It often takes up to four seasons in order to gauge how well an NFL team drafted. With that in mind, I'll be grading each of the 32 NFL teams drafts in an eight part, divison-by-division series. For the first installment, we'll be discussing how the teams from the NFC West fared.
Arizona Cardinals
1(16) - CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
2(50) - DE Calais Campbell, Miami (FL)
3(81) - WR Early Doucet, LSU
4(116) - DE Kenny Iwebema, Iowa
5(149) - RB Tim Hightower, Richmond
6(185) - DE Chris Harrington, Texas A&M
7(225) - OT Brandon Keith, Northern Iowa
Thoughts: Calais Campbell has been one of the premiere 3-4 defensive ends in the league the last three years, and has averaged 60 tackles and 7.0 sacks per season in that span. Rodgers-Cromartie was part of the Kevin Kolb trade, and is a solid nickel cornerback for the Eagles. Doucet struggled in his first three years in the league, but had a solid season in 2011 (689 yards, 5 TD). Hightower was having a solid first year with Washington before tearing his ACL in week seven. Keith has started 20 of the 26 games he's played in, but is much better suited as a swing tackle than a starter. Iwebema played three nondescript years for the Cardinals, and was a preseason roster cut before this past season. Harrington was cut in training camp as a rookie, and last appeared in an NFL game for the Jaguars in 2009. Overall, the Cardinals found value in almost every pick, and Campbell in particular is bordering on elite.
Final Grade: B+
San Francisco 49ers
1(29) - DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
2(39) - G Chilo Rachal, Southern California
3(75) - CB Reggie Smith, Oklahoma
4(107) - C Cody Wallace, Texas A&M
6(174) - WR Josh Morgan, Virginia Tech
7(214) - LB Larry Grant, Ohio State
Thoughts: Balmer was a disappointment in his two years in San Fran, and didn't record a tackle in three games with Washington. Rachal has played in 55 games (38 starts) with the 49ers, and provided solid depth during their run to the NFC Championship game. Smith has seen largely spot duty for the 49ers, and has two career interceptions. Like Smith, Larry Grant has been solid in spot duty, racking up five career sacks and 87 tackles. Cody Wallace appeared in one career NFL game. Morgan has been a solid slot option, but played in only five games this season and landed on injured reserve. The 49ers found some solid depth players, but the lack of a true impact player in this draft makes it a mediocre one.
Grade: D+
Seattle Seahawks
1(28) - DE Lawrence Jackson, Southern California
2(38) - TE John Carlson, Notre Dame
4(121) - DT Red Bryant, Texas A&M
5(163) - FB Owen Schmitt, West Virginia
6(189) - LS Tyler Schmitt, San Diego State
7(233) - RB Justin Forsett, California
7(235) - K Brandon Coutu, Georgia
Thoughts: Jackson has been a solid defensive end (121 tackles, 17.0 sacks total) between his time with the Niners and Lions. Carlson produced solid numbers his first three seasons, but didn't appear in a game this season due to injury, and has not been the difference-maker his draft position would indicate. While Red Bryant doesn't put up huge stats, he's a massive defensive lineman that does a great job of eating up blockers. As far as the Schmitt's go, Owen is a solid blocker and receiver at fullback (and played in Philadelphia after three years with the Seahawks), while Tyler didn't make the cut as a rookie. Forsett is a solid change-of-pace back behind Marshawn Lynch, while Brandon Coutu has attempted (and missed) one field goal in his career. The draft netted the team four starters, but only Bryant was on the teams' week one active roster.
Grade: C
St. Louis Rams
1(2) - DE Chris Long, Virginia
2(33) - WR Donnie Avery, Houston
3(65) - OT John Greco, Toledo
4(101) - CB Justin King, Penn State
4(128) - WR Keenan Burton, Kentucky
5(157) - G Roy Schuening, Oregon State
7(228) - LB Chris Chamberlain, Tulsa
7(252) - LB David Vobora, Idaho
Thoughts: Long emerged as one of the best pass-rushers in the league, racking up 13.0 sacks while seeing limited opportunities due to the teams' horrible offense and rush defense. Avery had two somewhat productive years in St. Louis (100 catches, 1,263 yards, 8 TD), but tore his ACL prior to the 2010 season, and is now a reserve with Tennessee. Greco has been a depth player at both tackle and guard in his career, playing in 41 games (4 starts) with the Rams and Browns. King has just one interception and nine passes defensed in since 2009, and missed his entire rookie season due to injury. Burton was released after just two non-descript seasons in STL, and is currently playing in the UFL. Schuening appeared in one game over two seasons. Chamberlain (81 tackles, 2.0 sacks) played in all 16 games for the Rams (13 starts), but may find himself back in a reserve role, as the Rams defense was abysmal. Vobora has been a career backup, and didn't record a tackle in six games with the Seahawks this season. The selections of Long and Chamberlain have provided value, but Avery, Greco and King didn't produce.
Grade: C-
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