First of three NFL draft-related posts today. We’ll probably dole out some media grades tomorrow (yes, we recorded the draft, both on ESPN and NFL Network, in hopes of assessing both sets of NFL pundits/draftniks/prognosticators/whatever you wanna call ‘em). What can you read into “winners/losers?” Probably nothing, but the two teams who Mel Kiper gave an ‘A’ to last year – Packers, Jets – both made the playoffs.

This year, nobody truly screwed up, except maybe the Jaguars. But just because 10 draft “pundits” didn’t have Jacksonville’s first-round pick rated that highly, does that mean he won’t pan out? Of course not. The draft has gotten so big that so many “analysts” are always writing about and touting the same players that if a team strays from the pack, it gets low marks.

Tampa Bay.
Two very good defensive tackles – McCoy will start immediately; Price too? – a great target (Benn) for Josh Freeman, and another promising receiver (albeit with some baggage) in Mike Williams. Between three solid RBs, Kellen Winslow and now three pretty-good receivers, the Tampa offense is young and promising. The Bucs should improve on their three wins last year, and .500 isn’t out of the question by 2011.

Baltimore.
Ozzie Newsome is the new … Scott Pioli? The third best scoring defense got younger by adding two All-Americans in the second round (Kindle, Cody). Baltimore could have used a cornerback, but they did snag two as undrafted free agents. Joe Flacco needed a receiver … but the acquisition of Anquan Boldin prior to the draft erased that need. The only other “need” was a tight end who could be the heir apparent to Todd Heap – who is coming off his best year since 2007 – and they got two candidates (Dixon, Pitta).

We’d lump the Ravens with the Jets, Colts, and Chargers among AFC Super Bowl contenders.

Carolina.
Yup, we think Jimmy Clausen could win the starting QB job over Matt Moore. And LSU receiver Brandon LaFell could unseat Dwyane Jarrett for the No. 2 receiver job. Toss in two highly-touted SEC defensive players (Norwood, Hardy) and you’ve got a very strong draft for a team that didn’t have a first round pick. Don’t know if the Panthers will be better than the Saints or Falcons in the NFC South, though. The guess right now is no.

Seattle.
The Seahawks’ first three picks – OL Russell Okung, S Earl Thomas, and WR Golden Tate – all could start the opener. During the draft, the Seahawks acquired two more impact players – a bulldozer of a running back in LenDale White and a return specialist/running back Leon Washingon. Last year the Seahawks didn’t have a punt or kick return for a touchdown. Washington had three in 2008 (he missed all of last season due to injury).

The Seahawks should definitely be better than 5-11 next season. Between the Cardinals not being nearly as formidable, a favorable early schedule (only two of first eight games against playoff teams, and both, against San Diego and Arizona – are in the Northwest), and fulfilling so many needs, we expect Seattle to challenge San Francisco for the NFC West title.

Clueless, or close to it

Jacksonville.
Too obvious. Bizarre first round reach with DT Tyson Alualu. (If you enjoy sifting through mock drafts, try finding one with his name in the first round. In most places, he graded out as the 3rd best at his position.) Then, they took three more defensive linemen (remember, Jacksonville signed Aaron Kampman from Green Bay, too) and traded for Oakland LB Kirk Morrison. Backup for MJD? Nah. Didn’t feel strongly enough to grab a receiver – guess Jack Del Rio thinks Mike Thomas or Troy Williamson could be the Jags’ No. 2. So their draft boils down to this: Was Jacksonville’s 27th-rated pass defense last year terrible, or only terrible because they got no pressure on the QB (league-low 14 sacks)? Del Rio clearly sees the secondary as talented, because he didn’t draft any DBs.

Tough to see the Jaguars anywhere but the cellar in the AFC South next year.