NFL Draft 2012: NFC West First-Round Draft Grades

With the first-round being complete, we take a look back at the picks made and hand out draft grades for each team’s first-round performance. Let’s take a look at the NFC West.

Arizona Cardinals:
Pick: Michael Floyd
Grade: B+

Floyd presents a top-notch receiving option opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was campaigning for the Cardinals to draft Floyd, so he could have some help in the receiving game. This pick really came as no surprise. In my eyes, Floyd is a better long-term prospect than Justin Blackmon, who the Jaguars traded up to get. The Cardinals got this one right.

St. Louis Rams:
Pick: Michael Brockers
Grade: A-

You have to love what the St. Louis Rams did on day one. They were involved in multiple trades back and were able to pick up additional picks in the second through fourth-rounds, which is were the best value is in this year’s draft. After trading back, the Rams were still able to get a dynamic defensive lineman to fill an immediate need.

Seattle Seahawks:
Pick: Bruce Irvin
Grade: C

I am not saying that Bruce Irvin can’t develop into an exceptional player in the NFL, but making him the fifteenth pick in the draft was a reach. Irvin likely would have still been on the board in the second-round. When guys like Ingram, Chandler Jones, Whitney Mercilus and other top defensive prospects are on the board, you should not reach for a player with character issues. But to be fair, Irvin is an exceptional player if he lives up to his potential.

San Francisco 49ers:
Pick: A.J. Jenkins
Grade: F

Jenkins has talent, but the 49ers should not have passed on Rueben Randle or Stephen Hill if they were going to take a wide receiver in round one. Ideally, the 49ers would have liked to trade back, but they were unable to do so. You can’t blame a team for taking the top guy on their board, but it’s hard to deny that this was a reach.

To stay up to date on the latest from NFL Spin Zone, become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.