Ranking the rookie RB's & WR's this year (1 Viewer)

How do you guys feel McFadden, Stewart, and Mendenhall rank compared to Peterson, Lynch, Bush, Maroney, Addai, R.Brown, Caddy, Benson, etc?

How about the 2nd tier RBs?

How about the top WRs in this years class - Kelly, Sweed, Hardy, Manningham, Thomas, etc. Where would you rank them amongst the likes of Calvin Johnson, Ginn, Bowe, Holmes, Jennings, Edwards, Williamson, etc?

Discuss.

Search function.

Lott said:

Search function.

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what keyword should he use?i'm sure he'll get a million hits for various threads that don't answer his question

If he does not want to search, he needs to start off with some kind of analysis... not just put out a general question and hope everybody else does his work for him. Especially when the work has been done in a couple dozen other threads.

Lott said:

If he does not want to search, he needs to start off with some kind of analysis... not just put out a general question and hope everybody else does his work for him. Especially when the work has been done in a couple dozen other threads.

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You don't know what you are talking about. So basically don't ask any questions unless you have researched the answer already. Nice way to kill a thread for no reason. Go back to the FA where you belong.

GrandpaRox said:

Lott said:

If he does not want to search, he needs to start off with some kind of analysis... not just put out a general question and hope everybody else does his work for him. Especially when the work has been done in a couple dozen other threads.

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You don't know what you are talking about. So basically don't ask any questions unless you have researched the answer already. Nice way to kill a thread for no reason. Go back to the FA where you belong.

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He effectively asked everybody else to compare this year's entire draft class ("McFadden, Stewart, and Mendenhall.... How about the 2nd tier RBs?.... How about the top WRs in this years class - Kelly, Sweed, Hardy, Manningham, Thomas, etc.") to the last several draft classes in their entirety.Every bit of this analysis has been discussed, in bite sized chunks, in dozens of other threads."Hey guys, compare and contrast all the players." Awesome thread.

So basically don't ask any questions unless you have researched the answer already.

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Don't ask questions that have already been asked AND answered numerous times. Give an opinion or some sort of analysis on the topic you are bringing up. Have a narrower topic that can be answered succinctly instead of an all-encompassing general topic.I don't mean to be a jerk, but c'mon....

Lott said:

GrandpaRox said:

Lott said:

If he does not want to search, he needs to start off with some kind of analysis... not just put out a general question and hope everybody else does his work for him. Especially when the work has been done in a couple dozen other threads.

Click to expand...

You don't know what you are talking about. So basically don't ask any questions unless you have researched the answer already. Nice way to kill a thread for no reason. Go back to the FA where you belong.

Click to expand...

He effectively asked everybody else to compare this year's entire draft class ("McFadden, Stewart, and Mendenhall.... How about the 2nd tier RBs?.... How about the top WRs in this years class - Kelly, Sweed, Hardy, Manningham, Thomas, etc.") to the last several draft classes in their entirety.Every bit of this analysis has been discussed, in bite sized chunks, in dozens of other threads."Hey guys, compare and contrast all the players." Awesome thread.

So basically don't ask any questions unless you have researched the answer already.

Click to expand...

Don't ask questions that have already been asked AND answered numerous times. Give an opinion or some sort of analysis on the topic you are bringing up. Have a narrower topic that can be answered succinctly instead of an all-encompassing general topic.I don't mean to be a jerk, but c'mon....

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Well you did come off as a huge jerk. He did not ask for a ranking of all the players he asked for a ranking compared to past drafts.This question gets asked every year and it is usually a very good thread. Hope you miss the next time it is asked.Apparently YOU did not read the thread title because your last reply was a steaming pile of crap.

GrandpaRox said:

Well you did come off as a huge jerk. He did not ask for a ranking of all the players he asked for a ranking compared to past drafts.

This question gets asked every year and it is usually a very good thread.

Hope you miss the next time it is asked.

Apparently YOU did not read the thread title because your last reply was a steaming pile of crap.

