JGalligan
Footballguy
Note: This was written in the days following the 2008 NFL Draft.
Someone said something to me the other day that made tons of sense. After forcing them to read my NFL Draft grades, they said the following:
“This is why I don’t think grades should happen until a few years down the road.”
After thanking him for such a nice compliment, I began to soak in what he had said. Although it took a short while, it did.
He was referring to how we critique all of the NFL draft picks even though we are often way off target with our predictions. Sure, we can predict how they’ll do. We can watch as much game tape as we can stomach and read as many stats as our brain can handle, but in the end all we’re doing is just making an educated guess. Basically, we’re Nostradamusing the NFL Draft. Sometimes we’re right (See: Peyton Manning) and sometimes we are terribly, terribly wrong (See: Ryan Leaf). Sometimes we correctly agree on a top prospect (See: Adrian Peterson) and sometimes we fail to even note his arrival to the NFL at all (See: Terrell Davis).
Like Nostradamus, our incorrect predictions are often tossed by the wayside as we display to the world the one’s we called correctly.
After thinking about it for sometime, I figured why not go back a couple of years and grade the drafts? I mean, I have a kid, a la my social life is effectively over, so why not put my free time to good use? I didn’t want to go back too long... about 5 years or so, so that we have a better handle on where those picks are currently in what should be the prime of their careers. More importantly, we can get a handle on how teams did selecting players and what those players contributed to the teams future. We can also see if the teams who draft strong in the present day also did so back then.
Please note that although I will take into account how a player contributed to the team that drafted him, I will also take into account how that player did on other teams as well. The draft is all about scouting after all and the grades that follow are essentially a scouting mark based on the team's total number of picks and how they fared in the cutthroat world of professional football.
First off, let’s get into some explanations of some statistics you‘ll be seeing:
Number of Pro Bowlers selected: Self-explanatory
Number of quality players selected: While I’m not going to completely define a ‘quality player’ or give complicated-qualifying stats, let’s just say a quality player is someone who has had a fairly successful career since 2002 and is generally regarded as a good draft choice. Still being in the NFL helps.
Number of early round disappointments: Selections within the first two rounds that a team wasted because they did not come even remotely close to the expectations when they were selected.
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL: The number of players selected that are still in the NFL and played in at least four games during the 2007 season.
Number of choices still with the team that drafted them: Another self-explanatory stat. This will help us pinpoint which teams scouting department succeeded in selecting a player who could contribute for years to come.
Number of quality late round picks: The number of players who are still doing or have made significant contributions and were selected in Round 4 or later.
Grades will take into account the preceding statistics as well as the intangibles, a la if the draft class had players who were key in a playoff or title run and the like. Since there was so much info, I decided to break this up into three parts. Part one is the breakdown of the first ten teams’ drafts who selected in Round 1. Part two will be the next ten and part three will be, you guessed it, the final ten teams. Err, twelve. Sorry.
<cue dramatic NFL Films music>
First up? April 27th, 2002. The date of the 2002 NFL Draft and more importantly, the birth of the Houston Texans.
<end dramatic NFL Films music and replace with the cool voice of that guy who does the voiceovers>
1. HOUSTON TEXANS
Selections: David Carr (QB), Jabar Gaffney (WR), Chester Pitts (OG), Fred Weary (OG), Charles Hill (DT), Jonathan Wells (RB), Jarrod Baxter (FB), Ramon Walker (S), Demarcus Faggins (CB), Howard Green (DT), Greg White (DE), Ahmad Miller (DT)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players selected: 4 (Jabar Gaffney, Chester Pitts, Fred Weary, Demarcus Faggins)
Number of early round disappointments: 1 (David Carr)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Texans: 4 (Jabar Gaffney(NE), Howard Green (SEA), David Carr (NYG), Greg White (TB))
Number of players still with Houston: 3 (Chester Pitts, Fred Weary, Demarcus Faggins)
Number of quality late round picks: 1 (Sixth rounder: Demarcus Faggins, Seventh rounder: Greg White)
Breakdown: 2002 was the Houston Texans inaugural year in the NFL and because of this they got the first pick in each of the first six rounds (not to mention some other picks thrown in for good measure). While 5 of their 12 selections went on to have successful careers, David Carr was not the QB they thought he would be when they drafted him. They also likely did not know that he was a fan of Michael Jackson-esque gloves. While he wasn’t a bust by any means, the Texans would go on and neglect to get him any offensive line help. Because of this he would be sacked 249 times in his 5 year stint with the Texans. But the draft as a whole went quite well, with 3 of the 7 quality selections still with the team.
