NFL Draft: NFC North Draft Winners and Losers From 2005-2010
As we embark on another draft year, many fans ponder drafts of years past. The NFC North has been an interesting division for the last five years because it has represented four of the last five NFC Championship games, with two Super Bowl representatives in that span.
Every division has its own dynamic and the NFC North is no different, so let's take a look at who has benefited the most over the last 5 drafts. This does not cover FA or trades. This is strictly from a draft point of view.
Grades are based on each draftee's contribution, All-Pro selections, and status with the team.
Analysis in order of division finish at the end of 2010.
Draft information courtesy of: databaseFootball.com
Chicago Bears
1 of 5
2005: Grade F. Why? This class is marred by two major departures: Cedric Benson, the fourth overall pick, a wasted 2nd round pick in WR, Mark Bradley, who gave four relatively unproductive years to the Bears, and fourth round selection Rodney Dangerfield, err, I mean, Kyle Orton, the poor man's QB who is now a Bronco.
2006: Grade C. Danieal Manning and Devin Hester make this class a decent class, but the rest is much to be desired. Names like Dusty Dvoracek, who played in few games, and was recently arrested in 2010 in a bar brawl, or Jamar Williams and Mark Anderson are no longer with the team. In fact, only two of the seven drafted in this class are still with the team.
2007: Grade F. The only notable here is Greg Olson, and sixth round selection CB, Corey Graham. The others are no longer with the team.
2008: Grade B. Of the twelve players drafted, seven are still with the team, and that bodes well for longevity because this draft class is now in their third year and results are beginning to come in from the likes of Forte, Earl Bennett, Craig Steltz and first round selection Chris Williams.
2009: Grade F-. If there is such a grade. The Bears had no first or second round due to the Cutler trade. Again, these grades are not being evaluated on trades. Consider that of the nine players drafted only one is still with the team, Johnnie Knox. This is quite frankly the worst draft in many years for the Bears. Thank God for FA.
2010: Grade C+. Of the five players drafted four are still with the team, LeFevour is now a Bengal. The Bears are expecting big things from Major Wright, Corey Wootton has done a decent job as a backup, and J'Marcus Webb has made contributions to the O-Line.
Overall Grade: With three F's in six years, it's hard to say the Bears have scored well in the draft. The overall score is a D.
Roster information courtesy of: chicagobears/team/roster
Green Bay Packers
2 of 5
For the Green Bay Packers it's been a steady stream of strong performances, and despite the Brett Favre departure drama, the organization knew what it had and where it was going. Winning Super Bowl XLV validated their thinking, not to mention their draft acumen.
2005: Grade A. When you draft Aaron Rodgers near the end of the first round and have Brett Favre, surely speculation and cries for heads to roll were heard, but those who cried foul six years ago are now believers. Of the eleven picks, Rodgers and Nick Collins stand out, and Poppinga has given several good years, and with that, the grade of A is justified.
2006: Grade B. A.J. Hawk has been a solid contributor, but it's Greg Jennings, and Spitz, Martin and Jolly in the back half of this class make it a solid draft class.
2007: Grade B minus. With eleven picks, a draft class could pay huge dividends or disastrous results. Justin Harrell has been a disappointment and Brandon Jackson has underperformed, but James Jones, Desmond Bishop, and Mason Crosby make this yet another solid draft class.
2008: Grade C. This is a solid class in Jordy Nelson, Patrick Lee, Jermichael Finley (who could really break out), Josh Sitton, and Matt Flynn, but since there are no bonafied starters other than Finley, the grade goes down, but when you can keep five out of nine draft picks, you've done your homework; however, they missed on Brian Brohm in the 2nd round, which was surprising given they had Rodgers. That was a most curious pick.
2009: Grade B. Seven of the eight players drafted are on the team, Raji and Matthews are contributing significantly, and several others: Underwood, T.J. Lang, Jarius Wynn being solid backups.
2010: Grade C. It's always tough to grade out a rookie class, so I usually award a C unless there is a rookie of the year, or a complete bomb. All seven players drafted made the team. This class will be led by Bulaga, Neal and Burnett, but Quarless paid nicely for the injured Finley, and Starks came in for Grant and did well also. This grade could easily go up.
The Packers have obviously done it right by focusing on the draft and keeping those picks. They had two drafts of twelve picks, and two with eleven picks. That is doing your homework, not to mention compensatory picks that are paying off. Overall grade of B Plus.
Information courtesy of: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/.
Detroit Lions
3 of 5
Well, it's safe to say the Lions are roaring again. By winning their final three games, confidence is growing, and with a great core of players, the Detroit Lions are no longer a guarantee win for the opposition. The young nucleus has begun to pay dividends, but in a division with the Packers, Bears and yes, even the Vikings, getting to the top is one huge hurdle to overcome as represented by having a NFC North team in the NFC Championship in four of the last five championship games, and two Super Bowl representatives in those five years. So, let's get to the newly resurgent Lions.
2005: Grade F minus minus. Not a single player from this draft is currently on the roster. Mike Williams was a disaster, and the only decent players from this class Cody and Orlovsky left for greener pastures.
