NFC East

Cowboys - B
Trades and FA acquisitions and losses:  Major pluses include resigning Flozell Adams, who had threatened to leave, plus several other starters, and signing enigmatic CB Adam "Pacman" Jones. The big loss was RB Julius Jones, but he was replaced by rookie Felix Jones. Settling the LT situation for the next few years was big. Pacman could be anything from a detrimental distraction to a major bonus, but at least he can practice with the team. Grade - C +

Draft:  The Cowboys focused on immediate impact, and they should get that. Mike Jenkins could wind up starting at CB, and no one would think it a weakness. Certainly he is in the nickel mix. Felix Jones shows promise as a KO returner and replacement for Julius Jones. Tashard Choice looks so much like a younger Marion Barber it's scary. Martellus Bennett gives them a solid possibility at TE2, which is something they lacked. CB Orlando Scandrick looks like a keeper late. An underrated element of this draft is the huge boost the kicking game will receive, both returns and coverage. Grade - B +

Eagles - A -
Trades and FA acquisitions and losses:  The big news here is that acquisition of CB Asante Samuel. He was a zone CB in New England, and the Eagles play a man system, so the transition could be rocky, but Samuel is a Pro Bowler. Secondary was the biggest concern of the defense. With Samuel in the bank, the Eagles were able to defer their DB picks til round 4. Grade - A

Draft:  The Eagles got a big chunk of their draft deferred, through a trade with Carolina, which includes a 2009 first round pick. With three round two and three picks, the Eagles invested two in DL, Trevor Laws and Bryan Smith. Both should see time in the rotation. The third pick was for some much needed speed for the offense, with WR/PR DeSean Jackson. In later rounds they added two DBs, an OLB and two OL. All were solid value where taken, and add depth to thin areas. Grade - B 

Giants - C -
Trades and FA acquisitions and losses:  The losses were somewhat serious. Losing S Gybril Wilson and two OLBs hit the defense hard, but the real loss is Michael Strahan, who retired. Renaldo Wynn was signed, giving the DL more depth. The team has three starting grade DEs, but Strahan is HoF grade, and that will hurt. The champions got considerable impact from last season's rookies, and the team seems to be relying on them for additional contributions. Grade - D-

Draft: The Giants attacked two areas of need in this draft. With the first two picks they took secondary depth, and with the third, a big WR. S Kenny Phillips will likely start at safety, while Terrell Thomas is a solid nickel back candidate. He may never start at CB for the Giants, but he looks to be an excellent future option at FS, while bringing immediate depth. Mario Manningham is a gamble. He has first round talent, but his head is a question. With Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress both over 30, with chronic health questions, Maningham has a definite future if he wants to grab it. The middle picks were for future LBs and a possible future QB. There is a need at LB, but Antonio Pierce can cover a lot of small problems, and the secondary clearly was the higher priority. Grade - B

Redskins - C
Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: Unusually quiet. That is a good thing, usually. No major signings. The team traded for injured DE Erasmus James. Losses include QB Mark Brunell and WR Reche Caldwell. Grade - C -

Draft:  For most intents, the Redskins spent the entire draft on the offense. Like the Eagles, the Redskins traded out of the first round. This resulted in three second round picks: two WRs and a TE. Devin Thomas was a wonderful pick. Rated on draft morning as mid to late first round, the Redskins grabbed him in the second. Malcolm Kelley is a big possession WR, in contrast to a variety of speedy but small receivers on the roster. The TE, Fred Davis, seems to indicate a desire for two TE sets, since Chris Cooley is a Pro Bowler. With their midround selections they added OG Chad Rinehart and CB Justin Tryon. Late picks include a badly needed punter, and a flier on Colt Brennan, the record setting QB from Hawaii. Grade - B -

NFC North

Bears - B -

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: The Bears released several older players that contributed on the Super Bowl team, but tailed off last season. They also lost WR Benard Berrians and LB Brendon Ayanbadejo. After a series of off field problems, the team also waived Cedric Benson. Acquisitions were limited to WRs Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker. This has the scent of a roster shake up.  Grade - D

Draft: The Bears drafted very well. Addressing the serious age problem in the offensive line, first round pick Chris Williams should start immediately at LT, assuming he can overcome his injury woes. The RB issue was addressed with second round selection Matt Forté, a bruiser who may be ready to take over the rushing load immediately. Value picks include WR Earl Bennett, CB Craig Steltz and TE Kellen Davis. Dice rolls with good upside include DT Marcus Harrison, CB Zack Bowman and WR Marcus Monk. This is not a quick impact draft, but by mid season, several players will have worked into the rotations. Grade - B +

Lions - C

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: Detroit has had a revolving door in some years, and this is one of them. A large number of free agents were signed, lost, or in the case of former star RB Kevin Jones, outright cut. Overshadowing all of them was the loss of LB Boss Bailey. In addition, they traded DT Shaun Rogers to Cleveland for CB Leigh Bodden and a draft pick. Grade - D -

