NFL Draft Round 1: Instant Reactions and Grades

I know what you’re thinking: it’s too soon to review the draft.

I admit, it’s difficult to gauge the impact a rookie will have on a franchise, but the first round offers more assurance than most. And we’ve done nothing since the Super Bowl but pore over tapes, discuss prospects and attentively review every minute trade, signing and release around the league.

But mainly, we do it because it’s a lot of fun to pretend we know more than we do.

These 32 reactions were written as knee-jerk responses to the decisions teams made. How did your favorite do?

1. Indianapolis Colts Select Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Consider the “suck for Luck” campaign a success. Widely considered the most NFL-ready quarterback available in the draft, Andrew Luck oozes intangibles and ran the 40-yard dash a full tenth of a second faster than Cam Newton last season. The reason no one talked about his quickness at Stanford? He was protected by a great offensive line. That's not true in Indianapolis, so expect scrambling.

And while Luck positions the franchise for the future, Indianapolis must surround him with more weapons and improve the defense through the draft. The team averaged just 15.2 points per game last season and allowed 26.9, a differential of minus-12.7. Luck won’t be the cure-all, something Colts fans will need to deal with for a few seasons while he finds his footing on the professional stage.

Bottom line: not since Peyton Manning have scouts been so sold on a prospect, which bodes well for the Colts, who have no other quality options at the position and are better than most at picking seasons in which to throw in the towel.

Grade: A

2. Washington Redskins Select Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

To move up to second overall, Washington traded the future in hoping to draft it now, crippling the franchise if this pick fails.

No pressure, RGIII.

Fortunately, Griffin has plenty of support in his corner. NFL Films' Greg Cosell praised his "superior arm talent" and argued he is a "better natural passer than Luck," while Redskins GM Bruce Allen endorsed the selection, saying, "[We] think that Robert fits our offense to a tee. We’re excited about being able to complement him with what we’ve already been able to do with some of his special talents. Obviously his charisma is going to be embraced by the Redskins Nation."

Griffin's natural athletic ability is stunning (he runs a 4.41-second 40-yard dash), but his poise from the pocket and maturity set him apart from a large crop of the NFL’s current starters.

Bottom line: Cam Newton showed the NFL the future of the quarterback position in 2011. Griffin and Luck are arriving to continue the trend.

Grade: A

3. Cleveland Browns (from Minnesota) Select Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

After Peyton Hillis considered becoming a secret agent, betraying his eccentricity, Cleveland selected the best overall running back in the NFL draft. The pick makes sense because Colt McCoy needs a running back who can take keep defenses honest and a back to whom he can dump the ball under pressure.

Unfortunately, Cleveland traded three mid-to-late-round draft picks to acquire Richardson, suggesting Minnesota was in negotiations with another team interested in drafting the Alabama alum. Investing as much as Cleveland did in Richardson, knowing they're scheduled to play in a division with two elite run defenses, diminishes the decision when one takes a step back.

Trade breakdown:

Browns acquired third overall pick

Vikings acquired fourth overall, and fourth-round, fifth-round, and seventh-round picks

Grade: C

4. Minnesota Vikings (from Cleveland) Select Matt Kalil, Tackle, USC

After trading with the Cleveland Browns to move down one spot, the Vikings snagged the pick everyone projected: the best left tackle in the draft. He'll protect Christian Ponder this season, and anchor the offensive line for the next decade, solidifying a position made famous by Michael Lewis in a brilliant novel ruined by Sandra Bullock.

Grade: A+

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Tampa Bay) Select Justin Blackmon, WR, OK State

Justin Blackmon gives Blaine Gabbert an unstoppable toy with which to play. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen whether Gabbert can send him the ball through the air.

But Gabbert is replaceable, and Blackmon has the talent to make anyone throwing the football look like a professional.

Trade Breakdown:

Jacksonville acquires fourth overall, and fourth-round picks

Tampa Bay acquires seventh overall pick

Grade: B-

6. Dallas Cowboys (from St. Louis) Select Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Though Dallas had to give up a second-round pick to move up, I love this pick for the Cowboys. Dallas ranked 23rd in the NFL against the pass last season and forced 15 interceptions. Claiborne is a ball hawk who instantly improves the defensive backfield and has the potential to develop into a shutdown corner at the pro level.

I'd wager that makes him a worthwhile investment.

