The names fall off the board and become blurs. Positives, negatives, who really knows? For now, they are only names on a piece of paper.

Giving out grades the day after the draft is like grading a student's test on what you think he might do. Because there will always be surprises ... and disappointments.

Touted picks will fail. Late-round choices will succeed, including some you will see this week in transactions as teams sign undrafted players.

But, hey, analyzing this marathon right after it happens is part of the fun.

Looking good

Baltimore Ravens: Who can figure out the Ravens? The common perception was that Baltimore would be forced to trade out of the fourth pick in the first round because of cash problems. Instead, they stayed where they were and wound up with pass-rush standout Peter Boulware. The defense was also helped by the selections of LBs Jamie Sharper (second) and Tyrus McCloud (fourth). If they can figure out whether Kim Herring (third) is a safety or corner, the Ravens will have a player on their hands. RB Jay Graham (third) and FB Steve Lee (sixth), could help the backfield. Hey, the Ravens receive their fair of rips, which they deserve, but this looks to be a solid draft.
Grade: A-minus.

St. Louis Rams: With a cornerstone left tackle in tow, the Rams believe they executed a heist by getting in position to draft Orlando Pace, giving up only third-, fourth- and seventh-round picks. Pace instantly improves a struggling offensive line. Dexter McCleon is a physical, bump-and-run corner that the Rams needed. There are some questions about C Ryan Tucker's off-field troubles, but gambling a No. 4 pick on a competitive lineman is worth it. A steal could be CB Taje Allen, who was challenged often at Texas because he played opposite Bryant Westbrook but held up well.
Grade: A-minus.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs entered the first round with two picks and wanted a running back and receiver. They got both. While there are questions about RB Warrick Dunn's durability, he won't have to carry the ball 20 times a game because of the presence of Mike Alstott. Dunn provides great breakaway ability. WR Reidel Anthony has had some problems with drops, but is still a game-breaking pass-catcher. OT Jerry Wunsch is a solid second-rounder.
Grade: A-minus.

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons made some intriguing selections, even after opening their draft with Nebraska CB Michael Booker. An aggressive, in-your-face corner, Booker should team with free-agent acquisition Ray Buchanan and solidify the team's corners for a long time. RB Byron Hanspard was a steal in the second round, while the tight-end poor Falcons might have hit with O.J. Santiago (third). QB Tony Graziani (seventh) could surprise; the coach who recruited him to Oregon, Rich Brooks, is now Atlanta's defensive coordinator.
Grade: B-plus.

Miami Dolphins: The temptation is to turn cartwheels over the Dolphins' draft because trader Jimmy moved all over the place and finished the two days with 14 players. But how many can play? See you in July. No matter what happens with the second tier of players, however, the first three selections were solid. WR Yatil Green (first) shouldn't have lasted as long as he did, but Miami was happy it happened. He should immediately relegate O.J. McDuffie to where he belongs, the No. 2 receiver. CB Sam Madison (second) is a solid cover man, while DE Jason Taylor (third) should help the pass rush. Most intriguing is LB Derrick Rodgers (fourth), who will turn 26 in October because he was in the Air Force for more than four years before going to junior college and playing football for the first time. Johnson loves his hustle. And you know some of the seven fifth- to seventh-round picks will play. The question is which ones.
Grade: B-plus.

New Orleans Saints: There was some head-scratching when OG Chris Naeole was selected in the first round, but the recent release of Jim Dombrowski left the Saints thin on the line and Naeole is a strong run-blocker, something Mike Ditka wanted. The Saints stole RB Troy Davis on the third round and QB Danny Wuerffel on the fourth. They still need receivers, but Keith Poole (fourth) could be the answer. Always seems to make the big catch, and is simply a player. Grade: B-plus.

Seattle Seahawks: It cost the Seahawks picks in the second, third and fourth rounds, but it was worth it to come away with CB Shawn Springs and OT Walter Jones in the first round. Springs will start from Day One, and Jones has that opportunity despite having only one season as a major-college starter. DB Eric Stokes (fifth) is talented but caught between being a corner or safety.
Grade: B-plus.

A notch below

Arizona Cardinals: Perhaps the player in this draft with the most mixed opinions is Iowa CB Tom Knight, whom the Cardinals selected with the ninth choice of the first round. He has steadily improved since a 1995 knee injury and possesses excellent ability. The success of Arizona's draft will hinge on Knight and QB Jake Plummer, who was nabbed in the second round. A great leader, it won't be long until Plummer is the man behind center in Tempe. Later-round possibilities include WR Chad Carpenter (fifth), a great worker, and DE Mark Smith (seventh), if his knee holds up.
Grade: B.

