 AFC Draft Grades by DJ Boyer Football.com draft expert DJ Boyer was in New York this past weekend to cover the 2008 NFL Draft and he breaks down the AFC and gives his opinion on the teams that fared well and those who came up short on draft weekend. *AFC East*
*Buffalo Bills*
1(11) Leodis McKelvin Cornerback Troy
2(41) James Hardy Wide Receiver Indiana
3(72) Chris Ellis Defensive End Virginia Tech
4(114) Reggie Corner Cornerback Akron
4(132) Derek Fine Tight End Kansas
5(147) Alvin Bowen Linebacker Iowa State
6(179) Xavier Omon Running Back Northwest Missouri State
7(219) Demetrius Bell Offensive Tackle Northwestern State
7(224) Steve Johnson Wide Receiver Kentucky
7(251) Kennard Cox Cornerback Pittsburgh
*Analysis Day One: *How can you not be a fan of what the Buffalo Bills
accomplished. Buffalo played the draft perfectly in the first round as
they knew receiver was their biggest need. The Bills accurately
predicted receivers were dropping (though who knew none would be gone in
the first round) and took the first corner off the board in Leodis
McKelvin. The when receivers started flying off the boards near the top
of the second round they grabbed a huge target in James Hardy. Hardy has
some character questions but he knows how to score touchdowns and gives
Buffalo that tall red zone target they lack. The Bills to me had one of
the better first days that not many people are talking about.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Not a lot of star power with the second day
selections but they were very solid and at positions where Buffalo has
needs. Buffalo spread their picks around the football field and had an
even split between offense and defense. I think Alvin Bowen was a nice
selection for the defense and Demetrius Bell has a chance to contribute
for this team right away.**
* *
*Overall: *Solid draft for the Bills, they went after their immediate
needs early on day one and then did a nice job spreading their picks out
with five going towards offense and five on defense. *Grade: B*
*Miami Dolphins*
* *
1(1) Jake Long Offensive Tackle Michigan
2(32) Phillip Merling Defensive End Clemson
2(57) Chad Henne Quarterback Michigan
3(66) Kendall Langford Defensive End Hampton
4(110) Shawn Murphy Offensive Guard Utah State
6(176) Jalen Parmele Running Back Toledo
6(195) Donald Thomas Offensive Guard Connecticut
6(204) Lex Hilliard Running Back Montana
7(245) Lionel Dotson Defensive Tackle Arizona
*Analysis Day One: *Solid day for the Dolphins as I had already praised
them for taking the closest thing you can get to a “sure thing” in Jake
Long. Miami now has one of the better young lines in football taking
shape. Phillip Merling was top 20 talent and outstanding value at the
top of the second round. I reported the Dophins loved Chad Henne and
they thought about him at the top of round 2. I think they still have
faith in John Beck and couldn’t believe Henne was still on the board at
#57 and took him anyway. Henne is a nice insurance policy but I still
like John Beck leading this franchise.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *One thing that jumps out is that the Dolphins failed
to draft a wide receiver. They are a team with needs there so I would
assume they will be looking for some veteran help at the position.*
*Kendall Langford seems like an outstanding pick, seemed to be a little
early for him but I think the Dolphins have a pair of serviceable
defensive linemen with he and Philip Merling.
