Give your NFL team a grade for the draft..
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- Mar 27, 2006
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I'll go slightly higher than a B for Minnesota. There were no flashy picks, but they got great value at positions of need. Shoot, some mock drafts had Waynes, Kendricks, and Clemmings all with first round grades. Landing all three was good.
The way I see it, they walked away with 2 day one starters in Waynes and Kendricks, 2 players with massive upside in Clemmings and Hunter, and 2 guys with some offensive potential in Diggs and Pruitt. The other picks are mostly question marks, but they were late round picks, so expecting more than that is wishful thinking.
The defense should be the strength of the team, next year. There was already a big jump in Zimmer's first year. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to see them as a top 10 unit. They should be solid almost everywhere.
The way I see it, they walked away with 2 day one starters in Waynes and Kendricks, 2 players with massive upside in Clemmings and Hunter, and 2 guys with some offensive potential in Diggs and Pruitt. The other picks are mostly question marks, but they were late round picks, so expecting more than that is wishful thinking.
The defense should be the strength of the team, next year. There was already a big jump in Zimmer's first year. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to see them as a top 10 unit. They should be solid almost everywhere.
Nothing against the OP, and I get this can be fun to do, but grading draft picks a day or two right after a draft is such a pointless exercise yet every sports site will have at least one column on it. They really should put out 2012 draft grades right after the 2015 draft, to me that would be more interesting to see.
- Mar 27, 2006
- 40,829
- 28,324
- 113
to be fair, pointing out that grading draft picks is pointless is nearly as pointless as grading draft picks in the first place. Nobody wins the Super Bowl based on a post draft grade. Is that really a surprise to anyone? Sure, it's an exercise in futility, and basically meaningless, but it's one of the few times in the year when everybody's team can have a little optimism. It's harmless.
If we can post bracketology for the following year the day after the NCAA tournament ends then by god we can grade drafts the day after it happens.
As for the Broncos I think Shane Ray has the potential to be a real steal at 23, and they got some linemen with potential and the TE from OSU. If C is average I'd go B to B+ for the draft.
As for the Broncos I think Shane Ray has the potential to be a real steal at 23, and they got some linemen with potential and the TE from OSU. If C is average I'd go B to B+ for the draft.
C+ for the rams
Picked up our 3rd SEC running back in Gurley then traded away Stacy.
Drafted two big 10 offensive tackles including the guy from iowa. No, not him, the other one.
The team has a lot of holes and we didn't do a great job of filling them.
Picked up our 3rd SEC running back in Gurley then traded away Stacy.
Drafted two big 10 offensive tackles including the guy from iowa. No, not him, the other one.
The team has a lot of holes and we didn't do a great job of filling them.
I'll go with an A- for the Vikes. Like Janny said, we got first round talent outside of the first round. The draft is all about value picks.
IMO, there were a lot of teams with A's and B's. A lot solid drafts for many teams. Only a few teams that didnt look good.
Bears - A. Love the michigan st. running back - so did Gruden and I value his opinion way more than others. Good variety of positions and filling lots of needs.
Vikings solid B.
Didn't "wow" like past drafts where they dealt to get back in to the first round, but they filled needs with the value that fell to them. I have to keep reminding myself that Minnesota went out and signed two former Bengals DBs (Terence Newman and Taylor Mays) during the free agency period, so adding Waynes to that mix should give him a decent support group to learn from. I like that they signed two OTs, but I don't know if either can really steal a starting job from either Kalil or Loadholt - but they should be adequate subs.
Didn't "wow" like past drafts where they dealt to get back in to the first round, but they filled needs with the value that fell to them. I have to keep reminding myself that Minnesota went out and signed two former Bengals DBs (Terence Newman and Taylor Mays) during the free agency period, so adding Waynes to that mix should give him a decent support group to learn from. I like that they signed two OTs, but I don't know if either can really steal a starting job from either Kalil or Loadholt - but they should be adequate subs.
Going with a B+ for my Steelers. Looks like they landed some solid players. I can see most of their picks getting playing time early on.
Steelers I will give a solid A.
Rd 1 - Bud Dupree LB/DE -Got a super athletic pass rusher in the first. A huge need, but also probably the best player available, and without the legal and injury baggage of Ray who was picked right after. Was thought of as a top 15 pick before some teams reached earlier in the draft.
Rd 2 - Senquez Golson CB - Grabbed a speedy CB in the second round. Main concern is size, but he has great hands and cover ability. He doesn't need to be a shut down corner if Bud Dupree and the rest of the LBs can get more pressure.
