2010 NFL Draft Grades: NFC West

The 2010 NFL Draft is now in the books and the staff members of NFLDraft101.com have each submitted their grades.  We will go division by division recapping each team's draft and presenting our staff grades. (click on the team name for pick by pick analysis)

NFC West:

Arizona Cardinals —Stood pat in round one and landed Dan Williams, a run stuffer who anchor their 3-4 defense.  In round two they traded up to draft ILB Daryl Washington to replace the departed Karlos Dansby.  Washington can make plays sideline to sideline and is excellent in coverage but lacks the bulk you expect in a 3-4 inside backer.  WR Andre Roberts is fearless slot receiver/returner who adds depth at receiver.   Of the day three selections, O'Brien Schofield is quick, attacking pass rusher in the LaMarr Woodley mold who will likely redshirt the 2010 season after tearing his ACL at the Senior Bowl.  Fifth round QB John Skelton is a developmental prospect with a tremendous arm but needs to improve his accuracy and mechanics.  Solid picks, but failed to fill its need at offensive tackle.  Grade: B-

St. Louis Rams —Sam Bradford has the size, arm and intangibles you look for in a franchise quarterback but coming off shoulder surgery and out of a spread offense he is riskier than Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez or Matt Ryan were the past two years.   Considering the speculation regarding his selection, the failure to sign him prior to the draft was a tremendous risk.  A holdout will hinder his transition to a pro style offense and limit his ability to receive valuable playing time in 2010.   The second round selection of G/T Rodger Saffold was a smart investment in Bradford's future.  Third rounder Jerome Murphy is a physical corner who will be given a chance to play right away.  The highlight of day three was the selection of playmaking WR/KR Mardy Gilyard, who was made to play on turf, and the addition of three developmental pass rushers (Hall Davis, George Selvie, and Eugene Sims).  If one or more of the pass rushers can develop it will provide a needed boost to the team's ailing defense.  Keep an eye on developmental TE Fendi Onobun.  He is unlikely to play right away but his rare athleticism was worth a flyer in six.  Overall, the Rams improved its talent base but the lack of post-draft buzz on the Bradford selection has been surprising.  Hindsight being 20/20, the combination of Suh in Round One and Clausen in Round Two would have been the home run this franchise needed.    Grade: B-

San Francisco 49ers —The best way to sum up the 49ers draft is to say they are building a team in the image of head coach Mike Singletary.  After struggling to run the football and protect the quarterback in 2009, the 49ers used both of their first rounders to upgrade its offensive line.  Offensive tackle Anthony Davis needs to improve his work ethic but has excellent footwork and pass blocking skills.  Guard Mike Iupati is a mauler who can drive blockers off the ball.  Combined Davis and Iupati should turn one of the team's biggest weaknesses into a strength.  Taylor Mays is a tremendous athlete who provides a big hitter in the secondary but will need to improve his coverage skills. LB Navarro Bowman will be groomed to play alongside Patrick Willis but is not the proto-typical 3-4 ILB.  Of the day three selections, RB Anthony Dixon and CB Philip Adams stand out.  Dixon is a powerful runner who can get the tough yards.  Adams is a physical man corner who adds needed depth to one of the weakest positions on the roster.  Grade: B+

Seattle Seahawks —After being criticized in the pre-draft period for trading for quarterback of the future Charlie Whitehurst, the Seahawks made amends with a tremendous draft haul.  Offensive tackle Russell Okung was the draft's top left tackle and fills the void left by Walter Jones' retirement.  Free safety Earl Thomas has tremendous range, coverage awareness and ball skills providing a needed boost in a porous secondary.  Second rounder Golden Tate provides a much needed playmaker on the offensive side of the football.   Look for him to contribute right away as a slot receiver. They added quality talent on day three including highly regarded but injured CB Walter Thurmond, former Trojan TE Anthony McCoy and Taylor Mays-lite S Kam Chancellor but it was the trade acquisitions of running backs LenDale White and Leon Washington that put the exclamation point on the team's draft.    Grade: A+

(Please note: grades are based on how team's utilized their picks on draft weekend.  Trades made prior to the draft are not accounted for in these grades)

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com .  He can be reached at [e-mail].  Follow me on twitter: nfldraft101 ..