* *
*Overall: *No picks in the secondary or wide receiver positions really
seems to signify that Bill Parcells wants to concentrate in the trenches
with this team along both the offensive and defensive lines. I thought
they faded a little bit near the end but still a solid draft. *Grade: B*
*New England Patriots*
* *
1(10) Jerod Mayo Linebacker Tennessee
2(62) Terrence Wheatley Cornerback Cornerback
3(78) Shawn Crable Linebacker Michigan
3(94) Kevin O’Connell Quarterback San Diego State
4(129) Jonathan Wilhite Cornerback Auburn
5(153) Matt Slater Wide Receiver UCLA
6(197) Bo Ruud Linebacker Nebraska
* *
*Analysis Day One: *The Patriots trading back in the first round…who
would have expected that (it’s called sarcasm)? In fact sources in New
York told me the Patriots were looking to trade back a second time at
#10 and still target Mayo who they weren’t worried about going off the
board until #15 (where I had him in Detroit). Some will argue it was too
early but you look at Mayo and the surprising Terrence Wheatley and you
see New England addressed their two biggest needs. Wheatley was a
surprise and was the only pick made in the first two rounds that I
didn’t have listed in my three round mock. But we all wondered a few
years back when New England reached for a cornerback named Ellis Hobbs
in the second round….guess the Patriots are smart.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Not a huge fan of what the Patriots have done but
they have proved the analysts wrong before. I like Shawn Crable just
because the Patriots finally seem to be acknowledging that they are
dinosaurs at the linebacker position. Jonathan Wilhite fills a need but
again the Patriots seem to grab a player earlier than what we
anticipated. Bo Ruud was good value for the 6^th round.**
* *
*Overall: *The Patriots seemed to concentrate on linebacker and the
secondary which was what they needed to do. I like Jerod Mayo and think
we have an early candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. *Grade: B-*
*New York Jets*
* *
1(6) Vernon Gholston Defensive End Ohio State
1(30) Dustin Keller Tight End Purdue
4(113) Dwight Lowery Cornerback San Jose State
5(162) Erik Ainge Quarterback Tennessee
6(171) Marcus Henry Wide Receiver Kansas
7(211) Nate Gardner Offensive Tackle Arkansas
*Analysis Day One: *Gholston is a perfect fit in New York as the Jets
have struggled to find a consistent pass rush and someone to fill the
void left by John Abraham. Yes there is some risk with the Gholston pick
but it is a gamble that the Jets had to make. As much as I like the
Gholston selection I like Keller even better. The move to get back into
the first round to take Keller was bold but the Jets needed a receiver
and even though Keller lines up as a tight end, he is a receiver. With
the veteran presence of Bubba Franks and the blocking ability of Chris
baker, Keller affords the Jets the luxury of having another receiving
threat to cause mismatch problems in opposing secondaries.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Wasn’t as impressed with what the Jets did on day 2
as Dwight Lowery was probably the best pick they made. I think Erik
Ainge has a chance to pan out and was good value in the 5^th round
despite his injury concerns. Marcus Henry and Nate Gardner were both
reaches and it seemed like the Jets had time to make this an even better
draft with some solid selections near the end.
* *
*Overall: *I really like the Dustin Keller move and Vernon Gholston will
make or break this draft. If he turns out to be a bust many will look
back on this selection in disbelief. Right now I think this was a nice
effort. *Grade: B-*
*AFC North*
*Baltimore Ravens*
* *
1(18) Joe Flacco Quarterback Delaware
2(55) Ray Rice Running Back Rutgers
3(71) Tavares Gooden Linebacker Miami (Fla.)
3(86) Tom Zbitkowski Safety Notre Dame
3(99) Oniel Cousins Offensive Guard UTEP
4(106) Marcus Smith Wide Receiver New Mexico
4(133) David Hale Offensive Tackle Weber State
6(206) Hakuri Nakamura Safety Cincinnati
7(215) Justin Harper Wide Receiver Virginia Tech
7(240) Allen Patrick Running Back Oklahoma
*Analysis Day One: *The price was too high to move up and get Matt Ryan
and the Ravens did a nice job positioning themselves for taking who they
felt all along was the #2 quarterback in this draft. I had reported the
Ravens were working the phones hard to move back up and said they wanted
to land in the #19-21 range and they made it to #18, so if you were
reading the football.com blog yesterday you knew the Ravens were looking
to deal an hour before it happened. I was surprised by the Ravens second
round pick. I like Ray Rice and feel he has a chance to be a superior
back in this league but this is essentially a younger Musa Smith. The
fact that the secondary wasn’t looked at is a little concerning.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *The Ravens may have had the most impressive third
round of any team on the board and to me it was the highlight of the
weekend for them. After so much debate as to whether the Flacco
posturing was the right thing to do, Baltimore comes out and takes three
players in the third round that could be key contributors to the success
of this team within a season. I thought the wide receiver choices were
puzzling but I loved the selection of Hakuri Nakamura as he was a player
rising up many boards.