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The question gets asked every year..... it has been asked and answered numerous times this year. That is my point, and it is incontrovertible.Have a pleasant evening.

Lott said:

GrandpaRox said:

Well you did come off as a huge jerk. He did not ask for a ranking of all the players he asked for a ranking compared to past drafts.

This question gets asked every year and it is usually a very good thread.

Hope you miss the next time it is asked.

Apparently YOU did not read the thread title because your last reply was a steaming pile of crap.

Click to expand...

The question gets asked every year..... it has been asked and answered numerous times this year. That is my point, and it is incontrovertible.Have a pleasant evening.

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Please direct me to the thread where I can find an answer to my question. I have seen several individuals players (Kelly for example) compared to players of the last few drafts, but not a list of the top RBs and WRs. There is a football magazine that usually does these rankings, but not until the summer. I'm wondering how strong the RBs and WRs of this class are compared to the last few.

both are among the deeper classes in recent memory. The WRs lack a true franchise player, but could produce as many as 12-15 starters. The RBs don't have a Peterson, but have a handful of guys who could be true feature backs, plus it's the fastest group I can remember - which should keep the bell cow feature back on the endangered species list.

I have seen some sights that give each player a ranking in points out of 100. If you can find that and find the rankings the past few years that should give you an idea. Anyone know what I am talking about? I know I have seen this in some of my research.

This seems to be what the OP was asking. If anyone can help please do so. Ignore the tool at the start of the thread.

Warhogs said:

I have seen some sights that give each player a ranking in points out of 100. If you can find that and find the rankings the past few years that should give you an idea. Anyone know what I am talking about? I know I have seen this in some of my research.

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This is what I'm looking for.Any discussion on the topic would be great too.

Did anyone post the sporting news rookie rankings and compare those to the previous years?

I cannot recall if I saw that thread or not for 2008. It is ushually a pretty good one.

Here are some of my comments on this years rookie draft from one of my dynasty leagues:

My overall opinion about this draft class is that except for the many running backs who were all taken to start the draft off in the 1st round there is a severe lack of talent in this draft class. That is why I have been trading out of this draft when I can.

<snip>

As I allready mentioned I think the 2008 rookie class was a weak one. It does not have much for elite talent players and the depth is questionable. Here is why:

NFL scouting staffs put together thousand page reports on the draft prospects every year. Despite what we or other draftniks may think we know I don't think it is really a comparable level of knowledge that the teams have. That is not to say that teams don't make mistakes, they do. But the odds are that if every team passes on a player or even if half of the teams do there is probobly a good reason. And the combined knowledge of those teams is probobly as informed and capable of making the right decision more often than not.

I bring this up to because no WR was drafted in round one of the 2008 draft. That hasn't happened since 1990, 18 years ago when WR were not nearly in as high demand as they are in todays NFL. So that is a very strong indication to me that no team deamed any of these WR worthy of being their 1st round selection. So that means that while some of these WR may develop into starters none of them were strong enough prospects for any team to be convinced that any of them will be.

The QBs were very weak also. Yes Ryan was drafted high. But I think that was a reach for need not a vote of confidence for his talent. I don't see Ryan or any of the other QB being as good of prospects as Aaron Rodgers was and he fell a lot before he was drafted. I don't expect any of the QB to ever be QB 1's for fantasy purposes.

The RBs were a strong position from this draft. However I think their talent is inflated by the lack of talented prospects at the other skill positions. The 2005 draft class was arguably a stronger group of RB prospects than this one is. 2005 had 3 RB taken in the top 5 picks. Then Arrignton and Shelton in the 2nd round. Gore, Morency and Moats in round 3. Marion Barber and Brandon Jacobs in round 4. Cedric Houston in the 6th round was a good prospect as well. We know enough now that injuries and charecter concerns have caused the strength of the 2005 draft class to be mostly unsuccessful. The 2008 group of RBs may have better luck but that is not a given. However I think that draft class was at least as good as 2008 if not better in terms of RB prospects. What is even more outstanding when comparing the 2 draft classes is how high those top 3 RB went when considering that there were 6 WR taken in the 1st round and 3 QB. So under those terms you had 3 McFadden level RB taken while this draft class has only McFadden. And there were other more highly ranked players available in the 2005 draft class than in 2008. So that tells me that those RB from 2005 as prospects were much more highly regarded than the 2008 RB crop because in 2008 teams did not have other skill players they ranked highly enough to choose instead.

