Think Ricky trade was nuts? It could've been worse

Sporting News, The, April 26, 1999 by Dan Pompei

Green Bay. Ron Wolf invested his first three picks in his secondary. Might he have been better off packaging those three picks for one great cornerback? One team labeled Antuan Edwards a character reject and Fred Vinson a medical reject. With 12 picks, Wolf undoubtedly will hit on a few in the middle to lower rounds. Grade: C

Jacksonville. CB Fernando Bryant should help the Jaguars' pass defense. They took a second-round gamble on greatness with inconsistent DL Larry Smith. The Jaguars should have a couple of late-round make-its. Grade: C

Miami. Tell Jimmy Johnson he has a problem, and he'll find a way to fix it He added power and pizzazz to the Dolphins' running game by drafting three running backs: James Johnson, Rob Konrad and Cecil Collins. Grade: C

San Francisco. Without a second-round pick, the 49ers did the right thing by addressing their holes on defense as opposed to trying to find a future quarterback. They'll be counting on DT Reggie McGrew, DE Chike Okeafor and DB Anthony Parker to make quick contributions. Sixth-round WR Tai Streets could look like a great pick in 2000. Grade: C

Atlanta. This would have been a much better draft if the Falcons hadn't traded away their first-round pick next year to draft TE Reggie Kelly. He wasn't a first-round talent on most draft boards, and the Falcons didn't even need him. But the Falcons had some nice picks such as DE Patrick Kerney, FB Jeff Paulk and C Todd McClure. Grade: C

Carolina. The Panthers gave away their first-round pick for Scan Gilbert and subsequently couldn't address all their needs adequately. Athletic CT Chris Terry could develop, and the Panthers hope DE Mike Rucker can give them some pass rush. Grade: C-

New York Jets. The Jets loaded up on blockers with four offensive linemen and used their first two picks on guards Randy Thomas and David Loverne. DT Jason Wiltz could be a good fit for Bill Belichick's defense. Grade: C-

Oakland. The Raiders passed up OTs L.J. Shelton and Aaron Gibson for Matt Stinchcomb, which was questionable. They gave up a third-round pick to draft an OK defensive end in Tony Bryant. The Raiders needed a dynamic skill position player on offense and probably didn't get one. Grade: C-

Tweedle Ds

New York Giants. The Giants were seeing things that nobody else saw. Maybe they're smarter than everyone else. But this much seems certain: The Giants could have gotten their first-round pick, OL Luke Petitgout, by trading down into the early second round. The Giants plan on playing Petitgout at guard, and no guard should be taken in the first round unless he's truly exceptional. Grade: D

San Diego. The Chargers didn't have a selection until 59 picks had passed, and then Bobby Beathard used a second-round spot to take FB Jermaine Fazande, who was rated as a low-round prospect/free agent by most teams. Puzzling. Grade: D

Senior writer Dan Pompei covers the NFL for THE SPORTING NEWS. E-mail him at pompei@sportingnews.com.

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