Grading Every NFL Team's Draft Performance of the Past Decade

While there are many different approaches to building one's roster, NFL organizations ensure that the draft is where the foundation of their franchise is built. Free agency is vital, but injecting a continuous rotation of youth and upside is what separates the teams in this league.

The primary goal is to hit the premium picks at the top of the draft.  Teams must also consistently find solid talent in the middle rounds, however, which is exactly what makes certain organizations really good at what they do this time of year.

The 2013 NFL draft is in one week and team officials are in the final stages of putting their draft boards together.

Looking back over the past decade, it is easy to see which teams have a solid approach in place and which ones need some work. Here is a quick glance at some of the results.

All info gathered from Pro Football Reference

Drafts included are from 2003-12

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Arizona Cardinals

Total Picks: 69

Best Player: Larry Fitzgerald, wide receiver, third overall pick in 2004

Worst Pick: Matt Leinart, quarterback, 10th overall pick in 2006

Best Value: Anquan Boldin, wide receiver, 54th overall pick in 2003

First Round Busts: Matt Leinart; Beanie Wells (2009); Dan Williams (2010)

Overall Grade: C+

The Cardinals did a decent job of mitigating the first-round bust, but failed to execute in key areas when it counted—missing on every quarterback they drafted in this span. 

Atlanta Falcons

Total Picks: 76

Best Player: Matt Ryan, quarterback, third overall pick in 2008

Worst Pick: Jamaal Anderson, defensive end, eighth overall pick in 2007

Best Value: Thomas DeCoud, safety, 98th overall pick in 2008

First Round Busts: Jamaal Anderson; Peria Jerry (2009)

Overall Grade: A

The foundation of Atlanta's roster has been built entirely from the draft. Players like Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Sean Weatherspoon, William Moore and DeCoud all play an integral role in the franchise's future.

Baltimore Ravens

Total Picks: 81

Best Player: Ray Rice, running back, 55th overall pick in 2008

Worst Pick: Kyle Boller, quarterback, 19th overall pick 2003

Best Value: Rice

First Round Busts: Kyle Boller; Mark Clayton (2005);

Overall Grade: A-

Much like the Atlanta Falcons, the Ravens' roster is primarily built on guys drafted by the organization. While some of those players may be on the backside of the careers or retired by now, Joe Flacco, Rice, Torrey Smith, Courtney Upshaw, Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb form a solid talent base for the future.

Buffalo Bills

Total Picks: 81

Best Player: Willis McGahee, running back, 23rd overall pick in 2003

Worst Pick: J.P. Losman, quarterback, 22nd overall pick in 2004

Best Value: Stevie Johnson, wide receiver, 224th overall pick in 2008

First Round Busts: J.P. Losman; Aaron Maybin and Eric Wood (2009)

Overall Grade: D+

If not for snagging safety Jairus Byrd and guard Andy Levitre in the second round in 2009 that draft could be looked at as the worst in Bills' franchise history. Keeping talent around is key, but most of the marquee names Buffalo drafted no longer play for the team.

Carolina Panthers

Total Picks: 81

Best Player: Cam Newton, quarterback, first overall pick in 2011

Worst Pick: Jeff Otah, offensive tackle, 19th overall pick in 2008

Best Value: Ryan Kalil, center, 59th overall pick in 2007

First Round Busts: Jeff Otah

Overall Grade: C+

While the Panthers didn't draft the traditional "bust," players like DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Thomas Davis haven't quite lived up to the expectations of a first-round pick, but have endured serviceable careers in the process. Though Jimmy Clausen was taken in the second round in 2010 he is a bust.

Chicago Bears

Total Picks: 79

Best Player: Matt Forte, running back, 44th overall pick in 2008

Worst Pick: Michael Haynes, defensive end, 14th overall pick in 2003

Best Value: Lance Briggs, linebackers, 68th overall pick in 2003

First Round Busts: Michael Haynes and Rex Grossman (2003); Chris Williams (2008)

Overall Grade: B

Though Chicago missed with some picks early on in the draft, this team found plenty of value in the middle rounds with players like Briggs, Henry Melton, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, Mark Anderson, Kyle Orton, Chris Harris, Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman.

