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2008 NFL Draft Grades - AFC East
by Gregory Cox
Director
of College
Football and NFL Analysis
5/2/08
BUFFALO
#11 CB Leodis McKelvin (Troy):
I had them taking a corner here and had I known they would get their
pick of
the litter this would have been another player/team hit for me. One
interesting
part of this pick for me is McKelvin being an awesome punt return
threat. Their
slot receiver Roscoe Parrish has been awesome in that role and
improving as a
receiver. Other teams would have gotten more value from McKelvin who
probably
can’t beat him out for that job. Still, he gives them the #1 playmaker
they
needed in their young secondary.
#41 WR James Hardy (Indiana): I wasn’t a big fan of mock
drafts forcing big receivers Kelly (Oklahoma)
and then Thomas (Michigan State)
to them with their first pick. Waiting was a much smarter decision and
again if
I had known he would be on the board this is another pick I 100% would
have
assigned to them here. It’s not often you can get a receiver with such
size and
production at this point in the draft, but when teams reach for Avery
(St.
Louis) and Nelson (Green Bay) or overlook their receiver need twice
(Dallas) it
can happen.
#72 DE/OLB Chris Ellis (Virginia Tech): The Bills have a
poor pass rush and dismal sack numbers. He is immediately going to fit
into
their rotation. It isn’t a big value like the first two picks, but he
fills a
need. I wondered if character issues might drop him down and the answer
was
only a little since I had him #59.
#114 CB Reggie Corner (Akron):
Looking at the rest of their picks I’m not sure their scouts really
evaluated
beyond the top 100 of this class. Corner caught some late traction with
a great
pro day, but no one would have been shocked to see him drafted in the
sixth
round or not at all. One corner was needed, but two? I’m not sure
Youboty is a
complete failure just yet at the nickel spot. If I was going to draft a
second
corner and was willing to take a chance (see Chris Ellis) then
Ikegwuonu
(injury, character) Bowman (injury) and Scandrick (non-BCS) were all
better
long term projects on the board.
#132 TE Derek Fine (Kansas):
I think they needed to add a tight end earlier and this really only
gives them
a situational player who can add to their red zone offense that already
improved with Hardy at receiver. This was not only a reach, but the
next two
tight ends off the board Davis (Michigan State) and Barnidge
(Louisville) were
both better. His best contribution could come on special teams and this
is
early for that.
#147 OLB Alvin Bowen (Iowa State):
He’s a small, fast
linebacker which is why he compares himself to Ray Lewis. Wait, huh?
There were
departures at the position and a significant addition was need. This
was not
the right one and a major reach. There are a handful of players I would
have
taken here instead of him and I just can’t figure out what teams were
doing
with their draft board at linebacker.
#179 RB Xavier Omon (Missouri
Western
State):
I almost have to wonder if they want to use him at fullback. He was a
dynamo in
Division II, but the team just drafted a solid starter (Lynch) and a
backup
(Wright) who is almost Omon’s identical size last year. They’re not
getting a
great value and why not draft Lynch’s college backup Forsett or the
hard
working Hart (Michigan)
at this
point? Even Washington (USC) Boyd (South Carolina)
and Patrick (Oklahoma)
were on the
board.
#219 OT Demetrius Bell
(Northwestern State):
Finally back to reality. They needed to secure an offensive lineman and
this is
a reasonable selection. He will take some time to develop though, and
it’s
questionable if he can make the team.
#224 WR Steve Johnson (Kentucky):
He led the SEC in receiving, but let’s not get carried away with that
considering the amount of running done in the conference. He gives them
more
size (6’2”) at the position and was seen as a potential sixth round
pick. This is
one of those savvy sleeper moves, because while his teammate Burton
got more attention he is a good prospect.
#251 CB Kennard Cox (Pittsburgh):
Another cornerback? Really? I know it’s Mr. Almost Irrelevant, but
after adding
William James and drafting three corners I think everyone on their
depth chart
at the position is wondering what exactly is going on.
