1st Round

1. Miami Dolphins

Jake Long OT Michigan

This move makes sense for the Dolphins. With Ronnie Brown coming back from injury and young QB’s in Beck and Henne, they need to protect them. Plus, Parcells knows what he is doing.

Grade: A

2. St Louis Rams

Chris Long DL Virginia

Many thought this pick was either Chris Long or Glenn Dorsey. The Rams needed help on the offensive line but Jake Long was already gone. Long is more versatile than Dorsey, but might not have as much talent. Good pick, but offensive line was a bigger need.

Grade: A-

3. Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan QB Boston College

While Atlanta needed a quarterback, I really feel they needed a superstar in Atlanta. I think McFadden is going to be a perennial pro bowler. This pick was to send a message that Ryan is the face of the franchise and he will stay out of trouble.

Grade: B+

4. Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden RB Arkansas

As I said before, McFadden in my opinion has the most upside in the draft. I think McFadden and Russell will provide a potent offense for years to come.

Grade: A+

5. Kansas City Chiefs

Glenn Dorsey DT LSU

The Chiefs were extremely fortunate to have Dorsey fall to them at #5. Dorsey is a dominant defensive tackle that will help provide stability to the defensive line for years to come. Basically the Chiefs were able to fill two needs with first round talent in exchange for DE Jared Allen.

Grade: A+

6. New York Jets

Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State

Many draft experts are not big fans of Gholston. Gholston might not have been dominant at times during the games, but he has the size and speed to be dominant at the next level. The Jets need a DE like this for their 3-4 scheme, so it filled a need.

Grade: B+

7. New Orleans Saints

Sedrick Ellis DT USC

The Saints moved up for this pick, so they obviously wanted Ellis. Personally, I felt like the Saints needed help at cornerback more, but if they can get to the quarterback it will make the cornerbacks jobs a lot easier. Ellis is a solid pick and will help out immediately.

Grade: A-

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Derrick Harvey DE Florida

The Jags made a stunning move and traded up to get Harvey. I think they could’ve picked up Harvey at #12 because Carolina could’ve possible grabbed him. The Jags needed big help at defensive end and Long and Gholston were off the board.

Grade: A-

9. Cincinnati Bengals

Keith Rivers LB USC

Rivers has the size and speed to be a dominant linebacker in the NFL. The only thing that worries me is that he wasn’t dominant at USC; he was just a solid player that got the job done. Every team needs that but at the #9 pick you are hoping for a superstar.

Grade: B+

10. New England Patriots

Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee

As usual the Patriots make a surprising pick. The Patriots probably could’ve grabbed Mayo in the 20’s. I can’t really question the Patriots, but personally I think this was a little too high to pick Mayo.

Grade: B

11. Buffalo Bills

Leodis McKelvin CB Troy

McKelvin is probably the #1 cornerback in the draft and filled a need for the Bills. McKelvin was highly rated out of high school but grade concerns led to Troy being one of the few teams that took a chance on him.

Grade: A

12. Denver Broncos

Ryan Clady OT Boise State

Out of all the offensive linemen in the draft, I think Clady has the most upside. The Broncos will continue their tradition of zone blocking and producing solid running backs. This move also protects franchise quarterback Jay Cutler.

Grade: A

13. Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon

I really felt like Carolina had bigger needs at quarterback, and defensive end. I also feel like there were other running backs on the board that were better than Stewart. Stewart is often injured and they used a first round pick to have him share the backfield with DeAngelo Williams.

Grade: B-

14. Chicago Bears

Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt

I think the Bears made a good move here despite needing a quarterback and a running back as well. Williams can help anchor an offensive line that will help protect Rex Grossman and open up more holes for Cedric Benson.

Grade: A

15. Kansas City Chiefs

Branden Albert OL Virginia

The Chiefs really secured their needs in the first round. Albert could’ve been taken earlier in the draft so the Chiefs were fortunate to get him at #15. If I could trade Jared Allen and get Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert in return, that sounds like a good deal to me.