Now some player by player comments based on how this leagues rookie draft went down:

IDP prospects were not as good this year as the last couple seasons. The TE talent was decent but only one of them landed in a situation where the rookie doesen't have a elite TE ahead of them.

So with that being said some comments on how the draft unfolded:

1.01 Cincinnati BenGALs

McFadden, Darren OAK RB ®

1.02 Kansas City Chiefs

Stewart, Jonathan CAR RB ®

1.03 New York Jets

Smith, Kevin DET RB ® - Predraft most had Mendenhall as part of a elite tier of 3 with McFadden and Stewart. Jerry makes a short term decision taking Smith here. I like Smith and this could work out but betting on Lions players is risky business.

1.04 New England Patriots

Jones, Felix DAL RB ® - Now I could somewhat understand taking Smith or Forte over Mendenhall because their opportunity looks a bit better. But Felix Jones!?? This guy is never going to get a chance to be more than a change of pace RB with the Barbarian signed long term. Handcuff/Change of pace RB. Really don't understand this decision here. Could have traded down at least I would think if Jones was your guy.

1.05 Kansas City Chiefs

Mendenhall, Rashard PIT RB ® - kind of criminal that he fell here and even better for Duane coz he allready has FWP.

1.06 New England Patriots

Johnson, Chris TEN RB ® - I like this guy but I think the main reason the Titans drafted him is because he was better than any of the WR which was their real need. Johnson will be an interesting player to see how the Titans use him. I think he can be a good flex player but his scoring may be very up and down. I know Benson had not been released yet at the time Johnson was taken. But still this is a real head scratcher when combined with the earlier pick of Jones.

1.07 Kansas City Chiefs

Forte, Matt CHI RB ® - Now Duane's draft is getting pretty sick. This is the 2nd RB he landed that probobly should have been gone 2 spots higher than where Duane gets him.

At this point I pretty much consider the 2008 draft to be over. The players who can make a impact are now gone. And some of these players have questionable talent and poor situations that will need to be sorted out. I figure at least half of these RB if not more of them will be busts. Thats just the way the cookie crumbles. Picks after this point in my opinion are sleeper prospect types unlike most drafts where you at least have a few WR who have great talent and some other good prospects as well.

1.08 Chicago Bears

Sweed, Limas PIT WR ® -Big WR but he has lot of compitition for playing time.

1.09 Kansas City Chiefs

Rice, Ray BAL RB ® - I like this guy but he won't unseat Willis McGahee any time soon. Pretty high pick on a handcuff/COP player. Kind of proves what I am saying about the lack of talent in this draft.

1.10 Atlanta Falcons

Ryan, Matt ATL QB ® - I am not sold on Ryans talent and ATL is a bad team. I have no problem with the pick here it makes a lot of sense, just saying that in most drafts we been seeing a player like Ryan probably wouldn't have gone for another 4-5 picks.

1.11 New England Patriots

Avery, Donnie STL WR ® - I like this guy and he may end up being a real good WR. One actually worth starting. The cream of the crop of this crap shoot WR class.

1.12 Kansas City Chiefs

Hardy, James BUF WR ® - Looks like another Mike Williams/Dwayne Jarrett to me. I hear he is allready having personal issues.

2.01 Cincinnati BenGALs

Flacco, Joe BAL QB ® - I think Ryan was a bit of a reach but this guy most definitly is to be taken this highly. How did that trade up for Boller work out for the Ravens last time they reached at a QB?

