A very solid draft from beginning to end. The Birds shored-up some very big holes on the defense both up front and on the back end, while making three excellent picks on the offensive side of the football. Doucet should contribute quickly as an inside receiver. Hightower, who had 1,924 yards as a senior and zero fumbles in over 700 carries as a collegiate player, and Keith, an Oklahoma transfer with great feet and athletic ability, are late-round value picks. College Director Steve Keim and veteran area scouts Jerry Hardaway and David Razzano are quality football people. Outstanding Pro Director Jim Stanley, a veteran of over 45 years in the college and professional game retires at the end of May. He'll be greatly missed.

For the first time in well over a decade the Falcons have a first-rate personnel man in Tom Dimitroff, who should quickly bring the club back to respectability. No less then five players from this year's draft are expected to be starters by the end of the 2008 season. Mid-round picks Douglas and Decoud are both solid prospects who should factor quickly. Both Brown and Fontenot are quick, fast and athletic, but woefully undersized. The Falcons paid particular attention to character when making their selections. It's not going to happen overnight, but I see only good things ahead for this club. Late-round selections (5th through 7th) did not excite me to any degree.

Round 1, Pick 18: Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
Round 2, Pick 55: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
Round 3, Pick 71: Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami
Round 3, Pick 86: Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame
Round 3, Pick 99: Oniel Cousins, DT, Texas-El Paso
Round 4, Pick 106: Marcus Smith, WR, New Mexico
Round 4, Pick 133: David Hale, OT, Weber State
Round 6, Pick 206: Haruki Nakamura, S, Cincinnati
Round 7, Pick 215: Justin Harper, CB, Virginia Tech
Round 7, Pick 240: Allen Patrick, RB, Oklahoma

I wouldn't want to throw him to the wolves too quickly, but I have a distinct feeling that that the apprenticeship of first selection Joe Flacco might will be a short one. With little depth behind Willis McGahee, Ray Rice will be looked upon to contribute from the go. Gooden has top-round skills but, like third-round selection Cousins, should not be overloaded (worked at one position). After an impressive '05 and '06 season, Zbikowski was very disappointing in '07. Smith was an impressive pass catcher, but didn't get the football into the end zone frequently enough. Nakamura is a solid undersized football player, but I have some serious concerns about his ability to hold up physically at the pro level. Harper and Patrick were both solid late-round selections.

The Bills filled a critical need in Round One and may have solved the No. 2 receiving position with the selection of Hardy — but I have my doubts. Ellis has pass rush skills and should contribute quickly on third down. The undersized Corner was a reach at four as was the one-dimensional TE Fine, who is strictly a pass catcher. Omon put up some impressive numbers, and although he lacks top speed he should make it in a backup role. Bell is a former basketball player and Johnson is a size/speed athlete who could develop. Bowen should factor on special teams while developing into a contributing "Sam" or "Will" backer. There are not enough players with starting or long-range playing potential in this group.

The Panthers addressed some offensive concerns with the first two selections and got excellent value. Although he possesses excellent straight speed and size, I was disappointed in Godfrey's man-cover skills. I'm a big fan of Dan Connor and it wouldn't surprise me to see him in the starting lineup by the midpoint of his rookie season. Barnidge was a very underrated TE who is an excellent receiver. From the late rounds, Hayden is a steady inside player and run stopper, Taylor a nifty nickel-rusher and Schwartz is a massive, wide body. All are solid picks, but in my opinion none will contribute significantly in 2008. The Panthers' seventh selection, Mackenzy Bernadeau from Bentley College, was injured and missed the second half of the '07 season. But I really like his game and playing potential. A solid well planned draft overall.

Williams is a highly intelligent, natural athlete with excellent feet who should become a fixture on the left side for at least the next decade. Forte is not flashy, but runs extremely hard and consistently moves the chains. Bennett is a dependable inside receiving prospect, but I don't see him as any better than a third in the pro game. Harrison is an excellent run-stopping tackle, but was on the board at 90, due in part to off-the-field concerns. Steltz is big and smart, but lacks speed you want on the back end. The first of the fifth-round picks, Bowman, has size and speed but has not returned 100 percent from a serious knee injury sustained in '06. Davis has a great body and athletic ability, but has never done it over the long haul. Barton, Baldwin, and Monk — who was injured for much of '07 — are all solid seventh round selections who could factor in time.

