Do not be the guy that drafts Robbie Gould too early in 2007

We recently released a new feature on the War Room Report - our group big board rankings for the 2007 Fantasy Season. We will be updating the rankings again as the season approaches to help with your fantasy drafts.

We have some talented fantasy writers here at the War Room Report and will be writing and blogging about various topics.

One of the things that is often separates top, consistent fantasy owners from the pack is an understanding of value in the draft. Even if you knew that Marques Colston was going to have the season he did, drafting him in Round 4 last year would have been a mistake - he would have been available in Round 14. This phenomenon is most evident in the drafting of fantasy kickers. Some owners routinely waste high picks on kickers and will point to the outstanding season he had the year before as evidence that it is a valuable pick. However, two factors make this an incorrect theory.

• Kickers, since they rely on the team they play on for scoring chances, are wildly inconsistent in final scoring numbers
• The variance between the #1 kicker and the top replacement kicker (the best kicker left on the free agent wire, #13 in most leagues) is minimal.

Let’s examine the first statement. The top 3 fantasy kickers in 2005 were Jay Feely (148 pts), Neil Rackers (140), and Shayne Graham (131). How did the three fair in 2006? Feely dropped by 27.7% down to 107 points, but it was through no fault of his own. Feely actually completed a higher percentage of FGs in 2006 than he did in 2005 (85.2% vs 83.3%). Rackers fell over by 20.7% (to 116), though it was partially to blame as he made a much lower percentage of field goals. The drop of Graham was more subtle - 12.2% versus 2005, but he too, fell from being a top 3 fantasy kicker to 9th.

The “best” kickers in the league do not necessarily equate to fantasy success. Let’s look at Adam Vinatieri’s numbers:

2006: 113 points
2005: 100 points
2004: 141 points

Anyone that drafted Vinatieri in 2005 because he was the “best kicker” and had scored 141 points the year before wasted a high draft pick.

Let’s address the second point. The difference between last year’s #1 kicker (Robbie Gould of the Bears, who went undrafted in many leagues) and the #13 kicker (Josh Brown) was 32 points…. or less than 2 points a game. So even if you could successfully predict kicking stats prior to the season, is that 2 point advantage really worth drafting a kicker in the first 10-12 rounds of your draft? You could have missed out on the chance to grab a guy like Travis Henry in 2006 or Willie Parker in 2005 to take a kicker. Both Rackers and Vinatieri were taken, on average, in the first 8 rounds of 2006 drafts. This was before 2006 fantasy studs like Marion Barber and the aforementioned Henry.

So when it comes to your 2007 fantasy drafts… be smart and wait until the last round or two to draft a kicker. Your trophy case will thank you.

Georgia CB Paul Oliver, recently rated by the War Room Report as one of the top prospects for the 2008 NFL Draft, has announced he will enter the NFL Supplemental Draft, after being declared ineligible for his senior season at Georgia because of academics.

Oliver is the most noteworthy player to enter the supplemental draft in recent years, where players like Tony Hollings (rd 2) and Ahmad Brooks (rd 3) have been selected. Oliver is likely to be selected in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft himself. Had he entered the 2007 NFL Draft, he likely would have been ranked 7th on the War Room Report cornerback  rankings. Oliver reminds me of CB Marcus McCauley - a physically talented player with prototypical size, who can use his long arms to pressure receivers. Like McCauley, Oliver was wildly inconsistent. He was able to shut down several top receivers (like Calvin Johnson) but was abused in other games.

Where will Oliver end up? A few teams that could still use a CB and that may consider Oliver include the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, or Green Bay Packers. The Texans are a team that has used the supplemental draft several times in recent years, taking the aforementioned Hollings and offensive tackle Mildred Brown.

Several well known players have been selected in the supplemental draft, including QBs Bernie Kosar, Steve Walsh, and Dave Brown along with WRs Cris Carter and Rob Moore.

The Free Agency period is a lot of fun for not only NFL teams, but is an interesting period of time for fantasy football fanatics as well. This year there were many important moves on the offensive side of the ball that will have a large fantasy impact on teams in the upcoming fantasy football season. Here are the moves that the War Room Report think could impact your fantasy rosters next season.

Instant Impacts

This group of free agents will immediately impact their teams and be instant impact players in the fantasy market.

WR- Randy Moss- New England Patriots - Brady should make Moss an upper tier player in the fantasy world again.

RB-Thomas Jones- New York Jets- The Jets have been searching for a RB for a couple years now with Martin aging, they finally found their man.

RB-Willis McGahee-Baltimore Ravens- Willis finds new life in a much better situation offensively. Look for him to be a top fantasy running back once again.

RB-Jamal Lewis-Cleveland Browns- Cleveland could have landed their running back of the future here, though he is not the answer long term, fantasy wise, he will definitely make some noise this year in Cleveland.

RB-Ahman Green-Houston Texans- Green has had injury problems in the recent past, but is looking to regain his fantasy value in Houston, where he will be sure to be fed the ball often. If healthy, he will put up some pretty decent numbers.

QB-Matt Schaub-Houston Texans- Its time for Schaub to live up to the hype. The question is, how many times will be he on his back, and will he get more chances to make plays behind a makeshift Texan line.

RB-Travis Henry-Denver Broncos- You could put just about anyone with decent size and speed in this system and expect them to run for 1000 yards. Now, with Henry’s talent, look for great things in Denver.

WR-Darrell Jackson-San Francisco 49ers- With Bryant gone in SF, the Niners needed a go to guy. The question is whether or not Jackson still has the legs to put up solid fantasy numbers. If he stays healthy, he will be a consistent contributor in San Francisco immediately.

RB-Dominic Rhodes-Oakland Raiders- Rhodes wants to prove the grass is greener on the other side and will get his opportunity. One thing to consider is just how much will he carry the ball with his team behind this year.

WR-Joe Horn-Atlanta Falcons- Michael Vick has not had a wide receiver of this talent level so far in Atlanta. Horn could make some noise in Atlanta, lets just hope Vick throws elsewhere other than TE.

Serious Considerations

These guys should also find their ways and have solid fantasy seasons, some of these players could be impact players before the season is over.

WR-Donte Stallworth-New England Patriots- Another solid move by Belicheck. With the type of deal he signed, he needs to prove he can stay healthy.

WR-Brandon Stokley-Denver Broncos- Smith is getting old, Stokley is a nice option, but he has to compete with Marshall for the ball.

TE-Daniel Graham-Denver Broncos- Another weapon in Cutler’s arsenal, but will there be enough passes to go around?

TE-Randy McMichael-St Louis Rams- Fits in nicely in Linehan’s offense. The Rams could have one of the best offenses in the league next year.

