- Keenan Allen, WR, California
- David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State
- Alvin Bailey, OG, Arkansas
- Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia
- David Bakhtiari, OL, Colorado
- Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State
- Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina
- Josh Boyce, WR, Texas Christian
- Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee
- Terrence Brown, CB, Stanford
- Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas
- Mike Edwards, CB/KR, Hawaii
- Matt Elam, S, Florida
- Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
- Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State
- Chris Faulk, OT, Louisiana State
- Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
- D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
- Michael Ford, RB, Louisiana State
- Travis Frederick, OL, Wisconsin
- Kwame Geathers, DT, Georgia
- William Gholston, DE, Michigan State
- Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
- DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
- Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
- Jawan Jamison, RB, Rutgers
- Stefphon Jefferson, RB, Nevada
- Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida
- Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
- Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
- Brandon Kaufman, WR, Eastern Washington
- Joe Kruger, DE, Utah
- Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
- Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
- Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB, Auburn
- Bennie Logan, DT, Louisiana State
- Stansly Maponga, DE/OLB, Texas Christian
- Tyrann Mathieu, CB, Louisiana State
- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
- Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, Louisiana State
- Kevin Minter, ILB, Louisiana State
- Sam Montgomery, DE, Louisiana State
- Brandon Moore, DT, Texas
- Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
- Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
- Kyle Padron, QB, Eastern Washington
- Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
- Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse
- Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State
- Jordan Reed, TE, Florida
- Eric Reid, S, Louisiana State
- Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
- Nickell Robey, CB, Southern California
- Da'Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee Tech
- Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers
- Ace Sanders, WR, South Carolina
- Darrington Sentimore, DE, Tennessee
- Tharold Simon, CB, Louisiana State
- Dion Sims, TE, Michigan State
- Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois
- Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma
- Levine Toilolo, TE, Stanford
- Trabis Ward, RB, Tennessee State
- Spencer Ware, RB, Louisiana State
- Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
- Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
- Steve Williams, CB, California
- Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State
- Brad Wing, P, Louisiana State
- Cierre Wood, RB, Notre Dame
- Robert Woods, WR, Southern California
- Tom Wort, ILB, Oklahoma
- Jahleel Addae, S, Central Michigan
- Anthony Amos, WR, Middle Tennessee
- Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Jeff Baca, OG, UCLA
- Sam Barrington, LB, South Florida
- David Bass, DE, Missouri Western
- Brandan Bishop, S, North Carolina State
- Emory Blake, WR, Auburn
- Josh Boyd, DT, Mississippi State
- Dylan Breeding, P, Arkansas
- Sam Brenner, OG, Utah
- Xavier Brewer, CB, Clemson
- Braden Brown, OT, Brigham Young
- Zach Brown, K, Portland State
- Dan Buckner, WR, Arizona
- Chad Bumphis, WR, Mississippi State
- Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska
- Colby Cameron, QB, Louisiana Tech
- William Campbell, DL, Michigan
- Alex Carder, QB, Western Michigan
- Mike Catapano, DE, Princeton
- Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi
- Jasper Collins, WR, Mount Union
- Izaan Cross, DT, Georgia Tech
- Cody Davis, S, Texas Tech
- Keenan Davis, WR, Iowa