* *
*Overall: *Am I a fan of the Flacco posturing…overall yes because if
Baltimore doesn’t make a move this year they are forced to do it next
year without a firm contract for Kyle Boller and an even weaker
quarterback class on the horizon in 2009. *Grade: B*
* *
*Cincinnati Bengals*
1(9) Keith Rivers Linebacker USC
2(46) Jerome Simpson Wide Receiver Coastal Carolina
3(77) Pat Sims Defensive Tackle Auburn
3(97) Andre Caldwell Wide Receiver Florida
4(112) Anthony Collins Offensive Tackle Kansas
5(145) Jason Shirley Defensive Tackle Fresno State
6(177) Corey Lynch Safety Appalachian State
6(207) Matt Sherry Tight End Villanova
7(244) Angelo Craig Defensive End Cincinnati
7(246) Mario Urrutia Wide Receiver Louisville
* *
*Analysis Day One: *Can’t argue with the Bengals going with defense
again with the top pick. At #9 the Bengals had one of the best spots in
this draft and they had 3 players they truly coveted, Sedrick Ellis,
Derrick Harvey and Keith Rivers. All players were on defense and all
filled needs the Bengals had. Ellis and Harvey went off the board at #7
and #8 respectively so they essentially chose Rivers about 3 seconds
after they were on the clock. No question the Bengals liked Jerome
Simpson as they had him in for a lengthy visit and sent more reps to his
workout then any other NFL team. I thought this may have been a round
too soon but receivers were flying off the board so I can’t really fault
the Bengals for taking him a little early.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Well done Cincinnati, this team did it’s homework
and found some gems and took their players at appropriate times. Anthony
Collins and Corey Lynch were outright steals and the Bengals continued
to make some selections at wide receiver trying to show some force to
Chad Johnson. Solid draft for the Bengals.**
* *
*Overall: *May not have been as impressive as the Steelers draft within
the division but you won’t hear a lot of complaints from fans or
coaches. *Grade: A-*
* *
*Cleveland Browns*
* *
4(104) Beau Bell Linebacker UNLV
4(111) Martin Rucker Tight End Missouri
6(190) Athyba Rubin Defensive Tackle Iowa State
6(191) Paul Hubbard Wide Receiver Wisconsin
7(231) Alex Hall Linebacker St. Augustine
* *
*Analysis Day One: *The Browns sent reps and they were sitting at their
draft table even though they didn’t have a pick until the fourth round.
No deals were struck and the Browns officials must have liked the buffet
because they were there all day.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *The Browns swung a few deals and got an extra pick
to walk away with five second day prospects.* *Every player taken off
the board seemed to go a little later than I would have expected except
for Alex hall who was a fringe prospect but someone who seems to be a
safer risk. These guys can play and will have rosters spot, don’t let
day two status fool you.**
* *
*Overall: *The Browns get a great grade because of saome of the moves
made a season ago that left them without their first rounder and a few
other selections. The players they did take were all of great value or
bargain.* Grade: B+*
* *
*Pittsburgh Steelers*
1(23) Rashard Mendenhall Running Back Illinois
2(53) Limas Sweed Wide Receiver Texas
3(88) Bruce Davis Linebacker UCLA
4(130) Tony Hills Offensive Tackle Texas
5(156) Dennis Dixon Quarterback Oregon
6(188) Mike Humpal Linebacker Iowa
6(194) Ryan Mundy Safety West Virginia
* *
*Analysis Day One: *All I can say is Rashard Mendenhall falling to the
Steelers was the first round surprise for me. What a compliment to
Willie Parker, he is perfect and tailored made for the Steelers offense.
