Many of the players selected in the 2003 NFL draft on April 26-27 will have immediate impacts for their respective teams. Others will take some time to develop into stars. Still others will only be fringe role players. And finally, some will be complete busts.

That being said, true and accurate draft grades for the 2003 draft should probably be made about three years from now when all 262 players selected have had time to mature as NFL players. But let’s face it, nobody wants to wait that long! Let’s get right to it! Here’s one mans opinion as I pass out the initial grades…

Arizona Cardinals: C-minus

Traded out of the six spot in round one and then picked WR Bryant Johnson and DE Calvin Pace at 17 and 18. Now, they both may end up being fine players, but you need to be aware of other teams boards and needs. They were both (especially Pace) second rounders. Made a decent comeback in rounds 2 and 3 with WR Anquan Boldin and LB Gerald Hayes.

Atlanta Falcons: D +

The acquisition of WR Peerless Price took away their first-round pick and is the only reason they don’t get an F. Reached for CB/S Bryan Scott in round 2, then took about the 7th best FB in Justin Griffith in round 4. Every pick after that had me asking “huh”?

Baltimore Ravens: A-minus

Sometimes it’s best to be both lucky and good! By now, everyone knows all about “tradegate” with the Vikings. All that left the Ravens as a consolation prize was sack-master Terrell Suggs who fell into their loving arms at #10. Then they traded up to get another first rounder which they turned into QB Kyle Boller. Throw in RB Musa Smith, FB Ovie Mughelli, OT Tony Pashos, and S Gerome Sapp in rounds 3-6 and this was just an awesome draft! The only reason for the “minus” is the loss of next year’s #1 pick to get Boller this year.

Buffalo Bills: C-minus

Let me get this straight: You give up your “franchise” WR to acquire a first-round pick and then use that pick on a position in which you are already deep and on a player who most likely will not play in 2003? Definite head-scratcher there. DE Chris Kelsay was a great value at #48 overall and WR Sam Aiken was a nice fourth-round selection.

Carolina Panthers: B

Addressed huge needs on the offensive line with OT Jordan Gross in round one and OG/C Bruce Nelson in round two. Filled holes later at TE and CB and secured probably the best FB in the draft in Stanford’s Casey Moore with the 247th selection. No “wow” picks, but a solid draft.

Chicago Bears: C

Got DE Michael Haynes and QB Rex Grossman at #14 and 22 after trading away the fourth overall pick to the Jets. Reached big in early round 2 with CB Charles Tillman from Louisiana-Lafayette. Picked up a nice pair of WR’s in round 5 with Justin Gage from Missouri and Bobby Wade from Arizona. Average draft.

Cincinnati Bengals: A+

If you didn’t see the draft and I told you that the Bengals got QB Carson Palmer, OG Eric Steinbach, WR Kelley Washington and CB Dennis Weathersby you likely would have asked me how they got four first-round picks. Every pick after these four was gravy. Nice job, Marvin Lewis.

Cleveland Browns: D+

C Jeff Faine is a nice player in round one, but after that they were reaching for straws. Chaun Thompson was a 3rd-4th rounder they took in round 2 and s Chris Crocker from Marshall was another reach in round 3. The topper, though, is their 5th round choice of C Ryan Pontbriand of Rice. Who the heck is that?! And why, pray tell, did he need to be drafted in the 5th round!

Dallas Cowboys: B

CB Terence Newman is an elite talent and C Al Johnson will help on this depleted line. TE Jason Witten was a steal in round 3 and LB Bradie James was a good value in round 4. I wonder who takes the credit for this draft?

Denver Broncos: B

T George Foster in round 1 and ILB terry Pierce in round 2 both have nice upside and are solid. RB Quentin Grffin will most likely have 1,500 yards rushing this year. Don’t all Bronco rookie RB’s do that? DT Nick Eason from Clemson was a good value in round 4 as was C Ben Claxton of Ole Miss in round 5.

Detroit Lions: A

There’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Steve Mariucci. WR Charles Rogers and LB Boss Bailey are both elite talents and getting Bailey in round 2 was an outright steal. DE Corey Redding is a hustler who will help their line tremendously. S Terrence Holt and FB Brandon Drumm were nice values in rounds 5 and 7, respectively.