- Marcus Davis, WR, Virginia Tech
- Jordan Devey, OL, Memphis
- R.J. Dill, OT, Rutgers
- Seth Doege, QB, Texas Tech
- Josh Evans, S, Florida
- Kirby Fabien, OT, Calgary
- Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA
- James Ferentz, C, Iowa
- Manase Foketi, OL, West Texas A&M
- Blaize Foltz, OG, Texas Christian
- A.J. Francis, DT, Maryland
- Corey Fuller, WR, Virginia Tech
- Tyrone Goard, WR, Eastern Kentucky
- Malliciah Goodman, DE, Clemson
- Ray Graham, RB, Pittsburgh
- Steve Greer, ILB, Virginia
- Rashard Hall, S, Clemson
- Montel Harris, RB, Temple
- Tanner Hawkinson, OT, Kansas
- Terry Hawthorne, CB, Illinois
- Garth Heikkinen, OL, Minnesota Duluth
- Aaron Hester, CB, UCLA
- Erik Highsmith, WR, North Carolina
- Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State
- DeVonte Holloman, OLB, South Carolina
- Josh Hubner, P, Arizona State
- Demontre Hurst, CB, Oklahoma
- Micah Hyde, DB, Iowa
- Mark Jackson, OL, Glenville State
- D.C. Jefferson, TE, Rutgers
- Josh Johnson, CB, Purdue
- Keelan Johnson, S, Arizona State
- T.J. Johnson, C, Louisiana State
- Travis Johnson, DE, San Jose State
- Kyle Juszczyk, TE, Harvard
- Nick Kasa, TE, Colorado
- A.J. Klein, LB, Iowa
- Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State
- Eric Kush, C, California (PA)
- Kapron Lewis-Moore, DL, Notre Dame
- Zach Line, FB, Southern Methodist
- Rob Lohr, DL, Vanderbilt
- Nigel Malone, CB, Kansas State
- Robert McCabe, ILB, Georgetown
- Anthony McCloud, DT, Florida State
- Lerentee McCray, OLB, Florida
- Bradley McDougald, S, Kansas
- Leon McFadden, CB, San Diego State
- Brandon McGee, CB, Miami (FL)
- Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M
- Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut
- Zeke Motta, S, Notre Dame
- Dann O'Neill, OT, Western Michigan
- Will Pericak, DE, Colorado State
- Graham Pocic, C, Illinois
- Keith Pough, LB, Howard
- Sheldon Price, CB, UCLA
- David Quessenberry, OT, San Jose State
- Lucas Reed, TE, New Mexico
- Sean Renfree, QB, Duke
- Theo Riddick, RB, Notre Dame
- Kejuan Riley, S, Alabama State
- Andrew Robiskie, C, Western Illinois
- Craig Roh, DE, Michigan
- Albert Rosette, ILB, Nevada
- Caleb Schreibeis, DE, Montana State
- Matt Scott, QB, Arizona
- Matt Sewell, OT, McMaster
- Branden Smith, CB, Georgia
- Rodney Smith, WR, Florida State
- Nick Speller, OT, Massachusetts
- Zac Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt
- Matt Stankiewitch, C, Penn State
- Trent Steelman, WR, Army
- Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida
- Zach Sudfeld, TE, Nevada
- Rod Sweeting, CB, Georgia Tech
- Cooper Taylor, S, Richmond
- Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina
- Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse
- Brandon Thurmond, DE, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Brandon Turner, WR, Navy
- Ryan Turnley, OG, Pittsburgh
- Omoregie Uzzi, OG, Georgia Tech
- Scott Vallone, DT, Rutgers
- Joe Vellano, DT, Maryland
- Earl Watford, OG, James Madison
- Kayvon Webster, CB, South Florida
- Duke Williams, S, Nevada
- Kerwynn Williams, RB, Utah State
- Nathan Williams, LB, Ohio State
- Trey Wilson, CB, Vanderbilt
- Earl Wolff, S, North Carolina State
- Khalid Wooten, CB, Nevada
- Oday Aboushi, OT, Virginia
- Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State
- Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern Louisiana
- Ryan Allen, P, Louisiana Tech
- Kiko Alonso, LB, Oregon
- Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Brigham Young
- Marc Anthony, CB, California
- Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
- Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
- Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon
- Tommy Bohanon, FB, Wake Forest
- Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida
- Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State
- Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois
- Braxston Cave, C, Notre Dame
- Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi
- Sanders Commings, CB, Georgia
- Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
- Will Davis, CB, Utah State
- Everett Dawkins, DT, Florida State
- Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall
- Zac Dysert, QB, Miami (OH)
- Lavar Edwards, DE, Louisiana State
- Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
- Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
- Reid Fragel, OT, Ohio State
- Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA
- Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida
- Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
- Zaviar Gooden, OLB, Missouri
- Malliciah Goodman, DE, Clemson
- Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas
- Dwayne Gratz, CB, Connecticut
- Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers
- Cory Grissom, DT, South Florida
- Cobi Hamilton, WR, Arkansas
- Chris Harper, WR, Kansas State
- Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State
- Khaled Holmes, C, Southern California
- Dustin Hopkins, K, Florida State
- Margus Hunt, DL, Southern Methodist
- Luke Ingram, LS, Hawaii
- John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
- Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
- Nico Johnson, LB, Alabama
- Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
- Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
- Kyle Juszczyk, TE, Harvard
- Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati
- Tavarres King, WR, Georgia
- Jeff Locke, P, UCLA
- Kyle Long, OT, Oregon
- Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE, Auburn
- Joe Madsen, C, West Virginia
- E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State
- T.J. McDonald, S, Southern California
- Vance McDonald, TE, Rice
- Leon McFadden, CB, San Diego State
- Aaron Mellette, WR, Elon
- Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
- Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida
- Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
- Ryan Otten, TE, San Jose State
- Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech
- Sean Porter, OLB, Texas A&M
- Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State
- Dave Quessenberry, OL, San Jose State
- Baccari Rambo, S, Georgia
- Kevin Reddick, LB, North Carolina
- Denard Robinson, WR, Michigan
- Brian Schwenke, C, California
- Quinn Sharp, P, Oklahoma State
- Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
- John Simon, DE/OLB, Ohio State
- D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina
- Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
- Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
- Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
- Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford
- Dallas Thomas, OL, Tennessee
- Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State
- Hugh Thornton, OG, Illinois
- Carson Tinker, LS, Alabama
- J.C. Tretter, OL, Cornell
- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
- Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
- Conner Vernon, WR, Duke
- Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin
- Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky
- B.W. Webb, CB, William & Mary
- Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State
- J.J. Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern
- Brandon Williams, DT, Missouri Southern
- Michael Williams, TE, Alabama
- Shawn Williams, S, Georgia
- Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
- Trevardo Williams, OLB, Connecticut
- Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
- Brian Winters, OT, Kent State
- Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut
- Oday Aboushi, OT, Virginia
- Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern Louisiana
- Ryan Allen, P, Louisiana Tech
- Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
- Chris Barker, OG, Nevada
- David Bass, DE, Missouri Western
- Steve Beauharnais, LB, Rutgers
- Nick Becton, OT, Virginia Tech
- Tommy Bohanon, FB, Wake Forest
- Travis Bond, OG, North Carolina
- Alan Bonner, WR, Jacksonville State
- Josh Boyd, DT, Mississippi State
- Braden Brown, OT, Brigham Young
- Emmett Cleary, OT, Boston College
- Bobby Cowan, P, Idaho
- Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
- Marcus Davis, WR, Virginia Tech
- Will Davis, CB, Utah State
