2010 NFL Draft: Grading the First Round, No. 17-32

17. San Francisco 49ers: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
Grade: A
Like Seattle, I love what the Niners did in this draft. Adding two lineman to a unit that is already anchored by Joe Staley. The Niners are moving in the right direction.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
Grade: A
I love the pick. The Steelers need to protect their QB. Pouncey is a gifted athlete that can play center or guard.

19. Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Grade: A
The Falcons addressed a need at LB. They could have went for a DE, but I like the pick.

20. Houston Texans: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Grade: A-
Perhaps they should have made a play to get Mathews or Thomas. They did land a talented CB without having to part with additional picks.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Grade: A
The Bengals filled a need by landing a talented TE that should help open things up for Chad Johnson and Antonio Bryant. They also kept him out of Baltimore’s hands.

22. Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Grade: B
I don’t mind the pick, but why not take Dez Bryant? I know you had issues with Brandon Marshall, but Bryant’s seem to be overblown.

23. Green Bay Packers: Bryan Bulaga, T, Iowa
Grade: A
Love this pick. He slid and the Packers snatched him up. Not only is he talented, but he’s a dire need. Aaron Rodgers can rest easier knowing the Pack got his back.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Grade: A
The Cowboys were pretty well-stocked at every position other than WR. The Cowboys rectified that by taking the best WR prospect in the draft.

25. Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Grade: D
You have a functioning QB in place with Kyle Orton. You traded for Brady Quinn, who has never been given a chance with an actual team. Why add a QB that may or may not help you in two or three years?

26. Arizona Cardinals: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Grade: A
The Cardinals needed to improve their defense that was shredded in the playoffs. Landing an anchor in the middle of their defensive line was a great start. Many projected him to go with the 12th pick to Miami, so clearly there is value where Arizona got him.

27. New England Patriots: Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Grade: B
I have a hard time criticizing the Patriots given their track record, but one would think adding to their defensive line would have been a priority.

28. Miami Dolphins: Jared Odrick, DL, Penn State
Grade: B+
The Dolphins’ biggest need is at NT. With Williams off the board, they went with a talented DE. Can’t complain too much.

29. New York Jets: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Grade: B+
I really like what Rex Ryan is doing for the Jets. Even though he has two talented CBs, he adds a third, making it even harder for Peyton, Brady, and Co. to pass on them.

30. Detroit Lions (from Minnesota Vikings): Jahvid Best, RB, California
Grade: B+
I really like the pick, and what the Lions did in the first round. I just wonder if they really needed to trade up to get Best.

31. Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU
Grade: B+
I like that they are addressing their defensive line after showing vulnerability when Dwight Freeney went down.

32. New Orleans Saints: Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
Grade: B+
I love that they focused on their defense. The teams to beat (Indy, NE, SD, MN) all have elite passing attacks. Adding another play-maker in their secondary is a smart move.

Click here for the grades of the first sixteen picks.