Evaluating the NFL draft picks

Team analysis/from first to worst

1. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

They had major concerns along the offensive line and wasted no time addressing them. David DeCastro was considered the best OG in the draft and they were thrilled he lasted until their first pick at 24. He's a plug-in-and-play starter from the get-go. OT Mike Adams is a limited athlete but could be a long-time fixture on the right side. Miami LB Sean Spence is small for their scheme but has always been productive. NT was another need and 6-foot-3, 348-pound Alameda Ta'amu unexpectedly fell all the way to 109, where he fits the scheme like a glove. Little RB Chris Rainey (159) brings big-play and return ability.

2. CINCINNATI BENGALS

CB and RB were top needs and Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick (17) should start as a rookie, but he comes with some attitude questions and bust potential. Traded down six spots later in Round 1 and still got Wisconsin OG Kevin Zeitler at 27, another probable starter. DT Devon Still was a bargain (53) and could be another Day One starter. Rutgers' WR Mohamed Sanu (83) could be a long-time complement to last year's 1st-round WR A.J. Green. TE Orson Charles a luxury pick but a tremendous value at 116. Probably waited too long to address RB with Dan Herron at 191.

3. ST. LOUIS RAMS

DT Michael Brockers (14) may be a bit of a project but he has tremendous upside, especially for a team that needs immediate help in the middle. WR Brian Quick was a shock at 33rd overall, but they need weapons for QB Sam Bradford, and Quick is a huge target who was tremendously productive. CB Janoris Jenkins (39) has first-round talent and could be a Pro Bowl player if he stays out of trouble, which has been a problem in the past. Little, big-play RB Isaiah Pead takes some of the burden off Steven Jackson. CB Trumaine Johnson has enough size for S and enough cover ability for CB. Speedy WR Chris Givens was a bargain at 96.

4. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Melvin Ingram (18th overall) was a DE at South Carolina, where he had 19 sacks the past two seasons, but he'll convert to rush LB in their 3-4 scheme and upgrade pass rush. Big DE Kendall Reyes was a bargain at 49 and will be plugged in soon at an area in need of an upgrade. S Brandon Taylor was way overdrafted at 73rd overall, but he was a leader at LSU who brings great intangibles. TE Ladarius Green was a bargain at 110. Waited until Round 5 to address serious O-line need with OG Johnnie Troutman (149) and C David Molk (226) a potential bargain.

5. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Defense was the general concern and DL is where they needed the most help. DT Fletcher Cox (12th overall) was arguably the best in the draft and will contribute in a variety of roles, including inside pass rusher. LB Mychael Kendricks (46) addressed another area of need and, based on Combine workout, he was the fastest and most athletic linebacker in the class, although he's barely 5-11. DE Vinny Curry (59) brings immediate pass-rush help. He had 23 sacks in his final two years at Marshall and forced 7 fumbles last season. QB Nick Foles (88) is a developmental project.

6. ARIZONA CARDINALS

First-round WR Michael Floyd (13th overall) is exactly the kind of big-play, big body guy they need to take some of the double-team attention away from WR Larry Fitzgerald. They also needed O-line help and got great value in Round 4 with Bobby Massie (112), who is a character concern but is a second-round talent, and got another bargain next round in OT Senio Kelemete (151) who projects to OG in NFL. Added DB depth with CB Jamell Fleming (80) and S Justin Bethel (177).

7. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Needed DL and CB help more but took safe, productive LB Luke Kuechly at No. 9, and he could be a 10-year starter. OG Amini Silatolu (40) dominated lower-level competition at Midwestern State and could eventually do the same in NFL. With no Round 3 pick, reached for DE Frank Alexander in Round 4 (103) in an effort to improve pass rush, and added WR-RS Joe Adams (104), who had an NCAA-record 4 punt-return TDs last season and has elite run-after-the-catch skills as a receiver.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS

O-line is clearly their biggest need and even with no first-rounder and just two picks in the first 4 rounds, they still got a first-round talent in Wisconsin C Peter Konz at 55, the best pivot in the draft. But OT Lamar Holmes was a reach at 91. Took another Badger at 157 in FB Bradie Ewing, who is the best in a weak position. Gambled 7 picks later on Troy DE Jonathan Massaquoi, a project who flashed elite pass-rush skills.

