Grade your teams draft - 2013

[Mike Honcho 4,035]

2013 NFL Draft

Found this chart/article that details the chance a player sticks with a team by round. How long does the average draft pick stick around(Charted by round)?

2012 thread

 

3 years is a good amount of time to figure out if your team drafted well, or screwed the pooch. So take a look back and give us your thoughts on your favorite team. You are the professor, grade the team how ever you like.

[ROCKFORD 134]

yeah, but what does it mean?

[Mike Honcho 4,035]

Green Bay Packers

 

1.26 DL Datone Jones UCLA - Definitely has underwhelmed and only has played in sub packages. The problem with this pick, along with other DE/LB picks the Packers make is they believe they convert players from their natural position and get the same production they got in college. Datone is a DE in a 4/3, not a 3/4 and as such he doesn't hold up against the run very well with out DT support. Make or break year 4, they are moving him to a hybrid position DE/OLB basically for pass rush only.

Grade C-

2.31 RB Eddie Lacy Alabama - First 2 years, he was the backfield threat needed to keep defense honest against the pass, with 2 years over 1000 yards and in year 2 really developed as good check-down back in the passing game. Last year it looked like he spent most of the off-season working on his game, on an Xbox and bags of cheetos. Way over-weight, out-of-shape and completely lacking stamina. Stats across the board were down. Has vowed to be in better shape this season, off season pictures look like he's lost 25 pounds. Got to dock his grade for year 3.

Grade B-

 

4.12 OL David Bakhtiari Colorado - Has been the starter at LT since being drafted as a rookie and has progressively gotten better, particularly in the run game. Strength was a concern coming out, but weight room and technique have limited the amount pressures he allows. Biggest weakness is too many holding penalties. Not going to be a Pro Bowl player, but a starting LT in the 4th, have to love that.
Grade A-

4.25 OL J.C. Tretter Cornell - Missed 24 of the first 32 games with injuries after winning the starting center job as a rookie. In year 3, he finally got into the line-up after injuries to C. Linsley and did a very nice job, though he isn't as strong as Linsley, he's more athletic. Especially, does a nice job of getting to the 2nd level. The big surprise was how well he did filling in for Bakhtiari at LT in a late season start. Best position is C and he has starter talent and that position looks locked down for the Packers so he might be on the move after this year barring offensive line shake-up. Tough to grade because of injuries. but a late 4th rounder, can backup multiple positions.
Grade C

4.28 RB Johnathan Franklin UCLA - Backed up Lacy, got to make one start then suffered a career ending neck injury.

Grade Incomplete

5.26 DB Micah Hyde Iowa - Slow, tough, good tackler and can play both safety/corner and return punts. Truly, he looks like a solid/safe career backup that doesn't make you cringe when you see him on the field.
Grade B

5.34 DL Josh Boyd Mississippi State - Regulated to the practice squad intially as a rookie.. Surprisingly quick for 310 pounds, looked ready for more time in the DT rotation before becoming injured. Still needs to develop more pass rush.

Grade C+

 

6.25 LB Nate Palmer Illinois State - 2013 half the year on the practice squad, no impact when signed to team. Lost 2014 to injury. Saw significant time in 2015 after Barrington injury, but his weakness in coverage and the emergence of Jake Ryan pushed him back to the bench. Nothing special so far.

Grade C-

 

7.10 WR Charles Johnson Grand Valley State - Packers really were intrigued by Johnson physical abilities and wanted to develop him. Injured in the preseason as a rookie and placed on the practice squad, too much potential and was signed to the Browns active roster, who then had to IR him for injuries. Signed by Vikings where he has shown flashes, but he really made a mistake jumping for that spot on the Browns rather than let GB develop him, IMO. he looks to be a case of wasted potential. Still he's been an NFL starter, so still a decent find.