Grade: B +
2. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Selections: Julius Peppers (DE), Deshaun Foster (RB), Will Witherspoon (LB), Dante Wesley (CB), Randy Fasani (QB), Kyle Johnson (FB), Keith Heinrich (TE), Pete Campion (OG), Brad Franklin (CB)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 1 (Julius Peppers)
Number of quality players selected: 3 (Julius Peppers, Deshaun Foster, Will Witherspoon)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Panthers: 2 (Deshaun Foster (SF), Will Witherspoon(STL))
Number of players still with Carolina: 1 (Julius Peppers)
Number of quality late round picks: 0
Breakdown: The Panthers hit a home run with their first round selection of Julius Peppers. Generally regarded as a “freak” because of his combination of strength, speed and incredibly long arms, Peppers would go on to have a Pro Bowl career for the Panthers. Carolina’s next two selections, Deshaun Foster and Will Witherspoon would both play key roles in the Panthers 2003 championship push. Unfortunately the Panthers lost the Super Bowl that year to the New England Patriots, but that doesn’t make their first three picks in the 2002 Draft any less impressive.
Grade: A -
3. DETROIT LIONS
Selections: Joey Harrington (QB), Kalimba Edwards (DE), Andre Goodman (CB), John Taylor (DE), John Owens (TE), Chris Cash (CB), Luke Staley (RB), Matt Murphy (TE), Victor Rogers (OT)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players selected: 2 (Kalimba Edwards, Andre Goodman)
Number of early round disappointments: 1 (Joey Harrington)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Lions: 3 (Kalimba Edwards (OAK), Andre Goodman (MIA), Joey Harrington (ATL))
Number of players still with Detroit: 0
Number of quality late round picks: 1 (Fifth rounder: John Owens)
Breakdown: Joey Harrington’s four years in Detroit were marred by mediocrity. At times, he looked like the man who would at last save Lions football. Yet at other times he looked like he belonged in Arena football. He did at least show potential and is still in the league, albeit with a career high 77.2 QB rating (2007 with the Falcons). Second round selection Kalimba Edwards, while not a blue chip, did make contributions on defense. The rest of their selections (save for Andre Goodman) didn’t quite pan out in the long run.
Grade: D +
4. BUFFALO BILLS
Selections: Mike Williams (OT), Josh Reed (WR), Ryan Denney (DE), Coy Wire (SS), Justin Bannan (DT), Kevin Thomas (CB), Mike Pucillo ( C ), Rodney Wright (WR), Jarrett Ferguson (RB), Dominique Stevenson (LB)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players selected: 1 (Josh Reed)
Number of early round disappointments: 1 (Mike Williams)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Bills: 2 (Justin Bannan (BAL), Mike Pucillo (WAS))
Number of players still with Buffalo: 3 (Josh Reed, Ryan Denney, Coy Wire)
Number of quality late round picks: 3 (Third rounder: Coy Wire, Fifth rounder: Justin Bannan, Seventh rounder: Mike Pullico)
Breakdown: First round selection Mike Williams just did not work out at all. While generally a good run blocker, he was not as skilled at pass blocking and was cut by the team three years after he was drafted. Any time a first round pick (not to mention a Top 5 one) doesn’t work out, it sets the team back immensely. Unfortunately for the Bills, the rest of their draft didn’t fare any better with Josh Reed being the only real contributor to the team.
