Draft Grades (NFC West)

Arizona Cardinals- While the Cardinals made some iffy picks, two of their selections will help make this a potential offensive juggernaut in the not-too-distant future. At the #10 spot, they grabbed USC quarterback Matt Leinart. I don't think Leinart was the top quarterback in the draft, but he's definitely more ready than Vince Young and will fit the Arizona offensive system perfectly. With Dennis Green as head coach, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin at receiver, Edgerrin James in the backfield, and an improving offensive line, Leinart will have a lot of weapons surrounding him. In the 3rd round, Arizona picked up Georgia tight end Leonard Pope which will only add another target for Leinart to throw to in the future. Grade- B

St. Louis Rams- While the Rams didn't draft any big-name players, they addressed their need positions very well. In the first round, they drafted talented Clemson cornerback Tye Hill. They nabbed two tight ends in Colorado's Joe Klopfenstein and USC's Dominique Byrd. The Rams' third-round selection of LSU defensive tackle Claude Wroten could end up being a major steal in the draft. If it wasn't for his off-the-field troubles, he would've been a first round pick. As long as he can get his priorities in order and straighten his life out, this will be a major steal for the Rams. The Rams also nabbed the all-time leading tackler at Northwestern in inside linebacker Tim McGarigle. They may not have nabbed the big names, but they addressed their needs as well as any other team in the draft. Grade- B+

Seattle Seahawks- Seattle only had six picks, but they made the most of them. In the first round, they selected Miami corner Kelly Jennings. In the second round, they got themselves a steal in Virginia Tech defensive end Darryl Tapp. Seattle also drafted USC fullback David Kirtman, Wake Forest punter (a great one) Ryan Plackemeier, and Auburn wideout Ben Obomano. Grade- B

San Francisco 49ers- The 49ers had a solid draft, especially on defense. On the opposite side of Mario Williams at NC State was Manny Lawson and the '9ers nabbed him late in the first round. They also picked up Parys Haralson, defensive end from Tennessee and Marcus Hudson, safety from NC State. Offensively, the 49ers added a couple of potential targets for last year's #1 pick Alex Smith in tight end Vernon Davis from Maryland and Wisconsin wide receiver Brandon Williams. Grade- B+