Line of Scrimmage: NFL Draft Grades - Part I - The NFC
Posted: Sun Apr 27 11:40 PM
*** Line of Scrimmage: NFL Draft Grades - Part I - The NFC *** By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Way to go, NFL.
Your never-ending quest to make the Draft must-see television for fans of the league inspired a reduction of the time between picks this season.
It worked, so bravo. In 2007, the first round took over six hours. In 2008, it took less time for the first two rounds to unfold, thus upping the entertainment value of the streamlined "first day" by leaps and bounds.
You see, contrary to ESPN's belief, the two-day event known as the "selection meeting" isn't about the network and its ability to fill 15 minutes between picks (The NFL Network's coverage and analysis is light years better than the worldwide leader's, by the way). Folks who tune in to the Draft want to witness less of Keyshawn and Mel's screaming about team needs and more actual players coming off the board.
In all, 252 selections went off that board during the Draft's two days, from Jake Long at No. 1 to Mr. Irrelevant, Idaho linebacker David Vobora, at No. 252.
Below we take a look at those selections and the 2008 draft output of the 16 teams of the NFC, highlighting the ramifications of their two-day haul and assigning grades for their efforts:
(AFC grades can be found at this link:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page= nfl/news/news.aspx?id=4147038
)
NFC EAST
Dallas
1 - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (5-10, 207); 1 - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-10, 197); 2 - Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M (6-6, 259); 4 - Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech (5-10, 215); 5 - Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State (5-11, 192); 6 - Erik Walden, OLB, Middle Tennessee (6-2, 237)
Analysis: The Cowboys filled needs with their two first-round picks, locating a complement to Marion Barber in speedy running back Jones, then swapping picks with Seattle to take cornerback Jenkins at No. 25. Jenkins has questionable character that affected his draft status (which means he should fit in great on a team with Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson), but is physically gifted. The choice of Bennett was a surprise given the presence of Jason Witten on the roster and Dallas' need at receiver, which went begging. Hard to determine where Choice fits in on this team as well. The Cowboys are apparently happy with Brad Johnson (40 years old this September) as their backup quarterback, and added zero depth the offensive and defensive lines.
Bottom Line: Two backup running backs? A reserve tight end? A cornerback with questionable heart? It all adds up to the most head-scratching Draft of the bunch.
Grade: D
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N.Y. Giants
1 - Kenny Phillips S, Miami-Florida (6-2, 212); 2 - Terrell Thomas, CB, USC (6-0, 202); 3 - Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan (6-0, 181); 4 - Bryan Kehl, LB, BYU (6-2, 237); 5 - Jonathan Goff, ILB, Vanderbilt (6-2, 245); 6 - Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky (6-4, 229); 6 - Robert Henderson, DE, Southern Miss (6-3, 278)
Analysis: The Giants' biggest area of need was in the secondary, and they can breathe much easier after selecting Phillips and Thomas on the first day. Phillips should compete for a starting job, while the smart Thomas looks like more of a nickel candidate at this stage. Manningham has had both his skills and character lamented more than any other player in the Draft, and will be a player to watch both on and off the field. Kehl and Goff offer linebacking depth. The selection of Woodson likely means that David Carr and Jared Lorenzen are battling for one job behind Eli Manning. Henderson was a reach that will have trouble making the team, and the Giants might have been better off with an interior line candidate in that spot. The absence of offensive linemen in this Draft makes it critical that the New York line stay healthy linemen in this Draft makes it critical that the New York line stay healthy throughout 2008.
Bottom Line: The champs addressed their major needs in the secondary, and otherwise acquitted themselves well by selecting value.
Grade: A-
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Philadelphia
2 - Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame (6-6, 304); 2 - DeSean Jackson, WR, California (5-10, 169); 3 - Bryan Smith, DE/OLB, McNeese State (6-2, 231); 4 - Mike McGlynn, OL, Pittsburgh (6-4, 311); 4 - Quintin Demps, S, UTEP (6-0, 206); 4 - Jack Ikegwonu, CB, Wisconsin (5-10, 194); 6 - Mike Gibson, T, California (6-3, 306); 6 - Joe Mays, LB, North Dakota State (5-11, 245); 6 - Andy Studebaker, DE, Wheaton (6-3, 251); 7 - King Dunlap, T, Auburn (6-8, 310)
Analysis: The Eagles traded out of the first round for the second straight year, something of a surprise when considering that there were several capable offensive line, safety, and wide receiver candidates available at No. 19. The Birds' first pick, Laws, will back Mike Patterson in the team's defensive tackle rotation. Jackson could be a steal for Philly at No. 49, especially when considering his abilities in the return game, though his attitude is a question mark. Ikegwonu (who might not play in 2008 due to a knee injury and/or a burglary charge) is another high-risk, potentially high-reward choice. The second day started with a whimper as the team brought in yet another situational pass rusher in Smith, but the versatile McGlynn was a more prudent choice. Demps is a reach who shies away from contact. Of the final four selections, the most interesting is Dunlap, who fell to the seventh after being projected by some in the fourth-round zone.