Grade: C -
5. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Selections: Quentin Jammer (CB), Toniu Fonoti (OG), Reche Caldwell (WR), Ben Leber (LB), Justin Peelle (TE), Terry Charles (WR), Matt Anderle (OT), Seth Buford (QB)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players: 4 (Quentin Jammer, Reche Caldwell, Ben Leber, Justin Peele)
Number of early round disappointments: 1 (Toniu Fonoti)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL: 3 (Reche Caldwell (STL), Ben Leber (MIN), Justin Peelle (MIA))
Number of players still with San Diego: 1 (Quentin Jammer)
Number of quality late round picks: 2 (Third rounder: Ben Leber, Fourth rounder: Justin Peele)
Breakdown: The Chargers had a very productive 2002 draft with Quentin Jammer panning out to be the anchor of the secondary for the defense, Reche Caldwell proved to be a skilled receiver (but never a number one), Ben Leber started many games at linebacker, and Justin Peele proved to be a competent, pass-catching, number two TE. Second round pick Toniu Fonoti had injury problems as well as some off the field issues that limited his stay in San Diego to a mere two years. You can’t really penalize San Diego for failing to foresee these problems at the time of the draft, though. Unless your some kind of pessimist or something.
Grade: B +
6. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Selections: Ryan Sims (DT), Eddie Freeman (DE), Omar Easy (FB), Scott Fujita (LB), Maurice Rodriguez (LB)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players: 1 (Scott Fujita)
Number of early round disappointments: 2 (Ryan Sims, Eddie Freeman)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL: 2 (Scott Fujita (NO), Ryan Sims (TB))
Number of players still with Kansas City: 0
Number of quality late round picks: 1 (Fifth rounder: Scott Fujita)
Breakdown: While Ryan Sims was not necessarily a bust, he certainly didn’t put up the numbers that a defensive lineman taken in the Top 10 would be expected to. In five seasons with the Chiefs he only had 75 tackles, 5 sacks and 1 interception. I’m even being nice and counting assisted tackles! The remainder of the Chiefs picks didn’t bode quite well, either. With the exception of Scott Fujita, all of Kansas City’s picks did nothing to improve the team in any way. To add insult to injury, Fujita left after his third season with the team, leaving them with nothing at all to show for the 2002 draft just a mere three years later.
Grade: F
7. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Selections: Bryant McKinnie (OT), Raonall Smith (LB), Willie Offord (SS), Brian Williams (DB), Ed Ta’amu (OG), Nick Rogers (LB), Chad Beasley (OT)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players: 2 (Bryant McKinnie, Brian Williams)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Vikings: 2 (Brian Williams (JAX), Raonall Smith (STL))
Number of players still with Minnesota: 1 (Bryant McKinnie)
Number of quality late round picks: 1 (Fourth rounder: Brian Williams)
Breakdown: The Vikings first round selection of Bryant McKinnie is perhaps my favorite selection in the entire 2002 draft. In addition to being a fantastic blocker, he’s also been an absolute workhorse. He’s started every single Minnesota Vikings game since 2003. Every single one. The Vikings appeared to like him too, giving him a 7 year, $48.5 million dollar deal in 2006. While most of the other picks paled in comparison to the McKinnie selection, the Vikings did find another gem in the fourth round: Brian Williams. Although he is currently on the Jacksonville Jaguars, he’s started every game he’s been able to when he’s not been injured (save for his rookie year). The Vikings ended up getting a solid 4 years out of him.
Grade: B +
8. DALLAS COWBOYS
Selections: Roy Williams (FS), Andre Gurode ( C ), Antonio Bryant (WR), Derek Ross (CB), Jamar Martin (FB), Pete Hunter (CB), Tyson Walter ( C ), Deveren Johnson (WR), Bob Slowikowski (TE)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 2 (Roy Williams, Andre Gurode)
Number of quality players: 3 (Roy Williams, Andre Gurode, Antonio Bryant)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Cowboys: 0
Number of players still with Dallas: 2 (Roy Williams, Andre Gurode)
Number of quality late round picks: 0
Breakdown: The Cowboys struck gold with their first two selections in the 2002 draft, selecting two eventual Pro-Bowlers. Roy Williams wouldn’t waste any time, being sent to the Pro Bowl in just his second year as a pro. It took Andre Gurode a bit longer but he is currently on back to back Pro Bowl nominations for 2006 and 2007. Antonio Bryant was looking like a solid selection as well until he violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy in 2006. They also found a gem (but not a starter, apparently) in Tyson Walter in the sixth round.
