The two most important days in an NFL fan’s life — following the Super Bowl, of course — have come and gone. But the talk and analysis that have resulted will continue for weeks. Everyone will discuss who “won” and who “reached,” or “lost,” despite none of the players having played a down in the NFL.

But that’s okay; it’s our turn to analyze what happened. Hey, leave your own analysis if you want — this is more than just reporting the news. The draft was meant to cause a stir and discussion, so have at it. Don’t like what I think? Tell me. Like it? Tell me that too; it’s nice to hear an encouraging word every now and then.

Denver Broncos — The Broncos knew they wanted to improve on a defense that struggled to create a rush on opposing quarterbacks last season. And they went at it right away in the first round, trading a first, third, and sixth round pick to move up to 17th overall and draft defensive end Jarvis Moss. Moss is a speed rush end who Mel Kiper Jr. has already projected to create 10-12 sacks his rookie year (from SportsCenter). His presence will be felt and the Broncos defense is looking more and more like a title contender.

But trading away those picks also left the Broncos with a mere 4 total draft choices which they continued to use in hopes of improving the defensive line. The only pick not used on the defensive line was used on Notre Dame tackle Ryan Harris in the third round. Harris is is a top 10 offensive lineman, though he is uncharacteristically big for Denver — 6′5, 305 — a team that rarely has a lineman who breaks the 300 mark on a scale.

Who’d they take?

1. Jarvis Moss; Florida, Defensive End

2. Tim Crowder; Texas, Defensive End

3. Ryan Harris; Notre Dame, Tackle

4. Marcus Thomas; Florida, Defensive Tackle

How’d they do? They fulfilled their needs on the defensive line and added an end who will make an immediate impact. Unfortunately, they were left with only 4 total draft picks. Grade: B+

Oakland Raiders — The Raiders entered the draft with more questions and answers. Fans everywhere debated over Oakland would take with the first overall draft choice, with answers going back and forth between LSU’s JaMarcus Russell and Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson. Would they select the best player in the draft? or fill the quarterback position with someone who has enormous potential?

In the end the team settled on Russell, wisely. He should have an impact and Al Davis will love him for his cannon arm. The Raiders also traded troubled wide receiver Randy Moss to New England for a fourth round draft choice. In the end, Oakland walked away after drafting 12 players, 5 of which were drafted on day one. They also walked away with a potential steal in Michael Bush in the fourth round. Bush was a first round talent if he would have played last season, but, as always, injuries are a concern.

Who’d they take?

1. JaMarcus Russell; LSU, Quarterback

2. Zach Miller; Arizona State, Tight End

3. Quentin Moses; Georgia, Defensive End

3. Mario Henderson; Florida State, Tackle

3. Johnnie Higgins; Texas-El Paso, Wide Receiver

4. Michael Bush; Louisville, Running Back

4. John Bowie; Cincinnati, Cornerback

4. Kareem Brown; Miami, Defensive Lineman

5. Jay Richardson; Ohio State, Defensive End

5. Eric Frampton; Washington State, Safety

6. Oren O’Neal; Arkansas State, Fullback

7. Johnathan Holland; Louisiana Tech, Wide Receiver

How’d they do? They were smart to take Russell first overall and Michael Bush could prove to be a great 4th round pick. Al Davis thinks that Zach Miller was the best tight end in the draft, and he may be right. Aside from that, more picks does not mean great picks. Grade: B-

San Diego Chargers — The Chargers entered the draft and everyone though that running back Michael Turner was going to be dealt. But the days came and went and Turner is still on the roster — evidently to stay — while the Chargers did their best to provide quarterback Philip Rivers with a receiver not named “Gates” — the team drafted LSU’s Craig Davis in the first round and Boise State’s Legedu Naanee in the fifth. Davis may have been a bit of a reach with Steve Smith still on the board, but he has the potential to become a sold NFL receiver.

Outside of receivers, the Chargers distributed their choices on both offense and defense, trying to fill holes at linebacker and safety. Drafting Eric Weddle in the second round will hopefully fill the latter of the two. And in the third and seventh rounds the team tried to address its need for depth and playmakers linebacker with Anthony Waters — a player projected by several sources to be the 10-12th best in the draft — and Brandon Siler.

Who’d they take?

1. Craig Davis; LSU, Wide Receiver

2. Eric Weddle; Utah, Safety

3. Anthony Waters; Clemson, Linebacker

4. Scott Chandler; Iowa, Tight End

5. Legedu Naanee; Boise State, Wide Receiver

7. Brandon Siler; Florida, Linebacker

How’d they do? Davis will give Rivers a target at wide receiver he sorely needs while the Waters in the third may have been a reach. Weddle can help add depth to the safety position. Grade: C

Kansas City Chiefs — The Chiefs entered the draft with needs at wide receiver, defensive tackle, and cornerback. They definitely made a push to fix the first two, but continue to delay the inevitable at corner; both Ty Law and Patrick Surtain are nearing the ends of their careers. To address the needs at wide receiver and defensive tackle, however, the Chiefs used their first three draft choices with that sole purpose.

In the first round Kansas City took wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, a player who will make an immediate impact. He is an effective player, someone who will develop in the Chiefs offense that “features” Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker. Then, in the second and third rounds they drafted two defensive tackles, Tennessee’s Claude McBride and NC State’s Tank Tyler. Both players will fight for the position, and they could push the Chiefs over the edge to becoming one of the better defenses — top 10? — in the league.

Who’d they take?

1. Dwayne Bowe; LSU, Wide Receiver

2. Claude McBride; Tennessee, Defensive Tackle

3. Tank Tyler; North Carolina State, Defensive Tackle

5. Kolby Smith; Louisville, Running Back

5. Justin Medlock; UCLA, Kicker

6. Herb Taylor; TCU, Tackle

7. Michael Allan; Whitworth, Tight End

How’d they do? Taking a wide receiver in the first made sense, but the team could have used the pick to take cornerback Chris Houston and taken a wide receiver in the second round. And even if they had used their first three picks as they did, it would not have hurt to draft a corner, if only for added depth. Grade: C-

Agree? Disagree? Hey, leave it in the comment box!

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