NFC Draft Recap
by Dave Gardner
Columnists Dave Gardner and John Bena break down the results of the 2008 NFL Draft. Today, Dave is up with the NFC.
Arizona Cardinals
Picks: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (1), DE Calais Campbell (2), WR Early Doucet (3), DE Kenny Iwebema (4), RB Tim Hightower (5), DE Chris Harrington (6), OL Brandon Keith (7)
Best Pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Analysis: B. Rodgers-Cromartie was an excellent value for the position, and he will probably end up being a better pick than Rashard Mendenhall – the other player they were considering in the slot. They also picked up great players in the next to rounds with Calais Campbell, who can be a 3-4 DE, and Early Doucet, who can be their third wide receiver after the loss of Bryant Johnson. Tim Hightower – a big, Marion Barber III-type back – will compete for playing time behind Edgerrin James.
Atlanta Falcons
Picks: QB Matt Ryan (1), OT Sam Baker (1), LB Curtis Lofton (2), CB Chevis Jackson (3), WR Harry Douglas (3), S Thomas DeCoud (3), LB Robert James (5), LB Kory Biermann (5), RB Thomas Brown (6), DB Wilrey Fontenot (7), TE Keith Zinger (7)
Best Pick: Matt Ryan
Analysis: A-. The Falcons came away from this weekend with the two positions they needed the most, quarterback and left tackle. Although Glenn Dorsey would have been an excellent pick as well at three, the Falcons needed a leader on this team. Sam Baker dropped off this year after being considered a top-10 prospect last season. They picked up a lot of depth at linebacker and stole DeCoud in the third round. However, outside of Baker, they didn’t get another player on either line.
Carolina Panthers
Picks: RB Jonathon Stewart (1), OT Jeff Otah (1), CB Charles Godfrey (3), LB Dan Connor (3), TE Gary Barnidge (5), DL Nick Hayden (6), LB Hilee Taylor (7), OL Jeff Schwartz (7), OL Mackenzy Bernadeau (7)
Best Pick: Jeff Otah
Analysis: B-. Their two first-round picks should wake up a dormant offense from last season. However, Jeff Otah cost them way too much in next year’s first, a second, and a fourth. They got great value with the pick of Dan Connor who can compete right away with Na’il Diggs on the weak side, and they added some valuable depth to their offensive line with Schwartz and, to a lesser extent, Bernadeau. Where is the replacement for Kris Jenkins?
Chicago Bears
Picks: OT Chris Williams (1), RB Matt Forte (2), WR Earl Bennett (3), DT Marcus Harrison (4), S Craig Steltz (4), CB Zackary Bowman (5), TE Kellen Davis (5), DL Ervin Baldwin (7), OL Chester Adams (7), LB Joey LaRocque (7), OL Kirk Barton (7), WR Marcus Monk (7)
Best Pick: Matt Forte
Analysis: C+. Matt Forte is an excellent prospect and a bit of a favorite here at NES. But when they selected Forte, Brian Brohm and Chad Henne were both on the board. Neither Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton are the answer at quarterback. That being said, they got a new left tackle, a game-changing wide receiver, a valuable defensive linemen and an underrated safety in Steltz who can put Adam Archuleta on the bench. Other than the glaring need at quarterback, this was quite a draft.
Dallas Cowboys
Picks: RB Felix Jones (1), CB Mike Jenkins (1), TE Martellus Bennett (2), RB Tashard Choice (4), CB Orlando Scandrick (5), DE Erik Walden (6)
Best Pick: Mike Jenkins
Analysis: A-. The first-round picks really made this draft. Say what you will about them passing on Rashard Mendenhall, but Jones is an explosive playmaker who can return kicks and punts and who will be a perfect complement to Marion Barber III. Jenkins was an outstanding value at 28, and he could end up stealing a starting job (at the very least, he’ll settle into nickel). Bennett also made up for the loss of Anthony Fasano. He will give Dallas one of the best tight end tandems in the league. Rather than selecting Choice to scare Barber into taking less money, they should have gone for one of the next two wide outs taken in Arman Shield or Lavelle Hawkins.
Detroit Lions
Picks: OT Gosder Cherilus (1), LB Jordon Dizon (2), RB Kevin Smith (3), DT Andre Fluellen (3), DL Cliff Avril (3), WR Kenneth Moore (5), FB Jerome Felton (5), DL Landon Cohen (7), DB Caleb Campbell (7)
Best Pick: Andre Fluellen
Analysis: C. This looks like the best draft that the Lions have had under Matt Millen, but what does that mean? Cherilus may have been a little high where they picked him, but he projects well at right tackle. They got a playmaking defensive tackle to take the place of Shaun Rogers and a workhorse back in Kevin Smith. They also got speedy linebacker Cliff Avril of Purdue, who should be a perfect fit in head coach Rod Marinelli’s Tampa-2 defense. Campbell isn’t only a sentimental pick. He’s a smart player who has a really good chance of making the roster.
