2011 NFL Draft Grades: Full Report Card for All 32 NFL Teams
The 2011 NFL draft is officially over. With that, it's time to look back on the three-day free-for-all of teams going after their favorite prospects. In doing so, I will hand out grades for each team.
These grades are based on overall value in terms of reaching for players vs. taking them at a fitting spot, as well as addressing needs. Of course, need weighs into the equation, but value is far more important. Teams that draft too heavily for need are teams that end up drafting for those same needs a couple of years later.
With all that in mind, let's take a look at how each team did this weekend.
Follow Erik Frenz on Twitter @erikfrenz.
Seattle Seahawks
1 of 32
James Carpenter was one of the bigger shocks of the first round. Most mock drafts had him going in the mid-second round, but the Seahawks grabbed him with the 25th pick in the draft. Of course, we only look at the pick as a reach because Mel Kiper says so, but one has to wonder if Carpenter would have been available later.
A lot of their mid-round prospects were guys who were off the radar, too The players they picked were mostly from big-time programs, but many of them had me scrambling to find out just who they were.
Overall, the Seahawks did a great job of finding guys to fill their needs in the secondary at safety and cornerback, as well as on the defensive and offensive lines. A couple of questionable reaches and iffy late-round picks has me in doubt about the Seahawks' draft class.
Grade: D
Oakland Raiders
2 of 32
The Raiders were committed to addressing their needs on the offensive line and in the secondary. Rod Woodson has a couple of prospects with solid upside to work with in DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa. They are both classic Raider picks, as both ran exceptionally fast 40s at the combine.
The pick of Stefen Wisniewski was considered a reach, but he is better than most of the players the Raiders have on the interior of their offensive line. Joseph Barksdale also offers an upgrade at offensive tackle but may be better suited to play inside at the NFL level.
But once again, the Raiders took a lot of players with raw potential. They just don't have a solid coaching staff to get the most out of these guys. Rod Woodson could be a change to that, but the selection of three offensive skill position players, none of which addressed a need, is a reflection of Oakland's approach to the draft.
Grade: C
Carolina Panthers
3 of 32
No one was very surprised that the Panthers made Cam Newton the first overall selection, but everyone is very critical. Why shouldn't they be? The Panthers may have found their franchise quarterback if all of Newton's other issues go away, but there's a lot of risk involved.
NFL coaches, GMs and scouts have noted that with Newton, a team is subscribing to a certain level of simplicity in its offense. That much was evidenced when Newton was asked by Jon Gruden to call a play.
With all the hype surrounding Newton, it's easy to forget that the Panthers made some other selections over the weekend. They took two defensive tackles, USF's Terrell McClain and Stanford's Sione Fua. Building a defense starts on the defensive line, and that's exactly the approach the Panthers took.
My favorite under-the-radar selection was Auburn's Lee Ziemba in the seventh round. The Panthers get a tackle that Newton is familiar with who understands Newton and his rhythm.
Overall, the Panthers did a good job of addressing their needs, and while some of the later-round selections may pan out, this draft's success will correlate with the success of Newton.
Grade: C
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Tennessee Titans
4 of 32
Reach!
That was the first word that went through everyone's mind when the Titans drafted Jake Locker eighth overall. In the right system, Locker could thrive. He won't be asked to carry the burden of the offense, as he has Chris Johnson to hand off to. Still, fans will undoubtedly be harsh on this pick because most projected him at the end of the first round.
The Titans made a great pick by selecting Akeem Ayers, who most had projected as a 3-4 outside linebacker. I didn't think he was physical enough to set the edge against the run, and he plays better in space. His skills as a pass rusher may not get put to much use, but he can be schemed into the defense.
They could have used more help on the offensive line, but they aggressively addressed their other needs at quarterback (one in the first round), linebacker (one in second and third rounds) and defensive line (three overall).
Grade: C+
Dallas Cowboys
5 of 32
Dallas' selection of Tyron Smith confirmed that the Doug Free era in Dallas is over. Smith may not be ready to go right away, but with easily the most upside of any offensive tackle in this year's draft class, it's still a wise pick in the top 10. He'll need some time to reach his potential, but his ceiling is very high.
