Ranking best-drafting NFL teams
A look at every NFL team's work in the draft over the last three years
By Bill Polian | ESPN Insider
In today's NFL, success is built through the draft. The New York Giants and Green Bay Packers both built their way to Super Bowl titles from the stage at Radio City Music Hall.
Given the parameters of today's game, if you don't draft well, you will lack the foundation necessary to be a perennial playoff team. Free agency can help, but the value of a talented prospect obtained through the draft is far, far greater for an organization.
For the most part, when you obtain a player through the draft you acquire him when the most tread is left on his tires, so to speak. The NFL will grind players down every year, and with careers so short, it is requisite to replace declining players on an annual basis. And some of those players play a bigger role than others.
In front-office talk, we have a name for franchise players, guys teams can build around. We call those guys "blues," as in "blue chips," and their high value is never in question. When evaluating teams in the draft, the more blues, the better. But you'll also need to find solid contributors, or "reds," whom you can plug into a lineup but might never become all-pro-caliber players.
During my tenure as a GM, I found it valuable to examine every team's draft returns for the three previous years to help project their strength going forward. It's that exercise I'm reproducing here.
Below you'll find a listing of which NFL teams have been the best at identifying and drafting talent in the draft since 2009. Along the way, I've singled out some of the blues (cornerstone players) and the top value picks -- which accounts for player talent relative to draft position -- for 31 of the NFL's teams.
You may notice that leaves me one franchise short. I hope you'll forgive me, but I've left off the Indianapolis Colts since I didn't feel I could provide an objective perspective on how my former team's draftees stand in comparison to the rest of the league.
With that exception, let's get started with a look at the six best-drafting teams in the NFL since 2009.
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Baltimore Ravens
Best value pick: CB Lardarius Webb (2009: Round 3, Pick 88)
Cornerstone picks: CB Jimmy Smith (2011: Rd. 1, 27); OT Michael Oher (2009: Rd. 1, 23)
The Ravens' draft success certainly predates 2009. Both QB Joe Flacco and RB Ray Rice are blues from previous classes, but they've also added two more in Webb and Smith, two corners that Baltimore badly needed. Both CBs are solid in man-to-man coverage, as you have to be in the Ravens' system.
If they had a blue WR they likely would have been in the Super Bowl. Torrey Smith may be it.
<offer>The big question mark is Sergio Kindle (2010: Rd. 2, 43) who has missed time due to an off-field injury. If he can come back and produce as some believe he can, he could be another blue.
Detroit Lions
Best value pick: DB Louis Delmas (2009: Rd. 2, 33)
Cornerstone picks: QB Matthew Stafford (2009: Rd. 1, 1), DT Ndamukong Suh (2010: Rd. 1, 2)
The Lions have blues all over the place, which they should, having drafted as high as they did for several years straight. Still, you can miss high, and we've seen a great job by GM Martin Mayhew and coaches Jim Schwartz and Rod Marinelli to make picks that fit into their system.
If RB Mikel Leshoure is the real deal coming back from injury, they are ready to contend at a higher level. I'd look for another solid RB and O-line help in the 2012 draft just to be sure they have what they need.
Green Bay Packers
Best value pick: WR Randall Cobb (2011: Rd. 2, 64)
Cornerstone picks: DT B.J. Raji (2009: Rd. 1, 9), LB Clay Matthews (2009: Rd. 1, 26)
A big blue pass-rusher, plus a speedy pass-rusher, coupled with a blue QB and the two blue WRs equals a Super Bowl. It's simple math! The secondary could use an infusion of top young talent. GM Ted Thompson, head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers work together as well as any group in the league to draft and deploy talent.
New York Giants
Best value pick: WR Hakeem Nicks (2009: Rd. 1, 29)
Cornerstone pick: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (2010: Rd. 1, 15)
Eli Manning and a revamped receiving corps coupled with a great pass-rushing defense featuring blue-chippers up front and in the secondary garnered the Lombardi trophy. Terrific job by Jerry Reese and company to build a second Super Bowl team in four years.