RB-Reuben Droughns-New York Giants- Will get some carries behind Jacobs - If Jacobs can not handle the load, Droughns could be an intriguing sleeper.

RB-Tatum Bell-Detroit Lions- Will be a nice 1-2 punch along side Jones if Jones is healthy. The Lions backfield needs to be observed carefully.

QB-David Carr-Carolina Panthers- Won’t start immediately, but may see time if Delhomme struggles again this year and could surprise.

WR-Drew Bennett-St Louis Rams- Look for Bennett to excel in the slot for the Scott Linehan with Torry Holt on the outside.

Others to consider

This group of free agents also need some consideration in deeper leagues.

WR-Kelly Washington-New England Patriots

QB-Brad Johnson-Dallas Cowboys

WR-Kevin Curtis-Philadelphia Eagles

QB-Jeff Garcia & Jake Plummer- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Defensive Off Season Key Moves

This group of defensive players are players to take serious considerations when drafting a teams defensive unit, or as an individual defensive player.

LB-Adalius Thomas-New England Patriots

DT-Darwin Walker-Buffalo Bills

LB-Donnie Edwards-Kansas City Chiefs

LB-Takeo Spikes-Philadelphia Eagles

LB-London Fletcher-Washington Redskins

CB-Nate Clements-San Francisco 49ers

CB-Fred Smoot-Washington Redskins

SS- Michael Lewis-San Fransisco 49ers

DE-Patrick Kerney-Seattle Seahawks

Is there a Marques Colston in the 2007 NFL Draft Class?

Marques Colston burst onto the scene in 2006 with a 1,038 yard and 8 touchdown season, despite missing a pair of games. He was a crucial pick ups in fantasy leagues everywhere and helped propel the Saints to the NFC title game, despite being a 7th round pick. So who has the highest chance of being the 2007 Marques Colston? The odds are stacked against any late round receiver making an impact in his rookie season, but we quizzed the experts to find out the most likely candidates.

Robert Bryant, NFL Draft Dog

Joel Filani, Texas Tech - Tennessee Titans

The 6′ 2″ 211 pound receiver was selected in the 6th round (188 overall) by the Tennessee Titans. Filani played in a pass happy system since he was a red shirt freshman in 2003. He has gotten better each year and was All Big 12 as a junior. As a senior in 2006 he put up incredible numbers, catching 91 balls for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns. Filani has speed, running a 4.49 at the combine, but was penalized in his draft evaluation due to the offense he played in. Some scouts thought he was a product of the system. Filani will be given every chance to produce for the receiver thin Tennessee Titans.

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report

Chansi Stuckey, Clemson - New York Jets

Chansi Stuckey was originally considered a definite first day pick, but a lingering foot injury limited him in post season action. Stuckey, who had ran a sub 4.40 40 yard dash on campus prior to his senior season, only could muster a 4.60 at the combine. Stuckey was first team All ACC as a junior, but the injury knocked him out for four games during the 06 season. He goes to the Jets, where he immediately could step in as the third receiver, if he has a strong training camp. Stuckey is a smart player who should fit well in the Jets system, which relies on short passes and the receivers making plays.

Matt Maccoy, War Room Report

Courtney Taylor, Auburn - Seattle Seahawks

Courtney Taylor played at Auburn, so he played against top-notch competition on a daily basis. Like Colston, scouts didn’t feel that Taylor had top-notch speed so he slid down draft boards and was finally selected in the 6th Round by the Seattle Seahawks. Again, like the situation that Marques Colston fell into, Taylor has the opportunity to go and play for an offensive minded coach who does not mind throwing the football. The Seattle Seahawks made a draft day trade that sent incumbent WR Darrell Jackson to the San Fransisco 49ers, so that opens up the depth chart for someone to step up and make plays. Deion Branch is entrenched as the #1 WR, but whose to say that the trio of Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram, and DJ Hackett are going to set the world on fire, and they have had injury concerns in the past as well. Marques Colston needed a trade of Donte Stallworth to the Philadelphia Eagles to allow him to move up the depth chart a year ago in New Orleans, can lighting strike twice? Maybe not. Marques Colston might just be a once in a decade type late-round rookie performance, but if such an occurrence is going to happen in the 2007 season, it is most likely to come from WR Courtney Taylor.

As the 2007 NFL Draft process wraps up, we are turning our attention to the class of 2008. During the off-season, we will be presenting our top prospects lists and juniors to watch list. Below is our early list of prospects, subject to change during the 2007-08 season.

1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (Junior) - The 2006 Doak Walker Award winner, McFadden could enter the 2008 draft as a junior. McFadden’s combination of speed, size, and elusiveness, would rank him among the top running backs to enter the draft in history. He was the runner up for the Heisman Trophy in 2006, after rushing for 1,558 yards. McFadden is a big back at 6′2, weighing 210 lbs. He runs with a great deal of power and has yet to demonstrate any of the durability concerns that have plagued recent top prospects.
2. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville - Brohm considered entering the 2007 NFL Draft, but decided to return to Louisville, despite a change in the coaching staff. Brohm has ideal size for a QB at a 6′4, 225, and one of the strongest arms in college football. Brohm has been extremely efficient at Louisville, completing over 63% of his passes in 2 years as a starter. Brohm has had thumb and knee injuries at Louisville, but has the size and quick release to remain healthy at the NFL level.
3. Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Long could have been a top 10 pick if he had entered the 2007 NFL Draft. He decided to return for his senior season at Michigan. Long was the 2006 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, over top 5 picks, Joe Thomas and Levi Brown. Long has exceptional strength and is very technically sound. At 6′7, 313 lb, Long has the ability to add more weight to his already impressive frame.
4. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU - At 6′2, 299 lbs, Dorsey is an ideal 3 technique DT. He is another player who could have entered the 2007 NFL Draft and likely would be a high draft pick. He had 64 tackles last season while anchoring the LSU line. He needs to continue to improve his strength, but if he can have another standout season, he will be the top defensive lineman off the board in the 2008 Draft.
5. Sam Baker, OT, USC - Baker also choose to return to school after considering declaring for the 2007 NFL Draft. Baker is a good athlete with outstanding mobility. He needs to add strength to his game, as he is a better pass blocker than a run blocker at this point. He has the athleticism to project to left tackle at the next level.
6. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Junior) - Another in the long line of outstanding safeties from the “U”, Phillips has terrific size at 6′2, 202 and outstanding agility. He runs a sub 4.45 40 and unlike some other recent Miami safeties, he is a terrific student who really understands the game. Phillips intercepted 4 passes in 9 games last season and will be expected to step up his game following the departure of Brandon Meriweather.
7. Desean Jackson, WR, Cal (Junior) - Jackson is among the best playmakers in college football. He has value in the return game and is an exceptional receiver. He has good hands and runs his routes well. He has scored 21 touchdowns in 24 career games, which demonstrates his playmaking ability. He had 59 receptions and over 1,000 yards for the productive Cal offense in 2006 and is likely to exceed that production in 2007. Jackson must add bulk - his 166 lb frame is too small for the NFL at this point.
8. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC - One of the most watched juniors during the 2006-07 season, Jackson regressed slightly after an outstanding sophomore campaign that saw him rack up 10 sacks and earn 1st team All Pac-Ten. Jackson is 6′5, 275 lb and has the frame to add weight without losing mobility. He has an explosive first step and if he can play with more consistency in the 2007-08 season, he will see his name called early in the draft.
9. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State - Another great linebacker from “Linebacker U.”, Connor totaled 113 tackles in his junior season, including 9 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks. Connor will be entering the 2007 season has a four year starter and the top LB prospect in the country. He has the quickness to play sideline to sideline and could project to the NFL as a MLB or an OLB.
10. Paul Oliver, CB, Georgia - Oliver has ideal size for a corner and has the ability both to play off coverage and press coverage. He had an outstanding junior campaign, regularly matching up against the top receiver on the other team. He held Calvin Johnson to only 13 yards and Sidney Rice to 31 yards receiving. He needs to display more consistency in his game, but he has the physical tools to be the top corner in the 2008 class. *** Update *** Oliver has declared for the 2007 NFL Supplemental draft after academics trouble at Georgia.

