How The 2007 Draft Affected The '07-'08 Season

It's Sunday night and the long awaited 2008 NFL draft has finally come and gone.  As a Philadelphia Eagles fan, it's tempting to go on and on about about how thrilled I am about the Eagles getting DeSean Jackson or Trevor Laws--who I thought were both great picks--except that the start of the 2008 NFL season is over four months away, and for all I know both might be busts. 

So instead of going out and grading teams on this year's picks, I'll look at last year's top ten first round draft picks who've already been scrutinized and have a season under their belts.  Here goes:

No.1  Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, Louisiana State

Analysis:  For a No.1 pick, JaMarcus Russell was a big disappointment.  Coming off a great year at Louisiana State, he played in just 4 games for the Raiders, 1 of them started, throwing just 4 touchdowns for 373 yards and 2 interceptions.  He fumbled 4 times, 2 of them lost.  His QB rating is 55.9.

No.2  Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

Analysis:  After injuring his lower-back in week three, Calvin Johnson still managed to pull off a mediocre season in which he played in 15 games, 10 of them started, recording 48 receptions for 756 yards with 15.6 average, all the while scoring 4 touchdowns.  He fumbled just once but never lost the ball.  An all around tough guy who will probably break out in the '08/'09 season.

No.3  Cleveland Browns: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin

Analysis:  Started all 16 games for the Browns.  A very consistent player.

No. 4  Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson 

Analysis:  In 16 games, 8 started, Gaines Adams recorded 38 tackles, 28 of them solo, 6.0 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.  Slightly better than average.

No.5  Arizona Cardinals: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State

Analysis:  Levi Brown played in 13 games, 11 of them started.  For an offensive tackle, he is certainly above the curve.

No.6  Washington Redskins: LaRon Landry, SS, Louisiana State

Analysis:  With 95 tackles, 63 of them solo, and 1.5 sacks, LaRon Landry clearly established himself as a talented player who could only get better from here on out.

No.7  Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma 

Analysis:  Clearly the most talented player from the 2007 NFL draft, Adrian Peterson rushed for 1,341 yards on 238 carries, resulting in 12 touchdowns.  With an outstanding average of 5.6 yards per carry, he went on to become the leading rusher in the NFC, and the MVP of the Pro Bowl.  He also recorded 19 receptions for 268 yards and a 14.1 average. Overall, he fumbled only 4 times, 3 of them lost.

No.8  Atlanta Falcons:  Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas

Analysis:  A disappointment considering his high draft status, Jamaal Anderson recorded only 30 tackles, 26 of them solo, and 1 forced fumble in his first season.

No.9  Miami Dolphins:  Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State

Analysis:  Although he played in all 16 games, 9 of them started, Ted Ginn Jr. recorded only 34 receptions for 420 yards and a 12.4 average, all the while scoring 2 touchdowns.    He did well, however, on special teams, when he returned a punt for a touchdown and recorded 22.7 yard average on kickoff returns.  He fumbled 3 times, 1 of them lost.

No.10  Houston Texans: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

Analysis:  While playing in all 16 games, 14 of them started, Amobi Okoye recorded 32 tackles, 23 solo, 5.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.  Slightly above the average, he has good potential in upcoming seasons.

These ten players were all considered outstanding players at some point.  They all have considerable talent, and many of them will probably break out in the upcoming seasons, and become established players.