Green Bay Packers: C

Very ho-hum draft. Not a lot of high-round picks sort of handcuffed what they could do. LB Nick Barnett of Oregon State in round one is a solid player and DE/DT Kenny Peterson of Ohio State may have been a big-time steal in round 3. After those two, a group of “hopefuls” were added in rounds 5-7.

Houston Texans: B

Rounds 1-3 netted a lot of offensive help. WR Andre Johnson and TE Bennie Joppru will start immediately and QB Dave Ragone will add depth and talent to the position. DE Antwan Peek, taken in round 3, will add speed to the edge on “D”. RB Domanick Davis of LSU in round 4 is a nice value. Very curious selection of ex-Michigan QB Drew Henson in round 6. Henson insists he won’t play football and they already have four QB’s on the roster.

Indianapolis Colts: C+

S Mike Doss was a great pick at #58 overall in the second round. That is also the spot that TE Dallas Clark likely should have gone, but the Colts reached for him in round 1 at #24. Added some nice defensive help later with CB Donald Strickland, LB Robert Mathis, and S Cato June. Unspectacular overall.

Jacksonville Jaguars: B

GM James Harris got his franchise QB in the first round in Byron Leftwich of Marshall. Head Coach Jack Del Rio got the speed he wanted in DB Rashean Mathis of Bethune-Cookman in round two. Did not reach for any picks all weekend and picked up an intriguing OL prospect in Howard’s Marques Ogden, younger brother of perrenial All-Pro Jonathan Ogden of the Ravens.

Kansas City Chiefs: C+

Obviously, Priest Holmes’ hip injury may be fairly serious as the Chiefs took 2,000 yard rusher Larry Johnson in round 1, a solid choice. They reached a bit taking LB Kawika Mitchell at #47 overall in round 2, but got two good values at OT in rounds 4 and 5 with Brett Williams of Florida State and Jordan Black of Notre Dame.

Miami Dolphins: D

If you are a Dolphins fan, keep reminding yourself that you didn’t have a first-round pick because you got Ricky Williams! That’s about the only thing that you can smile about after this draft. LB Eddie Moore of Tennessee was their first selection in round 2, but unfortunately it was not the last time that many uttered “what?” after yet another curious selection. They even took the infamous QB-turned-safety approach in round 6 with the drafting of Corey Jenkins of South Carolina. Does that ever work?

Minnesota Vikings: B

Could have earned an A-minus were it not for the embarrassing trade blunder with the Ravens. Although it was really no fault of the Vikings except for waiting just a bit too long to pull the trigger. Still, getting DT Kevin Williams—the guy they really wanted—and LB E.J. Henderson with their first two picks will do wonders for their defense. Throw in 6th round steal LB Mike Nattiel and the Vikings are on their way back. RB Onterrio Smith is also a very interesting player that could be a big-time steal in round 4.

New England Patriots: B

Another solid but unspectacular draft. DT Ty Warren in round 1 and CB Eugene Wilson in round 2 have a chance to start immediately. WR Bethel Johnson may have been a stretch at #45 overall. If fourth round choice DE Dan Klecko of Temple is half the player his dad was, the Patriots will be thrilled. DE Tully Banta-Cain was a very nice value in round 7.

New Orleans Saints: B-minus

Traded picks 17 and 18 in round 1 for pick 6 with Arizona. Took DT Johnathan Sullivan from Georgia with that pick, which may have been just a few slots too high, but is a stout player. Addressed offensive line in round 2 with another Georgia player, T Jon Stinchcomb, a solid choice. Also got road-grading OG Montrae Holland in round 4 to really beef up the line. Took WR’s of very questionable character in Kareem Kelly of USC and Talman Gardner of Florida State in rounds 6 and 7, respectively.

New York Giants: D

DT William Joseph fell into their laps at #25 overall and things looked bright for the G-men. Unfortunately, they decided to reach for virtually every remaining pick they had. DE Osi Umenyiora from Troy State in round 2? Please. Every remaining player they picked has many question marks.

New York Jets: B

The only reason they get a “B” is because they were bold enough to go out and get their man in DT DeWayne Robertson of Kentucky. After Robertson, their draft was fairly ho-hum. OLB Victor Hobson is not much of a specimen at LB and will likely be a special teams guy for a while. FB B.J. Askew was a nice addition and QB Brooks Bollinger in round 6 was an intriguing pick as he is very athletic with an upside.

