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2008 NFL Draft Grades - NFC East
by Gregory Cox
Director
of College
Football and NFL Analysis
5/2/08
DALLAS
#22 RB
Felix Jones (Arkansas): So much for Ed Werder of ESPN
telling everyone the Cowboys were going to draft players who could
knock Pro
Bowlers out of their starting jobs and not “backups”. That went out the
window
with their first pick. Drafting him over Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois)
was a move that could turn out disastrous if they aren’t able to lock
up Marion
Barber long term.
#25 CB
Mike Jenkins (South Florida): They felt the need to trade up in
front of Houston and San
Diego to grab him. It was smart because both
teams
needed a corner. The Texans took one with their second pick and the
Chargers
selected Cason at #27. It was also dumb because had they grabbed
Jenkins at #22
I believe Jones would have made it to #28. Sometimes patience pays off.
However, they filled a need with a very talented player.
#61 TE
Martellus
Bennett (Texas A&M): We might be biased, but he
could be the best all-around tight end in this draft. After trading
away
disappointing Anthony Fasano on the eve of the draft they needed a
backup to
Jason Witten who is super durable and productive in five years and only
26 next
month. Bennett will do the dirty work. With the top receivers falling I
found
it surprising to see the Cowboys not jump up the board to grab one of
them.
#122 RB
Tashard
Choice (Georgia Tech): This is a curious selection. He is a good
player and
nice value, but really only insurance against Barber failing to sign.
If the
team winds up with Jones and Choice in their backfield, however, they
are in
trouble. There were other needs and quality players on the board at
this point.
#143 CB
Orlando
Scandrick (Boise State): Adding a second cornerback indicates to me that
Anthony Henry
will be moving to free safety and not taking a safety is a vote of
confidence
for Roy Williams. They likely feel Jenkins will be their future
starting
corner, possibly in 2009 while the speedy Scandrick can be their man in
the
nickel package. Many had him going higher than this.
#167
DE/OLB Erik
Walden (Middle Tennessee): He is one of those small school guys
who probably will wind up on special teams if he makes the squad.
Again, I
would have liked to see them take a shot at a wide receiver here.
MY DRAFT: #22 (WR)
#28 (RB-Felix Jones) #61 (CB) #92 (FS)
#163 (ILB) #167 (FB) #235 (QB)
I had Dallas
taking Felix Jones at #28 giving me a total of 10 players paired to the
teams
who drafted them. They hit linebacker and running back where I said
they would.
More or less they attacked the secondary as I predicted although
instead of the
free safety they chose another cornerback because of the aforementioned
possible position switch. Instead of a fullback they went with a second
running
back and traded away the pick which could have been their backup
quarterback.
PLAYER HITS: 1
POSITION HITS: 2/6
NEAR MISSES: 4/6
(DE/OLB instead of ILB, RB instead of FB,
CB instead of FS, TE instead of WR)
HOW DID THEY DO?
Not as well as they could have. It’s not
that I dislike the Bennett pick, but who is going to take over for
Terry Glenn
at wide receiver? When Brian Brohm and Chad Henne dropped to #55 I
don’t know
what they were thinking not dealing up a few slots to secure one of
them for a
quality backup to Tony Romo. The NFL has become about depth and they
are in
trouble if Romo goes down. They did get some value with Scandrick and
Choice. I
would have liked to see them draft Jenkins at #22 then if Felix Jones
had been
taken draft down instead of up from #28. Then with the extra pick(s)
possibly
go with a backup quarterback or cover safety to plug in on passing
downs for
Roy Williams.
UNDRAFTED
ADDITIONS: WR Danny Amendola (Texas Tech) DE/DT
Marcus Dixon (Hampton) DE Darrell Robertson (Georgia Tech) TE Drew
Atchinson
(William & Mary) WR/QB Daniel Polk (Midwestern State) FB Julius
Crosslin
(Oklahoma State) OL Brandon Hale (Sam Houston State) P Jay Ottovegio
(Stanford)
SS Dowayne Davis (Syracuse) WR Mark Bradford (Stanford) OT Andrew
Brecher
(Harvard) RB Keon Lattimore (Maryland)
Analysis: First of
all Dixon
is a great story. After being wrongfully accused of rape and imprisoned
in a
sickening, sad story of racism now he is given a chance at redemption.
Robertson was seen as a late third round pick. Even though Amendola and
Bradford are receivers on the late round radar this was not a great way
to
address their need at the position, and likewise on the offensive line.
OVERALL
DRAFT: 82/100
INCLUDING
UDFA: 80/100
PHILADELPHIA
#47 DT
Trevor Laws
(Notre Dame): The Eagles must be concerned about Mike Patterson to
make
this their first pick. Laws, like Patterson is a former wrestler and
two are
quite similar. If Patterson has any off the field issues then Laws can
step
right in. Otherwise they were in trouble and this is their insurance to
keep
their #7 run defense intact.