Bottom Line: Not a lot to get excited about for Eagles fans, who must also be concerned over the maturity of Jackson and Ikegwonu.
Grade: C-
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Washington Washington
2 - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State (6-2, 216); 2 - Fred Davis, TE, USC (6-3, 255); 2 - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma (6-4, 224); 3 - Chad Rinehart, G, Northern Iowa (6-5, 320); 4 - Justin Tryon, CB, Arizona State (5-9, 181); 6 - Durant Brooks, P, Georgia Tech (6-0. 204); 6 - Kareem Moore, S, Nicholls State (5-10, 213); 6 - Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii (6-2, 207); 7 - Rob Jackson, DE, Kansas State (6-3, 257); 7 - Chris Horton, S, UCLA (6-0, 212)
Analysis: The Redskins traded out of the first round and still managed to transform their offensive overnight. Wideouts Thomas and Kelly were viewed by many as the top two wideout talents in the draft, and Davis was rated among the best tight ends. Washington lucked out in getting all three, though it's not exactly clear how Davis fits in on a team with Chris Cooley firmly entrenched at tight end. Rinehart, Tryon, Moore, and Horton will both get an early opportunity to contribute for a team that needed o-line and secondary depth. Brooks was the only punter chosen in the Draft and won't have much competition in his quest to make the club. Brennan, on the other hand, doesn't look like a pro quarterback and is a long shot to make the squad. The biggest complaint about this Draft is that next-to-nothing was done to strengthen a defensive front seven that could be described as both average and aging.
Bottom Line: The organization is serious about making the west coast offense work, and that's a good first sign for Jim Zorn.
Grade: B+
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NFC SOUTH
Atlanta
1 - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (6-5, 228); 1 - Sam Baker, T, USC (6-5, 309); 2 - Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma (6-0, 243); 3 - Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU (6-0, 192); 3 - Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville (5-11, 177); 3 - Thomas DeCoud, S, California (6-1, 207); 5 - Robert James, LB, Arizona State (5-11, 226); 5 - Kroy Biermann, OLB, Montana (6-3, 246); 6 - Thomas Brown, RB, Georgia (5-8, 201); 7 - Wilrey Fontenot, CB, Arizona (5-9, 179); 7 - Keith Zinger, TE, LSU (6-4, 270)
Analysis: The Falcons turned the page on the Michael Vick era in choosing Ryan, a great leader who will command the respect of his teammates. Look for Ryan to start from day one. Atlanta traded up to the No. 21 spot and reached for Baker, who has struggled with injuries and is more of a pass blocker than a run blocker. Lofton, viewed by some as the best inside linebacker in the Draft, rounded out the Falcons' first day picks. Of the eight remaining selections for Atlanta, three were from the secondary and two the linebacking corps, a tip-off of the manner in which new head coach Mike Smith will revamp the defense. Douglas is slight of build and could have trouble cracking the wideout corps, while local favorite Brown is a No. 3 running back candidate behind Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. Zinger was a reach who was likely surprised to be drafted.
Bottom Line: Club made two terrific picks in Ryan and Lofton, and was otherwise a little hit-or-miss the rest of the way.
Grade: B-
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Carolina
1 - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon (5-10, 235); 1 - Jeff Otah, T, Pittsburgh (6-6, 322); 3 - Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa (6-0, 207); 3 - Dan Connor, LB, Penn State (6-2, 231); 5 - Gary Barnidge, TE, Louisville (6-6, 243); 6 - Nick Hayden, DT, Wisconsin (6-4, 291); 7 - Hilee Taylor, OLB/DE, North Carolina (6-2, 244); 7 - Geoff Schwartz, T, Oregon (6-6, 331); 7 - Mackenzy Bernadeau, G, Bentley (6-4, 306)
Analysis: It wasn't a major surprise that Carolina targeted a first-round running back for the second time in three years (DeAngelo Williams), but the fact that Stewart went ahead of Felix Jones and Rashard Mendenhall was surprising to some. The Panthers then dealt with the Eagles to move into the No. 19 slot, and drafted their potential franchise left tackle in Otah. Godfrey was a solid choice who should be ready to play from day one, and Connor, who some believed to have first-round talent, may have been the steal of the third round. Surprisingly, Carolina did not draft a quarterback, which is a roll of the dice given Jake Delhomme's return from injury. The Panthers also failed to find another pass rusher, meaning Julius Peppers' dismal 2007 better have been an aberration.