2.02 Carolina Panthers

Charles, Jamaal KCC RB ® - I have my doubts about this guy and he is a RB who wont get much of a chance to play until his 1st contract is up with LJ in front of him. So unless LJ gets hurt I don't see much opportunity here. Another handcuff/COP

2.03 New York Jets

Thomas, Devin WAS WR ® - This guy like Avery seems to have the best combination of opportunity/talent out of the WR group. He may have been the player I would have settled for had I not traded the 2.02 to the Panthers. I'm still not all that excited about his talent however because I think if he were that good at least one team would have picked him in the 1st round but they all passed.

2.04 Philadelphia Eagles

Slaton, Steve HOU RB ® - Another COP type RB for the Texans. Maybe next year they will get a RB who can actually be featured. This is not that guy.

2.05 Kansas City Chiefs

Kelly, Malcolm WAS WR ® - This guy is pretty slow. Change in philosophy for the passing offense in Washington could have a role for him however. I'm not seeing how he is that different than Brandon Lloyd.

2.06 Minnesota Vikings

Long, Chris STL DE ® - This is too early to take a Dline player. I think Long is the only truly elite IDP prospect from this draft class though and I didn't like any other player to be a difference maker like I think Long could be so I took him here anyways. He is no Mario Williams but at least he is pretty good against the run.

2.07 Cleveland Browns

Torain, Ryan DEN RB ® - Any Denver RB has a chance. Decent value for the pick. Still consider him a long shot and I don't think Denver has found a feature RB yet. This guy will not be the answer.

2.08 Chicago Bears

Hart, Mike IND RB ® - Handcuff/COP RB at best.

2.09 Buffalo Bills

Lofton, Curtis ATL LB ® - probably not a 3 down LB. Good situation because the Falcons offense will likely continue to struggle but I don't think Lofton has enough talent to capitalise on it.

2.10 Atlanta Falcons

Jackson, DeSean PHI WR ® - This guy is really small. May help out because of return duties but I don't see him being a starter.

2.11 Philadelphia Eagles

Rivers, Keith CIN LB ® - Most talented LB of the draft class but Rivers seems to lack that killer instinct and awareness needed to be a elite LB. He will have a lot of opportunity though because of the lack of playmakers on the Bengals defense.

2.12 Philadelphia Eagles

Keller, Dustin NYJ TE ® - A TE with good talent and the only one to land in a decent opportunity situation.

3.01 Cincinnati BenGALs

Gholston, Vernon NYJ DE ® - reach pick as he will probably be listed as a OLB and will work in a rotation.

3.02 New York Jets

Mayo, Jerod NEP LB ® - Perhaps the most talented LB from this draft class. Could be a good pick but may take some time to earn the HC's trust.

3.03 New York Jets

Harvey, Derrick JAC DE ® - Good Dline prospect but not at the same level as Long.

3.04 Minnesota Vikings

Caldwell, Andre CIN WR ® - I like this guy as much as any of the other WR taken so far except maybe Avery and Thomas. Situation is muddy due to the Bengals taking Simpson also ahead of him and it being unknown what will happen with Chad and Housh in the long run. I do expect at least one of those 2 if not both to be gone from the Bengals before long however.

3.05 Kansas City Chiefs

Manningham, Mario NYG WR ® - Good talent and college production but charecter concerns caused him to fall. Maybe he turns over a new leaf with the Giants but I don't think he is better than Plax or Steve Smith (Giants)

3.06 Indianapolis Colts

Choice, Tashard DAL RB ® - Bench RB.

3.07 Cleveland Browns

Brohm, Brian GBP QB ® - I think this guy is as good a QB prospect as Ryan. Remains to be seen if Rodgers can handle being the rebound guy to Favre with all the expectation pressure that will be on him. Very good pick here even though he is a backup.

3.08 Chicago Bears

Merling, Phillip MIA DE ® - Maybe. This guy has talent. He might move to OLB which hurts his value.

3.09 Buffalo Bills

Omon, Xavier BUF RB ® - Taken because of the Lynch controvery. Could be a steal or else will just be a bench RB.