Grade: A+

16. Arizona Cardinals

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State

DRC was an unknown until his Senior Bowl and NFL Combine performances. DRC has incredible speed and even though he played at Tennessee State, he’ll be a good one at the next level. The Cardinals already have the offense, so going defense was a good pick.

Grade: A

17. Detroit Lions

Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College

I was hoping the Lions would have gone running back here. Mendenhall would have been a big pick up for them. While the Lions needed offensive line help, I’m not sure Cherilus was the right pick so early.

Grade: B

18. Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco QB Delaware

It’s no secret that the Ravens love Flacco. He’s a big quarterback with a cannon for an arm, but I think Brian Brohm was a better prospect. Brohm is ready to come in and compete and has played in a pro style offense.

Grade: B

19. Carolina Panthers

Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh

The Panthers must be dedicating this season to the run and protecting Jake Delhomme. With both of their two 1st round picks, they completely ignored their quarterback and defensive end needs.

Grade: B-

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Aqib Talib CB Kansas

Ronde Barber is getting older, so this was a solid replacement pick. The Bucs win with defense and taking Talib shows that commitment to the defensive side of the ball.

Grade: A

21. Atlanta Falcons

Sam Baker OT USC

Why trade up for Baker? Were the Falcons scared that the OT’s were falling off the board? I think Baker could’ve been picked up later in the 1st, if not early in the 2nd.

Grade: C

22. Dallas Cowboys

Felix Jones RB Arkansas

Everyone knew that if Jones was available here that the Cowboys would take him. He’s a perfect compliment to Marion Barber and has a chance to contribute on special teams as well.

Grade: A

23. Pittsburgh Steelers

Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois

Aside from McFadden, the best back in the draft in my opinion. I’m not sure the Steelers need him with Parker and I wish I could see Mendenhall get more PT on another team. I think the Steelers could’ve picked someone at a true need position here.

Grade: B

24. Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson RB East Carolina

Johnson had the fastest 40 time at the combine and was very productive at East Carolina. This pick sends a message to LenDale White and the Titans have added some more explosiveness to go along with Vince Young.

Grade: A-

25. Dallas Cowboys

Mike Jenkins CB South Florida

The Cowboys fulfilled their need at cornerback by grabbing Jenkins. Jenkins is a stud and could come in and start right away. The Cowboys had a great 1st round with Jones and Jenkins.

Grade: A

26. Houston Texans

Duane Brown OT Virginia Tech

Maybe this is why Atlanta moved up? Perhaps they knew that the Texans were going to grab Sam Baker. As with Atlanta’s pick, the Texas could’ve moved down even more to get Brown.

Grade: B

27. San Diego Chargers

Antoine Cason CB Arizona

The Chargers are going to have one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL. Cason is a solid cornerback and will have a productive NFL career.

Grade: A

28. Settle Seahawks

Lawrence Jackson DE USC

The defensive end from Southern Cal was productive in college but not a superstar. The Seahawks need help at defensive end and Jackson was the best available on the draft board.

Grade: A-

29. San Francisco 49ers (from the Indianapolis Colts)

Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina

The 49ers continue to rebuild on defense and Balmer is a run stuffer that they need. Plus, Balmer will allow Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis to create more havoc.

Grade: A

30. New York Jets

Dustin Keller TE Purdue

I know a lot of people didn’t agree with this pick but after seeing Keller on tape, he’s going to be a good one. The Jets have a young quarterback and they’ve locked up Coles. Keller will give them another target and hopefully kick start that offense.

Grade: A

31. New England Patriots

Pick Forfeited for violating league rules.

Kenny Phillips S Miami (FL)

This could end up being the steal of the draft for the Giants. Phillips didn’t have a great year last year but if he’s even close to what he was the year before that, then the Giants have found a pro bowler.

Grade: A+