- Manase Foketi, OL, West Texas A&M
- Reid Fragel, OT, Ohio State
- A.J. Francis, DT, Maryland
- Corey Fuller, WR, Virginia Tech
- Matt Furstenburg, TE, Maryland
- Garrett Gilkey, OT, Chadron State
- Tyrone Goard, WR, Eastern Kentucky
- Chris Gragg, TE, Arkansas
- MarQueis Gray, QB, Minnesota
- Cory Grissom, DT, South Florida
- Tanner Hawkinson, OT, Kansas
- Josh Hubner, P, Arizona State
- Montori Hughes, DT, Tennessee-Martin
- Mark Jackson, OL, Glenville State
- Mike James, RB, Miami (FL)
- Oscar Johnson, OT, Louisiana Tech
- Jamaal Johnson-Webb, OL, Alabama A&M
- A.J. Klein, ILB, Iowa State
- Jake Knott, LB, Iowa State
- Scott Kovanda, P, Ball State
- Edmund Kugbila, OG, Valdosta State
- Zach Line, FB, Southern Methodist
- Brandon Magee, OLB, Arizona State
- Brett Maher, K, Nebraska
- Miguel Maysonet, RB, Stony Brook
- Demetrius McCray, CB, Appalachian State
- Bradley McDougald, S, Kansas
- Aaron Mellette, WR, Elon
- Rontez Miles, S, California (PA)
- Stephane Milhim, OL, Massachusetts
- Jordan Mills, OL, Louisiana Tech
- Vinston Painter, OT, Virginia Tech
- Matt Scott, QB, Arizona
- Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State
- Jared Smith, DT, New Hampshire
- Brad Sorensen, QB, Southern Utah
- Ryan Spadola, WR, Lehigh
- Jake Stoneburner, TE, Ohio State
- Dax Swanson, CB, Sam Houston State
- Bruce Taylor, ILB, Virginia Tech
- Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
- Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State
- Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse
- J.C. Tretter, OL, Cornell
- Conner Vernon, WR, Duke
- Earl Watford, OG, James Madison
- Kayvon Webster, CB, South Florida
- John Wetzel, OT, Boston College
- Brandon Williams, DT, Missouri Southern
- Brennan Williams, OT, North Carolina
- Duke Williams, S, Nevada
- Kerwynn Williams, RB, Utah State
- Nicholas Williams, DL, Samford
- Tourek Williams, DE, Florida International
- Earl Wolff, S, North Carolina State
- Khalid Wooten, CB, Nevada
| Rank (Prev Week) | | Team | | | 1 (1) |  | New York Giants | Key Losses: RB Brandon Jacobs, WR Mario Manningham, CB Aaron Ross
Key Additions: TE Martellus Bennett, OLB Keith Rivers, DT Shaun Rogers
Key Rookies: WR Rueben Randle, RB David Wilson
Even without Manningham, the Super Bowl champs helped their passing game with the additions of Bennett and Randle and acquiring Rivers is a huge help. Offseason Grade: B+ | | 2 (3) |  | Green Bay Packers | Key Losses: OT Chad Clifton, S Nick Collins, QB Matt Flynn, RB Ryan Grant, C Scott Wells
Key Additions: C Jeff Saturday
Key Rookies: CB Casey Hayward, OLB Nick Perry, DL Jerel Worthy
As usual, they waited until the draft to address their needs grabbing three stud defensive players, but can Bryan Bulaga slide over to the left side? Offseason Grade: B+ | | 3 (2) |  | New England Patriots | Key Losses: DE Mark Anderson, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, OT Matt Light
Key Additions: RB Joseph Addai, DL Jonathan Fanene, OL Robert Gallery, WR Brandon Lloyd
Key Rookies: DE Jake Bequette, LB Dont’a Hightower, DE Chandler Jones
They minimized their losses, but did they do enough to help the defense? Offseason Grade: B- | | 4 (8) |  | Pittsburgh Steelers | Key Losses: ILB James Farrior, CB William Gay, OT Max Starks, WR Hines Ward
Key Additions:
Key Rookies: OT Mike Adams, OG David DeCastro, RB Chris Rainey, DT Alameda Ta’amu
The team did a good job of getting younger with arguably the best draft of any team. Offseason Grade: A- | | 5 (4) |  | San Francisco 49ers | Key Losses: WR Josh Morgan, OG Adam Snyder
Key Additions: RB Brandon Jacobs, WR Mario Manningham, WR Randy Moss
Key Rookies: WR A.J. Jenkins, OG Joe Looney
Harbaugh brought in some outstanding players, but did he sacrifice team chemistry? Offseason Grade: C- | | 6 (11) |  | Denver Broncos | Key Losses: DT Brodrick Bunkley, TE Daniel Fells, DT Ryan McBean, WR Eddie Royal, QB Tim Tebow
Key Additions: DT Justin Bannan, WR Andre Caldwell, TE Joel Dreessen, QB Peyton Manning, CB Tracy Porter, TE Jacob Tamme
Key Rookies: OC Philip Blake, CB Omar Bolden, RB Ronnie Hillman, DT Derek Wolfe