Oakland Raiders: C

As usual, Al Davis makes a serious head-scratching pick in round 1. CB Nnamdi Asomugha was the choice with the 31st overall selection. Most had him as a 3-4th round player. Al doesn’t seem to care what most people think, however. The rest of their draft was actually pretty solid and if he can stay healthy third-round RB Justin Fargas could be a big-time steal. The Raiders also claimed Mr. Irrelevant at pick #262 in Gustavus Adolphus WR Ryan Hoag and he is actually a decent player with a good chance to make the squad.

Philadelphia Eagles: B-

Made a move trading up in round 1 to nab Miami DE Jerome McDougle. He becomes an instant starter and fills one of their few needs, TE L.J. Smith was a nice selection in round 2 to compliment Chad Lewis and eventually replace him. Took a chance in round 4 on the “other” Miami DE Jamaal Green, who actually led the “canes in sacks last year with nine. Fine draft for a team that did not need a whole lot.

Pittsburgh Steelers: C

Traded up in round 1 to nab the player they truly coveted: USC S Troy Polamalu. Steelers lack of playmaking in the secondary was one of the few reasons they did not make the Super Bowl. Could end up being the final piece of the puzzle for them. Got a nice edge rusher in round 2 in Florida St. DE Alonzo Jackson. Remaining picks were not noteworthy.

San Diego Chargers: B-minus

Really focused on upgrading the secondary and did a decent job with it. CB’s Sammy Davis and Drayton Florence were acquired in rounds 1 and 2 and S’s Terrence Kiel and Hank Milligan in rounds 2 and 6. They should be better because of it and definitely now have more options. Did they have to take a punter from Western Illinois in the fifth round?

St. Louis Rams: B+

With 11 picks, you would think they got a few decent players, right? It matters not that DT Jimmy Kennedy was not a “need” pick. He is arguably a top-5 talent that the Rams were able to nab at #12. Second round OLB Pisa Tinoisamoa will add speed and versatility to the LB unit and third-round WR Kevin Curtis could be the replacement for Az-Hakim that they have been searching for. Second-day CB’ DeJuan Groce of Nebraska, Shane Walton of Notre Dame, and Kevin Garrett of Southern Methodist all look like players.

San Francisco 49ers: A

Great draft. Every pick filled a need and was a good value at the spot taken. Getting WR Brandon Lloyd in round 4 and TE Aaron Walker in round 5 were big-time coups. They got anchors for the offensive line—T Kwame Harris – and defensive line-T Anthony Adams- in rounds 1 and 2 and just kept on making excellent selections. QB Ken Dorsey is an intriguing prospect but was taken in round 7 so the risk is diminished.

Seattle Seahawks: A

You can tell Mike Homlgren had some help this year, and new GM Bob Ferguson did not disappoint. Day one produced CB Marcus Trufant of Washington State, S Ken Hamlin of Arkansas, and OT Wayne Hunter of Hawaii. All are solid choices that should contribute quickly. Day one momentum was not lost on Day 2 as QB/Athlete Seneca Wallace was added as well as tough ILB Solomon Bates of Arizona State. Almost helps you forget the second-round drafting of Anton Palepoi last year, doesn’t it? Almost?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A+

Why an A+? Their first-round pick turned out to be Head Coach Jon Gruden who led them to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII. Even if they did not make a pick in this draft, Gruden alone would merit an A+ grade. AS it is, second round choice DE DeWayne White from Louisville was a great value pick a #64 overall. Drafting QB Chris Simms at the end of day one was an interesting move that could pay dividends down the line. Sixth-round CB Torrie Cox of Pittsburgh is a player.

Tennessee Titans: A-minus

Another team that got very good value with each pick. CB Andre Woolfolk in round 1 is an athletic player with a ton of upside. WR Tyrone Calico was pegged by many to the Titans in round 1 but they were still able to get him in round 2. RB Chris Brown represents a quality productive player who can someday supplant Eddie George. All fourth round pick Rien Long did last year was win the Outland trophy as the nation’s top lineman.

Washington Redskins: D

Gave up most of their draft to sign all the New York Jets free agents. WR Taylor Jacobs of Florida (imagine that) was their first pick at #44 overall in round 2. He is a very nice receiver but one wonders where he fits on the Redskins. G Derrick Dockery is a huge man who will add depth to the interior line. Seventh round QB Gibran Hamdan was a wasted pick as he could easily have been brought to camp as a free agent.