Cincinnati Bengals

Total Picks: 90

Best Player: Carson Palmer, quarterback, first overall pick in 2003

Worst Pick: Chris Perry, running back, 26th overall in 2004

Best Value: Geno Atkins, defensive tackle, 120th overall pick in 2010

First Round Busts: Chris Perry; David Pollack (2005); Keith Rivers (2008)

Overall Grade: B+

The core of the Bengals' roster is comprised of players drafted by this organization, which is the main factor in this team slowly gaining traction in the AFC North. Top-end talent such as A.J. Green, Andy Dalton and Leon Hall, mixed in with a number of mid-round value picks, gives Cincinnati a high grade here.

Cleveland Browns

Total Picks: 78

Best Player: Joe Thomas, offensive tackle, third overall pick in 2007

Worst Pick: Brady Quinn, quarterback, 22nd overall pick in 2007

Best Value: Shawn Lauvao, guard, 92nd overall pick in 2010

First Round Busts: Braylon Edwards (2005); Brady Quinn

Overall Grade: C-

The Browns lack a deep talent base but have recently done a good job of drafting key players. Trent Richardson, Alex Mack, Joe Haden and Jabaal Sheard are a solid foundation to build from.

Dallas Cowboys

Total Picks: 78

Best Player: DeMarcus Ware, defensive end, 11th overall pick in 2005

Worst Pick: Bobby Carpenter, linebacker, 18th overall pick in 2006

Best Value: Jason Witten, tight end, 69th overall pick in 2003

First Round Busts: Bobby Carpenter; Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins (2008)

Overall Grade: B

Missing both Jones and Jenkins in 2008 hurt, but the Cowboys have done a fantastic job of finding players—especially on defense with Sean Lee, Anthony Spencer, Marcus Spears, Chris Canty, Bradie James and Jay Ratliff—who have made an impact from a number of spots in the draft.

Denver Broncos

Total Picks: 81

Best Player: Von Miller, linebacker, second overall pick in 2011

Worst Pick: Tim Tebow, quarterback, 25th overall pick in 2010

Best Value: Elvis Dumervil, defensive end, 126th overall pick in 2006

First Round Busts: Jarvis Moss (2007); Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers (2009); Tim Tebow

Overall Grade: C+

The selection of Tebow is still a mystery, though he did lead the Broncos to a playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 season. The jury could still be out on both Moreno and Ayers, but neither have lived up to expectations just yet.

Detroit Lions

Total Picks: 76

Best Player: Calvin Johnson, wide receiver, second overall pick in 2007

Worst Pick: Charles Rogers, wide receiver, second overall pick in 2002

Best Value: Cliff Avril, defensive end, 92nd overall pick in 2008 draft

First Round Busts: Charles Rogers; Roy Willams and Kevin Jones (2004); Mike Williams (2005); Ernie Sims (2006); Jahvid Best (2010)

Overall Grade: D+

You can see a colossal shift in draft results in Detroit, beginning in 2007 with the selection of Megatron. If you draft that many wide receivers then you are bound to get one right.  The Lions certainly did with Johnson and some of the other players drafted since. 

Green Bay Packers

Total Picks: 90

Best Player: Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, 24th overall pick in 2005

Worst Pick: Justin Harrell, defensive tackle, 16th overall pick in 2007

Best Value: Marshall Newhouse, guard, 169th overall pick in 2010

First Round Busts: Ahmad Carroll (2004); Justin Harrell

Overall Grade: A-

The Packers thrived over the past decade by taking the best available player on their draft board. Green Bay found tremendous value in the later rounds and has built a solid roster comprised mostly of in-house talent.