Draft:  The Lions had a very solid draft, coming away with three likely starters. First round selection Gosder Cherilus is a beast of a RT, and should immediately impact the running game. LB Jordan Dizon may have been a reach, but he should be ready to play from Day One. With Kevin Jones gone the RB Kevin Smith era begins. DT Andre Fluellen and LB Cliff Avril should see rotation time, while FB Jerome Felton might challenge for a starting job. Grade - B +

Packers - B

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: Green Bay had a quiet winter. The only Acquisition of note is LB Brandon Chillar. On the down side, DT Corey Williams was traded to Cleveland for a second round pick. Grade - C -

Draft: The Packers had a controversial draft. As usual the team went with quantity over quality, trading out of the first round, but having nine picks in all, including three in the second round. Those picks, WR Jordy Nelson, QB Brian Brohm, CB Patrick Lee, and third round TE Jermichael Finley all start second, at best, on the depth chart, though each brings something new to the position. However, all could eventually start. Fourth round DE Jeremy Thompson is a sleeper, who should contribute in the rotation. Later picks include two OL and yet another QB. While there are no expected new starters, this draft should have legs. Grade - B

Vikings - A

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: The Vikings were the busiest team in the league when it came to acquisitions. Foremost was the trade for DE Jared Allen, the NFL sack leader, for three draft picks. Also acquired were S Madieu Williams and WR Bernard Berrian. Both should step in and play. Lesser acquisitions include QB Gus Ferrotte, CB Benny Sapp, and DL Ellis Wyms. The principle loss was DT Spencer Johnson, plus RB Mewelde Moore.  Grade - A +

Draft: The bulk of the draft went in the Jared Allen trade. With their only pick in the first four rounds, the Vikings took S Tyrell Johnson, who was a draft day riser, and could start immediately. Late picks include QB John David Booty and DT Letroy Guion, a pass rusher artist. Grade - C

NFC South

Buccaneers - B -

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: The big acquisition was C Jeff Faine from New Orleans. He starts immediately. Other names include RB Warrick Dunn and S Eugene Wilson. The Principal loss was S Kalvin Pearson. Wilson for Pearson is a step down, but Faine is a major addition. Grade - B -

Draft: Tampa Bay has been drafting for the future for some time. This was no exception. While there is solid value throughout the draft, there is only one potential starter, first round CB Aqib Talib. Talib has his detractors, but is ideal for the Tampa style zone coverage. Second round WR Dexter Jackson  has elite speed, and could have a big impact as a PR. Later picks include DT Dre Moore and LB Gino Hayes. Moore in particular should get rotation time. In an almost annual event, the Bucs drafted well regarded QB Josh Johnson to join the herd at that position. Grade - B -

Falcons - B +

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: Atlanta signed a lot of talent this off season. The quality of the talent remains to be seen. By far the biggest addition is Michael Turner from San Diego. He is a speed back, without a lot of mileage. S Erik Coleman should make an impact in the secondary, while CB Von Hutchins is more depth. On the offensive side, TE Ben Hartsock is intriguing.On the downside, the biggest loss was LB Demarrio Williams, who signed with the Chiefs. Williams would have competed for a starting job. Grade - B +

Draft:  Atlanta has probably the longest list of problem areas in the NFL. Even with 11 picks, there was not way to get them all. First round selection QB Matt Ryan rose to the top of QB ratings in the months prior to the draft, but was not considered a franchise player. None the less, facing another season without Michael Vick, the Falcons pulled the trigger. Later in round one they took OT Sam Baker. He is hoped to be a LT, but may be restricted to the right side. Rounds two and three had four picks, three for the defense: ILB Curtis Lofton, CB Chevis Jackson, and S Thomas DeCoud. None should start at this point, but at least one will probably be pressed into service. The late round picks include DE Kory Biermann and RB Thomas Brown, both of whom have shots at eventually starting. It was a hit and miss draft, with the Falcons reached badly at some need positions. Grade - B

Panthers - B

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: Carolina was fairly quiet this off season. Offensively the Panthers parted ways with running back DeShaun Foster and receivers Drew Carter and Keary Colbert but added receivers Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett. Defensively the principal signing, such as it is, is LB Landon Johnson. It is doubtful he will be more than a rotation player. Grade - C

Draft: Carolina did very well in round one. RB Brandon Stewart is exactly the type of power back, with speed, that will compliment DeAngelo Williams. LT Jeff Otah is widely considered the best run blocker of this year's outstanding LT group. Third round CB Charles Godfrey was a reach, but he will help. Fourth round LB Dan Connor was no reach. Some had him going in the first round, and by most lists, he is one of the steals of this draft. In round five, the Panthers picked Gary Barnidge another of the list of towering TEs with basketball experience. Late picks focused on the lines. Grade - B +