This could be the pick where we revisit this draft in three years and
say this was the best pick of the round. While some Steelers fans wanted
an offensive lineman the Steelers made it no secret they wanted a tall
wide receiver. On some of my earlier mocks I had them reaching for James
Hardy in the first round. When round 2 came up they decided Limas Sweed
was just what they needed and essentially chose him over another
receiver they were very high on in Vanderbilt’s Earl Bennett. If the
Steelers load day two with lineman and linebackers this could be one of
the best drafts in 2008 because both positions still have quality
personnel available.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Bruce Davis has some questions but this is the
perfect team for him and Dennis Dixon is a nice gamble as the Steelers
announced they would be taking a quarterback at some point. Tony Hills
is an absolute steal and it looks like he is starting to put it all
together. Great effort by the Steelers.**
* *
*Overall: *Last couple of picks were lackluster but the first five were
all solid and the Steelers should get maximum returns on their
selections. Tony Hills may pay immediate dividends and could be the
sleeper of this draft for Pittsburgh along with the amazing value on
Mendenhall.* Grade: A-*
* *
*AFC South*
*Houston Texans*
* *
1(26) Duane Brown Offensive Tackle Virginia Tech
3(79) Antuan Molden Cornerback Eastern Kentucky
3(89) Steve Slaton Running Back West Virginia
4(118) Xavier Adibi Linebacker Virginia Tech
5(151) Frank Okam Defensive Tackle Texas
6(173) Dominique Barber Safety Minnesota
7(223) Alex Brink Quarterback Washington State
*Analysis Day One: *The trade down the board was acceptable but all that
work and you land Duane Brown? He must have really wowed them with his
workouts and they have to be impressed by his athletic ability because
it can’t be his horrid footwork or they 14 sacks he gave up over the
last two years. But give the Texans credit, they are taking a position
of need. Maybe they always take unachieving lineman every year and it’s
why they find themselves in this position.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Solid start to the day with one of the best small
school prospects in Antuan Molden and kudos for another secondary pick
with Dominique Barber in round 6. Steve Slaton was a player we had going
to Houston in round 3 of our mock so no surprise there. We’ll see if the
Texans intend to play Frank Okam along the defensive line or if he will
be an offensive guard project like some teams were projecting.**
* *
*Overall: *I think I can say that this was the worst draft overall I
have seen from the Houston Texans during their short existence. I
thought they wuld have done more with their first round pick and trading
back, that seemed to be a letdown and the draft kind of sagged from
there. *Grade: C-*
* *
*Indianapolis Colts*
* *
2(59) Mike Pollack Center Arizona State
3(93) Philip Wheeler Linebacker Georgia Tech
4(127) Jacob Tamme Tight End Kentucky
5(161) Marcus Howard Linebacker Georgia
6(196) Tom Santi Tight End Virginia
7(201) Steve Justice Center Wake Forest
7(202) Mike Hart Running Back Michigan
7(205) Pierre Garcon Wide Receiver Mount Union
7(236) Jamey Richard Center Buffalo
*Analysis Day One: *Indy gets their chance right at the end of the first
day and they draft….a center. Not a bad pick actually as I had them
going offensive guard. Pollack seems to be the consensus #1 pick at
center and when you have a player like Jeff Saturday playing center for
years you get used to having quality in the middle of your line. Look
for those small fast linebackers to go flying to the Colts during day two.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Speaking of* *centers Indy takes two more on day two
so I would assume they plan on moving some of these guys to guard. No
surprise we saw a pair of tight ends taken with the departure of the
underappreciated Ben Utecht as Jacob Tamme winds up going to a team that
seems perfect for him. Marcus Howard could be one of those late rounders
that Tony Dungy gets production from right away.**
* *
*Overall: *the one surprise was no secondary players. Indy is famous for
taking smaller corners I bunches who specialize in zone coverage. We
knew interior line, tight end and linebacker would be addressed. *Grade:
C+*
*Jacksonville Jaguars*
* *
1(8) Derrick Harvey Defensive End Florida
2(52) Quentin Groves Linebacker Auburn
5(155) Thomas Williams Linebacker USC
5(159) Trae Williams Cornerback South Florida
7(213) Chauncey Washington Running Back USC
* *
*Analysis Day One: *I give the Jaguars a lot of credit, they moved up 18
spots from #26 to #8 and they do that without giving up a first round
pick next year. I feel this was a steal for the Jaguars as they address
a need with getting after the quarterback with Derrick Harvey and
getting a guy they had on their short list had they stayed at #26 with
Quentin Groves in the second round. This was very important as the
Jaguars don’t have another pick until they 5^th round, they definitely
went right for need and they came away with some big names.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Trae Williams was amazing value in the fifth round
but other than that not a lot to write home about for Jacksonville. I
thought we would have seen an offensive playmaker but Chauncey
Washington was the only offensive player this team took a chance on.
