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SalSports.com |
2008 AFC
Draft Recap and Comments
A quick look at and comment on each team's
draft
By Sal Capaccio
www.SalSports.com
Even though I am a teacher in real-life and don't just play one on the Internet, and I actually do hand out grades for a living, I find it not only too difficult, but completely unnecessary and pointless to "grade" an NFL team's draft immediately after it's completion. In fact, I don't believe any draft should have a grade attached to it until that draft class has played at least three years of pro football.
However, it is completely fair and justifiable to look at a team's draft and make quick observations of how they did or did not help their current roster and how the players they drafted may or may not help them in future years. Not every pick has to be analyzed to do this, either. But some picks stick out as not being the best pick that team could have made for a variety of reasons, and some picks jump off the page as a terrific choice.
All that being stated, here are some quick takes and impressions on each of the AFC team's drafts (Go here to read my NFC comments):
AFC East
Buffalo Bills:
The Bills two biggest needs headed into the draft
were cornerback and a big wide receiver. They drafted a cornerback and a
big wide receiver with their first two picks. That's efficient drafting.
CB Leodis McKelvin will not only challenge for the #2 CB job opposite
Terrence McGee right away, but he may also surplant McGee as the team's #1
kick returner. WR James Hardy, at 6-foot-5, gives the team something
they've really never had - a legitimate red zone threat on the outside. The
Bills needed a tight end and didn't do enough to grab one before settling on
Derek Fine. It will be interesting to see if RB Xavier Omon becomes the
next small-school player to succeed in an organization that has had a knack
for finding those gems over the years. DE Chris Ellis may be able to joint
the front-4 rotation, but he and the rest of the day two picks will most
likely be relegated to special teams if they make the squad.
Miami Dolphins:
When you have the first pick overall and in every round, and your team only
one game the previous season, it's hard not to have a decent
draft and improve. The Dolphins did both. OT
Jake Long should help to protect QB John Beck, unless second round pick Chad
Henne takes over as the team's signal-caller, although a good, young
receiver would have helped, as well. DE Phillip Merling was a nice pick in
round two. Bill Parcells made a statement by choosing either an offensive
or defensive lineman with six of his nine picks.
New England Patriots:
Losing only one game all season and then still picking seventh overall is a
nice luxury to have. Being able to pick LB Jared Mayo is an even nicer
luxury considering the age of the Pats linebackers. CB Terrence Wheatley
will be a nice addition after losing Asante Samuel in free agency, and he'll
have a shot at being the team's #1 kick returner, as well. I love the Kevin
O'Connell pick. A good, young QB going to a team that can develop as a
competent backup to Tom Brady. I was surprised New England didn't
draft any offensive lineman after watching the
way the Giants D-Line manhandled them in the Super Bowl.
New York Jets:
LB Vernon Gholston is a physical freak, but I still wonder if he will be
consistent enough in the NFL to warrant his #6 overall slot. Great move
selecting TE Dustin Keller after moving back into round one. The Jets
haven't had a tight end threaten the middle of the field in a while, and he
can do just that. This draft class may hinge on
whether or not Erik Ainge becomes the team's starting quarterback. If he
comes along quickly and develops, he'll be a steal coming out of the fifth
round.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens:
Joe Flacco in the first round? Wow. Either the Ravens really believe he's
the real deal and is ready to play very soon, or they are in full panic mode
over their quarterback situation after seeing Steve McNair retire. I like
Flacco a lot, too, but not if he's rushed into duty. RB Ray Rice will be a
nice backup for Willis McGahee. Safety Tom Zbikowski was a pre-draft
favorite for many fans, but I saw him get beat too many times one-on-one at
Notre Dame to warrant his third round selection. In fact, none of
Baltimore's second-day picks jump out at me as impressive enough to make a
difference any time soon.
Cincinnati Bengals:
Interesting that this team keeps stating they are not trading WR Chad
Johnson, but then drafted two players at that position early in the
draft. Keith Rivers is a very smart football
player with good character. The Bengals needed both and he should help
right away. I like S Corey Lynch a lot for the same reasons. TE Matt
Sherry was a wasted pick. He's a practice squad player at best.