Bottom Line: Two big problems last year were quarterback and pass rush, and neither was addressed in this Draft.
Grade: C+
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New Orleans
1 - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (6-0, 309); 2 - Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana (5-11, 1 - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (6-0, 309); 2 - Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana (5-11, 188); 5 - DeMario Presley, DT, North Carolina State (6-3, 299); 5 - Carl Nicks, T, Nebraska (6-5, 341); 6 - Taylor Mehlhaff, K, Wisconsin (5-10, 183); 7 - Adrian Arrington, WR, Michigan (6-3, 202) 7 - Adrian Arrington, WR, Michigan (6-3, 202)
Analysis: The Saints weren't able to move up to draft Glenn Dorsey, but got a pretty solid consolation prize when they traded up into the No. 7 spot to draft Ellis. Ellis is a versatile interior presence who will start right away for New Orleans. The athletic Porter will also be needed immediately for a team that is thin at corner, but there is some question about his toughness. The Saints took some big chances on the second day. Nicks and Arrington both have character issues, there are questions about Presley's desire and work ethic, and New Orleans made Mehlhaff the first kicker taken in the Draft despite the fact that many scouts regard him as purely a kickoff specialist. The Saints came out of the Draft still in need of another pass rushing threat and offensive line depth.
Bottom Line: Ellis was a great selection, but there isn't a whole lot to get excited about thereafter. excited about thereafter.
Grade: C
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Tampa Bay
1 - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas (6-1, 197); 2 - Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State (5-9, 182); 3 - Jeremy Zuttah, OL, Rutgers (6-3, 303); 4 - Dre Moore, DT, Maryland (6-4, 305); 5 - Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego (6-3, 213); 6 - Geno Hayes, LB, Florida State (6-1, 226); 7 - Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina (6-1, 213)
Analysis: The Buccaneers did not make a rumored trade with Philadelphia for Lito Sheppard, instead addressing their cornerback need with the high risk- high reward Talib in the first round. Tampa Bay made another questionable pick in its haste to enhance the wide receiving corps, as Jackson is a small speedster who few felt would come off the board on the first day. Zuttah and Moore, who will both have a chance to play in the trenches from the get-go, were safer choices. Hayes, a value pick who some had projected in the third- were safer choices. Hayes, a value pick who some had projected in the third- round range, should also stick. Most feel that Johnson will eventually become an NFL starter, but can Tampa Bay afford to cut one of its many veteran quarterbacks in order to keep him on the roster? Boyd is practice squad material at best. The Bucs did not bolster their pass rushing group, which some felt would happen due to the club's reported flirtation with Jason Taylor.
Bottom Line: Talib and Jackson are interesting prospects, but both have major bust potential.
Grade: C+
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NFC NORTH
Chicago
1 - Chris Williams, T, Vanderbilt (6-6, 315); 2 - Matt Forte, RB, Tulane (6-1, 217); 3 - Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt (5-11, 206); 3 - Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas (6-3, 317); 4 - Craig Steltz, S, LSU (6-1, 213); 5 - Zackary Bowman, CB, Nebraska (6-0, 197); 5 - Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State (6-6, 262); 7 - Ervin Baldwin, DE, Michigan State (6-2, 270); 7 - Chester Adams, G, Georgia (6-4, 334); 7 - Joey LaRocque, LB, Oregon State (6-2, 225); 7 - Kirk Barton, T, Ohio State (6-5, 309); 7 - Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas (6-4, 215)
Analysis: Chicago did the prudent thing with its first two picks, propping up a sketchy o-line by drafting the solid Williams, then giving Cedric Benson some major competition in the powerful, hard-working Forte. Some will lament the team's passing up of Brian Brohm and/or Chad Henne in the second round, but running back is arguably the bigger trouble spot. Bennett, and to a lesser extent Monk, have a good chance to crack what had to be the worst group of receivers in football heading into the weekend. Harrison and Steltz bring much-needed bodies to the areas of defensive tackle and safety, respectively. Davis is big but might not find a home on a team fairly deep at tight end. Of the five seventh-round picks, Baldwin and LaRocque were particular reaches that only the Bears would have selected.
