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2008 NFL Draft Grades - NFC South
by Gregory Cox
Director
of College
Football and NFL Analysis
5/2/08
ATLANTA
#3 QB
Matt Ryan (Boston
College): It was hard for me to watch them select him after I had
him going
there so early in the process, and late only to change it on the eve of
the
draft. He gives them their cover boy, but obviously a little patience
could
have paid off big time considering the drop of Brohm and Henne even
with Ryan
gone from the board. They never did wind up with a defensive tackle to
help
their porous run defense making this pick even worse. However, their
receivers
should flourish with someone who can actually deliver them the
football.
#21 OT
Sam Baker
(USC): This move was widely criticized, but given the historic run
on
offensive tackles they felt like waiting was a bad idea and traded back
into
the first round. I had him going #23 because of the supply/demand
factor so I obviously
don’t believe it was a bad move. They have to protect their new
franchise
quarterback and Baker anchored the line for a pro style offense at USC,
the
NFL’s minor league team. Seriously, Gandy is not going to keep their
quarterback off his back. They needed to make a move.
#37 ILB
Curtis Lofton
(Oklahoma): They had to get a replacement for
Keith Brooking because this is a franchise planning for the future at
every
position. He was one of few solid prospects at the position and while
some had
him a shade lower this was absolutely a good move. Had he spent another
year
with the Sooners I expect barring injury he would have been a top 15
pick. It
will take him some time to acclimate, but that’s fine with the Falcons.
#68 CB
Chevis Jackson
(LSU): This is their first shot at replacing Hall who was dealt to
the
Raiders. I’m not convinced he was the best corner on the board, but in
SEC
country he should be popular.
#84 WR
Harry Douglas
(Louisville): It’s funny because most people say
if you’re small, and he’s in the 170’s at 5’11”, you need to be fast.
He
couldn’t break a 4.5 yet still there are those who believe he can be a
very
good receiver in the league. It would have been ideal if they had
drafted Brohm
in the second round but you can’t map out the draft with 20/20 vision
you have
to react as it happens. He will replace Joe Horn when he retires which
is once
his leadership is no longer needed.
#98
SS/FS Thomas
DeCoud (California): Very smart pick because he will immediately
help them
on special teams and has a great chance to be a starter fairly early in
his
career. I expected him to be gone a round earlier.
#138
OLB Robert James
(Arizona State): I thought the Falcons would be a little more
conservative than
this. I don’t mind that it’s a linebacker, but much higher rated
outside
prospects were on the board. James was more of a sixth or seventh round
prospect and if they’re looking for help on special teams this was a
little
early for it given the fact that he isn’t an eventual starter like
DeCoud. When
guys like Henderson (Maryland)
Woodyard (Kentucky)
Highsmith
(LSU) Guyton (Georgia Tech) and Butler
(Nevada) don’t get
drafted at all
I understand this pick even less.
#154
DE/OLB Kroy
Beiermann (Montana): Again, reaching for a small school
player probably isn’t the way to rebuild a franchise in disarray. They
expect
him to be a situational pass rusher obviously because after taking two
linebackers and with Abraham and Anderson on board at end there is no
starting
spot for him.
#172 RB
Thomas Brown
(Georgia): Finally another pick I can agree with. I like the tandem
of
Turner and Norwood, but
they are 26
and 25 respectively entering the season which by running back standards
is
middle age. They also had nothing behind them and Brown is perfect
insurance.
He really picked up his stock with a quick 40 at his pro day, and it’s
another
move to bolster their special teams because he can return kickoffs.
#212 CB
Wilrey
Fontenot (Arizona): This draft was all about BCS
conferences which produced 11/12 of their picks and more specifically
the
Pac-10 (4) and SEC (3). Again they’re shooting at a backup who can help
them on
special teams which wouldn’t be my strategy. I would have made what
would have
been their eventual third champion LSU Tiger addition in Jonathan Zenon
who is
very well rounded although Fontenot at least was considered a seventh
round
prospect making him not really a reach.
#232 TE
Keith Zinger
(LSU): They’re looking for blocking here and how good can he be
when
NFL.com lists that he is from Duke? Reaching in the seventh round is a
little
silly. I think they could have signed him off the street.
MY DRAFT: #3 (DT)
#34 (QB) #37 (OLB) #48 (CB) #68 (TE) #98
(OT) #103 (OLB) #138 (SS) #172 (FB) #212 (OG) #232 (DE)
They hit linebacker
multiple times, once at #37 as I
predicted and again in the middle rounds as I predicted. The
quarterback came a
round earlier and as a result of passing on Dorsey they never did take
a
defensive tackle. What about the 4.2 yards per rush given up? They took
a tight
end, but much later and a blocker instead of a receiver. Their
offensive tackle
came a round earlier and they didn’t back it up with a guard as I
thought they
should. The defensive end was picked a little earlier and instead of
taking a
fullback at #172 who can run they took a straight up running back. They
took a
cornerback early as I expected and also another late and took a middle
round
safety as I predicted.
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 8/11
NEAR MISSES: 1/11
(RB instead of FB)
HOW DID THEY DO? I
like the fact that they got their
franchise quarterback (Ryan) someone to protect him (Baker) and two
good
defenders (Lofton and DeCoud). However, this was a draft heavy on
special teams
which suits a team closer to competing for a title. I’m not sold on Douglas
at receiver or Jackson at
cornerback.
UNDRAFTED
ADDITIONS: DE Brandon Miller (Georgia) RB Jamar
Brittingham (Bloomsburg) SS/OLB Ike Brown (Central Michigan) CB Glenn
Sharpe
(Miami, FL) SS D.J. Wolfe (Oklahoma) OT Michael Butterworth (Slippery
Rock)
Analysis: Sharpe
and Wolfe are guys who could have been
drafted in the secondary, but other than that there isn’t any help
unless the
small school guys hit.
OVERALL
DRAFT: 73/100
INCLUDING
UDFA: 70/100
CAROLINA
#13 RB Jonathan
Stewart (Oregon):
In previous versions I had them going with a running back and with the
pass
rusher Harvey (Florida)
off the board it made sense. I don’t see any lingering problems with
his turf
toe and with DeAngelo Williams on board they can afford to bring him
along
slowly.
#19 OT Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh):
They were definitely serious about adding a significant lineman early
in the
draft and paid a steep price to do it. Given the run at the position
they were
actually somewhat lucky to get him at that point and he will bring
toughness to
their front line.
#67 CB Charles
Godfrey (Iowa):
Under the new format where day 1 includes just two rounds he was one of
those
guys who was pointed out as possibly being overlooked and didn’t stay
on the
board long. His stock picked up late. I expect them to use him at free
safety
where he has previous experience and could start for them this season.
#74 OLB/ILB Dan
Connor (Penn State):
His drop was partially a
result of teams not really coveted linebackers who aren’t constantly
harassing
the quarterback. However, he is a great value in this spot and
immediately
fills the gap in the depth chart left by Morgan’s departure. He
reunites with
fellow Nittany Lion ‘backer Tim Shaw who they took last year in the
fifth round
and really solidifies their unit.
#141 TE Gary
Barnidge (Louisville): This
is
precisely the pick I had them grabbing a tight end. He will give them a
player
more capable of stretching the field after King averaged just 8.8 yards
per
reception last season. As an added bonus he is a long snapper.
#181 DT Nick Hayden
(Wisconsin):
Again, I had them going defensive tackle here so I’m not surprised.
Someone has
to pick up the spot on the depth chart after Jenkins was traded. He’s a
run
stopper with good character and a decent value here.
#221 DE Hilee Taylor
(North Carolina): A local
product
who could turn out to be a nice late round sleeper. He logged 10.5
sacks in his
final season for the Tar Heels and joins another UNC alum Julius
Peppers on the
line.
#241 OT Geoff
Schwartz (Oregon):
He brings a massive frame to their line and is strictly a move for
depth. He’s
more a run blocker than pass protector.
#250 OG Mackenzy
Bernadeau (Bentley): Another position/draft
pick “marriage” for me. They add more depth on their offensive line
which has
been totally revamped and is in much better shape than last year. After
all of
these moves the only question is how long it will take to establish a
starting
unit and get them working together.
MY DRAFT: #13 (DE)
#43 (OT) #67 (SS/FS) #74 (RB) #109 (QB)
#141 (TE) #181 (DT) #221 (OLB) #241 (FB) #250 (OG)
I wasn’t surprised
that much to see them pass on defensive
end so many times after missing on Harvey in round 1. They addressed
offensive
tackle, running back and safety (Godfrey projected) in their top 80 as
I
expected. Quarterback and fullback were passed on and added in the UDFA
pool.
Tight end, guard and defensive tackle came when I expected them to.
Overall
their draft came pretty close to what I anticipated.
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 8/10
NEAR MISSES: 0/10
HOW DID THEY DO?
Pretty good I would say. They are committed
to running the football effectively and didn’t rest on free agency for
their
offensive line, instead adding an immediate starter (Otah) plus two
late round
fliers. Williams will turn into Stewart’s backup at running back while
Godfrey
is a third virtual lock for the starting lineup. You can expect to see
Connor
on the field quite a bit even if he doesn’t start while Hayden and
Taylor could
be in the rotation on the defensive line. There isn’t a wasted pick on
this
board and with three seventh rounders that is saying something.
UNDRAFTED
ADDITIONS: FS Joe Fields (Syracuse) QB Taylor
Tharp (Boise State) CB Cortney Grixby (Nebraska) WR Damon Morton
(Colorado
State) CB Darren Toney (Arkansas State) DT Brandon Jenkins
(Mississippi) DE/OLB
Casper Brinkley (South Carolina) TE Chris Conklin (Wingate) FB Breyone
Evans
(Massachusetts) P Dan Zeidman (Idaho State)
Analysis: There
isn’t much to talk about here. After
drafting rookies to push their current players at defensive tackle,
defensive
end, tight end and free safety these are some guys to push the rookies
a little
bit. Only Fields and Brinkley really had any shot to get drafted and it
would
have been in the seventh round.
OVERALL
DRAFT: 94/100
INCLUDING
UDFA: 89/100
NEW ORLEANS
#7 DT Sedrick Ellis
(USC): They wanted him and apparently
aren’t worried about the reputation of Trojan players being NFL
underachievers
even with one (Bush) already on the roster. The middle of their
defensive line
is a problem and this was their guy. They had to move past Cincinnati
to get him.
#40 CB Tracy Porter
(Indiana): I expected a day one pick to
supplement the addition of Randall Gay and here it is. They are finally
getting
some talent in the secondary. Porter can do some damage when he gets
his hands
on the ball and they could use some scoring on defense.
#144 DT DeMario
Pressley (N.C. State):
With two aging starters in
the middle it isn’t surprising to see them do this because at this
point he is
a value. I thought he would go a little higher because he doesn’t have
the
baggage other defensive tackles carried with them into the draft.
#164 OT Carl Nicks (Nebraska):
Many believe his character issues were totally overblown and I agree.
He has a
young child and I think will be on the straight and narrow meaning they
got a
second or third round value here. He’s huge and can immediately help
their
line. He might be their best player from this class when all is said
and done.
#178 K Taylor
Mehlhaff (Wisconsin): I
expected
them to land a kicker and this is a good one. Interestingly enough he
was
projected to help a team playing in inclement weather given his time
with the
Badgers so it will be a nice vacation for him in the dome.
#237 WR Adrian
Arrington (Michigan): He
tore up Florida
in their bowl game, but marijuana use tanked his value. With the head
coaching
change and his quarterback Henne graduating he really didn’t have much
of a
choice declaring early, but another season would have made him a third
rounder
at worst.
MY DRAFT: #10 (CB)
#40 (TE) #78 (DT) #146 (C) #178 (OLB)
#218 (K)
They hit defensive
tackle, cornerback and kicker where I
expected them to. Without such great value staring them in the face
with
Pressley and Nicks I believe they would have landed a tight end.
Instead of
center and linebacker they added a wide receiver and another defensive
tackle.
Again, given the value these were smart decisions.
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 3/6
NEAR MISSES: 1/6
(OT instead of OC)
HOW DID THEY DO? I
honestly love the draft. In my eyes they
got value at every turn meaning there was no downside to what they lost
moving
from #10 to #7 for Ellis. Even with their third pick coming at #144
they wound
up with four players worthy of the top 100 and another from the 150
(Arrington). Their defense got better, offense added a complementary
weapon and
offensive line picked up a potential starter in the fifth round. I’m
not sure
what more they could have done.
UNDRAFTED
ADDITIONS: SS Rocky Schwartz (Houston) QB T.C.
Ostrander (Stanford) WR Todd Blythe (Iowa State) DE Jeremy Geathers
(UNLV) FS
David Roach (TCU) OT Akim Millington (Illinois) C Jason Boone (Utah)
OLB Luke
Sanders (LSU) FB Olaniyi Sobomehin (Portland State) OG/C Nate McManus
(Georgia
Tech) C Kevin Tuminello (Georgia Tech) RB Lynell Hamilton (San Diego
State) LS
Ryan Senser (Ohio) DE Dominic Lewis (Kentucky) WR Evan Moore (Stanford)
P
Waylon Prather (San Jose State)
Analysis: They were
able to land a few of players who easily
could have been fifth to seventh round selections including free safety
Roach,
receiver Blythe and tackle Millington.
Special teams was definitely addressed because after drafting a place
kicker
they took a punter (although Weatherford has two seasons with a 43.8
average)
and long snapper. Three receivers from the team that uncovered late
round star
Colston is nothing to overlook. Two capable safeties and Roach I think
is a
steal off the street. Four shots all over the offensive line is always
a good
thing and I loved taking a shot at quarterback Ostrander given their
age at
backup quarterback.
OVERALL
DRAFT: 96/100
INCLUDING
UDFA: 92/100
TAMPA BAY
#20 CB Aqib Talib
(Kansas): I didn’t expect to see him off
the board before Jenkins, but his character issues were less recent
than those
of Jenkins (South Florida) although their fans probably wanted the
player from
the Sunshine State. Still, Talib can get his hands on the football. He
fits
into their system and could start immediately.