Grade C-

 

7.18 WR Kevin Dorsey Maryland - GB saw some potential and was stashed on IR for a year, activated in his second year and saw some spot action, before being cut last year. I never saw anything in his limited preseason play, cept an ability not to get open or catch the ball. Out of football.

Grade D-

 

7.26 LB Sam Barrington South Florida - After 2 years of spot play became the starting ILB next to Clay Mathews...and his season ended after the 16th play. Instinctive and really hits, but like most GB ILB's really doesn't cover very well. After the last few years, it would be shocking if GB didn't draft a pure ILB this year, but I think Sam will still have the edge on the starter position come camp. An average starter from the end of the 7th round, have to be happy about that.

Grade B+

 

The biggest thing pushing this draft down was drafting a pass-rushing DE who's too small to play in the 3-4 regularly and frankly, doesn't get enough pressures when he's on the field. Lacy and Bakhtiari(maybe Barrington) are solid starters and the team picked up decent depth with this draft. Lacy only Pro Bowl player and doubtful any others step up to that level. Not a bad draft, but unless Lacy rebounds, this isn't the draft that pushes the team to the next level.

 

Overall B-

[Super Cubs 132]

Texans - D+

 

DeAndre Hopkins in the first round after that a wasted draft.

[giraldi02 470]

The Eagles took Lane Johnson with the 4th pick, and by and large that was a great pick.

Zach Ertz went in the second round. Jury is still out, but he's flashed. I would hope that this is the year he finally puts it all together, but I'm not going to hold my breath. He just hasn't made the strides he should in blocking and pass protection. Celek staying with the team limits his snaps. The thing is though, the other tight ends taken right after him, Gavin Escobar and Vance McDonald...have been worse disappointments than Ertz IMHO

 

Bennie Logan went in the third...and I think he's severely underrated. He is a guy that could benefit immensely from Jim Schwartz.

 

After that, the rest of the picks were a dumpster fire. Matt Barkley (4th), Earl Wolff (5th), Joe Kruger, Jordan Poyer, and David King all went in the 7th round. While Poyer might get some extended playing time in Cleveland, the others are all scrubs of the worst quality.

 

I think for the most part, if you can get at least three starters in a draft you could deem in as a success, but Bennie is still a time-share defensive lineman, and Ertz just hasn't been a difference maker. It shows just how difficult it is to hit on these drafts every season, and more importantly, it proves why a collegiate team could never beat a pro team. They just aren't as talented as you think.

[Bills04 46]

NY Giants, 2012:

 

2012 1.32 RB David Wilson Virginia Tech 2.32 WR Rueben Randle Louisiana State 3.31 DB Jayron Hosley Virginia Tech 4.32 TE Adrien Robinson Cincinnati 4.36 OL Brandon Mosley Auburn compensatory selection 6.31 OL Matt McCants 7.32 DL Markus Kuhn North Carolina State

 

A shame about David Wilson and his neck injury. He could have been like David Johnson of ARI! But otherwise, BAD DRAFT...

[Bills04 46]

NY Giants, 2013:

 

2013 1.19 OL Justin Pugh Syracuse 2.19 DL Johnathan Hankins Ohio State 3.19 DL Damontre Moore Texas A&M 4.13 QB Ryan Nassib Syracuse from SD through ARI 5.19 DB Cooper Taylor Richmond 6.19 RB Andre Ellington Clemson from ARI 7.19 OL Eric Herman Ohio 7.47 RB Michael Cox Massachusetts compensatory pick

 

Uh, whoops. Could have used that 6th rounder they traded to ARI, hunh - for Andre Ellington?!? Nassib has had TEN pass attempts behind Eli. Most players still on the roster. Pugh has been a rock. Better than 2012, definitely!

[Mike Honcho 4,035]

Hey, get in here and grade your team. You have 3 years of hindsight to prove you should be the actual GM of your team.

[MDC 5,892]

Eagles: B to B+

 

Lane Johnson is a good but not great tackle who looks better when compared to the OTs who went around him. He's solid and could grow.

