16.  Coples can be used as a 4-3 defensive end, 4-3 defensive tackle, 3-4 defensive end, or 3-4 outside linebacker.  Coples provides amazing value for the Jets at 16.  Everyone is being subjective about this pick saying Coples is the next Vernon Gholston.  I love Coples as a draft prospect.  Worst case scenario your getting Julius Peppers like production in terms of pass rushing and run stuffing.  Best case scenario your a player that can develop into the next Lawrence Taylor.  The Jets got a steal by obtaining the definitive best pass rusher at 16.

AFC West Day 1 Draft Grades

Denver Broncos F Grade Denver opted to trade down twice in round 1.  Denver missed out on Devon Still and Mohammed Sanu in round 1.  Denver really has to step up on day 2 to impress me.

Kansas City Chiefs A Grade Dontari Poe was a great value pick at 11.  Poe can help shore up the Chiefs nose tackle issue in their 3-4 scheme.

Oakland Raiders F Grade Oakland basically helped the Bengals secure Dre Kirkpatrick thanks to their trade with Cincinnati.  The Bengals needed a cornerback with poor free agent signings.

San Diego Chargers C- Grade I’m still sort of confused on why San Diego took Melvin Ingram.  He’s a good value pick.  San Diego has just had a really poor track record for drafting over the years.

NFC North Day 1 Draft Grades

Chicago Bears A Grade The Chicago Bears got a quality pass rusher with Shea McClellin.  Chicago will have one of the best pass rushing units on defense with McClellin joining Julius Peppers,   Chicago has faith in their inept pass blocking unit which could be their undoing in an NFC North division that has 2 more blue chip left tackles for the Chicago Bears to encounter twice a year.

Detroit Lions A++ Grade The Detroit Lions got Riley Reiff a top ten talent at 23 overall.  That’s why the Lions got two + signs next to this grade.  Lions fans deserve a value pick like this at a premium position like left tackle after enduring the 7 year rapture known as Matt Millen’s Madness as Detroit’s general manager.

 Reiff will be a pro bowler in Detroit.  Thanks to drafting Reiff Detroit will either attend to some unfinished playoff business in New Orleans by capturing the Lombardi Trophy or end up hoisting the trophy in New York City for Super Bowl 48 one year after Megatron graces the Madden 13 Cover in Time Square should the Lions fail go the distance this season.

Every year there is that pick where a team gets better value with a certain player.  Rashard Mendenhall to Pittsburgh in 2008 was considered premium value at the time.  Bryan Bulaga to Green Bay in 2010 and Prince Amukamara to the New York Giants in 2011 were all considered the first round steals of the draft.  There is no remote debate that Riley Reiff is that pick in this draft for the Detroit Lions.

Detroit got a top ten player that fills a huge need by obtaining that player at 23.  What a steal by Detroit.  Detroit ends up getting the premium steal here.

Green Bay Packers A+ Grade Green Bay gets a pass rusher in round 1 by obtaining Nick Perry.  Marshall Newhouse showed a lot of promise replacing the injured Chad Clifton at left tackle in 2011.  Its scary to imagine what Green Bay can do with 2011 first round pick Derrick Sherrod at full health too.

Adding Perry, a USC pass rusher next to Clay Matthews another USC pass rusher makes Green Bay dangerous.  Green Bay should be one of the favorites for Super Bowl 47 in New Orleans.  Favre won his first Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Favre missed out on a 2nd championship with Minnesota because of an NFC Championship loss to New Orleans.  The following season Green Bay wins the Lombardi Trophy.

Minnesota Vikings A Grade I loved the Matt Kalil pick.  Thanks to Kalil, the Vikings have a team that can take will avoid last place in the NFC North.  Anything less than competing with Detroit for 2nd place in the NFC North should be an indication that Ponder may not be your long term quarterback in Minnesota.

Minnesota had big needs at cornerback and wide receiver.  Ignoring those needs and trading up for a backup safety at best like Harrison Smith showed volumes of being irresponsible.  Its almost like Spielman wants to have his cake and eat it by drafting Kalil to avoid a Millen grade and then drafting a 2nd round talent to give Vikings fans false hope.