9. BUFFALO BILLS

Needing DB help, reached a bit for CB Stephon Gilmore at 10 overall, but five of the next six picks were DL's, which they don't need. CB Ron Brooks (124) has some elite physical tools and could be a great sleeper pick. OT was biggest need, and Georgia OL Cordy Glenn at 41 was a huge bargain, especially if he can play OT. Florida State OT Zebrie Sanders (144) is a developmental project at best. LBs Nigel Bradham (105) and Tank Carder (147) should contribute on special teams immediately.

10. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Having the good fortune of the No. 1 pick, they probably got their QB of the next 10-12 years with Stanford's Andrew Luck and then got him his favorite receiver, TE Coby Fleener at 34. Went right back to the TE well with Clemson's Dwayne Allen (64), when defensive help would have made more sense for a bad unit. Ditto with next pick, little WR T.Y. Hilton, who was a reach at 92 but provides help as a returner. Finally went defense with stout, run-stuffing NT Josh Chapman (136). Mr. Irrelevant, NIU's athletic QB Chandler Harnish (253), provides flexibility.

11. GREEN BAY PACKERS

First six picks addressed a poor defense, which got a lot better, starting with USC DE Nick Perry (28), who will play LB in their 3-4 scheme and give Clay Matthews some pass-rush help. DE Jerel Worthy had some 1st-round grades and was an outstanding value at No. 51, but he might fit better as a 3T in a 4-3 defense. Vandy CB Casey Hayward (62) isn't physical but could be the nickel from Day One. DE Mike Daniels could provide some situational pass-rush pressure. S Jerron McMillan (133) was a huge reach, but it's an area of need with Nick Collins gone.

12. HOUSTON TEXANS

Went with Illini DE Whitney Mercilus (26th overall) as the replacement for Mario Williams, but the nation's sack leader will move to OLB in 3-4. Gambled big-time on Ohio State's finesse WR DeVier Posey at 68, who was suspended for 10 games last season. Massive OG Brandon Brooks (76) could be a steal if he plays with intensity all the time. He and C Ben Jones (99) could both crack the starting lineup sooner rather than later. DE Jared Crick (126) will be a steal if he stays healthy.

13. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Added extra picks by trading down one spot, but still got much-needed OLT help with Matt Kalil at 4 overall. Traded up to No. 29, maybe a little early for S Harrison Smith, but he makes a weak secondary better tight now. CB Josh Robinson (66) could also start as a rookie. He has elite speed (4.32) and brings extra value as PR. Waited until Round 4 to get much-needed WR help with Jarius Wright (118th overall), who also possesses game-breaking speed (4.44) and big-play ability. King-sized WR Greg Childs (134) and TE Rhett Ellison (128) are limited role players.

14. BEARS

Made no effort to upgrade mediocre OL, but went after needed pass rusher with first-round DE Shea McClellin (19th overall), leaving DEs Whitney Mercilus (26) and Chandler Jones (21) and OT Riley Reiff (23) on the board. Traded up five spots to get WR Alshon Jeffery at 45, giving offense another big-play weapon. Sleeper Brandon Hardin (79) could be a steal if his conversion from CB to S goes smoothly. Evan Rodriguez (111) provides a pass-catching deep threat that the TE position was lacking, although there are character concerns.

15. DETROIT LIONS

If OT Riley Reiff (23) becomes a long-time starter, Bears could kick themselves for passing on him, but he fills a need for Lions as well. WR Ryan Broyles (54) is a Wes Welker type but coming off an ACL tear, and they really could've used a CB or RB here. Got their CB in Round 3 with Dwight Bentley, who could challenge for a starting job immediately. May have pulled off a major heist at 125 with DE Ronnell Lewis, who could make an instant impact as a situational pass rusher. Never addressed RB.