 

TE Ertz hasn't reached his potential either but he's a good receiving threat whose best years appear to be ahead.

 

DT Bennie Logan is a very good DT.

 

Nothing else in this draft worth mentioning but 3 above average starters is a decent haul.

[DankNuggs 305]

Pats - B.... Would be worse, but getting Jamie Collins in the late second is worth all the later busts. Logan Ryan has been serviceable. Dobson, and Boyce complete busts and the rest were fliers and scout team fodder.

 

No first round pick and you walk away with a core guy is a good deal.

[Cruzer 1,992]

Cowboys 2013

 

(1st) Travis Frederick: A.... Team leader, center anchor to a powerful offensive line, one of the most intelligent players in the league.

 

(2nd) Gavin Escobar: D+... Never given a full chance nor ever fully utilized. One of the greatest 2nd round busts in recent memory.

 

(3rd) Terrance Williams: C-... Master of making the impossible catch look easy, and dropping pretty much damn near everything else. Total underachiever who never stepped up nor who ever learned how to run basic routes.

 

(3rd) J.J. Wilcox: C-... Given all the opportunities in the world, never delivered. Serviceable only bcoz he's a body - nobody in the league has been faked out of their jock more than Wilcox. Piss poor tackler.

 

(4th) B.W. Webb: F... Undersized, out of his league corner. Was here barely long enough to get a check. Terrible waste of a 4th rounder.

 

(5th) Joseph Randle: D+... On the Mt. Rushmore of dumbass athletes. Big on mouth, short on the goods. Given every chance to be the #1 guy here - failed to deliver on any of them.

 

(6th) Devonte Holloman: F... Injury plagued his entire short time here - forced to retire.

 

As great as Fredrick is, he's not enough to carry this draft. Huge, miserable failures from top to bottom after Frederick was taken... Few teams have ever bombed as badly as we did on our 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks.

 

Total Grade: C+

[Big Guy 1,400]

Cowboys 2013

 

(1st) Travis Frederick: A.... Team leader, center anchor to a powerful offensive line, one of the most intelligent players in the league.

 

As great as Fredrick is, he's not enough to carry this draft. Huge, miserable failures from top to bottom after Frederick was taken... Few teams have ever bombed as badly as we did on our 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks.

 

Total Grade: C+

 

[nobody 2,043]

2013

1.15 DB Kenny Vaccaro Texas

A+ beast mode of all beasts

2.14 forfeited (bounty program)

A+ killing Bret Favre won the saints a super bowl

3.13 OL Terron Armstead Arkansas-Pine Bluff

A+ best smile in the league

3.20 DL John Jenkins Georgia from CHI though MIA

A+ he had a sack once

5.11 WR Kenny Stills Oklahoma

A+ traded him to Miami for a 3rd.

6.15 LB Rufus Johnson Tarleton State

A+ he's playing for the Pats now so he must be great

 

Overall A+

[Mike FF Today 608]

Kansas City Chiefs

 

1.01 OL Eric Fisher, Central Michigan: C+ Isn't a true difference maker that you'd expect to get with the first overall pick and battled injuries the first two seasons. The draft as a whole didn't produce a lot of playmakers and he's starting to play better now, but still...

 

3.01 TE Travis Kelce, Cincinnati: A- The best pick by far. Kelce is a difference maker at the position. Usage rate could be higher.

 

3.34 RB Knile Davis, Arkansas (compensatory pick): C- Davis has been OK at times in a relief role of Charles and performs well in kick return duties, but is likely to be traded or cut before Week 1. Lacks receiving skills and is a below-average blocker.

 

4.02 LB Nico Johnson, Alabama: F Couldn't even make the team in year 2. He's been released by the Bengals, Redskins and Giants over the last 2 years.

