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Three teams earned A grades this weekend at Radio City. Here's why.
Kansas City Chiefs
1 (5) Glenn Dorsey, dt, LSU
1 (15) Branden Albert, g, Virginia
2 (35) Brandon Flowers, db, Virginia Tech
3 (73) Jamaal Charles, rb, Texas
3 (76) Brad Cottam, te, Tennessee
3 (82) DaJuan Morgan, db, N.C. State
4 (105) William Franklin, wr, Missouri
5 (140) Brandon Carr, db, Grand Valley State
6 (170) Barry Richardson, ot, Clemson
6 (182) Kevin Robinson, wr, Utah State
7 (210) Brian Johnston, de, Gardner-Webb
7 (239) Mike Merritt, te, UCF
Analysis: The ability to add three immediate impact starters with their first three picks gives the Chiefs the top grade. Trading up for Albert was a shrewd move and adding Jamaal Charles in the third round was a good value pick despite having an established run game. Cottam and Johnston are good depth picks, while Morgan, Frankiln, Carr and Richardson have the talent to compete for starting jobs down the road. Kevin Robinson, who returned a punt for a touchdown in the East-West Shrine Game, may finally be the next Dante Hall that the Chiefs have been so desperately searching for. Kansas City upgraded the talent level of their overall roster tremendously with this draft.
Miami
Dolphins
1 (1) Jake Long, ot, Michigan
2 (32) Phillip Merling, de, Clemson
2 (57) Chad Henne, qb, Michigan
3 (66) Kendall Langford, de, Hampton
4 (110) Shawn Murphy, g, Utah State
6 (176) Jalen Parmele, rb, Toledo
6 (195) Donald Thomas, g, Connecticut
6 (204) Lex Hilliard, rb, Montana
7 (245) Lionel Dotson, nt, Arizona
Analysis: The first draft class under the Parcells/Ireland regime has great long-term potential. Jake Long was the right call and looks fit to anchor that o-line for the next decade. Murphy will battle for a starting spot and sixth round pick Donald Thomas was a bargain bin special after holding a solid mid-round grade entering the draft. Don’t be surprised to see Henne starting by mid-season. Hilliard has gained ten pounds since the combine and has bulked up enough to play fullback. Merling and Langford will help upgrade the pass rush but one of the most intriguing picks in this draft is the 176th overall selection, Jalen Parmele. This kid has the goods and with questions surrounding how much Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will be able to contribute, Parmele could find himself as the feature back and a key fixture moving forward.
New York Giants
1 (31) Kenny Phillips, db, Miami
2 (63) Terrell Thomas, db, Southern California
3 (95) Mario Manningham, wr, Michigan
4 (123) Bryan Kehl, lb, BYU
5 (165) Jonathan Goff, lb, Vanderbilt
6 (198) Andre' Woodson, qb, Kentucky
6 (199) Robert Henderson, de, Southern Miss
Analysis: At first glance it appears Giants GM Jerry Reese has done it again. Phillips will be expected to step in and replace Gibril Wilson (Raiders) and while many have questioned his play-making ability, this may be an upgrade. The selections of Kehl and Goff help lessen the blow of Kawika Mitchell (Bills) and Reggie Torbor (Dolphins). Thomas adds much needed depth to the secondary and brings competition to Aaron Ross and Corey Webster. When you win the Super Bowl, you’re allowed to make a luxury pick such as Manningham, the ultimate risk/reward player. Many had Manningham tabbed as a first round talent but he slid to round three due to character issues. Woodson is an excellent value and would make great third-string while Henderson can add depth. Hit hard in free agency, the G-Men have reloaded through the draft.
Click Here To See Complete Grades For All 32 NFL Teams
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