NFC South Day 1 Draft Grades

Atlanta Falcons ? Grade The Falcons traded this pick to Cleveland when selecting Julio Jones.  Brandon Weeden’s career in Cleveland could ultimately determine this pick.

Carolina Panthers A Grade Carolina had greater needs to address.  The Panthers are obtaining a blue chip talent with Luke Kuechly though.  Kuechly was 2nd in the nation in tackles as a freshman.  During his sophomore and junior seasons, Kuechly ended up going 9th.

New Orleans Saints TBA Grade The Saints traded their 2012 first rounder to New England.  They lost their 2nd round pick to bounty gate.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers F Grade Mark Barron was a huge reach at 7.  This class was really weak at safety.  I had Mark Barron listed as a 2nd round prospect because he could not play during the Senior Bowl week due to injuries at one point.  Due to the demand for safeties and tight ends, Barron kept getting pushed up boards.  Barron has Adrian Wilson’s talent and Troy Polamalu’s upside.  The main question is will Barron maximize his potential.  You also have to take into account.  Doug Martin reminds me of his predecessor Ian Johnson.  I don’t understand the move to trade up for Doug Martin when Rutgers wide receiver Mohammed Sanu was on the board.

Doug Martin’s biggest question mark is his ball carrier vision.  Martin runs like Maurice Jones Drew.  I’m also fascinated by the karma aspect of Doug Martin.  LeGarrette Blount got suspended at Oregon for punching a Boise State player in the face.  Now a Boise State rusher could take Blount’s job.

NFC East Day 1 Draft Grades

Dallas Cowboys A+ Grade Dallas landed a #1 field cornerback that can cover.  I see Brandon Carr as more of a #2 cornerback despite his tremendous talent.  With Claiborne and Carr, Dallas has a cornerback tandem that will instantly improve their defense.  Dallas has a chance to make some noise this season in the NFC East.

New York Giants A- Grade I thought Brandon Tate was better than Hakeem Nicks as a North Carolina wide receiver in 2009.  I thought George Selvie was better than Jason Pierre Paul coming out of South Florida.  Giants GM Jerry Reese went against the grain twice.  On both occasions Reese, made me look like an idiot for doubting him.

Like the New England Patriots, the Giants are likely to get an A- grade by default at the bare minimum simply based on who they draft regardless of who they select.  David Wilson did well in the interviews at the Combine.  Wilson has extremely high character.  Reese must have loved this quality about Wilson so opted to take a flyer on Wilson here.

You cannot blame Jerry Reese for making this move.  Ahmad Bradshaw is injury prone and there could be some other options on the board.

Philadelphia Eagles C Grade Fletcher Cox was a pass rusher at Mississippi State.  Fletcher Cox is a 4-3 defensive tackle with Marcel Dareus’s production and Nick Fairley’s potential.  Fletcher Cox is very coachable and has a great work ethic.  Maybe I’m wrong about this pick.  I think the Eagles were premature when trading up for Fletcher Cox.

Washington Redskins A+ Grade Robert Griffin III is capable of winning a Super Bowl with the right supporting cast.  Robert Griffin III has to encounter a very brutal schedule.  The Redskins face a lot of tough defenses in 2012 that have great pass rushing and secondary.

Robert Griffin III may be in for a rough rookie campaign.  Will he overcome a coaching change should the team team go 3-13?  Will Robert Griffin III’s encounter’s with multiple defenses that have personnel to contain Washington’s offense deplete his confidence?

Worst case scenario this is a 3-13 team Redskins team that opts to fire Shanahan.  Best case scenario this is a 8-8 team that shows great promise by getting off to a 6-0 due to easy opponents and weak defenses.  Washington gets 6 suspect pass defenses with New Orleans, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Minnesota in the first 6 weeks of the 2012 NFL season.  As Washington’s season unfolds you could see RGIII struggling down the stretch due to NFC East teams having the 2 pass rushers and cornerbacks to frustrate Griffin.