Keep an eye on 2011 first-round CB Prince Amukamara. He's unproven after missing most of his rookie year to injury, but he has upside and could enter blue territory.
San Francisco 49ers
Best value pick: LB NaVorro Bowman (2010: Rd. 3, 91)
Cornerstone pick: DE Aldon Smith (2011: Rd. 1, 7)
This team is driven by its defense, which features multiple blue-chip playmakers. You can't play this defensive system without a dynamic outside linebacker who can rush the passer. Smith was the finishing touch to their defense last season.
Offensively the 49ers are propelled by the running game. A step up by WR Michael Crabtree and the addition of another playmaker at WR would help greatly.
Atlanta Falcons
Best value pick: DT Corey Peters (2010: Rd. 3, 83)
Cornerstone picks: WR Julio Jones (2011: Rd. 1, 6), LB Sean Weatherspoon (2010: Rd. 1, 19)
QB Matt Ryan has led them to the playoffs and that is the most important pick, but it came before 2009. They gave up a lot to get Jones but it appears to have paid off.
Cincinnati Bengals
Best value pick: QB Andy Dalton (2011: Rd. 2, 35)
Cornerstone picks: Dalton, WR A.J. Green (2011: Rd. 1, 4)
In Dalton the Bengals have their QB. In Green they have a blue WR. Through free agency they've added a solid RB in BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Add Marvin Lewis' defense and we'll see them in the playoffs.
Cleveland Browns
Best value pick: DE Jabaal Sheard (2011: Rd. 2, 37)
Cornerstone pick: QB Colt McCoy (2010: Rd. 3, 85)
In order for them to progress as they would like, McCoy must be their cornerstone. If he's not, they will be set back as they, presumably, go with another fairly green QB. The defense improved greatly in 2011. The running game will be fine. But can they move the ball consistently through the air?
Houston Texans
Best value pick: QB T.J. Yates (2011: Rd. 5, 152)
Cornerstone pick: DE J.J. Watt (2011: Rd. 1, 11)
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips remade their defense. He was by far their best acquisition. Having made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, do they have enough on offense to take the next step? The guess is yes, but the offensive line must come together after some losses.
Kansas City Chiefs
Best value pick: RB Dexter McCluster (2010: Rd. 2, 36)
Cornerstone pick: S Eric Berry (2010: Rd. 1, 5)
The Chiefs have made strides and will continue to improve under head coach Romeo Crennel. In the end, however, the ultimate result hinges on the play and health of QB Matt Cassel. Surrounding draft talent will help, though.
New England Patriots
Best value pick: WR/CB Julian Edelman (2009: Rd. 7, 232)
Cornerstone pick: TE Rob Gronkowski (2010: Rd. 2, 42)
The Patriots have landed a bunch of blues, and I'd include LB Brandon Spikes and P Zoltan Mesko among them. (No one really pays attention to punters as blues, but Mesko is one.) Still, New England hasn't had as many draft hits as you'd think given its 33 picks since 2009.
Edelman's been great as a return man and his value is boosted by his versatility on the field. Great coaching acumen allows Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to make up for the lack of WR production. Brady is still the key, though.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Best value pick: Antonio Brown (2010: Rd. 6, 195)
Cornerstone pick: Cameron Heyward (2011: Rd. 1, 31)
One of the top-drafting teams in the game. Ziggy Hood and Heyward must play well for the defense to continue as the force behind the Steelers' victories.
Arizona Cardinals
Best value pick: DE Sam Acho (2011: Rd. 4, 103)
Cornerstone pick: CB Patrick Peterson (2011: Rd. 1, 5)
The Cardinals have done a solid job over the past three seasons, garnering eight starters and nine contributors from the draft. RB Beanie Wells, Acho and Peterson have made great contributions. If QB John Skelton is "the man" (still a possibility, for me, depending on camp), they've hit the jackpot. They'd see serious improvement in their draft evaluations if that happened.
Buffalo Bills
Best value pick: LB Kelvin Sheppard (2011: Rd. 3, 68)
Cornerstone pick: DT Marcell Dareus (2011: Rd. 1, 3)
Last year's draft produced some keepers and a blue (Dareus). They need to repeat that success this year.