Bottom Line: Bears' draft was most notable for not including a quarterback, though there are plenty of solid football players in this group.
Grade: B-
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Detroit
1 - Gosder Cherilus, T, Boston College (6-6, 317); 2 - Jordon Dizon, LB, Colorado (6-0, 229); 3 - Kevin Smith, RB, UCF (6-1, 216); 3 - Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida State (6-2, 294); 3 - Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue (6-3, 253); 5 - Kenneth Moore, WR, Wake Forest (5-11, 195); 5 - Jerome Felton, FB, Furman (6-0, 240); 7 - Landon Cohen, DT, Ohio (6-1, 290); 7 - Caleb Campbell, SS, Army (6-2, 229)
Analysis: It was not a shock that the Lions passed up running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Felix Jones to draft a tackle, though the fact that the team passed over Pittsburgh's Jeff Otah in order to select Cherilus was. Cherilus will help protect Jon Kitna, but is a right tackle and won't generate a huge impact right away. Dizon was a productive college player and has a chance to win the starting middle linebacker job in year one. The Lions traded up to get Smith, a productive collegian who needs to get stronger, with the first pick of the second day. Smith and fellow third-rounders Fluellen and Avril could all be in the starting rotation in Week 1 of the 2008 season. The same goes for Felton, the fullback the team needed in the post-Mike Martz era. The need area that the club failed to address was the secondary, as Campbell projects as a special-teamer if he makes it. The Lions will be under public pressure to keep the West Point alum, who will be deployed by the United States Army if he fails to make an NFL team.
Bottom Line: Pass defense remains a problem for this team, which found neither a top-end pass rusher nor a secondary contributor.
Grade: C+
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Green Bay
2 - Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State (6-3, 217); 2 - Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (6-3, 230); 2 - Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn (6-0, 200); 3 - Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas (6-5, 240); 4 - Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest (6-4, 264); 4 - Josh Sitton, G, UCF (6-3, 319); 5 - Breno Giacomini, T, Louisville (6-7, 303); 7 - Matt Flynn, QB, LSU (6-2, 231); 7 - Brett Swain, WR, San Diego State (6-0, 198)
Analysis: The selection of Brohm in the second round (and Flynn in the seventh, for that matter) is a bit controversial given its potential effect on would-be starter Aaron Rodgers, but the Packers had to have a "Plan B" and Brohm represents a solid one. Nelson will join one of the league's deepest receiving corps and can also contribute in the return game. Lee is a potential heir apparent to either Al Harris or Charles Woodson. On the second day, Finley was a nice pick-up for a team that needed a replacement for Bubba Franks at tight end. Thompson is a little undersized, but could eventually replace Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila if he develops. The two offensive line picks may have been reaches, but will have time to mature.
Bottom Line: Shored up several areas of the ball club with a prudent draft approach.
Grade: B+
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Minnesota
2 - Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State (6-0, 207); 5 - John David Booty, QB, USC (6-2, 218); 5 - Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State (6-3, 307); 6 - John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame (6-3, 301); 6 - Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State (5-11, 177)
Analysis: The Vikings gave up their first-round pick and two third-rounders in the Jared Allen deal, making strong safety candidate Tyrell Johnson their only selection of the first three rounds. Johnson is good, but Minnesota might have been better-served by taking an available wideout like Malcolm Kelly, DeSean Jackson, or Limas Sweed. As it happened, slight-of-build project Jaymar Johnson was the only pass-catcher selected. The most intriguing pick of the second day is Booty, who had some trouble with injuries and decision-making in college, but is good enough to compete at quarterback for Minnesota. Guion and Sullivan are career backups, at best.
Bottom Line: Still no one on this team to take the pressure off Adrian Peterson offensively, and this does not figure to go down as a high-impact draft for the Vikes.