The Bengals selected one of the very best players in the country in Keith Rivers and followed it with three gutsy selection in Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Corey Lynch. But in between they selected four people that left me shaking my head. Patrick Sims was very inconsistent, was very sloppy looking physically and has stability issues that resulted in being taken off a number of team boards. Jason Shirley was dismissed from the squad during the '07 season. Mario Urrutia was charged with assault and Anthony Collins was off a number of team boards evidently due to a shaky personal interview. Mike Brown is easily the most intellectually gifted person doing business in the league and the Tobins (Bill and Duke) are excellent talent evaluators. But after the myriad of problems they have had over the last decade, what possibly could they be thinking with these highly questionable selections?

Beau Bell, who was injured during Senior Bowl week, represented excellent value in round number four if he is medically sound. Rucker is a one-dimensional player (pass catcher only) who was totally unsatisfactory at the point of attack. Rubin is a former JUCO offensive tackle who has made great progress in just his second season on defense. But he is going to have to improve his playing a great deal before he will see the playing field.  Hubbard looks very pretty in a uniform, but has not come close to realizing his full playing potential as a college athlete partially due to injuries. Hall is an athlete (excellent spring workout), but is undersized (needs to add 25 lbs) and will require at the very least a couple of redshirt seasons before he is ready to hit the field.

No other owner within the league is as active, interested and skilled in the personnel area than Jerry Jones. His selection of Felix Jones with their first selection was not based on sentiment or loyalty to the university that he once attended, but rather was the result of a well thought out football decision. In terms of talent, Mike Jenkins — not McKelvin, Rodgers-Cromartie, Cason or Talib — is the top corner prospect in the country. Teams were not concerned with his play on Saturday, but rather his work during the practice week. Bennett is a work in progress, but has top athletic skills. Choice should develop into a steady backup player while Scandrick was an excellent selection in the fifth round (can't coach speed). Dallas is the team to beat in the NFC for 2008.

Clady needs to improve his overall playing strength, but should assimilate himself quickly into the Broncos' zone-blocking system. Royal is a little man who was more effective lining up in the slot. Lichtensteiger is plain and simple a football player. Williams is an undersized corner who should quickly contribute as a sub-package defender and returner. Ryan Torain runs hard, showed balance, breaks tackles and secures the football, but doesn't have top speed and has not proven to be durable. Powell is not a very physical player, but has athletic skills and potential. Josh Barrett is a pretty looking athlete with great speed, but flat-out won't hit a soul. Don't be surprised if Peyton Hillis gets his wish and lines up at the running back or one-back set.

I don't think Gosder Cherilus was the Lions' original choice at 17, but when the run began on offensive linemen the Lions were left with few other options. Dizon is undersized, but all he does is make plays all over the field. Smith is a first-round talent, but off-the-field concerns dropped him to the third round. Fluellen, like Dizon, is undersized and missed some time in '07 due to injury, but is a combative and disruptive inside player. Kenneth Moore is a very talented, dependable inside-receiving prospect who is a great fit for their offensive system. Although not a polished lead blocker, Jerome Felton is a very effective red zone runner (67 career TDs) and caught the ball extremely well. Caleb Campbell is a great young man, was smart, instinctive, and could surprise as a nickel backer.

Jordy Nelson is game-ready and should become a favorite of new starter Aaron Rodgers and the fans of the Packers. I've never been a big fan of Brian Brohm, or for that matter the numerous sure thing QBs who preceded him at Louisville (Redman, LeFors, Ragone, Nagel). But I believe Green Bay and Mike McCarthy's offensive scheme might be the best fit for him in the league. Patrick Lee is a one-year wonder and TE Jermichael Finley is also a novice in terms of playing experience. Giacomini needs more physical strength, but I like his feet and overall athletic ability. In my opinion, Flynn has far too many things to fix in terms of mechanics. Brett Swain has good skills but questionable speed. Not enough immediate help and failure to address the RB position is a concern.