MY DRAFT: #11 (CB) #41 (WR) #72 (TE) #114 (ILB/OLB) #132
(FB) #147 (DE) #179 (C) #219 (QB) #224 (FS) #251 (OT)
They went corner and receiver in day 1 as I projected and a
seventh round offensive tackle. The tight end and linebacker were taken
a round
later while the defensive end was selected two rounds earlier. They
took a big
running back instead of a fullback and two more corners instead of a
free
safety. They passed on a quarterback and appear to content to retain
disgruntled Losman.
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 6/10
NEAR MISSES: 2/10 (CB instead of FS, RB instead of FB)
HOW DID THEY DO? After a great day one they really faded. I
know cornerbacks are valuable and it is good to stock up, but three?
Going
value with the first three picks cost them a quality tight end and they
should
have traded up from #114 when Rucker (Missouri)
started falling. Unless their small school products perform really well
this
could be a very thin draft when it comes to players making the team
which isn’t
what you want from a class of 10.
UNDRAFTED ADDITIONS: QB Luke Drone (Illinois
State)
ILB Joe Brockington (Notre
Dame) DT Terez McCray (Miami, FL)
FB Mike Viti (Army) WR Jason Jones (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) OG Robert
Felton (Arkansas)
RB Bruce Hill (Mississippi)
OLB
Marcus Buggs (Vanderbilt) OLB Jon Banks (Iowa
State)
Analysis: They got three more linebackers to compete for
spots on the bottom of the depth chart, but didn’t get any of the top
players
not drafted. Guard Robert Felton is the best player they added by far.
He could
have gone in the fifth round if teams weren’t obsessed with tackles.
Other than
that this went about like their second day of the draft.
OVERALL DRAFT: 70/100
INCLUDING UDFA: 67/100
MIAMI
#1 OT Jake Long (Michigan):
Of course everyone had this is their final mock draft, but I first had
him
there on March 6th. There are doubts about him being a dominant left
tackle and
the Big-10 has ranged for major hit Thomas (Cleveland)
to big miss Gallery (Oakland)
of
recent tackles taken in the top 5. For now he locks up a starting spot
which is
obviously what you want the #1 overall pick in the draft to do. I might
have
taken the other Long.
#32 DE Phillip Merling (Clemson): It surprised me to see him
fall out of the first round after he worked out for scouts just days
prior to
the draft following hernia surgery. My only question is if he fits in
their
3-4. He’s not an edge rusher like Taylor,
but obviously they are moving forward as if they will trade Taylor
for something less than the ransom they dangled on draft weekend.
#57 QB Chad
Henne (Michigan): This
was my
pick for them at #32, but I can see why they didn’t pass on Merling.
With Brohm
falling along with Henne they wisely stayed put and got him in the
second
round. He’s experienced and poised. There is no doubt in my mind he
will beat
out Beck, but this year it will mean being the #2 behind McCown who
will lead
the team while they rebuild.
#66 DE/DT Kendall Langford (Hampton): He’s a run stuffer who
can also sack the quarterback. I wasn’t convinced he should go this
high, but
I’m not alone liking him as an addition for their 3-4 at either end or
tackle.
With some seasoning he should be good to go.
#110 OG Shawn Murphy (Utah State):
This was way too early for
him. They could have easily traded up in the sixth round to secure his
services
and taken a better player in this spot like offensive tackle Collins
(Kansas)
running back Choice (Georgia Tech) or receiver Hawkins (California)
just to
name a few. Still, they have a hole at one guard spot and need someone
to
compete for it. On the positive side he is a mature 25 years old and
has top
shelf character.
#176 RB Jalen Parmele (Toledo):
After trading Booker they needed depth at running back and he’s their
third
down option. I think it was a shade high for him and again my strategy
would
have been trading up from #176 for Murphy then taking Parmele at #195.
Hindsight, I know but I think they would have gotten it done and wound
up with
another good player.
