NFL Draft Grades - NFC

2011 Draft Class

5. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
38. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
69. Robert Housler, TE, Florida Atlantic
103. Sam Acho, LB, Texas
136. Anthony Sherman, RB, Connecticut
171. Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina
184. David Carter, DT, UCLA
249. Demarco Sampson, WR, S.D. State

Grade: C –

You said it, brother. There's no shame in drafting Patrick Peterson, arguably the top prospect in this year's draft and one of the few rays of light in what are dark days in the Valley of the Sun. But will Peterson ever buy a house in Phoenix or will he get traded to Philly for Kevin Kolb, as swirling rumors insist?

2011 Draft Class

6. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
91. Akeem Dent, LB, Georgia
145. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon St.
192. Matt Bosher, K, Miami
210. Andrew Jackson, OT, Fresno St.
230. Cliff Matthews, DE, South Carolina

Grade: B –

The Dirty Birds are hoping Julio Jones is as electric as the red hot live wire that is Leticia Cline. ATL gave up its first- (No. 27), second- (No. 59) and fourth-rounder (No. 124) as well as next year's first- and fourth-rounder in order to move up to the No. 6 overall spot. The Falcons also added solid building blocks in local wild man backer Akeem Dent, cat-quick scat-back Quizz Rodgers, old school kicker-punter-gunner Matt Bosher and project tackle-slash-dead president Andrew Jackson.
 

2011 Draft Class

1. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
65. Terrell McClain, DT, South Florida
97. Sione Fua, DT, Stanford
98. Brandon Hogan, CB, West Virginia
132. Kealoha Pilares, WR, Hawaii
166. Lawrence Wilson, LB, Connecticut
203. Zachary Williams, C, Wash. State
244. Lee Ziemba, OT, Auburn

Grade: B

Only one team can win the Super Bowl, but all 32 teams in the NFL can sell tickets and jerseys. Without Cam Newton, the Panthers would have no buzz surrounding the first year of Ron Rivera's new program. Now, the Cats are a bad team with a clear identity. The best $180,000 ever (allegedly) spent just keeps compiling interest; Cecil Newton's son's stock is still soaring. Don't bet against the man who wears No. 2 (and I'm not talking about you, Jimmy Clausen; take off that jersey and give it to Cam).
 

2011 Draft Class

29. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
53. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
93. Chris Conte, S, California
160. Nathan Enderle, QB, Idaho
195. James Thomas, LB, West Virginia

Grade: B +

The Bears' haul is the opposite of both Jessica Burciaga and Willie Gault, the man whose jersey-skirt she's wearing. This class has neither finesse nor speed. Power is the name of the game, with blindside bodyguard Gabe Carimi and trench warrior Stephen Paea — of 49 reps of 225 pounds fame — leading the way.

2011 Draft Class

9. Tyron Smith, OT, USC
40. Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina
71. DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
110. David Arkin, OT, Missouri State
143. Josh Thomas, CB, Buffalo
176. Dwayne Harris, WR, East Carolina
220. Shaun Chapas, RB, Georgia
252. Bill Nagy, C, Wisconsin

Grade: B

Jerry Jones went heavy on top-flight ath-a-letes and O-linemen. Raw tackle Tyron Smith has Texas-sized upside and the look of a guy who will be first off the bus on road trips. When healthy, DeMarco Murray is a game-changing triple-threat runner-receiver-returner who could make an instant impact for the Boys.
 

2011 Draft Class

13. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
44. Titus Young, WR, Boise State
57. Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
157. Douglas Hogue, LB, Syracuse
209. Johnny Culbreath, OT, S.C. State

Grade: B +

Much like this Lioness, Detroit made a little bit go a long way — and looked good doing it. Nick Fairley will line up next to Ndamukong Suh to give the Motown defense one of the nastiest tackle combos around. Titus Young and Mikel Leshoure add firepower to a young offense that will hopefully have a healthy Matt Stafford under center in 2011.
 

2011 Draft Class

32. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi St.
64. Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
96. Alex Green, RB, Hawaii
131. Davon House, CB, New Mexico St.
141. D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
179. Caleb Schlauderaff, OG, Utah
186. D.J. Smith, LB, Appalachian St.
197. Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona
218. Ryan Taylor, TE, North Carolina
233. Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona St.

Grade: B –

Good thing this guy's wearing pasties. And I can't quite tell, but does he have a Clay Matthews-wannabe mullet coming out of his papier-mache Packers helmet? Because it's awesome. Ted Thompson and the reigning champs were solid as usual, giving Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers some new toys and, more importantly, a little protection in Derek Sherrod.
 

2011 Draft Class

12. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
43. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
106. Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa
139. Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
168. Demarcus Love, OG, Arkansas
170. Mistral Raymond, S, South Florida
172. Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock
200. Ross Homan, LB, Ohio State
215. D'Aundre Reed, DE, Arizona
236. Stephen Brown, WR, W. Texas A&M

Grade: C +

Most casual draft observers thought taking Christian Ponder at No. 12 overall was a reach. I don't agree — mainly because I think Ponder was underrated throughout the predraft process. With three quarterbacks going in the top 10, it was shoot or be shot for the Vikings, who pulled the trigger on their choice to succeed Brett Favre.
 

2011 Draft Class

24. Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
28. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
72. Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
88. Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville
226. Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh
243. Nate Bussey, LB, Illinois

Grade: A –

There's reason to dance in the Big Easy after a draft haul that is headlined by a pair of NFL sons, versatile end Cameron Jordan (Steve's boy) and Heisman Trophy-winning runner Mark Ingram (Jr.). N'awlins also added upside-laden prospects with linebacker Martez Wilson, corner Johnny Patrick and end Greg Romeus.
 