#49 WR
DeSean Jackson (California): I had them taking Jackson
in the first round before my final revision. Instead they acquired Carolina’s
first rounder next year and still got him which was brilliant
maneuvering. Yes,
they could use a bigger receiver but Jackson
can get down the field and score which is huge need on this team. He is
going
to be a big time threat returning punts starting in week 1.
#80 LB Bryan Smith (McNeese State): This
reach might have been their only draft blunder. Where does
he fit in on their defense? He likely is a situational pass rushing
outside
linebacker and it was a steep price to pay in the third round when he
was
projected later on. They already picked up a situational guy in free
agency
(Clemons).
#109
OG/OT Mike
McGlynn (Pittsburgh): Versatility on the offensive line
which definitely needs help at tackle. The early run on pure tackles
made this
a much wiser addition and he stays in the Keystone
State.
#117 FS
Quentin Demps
(UTEP): Tremendous value here with a great cover corner. Their
secondary
already added Asante Samuel in free agency and this strengthens the
unit even
more. Brian Dawkins will turn 35 in November and Demps I believe can
replace
him in the starting lineup.
#131 CB
Jack
Ikegwuonu (Wisconsin): I had them taking him a little later
(#184) but they didn’t want to fall victim to a frenzy at the position
I’m
sure. Off the field issues and an injury after the season plummeted his
draft
stock, but he gives them a project to fall back on if they inevitably
trade
Lito Sheppard away.
#184
OT/OG Mike
Gibson (California): Another versatile lineman who
finished up at tackle, but could move inside. Also another Golden Bear
and as I
pointed out in the mock draft the team has quietly produced some solid
offensive linemen to the NFL in recent years.
#200
ILB Joe Mays (North Dakota State): The Eagles obviously like small school players and
those guys
are more likely to work hard. He gives them depth at inside linebacker.
#203 DE
Andrew
Studebaker (Wheaton): Adding Chris Clemons to replace
Jevon Kearse helped them keep after the passer. This fills up their
depth chart
because the disappointing Darren Howard turns 32 in November and hasn’t
done
much for the team in two years. He was a star pass rusher as a junior
in
Division III before getting hurt as a senior. If not for that he might
have
gone earlier.
#230 OT
King Dunlap (Auburn): A third offensive lineman and
obviously the Eagles are hoping two of these guys can stick. Dunlap
might be
the most likely of the three to wind up at tackle where the team needs
help the
most.
MY DRAFT: #19 (WR)
#49 (ILB) #80 (OT) #115 (DT) #131 (RB)
#152 (FS/CB) #184 (CB-Ikegwuonu) #191 (TE) #200 (K) #203 (DE) #230 (CB)
They hit wide
receiver early as I expected. My inside
linebacker was a value in Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma) who was off the
board when
they picked, so instead they went for depth late. They hit offensive
line three
times counting on quantity (109, 184, 230) instead of my quality (80)
although
given the early run it made sense. The DT came a little earlier, as did
the
free safety although they addressed the secondary as I expected. The
late
addition I predicted at defensive end happened and they also added the
situational threat earlier. Because of the multiple hits on the OL they
didn’t
wind up securing a kicker or tight end.
PLAYER HITS: 1
POSITION HITS: 6/10
NEAR MISSES: 0/6
HOW DID THEY DO?
Very well although given the volume of
picks it could have gone better. I have to factor in what should be the
#12-#20
overall selection next year from Carolina
and the fact that they only reached once (Bryan Smith). Their offensive
line
has to be better after adding three competitors. A deep threat was
obtained,
the secondary improved and their front seven somehow picked up 4
additions as
well.
UNDRAFTED
ADDITIONS: OT Franklin Dunbar (Middle Tennessee)
WR Terrell Golden (Penn State) CB Kyle Arrington (Hofstra) WR Frantz
Hardy
(Nebraska) WR Shaheer McBride (Delaware State) LB Justin Roland (Kansas
State)
WR James Banks (Carson-Newmann)
Analysis: Picking
up Dunbar after
grabbing Dunlap gives them two of the more intriguing big tackles
available.
Other than that we are looking at a lot of players who were not likely
to be
drafted so no other “steals” although typically they can find small
school
talent.
OVERALL
DRAFT: 89/100
INCLUDING
UDFA:
86/100
NY GIANTS
#31 FS
Kenny Phillips
(Miami,
FL):
This was a pick I predicted and it immediately fills the spot vacated
by Gibril
Wilson leaving for the Raiders. He can be an impact player and the
Hurricanes
have produced quite a few players to the NFL in the secondary,
particularly at
safety.