Carolina Panthers
Best value pick: DT Sione Fua (2011: Rd. 3, 97)
Cornerstone pick: QB Cam Newton (2011: Rd. 1, 1)
Newton must progress into a winning quarterback, not just an attraction. But he's off to a great start. There is work yet to do on defense.
Chicago Bears
Best value pick: DT Henry Melton (2009: Rd. 4, 105)
Cornerstone pick: OT Gabe Carimi (2011: Rd. 1, 29)
The Bears are a team in transition. It's time to start rebuilding an aging defense.
Dallas Cowboys
Best value pick: LB Sean Lee (2010: Rd. 2, 55)
Cornerstone pick: OT Tyron Smith (2011: Rd. 1, 9)
There is more work to do here. The last two drafts were good but there is room for improvement.
Denver Broncos
Best value pick: OT Orlando Franklin (2011: Rd. 2, 46)
Cornerstone pick: LB Von Miller (2011: Rd. 1, 2)
Another club with work to be done. The Tim Tebow pick (2010: Rd. 1, 25) was a huge setback, but Peyton Manning fills that void. Miller gives them a blue pass-rusher, and Demaryius Thomas (2010: Rd. 1, 22) may be the blue WR they need. The arrow is up.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Best value pick: DT Tyson Alualu (2010: Rd. 1, 10)
Cornerstone pick: QB Blaine Gabbert (2011: Rd. 1, 10)
Like McCoy for the Browns, it's not so much that it's clear Gabbert is their cornerstone pick, it's that he has to be. The future of this franchise rests with the young QB.
Miami Dolphins
Best value pick: WR Brian Hartline (2009: Rd. 4, 108)
Cornerstone pick: C Mike Pouncey (2011: Rd. 1, 15)
The Dolphins are a relatively sound defensive club. They lack blue-chip playmakers on offense and game-changers (except for CFL signee Cameron Wake) on defense.
Minnesota Vikings
Best value pick: TE Kyle Rudolph (2011: Rd. 2, 43)
Cornerstone pick: QB Christian Ponder (2011: Rd. 1, 12)
See my previous comments on McCoy and Gabbert. Offensively, Adrian Peterson is still the key. Unless he returns to pre-injury form, the load may be too heavy for the second-year QB Ponder to carry. The defensive talent isn't there right now and must be improved if the Vikings want to contend.
New Orleans Saints
Best value pick: TE Jimmy Graham (2010: Rd. 3, 95)
Cornerstone pick: DB Malcolm Jenkins (2009: Rd. 1, 14)
QB Drew Brees and an offensive line that has been in place for a good while is the key to their success. Graham adds needed young firepower. The defense could use an infusion of young talent.
New York Jets
Best value pick: RB Shonn Greene (2009: Rd. 3, 65)
Cornerstone pick: QB Mark Sanchez (2009: Rd. 1, 5)
The Jets are a mix of draft choices, veterans and role players. The defense is solid but lack of firepower on offense hampers them. Sanchez has been judged unfairly to this point. He needs room to grow -- and will.
Oakland Raiders
Best value pick: WR Denarius Moore (2011: Rd. 5, 148)
Cornerstone pick: OT Jared Veldheer (2010: Rd. 3, 69)
Everything hinges on the health of former Bengals QB Carson Palmer and oft-injured RB Darren McFadden, a pre-2009 pick. A series of first-round busts have cost them blue-chip playmakers. Scouting staff has done a great job in later rounds.
Philadelphia Eagles
Best value pick: OG Jason Kelce (2011: Rd. 6, 191)
Cornerstone pick: RB LeSean McCoy (2009: Rd. 2, 53)
This club revolves around blue chip offensive playmakers McCoy, WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and TEs Brent Celek and Clay Harbor. There is work to do with the talent level on defense.
