Rating an NFL Draft - the realistic way to evaluate - jmik58's Blog

jmik58's Blog

Rating an NFL Draft - the realistic way to evaluate

Posted on April 29, 2009 at 12:09 PM.

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Pick your team or your friend's team or a team from a hat.. just pick a team. Look up their draft from about 3 years ago or so and evaluate that draft now that we have some information to use.

I try to ignore the "day after" rants of drafts because I don't see how you can evaluate a team's draft until the players have had a chance to play, etc.

So anyways...take a shot.

Here's an example:

Analyzing the 2006 Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft

Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo...ms/chiefs.html

1 - 20(20) Tamba Hali DE Penn State

Consistently has had 50-60 tackles per season over the last three years. Rookie year was best at getting to QB with 8 sacks with only 3 coming in '08. The departure of Jarad Allen hurt his production. Has been a consistently solid contributor. Probably won't make more than one pro bowl in his career, if that, but is a quality DE.
Pick Grade: B

2 - 22(54) Bernard Pollard S Purdue

Didn't see field in rookie season. In '07 and '08 he tallied 90-100 tackles pitting him near the top. Not used much in the passing game but more of a secondary run support guy. A poor man's Bob Sanders, but a very good one at that. Like Hali, he won't ever have the numbers (interceptions in this case) to be an all-pro, but Pollard is a very solid player that could start on many teams.
Pick Grade: B+

3 - 21(85) Brodie Croyle QB Alabama

Picked as a backup with hopes that he may take over as the key signal caller some day. Croyle's skills have matched his statistics. Neither is above the top 10% at his position in the league. The best running backs in the league put up more yards on the ground than he has in his best season through the air. The third round was way too far of a reach for him.
Pick Grade: D

5 - 21(154) Marcus Maxey CB Miami (FL)

Saw the field in one game in 2006. Now a free agent. 'Nuff said.
Pick Grade: F

6 - 17(186) Tre Stallings OG Mississippi State

Signed to team's practice squad. Recently acquired by Baltimore Ravens. Granted it's a 6th round pick so...
Pick Grade: D

6 - 21(190) Jeff Webb WR San Diego State

Actually caught 28 passes for 313 yards in 2007 and a touchdown. Rarely saw the field in '08. His '07 numbers make this a solid 6th round selection production-wise.
Pick Grade: C+

7 - 20(228) Jarrad Page S UCLA

Led the AFC West in interceptions in 2008 with 4 and was fourth on the team with 62 solo tackles. Would be a great pick in any of the rounds based on his production. Considering the placement in the 7th round this one is a no-brainer.
Pick Grade: A.

Overview
KC nailed the safety position in this draft. They also addressed a need at DE with Hali that should be a lasting fit for several years. A couple of semi-productive linemen and wide receivers make the rest of the draft tainted. Picks in rounds 3-6 have shown little in return. The reach for Croyle in round three hurts this from being a top notch draft.

Overall Grade: C+