 

5.01 DB Sanders Commings, Georgia: F Broken collarbone, broken ankle. Waived in 2015.

 

6.02 OL Eric Kush, California, Pa.: F Never amounted to much. Waived prior to 2015 and has bounced around four different teams since.

 

6.36 RB Braden Wilson, Kansas State, (compensatory pick): F- There is absolutely no reason to take a Fullback that late in the draft. The position can easily be found in the UDFA field. Wilson DIDN'T EVEN MAKE THE TEAM HIS ROOKIE YEAR!. Terrible.

 

7.01 DL Mike Catapano, Princeton: D: Made the team but battled a mysterious illness and was later released prior to the 2015 season. Currently with the Jets.

 

Overall Grade: D+ What a bad year for the Chiefs to have the No.1 pick. No "franchise" quarterback available (Manuel, Geno Smith, Mike Glennon... ugggh) to draw interest for a potential trade down. Nobody picked in Rounds 4-7 amounted to much of anything. Kelce saves the draft from the "D" range.

Edited April 30, 2016 by Mike FF Today
"C" was too generous the more I think about it.

[cmh6476 755]

[worm 34]

49ers:

 

1.18 Eric Reid, S: B+ Solid starter with a first round pick is just fine by me.

 

2.09 Tank Carradine, DL: D One of our infamous "redshirt" picks, he has yet to produce/develop and probably won't get much of a chance with 2 first round DE's.

 

2.25 Vance McDonald, TE: D Would like more from a 2nd round TE, hasn't been able to stand out among a sub-par group.

 

3.26 Corey Lemonier, OLB: D+ Unspectacular back-up.

 

4.31 Quinton Patton, WR: C

 

4.36 Marcus Lattimore, RB: F Another "redshirt" pick, couldn't overcome injury and is out of the league.

 

5.24 Quinton Dial, DL: C Solid backup, will be a part of the DL rotation for a few more years.

6.12 Nick Moody, LB: F Waived 2 years later.

 

7.31 BJ Daniels, QB: F Practice squad fodder.

 

7.40 Carter Bykowski, OL: F Signed by Seattle off practice squad.

 

7.46 Marcus Cooper, DB: F Don't even remember the name.

 

Overall: D- This is a tough one to look back on, as at the time they were thought to have one of the deepest rosters in the league. Cut to 2016, and not so much. Doesn't help when the redshirt picks don't develop.

[LunaTick 29]

A-

on the whole I think a solid draft.

 

The grade is more about Xavier and Sharrif value. [didn't change the class grade, even with Patterson not getting his 5th year]

 

Patterson, is a negative dragging it down a bit. hoping he gets a clue this year. He didn't last year. Lucky he made the roster imo.

Locke. you drafted a punter. 5th round all right, I guess. but he has performed well.

 

I will state, any pick after round 5 should not count against your draft. But those picks may improve ones draft grade.

For the Vikes it didn't improve the grade any. Out of 4 guys. 2 each had been on game day roster 23 games each. I say fair enough, but doesn't improve ones grade any.

 

Here is the damage from wikipedia

2013 NFL Draft[edit] Round Pick # Overall Name Position College 1 23 23 Sharrif Floyd Defensive Tackle Florida 1 25 25 Xavier Rhodes Cornerback Florida State 1 29 29 Cordarrelle Patterson Wide Receiver Tennessee 4 23 120 Gerald Hodges Linebacker Penn State 5 22 155 Jeff Locke Punter UCLA 6 28 196 Jeff Baca Guard UCLA 7 7 213 Michael Mauti Linebacker Penn State 7 8 214 Travis Bond Guard North Carolina 7 23 229 Everett Dawkins Defensive Tackle Florida State

Round 1

All these players are still on roster.

All have had impact. Though Patterson as a WR has disappointed. So much that it would not have surprised had he not made the team last years. He is a return specialist at a time when the league is trying to de-emphasize/eliminate that play.

