Standards/Expectations for this draft class

[GalvestonCowboyFan]

In spite of the fact that everyone does seem to want to assign draft-grades, the consensus seems to be that no draft can be realistically appraised right away, and that it generally takes about 3 years to really know. I can buy that argument, so I will stay away from pontificating on letter-grades and rubrics.
But not talking about our new draft class would be boring, so, as an exercise to make this fun, I thought we might set standards for how we will grade this free agency/draft class after the 2010 season is over. We could use statistical parameters (yards, TDs, receptions, INTs, tackles, sacks, starts, etc.) and more vague stuff (does he get double-teamed, do teams throw away from him, etc.) to grade each selection, so maybe in three years we can look at it all in light of our expectations and have a predetermined, objective criterion to use when we assess this free agency/draft.
An example would be: The selection of Spears would have been an A+ if he were a multi-year ProBowler, a B+ if he reached 14 TFL's in two out of three seasons, and a C+ if he started the whole time. Today we can give him a C+.
Do we need to include comparisons to players we passed up in draft/lost to free agencies to grade it properly, or should that not matter?
I wanna know what you guys think, but to get things rolling, I'm gonna use Jenkins as an example (I think he's a pretty high-risk pick, but his ceiling is clearly high, so he's an interesting one to do this with).
Mike Jenkins 1st round, pick 25, CB
A+:multi-year ProBowler or Rookie of the Year
A:single-year ProBowler
A-:5 or more INTs two+ years and starts by year 2, or teams throw away from him consistently
B+:Starts by year 2, but less than 2 years with 5+ INTs, impact player
B: Starts by year 2
B-: Starts by year 3
C+: Solid contributor/Nickel corner by year 2
C: Role player/Dime corner by year 2 or nickel CB by year 3
C-: Role player/Special teams, not impact player for all 3 years
D:Role player for less than 3 years/ now off team
F: Cut this year

:starspin He would move up one letter-grade for the following return skill accomplishments (assuming he gets this role): 1. averaging 26.5 yards/KR 2. averaging 12.5 y/PR 3. scoring 3+ TDs/ per year in KRs + PRs.

Give me your own standards for these picks, and feel free to modify my Jenkins thing. Remember that we have a strong team already, and in three years we will have won three straight superbowls, so we will see this class with rose-tinted glasses Also, I thought it'd be fun to include Pacman, Zach Thomas, Ayodele, and UDFAs in this discussion, but that may be a bit too ambitious. Tell me what you think!

 

[DallasDomination]

My expectations are as follow:

First of all WE need to get these 2 first rounders to become starters and perform at a high level. I dont care about po-bowls, I just care about performance and attitude. Give me two solid players and I'll be happy.

The TE..I dont expect much.

 

[RainMan]

My expectations for Felix Jones are that he provides more than just 8 or 9 serviceable carries a game. I expect him also to provide an extra wrinkle, be able to motion out to the slot, play in packages alongside Barber for mismatches, etc. Truly change the look of the offense in some regard.

 

[Yeagermeister]

A seven way tie for rookie of the year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

In spite of the fact that everyone does seem to want to assign draft-grades, the consensus seems to be that no draft can be realistically appraised right away, and that it generally takes about 3 years to really know. I can buy that argument, so I will stay away from pontificating on letter-grades and rubrics.
But not talking about our new draft class would be boring, so, as an exercise to make this fun, I thought we might set standards for how we will grade this free agency/draft class after the 2010 season is over. We could use statistical parameters (yards, TDs, receptions, INTs, tackles, sacks, starts, etc.) and more vague stuff (does he get double-teamed, do teams throw away from him, etc.) to grade each selection, so maybe in three years we can look at it all in light of our expectations and have a predetermined, objective criterion to use when we assess this free agency/draft.
An example would be: The selection of Spears would have been an A+ if he were a multi-year ProBowler, a B+ if he reached 14 TFL's in two out of three seasons, and a C+ if he started the whole time. Today we can give him a C+.
Do we need to include comparisons to players we passed up in draft/lost to free agencies to grade it properly, or should that not matter?
I wanna know what you guys think, but to get things rolling, I'm gonna use Jenkins as an example (I think he's a pretty high-risk pick, but his ceiling is clearly high, so he's an interesting one to do this with).
Mike Jenkins 1st round, pick 25, CB
A+:multi-year ProBowler or Rookie of the Year
A:single-year ProBowler
A-:5 or more INTs two+ years and starts by year 2, or teams throw away from him consistently
B+:Starts by year 2, but less than 2 years with 5+ INTs, impact player
B: Starts by year 2
B-: Starts by year 3
C+: Solid contributor/Nickel corner by year 2
C: Role player/Dime corner by year 2 or nickel CB by year 3
C-: Role player/Special teams, not impact player for all 3 years
D:Role player for less than 3 years/ now off team
F: Cut this year

