2010 Post Draft Report & Grades
By Dale Sims
Now that the draft is complete,
we begin to have a window into the probable team compositions going into
the upcoming season.
This evaluation is looking at the offseason
including free agency and not just the draft; the grade reflects the
degree in which teams effectively improved themselves for the 2010
season.
A grade of “C” therefore reflects no change
in the expected effectiveness of the team going into the new season; a
higher grade reflects improvement, a lower means we expect less.
This is going to look very different from
the average graded draft results you will find elsewhere as players who
will need development will be undervalued under this criteria.
However, the NFL is a “what are you doing
for me now” league and potential often goes unrealized.
More weight therefore is given to free
agents since their skill set is known.
Arizona
Cardinals – Probably no team in the league will undergo greater
roster upheaval between seasons this year than Arizona.
Losing Warner to retirement makes the whole
offense suspect and Boldin was a big contributor there as well.
The loss of Rolle, and Dansby significantly
weaken the defense.
Adding Williams should help there and their
defensive line play overall should improve but Washington will struggle to fill the role vacated by
Dansby, Rhodes however is not going to
make anyone forget Rolle.
On offense the news is not nearly as good,
the quarterback situation is uncertain, it seems likely the Cardinals
will be looking to their emerging running game for ball control but the
offensive line is looking a bit unsettled at left tackle.
Grade: D
Atlanta
Falcons – Atlanta took a small step backwards last
season from their unexpectedly successful 2008 season.
In free agency, they attempted to address
their biggest need by signing Dunta Robinson in an attempt to improve
their pass defense; he will not be the whole answer.
(Franks,
their fifth round pick, may be a help in nickel and dime situations.).
The
other part of that equation is that they need to improve the pass rush,
Witherspoon a playmaker will help and while Peters adds to the defensive
rotation at tackle he does not rate to have much impact as a rookie.
The running game would be aided by
improving the offensive line but neither guard they drafted is expected
to have an immediate impact.
Grade C+
Baltimore
Ravens – By picking up Boldin and Stallworth, they addressed their
most serious offensive issue in free agency with excellent results.
Thus their offensive issues were well
covered in free agency.
The draft saw them add defensive talent to
an aging group in the form of Kindle and Cody who both figure to
contribute to the defensive rotation as rookies with Kindle a possible
starter on an already talented front seven.
The one hole the team failed to address is
the defensive secondary that has been declining the past couple of
seasons and is in need of young talent.
This weakness may be somewhat covered by
their pass rush but that remains to be seen.
Grade B+
Buffalo
Bills – When a team has as many needs as this one it is hard not to
improve but apparently it can be done.
The offensive line is pretty much
non-existent and does not appear to be getting much in the way of
immediate help.
Drafting Spiller to run behind the talent
they currently have seems to be a waste.
The lack of quarterback talent and depth at
receiver suggest that points may be difficult to come by this season.
The change to a three-four defensive scheme
will dilute the talent they have defensively but the addition of Troup
as a nose tackle and Carrington should be a good start on what seems
likely to be a difficult transition.
Grade
C-
Carolina Panthers – The team
lost an important defensive piece with the departure of Julius Peppers;
they are also in transition at quarterback having cut Delhomme, and then
drafting three quarterbacks (count them, three, though Edwards projects
as
a wide receiver eventually).
Clausen may work out well here and Moore has some upside as
well but the team continues to have no second receiver to take pressure
off Smith.
LaFell brings back disturbing memories of
some of their other experiments with this position.
They needed to find a pass rusher and the
results they will get with the undersized
Norwood
and the injury-prone Hardy may not become immediately known.
Grade D+
Chicago
Bears – The Bears made the most of free agency after having traded
away most their draft for Cutler last season.
The acquisition of Peppers is a plus for a
defense that requires that quarterback pressure develop from the
four-man rush and has been unable to deliver in the past couple of
seasons.
Unfortunately the rest of the defense is
another year older they will need to hope that they avoid the injuries
that decimated the unit.
They did draft Wright who should have an
opportunity to start at safety.
The offensive line remains a question, they
seem to be counting on Mike Tice to coach the most out of this group but
that seems to be a questionable approach at best.
They have a variety of receivers but have
no real number one.
Given the demands of the Martz offense on
timing and precision route running this group appears to be
under-qualified.
