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Kiper's 'Grade A' Draft
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
You've already seen my first mock draft. Now it's time to take it further. Every year I hand out grades after the draft, and I even handed out draft grades this year after a full season. What gets you a good grade?
It's a combination of addressing needs and drafting for value. You can do well if you properly address a huge need with a high pick, like Detroit did by taking Matthew Stafford at first overall. But if you address a need with a really bad value pick -- like Kansas City drafting Tyson Jackson last year at No. 3 -- it hurts your grade, particularly when you have multiple needs. If you address needs and get good value, such as Green Bay with B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews Jr., you've nailed it.
So here's a primer, an early look at what could get teams an "A." I have lined up teams, their top needs, their first-round pick and then some possible second- and third-round picks. Again, these will change -- perhaps greatly -- as we get results from the Senior Bowl, the NFL combine and other workouts. Even some needs could change, but let's just say we can build from here and do it all again later. You'll see that some teams will have second- and third-round pick options overlap, as players are slotted there based on current grades. Here we go with the NFC (AFC tomorrow):
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Top needs: LT, WR, FS, LB, CB
First round (27): OT Bruce Campbell
Second-round options (59): S Chad Jones, S DeAndre McDaniel, LB Sean Lee, LB Daryl Washington, WR Mardy Gilyard
Third-round options (90): WR Jordan Shipley, LB Micah Johnson, CB Alterraun Verner, CB Trevard Lindley, S Harry Coleman
Summary: I think any Dallas fan would be happy if the team lands a talented tackle late in the first round, and Campbell could be an exceptional value when it's all said and done, because he continues to improve. I actually think Dallas can upgrade at the WR position, and Gilyard or Shipley could help in the slot. The Cowboys need a free safety, and it'll be interesting to see what they do if, somehow, Taylor Mays were to fall all the way to No. 27. I also think a fourth CB would be good and the crop is unremarkable, but there's some depth. I like Verner better than some and Lindley's been good.
New York Giants
Top needs: MLB, DL, CB, S, RT, RB
First round (15): DE Carlos Dunlap
Second-round options (46): LB Brandon Spikes, LB Jamar Chaney, S Chad Jones, S Morgan Burnett, CB Perrish Cox, CB Kyle Wilson
Third-round options (74): RB James Starks, LB Darryl Sharpton, OT Chris Scott, OT Tony Washington, CB Myron Lewis
Summary: People might question the idea of taking Dunlap, but if you have a guy capable of being taken in the top five still there at No. 15, you're getting a remarkable value. Meanwhile, people point to the Giants' secondary, but the team quietly was in the bottom half of the NFL in sacks, and nothing helps a secondary better than a pass rush. You won't want a CB at No. 15, because after Haden there's a huge drop-off, so it's better to add help at LB or in the secondary with the next two picks. I can also see the Giants tempted if a RB they have rated really high is still there in Round 3.
Philadelphia Eagles
Top needs: FS, OLB, DE, RB, CB
First round (24): Navorro Bowman
Second-round options (55): S Reshad Jones, DE George Selvie , RB Joe McKnight, S Chad Jones
Third-round options (87): DE Willie Young, DE Brandon Lang, RB Dexter McCluster, CB Donovan Warren, CB Walter Thurmond
Summary: With no impact safety available at No. 24, Bowman makes a lot of sense both in terms of value and scheme. You could then see the Eagles go for whoever they have rated highest at safety in the next round. There's plenty of depth in this draft along the defensive line, so you can get a really good defensive end into the third and even fourth rounds. With Brian Westbrook's future in question, it'll be interesting to see if the Eagles are tempted by a player like Jahvid Best, who could be around at No. 24. They hit a home run the last time they took a playmaker out of Cal, as we all know.
Washington Redskins
Top needs: QB, OT, RB, G, DE
First round (4): Sam Bradford
Second-round options (37): OT Charles Brown, OT Selvish Capers, RB Jahvid Best
Third-round options: No third-round picks (used in the supplemental draft)
Summary: For a roster that really needs an infusion of talent and depth, you could question the quarterback pick so early, but Bradford represents a chance to get a franchise quarterback, and again, you're getting the player many had pegged as the No. 1 option for the Lions last year had he jumped. You expect Mike Shanahan to retool the offensive line, and both Brown and Capers are the athletic types Shanahan prefers.