After that, I start to question a lot of their decisions. I would have liked to see the Cowboys more aggressively address their needs on defense. They didn't select a single defensive lineman in the entire draft, and that was one of their most pressing needs. Bruce Carter plays outside linebacker, but it remains to be seen how he'll fit in a 3-4 defense at just 240 pounds.
Overall, I felt the Cowboys could have done a better job addressing their needs. The selection of yet another running back in DeMarco Murray made me scratch my head in wonder, especially since his skill set is so similar to that of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.
Grade: C+
Minnesota Vikings
6 of 32
The selection of Christian Ponder was considered dubious by anyone who follows Mel Kiper's pre-draft buildup. He was considered a second-round prospect, but what do we know?
What I know is that Ponder comes into a great situation in Minnesota. The Vikings probably won't ask him to start right away, and even if they do, he has a great security blanket in Adrian Peterson to hand off to.
With the addition of Kyle Rudolph, the Vikings now have two versatile tight ends that can do it all, both in the passing game and as blockers.
With their picks, the Vikings aggressively addressed needs by picking two defensive backs, as well as two offensive and defensive linemen. Ultimately, this draft will be won or lost for the Vikings by the progression of Ponder.
Grade: C+
Atlanta Falcons
7 of 32
The success of this year's draft for Atlanta almost entirely hinges on Julio Jones. In fact, even next year's draft hinges on his success, as the Falcons traded their first-round and fourth-round selections in 2012 for a crack at the Alabama wide receiver.
They made a solid mid-round pick with Jacquizz Rodgers, who gives the Falcons an explosive back to spell Michael Turner, who has almost singlehandedly carried the load in his first three seasons with the Falcons.
The Falcons took a huge risk making a move like that, and Jones will have to be an elite (maybe even top-five) receiver for it to be considered worthwhile.
Grade: C+
Jacksonville Jaguars
8 of 32
The Jaguars made a bold move by moving up from 16 to 10 to get their quarterback of the future, Blaine Gabbert, and he comes into a great situation. He'll have time to learn in the Jaguars system behind David Garrard, a quarterback who's good enough to start this year but not good enough to bury Gabbert on the depth chart.
Their mid-round picks were solid too. William Rackley from Lehigh was a guy that I liked a lot for his physicality and versatility, with the ability to play tackle and guard. Drafting wide receiver Cecil Shorts filled a big need for the Jaguars, as they recently cut ties with former No. 1 wideout Mike Sims-Walker.
Adding two late-round prospects in the secondary gives them the chance to strike gold at a position of need without the high-risk investment of a higher pick.
The Jaguars addressed a few of their needs, but because of the move up the board, this draft class will be graded on the success of Blaine Gabbert.
Grade: C+
Philadelphia Eagles
9 of 32
Go figure—the Eagles might finally convert a third-and-short next year. Danny Watkins gives the Eagles a physical presence inside, and although his age might be a negative for some, he already has NFL maturity, so that won't be a problem. He also gives Michael Vick another protector, something incredibly important even for a scrambler like Vick.
The Eagles sorely needed help in the secondary too, and they got a rangy safety in the form of Jaiquawn Jarrett from Temple. Casey Matthews could be a blue-chip defender in Philadelphia's unique style of defense with its exotic blitz schemes.
It would be nice if the Eagles had picked up a defensive lineman, but they aggressively addressed needs in the secondary (two selections), at linebacker (three) and on the offensive line (three).
Grade: B-
Kansas City Chiefs
10 of 32
The Chiefs had a big need at wide receiver, and they addressed that need with a big wide receiver. Jonathan Baldwin is a huge target who will complement Dwayne Bowe very well and give Matt Cassel a vertical threat in the red zone with similar size to Randy Moss.
The mid-round selections of Rodney Hudson, Justin Houston and Allen Bailey give the Chiefs a great deal of athleticism and muscle up front on both sides of the ball. These were glaring weaknesses that were exposed at times during the Chiefs' season, specifically in the playoffs.
Houston may have been a risk in the first round, but in the third round, the risk is much lower, and the possible return on investment is huge. He could immediately impact the pass rush in Romeo Crennel's 3-4 system.
Overall, the Chiefs had a solid haul this year. I wouldn't be surprised if they contended in the AFC West for a long time as a result of this draft class.
