5 Winners and Losers of the NFL Draft, Day 1

The first and second rounds of the NFL Draft came to a close earlier tonight, so who can be proclaimed the "winners" and "losers" of today's selections?

The draft is not by any means an exact science, but the first couple days are the days where prospects' roles and futures can best be projected.

5 Winners:

1. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor at #2 overall, James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State at #35 Overall.

Funny thing about this team's selections is, this is what I saw as the Lions' ideal first two picks. The Rams went about building a franchise the right way, replacing their Hall of Fame LT Orlando Pace, who was cut as a cap casualty, with the best LT prospect in this draft. Smith should be a constant on their line, and while a HOF career can't be promised, a solid career is the most a GM can realistically ask for.

And that's exactly what Laurinaitis will do as well. The Rams got a leader for their defense at MLB, and he's a very versatile linebacker, who is above average in pass coverage and good against the run. He will be a constant on this team for a decade or more. This is unquestionably the best draft in my opinion.

2. Atlanta Falcons: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss at #24 overall, William Moore, S, Missouri at #55 overall.

These picks aren't flashy by any means, but they fill two pressing needs. Arizona did them in last year by running it down their throats and then going over the top to Larry Fitzgerald. Jerry should help fortify the 25th best run defense they sported last year. Their current DTs are more pass rushers than run stoppers, so great move here. William Moore was rated across the board as the best safety in this class, even after a disappointing senior season, yet he is the 5th off the board. Moore is an outstanding athlete at 6'1" 230, who has the capability to be a hard-hitting SS that drops back in zone coverage well. Atlanta's new regime really has a good thing going, and is making Atlanta into an NFL power slowly but surely.

#3. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College at #9 overall, Clay Matthews, OLB, USC, at #26 overall.

B.J. Raji at #9 is a great pick because he will slide in to nose tackle and be consistent there for the Packers. Them switching to a 3-4 this year would have worked on the surface, but they don't have depth to support it, so Raji helps there, and will push Ryan Pickett to the bench fairly quickly. Trading up for Clay Matthews was brilliant. He'll be a great pass rusher, and should start right away at ROLB for them, providing a valid pass rushing option opposite Aaron Kampman.

#4. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State at #14 overall.

The Saints may only have had one pick, but it was a great one. The widely projected pick here,
Jenkins gives needed help to the secondary the Saints keep attempting to upgrade but fail to. Jenkins projects as a great playmaker in the secondary, likely at Free Safety, but he could work as a man to man corner as well. He and Laurinaitis both suffered when they went back to school and experts over-analyzed them to hell and back. They're both underrated and going to be solid players.

#5. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech at #10 overall.

This was a great pick, the 49ers' receivers are god awful and Crabtree will immediately be the best receiver on their roster. He fell because of concerns over his speed, and his ankle injury (which he revealed right after the draft is healed). Jerry Rice will be in the 49ers headquarters each day without a doubt, coaching up Crabtree on the finer points of playing WR. Crabtree landed in the perfect situation to develop even further.

5 Losers:

#1. Oakland Raiders: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland at #7 overall, Michael Mitchell, S, Ohio at #47 overall.

Both picks are typical Al Davis. Athletic freaks with speed and size are all he ever considers concerning draft prospects and he showed it here. Michael Crabtree, a great WR prospect, was passed up on by the Raiders here for a WR with more speed but underwhelming performance on the field. Michael Mitchell was a mid to late round pick at safety and a complete reach here because, shocker, he was the best athlete at safety! The Raiders really are doomed to failure as long as Al Davis is running the show.

#2. Houston Texans: Brian Cushing, OLB, USC at #15 overall, Connor Barwin, DE, Cincinnati, #46 overall.

Cushing is a good linebacker, but not in the 4-3 in my opinion. Cushing's strength is pass-rushing and he looks like more of a defensive end than a linebacker. Unfortunately, he just doesn't have the skill set to succeed there. He'll be a decent pro, but not good enough to justify the 15th pick. Barwin is another DE/OLB tweener which is curious. Taking two OLB/DE tweeners consecutively was not a need for the Texans. They should have looked to acquire another WR or defensive back at 46 in my opinion. Barwin's a better pass rusher but is weaker than Cushing so he can only really play on 3rd downs.

#3. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU, at #3 overall.

Jackson was a reach here, he wasn't even one of the ten best players available. Does that mean he won't be a solid pro? Not at all, because I believe he'll have a good career, but 3-4 DEs simply do not merit 9 to 10 million a year, which his contract will likely entail. They traded their 2nd for Cassel, and if they really are considering the rumored contract of 36 million guaranteed for Cassel, then the trade goes from okay to horrible. They failed to improve the OL through any means this offseason or in the draft thus far, they really needed Eugene Monroe more than Tyson Jackson.

#4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State at #17 overall.

Josh Freeman is a complete reach here, if he had gone in the 2nd round at this same spot it would have been a decent pick. Freeman is either going to be a star or a complete bust, and I don't ever see him producing well at the NFL-level. He's inaccurate and inconsistent, which are not qualities of a great face of a franchise. Not the best move by Tampa here.

#5. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Maybin, DE, PSU at #11 overall, Eric Wood, C, Louisville at #28 overall, Jairus Byrd, CB, Oregon at #42 overall, Andy Levitre, OL, Oregon at #51 overall.

They sure got quantity but I don't see them filling many needs here. Wood wasn't a horrible pick but they really needed a tackle to replace Jason Peters in the draft and didn't take one. Aaron Maybin just looks like a bust, he is undersized and ran a 4.88 at the combine when athleticism was supposed to be his strong suit. Maybin is simply not a good defensive end. Jairus Byrd is a cornerback they didn't need, they keep drafting secondary players every year when that is really the only complete strength on their team. The Bills better hope T.O. helps a lot, because it doesn't look like their first day of the draft helped much.