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.

Grade: B-

11) New York Giants

• Positives: The Giants had a draft that may go underneath the pundit’s radar, but was a successful one. The Giants selected “football players”. Aaron Ross fills a need for them at the CB position and they selected WR Steve Smith in the later portion of Round 2, this is a selection that will pay dividends for years to come. Zak DeOssie was a prospect that was moving up many people’s draft boards and was another excellent addition for the Giants. OT was an area of need for them and they took an OT prospect with upside in Adam Koets.
• Negatives: It was expected that the Giants would select an OLB prospect early in the draft, and did not. The rumor circulating out of New York is that the Giants will transition last season’s 1^st round selection Mathias Kiwanuka from Defensive End to OLB. While this move would explain why they didn’t draft an OLB, it could cause the Giants to struggle in their intermediate pass defense. Drafting DT Jay Alford in Round 3 was also one of the bigger “reaches” in the 2007 NFL Draft.

12) Jacksonville Jaguars

• Positives: The Jaguars had targeted S Reggie Nelson as the replacement for Deon Grant, who left via Free Agency, and were able to trade down with the Denver Broncos in order to gain additional draft picks, and were still able to select Nelson at the 21^st selection. The selection of LB prospect Justin Durant, although a bit early, fills a need the Jaguars have had for some time.
• Negatives: The Jaguars are another team that didn’t necessarily have many areas of need, but didn’t utilize their draft picks to their fullest potential. They may have reached with their 2^nd round selection of Durant as well as their 3^rd round selection of WR Mike Walker. They selected a punter early in Round 4, and for a team that’s QB situation is very unsettled they did nothing to change this. I would expect the Jaguars to be a team who targets one of the QB prospects in Round 1 of the 2008 NFL Draft.

13) New Orleans Saints

• Positives: It was thought by some members of the War Room Report that the New Orleans Saints were going to draft some new “toys” for their offensive minded coach Sean Payton and, that is exactly what they did. They got a steal when they selected WR Robert Meacham with the 27^th selection, as he was projected to go higher. Although the Saints have no need at RB, they selected Antonio Pittman, who was viewed by some as a 2^nd round selection in Round 4.
• Negatives: They may have reached for their 2^nd round selection in Usama Young, but his stock was rising recently on a consistent basis and CB was most assuredly an area of need for the New Orleans Saints. Andy Alleman, an OG prospect was a good value pick, but the Saints did not focus enough on the defensive side of the ball to merit any higher of a grade, and will be involved in several shoot outs in the 2007-2008 NFL Season.

Grade: C+

14) Denver Broncos

• Positives: You have to give the Denver Broncos credit, they targeted players that they wanted and paid no expense in getting them. They recognized that their Defensive Line was the weakness of the team, and they addressed that area with three selections, defensive ends Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder, as well as defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, all with significant upside. They have now given Jim Bates the players to revamp the Defensive Line in his image. OT Ryan Harris, their 3^rd round selection, also fits what the Broncos notoriously look for in Offensive Lineman prospects.
• Negatives: Jarvis Moss must bulk up and add strength for him to fulfill his potential, initially it is thought that he may get pushed around at the NFL level. Marcus Thomas is a big time talent, but he has had his issues off the field. Trading up for Marcus Thomas was a high risk, high reward proposition for the Denver Broncos. They never addressed other area of needs at the LB and S position and traded their 2008 3^rd round selection in moving up for Thomas.

15) New York Jets

• Positives: Like the Denver Broncos, the Jets were a team that targeted what they thought were their weaknesses and attacked them aggressively. They knew that they needed to upgrade their CB position and they moved up for Darrelle Revis. He will pay dividends immediately on defense and on special teams. They traded up once again in Round 2 to select ILB David Harris. Harris will add the presence in the middle of that defense, along with Jonathan Vilma, that the New York Jets have been looking to find for sometime.
• Negatives: In targeting these two players and trading up on both occasions they left themselves with very few selections and thin at several positions. TE has also been an area that was thought the Jets would address, but did not. The New York Jets could be a classic example of a team that believes they are closer to competing for the Super Bowl than they are, and the Jets are going to be in the rare situation that they are going to improve as a football team, but will slide in the standings.

16) Buffalo Bills

• Positives: The Bills needed to address their running game in the 2007 NFL Draft and did exactly that when they selected with their 1^st round selection Marshawn Lynch. Lynch is versatile and should be an asset in the passing game as well. They continued to bulk up at the RB position when they drafted Dwayne Wright with their 4^th round pick. They were enamored with LB Paul Posluzsny and were considered by some to be targeting him in Round 1, but instead traded up to get him in Round 2. They also got good value when they drafted QB prospect Trent Edwards at the latter portion of Round 3.
• Negatives: The Bills may be a team that made good selections, but didn’t address many of their needs. They needed to get a running game, but they also needed to find a replacement for London Fletcher-Baker at MLB and draft a CB in case Ashton Youboty falters. They did neither, and for that reason primarily they can not receive a higher grade.