2006: Grade F. Once again, no one from this draft class is with the team. Notable picks: Ernie Sims (current Eagle), Daniel Bullocks (UFL), Jonathan Scott (Steelers). The really sad part is that only Sims is a decent ex-player, which is a huge factor in looking at the draft process of the Lions.
2007: Grade F. Sorry Detroit fans, but of the eight players drafted, only two are still with the team, Calvin Johnson and Drew Stanton. Johnson has paid off, Stanton is still holding a clipboard.
2008: Grade C minus. The sun is beginning to shine now. Of the nine players chosen five are still with the team, so that is a positive. Now for the negatives, second round pick Jordon Dizon is a back up LB, Kevin Smith is a back up RB at best, and number one pick Gosder Cherilus still struggles at times.
2009: Grade B minus. Things are beginning to improve now. Of the ten picks, eight are still with the team, led by the (so far) oft-injured Stafford, but Pettigrew and Delmas look solid, and they are getting some decent back ups from the back end of their draft. Now, generally this is how it's done.
2010: Grade B minus. Remember, I normally award C's for a rookie class, but when you have the Defensive Rookie of the Year your grade improves. Led by Suh and Best, perhaps this is the foundation the Lions have been looking at for a long time.
Well, after a very slow start things have begun to improve under the new Schwartz regime. A lot hinges on Stafford's success. If he can come back at 100% and perform like the number one pick then the playoffs are not far off, but the Lions are still a few years away. Overall grade: D
Information for the Detroit Lions roster courtesy of detroitlions.com/roster.
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Minnesota Vikings
4 of 5
The Vikings have endured some real ups and downs since 2005. They have seen dismal seasons followed up with promising ones and even two division championships in 2008 and 2009. If all goes well next season, 2010 will be another one of those seasons soon forgotten. Here is a look at how well the Vikings have performed in the draft since 2005.
2005: Grade F. Troy Williamson and Erasmus James were downright disappointments and therefore reflects the entire draft class.
2006: Grade B minus. Greenway, Griffin and Cook have all contributed, and many feel Greenway is playing at an All-Pro level. Also, Tarvaris Jackson is still the name that is most attached to this draft class, but consider this, 2006 was a relatively weak year for QB's, so maybe many have placed too much blame on Jackson for not being a game changer.
2007: Grade B minus. One name, Adrian Peterson, Rookie of the Year and now four time Pro Bowler. I would have given this draft class an A, but third round pick McCauley is no longer with the team and they allowed Tyler Thigpen to get away. This draft also boasts Sydnie Rice (Pro Bowl) and Brian Robison.
2008: Grade B minus. The Vikings did not have a first, or third due to the trade for Jared Allen, so in essence, one could grade higher due to Allen's production and Pro Bowl appearances. This draft rates a B minus because of the 6 picks they had 5 of the 6 are still on the roster, with the exception of John David Booty. Plus, the contributions from the back end (Guion, Sullivan, Johnson) of the class as solid back ups justifies this grade.
2009: Grade B minus. Of the five picks, all five are still with the team, and once again, the Vikings can boast of a Rookie of the Year in Percy Harvin. Although Harvin battled migraines last year, when he stepped onto the field he was very effective. Also, Loadholt is a solid starter, Asher Allen is a strong back up at this point, Brinkley spells Henderson, and even started when Henderson went down, and then seventh round choice Sanford even started several games last year.
2010: Grade C. I give a C here because it's hard to evaluate a rookie class. It is safe to say that Chris Cook was on his way to being a rookie starter and Toby Gearhart filled in well and improved as the season progressed; even Chris Degeare filled in admirably when Hutchinson was lost for the year. Then there's Joe Webb, who knows how that will work out, but my guess is that he will be a capable back up for years to come. Lastly, they have improved their special teams and Triplett and D'Imperio have contributed there, so there is a high likelihood this grade could improve, but most is based on Cook's injury recovery and Griffen's maturity as a DE.
Overall the Vikings have fared well, and although it has not translated into a Super Bowl appearance, it has at least given them the firepower to always be in the running, except for 2010 of course, which most would agree was a bizarre year to say the least. Overall grade: B minus.
Information courtesy of: http://www.nflteamhistory.com/nfl_teams/minnesota_vikings/index.html.
Final Grade and Analysis
5 of 5
There you have it, all four NFC North teams and their draft grades from 2005-2010. Let's recap the final totals and include their records for perspective purposes.
Our overall winner is Green Bay with a final grade of B plus. Their record since 2005 is 52-45 with 3 playoff appearances and one Super Bowl victory.
Minnesota Vikings: Grade B minus with a record of 51-45 since 2005 and 2 playoff appearances including the NFC Championship game, the seventh in team history.
Chicago Bears: Grade D. I know that doesn't sound right, but the Bears have been able to make trades and sign free agents who really have and continue to contribute, but it also says drafts prior to 2005, the players are getting older. With that being said the Bears have amassed an incredible 58-38 record, the end result being 3 playoff appearances and one Super Bowl loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Detroit Lions: Grade D. Perhaps I am being a bit generous here with the final grade, and this hurts typing it out, their record from 2005-2010, hang on, this is not a typo: 23-73. Sorry Lions fans. I would say the future looks bright, perhaps, but as always with the Lions, only time will tell.
I hope you enjoyed the article, and as always, I welcome your opinion, because after all, that's all this was, my opinion.
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