Evaluating the NFL Draft, Part I: The Losers

While we’re still in the aftermath of the draft, why not stretch into the NFL perspective and do a little rating?

As with every year, there were some obvious winners and losers of the 2008 draft. Teams look to draft both immediate needs and potential players that can be groomed into superstars of the future.

The importance of the NFL draft can never be undermined. It is the one time where the NFL comes together to wheel-and-deal and select their future legends—and soon-to-be busts.

So who won and lost this past weekend? In this three part series, let’s start with the latter: the losers.

Chicago Bears

They got off to a bad start by not selecting the top two tackles in the draft. Chris Williams out of Vanderbilt is not a bad choice by any means, but his run-blocking skills have been questioned, and he wasn’t the highest rated tackle available at the time.

They had a few decent selections in Earl Bennett, Marcus Monk, and Matt Forte, but none are home run hitters that can alleviate the problems under center.

Which brings me to...

For the third year in a row, the Bears did not select a QB. They had their chances, and several QBs this year would be an upgrade from Grossman or Orton. Neither have shown what it takes to be an elite QB, and you have to wonder what the deal is in the Windy City.

Tennessee Titans

Taking an unproven RB out of a mid-major conference? Questionable. Selecting your third RB in the top three rounds for the third year in a row? What the hell?

Alright, on the Titans’ defense, Chris Johnson is a favorite of mine. He’s a tall, fast playmaker, but he played at East Carolina, so he hasn’t had a chance to prove himself against elite players week in and week out.

If this was their guy, you have to assume they could have waited and made some trades in the second or even third round.

To add to that, they selected two DEs from another mid-major school and a school I didn’t even know existed, much less had football. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of small-school guys who come into the bigs and make an impact, but I’m not a fan of selecting three all before the end of the fourth round.

To top it off, the Titans didn’t nab an impact receiver that Vince Young needs.

Washington Redskins

Most experts out there haven’t been down on the Redskins’ draft picks. I’m not either, they’re all quality players. But come on, let’s put all our eggs in one basket, why don’t we?

Second Round recap:

Pick 3—Devin Thomas, WR. OK, nice choice. Good receiver, great upside.

Pick 17—Fred Davis, TE. Decent tight end who is athletic, but isn’t an overwhelming blocker nor the fastest guy out there. Still, he’s a pretty good fit.

Pick 20—Malcolm Kelly, WR. Tall, good speed, good hands, good upside. Wait, didn’t we just say that...17 picks ago?

I’m aware that the ‘Skins were seeking someone for Jason Campbell to throw to, but 3/3 in the second round? Come on! Don’t you have Santana Moss, Chris Cooley, Antwaan Randle El, and a few good young guys? Don’t you have some other needs, like at safety or linebacker? Maybe an elite pass rusher?

Seattle Seahawks

I love Owen Schmitt. I wanted the Cowboys to draft him badly. I also love Brandon Coutu, not only because he went to Georgia but because he is a great kicker who can deliver in the clutch.

But Seattle wasted an early pick on Lawrence Jackson, the defensive end out of USC, picked a TE in John Carlson out of Notre Dame who had a very weak combine, a long snapper, and a small RB in Justin Forsett who lacks top-end speed to get it done at the next level.

Seattle has some pressing needs at WR and several positions on defense, and none were addressed with the exception of DT. Red Bryant out of A&M is a potent run-stuffer, but lacks pass-rushing capabilities.

Houston Texans

Duane Brown won’t be the answer at OT. He lacks an overall blocking ability, but he is athletic. It will take him some time to adjust to the power of DEs at the next level.

It will also take time for Antwaun Molden, the CB prospect out of Eastern Kentucky. He played at a very small school that had a simple scheme, so his transition into the NFL will require a lot of teaching and practice. He has the skill set, but not the experience to make an impact immediately.

Slaton is a steal. His quickness will prosper in the zone blocking scheme in Houston. Dominique Barber, brother of Marion Barber III, might turn into a sleeper at the safety position due to his physical style and aggressiveness, but he doesn’t have elite speed or great coverage skills.

Other than those two, I don’t see much improvement. LB Xavier Adibi out of Virginia Tech is a strong player, but his lack of an initial burst will hurt him severely.

All in all, there are no impact players in this class. Houston is still a growing franchise, and they need all the help they can get in the draft.