#195 OG Donald Thomas (Connecticut): This was a really good
value and in a way makes up for the Murphy reach because netting out
both picks
based on projections it is a wash. He will fight with Murphy for that
starting
right guard spot which is the only opening on their line. You can
expect
Sparano to coach him up and he should be a reserve guard.
#204 FB Lex Hilliard (Montana):
He is a versatile addition to their backfield and will be useful on
special
teams. Not sure they really needed to take him in the sixth round
though.
#245 DT Lionel Dotson (Arizona): He could shift over to end
and the Dolphins have stocked up that position presumably in
anticipation
Taylor will not be with the team much longer.
MY DRAFT: #1 (OT) #32 (QB) #57 (CB) #64 (OG) #100 (WR) #195
(ILB/OLB) #204 (TE) #208 (OT) #245 (RB)
They grabbed the Michigan
duo of Long (locked up prior to draft) and Henne, but avoided
cornerback and
wide receiver which I saw as huge needs. If I had time to adjust I
would have
taken off late picks of tight end and linebacker after they traded for
them
with Dallas. One of those
picks was
the tight end Fasano, and I did say Parcells wanted his “Rambo” right?
Fasano
played for Notre Dame, just like Bavaro who he had with the Giants. It
was a
very savvy move by the Tuna. They got their offensive line help that I
projected, albeit two guards and a tackle instead of the other way
around, and
secured a late round running back as I expected.
PLAYER HITS: 2
POSITION HITS: 4/9
NEAR MISSES: 3/9 (OG instead of OT, traded for LB and TE on
eve of draft)
HOW DID THEY DO? I am torn between trusting Parcells and
really questioning some of these selections. Immediately you have to
love
drafting three players on each line putting two-thirds of their draft
in the
trenches. He showed the world how you build a team up from 1-15. Other
than
Merling and arguably Henne there wasn’t a lot of value in their
selections,
especially at #1 overall. However, this is a long process and it will
take
another draft before the Dolphins are really in order. The grade on
this draft
is relative to the value of players taken. I realize the direction they
felt
they needed to take though.
UNDRAFTED ADDITIONS: OT Dan Gore (Boise State) OLB Kelly
Poppinga (BYU) WR Jayson Foster (Georgia Southern) OT Mike Byrne
(Delaware) WR
Davone Bess (Hawaii) TE Matt Mulligan (Maine) OT Daren Heerspink
(Portland
State) FB Rolly Lumballa (Idaho) DE/OLB Titus Brown (Mississippi State)
DT Kory
Robertson (Virginia Tech) CB Scorpio Babers (Sam Houston State) WR
Selwyn Lymon
(Purdue) TE Kris Kasparek (Akron) QB Willie Copeland (Valdosta State)
Analysis: The key addition here is Brown who could be a pass
rush specialist and was certainly capable of being drafted. He logged
15.5
sacks over his final two seasons. Poppinga’s brother starts at
linebacker for Green Bay.
Bess caught a lot of passes from Brennan in a
high powered collegiate offense, but for him to be the best receiver
they got
out of this class is a mistake. It isn’t surprising to see four more
total
additions on the line and they took everything other than a guard,
center and
safety. If I’m Satele (center) or any safety on the roster I have to
feel
pretty good because those were the positions ignored entirely.
OVERALL DRAFT: 78/100
INCLUDING UDFA: 74/100
NEW ENGLAND
#10 ILB Jerod Mayo (Tennessee):
I’ll tell you something, I had guard Logan Mankins pegged to them at
#64 in
2005. Everyone called it a reach, but I think it turned out pretty
well. If
they like a guy forget it they will go and get him. This was like house
money
anyway because even after Spygate they had a high pick thanks to their
draft
day deal with San Francisco.
If
they like him for their defense it’s good enough for me.
#62 CB Terrence Wheatley (Colorado):
He is one of many talented corners behind the top end guys and honestly
there
isn’t much of a drop-off. His speed will be useful on special teams
until he is
ready to contribute more on defense.