Grade: B-
St. Louis Rams
11 of 32
Robert Quinn was by far the best player available on the board when the Rams picked 14th. Even if he doesn't project as a perfect fit for a 4-3 defensive end, the potential he has as a pass rusher makes him an intriguing prospect for St. Louis as it continues to piece together a stout defensive line. His production will be enhanced by the presence of Chris Long and vice versa.
The selection of two solid receiver prospects really jumped off the page to me and was a smart decision. Each offers different things: Austin Pettis is the big, physical body the Rams currently lack on the outside, and Greg Salas gives them a physical presence to put in the slot. There's also the addition of Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks, another player at a position of need.
The selection of three late-round defensive backs should give the Rams nice competition in the secondary, and who knows—maybe they came across a gem.
Overall, St. Louis' draft was solid, yet unspectacular.
Grade: B-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12 of 32
From back-to-back defensive tackles last year to back-to-back defensive ends this year, the Bucs clearly understand the value of building a defense from the front back. Adrian Clayborn has a high baseline, even if he might have a low ceiling. The intensity he brings to the defense is infectious, but he doesn't have a whole lot of raw athleticism. He's not exactly the best pass rusher either.
Conversely, Da'Quan Bowers is exactly the opposite. A high-risk, high-reward option if his knee pans out, Bowers could immediately give the Bucs a threat off the edge that must be game-planned against.
Mason Foster was highly productive at Washington and brings a great deal of athleticism and toughness at linebacker. Finding a quality starter at outside linebacker in a 4-3 may not be important enough to address in the top two rounds, but doing so in the third round could be a steal.
The Bucs needed more help on the offensive line and in the secondary, and the risk of Bowers was high enough for every team except the Raiders to pass on him at least once.
Grade: B-
San Francisco 49ers
13 of 32
Aldon Smith was a surprise to many in the top 10. He has great potential as a pass rusher but was seen as a mid-first-round pick. Still, the 49ers were definitely in the market for someone who can get after the quarterback off the edge. Smith is a raw prospect in terms of his transition to a 3-4 system but has the athleticism to make the switch.
Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick is a very intriguing prospect at quarterback. Mike Mayock said he's a "more athletic Tim Tebow," but as always, it remains to be seen how he'll translate to the NFL. Adding a running back to spell Frank Gore was a smart move, and Kendall Hunter is one of the most underrated prospects at running back in this year's class.
The 49ers didn't address all of their needs but got prospects with great upside. The needs they did address, they did so aggressively by adding two offensive linemen, three cornerbacks and two edge rushers.
Grade: B
New York Jets
14 of 32
Two defensive linemen with their first two picks. With Rex Ryan at the helm, is anyone really surprised? The Jets had a need and decided to get two guys to fill those needs with their first two picks, and both could contribute if they develop.
More importantly, Kenrick Ellis will need to stay out of trouble. I'm not sure he landed in the best place to do that in New York, but he is certainly in an environment that's accepting of some shortages in character.
The pickup of Bilal Powell will be overlooked, but the Jets get another durable body in the running game to really hammer it up the middle. He'll fit right into the Jets' offensive scheme.
The Jets added talented players, but they could have been more aggressive in addressing what will probably be needs at wide receiver and cornerback. They have top-talent free agents at both positions and drafted two late-round receivers without taking a single defensive back.
Grade: B
Buffalo Bills
15 of 32
The Bills are known for drafting for need, and they did that again this year while still getting the "safest" player in this year's draft. Dareus will make an immediate impact in the 3-4 defense as a space-eater that will allow Buffalo's linebackers to flow freely to the ball and make the play.
Four picks really stood out to me from this group. Aaron Williams was considered a first-round talent that slid into the second round, so acquiring him at pick 34 was a solid move. He's a physical cornerback that will get playing time in nickel packages from the onset.
Kelvin Sheppard could be a hidden gem in this year's draft and could be a day one starter at inside linebacker. The Bills would be wise to keep Paul Posluszny around to give themselves a solid duo inside.
Chris Hairston could play a few different positions on the offensive line. The big-bodied offensive lineman will be put to good use in the AFC East, which features four 3-4 defenses. Getting maulers in the trench was a must for the Bills, and Hairston could be a slam dunk.
Before the draft began, Todd McShay said that Johnny White could be the steal of this year's class. He gives the Bills a great physical presence running between the tackles and really solidifies their backfield.
The failure to draft a quarterback tells me either the Bills didn't like this year's crop or have faith in Ryan Fitzpatrick. Or both.
