2010 Draft Review: best & worst

[patchick]

With a season behind us, I decided to waste my whole morning going through all 32 teams and seeing how productive their draft classes have been so far. I was planning to rank the best and worst, but the class of 2010 is off to such an outstanding start that the competition for "best" overwhelmed me. The following teams all had exceptionally productive rookie classes:

Arizona, Cleveland, Kansas City, New England, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Francisco

With honorable mentions to Pittsburgh and Denver, and an incomplete for Tampa which ended the season with most of its rookie class on IR yet still hit a home run with Mike Williams.

The LEAST productive drafts stood out more...and all of the teams should make you smile:

3rd worst: New York Jets
This was a tremendous draft class, but the Jets treated their picks like poison. They came away with only 4 players: Kyle Wilson, a CB who has potential but looked nothing like a 1st rounder; Vlad Ducasse, a tackle who they'll probably have to move to guard, and who couldn't get into games at either position; Joe McKnight, a highly athletic underachiever in college who continued that streak as a pro; and John Conner, an RB/FB who didn't get a carry until the last game of the season.

2nd worst: San Diego Chargers
Ryan Mathews has been decently productive, but hardly the kind of impact RB you expect when you shell out the #12 overall pick. After Mathews, plenty of nothing. Only a 5th rounder, DT Cam Thomas, registered any stats all season (7 tackles, 2 sacks). Fellow 5th rounder Crompton is now on the Patriots practice squad.

#1 least productive draft: Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore traded out of the first round, then spent their top pick on Sergio Kindle, a player plastered with flashing warning signs. Looking at perhaps the best tight end class ever, they managed to spend a 3rd & 4th on 2 TEs who have made precious little impact. Overall, only 3 of Baltimore's 7 picks have even shown up on the stats sheet this year, combining for a whopping 4 starts, 14 receptions, 13 tackles. Ouch.

 

[ayjackson]

McDaniels`drafts in Denver:

2009: Moreno (1), Ayers (1), McBath (2), Bruton (4)
2010: Thomas (1), Tebow (1), Beadles (2), Walton (3), Decker (3), Cox (6), Thompson (7)

Not too shabby for Josh. I like the under the radar DB`s McBath, Bruton, Cox and Thompson. They might be grateful for this one day in Denver. Injuries have played a significant part in development so far, though.

 

[AJD]

McDaniels`drafts in Denver:

2009: Moreno (1), Ayers (1), McBath (2), Bruton (4)
2010: Thomas (1), Tebow (1), Beadles (2), Walton (3), Decker (3), Cox (6), Thompson (7)

Not too shabby for Josh. I like the under the radar DB`s McBath, Bruton, Cox and Thompson. They might be grateful for this one day in Denver. Injuries have played a significant part in development so far, though.

he traded away a starting qb and pro bowl wide receiver, left them with a starting project qb who may never come good and a rookie wr

their secondary will need an overhaul after weapon x and bailey leave this year and he traded that cb to the lions a year after spending a first on him

i think part of the reason they got rid of him is that he undertook a huge project and even in this early phase seemed to be mismanaging it.

 

[dex13]

What I really love is the fact that the Pats got Gronk just before the Ravens could pick him.

 

[patchick]

What I really love is the fact that the Pats got Gronk just before the Ravens could pick him.

...and Hernandez the pick before they settled for Pitta.

 

[bucky]

he traded away a starting qb and pro bowl wide receiver, left them with a starting project qb who may never come good and a rookie wr

their secondary will need an overhaul after weapon x and bailey leave this year and he traded that cb to the lions a year after spending a first on him

i think part of the reason they got rid of him is that he undertook a huge project and even in this early phase seemed to be mismanaging it.

I agree. Not impressed with the drafting at all. Josh seems to have been lacking patience - throwing away a 4th on Maroney. He gave up a 2011 5th rounder for 2 7th. The awful trade of a future 1st for Alphonso Smith. Trading Hillis AND 2 draft picks for Brady Quinn. Then 5 weeks later he trades up for another project QB in the draft.

I also think they completely blew the 2010 draft. They started off with picks 11 and 43 and after a lot of wheeling and dealing turned then into Tebow and D. Thomas.

 

[bucky]

With a season behind us, I decided to waste my whole morning going through all 32 teams and seeing how productive their draft classes have been so far. I was planning to rank the best and worst, but the class of 2010 is off to such an outstanding start that the competition for "best" overwhelmed me. The following teams all had exceptionally productive rookie classes:

Arizona, Cleveland, Kansas City, New England, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Francisco

With honorable mentions to Pittsburgh and Denver, and an incomplete for Tampa which ended the season with most of its rookie class on IR yet still hit a home run with Mike Williams.

The LEAST productive drafts stood out more...and all of the teams should make you smile:

3rd worst: New York Jets
This was a tremendous draft class, but the Jets treated their picks like poison. They came away with only 4 players: Kyle Wilson, a CB who has potential but looked nothing like a 1st rounder; Vlad Ducasse, a tackle who they'll probably have to move to guard, and who couldn't get into games at either position; Joe McKnight, a highly athletic underachiever in college who continued that streak as a pro; and John Conner, an RB/FB who didn't get a carry until the last game of the season.