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
You've already seen my first mock draft. Now it's time to take it further. Every year I hand out grades after the draft, and I even handed out draft grades this year after a full season. What gets you a good grade?
It's a combination of addressing needs and drafting for value. You can do well if you properly address a huge need with a high pick, like Detroit did by taking Matthew Stafford at first overall. But if you address a need with a really bad value pick -- like Kansas City drafting Tyson Jackson last year at No. 3 -- it hurts your grade, particularly when you have multiple needs. If you address needs and get good value, such as Green Bay with B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews Jr., you've nailed it.
So here's a primer, an early look at what could get teams an "A." I have lined up teams, their top needs, their first-round pick and then some possible second- and third-round picks. Again, these will change -- perhaps greatly -- as we get results from the Senior Bowl, the NFL combine and other workouts. Even some needs could change, but let's just say we can build from here and do it all again later. You'll see that some teams will have second- and third-round pick options overlap, as players are slotted there based on current grades. Here we go with the NFC (AFC tomorrow):
NFC East
Dallas CowboysTop needs: LT, WR, FS, LB, CB
First round (27): OT Bruce Campbell
Second-round options (59): S Chad Jones, S DeAndre McDaniel, LB Sean Lee, LB Daryl Washington, WR Mardy Gilyard
Third-round options (90): WR Jordan Shipley, LB Micah Johnson, CB Alterraun Verner, CB Trevard Lindley, S Harry Coleman
Summary: I think any Dallas fan would be happy if the team lands a talented tackle late in the first round, and Campbell could be an exceptional value when it's all said and done, because he continues to improve. I actually think Dallas can upgrade at the WR position, and Gilyard or Shipley could help in the slot. The Cowboys need a free safety, and it'll be interesting to see what they do if, somehow, Taylor Mays were to fall all the way to No. 27. I also think a fourth CB would be good and the crop is unremarkable, but there's some depth. I like Verner better than some and Lindley's been good.
New York GiantsTop needs: MLB, DL, CB, S, RT, RB
First round (15): DE Carlos Dunlap
Second-round options (46): LB Brandon Spikes, LB Jamar Chaney, S Chad Jones, S Morgan Burnett, CB Perrish Cox, CB Kyle Wilson
Third-round options (74): RB James Starks, LB Darryl Sharpton, OT Chris Scott, OT Tony Washington, CB Myron Lewis
Summary: People might question the idea of taking Dunlap, but if you have a guy capable of being taken in the top five still there at No. 15, you're getting a remarkable value. Meanwhile, people point to the Giants' secondary, but the team quietly was in the bottom half of the NFL in sacks, and nothing helps a secondary better than a pass rush. You won't want a CB at No. 15, because after Haden there's a huge drop-off, so it's better to add help at LB or in the secondary with the next two picks. I can also see the Giants tempted if a RB they have rated really high is still there in Round 3.
Philadelphia EaglesTop needs: FS, OLB, DE, RB, CB
First round (24): Navorro Bowman
Second-round options (55): S Reshad Jones, DE George Selvie , RB Joe McKnight, S Chad Jones
Third-round options (87): DE Willie Young, DE Brandon Lang, RB Dexter McCluster, CB Donovan Warren, CB Walter Thurmond
Summary: With no impact safety available at No. 24, Bowman makes a lot of sense both in terms of value and scheme. You could then see the Eagles go for whoever they have rated highest at safety in the next round. There's plenty of depth in this draft along the defensive line, so you can get a really good defensive end into the third and even fourth rounds. With Brian Westbrook's future in question, it'll be interesting to see if the Eagles are tempted by a player like Jahvid Best, who could be around at No. 24. They hit a home run the last time they took a playmaker out of Cal, as we all know.
Washington RedskinsTop needs: QB, OT, RB, G, DE
First round (4): Sam Bradford
Second-round options (37): OT Charles Brown, OT Selvish Capers, RB Jahvid Best
Third-round options: No third-round picks (used in the supplemental draft)
Summary: For a roster that really needs an infusion of talent and depth, you could question the quarterback pick so early, but Bradford represents a chance to get a franchise quarterback, and again, you're getting the player many had pegged as the No. 1 option for the Lions last year had he jumped. You expect Mike Shanahan to retool the offensive line, and both Brown and Capers are the athletic types Shanahan prefers.
: OT Selvish Capers, OT Tony Washington, CB 
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