San Diego Chargers
Best value pick: WR Vincent Brown (2011: Rd. 3, 82)
Cornerstone pick: RB Ryan Mathews (2010: Rd. 1, 12)
Matthews must replace LaDainian Tomlinson as the engine of the San Diego offense if the Chargers are to win the division. Pass rush is needed on defense. The QB is top-flight, with Philip Rivers under center. Others have to perform at close to his level.
Seattle Seahawks
Best value pick: DB Richard Sherman (2011: Rd. 5, 154)
Cornerstone pick: DB Earl Thomas (2010: Rd. 1, 14)
Seattle has done a good job of putting valuable pieces in place on all sides of the ball. If free-agent acquisition Matt Flynn solves the problem at QB, this is a team on the rise.
St. Louis Rams
Best value pick: WR Greg Salas (2011: Rd. 4, 112)
Cornerstone picks: QB Sam Bradford (2010: Rd. 1, 1), LB James Laurinaitis (2009: Rd. 2, 35)
The good news is that the Rams have Bradford. The bad news is the offense is lacking in playmakers in virtually every area except RB. Laurinaitis and Chris Long (a 2008 pick) provide cornerstones on defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best value pick: LB Mason Foster (2011: Rd. 3, 84)
Cornerstone pick: QB Josh Freeman (2009: Rd. 1, 17)
This is a team with holes to fill at LB and in the secondary. There is also a need for explosive talent at WR and RB. Freeman won't succeed without these weapons.
Tennessee Titans
Best value picks: LB Colin McCarthy (2011: Rd. 4, 109), Karl Klug (2011: Rd. 5, 142)
Cornerstone pick: QB Jake Locker (2011: Rd. 1, 8)
It all rests on the shoulders of Locker. This is a club whose personnel department will always find solid players. If Locker is "the guy," the Titans will challenge Houston in the division.
Washington Redskins
Best value pick: RB Roy Helu (2011: Rd. 4, 105)
Cornerstone picks: DE Brian Orakpo (2009: Rd. 1, 13), DE Ryan Kerrigan (2011: Rd. 1, 16)
Washington has two dynamic rushers in Orakpo and Kerrigan. The offense creates yards rushing the ball. The future rests with the new QB they'll land in the upcoming draft.
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A look at every NFL team's work in the draft over the last three years
By Bill Polian | ESPN Insider
In today's NFL, success is built through the draft. The New York Giants and Green Bay Packers both built their way to Super Bowl titles from the stage at Radio City Music Hall.
Given the parameters of today's game, if you don't draft well, you will lack the foundation necessary to be a perennial playoff team. Free agency can help, but the value of a talented prospect obtained through the draft is far, far greater for an organization.
For the most part, when you obtain a player through the draft you acquire him when the most tread is left on his tires, so to speak. The NFL will grind players down every year, and with careers so short, it is requisite to replace declining players on an annual basis. And some of those players play a bigger role than others.
In front-office talk, we have a name for franchise players, guys teams can build around. We call those guys "blues," as in "blue chips," and their high value is never in question. When evaluating teams in the draft, the more blues, the better. But you'll also need to find solid contributors, or "reds," whom you can plug into a lineup but might never become all-pro-caliber players.
During my tenure as a GM, I found it valuable to examine every team's draft returns for the three previous years to help project their strength going forward. It's that exercise I'm reproducing here.
Below you'll find a listing of which NFL teams have been the best at identifying and drafting talent in the draft since 2009. Along the way, I've singled out some of the blues (cornerstone players) and the top value picks -- which accounts for player talent relative to draft position -- for 31 of the NFL's teams.
You may notice that leaves me one franchise short. I hope you'll forgive me, but I've left off the Indianapolis Colts since I didn't feel I could provide an objective perspective on how my former team's draftees stand in comparison to the rest of the league.
With that exception, let's get started with a look at the six best-drafting teams in the NFL since 2009.
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The best
Best value pick: CB Lardarius Webb (2009: Round 3, Pick 88)
Cornerstone picks: CB Jimmy Smith (2011: Rd. 1, 27); OT Michael Oher (2009: Rd. 1, 23)
The Ravens' draft success certainly predates 2009. Both QB Joe Flacco and RB Ray Rice are blues from previous classes, but they've also added two more in Webb and Smith, two corners that Baltimore badly needed. Both CBs are solid in man-to-man coverage, as you have to be in the Ravens' system.