Grade: B
Miami Dolphins
16 of 32
After all that was made of the Dolphins needing to add a running back to make up for the potential losses of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to free agency, the Dolphins decided to add an interior offensive lineman to holistically enhance their running game instead.
Interior offensive linemen aren't sexy choices, but one with the potential of Mike Pouncey is still a solid choice.
They were still able to add a legitimate running back in Kansas State's Daniel Thomas, a vastly underrated running back that can really pound the ball hard up the middle, which happens to play right into Miami's game plan.
Edmond Gates was a hot prospect during the pre-draft buildup, and the Dolphins added a dynamic threat to their passing game with Gates. Whoever is playing quarterback for Miami next year will have another deep target opposite Brandon Marshall.
Despite some sound picks, I can't help but deduct from their grade for the failure to draft a quarterback for the future. They certainly don't have one in Chad Henne.
Grade: B
San Diego Chargers
17 of 32
Corey Liuget was projected as a better penetrating 4-3 defensive tackle than a space-eating 3-4 defensive lineman, but he could be a fit with the right coaching, and the Chargers could get a lot out of him if used right.
Any other year, the selection of Jonas Mouton in the second round would have been dubious, but the Chargers' special teams units were so bad last year that making sure to add a great special teams player for kick and punt coverage should be important enough to address that high.
The selection of Marcus Gilchrist was easily their best of the draft, though. They get a great high-energy defender in their secondary to give themselves a solid third option at safety behind Eric Weddle and oft-injured Bob Sanders.
Overall, the Chargers didn't have a great draft, but it wasn't terrible either.
Grade: B
Washington Redskins
18 of 32
The Redskins didn't draft a single quarterback despite a murky situation surrounding Donovan McNabb and a complete lack of depth with Rex Grossman and John Beck. Still, their needs on defense were pressing, to say the least, and adding Ryan Kerrigan to the pass-rush mix opposite Brian Orakpo should be a deadly combination.
My favorite selection, though, was Leonard Hankerson in the third round. The Redskins desperately need weapons in the passing game, and adding what many considered the third-best receiver in the draft in the third round could be a great value option.
The running back selections were dubious, to say the least. Forget unheralded—both Roy Helu and Evan Royster were almost unheard of. In fact, many of Washington's late-round picks were relative unknowns. They could be gems, or they could fall to the wayside.
Overall, the Redskins addressed needs on defense stemming from their as-of-yet unsuccessful switch to a 3-4 alignment. They aggressively addressed their need for firepower in the passing game. If only they had drafted a quarterback, this draft may have been the total package for the Redskins.
Grade: B
New York Giants
19 of 32
The Giants capitalized on the first round's biggest faller, Prince Amukamara. Considered a top-10 selection, the Giants got an absolute steal on him at 19. It doesn't address the biggest need, but in terms of "best player available," the Giants couldn't have made a smarter pick.
They added the size they needed up front on both sides of the ball with some mid-round picks. Marvin Austin has incredible upside, even though he has some baggage. That's just the kind of physical monster the Giants love to have in the trench. As for Indiana offensive lineman James Brewer, he could be a solid player at a number of spots for the Giants and could be considered a huge steal in a few years.
Overall, the Giants addressed their needs, if somewhat unconventionally, and made a good mix of smart picks to boom-or-bust picks.
Grade: B
Denver Broncos
20 of 32
As a draft "analyst," I must preface nearly everything I say with the fact that I don't know as much as the coaches know about these players and how they fit in their systems.
However, it's fairly easy to see that Von Miller's greatest asset is his ability to get after the quarterback. In a base 4-3 defense, it will also be the asset he uses the least. That is, unless Jon Fox was lying when he said he wanted to switch back to a 4-3 front.
The Broncos addressed some needs they may have in the secondary moving forward with the increasing age of Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey. Adding safeties Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter could solidify their defensive backfield for a long time.
Orlando Franklin is a versatile, physical freak and can play multiple spots on the line. Some might call him a reach in the second round, but I disagree. The Broncos could use to get bigger inside, and they did so with Franklin.
Overall, the Broncos aggressively addressed needs in the secondary with three defensive backs and at tight end by selecting two.