17) Oakland Raiders

• Positives: For a team who has lacked direction and a face of the franchise for some time the Oakland the Raiders finally accomplished both when they traded away a player who had lost his passion for the game in Randy Moss, and drafted with the number one overall selection QB JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders passed on Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler last season, regretted that decision all last season, and made sure they rectified that situation in 2007. They gave Russell options to throw to when they drafted TE Zach Miller as well as WR Johnnie Lee Higgins. The draft pick that could have the Raiders getting a much higher grade when all is said and done is the selection of RB Michael Bush with the first pick on Day 2 of the draft. Michael Bush is a first round talent who fell due to injury, but if he recovers fully the Raiders will look back at the 2007 NFL Draft with great success.
• Negatives: The Raiders Offensive Line has been an area that has underachieved for some time and the Raiders didn’t address it with an early pick. It may have been more beneficial for the Raiders to take an Offensive Tackle with their 2^nd round selection as opposed to a tight end. Oakland made a ‘traditional’ Raider selection of John Bowie in Round 4, only because he is fast.

18) Pittsburgh Steelers

• Positives: It did not take long for new coach Mike Tomlin to put his presence on the Steelers franchise as with their first two selections they took aggressive players who put pressure on the quarterback when they selected OLB Lawrence Timmons in Round 1 followed by DE/OLB LaMarr Woodley in Round 2. Both players are ideal fit in a 3-4 scheme and will go a long way in replacing departed OLB Joey Porter.
• Negatives: Taking TE Matt Spaeth in Round 3 when you already have Heath Miller on your roster doesn’t make too much sense when you have other areas of need and you are contemplating a drastic shift in defensive philosophy. Selecting another player that could fit multiple defensive schemes or an interior offensive lineman would have made more sense for the Steelers. The selection of Ryan McBean in Round 4 makes sense, since he can play DT or possibly DE in a 3-4 defense, but the rest of the draft was just ‘ok’.

Grade: C

19) St. Louis Rams

• Positives: After addressing the offense in Free Agency the Rams addressed their defense in Round 1 when they selected Adam Carriker. Carriker is a good fit for the Rams since he could play both DE and DT at the next level. The selection of Jonathan Wade with their 3^rd round pick was a critical selection for the Rams if they are going to improve in the secondary.
• Negatives: The Rams never really addressed their issues that they have at linebacker or safety. They drafted Brian Leonard in Round 2, and while he has some value there, he would be considered a luxury pick for a team that can ill afford to make such a selection. They didn’t draft a linebacker at all during the draft and may once again be forced to win games in shoot out fashion in 2007.

20) Seattle Seahawks

• Positives: The Seahawks already have reaped some benefits from the 2007 Draft class as they traded their 1^st round pick for Deion Branch who has a solid season in 2006. They got excellent value picks, as well as filled their team needs with their first 3 selections when they drafted CB Josh Wilson, DT Brandon Mebane, and DE Baraka Atkins. They also provided themselves with additional depth at the WR position where they drafted Courtney Taylor and Jordan Kent. A draft that will go under the radar, but was solid throughout.
• Negatives: The Seahawks are a bit perplexing when you look at their recent moves. They let OG Steve Hutchinson leave town, only to sign WR Nate Burleson to a similar deal, trade their 2007 1^st round selection to the Patriots for WR Deion Branch, and then turn around and deal WR Darrell Jackson to a team in their own division, the 49ers, for a 4^th round selection. Some of these moves deserve criticism.

21) Baltimore Ravens

• Positives: The Ravens were one of several teams in the 2007 NFL Draft who did better drafting during the later portions of the draft than the earlier. They had some excellent selections in OT/OG Marshall Yanda and DE/OLB Antwan Barnes. They also drafted a bruising fullback in Le’Ron McClain that can help boost that power running attack.
• Negatives: The Ravens could have used prototypical offensive tackle prospects, but instead selected two players Ben Grubbs and Marshall Yanda who could end up transitioning to offensive guard. Taking Yamon Figurs early in Round 3 illustrates the effect Devin Hester had on teams, and could be a bust of a 3^rd round selection.