Sharrif A [Got his 5th year]

Xavier A+ [Got his 5th year]

Patterson C-/D+ [Didn't get his 5th year] A as a returner. B-/C+ as a wr (mostly for 2013/2014)

 

Round 4.

Hodges is still in the NFL, trades last season, during the season, to SF in a play to get O line help for the Vikes.

B+ grade as a 4th round contributor with the Vikings

 

Round 5

Current punter.

A-. Good as a punter. but you drafted a punter.

 

Round 6

With New Orleans in 2015.

Roster on 23 games in 2013 and 2014 with the Vikes

 

The round 7 players have had not impact in the NFL.

Mauti was on roster for games a total of 23 times in 2013 and 2014. 2015 moved onto New Orleans.

Bond saw time in the CFL

Dawkins was on roster for 1 game with the cowboys in 2013

[Frozenbeernuts 1,652]

Pats - B.... Would be worse, but getting Jamie Collins in the late second is worth all the later busts. Logan Ryan has been serviceable. Dobson, and Boyce complete busts and the rest were fliers and scout team fodder.

 

No first round pick and you walk away with a core guy is a good deal.

Boyce was a guy i had interest in. He just flat out cant play football.

[Quickolas1 80]

1.16 QB EJ Manuel

2.10 WR Robert Woods

2.16 LB Kiko Alonso

3.16 WR Marquise Goodwin

4.08 DB Duke Williams

5.10 DB Jonathan Meeks

6.09 K Dustin Hopkins

7.16 TE Chris Gragg

 

Grade: F

They traded down with the Rams (who stupidly gave the Bills an extra 2nd to take Tavon Austin). You could say the Kiko Alonso pick was a good one but that doesnt absolve how awful the overall draft turned out.

 

Using a consensus pre-draft list would yield better results than most NFL GMs and scouting depts.

 

I don't have to wait another year to grade the Bills 2014 draft (Sammy Watkins) either... it's an F as well.

[sirensong 111]

Cowboys 2013

 

(3rd) Terrance Williams: C-... Master of making the impossible catch look easy, and dropping pretty much damn near everything else. Total underachiever who never stepped up nor who ever learned how to run basic routes.

 

averages 700+ yds and 5+ TDs per year as the 3rd receiving option on a team with an all-pro WR1 and a HOF TE. #30 WR in yardage, #126 in salary. same 2015 drop rate as alshon jeffrey and roddy white (4.3%). same 2014 drop rate as odell beckham (1.5%).

 

 

 

williams 2015: 840 yds, 16.2 YPC, $780K salary

 

cobb 2015: 829 yds, 10.2 YPC, $5.3M salary

 

garcon 2015: 777 yds, 10.8 YPC, $9.7M salary

 

 

at pick 74 and WR2, that's at least a B+ pick.

[Cruzer 1,992]

 

averages 700+ yds and 5+ TDs per year as the 3rd receiving option on a team with an all-pro WR1 and a HOF TE. #30 WR in yardage, #126 in salary. same 2015 drop rate as alshon jeffrey and roddy white (4.3%). same 2014 drop rate as odell beckham (1.5%).

 

 

 

williams 2015: 840 yds, 16.2 YPC, $780K salary

 

cobb 2015: 829 yds, 10.2 YPC, $5.3M salary

 

garcon 2015: 777 yds, 10.8 YPC, $9.7M salary

 

 

at pick 74 and WR2, that's at least a B+ pick.

Meh - from a salary value, sure, he gets a higher grade. But I've seen enough of this clown to know that he's a lazy, underachieving, regular Joe.

 

T-Dub (make that T-Flub) Was catapulted into the #1 spot last year with Dez on the shelf. With the weight of the wr corps and passing game on his shoulders - he managed all of 52 receps and 3 tds. I don't care if you have back ups under center or not - you have to step up and deliver more than that.

