2009 NFL Draft Grades: All 32 Teams

(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

After talking about speculation regarding the draft for weeks, TV and radio commentators often wrap up their draft coverage by griping about why grades are a foolish endeavor to feed our need for instant gratification. 

They are correct when they say you can't truly grade a draft for three years, but they rarely follow it up by grading the 2006 draft (hint: anybody can tell you how a team did three years later). 

Enough of my babbling.  After writing mock drafts, profiles, articles and rankings for the last six months, I just want to do grades because I want to know how well I did three years from now (hint: I was wrong about the 2008 Falcons draft. Really wrong) plus it's fun so here goes in grade order:  

(Click on the team name for pick-by-pick analysis of the entire team and access to each players profile.)

Grade: A

Philadelphia Eagles - Tremendous draft for Andy Reid and company.  First, they filled their biggest need (LT) trading the 28th overall pick (and change) for LT Jason Peters.  They followed it up on draft day, by getting Andy Reid to drink from the skill position kool-aid by adding the No. 2 wide receiver in Jeremy Maclin and the draft's best Brian Westbrook clone in LeSean McCoy.  TE Cornelius Ingram could also be a great fifth-round value.

Grade: A-

Cincinnati Bengals - A potentially franchise altering draft for the Bengals. As usual the Bengals stood pat but managed to avoid the reaches of previous drafts. Andre Smith is a gamble at No. 6 but he has talent and fills the team's top need. MLB Rey Maualuga is a defensive difference maker in Round Two.

Michael Johnson would have been a huge gamble in Round One but is top pass rushing talent well worth the risk in Round Three. TE Chase Coffman, C Jonathan Luigs and P Kevin Huber will all be given the opportunity to contribute early as well. 

This grade gets an asterisk because for all its talent it remains a bit on the high risk/high reward side.

Seattle Seahawks - Added two top talents in LB Aaron Curry and C Max Unger plus they gained a 2010 1st round pick in the process.  Also made three nice value picks in round 7 in DE/LB Nick Reed, S Courtney Greene and TE Cameron Morrah.

Grade: B+

Chicago Bears - The Bears ranked among the winners of the draft after trading for QB Jay Cutler but also managed to add good value on draft day despite not having a first round pick. Third rounders DT Jarron Gilbert and WR Juaquin Iglesias filled needs while fourth round CB/S DJ Moore was one of the best value picks in the entire draft.

Indianapolis Colts - No team builds its team through the draft better than Indianapolis and its 2009 class is no different. Joseph Addai's struggles showed they need another running back and Donald Brown is a tremendous fit for their offense. 

They were in desperate need for help at defensive tackle and added two possible starters in Fili Moala and Terrence Taylor.  Like Donald Brown, WR Austin Collie is a great scheme fit.

Grade: B

Atlanta Falcons - They filled  top offensive need when they traded a 2010 2nd rounder TE Tony Gonzalez allowing them to fill needs at DT and S with the early selections of DT Peria Jerry and S William Moore.  Defensive end Lawrence Sidbury is a high upside 4th rounder but cornerbacks Christopher Owens and Williams Middleton were questionable selections.

Baltimore Ravens

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?