3.10 Atlanta Falcons

Henne, Chad MIA QB ® - Same thing here as with Brohm. Not as good a team as the Packers though.

3.11 New England Patriots

Jackson, Lawrence SEA DE ® - dont know enough about this guy to comment.

3.12 Carolina Panthers

Bennett, Earl CHI WR ® - solid possession type WR. Good opportunity to play. Even if he does he will probobly perform as a WR 3 at best though.

4.01 Cincinnati BenGALs

Phillips, Kenny NYG S ® - Top safety.

4.02 Minnesota Vikings

Dizon, Jordon DET LB ® - will compete for MLB.

4.03 Minnesota Vikings

Simpson, Jerome CIN WR ® - Taken to pair with Caldwell. I do believe in Palmers talent to make a WR post good numbers. Having both hopefully I get one of the future starters.

4.04 Chicago Bears

Nelson, Jordy GBP WR ® - Lots of WR ahead of this guy. Could be the heir to Driver.

4.05 Kansas City Chiefs

Hightower, Tim ARI RB ® - opportunity with Edge being so old. Not sold on this guys talent however.

4.06 Indianapolis Colts

Hester, Jacob SDC RB ® - Theres talk about him being the backup to LT. He was a FB in college. Personaly I dont think he is fast enough to get a lot of action if LT were to go down.

4.07 Cleveland Browns

Timer Expired - Doh! Oh well he is about a good a pick as the rest of the players being taken here.

4.08 Carolina Panthers

Booty, John David MIN QB ® - Backup to T. Jackson who could get a shot if Jackson busts.

4.09 Buffalo Bills

Johnson, Josh TBB QB ® - Good developmental QB. Could end up being better than Ryan, Brohm, Henne and Flacco in time.

4.10 Atlanta Falcons

Connor, Dan CAR LB ® - Not a 3 down LB.

4.11 Minnesota Vikings

Doucet, Early ARI WR ® - A lot of people thought Doucet was the best WR of this draft class. Could play sooner than people might think with Quan asking to be traded. I think this may end up being the SOD.

4.12 New England Patriots

Carlson, John SEA TE ® - Limited talent but decent opportunity.

5.01 Cincinnati BenGALs

Wheeler, Philip IND LB ® - 3 down LB but may get stuck playing the strong side.

5.02 Minnesota Vikings

Bell, Beau CLE LB ® - This guy and Mayo were the most talented of the LB this year. He has a lot of players to beat out though.

5.03 Carolina Panthers

Royal, Eddie DEN WR ® - Special teams/slot WR

5.04 Philadelphia Eagles

Johnson, Tyrell MIN S ® - Heir to SS for the Vikings.

5.05 Kansas City Chiefs

Gooden, Tavares BAL LB ® - backup to Ray Ray.. I think Ray Lewis keeps him on the bench a few more years still.

5.06 Indianapolis Colts

Douglas, Harry ATL WR ® - Limited talent, bad team and lots of WR ahead of him.

5.07 Cleveland Browns

Dorsey, Glenn KCC DT ® - Elite DT.. only a few have mattered.

5.08 Cleveland Browns

Jackson, Dexter TBB WR ® - in the mix for more opportunity when the old man retires.

5.09 Chicago Bears

Crable, Shawn NEP LB ® - Meh.

5.10 Buffalo Bills

Jenkins, Mike DAL CB ® - will get picked on so good opportunity.

5.11 Atlanta Falcons

Franklin, Will KCC WR ® - decent prospect this late.

5.12 Philadelphia Eagles

Forsett, Justin SEA RB ® - Longshot RB. Did well in college so he may have enough talent.

5.13 Carolina Panthers

Brennan, Colt WAS QB ® - injured.

6.01 Cincinnati BenGALs

Ainge, Erik NYJ QB ® - Backup.

6.02 Carolina Panthers

Hawkins, Lavelle TEN WR ® - Like the Titans didnt have enough guys like this?

6.03 Minnesota Vikings

Thomas, Marcus SDC RB ® - Not a FB. TC will tell if he can be the backup to LT or not.

