With the 2007 NFL Draft now in the rearview and this year's presents all unwrapped, it's time to take a team-by-team spot check of the results. I'll write about the top fantasy prospects at length as the season approaches and our extensive draft guide hits the web. For now, I'll give some initial reactions about the picks and wheeling and dealing that made the 2007 version of this event "must-see" television.

  I'll review the AFC in this round, with the NFC recap to come tonight.

 

 AFC Draft Results:

Houston Texans:

The draft started several weeks ago with the acquisition of Matt Schaub. The Texans had to surrender several picks, so their options this weekend were actually limited. The selection of wunderkind Amobi Okoye gives Houston another top-notch defender to play alongside last year's No. 1 Mario Williams.

 

Third-round pick Jacoby Jones is one to watch. He flew under the radar until the post-season All-Star games and knows how to use his 6-foot-4 frame. Jones could become an interesting option opposite Andre Johnson and a red zone threat. Keep an eye on him during camp.

Indianapolis Colts:

The Colts snagged Anthony Gonzalez with the last pick of the first round. He'll immediately make an impact with the departure of Brandon Stokley. In my pre-draft column, I played the name game. How could I possibly have forgotten to include the new Tony Gonzalez in the piece?!

 

Indianapolis did a great job in securing players for the long-term health of the team, and tackle Tony Ugoh from Arkansas has the ability to become an anchor on the line for the duration of Peyton Manning's storied career.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

The defensive-minded Jack Del Rio added two new pieces to the equation with safety Reggie Nelson and linebacker Justin Durant. Nelson has long been on the radar as you would expect coming off the National Champs, but I'm excited about the pick of Durant. Durant has good instincts and the ability to run down receivers. He could pile up tackles in this defense.

 

Tennessee Titans:

The Titans shored up their secondary (they gave up a ton of long plays last year) with the selection of Michael Griffin from Texas at No. 19. Their second-round selection of Chris Henry from Arizona made some noise. It raises questions about the team's commitment to 2006 pick LenDale White.

Tennessee also added three new wide receivers who will vie to catch balls from Vince Young. Chris David offers good value in the late-fourth round and Joel Filani could be a solid possession receiver. Paul Williams is the question mark of the trio. He's got top-tier speed, but is raw in his route-running and need to improve his hands.

 

Denver Broncos:

The Broncos needed to address their defensive line, and they did just that in the first two rounds. Jarvis Moss (Florida) and Tim Crowder (Texas) have the pedigree and skills to become big-time contributors immediately.

 

Kansas City Chiefs:

Dwayne Bowe, a 6-foot-3 receiver from LSU, makes for a great target for whomever wins the Kansas City QB job. Bowe caught 65 balls for 990 yards and 12 touchdowns last season (21 over the last two) and presents a match-up problem off the line. He's still working on his hands, but has the potential to be a monster.

The rumored deal of Larry Johnson didn't materialize, and the Chiefs added Kolby Smith from Louisville to serve as his back-up. Smith filled in admirably for the injured Michael Bush, averaging 5.7 yards per carry with seven touchdowns. He also caught 22 balls. Smith might be used as a change-of-pace back to keep Johnson from piling up 400 carries again.

 

Oakland Raiders:

The Raiders had a tremendous draft, addressing a ton of needs while removing the headache that was Randy Moss. JaMarcus Russell has the physical tools to become an impact player, and the Raiders did a great job by acquiring Josh McCown to give Russell time to adapt. Additionally, they snagged Mike Williams, whose past relationship with Lane Kiffin gives his career a new boost and a potential steal if he returns to his USC form.

 

I loved the selections of Zach Miller and Michael Bush. Miller provides a huge 6-foot-5 target and could become a red zone threat immediately. Bush has good size and speed and will be an absolute steal for the Raiders from the fourth round once he recovers from his leg injury.

San Diego Chargers:

San Diego came to the draft with few needs, but did a good job in the early rounds to shore up the roster. LSU receiver Craig Davis has the size and speed to become a big play threat on the wings and can also be used in the return game. He'll fit in nicely alongside Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates.

 

Eric Weddle is a talented addition to the secondary, and can play at both the safety and cornerback position. One thing to note is that he limited Calvin Johnson to two catches for 19 yards in their Emerald Bowl matchup in 2005. That bodes well for his future in San Diego.

 

Iowa tight end Scott Chandler offers an intriguing option in the two-tight end set. He stands 6-foot-7 and could wreak havoc against defending linebackers.