Went from Tebow’s team to Manning’s team and from playoff contender to Super Bowl contender. Offseason Grade: A+ | | 7 (6) |  | New Orleans Saints | Key Losses: OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, DT Aubrayo Franklin, WR Robert Meachem, OG Carl Nicks, CB Tracy Porter, DT Shaun Rogers
Key Additions: DT Brodrick Bunkley, OG Ben Grubbs, LB David Hawthorne, LB Curtis Lofton
Key Rookies: WR Nick Toon
Bountygate cost them a second-rounder which means not a lot out of the draft. Even losing Vilma, Hawthorne and Lofton give them one of the better LB corps in the league. Brees’ contract dispute looms overhead… Offseason Grade: C+ | | 8 (7) |  | Houston Texans | Key Losses: OG Mike Brisiel, TE Joel Dreessen, ILB DeMeco Ryans, DE Mario Williams, OT Eric Winston
Key Additions: ILB Bradie James
Key Rookies: OG Brandon Brooks, DE Jared Crick, OLB Whitney Mercilus, WR DeVier Posey
Everyone will focus on losing Ryans and Williams, but losing Brisiel and Winston are huge. Offseason Grade: C | | 9 (5) |  | Baltimore Ravens | Key Losses: OG Ben Grubbs, OLB Jarret Johnson, DE Cory Redding, S Tom Zbikowski
Key Additions: WR Jacoby Jones, DL Ryan McBean
Key Rookies: OG Kelechi Osemele, OLB Courtney Upshaw
They lost some big name players. Osemele and Upshaw are good, but it’ll be difficult to replace Grubbs and Johnson. Offseason Grade: D+ | | 10 (12) |  | Cincinnati Bengals | Key Losses: RB Cedric Benson, DT Jonathan Fanene, OG Nate Livings, OLB Keith Rivers, WR Jerome Simpson, OG Bobbie Williams
Key Additions: RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, CB Terrence Newman, OG Travelle Wharton
Key Rookies: TE Orson Charles, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, WR Mohamed Sanu, DT Devon Still, DT Brandon Thompson, OG Kevin Zeitler
This draft class is full of contributors and future stars. The league’s best young team got better and younger. Offseason Grade: A- | | 11 (9) |  | Atlanta Falcons | Key Losses: CB Kelvin Hayden, LB Curtis Lofton, LB Mike Peterson
Key Additions: CB Asante Samuel, ILB Lofa Tatupu
Key Rookies: OL Peter Konz
Acquiring Samuel will at least Falcon fans something to talk about. Offseason Grade: C+ | | 12 (17) |  | Chicago Bears | Key Losses: CB Zack Bowman, CB Corey Graham, S Brandon Meriweather
Key Additions: RB Michael Bush, CB Kelvin Hayden, OLB Geno Hayes, WR Brandon Marshall
Key Rookies: WR Alshon Jeffery, DE Shea McClellin
Adding Marshall and Jeffery finally give the Bears a receiving threat and make them a scary team. Offseason Grade: A | | 13 (10) |  | Detroit Lions | Key Losses: CB Eric Wright
Key Additions: CB Jacob Lacey
Key Rookies: CB Dwight Bentley, OT Riley Reiff
Not a lot going on here. Reiff helps add depth and an heir to Backus. Offseason Grade: D+ | | 14 (13) |  | Dallas Cowboys | Key Losses: TE Martellus Bennett, ILB Keith Brooking, S Abram Elam, ILB Bradie James, P Mat McBriar, CB Terrence Newman, WR Laurent Robinson, S Gerald Sensabaugh
Key Additions: OG Mackenzy Barnadeau, CB Brandon Carr, ILB Dan Connor, OG Nate Livings, QB Kyle Orton, S Brodney Pool, FB Lawrence Vickers
Key Rookies: CB Morris Claiborne, DE Tyrone Crawford, OLB Kyle Wilber
Their secondary is greatly improved, but I still worry about the offensive and defensive lines. Offseason Grade: B | | 15 (16) |  | San Diego Chargers | Key Losses: WR Vincent Jackson, RB Mike Tolbert
Key Additions: OLB Jarret Johnson, FB Le’Ron McClain, WR Robert Meachem, WR Eddie Royal
Key Rookies: TE Ladarius Green, OLB Melvin Ingram, DE Kendall Reyes, S Brandon Taylor
The Bolts did a good job of replacing players and addressing needs. One last shot for Turner and A.J. Smith. Offseason Grade: B+ | | 16 (15) |  | New York Jets | Key Losses: WR Plaxico Burress, S Jim Leonhard, S Brodney Pool, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, OLB Jamaal Westerman
Key Additions: S LaRon Landry, WR Chaz Schilens, QB Tim Tebow
Key Rookies: DL Quinton Coples, WR Stephen Hill
Everyone’s talking about Tebow but Landry, Coples and Hill are the real prizes this offseason. Offseason Grade: B- | | 17 (20) |  | Philadelphia Eagles | Key Losses: OT Winston Justice, DE Juqua Parker, CB Asante Samuel, WR Steve Smith