Grade C+
Cincinnati
Bengals – The need here is for a reliable second receiver and the
addition of Antonio Bryant in free agency really did not accomplish much
in that direction; he is certainly less reliable from a hands
perspective than Coles who was cut.
Gresham, the rookie
tight
end who missed the 2009 college season due to knee surgery, was
originally a wide receiver and has excellent pass-catching skills though
his blocking needs work.
He could be exactly what they need and
should be immediately productive in the middle of the field.
Shipley could also have a role as a slot
receiver so they seem to have some potential answers.
They could stand to add some depth at
running back but the team does not have any other glaring issues.
Grade B
Cleveland
Browns – Again a team with many needs they are looking to change
offensive schemes and need personnel everywhere.
They are admittedly rebuilding and it will
be a while before results start to pay off here.
The quarterback situation is an obvious
need and McCoy could be a good long-term answer but the team has already
indicated they plan to sit him his rookie season.
The addition of Haden will improve the pass
defense and looks to be an immediate and long-term contributor and pick
of Ward in the second round further helps the secondary.
The choice of Hardesty a power back,
running behind the offensive line, which is the strength of the team,
looks like a move to slow games down and try to keep things close in the
near future.
They still may not win many games next
season but the quality of play looks like it will be on the rise.
Grade B
Dallas Cowboys – The team cut
their left tackle and has yet to replace him, his backup, Doug Free,
does not appear to be the answer if his performance in the playoffs is
an indication and the tackle they picked up in the sixth round (Sam
Young) looks like a project as a potential right tackle.
Bryant, if he plays even close to
potential, should be a clear upgrade over Williams in an already potent
passing attack but they have to be able to keep Romo vertical in order
to take advantage of that potential.
The addition of Lee to the defense is good
and he has some potential to push for a starting spot though perhaps not
immediately.
This is a good team to begin with and while
they improved the receiver corps and the defensive depth, the offensive
line is a major concern that they needed to address.
Grade C
Denver
Broncos – Denver did a lot in free agency to shore up a
defense that started reasonably, against less than stellar competition
and tanked late in the season.
A lot is going to depend upon how Williams
comes back from his injury; if he is healthy, they should be better on
the defensive line.
After the trade of
Marshall, it became a priority to get a quality
receiver in the draft and the team accomplished that when they took
Thomas, likely a much less disruptive presence if perhaps not quite as
productive.
They need to find a replacement at
offensive center and drafted two centers and a tackle who will likely
end up at guard.
They addressed the need for a linebacker by
signing journeyman Ayodele immediately after the draft..
The drafting of Tebow probably will not
affect the quarterback position this season or perhaps the next but it
looks like a reach where they could have had a quality linebacker
instead.
Grade C
Detroit
Lions – This team is in the second year of their rebuilding plan
that looks to be progressing on at least some fronts.
The defense added Corey Williams and Vanden
Bosch in free agency.
The drafting of Suh to play between them
should present a greatly improved defensive front.
They let Sims go but he was never a great
fit for their scheme and his lack of gap discipline often more than
offset his physical talent.
Spievey looks to be an addition for depth
to a defensive backfield that could have used more help than it is
getting.
Offensively they added Burleson and
Scheffler to the receiving corps to relieve some pressure from Johnson
and provide targets for Stafford.
Best looks to be getting a good chance to
start at running back as Smith may not be back from his knee injury but
Best has significant injury concerns as well.
The team needed to improve along the
offensive line so the additions at the skill positions may not yield
their full potential, a team still a bit away but improving.
Grade B
Green Bay
Packers – The Packers biggest moves in free agency were resigning
their own players, namely both offensive tackles.
That makes the draft of Bryan Bulaga a
little odd but he adds depth and may be better suited to move inside.
Of course, with the injuries they had last
season and the number of sacks that they gave up the idea of improving
the line has to make Rodgers feel better.
The team added depth to the defensive line
and Burnett at strong safety is likely to see the field at some point
this season.
The one concern is the failure to address
the cornerback position where the starters, Harris and Woodson, will
each be in their fourteenth season this year.
It does not look like the replacement for
either off these two is currently on the roster either so injuries could
leave them seriously undermanned.
Grade C –
Houston
Texans – With the loss of Dunta Robinson, the team was in desperate
need of a cornerback but the pick of Jackson
when Patrick Robinson and Wilson were still on the board seems a bit of
a reach though Jackson probably has more
upside than Wilson as number one
corner.