6.04 New England Patriots

Morgan, DaJuan KCC S ® - They allready have their starting safeties.

6.05 Kansas City Chiefs

Arrington, Adrian NOS WR ® Special teams. Maybe.

6.06 Indianapolis Colts

McKelvin, Leodis BUF CB ®

6.07 Cleveland Browns

Rucker, Martin CLE TE ®

6.08 Chicago Bears

Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique ARI CB ®

6.09 Buffalo Bills

Hubbard, Paul CLE WR ®

6.10 Atlanta Falcons

Zbikowski, Tom BAL S ®

6.11 Philadelphia Eagles

Finley, Jermichael GBP TE ®

6.12 Minnesota Vikings

Talib, Aqib TBB CB ®

The reason 3 RBs went so high in 2005 was that class was lacking in top pick talent. Brown's stock blew up because of his combine yet he still wouldnt have been a top 5 pick in many drafts. This year was definately better at the top than 2005. The two Longs and McFadden are all standard top 5 material. Ryan may look more like top 10 than top 5 but he's not a bad pick just because QBs had been falling in recent drafts. The reason QBs have slid is the cost of a top rookie QB's salary combined with few teams in immediate need of starters. The Browns nearly went QB with their first pick last year but they have a wise coach who is building from the line of scrimmage. Once rookie salaries are renegotiated, expect teams to be less hesitant to spend that high pick on a QB.

I also think teams are getting smarter and realizing how much harder it is to judge QBs and WRs based on college performance. College offenses are a lot different. This year had no elite WR prospects. We still could have had 3 or 4 WRs picked in the first round but instead we had a big second round. That doesnt matter much to us though since there was no elite WR prospect to drool over. RBs are much easier to judge.

This was a strong RB class and not because of a lack of other talent. 5 picked in round 1, two more in round 2, and another with the first pick of round 3. The NFL has a need at RB right now due to ageing and recently retired stars. Dont let that convince you this class wasnt strong. I've ranked 9 of the top 10 dynasty rookies as RBs.

UnknownCoach said:

The reason 3 RBs went so high in 2005 was that class was lacking in top pick talent.

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I am going to have to disagree with this. And keep in mind we are talking about rookie prospects here not how they have turned out. Obviously we won't be able to make those comparisons about the 2008 class until at least 2011.2005 draft class had Aaron Rodgers, Jason Campbell and Alex Smith. Smith ended up being drafted 1st overall but Rodgers was considered for the pick also. I don't see Ryan as being a stronger prospect than these 3 QBs or any of the other 2008 QBs.2005 had Braylon Edwards drafted 3rd overall. Where is the WR prospect with his talent in 2008? 5 more WR were drafted before the end of the 1st round. 2 of them in the top 10 picks.

This was a strong RB class and not because of a lack of other talent. 5 picked in round 1, two more in round 2, and another with the first pick of round 3. The NFL has a need at RB right now due to ageing and recently retired stars. Dont let that convince you this class wasnt strong. I've ranked 9 of the top 10 dynasty rookies as RBs.

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When looking at the 2008 draft I do not see how you can come to the conclushion that the RBs were not taken as highly as they were because of the lack of other talent available. Again no WR were taken in the 1st round. That is a position that normaly has at least 3-4 taken for the past 18 years. That lack of talent certainly pushed the draft stock of the RBs up higher than it otherwise would be in most draft classes we have seen.While I agree this was a deep group of RBs my point in comparing it to 2005 is that we have seen deep groups of RB before. That does not mean that many of them will end up being stars. While I think it is very unlikely they will have as bad luck as the 2005 RB have had some of these 2008 RB will also be busts.2005 RB draft class compared to 2008:1 2 Ronnie Brown - 1 4 Darren McFadden 1 4 Cedric Benson - 1 13 Jonathan Stewart1 5 Cadillac Williams - 22 Felix Jones 2 44 J.J. Arrington - 1 23 Rashard Mendenhall 2 54 Eric Shelton - 1 24 Chris Johnson 3 65 Frank Gore - 2 44 Matt Forte3 73 Vernand Morency - 2 55 Ray Rice3 77 Ryan Moats - 3 64 Kevin Smith3 101 Maurice Clarett - 3 69 Jacob Hester 4 109 Marion Barber - 3 73 Jamaal Charles 4 110 Brandon Jacobs - 3 89 Steve Slaton My observations about the draft class are not so much of a knock on the RBs however as it is on the WRs. The WR prospects got dried up by the outstanding 2007 WR class. I think the Titans needed a WR in the worst way (and still do) but they decided to take RB Johnson instead because that is how poor the WR prospects are moreso than because of the talent that Johnson has.