This is what you get when coaches run your draft instead of scouts! An entire year spent preparing and this is the best they can do? Duane Brown is a former TE who played on the left side for the first time in '07. I just thought he was soft, didn't finish nor did he show much in the way of toughness. One AFC club had him slotted in the fifth- to seventh-round range. In round number two the Texans chose a player who, aside from impressive Combine numbers, did little to impress in terms of position skills. Slaton has speed, but doesn't have the strength or size for full-time consideration. Adibi doesn't make plays and lacks playing instincts. Okam has the physical numbers you look for, but I wonder just how important football is to this individual. Barber is a tough run-support safety who lacks top speed. And their final selection, Brink, is a solid backup type prospect. The draft is the life blood to a football team, and after viewing these selections I believe a major transfusion might be necessary.

Pollak is a smart, versatile, steady player, but far from a butt-kicker. Wheeler is a physical player with real instincts, but needs to be protected on the inside in order to be effective. I also felt he was slow to react in pass coverage. Tamme is a smart player with good playing intangibles, but is not going to offer much help at the point of attack. Howard is a Robert Mathis clone and should contribute quickly as a nickel rusher Justice is a good football player, but lacks play strength. And Mike Hart just doesn't have the speed to become a feature back in the NFL. Pierre Garcon is not your typical D-III prospect and Richard is strong, tough and very physical.

Harvey has a chance to become something very special. Second-round selection Quentin Groves is actually equally or more impressive from an athletic standpoint, but was far too inconsistent in his overall play. On day number two, the Jaguars drafted three individuals who will have a difficult time factoring with this football club. Thomas Williams has good play smarts, but is a limited-area player and was a non-factor in coverage. Trae Williams is a smart, productive, experienced player but doesn't have the kind of speed you look for at the position. Chancey Washington has had both academic and injury problems during his career. And although I felt he did a lot of things well, he really doesn't have any area that I would consider exceptional in any way.

In what may have been his swan song with the organization, Carl Peterson, with the help of Bill Kuharich and head coach Herman Edwards, may well have orchestrated the greatest draft in the team's history! Both first selections will become starters right about the time they arrive at baggage claim in Kansas City. Brandon Flowers (an excellent sub-package prospect) is a skilled corner, but his lack of size and speed are major concerns. Jamaal Charles has excellent run skills, but is going to have to improve both as a pass receiver and on pass protection. Cottam is a skilled receiving TE, but will need stay healthy .And he might be too tall to leverage inline. DaJaun Morgan is a top in-the-box safety and potential vertical threat Will Franklin has far more ability then he has shown to this point. Late-round selections were all interesting and well-planned choices.

The Dolphins have many holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but they took a major step in doing so with a solid draft. All successful Parcells-built clubs have had a signature solid offensive front. And by drafting Jake Long, Shawn Murphy and Donald Thomas, he once again showed his commitment to that goal. Both Parmele and Hilliard are tough north-south runners who move the chains. Merling has good playing potential, but needs to improve his overall play strength. Look for him to eventually play down inside in sub-packages. Henne should develop into a steady starter within the league, but is not nearly ready to challenge for a starting position within the league. Dotson is a wide body who played hard, but lacks a degree of quickness, range, and stamina.

First selection Tyrell Johnson has a great feel for the game and was one of the most impressive players I saw during the 2007 season. Booty looks like a backup player within the league who, when called upon, can get you through a game and contribute in a backup role. Letroy Guion has potential, but after three years at Florida State had zero sacks in his career. Jaymar Johnson is undersized (his small-boned frame really concerns me) and doesn't appear to have top vertical speed (quicker then fast). The In my opinion, the Vikings selected only one player with a real chance of competing for significant playing time.

Jarod Mayo is going to have to get stronger when meeting pressure, but I believe he will become one of the top three players from this year's draft. Wheatley will pass 2007 top selection Meriweather quickly in the Patriots system. Crable could prove to be an effective nickel rusher and is far from a dead card as a "Sam." Kevin O'Connell is an excellent developmental QB prospect, but I think he needs to work on what I feel was an awkward throwing delivery. The latter part of the draft was a total farce. Slater is an undersized receiver who returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in '07, but in five seasons at UCLA had zero pass receptions. Ruud has a pro body and blood lines, but I question his love for the game and his heart.