He will need to start week one so hopefully
their talent evaluation is correct.
The other issue has been running back where
they would like to have a running back that they could rely on for
consistent productivity Tate their latest attempt looks like a reach as
a second round pick and likely will be sharing carries.
The injury to Daniels did inspire the team
to pick up two tight ends both with good pass catching skills as
insurance.
Otherwise, the team added defensive depth
in the draft, which is needed but a greater emphasis on the secondary,
would have been in order.
Grade C
Indianapolis
Colts – Typically the Colts were not particularly active in free
agency and do not have many needs.
The stated need of the team was to improve
the offensive line.
With the retirement of Howard Mudd will
they change their philosophy of offensive line play?
McClendon certainly looks a bit more in the
style of power blockers rather than the smaller more athletic zone
blockers they usually field but it is too early to tell.
Eldridge, the tight end they drafted, looks
like a conversion project into a tackle or perhaps interior lineman if
he bulks up sufficiently.
Generally, the team drafted to provide
depth to the defense where their lack of size has lead to wearing down
players toward the end of the season.
Hughes looks like he will fit nicely into
the defensive rotation, as an edge rusher early in the season and
Angerer should see time as the season progresses.
Grade C
Jacksonville
Jaguars – Jacksonville had the least effective pass rush
in the NFL last season so they drafted an entirely new defensive line.
This was probably overkill as their issues
exist in the defensive secondary as well and they are very thin at all
of the receiver positions.
They acquired Kampman who should be a real
help as long as he stays healthy.
Picking Alualu tenth overall was a bit of a
surprise and a likely reach but he figures to start though he seems a
bit raw.
Adding Smith at tackle and then two more
defensive ends with the next two picks is going to make an already young
team substantially younger (read inexperienced).
Meanwhile the defensive secondary is not
enhanced much by the addition of McGee who rates to be a return
specialist.
The passing game lost Holt who admittedly
was not particularly effective but was still their second receiver and
they have no obvious replacement.
Grade D
Kansas City
Chiefs – Another team in rebuilding mode they have a number of needs
to fill.
Their three-four defense is still in need
of finding a true nose tackle, they are probably going to try free
agency acquisition Shaun Smith there but it is unclear he can hold up in
that role.
Eric Berry gives the team a playmaker where
they desperately need one and they added corner back depth with Arenas
who has good defensive instincts.
The pick of McCluster an undersized running
back with good hands as a receiver seems a bit of a reach unless they
are planning on using him in the slot as he does not seem durable enough
except for spot usage out of the backfield.
The pick of Asamoah was a good value, he
can contribute to the interior line though with the addition of Wiegmann
and Lilja in free agency he can be brought along slowly if needed.
Grade B
Miami
Dolphins – The team made some decisions on defense toward getting
younger parting ways with Taylor and Porter though left sone gaping
holes in their pass rush.
They added Dansby which helps the inside
linebacker corps.
The first pick in the draft was Odrick who
will likely be a five-technique tackle though the eight game suspension
of Jason Ferguson may move him in to nose tackle as part of a rotation
at the start of the season; in any case he will be on the field from
game one.
Misi the second round pick also figures to
be on the field a lot as a rookie starter at linebacker, one of four
selected in this draft.
They also added depth in the defensive
secondary.
They had a need to add a receiver after
trading the disappointing Ginn and got Marshall a clear upgrade in talent there.
Grade B
Minnesota
Vikings – The Vikings are a solid team but needed some depth in the
defensive backfield.
The acquisition of Sheppard and drafting
Cook should fill that immediate need.
The
offensive line play has fallen off and it could use some immediate help.
Degeare will likely become a guard but he
is going to require some time to work into the new role.
This answer is not nearly as sufficient and
Peterson’s drop in productivity may continue.
Gerhart is a good back up for Peterson but
is not much in the way of a change of pace back and will need to work on
his pass catching skills.
They picked up good depth defensively in an
attempt to bring some youth to that unit.
Grade C+
New England
Patriots – The team has a need to improve its pass defense and
particularly the pass rush.
They started out with a cornerback McCourty
who will be on the field in some packages though not as a starter; they
also picked up two likely linebackers, Spikes for the inside and
Cunningham for the outside both will contribute this season.
The draft also yielded some developmental
prospects on both the sides of the line.
In free agency, the team also picked up
defensive linemen Warren, Lewis, and Gordon for depth for the defensive
line, which wore down late in games last season.
