Who Nailed It, Who Failed It?

[sureletsrace]

Which team had the best draft on paper this year in your opinion? What about the worst?

Remember, this is just for fun and totally on-paper. We don't really know anything yet, but just give the drafts a look and let me know who you think nailed it, and who failed it.

I must say, the Arizona Cardinals silently killed this draft.

Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
Earl Watford, OG, James Madison
Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
D.C. Jefferson, TE, Rutgers

They added a ton of talent and practically went BPA.


Also, my runner up, as much as I hate to say it, would be the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan St.
Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon St.
Shamarko Thomas, SS, Syracuse
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
Terry Hawthorne, CB, Illinois
Justin Brown, WR, Oklahoma
Vince Williams, LB, Florida St.
Nick Williams, DT, Samford

They had a very nice draft as well.

My worst draft would have to be the New York Giants. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt because they are typically successful in the playoffs lately, but I just don't see it.

Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse
Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio St.
Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
Cooper Taylor, S, Richmond
Eric Herman, OG, Ohio
Michael Cox, RB, Massachusetts

The reach for Pugh was horrid, worse than our reach for Frederick. I'm not a fan of Hankins, Moore was a nice pick but then Nassib? Really? Wasted pick. After that, I don't know much about the last three picks but I'd imagine they aren't any better than what's on their roster already. One good pick in their draft, IMO.

 

[Biggems]

Which team had the best draft on paper this year in your opinion? What about the worst?

Remember, this is just for fun and totally on-paper. We don't really know anything yet, but just give the drafts a look and let me know who you think nailed it, and who failed it.

I must say, the Arizona Cardinals silently killed this draft.

Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
Earl Watford, OG, James Madison
Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
D.C. Jefferson, TE, Rutgers

They added a ton of talent and practically went BPA.


Also, my runner up, as much as I hate to say it, would be the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan St.
Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon St.
Shamarko Thomas, SS, Syracuse
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
Terry Hawthorne, CB, Illinois
Justin Brown, WR, Oklahoma
Vince Williams, LB, Florida St.
Nick Williams, DT, Samford

They had a very nice draft as well.

My worst draft would have to be the New York Giants. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt because they are typically successful in the playoffs lately, but I just don't see it.

Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse
Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio St.
Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
Cooper Taylor, S, Richmond
Eric Herman, OG, Ohio
Michael Cox, RB, Massachusetts

The reach for Pugh was horrid, worse than our reach for Frederick. I'm not a fan of Hankins, Moore was a nice pick but then Nassib? Really? Wasted pick. After that, I don't know much about the last three picks but I'd imagine they aren't any better than what's on their roster already. One good pick in their draft, IMO.

The Cardinals QBs were running for their lives last year and the RBs had absolutely no lanes to run through. Now they get one of the top OGs in the draft and another quality one. If they pan out, it should definitely solidify the interior of that OL. Swope should be a great compliment to Fitz. Peterson should be a great mentor for the Honey Badger....also, having both of them on STs will be killer for their opponents. Okafor was a very nice pickup. They added two quality RBs. Taylor is a workhorse and Ellington will be a good backup. I know little of Minter and Ellington.

 

[RS12]

Didnt like Buffalo Bills draft. Manuel and Goodwin reaches. I thought Ozzie Newsome showed again why he is one of the best GM's in the league.

 

[fishspill]

I just read an update on Danny Watkins being a candidate for release from the Eagles. A couple of years ago many folks, myself included, had hearts aflutter to acquire a guy who has now shown no capacity to exist successfully in this league. While judging this year's draft now occupies the time I wouldn't put a lot of stock in the results the crowd agrees to.

 

[jnday]

Which team had the best draft on paper this year in your opinion? What about the worst?

Remember, this is just for fun and totally on-paper. We don't really know anything yet, but just give the drafts a look and let me know who you think nailed it, and who failed it.

I must say, the Arizona Cardinals silently killed this draft.

Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
Earl Watford, OG, James Madison
Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
D.C. Jefferson, TE, Rutgers

They added a ton of talent and practically went BPA.