Green Bay Packers
Picks: WR Jordy Nelson (2), QB Brian Brohm (2), CB Patrick Lee (2), TE Jermichael Finley (3), DL Jeremy Thompson (4), OT Josh Sitton (4), OT Breno Giacomini (4), QB Matt Flynn (7), WR Brett Swain (7)
Best Pick: Patrick Lee
Analysis: B. Packers General Manager Ted Thompson likes to have a lot of picks, so it wasn’t a surprise to see him pull of a few trades that allowed him to pick some extra ones up. Nelson adds even more explosion to an already dominating group and Lee will compete for the nickel spot and add some youth to an aging group. Thompson was a valuable pick, but even though it wasn’t a pressing need, they could have gone after an offensive tackle earlier than the fourth round. And Aaron Rodgers, hope you weren’t planning on having a relaxing summer. Now it’s not just Brett Favre looking over your shoulder, Brohm (and perhaps Flynn) will be there too.
Minnesota Vikings
Picks: S Tyrell Johnson (2) QB John David Booty (5), DT Letroy Guion (6), C John Sullivan (6), WR Jaymar Johnson (7)
Best Pick: John David Booty
Analysis: A-. Although the Vikings only had one pick on Day 1, they made it count with the addition of arguably the best safety in the draft in Johnson. Booty was a superb pick who will compete with Tarvaris Jackson, and could supplant him or perform well in his place if he’s injured. Guion will add to their great defensive tackle rotation, Sullivan answers the questions about the looming contract situation with Matt Birk, Don’t forget, Jared Allen is part of this draft class, and he should make it known to the tune of double-digit sacks.
New Orleans Saints
Picks: DT Sedrick Ellis (1), CB Tracy Porter (2), DL DeMario Pressley (5), OL Carl Nicks (5), K Taylor Mehlhaff (6), WR Adrian Arrington (7)
Best Pick: Sedrick Ellis
Analysis: C. The Saints seemingly missed out in the draft by not acquiring disgruntled New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey. They did help out their pass defense – which finished 30th last season – by adding Ellis and Porter. They took a couple of gambles on potential in Pressley and Nicks later in the draft, and if even one of them becomes a starter, it will be well worth it. Mehlhaff should be able to supplant Martin Gramatica as the team’s kicker, and Arrington will be a roster-bubble player, but he has a lot of talent.
New York Giants
Picks: DB Kenny Phillips (1), DB Terrell Thomas (2), WR Mario Manningham (3), LB Bryan Kehl (4), LB Jonathan Goff (5), QB André Woodson (6), DE Robert Henderson (6)
Best Pick: Kenny Phillips
Analysis: B+. The Giants seemingly missed out in the draft by not trading disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey to the Saints (Editor’s note: This trade really should have happened). Otherwise, this is a solid class all the way through, and we should give general manager Jerry Reese the benefit of the doubt that this class will be more impressive than it looks right now. No one was raving about Ahmad Bradshaw after he was drafted, but the Patriots were complaining about him after he led all rushers in the Super Bowl. Double-dipping early in the secondary shored up their greatest need. Back-to-back linebackers in Kehl and Goff will surprise people with their production and upside, and Woodson was a good value pick. Of course, Manningham is the enigma of this class, but bet on the Giants’ ability to get the best out of him.
Philadelphia Eagles
Picks: DT Trevor Laws (2), WR DeSean Jackson (2), DE/LB Bryan Smith (3), OG Mike McGlynn (4), S Quintin Demps (4), CB Jack Ikegwuonu (4), OT Mike Gibson (6), LB Joe Mays (6), DE/LB Andrew Studebaker (6), OT King Dunlap (7)
Best Pick: Quintin Demps
Analysis: A-. This is a very good draft class not only because of the volume of players selected, but also because of the acquisition of an extra first-rounder next year. Some are worried that the Eagles didn’t go offensive tackle, but Tra Thomas will be back at a high level this season and Winston Justice will be fine on the right side. One of those two firsts next year will be on an offensive tackle, though. They got a very productive defensive tackle in Laws, and an explosive playmaker for Donovan McNabb in Jackson with their first two picks. They also got the steal of the draft in Demps, who had 17 career interceptions.
