Monday April 25th 2005 - Page Updated At 1:10PM
By:
Q. Smyth
Senior
Editor For WagerOnFootball.com -
Your Source For Football
Wagering
2005 NFL Draft - Part 1
- Team By Team Evaluation - NFC
Did you digest all 255 picks of the 2005 NFL selection
meeting, considering the long-reaching ramifications
of each choice? Did you break out your depth charts,
plug in the new names, and consider the consequences
of the fresh acquisitions? Did you pore over each
team's draft class, highlighting all of your sleepers,
early-round stiffs, and second-day value picks?
It's okay if you didn't, because we did your weekend
homework for you.
Below we take a look at the 2005 draft output of
the 16 teams of the NFC, highlighting the ramifications
of their two-day haul and assigning grades for their
efforts. The My Sportsbook's evaluations for the 16
teams of the AFC will appear on Tuesday:
For a detailed review and analysis of the AFC
draft picks please - Click
Here
NFC EAST
Dallas
1 - Demarcus Ware, DE/LB, Troy State (6-4, 251);
1 - Marcus Spears, DL, LSU (6-4, 298); 2 - Kevin Burnett,
LB, Tennessee (6-3, 236); 4 - Marion Barber III, RB,
Minnesota (5-11, 221); 4 - Chris Canty, DE, Virginia
(6-7, 286); 6 - Justin Beriault, FS, Ball State (6-2,
199); 6 - Rob Petitti, T, Pittsburgh (6-6, 347); 7
- Jay Ratliff, DE, Auburn (6-3, 293).
Analysis: Bill Parcells used his first three picks
on big guys that can run and tackle, and all appear
to be a strong fit. Ware, Spears, and Burnett all
look to be better-suited to the 3-4 defense than the
team's current 4-3. Barber is also big and durable,
and will serve as insurance for Julius Jones, but
Dallas probably should have used its fourth-round
selections on an offensive lineman and/or receiver.
The Cowboys continue to lack a game- breaking wideout,
meaning Drew Bledsoe isn't set up much better for
success in the passing game than Vinny Testaverde
was.
Bottom Line: They'll have to win games on the ground
and with defense, which is fine by Parcells.
Grade: B
N.Y. Giants
2 - Corey Webster, CB, LSU (6-0, 199); 3 - Justin
Tuck, DE, Notre Dame (6-5, 256); 4 - Brandon Jacobs,
RB, Southern Illinois (6-4, 256); 6 - Eric Moore,
DE, Florida State (6-4, 255).
Analysis: Cornerback was not the most obvious need
for the Giants, but Webster will offer depth to a
Giants secondary that could stand to be stronger.
Tuck is an undersized pass rusher who will have to
prove that he can play on a line that lost five members
of last year's corps. Jacobs, who transferred from
Auburn to Southern Illinois, offers a big body and
is a better fit than Ron Dayne ever was. With only
four picks, the G-Men weren't going to come close
to filling all their holes, but they certainly could
have picked up an offensive lineman with their final
pick.
Bottom Line: Coughlin and company were mostly just
spectators, but ended up with an adequate haul.
Grade: C
Philadelphia
1 - Mike Patterson, DT, USC (6-0, 292); 2 - Reggie
Brown, WR, Georgia (6-2, 196); 2 - Matt McCoy, OLB,
San Diego State (6-0, 234); 3 - Ryan Moats, RB, Louisiana
Tech (5-8, 210); 4 - Sean Considine, S, Iowa (6-0,
206); 4 - Todd Herremans, T, Saginaw Valley State
(6-6, 321); 5 - Trent Cole, OLB, Cincinnati (6-2,
257); 5 - Scott Young, G, Brigham Young (6-4, 312);
6 - Calvin Armstrong, T, Washington State (6-7, 325);
7 - Keyonta Marshall, DT, Grand Valley State (6-1,
290); 7 - David Bergeron, ILB, Stanford (6-4, 245).
Analysis: Patterson doesn't figure to be a star right
away, but will be a capable member of an interior
defensive line rotation that includes Corey Simon,
Darwin Walker, and Sam Rayburn. Patterson could also
bounce outside to help compensate for Derrick Burgess'
departure. If Brown proves to be better than Freddie
Mitchell and Todd Pinkston, and quieter than Terrell
Owens, he'll be the recipient of great appreciation
in Philadelphia. In the short-term, the Eagles will
look to turn McCoy into the next Ike Reese on special
teams. Philly is almost certain to lose Brian Westbrook
after 2005, and will need to find out if Moats can
transition into that role. Of the team's seven second-
day picks, the three linemen and two linebackers have
the most immediate chance to stick.