If they had a blue WR they likely would have been in the Super Bowl. Torrey Smith may be it.
<offer>The big question mark is Sergio Kindle (2010: Rd. 2, 43) who has missed time due to an off-field injury. If he can come back and produce as some believe he can, he could be another blue.
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Best value pick: DB Louis Delmas (2009: Rd. 2, 33)
Cornerstone picks: QB Matthew Stafford (2009: Rd. 1, 1), DT Ndamukong Suh (2010: Rd. 1, 2)
The Lions have blues all over the place, which they should, having drafted as high as they did for several years straight. Still, you can miss high, and we've seen a great job by GM Martin Mayhew and coaches Jim Schwartz and Rod Marinelli to make picks that fit into their system.
If RB Mikel Leshoure is the real deal coming back from injury, they are ready to contend at a higher level. I'd look for another solid RB and O-line help in the 2012 draft just to be sure they have what they need.
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Best value pick: WR Randall Cobb (2011: Rd. 2, 64)
Cornerstone picks: DT B.J. Raji (2009: Rd. 1, 9), LB Clay Matthews (2009: Rd. 1, 26)
A big blue pass-rusher, plus a speedy pass-rusher, coupled with a blue QB and the two blue WRs equals a Super Bowl. It's simple math! The secondary could use an infusion of top young talent. GM Ted Thompson, head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers work together as well as any group in the league to draft and deploy talent.
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New York Giants
Best value pick: WR Hakeem Nicks (2009: Rd. 1, 29)
Cornerstone pick: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (2010: Rd. 1, 15)
Eli Manning and a revamped receiving corps coupled with a great pass-rushing defense featuring blue-chippers up front and in the secondary garnered the Lombardi trophy. Terrific job by Jerry Reese and company to build a second Super Bowl team in four years.
Keep an eye on 2011 first-round CB Prince Amukamara. He's unproven after missing most of his rookie year to injury, but he has upside and could enter blue territory.
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San Francisco 49ers
Best value pick: LB NaVorro Bowman (2010: Rd. 3, 91)
Cornerstone pick: DE Aldon Smith (2011: Rd. 1, 7)
This team is driven by its defense, which features multiple blue-chip playmakers. You can't play this defensive system without a dynamic outside linebacker who can rush the passer. Smith was the finishing touch to their defense last season.
Offensively the 49ers are propelled by the running game. A step up by WR Michael Crabtree and the addition of another playmaker at WR would help greatly.
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The best of the rest
The best of the rest
Best value pick: DT Corey Peters (2010: Rd. 3, 83)
Cornerstone picks: WR Julio Jones (2011: Rd. 1, 6), LB Sean Weatherspoon (2010: Rd. 1, 19)
QB Matt Ryan has led them to the playoffs and that is the most important pick, but it came before 2009. They gave up a lot to get Jones but it appears to have paid off.
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Cincinnati Bengals
Best value pick: QB Andy Dalton (2011: Rd. 2, 35)
Cornerstone picks: Dalton, WR A.J. Green (2011: Rd. 1, 4)
In Dalton the Bengals have their QB. In Green they have a blue WR. Through free agency they've added a solid RB in BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Add Marvin Lewis' defense and we'll see them in the playoffs.
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Cleveland Browns
Best value pick: DE Jabaal Sheard (2011: Rd. 2, 37)
Cornerstone pick: QB Colt McCoy (2010: Rd. 3, 85)
In order for them to progress as they would like, McCoy must be their cornerstone. If he's not, they will be set back as they, presumably, go with another fairly green QB. The defense improved greatly in 2011. The running game will be fine. But can they move the ball consistently through the air?
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Houston Texans
Best value pick: QB T.J. Yates (2011: Rd. 5, 152)
Cornerstone pick: DE J.J. Watt (2011: Rd. 1, 11)
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips remade their defense. He was by far their best acquisition. Having made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, do they have enough on offense to take the next step? The guess is yes, but the offensive line must come together after some losses.
