Draft Grades Thread

[LUKE23]

Kiper gave us a B-.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft10/ ... raftGrades

Green Bay Packers
Summary: Green Bay stuck to a good plan in the first round and got an ideal fit in Bryan Bulaga. In the second and third rounds, I think they may have reached a bit with Mike Neal and Morgan Burnett. Good players, but I think in both cases there were some better options. The grade goes up a notch with the addition of James Starks so late. If he's healthy, and he should be when he arrives for camp, he could be one of those running backs whom everybody wonders how he fell so far. A really good size-speed package when he's right.
Draft grade: B-

I can understand saying Neal was a reach, but Burnett? Didn't many think he was a 2nd round talent, and we got him at 71?

[crkone]

Draft grades are worse than power rankings.

[eagle13]

Of course have no idea how good this draft went as its too early too tell but anyway...

For what we needed overall = B-
OT = A+
S = A-
RB = C
pass rush = F
CB = F
KR = unknown - Starks impact?

For what we got = A-
(at slot taken)
Buluga = A
neal = B+ growing on me - trade Jolly if he gets off
burnett = A- fast, good cover & tackles well
quarless = B- potential but can''t block
newhouse = B- smart w/ long arms & big hands & good balance
starks = C+ picks his path & goes / not elusive / maybe KR
wilson = C

Newhouse, Starks & Quarless were good late picks.
I particularily like Newhoouse - think will eventually be a starter in a couple years.

I would have done it differently (No Hindsight) as I said b4 draft - Hughes/Veldheer/CB OR trade down BUT TT did OK with guys he got - we'll see how his ignoring OLB & CB works out.

[chuckleslove]

Draft grades are worse than power rankings.

Yeah, the problem with draft grades is they are basing it on their opinion. Mel Kiper I'm sure makes a decent amount of money to be paid to analyze players but if he was really so good he wouldn't be working for ESPN, he would be the GM of some team.

TT said that he got the highest player left on his board with all the picks so I'll take his word on it, he has a lot more credibility to me than the "experts".

[Balls2TheWalls]

Honestly the picks make a ton of sense if we had this Knicky guy dead to rights from the start. I have to think that we knew Knicky wasn't going to get drafted, and we had him locked up within moments of be able to sign him.

As far as our picks in the draft:

Buluga - A - Hearing a lot of the same things I heard about Clifton coming out. "Can only pass block." "Is soft blocking up field." He is a football player, and I, for one, am ecstatic he fell to us.

Neal - C - I watched every Purdue game, and he showed up a ton over the course of the season. He got regularly double teamed, and was schemed out of a lot of games with sweep play action and outside screens. He made Purdue's defensive end (Kerrigan) look very good by sucking up double teams. Might have been a small reach, but he could easily be a bookend DE for us for a long time.

Burnett - A- - Great value pick. The only problem was that we had to sacrifice a 4th rounder to move up to get him. It is hard to say that Neal would have been there late in the 3rd, but it might have been worth the risk to keep our spots and pick Burnett in the 2nd and hope Neal fell to our 3rd. I'll give Ted the benefit of the doubt on this one. Good need and value pick.

Quarless - B- - Talented player looking for redemption. His story sounds a lot like Finley's coming out of college. He has the speed and size to be every bit as good as Finley as long as he has the drive. Love that he will likely move Lee off of the field.

Newhouse - B - Very talented player whose stock rose after beating people up at the Shrine game. Has great size, and played a lot of left tackle, and would be capable of playing all over the offensive line. This is one time where Thompson drafted a late round offensive lineman where I was happy about it.

Starks - A - This kid was the steal of our draft. He didn't play last year, but was just an incredible running back when he saw the field the 3 previous years. Played under a great coach at Buffalo, and blew it up at the combine. He catches well out of the backfield, which is one of our offense's major weaknesses. I think that this pick is why our Scouts earn their money. It was obvious we had our eyes on this guy with Jon Dwyer falling just as far.