* *
*Overall: *This was a risky draft moving up so far to grab Derrick
Harvey but they did it while still keeping their first round pick next
year. Thought we would have seen another offensive player or two but the
obvious address of the pass rush seems to signify Jacksonville is ready
for a title run now. *Grade: C+*
* *
* *
*Tennessee Titans*
* *
1(24) Chris Johnson Running Back East Carolina
2(54) Jason Jones Defensive End Eastern Michigan
3(85) Craig Stevens Tight End California
4(103) William Hayes Defensive End Winston Salem State
4(126) Lavelle Hawkins Wide Receiver California
4(134) Stanford Keglar Linebacker Purdue
7(229) Cary Williams Cornerback Washburn
* *
*Analysis Day One: *From the files of ‘What the Hell”! We knew Chris
Johnson was flying up the board with his speed and return ability but to
take him and not a wide receiver when Vince Young needs weapons in the
worst way. This essentially means you feel drafting Chris Henry from
Arizona in the second round last year was a mistake. Then you take a
very nice player in Jason Jones but again no receivers. The Titans I
feel far and away blew it more than any other team on day one, they need
to rebound in a big way.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Only one wide receiver and one tight
end….unbelieveable. I applaud the Titans taste in small school players
as William hays and Cary Williams were both on a few teams boards (ESPN
kept freaking out over the selection of William Hays saying the NFL had
no info on the man…if that is the case the NFL was in the dark, Hays was
#3 on my small school prospect list at defensive end and my #28
defensive end overall…so let’s not act like Mel Kiper was the only one
to know who Williams Hays was because he was on at least 5-6 teams draft
boards).
* *
*Overall: *At least they gave Vince Young a little bit of offensive help
and while Lavelle Hawkins is a serviceable wide receiver it is sad that
is all they came away with.* Grade: F*
* *
* *
*AFC West*
*Denver Broncos*
* *
1(12) Ryan Clady Offensive Tackle Boise State
2(42) Eddie Royal Wide Receiver Virginia Tech
4(108) Kory Lichensteiger Center Bowling Green
4(119) Jack Williams Cornerback Kent State
5(139) Ryan Torian Running Back Arizona State
5(148) Carlton Powell Defensive Tackle Virginia Tech
6(183) Spencer Larson Linebacker Arizona
7(220) Josh Barrett Safety Arizona State
7(227) Peyton Hillis Fullback Arkansas
* *
*Analysis Day One: *Clady falling to the Broncos was perfect (score one
for my mock) and he is a guy who has amazing wingspan and can come in
right away. Very nice pick for the Broncos. Then to add a guy like Eddie
Royal, thought it was a little early for him but looking at his overall
game and return ability Denver was one of the teams I thought would be
perfect for him and that’s where he ended up. Denver will probably
address the defensive line during day two but this was a solid start.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *This was much like the first day, nothing exciting
but the Broncos were all over the board and addressed some needs.