The offense added Gronkowski, one of the
top two receiving tight ends who should see the field this season and is
more than an adequate replacement for Watson.
Grade A-
New Orleans
Saints – The Saints are obviously in good shape, which is not quite
the same as not having needs mostly on the defensive side of the ball.
The only significant pick up was adding
Wilkerson a needed pass rusher.
The defensive front could use more help if
just depth as they only drafted one lineman who will take some time to
work into the roation and no linebackers.
The
draft brought them Patrick Robinson an almost ideal choice by skill set
and team need.
He will likely be starting at some point
this season if not immediately.
Offensively Charles Brown will require
development but is a good long-term prospect at tackle.
Graham, the tight end, is also a project, a
converted basketball player with great size and athleticism who has many
drawing comparisons with Gates, Brees should be able to help in that
progression if there are any true similarities.
Grade C+
New York
Giants – After the season, the Giants released Antonio Pierce, which
immediately established there major off-season need; additionally the
defense needed to get younger.
Their biggest move they made in free agency
was adding Rolle at safety.
In the draft, they went heavily toward the
defense picking first the athletic but very raw defensive end
Pierre-Paul who can be a situational pass rusher but will take time to
develop otherwise.
They also added Joseph, who will figure
into the defensive tackle rotation and could eventually be a solid
starter.
They waited until the fourth round to draft
a middle linebacker and as might be expected there are concerns about
Dillard’s ability to effectively start.
Grade C
New York
Jets – The Jets had limited draft choices available partially
because of their activities in off-season where they traded for
Cromartie and picked up Pool and Taylor in the free agency
to add to the defensive.
They also added a key player on the
offensive side of the ball when they traded for Santonio Holmes which
gives them a true number one receiver..
In the draft, they picked up Kyle Wilson
who is very talented but will struggle for time with Revis and Cromartie
but should contribute as a nickel back immediately.
Arguably the best defense in the NFL got
more talented.
They picked up a guard, Ducasse, (played
tackle in college) in the second round and apparently like him enough to
cut Faneca.
Grade B+
Oakland
Raiders – The Raiders were remarkably mainstream in this draft, no
early extreme reaches and there seemed to be a more cohesive approach
than evident recently.
The most telling move may be the
acquisition of Jason Campbell by trade; he has a good arm and can
possible do well in their scheme.
The draft found them looking to their
defense and choose two solid football players McClain and Houston who
will contribute immediately.
They then took two offensive linemen who
while excellent athletes will take a season or two to develop.
(Campbell
though has a huge upside, and was a steal in the fourth round.)
They also drafted Ford who had ran a 4.24
forty at the combine who they may be planning to plug in as a returner.
The team has always had athletic talent and
they have improved, the question remains how effectively will they use
it.
Grade B
Philadelphia
Eagles – The Eagles traded their starting quarterback but their real
issues look to be on the offensive and defensive lines.
They traded for the talented but somewhat
undisciplined linebacker Sims who may actually be a better fit here if
he can stay healthy.
Graham figures to be an immediate starter
at defensive end and Allen will likely start at safety at some point
during the season, probably early.
Lindley will likely find a roll in the
secondary in nickel and dime packages.
Add to that more depth picks and the
defense was well taken care of.
Where there are still issues are on the
offensive line where the release of Andrews leaves an immediate hole and
where they could generally use more depth.
Kolb gets a chance to start but will need
to be alert while the line works itself out.
Grade B
Pittsburgh
Steelers – The team found a proven replacement at quarterback while
Roethlisberger serves his suspension; Leftwich was acquired for a
seventh round draft pick and will be serviceable for the first four to
six games.
The offensive line gives up a lot of sacks
but they are asked to hold blocks longer than is practically possible.
Still they picked up a very good center,
Pouncey who can start anywhere on the interior immediately.
They also picked up Sanders as a receiver
to perhaps replace Holmes eventually, he runs good routes and has good
speed but he will need some time to develop.
On defense, they added two linebackers with
edge rushing potential, Worilds and Gibson who may get into the
defensive rotation this season.
They traded for McFadden who helps their
defensive backfield but they still need more depth there.
Grade B-
San Diego
Chargers – San Diego created a need
when they traded Cromartie who started out strong but his production has
fallen off after his rookie year, apparently, they are expecting either
Cason or Strickland to fill that role but they still need depth.
