Rank these in order of worst picks

[Avenger]

For those claiming McCourty was a bust and/or bad pick, ask yourself "Is an all-pro safety worthy of pick 27 in the first round?" if that answer is "yes" because it is, how is McCourty not a good pick? He had an all-pro year at corner his rookie year, slumped his sophomore year. In his third year he was doing better at CB, but hard to evaluate do to injuries an poor play around him, they had an opportunity to pick up a very good corner at the trade deadline and moved McC to safety full time.

 

[Brady6]

Considering all the "experts" thought he was a special teams player, he's a rousing success.

McCourty is one of my favorite Patriots so I could be biased but I think he is one of the best draft pick the past five years. He has been an all pro in two of his four seasons in the NFL and he has done it at two different positions.

 

[jmt57]

In my opinion Mallett shouldn't even be on that list, I'd rank him last.

McKenzie blew out his knee on the first day of rookie minicamp and was never the same. While there was zero production for the team from that draft pick, I find it difficult to label him a draft bust in the same manner as others such as Ron Brace or Taylor Price who failed for other reasons.

 

[Brady6]

For those claiming McCourty was a bust and/or bad pick, ask yourself "Is an all-pro safety worthy of pick 27 in the first round?" if that answer is "yes" because it is, how is McCourty not a good pick? He had an all-pro year at corner his rookie year, slumped his sophomore year. In his third year he was doing better at CB, but hard to evaluate do to injuries an poor play around him, they had an opportunity to pick up a very good corner at the trade deadline and moved McC to safety full time.

McCourty is worth his draft position divided by three. He has been an all pro in two of his four seasons, is tied with Earl Thomas with the second most interceptions in the NFL since the start of 2010.

He was an all pro CB as a rookie, in 2011 he struggled but the defensive scheme changed from zone to man, the safeties behind him were the worst in the NFL maybe ever, and the holdout eliminated all offseason activites.

He played well in 2012 at cornerback, he shutdown Larry Fitzgerald, and his struggles were in the Baltimore game against Smith who was playing on an emotional high that could not be duplicated as a result of his brother dying that morning.

 

[Avenger]

McCourty is worth his draft position divided by three. He has been an all pro in two of his four seasons, is tied with Earl Thomas with the second most interceptions in the NFL since the start of 2010.

He was an all pro CB as a rookie, in 2011 he struggled but the defensive scheme changed from zone to man, the safeties behind him were the worst in the NFL maybe ever, and the holdout eliminated all offseason activites.

He played well in 2012 at cornerback, he shutdown Larry Fitzgerald, and his struggles were in the Baltimore game against Smith who was playing on an emotional high that could not be duplicated as a result of his brother dying that morning.

Not to mention terrible officiating such as being called for PI when you didn't even touch them...

 

[Kontradiction]

McCourty was an excellent CB as a rookie when we were in a zone coverage scheme, in 2011 with the switch to the 4-3 and a man coverage scheme he had struggles. I think McCourty excels at playing the football and has some shortcomings when playing the man; this is why he is so effective as a safety because it allows him to play the football.

The 4-3 shouldn't matter to him as it effects the DL and LB's more than the CB's. But, as a first round CB selection, he should be able to play the ball and his man effectively. He should also be flexible enough to play both man and zone since he's playing in a Bill Belichick-coached system that traditionally uses both styles. That he couldn't do that effectively and couldn't turn his head around means that he was failing as a CB. But, as a safety, he's one of the best in the conference because his head is ALWAYS turned toward the ball.

I still do not view him as a failure, when he was drafted in 2010, it was to play in a zone coverage scheme, which he did extremely well. The change in scheme and responsibility is what led to his struggles had we been in a man coverage scheme at the time of the draft in 2010 who knows if McCourty would have been the pick.

He's not a failure because he's such a good safety. But he was trending toward becoming a failure as a CB, which is partly why he was moved once they got someone else that could play the position.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Personally, I think Brace and Jackson were the worst picks. Both had major character issues and neither had the talent to justify taking such a risk. Injuries, like with Dowling and Crable, cloud our ability to evaluate the picks. I don't think Maroney was that bad of a pick- he showed incredible talent right off the bat and was a decent contributor for a few years. Had we won SB42, we would probably be talking about how he was a talented, flash-in-the-pan player who was above average for his position.

 

[VrabelJr]

I'm surprised Shawn Crable isn't higher on everyone's list. He was attrocious. It seems like people are ranking the ones who did a little, but not a lot worse than the players that did nothing at all.

 

[Deus Irae]

Considering all the "experts" thought he was a special teams player, he's a rousing success.

