Rank your draft class...

[Forty_Sixand2]

...for 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Now seems the appropriate time to rank these classes and none after, I would think.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Redskins:

2007: D and that is based on a few productive seasons out of Laron Landry. HB Blades spent a couple of seasons on the team in special teams but overall this was bad. Skins only had 5 picks.

2008: C Fred Davis and Rob Jackson highlight a class of ten that bombed at the top (Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly)

2009: C+ Brian Orakpo is a stud when healthy and Kevin Barnes contributed for 3 seasons before being traded. Not good, but not terrible.

 

[ThruTheEyesOfRuby]

Redskins:

2007: D and that is based on a few productive seasons out of Laron Landry. HB Blades spent a couple of seasons on the team in special teams but overall this was bad. Skins only had 5 picks.

2008: C Fred Davis and Rob Jackson highlight a class of ten that bombed at the top (Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly)

2009: C+ Brian Orakpo is a stud when healthy and Kevin Barnes contributed for 3 seasons before being traded. Not good, but not terrible.

Fred Davis is definitely helping that 2008 draft now. I remember the two WRs we drafted more prominently (because we had a real dearth of talent there) and to get nothing out of them was a real disappointment. With Orakpo in the 2009 draft, I think you hit the grade right on the head. Has potential to move up if he sticks around and delivers consistently the way we all hope he does.

 

[USCDoom]

Great Thread. I think most will know when Allen/Gruden left and Dominik took over.

2007
1-4 Gaines Adams DE, Clemson - Gotta love how Gruden and Allen though Calvin Johnson was going to drop to them so they did not need to trade up. A Reaction pick that was one of the Bigger Bust in draft history. At least Dominik was able to get a 2nd round pick from the Bears for him. Died young.
2-3 Aaron Sears OG, Tennessee - Another dandy pick. Other than the Drug, Mental and slew of other problems he had, was an ok player.
2-32 Sabby Piscitelli S, Oregon State - Could have been a decent player if Football was not about Tackling, Covering, or taking Angles on Runners.
3-4 Quincy Black OLB, New Mexico - A guy that never reach his potential, Looked like he was putting it all together in 2012 until a tackle end his career.
4-7 Tanard Jackson FS, Syracuse - Once promising career ruined by Drugs.
5-4 Greg Peterson DT, NCCentral - Nothing
6-8 Adam Hayward OLB, Portland State - Headed in 2013 as the Starting SOLB for the Bucs. Great Speacial Teams player for years.
7-4 Chris Denman OT, Fresno State - Nothing
7-35 Marcus Hamilton CB, Virginia - Nothing
7-36 Kenneth Darby RB, Alabama - Nothing

Grade = FF - Lets recap
1 Dead Player
1 Insane Player
1 Crappy Player
1 Paralyzed Player
1 Drug Addicted Player
All in the first 5 picks.

2008 coming up...

 

[The Iron Horse]

I won't go player by player, but for the 07 season. The Packers got James Jones, Mason Crosby, and Desmond Bishop, all who are still with the team. They also drafted Brandon Jackson who contributed in the SB run, and Korey Hall. Overall, James Jones has had his issues, but he is a pretty darn good WR. Crosby used to be great, but was shaky at best last season. Bishop was pretty damn good in 11. So I will give it a B-. James Jones lead the NFL in TDs for WR last season, and should have another big season this upcoming season as well.

 

[USCDoom]

Recap so far
2007 Bucs = FF

2008 Bucs
1-20 Aqib Talib CB, Kansas - If he was not Punching a Cab Driver, he was Swinging his Helmet at Teammates, then he was Shooting at a guy with a gun, then failing a drug test. Suspended 1 and 4 games already by the League. Traded for 4th round pick.
2-27 Dexter Jackson WR. Appalacian State - This might be the Biggest Draft Bust of the Gruden Era and that is saying something. They drafted a guy who would have been a Undrafted Free Agent in the 2nd round. One Year Later out of Football.
3-20 Jeremy Zuttah G, Rutgers - Backup Guard for his first 4 years, was the Starting Center last year for the Bucs.
4-16 Dre Moore DT, Maryland - Nothing
5-25 Josh Johnson QB, San Diego - 3rd string QB that could never earn a back up spot.
6-8 Geno Hayes LB, Florida State - Below Average starting WOLB for the Bucs for 2 seasons. Back Up in Jacksonville.
7-31 Cory Byrd RB, South Carolina - In CFL

Grade = D- Zuttah saves this from being a F.