2nd worst: San Diego Chargers
Ryan Mathews has been decently productive, but hardly the kind of impact RB you expect when you shell out the #12 overall pick. After Mathews, plenty of nothing. Only a 5th rounder, DT Cam Thomas, registered any stats all season (7 tackles, 2 sacks). Fellow 5th rounder Crompton is now on the Patriots practice squad.

#1 least productive draft: Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore traded out of the first round, then spent their top pick on Sergio Kindle, a player plastered with flashing warning signs. Looking at perhaps the best tight end class ever, they managed to spend a 3rd & 4th on 2 TEs who have made precious little impact. Overall, only 3 of Baltimore's 7 picks have even shown up on the stats sheet this year, combining for a whopping 4 starts, 14 receptions, 13 tackles. Ouch.

This is interesting. Proves that even great drafting teams sometimes whiff - like the Pats in '06. The Jets, though, are not a surprise at all. Not only did they mess up the draft, but after drafting Joe McNight they also decided to trade Leon Washington and release Woodhead. I said this 8 moths ago and I say it again - the Jets' FO is playing with filre by consistently trading away draft picks. They're already down a 3rd (2nd if the beat Indy) in 2011 for Cromartie.

 

[ayjackson]

Not impressed with the drafting at all. Josh seems to have been lacking patience - throwing away a 4th on Maroney.

In hindsight, this was awful. He was desperate for a healthy running back at the time though. A late fourth in this draft might not be that special.

The awful trade of a future 1st for Alphonso Smith.

This one didn`t feel right from the start, but if he turned into a top corner as many around here projected, it`s not a bad price.

Trading Hillis AND 2 draft picks for Brady Quinn. Then 5 weeks later he trades up for another project QB in the draft.

They traded a 4th and Hillis for a 6th and Quinn. Nobody was screaming rape at the time. Hillis had done little but continually hit on McD`s wife (allegedly) up to then. Picking up a journeyman backup does not preclude you from addressing your long term QB needs. Your starter, who you wisely signed to a affordable two year deal, will likely be turned into a third round draft pick.

I also think they completely blew the 2010 draft. They started off with picks 11 and 43 and after a lot of wheeling and dealing turned then into Tebow and D. Thomas

I think you`re missing a lot there. Maybe you can spell out the wheeling and dealing so we can get a better sense of that conclusion. But even 11 and 43 for 22 and 25 isn`t a bad deal. They LOVE Tebow and Thomas in Denver.

Josh made a lot of mistakes and likely had to go (he could never succeed in Shanahan`s shadow), but I think your draft assessment is harsh.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

In hindsight, this was awful. He was desperate for a healthy running back at the time though. A late fourth in this draft might not be that special.

I guess it might have been late if things had turned around . . .

They traded a 4th and Hillis for a 6th and Quinn. Nobody was screaming rape at the time. Hillis had done little but continually hit on McD`s wife (allegedly) up to then.

I remember hearing the rumors, and I almost can't blame JMcD (although they should have traded the two straight up).

I think you`re missing a lot there. Maybe you can spell out the wheeling and dealing so we can get a better sense of that conclusion. But even 11 and 43 for 22 and 25 isn`t a bad deal. They LOVE Tebow and Thomas in Denver.

The question is, will the new coach love them?

Josh made a lot of mistakes and likely had to go (he could never succeed in Shanahan`s shadow), but I think your draft assessment is harsh.

Also, a lot of people rag on him for trading Cutler and Marshall, but those were moves precipitated by the players. I'm not sure there was any workable solution that had JMcD "winning."

 

[ayjackson]

I guess it might have been late if things had turned around . . .

Sorry, just getting confused as to whose late fourth it was - thinking about the Pats.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Sorry, just getting confused as to whose late fourth it was - thinking about the Pats.

Nope. Pats traded the earlier of the two, whichever it might be, for Branch.

 

[patchick]

I think you`re missing a lot there. Maybe you can spell out the wheeling and dealing so we can get a better sense of that conclusion.

I just tried it myself, and ended up a little dizzy. But I think you have to add in #87 (Eric Decker).

 

[AJD]

In hindsight, this was awful. He was desperate for a healthy running back at the time though. A late fourth in this draft might not be that special.



This one didn`t feel right from the start, but if he turned into a top corner as many around here projected, it`s not a bad price.



They traded a 4th and Hillis for a 6th and Quinn. Nobody was screaming rape at the time. Hillis had done little but continually hit on McD`s wife (allegedly) up to then. Picking up a journeyman backup does not preclude you from addressing your long term QB needs. Your starter, who you wisely signed to a affordable two year deal, will likely be turned into a third round draft pick.



