NFL Draft: Time To Hand Out Some Grades

Pencils down children its time to hand in your draft sheets. Welcome back folks and thank you for joining me, Ice Cold Sports is back on the figurative airwaves and ready to hand out some draft grades.

There were quite a number of draft surprises this year. Who would have thought that Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy would fall as far as they did. And an even bigger surprise that Tim Tebow was A) drafted in the first round. B) drafted as a quarterback and C) Drafted by Denver of all teams. We'll cover all the surprises throughout this addition so with thirty two teams we better get started right away.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO BILLS

Question to everyone. What was the Bills biggest need this draft. I'm sure you all know it. Well...everyone but the team that is. The answer was a quarterback. What did they do? They reached tremendously for C.J Spiller and took a handful of defensive lineman. C.J Spiller going to Buffalo most likely spells the end for Marshawn Lynch, but when you fail to even address your largest need, you've pretty much failed the whole thing. Someone should remind Buffalo next year that the point of the draft is to fill needs and holes.

GRADE- F


MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins were able to grab Penn State standout Jared Odrick who should add some depth to their front line but other than that I didn't really see anything that would make me think "good draft" Miami filled it's biggest need, that being a wide receiver via trade by getting Brandon Marshall. I would have liked to see them grab another receiver but they chose to mainly stick to defensive depth.

GRADE- C

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Heres a shocker...the Patriots traded. Not only did they trade. But they traded a lot. That is typical New England Patriots drafting. With everything they did they were able to fill a lot of key needs and stock up for next year. This years class include three Florida Gators whom all should impact immediately. With Brandon Spikes joining forces with Jerod Mayo, the Pats inside linebacking core is set for a good amount a time. Then there was their tight end problem. Safe to say they nailed that with two way threat Rob Gronkowski and reigning Mackey Award winner Aaron Hernandez. I would have liked to see them get another wide receiver but for the most part it was a typical brilliant New England draft.

GRADE: A

NEW YORK JETS

The Jets didn't have much to work with this year with only four picks but they managed to make the best of their situation. They bulked their roster up mainly via trade and free agency grabbing LaDainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, and Jason Taylor. On draft day they sent aging Guard Alan Faneca packing by drafting Vladimir Ducasse then later traded young injury prone running back Leon Washington after getting USC standout Joe McKnight. Tomlinson will have a lot of offers and teaching to McKnight and second year starter Shaun Greene. Same goes for Darrelle Revis with new cornerback Kyle Wilson.

GRADE- A

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Its been no secret that Baltimore has an tremendous defense and it looks like that trend is not going to go away anytime soon. The Ravens didn't have a first round pick but it looks like they didn't need it as they were able to pick up two studs in Sergio Kindle and Terrance Cody. It would have been nice to see them grab a defensive back but Baltimore's thinking is, they can't allow deep pass players if the pressure is too much for the other team to handle

GRADE- A

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Simply wow. Love what the Bengals did this year. Jermaine Gresham is going to be a pro bowl tight end for years to come. They upgraded the defense all around with Carlos Dunlap, Brandon Ghee, Geno Atkins, and Roddrick Muckelroy. Jordan Shipley should also make a nice offensive weapon for Carson Palmer.

GRADE- A

CLEVELAND BROWNS

With their first pick everyone was screaming them to get a quarterback. Instead they took a cornerback. Then two times in the second round everyone thought "they have to take a quarterback here" nope. Third round comes and somehow Colt McCoy is still there. FINALLY! The Browns did what the Bills failed to do. Draft their biggest need in a quarterback. But don't get excited yet Browns fans. The team has already decided to sit McCoy for the whole season. Trust Holmgren here. He knows what hes doing.

GRADE- B

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The biggest story heading into Pittsburgh's draft is whether or not Big Ben would be a member of the team by the end of the weekend. They were unable to find a suitor for the suspended quarterback and stuck to their game plan. they filled in holes nicely with Maurkice Pouncey and getting a good running back in Johnathan Dwyer as late as they did can be classified as a steal. Overall...not bad.

GRADE- B

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON TEXANS

Houston's two biggest needs were a cornerback and a running back. With their first two picks they took..anyone? thats right. A cornerback and a running back. Thats called smart drafting. I'm eager to see what Trindon Holliday can provide for this team. He isn't your best option for a big play, but with his speed, he could do some damage in the return game.

GRADE- B

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Taking Jerry Hughes with their first pick was a good move but other than that, nothing really jumped off the page. But this is a team that didn't really need much of anything. They are coming off a Super Bowl appearance and are still loaded at most positions.

GRADE- C


JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Lets be honest here. The Jags were desperately needing someone to come in and basically save the franchise from relocation. A guy that could make an impact right away and sell some tickets. They passed that chance up with a guy who's name I can't pronounce. Professional football continues to die in Jacksonville.

GRADE- F

TENNESSEE TITANS

Heres another team that didn't really jump off the page. They didn't really do anything that would make me think theres a playoff team here. Plus they took a giant risk gamble in drafting Myron Rolle. A football player who doesn't want to play football.

GRADE- D

AFC WEST

DENVER BRONCOS

The gamble of the draft came courtesy of the Broncos when they sent a second, third, and forth round pick to Baltimore to land quarterback Tim Tebow. The head scratcher in it is that Denver doesn't need a quarterback. You gotta think McDaniels is going to go wildcat in Denver but you never know. They also needed to fill the void left by Brandon Marshall. Good luck DeMaryius Thomas.

GRADE- C

KANSAS CITY CHEIFS

They didn't have the top pick but they still got the best player in Eric Berry. Then they were able to compliment Berry With Javier Arenas. Those two should be defensive stars for a long time in the NFL. Taking Dexter McCluster in the second round was also a solid pick.

