An Embarrassment of Riches: The Good Teams That Just Got a Whole Lot Better in This Year’s Draft
Dorian “The Trashman” Colbert, Rosterwatch.com

In this year’s draft, the rich just seem to get richer, as the Best GMs in the league proved themselves time and time again, setting themselves and their teams apart from the rest of the pack. Time will ultimately tell whether their picks will pan out as predicted, but so far, these are the contenders that only improved their chances by making excellent draft selections:

Green Bay Packers: GM Ted Thompson picked up where he left off last year, and every year before that, and continued to dominate the NFL draft. First pick DE Datone Jones gives them an inside rushing presence that they have lacked, but it’s the running back tandem of Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin that was really special. Arguably the best two backs in the draft, both of them will now compete for playing time in an already spectacular offense. WR Charles Johnson is also an addition that could help the Packers resume their role as NFC juggernauts.

San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers had the most picks in the NFL with 13, for this year’s draft, so it makes some sense that they had one of the better drafts in the league. S Eric Reid and TE Vance McDonald could be on the field and contributing immediately. It’s the pass rushing talent that GM Trent Baalke managed to haul in that is so impressive. Pass rushers Tank Carradine and Corey Lemonier, in addition to slew of other potential beasts, should keep San Fran competitive for years to come.

Seattle Seahawks: Top pick Christine Michael is the running back of the future for Seattle, and should get in the mix sooner than later. Tough and sure-handed WR Chris Harper out of Kansas will also make a nice addition to an ever improving receiving corps. By the way, you must include Percy Harvin when considering the Seattle draft grade. And we can’t forget NT Jesse Williams, who should be the literal stop gap as long as his services are required.

Pittsburgh Steelers: True, the Steelers had somewhat of a down year last season, but I’d still consider them perennial contenders for the crown. It looks like they’ll bounce back with a draft that seemed to provide them with all the answers for their roster questions starting with LB Jarvis Jones, who answers a pass rushing need. Running back also got shored up a bit with power back Le’Veon Bell from Michigan State. Goodbye Jonathan Dwyer. And though Mike Wallace will be missed in Pittsburgh,  speedy WR Markus Wheaton should help them quickly forget.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals have to keep up with the Joneses if they want to compete in the AFC North, and they’ve started out well with Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert and quick footed running back Giovani Bernard from North Carolina. They should help lessen Andy Dalton’s dependency on A.J. Green, much to the chagrin of Green’s fantasy owners. They’ve also bolstered their defense with SMU’s Giant Estonian end Margus Hunt, and FS Shawn Williams will also improve a leaky secondary. The Bengals got the biggest steal of the draft in Round 7 when they took RT Reid Fragel of Ohio State.

Houston Texans:  The Texans may have finally found an able compliment to play opposite Andre Johnson in Clemson’s DeAndre Hopkins. In Addition, S D.J. Swearinger  out of South Carolina will be a considerable boon to a secondary that has already been upwardly altered with Ed Reed. The Connor Barwin OLB hole has also been potentially filled by either LSU’s Sam Montgomery or Connecticut’s Trevardo Williams who should fit right in with Wade Phillips’ stout defense.