Key Additions: OT Demetress Bell, LB DeMeco Ryans
Key Rookies: CB Brandon Boykin, DT Fletcher Cox, DE Vinny Curry, LB Mychal Kendricks
After last offseason’s big moves, the Eagles were quiet. If they’ve truly upgraded the defense, this team could be the “dream team.” Offseason Grade: B | | 18 (14) |  | Tennessee Titans | Key Losses: CB Cortland Finnegan, FB Ahmard Hall, DL Jason Jones, ILB Barrett Ruud, OG Jake Scott
Key Additions: OG Steve Hutchinson, DE Kamerion Wimbley
Key Rookies: OLB Zach Brown, DT Mike Martin, WR Kendall Wright
Keeping Finnegan had to be their goal. He left and they didn’t even get try to get a decent replacement. Offseason Grade: D | | 19 (19) |  | Arizona Cardinals | Key Losses: OLB Clark Haggans, OT Brandon Keith, OG Deuce Lutui, CB Richard Marshall
Key Additions: CB William Gay, OG Adam Snyder
Key Rookies: CB Jamell Fleming, WR Michael Floyd, OT Bobby Massie
Floyd could make this offense dangerous if they can get around a horrible offensive line. Offseason Grade: B- | | 20 (24) |  | Kansas City Chiefs | Key Losses: CB Brandon Carr, DT Kelly Gregg, FB Le’Ron McClain, QB Kyle Orton
Key Additions: TE Kevin Boss, RB Peyton Hillis, QB Brady Quinn, CB Stanford Routt, OT Eric Winston
Key Rookies: OG Jeff Allen, DT Dontari Poe
Kansas City quiet added lots of talent this offseason and with so many returning from injuries, they’ll look like a new team. Offseason Grade: A- | | 21 (22) |  | Miami Dolphins | Key Losses: OT Vernon Carey, QB Chad Henne, DL Kendall Langford, DL Philip Merling
Key Additions: QB David Garrard, LB Gary Guyton, OG Artis Hicks, S Tyrell Johnson, CB Richard Marshall, WR Legedu Naanee, DE Jamaal Westerman
Key Rookies: TE Michael Egnew, OT Jonathan Martin, RB Lamar Miller
I’m not a Tannehill fan, but they made some good moves and got better. Offseason Grade: B- | | 22 (23) |  | Seattle Seahawks | Key Losses: RB Justin Forsett, OL Robert Gallery, LB David Hawthorne
Key Additions: QB Matt Flynn, DL Jason Jones, OG Deuce Lutui, LB Barrett Ruud, TE Kellen Winslow
Key Rookies: DE Bruce Irvin, RB Robert Turbin, LB Bobby Wagner, QB Russell Wilson
Flynn will hopefully be the answer at quarterback while Jones and Irvin will hopefully help the pass rush. Still, what were they doing during the draft? Offseason Grade: B- | | 23 (25) |  | Washington Redskins | Key Losses: S O.J. Atogwe, CB Phillip Buchanon, S LaRon Landry, ILB Rocky McIntosh, WR Donte’ Stallworth
Key Additions: WR Pierre Garçon, CB Cedric Griffin, S Tanard Jackson, S Brandon Meriweather, WR Josh Morgan, S Madieu Williams
Key Rookies: QB Robert Griffin III
Washington’s big addition was RG3 and hopefully they grabbed some good receivers and some key secondary players. Offseason Grade: A- | | 24 (27) |  | Buffalo Bills | Key Losses: OT Demetress Bell
Key Additions: DE Mark Anderson, DE Mario Williams
Key Rookies: CB Ron Brooks, CB Stephon Gilmore, OT Cordy Glenn, WR T.J. Graham
Adding Williams and Anderson will give them a fierce pass rush while their solid draft will give them some good young talent for years. Offseason Grade: A | | 25 (21) |  | Carolina Panthers | Key Losses: OG Mackenzy Bernadeau, WR Legedu Naanee, OG Geoff Schwartz, TE Jeremy Shockey
Key Additions: OG Mike Pollak, RB Mike Tolbert
Key Rookies: LB Luke Kuechly, CB Josh Norman, OG Amini Silatolu
Don’t understand signing Tolbert with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart already. They added Kuechly and Norman, but they didn’t do enough on defense. Offseason Grade: D | | 26 (18) |  | Oakland Raiders | Key Losses: TE Kevin Boss, RB Michael Bush, QB Jason Campbell, OLB Quentin Groves, OT Stephon Heyer, CB Stanford Routt, C Samson Satele, WR Chaz Schilens, DE Trevor Scott, CB Lito Sheppard, OLB Kamerion Wimbley
Key Additions: CB Ron Bartell, OG Mike Brisiel, RB Mike Goodson, CB Pat Lee, OLB Philip Wheeler
Key Rookies: OT Tony Bergstrom, WR Juron Criner
Cap issues killed the Raiders. I’m worried at how bad this team could be. Offseason Grade: F | | 27 (30) |  | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Key Losses: RB Earnest Graham, OLB Geno Hayes, DT Albert Haynesworth, S Sean Jones, TE Kellen Winslow
