We’ve done our evaluations of how the AFC’s teams did in the 2009 NFL Draft. Now it’s time to turn our focus to the NFC, starting with the loaded NFC East.
Grade: C
Best: Jason Williams, OLB, Western Illinois
Williams gives the Cowboys the athletic linebacker they thought they were getting when they drafted Bobby Carpenter. Williams has sideline-to-sideline ability, with great speed and quickness. He’s also extremely versatile, allowing Dallas to place him all over the field, including on special teams.
Worst: David Buehler, K, USC
While Buehler is an exceptional talent at the position, the need for a new kicker wasn’t great enough for Dallas to grab him. However, Buehler is a fantastic athlete, and is very strong and fast for a kicker. If Dallas can try him out at a different position, or if he can beat-out Nick Folk for the starting gig, this could turn out to be a steal.
Steal: Stephen McGee, QB, Texas A&M
McGee is much too raw to make an impact anytime soon, but down the road, could end up being a great pick. He has great size and athleticism, as well as all the tools necessary to succeed at quarterback in the NFL. He’s very much a developmental project, though, and should be able to progress behind Tony Romo for the next few years.
Summary:
It should not go unnoticed that Dallas got a heck of a steal in Mike Mickens (cornerback) in the 7th round. While not adding a ton of elite talent through this draft, the Cowboys did get 12 fresh bodies to bring into camp, with quite a few of them being productive enough in college that they could vie for a starting spot. Not getting any true receiver help hurts.
Grade: A+
Best Pick: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
Nicks is a physical specimen with good size and speed. He could use some route refining, but his soft hands and game-breaking ability make up for it, plenty. He isn’t the big target Plaxico Burress was, but he could end up being a different kind of deadly weapon, entirely.
Worst Pick: Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State
Bomar has good size, is athletic, and has a great arm. However, is he capable of becoming a solid back-up, or is he the next Josh McCown?
Steal: Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly
Barden has ridiculous height and size (6’6” and 229 lbs) and possesses solid speed. Why, then, did he fall to the third round? His main knock was his toughness and his competition, although the way he brutalized his opponents, it probably won’t matter much at the next level. With Eli Manning throwing the deep ball, Barden should flourish.
Summary:
Nearly a flawless draft. The Giants drafted two stud receivers to replace their departed veterans, Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress. Getting Travis Beckum in the third round was just the icing on the cake.
They also did a nice job in nabbing an elite outside linebacker, a stud tackle, and shoring up their secondary with two corners. Rhett Bomar is the only weak link to this draft, and even he seems to have the size and potential to become Eli Manning’s back-up.
Grade: B-
Best: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Maclin gives the Eagles another big-play threat that, combined with their current receivers, could help form one of the league’s most formidable receiving corps’. Maclin is a true gamer, can score from anywhere on the field, and should have an immediate impact in his rookie season.
Worst: Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida
Ingram has excellent size, solid speed, and outstanding athletic ability. The only problem is, he’s not overly experienced as a tight end, and is nursing a knee injury. Add in the fact that he’s a weak blocker, and you’ve got the making of the next Teyo Johnson.
Steal: Victor “Macho” Harris, CB, Virginia Tech
Harris is a solid corner who slipped a bit on draft day. With the recent trade demands from cornerback Sheldon Brown, Harris could be thrust into action sooner than we thought. With good cover skills and versatility, Harris could end up finding himself at safety or corner in his first season.
Summary:
The Eagles addressed offensive areas that are mild concerns for 2009, but huge concerns for the distant future. While Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson are good receivers, getting a prolific option like Jeremy Maclin can only help the offense.
Philadelphia didn’t do an excellent job in improving their overall defense, but nabbing LeSean McCoy as the future replacement for Brian Westbrook made that forgivable.
Grade: C+
Best: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Orakpo could have gone earlier, but the big, strong defensive end fell to the Redskins, and now they have the perfect defensive piece to build around. Orakpo has great speed and versatility, allowing Washington place him on the line, or rush him from the outside.
Worst: Eddie Williams, TE, Idaho
Williams was unspectacular and often injured at Idaho, so this selection appears to be quite a reach. Due to his injury history, as well as his mediocre competition, Williams faces an uphill battle to win a spot behind either Mike Sellers or Chris Cooley as a fullback or tight end.
Steal: Cody Glenn, LB, Nebraska
Glenn is an underrated athlete, as well as a consistent performer at the linebacker position. Glenn will more than likely use his versatility on special teams as a rookie, but has solid enough athleticism that he could crack the rotation sometime in his first year.
Summary:
The Redskins were aware that they have most of the offensive pieces in place to make a run next year, so they mainly addressed their defense. However, outside of Brian Orakpo, and maybe Maryland corner Kevin Barnes, a third-round pick, they failed to land any other elite prospects.