San Francisco 49ers
Picks: DE Kentwan Balmer (1), OG Chilo Rachal (2), DB Reggie Smith (3), OL Cody Wallace (4), WR Josh Morgan (6), LB Larry Grant (7)
Best Pick: Reggie Smith
Analysis: D+. Balmer was a good pick at a position of high need, given the retirement of Bryant Young and the loss of Marques Douglas to Tampa. Rachal and Wallace will add some desperately needed depth to the offensive line, and Smith has the versatility to compete at both safety and cornerback. Their two top needs, however, were not addressed until the sixth (wide receiver) and seventh (linebacker) rounds. Wide receiver is most disappointing considering they had their pick of the litter (including Devin Thomas) at 29. Neither of the players will be competing outside of special teams at any kind of high level.
Seattle Seahawks
Picks: DE Lawrence Jackson (1), TE John Carlson (2), DT Red Bryant (4), FB Owen Schmitt (5), LS Tyler Schmitt (6), RB Justin Forsett (7), K Brandon Coutu (7)
Best Pick: John Carlson
Analysis: B-. Jackson is a complete defensive end who recorded 30.5 sacks at USC and was well worth it at 28. Carlson should start on a roster devoid of talent at tight end, and Bryant should get a significant amount of playing time along the defensive line. Other than Forsett (who was an excellent pick and will work his butt off to get carries), the rest of the picks lacked flare – but they filled needs. They will now be the only team in the NFL to carry a pair of Schmitt’s on the roster, one (Tyler) a long snapper who will be snapping to the highly regarded Coutu, and the other (Owen) will compete for playing time in a crowded backfield that includes a talented fullback in Leonard Weaver. Here’s a question, though, why take Tyler Schmitt in the sixth round at all? Was some other team gunning for him?
St. Louis Rams
Picks: DE Chris Long (1), WR Donnie Avery (2), OT John Greco (3), CB Justin King (4), WR Keenan Burton (4), OG Roy Schuening (5), LB Chris Chamberlain (7), LB David Vobora (7)
Best Pick: Chris Long
Analysis: C+. The Rams were looking to get stronger along the lines in this draft, and they wanted to add some depth at wide receiver. They accomplished both goals. Long will be an impact starter, and he will complete a good St. Louis line that includes Leonard Little, Adam Carriker and La’Roi Glover. Greco and Schuening could end up being starters on this decimated offensive line. Although Avery wasn’t even top-five on some draft boards, and most teams would have taken Devin Thomas here, head coach Scott Linehan is nuts for speed, which is also a key trait of Burton. Their two late linebackers will fight for roster spot, but that’s about it.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Picks: CB Aqib Talib (1), WR Dexter Jackson (2), OT Jeremy Zuttah (3), DT Dre Moore (4), QB Josh Johnson (5), LB Geno Hayes (6), RB Cory Boyd (7)
Best Pick: Dexter Jackson
Analysis: C+. The Bucs did an excellent job of identifying their needs, but it just doesn’t seem like they targeted the right guys to fill them. Mike Jenkins seemingly was a safer bet than Talib, but Jon Gruden loves playmakers with elite speed. Nonetheless, count on defensive coordinator to make Monte Kiffin this guy a star. Then, Jackson was selected over hometown hero Andre Caldwell (who is actually faster), but there are concerns over his ability to master Gruden’s complicated playbook. Back-to-back linemen Zuttah and Moore and Hayes will compete at deep positions for the Bucs. Mark these words, though: Johnson is pretty much Gruden’s ideal quarterback, and if he can ever develop a young quarterback, it will be Johnson. In one scouting report, it said that Boyd doesn’t respond well to criticism … uh-oh.
Washington Redskins
Picks: WR Devin Thomas (2), TE Fred Davis (2), WR Malcolm Kelly (2), OT Chad Rinehart (3), CB Justin Tryon (4), P Durant Brooks (6), DB Kareem Moore (6), QB Colt Brennan (6), DE Rob Jackson (7), S Chris Horton (7)
Best Pick: Devin Thomas
Analysis: A. New coach Jim Zorn is offensive-minded and he proved it in the draft, but what was really surprising was that the Redskins – after not acquiring any splashy players in free agency – didn’t go after any splashy players in the draft. Adding Thomas, Kelly and Davis with their first three picks, Jason Campbell must have been jumping up and down in Washington. These guys should all compete for playing time, and catches, right away. They addressed the secondary with Tyron and a great late-round pick in Horton. Zorn, a renowned quarterbacks coach, will have himself a project with Brennan. Brooks isn’t a sexy pick, but he fills a big need.
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