Cleveland Browns:
With no picks in the first three rounds, this Browns
draft may never be able to be fairly judged. LB Beau Bell was their
first selection (4th round) and will have a chance to play in certain
situations on defense. Curiously, they drafted a tight end when they
already have Kellen Winslow, Jr., yet didn't draft
a running back. That was a much more pressing need as far as a backup and
insurance.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
This ain't your grandpa's Steelers anymore. This team will have a new look
offensively after seeing the way they drafted. RB Rashard Mendenhall,
coupled with WR Limas Sweed, will give the Steelers the ability to spread
teams out a little more and have more of a wide-open attack. That's also
why I think they drafted QB Dennis Dixon. He's a terrific athlete and can
throw the ball well. But if he has to play, and they stick him in the
pocket like a statue, it's a waste of his talents.
AFC South
Houston Texans:
Other than LB Xavier Adibi in the fourth round, I thought the Texans had a
very mediocre - at best - draft. Although they
may develop, both OT Duane Brown and CB Antwaun Molden were taken too high.
RB Steve Slaton can only be used with certain situations and matchups.
Frank Okam doesn't play with the kind of fire necessary to make an impact as
an NFL defensive tackle.
Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts drafted three centers, or guys who project to play center. That's
odd. But knowing this organization, they'll find a way to make use of one
or all of them at different spots on the offensive line. I like RB Mike
Hart a lot as a sixth round choice, especially going to a team that has such
a great passing game and a solid #1 running back already. He'll be able to
find his role and contribute without tons of pressure. Pierre Garcon could
turn some heads as a WR coming out of Division III Mount Union. After all,
he will have the advantage of Peyton Manning throwing to him.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
OK. Taking DE Derrick Harvey at #8 was a reach, but only considering the
player and not the fit. When you look at the Jags obvious objective after
this draft, it makes a lot more sense. They
simply want to get to the quarterback better, and specifically, get to
Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Harvey, as well as DE Quentin Groves, will
give them more bodies to do that. Trae Williams did not get the hype at
South Florida that his fellow CB Mike Jenkins got, but I got the chance to
see him play a lot and he is a solid football player that will contribute
for quite a while in Jacksonville.
Tennessee Titans:
If someone could explain to me why the Titans simply refuse to give Vince
Young any wide receiver help, I would appreciate it. They did
draft Lavelle Hawkins in the fourth round, but
that was too little, too late. I do like RB Chris Johnson, but again, not
at the expense of passing on a wide receiver. At defensive end, Jason Jones
is a nice player who will be benefited by having good inside players next to
him, but I don't think he was worthy of that spot in round two. LB Stanford
Keglar and CB Cary Williams were chosen more on measurables than
performance.
AFC West:
Denver Broncos:
I like what the Broncos did, especially considering their ability over the
years to develop good offensive linemen. OL Ryan Clady and Kory
Lichtensteiger will have good coaching and will play in a good offensive
system for them. They'll also protect young QB Jay Cutler, helping him move
forward. Same can be said for RB Ryan Torain. Almost any other place he
wouldn't have as much of a chance. But in Denver, he may have success.
Eddie Royal could be a nice find at WR, although it may take a couple years
for him to blossom.
Kansas City Chiefs:
Maybe the best draft of 2008. DT Glenn Dorsey and OL Branden Albert will
both pay immediate dividends. RB Jamal Charles and TE Brad Cottom could
both be major players for this team in the coming years. CB Brandon Flowers
upgrades the secondary. WR Will Franklin was a solid and valuable pick in
round four. The Chiefs need so much help, every player they drafted has a
chance to make the final roster.
Oakland Raiders:
Al Davis chose flash and speed over power and stability when he took RB
Darren McFadden over Dorsey. It's a win-win choice, but with Davis, there
was almost no way he was going to pass up the chance to add a kid with the
size and speed and name recognition of McFadden to his offense. After
McFadden, I wasn't thrilled with the rest of the Raiders
draft, but WR Chaz Schilens does have the
athletic ability to make some noise on the roster.
San Diego Chargers:
The Bolts didn't have a lot of needs, but the one area they could use
someone they did address nicely with CB Antoine Cason. I'm glad they gave
RB/FB Jacob Hester a shot because he's the kind of player every team would
like to have. He'll have the chance to learn behind LaDainian Tomlinson,
but curiously, they then drafted another running back right after that in
Marcus Thomas. I thought they could have used another offensive lineman,
but this team is so talented in most places it's hard to find fault in any
area they decided to add depth in favor of another.