Trade breakdown:

Dallas receives sixth overall pick

St. Louis receives 14th overall, and second-round picks

Grade: A-

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Jacksonville) Select Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

The first semi-reach of the draft, Barron will join the Buccaneers in hopes of rebuilding a defense that ranked 32nd last season. Barron's versatility as both a hard-hitter and solid coverage safety upgrades center-field in the defense while his hard-hitting mentality will allow him to provide run support. No doubt Barron was the best safety in the draft, but it can be argued Tampa Bay snagged him a few picks early.

Grade: B-

8. Miami Dolphins Select Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Tannehill is a solid addition for the Dolphins, a quarterback with good vision who can develop in the Dolphins offense. Unfortunately, it will take him time to adjust to the pro level, and Miami's situation at quarterback (Matt Moore and David Garrard) leaves much to be desired.

One wonders whether the Dolphins would have been better served by pursuing another position in the first round, rather than take a flyer on a relatively raw quarterback. Keep in mind, Tannehill wasn't in consideration for the first round two months ago.

No doubt Mike Sherman, Tannehill's coach and mentor at A&M, now a Dolphins assistant, played a significant role in making this pick happen.

Grade: B

9. Carolina Panthers Select Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Panthers helped solidify its linebacker corps by locking up the best in the draft, a good move for a defense that ranked 27th in points allowed last season and allowed running backs to post 4.6 yards per carry. Upgrading at linebacker is the key to improving a defense in the short- and long-term, freeing Carolina to build around Kuechly with future picks.

Grade: A

10. Buffalo Bills Select Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Stephon Gilmore might be a bit of a reach at 10th overall, but overall I like the selection. Buffalo's defense last season was shaky, and Gilmore is very good in coverage. Combine that will the offseason acquisition of Mario Williams, and their playing New England twice each season (who acquired Brandon Lloyd from St. Louis and features Wes Welker), and this pick looks manageable.

Grade: B+

11. Kansas City Chiefs Select Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Adding Dontari Poe makes the Chiefs' run defense much more imposing, but he'll need his motor in high gear more often than was the case in his collegiate career. When he's on his A-game, he can be unstoppable, and if Kansas City maintains its health this season, they'll vie for first place in the NFL's most mediocre division, the AFC West.

Grade: B+

12. Philadelphia Eagles (from Seattle) Select Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.

Philadelphia's interior just got an upgrade: Fletcher Cox is widely considered one of the two best defensive tackles in the draft, so his selection immediately following Poe is fitting. He's great in pursuit, clutch in a division featuring some pass-heavy offenses in Washington, Dallas and New York and will complement Cullen Jenkins well.

Welcome to the Dream Team, Cox.

Trade breakdown:

Philadelphia receives 12th overall pick

Seattle receives 15th overall, fourth-round, and sixth-round picks

Grade: B+

13. Arizona Cardinals Select Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald opposite one another? You're welcome, Kevin Kolb. Now live up to your potential because you just ran out of excuses.

Grade: A

14. St. Louis Rams (from Dallas) Select Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers looks born to play defensive tackle and stuff the run, which sets him up to contribute year one for a Rams defense that allowed 4.8 yards per attempt last season and ranked 31st in terms of yards allowed. It wasn't St. Louis' greatest need, however, and after Poe and Cox came off the board, I'm not sure what convinced the Rams to take a defensive tackle.

Grade: C

15. Seattle Seahawks (from Philadelphia) Select Bruce Irvin, LB, West Virginia

Well, this is why they call Pete Carroll a "players' coach." Irvin was projected to go in the second or third round, due primarily to off-field problems, including the fact he's a high school dropout who was arrested in March.

On the field, however, there's no doubt he can reach the passer as a blitzing linebacker. And few coaches in the NFL know linebackers better than Carroll, who recruited a bevy of solid NFL players during his tenure at USC, including Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing.

Grade: C+

16. New York Jets Select Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples is the best pure defensive end in the draft, but he'll need to add some bulk to play on Rex Ryan's line. His height (nearly 6'6") and quickness (4.78-second 40-time) is impressive for a down lineman, and if any coach can guide him to his potential, it's probably Ryan.

But don't be surprised if Tebow still manages to steal a better headline in tomorrow's paper.