[shovelheadt 62]

Bengals

 

1st - Tyler Eifert (B+) after 2 injury plagued years, finally looks like the real deal. 1 more year like last year, and he gets bumped to an A+

 

2nd - Gio Bernard - B - shows flashes of greatness, but never seems to get over the hump. If the Bengals could get him more involved in the pass game, this grade would rise.

 

2nd - Margus Hunt (D-) monster athlete that never figured out how refine his game. Stuck behind Michael Johnson and Carlis Dunlap, wasn't even active much last year. Camp cut possibility

 

3rd - Shawn Williams - B - played very well in backup duty when Goerge Iloka was out. Expected to take over for the departed Reggie Nelson

 

6th - Rex Burkhead (C-) has a habit of making a big play here and there, but sees no action behind Gio and Hill. Started at WR in playoffs 2 years ago with Green and Jones out.

 

7th - TJ Johnson - (D) nothing more than a backup lineman the past couple years. With 2 OL picks last year and another this year, his days might be numbered

 

Overall - B

I left off 4 other picks that didn't hang around long. Eifert and Gio alone make this draft a B. If Williams shows well at safety this year, it moves up to a B+. Could never give it an A when you whiff on your 2nd round pick.

[Mike Honcho 4,035]

Bengals

 

 

2nd - Margus Hunt (D-) monster athlete that never figured out how refine his game. Stuck behind Michael Johnson and Carlis Dunlap, wasn't even active much last year. Camp cut possibility

 

 

 

Remember seeing Hunt's combine numbers and was , but never thought based on his limited experience he would go anywhere higher than 4th. Thought it would would have to be to a team DEEP at DE, so they could develop him with no pressure to get on the field quickly.

[Mike Honcho 4,035]

Sports Illustrated is stealing my bit

[Maulers1973 117]

1.06 LB Barkevious Mingo Louisiana State 2.07 exercised in 2012 supplemental draft on WR Josh Gordon 3.06 DB Leon McFadden San Diego State 6.07 DB Jamoris Slaughter Notre Dame 7.11 DL Armonty Bryant Central Oklahoma from MIA 7.21 OL Garrett Gilkey Chadron State from CIN through SF

 

Mingo - D

 

McFadden - F

Slaughter - F

Bryant - A-

Gilkey - c

 

Overall, it was a lousy draft. They found one gem in Bryant. Only other significant player from this actual draft was Mingo who has failed to meet expectations.

[Sho Nuff 719]

Green Bay Packers

 

1.26 DL Datone Jones UCLA - Definitely has underwhelmed and only has played in sub packages. The problem with this pick, along with other DE/LB picks the Packers make is they believe they convert players from their natural position and get the same production they got in college. Datone is a DE in a 4/3, not a 3/4 and as such he doesn't hold up against the run very well with out DT support. Make or break year 4, they are moving him to a hybrid position DE/OLB basically for pass rush only.

Grade C-

 

2.31 RB Eddie Lacy Alabama - First 2 years, he was the backfield threat needed to keep defense honest against the pass, with 2 years over 1000 yards and in year 2 really developed as good check-down back in the passing game. Last year it looked like he spent most of the off-season working on his game, on an Xbox and bags of cheetos. Way over-weight, out-of-shape and completely lacking stamina. Stats across the board were down. Has vowed to be in better shape this season, off season pictures look like he's lost 25 pounds. Got to dock his grade for year 3.

Grade B-

 

4.12 OL David Bakhtiari Colorado - Has been the starter at LT since being drafted as a rookie and has progressively gotten better, particularly in the run game. Strength was a concern coming out, but weight room and technique have limited the amount pressures he allows. Biggest weakness is too many holding penalties. Not going to be a Pro Bowl player, but a starting LT in the 4th, have to love that.