Saints - B +

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: New Orleans focused heavily on the defense this off season. High on the list was the resigning of their best player, Will Smith, to a long term deal. They also traded for LB Jonathon Vilma. Vilma had a huge impact as a rookie, but has been hurting since then. He could be anything from a nonfactor to a difference maker for the Saints' defense. The Saints also signed CBs Randal Gay, Aaron Glenn and DE Robert McCray.  Offensively the big news was the acquisition of Jeremy Shockey, who wore out his welcome in New York and the loss of C Jeff Faine to the Bucs. Grade - B +

Draft: This is one of the better drafts of the year, yielding two instant starters in need areas. The biggest need was at DT, and they smartly traded up to take Sedick Ellis with the #7 pick. He will start immediately, and should travel to Hawaii before long. Second round selection, CB Tracy Porter, was not as urgent, due to signings, but still a long term issue, and nearly as good a value. The next two rounds went in trades. In round five, the Saints got one of the steals of the draft in OT Carl Nicks, who has first day talent, but some minor issue off the field. Other picks include a run stuffing DT, a PK, and aWR. Grade - A -

NFC West

'49ers - C +

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: While there was a lot of activity, San Fransisco avoided a quick fix, going for bargain veterans like WR Bryant Johnson, and spending money on a player with years ahead of him, DE Justin Gage. The losses were a pair of OL, G Justin Smiley and T Kwame Harris. Also impacting the line was the release of G Larry Allen. Grade - C

Draft: This was a draft for the trenches. First round pick, DT Kentwan Balmer was widely considered the third best DT in the draft, after top 10 picks Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis. Balmer steps into the gap left by the retirement of Bryant Young. Second round pick, OG Chilo Rachel steps into the gap left by Larry Allen and Justin Smiley. Also drafted for the OL was fourth round pick, C Cody Wallace. In between the 49ers grabbed S Reggie Smith, who has been sliding following disappointing workout times. Late picks were a WR and an OLB. In all a solid, but not very sexy draft. Grade - B +

Cardinals - B -

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: Arizona has been drafting solidly for many years. That has shown in the lack of free agent activity. The big news this off season was the signing of DE TRavis LaBoy. After that the team focused on resigning its own players. Still out are Anquan Boldin and Darnell Dockett, though both are still under contract. Losses were WR Bryant Johnson, a non starter but valued player, and LB Orlando Pace, who should start for the Jets. Grade - C

Draft: In a recent tradition of solid, value oriented drafts, Arizona again stocked the depth chart with talent. First round selection, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, was one of the favorites of mock drafts, but taken at a very reasonable mid round slot. He makes it possible to move Antrel Rolle to FS. Second round pick, DE Calais Campbell, was considered a top 10 prospect going into the season. Third round selection, WR Early Doucet, was another player better regarded a year ago. In the fourth and sixth rounds the Cards went for DEs Kenny Iwebema and Chris Harrington, who are both solid rotation types. Fifth round RB Tim Hightower is the teams only concession to Edgerin James age. Grade - B +

Rams - C

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: It was a fairly active year, but not a high priced one. Coming in are OG Jacob Bell, PK Josh Brown, TE Anthony Becht, WR Reche Caldwell. Bell will be plugged into a serious hole at OG, and Brown replaces the retired Jeff Wilkins. Also signed were veteran QBs Trent Green, returning to the team who won a Super Bowl with his replacement, and Bruce Gradkowski. Losses include Wilkins, OG Milford Brown and LB Brandon Chillar. Grade - C

Draft: The Rams had the second pick overall, so it was hard to miss. DE Chris Long is the son of a Hall of Fame player, and he is as technically sound as you see out of college. Second round pick, WR Donnie Avery, is universally regarded as a reach. Not only was he the first WR drafted, most teams rated him as much as two rounds lower. The team also went WR in the fourth round, Keenan Burton, also a burner. In contrast, the other fourth round pick, CB Justin King, was considered second round material by many. Rounds three and five were invested in OG John Greco and Roy Schuening, addressing a long term problem. Grade - C +

Seahawks - C  

Trades and FA acquisitions and losses: Seattle has a huge hole where Shaun Alexander used to work. With that in mind, the Seahawks signed RBs TJ Duckett and Julius Jones, a classic speed and power pair. Other signings include K Orlando Mare and TE Jeb Putzier. Losses include K Josh Brown, LBs Kevin Bentley and Niko Koutouvides, and WR D.J. Hackett. Grade - C -

Draft:  One of the oddest selections of the draft was Seattle's choice of DE Lawrence Jackson. It was a decent value pick, but the Seahawks have an elite pass rusher in Patrick Kerney and last year's second round pick Darryl Tapp. The second round selection may play more as a rookie, TE John Carlson. They went back to the DL in round four, with DT Red Bryant, a big road block type. The other selections include specialists, FB Owen Schmitt, long snapper Tyler Schmitt, and K Brandon Coutu. Grade - B -

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