Jason Wood
Zoo York
These threads are generally good for little more than bumping a year or two later to see how foolish we all sounded with our "analysis", but since I came away COMPLETELY unsatisfied with the Eagles' draft I might as well chime in before I go drown my sorrows in the rest of this Yeungling 12-pack.
Best Drafts of Day One:
Carolina Panthers -- Several of their picks (Kalil, Jarrett) may not contribute much this season, but all four guys project as potential NFL starters. Kalil, as is typical of the best center each year, fell below his projected value by a round or two. Beason may start right away and Jarrett gets the benefit of learning from Keyshawn and Steve Smith before taking over for Key in a year or two. Solid picks 1-4.
Cleveland Browns -- Granted, the Browns gave up a lot to move up for both Quinn and Wright, so we won't be able to judge this until we see how much they lost in opportunity next year. However, based purely on their Day One haul, they came away with a franchise QB [who knows their system, such a rarity for a young QB], the best tackle in the draft and a corner who absolutely would've been a 1st rounder were it not for "character" issues. Three clear top 20 talents for a team that is in a Win Now mode. Solid.
San Francisco --- WOW. This team appears headed for a resurgence. Best [and lowest risk] LB in the draft, a tackle that could easily start for them if not in '08, then '09, a talented WR in Hill [who I thought was one of the underrated players at the position] and a DE that should contribute in a rotation as a situational player. SOLID. If they add DJax for a 4th rounder as rumored, this was a fantastic day for the 49ers.
Honorable Mention -- NY Jets -- Only two picks, but they should both start for the Jets next year. Both are big program guys who had excellent and consistent showings against top competition, and fill key needs.
Worst Drafts of Day One:
Chicago Bears -- Olsen fell into their laps, hard to complain about that. But Bazuin and Wolfe are arguably the two biggest reaches of the day [or at least among the top half dozen]. Okwo is considered a sleeper but he was on an AWFUL college team and is considered a long-term project.
Miami Dolphins -- I'm biased here because I'm no fan of Ted Ginn. Even if he can duplicate the return skills of Devin Hester, they're paying him top 10 money for it; so there's no value there. I could be wrong, but I don't see Ginn contributing as a WR for years. Beck is a 26-year old mechanical drop back QB. Could be good, but he is one of a bunch of mediocre QB prospects that went in the 2nd round; just not seeing it. I don't know much about Satele, but the grades suggest this was a reach pick. Finally, I'm on record as thinking Booker is nothing more than a change of pace back in this league. Yawner for a team that needed help in a lot of placed.
Philadelphia Eagles -- We fleeced Dallas to move out of the first round as I suspected we might. Then we take a QB in the early 2nd? Not to mention it's a system QB who played in the run and shoot and has a weak arm. Great. Abiamiri does nothing for me. Another undersized pass rushing end who has never heard of stopping the run. Beautiful. Steward Bradly almost saved this day by himself, he was a top 5 OLB prospect on everyone's boards and will push for a starting spot in '08 or '09. And Hunt? He's a bruising inside runner that doesn't fit the Eagles offense. If the Birds plan on using a more traditional pro set at times, OK. But why would we expect that to happen?
Seattle Seahawks -- CB and DT were needs, but neither of these guys should've been first day picks. And Seattle didn't have the extra picks to waste of projects.
Tennessee Titans -- Giffin may be solid, but Chris Henry is a guy whose film says "late rounder" but worked out well. Given the Titans RB situation, this was an ill advised need pick. And Paul Williams? How many marginal WRs do the Titans need on the roster? Where's the stud WR to help Vince Young develop?
Honorable Mention: Washington Redskins -- I'm a fan of Laron Landry, and he fills a need. But the Redskins keep acting as though signing veteran FAs is the key to winning. Have they looked at their win-loss record under Snyder? Joe Gibbs looks like Richie Petitbon since his return and one player, even if he's a good one, isn't enough for a team that is staring up at the rest of its division.