Grade: B+
Arizona Cardinals
21 of 32
Patrick Peterson may not fill the biggest need on the Cardinals' roster (quarterback), but he was the best player available on the board and a smart pick for a defense that desperately needs help all over the place. Peterson is the best cornerback in this class and also adds a threat in the return game.
The Cardinals showed little faith in their 2009 first-round choice Beanie Wells by making Ryan Williams their second-round pick, but the Virginia Tech running back gives the Cardinals another weapon on offense. Hey, if you don't have a quarterback to throw the ball, you better have some running backs who can do damage that way.
The Cardinals made some very smart picks in the late rounds too with names like Sam Acho and David Carter. Those two could have a huge impact on the Cardinals' 3-4 defense, with Acho a great edge rusher and Carter a solid space-eater in the trench.
Overall, the Cardinals addressed most of their needs, but they missed out on a quarterback and an offensive lineman, which were arguably two of their biggest needs.
Grade: B+
Indianapolis Colts
22 of 32
Protecting Peyton Manning has always been a high priority for the Colts. After Indy's offensive line had a down year, it became priority No. 1, as the Colts selected BC tackle Anthony Castonzo and Villanova lineman Ben Ijalana with their first two picks.
The addition of LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis could finally help fix what has been an awful run defense for awhile. He should be able to jump right in and contribute to the Colts defense.
The selection of Syracuse RB Delone Carter is a subtle admission to having missed on Donald Brown a couple of years back.
Overall, the Colts focused on offense but took a couple of fliers on guys who could really improve their defense too.
Grade: B+
Pittsburgh Steelers
23 of 32
The Steelers have been getting old on the defensive line and really needed this draft to get one of the many five-technique ends that were available. Cornerback may have been the more urgent need, but a productive player in the front seven could be just as good, if not better, and will have an immediate impact on the defense.
The selection of two mid-round defensive backs should help quell that need for a bit. Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen are both the big, athletic ball hawks the Steelers love to have in their secondary. Their size will be needed, as the Steelers face a growing number of prototype No. 1 receivers in their division.
The Steelers had a great draft that addressed the major areas of need on the roster. They made a lot of sure picks that fans can feel good about.
Grade: B+
New England Patriots
24 of 32
Most in the New England media felt the Patriots should go with a defensive lineman or outside linebacker to improve the pass rush. They have been woeful in that area for years. However, the selection of left tackle Nate Solder is definitely the smart choice.
The Patriots have offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, one of the best in the business on their side. He could help Solder reach his incredibly high ceiling. Solder has a lot of work to do, as Scarnecchia is fully aware, but with Dante and the possibility of Matt Light as a mentor, Solder has landed in a great environment to grow into the franchise left tackle of the future.
Although they didn't address all of their needs on defense, this draft class signals a shift in their offensive philosophy for the future. Now, with two new big offensive linemen, two new running backs and a blocking tight end, the Patriots are getting ready to be a team that can really pound the ball.
More importantly than the picks the Patriots made were the picks they acquired for next year. They picked up New Orleans' first-round pick and Oakland's second-round pick in 2012. The Patriots hold four picks in the first two rounds of next year's draft.
Grade: B+
New Orleans Saints
25 of 32
The Saints easily made the most noise in the first round, taking Cameron Jordan with their pick and trading back into the first round for Mark Ingram. The Saints are clearly trying to maximize the years they have with Drew Brees, and making two picks in the first round puts them that much closer to returning to the Super Bowl.
Not to be ignored, though, are their mid-round picks. Martez Wilson and Johnny Patrick could both be starters somewhere down the line, and Greg Romeus could turn out to be a steal if the Saints can scheme him into their defense.
Addressing needs may not have been the strong suit of the Saints' draft, but they made their mark by picking up great character guys who can contribute quickly.
Grade: B+
Chicago Bears
26 of 32
The best way to quickly improve a team is to bulk up in the trenches. That's exactly what the Bears did with their first two picks. They picked up the right tackle of the future in Gabe Carimi, a versatile guy who can play either tackle or guard as he grows into the NFL.
The pure strength displayed by Stephen Paea in his 49 reps of a 225-pound bench press should be cause for concern for NFC North opponents. He gives the Bears a solid, quick replacement after the release of Tommie Harris.
Overall, the Bears made a lot of sound picks throughout the draft on players that have a chance to contribute. What more could Chicago fans ask for?
Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens
27 of 32
The Ravens were able to land one of the best cover corners in the draft in Jimmy Smith. The big questions with Smith, though, are his motivation and drug use. He was considered a character risk, but the Ravens have a pretty solid locker room to keep him in line.
The Ravens aggressively tackled their need for speed at wide receiver by adding both Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss. Smith has drawn comparisons as a more polished version of Darrius Heyward-Bey, with better hands, although he needs to improve his crisp route-running. Doss saw his stock drop a bit after an injury, but he has a second gear and is polished as a pass catcher.
In terms of addressing needs while keeping value in mind, the Ravens did a great job. It seems like we have this discussion every year. No wonder the Ravens continue to contend.
Grade: B+
Green Bay Packers
28 of 32
The Packers continue to put a lot of value in beefing up the trenches, having added first-round offensive tackles in consecutive years. Sherrod has the potential to be a great pick for the Packers and could start on either side.
The addition of receiver Randall Cobb gives the Packers yet another explosive option in the passing game. D.J. Williams has the potential to be this year's Aaron Hernandez, a guy who was tough to project but has enough talent to make an impact in some way.
Green Bay addressed all of their major needs, some more aggressively than others, but they really didn't have very many pressing needs after a Super Bowl season with an injury-depleted roster. A majority of their picks will have a shot at making the roster.
Grade: A-
Cincinnati Bengals
29 of 32
A.J. Green is definitely the most talented receiver in this draft and was worth a top-five selection. He will pair well with Chad Ochocinco if the team decides to keep him around.
Add to that selection the pick of Andy Dalton, though, and it's clear the Bengals are looking for the future of their offense as a whole and are looking in a similar direction to what they already have.
The Bengals picked up a couple of potential diamonds in the rough in defensive end Dontay Moch and guard Clint Boling. Both players have tremendous upside, and both address glaring needs for the Bengals.
The first five picks were all very strong for the Bengals and help them move forward in the aftermath of Carson Palmer. They have a few needs left on defense, specifically at defensive tackle and at linebacker, but the Bengals did a great job finding low-risk and high-reward prospects.
Grade: A-
Cleveland Browns
30 of 32
Heist!
The Browns robbed the Falcons blind by acquiring five picks—three this year and two next year—for the price of their sixth overall pick this year. With so many holes to fill on their roster, this is absolutely the smartest thing they could have done, and this is the type of deal most rebuilding teams can only dream of making.
The selections of Baylor DT Phil Taylor and Pitt DE Jabaal Sheard may work out, but I wonder why the Browns drafted two players in the front seven that were considered better fits in a 3-4 as they try to switch to a 4-3 front.
Overall, the Browns addressed a majority of their needs and picked up an extra first-round pick in 2012. That, to me, signals a very successful draft.
Grade: A
Houston Texans
31 of 32
In 2009, the Packers pulled off a draft coup as they switched to a 3-4 alignment by getting the best nose tackle in the draft and a great pass rusher to go with him.
The Texans took a similar approach to this year's draft, picking up the best five-technique defensive end in the draft in J.J. Watt and adding a talented edge rusher in Brooks Reed.
With those two picks, Wade Phillips has already put his thumbprint on the defense.
For just about any other team, the selection of three mid-round defensive backs would have been dubious. However, the Texans were so bad off in the secondary last year that all three could seriously compete for playing time. Brandon Harris at the very end of the second round could prove to be a huge steal if he pans out.
When you have one of the most explosive offenses in the league and one of the worst defenses in the league, the answer is clear: Draft heavy on defense. That's exactly what the Texans did.
Grade: A
Detroit Lions
32 of 32
Raise your hand if you were surprised Nick Fairley fell out of the top 10. Raise your hand again if you were even more surprised that the Lions wound up taking him.
Yes, I was surprised, but the pick makes sense. Now the Lions have one of the most fearsome and versatile interior defensive line duos in the league. Both Ndamukong Suh and Fairley can rush the passer and stop the run.
That wasn't the only sound pick the Lions made over the weekend. Adding Mikel Leshoure to their stable of backs makes the group a scary force for the future with Kevin Smith and Jahvid Best already in the fold. Also, adding Titus Young gives the Lions yet another weapon in the passing game to go along with Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson.
This was a surgical strike by Detroit, as it made very few picks but solidified some areas of need on the roster.
Grade: A
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")