2011 Draft Class

19. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
52. Marvin Austin, DL, North Carolina
83. Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy
117. James Brewer, OL, Indiana
185. Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State
198. Tyler Sash, S, Iowa
202. Jacquian Williams, LB, So. Florida
221. Da'Rel Scott, RB, Maryland

Grade: A

Giants fans got lucky on draft day, with gift wrapped presents falling left and right. Lockdown corner Prince Amukamara was a top 10 pick who inexplicably slid to No. 19 overall, while larger-than-life 3-technique tackle "Anchorman" Marvin Austin tumbled to the second round after sitting out the 2010 season due to an NCAA suspension caused by a bad combination of free champagne, vacations to South Beach and Twitter posts and pics.
 

2011 Draft Class

23. Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor
54. Jaiquawn Jarrett, S, Temple
90. Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State
116. Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon
120. Alex Henery, K, Nebraska
149. Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh
161. Julian Vandervelde, OG, Iowa
191. Jason Kelce, OG, Cincinnati
193. Brian Rolle, LB, Ohio State
237. Greg Lloyd, LB, Connecticut
240. Stanley Havili, RB, USC

Grade: C +

Cheerleader Danni-Lynn doesn't seem too stoked about Canadian fireman Danny Watkins or opera singer Julian Vandervelde; but you can guarantee Andy Reid is happy to have another couple of 300-pounders on the O-line. The Eagles also added the latest member of the Matthews royal football family, Casey, and another Pitt running back in Dion Lewis. Nothing too exciting, but a solid class, nonetheless.

2011 Draft Class

7. Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
36. Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
80. Chris Culliver, CB, South Carolina
115. Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma St.
163. Daniel Kilgore, OG, Appalachian St.
182. Ronald Johnson, WR, USC
190. Colin Jones, S, TCU
211. Bruce Miller, DE, Central Florida
239. Michael Person, OL, Montana St.
250. Curtis Holcomb, DB, Florida A&M

Grade: D

Jim Harbaugh opened his Bay Area reign with a pair of boom-or-bust prospects. Everyone was telling Aldon Smith he could have been a top 10 pick in 2012 had he just stayed at Mizzou; then he went No. 7 overall (ahead of fellow Tiger Blaine Gabbert) and looked like the Warren Buffett of draft stock gurus. Colin Kaepernick is no Andrew Luck, but he'll need to be better than Alex Smith — a passer with whom he shares many similarities.

2011 Draft Class

25. James Carpenter, OT, Alabama
75. John Moffitt, OG, Wisconsin
99. K.J. Wright, LB, Mississippi State
107. Kris Durham, WR, Georgia
154. Richard Sherman, DB, Stanford
156. Mark Legree, S, Appalachian State
173. Byron Maxwell, DB, Clemson
205. Lazarius Levingston, DL, LSU
242. Malcolm Smith, LB, USC

Grade: C –

U.S. Congressman and Hall of Fame wideout Steve Largent would not be happy with this year's group of incoming Hawks — and nor would jersey-swiping, dancing machine Jerry Rice, for that matter. Marshawn Lynch, on the other hand, should be in "Beast Mode" this season, with a pair of mauling run-blockers as Seattle's top two picks.
 

2011 Draft Class

14. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
47. Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin
78. Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State
112. Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii
158. Jermale Hines, DB, Ohio State
216. Mikail Baker, DB, Baylor
228. Jabara Williams, LB, Stephen F. Austin
229. Jonathan Nelson, DB, Oklahoma

Grade: C –

Quick-twitch end Robert Quinn was incredible value at No. 14 overall. Then, apparently the Rams decided to let Sam Bradford take over the war room, as pass-catchers went with three straight picks before the secondary was addressed late in the game.
 

2011 Draft Class

20. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
51. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
84. Mason Foster, LB, Washington
104. Luke Stocker, TE, Tennessee
151. Ahmad Black, S, Florida
187. Allen Bradford, RB, USC
222. Anthony Gaitor, DB, FIU
238. Daniel Hardy, TE, Idaho

Grade: IR

Creamsicle or pewter bandages? Between Adrian Clayborn's Erb's Palsy-weakened right shoulder and Da'Quan Bowers' microfracture-repaired ticking timebomb of a right knee, the Bucs' doctors could be busy. Best case scenario: Tampa 2 just added a pair of top 10 pick caliber pass rushers. Worst case scenario: The team that just turned down a chance to be featured on HBO's Hard Knocks will have a hard knock life filled with foreseeable injuries and second-guessing.

2011 Draft Class

16. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
41. Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson
79. Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
105. Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska
146. Dejon Gomes, S, Nebraska
155. Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska
177. Evan Royster, RB, Penn State
178. Aldrick Robinson, WR, SMU
213. Brandyn Thompson, CB, Boise St.
217. Maurice Hurt, OG, Florida
224. Markus White, DE, Florida State
253. Chris Neild, NT, West Virginia

Grade: C –

This class is nothing to head bang about. Unable to trade either Donovan McNabb or Albert Haynesworth for additional draft picks due to the lockout, the Skins decided to move out of the No. 10 overall pick and stockpile players later in the draft. Ryan Kerrigan was a hand-down 4-3 end in college but will be a stand-up guy on the edge of the 3-4 legislation Mike Shanahan is forcing in D.C.