Wilson - B - Great value pick. Kid is coming in with a chip on his shoulder. You can never have enough big defensive linemen that play angry.

Overall : B+

Would have likely been an A had we gone with Burnett in the 2nd, picked Neal in the 3rd, and had our 4th to pick an outside linebacker from the crop that was drafted around our 4th round pick. I have to think we had this Knicky UDFA kid in our sights from day 1. Hopefully he's a player.

[Ill-yasova]

quarless = B- potential but can''t block
.

CBS:
Blocking: Greatly improved in this area during his career. Doesn't get a lot of pop but holds up well against SAM linebackers on the edge to give running backs an inside lane. Also anchors against defensive ends. Goes to second level and negates inside linebackers. Finds targets when in motion; able to latch on and move his feet to sustain. Stronger players can get under his pads and knock him off his feet in space, but he does give effort to help teammates down the field.

GBPG:
Solid in-line blocker – consistently locks out his arms, drives his legs on contact and moves defenders off the line. Flashes power on the second level. Has been durable and not missed any time to injuries.

SI.com:
Positives: Well-sized tight end with a solid game. Quickly releases off the line into pass routes or run blocks, immediately gets to top speed, and displays solid pass catching hands. Moves well about the field, adjusts to the errant throw, and makes the reception in stride. Looks the pass into his hands. Solid strength as a blocker. Gets out to the second level and removes linebackers from the action. Seals defensive lineman from plays with good body positioning.


Analysis: Quarless is a solid athlete that's been productive as a pass catcher and blocker. Lacks the ability to be a number one tight end at the next level yet has enough skill to eventually develop into a second player at the position.

Everything I've read about his blocking has been positive. He's easily my favorite pick of the draft and he could be a monster for us.

[xTitan]

I will give the quality of talented draft a solid C+

For not filling huge holes at OLB, CB, and PR/KR....D.....would be an F but Thompson did address the O-line.

[chuckleslove]

I will give the quality of talented draft a solid C+

For not filling huge holes at OLB, CB, and PR/KR....D.....would be an F but Thompson did address the O-line.

Cause by not drafting that one OLB late in the draft we are going to go from the 2nd rated defense in the NFL to the worst ever. Also our young players that made us the youngest team in the NFL after the Harris/Kampman injuries will never improve or get better.

[xTitan]

I will give the quality of talented draft a solid C+

For not filling huge holes at OLB, CB, and PR/KR....D.....would be an F but Thompson did address the O-line.

Cause by not drafting that one OLB late in the draft we are going to go from the 2nd rated defense in the NFL to the worst ever. Also our young players that made us the youngest team in the NFL after the Harris/Kampman injuries will never improve or get better.

First of all it is my opinion if you have a different good for you....not only not drafting that OLB (which is far more important than you seem to think) also not drafting any CB's when IMO you need a starter and when your all pro star is something like 34 or 35...what young players do you see at CB with real high ceilings on this team? I don't see any high ceilings at CB and I like Jones but not sure how high his ceiling is.....even if Jones turns out to be a solid starter, what if he or Matthews goes down.....you have Brady F'ing Poppinga as your back up. So YES I stick by my opinion...........now if Thomspon get Dumerville (LOL) that will obviously change.

[Newz]

xTitan, your opinion makes no sense to me.

Basically what you continue to say is that our defense without a guy like Dumerville is absolutely awful, but with Dumerville it is a Super Bowl level defense.

That makes no sense. One non-QB player cannot make that big of an impact on a football team.

[bucks59]

I dont get why a CB the Packers draft in the third round would automatically be better than Lee (a second rounder) or Underwood (someone with a couple years of experience). They have a history of injuries, but there is no guarantee that any draft pick would do better than them. Lee was a second pick and the coaches seem to love Underwood. Plus, there's some potential that Harris returns.

I agree that the Packers need an OLB but Jones could improve or the Packers could find other ways to generate a pass rush. In year 1 of the 3-4, the Packers defensive was ranked as a top five defense in the NFL. Given the general youth, there should be internal improvements.