Buffalo Bills: The Bills are never fancy; they simply know what they want in a draft and usually get it. With RB Thurman Thomas likely entering his final season, Antowain Smith was a sensible first-round pick, especially with the 23rd selection. DE Marcellus Wiley zoomed up the draft lists in the off-season after hardly being noticed at Columbia. Some had him as a first-round pick, so the Bills were happy to land him in the second round. Mammoth OT Jamie Nails (6-6, 387, fourth round) will either be boom or bust. If he booms -- if -- this will be a fine draft by the Bills.
Grade: B.

Carolina Panthers: It didn't take long for the Panthers to jump all over WR Rae Carruth, who somehow slid to the 27th spot in the first round. He is a perfect antidote for a team that needs big-play help at receiver. He just needs to work on his propensity to drop passes. DB Mike Minter was a solid second-round pick, whether he ends up at corner or safety. LB Tarek Saleh is a competitor who could be a fourth-round steal. TE Kris Mangum (seventh) will compete for a backup job.
Grade: B.

Houston Oilers: Defensive end was a need, and the Oilers got a good one in Kenny Holmes in the first round. WR Joey Kent (second) should make the passing game better, and a real steal came in the fourth round courtesy of DE Pratt Lyons. OT Scott Sanderson (third) might develop, and some think it will be as a guard.
Grade: B.

Kansas City Chiefs: When the Chiefs signed QB Elvis Grbac, coach Marty Schottenheimer vowed to get players to surround him. Five of their six picks were offensive players, including the first two: TE Tony Gonzalez (first) and WR Kevin Lockett (second). Gonzalez can do it all and should fit well in the Chiefs' West Coast offense. The only concern about Lockett is his size (5-11, 171). He has fine hands, good techniques and would have been a higher pick if he were stronger. QB Pat Barnes (fourth) will learn behind Grbac.
Grade: B.

New York Jets: Only time will tell whether Bill Parcells made the right decision, trading out from the No. 1 pick in the draft. The deal-happy Parcells, however, turned the four picks he received from St. Louis into eight players, making draft-day trades with Tampa Bay and Denver and sending the seventh-round pick he got from the Rams to the Eagles for DT Ronnie Dixon. For the record, the Jets selected LB James Farrior, RB Leon Johnson, WR Dedric Ward, QB Chuck Clements, DT Jason Ferguson and DE Terry Day with picks they either obtained from the Rams or through other trades with those Rams' picks. In addition, they will have a sixth-round pick next year from the Broncos. Farrior might have been taken early at eighth in the first round, but he's a player. And DT Rick Terry was a solid second-round pick.
Grade: B.

Washington Redskins: The Redskins went searching for defense, and they found it. DE Kenard Lang (first round) should be able to help the pass rush. Greg Jones (second) is a tad small to be an every-down defensive end but should help the pass rush. Aggressive LB Derek Smith could be a third-round steal. WR Albert Connell (fourth) could surprise.
Grade: B.

Cincinnati Bengals: There is never a lot of creativity in the Bengals' drafts. They normally stay where they are, eschew trades and just pick players from major schools when it's their turn. This year was no different. With defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and his zone-blitz scheme on board, DE Reinard Wilson (first) could provide the pass rush they need. RB Corey Dillon is probably the most talented back in this draft, but his off-field woes probably hurt him. With Ki-Jana Carter out of shape, the Bengals are worried. C Rod Payne was a solid third-round pick, while S Tremain Mack (fourth) can be a fine player but also has off-field questions. Whether they are answered positively will affect how this draft is eventually viewed.
Grade: B-minus.

Dallas Cowboys: The absence of Jay Novacek was as much a reason as any for the reduced lack of productivity of the Cowboys' offense last season. Eric Bjornson played well when healthy, but he wasn't healthy enough. Thus the trade-up in the first round of the draft and the selection of TE David LaFleur, all 6-7, 279 pounds of him. He's somewhat inconsistent at times, but the Cowboys believe that can be overcome. LB Dexter Coakley (third round) is under 5-10 and 215 pounds but can flat-out play. But can he on this level? If he can, the Cowboys got a steal. DT Antonio Anderson (fourth) has great ability but little intensity. Again, if the Cowboys can get it out of him, Anderson will be a stud.
Grade: B-minus.

New England Patriots: A draft for potential. CB Chris Canty (first) is undersized but talented. DT Brandon Mitchell has super ability but has been very erratic. RB Sedrick Shaw (third) could make David Meggett and his big contract expendable. One player to watch is 6-6, 318-pound OT Ed Ellis, who played at the University of Buffalo. He needs work but has potential.
Grade: B-minus.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers' need for cornerback help was reduced somewhat when free agent Donnell Woolford signed before the draft, but they still went for secondary help in the first round. Chad Scott is a combination cornerback/safety who might be able to play either position. WR Will Blackwell is a consistent pass-catcher who could be important to have if free agent Andre Hastings leaves. DE Rod Manuel (sixth) could develop if he strives to improve.
Grade: B-minus.