Grade: C
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NFC WEST
Arizona
1 - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State (6-1, 184); 2 - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami-Florida (6-8, 290); 3 - Early Doucet, WR, LSU (6-0, 203); 4 - Kenny Iwebema, DE, Iowa (6-4, 274); 5 - Tim Hightower, RB, Richmond (6-0, 224); 6 - Chris Harrington, DE, Texas A&M (6-4, 264); 7 - Brandon Keith, T, Northern Iowa (6-5, 343)
Analysis: Time will tell with Rodgers-Cromartie, who possessed first-round stock mainly due to his work against a weak corps of receivers at the Senior Bowl. Arizona needs him to develop quickly. The selection of Campbell was a head-scratcher, since he does not look like a natural fit for the coaching staff's preferred 3-4 defensive scheme. Campbell, Iwebema, and Harrington all may have to learn to stand up in order to succeed in Arizona. Doucet should be a capable replacement for departed No. 3 receiver Bryant Johnson (49ers), and was a solid value pick. Hightower is not the heir apparent to Edgerrin James, but his presence turns up the heat on backups Marcel Shipp and J.J. Arrington. Keith is a developmental choice.
Bottom Line: No sure things in this group, and that's bad news for a Cardinal fan base starving for success.
Grade: C
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St. Louis
1 - Chris Long, DE, Virginia (6-3, 272); 2 - Donnie Avery, WR, Houston (5-11, 192); 3 - John Greco, OL, Toledo (6-5, 305); 4 - Justin King, CB, Penn State (5-11, 192); 4 - Keenan Burton, WR, Kentucky (6-0, 201); 5 - Roy Schuening, G, Oregon State (6-4, 306); 7 - Chris Chamberlain, LB/SS, Tulsa (6-1, 226); 7 - David Vobora, LB, Idaho (6-1, 234)
Analysis: St. Louis chose wisely in selecting Long, who will team with Leonard Little to make the Rams' pass rush that much scarier. The selection of Avery was surprising in that the team opted against bigger name players (DeSean Jackson, Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed), though St. Louis did need a speedster of his ilk within an aging wideout corps. The other wideout, Burton, is a possession receiver who can also return kicks if needed. Greco and Schuening don't quite solve the team's o-line problems, but both were good value picks. King, who came out as a junior, is raw at this stage but is speedy with unlimited potential. The linebacking unit could have stood a better upgrade, as the team waited until the seventh round to enhance the unit.
Bottom Line: Got the right guy at No. 2, then did an above-average job of addressing their needs.
Grade: B
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San Francisco
1 - Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (6-4, 308); 2 - Chilo Rachal, G, USC (6-5, 315); 3 - Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma (6-0, 199); 4 - Cody Wallace, C, Texas A&M (6-4, 296); 6 - Josh Morgan, WR, Virginia Tech (6-0, 219); 7 - Larry Grant, LB, Ohio State (6-1, 235)
Analysis: San Francisco didn't sell too many season tickets with its first two selections, a pair of interior linemen who don't figure to grace Bay Area billboards at any point during their careers. Both will have an opportunity to start right away, but are far from can't-miss talents. Smith was a nice choice for the Niners due to his ability to play either safety or corner. Wallace lacks similar versatility, since his only meaningful time in college came at center. Morgan is an interesting player with character issues, and will need to adjust to Mike Martz's scheme quickly. Grant is a special-teamer at best. San Francisco failed to find an edge pass rusher in this draft, which could be a problem.
Bottom Line: They got better, but are there enough impact players here to save Mike Nolan's job?
Grade: B-
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Seattle
1 - Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC (6-4, 271); 2 - John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame (6-5, 252); 4 - Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M (6-4, 318); 5 - Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia (6-2. 247); 6 - Tyler Schmitt, LS, San Diego State (6-2, 231); 7 - Justin Forsett, RB, California (5-8, 191); 7 - Brandon Coutu, K, Georgia (5-11, 188)
Analysis: Seattle's first-round pick of Jackson was a curious one, since the team already has two fine defensive ends in Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp and Jackson was a borderline first-rounder at best. Don't look for much of a contribution from him as a rookie, unless he bulks up enough to play inside. The fourth-round pick Bryant might have a better chance of getting on the field early than does Jackson. Carlson fills the Seahawks' obvious need for a pass-catching tight end, and should contribute immediately. Schmitt should be a fan favorite in taking over for retired Mack Strong. Seattle raised eyebrows by picking a long-snapper in the sixth round, based on the fact that the team had two seventh-round picks and that long snappers tend to be signed as free agents. A wideout or o-line depth would have been better targets in that spot. The accurate and strong-legged Coutu is the heir apparent to the departed Josh Brown.
Bottom Line: A bit of a mixed bag for the Seahawks, who filled some needs and ignored some others.
Grade: B-