2009 upcoming...

 

[The Iron Horse]

for 08.

Flynn was a heck of a play in the last round. So that pick gets an A, but is lowered to an B+ because GB didn't get anything from him leaving. But, for the time he was there, it won GB a game, and gave peace of mind, knowing we had a good backup in case Rodgers went down.

Nelson, for where we got him. That's an A+ no questions about it.

Finley, for where we got him, and what he has done...B or B-. Either one.

Sitton, for where you got him, and what he has done, B- on the edge of C. So overall, I will give it a B+, when you think of Finlay, Nelson, Sitton. Plus what you got out of Finley, that 's a pretty darn good draft.

 

[USCDoom]

Recap so far
2007 Bucs = FF
2008 Bucs = D-

2009 Bucs
1-17 Josh Freeman QB, Kansas State - Already the greatest Bucs QB statwise. Lead the team to its highest Offensive Ranking in its history. Still only 24.
3-17 Roy Miler DT, Texas - Starting DT for the Bucs the last 2 seasons. A Run stuffing NT that help the Bucs be #1 vs the Run in 2012. Signed with Jacksonville as FA in offseason, their starting NT.
4-17 Kyle Moore DE, USC - Starter for the Bucs at RE, struggled rushing the passer. Solid vs Run. Signed with the Bears.
5-19 Xavier Fulton OT, Illinois - In CFL
7-8 EJ Biggers CB, Western Michigan - Back Up CB with the Bucs, decent player. Signed with Washington in Offseason.
7-24 Sammie Stroughter WR/KR, Oregon State - Still with the Bucs, been a WR/PR/KR since he has been here. Was more effective in his first 2 years.

Grade = A - Not a lot of picks to start a Rebuild. But they did get a Starting QB and DT while getting good back ups at CB and WR.


Recap
2007 Bucs = FF
2008 Bucs = D-
2009 Bucs = A

 

[The Iron Horse]

For 09. I will just go with an A+

Clay Matthews and BJ Raji both in the first round. Both have been HRs. A+ on both accounts.

Then T.J Lang in the second, he has been a starter, and serviceable. I would say that pick was a B.

Jarius Wynn was selected in the sixth round, and for his production, I would say B.

Brad Jones, still with the team, and had a nice season with 77 tackles. And he was a seventh round pick, that's an A in terms of production and where you got him.

So, four starters in that draft. With two being Pro Bowlers, and Jones being a nice addition, and Lang contributing. Again, this was an A+ for the the Packers.

 

[The Iron Horse]

Recap so far
2007 Bucs = FF
2008 Bucs = D-

2009 Bucs
1-17 Josh Freeman QB, Kansas State - Already the greatest Bucs QB statwise. Lead the team to its highest Offensive Ranking in its history. Still only 24.
3-17 Roy Miler DT, Texas - Starting DT for the Bucs the last 2 seasons. A Run stuffing NT that help the Bucs be #1 vs the Run in 2012. Signed with Jacksonville as FA in offseason, their starting NT.
4-17 Kyle Moore DE, USC - Starter for the Bucs at RE, struggled rushing the passer. Solid vs Run. Signed with the Bears.
5-19 Xavier Fulton OT, Illinois - In CFL
7-8 EJ Biggers CB, Western Michigan - Back Up CB with the Bucs, decent player. Signed with Washington in Offseason.
7-24 Sammie Stroughter WR/KR, Oregon State - Still with the Bucs, been a WR/PR/KR since he has been here. Was more effective in his first 2 years.

Grade = A - Not a lot of picks to start a Rebuild. But they did get a Starting QB and DT while getting good back ups at CB and WR.


Recap
2007 Bucs = FF
2008 Bucs = D-
2009 Bucs = A

not to be negative, but it seems like you only had two starters still with the team, and one is the kicker. I mean, did they get anything in return for the guys the left? cause I think you are being a bit generous with that A grade.

 

[USCDoom]

For 09. I will just go with an A+

Clay Matthews and BJ Raji both in the first round. Both have been HRs. A+ on both accounts.

Then T.J Lang in the second, he has been a starter, and serviceable. I would say that pick was a B.

Jarius Wynn was selected in the sixth round, and for his production, I would say B.