Sedrick Ellis is a disruptive force on the nose, but in no way shape or form is the second coming of Tommy Harris. In my opinion, he was far better at nose than at a 3-technique. Tracy Porter is an athletic cover corner, but is both undersized and non-combative versus the run. DeMario Pressley was injured for much of the '07 season and did not distinguish himself at Senior Bowl workouts. Carl Nicks has real talent and is the best run-blocker in this year's draft. But there were many reasons why he was still available at the 164th pick in the draft. Mehlhaff could win the kicking job by default, while Arrington has the size to match up favorably, but lacks the speed to threaten vertically.

Sitting at No. 31 overall, the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants appear to have upgraded themselves in the secondary with the selection of Kenny Phillips and Terrell Thomas. Phillips is a downhill player, but was also effective defending the pass. Thomas lacks racehorse speed and didn't appear to make plays on the football down the field. But he is experienced, instinctive and is a good athlete. Manningham was worth the gamble at the end of the third (multiple drug-test failures and seems to be a slow processor). Kehl is a good football player who can run and shows good instincts and intelligence. Goff is a heady, experienced performer, but is going to have to improve his skills to play to a championship level. In the sixth, Woodson was a good pick, but there are a lot of things to fix with his game. But I have one final question. Just how many QBs are they going to bring to camp?

Well, I'm not going to sugarcoat this one. Vernon Gholston is a coach killer who lacks tenacity and the playing character necessary to become a productive player in the NFL.  Always remember that leopards don't change their spots. I really liked Dustin Keller's receiving skills and athletic ability, but management's claim that he is going to develop into a complete tight end is completely without merit. I like Dwight Lowery's feet, hands, and physical stature. But like sixth-round selection Marcus Henry, he just doesn't have the speed to become a frontline corner in the NFL. Ainge is an experienced hand with intelligence and size, but I question his throwing accuracy and arm strength (too many throws into the sidelines appeared to lose interest). Garner is a massive wide-body guy who came on during his first season as a starter.

The Raiders only had five selections in this year's draft, but the common denominator in each of these selections was speed, speed, and more speed. Did I mention the fact that the Raiders also drafted the very best player in the country in Darren McFadden? The first of their two fourth-round selections, Tyvon Branch, is tight in the hips and doesn't have good ball skills. But he's big, strong, tough, physical, and very fast. And he is also a dangerous kick returner. The second fourth, Arman Shields, was injured in game three (14 catches), and missed the remainder of the season. If he had stayed healthy, this impressive athlete likely would have been selected in the top two rounds. Despite also being injured for part of the season, Chez Schilens then put up the best workout numbers in the country during the spring. Trevor Scott is a converted TE who needs better strength, but I loved his energy, playing tools and toughness.

You have to love Trevor Laws' tenacity and playing character, but I have a feeling he is going to have problems with big people inside. He gets covered up and doesn't play big. DeSean Jackson is talented, but remember where you heard this — little guys don't hold up physically in the NFL. Does anyone recall the name Jacquez Green? Quintin Demps has all of the tools you look for, but the next person he hits will be the first one. Jack Ikegwuonu has real talent, but is coming off a knee injury and is facing some criminal charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment with his twin brother while attempting to steal an X-box console. Based on his play, I would have to question King Dunlap's playing character. Studebaker is a talented D-III player, but he broke his foot and missed the remainder of the season. Mike Gibson is a versatile player with savvy, but lacks functional playing strength. I like Mike McGlynn's chances of contributing as an inside player.

Rashard Mendenhall still on the board at the 23rd spot was a very pleasant surprise to both Steelers officials and fans. In Limas Sweed the Steelers feel they may have found a Plaxico Burress-type inside receiver. Bruce Davis is the prototype 3-4 outside backer that the Steelers covert. Tony Hills is a very talented athlete, but has battled injuries throughout his entire college career. I don't like Dixon's throwing mechanics and see little chance of him playing beyond this level. Mike Humpal is a very solid football player with outstanding playing instincts. Ryan Mundy is a local product who has both intelligence and outstanding playing instincts and will eventually run the show on the back end.

Cason is a playmaker at the corner position, but doesn't have top speed to play over the top or the burst to close on the underneath throws. He is a possible safety projection, but then again, I didn't think he was a particularly good tackler. Hester is a strong inside runner with a lot of heart, but when he lined up at the fullback position he didn't adjust effectively as a lead or iso-blocker. Marcus Thomas actually played better as a freshman and sophomore than he did as a senior. He has some inside power but lacks the speed to bounce plays to the outside. DeJaun Tribble is both small and slow — not a good combination for the cornerback position. Corey Clark is not pretty, but is a big man who was an effective short-area player when he maintained good pad level.

