Happy days: with all 32 teams having improved themselves, this is the time of year when optimism reigns - 2003 Draft Review

Football Digest, July-August, 2003 by Barry Wilner

ALTHOUGH SEVERAL TEAMS--most notably the Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Kansas City Chiefs--addressed their many needs in free agency, the draft still will have a major impact on the makeup and success of every NFL club this season. Here's a look at how each of the 32 teams fared on that front:

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

They needed an infusion of offensive talent, especially at the skill positions. David Carr, the No. 1 pick last year, will love throwing to big, fast Andre Johnson, and tight end Bennie Joppru also will contribute. But early on, they ignored the backfield, which needs a lot of help. What's more, taking quarterbacks Dave Ragone and Drew Henson were strange moves.

Grade: B

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts were interested in Mike Doss with their opening pick, but they were able to snag the safety in the second round. They also drafted the tight end they coveted, Dallas Clark, although taking him at No. 24 might have been a stretch. Indy found a good value in defensive end Robert Mathis, a fifth-round sleeper.

Grade: B-plus

Jacksonville Jaguars

When the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens botched their first-round trade, the Jaguars jumped in to acquire Byron Leftwich, who owner Wayne Weaver says will be the team's quarterback for the next decade. They also did well the rest of the way--watch for cornerback Rashean Mathis and sleeper running back LaBrandon Toefield--but where were the wideouts?

Grade: B-plus

Tennessee Titans

No team did better as far as drafting pure athletes, but there are questions surrounding nearly all of Tennessee's picks.

The real make-or-break guy is third-round running back Chris Brown, who has a similar style to that of Eddie George but is injury-prone. Safety Donnie Nickey has a real upside.

Grade: B

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens blew their chance for Byron Leftwich after messing up a trade with Minnesota. They then wound up moving up to draft a different quarterback, Kyle Boller, costing them next year's No. 1. Still, Baltimore had a very strong weekend. Terrell Suggs fits in perfectly on this defense and will get sacks. Musa Smith is a hard-nosed runner with a burst who can spell Jamal Lewis.

Grade: A-minus

Cincinnati Bengals

While Carson Palmer is their QB of the future, he has had only one strong college season--so there are those who doubt him. But the Bengals really made their mark in the next few rounds, getting the draft's best guard, Eric Steinbach, and a talented if troubled wideout in Kelley Washington. Their fourth-rounder, defensive back Dennis Weathersby, was a second-round talent whose stock plummeted after he was shot in the back a week before the draft. He wasn't, however, seriously harmed.

Grade: A

Cleveland Browns

Coach Butch Davis loves the bulky guys, but taking Notre Dame center Jeff Faine at No. 21 was a surprise. The Browns didn't distinguish themselves elsewhere on the first day, but they came back well in the later rounds with running back Lee Suggs (provided his knees hold up) and safety Michael Lehan, a leader.

Grade: C

Pittsburgh Steelers

Much of their draft was uninspired, but the first pick, safety Troy Polamalu, is a Steelers kind of player. Swapping spots with Kansas City in order to acquire him was a shrewd move. Is Brian St. Pierre, taken 163rd overall, the quarterback of the future?

Grade: B

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

They took a real gamble by drafting injured running back Willis McGahee in the first round, but they can afford to let him recuperate this year. Needless to say, incumbent Travis Henry was ticked off about that selection. The next four picks brought good value, although cornerback Terrence McGee needs to be used in a zone.

Grade: B

Miami Dolphins

Bystanders until the 49th spot (they did get Ricky Williams last year for their first-round pick, of course), the Dolphins helped their offensive line and might have drafted a sleeper in fifth-round wide receiver J.P. Tolver. Overall, though, Miami didn't bring in enough new talent.

Grade: C

New England Patriots

Busy Bill Belichick bartered from beginning to end. He landed the nose tackle he sought in Ty Warren and a cornerback with a lot of potential in Eugene Wilson. Few coaches find players to fit their needs better than Belichick does. Center Dan Koppen could be one of those sleepers.

Grade: A

Now York Jets

The Jets traded up in order to draft defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson; he should be a big factor on a line that particularly needs help against the run. Linebacker Victor Hobson could contribute down the road, but nothing was done to help a depleted wide receiver corps.

Grade: B

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

Denver went the best-athlete-available route by taking tackle George Foster, who also fills a need. The team didn't do much for the defense, however, in a draft loaded with defensive possibilities.

Grade: C

Kansas City Chiefs

Are the Chiefs concerned about resigning Priest Holmes? And about his recovery from a hip injury he suffered late last season? You bet. They ignored their defensive needs to take running back Larry Johnson in the first round. Later on, they addressed the defense, but linebacker Kawika Mitchell and defensive back Julian Battle are question marks. This was not an impressive draft for a team that badly needed one.