Bottom Line: Andy Reid always seems to find value
beyond the first round, and this year was no different.
Grade: A
Washington
1 - Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn (6-0,
196); 1 - Jason Campbell, QB, Auburn (6-5, 230); 4
- Manuel White, FB, UCLA (6-2, 244); 5 - Robert McCune,
ILB, Louisville (6-0, 243); 6 - Jared Newberry, OLB,
Stanford (6-1, 234); 7 - Nehemiah Broughton, FB, The
Citadel (5-11, 250).
Analysis: Yes, they needed a cornerback to replace
Fred Smoot, but selecting Carlos Rogers instead of
receiver Mike Williams could have dubious consequences
for Joe Gibbs and company. No opposing defense will
fear the starting wideout combination of Santana Moss
and David Patten, and the running game will suffer
majorly because of it. Rogers has Pro Bowl potential,
but he's not in the class of Pacman Jones and Antrel
Rolle. The selection of Campbell, after Gibbs had
formerly sung the praises of Patrick Ramsey, was strange.
The Skins will now have to turn their backs on either
Ramsey, Mark Brunell, or recently re-signed Tim Hasselbeck,
which will not do much to narrow the growing division
in the Washington locker room. The selection of the
athletic McCune on the second day may have been the
Redskins' best move of the weekend.
Bottom Line: Maybe Lavar Arrington was right, this
organization doesn't know what it's doing.
Grade: D
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta
1 - Roddy White, WR, UAB (6-1, 207); 2 - Jonathan
Babineaux, DT, Iowa (6-2, 281); 3 - Jordan Beck, OLB,
Cal Poly (6-2, 231); 4 - Chauncey Davis, DE, Florida
State (6-1, 258); 5 - Michael Boley, OLB, Southern
Mississippi (6-2, 228); 5 - Frank Omiyale, T, Tennessee
Tech (6-4, 310); 6 - Deandra Cobb, RB, Michigan State
(5-10, 196); 7 - Darrell Shropshire, DT, South Carolina
(6-2, 301).
Analysis: White is not large in stature, but has
the speed to stretch the field and take pressure off
Atlanta's other possession-oriented wideouts. Babineaux
helps the Falcons compensate for the loss of defensive
tackle Ed Jasper, and will contribute right away.
Beck won the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive
player in I-AA last season, can play either linebacker
or safety, and could be an immediate force on special
teams. Atlanta was already one of the deeper teams
in the league coming into the draft, so the team's
five second-day picks could struggle to find a home
with the Falcons.
Bottom Line: First three picks look great, and should
keep Falcons on top of their game.
Grade: A
Carolina
1 - Thomas Davis, S/LB, Georgia (6-1, 230); 2 -
Eric Shelton, RB, Louisville (6-1, 246); 3 - Evan
Mathis, G, Alabama (6-5, 304); 3 - Ativyah Ellison,
DT, Missouri (6-4, 303); 4 - Stefan LeFors, QB, Louisville
(6-0, 201); 5 - Adam Seward, ILB, UNLV (6-3, 253);
5 - Geoff Hangartner, C, Texas A&M (6-5, 301);
5 - Ben Emanuel, FS, UCLA (6-3, 213); 6 - Jovan Haye,
DE, Vanderbilt (6-2, 284); 6 - Joe Berger, T, Michigan
Tech (6-5, 290).
Analysis: Davis seemed like an unusual selection
for a team that was believed to be set at linebacker
and in the secondary, but his presence may be a signal
that free agent LB Mark Fields' days in Charlotte
are numbered. As predicted, the Panthers went early
for a running back, tabbing Shelton to compete with
the aging Stephen Davis and oft-injured DeShaun Foster.
Offensive line play was a major sticking point for
the 2004 Panthers, and the team added three players
worth of depth there. LeFors is slight of build and
projects as a career backup. Carolina's decision to
draft a receiver is a strong endorsement of their
happiness with Steve Smith and Keary Colbert.
Bottom Line: Davis didn't fill a glaring need, but
he should be a Panther for a long time.