#78 OLB Shawn Crable (Michigan): He was going to be taken by
a 3-4 team most likely and if you didn’t know the “Patriot Way” (no
linebackers
or corners early) this is be just about how their opening few picks
would have
been projected.
#94 QB Kevin O’Connell (San Diego
State):
Okay, forget about reaches
this was borderline madness. I know this is the guy they wanted, but
with
Booty, Dixon, Ainge, and Johnson not to mention record setting Brennan,
national champion Flynn and project Woodson sitting on the board they
couldn’t
wait until #129? I would have taken my chances with receiver Manningham
(Michigan)
who went with the next pick, or any number of quality offensive linemen
still
on the board.
#129 CB Jonathan Wilhite (Auburn):
They are short handed at cornerback and it was a good idea to make
multiple
additions. Other players were rated higher, but he might be a better
fit for
their system and more useful on special teams. This is the Patriots,
they
really don’t care what anyone else thinks.
#153 WR Matt Slater (UCLA): I can tell you this, they are
really paying attention to special teams in this draft. When you are one score away from 19-0 I guess you
can
afford to do that, especially when you pocket a 2009 second round pick
from San Diego. He is
strictly a coverage man.
#197 OLB Bo Ruud (Nebraska):
He is one of at least a dozen prospects in this draft with a relative
in the
NFL as his brother plays linebacker for Tampa
Bay.
Stop me if you’ve heard this
before, he should help them on special teams.
MY DRAFT: #7 (OLB) #62 (CB) #69 (WR) #94 (SS) #129 (TE) #164
(RB) #197 (OT/OG) #238 (OG)
After defying what everyone else did and correctly
predicting linebacker and cornerback out of the gate, the only thing I
got
“right” was another receiver which is a stretch because Slater won’t
play
there. They waited to address the offensive line, running back and
tight end
after the draft (see below).
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 3/8
NEAR MISSES: 0/8
HOW DID THEY DO? Basically they drafted only two positions,
linebacker and cornerback. Those were their biggest needs and it makes
sense,
but in total only one player is likely to start out of this group this
year or
even next. Three shots at linebacker and two at cornerback is smart
business.
Different guys fit into their system as we have seen during their
recent run of
success and this could be the draft to finally bring them youth behind
the
front line of former #1 picks. Aside from bolstering their special
teams this
crop won’t help them much this season.
UNDRAFTED ADDITIONS: OLB Vince Redd (Liberty) DT Chris
Norwell (Illinois) OT Josh Coffman (East Carolina) OG Ryan Wendell
(Fresno
State) RB Kenny Cattouse (Troy) TE Jon Stupar (Virginia) P Mike
Dragosavich
(North Dakota State) DE Casey Tyler (Portland State) DT Carlos
Feliciano (Maryland)
TE Tyson DeVree (Colorado) RB BenJarvis Green-Ellis (Mississippi) DT
Anthony
Toribio (Carson-Newmann) OLB Gary Guyton (Georgia Tech) DE/OLB Keith
Saunders
(Alabama) SS Mark Dillard (Louisiana Tech)
Analysis: This isn’t a bad group of players and not surprisingly
the headliner helps them on …. special teams! It’s the punter
Dragosavich who
was definitely the top one available behind the only one drafted
(Brooks).
Hanson only punted 44 times last year, his first with the team, but he
wasn’t
very effective. Now “Drago” (if that’s not his nickname it should be)
has the
easiest job since backing up Favre in the 90’s. Other notable additions
were
Guyton and Redd among three linebackers added. Guyton should have been
a fifth
round pick. The five additions on the lines will fight for possible
backup
roles. Tight ends Stupar and DeVree have a fighting chance given their
depth
situation there although they did just sign veteran Pollard.
OVERALL DRAFT: 73/100
INCLUDING UDFA: 74/100
NY JETS
#6 DE/OLB Vernon Gholston (Ohio
State):
Despite flirtations with Arkansas
running back McFadden and the only Long who entered the weekend
unsigned this
was really the player they wanted to stay put and grab. Either other
option was
going to cost them too much. Their fans are happy and they get a pass
rushing
workout warrior with potential to grow into a force.
