This weekend’s NFL Draft featured a number of similarities when compared to drafts of the past. As always, there were a boatload of trades and a plethora of surprise picks.
For me, there were a number of teams who came through with solid drafts. In particular, I’m handing out gold stars to the five teams listed below, in my NFL Draft edition of “Gold Stars”.
Gold Stars – Volume II – NFL Draft 2008 Please note: All picks state the round first, then the overall spot which the player was taken.
Kansas City Chiefs
Many of the critics are giving the Chiefs high marks for their draft. I’m joining in on that fun, and there are plenty of reasons why. Here’s the list of the new Chiefs:
1 (005) – Glenn Dorsey – DT – LSU 1 (015) – Branden Albert – OG – Virginia 2 (035) – Brandon Flowers – CB – Virginia Tech 3 (073) – Jamaal Charles – RB – Texas 3 (076) – Brad Cottam – TE – Tennessee 3 (082) – DaJuan Morgan – S – North Carolina State 4 (105) – William Franklin – WR – Missouri 5 (140) – Brandon Carr – CB – Grand Valley State 6 (170) – Barry Richardson – OT – Clemson 6 (182) – Kevin Robinson – WR – Utah State 7 (210) – Brian Johnston – DE – Gardner Webb 7 (239) – Mike Merritt – TE – Central Florida
When you’re a team with major holes to fill, the wise choice would be to start in the trenches. That’s exactly what the Chiefs did, and they did so in grand fashion by taking two of the most talented in the draft, LSU’s Glenn Dorsey and OG Branden Albert from Virginia. The Chiefs also managed to snag the talented Brandon Flowers for their secondary, as well as former Texas Longhorn Jamaal Charles to help out the running game. Still, the gem here is Dorsey, the former LSU star who despite being double teamed all season, managed seven sacks and 12 ½ tackles for a loss throughout LSU’s national championship run.
Washington Redskins
Wasn’t it a little strange seeing Washington’s name pop up so many times on the draft board? I think so. Either way, the ‘Skins took advantage of the opportunities they had, with a number of solid additions. Here’s the list:
2 (034) – Devin Thomas – WR – Michigan State 2 (048) – Fred Davis – TE – USC 2 (051) – Malcolm Kelly – WR – Oklahoma 3 (096) – Chad Rinehart – OG – Northern Iowa 4 (124) – Justin Tryon – CB – Arizona State 6 (168) – Durant Brooks – P – Georgia Tech 6 (180) – Kareem Moore – S – Nicholls State 6 (186) – Colt Brennan – QB – Hawaii 7 (242) – Rob Jackson – DE – Kansas State 7 (249) – Christopher Horton – S – UCLA
The Redskins had a great draft for a number of reasons. OK, so they seemed to ignore the D-line need again, but the big targets at WR were added. It was a need after falling short in trading for Cincinnati’s Chad Johnson. In recent weeks, the talk on the Washington Post website was the ‘Skins looking at Malcolm Kelly with the 21st pick, stating that Devin Thomas would not fall to them. Not only did Washington manage to select both receivers, but the Redskins also were able to trade out of the 21st slot for additional picks, and still get both players. That alone points to a successful draft. In addition to that accomplishment, Washington had a few other intriguing picks, including arguably the best punter in college last year (Durant Brooks), as well as Colt Brennan. Sure, Brennan got beaten up by Georgia on the national stage. He also wasn’t impressive in the Senior Bowl. He also has said to have iffy form. All that aside, he has the character, a ton of records, and has worked with a former NFL coach in June Jones. All in all, it makes him an intriguing late round pick by the ‘Skins.