Grade A-

 

4.25 OL J.C. Tretter Cornell - Missed 24 of the first 32 games with injuries after winning the starting center job as a rookie. In year 3, he finally got into the line-up after injuries to C. Linsley and did a very nice job, though he isn't as strong as Linsley, he's more athletic. Especially, does a nice job of getting to the 2nd level. The big surprise was how well he did filling in for Bakhtiari at LT in a late season start. Best position is C and he has starter talent and that position looks locked down for the Packers so he might be on the move after this year barring offensive line shake-up. Tough to grade because of injuries. but a late 4th rounder, can backup multiple positions.

Grade C

 

4.28 RB Johnathan Franklin UCLA - Backed up Lacy, got to make one start then suffered a career ending neck injury.

Grade Incomplete

 

5.26 DB Micah Hyde Iowa - Slow, tough, good tackler and can play both safety/corner and return punts. Truly, he looks like a solid/safe career backup that doesn't make you cringe when you see him on the field.

Grade B

 

5.34 DL Josh Boyd Mississippi State - Regulated to the practice squad intially as a rookie.. Surprisingly quick for 310 pounds, looked ready for more time in the DT rotation before becoming injured. Still needs to develop more pass rush.

Grade C+

 

6.25 LB Nate Palmer Illinois State - 2013 half the year on the practice squad, no impact when signed to team. Lost 2014 to injury. Saw significant time in 2015 after Barrington injury, but his weakness in coverage and the emergence of Jake Ryan pushed him back to the bench. Nothing special so far.

Grade C-

 

7.10 WR Charles Johnson Grand Valley State - Packers really were intrigued by Johnson physical abilities and wanted to develop him. Injured in the preseason as a rookie and placed on the practice squad, too much potential and was signed to the Browns active roster, who then had to IR him for injuries. Signed by Vikings where he has shown flashes, but he really made a mistake jumping for that spot on the Browns rather than let GB develop him, IMO. he looks to be a case of wasted potential. Still he's been an NFL starter, so still a decent find.

Grade C-

 

7.18 WR Kevin Dorsey Maryland - GB saw some potential and was stashed on IR for a year, activated in his second year and saw some spot action, before being cut last year. I never saw anything in his limited preseason play, cept an ability not to get open or catch the ball. Out of football.

Grade D-

 

7.26 LB Sam Barrington South Florida - After 2 years of spot play became the starting ILB next to Clay Mathews...and his season ended after the 16th play. Instinctive and really hits, but like most GB ILB's really doesn't cover very well. After the last few years, it would be shocking if GB didn't draft a pure ILB this year, but I think Sam will still have the edge on the starter position come camp. An average starter from the end of the 7th round, have to be happy about that.

Grade B+

 

The biggest thing pushing this draft down was drafting a pass-rushing DE who's too small to play in the 3-4 regularly and frankly, doesn't get enough pressures when he's on the field. Lacy and Bakhtiari(maybe Barrington) are solid starters and the team picked up decent depth with this draft. Lacy only Pro Bowl player and doubtful any others step up to that level. Not a bad draft, but unless Lacy rebounds, this isn't the draft that pushes the team to the next level.

 

Overall B-

 

Id grade out Tretter better than Hyde. 4th round pick and he is their best depth right now. Can't really complain there. Id rate Tretter actually a better player overall...though, Hyde on ST may be why he deserves the higher grade.

[jerryskids 5,206]

Cardinals

2013

1.07 OL Jonathan Cooper North Carolina 2.15 LB Kevin Minter from SD 3.07 DB Tyrann Mathieu 4.06 LB Alex Okafor Texas 4.19 OL Earl Watford James Madison from NYG 5.07 RB Stepfan Taylor Stanford 6.06 WR Ryan Swope Texas A&M 7.13 TE D.C. Jefferson Rutgers from CAR through OAK

 

Cooper was a bust with the Cards, but they were able to package him and a 2nd for Chandler Jones.

Minter is a starting MLB.

Honey Badger is fantastic... when healthy.

Okafor has started at OLB the past two years but had a down year last year with only 2 sacks. With the upgrades the Cards made he might be the odd man out.

Watford is good line depth and spot starter. Nothing great.