#63 CB
Terrell Thomas
(USC): They were looking for someone to help absorb the loss when
Madison
and McQuarters hang up the cleats which will be very soon. Conceivably
this gives
them someone to start alongside last year’s top pick Aaron Ross
although most
see him as a safety. Since they drafted Phillips obviously they feel he
is a
cornerback.
#95 WR
Mario
Manningham (Michigan): I loved him before the lying
business at the combine. His play on the field is top shelf and they
needed
another receiver because Amani Toomer, another former Wolverine, is
just about
done.
#123
OLB Bryan Kehl (BYU): He was a late riser on
many draft boards and seen as someone who could possibly slip into day
1. They
wanted more options at outside linebacker and needed a quality addition
which
is what they got. This is competition for Gerris Wilkinson and Danny
Clark
(added in free agency) who will pick up for the departed Kawika
Mitchell and
Reggie Torbor. It also opens the door for Mathias Kiwanuka to return to
defensive end should Michael Strahan retire to admire his ring.
#165
ILB Jonathan
Goff (Vanderbilt): Great value pick and more depth at linebacker
where
again they wanted more options. This really helps them out. I thought
Goff’s
showing at the combine would lift him higher than this, but linebackers
really
got the cold shoulder in this draft.
#198 QB
Woodson (Kentucky): I guess they figure Jared Lorenzen
needs someone to talk to about what it’s like to be a former Wildcat
quarterback. This speaks to the fact that they really don’t expect
David Carr
to be much more than the answer to a trivia question (name a team with
two #1
overall picks on the QB depth chart) for them because he is young
enough to be
Eli’s backup for a few years. Instead they get a project who might be
trade
bait if he can fix his delivery problems.
#199 DE
Robert
Henderson (Southern Miss): Wouldn’t it have made more sense to take
him at
#198 so they could saddle Woodson with Tom Brady’s #199? They have
basically no
need for another pass rusher and I’m fairly sure he won’t make the
team. I
would have taken a shot on the offensive line.
MY DRAFT: #31
(FS-Phillips) #63 (OLB) #95 (WR) #130 (DT)
#165 (OT) #194 (CB) #198 (OG/OT) #199 (C)
They landed
Phillips as I expected, and a receiver in the
third. The cornerback came earlier and it was a good move, which is
also the
case with the linebacker coming later.
The biggest
surprise for me was not addressing the offensive
line, which I had them doing with three picks in the fifth and sixth
rounds.
They are really exposed with David Diehl at left tackle although in
their
defense drafting from the bottom of each round left them little chance
to land
someone at that premium position. I was surprised they didn’t even give
it a
shot. They went with a backup quarterback and defensive end instead of
seeking
depth at defensive tackle where talent certainly crossed their path.
PLAYER HITS: 1
POSITION HITS: 4/8
NEAR MISSES: 1/6
(DE instead of DT)
HOW DID THEY DO?
Again it’s tough being in the bottom of
every round. They filled some of their biggest needs with their first
four
picks and got value with all of them. In Goff and Woodson they got
players who
could have gone as high as the third round even if they weren’t huge
needs. My
only complaint is that their only pick on either line was an end which
is the
last thing they needed.
UNDRAFTED
ADDITIONS: DE Wallace Gilberry (Alabama) SS/FS
Nehemiah Warrick (Michigan State) OT Glenn Bujnoch (Cincinnati) DE
Antonio
Reynolds (Tennessee) OG Andrew Bain (Miami) Dylan Thiry (Northwestern)
OT
Carnell Stewart (LSU) WR D.J. Hall (Alabama) TE Jake Sears (UTEP) DT
Eric
Butler (Washburn)
Analysis: Gilberry
and Hall helped to end a very long streak
of Crimson Tide players being drafted, but easily could have been taken
in the
fifth or sixth round. Instead of loading up on the offensive line with
their
picks in the 190’s they waited and it paid off. Stewart is still
learning and
has plenty of upside while Bain could have been drafted among their
four
pickups. They made three additions on the defensive line highlighted by
Gilberry. They got another troubled receiver in Hall who has talent.
Warrick is
a nice add at safety and could have been a late round pick.
OVERALL
DRAFT: 86/100
INCLUDING
UDFA:
88/100
WASHINGTON
#34 WR
Devin Thomas
(Michigan State): Crazy mock drafts had him as high as #11, but
teams must
have been leery of him being a one year wonder for the Spartans.
However,
finally the Redskins have size at receiver and he also brings speed to
an
already quick group.