GRADE- A

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Oakland is the death penalty for new draftees in the league. Just ask Darrius Heyward-Bey, Darren McFadden, and JaMarcus Russel. I hope for Rolando McClain he doesn't fall into that list. But someone else just did...Jason Campbell. I can hear the sound of Taps being played as we speak.

GRADE- C

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

They needed a running back. Insert Ryan Mathews here. He should compliment Darren Sproles well. They also drafted quarterback Johhny Crompton from Tennessee. Very unnecessary move. But once again...they filled their biggest need.

GRADE- C


NFC EAST

DALLAS COWBOYS

Dez Bryant fell to them and they took advantage. This is a wake up call for a struggling Roy Williams. Not bad when you get the best guy at his position late in the first round.

GRADE- B

NEW YORK GIANTS

Obviously offense is not a concern in New York. Why would I say that? How can you not when one of your seven picks was on offense and that pick alone was a guard. I won't lie, the Giants confused me a lot with their picks. But then again...they confused a lot of people.

GRADE- C

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Eagles managed to get two sleepers late in the draft in Riley Cooper and Charles Scott. Both are SEC bred guys who play their positions well. Micheal Kafka looks to be the heir to the backup role once Michael Vick leaves. The clear focus for the Eagles was defense. They're first five picks were on the defensive side.

GRADE- B

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

It's really hard to make a big splash in the draft when you have one pick in the first hundred. They did well with that one that pick, taking the top offensive lineman in Trent Williams. The Skins have and will make most of their moves via free agency.

GRADE- B

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS

They had five picks. First pick being the 75th pick. Corey Wootton was a very solid pick and should provide good services on the defensive line. Consider Jay Cutler on notice with the drafting of Dan LeFevour.

Grade- C

DETROIT LIONS

Lions fans have a big reason to be excited for the new season. Ndamukong Suh is going to be star in this league. Then they traded back into the first round to get the closest guy to Barry Sanders that they may ever get in Jahvid Best. Third round pick Amari Spievey should be productive as well. Detroit has been having a very nice offseason and with Matt Stafford entering his second season, the Lions could make some noise this year.

GRADE- A

GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Packer didn't need to fill a whole lot and nothing really jumped off the page at me. They didn't do bad but they weren't spectacular either. We'll see what happens this year at the Beau.

GRADE- C

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The rich get richer here. It's almost unfair that the Vikings were able to draft the tank that is Toby Gerhart to now compliment Adrian Peterson in the backfield. Chris Cook and Emerson Griffen should fit well in the Vikings defense. The only question mark now is whether or not Brett Favre will return.

GRADE- B

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA FALCONS

The Falcons used their draft to add size to the roster grabbing a linebacker, defensive lineman and two o-linemen with their first four picks. Perfectly understandable to try to get more protection for Matt Ryan when your draft two 300 pounders.

GRADE- B


CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina proved that you can still have a good draft even if you don't pick till #48. It helps when that pick happens to be the second best quarterback on the board in Jimmy Clausen. They then added in the third round two athletes in Brandon LeFell and Armanti Edwards, who both can provide added sparks of brilliance when the ball is in their hands. These two compliment the best running back core in the league and a very Dangerous Steve Smith. To add depth to the quarterback position they were able to land Tony Pike late in the draft giving them three of the top six quarterbacks in this years draft. The excitement level is through the roof already in the Carolinas.

GRADE- A


NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The super bowl champs didn't have many needs they could fill with the last pick in the draft but they made the best of it with Florida State standout cornerback Patrick Robinson and USC big man Charles Brown. Saints are keeping the "you can't outscore us" mentality they had last season.

GRADE- C

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEER

The defensive line in Tampa just got a lot stronger with Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. The addition of Arrelious Benn to the receiving core should help out as well. But I don't think they added enough to climb out of the cellar.

GRADE- C

NFC WEST

ARIZONA CARDINALS

This is another team that didn't exactly jump off the page with me. Andre Roberts will be looked at to step in right away for the offense now led by Matt Leinart. With the other three teams in the division improving dramatically, Arizona's reign in the west may be ending here.

GRADE- C

SAN FRANCISCO 49NERS

The Niners bolstered their o-line taking two lineman in the first round to hopefully give Alex Smith some safety in the backfield. Look for safety Taylor Mays to play with a chip on his shoulder when he faces Pete Carrol and the Seahawks twice a year. The additions of Anthony Dixon and LaGarrett Blount should take some pressure off of Frank Gore.


GRADE- A

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Pete Carroll sure made a splash this year getting top offensive lineman Russell Okung, stand out safety Earl Thomas and arguably the best wide receiver in the group in Golden Tate. Tate is wild card here. He has the ability to be very explosive with the ball. The hawks also managed to strengthen the running game with trades for Leon Washington and LeDale White.

GRADE- A

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Sam Bradford chose to wear the number eight in honor of Troy Aikman and the Rams will hope he can have the same success. Mardy Gilyard should provide to be an excellent return man and deep threat for the Rams this season.

GRADE- B

Well there you have it everybody. thirty two teams thirty two grades. Like always some teams know what they are doing and others don't. But just remember we need a good two to three years to really know what each team really got out of this. Be sure to leave your own grades and thoughts on the facebook page. Just search Ice Cold Sports. You can also follow me on my Twitter at AppStIceman. Be sure to stick around because there is plenty more action coming your way on Ice Cold Sports part of the Radio Blog Network with NCAA basketball and Major League Baseball. Holla.