NFL Draft Grades: AFC Winners and Losers

Marlon Oram

Correspondent Written on April 28, 2009

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NEW YORK - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands with Detroit Lions #1 draft pick Matthew Stafford at Radio City Music Hall for the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25, 2009 in New York City (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

The second day of the 2009 NFL Draft ended on Sunday evening, and the jury is in.

Who was the biggest winner of all the teams? The biggest loser? Who got the biggest steals? Who made the worst and biggest reaches?

In the AFC, the grades ranged from A+ to F-. Without further ado, here's my list of the two biggest winners and losers of the AFC in this weekend's NFL Draft.

Winner—New England Patriots

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: Tom Brady #12 of of the New England Patriots passes in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/

Not only did the Patriots bolster their defense with youth, but they also did this without having to give first-round money.

They also got rid of some picks and traded down in order to get two second-round draft picks next year.

They got Jacob Ingram, who is considered to be one of the best long-snappers ever to be drafted, and Julian Edelman, a QB/WR who may help implement a "Wildcat" formation for the Patriots.

Grade: A+

Winner—Cincinnati Bengals

BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 7: Wide receiver Chad Johnson #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals stands on the field prior to game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 7, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens won 17-10. (Photo by Ned Dishman/G

The Bengals' first three picks were worthy of being first-round picks (Andre Smith, Rey Maualuga, and Michael Johnson).

They also got TE Chase Coffman, who was a second-round-worthy pick, in the late third round.

Even though I truly thought that they should get OT Eugene Monroe before Andre Smith, this is still a winner at the draft.

The defense got a great upgrade, and hopefully Keith Rivers will be healthy this season for them.

Grade: A

Loser—San Diego Chargers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 23: Defensive lineman Larry English of Northern Illinois runs during the NFL Scouting Combine presented by Under Armour at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 23, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

This was a close call between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers for who did worse.

But I chose the Chargers because not only did they get a huge reach in the first round, but they also shouldn't have picked two guards.

They should have picked RBs Cedric Peerman or Javon Ringer or traded up 5-10 picks for Andre Brown, who went a round lower than expected, instead of an unknown Gartrell Johnson.

Also, OG Duke Robinson was available when they picked the other two guards.

Grade: D

Loser—Oakland Raiders

NEW YORK - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses with with San Francisco 49ers #10 draft pick Michael Crabtree at Radio City Music Hall for the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25, 2009 in New York City (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

The picture says, enough already. How could you pass up Michael Crabtree and B.J. Raji for Darrius Heyward-Bey? How could you get the 73rd-ranked safety in the second round?

And people wonder how Al Davis uses his mind. I mean, he has a young team with some very good young pieces and could have added a couple others, but he made a mockery of the NFL.

This was the worst draft ever!

Grade: F-

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written on April 28, 2009 Rankings/List

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