Grading the 08 Draft

Another year, another supplemental draft in the books. Once again, it was a draft filled with youngsters and hope. Most interestingly, all of the teams who picked early last year now flipped around and picked near the end this year. Worst to first or something like that. There's a lot of storied franchises needing some resurrection and it looks like this might be the year for them to recapture some glory. A day before the 2008 season begins, let's take a look at how everything worked out.

1. Phreaks
Despite finishing last season with just two wins, the Phreaks have a good keeper core. All the marquee spots are filled with top ten quality players and adding RB Darren McFadden will only enhance a roster that already has Marshawn Lynch and Maurice Jones-Drew in the backfield. We really like Laveranues Coles and/or Santana Moss as the third receiver, drafted in Rd2 and Rd3, to complement TJ Houshmandzadeh and Roy Williams. The rest of the Phreaks draft consisted of surrounding long time franchise QB Donovan McNabb with his real life teammates. RB Lorenzo Booker, rookie WR DeSean Jackon, and Eagles Def and K David Akers. We love loving your favorite team but isn't this a bit crazy? Then again, it's hard to argue that Booker and Jackson don't have some potential so maybe Ping just wants to insure he gets the next Eagles' star. We're looking for the Phreaks to make some moves up the standings this season behind an already strong keeper core and some wise draft investments.
Grade: B+

2. Ante Up
Ante Up finally severed ties with the face of the franchise for many years, Edgerrin James, and the search is on to find his replacement in the backfield. RB Brian Westbrook is still a top three back and his injury issues are mostly a thing of the past. Who will play next to him though? Jae wisely handcuffed keeper RB Selvin Young with Rd4 pickup Andre Hall. Along the way, he also drafted rookie RBs Jonathan Stewart and Steve Slaton. Stewart is being touted as a potential Rookie of the Year and Slaton might be the dark horse in Houston. One of the three should hit, hopefully. WR Anthony Gonzalez is being hailed as a breakout candidate and Ante Up already has Reggie Wayne on board. Keepers Donald Driver and Santonio Holmes are both quality starters and Gonzalez will be able to take his time cracking the lineup. Add in Big Ben Roethlisberger as the QB and Jae looks like he's set for the near future.
Grade: A-

3. Battle Angels
We've already covered Vu's team this off-season and come up with the conclusion that their core keepers are the best they've ever had. Two top five WRs in Steve Smith and Andre Johnson, a premier QB in Drew Brees, and enough in the backfield (Willis McGahee and Laurence Maroney) to complete the circle. So what did they need? And more importantly, what did they get? The backup RB spots are looking fine despite the downgrade of new Lion Rudi Johnson. DeAngelo Williams is the starter in Carolina and looks good so far. The third receiver spot should be okay too. Even if Greg Jennings can't continue his success post-Favre, Bernard Berrian or Derrick Mason should be able to pick up the slack. All in all, the Angels are looking better than they ever have and they hope to have a rebound year.
Grade: B-


4. Tiiite End Jammers
Talk about a reversal of strategy. Last year, Lei drafted no WRs on his way to acquiring a glut of running backs and two keepers, Clinton Portis and Tony Romo. This year he's got the running game and drafted only wide receivers. Dwayne Bowe, Lee Evans, Chris Chambers, Justin Gage, and Ted Ginn Jr will fight it out with current stalwarts Marvin Harrison and Javon Walker. To be honest, the Jammers probably did the right thing here. Marvin is slowing down and nobody knows what Javon is capable of anymore. Bowe, Evans, and Chambers are all number one receivers on their teams and when your backfield is already filled with Tony Romo, Joseph Addai, and Clinton Portis, all you need are WRs right?
Grade: B

5. Fat Jubas
The pundits really like what the Jubas have done with their draft and that's mainly for one reason: WR Brandon Marshall. I'm not sure how Brandon Marshall slipped to number five in the draft, or even why he wasn't a keeper, but he's very likely a bonafide receiving star. With RBs Frank Gore, Ryan Grant, and Michael Turner tabbed as keepers, Eric needed another WR to pair with Marques Colston. Marshall should be that guy. The third WR slot will go to either of two vets, Tony Gonzalez or Joey Galloway, and then it's all upside picks from there with rookie Lions RB Kevin Smith and second year Vikings WR Sidney Rice. If QB Derek Anderson can maintain his production of last year, the Jubas will recover quickly from a down year.
Grade: B+