#30 TE Dustin Keller (Purdue): Back into the first round
after trading up and back to the Big Ten for an elite tight end. I’m
not sure I
can name the last impact player they had at the position and now they
can tell
the whining Baker to get lost if he doesn’t like playing for the
J-E-T-S. He
doesn’t have ideal size for the position and won’t play every down
because he
can’t block. Forget about that because he is a serious threat in the
passing
game which they have lacked for a long time at tight end.
#113 CB Dwight Lowery (San Jose State): Various trades kept
them out of action for a while and they get back into the draft with a
guy who
saw his stock plummet after an hour glass slow 40. Still, he can get
his hands
on the football and while he isn’t the stud starter I expected them to
draft
and pair with Revis he can be a nice value here. If his speed turns
into a
major issue there is a possibility he shifts to safety.
#162 QB Erik Ainge (Tennessee):
I don’t understand this selection. Not because they are set at
quarterback or I
don’t like Ainge, but is his arm strong enough for the Meadowlands? I
look at
him as more of a backup on most teams and the kind of player who won’t
win
games, but is unlikely to lose them with poor play. Then again he
tossed away
the SEC Championship Game to LSU. However, he usually protects the
football and
it will be interesting to see how their depth chart plays out over the
course
of the next 18 months.
#171 WR Marcus Henry (Kansas):
There were some risky players with talent on the board and if I was in
charge I
can think of a handful of players at the position who were better. They
drafted
him for the red zone because they lack big targets and that’s his only
real
chance to make the team. Considering they could have stayed put at #36
and
drafted a future starter Hardy (Indiana) this isn’t looking like a
great
decision.
#211 OT Nate Garner (Arkansas):
He is known for his run blocking which is kind of obvious considering
they had
McFadden and Jones. It would have been a better move if they had
actually
landed “Run DMc” but it’s hard to really quibble over which tackle to
select in
the seventh round.
MY DRAFT: #6 (CB) #36 (QB) #102 (DE/DT) #113 (WR) #171 (FS)
#211 (DE/OLB)
It wasn’t at all surprising to see them draft a tight end,
but when they traded two picks to Carolina I was unsure which needs
were more
pressing and went with a defensive lineman and free safety. The logic
was that
defense might be more important than a fairly one dimensional offensive
threat.
They did grab the cornerback, pass rusher, receiver and quarterback I
expected
plus a late offensive tackle.
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 4/6
NEAR MISSES: 0/6
HOW DID THEY DO? This draft really hinges on Gholston and
Keller making an instant impact and being stars. A lot of teams would
have
dealt back from #6 and stayed put at #36 to compensate for losing two
picks in
trading for Jenkins. Instead it kind of looks like they threw darts at
the
draft board after the first round getting a slow cornerback,
quarterback who
probably can’t win their starting job, situational receiver and late
offensive
tackle. It’s an iffy draft.
UNDRAFTED ADDITIONS: RB Danny Woodhead (Chadron State) SS
Nate Lyles (Virginia) FB Jehuu Caulcrick (Michigan State) LB Brandon
Renkart
(Rutgers) DE/DT Bryan Mattison (Iowa) WR Prechae Rodriguez (Auburn) FB
Justin
Valentine (Minnesota) TE Chris Hopkins (Toledo) SS Zach Catanese
(Arizona
State) CB Alfred Phillips (Wagner) C Brett Byford (Nebraska) DE Jacob
Owens
(Fairmont State) DE/OLB Kenwin Cummings (Wingate)
Analysis: Woodhead is going to be a fan favorite in
preseason if the frenzy surrounding him possibly being selected as “Mr.
Irrelevant” is any indication. Still, they needed more help at running
back
although it is good to see two decent fullbacks added here. Other than
Mattison
and perhaps Hopkins this is a fairly boring group of additions, similar
to most
of their draft.
OVERALL DRAFT: 72/100
INCLUDING UDFA: 70/100
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