I don’t hand out draft grades because honestly it is as much of a guess to hand out a grade to the draft right now as it was for James and me to mock this draft.
Part of the problem with mocking the draft is doing it too early, as you find out information as we get closer to the draft like the Broncos were taking Von Miller with the second pick no matter what, and that the Falcons were obsessed with getting one of AJ Green, Patrick Peterson or Julio Jones and were going to sale the farm in order to move up to get one.
So I can’t really grade the draft yet, in fact, it is about time for my 2008 NFL Draft Grades, but for tonight, after round 1 is over, I am going to give you some quick thoughts, observations and predictions for tomorrow.
Biggest Winners:
People named Cam- Cam Newton, Cameron Jordan and Cameron Heyward all had great nights. I mean people like me can knock Newton all we want, and in reality we may be right, but at least for the next year or so he will be laughing all the way to the bank.
As for Jordan and Heyward, they fell into ideal situations, on winning teams and will be given the chances they need to succeed.
Jordan is a very athletic 4-3 end that will get to work on an attacking Gregg Williams defense. He will be looked on in year one to just attack the line and get after the QB.
As for Heyward, well he is the prototypical 3-4 end, and that means learning under the great Dick LeBeau. Is there anything more that he could ask for?
Mediocre College QB’s: Gabbert, Ponder and Locker were all drafted in THE TOP 12 OF THE DRAFT!!!
I like all three guys, and I guess if you like them and they are who you want to draft, you should go get them, but come on. Ponder has injury issues, but at least proved himself in college, while Gabbert and Locker were the definition of average.
Now Locker did play on really awful Washington teams, but I just don’t get drafting someone at 8 that could even complete 60% of his passes in the Pac 10.
As for Gabbert, he didn’t put up huge numbers in a very QB friendly offense, and will need to sit for at least a year behind incumbent David Garrard before he is ready for the speed of the NFL defenses.
Me- Seriously, the Cards didn’t reach for Gabbert, they took the best athlete in the draft, and one of the top 3 players available and they resisted moving down with the Falcons for future low 1st round picks.
BUT, the big reason I am in the winners section is simple:
Da’Quan Bowers
Justin Houston
Akeem Ayers
Brooks Reed
Martez Wilson
Jabaal Sheard
Justin Houston
Akeem Ayers
Brooks Reed
Martez Wilson
Jabaal Sheard
All linebackers that can come in and make an impact on the defensive side of the ball, while on the offensive side of the ball, we have:
Ryan Mallett
Colin Kaepernick
Andy Dalton
Colin Kaepernick
Andy Dalton
Yet none of those names excite me as much as the idea of Kevin Kolb coming aboard for that second round pick the Cardinals have to offer. It is nice to feel excited about football again.
Biggest Losers:
People Grading Defensive Lineman- People are so desperate to match what the Packers, Steelers, Ravens, Jets etc. have been doing rushing the passer, that they have begun to reach for pass rushers.
The 49ers reach for Aldon Smith, Texans for JJ Watt, the Bucs for Adrian Clayborn, yet guys that ACTUALLY PRODUCED are passed up.
Nick Fairley falls to the waste side because of character issues?
Da’Quan Bowers played on this knee all through college yet can’t even get a first round sniff?
I just never have understood the idea of potential, when a guy that has actually done it on the field, against elite competition is there.
They wonder why the bust rate in the first round is so high.
Things I Thought of During the Draft:
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- Why do teams not take the obvious fit? The Texans need a corner back, theirs are awful, and yet they pass on the unquestionable #2 CB in the draft in Prince?
- Who was more shocked: Ponder, Locker or Nick Fairley falling all the way down to 13?
- I think the Patriots try and trade a first round pick every year just to see if they can.
- As much as everyone will scoff at the Locker and Ponder picks, the biggest reach to me was Aldon Smith at 7, until the Eagles, Seahwaks and Chiefs picked at the end of round 1.
My thoughts heading into tomorrow:
1. The Patriots should take Da’Quan Bowers, I just don’t see where he fits in their 3-4 scheme, but I could also see them taking a project at QB like Andy Dalton or Colin Kaepernick.
2. Stephen Paea and Marvin Austin will outperform at least 6 of the defensive lineman taken in round 1, while they both may fall to round 3.
3. The next run in the draft will be on pass rushers, since this is a copycat league, and we didn’t see enough of those in round 1.
4. When will the skill position players start to go off the board, and who will be this year’s Mike Williams (Bucs) and LeGarrette Blount?
That’s all for tonight, I won’t be around much tomorrow and Saturday, but look for my I Love a Good Draft, with my thoughts on all the goings on from each team.
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