Buffalo Bills:

I had written in my pre-draft column that I expected the Bills to pick former Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny with the departure of Takeo Spikes. And they did, in the early second round. He'll fit in nicely in Dick Jauron's system, and is accustomed to playing in sub-par weather conditions.

 

The Bills also addressed the departure of Willis McGahee with their first selection, former California tailback Marshawn Lynch. Lynch knows how to avoid would-be tacklers, catch the ball out of the backfield, and won't be caught in many footraces.

As for those still unsold on J.P. Losman, the Bills added Stanford quarterback Trent Edwards in the third round. At 6-foot-4, Edwards had the prototypical NFL body. It would take an injury or an awful start to 2007 for Losman for Edwards to see playing time.

 

Miami Dolphins:

The Dolphins are still the talk of the draft, even with the trades of Randy Moss and Mike Williams in the books. Miami's selection of Ted Ginn, Jr. certainly excited Buckeyes fans and gave Jim Tressel more ammunition on the recruiting trail (as if he needed any!), but left many people, including yours truly, scratching their heads. Ginn, Jr. may be this year's version of Devin Hester, but he's a long way from becoming an every-down receiver.

 

The Dolphins also addressed the quarterback position, but the name QUINN won't be seen on any jerseys (except for those bold few who'd bought a couple before the draft in anticipation of the selection). Instead, John Beck from BYU came off the board in the second round. Beck is a mature signal caller who can learn a system quickly. With Daunte Culpepper's health still a question and Trent Green not yet a Dolphin, Beck will get extensive reps in mini-camp.

 

New England Patriots:

What else can you say? Two years after the Raiders gave up a No. 1 pick for Randy Moss, the Patriots secured the former double-digit touchdown machine for a 4th-rounder. They gave up more for possession man Wes Welker. Can teaming with Belichick and Brady turn around Moss's attitude and make him a monster fantasy player again? I'm surely not betting against it.

 

Apart from the selection of safety Brandon Meriweather from Miami, the remaining selections will be hard-pressed to make the squad.

I can't wait to visit the Pats during my East Coast training camp swing!

 

New York Jets:

As a counter-punch to the Patriots' moves on offense, the Jets went defense with their first two picks. Cornerback Darrelle Revis (a player coveted by many) was their first pick at No. 14 after making a deal with the Panthers. The Jets then found help for all-world linebacker Jonathan Vilma in the second round with the selection of inside linebacker David Harris from Michigan.

 

Baltimore Ravens:

The Ravens were one of many teams rumored to be in the mix to trade up for a shot at Brady Quinn. That trade didn't materialize, but I believe they found an absolute bargain in the fifth round with Heisman winner Troy Smith. All he did was win at the college level, and saw his stock killed by a sub-par title game.

 

Cincinnati Bengals:

Cincinnati upgraded its secondary with the selection of cornerback Leon Hall in the first round. The Bengals gave up a lot of points last season, so upgrading cornerback was huge. Additionally, the Bengals added three other players for the defensive side of the ball.

 

I also liked the pick of Kenny Irons in the second round. It's possible that he wins a share of carries if oft-injured backup tailback Chris Perry isn't ready to go. Rudi Johnson handled his own mail around the goal-line last year, but there might be a change in philosophy if Irons shines early.

 

Cleveland Browns:

For a long period on Saturday, it appeared that Charlie Frye was going to be the starting quarterback in Cleveland. Then, it happened. The Browns worked a deal with Jerry Jones to land the rights to select Brady Quinn. It provided a great moment in the draft, not that we couldn't have withstood another NFL Network "Brady Quinn has lost x.x million after that pick" update. Seriously, the Browns needed an infusion of excitement and now have a monster tackle in Joe Thomas and a quarterback who can get the ball to Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, Jr.

 

Like the selection of Posluszny by the Bills, I got the team right, but the draft slot was off.

 

People can second-guess the price for Quinn all they want. The Browns got their franchise QB and a tackle who should keep him upright for a decade.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers:

Those in IDP leagues should keep an eye on the new blood in Pittsburgh. The departure of Joey Porter portended to the selection of one or more linebackers this weekend. Steelers fans saw the team take two. The selection of Lawrence Timmons gave the team an instant starter. At 6-foot-3 with a sub-4.5 40-yard dash, he's got the size and speed to make an impact in pass coverage and surge to ball carriers. Former Michigan linebacker LaMarr Woodley will pick up the speed rush job vacated by Porter. 

 

Now let me hear your thoughts. Are you a Dolphins fan who needs to vent? What about the Raiders? Russell, McCown and Williams? Is there light at the end of the tunnel for Al Davis?

 

 

 

 

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