Houston Texans

Total Picks: 79

Best Player: Andre Johnson, wide receiver, third overall pick in 2003

Worst Pick: Travis Johnson, defensive tackle, 16th overall pick in 2005

Best Value: Glover Quin, safety, 112th overall pick in 2009

First Round Busts: Travis Johnson; Amobi Okoye (2007)

Overall Grade: B

Headlined by Andre Johnson and J.J. Watt, the Texans boast two of the better players at their respective positions in the entire league. A lack of value found in the middle rounds, however, brings Houston's grade down a bit here.

Indianapolis Colts

Total Picks: 82

Best Player: Andrew Luck, quarterback, first overall pick in 2012

Worst Pick: Marlin Jackson, cornerback, 29th overall pick in 2005

Best Value: Robert Mathis, defensive end, 138th overall pick in 2003

First Round Busts: Marlin Jackson; Anthony Gonzalez (2007); Donald Brown (2009); Jerry Hughes (2010);

Overall Grade: C

The Colts have found good value over the years with Mathis and Pierre Garcon, but a string of first-round busts brings their grade down quite a bit. The 2012 draft class, however, could end up being one of the best in franchise history.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Total Picks: 75

Best Player: Maurice Jones-Drew, running back, 60th overall pick in 2006

Worst Pick: Matt Jones, wide receiver, 21st overall pick in 2005

Best Value: Jones-Drew

First Round Busts: Byron Leftwich (2003); Reggie Williams (2004); Jones; Marcedes Lewis (2006); Derrick Harvery (2008); Blaine Gabbert (2011)

Overall Grade: F

Does there really need to be much elaboration when more than half of the team's first round picks over the last decade have been busts?

Kansas City Chiefs

Total Picks: 82

Best Player: Derrick Johnson, linebacker, 15th overall pick in 2005

Worst Pick: Tyson Jackson, defensive lineman, third overall pick in 2009

Best Value: Jared Allen, defensive end, 126th overall pick in 2004

First Round Busts: Glenn Dorsey (2008); Tyson Jackson; Jonathan Baldwin (2011)

Overall Grade: C+

Go back just a couple of years and this grade could have been far worse for the Chiefs, with Ryan Sims (2002) and Sylvester Morris (2000) in the mix. But over the past decade Kansas City has drafted top-end talent and has found great value in the middle rounds.

Miami Dolphins

Total Picks: 77

Best Player: Jake Long, offensive tackle, first overall pick in 2008

Worst Pick: Ted Ginn Jr., wide receiver, ninth overall pick in 2009

Best Value: Brian Hartline, wide receiver, 108th overall pick in 2009

First Round Busts: Ronnie Brown (2005); Ted Ginn Jr.

Overall Grade: C

The Dolphins are about as middle-of-the-road in their ability to draft over the past decade as you can get. Miami doesn't feature tons of top-end talent from the draft, nor did the team find too much value in the middle rounds; but the franchise was not bitten too hard by the bust either. 

Minnesota Vikings

Total Picks: 74

Best Player: Adrian Peterson, running back, seventh overall pick in 2007

Worst Pick: Troy Williamson, wide receiver, seventh overall pick in 2005

Best Value: Ray Edwards, defensive end, 127th overall pick in 2006

First Round Busts: Kenechi Udeze (2004); Troy Williamson

Overall Grade: C+

While the Vikings have stayed away from the busts for the most part, the pick of Williamson will never be excused. The jury is still out on quarterback Christian Ponder, which could have a huge impact on this grade moving forward.

New England Patriots

Total Picks: 91

Best Player: Vince Wilfork. defensive tackle, 21st overall pick in 2004

Worst Pick: Chad Jackson, wide receiver, 36th overall pick in 2006

Best Value: Alfonzo Dennard, cornerback, 224th overall pick in 2012

First Round Busts: Laurence Maroney (2006)

Overall Grade: A

The Patriots are very resourceful when it comes to the draft, selecting players with a purpose and actually reaping the benefits typically over a long period of time. Jackson gets the nod as worst pick over Maroney simply because he barely saw the field.  For a team that throws the ball a lot, that definitely says something about his work ethic. 