Grade: B
9. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Selections: John Henderson (DT), Mike Pearson (OT), Akin Ayodele (LB), David Garrard (QB), Chris Luzar (TE), Clenton Ballard (DT), Kendall Newson (WR), Steve Smith (DB), Hayden Epstein (K)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 1 (John Henderson)
Number of quality players: 3 (John Henderson, Akin Ayodele, David Garrard)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Jaguars: (Akin Ayodele (MIA))
Number of those players still with Jacksonville: 2 (John Henderson, David Garrard)
Number of quality late round picks: 2 (Third rounder: Akin Ayodele, Fourth rounder: David Garrard)
Breakdown: The Jaguars selection of John Henderson in Round 1 proved to be a great one, with Henderson becoming a 2 time Pro Bowlers in 2004 and 2006. Along with Marcus Stroud, he would ensure the Jaguars had one of the most feared defensive lines up until 2007. Third rounder Akin Ayodele would prove to be a workhorse linebacker and improved the Jaguars defense by leaps and bounds when there. David Garrard wouldn’t get his time to shine until 2006 until he was eventually be named the starting quarterback over Byron Leftwich. Garrard led the Jaguars to an 11-5 record and a wild card playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007.
Grade: A
10. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Selections: Levi Jones (OT), Lamont Thompson (FS), Matt Schobel (TE), Travis Dorsch (K), Marquand Manuel (S), Joey Evans (DE)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players: 3 (Levi Jones, Matt Schobel, Marquand Manuel)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Bengals: 2 (Matt Schobel (PHI), Marquand Manuel (DEN))
Number of players still with Cincinnati: 1 (Levi Jones)
Number of quality late round picks: 2 (Third rounder: Matt Schobel, Sixth rounder: Marquand Manuel)
Breakdown: The tenth overall selection of Levi Jones in the 2002 Draft has proved to be a smart one. Save for an injury plagued 2006 season, Jones has started 74 out of 80 possible games. He was also a large part of Rudi Johnson amassing 4,000 yards from 2004-2006 and could even be said he was key in Rudi’s 2004 Pro Bowl bid as well. While Lamont Thompson contributed some, he was released after one year with the team. Matt Schobel put in some work from 2002-2005, racking up 938 yards and 9 touchdowns. Marquand Manuel has also played sporadically with both the Bengals and several other teams who have needed secondary help.
Grade: C +
Someone said something to me the other day that made tons of sense. After forcing them to read my NFL Draft grades, they said the following:
“This is why I don’t think grades should happen until a few years down the road.”
After thanking him for such a nice compliment, I began to soak in what he had said. Although it took a short while, it did.
He was referring to how we critique all of the NFL draft picks even though we are often way off target with our predictions. Sure, we can predict how they’ll do. We can watch as much game tape as we can stomach and read as many stats as our brain can handle, but in the end all we’re doing is just making an educated guess. Basically, we’re Nostradamusing the NFL Draft. Sometimes we’re right (See: Peyton Manning) and sometimes we are terribly, terribly wrong (See: Ryan Leaf). Sometimes we correctly agree on a top prospect (See: Adrian Peterson) and sometimes we fail to even note his arrival to the NFL at all (See: Terrell Davis).
Like Nostradamus, our incorrect predictions are often tossed by the wayside as we display to the world the one’s we called correctly.
After thinking about it for sometime, I figured why not go back a couple of years and grade the drafts? I mean, I have a kid, a la my social life is effectively over, so why not put my free time to good use? I didn’t want to go back too long... about 5 years or so, so that we have a better handle on where those picks are currently in what should be the prime of their careers. More importantly, we can get a handle on how teams did selecting players and what those players contributed to the teams future. We can also see if the teams who draft strong in the present day also did so back then.
Please note that although I will take into account how a player contributed to the team that drafted him, I will also take into account how that player did on other teams as well. The draft is all about scouting after all and the grades that follow are essentially a scouting mark based on the team's total number of picks and how they fared in the cutthroat world of professional football.
First off, let’s get into some explanations of some statistics you‘ll be seeing:
Number of Pro Bowlers selected: Self-explanatory
Number of quality players selected: While I’m not going to completely define a ‘quality player’ or give complicated-qualifying stats, let’s just say a quality player is someone who has had a fairly successful career since 2002 and is generally regarded as a good draft choice. Still being in the NFL helps.
Number of early round disappointments: Selections within the first two rounds that a team wasted because they did not come even remotely close to the expectations when they were selected.
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL: The number of players selected that are still in the NFL and played in at least four games during the 2007 season.