Key Additions: TE Dallas Clark, WR Vincent Jackson, OG Carl Nicks, CB Eric Wright
Key Rookies: S Mark Barron, OLB Lavonte David, RB Doug Martin
They got two of the bigger names in Jackson and Nicks, but did they overspend too much? Offseason Grade: A+ | | 28 (29) |  | Minnesota Vikings | Key Losses: CB Cedric Griffin, ILB E.J. Henderson, OG Steve Hutchinson, S Jarrad Page, CB Benny Sapp, TE Visanthe Shiancoe
Key Additions: TE John Carlson, CB Chris Carr, OG Geoff Schwartz, WR Jerome Simpson
Key Rookies: LB Audie Cole, OT Matt Kalil, CB Josh Robinson, S Harrison Smith, WR Jarius Wright
Kalil could be a Hall-of-Famer while Simpson and Wright upgrade the receiving corps. If Ponder and Peterson stay healthy, they’ll be tough than most think. Offseason Grade: A- | | 29 (32) |  | St. Louis Rams | Key Losses: Te Billy Bajema, DT Justin Bannan, CB Ron Bartell, C Jason Brown, S James Butler, OLB Chris Chamberlain, CB Roderick Hood, P Donnie Jones, WR Brandon Lloyd, OLB Brady Poppinga, DT Fred Robbins, RB Carnell Williams, OG Tony Wragge
Key Additions: OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, CB Cortland Finnegan, DT Kendall Langford, DT Trevor Laws, WR Steve Smith, C Steve Wells
Key Rookies: DT Michael Brockers, WR Chris Givens, CB Janoris Jenkins, DB Trumaine Johnson, RB Isaiah Pead, WR Brian Quick, OG Rokevious Watkins, K Greg Zuerlein
They’ve filled the roster with a good mix of talented rookies and veterans. With Jeff Fisher and two first rounders in 2013 and 2014, expect them to make big strides. Offseason Grade: A | | 30 (26) |  | Jacksonville Jaguars | Key Losses: DE Matt Roth
Key Additions: WR Lee Evans, QB Chad Henne, WR Laurent Robinson, CB Aaron Ross
Key Rookies: P Bryan Anger, WR Justin Blackmon, DE Andre Branch
Finally used some resources on receiver, but still not sure they got a number one. Offseason Grade: B- | | 31 (31) |  | Indianapolis Colts | Key Losses: RB Joseph Addai, LB Gary Brackett, S Melvin Bullitt, TE Dallas Clark, OG Ryan Diem, DT Eric Foster, WR Pierre Garçon, WR Anthony Gonzalez, CB Jacob Lacey, QB Peyton Manning, OG Mike Pollak, C Jeff Saturday, TE Jacob Tamme, OLB Philip Wheeler
Key Additions: WR Donnie Avery, OT Winston Justice, DT Brandon McKinney, DE Cory Redding, C Samson Satele, S Tom Zbikowski
Key Rookies: TE Dwayne Allen, DT Josh Chapman, TE Coby Fleener, WR T.Y. Hilton, QB Andrew Luck
This team doesn’t even resemble the team it was a year ago. They got Luck, but do they have the personnel to institute their 3-4 defense? Offseason Grade: B | | 32 (28) |  | Cleveland Browns | Key Losses: RB Peyton Hillis, DE Jayme Mitchell, OT Tony Pashos, OG Eric Steinbach
Key Additions: DE Juqua Parker, DE Frostee Rucker
Key Rookies: WR Travis Benjamin, ILB James-Michael Johnson, RB Trent Richardson, OT Mitchell Schwartz, QB Brandon Weeden
Richardson could become the best rusher in the NFL, but outside of him there isn’t much to be excited about. Offseason Grade: C |
For the first time years, Washington State has legitimate draft prospects. Based on preseason rankings, the Cougars have a pair of seniors who definitely look to be drafted; quarterback Jeff Tuel and defensive end Travis Long. They also have a playmaking junior receiver Marquess Wilson who may be the best WSU prospect of them all. These three players are the top Cougs on preseason radar and the only ones who seem to have a legit shot at hearing their names called come April.
Except the 15th pick, the draft was pretty predictable. There were eight draft day trades on day one with three in the top seven alone. Last year, there were a total of four trades in the whole first round. Due to the rookie wage scale included as part of the recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams could actually afford the cost of a top pick and are willing to trade up for their guy.
I can never fault a team for moving up to get their guy. If a team really thinks a player can make a big difference to their team, I applaud them for moving up. However, to grade picks and provide analysis you must base it on how the player fits the team and its scheme and the value of the pick.
1) Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
No surprise here. The Colts grab a franchise quarterback who can turn this franchise around for the next decade. Luck will be the starter from day one. He’s the real deal. If he can avoid injury in his career, we’ll be talking about him being a hall-of-famer in 20 years. GM Ryan Grigson is now tasked with getting some weapons around him.
Initial Grade: A+
2) Washington Redskins (from STL) – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Again no surprise. The Redskins swapped picks plus two more firsts and a second to get their franchise quarterback. Griffin has all the tools to be an elite QB, but he’s still a slight project to me at this point. His legs allowed him to make mistakes in the NCAA, but will he be able to do that in the NFL while he learns? Shanahan is “all in” now, in what may be his last season as Washington’s head coach.
Initial Grade: A
3) Cleveland Browns (from MIN) – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
About 45 minutes before the draft started Cleveland sent gave up their first and three additional picks to move up one spot and secure their guy, Richardson. Can’t fault them for doing it. They had 13 picks in this draft before that trade and Richardson will instantly revitalize that offense. Great move to make sure they get their guy.
Initial Grade: A+
 2012 NFL MVP Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers led the Packers to one game from a perfect season, but lost their first playoff game. Statistically, Rodgers had one of the best seasons by a quarterback in NFL history. He may not have had the flashy season Drew Brees did while breaking Dan Marino’s season yardage record, but a 122.1 passer rating and a 14-1 record as a starter isn’t too shabby.
Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Like I said before, Brees was an offensive machine this season shattering Dan Marino’s single-season yardage record and Peyton Manning’s completion record. He very well could be the MVP of the league, but a few hiccups and an opening week loss to Rodgers gave him the edge.
Defensive Player of the Year: Justin Smith, DL, San Francisco 49ers
Usually a 3-4 defensive lineman’s job is to take on blockers and allow the linebackers to make plays. Smith did that, but made plays when he needed to. He finished with 7.5 sacks and required multiple blockers to slow him down. He helped revitalized this defense and team to make them one of the best in the league.
Comeback Player of the Year: Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions
With his first two seasons in the league spoiled by injuries, Stafford came back in his first full season passing for more than five thousand yards and 41 touchdowns. Things look bright in Detroit.
 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year Offensive Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
Despite all the naysayers before and after the draft, Newton proved everyone wrong his first season breaking Peyton Manning’s rookie yardage record. Newton totally revitalized the Panthers and could be a force in this league for years to come.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aldon Smith, OLB, San Francisco 49ers
It helps when you play on the best team in your conference, but Aldon Smith showcased a unique skill set that will only get better. Smith got better as the year went on and finished fifth in sacks.
Most Disappointing Player: Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The whole Tampa Bay team was a disappointment this year and a lot of that has to do with a terrible season by Josh Freeman. Freeman passed threw 22 interceptions this season after only throwing six in 2010. Another disappointing season may cost him his job.
Coordinator of the Year: Wade Phillips, Houston Texans
Some may question his head coaching abilities, but Wade Phillips is one the best coordinators in the game. In his first season as with Houston (and their first running the 3-4), they finished second in the league in total defense.
Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers
A lot of people thought it was a huge mistake for Harbaugh to leave Stanford. After their postseason free agency losses, some people (including myself) thought the 49ers were going to be contenders for the first overall pick, but Harbaugh turned this team around leading to a 13-3 record and an NFC Championship game appearance.
 | 2012_nfl_combine_invites.xlsx | | File Size: | 28 kb | | File Type: | xlsx |
Download File
 The season is over for 28 teams already as they begin to plan how they will improve their teams. Scouts are in St. Petersburg analyzing draft prospects at the East-West Shrine Game while others prepare for next week’s Senior Bowl practices and games. The offseason is here.
With underclassmen declared and the draft order nearly set, mock drafts are flying around the internet. (You can see mine at www.josephdcurtis.com/2012-nfl-mock-drafts.html.) The 2012 NFL Draft begins April 26 while free agency begins March 13. Possibly one of the more intriguing free agents is Matt Flynn, the clear top QB free agent. After four seasons as a backup in Green Bay, Flynn is now an unrestricted free agent. In limited time, he showed off his abilities including nearly upsetting New England in 2010 and a Week 17 480-yard, six-touchdown performance against Detroit. In this article, I’ll take a look at teams who may pursue Flynn and how it’ll shape the draft.(Click "Read More" to continue reading.)
|
RSS Feed