[xTitan]

xTitan, your opinion makes no sense to me.

Basically what you continue to say is that our defense without a guy like Dumerville is absolutely awful, but with Dumerville it is a Super Bowl level defense.

That makes no sense. One non-QB player cannot make that big of an impact on a football team.

That is funny...because your opinion makes no sense to me...at all, I can't understand how you think? My philosophy defensively in todays NFL is that you have to be able to defend the pass, putting pressure on the QB is a great way to do that.....why not look at what the Jets are doing...they have stockpiled cover corners through the draft and free agency...the believe with lock down defenders you can blitz the hell out of the QB and win football games....that philosophy is golden to me. Perhaps you slept through the Minnesota games, the Pittsburgh game, the playoff game.

I see GB having 1 quality pass rusher and most well coached teams will game plan for him. I see the Packers having 1 great DB, who is getting older and nothing better then average at best after that....not to mention awful cover LB's...I have seen teams get better in the North as well as the NFC and I think the Packers defensively is the same team we saw get lit up.

[xTitan]

I dont get why a CB the Packers draft in the third round would automatically be better than Lee (a second rounder) or Underwood (someone with a couple years of experience). They have a history of injuries, but there is no guarantee that any draft pick would do better than them. Lee was a second pick and the coaches seem to love Underwood. Plus, there's some potential that Harris returns.

I agree that the Packers need an OLB but Jones could improve or the Packers could find other ways to generate a pass rush. In year 1 of the 3-4, the Packers defensive was ranked as a top five defense in the NFL. Given the general youth, there should be internal improvements.

How has Lee looked his first 2 years? Underwood is a late round pick going into his second year.....you may be right those 2 may be the next big things....but I am looking at this years team as a team that SHOULD be contending for the Superbowl....do you really see Lee and Underwood being CB's next year on a Superbowl team?

[bucks59]

How has Lee looked his first 2 years? Underwood is a late round pick going into his second year.....you may be right those 2 may be the next big things....but I am looking at this years team as a team that SHOULD be contending for the Superbowl....do you really see Lee and Underwood being CB's next year on a Superbowl team?

You really think that a newly drafted CB would immediately fix the Packers' problems? If you're really right about the Packers issues, then players the Packers draft this year probably wont make them a Superbowl team next year anyway; it would take several years since most rookies are not impact players their first year.

Either you're overblowing the problems and the current roster is probably sufficient or you're not and a rookie CB most likely wont make the difference anyway.

[Newz]

xTitan believes that any OLB we drafted in the 1st or 2nd would come in and make us a Super Bowl contender... Yet Brad Jones cannot improve.

It's pretty strange.

[xTitan]

xTitan believes that any OLB we drafted in the 1st or 2nd would come in and make us a Super Bowl contender... Yet Brad Jones cannot improve.

It's pretty strange.

I think Jerry Hughes ceiling is light years better than Brad Jones....yes.....you act like i am on an island with my belief the packers did not address 2 huge areas of weakness...have you read J/S online? GreenBay PressGazette? Any number of National people who's job it is to analyze teams think the same way I do.....if anything you are in the minority here, not me...you have the internet look around.

[xTitan]

How has Lee looked his first 2 years? Underwood is a late round pick going into his second year.....you may be right those 2 may be the next big things....but I am looking at this years team as a team that SHOULD be contending for the Superbowl....do you really see Lee and Underwood being CB's next year on a Superbowl team?

You really think that a newly drafted CB would immediately fix the Packers' problems? If you're really right about the Packers issues, then players the Packers draft this year probably wont make them a Superbowl team next year anyway; it would take several years since most rookies are not impact players their first year.

Either you're overblowing the problems and the current roster is probably sufficient or you're not and a rookie CB most likely wont make the difference anyway.

I think a newly drafted CB wil be far better than Lee, Underwood, and Blackmon.....assuming TT would have made the right choice...i think CB depth is weak for the Packers and all the competition you can get the better. Based on what you are saying it appears you don't believe the Packers are superbowl contenders now either

[Newz]

When have I said that Jerry Hughes didn't have a higher ceiling than Brad Jones? Who believes that?