The first round of mini-camps are over and there is a lot of news relevant to fantasy football and the 07 draft.

• Zach Miller impressed the Raiders staff in the first mini camp under Lane Kiffin and has a real good chance to start. Miller will be a sneaky pick in fantasy leagues if you can grab him at the end of the draft. He should be a threat in the red zone for the Raiders.
• The Panthers appear ready to go forward with Nate Salley as a starter at safety. We thought the Panthers would address the position on Day One of the draft, but they did not. Salley will have to step up his game if the Panthers want to be a playoff team.
• We also thought the Bengals would add a strong side linebacker in the draft. However Cincinnati is going forward with Rashad Jenty as the strong side starter. New addition Ed Hartwell and new starter Ahmad Brooks will give the Bengals an entirely new LB corps that will be responsible for improving a defense that ranked 30th in yards allowed last season.
• 2nd round draft pick Brandon Jackson got the bulk of the carries at RB for the Packers at their recent rookie camp. Jackson will be competing with Vernand Morency for the starting job. The winner could be a fantasy sleeper available in Round 3 or 4 because of an improving Packers offensive line that uses the zone blocking scheme made popular in Denver.
• The Titans will be trying first round pick Michael Griffin at cornerback. The move is surprising - the Titans could have selected Griffin’s All American teammate, Aaron Ross, a natural corner at pick #19.
• We were not big fans of Tyler Palko’s chances for NFL success, but the former Pitt Panther is rightfully ecstatic about going to New Orleans. Sean Payton is one of the top offensive minds in the league and helped turn Tony Romo from an undrafted free agent to an NFL Starter.
• One of the most surprising things to come out of the mini-camps was the news that the Lions are completely altering Drew Stanton’s mechanics. Mike Martz and the Lions staff were impressed with Stanton’s athleticism but felt he needed to change his throwing motion. Stanton will likely not see the field in 2007, but could be the Lions starter in 2008.

The odds are stacked against John Beck and other Round 2 QBs.

One of the War Room Report writers, Justin Davis, spelled out his theory on drafting a quarterback earlier this year. After seeing Philadelphia, Miami, and Detroit target 2nd round QBs in Kevin Kolb, John Beck, and Drew Stanton, I thought it would be an interesting theory to test.

The Davis Theory:

“If you want a QB, go up to Round 1 and take one of the top guys. If not, you are wasting a pick”

What do the results show? Did the Dolphins, Eagles, and Lions make a mistake?

I studied the 1998-2005 drafts, ignoring the 2006 and 2007 draft as it is too early to draw any conclusions. Below are the results. Some of the categories could be disputed, but the results are clear.

QBs taken in Round 2 +

79 selected

Successes:
Tom Brady
Matt Hasselback
Drew Brees
Marc Bulger (4/79) (5%)

Possible/marginal successes:
Brian Griese
Aaron Brooks
Chris Simms
Matt Schaub (4/79) (5%)

So if you wait until after Rd 1, you have a 10% chance of getting an Aaron Brooks type and a 90% chance of getting someone worse.

QBs selected in Round 1

23 selected

Successes:
Carson Palmer
Michael Vick
Donovan Mcnabb
Peyton Manning (4/23) (17%)

Potential/Marginal successes:
Alex Smith
Jason Campbell
Eli Manning
Ben Roethlisberger
Phillip Rivers
JP Losman
Byron Leftwich
Rex Grossman
Chad Pennington
Daunte Culpepper (10/23) (43%)

So if you take a QB in Round 1, you have a 60% chance of getting a Chad Pennington type, with a higher % of getting a Manning esque player. You even have a 50% greater chance of getting a Manning or Palmer than you do of getting an Aaron Brooks if you wait.

Furthermore, of the projected starters in the 2007 season, below are the draft positions:

Round 1: 17 (53.1%)
Round 2: 3 (9.4%)
Round 3: 4 (12.5)
Round 4-7: 3 (9.4%)
Undrafted: 5 (15.6%)

So the odds are stacked in the favor of a team drafting their starting QB in Round 1. The only QBs currently starting that were drafted in Round 2 are:

Brett Favre (1991)
Drew Brees (2001)
Tavaris Jackson (2006)

It should be noted that Favre and Brees were drafted 33rd and 32nd overall respectively.

The odds are distinctly against Kevin Kolb, Drew Stanton, or John Beck succeeding. All three have positive qualities that may allow them to succeed, but they would be going against recent history.

The War Room Report staff debates the most intrguing questions in our Hot Reads feature. This week we put our writers on the spot in our post draft edition.

1. Who is your early pick for 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year?

Matt MacCoy, War Room Report Scout - I would normally vote for a Quarterback who is going to get significant playing time or a running back who would start from Day One due to the fact that the players at these positions touch the more most frequently. However, in the case of the 2007 NFL Draft class there is one offensive player who stands above the rest and will shine in the National Football League at that is Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson. If Mike Furrey can catch 100 passes in the Detroit Lion offense, what do you think this “super freak” is gonna do? Expect countless highlights and spectacular plays and expect him to be the 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Justin Davis, War Room Report College Writer - The 2007 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year will be Robert Meachem, WR New Orleans Saints. Adding Meachem to an embarassment of riches of skill position players will make the Saints offense nearly impossible to defend. After watching Marques Colston’s transition from small college competition to the NFL last season, it doesn’t seem like too much of a reach to think that Meachem will step in with at least comparable production after dominating in the SEC last year. After dumping Joe Horn this offseason the second WR spot will be Meachem’s to lose going into training camp. A player with his physical tools will be a great complement to Drew Brees’ arsenal.