Number of choices still with the team that drafted them: Another self-explanatory stat. This will help us pinpoint which teams scouting department succeeded in selecting a player who could contribute for years to come.
Number of quality late round picks: The number of players who are still doing or have made significant contributions and were selected in Round 4 or later.
Grades will take into account the preceding statistics as well as the intangibles, a la if the draft class had players who were key in a playoff or title run and the like. Since there was so much info, I decided to break this up into three parts. Part one is the breakdown of the first ten teams’ drafts who selected in Round 1. Part two will be the next ten and part three will be, you guessed it, the final ten teams. Err, twelve. Sorry.
<cue dramatic NFL Films music>
First up? April 27th, 2002. The date of the 2002 NFL Draft and more importantly, the birth of the Houston Texans.
<end dramatic NFL Films music and replace with the cool voice of that guy who does the voiceovers>
1. HOUSTON TEXANS
Selections: David Carr (QB), Jabar Gaffney (WR), Chester Pitts (OG), Fred Weary (OG), Charles Hill (DT), Jonathan Wells (RB), Jarrod Baxter (FB), Ramon Walker (S), Demarcus Faggins (CB), Howard Green (DT), Greg White (DE), Ahmad Miller (DT)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players selected: 4 (Jabar Gaffney, Chester Pitts, Fred Weary, Demarcus Faggins)
Number of early round disappointments: 1 (David Carr)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Texans: 4 (Jabar Gaffney(NE), Howard Green (SEA), David Carr (NYG), Greg White (TB))
Number of players still with Houston: 3 (Chester Pitts, Fred Weary, Demarcus Faggins)
Number of quality late round picks: 1 (Sixth rounder: Demarcus Faggins, Seventh rounder: Greg White)
Breakdown: 2002 was the Houston Texans inaugural year in the NFL and because of this they got the first pick in each of the first six rounds (not to mention some other picks thrown in for good measure). While 5 of their 12 selections went on to have successful careers, David Carr was not the QB they thought he would be when they drafted him. They also likely did not know that he was a fan of Michael Jackson-esque gloves. While he wasn’t a bust by any means, the Texans would go on and neglect to get him any offensive line help. Because of this he would be sacked 249 times in his 5 year stint with the Texans. But the draft as a whole went quite well, with 3 of the 7 quality selections still with the team.
Grade: B +
2. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Selections: Julius Peppers (DE), Deshaun Foster (RB), Will Witherspoon (LB), Dante Wesley (CB), Randy Fasani (QB), Kyle Johnson (FB), Keith Heinrich (TE), Pete Campion (OG), Brad Franklin (CB)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 1 (Julius Peppers)
Number of quality players selected: 3 (Julius Peppers, Deshaun Foster, Will Witherspoon)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Panthers: 2 (Deshaun Foster (SF), Will Witherspoon(STL))
Number of players still with Carolina: 1 (Julius Peppers)
Number of quality late round picks: 0
Breakdown: The Panthers hit a home run with their first round selection of Julius Peppers. Generally regarded as a “freak” because of his combination of strength, speed and incredibly long arms, Peppers would go on to have a Pro Bowl career for the Panthers. Carolina’s next two selections, Deshaun Foster and Will Witherspoon would both play key roles in the Panthers 2003 championship push. Unfortunately the Panthers lost the Super Bowl that year to the New England Patriots, but that doesn’t make their first three picks in the 2002 Draft any less impressive.
Grade: A -
3. DETROIT LIONS
Selections: Joey Harrington (QB), Kalimba Edwards (DE), Andre Goodman (CB), John Taylor (DE), John Owens (TE), Chris Cash (CB), Luke Staley (RB), Matt Murphy (TE), Victor Rogers (OT)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players selected: 2 (Kalimba Edwards, Andre Goodman)
Number of early round disappointments: 1 (Joey Harrington)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Lions: 3 (Kalimba Edwards (OAK), Andre Goodman (MIA), Joey Harrington (ATL))
Number of players still with Detroit: 0
Number of quality late round picks: 1 (Fifth rounder: John Owens)
Breakdown: Joey Harrington’s four years in Detroit were marred by mediocrity. At times, he looked like the man who would at last save Lions football. Yet at other times he looked like he belonged in Arena football. He did at least show potential and is still in the league, albeit with a career high 77.2 QB rating (2007 with the Falcons). Second round selection Kalimba Edwards, while not a blue chip, did make contributions on defense. The rest of their selections (save for Andre Goodman) didn’t quite pan out in the long run.