Brad Jones, still with the team, and had a nice season with 77 tackles. And he was a seventh round pick, that's an A in terms of production and where you got him.

So, four starters in that draft. With two being Pro Bowlers, and Jones being a nice addition, and Lang contributing. Again, this was an A+ for the the Packers.

You should add another Plus.

Think about it, you got a DT and a Pass Rusher that both kind of exceed expectations in the 1st round.

Jacksonville has spent 8 years trying to find One of those in Any Round...

 

[The Iron Horse]

Great Thread. I think most will know when Allen/Gruden left and Dominik took over.

2007
1-4 Gaines Adams DE, Clemson - Gotta love how Gruden and Allen though Calvin Johnson was going to drop to them so they did not need to trade up. A Reaction pick that was one of the Bigger Bust in draft history. At least Dominik was able to get a 2nd round pick from the Bears for him. Died young.
2-3 Aaron Sears OG, Tennessee - Another dandy pick. Other than the Drug, Mental and slew of other problems he had, was an ok player.
2-32 Sabby Piscitelli S, Oregon State - Could have been a decent player if Football was not about Tackling, Covering, or taking Angles on Runners.
3-4 Quincy Black OLB, New Mexico - A guy that never reach his potential, Looked like he was putting it all together in 2012 until a tackle end his career.
4-7 Tanard Jackson FS, Syracuse - Once promising career ruined by Drugs.
5-4 Greg Peterson DT, NCCentral - Nothing
6-8 Adam Hayward OLB, Portland State - Headed in 2013 as the Starting SOLB for the Bucs. Great Speacial Teams player for years.
7-4 Chris Denman OT, Fresno State - Nothing
7-35 Marcus Hamilton CB, Virginia - Nothing
7-36 Kenneth Darby RB, Alabama - Nothing

Grade = FF - Lets recap
1 Dead Player
1 Insane Player
1 Crappy Player
1 Paralyzed Player
1 Drug Addicted Player
All in the first 5 picks.

2008 coming up...

damn, that was a rough draft, really rough.

 

[The Iron Horse]

You should add another Plus.

Think about it, you got a DT and a Pass Rusher that both kind of exceed expectations in the 1st round.

Jacksonville has spent 8 years trying to find One of those in Any Round...

Yeah, you know, for the longest time, Green Bay had not had a Pro Bowler drafted in the first round. So, to get two was a really good job. I remember seeing Matthews his rookies season, and the kid had a motor on him, and I thought he would be special. BJ Raji just gets in the trenches and can stuff the run, and take on two linemen creating space. I can't wait to see how this season goes with Jerrell Worthy last's year second round pick coming back from injuries, and this season pick, Jones. I will say, in the SB season, Raji played incredible football.

 

[USCDoom]

not to be negative, but it seems like you only had two starters still with the team, and one is the kicker. I mean, did they get anything in return for the guys the left? cause I think you are being a bit generous with that A grade.

Actually only one starter is still with the team, Freeman. Miller is on the Jags.

The Bucs only had one pick in the first 80 picks. Yet drafted 5 guys that started a game for the Bucs. Only one player had shorter than a 4 year Career.

The Production gotten out of the 3rd, 7th and 7th round picks was outstanding. They only missed on One Pick.

The A is for production and doing so well with lack of picks.

Not to mention they got the best QB that year with their only Top Tier Pick.

 

[Clayton]

Over the span of a decade, the Rams were the worst drafting team in the league so these are usually kind of depressing

Rams 2007: F

Adam Carriker: D- (we got a 5th and a 7th out of him 3 years later)
Brian Leonard: F+ (we got a backup tackle for him)
Jonathan Wade: F
Dustin Fry: F
Clifton Ryan: F
Ken Shackleford: F
Keith Jackson Jr: F

Rams 2008: B-

Chris Long: A-
Donnie Avery: F
Greco: F
Justin King: F-
Kennan Burton: F
Rest of draft: no one currently on team

Rams 2009: D

Jason Smith: F-
James Laurinaitis: B+ (was picked over Rey Mauluaga; was seen as bold)
No one else currently on team

 

[USCDoom]

Over the span of a decade, the Rams were the worst drafting team in the league so these are usually kind of depressing

Rams 2007: F

Adam Carriker: D- (we got a 5th and a 7th out of him 3 years later)
Brian Leonard: F+ (we got a backup tackle for him)
Jonathan Wade: F
Dustin Fry: F
Clifton Ryan: F
Ken Shackleford: F
Keith Jackson Jr: F

Rams 2008: B-

Chris Long: A-
Donnie Avery: F
Greco: F
Justin King: F-
Kennan Burton: F
Rest of draft: no one currently on team

Rams 2009: D

Jason Smith: F-
James Laurinaitis: B+ (was picked over Rey Mauluaga; was seen as bold)
No one else currently on team

The late 00s sure were bad for the Bucs and Rams. Far cry from the earlier part of the decade.