Grade: B

17. Cincinnati Bengals Select Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Nick Saban knows how to prepare young men for a future in the NFL (let's call education "secondary" for these players), and Kirkpatrick, the third Crimson Tide player to go in the first round, will help Saban recruit more talent. '

From the perspective of Bungles fans, the move is solid. Cincinnati forced only 10 interceptions last season. Enter Dre Kirkpatrick and Terrence Newman, a former Dallas Cowboys ball hawk, to boost that number significantly.

Grade: A-

18. San Diego Chargers Select Melvin Ingram, LB, South Carolina

Ingram is one of the most versatile defenders in the draft, and he'll bolster San Diego's defense with the potential to play...anywhere. He can play end, tackle, linebacker, special teams, you name it. San Diego will likely play him at 'backer, but expect coordinator Greg Manusky to move him around to keep quarterbacks guessing.

Grade: A

19. Chicago Bears Select Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

He might be coming off the boards a tad early, but put him in the mix with Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije, and Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford and Christian Ponder will be under constant duress. Given Chicago upgraded its offense in free agency (see: Brandon Marshall), this pick makes loads of sense.

Grade: B+

20. Tennessee Titans Select Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Nate Washington was the top wide receiver for Tennessee last season, and the only wideout with over 50 receptions and 1,000 yards.

The Titans needed serious help alongside Washington next year, though it remains to be seen whether Kendall Wright was the correct pick here, as he was falling down draft boards in April.

21. New England Patriots (from Cincinnati) Selects Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Chandler Jones is another versatile defender who will fit New England perfectly. Belichick can move him around the defense, playing him at both defensive end and linebacker.

Trade breakdown:

New England acquires 21st overall pick

Cincinnati acquires 27th overall, and third-round picks

Grade: A-

22. Cleveland Browns Select Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma

If Colt McCoy felt comfortable as the starter in Cleveland's offense, that all changed today. With two first-round picks, the Browns have redefined the offense with Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden, poising the offense for the future.

As for the present? Not so much.

Grade: D

23. Detoit Lions Select Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Keeping Stafford healthy is priority No. 1 in Detroit. Drafting Reiff pushes the franchise down the right path.

Grade: B+

24. Pittsburgh Steelers Select David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

How DeCastro stayed on the board this long is beyond me, but he'll be an ideal fit in Pittsburgh, helping shore up the interior of its offseason line and protect Roethlisberger. As long as he avoids clubbing with the latter, he'll have years of success with the Steelers.

Grade: A

25. New England Patriots (from Denver) Select Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

That defense everyone criticized last season? Two linebackers in the first round ought to quiet the critics.

Trade breakdown:

New England receives 25th overall pick

Denver receives 31st overall, and fourth-round picks

Grade: A-

26. Houston Texans Select Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Best name in the draft joins one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Grade: A

27. Cincinnati Bengals (from New England) Select Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Kevin Zeitler is as close to a sure thing as the Bengals could hope to acquire this late in the first round, save perhaps fellow Wisconsinite, center Peter Konz.

Grade: A-

28. Green Bay Packers Select Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Called it!

Great pick by the Packers here, particularly considering Whitney Mercilus, Chandler Jones, and Shea McClellin were already off the board. He'll boost Green Bay's pass rush, something Thompson had planned to upgrade via the draft.

Grade: A

29. Minnesota Vikings (from Baltimore) Select Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

He'll play center field in Minnesota as a ball hawk, adding the second best safety in 2012's relatively weak safety class. Clutch, considering the quarterbacks the Vikings will face six times this season.

Trade breakdown:

Minnesota acquires 29th overall pick

Baltimore acquires second-round and fourth-round picks

Grade: B

30. San Francisco Selects AJ Jenkins, WR, Illinois

No number of receivers will compensate for a mediocre quarterback, Jim. After acquiring Mario Manningham and Randy Moss to complement Michael Crabtree, wide receiver probably shouldn't have been on the top of your draft list.

Grade: D

31. Tampa Bay (from Denver) Select Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Tampa Bay, which ranked 32nd in rush attempts last season and first in disappointments, needed an every-down back, and Martin will answer the call.

Trade Breakdown:

Tampa Bay receives 31st overall pick

Denver receives 36th overall pick

Grade: B+

32. New York Giants Select David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

A back who closely resembles Ahmad Bradshaw might not be the "change of pace" New York needs.

Grade: C+