22) Indianapolis Colts

• Positives: The Colts were looking for the ideal slot receiver to complement Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, and they found him in the form of Anthony Gonzalez with the final selection in Round 1. They also selected an excellent offensive lineman prospect when they selected Tony Ugoh early in Round 2. The Colts may have also found some gems to play their CB positions in their Cover 2 scheme when they drafted Daymeion Hughes in Round 3 and Michael Coe in Round 5.
• Negatives: I realize that the Colts notoriously have a late first round selection due to an excellent record, but I still feel that trading a 1^st round selection in 2008 for OT Tony Ugoh was not a prudent move. Quinn Pitcock will not succeed at the next level and the Colts didn’t address their biggest needs. They needed to find an OLB to replace Cato June and could have used a bigger back to give Joseph Addai a breather now and again, and they didn’t succeed in providing either.

Grade: C-

23) Green Bay Packers

• Positives: The Packers selected DT Justin Harrell in Round 1 and that selection will help solidify the strength of the Packers team. The Packers needed to address their secondary and they acquired a physical specimen in Aaron Rouse. OT Allen Barbe is a project, but is a good selection in Round 4 and their current TE position prior to the draft left much to be desired, but they selected a solid prospect in TE Clark Harris when they picked him in Round 7.
• Negatives: The Packers wanted to leave the 2007 NFL Draft with a solid running game, however, they are leaving with just more question marks in regards to the position. They selected two RB prospects, Brandon Jackson in the second round and DeShawn Wynn in the seventh round, but is that enough, doubts will circulate. The Packers also chose two WR prospect in 3^rd rounder James Jones and David Clowney in the 5^th round, but again, how much impact can be expected from these two selections? With these four selections the Packers may have found players, or they may have gotten zero from the selections, only time will tell.

24) Houston Texans

• Positives: The Houston Texans selected man-child Amobi Okoye with the 10^th overall selection and adding him to their defensive front four will make their defense more formidable and provide the Houston Texans with some optimism for the future. The Texans realized that they need a CB to combine with Dunta Robinson, so they drafted CB Fred Bennett in Round 4.
• Negatives: The Texans traded away their 2^nd round selection in the packaged deal for their new Franchise QB Matt Schaub so they had to reach for a WR to play opposite Andre Johnson and reach they did indeed. They selected Jacoby Jones in Round 3 and it is anyone’s guess whether he will even be an upgrade over Jerome Mathis. The Texans also were determined to focus on their offensive line, but took two marginal in Brandon Frye and Kasey Studdard.

25) San Diego Chargers

• Positives: The Chargers wanted to upgrade their WR core, so they drafted WR Craig Davis with the 30^th overall selection. They also recognized that there was a significant drop off of talent at the safety position following Eric Weddle, so they made sure that they traded up to get him with 37^th overall selection, early in Round 2. They also had a huge need at ILB so they drafted two interesting prospect when they selected Anthony Waters in Round 3 and Brandon Siler in Round 7. These selections should ensure that the Chargers do not slide following their excellent 2006 campaign.
• Negatives: The San Diego Chargers are on the opposite side of the NFL Draft spectrum from other teams in the draft in this sense, they recognized what their area’s of need were, but they reached for prospects to fill those needs, and in doing so may not have receiver proper values for their picks. Craig Davis was a reach late in Round 1, and they gave up a ton to move up and select Eric Weddle. Selecting a TE in Scott Chandler was also a surprise.

Grade: D+

26) Philadelphia Eagles

• Positives: The Eagles traditionally draft better in the later rounds than they do in the earlier rounds, and the 2007 NFL Draft was no different. The Eagles primary deficiency during the 2006 season was stopping the run and selecting DE Victor Abiamiri in Round 2 and OLB Stewart Bradley in Round 3 could assist in fixing this issue. Another main problem was the Eagles short yardage rushing attack, they had problems converting critical 3^rd and short yardage, and now having selected bruising tailback Tony Hunt in Round 3 will make this a much easier task, as he will be a good compliment to Brian Westbrook.
• Negatives: Trading down with arch-rival Dallas Cowboys and dropping down in Round 2 to select QB Kevin Kolb was not what Eagle fans had in mind. The Eagles sticking to their Big Board may have been a huge mistake. Eagle fans are now in an interesting dilemma, they are in the unique position of possibly rooting for their top selection NOT to make an impact because that would mean that their current All-Pro QB Donovan McNabb would have returned to All-Pro status and Kolb was not needed. It is possible that the Eagles could see little return from their second day picks.

27) Chicago Bears

• Positives: The Chicago Bears were able to select a player whom they had targeted for some time with the 31^st overall selection in TE Greg Olsen. After watching tape on current QB Rex Grossman it is evident that the best route he throws is the seam route, and Olsen is a perfect fit for just such a route. Selecting OG Josh Beekman in Round 4 was also a good value pick.
• Negatives: Due to the volatile situation surrounding current DT Tank Johnson it was natural to assume that the Bears would address that position at some point in the 2007 NFL Draft, however, they did not and this may be a cause for concern down the line. Selecting DE Dan Bazuin in Round 2 was a slight reach and taking miniature RB Garrett Wolfe in Round 3 was a giant leap.

