Draft classes can't meaningfully be evaluated until the players picked have spent at least three seasons in the league. But we can apply what we know about their skill sets and the systems of the teams they're joining, and arrive at an early grade. Here are the NFC teams. Gregg Rosenthal already nailed down the AFC.

Arizona Cardinals
Grade: B

The Cards wanted a speed complement for Tim Hightower at No. 31 and did better than they ever could've imagined. Chris Wells, who cracked 4.4 at Pro Day, is Ken Whisenhunt's new Jerome Bettis. UConn DE Cody Brown was a reach at No. 63, but could push to start at outside linebacker when Chike Okeafor's contract expires in 2010. Rashad Johnson, who learned under Nick Saban at Alabama, is a pro-ready free safety and LSU G/T Herman Johnson was a value pick in round five. Small-school CB Greg Toler is a project, though, and 5'7/180-pound RB LaRod Stephens-Howling is unlikely to have a career. Most importantly, Anquan Boldin is still a Cardinal.

Atlanta Falcons
Grade: C-

GM Thomas Dimitroff addressed needs with DT Peria Jerry in round one and SS William Moore in the second. But Moore wasn't the best player available at No. 55, and Atlanta still has a weakness at outside linebacker. San Jose State CB Christopher Owens won't challenge hard for Chris Houston or Chevis Jackson's starting jobs, and CB William Middleton is even less ready to play out of Furman. While Lawrence Sidbury can rush the passer and was a value in the fourth, UNC's Garrett Reynolds is limited to right tackle and Georgia Tech DT Vance Walker lacks the athleticism for Atlanta's one-gap scheme. It's hard to knock Dimitroff after his outstanding first season at the Falcons' helm, but this draft was unimpressive on paper.

Carolina Panthers
Grade: D+

Carolina surrendered its 2010 first-round pick to trade up for DE Everette Brown. A similar move paid off with Jeff Otah last year and Brown was a top-20 talent, but GM Marty Hurney gave up too much. Brown only projects as a third-down rusher in the Panthers' 4-3 scheme. The team plans to use Sherrod Martin at nickel corner, where he'll be stretched after playing mostly safety at Troy. Other than his size, there's little to like about Georgia DT Corvey Irvin. That pick proved that Carolina underestimated its interior defensive line need. RB Mike Goodson was a luxury selection at No. 111 and G Duke Robinson has a history of weight issues. CB Captain Munnerlyn is too small and slow to be an NFL player for long.

Chicago Bears
Grade: B+

The Bears traded their first-round pick for Jay Cutler and moved out of round two after Cleveland took Brian Robiskie. GM Jerry Angelo went on a tear with his next four picks, landing four straight dynamic talents. DT Jarron Gilbert was easily the best player drafted on day two and WR Juaquin Iglesias is a pro-ready route runner. RB-turned-DE Henry Melton possesses rare athleticism and upside. CB D.J. Moore's lack of elite speed is less of a problem in Chicago's Cover 2 defense. The Bears won't count on much from late-rounders Derek Kinder, Al Afalava, or Lance Louis, but Ohio State LB Marcus Freeman is the perfect backup for Lance Briggs and WR Johnny Knox has speed to burn.

Dallas Cowboys
Grade: D

After trading out of its only first-day pick, Dallas focused on upgrading at linebacker. Fast but undersized small-schooler Jason Willliams isn't a great fit for a 3-4 scheme and Texas Tech DE Brandon Williams, who the Cowboys will try at outside 'backer, lacks the up-field burst for the transition. DeAngelo Smith is a fine free safety prospect, but using him there would force Ken Hamlin to strong safety, where Hamlin's poor tackling would be a liability. Nick Folk is already an excellent field-goal kicker; David Buehler was a wasted pick. Stephen McGee was never a good college QB; why would he succeed in the pros? Getting gifted press corner Mike Mickens in the seventh kept this draft from getting an F, even when factoring in the Roy Williams trade.

Detroit Lions
Grade: C

The Lions overpaid for Matthew Stafford, but got three players on day one that will start for a long time. TE Brandon Pettigrew is a huge upgrade over incumbent Michael Gaines. Louis Delmas, a prototypical free safety, was Detroit's best value pick. WR Derrick Williams will immediately push Ronald Curry for snaps in the slot. DeAndre Levy isn't an option to replace Cody Spencer at middle linebacker, however, and GM Martin Mayhew seemed to throw in the towel after nose tackle prospect Sammie Lee Hill. OLB Zack Follett and RB Aaron Brown will only help on special teams, Lydon Murtha is too stiff to play left tackle and too soft to play right tackle, and TE Dan Gronkowski's game lacks pizzazz in all areas.

Green Bay Packers
Grade: B-

GM Ted Thompson put need ahead of his usual best player available approach, but it paid off on day one. While Michael Crabtree was atop Green Bay's board at No. 9, B.J. Raji is still a top-five talent and offered much better value for a team changing to a 3-4 defense. Raji never should've gotten by Kansas City, Cleveland, or Oakland. Clay Matthews had the best 10-yard split of any rush linebacker prospect at the Combine and will threaten for the team lead in sacks right away. However, T.J. Lang is too developmental and small to solve the Packers' right tackle woes, and they didn't need another fullback behind Korey Hall and John Kuhn, but still took Quinn Johnson. Johnson offers nothing as a receiver or ball carrier. South Carolina OT Jamon Meredith will probably be tried at guard initially. S/CB Brandon Underwood and LB Brad Jones were strictly special teams selections.

Minnesota Vikings
Grade: A-

Percy Harvin's character concerns aside, Minnesota couldn't have done much better on the first day. The Vikes were targeting Phil Loadholt as early as No. 22, so getting him at 54 was outstanding value. He and Harvin both will make sizable first-year impacts. Georgia CB Asher Allen needed another year in school, but offers starting potential down the road. He plays with swagger and protects the team in case Antoine Winfield exits after his 2009 contract year. Jasper Brinkley might have been the hardest-hitting linebacker in the draft and will produce on special teams. S Jamarca Sanford probably won't make the roster, but the Vikings continue to draft well and appear headed for Super Bowl contention.

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