Grade: D +
4. BUFFALO BILLS
Selections: Mike Williams (OT), Josh Reed (WR), Ryan Denney (DE), Coy Wire (SS), Justin Bannan (DT), Kevin Thomas (CB), Mike Pucillo ( C ), Rodney Wright (WR), Jarrett Ferguson (RB), Dominique Stevenson (LB)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players selected: 1 (Josh Reed)
Number of early round disappointments: 1 (Mike Williams)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Bills: 2 (Justin Bannan (BAL), Mike Pucillo (WAS))
Number of players still with Buffalo: 3 (Josh Reed, Ryan Denney, Coy Wire)
Number of quality late round picks: 3 (Third rounder: Coy Wire, Fifth rounder: Justin Bannan, Seventh rounder: Mike Pullico)
Breakdown: First round selection Mike Williams just did not work out at all. While generally a good run blocker, he was not as skilled at pass blocking and was cut by the team three years after he was drafted. Any time a first round pick (not to mention a Top 5 one) doesn’t work out, it sets the team back immensely. Unfortunately for the Bills, the rest of their draft didn’t fare any better with Josh Reed being the only real contributor to the team.
Grade: C -
5. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Selections: Quentin Jammer (CB), Toniu Fonoti (OG), Reche Caldwell (WR), Ben Leber (LB), Justin Peelle (TE), Terry Charles (WR), Matt Anderle (OT), Seth Buford (QB)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players: 4 (Quentin Jammer, Reche Caldwell, Ben Leber, Justin Peele)
Number of early round disappointments: 1 (Toniu Fonoti)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL: 3 (Reche Caldwell (STL), Ben Leber (MIN), Justin Peelle (MIA))
Number of players still with San Diego: 1 (Quentin Jammer)
Number of quality late round picks: 2 (Third rounder: Ben Leber, Fourth rounder: Justin Peele)
Breakdown: The Chargers had a very productive 2002 draft with Quentin Jammer panning out to be the anchor of the secondary for the defense, Reche Caldwell proved to be a skilled receiver (but never a number one), Ben Leber started many games at linebacker, and Justin Peele proved to be a competent, pass-catching, number two TE. Second round pick Toniu Fonoti had injury problems as well as some off the field issues that limited his stay in San Diego to a mere two years. You can’t really penalize San Diego for failing to foresee these problems at the time of the draft, though. Unless your some kind of pessimist or something.
Grade: B +
6. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Selections: Ryan Sims (DT), Eddie Freeman (DE), Omar Easy (FB), Scott Fujita (LB), Maurice Rodriguez (LB)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players: 1 (Scott Fujita)
Number of early round disappointments: 2 (Ryan Sims, Eddie Freeman)
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL: 2 (Scott Fujita (NO), Ryan Sims (TB))
Number of players still with Kansas City: 0
Number of quality late round picks: 1 (Fifth rounder: Scott Fujita)
Breakdown: While Ryan Sims was not necessarily a bust, he certainly didn’t put up the numbers that a defensive lineman taken in the Top 10 would be expected to. In five seasons with the Chiefs he only had 75 tackles, 5 sacks and 1 interception. I’m even being nice and counting assisted tackles! The remainder of the Chiefs picks didn’t bode quite well, either. With the exception of Scott Fujita, all of Kansas City’s picks did nothing to improve the team in any way. To add insult to injury, Fujita left after his third season with the team, leaving them with nothing at all to show for the 2002 draft just a mere three years later.