NFC West Day 1 Draft Grades

Arizona Cardinals A Draft Grade While the Cardinals miss out on a left tackle, they get the best wide receiver in this draft down the road with Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd.  Floyd has the size, hands, route running, jumping, and the uncanny ability to catch in traffic.  Floyd made a one handed catch while being triple covered.  Pairing Floyd up with Fitzgerald gives the Cardinals a deadly wide receiver tandem.

San Francisco 49ers F Grade The 49ers drafted AJ Jenkins a 5th round talent.  Mohammed Sanu out of Rutgers was the most complete receiver outside of Floyd.

Seattle Seahawks F Grade I mocked Bruce Irvin to the Jets in my final mock draft.  A few high profile draft experts thought Irvin could go undrafted because of his off the field concerns.

St. Louis Rams D Grade The Rams failed to add any offense to support Sam Bradford.  The Rams get Michael Brockers and can sit him out for a year or two to develop him.  St. Louis added free agents at defensive tackle.  Developing Brockers as a 4-3 starter may work out for the Rams.

The Opening Act New England Trades Up

11. Melvin Ingram Right End South Carolina New England sends both first round picks to the Kansas City Chiefs to move up to his spot.  New England gets their pass rusher.

Inram is 6 foot 2 272 pounds.  He can play on the defensive line anywhere in the 4-3 or anywhere in the 3-4 at linebacker.  Ingram can also be utilized as a 3-4 defensive end.  Ingram registered 10 sacks in 2011.  Ingram impressed teams at South Carolina’s pro day.  Ingram even did well enough to warrant an individual workout from New England.  The Patriots love Ingram and will move up for him at 11.

At 48 New England moves down for the 53rd overall pick and the 116th overall pick assuming Virginia Tech running back David Wilson is still on the board.  The Cincinnati Bengals move up to New England’s spot to take Wilson.  I think Cleveland Browns or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will target Doug Martin in round 2.  St. Louis could target someone like Lamar Miller with Washington’s pick.  New England takes the additional picks.

53. Devon Still Defensive Tackle/3-4 Defensive End Penn State Due to teams reaching for players  on their draft boards and trades Still falls.  New England decides to take a player with the versatility to be a 4-3 defensive tackle or a 3-4 defensive end.

Still is a great pass rusher who can stop the run.  Still commands double teams due to the 6 foot 5 310 pound size.  Still struggled down the stretch due to injuries.

At 62 New England will get an offer from the Seattle Seahawks for Temple running back Bernard Pierce with Seattle willing to send a 2012 3rd rounder 75th overall and a 2012 4th rounder 106th overall pick.  New England will make a trade with Seattle.  Not at #12 though.

75. Justin Bethel CB/SS/FS/KR/PR Presbyterian Justin Bethel is a small school prospect with a great football IQ.  Bethel can cover and he puts a huge emphasis on playing man, zone, and press coverage.  Bethel has 4.3 40 time speed.  He can be used on special teams as a returner or a tackler.  Bethel moves up.

New England sends the 3 4th round picks at 106, 116, and 126 to move up to #81 with the Dallas Cowboys where they take their first of 2 cornerbacks to wrap up this draft.  New England’s final pick comes at 95.

81. Casey Heyward Cornerback Vanderbilt A day 2 corner that Belichick likes is Casey Heyward.  Heyward is one of the best zone coverage corners and can record interceptions.

93. Ron Brooks Cornerback LSU Ron Brooks was a dime cornerback on LSU’s depth chart behind Morris Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu, and Tharold Simon.  Two years ago Brooks was a quarter cornerback on hail mary situations executing that quarter role with preceision.

Brooks got promoted to the dime role.  Brooks can play man coverage on tight ends if you call dime packages.  Brooks is a developmental cornerback with the tools to develop into a #2 boundary cornerback.  Kyle Arrington is not a long term answer at the boundary role.  Ras I Dowling can develop into a boundary role.  Dowling is injury prone and may be better suited for the nickel.  Ron Brooks will motivate Ras I Dowling to step his game up while giving New England more strength with their cornerback depth.