I just don't believe a rookie OLB and a rookie corner or two is the difference between us being a Super Bowl contender or a team with an awful defense.

I certainly don't think our defense is great, though it has room to improve. Raji could grow into a stud, Matthews already is one and will only get better, Brad Jones will only get better and we have Underwood/Lee who have opportunities to get better.

I'm not sold that we have a good 3rd corner on this roster. I'm not sold that we have depth at OLB. If Woodson, Tramon, Jones or Matthews go down... Then yeah, we are in trouble. If we added Jerry Hughes and Clay went down, we would be in trouble too. If we drafted a corner in round 1 and Woodson went down, we would still be screwed.

We were lucky last year with Matthews coming in and dominating right away... That doesn't happen every year.

When you build through the draft, like the Packers do, you have to put faith in your young players improving. Obviously they think Lee and Underwood can be solid. Obviously they think Clay, Jones and Raji will improve.

[xTitan]

When have I said that Jerry Hughes didn't have a higher ceiling than Brad Jones? Who believes that?

I just don't believe a rookie OLB and a rookie corner or two is the difference between us being a Super Bowl contender or a team with an awful defense.

I certainly don't think our defense is great, though it has room to improve. Raji could grow into a stud, Matthews already is one and will only get better, Brad Jones will only get better and we have Underwood/Lee who have opportunities to get better.

I'm not sold that we have a good 3rd corner on this roster. I'm not sold that we have depth at OLB. If Woodson, Tramon, Jones or Matthews go down... Then yeah, we are in trouble. If we added Jerry Hughes and Clay went down, we would be in trouble too. If we drafted a corner in round 1 and Woodson went down, we would still be screwed.

We were lucky last year with Matthews coming in and dominating right away... That doesn't happen every year.

When you build through the draft, like the Packers do, you have to put faith in your young players improving. Obviously they think Lee and Underwood can be solid. Obviously they think Clay, Jones and Raji will improve.

So when you are this close to being a Superbowl contender and you seem to think drafting Hughes would not put the Packers over the top.....wouldn't free agency be in play here? Is settling for another wild card opportunity and road playoff loss good enough? This is my whole point...your weaknesses were obvious and you had a year to upgrade by any means necessary and he simply failed to do it.....that is why I feel he has failed.

[bucks59]

I don't to be honest because I think the pass rush isn't where it needs to be; though I do think the CB situation is fine. From the few things I've seen from Lee, I've actually liked him and I think that Williams is an above average starting second CB in this league. I also think that Burnett can play some nickle/dime situations for the Packers and adds coverage depth to the secondary. I just generally think the chance that TT drafts a CB who instantly comes in and plays better than Lee or Underwood or even Harris is small to be honest.

Generally, I just think whatever rookie that TT added this year was going to take a year or so to develop. I would have preferred an OLB to a DT/DE in the second, but if Neal is the highest guy on TT's board, than thats who I expect him to draft.

I agree that a pass rush is really important and I really was hoping TT would address that. There are some positive signs going into next year though in terms of the pass rush. The Packers brass has hinted at doing some other things to address that issue and it is the case that Jones was a rookie last year who (I might be wrong about this) was injured during training camp and didn't get a lot of reps. I am no expert on what measurables or whatever an OLB needs to be successful but it logically doesn't make sense to me why a rookie wouldn't improve going into year two. Plus, this defense in general was transitioning to a new system and that is always rough. I think that Jones will improve; but, I also think that Capers will come up with ways to deal with some of our weaknesses and find other ways to pressure the QB.

I just don't think you can claim the sky is falling in April, before training camp has ended. And at the end of the day, I just don't expect a rookie to be an impact player. Basically, if you're assessment of this team was that they were not going to be a Superbowl team previous to the draft, than the draft shouldn't change your perceptions of this year, only of future years. What TT does in this draft mostly affects the Packers two to three years from now most likely.