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report Editor - The offensive rookie of the year award is almost always won by a running back. Adrian Peterson is the top running back in the class, but he is likely to split time with Chester Taylor and plays on a team with a poor QB. Marshawn Lynch, despite being second in talent to Peterson, will be the 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Lynch is a shifty back who can also catch passes out of the backfield. He will get the bulk of carries for the Bills who have a better offense than Minnesota. In the long run, Peterson will reign supreme, but if he can stay healthy, Lynch will be the big winner in 2007.

Chris Otwell, War Room Report Writer - Calvin Johnson…..I think that Calvin will get the ball an awful lot this year in Detroit as teams will continue to double team Roy Williams. Johnson has some pretty freakish physical abilities, and will be asked to step in and contribute right away.

Justin Moore, War Room Report Fantasy Writer - This early in the year, I am going to take Marshawn Lynch. There is no one impeding his progress to be the #1 back in Buffalo, and since he was drafted in the first round (12th overall), that pretty much solidifies the intentions of the Bills organization to let him gain all the yards on the ground for the next 5-7 years. Anthony Thomas is an excellent and reliable complement to Lynch’s running style, which will help to keep the rookie fresh all year. A slowly improving offense that was really only missing a play maker in the backfield will make this Lynch’s year.

2. Who is your early pick for 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Matt MacCoy - The NFL loves players who pressure the Quarterback and produce a high number of sacks. I believe the 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year will come down to two players in similar situations– Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie OLB Lawrence Timmons and Dallas Cowboys Rookie OLB Anthony Spencer. The voting could be close, however, I am going to give the slight edge to Anthony Spencer. Spencer will be the primary beneficiary of playing opposite DeMarcus Ware in the Cowboys 3-4 scheme. Having Ware out there will not allow teams to focus their blocking scheme to Spencer’s side. Anthony Spencer is also playing for a media darling in the Dallas Cowboys, so he will get exposure for sure. He could produce double digits in sacks and snatch the 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Justin Davis - The 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year will be Patrick Willis, ILB San Francisco 49ers. Willis was a tackling machine in the SEC with little help in front of or around him. On the newly revamped 49ers defense he is capable of even more. With all the additions this offseason at OLB, S, and CB they needed a playmaker in the middle and they’ve found their ideal fit in Willis. His football instincts and sideline to sideline speed give him the ability to be involved with nearly every play and impact the game each snap. The combination of his talent and the chance to play MLB for a Mike Nolan defense will make him the best defensive rookie this season.

Rob Tribbett - The 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year will be Anthony Spencer of the Dallas Cowboys. Spencer is an explosive pass rusher that will produce the stat that voters love most - sacks. Spencer gets the opportunity to play across from DeMarcus Ware, a top speed rusher in his own right, and that should leave the rookie free to terrorize QBs. Spencer also will benefit from playing in the aggressive, blitz heavy system of Wade Phillips. Expect double digit sacks and a trophy for the former Purdue star.

Chris Otwell - Patrick Willis…..Same scenario with Patrick, with him stepping into a situation that he could start off the bat, and contribute heavily, makes quite a difference in SF.

Justin Moore - Defensive rookie of the year is a little harder to predict, where all your talent is not necessarily drafted in the first 50 picks. There was a lot of depth this year, with teams filling need slots in the 5th and 6th rounds. The consensus seems to be that LaRon Landry is the best defensive player out of the draft, but pairing him up with Sean Taylor only takes that much more focus off of him. The AP tends to pick linebackers for ROY, having chosen them 6 of the last 7 seasons. That being said, Patrick Willis, San Francisco’s pick at #11 overall will have the biggest impact on his new team. There are very few weaknesses in his game, and the few that exist can be corrected. SF is on the upswing again this year, this time from on the defensive side of the ball.

3. What team had the best draft in the 2007 NFL Draft?

Matt MacCoy - It is a close call this between several teams–the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Minnesota Vikings all receive an ‘A’ from me upon review of their respective draft classes, but if I had to choose one above all the rest, I would have to choose the Minnesota Vikings. They got a stud RB with their first selection in Adrian Peterson, then followed up by getting an excellent WR prospect in Sidney Rice in Round 2. The Vikings continued to select excellent prospects when they addressed their defense in Rounds 3 and 4 when they selected CB Marcus McCauley and DE Brian Robinson. There were several times during the NFL Draft process where Peterson, Rice, and McCauley were all considered potential 1st round selections, and the Vikings drafted all three. They took another weapon for their young QB Tavaris Jackson, when they selected Aundrae Allison in Round 5 and got sensational value when they were able to pick Rufus Alexander in Round 6. All in all, it would be difficult for me to argue that any other team in the National Football League had a better draft then did the Minnesota Vikings.

Justin Davis - The best draft class of 2007 in my opinion was selected by the Carolina Panthers. After trading with the Jets, the Panthers were able to grab 4 of the top 36 players on our big board, all at positions of need. Beason and Jarrett should crack the starting lineup immediately while Kalil and Johnson should be in competition for a spot at the least. Just a great draft for a team that lost several close games after injuries to key starters early in the season. This draft class should reinforce the depth with quality young players needed to make a run into the playoffs.

Rob Tribbett - The best draft class was the Carolina Panthers. Carolina did a masterful job of trading back and still acquiring the player they targeted. While I am not as high on Beason as some others, he still should be an instant contributor. Dwayne Jarrett and Ryan Kalil both should start in 2007, with Jarrett an ideal fit next to deep threat Steve Smith. Charles Johnson does not play a position of immediate need, but concerns about Mike Rucker’s health could have him in the lineup sooner than expected. Johnson was a steal by the Panthers and has all of the tools to be a difference maker in the NFL. Ryne Robinson will make an impact as a return man and allow Smith to concentrate on being a receiver and second day picks Tim Shaw and Donte Rosario can also become starters. C.J. Wilson was a terrific value in the 7th round.

Chris Otwell - The Cleveland Browns……. Getting two top 10 picks in the first round was huge for the browns. Not only did they get a top rated QB, but they got the top rated LT to protect him. Those two together madeCleveland the highest rated team in the draft this year.