Spencer Larson was a player I seemed to be higher on than anybody else
and he should have a home in Denver. Peyton Hillis was a player that I
thought would come off the board sooner than the 7^th round.**
* *
*Overall: *A solid yet unspectacular draft for the Broncos who should be
very happy they landed a young lineman as athletic as Ryan Clady. Eddie
Royal may get more time out of the gate than many expect. *Grade: B-*
* *
* *
*Kansas City Chiefs*
* *
1(5) Glen Dorsey Defensive Tackle LSU
1(15) Branden Albert Offensive Guard Virginia
2(35) Brandon Flowers Cornerback Virginia Tech
3(73) Jamaal Charles Running Back Texas
3(76) Brad Cottam Tight End Tennessee
3(82) DaJuan Morgan Safety NC State
4(105) Wiliam Franklin Wide Receiver Missouri
5(140) Brandon Carr Cornerback Grand Valley State
6(170) Barry Richardson Offensive Guard Clemson
6(182) Kevin Robinson Wide Receiver Utah State
7(210) Brian Johnston Defensive End Gardner Webb
7(239) Michael Merritt Tight End Central Florida
*Analysis Day One: *The early winner for this draft may be the Kansas
City Chiefs. Glen Dorsey coming to them at #5 was a dream scenario. The
one guy falling to them that they had to take and not trade down and
stockpile picks for. Then to make the aggressive move to move up two
positions for Branden Albert, a player who can be tried at tackle or
guard was masterful. Brandon Flowers was first round talent taken at the
top of the second round. The Chiefs have been ripped by many including
me in recent years for their drafts. They seem to be hitting a home run
right now.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *The Chiefs domination of this draft continued on day
two. Jamaal Charles was good value even though Kolby Smith showed he
could produce behind Larry Johnson a season ago and Brad Cottam and
DaJuan Morgan both look like future starters. Brandon Carr and Barry
Richardson were solid selections that could also start or see
significant time in the future. I am amazed at how easy the Chiefs made
this look.**
* *
*Overall: *To say this team won the draft is an understatement and it
wasn’t because they had so many picks. The Chiefs took players who can
make immediate impacts and that goes for day one and day two. If this is
the rebuilding phase in Kansas City it started off on the right foot.
*Grade: A+*
* *
* *
*Oakland Raiders*
* *
1(4) Darren McFadden Running Back Arkansas
4(100) Tyvon Branch Cornerback Connecticut
4(125) Arman Shields Wide Receiver Richmond
4(169) Trevor Scott Defensive End Buffalo
7(226) Chaz Schilens Wide Receiver San Diego State
* *
*Analysis Day One: *Well the raiders only had one pick but it was one
that sure looks like it will make an impact. Even though the lines along
the offensive and defensive side of the ball could be viewed as bigger
needs what they did was land the best player in this draft. McFadden is
paired with a stable of running backs that have some talent and
ironically the biggest impact of having McFadden could be for the
passing game as it should open things up to have such a playmaker in the
backfield.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *Typical Raider draft where speed seemed to be the
central theme of the draft choices. Tyvon Branch and Arman Shields are
both known as players who have the potential to be big time players but
are among the fastest at their respective positions. I thought the
raiders missed an opportunity to grab some defensive tackle on day two
because there were a number of quality players on the board.**
* *
*Overall: *McFadden makes or breaks this draft….period. Almost looked
lie the raiders just went through the motions on day two and it pushed
their draft grade down.* Grade: B-*
* *
* *
*San Diego Chargers*
* *
1(27) Antoine Cason Cornerback Arizona
3(69) Jacob Hester Fullback LSU
5(166) Marcus Thomas Running Back UTEP
69192) DeJuan Tribble Cornerback Boston College
7(234) Corey Clark Offensive Tackle Texas A&M
* *
*Analysis Day One: *For years the secondary was viewed as the weakest
link on the Chargers football team…not any more. With the development of
Antonio Cromartie along with improvement we saw from Quentin Jammer and
this is now a strength. Add Antoine Cason to the mix, a player I feel is
the best corner in this draft and you have one of the best secondaries
in the league and even more talent to a unit that led the NFL in
interceptions a year ago. Hard to argue against any San Diego pick
because top to bottom they have the most depth overall of any NFL team,
they have no glaring deficiencies.
* *
*Analysis Day Two: *As stated before the Chargers have little glaring
needs they need to address so they went after players who could be
situational stars for their team. Dejuan Tribble could turn out to be a
great find as a nickel corner in this league. I was surprised by the
selection of Marcus Howard but overall San Diego did a nice job.* *
* *
*Overall: *Classic example of a team showing everyone you don’t need a
ton of picks to make an impact on draft day. *Grade: B*
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