Also, my runner up, as much as I hate to say it, would be the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan St.
Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon St.
Shamarko Thomas, SS, Syracuse
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
Terry Hawthorne, CB, Illinois
Justin Brown, WR, Oklahoma
Vince Williams, LB, Florida St.
Nick Williams, DT, Samford

They had a very nice draft as well.

My worst draft would have to be the New York Giants. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt because they are typically successful in the playoffs lately, but I just don't see it.

Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse
Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio St.
Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
Cooper Taylor, S, Richmond
Eric Herman, OG, Ohio
Michael Cox, RB, Massachusetts

The reach for Pugh was horrid, worse than our reach for Frederick. I'm not a fan of Hankins, Moore was a nice pick but then Nassib? Really? Wasted pick. After that, I don't know much about the last three picks but I'd imagine they aren't any better than what's on their roster already. One good pick in their draft, IMO.

I don't see Nassib as a wasted pick for the Giants. What is wrong with drafting a young QB as a backup and potential future starter? It is smarter than overpaying a vet that has no upside or future.

 

[DFWJC]

I don't see Nassib as a wasted pick for the Giants. What is wrong with drafting a young QB as a backup and potential future starter? It is smarter than overpaying a vet that has no upside or future.

I agree. It's not like they burned a 1st or 2nd rounder. Getting Nasib that late was a no brainier. Perfect fit

 

[Biggems]

Didnt like Buffalo Bills draft. Manuel and Goodwin reaches. I thought Ozzie Newsome showed again why he is one of the best GM's in the league.

I disagree on Goodwin

 

[Muhast]

Two teams that weren't mentioned:

St.Louis NAILED it.
Who they got:
Round 1: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virgina; Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
Round 3: T.J. McDonald, S, USC; Steadman Bailey, WR, West Virginia
Round 4: Barrett Jones, C, Alabama
Round 5: Brandon McGee, CB, Miami (FL); Zachary Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt
They got 2 guys who will start right away (Austin,Ogletree) two guys who will contribute right away (Stacy,Bailey) and two guys who will become starters down the road (Jones, McDonald) so basically when it's all said and done they found 5 starters in 7 picks. Great draft.
----------------
Who they got:
Round 1: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida.
Round 1: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State.
Round 1: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee.
Round 4: Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State.
Round 5: Jeff Locke, P, UCLA.
Round 6: Jeff Baca, G, UCLA.
Round 7: Michael Mauti, ILB, Penn State.
Round 7: Travis Bond, G, North Carolina.
Round 7: Everett Dawkins, DT, Florida State.

They benefited from 3 first round picks, but found 3 day one starters and landed Hodges who will start down the road for them. I like Dawkins as well, he may be a good find. So when it's all said and done: 4 starters.

 

[VACowboy]

I don't see Nassib as a wasted pick for the Giants. What is wrong with drafting a young QB as a backup and potential future starter? It is smarter than overpaying a vet that has no upside or future.

He'll be a FA before Eli's ready to hang 'em up, and unless Manning gets hurt, it's gonna be hard for the Gints to showcase Nassib as trade bait.

But, ya never know.

 

[respectdatstar]

He'll be a FA before Eli's ready to hang 'em up, and unless Manning gets hurt, it's gonna be hard for the Gints to showcase Nassib as trade bait.

But, ya never know.

It was probably just a value pick. I'm sure they were thinking they could show him off during pre-season and try trading him to a QB desperate team. I think they got some good picks.

 

[morasp]

I thought that the Vikings have a lot of risky picks in the first round.

The Bengals had a really solid draft.

 

[DBOY3141]

I think the Pats had an awful draft

 

[Risen Star]

I loved what the Packers did. They went from having no backs to two potential top tier players at the position. Love Datone Jones. J.C. Tretter and Micah Hyde were really nice mid round picks. The WR they took late from Grand Valley St. is supposed to be a real sleeper candidate. I like the Steelers draft but did not like Bell in the 2nd round. Way too early. I question whether he has the initial burst to be more than a short yardage factor. Didn't like the pick. Would rather have Randle.

The Eagles had a strong draft. I wouldn't take Lane Johnson 4th overall, but Ertz, Logan and Barkley was strong and finishing it up with Kruger and Poyer late completed a nice class.