:starspin He would move up one letter-grade for the following return skill accomplishments (assuming he gets this role): 1. averaging 26.5 yards/KR 2. averaging 12.5 y/PR 3. scoring 3+ TDs/ per year in KRs + PRs.

Give me your own standards for these picks, and feel free to modify my Jenkins thing. Remember that we have a strong team already, and in three years we will have won three straight superbowls, so we will see this class with rose-tinted glasses Also, I thought it'd be fun to include Pacman, Zach Thomas, Ayodele, and UDFAs in this discussion, but that may be a bit too ambitious. Tell me what you think!

to the board! Great first post.

 

[TheCount]

My expectations are as follow:

First of all WE need to get these 2 first rounders to become starters and perform at a high level. I dont care about po-bowls, I just care about performance and attitude. Give me two solid players and I'll be happy.

The TE..I dont expect much.

Well there's your problem right there, Felix wasn't drafted to be a starter.

I would also say you SHOULD expect something from a TE taken in the 2nd round, especially when some people are saying he was the most complete TE in the draft.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Jenkins supposedly has the best hands of any cb available in the draft

 

[TheCount]

Jenkins supposedly has the best hands of any cb available in the draft

Not better than Talib, dude played some snaps at WR.

 

[justbob]

Welcome to the board ---pretty in depth thinking for around here---should wait 6 to 10 days for everyone(most everyone) to digest it and comment
in a clear and rational matter

 

[HoosierCowboy]

Disregarding injury and/or the fact that when you go 13-3, you don't draft very high or have glaring needs.


A--multi-year (6-10 years)starter on a multi-year SB contending team
B--multi year starter on a winning team (with a probowl or two)
c--makes the team and contributes
D--not make the team
f--embarrasses the franchise

 

[GalvestonCowboyFan]

In three years, will we want to factor in the other teams' picks? I can think of two examples off the top of my head: Ware/Merriman and JuJones/Jackson. In Ware's case, you could argue (I'd think you were wrong, but still) that Merriman's stats have been better and he was an impact player earlier, so his selection might go from A to A-, even though he's a stud, which I'm not sure is fair. But I think we all know what Steven Jackson does to our Julius Jones pick. So the obvious question here is, especially since Felix won't likely start much at all, can we compare Felix to Mendenhall in three years to grade that pick? If he ends up playing a Kevin Faulk sort of role (very important wrinkle, game-changer, but mediocre stats), will we still prefer the 1200 yards or whatever that Mendy might have in Pittsburgh? Or will we just care that we have a good (or bad, or whatever) player on our roster?

 

[DFWJC]

In three years, will we want to factor in the other teams' picks? I can think of two examples off the top of my head: Ware/Merriman and JuJones/Jackson. In Ware's case, you could argue (I'd think you were wrong, but still) that Merriman's stats have been better and he was an impact player earlier, so his selection might go from A to A-, even though he's a stud, which I'm not sure is fair. But I think we all know what Steven Jackson does to our Julius Jones pick. So the obvious question here is, especially since Felix won't likely start much at all, can we compare Felix to Mendenhall in three years to grade that pick? If he ends up playing a Kevin Faulk sort of role (very important wrinkle, game-changer, but mediocre stats), will we still prefer the 1200 yards or whatever that Mendy might have in Pittsburgh? Or will we just care that we have a good (or bad, or whatever) player on our roster?