Justin Moore - Sticking with the San Francisco theme, from the standpoint of immediate impact, I feel the 49ers had the best draft. Potential DROY in Patrick Willis, Joe Staley immediately starting at OT, and by grabbing another starter at DE/DT with Ray McDonald with their 4th pick makes this draft class very good. While they could have passed on Jason Hill in the third round, everything else fell into place for them. Tarell Brown at 147th overall could end up being a great value pick if he is consistent and avoids injury. The other 4 picks will be suitable backups if they make the roster, and while not ranked very high, the Niners do need a solid RB option behind Frank Gore, so they took a flyer on Thomas Clayton.

Editor’s Note: War Room Report scout Matt Maccoy contributes his draft grades. Unlike other sites which give virtually every team the same grade, the War Room Report is not afraid to take a stand. Teams are ranked from 1-32.

Grade: A

1) Minnesota Vikings

• Positives: They drafted better per selection than any other team in the 2007 Draft and addressed their primary needs while doing so. Drafting RB Adrian Peterson in Round 1 was a great “value” pick and following that up with Sidney Rice in Round 2 will add an additional dynamic to the Minnesota offense. They then addressed their defense with a CB, Marcus McCauley and a DE, Brian Robinson at the most critical positions on their defense. Acquiring OLB Rufus Alexander in Round 6 was also a “steal”.
• Negatives: Negatives are few and far between with the Vikings. There is an element of volatility with their picks since Peterson has suffered several injuries in the past and their next three selections are classified as “raw” prospects, but the upside is undeniable.

2) Carolina Panthers

• Positives: Value picks everywhere down the Panthers draft class. They were savvy enough to trade down with the New York Jets 11 selections and still get the player they targeted all along LB Jon Beason. They then selected a WRR favorite in WR Dwayne Jarrett and also drafted one of the better C prospects in some time when they selected Ryan Kalil. They also selected DE Charles Johnson in Round 3 where it was excellent value, even though it wasn’t an area of need per say.
• Negatives: There were two areas of need in particular for the Carolina Panthers and that was at TE and S, and they addressed neither position. They did draft Dante Rosario in Round 5, but many view him as more of an H-back prospect, so it will be interesting if the Panthers utilize him. There are also rumors circulating that they have been shopping DT Kris Jenkins, and if they deal him at this point they will be thin at DT since they didn’t address that position with a draft pick.

3) Atlanta Falcons

• Positives: A team who all along the WRR thought would have an excellent draft did so indeed. They lost Patrick Kearney in the off-season so they addressed that position and selected DE Jamaal Anderson with the 8^th overall selection. They also had two second round picks since they traded backup QB Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans. They selected possibly the strongest player in the 2007 Draft in OT/OG Justin Blalock and then came back with an excellent pick in ultra-talented CB prospect Chris Houston. Selecting Laurent Robinson in Round 3 to bolster their wide receiving core as well as selecting OLB prospect Stephen Nicholas early on Day 2 were also excellent moves.
• Negatives: It was thought that new Head Coach Bobby Petrino was going to implement a new power running approach, but he did very little to show evidence to support this notion in the 2007 Draft. They did not select a power back ala Tony Hunt or Michael Bush, and only drafted one offensive line prospect. The move from a zone blocking scheme to a power game could be a slow process in Atlanta.

4) Detroit Lions

• Positives: The Lions resisted the urge to trade out of the 2^nd overall pick and stood pat and selected clearly the best prospect in the 2007 NFL Draft in WR Calvin Johnson. Johnson will become an immediate threat in the NFL. They selected QB Drew Stanton in Round 2, who is a solid QB prospect and did select their pass-rushing need with DE Ikaika Alama-Francis. Selecting CB AJ Davis and OG Manny Ramirez in Round 4 will also bolster this roster.
• Negatives: They traded up for S Gerald Alexander, and that may have given up a bit too much to make that move. Alexander is a solid prospect, but not one I would recommend trading up for. TE is still a position that is weak on this team, and was not addressed in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Grade: B+

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Positives: A really solid draft class, just may not be spectacular. They addressed several needs beginning with DE Gaines Adams, who will add another pass rusher to a defense that has needed one desperately. They got a solid value pick with OG Arron Sears and selected SS Sabby Piscattelli who will fill an immediate need on this team. The Buccaneers succeed in selecting players who fit their scheme better than any other franchise. OLB Quincy Black, who was selected in Round 3, and CB Tanard Jackson, who was selected in Round 4, are great fits in this defense.
• Negatives: After the Tanard Jackson selection in Round 4, there is little else to get thrilled about if you’re a Buccaneers fan. This is a team who had many needs, and it would have been nice to see them draft some higher tier prospects as the draft proceeded in the late rounds. They really could have used another playmaker on offense, and did not get one in the 2007 NFL Draft.

6) Dallas Cowboys

• Positives: The Cowboys were very crafty in their maneuvering during the early portions of the 2007 NFL Draft. They traded out initially and acquire a possibly top 10 selection in the 2008 Draft from the Cleveland Browns, and then moved back in to the draft to select a player they had targeted from the beginning DE/OLB prospect Anthony Spencer. Teaming Spencer with DeMarcus Ware could be a great move by the Cowboys. They also addressed their depth along the offensive line by selecting OT prospects James Marten and Doug Free. Cowboy fans will have to wait until the 2008 NFL Draft to reap the rewards of their investment in the trade with the Browns, but it could be a significant reward.
• Negatives: Drafting Isaiah Stanback in round 4 may have raised some eyebrows. It is unsure at this point whether they are going to utilize him as QB in the future or transition him from QB to WR like they did with Patrick Crayton. The Cowboys didn’t necessarily have too many areas of need, but selecting a kicker followed by a fullback leaves something to be desired with their Day 2 selections.

7) San Fransisco 49ers

• Positives: The 49ers had a lot of momentum following a good off-season of free agent pick-ups and continued that into the 2007 NFL Draft. Selecting the best linebacker in this class Patrick Willis with the 11^th overall selection was an excellent move. They also helped solidify that offensive line when they selected OT Joe Staley late in Round 1. They addressed a position of desperate need WR when they selected Jason Hill in Round 3 and traded a 4^th round selection for Darrell Jackson, formerly of Seattle. Ray McDonald also represented great value at that selection for a 3-4 Defensive End.
• Negatives: The 49ers were another team that was jockeying for position during the 1^st Round of the 2007 NFL Draft. They traded away their 2008 1^st Round pick, but then later on was involved in a transaction with the Indianapolis Colts to garner their 1^st round selection next year. The difference in the two selections could be substantial however, since the Colts are one of the better teams in the league and the 49ers, who are making strides for sure, still have room to develop and could still have a pick in the early teens next season. They didn’t address their NT position, which was expected, and took a risk with the selection of CB Tarell Brown in Round 6 which could result in a solid player or nothing.