Best Drafts of Day One:
Carolina Panthers -- Several of their picks (Kalil, Jarrett) may not contribute much this season, but all four guys project as potential NFL starters. Kalil, as is typical of the best center each year, fell below his projected value by a round or two. Beason may start right away and Jarrett gets the benefit of learning from Keyshawn and Steve Smith before taking over for Key in a year or two. Solid picks 1-4.
Cleveland Browns -- Granted, the Browns gave up a lot to move up for both Quinn and Wright, so we won't be able to judge this until we see how much they lost in opportunity next year. However, based purely on their Day One haul, they came away with a franchise QB [who knows their system, such a rarity for a young QB], the best tackle in the draft and a corner who absolutely would've been a 1st rounder were it not for "character" issues. Three clear top 20 talents for a team that is in a Win Now mode. Solid.
San Francisco --- WOW. This team appears headed for a resurgence. Best [and lowest risk] LB in the draft, a tackle that could easily start for them if not in '08, then '09, a talented WR in Hill [who I thought was one of the underrated players at the position] and a DE that should contribute in a rotation as a situational player. SOLID. If they add DJax for a 4th rounder as rumored, this was a fantastic day for the 49ers.
Honorable Mention -- NY Jets -- Only two picks, but they should both start for the Jets next year. Both are big program guys who had excellent and consistent showings against top competition, and fill key needs.
Worst Drafts of Day One:
Chicago Bears -- Olsen fell into their laps, hard to complain about that. But Bazuin and Wolfe are arguably the two biggest reaches of the day [or at least among the top half dozen]. Okwo is considered a sleeper but he was on an AWFUL college team and is considered a long-term project.
Miami Dolphins -- I'm biased here because I'm no fan of Ted Ginn. Even if he can duplicate the return skills of Devin Hester, they're paying him top 10 money for it; so there's no value there. I could be wrong, but I don't see Ginn contributing as a WR for years. Beck is a 26-year old mechanical drop back QB. Could be good, but he is one of a bunch of mediocre QB prospects that went in the 2nd round; just not seeing it. I don't know much about Satele, but the grades suggest this was a reach pick. Finally, I'm on record as thinking Booker is nothing more than a change of pace back in this league. Yawner for a team that needed help in a lot of placed.
Philadelphia Eagles -- We fleeced Dallas to move out of the first round as I suspected we might. Then we take a QB in the early 2nd? Not to mention it's a system QB who played in the run and shoot and has a weak arm. Great. Abiamiri does nothing for me. Another undersized pass rushing end who has never heard of stopping the run. Beautiful. Steward Bradly almost saved this day by himself, he was a top 5 OLB prospect on everyone's boards and will push for a starting spot in '08 or '09. And Hunt? He's a bruising inside runner that doesn't fit the Eagles offense. If the Birds plan on using a more traditional pro set at times, OK. But why would we expect that to happen?
Seattle Seahawks -- CB and DT were needs, but neither of these guys should've been first day picks. And Seattle didn't have the extra picks to waste of projects.
Tennessee Titans -- Giffin may be solid, but Chris Henry is a guy whose film says "late rounder" but worked out well. Given the Titans RB situation, this was an ill advised need pick. And Paul Williams? How many marginal WRs do the Titans need on the roster? Where's the stud WR to help Vince Young develop?
Honorable Mention: Washington Redskins -- I'm a fan of Laron Landry, and he fills a need. But the Redskins keep acting as though signing veteran FAs is the key to winning. Have they looked at their win-loss record under Snyder? Joe Gibbs looks like Richie Petitbon since his return and one player, even if he's a good one, isn't enough for a team that is staring up at the rest of its division.
McKay said Jimmy Williams is moving to safety now.ETA: I like the possibility of getting Bush in the 4th, great value. Of course, if Petrino doesn't take him, I won't question it.
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:X :wipingmouthaftervomiting:
