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2008 NFL Draft Grades - NFC West
by Gregory Cox
Director
of College
Football and NFL Analysis
5/2/08
ARIZONA
#16 CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State): Some
had him as the top corner in the draft and certainly his bloodlines
being the
cousin of San Diego start Antonio Cromartie helped him. So did his
lightning
fast 40. He can cover and after recent top pick Rolle moved to safety
they were
razor thin at the position.
#50 DE Calais
Campbell (Miami, FL):
He is a first round talent without question and certainly has the size
to have
been a top pick. However, he slid down draft boards with a poor final
season
and wasn’t great in workouts. I’m not really seeing how he fits in
their 3-4
although they do use the 4-3 at times where he can provide a push at
tackle and
deflect passes with his tall frame. He might be a value or might be
better
suited on another team.
#81 WR Early Doucet (LSU): This is a pick to be excited
about. He could have gone in the second round if not for a wild chain
of events
that saw Avery and Nelson go first and third at the position. This
fills the
spot vacated by the free agent departure of Johnson and if not for an
injury
hampered senior season he certainly would have gone sooner. At worst he
works
their slot and at best he provides a fallback position if they trade
Boldin.
#116 DE Kenny Iwebema (Iowa):
They made this move because their line coach Ron Aiken coached him with
the
Hawkeyes, which could explain why they reached a little over his fifth
round
projection. He is probably more of a fit at end in their 3-4 than Campbell.
#149 RB Tim Hightower (Richmond):
Time will tell if they should have jumped on Mendenhall (Illinois)
with their first pick and most expected an earlier addition at running
back.
He’s pretty good all-around, but isn’t fast and certainly won’t be the
successor to James. “Edge” turns 30 in August and has carried the ball
310+
times in each of the past six seasons and eight of his ten as a pro.
His 3.60
average rush in two seasons with the team led many to believe they
would draft
a replacement.
#185 DE/OLB Chris Harrington (Texas A&M): Okay, they
really want to improve their front seven even if it means trying to
force
square pegs into round holes. He is their third addition who probably
won’t
help them this year and will be moving from end to outside linebacker.
I know
finding fits in the 3-4 can be tricky, but these selections could blow
up in
their face. Still, he is a good value and could have gone a round
sooner.
#225 OT Brandon Keith (Northern Iowa):
I had him a round earlier and this gives Russ Grimm a prospect with
size to
work with. They were looking to bolster their line and did more in the
UDFA
pool (see below).
MY DRAFT: #16 (RB) #50 (DE/OLB) #81 (CB) #116 (OG/OT) #149
(CB) #185 (WR) #225 (OT)
I had the running back and pass rushing end/linebacker
sooner with the cornerback and wide receiver later. They took a tackle
at #225
as I predicted and overall this went fairly close to what I expected
other than
more help on the front seven with the help of an additional pick and no
second
cornerback.
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 5/7
NEAR MISSES: 0/7
HOW DID THEY DO? This is a bit of a mixed bag. They took
some chances to be sure in a draft loaded with defense, notably in
their front
7 where these players will have to be forced into their 3-4. “DRC”
gives them
one of the flashier, talked about guys in the draft. Doucet brings a
BCS title
ring and Campbell had
analysts torn
from pegging him in the first to fourth. I didn’t like adding only one
cornerback,
especially given their choice, and would have added a better running
back.
UNDRAFTED ADDITIONS: OG Hercules Satele (Hawaii) DT Keilen
Dykes (West Virginia) OT Thaddeus Coleman (Mississippi Valley State) QB
Anthony
Morelli (Penn State) DE Bryan Robinson (Wesley) OG Carlton Medder
(Florida) FB
Dionte Johnson (Ohio State) FS Dennis Keyes (UCLA) OLB Ali Highsmith WR
Lance
Long (Mississippi State) OG Pete Clifford (Michigan State) DE Jason
Banks
(Grambling) CB Marcus Brown (McNeese State)
Analysis: They picked up several guys who could have been
drafted. Workouts damaged the stock of Highsmith, but once he gets on
the field
people will wonder why he wasn’t a third or fourth round pick. Keyes is
an
overlooked safety in a weak crop. Among their four offensive linemen
picked up
Coleman and Medder could have been late round picks.
Satele gives them three players with bloodlines to the NFL
as his brother plays center for the Dolphins. Defensive tackle Dykes
and
quarterback Morelli were also seen as late round prospects.
OVERALL DRAFT: 77/100
INCLUDING UDFA: 81/100
SAN FRANCISCO
#29 DT Kentwan Balmer (North Carolina):
He provides instant run support either at end or tackle in their 3-4. A
few
lingering issues could have pushed him down to the 49ers who are happy
to have
him.
#39 OG Chilo Rachal (USC): Given the run on tackles they
were forced to take the best guard on the board and he was clearly the
man.
Their rushing offense sputtered badly and they are now thin at guard
after
losing Smiley (free agency) and Allen (likely retiring).
#75 FS/CB Reggie Smith (Oklahoma): First of all we’ll never
know if the 49ers would have taken any of the handful of players who
went 70-74
including possession receiver Bennett (Vanderbilt) and versatile
linebackers Gooden
(Miami, FL) and Connor (Penn State) but something tells me all of them
would
have crossed their mind if not for having to swap picks with Chicago
over the
tampering issue. Instead they land a prospect once seen as a corner,
but he is
more suited to free safety. He should immediately help them in the
nickel and
on special teams returning punts and/or kickoffs.
#107 C Cody Wallace (Texas A&M): Like many of the
centers in this draft he could project to guard, but since they already
added
Rachael at this point they view him as a center first. Any help on the
interior
line and line in general is much needed. They coached him at the Senior
Bowl
which is why he was chosen over players who others might have had rated
higher.
#174 WR Josh Morgan (Virginia Tech): I figured they would
take a receiver for Martz to mold as he installs his offense, but this
is more
of a project pick than I had in mind. He looks the part though and if
given
time could develop.
#214 DE/OLB Larry Grant (Ohio State): He’s obviously a lot
less heralded than his Buckeye teammate Gholston who the 49ers might
have been
able to draft had they held onto their first round pick instead of
trading it
for offensive tackle Joe Staley last year. Instead they waited way too
long for
a pass rushing threat on the front seven.
MY DRAFT: #29 (WR) #39 (DE) #75 (OG) #107 (DE/OLB) #174 (OT)
#214 (CB)
The order was scrambled, but they added players in the areas
I expected. Although I counted it as a miss, Calais Campbell (my pick
to them
at #39) would have been utilized in a similar manner as Balmer will.
The
receiver came much later while the cornerback came much earlier. I have
to
admit, after being accused of “ageism” on the 49er boards regarding
Walt Harris
I pushed it down from day one. The DE/OLB also came a little later and
in the
middle rounds they went center instead of tackle on the offensive line.
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 4/6
NEAR MISSES: 2/6 (DT instead of DE, C instead of OT)
HOW DID THEY DO? It certainly wasn’t a mind blowing draft.
They had a net loss of 22 spots due to giving up their pick to New
England while gaining the pick from Indianapolis.
Ironically both the 49ers (Staley) and Colts (Ugoh) made those moves to
draft
offensive tackles and given this year’s frenzy it might have been good
business. They did make the most of it with Balmer falling to them and
got good
value with Smith. Other than that they reached out of supply/demand for
Rachal,
took Wallace too soon and didn’t wind up with all that much talent.
UNDRAFTED ADDITIONS: OLB Ezra Butler (Nevada) TE Joe Jon
Finley (Oklahoma) WR Cameron Colvin (Oregon) WR Robert Jordan
(California)
DE/OLB Louis Holmes (Arizona) OLB Brian DeLaPuente (California) FS D.J.
Parker
(Virginia Tech)
Analysis: I would say I like this group as a whole better
than their final three draft picks if I had to choose between them. At
receiver
Colvin and Jordan have a legitimate shot to make the team. Jordan
was stuck behind Hawkins and Jackson for the Golden Bears, but can get
down the
field and make plays. Butler
could
have gone in the fourth round at linebacker and Holmes is another front
7
addition who might have been drafted. Finley is a nice prospect at
tight end
and could be a nice backup to Davis.
Parker was seen as a sixth round pick in a weak class of safeties.
OVERALL DRAFT: 73/100
INCLUDING UDFA: 78/100
SEATTLE
#28 DE Lawrence
Jackson (USC): They lived up to their word trading back with their
first pick
and still reached a little. Given the demand at the position it was
probably
warranted. The hope is that this Trojan works out as well as the other
one in
their front 7 (Tatupu). I didn’t really see it because Kerney locks
down one
spot while Tapp and Atkins from the past two drafts are developing on
the other
side. It shows how much teams want to emphasize the pass rush in the
wake of New York’s Super
Bowl win.
#38 TE John Carlson (Notre Dame): His value fluctuated a bit
and certainly losing his quarterback (Quinn) and playing on a 3-9 team
hurt his
final season production. Some still saw him as the top tight end and he
was the
second off the board. They really needed to replace Stevens and Carlson
can
quickly fit into their offense. His production from tight end could
offset the
fact that they didn’t upgrade their receivers in this draft. I’m not
crazy
about how much they gave up to acquire him though.
#121 DT Red Bryant (Texas A&M): He was ranked as high as
the second round and I can’t really see how he fell into the fourth. I
love him
as a run stuffer and if Mebane keeps improving they could turn into a
nice duo
inside. He can definitely plug holes.
#163 FB Owen Schmitt (West Virginia):
This is a little lower than I thought he would be taken. He is not just
a lead
blocker, he also logged 353 carries for the Mountaineers and scored 18
touchdowns. If you hear him talk he’ll tell you he’d rather blow
someone up
than score, but he is probably their best short yardage back going into
camp
even with the addition of Duckett.
#189 LS Tyler
Schmitt (San Diego State):
Well they corner the market on players named Schmitt, these were the
only two
on the radar. Tim Bugg joined him as the top two prospects at the
position and yes
they do get ranked. Maybe after watching a bad hold hand them a playoff
win two
seasons ago Holmgren wanted to make sure he was never on the wrong end
of that
situation. Seriously they did struggle with multiple players snapping
last
year.
#233 RB Justin Forsett (California):
He was stuck behind Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo’s
stud rookie last year, most of his collegiate career yet rushed for
1,623 yards
and 10 touchdowns in two seasons of relief work. When given the chance
to start
he delivered 1,748 total yards and scored 15 times. They picked up
Julius Jones
to start and will either use Duckett or the rookie Schmitt in short
yardage.
This is their third down back and probably should have been picked up a
round
earlier.
#235 K Brandon
Coutu (Georgia): This is what makes the trade down from #22 so great.
They not
only added the top fullback with one of the picks acquired, but also
the best
kicker to replace Josh Brown which was excellent maneuvering.
MY DRAFT: #25 (DT) #55 (TE) #86 (WR) #121 (OG) #189 (C) #233
(OT)
The defensive tackle came later than I expected, but it
hardly mattered because of who they got (Bryant). They got the day 1
tight end
I projected, but didn’t address the offensive line once much less the
three
middle/late shots I had them taking. Instead they went with a defensive
end,
running back and fullback while attacking special teams with a long
snapper and
kicker.
PLAYER HITS: 0
POSITION HITS: 2/6
NEAR MISSES: 0/6
HOW DID THEY DO? Maybe I’m the only one who thought their
offensive line was a serious weakness, but when the head coach admits
to
“abandoning” the running game I would say it is a problem worth
addressing in
the draft. Jackson wasn’t
a need,
but overall they did pretty well in the value department. Arguably and
depending on which analyst you ask they landed the best tight end
(Carlson)
fullback (Schmitt) long snapper (Schmitt) and kicker (Coutu) with
underrated
additions at defensive tackle (Bryant) and running back (Forsett).
Their draft
lacked sizzle, but they will get production out of these guys.
UNDRAFTED ADDITIONS: FS Eric Wicks (West Virginia) FS Kelin
Johnson (Georgia) CB DeMichael Dizer (Grambling) OT/OG Dustin Dickinson
(Houston) SS Jamar Adams (Michigan) WR Travis Brown (New Mexico) CB
Donovan
Alexander (North Dakota) OT Will Robinson (San Diego State) OLB Matt
Castelo
(San Jose State) OLB David Hawthorne (TCU) WR Anthony Russo
(Washington) WR
Michael Bumpus (Washington State)
Analysis: Their biggest impact here will come at safety
where their three prospects can compete for backup jobs behind players
a few
years from being ready for retirement. Adams
OVERALL DRAFT: 84/100
INCLUDING UDFA: 80/100
ST. LOUIS
#3 DE Chris Long (Virginia): There is a bit of symmetry to
him joining the Rams even if his father’s legacy is with the Raiders.
Howie was
with the Silver & Black up until their final season in Los
Angeles. Chris comes in amidst rumors the new
ownership will move his new team back to the City of Angels.
I would talk more about his play, but you know by now what he brings to
the
table. Great overall play, leadership, high motor and all of that stuff
talked
about over and over.
#33 WR Donnie Avery (Houston):
I know he was impressive in workouts, but the first receiver off the
board? I
had him projected to them in a previous mock draft version and the
reason is
that his speed on the turf is hard to pass up. With so many quality
receivers
on the board I would have traded down here and then taken him and
although it
was a reach he definitely was going to be gone by their next pick.
However, as
things progressed had they moved down even 10 spots their worst case
scenario
was ending up with DeSean Jackson (California) making this a
questionable call.
#65 OG/OT John Greco (Toledo):
He is a solid addition to their offensive line. As I pointed out in my
mock
draft, due to the passing of another versatile lineman (Benedict) his
value
jumped late in the process. Not a value pick, but they couldn’t wait
any longer
to address the need. I might have gone with Nicks or Collins though.
They are
anticipating him being their right tackle which puts recent top pick
Barron out
of a job because he certainly isn’t moving to the left side where they
still
have a need to replace the aging, broken down Pace.
#101 CB Justin King (Penn State): I really thought his
workouts and speed put him into the second round, but cornerback was
one of the
trickier reads as it turned out. He was ripped for getting burned by
James
Hardy (Indiana) who went
#41 overall.
Hardy caught 14 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns when they met
this
year. You can’t coach speed in other players so since he has that (4.3
range)
they are hoping his coverage skills improve.
#128 WR Keenan Burton
(Kentucky): They didn’t
rest on
adding the first receiver to replace Isaac Bruce and this is closer to
his true
successor. If not for some injuries his stock would have been a bit
higher and
I had him going pretty close to this (#134) because of that. He did
manage to
score 25 touchdowns with Woodson throwing him the ball. They didn’t get
a great
season out of free agent Drew Bennett and needed to upgrade the
position. As a
combined value they did pretty well because he could have gone higher.
#157 OG Roy
Schuening (Oregon State):
He is a significant pickup for their offensive line, possibly better
than their
earlier pick Grego. Most including me had him projected as an early
third round
pick, but teams were a lot more interested in tackles. He brings a ton
of
experience and should provide stability on a line that was a disaster
in 2007.
I like him to bust open some holes for Steven Jackson who is another
former
Beaver.
#228 OLB/ILB Chris Chamberlain (Tulsa):
They had some needs so it wasn’t totally surprising to see them wait
this long
for a player to offset the loss of Chillar. Any help on the defense is
a good
thing. He’s one of those safety/linebacker types who must settle into
which
position suits him.
#252 OLB David Vobora (Idaho):
He might be “Mr. Irrelavant” but a lot of people had him being drafted
earlier,
some in the fifth or sixth round. It’s more depth at linebacker and
help on
special teams which in the final round, or should I say final pick of
the whole
draft, is a really good thing.
MY DRAFT: #3 (DE) #33 (CB) #65 (WR) #101 (OLB/ILB) #137 (OT)
#168 (RB) #180 (QB) #217 (SS) #252 (ILB)
The first three picks went as I said they would although the
cornerback and wide receiver order flipped. The offensive tackle came
earlier
than I predicted and was paired up with a guard instead of a backup
quarterback. They will trust Trent Green for now and address the
problem later.
I had the Mr. Irrelevant position right at linebacker, but thought the
second
linebacker would come earlier. Instead of a backup running back (see
UDFA below)
they took another shot at wide receiver. A trade took away one of their
picks
and they didn’t wind up with a strong safety to succeed Chavous.
PLAYER HITS: 1
POSITION HITS: 6/9
NEAR MISSES: 1/9 (Chamberlain could project to SS)
HOW DID THEY DO? From a value standpoint this was a pretty
good haul. Many feel they grabbed the #1 overall prospect in Chris Long
and it
is tough to get value at #2. King and Schuening went two rounds later
than they
should have, more than making up for slight reaches for Avery and
Greco. They
obviously weren’t happy with the #19 ranked pass offense and by
upgrading the
line protecting the battered Bulger and giving him two solid receivers
I expect
them to be a lot better in that department this year. Defensively they
improved
the pass rush and added a nickel corner while bolstering the linebacker
depth.
It wasn’t an amazing draft, but very solid.
UNDRAFTED ADDITIONS: FB Brandon McAnderson (Kansas) OG
Stephen Sene (Liberty) CB Justin McKinney (Kansas State) ILB Vince Hall
(Virginia
Tech) ILB Marc Magro (West Virginia) RB Yvenson Bernard (Oregon State)
FB Doug
Jones (Cincinnati) DT Josh Thompson (Auburn) WR Matt Caddell (Alabama)
WR
Joshua Hyman (Virginia Tech) DT Vernon Bryant (Hampton) DE Rodney
Hardeway
(LA-Lafayette)
Analysis: There were a handful of guys taken who could have
been seventh round picks at best. Hall is the exception and he might
have been
as high as a fifth round selection of their two more pickups at
linebacker.
Bernard is an intriguing pick giving them another Beaver runner behind Jackson
and they drafted one of his blockers Schuening as well. Plus, they took
two
good fullbacks and in this draft few were considered as draft worthy.
Other
than that there isn’t much to note.
OVERALL DRAFT: 86/100
INCLUDING UDFA: 83/100
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