Grade: A-
New Orleans
1 - Jamaal Brown, T, Oklahoma (6-6, 315); 2 - Josh
Bullocks, S, Nebraska (6-0, 209); 3 - Alfred Fincher,
LB, Connecticut (6-1, 241); 4 - Chase Lyman, WR, California
(6-3, 217); 5 - Adrian McPherson, QB, Florida State
(6-3, 218); 6 - Jason Jefferson, DT, Wisconsin (6-1,
306); 7 - Jimmy Verdon, DT, Arizona State (6-3, 280).
Analysis: The Saints required another impact player
on the offensive line, and Brown fills that need.
The addition of Bullocks will aide a secondary that
ranked 27th against the pass last year and released
safety Tebucky Jones. Fincher will be expected to
play right away on the team's beleaguered run- stopping
unit. The Saints seem happy with the reliable Aaron
Brooks at quarterback, but the fact that the Brooks-led
team has missed the playoffs for four straight years
was almost certainly the reason the club selected
the intriguing McPherson. New Orleans likely waited
too long to draft an immediately playable interior
defensive lineman, but might get extremely lucky with
either Jefferson or Verdon.
Bottom Line: No huge names, but they definitely got
better.
Grade: B+
Tampa Bay
1 - Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, RB, Auburn
(5-11, 217); 2 - Barrett Ruud, ILB, Nebraska (6-1,
242); 3 - Alex Smith, TE, Stanford (6-4, 258); 3 -
Chris Colmer, T, N.C. State (6-5, 310); 4 - Dan Buenning,
G, Wisconsin (6-4, 320); 5 - Donte Nicholson, SS,
Oklahoma (6-1, 216); 5 - Larry Brackins, WR, Pearl
River CC (6-4, 205); 6 - Anthony Bryant, DT, Alabama
(6-3, 336); 7 - Rick Razzano, FB, Ole Miss (5-11,
240); 7 - Paris Warren, WR, Utah (6-0, 213); 7 - Hamza
Abdullah, S, Washington State (6-2, 213); 7 - J.R.
Russell, WR, Louisville (6-3, 206).
Analysis: Each of the Buccaneers' first five picks
filled a need. Williams has a strong chance to give
the offense the consistent rushing threat it has long
lacked. Ruud is a sure tackler who enhances an aging
group of linebackers. Smith gives quarterback Brian
Griese a capable target in the middle of the field,
and Colmer and Buenning will add depth to a shaky
offensive line. The team did not net any pass rushers
with their 12 picks, but should be able to get by
in that area. If one of the three wideouts Tampa drafted
on the second day can develop into a pro, the 2005
draft could go down as the one in which Jon Garden's
Bucs emerged as a contender once again.
Bottom Line: Made logical picks on the first day,
and will be better off for it.
Grade: A-
NFC NORTH
Chicago
1 - Cedric Benson, RB, Texas (5-10, 222); 2 - Mark
Bradley, WR, Oklahoma (6-1, 201); 4 - Kyle Orton,
QB, Purdue (6-4, 226); 5 - Airese Curry, WR, Clemson
(5-10, 186); 6 - Chris Harris, S, Louisiana-Monroe
(6-1, 206); 7 - Rodriques Wilson, SS, South Carolina
(6-2, 217).
Analysis: The presence of Benson will allow Lovie
Smith to run the ground control offense that should
take significant pressure off of the Bears overworked
defense. It will be interesting to see what his selection
will mean for Thomas Jones, who was a vital part of
the running and passing attack last season. Chicago
was light on receiving help in 2004, and Bradley should
be of immediate assistance in that regard. Orton is
an intriguing prospect who had a poor senior season,
and is likely more game-ready than Chad Hutchinson,
Craig Krenzel, or any of the team's other backup options
to Rex Grossman. The Bears were less active on defense,
where they could have used a reinforcement or two
in a front seven which ranked 25th in the league against
the run last year. Even with the free agent acquisitions
of tackle Fred Miller (Titans) and guard Roberto Garza
(Falcons), Chicago could have stood to select a lineman.
Bottom Line: If Benson and Bradley develop as expected
at the next level, the struggling Chicago offense
should put up some points.
Grade: B-
Detroit
1 - Mike Williams, WR, USC (6-5, 229); 2 - Shaun
Cody, DT, USC (6-4, 292); 3 - Stanley Wilson, CB,
Stanford (5-11, 189); 5 - Dan Orlovsky, QB, Connecticut
(6-4, 238); 6 - Bill Swancutt, DE, Oregon State (6-4,
264); 6 - Jonathan Goddard, DE, Marshall (6-0, 242).