I think you`re missing a lot there. Maybe you can spell out the wheeling and dealing so we can get a better sense of that conclusion. But even 11 and 43 for 22 and 25 isn`t a bad deal. They LOVE Tebow and Thomas in Denver.

Josh made a lot of mistakes and likely had to go (he could never succeed in Shanahan`s shadow), but I think your draft assessment is harsh.

you may be right in that the genesis of the ideas wasnt all that flawed but the results have been horrible

a first round pick for a one year loan of an awful player, trading a pro bowl calibre running back (at least this year) and a pick for a qb you never play

thats two key trades that were awful, factor in he couldnt get close to winning with what he had and it doesnt look like good drafting to me and to get to this point he traded away a sure thing qb (picks yes, tds definitely) an a beast of a wide receiver, having less headaches is one thing, having no talent is another.

they may love tebow and thomas in denver now, lets see if they do in three years

 

[Metaphors]

3rd worst: New York Jets
2nd worst: San Diego Chargers
#1 least productive draft: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens and Jets both have a number of key players on the wrong side of 30. The Bolts have a boatload of players hitting FA in the next year or 2. Not only did these teams whiff (potentially) on a strong and deep draft, they did so at a critical time in their team development.

I'm surprised you didn't list the Colts with your bottom dwellers:
Hughes - Never made sense for them and he looks like a bust to boot
Angerer - Played well but lots of better players were still available at #63
Thomas - On IR but drafted 2-3 rounds too early
McClendon - Shouldn't have been drafted at all
Eldridge - All the quality TEs in this draft and this is who they ended up with
Mathews - 7th round pick but better options were STILL available
Conner - Best pick of their draft. Fits their scheme perfectly.
Fisher - Didn't make the team even though CB depth and returns were a need

Lets do 20-20 hindsight and see what they could have done without trading:
#31 OT Saffold - Even Polian admits he should have gone here
#63 TE Moeaki - Also helps with pass protection and the running game
#94 OG Mike Johnson - Falcons have healthy OL so hasn't played yet...but would fit nicely in Indy
#129 CB Perrish Cox - Better cover guy than what they have and good on ST
#162 S Reshad Jones - They have to know by now Sanders won't play much
#238 DT Deaderick - Fits their DT profile
#240 LB Conner - He stays, good pick
#246 DE Frank Zombo - Undersized speed rush guy (215 picks after Hughes)

While you can always look good picking after the fact, all these players made sense for them AT THE TIME. So not only was their draft bad, the opportunity cost of blowing this particular draft was huge.

 

[bucky]

I just tried it myself, and ended up a little dizzy. But I think you have to add in #87 (Eric Decker).

I did go through it, but was too lazy to go through all of it. Essentially it was 11, 43 and 114 (Pitta) for 22, 25, and 87 (Decker). Perhaps it was unfair of me to leave off the 87 vs. 114, but my point is that getting 2 WRs and a QB that had the league divided was a questionable haul.

 

[patchick]

I did go through it, but was too lazy to go through all of it. Essentially it was 11, 43 and 114 (Pitta) for 22, 25, and 87 (Decker). Perhaps it was unfair of me to leave off the 87 vs. 114, but my point is that getting 2 WRs and a QB that had the league divided was a questionable haul.

IMO whether the league is divided on the QB doesn't really matter. There were enough Tebow believers out there that he wouldn't have lasted much longer, so if you think he has the stuff to become a francise quarterback you make the move, naysayers be damned.

Or to put it another way...their other alternative was to wait until #43 and take Clausen.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

IMO whether the league is divided on the QB doesn't really matter. There were enough Tebow believers out there that he wouldn't have lasted much longer, so if you think he has the stuff to become a francise quarterback you make the move, naysayers be damned.

Or to put it another way...their other alternative was to wait until #43 and take Clausen.

Maybe Clausen would have sucked a little less with JMcD.

Seriously, though, I agree. If you have the chance to take a guy who could be your franchise QB, it's hard to pass up.

[N.B. The Pats have a franchise QB, TYVM.]

 

[ayjackson]

I just tried it myself, and ended up a little dizzy. But I think you have to add in #87 (Eric Decker).

nm i`m tired

 

[MVPatsfan13]

...and Hernandez the pick before they settled for Pitta.

No Whammy, No Whammy, No Whammy... OOOOoo, Double Whammy:bricks:

 

[bucky]

IMO whether the league is divided on the QB doesn't really matter. There were enough Tebow believers out there that he wouldn't have lasted much longer, so if you think he has the stuff to become a francise quarterback you make the move, naysayers be damned.

Or to put it another way...their other alternative was to wait until #43 and take Clausen.

Or they could have grabbed McCoy. And if they did decide to move for Tebow, why the Quinn trade?

I just think McDaniels messed up a great opportunity with the 2 1s he got for Cutler and 2 2s for Marshall. Moreno and Thomas were not high "value" picks. He passed up on some pretty good players like Earl Thomas, Kareem Jackson, Orakpo, Oher, Cushing, Jenkins.