This is even more reason to NEVER hire a Coach and/or GM whos forte is not the Draft.

Fact, Bad Drafts lead to multiple 10+ loss seasons.

 

[LeaderOCola]

2007
Lawrence Timmons (top 10 underrated players in NFL right now)
Lamarr Woodley (elite player when motivated, sadly is not anymore)
Matt Spaeth (let go after 1st contract, useless despite being resigned)
Daniel Sepulveda (was good when healthy, but what a waste of a pick...
... could have drafted Bushrod, Goldson, etc)
Ryan McBean (joke of a pick, could have taken Leron Mcclain)
Cameron Stephenson
William Gay (servicable nickel back, finally)
Dallas Baker

grade A-, great top 2, bad choices midround, no late round finds

2008
Rashard Mendenhall (servicable feature back, not retained, Chris Johnson and
Matt Forte were taken later)
Limas Sweed (joke of a pick, Ray Rice taken 2 picks later)
Bruce Davis (in the CFL, enough said)
Tony Hills (released after 3 years, has played sparingly as a reserve on other teams)
Dennis Dixon (joke of a pick)
Mike Humpal (joke of a pick)
Ryan Mundy (joke of a pick, somehow remained on team through 2012)

Grade F-, got only 4 realistic playing seasons of value

2009
Ziggy Hood (a good player, but neutred by scheme. will probably not be retained
after 2013 season)
Kraig Urbik (servicable player, not retained, starting for other team now)
Mike Wallace (not on team due to salary demands enough said)
Keenan Lewis (blossomed late in last contract year, 1 year wonder? not on team)
Joe Burnett (CFL player, enough said)
Frank Summers (joke of a pick)
Rashon Harris
AQ Shipley
David Johnson (servicable blocker, still on team)

Grade B, decent years out of Wallace, one good year from Lewis, Hood does nothing special




Cumulative grade: C-

 

[Clayton]

The late 00s sure were bad for the Bucs and Rams. Far cry from the earlier part of the decade.

This is even more reason to NEVER hire a Coach and/or GM whos forte is not the Draft.

Fact, Bad Drafts lead to multiple 10+ loss seasons.

What is sad is that the team was so bad for 5 years that any player drafted in the first 4 rounds should have found a starting spot somewhere and every year we'd have half of our draft picks cut within a few months.

 

[Clayton]

Hey USCDoom, what are your thoughts on TJ McDonald?

 

[Tubbs1518]

2007:

Leon Hall - Teams #1 CB for years now.
Kenny Irons - hurt as a rookie, never played
Marvin White - started 3 games then was cut
Jeff Rowe - waste
Matt Toeaina - waste
Dan Santucci - waste
Chinedum Ndukwe - Got some good years out of him, great value in the 7th

Grade - C+ Hall was a great pick, Ndukwe was also productive. Nothing else

2008:
Keith Rivers - Bust
Jerome Simpson - Gave us 1 above average year
Pat Sims - When healthy was pretty good.
Andre Caldwell - Well he has the 1 game winning catch against Pitt
Anthony Collins - Good depth on the line, can step in and start
Jason Shirley - waste
Corey Lynch - waste
Matt Sherry - waste
Angelo Craig - waste
Mario Urrutia - waste

Overall - C- got some good depth players and players who played for a few years

2009:
Andre Smith - One of the best RT's in football
Rey Maualuga - stinks IMO but they Bengals seem to like him
Michael Johnson - good DE
Chase Coffman - waste
Jonathan Luigs - waste
Kevin Huber - Starting P
Morgan Trent - was only slightly below average
Bernard Scott - eh, had the big KR for a TD agaisnt Pitt
Fui Vakapuna - waste
Clint McDonald - waste
Freddie Brown - Waste

B+ - got a dominant RT and a really good DE as well as our starting MLB and P.

2009 was when the Bengals really started drafting well.