Wishin' and hopin'

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts came into this draft with the intent of finding players who could help protect QB Jim Harbaugh. They hope they got them with OTs Tarik Glenn (first round) and Adam Meadows (second). Glenn is huge (355 pounds) and needs to get his weight under control and become consistent. Meadows is tough and smart and might end up a better player than Glenn. A surprise could be CB Delmonico Montgomery (fourth), who has excellent football instincts.
Grade: C-plus.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Shut out in an attempt early in free agency to sign Green Bay's Gilbert Brown, the Jaguars turned to the draft for DT Renaldo Wynn, their first-round pick. He worked out hard, and that helped him become a first-rounder. But is he big enough to play inside? Other questions surround TE Damon Jones (fifth). He has first-round ability but had troubles off the field that scared away teams. If his head's on straight, this will be a steal. Also intriguing is Cornell DT Seth Payne (fourth). Yes, Cornell. Payne added 23 pounds between his junior and senior seasons and is a bona-fide prospect. He's a good, fourth-round gamble.
Grade: C-plus.

Minnesota Vikings: In a linebacker-poor draft, the Vikings were ecstatic when Dwayne Rudd fell to them with the 20th pick in the first round. The Vikings continued to draft for need, but the question is whether they made the right choices. They hope FS Torrian Gray (second) will be insurance in the event Orlando Thomas doesn't recover totally from a knee injury. DE Stalin Colinet (third) has been improving, but it is unknown how well he'll react to the NFL game.
Grade: C-plus.

Philadelphia Eagles: Desperate for a pass-rushing end following the departure of William Fuller to San Diego, the Eagles might have reached for DE Jon Harris. He has excellent potential, but it's questionable whether he should have been a first-round pick. Solid choices followed with the selection of LB James Darling (second) and RB Duce Staley (third). If DT Edward Jasper (sixth) can get in shape and then stay there, this could be a late-round bargain. Most interesting move? Well, QB Ty Detmer is considering a grievance against the team because of a contract squabble, and there was predraft talk of a trade. So, the Eagles picked his brother Koy, a quarterback from Colorado, in the seventh round.
Grade: C-plus.

Chicago Bears: Even if QB Rick Mirer is counted as a first-round pick, the jury is out on this draft because he is unproven. TE John Allred (second) is a good blocker but little else. OG Bob Sapp (third) has been inconsistent. RB Darnell Autry (fourth) might have promise, but where he will play? There are many more questions than answers.
Grade: C.

Denver Broncos: It's tough to grade a draft that produced three, count 'em, three players. That's all the Broncos got from this draft. DE Trevor Pryce, who some believe will play tackle, has ability and should be able to compete for playing time. And Dan Neil (third round), who can play guard or center, is a hard worker with tremendous character. And S Cory Gilliard (fourth) is a big hitter who works out better than he plays. But that's it, there is no more. Not a lot of room for error.
Grade: C.

Green Bay Packers: Nothing to get excited about, but then what do you expect from the Super Bowl champs? OL Ross Verba (first) should provide depth and competition, while the arrival of PK Brett Conway (third) means the departure of Chris Jacke. They did select WR Chris Miller (seventh), who is the cousin of Jets WR Keyshawn Johnson. Miller has no plans to write a book about his rookie year.
Grade: C.

New York Giants: What else is new? The Giants have confounded their fans again. Yes, they need a receiver. But Ike Hilliard with the seventh pick in the first round? Yes, they need a third-down back. But Tiki Barber in the second round? And yes, they need a punter, and Brad Maynard is a good one. But in the third round? Yes, that is Dan Reeves you see smiling.
Grade: C.

Oakland Raiders: I figured it out, I figured it out. Actually, I'm lying. I can't figure it out. So they say DT Chester McGlockton might play some end if first-round pick Darrell Russell isn't ready immediately. And McGlockton might leave after this season as a free agent. Whatever. It's just a gut feeling that says Russell will never be what everyone expects. Repeat after me: Shawn Springs. Oh, well. At least, the Raiders got OG Tim Kohn (third) and Chad Levitt (fourth) in time for Passover.
Grade: C.

San Diego Chargers: Does Bobby Beathard think the Chargers are moving to Division II this season? After picking TE Freddie Jones (second round, North Carolina), Beathard selected two players each from North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State, along with one from Portland State, Cal State Sacramento and Air Force. Jones was a solid pick for a team that has a need there. OT Raleigh Roundtree (fourth) needs time but has potential, while C Daniel Palmer (sixth, Air Force) probably won't play until 1998.
Grade: C.

San Francisco 49ers: Does QB Jim Druckenmiller fit the 49ers' system? Time will tell. They believe he was the best in the draft and will eventually replace Steve Young. FB Marc Edwards (second) should develop into a solid player, along with TE Greg Clark (third). After those players, the 49ers ... that's right, they had no more picks. It's feast or famine with this trio.
Grade: C.

Howard Balzer is a writer for the Pro Sports Xchange.