Biabreakable said:

1 2 Ronnie Brown - 1 4 Darren McFadden

1 4 Cedric Benson - 1 13 Jonathan Stewart

1 5 Cadillac Williams - 22 Felix Jones

2 44 J.J. Arrington - 1 23 Rashard Mendenhall

2 54 Eric Shelton - 1 24 Chris Johnson

3 65 Frank Gore - 2 44 Matt Forte

3 73 Vernand Morency - 2 55 Ray Rice

3 77 Ryan Moats - 3 64 Kevin Smith

3 101 Maurice Clarett - 3 73 Jamaal Charles 3.69 Jacob Hester - you missed him.

4 109 Marion Barber - 3 89 Steve Slaton 3 73 Jamaal Charles

4 110 Brandon Jacobs - 4 122 Tashard Choice 3 89 Steve Slaton

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Slight correction on draft order.

Riffraff said:

Biabreakable said:

1 2 Ronnie Brown - 1 4 Darren McFadden

1 4 Cedric Benson - 1 13 Jonathan Stewart

1 5 Cadillac Williams - 22 Felix Jones

2 44 J.J. Arrington - 1 23 Rashard Mendenhall

2 54 Eric Shelton - 1 24 Chris Johnson

3 65 Frank Gore - 2 44 Matt Forte

3 73 Vernand Morency - 2 55 Ray Rice

3 77 Ryan Moats - 3 64 Kevin Smith

3 101 Maurice Clarett - 3 73 Jamaal Charles 3.69 Jacob Hester - you missed him.

4 109 Marion Barber - 3 89 Steve Slaton 3 73 Jamaal Charles

4 110 Brandon Jacobs - 4 122 Tashard Choice 3 89 Steve Slaton

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Slight correction on draft order.

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Thanks. I pulled this from PFR not sure why DD doesen't have Hester listed. Corrected in above post.Overall draft position is definitly a lot higher for the 2008 RB than it was in 2005 (except for at the top). But as I have been saying I think that has more to do with the lack of talent at other skill positions than it does the actual talent of the RBs. The 3 successful RBs from 2005 were later picks (Gore, Marion Barber, Brandon Jacobs). I think prospects of their caliber were drafted higher in 2008 (because of the lack of talent at other skill positions).

Your opinion is your own but there is little doubt that 2005 was one of the weakest modern drafts ever at the very top. Ryan is a better prospect than Smith was. Most teams thought higher of Rodgers than Smith. If there had been a better prospect at the top, maybe the Niners wouldnt have had to waste the pick on Smith. The lack of an elite WR in 2008 doesnt make this year's crop weaker at the top. WR is only one of 12+ positions in the NFL. This year had a great group on the defensive line, a top offensive tackle, and McFadden who is a better prospect than any of the 2005 RBs. Cadillac (and pre-injury Gore) was top ten material but Brown was considered a late first round talent before the combine. Benson wasnt high on a lot of teams' lists partly due to his intellect/character but also from lack of versatility. Edwards was also more like a top ten than a top 5 prospect... not Calvin Johnson material. On the other hand, McFadden was considered the best prospect in 2008 by a good half of scouts in a draft that was very strong in the trenches. Both drafts are deep at RB but the WRs have nothing to do with how good overall either draft was. I'd argue that other than Edwards, the rest of the WR class wasnt much different in 2005 than this year.