Rd 3 - Sammie Coates WR - Super athlete with good size. Probably a little raw but the Steelers have had TONS of success with 3rd rd receivers. He wont have to produce right away in an already solid group of wide outs.
Rd 4 - Doran Grant CB - Solid pedigree. Played at a high level against a lot of top competition. A little more size than Senquez and a good tackler.
Rd 5 - Jesse James TE - Big solid TE. Hopefully he can develop and learn from Heath Miller for a year or two and then take over. Good hands and should be able to develop blocking which is key for a Steelers TE
Rd 6 - LT Walton DT and Anthony Chickillo DE - Some depth on the line which is most of what you can expect this late in the draft
Rd 7 - Gerrod Holliman S - Ball Hawk FS. I saw he was still on the board in the 6th round and told myself, "They gotta grab him". They did. Steelers secondary really needs to develop a cover safety to pair with existing strong safety types.
Not much more I could ask for for the Steelers this year. Filled a lot of needs without reaching and should help further in the defenses rebuilding project while the offense should continue to thrive.
Rd 1 - Bud Dupree LB/DE -Got a super athletic pass rusher in the first. A huge need, but also probably the best player available, and without the legal and injury baggage of Ray who was picked right after. Was thought of as a top 15 pick before some teams reached earlier in the draft.
Rd 2 - Senquez Golson CB - Grabbed a speedy CB in the second round. Main concern is size, but he has great hands and cover ability. He doesn't need to be a shut down corner if Bud Dupree and the rest of the LBs can get more pressure.
Rd 3 - Sammie Coates WR - Super athlete with good size. Probably a little raw but the Steelers have had TONS of success with 3rd rd receivers. He wont have to produce right away in an already solid group of wide outs.
Rd 4 - Doran Grant CB - Solid pedigree. Played at a high level against a lot of top competition. A little more size than Senquez and a good tackler.
Rd 5 - Jesse James TE - Big solid TE. Hopefully he can develop and learn from Heath Miller for a year or two and then take over. Good hands and should be able to develop blocking which is key for a Steelers TE
Rd 6 - LT Walton DT and Anthony Chickillo DE - Some depth on the line which is most of what you can expect this late in the draft
Rd 7 - Gerrod Holliman S - Ball Hawk FS. I saw he was still on the board in the 6th round and told myself, "They gotta grab him". They did. Steelers secondary really needs to develop a cover safety to pair with existing strong safety types.
Not much more I could ask for for the Steelers this year. Filled a lot of needs without reaching and should help further in the defenses rebuilding project while the offense should continue to thrive.
Yep, they'll get solid time, but not because they HAVE to. That's how you win games and develop for the future.
Vikings got the best CB in the draft, a huge need, without having to move up. That was huge for them. They could have grabbed a WR but the best were already some gone and as much as I love DeVante Parker, he has a lot of injury baggage.
C+ for the Colts. Nothing against Phillip Dorsett; his elite speed is going to make him a home run threat if they can find ways to get him the ball. But they had pretty good depth at receiver already plus some huge holes on defense, particularly at safety. Stanford DE Henry Anderson is a potential steal for them #93 overall. Great size and motor. Clayton Geathers is an intriguing project at safety but the steep learning curve will keep him from contributing much this season. What's most concerning is they didn't appear to get much better at stopping the run. I'm sure Belichick had a good laugh when they passed on Malcolm Brown in the first round.
For a team with a Super Bowl or bust mentality this was a weird draft haul.
For a team with a Super Bowl or bust mentality this was a weird draft haul.
I'm not discounting Waynes and Kendricks was probably their best pick of the draft. Danielle Hunter was a good selection in the third, although he had the most "red flags" of any of the Vikings picks. Minnesota aced their draft last year by signing all their picks to the roster, and only one of their players drafted last year is not on the roster currently (Kendeall James, 6th Round - currently with the Browns). I grade the draft as finding value in all rounds that can make an NFL roster - and I'm not sure if this is a year where Minnesota will be signing all of their picks, hence the solid B.
Dolphins get a C+. They had no glaring holes to fill, which was nice, but they don't have anyone coming in that will quickly improve this team.
I'm not 100% sure what you're getting at, but "signing" your draft picks is basically a formality any longer.
I really liked the Vikings' draft. Filled holes very nicely. Big focus on defense and OL, which needed the most work. Also picked up a WR target who I think is underrated.
If Adrian Peterson plays like he did in 2012, the Vikings could have a successful season this fall.
If Adrian Peterson plays like he did in 2012, the Vikings could have a successful season this fall.