Thursday, May 04, 2006

A little late, but here's some analysis on this year's NFL Draft.

Had a good draft:

Arizona -- Leinart at No. 10 is a steal; OL 'Deuce' Lutui fits the system and is freaking 335 pounds, for God's sake.
Cincy -- DB Johnathan Joseph would have been a high first-rounder next season; Frostee Rucker has great potential for a late third-rounder.
Green Bay -- LB A.J. Hawk is going to be terrific; the trio of unheralded receivers will yield at least two keepers.
Miami -- If DB Jason Allen recovers from his hip injury, he'll be very good for a long time; WR Derek Hagan in the third round is a steal.
New England -- Assume Belichick works his magic. RB Laurence Maroney has the size and tools to be the best back in the draft, but has been lazy in college; WR Chad Jackson has good size and speed and is a possession guy; TE Dave Thomas is undersized but known as a good route runner. He just assembles the right parts, folks.
New York Jets -- OL Ferguson was the right choice at No. 4 and could have been No. 2 or 3; C Nick Mangold will beef up and be terrific; QB Kellen Clemens at No. 49 is a better pick than Cutler at No. 11; former Missouri QB Brad Smith is a great project at WR. Great job.
Philly -- In DL Brodrick Bunkley and OL Winston Justice, got the two biggest droppers in the draft -- nice picks; OL Max Jean-Gilles is a mountain well worth a fourth-round pick.
San Francisco -- Tight ends are always a risk, but Vernon Davis was absolutely necessary and will be worth it at No. 6; former Penn State QB Michael Robinson is a good gamble in the fourth round.
Tampa Bay -- OL Davin Joseph will develop into an outstanding guard; 6-8. 315-pound OT Jeremy Trueblood is a project but a late second-round steal; WR Maurice Stovall's 6-4 frame and willingness to cross the middle will make him a valuable target.
Tennessee -- The Titans got both QB Vince Young and RB LenDale White. That's a good draft.

Had a bad draft:

Buffalo -- Took Donte Whitner wayyyy too early when they could have traded down at least 7-10 spots; same story with John McCargo at No. 26; did well to land Ashton Youboty in the third round.
Chicago -- Danieal Manning will not develop into a starting NFL DB; Devin Hester is a possible return guy and not much else.
Dallas -- Bobby Carpenter is a reach despite incredible physical talent; forced to take Anthony Fasano earlier than necessary, although he will be good.
Denver -- Jay Cutler is a huge reach to trade up to No. 11 to get; Tony Scheffler went too early for a guy who doesn't block well.
Houston -- Awful. The Texans should have had D'Brickaswaw Ferguson and an extra pick either this season or next. Instead they took two overrated defenders and two projects for the O-line.
Indianapolis -- First-rounder Joseph Addai is not going to be a feature back in the NFL and Tim Jennings is a 5-8 CB. Draw your own conclusions.
New Orleans -- Sorry, but I'm not a Reggie Bush fan, especially not with Deuce McAllister in your backfield.
Oakland -- Terrible. DB Michael Huff is not worth a No. 7, especially with Leinart on the board -- get over your Todd Marinovich lefty fears; OLB Thomas Howard is just average, although fast.