Taylor never materialized as a starting quality RB but is a pretty good special teamer.

Swope never played because of concussions.

Jefferson is not on the team, may be out of the league?

 

With 3 starters, 2 other contributors, and the trade for Jones, I'll give it a B.

[R8RMick 242]

Oakland's 2013 draft was fairly dismal. McKenzie traded back from four to thirteen with Miami, selecting DJ Hayden of Houston in the first round. Hayden was one of the top senior CBs in the nation, up until a horrific practice injury to a vein in his chest nearly killed him on the field. The team was given the green light by doctors, though it's understandable the kid was never the same. He's battled injuries and struggled mightily at outside cornerback, though he has hung in there and played tough. Hayden's grades against the run were significantly better than in pass coverage, and he has had moments of success playing in the slot. He will undoubtedly be given a final chance in an Oakland uniform this season, and most likely be the team's slot CB in sub packages.

 

Their second rounder Menelik Watson is a physical specimen, but very raw. A typical McKenzie pick. He has shown flashes, in fact he was ahead of Austin Howard in the 2015 training camp battle for starting RT, but like Hayden has battled injuries. He is coming off an achilles injury which literally left him in tears at the time of injury.

 

Both players figure significantly into the team's plans for 2016 depth-wise. Hayden as a nickel/dime/slot corner and Watson as a swing tackle adding beef to the offensive line. Both units for the Raiders are among the AFC's best, at least on paper.

 

Seventh round pick Brice Butler was peddled to Dallas for a 2016 fifth rounder. This was a hugely important pick, as it allowed the team to deal it's own fifth rounder to move up and grab QB Connor Cook. This was another typical McKenzie move, in the same vein as Ron Wolf's style in Green Bay. With the pick received from Dallas, a very high fourth overall pick in the fifth round, the team selected RB Deandre Washington of Texas Tech, who will serve as a much needed compliment to Slats Murray. Again, Washington was a player personally scouted and picked by McKenzie.

 

Though this draft is considered a failure by most experts, with Hayden especially drawing intense ire from my fellow fans, I would not be so quick to dismiss it until the 2016 season has played out. Watson has immense size and potential, but has simply been unable to stay on the field. He is an extremely hard working kid, and feels he owes the team. Most had him winning that RT job last August before his injury.

 

Hayden is widely considered just the latest of our first round busts. But I've been impressed by his toughness, even while getting literally flogged on the field, and he has shown flashes of his first round brilliance. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr has been working with him on his preparation and practice ethics. With Sean Smith and David Amerson locking down the outside corner roles, and veteran Reggie Nelson providing back end excellence and leadership, the hope is that Hayden can just settle down and take some of the pressure off himself. The probable plan is to throw him into the slot where he can man up and just concentrate on the middle of the field. This probably suits his strength of playing run defense as well.

 

Bottom line, two talented kids who have struggled, but who can give the team an enormous lift if they live up to their draft positions. At worst, they'll provide depth on what is becoming one of the better teams in the AFC.

[DankNuggs 305]

^ Where is the grade? While an eloquent summary, I need things defined by a single letter.

[nobody 2,043]

^ Where is the grade? While an eloquent summary, I need things defined by a single letter.

 

 

Must be an F. He said Hayden was "getting literally flogged on the field." Not figuratively - literally. If you're draft picks are getting beaten with whips on the field and can't even earn your team an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from the other team, they must really suck.

[R8RMick 242]

^ Where is the grade? While an eloquent summary, I need things defined by a single letter.

Failing an 'Incomplete', which is a grade,I'd charitably call it a D+

[R8RMick 242]

 

 

Must be an F. He said Hayden was "getting literally flogged on the field." Not figuratively - literally. If you're draft picks are getting beaten with whips on the field and can't even earn your team an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from the other team, they must really suck.

Yeah probably a poor metaphor. I wanted to stay away from the rented mule cliché, as it is entirely overused.