Grade: F
7. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Selections: Bryant McKinnie (OT), Raonall Smith (LB), Willie Offord (SS), Brian Williams (DB), Ed Ta’amu (OG), Nick Rogers (LB), Chad Beasley (OT)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players: 2 (Bryant McKinnie, Brian Williams)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Vikings: 2 (Brian Williams (JAX), Raonall Smith (STL))
Number of players still with Minnesota: 1 (Bryant McKinnie)
Number of quality late round picks: 1 (Fourth rounder: Brian Williams)
Breakdown: The Vikings first round selection of Bryant McKinnie is perhaps my favorite selection in the entire 2002 draft. In addition to being a fantastic blocker, he’s also been an absolute workhorse. He’s started every single Minnesota Vikings game since 2003. Every single one. The Vikings appeared to like him too, giving him a 7 year, $48.5 million dollar deal in 2006. While most of the other picks paled in comparison to the McKinnie selection, the Vikings did find another gem in the fourth round: Brian Williams. Although he is currently on the Jacksonville Jaguars, he’s started every game he’s been able to when he’s not been injured (save for his rookie year). The Vikings ended up getting a solid 4 years out of him.
Grade: B +
8. DALLAS COWBOYS
Selections: Roy Williams (FS), Andre Gurode ( C ), Antonio Bryant (WR), Derek Ross (CB), Jamar Martin (FB), Pete Hunter (CB), Tyson Walter ( C ), Deveren Johnson (WR), Bob Slowikowski (TE)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 2 (Roy Williams, Andre Gurode)
Number of quality players: 3 (Roy Williams, Andre Gurode, Antonio Bryant)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Cowboys: 0
Number of players still with Dallas: 2 (Roy Williams, Andre Gurode)
Number of quality late round picks: 0
Breakdown: The Cowboys struck gold with their first two selections in the 2002 draft, selecting two eventual Pro-Bowlers. Roy Williams wouldn’t waste any time, being sent to the Pro Bowl in just his second year as a pro. It took Andre Gurode a bit longer but he is currently on back to back Pro Bowl nominations for 2006 and 2007. Antonio Bryant was looking like a solid selection as well until he violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy in 2006. They also found a gem (but not a starter, apparently) in Tyson Walter in the sixth round.
Grade: B
9. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Selections: John Henderson (DT), Mike Pearson (OT), Akin Ayodele (LB), David Garrard (QB), Chris Luzar (TE), Clenton Ballard (DT), Kendall Newson (WR), Steve Smith (DB), Hayden Epstein (K)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 1 (John Henderson)
Number of quality players: 3 (John Henderson, Akin Ayodele, David Garrard)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Jaguars: (Akin Ayodele (MIA))
Number of those players still with Jacksonville: 2 (John Henderson, David Garrard)
Number of quality late round picks: 2 (Third rounder: Akin Ayodele, Fourth rounder: David Garrard)
Breakdown: The Jaguars selection of John Henderson in Round 1 proved to be a great one, with Henderson becoming a 2 time Pro Bowlers in 2004 and 2006. Along with Marcus Stroud, he would ensure the Jaguars had one of the most feared defensive lines up until 2007. Third rounder Akin Ayodele would prove to be a workhorse linebacker and improved the Jaguars defense by leaps and bounds when there. David Garrard wouldn’t get his time to shine until 2006 until he was eventually be named the starting quarterback over Byron Leftwich. Garrard led the Jaguars to an 11-5 record and a wild card playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007.
Grade: A
10. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Selections: Levi Jones (OT), Lamont Thompson (FS), Matt Schobel (TE), Travis Dorsch (K), Marquand Manuel (S), Joey Evans (DE)
Number of Pro Bowlers: 0
Number of quality players: 3 (Levi Jones, Matt Schobel, Marquand Manuel)
Number of early round disappointments: 0
Number of draft choices still actively playing in the NFL but not with the Bengals: 2 (Matt Schobel (PHI), Marquand Manuel (DEN))
Number of players still with Cincinnati: 1 (Levi Jones)
Number of quality late round picks: 2 (Third rounder: Matt Schobel, Sixth rounder: Marquand Manuel)
Breakdown: The tenth overall selection of Levi Jones in the 2002 Draft has proved to be a smart one. Save for an injury plagued 2006 season, Jones has started 74 out of 80 possible games. He was also a large part of Rudi Johnson amassing 4,000 yards from 2004-2006 and could even be said he was key in Rudi’s 2004 Pro Bowl bid as well. While Lamont Thompson contributed some, he was released after one year with the team. Matt Schobel put in some work from 2002-2005, racking up 938 yards and 9 touchdowns. Marquand Manuel has also played sporadically with both the Bengals and several other teams who have needed secondary help.
Grade: C +
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