Grade: B

8 ) Cleveland Browns

• Positives: What the Cleveland Browns did in the 2007 NFL Draft was excellent, but the moves they made need to be treated with cautious optimism. They selected clearly the best OT in the draft Joe Thomas with the 3^rd overall selection and then in one of the more dramatic moves in 2007 NFL Draft traded up into the latter portion of Round 1, 22^nd pick overall to select hometown favorite QB Brady Quinn. Having Quinn and Thomas would have been a dream situation for Browns fans, so having completed these moves along with the move for CB Eric Wright, who is an ideal fit for the Browns, gives the Browns a solid ‘B’ grade.
• Negatives: The move for Brady will be one that we will be talking about for some time due to the impact it has on the Cleveland franchise, as well as the fact that they traded their 1^st round selection in 2008 to make this big splash, a pick that is very reasonably thought to be considered a potential top 10 selection, if not top 5. After their top 3 selections, the Browns did very little to improve this team in 2007.

9) New England Patriots

• Positives: When considering the New England Patriots draft, you have to also include possibly the biggest transaction of the weekend, when the Patriots sent a 4^th round selection to the Oakland Raiders for WR Randy Moss. The Patriots were viewed by many as the front-runner to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next season prior to this move, now they are a dominant favorite. They selected S Brandon Meriweather in Round 1 of the draft, who should give them the depth in the secondary that they needed, and an eventual replacement for Rodney Harrison. The Patriots also received the 49ers 1^st round selection so next season, so for the second off-season in a row, it is presumed that they will enter the NFL Draft with two 1^st round picks.
• Negatives: Having only one selection on Day One of the 2007 NFL Draft will give the class of the Patriots draft picks a lackluster look. There are several intriguing prospects, Kareem Brown, Corey Hilliard, and Oscar Lua, but it is conceivable that the Patriots don’t get anything out of the 2^nd day picks they made in the 2007 NFL Draft.

10) Arizona Cardinals

• Positives: The Cardinals came away with top prospects at the biggest area of needs for them. They selected OT Levi Brown with the 5^th overall selection to finally fill a need they have had for some time. According to several reports the Cardinals brass’ preferred Levi Brown over fellow OT prospect Joe Thomas. The Cardinals are also in a transition from a base 4-3 defense to 3-4 scheme and they moved up to the first selection in round 2 in order to nap the perfect prospect to fill their NT position Alan Branch. They also came back with a good “value” selection at ILB with Buster Davis in Round 3 and they got one of the steals in the 2007 NFL Draft when they selected TE prospect from the University of Delaware, Ben Patrick in Round 7.
• Negatives: The Cardinals only had 5 selections in the 2007 NFL Draft, so they still have several holes to fill, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. Steve Breaston will primarily be a kick returner for them, and that selection could have been better well spent on a prospect who could have a chance at playing on an every down basis.

Read the rest of this entry »

Editor’s note: War Room Report Fantasy Writer Justin Moore debuts with his first article. The War Room Report features several top writers who have participated in and won very competitive leagues.

With the NFL draft all wrapped up, it’s time to jump on the train and start prognosticating about who is going to drive our fantasy teams to the promised land in 2007. We’ll start this year with an incredibly early list of who will contribute and who won’t to your team this year.

JaMarcus Russell – Oakland didn’t trade for Josh McCown for nothing. Even though he’s not very good, he’s going to start under center in September. By the time McCown loses his 6th or 7th game, look for Russell to start taking snaps to build rapport and timing with Mike Williams, Ronald Curry and maybe even Doug Gabriel.

Calvin Johnson – Jon Kitna gets the rock this year, while Drew Stanton learns. Don’t forget Roy Williams is no slouch and he and Kitna did pretty well together last year. With Tatum Bell, Kevin Jones, and TJ Duckett splitting carries, Detroit has the potential to have a rather significant offense this year, which Johnson will contribute to significantly, but with Mike Furrey still playing a role, don’t expect 1,000 yards from the rookie…this year.

Adrian Peterson – Fantasy ‘experts’ were all about Chester Taylor last year. Then some of them figured out he just couldn’t handle the load of a full season. With second year QB Tavaris Jackson likely winning the job out of camp, there will be a bit of a learning curve while everyone gels. Expect a RBBC to happen in Minnesota, and considering they’re not a particularly good team, Peterson isn’t much more than a flex player or 3rd RB.

Ted Ginn Jr. – Everyone’s talking about ‘the foot’. It’s already been said he’s not going to be ready for mini-camp. How long will this injury linger? With question marks all over Miami’s offense to include Daunte Culpepper, the possibility of signing Trent Green, Cleo Lemon, the drafting of John Beck, the possibility of losing Marty Booker, and Chris Chambers underachievement, this offense as a whole is probably the biggest question mark right now. If everything were to gel (which it won’t), Ginn would at best be the #2 WR, but more likely the #3 on this squad in his rookie year. If you draft him in your league, make sure it’s a late round and keep an eye out for any other WR who’s going to catch more than 600 yards and 4 TDs.

Marshawn Lynch – Lynch fell into a pretty good situation in Buffalo. As much as everyone loves to hate J.P. Losman, he finally started to figure it out in the second half of last year. He bonded with Lee Evans and threw more TDs (19) than INTs (14) to garner a passer rating around 85. Willis McGahee is out of town and Anthony Thomas is everyone’s fall-back when he needs to be. Lynch will probably be a 1st and 2nd down back with Thomas getting the conversion yards until the rook figures out the speed of the NFL and makes sure he can catch a few passes out of the backfield. If Buffalo continues to come together offensively, Lynch has ROY potential.

Brady Quinn – Everyone knows this kid got robbed on draft day. Miami stole his lunch money by not taking him at 9, and then Cleveland grinned and drafted him at 22, cutting his salary by 50% or more. Even with all the emotional fallout from that, Quinn could be the starting QB for the Browns on opening day. Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson are scrubs, and neither one of them is significant enough to learn from, so while the Browns start their rebuilding phase this year, Quinn should start all 16 games. Aside from Kellen Winslow, whose knee is still acting up, Braylon Edwards is the only reliable receiver. Jamal Lewis won’t do much better than he did in Baltimore last year, so expect Quinn to take his lumps with not enough help around him. I wouldn’t draft this guy in ANY format unless he was the last QB available and I needed to cover a bye.

Dwayne Bowe – There are still question marks as to who will be taking the snaps in KC this year. There are also rumors that LJ might get traded. That being said, Eddie Kennison can still put up decent numbers, so he’ll be fighting Samie Parker for the #2 slot here. If Trent Green isn’t still with the team this season, as expected, Bowe isn’t going to be of much use to anyone in 2007.