Kiper and McShay had him going at #20, at one point. McShay gave him an overall rating of 89

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft10/columns/story?id=5118000

More from McShay. Here he is even before McCourty's combine numbers came out:

“I think McCourty is not the elite of the elite. He’s not Joe Haden from Florida, maybe Kareem Jackson (Alabama) or Kyle Wilson (Boise State and Piscataway). But I think he’s just a notch below,” said Todd McShay of ESPN.

http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2010/01/former_rutgers_star_devin_mcco.html

Here's another tidbit:

For anyone who doesn't have ESPN Insider or who hasn't seen this yet, here is what Mel had to say about Devin and the Jets at selection 29: The Jets could use some receiving help for Mark Sanchez here as well, but McCourty is a guy whose stock could skyrocket if he runs the way many think he will. The Jets can get exposed when passers throw away from Darrelle Revis, and McCourty could be the answer on the other side.

http://www.ganggreennation.com/2010/2/19/1317608/scouting-the-draft-devin-mccourty

James Joyner:

Devin McCourty has the chance to be very good.

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/2010_nfl_draft_grades/

So, to repeat, poor choice, and all those with the disagree buttons get to look even more foolish.

 

[JackBauer]

I guess the lesson here is to never disagree with Deus' posts.

 

[Sicilian]

So, to repeat, poor choice, and all those with the disagree buttons get to look even more foolish.

You're taking the disagree tags awfully personally.

 

[Deus Irae]

You're taking the disagree tags awfully personally.

Not at all. I fully expect to lead the board in disagree/dislike tags received. In this case, though, the tags serve to point out the people who didn't bother to think my post out, or to think at all. It's sad to see that you're leading that pack.

Devin McCourty's draft profile from NFL.com:

The former Rutgers standout gives the team a dynamic cover man and special teams player.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2011/profiles/devin-mccourty?id=494287


Hell, Ray even decided to pick and choose from what Mayock said. He ignored this:

"He's a starting outside player, who might be able to kick inside. Just a real solid New England pick."

You have to ignore what Mayock is actually saying in order to even begin to buy into Ray's erroneous claim.

 

[RayClay]

For those claiming McCourty was a bust and/or bad pick, ask yourself "Is an all-pro safety worthy of pick 27 in the first round?" if that answer is "yes" because it is, how is McCourty not a good pick? He had an all-pro year at corner his rookie year, slumped his sophomore year. In his third year he was doing better at CB, but hard to evaluate do to injuries an poor play around him, they had an opportunity to pick up a very good corner at the trade deadline and moved McC to safety full time.

Somebody's claiming McCourty was a bad pick? That's hilarious. Just shows that some people see the draft as something other than one method of building a football team.

 

[RayClay]

Not at all. I fully expect to lead the board in disagree/dislike tags received. In this case, though, the tags serve to point out the people who didn't bother to think my post out, or to think at all. It's sad to see that you're leading that pack.

Devin McCourty's draft profile from NFL.com:



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2011/profiles/devin-mccourty?id=494287


Hell, Ray even decided to pick and choose from what Mayock said. He ignored this:

"He's a starting outside player, who might be able to kick inside. Just a real solid New England pick."

You have to ignore what Mayock is actually saying in order to even begin to buy into Ray's erroneous claim.

Sorry, I didn't have the Kiper video where he looked like he woke up from one of those dreams where he didn't study for the final exam.

He'll "compete for some time in your nickle and dime coverage" is a verbatim quote of Mayock, by the way.

 

[Deus Irae]

Sorry, I didn't have the Kiper video where he looked like he woke up from one of those dreams where he didn't study for the final exam.

He'll "compete for some time in your nickle and dime coverage" is a verbatim quote of Mayock, by the way.

What I posted came right from your clip. You're basically trying to claim that these guys were hacks because they thought McCourty might need some time before becoming the starter.

Meanwhile, Mccourty is no longer even at that position. Your example was a poor one, as I noted.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I don't take offense at the premise of this thread - however EVERY TEAM has a list that rivals this, and actually is much worse.

Why? Because the draft is one giant crap shoot.

For every guy who Belichick drafted in Rounds 1-3 who didn't pan out, there's an UFA who did - and I have a feeling that while every team has busts they drafted, not every team has as many UFA success stories.

 

[RayClay]

What I posted came right from your clip. You're basically trying to claim that these guys were hacks because they thought McCourty might need some time before becoming the starter.

Meanwhile, Mccourty is no longer even at that position. Your example was a poor one, as I noted.

So was what I posted.

 

[RayClay]

What I posted came right from your clip. You're basically trying to claim that these guys were hacks because they thought McCourty might need some time before becoming the starter.

Meanwhile, Mccourty is no longer even at that position. Your example was a poor one, as I noted.

Whatever happened to McCourty? Is he still in the league?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Mallet belongs nowhere near this list.
Butler, Tate, and Chung, although disappointments, are still contributing in the league. Don't belong here either IMO.
Wilson and Bequette are incompletes, though appear headed for this list.
The rest may as well be tied at #1, no idea how you're supposed to rank them. All equally terrible picks.

 

[sb1]

These guys have nothing on Chris Canty, Tony Simmons, Eugene Chung, and the "great" Ken Sims....

I think with some on the list I'd call them disappointments rather than a bad pick. Logical picks at the time that didn't work out for whatever reason. A bad pick would be like "what were they thinking?" when you heard their name called - like Brace in the 2nd round- and being right.

Also thought O'Connell was a head scratcher. Disagree that Mallett belongs on this list.