Addt NFL Draft Thoughts

Peter King
Atlanta. Not the impact GM Thomas Dimitroff was dreaming of, though he got two contributing players he really wanted for the front seven -- linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and defensive tackle Corey Peters, which broke the hearts of Cleveland. Key to long-term success of this draft is whether interior linemen Mike Johnson and Joe Hawley can plug holes at guard and center in the next two to three years.

• Baltimore. Loved what Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta did. I thought they'd stay in the first round and steal Dan Williams at 24, but they dealt down and did better. No team got the impact between 43 and 114 that the Ravens did, though the Pats might argue.

Sergio Kindle was a steal at 43. The real key could be Terrence Cody at 57. Now, people will say, "Why are you taking this fat guy with the weight problem?'' Two things here. Newsome went to Alabama. He's a legend there. He loves picking Alabama players and he gets the inside dope on them. He knows Cody can be whipped into shape.

Plus, there's no defensive player on the planet who can walk into the Baltimore locker room and NOT get into line behind Ray Lewis. I think Cody has gone to the right place and should be a force alongside Haloti Ngata long-term.

The Ravens topped things off by picking two tight ends, one of whom will be the starter in 2011, and a productive one.

New England. Love what the Belichicks did at tight end in the last five weeks, signing free-agent filler Alge Crumpler (maybe a one-year bit of glue), then drafting Rob Gronkowski at 42 and Aaron Hernandez at 113. Hernandez was thievery; watching Florida four or five times on TV in the fall and on tape last week, I thought he looked like a bona fide NFL tight end right now.

The Patriots again got great volume, and even set themselves as the power brokers of the 2011 draft; they already had the Raiders' 2011 first-rounder, then pilfered the Panthers' second-round pick next year by dealing them the 89th pick in this draft -- way at the end of the third round. But I don't know whether they got the playmaker on defense they needed, and there's going to be tremendous pressure on a receiver with only average quickness, Taylor Price of Ohio, to come in and play right away because Wes Welker's injuries could keep him out much of the year.

Steve Wyche
Last season, Baltimore got Michael Oher and Green Bay took Clay Matthews with the picks the Patriots bailed on to get out of the first round and into the second. 

The Patriots moved back twice in the first round this year, surrendering picks that allowed Denver to take Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and Dallas to draft wide receiver Dez Bryant -- players the Patriots seemingly could have used. New England then selected cornerback Devin McCourty 27th overall, a pick that drew some criticism by the home folks because it didn't fit some needs (McCourty could immediately help special teams and adds depth to a secondary that needs it).

The Raiders: If we're going to give Seattle love for making bold trades and drafting well, Oakland deserves its props as well. For the first time in years, they showed restraint in free agency and further restraint at the top end of the draft. They also traded for Washington quarterback Jason Campbell, who will replace JaMarcus Russell as the starter and gain immediate respect because of his work ethic. Improving that situation, Oakland only surrendered a fourth-round pick next season. In the past, it would have probably given up a lot more to get Campbell. Instead, it got good value in the trade.

The Raiders also took a potential premier defender in inside linebacker Rolando McClain with the No. 8 overall pick. Getting Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston in the second round could also help fortify one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. Oakland used later-round picks on NFL Scouting Combine all-stars Jacoby Ford, a return specialist, and offensive tackle Bruce Campbell.

By snagging two massive, powerful defensive tackles, Tampa Bay felt it could help slow down the strong ground attacks of NFC South foes Carolina, New Orleans and Atlanta, which, in turn, could minimize the amount of times Freeman would have to play from behind. Secondly, by generating a pass rush through the interior, the Bucs hope to screen Saints quarterback Drew Brees' passing lanes and flush the Falcons' Matt Ryan out of the pocket -- where he is less comfortable -- to force turnovers that could shorten the length Tampa Bay's offense has to drive.

As good as Dominik feels about the defensive upgrade, adding big, game-breaking receivers Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams with second- and fourth-round picks, respectively, will make Tampa Bay competitive faster than presumed after last season's 3-13 train wreck.

The picks of Benn and Williams sandwiched the third-round selection of cornerback Myron Lewis, who will open the season at nickel back but eventually take over for Ronde Barber and pair with Aqib Talib. Lewis' ball skills are why he was so attractive and a must-have for coach Raheem Morris. He wants interceptions so Freeman can get the ball in his hands.