28) Kansas City Chiefs

• Positives: It seems like it has been forever since the Kansas City Chiefs added a top flight WR prospect, but the Chiefs changed this fact when they selected WR Dwayne Bowe with the 23^rd overall selection, and he will give the offense a playmaker on the outside to work well with TE Tony Gonzalez. The Chiefs added two pretty solid defensive line prospect in the 2^nd and 3^rd round when they drafted Turk McBride and Tank Tyler respectively.
• Negatives: The Kansas City Chiefs strength of their team for some time has been their Offensive Line, however, the Chiefs O-line has been decimated and it was an obvious assumption to make that the Chiefs were going to revamp this area, however they decided to draft a running back and a KICKER before drafting a offensive lineman. I’m sure Larry Johnson is pleased. The Chiefs are a team that is on the way down and could be a surprise team that could have a top 10 selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Grade: D

29) Washington Redskins

• Positives: The Skins took possibly the best player available and possibly the best defensive prospect in the 2007 NFL Draft when they selected S Laron Landy to boost their impressive secondary. Selecting MLB H.B. Blades in the 6^th round provides good depth at the linebacker position.
• Negatives: The Redskins were a team that desperately needed to trade down in the 2007 NFL Draft in order to get additional picks back that they traded away previously, however, they could not find a trading partner so they were not able to make this move. The biggest negative aspect of the 2007 Draft for the Skins was that they didn’t address their biggest deficiency at that is their inability to rush the passer. The Skins recorded just 19 sacks as a team last season, by far the least amount of any team in the league and they did not draft ONE defensive lineman where it may have been prudent to draft multiple players.

30) Miami Dolphins

• Positives: The Dolphins needed a play maker on offense so they drafted a player who can not only help them on the offensive side of the ball, but also in the return game when they selected Ted Ginn Jr. with the 9^th overall selection. Ted Ginn Jr. has speed to burn, and will stretch a defense. They wanted to get a 3^rd down back with speed so they selected Lorenzo Booker and their best value pick is Paul Soliai to play their NT position, and they were able to get him in Round 4.
• Negatives: How can passing on a possible future franchise QB in Brady Quinn for a player the coach told the fans that they would, and I quote “be excited about every time he goes back to return a punt.” As one War Room Report scout mentioned “who would you rather have Brady Quinn and Sidney Rice or John Beck and Ted Ginn Jr.?” The answer is simple. They selected a 26 year old rookie QB in John Beck who may never see the field. For a team that could have used draft picks on the Defensive Line as well as the Defensive Backfield, the Dolphins were more compelled to draft multiple centers.

31) Cincinnati Bengals

• Positives: For a team that wanted to target a player in the secondary and someone who had good character, the Bengals were tremendously fortunate to have Leon Hall, who many scouts thought was the best cornerback in the 2007 NFL Draft, fall in to their laps with the 18^th overall selection. Combining Hall with last season’s 1^st round selection Jonathan Joseph gives them an excellent pair of playmakers in their secondary. Selecting OG Dan Santucci in Round 7 represents great value.
• Negatives: The Bengals defense needed help at linebacker and defensive tackle entering the 2007 NFL Draft. They drafted Matt Toeaina in Round 6, but that selection for need may have been too little, too late and they did not draft a linebacker with ANY of their selections. The Bengals chose a running back in round 2 when the selected Kenny Irons, but they did not need to take a running back at all, especially not in Round 2. They also selected a QB Jeff Rowe when there was little reason to do so.

Grade: D-

32) Tennessee Titans

• Positives: The Titans were a team that needed help in the secondary so they selected S Michael Griffin with the 19^th overall selection. Griffin can make an impact on the defensive side of the football as well as special teams as he is a sensational punt blocker. The Titans wanted to provide QB Vince Young with some young weapons so they selected Paul Williams in Round 3, Chris Davis in Round 4, and Joel Filani in Round 6, all were decent values.
• Negatives: The Titans had several needs entering the 2007 NFL Draft and they addressed just a few. They needed to do a good job of fixing their issue at CB with Pacman Jones being suspended for the 2007 season, and I do not know if Ryan Smith is going to be of much assistance. The Titans could have used some draft selections at the OT position as well as the DE position, but instead they drafted a RB who averaged less than 4 yards per carry in college, Chris Henry, in Round 2 and a center Leroy Harris in Round 4. The Titans receive the worst grade in the 2007 NFL Draft due to these maneuvers.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 at 7:06 am and is filed under Oakland Raiders, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Grades, Carolina Panthers, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Bucs, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, 2007 NFL Draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.