New Orleans Saints

Total Picks: 62

Best Player: Marques Colston, wide receiver, 252nd overall pick in 2006

Worst Pick: Jonathan Sullivan, defensive tackle, sixth overall pick in 2003

Best Value: Colston

First Round Busts: Jonathan Sullivan; Robert Meacham (2007)

Overall Grade: C

Not much to really go on here with only 62 total picks over the last decade, but the Saints hit the jackpot with Colston in the seventh round back in 2006. The jury is still out on guys like Sedrick Ellis, Patrick Robinson and Malcolm Jenkins, however.

New York Giants

Total Picks: 76

Best Player: Philip Rivers, quarterback, fourth overall pick in 2004 (traded to San Diego Chargers)

Worst Pick: William Joseph, defensive tackle, 25th overall pick in 2003

Best Value: Ahmad Bradshaw, running back, 250th overall pick in 2007

First Round Busts: William Joseph; Aaron Ross (2007)

Overall Grade: A-

The Giants have utilized the draft to stockpile a defense that has helped this team win two Super Bowls over the past five seasons. New York gets solid value with other contributors and has generally avoided the bust.

New York Jets

Total Picks: 65

Best Player: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, offensive tackle, fourth overall pick in 2006

Worst Pick: Vernon Gholston, defensive end, sixth overall pick in 2008

Best Value: David Harris, linebacker, 47th overall pick in 2007

First Round Busts: Dewayne Robertson (2003); Gholston; Mark Sanchez (2009); Kyle Wilson (2010)

Overall Grade: F

The Jets have failed to identify enough top talent to build a strong foundation for their roster, while also missing out on four first-rounders over the decade. Not finding value in the middle rounds certainly doesn't help their cause either.

Oakland Raiders

Total Picks: 79

Best Player: Nnamdi Asomugha, cornerback, 31st overall pick in 2003

Worst Pick: JaMarcus Russell, quarterback, first overall pick in 2007

Best Value: Denarius Moore, wide receiver, 148th overall pick in 2011

First Round Busts: Robert Gallery (2004); Fabian Washington (2005); JeMarcus Russell; Darren McFadden (2008); Darrius Heyward-Bey (2009); Rolando McClain (2010);

Overall Grade: F

Though things could be looking up for the Raiders with Reggie McKenzie running the show, this team has endured a horrendous stretch of drafts headlined by Russell. With very little value and no top-end talent to really speak of, Oakland is staring up at the rest of the league when it comes to this area.

Philadelphia Eagles

Total Picks: 94

Best Player: LeSean McCoy, running back, 53rd overall pick in 2009

Worst Pick: Jerome McDougle, defensive end, 15th overall pick in 2003

Best Value: Trent Cole, defensive end, 146th overall pick in 2005

First Round Busts: Jerome McDougle; Shawn Andrews (2004); Brandon Graham (2010)

Overall Grade: C

The Eagles have plenty of offensive talent in place and now have a new coach (Chip Kelly) to light the NFL on fire with it. The longevity of Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley kept them out of the bust list, or Philadelphia would be graded much lower here.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Total Picks: 80

Best Player: Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback, 11th overall pick in 2004

Worst Pick: Alonzo Jackson, linebacker, 59th overall pick in 2003

Best Value: Antonio Brown, wide receiver, 195th overall pick in 2010

First Round Busts: Rashard Mendenhall (2008)

Overall Grade: A+

When your only first-round bust over the last decade is a guy who has rushed for 3,549 yards and 29 touchdowns in five injury-riddled seasons, you are doing something right. The Steelers have used the draft as well as any team in the NFL in building their roster over the years.

