WTF, Denver!?! Trading up to get Tim Tebow in the first round of the NFL draft was not a good idea. I’m not saying you took Tebow too early — you took him way too early.At least the Tebow watch will slow down for a little while. But now the post-draft debate begins. Let me save you all some time and tell you who the three best and the three worst teams were in this year’s draft.THE BESTNew York Jets: After an offseason spent stocking the locker room with Pro Bowlers, the Jets brought in a plethora of young talent that should be able to help them on the field instantly. They selected arguably the best cornerback prospect on the board taking former Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson in the first round. The Jets added another weapon to the best cornerback tandem in football with Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. After cutting running backs Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, the Jets drafted USC running back Joe McKnight, who should be a good backup to LaDanian Tomlinson and Shonn Green. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers had the best draft. After cutting starting quarterback Jake Delhomme, the Panthers drafted two highly touted prospects at quarterback — Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen and Cincinnati’s Tony Pike. Scouts have called Clausen the most NFL-ready of the quarterbacks in this year’s draft, and he will definitely compete with current Panther starter Matt Moore. The Panthers also added depth to its wide receiving corps by drafting LSU’s Brandon LaFell and Appalachian State’s Armanti Edwards. They could make a playoff run if either of these guys emerges as a legitimate threat. Oakland Raiders: Oakland made one of the worst first-round picks in draft history by taking Darrius Heyward-Bey with its first pick in 2009. Heyward-Bey tallied nine catches all season. But the Raiders made smart picks this year — very smart. They selected a guy in the first round who cannot only contribute right away on the field but will have a positive impact on the locker room in Alabama linebacker Ronaldo McClain. All of his former teammates said he was great leader, and he should definitely have a positive impact on the Raiders. The Raiders also picked up some very good offensive line prospects which should help protect another draft day acquisition, quarterback Jason Campbell. Campbell is a good fit for the organization. He can throw the deep ball and can escape the rush something Raiders quarterbacks struggled with last season. THE WORSTDenver Broncos: Tim Tebow in the first round — there isn’t much else to be said.Chicago Bears: The Bears didn’t seem to add any players who could make an immediate impact. The major problem the Bears had last season was quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler tossed an NFL-high 26 interceptions, many of which came at key moments in games the Bears had a chance at winning. What the Bears needed was help at wide receiver where they lacked anyone capable of giving them consistent production. Jacksonville Jaguars: It is hard to comment on the moves the Jaguars made because, aside from the team’s first-round pick Tyson Alualu from California, they drafted no one from a big school. Most of the Jaguars’ prospects will be projects, and none of them seem to be ready to compete at the NFL level right away. The Jaguars also didn’t get a quarterback. After all the talk about them taking Tebow, they didn’t take anyone for the position. They did however take three defensive ends, which doesn’t make any sense at all.But we won’t know if these guys will end up being solid contributors or busts until the NFL’s season kicks off.Amos Morale is a 22-year-old history senior from Houston. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_amosmorale3. —–Contact Amos Morale at [email protected]
Famous Amos: Panthers, Jets are big winners in the NFL draft
April 25, 2010