You could compare that way, but I'm not sure it's apples-apples. Pittsburgh had a speed back and wanted a tougher (perceived tougher) guy, but with some overalp. Dallas had the tougher guy and wanted the extra zip--with plenty of overlap. They were looking for different players.

But if you HAD to compare Mendy and Felix, then maybe it could be done if you used all facets of contribution (rushing, receiving, return)....and maybe team results.

For that matter, does Bennet now have to be compared to all of the WRs we passed on? I guess it's up to the evaluator.

 

[Cowboy Bill Watts]

My expectations are as follow:

First of all WE need to get these 2 first rounders to become starters and perform at a high level. I dont care about po-bowls, I just care about performance and attitude. Give me two solid players and I'll be happy.

The TE..I dont expect much.

...don't think i follow... wouldn't they need to have good performance and attitude to be solid?

 

[DallasFanSince86]

Originally Posted by GalvestonCowboyFan
In three years, will we want to factor in the other teams' picks? I can think of two examples off the top of my head: Ware/Merriman and JuJones/Jackson. In Ware's case, you could argue (I'd think you were wrong, but still) that Merriman's stats have been better and he was an impact player earlier, so his selection might go from A to A-, even though he's a stud, which I'm not sure is fair. But I think we all know what Steven Jackson does to our Julius Jones pick. So the obvious question here is, especially since Felix won't likely start much at all, can we compare Felix to Mendenhall in three years to grade that pick? If he ends up playing a Kevin Faulk sort of role (very important wrinkle, game-changer, but mediocre stats), will we still prefer the 1200 yards or whatever that Mendy might have in Pittsburgh? Or will we just care that we have a good (or bad, or whatever) player on our roster?

Enoy and post often.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

My expectations are for Felix Jones and Tashard Choice to be more effective than Julius Jones and show more upside than Julius Jones. Kind of depends on the health of Newman and Henry along with Pacman, but for the most part, I just expect Jenkins to learn the position and progress well for a rookie CB.

That's about all from me. I think it's just important to keep these guys healthy so they can get experience, regardless if they are on the bench or not.






YAKUZA

 

[zeromaster]

These would be my A+ criteria for a season:

Felix Jones: 4 or 5 runs of more than 30 yards in his first year. Average of 5 ypc otherwise.

Martellus Bennet: 2 or 3 TDs, or at least a couple plays for first downs that lead to game-changing scores (the good kind).

Orlando Scandrick: 6 to 8 passes defensed, maybe a pick or two for good measure.

Tashard Choice: 4 to 6 carries a game by season's end, 4.5 ypc, one or two key first downs when needed.

Jenkins has been covered; the rest will probably be lucky to make the roster.


JMO

 

[Doomsday101]

These would be my A+ criteria for a season:

Felix Jones: 4 or 5 runs of more than 30 yards in his first year. Average of 5 ypc otherwise.

Martellus Bennet: 2 or 3 TDs, or at least a couple plays for first downs that lead to game-changing scores (the good kind).

Orlando Scandrick: 6 to 8 passes defensed, maybe a pick or two for good measure.

Tashard Choice: 4 to 6 carries a game by season's end, 4.5 ypc, one or two key first downs when needed.

Jenkins has been covered; the rest will probably be lucky to make the roster.


JMO

Throw in a couple of block kicks for Scandrick and I'll be on board. :laugh2:

 

[TheCount]

I don't think Scandrick is going to see much action, especially if Pacman gets reinstated. We'd have to have 5 CB's on the field in that case... unless of course (knock on wood) someone in front of him gets hurt.

 

[zeromaster]

I don't think Scandrick is going to see much action, especially if Pacman gets reinstated. We'd have to have 5 CB's on the field in that case... unless of course (knock on wood) someone in front of him gets hurt.

I see your point. Then again, Henry may come up lame at some point, if history means anything, so that might get the O some PT. The odds of A+ happening for all of them are pretty small.

 

[L-O-Jete]

Felix Jones 2000+ Total yards