16. MIAMI DOLPHINS

QB Ryan Tannehill might be a major reach at No. 8 overall, but this is a desperate team, and he has elite tools. Needed OL help to complement Pro Bowl OLT Jake Long, and Stanford's Jonathan Martin (42) is skilled but needs to get stronger for ORT. Olivier Vernon was a huge reach at 72 and a raw project moving from DE to OLB. RB Lamar Miller, was a 4th-round steal (97) and should make an immediate impact with game-breaking speed. TE Michael Egnew could be a big-time pass-catching threat.

17. DALLAS COWBOYS

They got the consensus best defensive player in the draft by trading up eight spots to get LSU's stud CB Morris Claiborne at No. 6. But they're putting their draft all on one player unless Tyrone Crawford (81) or Kyle Wilber (113) proves to be the disruptive, pass-rushing complement they want for DeMarcus Ware. DE Crawford has great upside and had 27 TFL in two seasons at Boise State, 1 more than Wilber, who should be an OLB in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme. Did nothing to help O-line.

18. CLEVELAND BROWNS

Needing major upgrades at skill positions, traded up a spot to No. 3 overall to get RB Trent Richardson, who fills a need and is a Rookie of the Year candidate. Brandon Weeden (No. 22) will be 28 as a rookie and is the product of a shotgun offense, but they were desperate to upgrade over Colt McCoy. Few projected Cal OT Mitchell Schwartz to go at 37, but he could be the bookend to stud OLT Joe Thomas. WR Travis Benjamin (100) is a big-play threat with rare speed (4.34). DT John Hughes was a huge reach at 87.

19. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

WR A.J. Jenkins was a first-round surprise at 30th overall, but he addressed a need and brings exceptional speed and production with good size. RB LaMichael James (61) comes with concerns about his size and durability, but nobody was more productive, and he could be an impact player in the NFL. Didn't chose again until taking OG Joe Looney at 117 to address their biggest need, and they got a bargain. He could be starting soon.

20. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

NT Dontari Poe (11th overall) can be the focal point of their defense for a long time if they can keep him motivated. Went back-to-back with Illinois' Jeff Allen (44) and Oklahoma's Donald Stephenson (74). Somewhat puzzling since both played OLT but project to ORT or OG in NFL. WR definitely not an area of need, but they went for quick, little, super-fast, injury-prone Devon Wylie (107) who was never a starter but brings value as a PR guy. Versatile DeQuan Menzie (146) could factor at CB or S.

21. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Traded out of the first round but still got a first-round talent in Alabama LB Courtney Upshaw (35th overall), who should excel as a rush 'backer in their 3-4 defense. Bigger need was OL and they gambled with massive, underachieving Iowa OT Keleche Osemele (60) and Delaware OG Gino Gradkowski (98), who was a huge reach. Needing DB help, they added S Christian Thompson (130) a size-speed project and undersized CB Asa Jackson (169) who projects as a nickel.

22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Serious about upgrading a bad defense, the first six picks were on that side of the ball. Traded up four spots to improve the pass rush with DE Chandler Jones at 21 and then up six spots to add Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower, an excellent fit inside in their 3-4 scheme. Illinois CB Tavon Wilson was a second-round (48th overall) head-scratcher. He wasn't even invited to the Combine or any postseason all-star games. Long, lanky DE Jake Bequette (90) had 10 sacks in just 10 games last season and could replace Mark Anderson as pass-rush specialist.

23. NEW YORK GIANTS

First-round RB David Wilson (32) is a major upgrade over departed Brandon Jacobs. He's elusive and versatile buy may lack the size to be a workhorse. WR was not a need but big Rueben Randle was a solid value pick at 63 and a potential upgrade over Mario Manningham. CB Jayron Hosley is undersized but a fast ballhawk who upgrades the return game. Waited until 127th pick to reach for TE Adrien Robinson at an area of need and addressed OT need late with Brandon Mosley (131) and Matt McCants (201).

24. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

S Mark Barron could be a perennial Pro Bowler, and they hope so after using the seventh overall pick on him. RB Doug Martin (31) is the kind of reliable, do-it-all runner that LeGarrette Blount is not. If nothing else, Martin is a great complement but should be the main man. LB Lavonte David (58) is undersized, but he plays much bigger than his size and should become a productive starter as soon as this season. Didn't pick again until 140, when they got Najee Goode who is versatile enough to play any LB spot.

25. NEW YORK JETS

Had only three picks in the first 186. DE Quinton Coples was one of the most physically talented players in the draft, but he lasted until the 16th pick because he doesn't always play hard. WR Stephen Hill could be a steal at 43. He has the most impressive size-speed (6-foot-4, 4.33 in the 40) combination of any receiver in the draft, but he's a bit green. LB DeMario Davis (77) is a bit undersized in their scheme, but he has impressive combination of strength (32 reps) and explosion (38 ½-inch vertical).

26. DENVER BRONCOS

Traded out of Round 1, but still helped weak D-line with fast-rising Cincinnati DT Derek Wolfe, although they reached to take him at 36. 2nd-round QB Brock Osweiler (57) needs seasoning, but this is an ideal spot considering Peyton Manning's presence. With little depth behind aging RB Willis McGahee, took productive, undersized workhorse Ronnie Hillman (67), who could be ideal in complementary role. CB Omar Bolden (101) missed his senior season with a torn ACL but if healthy will challenge for starting job.

27. TENNESSEE TITANS

WR Kendall Wright (20) is a polished, super-productive all-around threat although he lacks size. LB Zach Brown (52) has wicked speed and the instincts to make plays from sideline to sideline. DT Mike Martin (82) is stout enough to play NT but has enough speed and quickness to disrupt at the 3 technique. CB Coty Sensabaugh (115) was overdrafted, but he has the speed and quickness to stay with the fastest WRs.

28. WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Second overall selection QB Robert Griffin III is an electric performer with phenomenal upside who will put fannies in the seats and upgrade a weak position the moment he steps on the field. Didn't pick again until 71st overall, when they reached for OG Josh LeRibeus, who probably lacks the athleticism to ever become a solid starter. Going back to get another QB, Kirk Cousins at No. 102 overall might have been a great value pick, but what's the point? LB Keenan Robinson (119) could be a major steal and a starter soon.

29. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

WR was their biggest need, so trading up two spots to get the best pass catcher in the draft, Justin Blackmon, was a wise move. They also needed more pass rush, but Clemson's DE-OLB Andre Branch (38) probably fits better as a rush LB in a 3-4 than in the Jags' 4-3. Taking P Bryan Anger early in the third round (70th overall) is idiotic, especially on a bad team with multiple holes. Didn't have another pick until 142, when they got LB Brandon Marshall.

30. OAKLAND RAIDERS

Didn't pick until the end of the third round, when they took Utah OG Tony Bergstron 95th overall. He will be 26 in August but could start immediately. LB Miles Burris (129) is excellent vs. the run and has the strength and stoutness to challenge for a starting job in the middle. DE Jack Crawford (158) could be a factor at LE but needs to bulk up some.

31. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Traded out of the first round and forfeited second-rounder because of Bounty scandal. Didn't pick until 89th, when they reached to add D-line help with Canadian import Akiem Hicks, from Regina, Saskatchewan, a huge athlete who is raw and will require development. Took big WR Nick Toon (122) who lacks speed but was maybe the most ready-to-play receiver on the board in Round 4. Corey White (162) should provide depth at CB or S.

32. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

They needed a pass-rushing defensive end badly, but taking 245-pound DE-OLB Bruce Irvin with the 15th overall pick was the biggest shocker of the first round. He had 22 ½ sacks in two seasons without much technique, but this was a huge gamble. LB Bobby Wagner (47) also was way overdrafted and has mediocre speed, but he's a productive tackler and they need help here. Super-athletic QB Russell Wilson (75) also went way too soon. Even though he's an elite athlete, he's not even 5-11, so figures only as a gimmick QB. RB Robert Turbin (106) could contribute right away.