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Kansas City Chiefs
Best value pick: RB Dexter McCluster (2010: Rd. 2, 36)
Cornerstone pick: S Eric Berry (2010: Rd. 1, 5)
The Chiefs have made strides and will continue to improve under head coach Romeo Crennel. In the end, however, the ultimate result hinges on the play and health of QB Matt Cassel. Surrounding draft talent will help, though.
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New England Patriots
Best value pick: WR/CB Julian Edelman (2009: Rd. 7, 232)
Cornerstone pick: TE Rob Gronkowski (2010: Rd. 2, 42)
The Patriots have landed a bunch of blues, and I'd include LB Brandon Spikes and P Zoltan Mesko among them. (No one really pays attention to punters as blues, but Mesko is one.) Still, New England hasn't had as many draft hits as you'd think given its 33 picks since 2009.
Edelman's been great as a return man and his value is boosted by his versatility on the field. Great coaching acumen allows Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to make up for the lack of WR production. Brady is still the key, though.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Best value pick: Antonio Brown (2010: Rd. 6, 195)
Cornerstone pick: Cameron Heyward (2011: Rd. 1, 31)
One of the top-drafting teams in the game. Ziggy Hood and Heyward must play well for the defense to continue as the force behind the Steelers' victories.
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The rest of the rest
The rest of the rest
Best value pick: DE Sam Acho (2011: Rd. 4, 103)
Cornerstone pick: CB Patrick Peterson (2011: Rd. 1, 5)
The Cardinals have done a solid job over the past three seasons, garnering eight starters and nine contributors from the draft. RB Beanie Wells, Acho and Peterson have made great contributions. If QB John Skelton is "the man" (still a possibility, for me, depending on camp), they've hit the jackpot. They'd see serious improvement in their draft evaluations if that happened.
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Buffalo Bills
Best value pick: LB Kelvin Sheppard (2011: Rd. 3, 68)
Cornerstone pick: DT Marcell Dareus (2011: Rd. 1, 3)
Last year's draft produced some keepers and a blue (Dareus). They need to repeat that success this year.
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Carolina Panthers
Best value pick: DT Sione Fua (2011: Rd. 3, 97)
Cornerstone pick: QB Cam Newton (2011: Rd. 1, 1)
Newton must progress into a winning quarterback, not just an attraction. But he's off to a great start. There is work yet to do on defense.
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Chicago Bears
Best value pick: DT Henry Melton (2009: Rd. 4, 105)
Cornerstone pick: OT Gabe Carimi (2011: Rd. 1, 29)
The Bears are a team in transition. It's time to start rebuilding an aging defense.
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Dallas Cowboys
Best value pick: LB Sean Lee (2010: Rd. 2, 55)
Cornerstone pick: OT Tyron Smith (2011: Rd. 1, 9)
There is more work to do here. The last two drafts were good but there is room for improvement.
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Denver Broncos
Best value pick: OT Orlando Franklin (2011: Rd. 2, 46)
Cornerstone pick: LB Von Miller (2011: Rd. 1, 2)
Another club with work to be done. The Tim Tebow pick (2010: Rd. 1, 25) was a huge setback, but Peyton Manning fills that void. Miller gives them a blue pass-rusher, and Demaryius Thomas (2010: Rd. 1, 22) may be the blue WR they need. The arrow is up.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Best value pick: DT Tyson Alualu (2010: Rd. 1, 10)
Cornerstone pick: QB Blaine Gabbert (2011: Rd. 1, 10)
Like McCoy for the Browns, it's not so much that it's clear Gabbert is their cornerstone pick, it's that he has to be. The future of this franchise rests with the young QB.
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Best value pick: WR Brian Hartline (2009: Rd. 4, 108)
Cornerstone pick: C Mike Pouncey (2011: Rd. 1, 15)
The Dolphins are a relatively sound defensive club. They lack blue-chip playmakers on offense and game-changers (except for CFL signee Cameron Wake) on defense.
