FanHouse NflDraftGrades

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Pittsburgh Steelers 2008 Draft Picks:

Round 1 (23): Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Round 2 (53): Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Round 3 (88): Bruce Davis, OLB, UCLA
Round 4 (130): Tony Hills, OT, Texas
Round 5 (156): Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
Round 6 (188): Mike Humphal, ILB, Iowa
Round 6 (194): Ryan Mundy, FS, West Virginia

The Good: Mendenhall and Sweed are outstanding value picks who fell into the Steelers laps. Mendenhall was supposed to go somewhere around pick No. 15, while many mock drafts had Sweed going to the Titans with pick No. 24. There are some knocks against both of them--Mendhall is a one-year starter and Sweed has a worrisome wrist injury--but at the spots they were taken, Pittsburgh got outstanding value. Third-rounder Bruce Davis was a productive college player who fits the profile of a Steelers 3-4 outside linebacker. Fourth-rounder Tony Hills is another boom-bust pick, but if things work out, he could end up as the Steelers starting left tackle in 2010.

The Bad: Pittsburgh went the route of best available player in the first two rounds, which gave them great value, but also ensured that some pressing needs were left unfilled. Even though every significant defensive lineman on the roster is on the wrong side of 30, Pittsburgh did not draft a defensive end. They have to hope that Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel avoid injuries, and that practice squadder Ryan McBean develops (as he recovers from a stress fracture in his foot).

As Brady Quinn made his way south down the draft board, general manager Ozzie Newsome gave serious consideration to drafting him. The Browns altered those plans and the Ravens addressed a more immediate need with their first-round pick: offensive line. The club also added depth at linebacker, drafted Ovie Mughelli's replacement, and still got a quarterback before the weekend was over.

The Good
Ben Grubbs was the best guard in the draft and he should be a starter Week 1. LeRon Mclain measures 6-0, 257 pounds and is basically a glorified tackle playing fullback. It's not surprising the Ravens drafted a kid they described as "reminding us of Ovie." Four months ago, Troy Smith lasting until the fifth round would've seemed impossible, but that's how it happened. And now, he's a Raven will a good shot to not only make the team, but see some playing time in the next few seasons.

The Bad
Yamon Figurs fills a return specialist needs, especially if B.J. Sams doesn't fully recover from a broken foot. But taking him in the third round may have been a reach (Of course, that's what people said about the Bears and Devin Hester, a second-round pick last year -- and that worked out.) The club added depth at linebacker, but didn't take a cornerback or safety. Yes, the starters are set in the secondary, but there's not a lot of depth behind them. But if that is the biggest gripe about this draft, then Newsome did a pretty good job.

The Grade: B
Baltimore did a nice job of drafting for need (Grubbs), and finding players who can grow into starters (Smith, OLB Antwan Barnes). They also got one of the best return men available (Figurs), though he might've been available later. Nonetheless, another solid effort from the Ravens' personnel department.

We've already given you the FanHouse mock draft and Day 1 recaps of the NFL Draft. And now we're bringing you the team draft grades. You know, because it's so easy to grade the draft 15 minutes after it ends. No need to thank us, just enjoy.

We've already given you the FanHouse mock draft and Day 1 recaps of the NFL Draft. And now we're bringing you the team draft grades. You know, because it's so easy to grade the draft 15 minutes after it ends. No need to thank us, just enjoy.

We've already given you the FanHouse mock draft and Day 1 recaps of the NFL Draft. And now we're bringing you the team draft grades. You know, because it's so easy to grade the draft 15 minutes after it ends. No need to thank us, just enjoy.

We've already given you the FanHouse mock draft and Day 1 recaps of the NFL Draft. And now we're bringing you the team draft grades. You know, because it's so easy to grade the draft 15 minutes after it ends. No need to thank us, just enjoy.

The Rams could be considered a little trade-happy this offseason, sending picks to Detroit and Kansas City for James Hall and Dante Hall (no relation), respectively. Oddly enough, the biggest deal linked to the Rams this offseason, with Carolina for Kris Jenkins, wound up being a no-go. Luckily, they got something better.

The Good

The Rams killed two birds with one stone with the selection of Adam Carriker. He can play end or tackle, both weak spots in St. Louis. That diversity will improve a weak Rams defense. The Rams got one of the big running back I thought they would, and Leonard's a great player who can create dangerous packages in the backfield with Steven Jackson. Jonathan Wade is another high-potential piece in the young St. Louis secondary.

The Bad

There's not a lot of bad to be found here. The Rams filled their two biggest needs with talented players, and found the big back they wanted to take the load off of Steven Jackson. They could have put off that position until the fourth round and gotten Michael Bush or Antonio Pittman, and picked up help at linebacker. They could have also picked a tackle earlier than the sixth round to groom as Orlando Pace's eventual replacement.

The Grade: A-

The Rams got the draft they wanted. A pass rush and secondary work in tandem, and the Rams have improved both. They already had the pieces on offense, it seems as if they're catching up on the other side of the ball.

At this point, is anything Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli do a surprise? The Pats spent more time working the phones than actually making Day-1 draft picks, but still managed to fill a big need at safety.

The Good
Safety Brandon Meriweather could see a lot of action in '07, even though it probably won't thrill Rodney Harrison. The club drafted three offensive linemen, some of which may land on the practice squad. But because New England pays their practice squadders like they're on the 53-man roster, they have their own little farm team.

The Bad
The team only had one first-day pick, and while the front office has an eye for talent, the likelihood many of their eight Day-2 picks make the roster are slim. Still, the Pats have something like 18 first-round picks next year, so there's always that.

The Grade: B
The grade would've been higher except there was more wheelin' and dealin' than actual drafting on Day 1. I'm certain New England knows what they're doing, but with only one pick on Saturday, it's hard to give them much more than a B.

The Bears did a nice job of drafting guys who can replace the departed (or disgruntled), or play based on ability. There were suggestions that Brady Quinn might be an option, but it looks like Rex Grossman has a job for at least one more year.

The Good
TE Greg Olsen runs a 4.5-forty and will create a lot of matchup problems. LB Michael Okwo weakens Lance Briggs' bargaining position and DE Dan Bazuin could be the next Mark Anderson.

The Bad
Chicago didn't get a chance to address the offensive line until the fourth round, and I'm sure there will be some questions about Quinn ... or maybe even one of the second-tier quarterbacks. Otherwise, there's not much to complain about.

The Grade: B+
The Bears couldn't have done much better based on where they were picking. The team got better on both sides of the ball, and that's usually the sign of a good draft.