The Final Frontier

Haha, sorry to all those Trek fans out there, but I am actually referring to the final division of my Draft Recap series: the NFC West. I know we are almost two weeks past draft weekend, and some Seahawks fans have been getting very impatient, but it finally ends today.

Arizona Cardinals (2007 record: 8-8)
Number of picks: 7
Best pick: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (16th overall)
Sleeper Watch: RB Tim Hightower (149th overall)
Analysis: The Cardinals had a very solid draft. In DRC, they get one of the best corners to come out this year. his speed and cover skills should make him a starter from day one, and allow the Cards to move Antrel Rolle to safety. The only downside to DRC is that he played Division I-AA, and faced marginal competition. In the middle of the second round the Cards got a steal in DE Calais Campbell. Campbell was on many first round mocks, and fell due to character concerns. But, with Bertrand Berry getting up in years, this is a great pick for the future. The Cards got another steal in round three in WR Early Doucet. Some had him as the best WR in the class, but again he fell due to character problems. With the proper coaching, both Campbell and Doucet could have very productive careers. After picking up another DE in round four, the Cards made Hightower their pick for the fifth. Hightower has great size (6'0, 226) and is a bull running up the gut. Will provide a nice burst as a third down back, and eventual replacement, for Edgerrin James. The Cards also selected a third defensive end and a offensive tackle.
Grade: A-

San Francisco 49ers (2007 record: 5-11)
Number of picks: 6
Best pick: Kentwan Balmer (29th overall)
Sleeper Watch: LB Larry Grant (214th overall)
Analysis: The Niners had a lot of work to do following a dismal season that did not provide the spark the team needed. In Balmer, they get a great anchor for their 3-4 defense. Balmer is huge (6'5, 298) and will plug up the middle and free the LBs to do their jobs. In round two the Niners took massive OG Chilo Rachal. Rachal has crab hands (which means no one gets away from him...Yay! My first catch phrase!) and should provide a great replacement for the retired Larry Allen. In round three, the 49ers went for CB depth, and selected Reggie Smith. he is not very fast, but is one of the better tackling CBs to come out this year. After selecting an offensive tackle and a wide receiver, the Niners took a chance on Grant. He is smaller for a LB (6'1) but has decent speed. Will likely need to be a great special teams player to make the roster, but has potential in the Niners' 3-4 scheme.
Grade: B

Seattle Seahawks (2007 record 10-6)
Number of picks: 7
Best pick: TE John Carlson (38th overall)
Sleeper Watch: K Brandon Coutu (235th overall)
Analysis: The Seahawks were able to move down three positions in round one, and still get their man. In DE Lawerence Jackson, they get a guy who is both a pass rusher and a run stuffer. What more could you want at the end of the first round? In Carleson, they get a great replacement for the long-departed Jerramy Stevens. Carleson is big (6'5, 251) and should provide a nice target for Matt Hasselbeck. Their next pick was in round four, and they selected big DT Red Bryant. They hope Bryant can gel with Jackson and form a solid young defensive line. In round five they got a beast of FB in Owen Schmitt. He should provide a great blocker for new RB Julius Jones. With their last pick, they selected Coutu. He should provide some competition for Olindo Mare, in their hopes of replacing Josh Brown.
Grade: C+

St Louis Rams (2007 record: 3-13)
Number of picks: 8
Best pick: DE Chris Long (2nd overall)
Sleeper Watch: OG Roy Scheuning (157th overall)
Analysis: With all the holes they had last year, where do you start? In Long, they get a great DE who will immediately help their line. Paired with last year's first round pick DT Adam Carriker and veteran DE Leonard Little, that line is suddenly dangerous. In round two, they went for unknown speedster WR Donnie Avery. A 4.3 runner, Avery should be able to gel right away in the Rams' system and play in the slot from day one. In round three they got OT John Greco, a massive lineman from Texas. With the status of Orlando Pace in question, they needed to address the position. Greco could be a starter right away. After selecting a CB and another WR, they took a chance on Schuening. Schuening has great size (6'4, 308) and was one of the best Gs in the draft. He started over 50 games in college, but struggled in his senior year with pneumonia. With Schuening and Greco, the Rams did a great job in the rebuilding of their offensive line. They also drafted another defensive back and a linebacker.
Grade: A

Well, there it is. The review of the draft for all 32 NFL teams. Wow, that took a lot out of me. I thought it was a very interesting draft. It set a record for the most trades of all-time, and had some intriguing picks in the later rounds.
In other news today, the Willie McGinest has announced that he will retire following next season. Props to Willie on giving the Browns plenty of notice, as they can now develop somebody while he plays out this season. Until tomorrow....