Baltimore Ravens
Another draft, another Ravens team searching for an impact QB. OK, so maybe it doesn’t happen every year, but it sure seems like it. I was impressed with Baltimore’s draft for a number of reasons. Here’s the list:
1 (018) – Joe Flacco – QB – Delaware 2 (055) – Ray Rice – RB – Rutgers 3 (071) – Tavares Gooden – ILB – Miami (FLA) 3 (086) – Tom Zbikowski – S – Notre Dame 3 (099) – Oniel Cousins – OG – UTEP 4 (106) – Marcus Smith – WR – New Mexico 4 (133) – David Hale – OT – Weber State 6 (206) – Haruki Nakamura – S – Cincinnati 7 (215) – Justin Harper – WR – Virginia Tech 7 (240) – Allen Patrick – RB – Oklahoma
With Steve McNair retiring, the Ravens desperately were seeking a top QB. If not Matt Ryan, then it was going to be Delaware’s Joe Flacco, featuring a towering 6’6” frame and powerful arm. While I think the Ravens may have traded up a little high (in a panic) to get Flacco, I still think this could pan out to be a solid “un-Boller-like” selection. Next, there’s RB Ray Rice from Rutgers. I loved watching this kid play in college. Sure, scouts say he may not have the size, but man he runs hard. Like a bull, and I think he’ll be a fine addition as well. Finally, I can’t help but admit that Tom Zbikowski, the former Notre Dame safety, also sticks out in my mind. He can play special teams, he has speed, he hits hard, and he’s smart. He should be a great fit with the Ravens. All in all, a solid draft for the men in purple.
Carolina Panthers
I think the Panthers addressed some needs for sure, and got some solid value in a number of their slots. In a year where John Fox will be under a microscope more than ever, here’s their list of new additions:
1 (013) – Jonathan Stewart – RB – Oregon 1 (019) – Jeff Otah – OT – Pittsburgh 3 (067) – Charles Godfrey – CB – Iowa 3 (074) – Dan Connor – ILB – Penn State 5 (141) – Gary Barnidge – TE – Louisville 6 (181) – Nick Hayden – DT – Wisconsin 7 (221) – Hilee Taylor – OLB – North Carolina 7 (241) – Geoff Schwartz – OT – Oregon 7 (250) – Mackenzy Bernadeau – OG – Bentley
I admit when trading up, I thought the Panthers may have given up too much. Still, they were aggressive and filled needs, and you can’t fault them for that. Jeff Otah was listed as one of the better linemen in the draft, and should eventually help Carolina with their running game. As for former Oregon Duck RB Jonathan Stewart, call me crazy, but I think he could have a better career than Darren McFadden. Finally, I want to mention former Penn State LB Dan Connor, who was originally projected as a late first round pick. Instead, he fell to the third round, where Carolina gets great value, and a guy with great instincts. I think Connor will go on to excel in the NFL, just like former teammate Paul Posluszny began to do before a freak arm injury last season.
New York Jets
After a major drop off from a solid 2006 season, the Jets needed to improve in a big way. And on paper, it certainly looks like they may have done that. We’ll see how this crop does, but here’s New York’s solid list:
1 (006) – Vernon Gholston – DE – Ohio State 1 (030) – Dustin Keller – TE – Purdue 4 (113) – Dwight Lowery – CB – San Jose State 5 (162) – Erik Ainge – QB – Tennessee 6 (171) – Marcus Henry – WR – Kansas 7 (211) – Nate Garner – OT – Arkansas
Sure, the Jets didn’t have as many picks as the other teams mentioned above, but they picked quite well with what they had available to them. The pick most intriguing to me is Dustin Keller, former TE from Purdue. Scouts say he lacks in size and blocking ability, but I think this guy is underrated. He has 4.5 speed for a tight end, coupled with great hands. With that alone, he could cause some nightmares and tough matchups for opponents. He should be a solid weapon for the Jets passing game. In addition to Keller, I think Vernon Gholston could end up being a very talented defensive end in the NFL. I think both he and Dorsey could have solid careers. Finally, the Erik Ainge pick intrigues me. He is a solid QB for a fifth round pick, and he certainly has the size at 6’5”. Who knows, maybe he could climb the depth charts. The Jets certainly need a QB to step to the forefront. Hey, Tom Brady did it.
There you have it, five teams that personally jumped out at me during this year’s NFL Draft. Certainly, I liked some other picks in the draft such as the Steelers stealing Mendenhall late and the Cowboys adding speedster back Felix Jones, among others. Still, the five above teams in particular had unique moves, situations, or multiple picks that I felt could pan out or add some value. Feel free to pitch in your thoughts on the draft, and who you personally would give a gold star too. This has been “Gold Stars”, and that’s a wrap for another NFL Draft. When is kickoff?