Analysis: Break it down any way you want, but the
Lions' selection of Mike Williams made little sense.
The Lions are now like a rock band with three virtuoso
guitarists and no lead singer. Keeping Williams, Roy
Williams, Charles Rogers, and Kevin Jones happy in
this offense is going to be tough, especially with
Joey Harrington or Jeff Garcia at the controls. The
selection of Cody makes better sense, as he should
start immediately at right end, and Wilson has a chance
to be a difference-maker at cornerback. If Harrington
falls for a final time and Garcia's motor runs out,
Orlovsky could get a starting chance sooner than expected.
Bottom Line: Williams may be "it", but
he doesn't fit.
Grade: C+
Green Bay
1 - Aaron Rodgers, QB, California (6-2, 223); 2 -
Nick Collins, CB, Bethune-Cookman (5-11, 206); 2 -
Terrence Murphy, WR, Texas A&M (6-1, 202); 4 -
Marviel Underwood, FS, San Diego State (5-10, 205);
4 - Brady Poppinga, OLB, Brigham Young (6-3, 259);
5 - Junius Coston, C, North Carolina A&T (6-3,
310); 5 - Michael Hawkins, CB, Oklahoma (6-1, 175);
6 - Mike Montgomery, DT, Texas A&M (6-5, 276);
6 - Craig Bragg, WR, UCLA (6-1, 196); 7 - Kurt Campbell,
CB, Albany (6-1, 225); 7 - William Whitticker, G,
Michigan State (6-5, 329).
Analysis: Drafting Rodgers might be good in the long
run for the Packers, but in the short term, this draft
was a disaster for the Packers. Rodgers won't help
Green Bay right away. Collins is talented, but coming
from one of the weaker leagues in I-AA, is bound to
be raw. Murphy, the Pack's final pick of the first
day, won't be taking any reps from Javon Walker and/or
Donald Driver. The franchise waited until the fourth
round to address huge needs at safety, linebacker,
and guard, and paid little attention to upgrading
a so-so front four. For a team that made little noise
in the free agent game, this past weekend could easily
be construed as a failure.
Bottom Line: Apart from Rodgers, who won't see the
field any time soon, it is hard to find the logic
in most of these picks.
Grade: D
Minnesota
1 - Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina (6-1, 203);
1 - Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin (6-4, 263); 2 - Marcus
Johnson, G/T, Ole Miss (6-6, 321); 3 - Dustin Fox,
S/CB, Ohio State (5-11, 190); 4 - Ciatrick Fason,
RB, Florida (6-1, 207); 6 - C.J. Mosley, DT, Missouri
(6-3, 305); 7 - Adrian Ward, CB, UTEP (5-10, 175).
Analysis: Williamson looked like a bit of a reach
at No. 7, and if Mike Williams becomes the dominating
NFL receiver that many think he can become, the pick
of Williamson could reflect poorly on the Vikings.
Williamson has game-breaking speed but is undersized,
and will initially play second-fiddle to Nate Burleson.
The selection of James was also curious, since pass-rushing
help did not look to be among the franchise's biggest
needs there. Johnson will be a versatile part of the
offensive line group, and Fox adds depth in the secondary.
Fason could have trouble breaking through within an
already- crowded corps of running backs.
Bottom Line: Selected strong players across the board,
but fitting them in could be a challenge.
Grade: B
NFC WEST
Arizona
1 - Antrel Rolle, DB, Miami (FL) (6-0, 201); 2 -
J.J. Arrington, RB, California (5-9, 214); 3 - Eric
Green, CB, Virginia Tech (5-11, 197); 3 - Daryl Blackstock,
LB, Virginia (6-3, 247); 4 - Elton Brown, G, Virginia
(6-5, 329); 5 - Lance Mitchell, ILB, Oklahoma (6-2,
247); 7 - LeRon McCoy, Indiana (PA) (6-1, 211).
Analysis: Arizona's first two picks were inspired,
as the gifted Rolle will step into the cornerback
spot formerly occupied by Renaldo Hill and Arrington
is a big-league talent with a chance to rival the
"Big 3" of Brown, Benson, and Williams in
terms of production. Green could be a sleeper, and
Blackstock and Brown were both projected by some to
be first-round picks. The Cardinals might have done
better to forego the second cornerback they selected
and pick up a body to assist a hot-and-cold defensive
line.
Bottom Line: Cardinals' talent level is finally catching
up to Dennis Green's vision.