Robert Meachem – Joe Horn is out of town, so Marques Colston is now “officially” the guy in NO. The rest of the receiving corps fluctuates from week to week as far as production goes, and I see Meachem doing the same thing this year. Depending on how he comes out of preseason on the depth chart, he’s not going to be reliable enough to predict his 1 catch games vs his two 8 catch games he’ll have.

Craig Davis – Another tall, 200+ pound WR on a team that needs an identity at the position. The offense churns behind LT, and Philip Rivers sort of proved he is the man. I say sort of because they had one of the easiest schedules in the league last year. Since Parker and Jackson didn’t show much, Davis could have an opportunity to supplant Antonio Gates as the team’s top pass catcher. Unfortunately, that probably won’t happen this year. He’ll be a good late round pick to plug into a flex spot if you didn’t get that extra RB, but don’t count on him every week.

Greg Olsen – As long as Rex Grossman is in town, you never know what you’re going to get. Olsen is going to be one of those sexy pass catching TEs. That just means that with one less man on the line, Grossman is going to get hurried more, which will mean either Cedric Benson and/or Olsen is going to see an up tick on check-down passes. He’ll split time with Desmond Clark, and with the TE position getting deeper every year, this guy will probably get drafted by your fantasy opponents a lot sooner than he needs to.

Anthony Gonzalez – As long as Harrison and Wayne are still doing their thing, you can’t rely on a 3rd WR in Indy for any reason. That being said, if either one of them gets hurt for any amount of time, make sure Gonzalez is on your roster unless you’re stacked at WR.

Chris Henry – After losing Travis Henry, who kind of surprised everyone last year, question marks were all over Tennessee’s backfield. LenDale White seems like a has-been before he was ever any good. If he doesn’t get in shape and stop getting hurt, Henry could very well start right away. Unfortunately, with no WRs to speak of, defenses are going to key on Vince Young and whoever is in the backfield. Draft him as a keeper, but don’t be upset when 2007 isn’t his year.

Brian Leonard – Everyone seems to see a lot of skill in this guy, and I’m sure he has some, but with all those WRs and Steven Jackson learning to catch the ball last year, he’s not going to contribute to anyone’s fantasy team at all. Except that one random game where he’ll score 3TDs.

Paul Williams – He was drafted in the third round, and with no one of any significance at WR left in Tennessee, he could emerge as the #2 on that team, making him a minor sleeper.

Michael Bush – Another keeper league candidate. LaMont Jordan was so terrible last year, I almost went to Oakland to try to walk-on. They turned around and signed Dominic Rhodes in the off-season, and the starter will be whoever does better out of preseason and/or doesn’t get hurt. Michael Bush could sneak past one of those two on the depth chart and split carries all year behind the porous OL. Don’t expect much, though.

Antonio Pittman – Deuce and Reggie? Oh yea. Forget this guy until that game or three that Deuce has to sit out for some leg malady.

Brandon Jackson – Verand Morency isn’t very good. Neither are any of the other clowns the Packers have in the backfield. I wonder if they targeted Jackson in the second round or just missed out on the top tier guys, so they just took whatever was available in Round 2. They say he’s a bit small and not as fast as one would like, but if he gains some weight, he’ll be able to deal with all the hits he’s going to take in the NFL. He can also catch the ball a little bit, so this guy is going to be the one no one talks about because everyone thinks he’s a sleeper. Just because of the situation he’s in, he could end up being a top 3 rookie RB this year, but I’m not sure if he’s going to get 1,000 yards.

The AFC Grades are in:

Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens are usually one of the best drafting teams and again had a good draft, despite reaching in Round 2. Ben Grubbs was a solid pick in Round 1, but the player they really wanted, Joe Staley, was snatched directly in front of them. In Round 3, Yamon Figurs was a huge reach, based too much on the impact of Devin Hester last season. Figurs is only going to be able to contribute in the return game. The second Round 3 pick was strong with another versatile lineman in Marshall Yanda. Antwan Barnes will be used perfectly to rush the passer by the Ravens and could reach double digit sacks as a rookie if given playing time. Le’Ron McClain will likely start at FB and Prescott Burgess, despite a lack of speed, was a reasonable pick in the 6th round. Grade: B

Buffalo Bills - After seeing Patrick Willis snatched directly ahead of them, the Bills solved their running back problems with Marshawn Lynch, but surprisingly also selected Dwayne Wright in the 4th round. They made the correct move in trading up for Paul Posluszny in the 2nd. Posluszny can play either MLB or OLB and will be a Day One starter. Adding Trent Edwards was an interesting move for a team that already has J.P. Losman, but it was a reasonable pick in Round 3. The Bills did well at the end of the draft with John Wendling, Derek Schouman, and C.J. Ah You, 3 players who all should make the team. Interestingly enough for a team that needs CB help, they did not draft a single player at that position. Grade: C

Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals were lucky enough to have one of the best values in Round 1 fall to them when Leon Hall made it to pick 18. Hall is not only a fine technician who should immediately start across from Jonathan Joseph, but he is a great character player that the Bengals could use. Kenny Irons was a bit perplexing in Round 2, as it appears the Bengals have tired of former 1st round pick Chris Perry. Marvin White could be a player and the Bengals need a future replacement for Dexter Jackson. The Bengals must be content with the linebacker position as they did not add draft any OLBs. Despite a terrific selection in Round 1, the Bengals only had an average draft. Grade: C

Cleveland Browns - The Browns are coming away as the big winner on most boards because of the addition of a franchise LT in Joe Thomas and a potential star in QB Brady Quinn. The cost for moving up to acquire Quinn was high, as the Browns sacrificed their 2008 first round pick in the trade up. The Browns need to see instant improvement in 2007 to make the trade worth it. If they land a top 3 pick again next year, they will have made a huge mistake. They made a good selection with CB Eric Wright at 53 overall, who was a first round talent that fell on character concerns. The rest of the draft was relatively tame, but Thomas and Quinn could potentially make the Browns big winners. Grade: A-

Denver Broncos - The Broncos may have made an unnecessary move up, but they coveted DE Jarvis Moss, who may only see the field as a pass rushing specialist as a rookie. DE Tim Crowder was an excellent pick at 56th overall, as was OT Ryan Harris, a prototypical zone blocking tackle, at 70. The Broncos moved up again to acquire DT Marcus Thomas, who could potentially be the best DT in the draft if he can alleviate any concerns about his off the field issues. On a talent basis, the Broncos had one of the strongest drafts, however off the field concerns and the price they had to pay for trading up twice downgrades their grade slightly. Grade: B-