They also cut Williams, which is a big hole
to fill both figuratively, and literally, they drafted Thomas but he
will need some time to work into the position but in that defense the
nose tackle must command a double team.
Another issue was to replace Tomlinson
which they addressed by drafting a power back Mathews who will split
time with Sproles and keep him from being overused.
They picked up a couple of defensive
players in the draft who will play this season, Butler will see time in
the defensive rotation early and Stuckey should see the field in
relief..
Grade C+
San
Francisco
Forty-Niners – This team was not very
active in free agency though they did trade for Ginn who might be a slot
receiver in their offense but will definitely be an upgrade for their
return game.
Despite last minute changes in the front
office the team managed to address their draft needs effectively.
The offensive line was the primary issue
and that was well covered with Davis and Iupati both of whom will likely
start on opening day, and Byham, who will see action in two tight end
sets as an additional blocker.
(Frank Gore should be a very happy man.)
Defensively they added Mays at safety and
Bowman at linebacker both of whom will play a lot, Mays as another day
one starter.
They picked up a backup running back in
Dixon
who may see some spot duty and receiver Kyle Williams could see time as
a returner.
Grade A-
Seattle
Seahawks – Seattle had a number of issues to address, as
their defensive secondary was porous and their offensive line mediocre
at best.
They drafted to those needs and picked up
some quality players.
The managed to get Okung probably the best
left-tackle in the draft and capable of starting immediately should
Jones retire or start on the right side.
The departure of Burleson means that Tate
should see the field as a rookie.
They then took Thomas who will
start on the defensive side of the ball and will provide a playmaker
where they desperately need one.
Thurmond could see time in their nickel
package depending upon his health or even break in as a starter as the
season progresses.
They traded for White and Washington to
bolster the running game but they still need help on the offensive line
if they expect marked improvement there, which would help Whitehurst’s
prospects at quarterback as well.
Grade B
St Louis
Rams – The Rams had the first pick in the draft for a reason.
Still they have some talent,
Jackson
is one of the best running backs in the league and the defense has some
talented individual players as well.
They took Bradford
to be their franchise quarterback; it may take a while for that to be
established one way or the other.
Safford was a much safer choice, he can
play about anywhere along the line and can start day one.
They also picked a wide receiver/returner,
Gilyard, who may figure into the receiver corps as that is a thin group
from a talent perspective.
The rest of the draft was largely focused
on the defense Murphy looks to be a starter at some point but the rest
of the picks largely will have poles on special teams and for depth.
Grade C+
Tampa
Bay
Buccaneers – The team is in the second year of a rebuilding process
and they made good progress getting younger on the defensive line with
two solid tackle picks McCoy and Price who should both start.
They picked up a couple of late round
linebackers and Watson looks like an eventual starter in this scheme.
The pass rush does not look to have
improved which is an issue; Lewis the cornerback drafted at the top of
the third round is not a great fit in this scheme.
Offensively they added Benn and Williams as
receivers both of whom have potential and are likely to play as rookies,
probably a lot.
They replaced Bidwell, their punter lost in
free agency; with their sixth round draft pick Bowden.
Grade B-
Tennessee
Titans – The Titans defense fell off dramatically last season.
Losing Haynesworth changed the composition
of the group and age and injury took a toll as well.
They lost Vanden Bosch in free agency as
well so the draft was heavily weighted toward the defense.
Morgan was more than an adequate
replacement at the defensive end position.
Curran is a good football player and has
the kind of football intelligence and speed that Fisher likes to coach
but he is undersized so his role is not entirely clear. They picked up
two safeties, Johnson and Rolle who should compete for playing time.
Offensively they added two receivers
Williams should start sooner rather than later, good hands and route
running skills are at a premium on this roster.
Grade B-
Washington
Redskins – The Redskins have undergone wholesale changes in the
front office that are going to substantially change the product on the
field.
They traded for McNabb and added free agent
running backs Parker and Johnson to the roster but have a very thin
receiving corp.
They drafted Trent Williams and picked up
Hicks to upgrade the last season’s offensive line and that still might
not be enough so they picked up a couple of developmental prospects late
in the draft.
Defensively they will be changing to a
three-four this will mean shifting around of a number of players.
They added five defensive linemen in free
agency including Carriker who will likely be shifted to defensive end a
position he is much better suited for.
Grade C+
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