Grade: A-
San Francisco
1 - Alex Smith, QB, Utah (6-4, 217); 2 - David Baas,
C, Michigan (6-4, 318); 3 - Frank Gore, RB, Miami
(FL) (5-9, 217); 3 - Adam Snyder, T, Oregon (6-5,
316); 5 - Ronald Fields, DT, Mississippi State (6-2,
322); 5 - Rasheed Marshall, WR, West Virginia (6-0,
190); 6 - Derrick Johnson, CB, Washington (5-11, 188);
7 - Daven Holly, CB, Cincinnati (5-10, 186); 7 - Marcus
Maxwell, WR, Oregon (6-4, 205); 7 - Patrick Estes,
TE, Virginia (6-6, 268); 7 - Billy Bajema, TE, Oklahoma
State (6-5, 261).
Analysis: The new Niners regime of head coach Mike
Nolan and GM Scot McCloughan is counting on Smith
to lead the franchise back to the promised land, but
the 20-year-old could take longer to take hold of
that role than many first-round picks. Tim Rattay
will serve as a caretaker for Smith if he can stay
healthy. Surprisingly, the defensive-minded Nolan
used his first four picks on offensive players, and
the additions of Baas, who can play center or guard,
Snyder, who will compete for a job at tackle, and
Gore, who will push Kevan Barlow at running back,
addressed important needs on that side of the ball.
But San Francisco does not appear to have picked up
an impact defensive player, meaning Nolan will have
to work some magic with a group that recorded just
nine interceptions and posted only 27 sacks in 2004.
The team also needs either Marshall or Maxwell to
be an immediate contributor to a thin receiving group.
Bottom Line: The 49ers made strides, but the roster
still has glaring weaknesses.
Grade: B-
St. Louis
1 - Alex Barron, T, Florida State (6-7, 320); 2 -
Ronald Bartell, CB, Howard (6-1, 211); 3 - Oshiomogho
Atogwe, S, Stanford (5-11, 203); 3 - Richie Incognito,
G, Nebraska (6-3, 305); 4 - Jerome Carter, SS, Florida
State (5-11, 219); 4 - Claude Terrell, G, New Mexico
(6-2, 343); 5 - Jerome Collins, TE, Notre Dame (6-4,
267); 6 - Dante Ridgeway, WR, Ball State (5-11, 212);
6 - Reggie Hodges, P, Ball State (6-0, 226); 7 - Ryan
Fitzpatrick, QB, Harvard (6-2, 221); 7 - Madison Hedgecock,
FB, North Carolina (6-3, 266).
Analysis: The addition of Barron, who will help the
Rams in both the running and passing game from his
right tackle position, was important. Incognito was
a productive collegian and could make an immediate
impact as well. Bartell, Atogwe, and Carter will all
have a chance to play right away in one of the league's
worst secondaries, but none is a lock for a long career
in the league. St. Louis needed a punter, and found
one in Hodges, and at least four of the franchise's
second-day picks could chip in on special teams. Fitzpatrick
is versatile and athletic, but will have to shine
in the preseason in order to make the team.
Bottom Line: Will hold their breath and hope that
their much-needed o-line and secondary reinforcements
don't disappoint.
Grade: B
Seattle
1 - Chris Spencer, C, Ole Miss (6-3, 309); 2 - Lofa
Tatupu, LB, USC (5-11, 226); 3 - David Greene, QB,
Georgia (6-3, 231); 3 - LeRoy Hill, LB, Clemson (6-1,
224); 4 - Ray Willis, T, Florida State (6-6, 327);
5 - Jeb Huckeba, OLB, Arkansas (6-5, 252); 6 - Tony
Jackson, TE, Iowa (6-2, 264); 6 - Cornelius Wortham,
LB, Alabama (6-1, 234); 7 - Doug Nienhuis, T, Oregon
State (6-6, 307).
Analysis: Seattle went heavy on offensive linemen
and linebackers, two areas of obvious need for the
franchise. Spencer, who many had considered a second-
round talent, has the versatility to play center or
guard. Tatupu and Hill will have a chance to get on
the field right away and bolster a lagging linebacking
corps. Greene will back Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca
Wallace this season, but eventually has a chance to
move up the depth chart. The development of Jackson,
who could compete with Itula Mili and Jerramy Stevens
if all goes well, bears watching.
Bottom Line: A quiet but successful two days for
Mike Holmgren's Hawks.
Grade: B+
Article
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