Houston Texans - The Texans passed on the top CBs on the board in order to select one a strong value in Amobi Okoye. Okoye and Mario Williams could provide a long term difference on the defensive line. Jacoby Jones was selected to give Matt Schaub another target, but the raw player may not be ready to start at the beginning of the 07 season. There may have been better value at that pick. Fred Bennett was a solid pick at 123 and should see the field as a rookie. A pair of interesting offensive line prospects were added on Day 2, Virginia Tech OT Brandon Frye and OG Kasey Studdard of Texa. Studdard may be limited to just a back up role, but Frye could become a starter at some point. The high price the Texans paid for Matt Schaub has to be reflected in their grade. Grade: C-

Indianapolis Colts - As predicted, the Colts were in a tough spot in Round 1 with the potential Cover 2 linebackers off the board. Alan Branch would have made sense for them, but instead they go offense with WR Anthony Gonzalez who will play an important role as a slot receiver for Indianapolis. He really fits their system, though he may not have been the best value at 32. The Colts paid a high price - their 2008 1st round pick - in order to acquire OT Tony Ugoh, who does not fill a major need and will need development before being an NFL starter. Daymeion Hughes and Quinn Pitcock were good values in Round 3, and both could play in 2007. Hughes is an ideal fit for the Cover 2 system, and may compete with Kelvin Hayden and Tim Jennings for a starting job. The rest of the draft was not outstanding, though Michael Coe was a great pick in the 5th round. Grade: C-

Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars made a very shrewd move in moving down with Denver and still acquiring the player they desired in S Reggie Nelson, who fits their system perfectly next to S Donovan Darius and will be an instant starter. They reached for LB Justin Durant in the 2nd round, but he has the ability to push Daryl Smith in 2007 and could eventually replace Mike Peterson at MLB. As predicted, they added Adam Podlesh who was a reasonable pick in the 4th round, and should take the punting job. They did very well on Day 2 adding a number of potential starters including S Josh Gattis, who could be the eventual replacement for Darius. Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs - After neglecting the WR position in the draft for several seasons, the Chiefs passed on a potential difference maker along the offensive line in Joe Staley to select Dwayne Bowe. Bowe was not a poor pick but there was depth at the position and they may have been able to wait to select a WR. They did well to improve their interior defensive line with Turk McBride, more of a pass rushing DT, and the run stuffer Tank Tyler. If both players put forth the proper effort and remain consistent, they could start in the 2007 season. Kansas City did well on Day 2, adding a backup for Larry Johnson in Kolby Smith, a new place kicker in Justin Medlock, and an interesting TE prospect in Michael Allen. OT Herbert Taylor may be too undersized for the Chiefs scheme and could be moved to guard. Grade: B

Miami Dolphins: To the shock of many, the Dolphins passed on potential franchise QB Brady Quinn to select WR Ted Ginn Jr. While Ginn should have an immediate impact in the return game, at pick #9, the player needs to be outstanding and among the faces of your franchise. The Dolphins took John Beck in Round 2, but we are not high on Beck’s potential as an NFL starter. Samson Satele is a good player, but was not much of a value in Round 2 and does not fulfill a major need. Lorenzo Booker is a good change of pace back and a good value in the 3rd round, but again, does not fulfill a need. Paul Soliali was a good selection in the fourth for the nose tackle position. The rest of the Dolphins draft was reaches, save 7th rounder Kelvin Smith. Grade: D-

New England Patriots - The Patriots got an ideal fit in S Brandon Meriweather in the 1st round and good value in trading down with San Francisco for the 2nd of their Round 1 picks. The Pats got a solid player in Kareem Brown in the 4th round and also used a 4th rounder to acquire WR Randy Moss, who could really help the team. The round 6 and 7 picks are not inspiring. It is interesting that the Patriots did not add any significant competition at the ILB or CB spot, save late round picks. Grade: B-

New York Jets - The Jets decided that this draft would be about quality over quantity and added two impressive defensive pieces in CB Darrelle Revis and ILB David Harris. Both players will start in the 2007 season. Revis is instantly the best CB on the team and the thought of David Harris next to Jonathan Vilma should worry AFC running backs. The Jets did very well in Round 6 to acquire developmental tackle prospect Jacob Bender and a good value in the 7th with WR Chansi Stuckey. The Jets got two very good players, and that can not be ignored, but they paid a high price in trades. Grade: B

Oakland Raiders - Oakland took their potential franchise QB in JaMarcus Russell and if given time to develop, he could be the leader of their franchise. Zach Miller is a good player, but 38 may have been too high for him. The Round 3 picks of Quinton Moses, Mario Henderson, and Johnnie Lee Higgins give the Raiders 3 potential starters, and they made a terrific value pick with Michael Bush at pick 100. The rest of the draft was a typical Al Davis draft of taking measurables guys, including a major reach for CB John Bowie, a track star, at pick 110. Grade: C+

Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers showed that they want players that can transition from the 3-4 to the 4-3 that Mike Tomlin will eventually employ. Lawrence Timmons may have been a slight reach at 15, but he is a good player and should start immediately. Lamar Woodley is one of our favorite players in the draft, but he probably would have been available after pick 46 and may have trouble transitioning to the 3-4 OLB spot. Matt Spaeth was our 4th ranked TE, but the way some of the other TEs fell, he could have been available much later. The Steelers did well to get a good punter in Daniel Sepulveda in Round 4 and another versatile defender, Ryan McBean, who projects as a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 DT. Dallas Baker was a good addition in the 7th round. Grade: C+

San Diego Chargers - The Chargers reached for WR Craig Davis in Round 1. There were better receivers, including Sidney Rice, Dwayne Jarrett, Anthony Gonzalez, and Steve Smith on the board. Eric Weddle is a solid player, but the price the Chargers paid to move up was high, and pick 37 was too high for Weddle. The rest of the Chargers draft was typically strong. They selected great depth and possibly future starters at ILB in Anthony Waters and Brandon Siler, added a TE project in Scott Chandler, and another WR project in Legedu Naanee. Still, the early round reaches really downgrades their draft grade. Grade: D

Tennessee Titans - Michael Griffin was an odd pick for the Titans in Round 1. They are deep at safety and Griffin was a reach at that pick. They had two huge needs at WR and CB, yet passed on Dwayne Bowe, Robert Meacham, Aaron Ross, and Chris Houston. The Titans added a 3 WRs in the draft, but none project as instant starters and were all reaches. Chris Henry was a huge reach in the 2nd round - he is a workout warrior who averaged 3.5 yards a carry at Arizona. Antonio Johnson was a good pick in the 5th round and the Titans did well late in the draft adding situational pass rusher Jacob Ford and a solid offensive tackle prospect in Mike Otto. Still, the Titans will be entering the season with glaring needs at CB and WR. Grade: D