#48 TE
Fred Davis
(USC): It might have been a strange move to see this happen so
early with
Pro Bowler Chris Cooley on the roster, but it’s another dynamic threat
on
offense. Davis is
extremely
athletic and in two tight end sets he will present mismatch issues to
the
opposing defense. There is also nothing behind Cooley.
#51 WR
Malcolm Kelly
(Oklahoma): Another big receiver to make up for
free agent mistakes at the position. He might be a step slow and a
potential
problem child, but this gives them two players once projected to Buffalo
at #11. Wonder if the Bills are jealous?
#96
OG/OT Chad Rinehart (Northern Iowa): I had them selecting Rinehart a
little later (154) and guard was a big need given the age of Kendall
and
Thomas. Their running game sputtered badly in 2007 compared to 2006,
dropping
nearly 0.7 yards per attempt.
#124 CB
Justin Tryon
(Arizona State): Not a surprising move considering the health status of
Rogers
and age of Springs. They needed help in the secondary, but certainly
could have
done better than Tryon who was rated a lot lower than this.
#168 P
Durant Brooks
(Georgia Tech): I should have seen this one coming. Frost has an
anemic
41.1 average in three seasons.
#180 FS
Kareem Moore
(Nicholls State): I know making a splashy early addition would have
placed
a lot of pressure on that player to replaced the late Sean Taylor, but
in the
late going they certainly could have done better than this. I didn’t
see anyone
rate him at safety or list him in a mock draft, but reportedly he is a
big
hitter.
#186 QB Colt Brennan
(Hawaii): He was certainly worth a shot in the
late rounds considering they need someone pretty soon to replace backup
Todd
Collins. However, I’m not sure the east coast is the best landing spot
for him.
He will struggle mightily in inclement weather and I can’t see him
playing well
at the Meadowlands against the rival Giants.
#242 DE Rob Jackson (Kansas State): I wasn’t along expecting them to address their need at
end quite
a bit earlier than this. Ultimately they couldn’t pass on the value at
WR/TE
with their first three picks Jumping back up from #34 to grab Phillip
Merling
(Clemson) who went #32 would have made sense. They also could have
taken Calais
Campbell (Miami, FL)
at #48. He went #50 and his former Hurricane coach is with the
Redskins.
Quentin Groves (Auburn) was
passed
over three times by them and went #52.
#249 FS/SS Chris
Horton (UCLA): Another hit in the secondary with a solid player who
can
contribute at either safety spot. He’s a great tackler who led the
Bruins over
the past two seasons.
MY DRAFT: #21 (DE) #51 (WR) #84 (OLB) #96 (SS) #155
(OG/OT-Rinehart) #186 (CB) #228 (DE/DT) #242 (OT) #249 (FB)
At receiver they hit the jackpot with two guys who have the
size they have been lacking while also gaining a third player at tight
end
giving them three second round additions with first round grades. I had
one of
those three pegged (51) although I never expected the talent they would
wind up
with. Defensive end was addressed much later than I projected. The
secondary
picked up three day two additions, and I had two in that general
vicinity.
Rinehart was in fact the addition to the offensive line although I also
expected a tackle late. Instead of another defensive lineman and
fullback late
they went with a quarterback and punter who were both good values,
especially
if Brennan can be their backup to Campbell.
PLAYER HITS: 1
POSITION HITS: 5/9
NEAR MISSES: 0/9
HOW DID THEY DO? It is hard to argue value with the first
three picks, but after that it gets a little less impressive. Not
landing a
defensive end was regrettable and I don’t think Moore or Jackson will
make the
team. Brennan won’t like the east coast after playing in great weather
his
entire football career which is something they should have considered.
Brooks
is the best punter in the class and helps their special teams. Their
day two
performance certainly hurts their grade. One thing I can say for sure, Campbell
is my sleeper fantasy football quarterback although he probably won’t
be
overlooked after this draft. He is a virtual lock to throw for 3,500
yards with
these weapons.
UNDRAFTED ADDITIONS: OG Kerry Brown Appalachian State) OT
Shannon Boatman (Florida State) OT Devin Clark (New Mexico) CB
Matterral
Richardson (Arkansas) QB Bret Meyer (Iowa State) SS Kevin Mitchell
(Illinois) C
Kyle DeVan (Oregon State) DE Dorian Smith (Oregon State) WR Horace
Grant (Olaf)
OLB Curtis Gatewood (Vanderbilt)
Analysis: They really loaded up on the offensive line
grabbing four significant players covering all positions, three of
which I
wouldn’t have been surprised to see drafted while DeVan is still a nice
prospect. Two additions to the secondary who were on the radar plus the
outside
linebacker they didn’t get in the draft among of a bounty filled with
guys who
were borderline seventh round picks.
OVERALL DRAFT: 76/100
INCLUDING
UDFA: 79/100
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