6. Buffy
Roger's team is undergoing a transitional period. The only player left from championships past is WR Torry Holt, who is noticeably slowing down. The new running backs are Marion Barber, Willie Parker, and Jamal Lewis. All three are serviceable but hardly franchise RBs yet (or ever?). That's why drafting Roddy White and Antonio Gates might prove to be very important for Buffy. Both are quality players that will flesh out the roster and give QB Carson Palmer someone to throw the ball to. Buffy collected the Patriots Def early on (Rd4) and got a few players with not much hope for stardom, RB Lendale White, underachieving WR Jerry Porter, and late round filler WR DJ Hackett. This team will need to find an identity soon, and hope that Marion Barber can emerge as a franchise type runner.
Grade: C+

7. Fobsters
This was a weird draft. The Fobsters moved Chad Ocho Cinco right before he got injured, getting a mercurial Larry Johnson back in return. That might turn out to be the steal of the year as Chad looks like he's headed for a season of turmoil. Larry Johnson was once a premier back but now he's a mystery with a past history of explosiveness. With Reggie Bush and Earnest Graham also on board, the Fobsters needed WRs to complement last year's number one pick, WR Calvin Johnson. The question is then, why did they only select Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Witten, and Patrick Clayton? Witten and Clayton are on the same team and it's doubtful that both will get enough touches to be serviceable. And was going for Vikings Def in Rd4 really necessary? Regardless, the Fobsters' season will depend on how well the running back trio pans out and if Tom Brady can maintain his elite status.
Grade: C-

8. Chunky Monkeys
Finally, a chink in the Monkey's armor. They enter the season without two stud running backs for the first time in their history. The trade off is that their WR corps looks stronger than ever behind Terrell Owens, Anquan Boldin, and Chad Johnson. But, Chad is hurt and possibly facing a tumultuous season, and he might not have been worth giving up Larry Johnson. Then again, GM Evan has proven to be excellent at unearthing RBs. This year, he will gamble with rookies Matt Forte and Chris Johnson, and newly annointed Bengals starter Chris Perry. Let's not forget old timer Edgerrin James, who might still get a few yards. So losing Larry Johnson might not hurt after all, with five RBs on staff who will be starters opening day. WR Vincent Jackson will probably fill in for Chad while he's hurt and give Evan some Chargers representation. The strangest move by the Monkeys was the drafting of a backup QB, Matt Schaub. Is the worry that this is the year Peyton can't be an ironman? Will the world explode if Peyton doesn't line up under center for the Monkeys?
Grade: B+

9. Gang Green
As a co-champion and eternal contender, Gang Green deserves respect. However, they have a tendency to draft RBs with not much upside with their first pick. Last year it was Cedric Benson, this year it's Thomas Jones. There's certainly a need for another RB to complement injury prone Brandon Jacobs and Ronnie Brown but Jones doesn't look like the answer. Maybe rookie RB Ray Rice and make some moves but he'll be time sharing at best with Willis McGahee. The good news is that new QBs Brett Favre and Eli Manning will have quite a few targets to throw to. Last year's draft day trade netted Randy Moss. This year GM Greg pulled the trigger to acquire Plaxico Burress. Along with Hines Ward and Kellen Winslow, Gang Green should be able to do what they do best: just win baby.
Grade: C

10. Dirty Birds
Short of a leader behind center, the Birds return loaded. Two top three RBs in Steven Jackson and Adrian Peterson, and three top WRs in Larry Fitzgerald, Braylon Edwards, and Wes Welker. Brimming with talent once again, the Birds needed QBs and passed on last year's leader, Big Ben, and instead chose Jay Cutler to lead the repeat attempt. Time will tell if that was the right call. Either way, the backup, Matt Hasselbeck will be the same. The best pick GM Jon did was probably handcuff Chester Taylor to Peterson, since the rest of his draft was filled with longshots like WR Nate Burleson and rookie RB Felix Jones. Can the Birds repeat and win three championships? We'll find out won't we?
Grade: C+