An underrated class, IMO, was the Bears. They got a group of players with a ton of intangibles to make them better pros than their measurables may indicate. Could be a good group for them.

I was not impressed with the Browns. They'd get my worst draft vote. Seattle would be in the mix too. Though they seem to come out of the draft with a poor grade and then prove the naysayers wrong on the field in recent years.

 

[Wheeltax]

I think the Pats had an awful draft

Pats never draft all that great, really. I don't know why they get so much adoration in that department.

 

[joseephuss]

I disagree on Goodwin

I don't. The 3rd round was too early to take a project at wide receiver. He needs lots of polishing to be able to get the most out of his athleticism at the NFL level. A guy that accumulated only 120 receptions, 1364 receiving yards and 7 TD receptions in 4 years of college is going to take years to become a solid receiver at the pro level. There have been plenty of guys that put up those types of numbers or better in a single season of college ball and then struggled in the NFL. The Bill could have found better value than Goodwin in the 3rd. He should have been a 4th rounder at best and really should not have been touched until the 4th in my opinion.

 

[Biggems]

I don't. The 3rd round was too early to take a project at wide receiver. He needs lots of polishing to be able to get the most out of his athleticism at the NFL level. A guy that accumulated only 120 receptions, 1364 receiving yards and 7 TD receptions in 4 years of college is going to take years to become a solid receiver at the pro level. There have been plenty of guys that put up those types of numbers or better in a single season of college ball and then struggled in the NFL. The Bill could have found better value than Goodwin in the 3rd. He should have been a 4th rounder at best and really should not have been touched until the 4th in my opinion.

One of the issues with Goodwin was his strong commitment to track and the Olympics. With that behind him, he can now focus on football. He is super fast, something that cannot be taught. He is a very good KR, something that will help the Bills right away. They already have a great possession receiver in Jackson. Now they have a compliment in the slot.

I see your reservations, and I cannot really argue with anything you said. However, I just see a greater upside with Goodwin. Perhaps that is the homer in me.

 

[joseephuss]

One of the issues with Goodwin was his strong commitment to track and the Olympics. With that behind him, he can now focus on football. He is super fast, something that cannot be taught. He is a very good KR, something that will help the Bills right away. They already have a great possession receiver in Jackson. Now they have a compliment in the slot.

I see your reservations, and I cannot really argue with anything you said. However, I just see a greater upside with Goodwin. Perhaps that is the homer in me.

I also see good upside in Goodwin, but I don't think the 3rd round is where you take a player like that.

 

[CashMan]

Pats never draft all that great, really. I don't know why they get so much adoration in that department.

I know, getting GRonk and Aaron a couple years ago.....man terrible!

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I know, getting GRonk and Aaron a couple years ago.....man terrible!

It was one of the few good drafts they have had in some time.

Do me a favor.

People complain about the cowboys taking TEs Fasano, Bennet and now Escobar.

Look and see how many TEs the Pats have drafted before they finally got Gronk and Aaron and when you see the number of TEs they have drafted prior to finally hitting on those two you will probably have a change of heart.

The best thing that can be said about their drafts over last decade is the idea that they get a good deal of picks (in the same draft or in the following years drafts) but other than that they have been subpar.

 

[CashMan]

It was one of the few good drafts they have had in some time.

Do me a favor.

People complain about the cowboys taking TEs Fasano, Bennet and now Escobar.

Look and see how many TEs the Pats have drafted before they finally got Gronk and Aaron and when you see the number of TEs they have drafted prior to finally hitting on those two you will probably have a change of heart.

The best thing that can be said about their drafts over last decade is the idea that they get a good deal of picks (in the same draft or in the following years drafts) but other than that they have been subpar.

The only 2 things I've complained about, with the draft is, the reach in round 1, and the idea that all of a sudden, the Cowboys are going to have this 2TE Offense that will work. I like having 2 good TEs, and I liked the Escobar pick.


As for the Pats:

2012: Jones and Hightower
2011: Solder, Mallet, Cannon
2010: McCourty, Gronk, Spikes, Hernandez
2009: Chung, Vollmer

Not bad, for drafting.