#58 WR Dexter
Jackson (Appalachian State): They got him
after trading down, but I think could have waited until #83. However,
the order
of wide receivers was more puzzling than any other position in this
draft by
far. Jackson is great at
returning
kickoffs which is why they didn’t want him to slip away. They had their
first
kickoff brought back for a touchdown in franchise history last year. If
they
win a Super Bowl and he gets MVP, fifty years from now everyone will
think it
is a misprint because his namesake won the award for their title in
XXXVII
after bringing back two interceptions for touchdowns.
#83 OG/OT/OC Jeremy
Zuttah (Rutgers):
Yep, he can play anywhere along the line which made him a perfect
selection
given their limited impact selections. Even if he doesn’t find a home
at right
tackle where he could begin his career it is likely he will be a future
starter
somewhere on their line.
#115 DT Dre Moore
(Maryland): Flat out
steal in the
fourth round. In a late version of my mock draft I had them taking him
at #52.
Might lack a little bit of drive and is accused of taking a few plays
off
(Gholston at #6 was accused of taking games
off mind you) but he fills a need. He also now has a chip on shoulder
which
could be a good thing.
#160 QB Josh Johnson (San Diego):
The astounding stat on him is just 1 interception last year against 43
touchdown passes. One would think a tipped pass, deflection or flat out
bad
luck might produce at least a few more. He’s a mobile quarterback
making him a
good fit for their West Coast offense. They thrive on protecting the
football
and he certainly brings that to the table. Gruden might be collecting
too many
quarterbacks, but until he finds one to stick into the starting lineup
with
confidence for the foreseeable future he is going to keep trying.
#175 OLB Geno Hayes
(Florida State): Another character risk
and he paid the price for coming out early, tumbling from projections
in the
third round all the way to the sixth. They are hoping since he is only
20 that
he will grow into the position. Right now they aren’t pressed at
linebacker so
it is a good fit.
#238 RB Cory Boyd (South
Carolina):
He is an overlooked prospect and consistently caught passes out of the
backfield the last three seasons, totaling 106. If he can make the
roster I
would expect him to learn a lot from Warrick Dunn who is taking his
retirement
tour this season. He’s a bigger more physical version and will be
utilized
closer to former fullback Mike Alstott.
MY DRAFT: #20 (WR)
#52 (DT) #83 (RB) #120 (CB) #153 (DE)
It was tough to
diagnose their draft considering they
entered with only five picks which they parlayed into seven. I
certainly would
have added the quarterback had I known that. They got their day 1
receiver with
kick return ability as I expected. The order of their cornerback and
defensive
tackle was swapped, and the running back came later. Instead of a
defensive end
they added a versatile offensive lineman and linebacker.
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 4/5
NEAR MISSES: 0/5
HOW DID THEY DO? If
you didn’t allow me to see what rounds
they drafted these players in, other than Talib I think I would be very
surprised to see them land all of this talent. Jackson
was a reach, but their final three picks all dropped at least a round
over
projections. That’s what you need to do when you’ve traded away picks
prior to
the draft. They filled their biggest needs at defensive tackle,
cornerback and
wide receiver while adding depth to the offensive line, linebacker and
running
back plus a developmental quarterback. This is a pretty good haul. If
I’m a fan
I can’t wait to see Dexter Jackson, who I once had pegged to them,
lining up
with forever young Joey Galloway at receiver. Even if the speedsters
only get
one or two seasons together it should be exciting to watch.
UNDRAFTED
ADDITIONS: DT Chris Bradwell (Troy) FS Jonathan
Hefney (Tennessee) CB Elbert Mack (Troy) DT Tywain Myles (Tarleton
State) FS
Steve Tate (Utah) WR Derrek Richards (Utah) DE Tommy Blake (TCU) FB
Carl
Stewart (Auburn) ILB/OLB Adam Kadela (Northwestern) TE Tyrice Thompson
(Arizona
State) OLB Lance Brandenburg (Nebraska) DE Vegas Franklin (Miami, FL)
ILB Corey
McKeon (Nebraska) WR Wes Doyle (San Diego)
Analysis: This
isn’t a “wow” group, but I like it. The only
position they didn’t address in the draft that I thought they would was
defensive end and they grabbed two including Blake who know one really
knows
what to expect from. A weird chain of events dropped him from the first
round
entering last season to this. Hefney would have been a third round pick
if God had
made him an inch or two taller. He could be a great fit in their system
and
make the team. Stewart could have been drafted in a weak class of
fullbacks.
Doyle is a savvy move as he was one of Johnson’s receiving targets at San
Diego. It will give them a better shot at
evaluating
their rookie quarterback.
OVERALL
DRAFT: 93/100
INCLUDING
UDFA: 90/100
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