St. Louis Rams

Total Picks: 91

Best Player: Steven Jackson, running back, 24th overall pick in 2004

Worst Pick: Jason Smith, offensive tackle, second overall pick in 2009

Best Value: Daryl Richardson, running back, 252nd overall pick in 2012

First Round Busts: Jimmy Kennedy (2003); Alex Barron (2005); Tye Hill (2006); Adam Carriker (2007); Smith

Overall Grade: C

The Rams have done an outstanding job recently of upgrading their defense by bringing in Chris Long, Robert Quinn, Janoris Jenkins and Michael Brockers through the draft. If not for five first-round busts over the last 10 years their grade would be much higher.

San Diego Chargers

Total Picks: 74

Best Player: Eli Manning, quarterback, first overall pick in 2004 (traded to the New York Giants)

Worst Pick: Sammy Davis, defensive back, 30th overall pick in 2003

Best Value: Michael Turner, running back, 154th overall pick in 2004

First Round Busts: Sammy Davis; Craig Davis (2007)

Overall Grade: C+

The Chargers avoided the bust, located top-end talent and found some decent value in the middle rounds. That could all change, of course, if Ryan Mathews doesn't live up to his first-round billing.

San Francisco 49ers

Total Picks: 83

Best Player: Patrick Willis, linebacker, 11th overall pick in 2007

Worst Pick: Rashaun Woods, wide receiver, 31st overall pick in 2004

Best Value: Frank Gore, running back, 65th overall pick in 2005

First Round Busts: Kwame Harris (2003); Woods; Kentwan Ballmer (2008)

Overall Grade: A-

When the 49ers missed on a pick they truly missed.  But when they hit on one, that player is usually one of the best at their position in the league. For that reason, San Francisco gets a boost and is one of the better teams in the NFL when it comes to drafting.

Seattle Seahawks

Total Picks: 81

Best Player: Earl Thomas, safety, 14th overall pick in 2010

Worst Pick: Marcus Tubbs, defensive tackle, 23rd overall pick in 2004

Best Value: Russell Wilson, quarterback, 75th overall pick in 2012

First Round Busts: Tubbs; Kelly Jennings (2006); Lawrence Jackson (2008); Aaron Curry (2009)

Overall Grade: B-

The Seahawks grade has the chance to be much higher after seeing 2012's draft class stash another year under its belt. The sky is the limit for Wilson and this defense is full of young, energetic talent.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Total Picks: 83

Best Player: Aqib Talib, cornerback, 20th overall pick in 2008

Worst Pick: Gaines Adams, defensive end, fourth overall pick in 2007

Best Value: Jeremy Zuttah, guard, 83rd overall pick in 2008

First Round Busts: Dewayne White (2003); Michael Clayton (2004); Cadillac Williams (2005); Gaines Adams

Overall Grade: C

The Buccaneers started out this particular stretch with three-consecutive first-round busts but have since done a good job of redirecting the franchise. Though the jury is still out on Josh Freeman at quarterback, Tampa Bay is in a much better position now than just 10 years ago.

Tennessee Titans

Total Picks: 94

Best Player: Chris Johnson, running back, 24th overall pick in 2008

Worst Pick: Andre Woolfolk, defensive back, 28th overall pick in 2003

Best Value: Cortland Finnegan, cornerback, 215th overall pick in 2006

First Round Busts: Andre Woolfolk; Adam Jones (2005); Vince Young (2006)

Overall Grade: D+

Whether you chalk it up to bad luck or not, the Titans grade here could have been much different had the fates of Jones and Young turned out a bit more in their favor. Instead, Tennessee was never able to get as much out of the two players as they needed.

Washington Redskins

Total Picks: 68

Best Player: Robert Griffin III, quarterback, second overall pick in 2012

Worst Pick: Devin Thomas, wide receiver, 34th overall pick in 2008

Best Value: Alfred Morris, running back, 173rd overall pick in 2012

First Round Busts: Jason Campbell (2005); LaRon Landry (2007)

Overall Grade: C+

If not for Griffin and Morris this grade would be much lower for the Redskins. Washington has done a solid job of bringing top-end defensive talent via the draft, but a lot of the players are still young and could go either way.