CowboyMort
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I thought that it would be interesting to look back at a draft from a few years ago and this is what I found. It was pretty much across the board an A or A+ for the Vikings and 49er's in 2005. Not one of the Vikings amounted to anything. Point is you can't know what will happen for several years. BTW, the Saints got a D in that rating and found a 2 time pro bowl O-lineman.
http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/draftgrades.htm
Minnesota Vikings
With two first round picks, Minnesota was set to make some noise after a great off-season. At pick number seven, Minnesota was faced with a decision between the speedy Troy Williamson and the physical Mike Williams and went after the elusive Williamson. At #18, Minnesota completed their now dominating defensive line with Erasmus James, a pass rushing nightmare from Wisconsin. The second round was solid as well, with Minnesota adding a potential starter at offensive guard in Marcus Johnson. Cornerback Dustin Fox was a find in the third round and will be the team’s nickel back and possibly a free safety. Running back Ciatrick Fason is a steal in the fourth round and he could see more playing time than others because of the shaky depth chart here in Minnesota. Nose tackle CJ Mosley was worth waiting until the sixth round for and he will provide solid depth behind Pat Williams on the defensive line. Their last pick was as good as the first, cornerback Adrian Ward is a speedy player with the skills to make plays on special teams and in the secondary.
Potential starters: Three. First round picks Williamson and James are penciled in as starters already and should become very good players in this league. Marcus Johnson will fill a need at left guard and gives Minnesota a young strong side.
Grade: A. Minnesota may have my vote for the best draft in the NFC. They stuck to their board and added players that can play immediately and at positions of need. Minnesota ignored the temptation to trade up and found great players at every spot. This draft could earn Mike Tice an extension.
All the 49er's got out of the draft in 2005 was Gore.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers did a great job of keeping the first pick a secret, even until the pick was announced. Alex Smith is the new face of the franchise and he has the competitiveness and intelligence to be the leader they need. David Baas is a very good offensive lineman that can play guard or center and will be a starter here at either position. Frank Gore was viewed by some as a reach here, but remember he was starting over Willis McGahee at Miami and had the same injury. If he can lose some weight and regain his speed, he’s a steal. Adam Synder will move from tackle to guard and could challenge Eric Heitmann or Justin Smiley for a starting job. Defensive tackle Ronald Fields gives the Niners the nose tackle they need to run their 3-4 defense this season. Wide receiver Rasheed Marshall is a quarterback convert that is in the mold of Hines Ward. Derrick Johnson is a good cover man that lacks the size to start, but will provide depth. Daven Holly has all the speed in the world, but must become a more complete coverage man. Marcus Maxwell was a surprise pick and was picked ahead of some better receivers. Ending the draft with two tight ends was a weird finish, but Patrick Estes and Billy Bajema are two experienced pass catchers.
Potential starters: Four. Alex Smith was given the starting job Saturday morning at 9am San Francisco time. David Baas will start at center if Jeremy Newberry is not ready, which is a possibility. Adam Synder is a player that I think will surprise folks and unseat Eric Heitmann as the team’s right guard. Ronald Fields is the only tackle on the roster that fits the 3-4 scheme and the job will be his to lose.
Grade: A. The 49ers got their quarterback, added depth along their lines and brought in skill position players on offense and the defensive secondary. The 49ers still have a long journey in their rebuilding stage, but this draft was a great start.
http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/draftgrades.htm
Minnesota Vikings
With two first round picks, Minnesota was set to make some noise after a great off-season. At pick number seven, Minnesota was faced with a decision between the speedy Troy Williamson and the physical Mike Williams and went after the elusive Williamson. At #18, Minnesota completed their now dominating defensive line with Erasmus James, a pass rushing nightmare from Wisconsin. The second round was solid as well, with Minnesota adding a potential starter at offensive guard in Marcus Johnson. Cornerback Dustin Fox was a find in the third round and will be the team’s nickel back and possibly a free safety. Running back Ciatrick Fason is a steal in the fourth round and he could see more playing time than others because of the shaky depth chart here in Minnesota. Nose tackle CJ Mosley was worth waiting until the sixth round for and he will provide solid depth behind Pat Williams on the defensive line. Their last pick was as good as the first, cornerback Adrian Ward is a speedy player with the skills to make plays on special teams and in the secondary.
Potential starters: Three. First round picks Williamson and James are penciled in as starters already and should become very good players in this league. Marcus Johnson will fill a need at left guard and gives Minnesota a young strong side.
Grade: A. Minnesota may have my vote for the best draft in the NFC. They stuck to their board and added players that can play immediately and at positions of need. Minnesota ignored the temptation to trade up and found great players at every spot. This draft could earn Mike Tice an extension.
All the 49er's got out of the draft in 2005 was Gore.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers did a great job of keeping the first pick a secret, even until the pick was announced. Alex Smith is the new face of the franchise and he has the competitiveness and intelligence to be the leader they need. David Baas is a very good offensive lineman that can play guard or center and will be a starter here at either position. Frank Gore was viewed by some as a reach here, but remember he was starting over Willis McGahee at Miami and had the same injury. If he can lose some weight and regain his speed, he’s a steal. Adam Synder will move from tackle to guard and could challenge Eric Heitmann or Justin Smiley for a starting job. Defensive tackle Ronald Fields gives the Niners the nose tackle they need to run their 3-4 defense this season. Wide receiver Rasheed Marshall is a quarterback convert that is in the mold of Hines Ward. Derrick Johnson is a good cover man that lacks the size to start, but will provide depth. Daven Holly has all the speed in the world, but must become a more complete coverage man. Marcus Maxwell was a surprise pick and was picked ahead of some better receivers. Ending the draft with two tight ends was a weird finish, but Patrick Estes and Billy Bajema are two experienced pass catchers.
Potential starters: Four. Alex Smith was given the starting job Saturday morning at 9am San Francisco time. David Baas will start at center if Jeremy Newberry is not ready, which is a possibility. Adam Synder is a player that I think will surprise folks and unseat Eric Heitmann as the team’s right guard. Ronald Fields is the only tackle on the roster that fits the 3-4 scheme and the job will be his to lose.
Grade: A. The 49ers got their quarterback, added depth along their lines and brought in skill position players on offense and the defensive secondary. The 49ers still have a long journey in their rebuilding stage, but this draft was a great start.