Kentwan Balmer really came on in 2007 to put together a very solid season while establishing himself as the consensus number three DT in the country. But don't drink the Kool-Aid just yet with this player. He has limited range and showed virtually no pass rush skills. Rachal has a lot of talent, but has missed time due to injury, thus slowing his progress and skill development. Reggie Smith is a talented player who has been projected inside not because of his rare skills, but rather because he doesn't have the speed to play out on a wing. I liked Cody Wallace's toughness and overall playing character, but he lacks a degree of strength and was not a supple athlete. Larry Grant is a run-around guy, but has not played to near the level of efficiency people had predicted as the top JUCO player in the country.

It sure wasn't a high-profile, glitzy draft, but Mike Holmgren and his staff got exactly what he was looking for in his final season as head coach with the Seahawks. Every player drafted is a steady, game-ready performer who will contribute to winning football games from the go. Lawrence Jackson has played a lot of football, but really came on in his senior season. John Carlson is the best blocking TE in the country who is a highly dependable underneath and check-down receiver, but isn't a true up-the-seam threat. Joe Bryant has had some medical concerns, but when he keeps his pads down he is a very dependable lane-restricting inside player. Fans of the Seahawks are going to love Justin Schmidt, an unselfish, throwback-type performer who is really going to contribute in the running game.

The Rams had what I believe to be the best draft in the club's recent history. Chris Long is the type of individual who can do so many things that contribute to winning football games. All weekend long I heard pundits characterize the Rams' second selection, Donnie Avery, as an undersized player with limited route-running skills, so I guess it must have been another guy who showed up at this year's Senior Bowl and put on a show. John Greco is a great fit for the Rams at the LOG position. I loved his toughness, strength, feet and balance. Justin King has a great deal of speed and athletic potential, but isn't close to where he needs to be in terms of consistency. Burton, Schuening, Chamberlain and Vobora were all excellent picks in the rounds they were selected.

Talib is a very talented zone-defender with anticipation and ball skills, but has off-the-field concerns and doesn't appear to be an easy guy to work with day-in and day-out. In my opinion, the Bucs over-drafted both Jackson and Zuttah. Jackson is not yet an adept receiver (far too many drops). And despite Zuttah being very impressive in his pro workout, he was just an adequate player at his college ROT position. Dre' Moore is a short area run-stopper on the inside while QB Joshua Johnson is an athlete who put up some very good numbers at a lower level of play. Geno Hayes is acutely undersized but is a very good athlete and productive player. Cory Boyd has a past, but has matured over the past two seasons. That said, overall he's just an ordinary back

Chris Johnson is a multi-talented back with rare speed and outstanding receiving skills. I really like what he brings to the table, and if used properly he will give the Titans a player with special skills. Jason Jones played particularly well in the postseason all-star games, but I am not sold yet on his overall playing skills and potential. The pundits who thought that the Titans over-drafted William Hayes obviously did not make a school visit or attend the workout this spring at Wake Forest. This guy can flat-out play. Hawkins is a skilled receiver and route runner, but lacks top speed to separate. Stanford Kegler has size and athletic ability but missed far too many tackles in the open field. Not a great group in terms of talent, but the Titans are the best coaching staff in the league and do a great job of bringing along young players.

The rest of the league might not have valued the receivers in this year's draft, but by the midpoint of the second round the Redskins had put a major dent in the top of most clubs' draft boards. Both receivers have some holes, but both have size, good skills and I believe will become solid receivers within the league. Fred Davis is a receiving TE who is an up-the-seam threat, but he still hasn't shown the consistency necessary to function at the point of attack. Chad Rinehart is very tough and was technically very sound, but he is very much an overachiever. I liked Justin Tyron's toughness, but when he gets up tomorrow, he's still going to be a little guy. I really liked punter Durant Brooks and also believe John Sullivan represented excellent value in round six. Safeties Kareem Moore and Chris Horton lack speed. And Brennan is at best a clipboard carrier in the professional game.