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Minnesota Vikings
Best value pick: TE Kyle Rudolph (2011: Rd. 2, 43)
Cornerstone pick: QB Christian Ponder (2011: Rd. 1, 12)
See my previous comments on McCoy and Gabbert. Offensively, Adrian Peterson is still the key. Unless he returns to pre-injury form, the load may be too heavy for the second-year QB Ponder to carry. The defensive talent isn't there right now and must be improved if the Vikings want to contend.
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New Orleans Saints
Best value pick: TE Jimmy Graham (2010: Rd. 3, 95)
Cornerstone pick: DB Malcolm Jenkins (2009: Rd. 1, 14)
QB Drew Brees and an offensive line that has been in place for a good while is the key to their success. Graham adds needed young firepower. The defense could use an infusion of young talent.
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New York Jets
Best value pick: RB Shonn Greene (2009: Rd. 3, 65)
Cornerstone pick: QB Mark Sanchez (2009: Rd. 1, 5)
The Jets are a mix of draft choices, veterans and role players. The defense is solid but lack of firepower on offense hampers them. Sanchez has been judged unfairly to this point. He needs room to grow -- and will.
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Oakland Raiders
Best value pick: WR Denarius Moore (2011: Rd. 5, 148)
Cornerstone pick: OT Jared Veldheer (2010: Rd. 3, 69)
Everything hinges on the health of former Bengals QB Carson Palmer and oft-injured RB Darren McFadden, a pre-2009 pick. A series of first-round busts have cost them blue-chip playmakers. Scouting staff has done a great job in later rounds.
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Philadelphia Eagles
Best value pick: OG Jason Kelce (2011: Rd. 6, 191)
Cornerstone pick: RB LeSean McCoy (2009: Rd. 2, 53)
This club revolves around blue chip offensive playmakers McCoy, WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and TEs Brent Celek and Clay Harbor. There is work to do with the talent level on defense.
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San Diego Chargers
Best value pick: WR Vincent Brown (2011: Rd. 3, 82)
Cornerstone pick: RB Ryan Mathews (2010: Rd. 1, 12)
Matthews must replace LaDainian Tomlinson as the engine of the San Diego offense if the Chargers are to win the division. Pass rush is needed on defense. The QB is top-flight, with Philip Rivers under center. Others have to perform at close to his level.
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Best value pick: DB Richard Sherman (2011: Rd. 5, 154)
Cornerstone pick: DB Earl Thomas (2010: Rd. 1, 14)
Seattle has done a good job of putting valuable pieces in place on all sides of the ball. If free-agent acquisition Matt Flynn solves the problem at QB, this is a team on the rise.
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St. Louis Rams
Best value pick: WR Greg Salas (2011: Rd. 4, 112)
Cornerstone picks: QB Sam Bradford (2010: Rd. 1, 1), LB James Laurinaitis (2009: Rd. 2, 35)
The good news is that the Rams have Bradford. The bad news is the offense is lacking in playmakers in virtually every area except RB. Laurinaitis and Chris Long (a 2008 pick) provide cornerstones on defense.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best value pick: LB Mason Foster (2011: Rd. 3, 84)
Cornerstone pick: QB Josh Freeman (2009: Rd. 1, 17)
This is a team with holes to fill at LB and in the secondary. There is also a need for explosive talent at WR and RB. Freeman won't succeed without these weapons.
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Tennessee Titans
Best value picks: LB Colin McCarthy (2011: Rd. 4, 109), Karl Klug (2011: Rd. 5, 142)
Cornerstone pick: QB Jake Locker (2011: Rd. 1, 8)
It all rests on the shoulders of Locker. This is a club whose personnel department will always find solid players. If Locker is "the guy," the Titans will challenge Houston in the division.
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Washington Redskins
Best value pick: RB Roy Helu (2011: Rd. 4, 105)
Cornerstone picks: DE Brian Orakpo (2009: Rd. 1, 13), DE Ryan Kerrigan (2011: Rd. 1, 16)
Washington has two dynamic rushers in Orakpo and Kerrigan. The offense creates yards rushing the ball. The future rests with the new QB they'll land in the upcoming draft.
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