2008 NFL Draft: One Year On, Evaluating The Picks 11-31

This is basically a continuation of my previous article, where I rated the top ten picks of last year's draft. Hope you guys liked my previous article, and I hope you like this one as well.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/139321-one-year-on-evaluating-the-top-ten-picks-of-the-2008-draft

11. Buffalo Bills select Leodis McKelvin (CB, Troy)

The top rated corner on most draft boards, he has shown flashes of brilliance in both cover skills as well as returning kicks. The Bills were so confident of his abilities that they let starting corner Jabari Greer walk this offseason. If not for them having another impressive returner in Roscoe Parrish, McKelvin would have seen a lot more playing time.

Grade: B+ 

12. Denver Broncos select Ryan Clady (T, Boise State)

One of the major hits in the draft, Clady's protection of Cutler has been top-notch, and without him, Cutler would not have the stats he had. Is an integral part of the offense and will be for the next decade.

Grade: A+

13. Carolina Panthers select Jonathan Stewart (RB, Oregon)

Coming into the draft, there were major injury concerns and he was rated as only the fifth best RB on some draft boards. The Panthers had faith in him and he did not disappoint. His tandem with DeAngelo Williams rode the Panthers all the way to the playoffs. He was the less impressive of the pair, though.

Grade: B

14. Chicago Bears select Chris Williams (T, Vanderbilt)

He had a quiet rookie season hampered by injuries, before as well as during the season, and only managed to play in 9 games. With the retirement of John Tait and with John St. Clair still on the market, he would have to fill bigger shoes in 2009. First, he has to show he can stay healthy.

Grade: B-

15. Kansas City Chiefs select Branden Albert (G, Virginia)

With the pick they received from the trade with the Vikings for Jared Allen, the Chiefs select Branden Albert by swapping picks with the Lions. The offensive line of Kansas City as a unit failed to protect the QB or create running lanes, and with a year of game experience, Albert would have to perform better if Kansas City want to get better.

Grade: B

16. Arizona Cardinals select Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB, Tenn State)

Small school guys aren't supposed to go this high. Rodgers-Cromartie really came on good with four picks in the regular season, and another two in the playoffs—which was instrumental in changing the momentum of both the Wild Card game against the Falcons, as well as in the Division game against the Panthers.

Grade: A-

17. Detroit Lions select Gosder Cherilus (T, Boston College)

The last first round pick of the Matt Millen era, he was considered a reach at this spot. And through his rookie season, he hasen't done anything to prove he was worth it. One of the busts of the first round, I don't think he'll ever make it at NFL level. But we'll see.

Grade: D

18. Baltimore Ravens select Joe Flacco (QB, Delaware)

They traded down, then traded back up to ensure that the player they envisioned as their franchise QB did not slip away. Most pundits had him going in the second round. Thrown in the fire when Troy Smith went down with an infection in the preseason, he has made the position his own. Showing accuracy to go along with great arm strength, he proved more than serviceable on a Ravens team that had a unbreakable defense.

Grade: A

19. Carolina Panthers select Jeff Otah (T, Pittsburgh)

The Panthers must have really liked Otah, trading away a first round pick and a second rounder to get him. The cost was steep, but Otah did repay their faith by opening lanes of the running game, as well as keeping Delhomme upright. The Lions must be kicking themselves for picking Cherilus instead.

Grade: A-

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Aqib Talib (CB, Kansas)

Talib and the Bucs were made for each other, and it showed. He fits right into their cover-two scheme, but questions has to be asked if it was worth it since CBs that can fit into the cover 2 are usually found in the later rounds.

Grade: B-

21. Atlanta Falcons select Sam Baker (T, USC)

The run of tackles made the Falcons worried, who traded back into the first round to protect the earlier pick, Matt Ryan. Baker looked decent when called upon, but he pales in comparison to earlier picks Clady and Otah.

Grade: B

22. Cowboys select Felix Jones (RB, Arkansas)

Marion Barber needed a running mate, and the Cowboys found him one. McFadden's partner-in-crime at Arkansas showed that he was more than capable of sharing the burden, but injury cut his season short.

Grade: B

23. Pittsburgh Steelers select Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinois)

Although not a position of need, they decided to stop Mendehall's slide and be the bruiser to the speedster they already have in Willie Parker. He didn't hit the ground running, as he went down with a season-ending injury—is it just me or injuries were everywhere in this crop of 32 players?

Grade: B-

24. Tennessee Titans select Chris Johnson (RB, ECU)

I did not see a single analyst say that this was a good pick when it was made last year. Boy, how one's opinion can change in a year. With four 100+ yard games, and a total of 1,228 yards, and 9 touchdowns later, everybody is jumping on the Chris Johnson bandwagon. A home run by the Titans.

Grade: A+

25. Dallas Cowboys select Mike Jenkins (CB, South Florida)

The Cowboys select Mike Jenkins with their second pick in the first round. He did not play in 9 of the Cowboys games, and when he did get his chance, had minimal impact on the game. Now that Anthony Henry is gone, it's his turn to start.

Grade: C+

26. Houstan Texans select Duane Brown (T, Virginia Tech)

The Texans probably thought Cherilus, Baker, or Otah will be here. When it was their turn to make the pick, they decided to go with need and select Brown, who many thought was raw and merited a second round pick more, and it showed as he occasionally struggled.  He needs to learn, and fast.

Grade: C+

27. San Diego Chargers select Antoine Cason (CB, Arizona)

CB was an area for need and Cason was the CB of choice. Cason did not show much in his first season but didn't flop either. Typical late first-round draft choice who will have to prove himself in the coming years.

Grade: B-

28. Seattle Seahawks select Lawrence Jackson (DE, USC)

Do the Seahawks need pass rush help last year? Yes. Do they still need to find a pass rusher from this year on? Yes. They have to hope Jackson improves rapidly. I wouldn't say that he's a flop. But he only had 29 tackles in his rookie year and has to improve in that category. And other than two sacks which came in the same game, he didn't touch the QB in the other 15 games

Grade: C-

29. San Fransico 49ers select Kentwan Balmer (DE/DT, UNC)

Only seven tackles. It says it all. Another classic flop, he'll be out of the league soon.

Grade: F

30. New York Jets select Dustin Keller (TE, Purdue)

The Jets traded back into the first round to get a catching TE for their QB, who ended up being Brett Favre. With the pair of Coles and Cotchery under-performing, Keller became one of Favre's favorite target, ending the season with a respectable 48 receptions. Looks to be a mainstay on the new Jets team.

Grade: A-

31. New York Giants select Kenny Phillips (S, Miami)

The last pick of the first round was the first safety to be taken off the boards by the Giants. Phillips's rookie year seemed like a gradual learning process, playing in all the games the Giants played, amassing 67 tackles. Looks like a safe pick.

Grade: B

That's it for the 2008 draft. Hope you guys enjoyed it. I'd like to hear what you guys think.