TBR Grades

Yeah, its subjective, and purely speculative at this point, but its also been our tradition. So what the hell, right? Don't participate if you believe so strongly that its foolish to grade a draft this early. Of course the true grade will come in time....but this a grade based off of hope, and how we as fans have players ranked, and such....how WE feel it went for now.


1. Jonathan Stewart. (C+) He is a running back, the second first round back we drafted in three years. This pick is the catalyst for us trading the bank for Otah. He was a question mark on many boards because of injury. He could be a star, but he's going to split lots of carries with Williams, and his production won't be fully realized because of that.

2. Jeff Otah. (C+) Ordinarily I would love this, and I'm high on him. I actually believe in a few years he could man the LT position for us, call me crazy. But we gave up so much for him. And not only did we do that, but he was a position in which, giving up so much, was technically taken care of this year, and deep enough to where this is so questionable.

3. Charles Godfrey. (A) Could play safety for us for years to come, or corner when we lose one of our top three soon. Value was awesome.

4. Dan Connor. (C-) Value was great, but the guy fell for a reason. He's so fucking stiff, and can't cover a soul. He's a pure downhill guy, and will be limited in the pros. This pick caused us to miss out on some very quality DTs who could've been starters for years to come, being that we had no fourth rounder. Walker is a stop gap, who if he has a good season, will want bangs o' bucks. He had problems with Buffalo (thanks presidence99, for reminding me) and we walked away from a very good fit earlier this year because of money, and his agent talks about money lost when the guy signs...I would've loved to have some quality young talent there....

5. Gary Barnidge. (B) Iffy blocker, but very good receiver who can play split. If we're serious about passing to the TEs more, him, Rosario and King could make a really solid corps. BIg, tall red zone threat.

6. Nick Hayden. (B-) Solid DT that'll stand some OL up and uproot them, but will probably never give us any legit pass rush. A strong guy who can occupy blockers is about what we can expect here, and I don't know that he can ever stick around and make any kind of impact, but he's good enough to hang around for five or six years on the 53 man roster, so that's good enough.

7. Hilee Taylor. (C) Fast, but timed speed is average. Small, but plays DE to have a spot on the roster. Will probably get blocked out of his shoes at first in the NFL, until he learns a wide arsenal of moves...will need to be packaged, but at the 6th round, seems more like a 7th round project kind.

8. Geoff Schwartz. (B) Fell a bit, good value, will bring familiarity with Stewart. Probably PS bound, I cant see him sticking with all our FAs, but perhaps could make some noise later? Good run blocker. Might actually have a future even if he does to the PS this year. A real project.

9. Mackenzy Bernadeau (C) Ditto for above, only this dude is bound for the PS, so I guess the only reason we drafted him is to get a first crack at him, and to get him on our PS. A real project according to Gregory, and Ive never seen him before in my life, so that's all I can go on. Good enough to finish with honors at his division even though he was injured for most of the year. That says something.




Overall grade?

C+


I'd give this a higher one if we didn't hurt ourselves in the future with one of the picks, and if we didn't draft one of our high value picks only to be buried in the roster for a few years. Thing is, I think we could have a few starters from this draft, 2 at least obviously, and perhaps 3 if Godfrey pans out. I think also, that we have some solid role players, but overall, there is no way in my good conscience, that I can grade it a B when we mortgaged the future, when it reeked of desperation, and when we ignored vital needs.

 

Probably going out on a limb, but I'm guessing Thelt gives the Stewart pick an F.

 

You're crazy.

 

1. Jonathan Stewart. (B) - Gives us the 1-2 punch we lacked with Foster, in THEORY. He's still got to prove it on the field, but I suspect he will prove to be worth the pick.

2. Jeff Otah. (B) - He's a mauler and seems to fit the direction we are going up front. He'll be a solid RT for years, but now I have concerns at LT.

3. Charles Godfrey. (B) Versatility adds to his value and he'll be a Minter-like player in a few years.

4. Dan Connor. (C) Love the player, hate the pick...but I get it. Adding a solid back-up MLB who can swing outside if needed is a good value pick. Dude does have chicken legs though, he carries the weight...just don't know where, he doesn't look 230.

5. Gary Barnidge. (D) Needed a blocker more than a pass catcher.

6. Nick Hayden. (B) Gritty, effort guy. Fox-guy, if you prefer. He'll fit nicely int the rotation. Excellent value.

7. Hilee Taylor. (D) Homer pick, but at least we got a DE

8. Geoff Schwartz. (C) Odd shape, and he sets up too deep. Might develop into something more than a back-up.

9. Mackenzy Bernadeau (C) {crickets} Don't know a damn thing about him, obvious project if anything more than fodder.



Overall grade?

C

Time will tell...

 

It is?


I don't mind the Stewart pick. One, he looks like a star. He's a big back, and he doesn't shy away from contact from what I've seen. Time will tell, and this draft, and Fox's tenure, hinges on him being a star.


I pimped Otah at 13, so I like the player. I don't love giving up next year's one to get him, but that's what it takes to jump up from 43 to 19. It worked for the Colts last year, hopefully it can work for us even more.


Godfrey fills a future need. He should help on special teams and could develop into a starter at safety.

Conner gives us some depth and another potential future starter. This is likely Diggs last year.

The other picks are of a late round variety. If they make your team and contribute, count yourself lucky.

 

I give the Stewart pick a D, but the player a probably B+/A-. I'd have been happier with a B guy later.

Like Otah, give him a projected A as a player, but as a RT. Would have been happy with him at 13. Trading our '09 1st, right now, want to say F. Incomplete though, until '09 rolls around.

Like both the thirds, B- for Connor, B+ for Godfrey.

Can't grade the rest.

 

The time Ive been here, yes. Maybe tradition is a strong word, but the grades have been thrown out both times.


So Im assuming you like the draft.....

 

1 Thomas Davis DB Georgia (B+ ~ developing into a solid OLB)
2 Eric Shelton RB Louisville (F ~ fell out of favor with Henning early, never seemed to "get it")
3 Evan Mathis G Alabama (C ~ still around, never developed into anything . with the new focus on beef and drive he'll be gone in 2008.
3 Atiyyah Ellison DT Missouri (F ~ highest pick cut that year.)
4 Stefan Lefors QB Louisville (D ~ a never was that made it one season?)
5 Adam Seward LB Nevada-Las Vegas (C ~ if he could stay healthy he'd be solid, when he is healthy he was good value as 5th round pick.)
5 Geoff Hangartner C Texas A&M (B ~ back up center and productive when he's played)
5 Ben Emanuel DB UCLA (F, garbage)
6 Jovan Haye DE Vanderbilt (B, great pick, solid player - too bad they screwed up by cutting him)

 

Stewart, A-

Call me crazy but ive wanted an upgrade over Foster for some time now. I know some of you wanted a RB later in the draft to compliment DeLo. I wanted a back that Delo would compliment. Reminds me a bit a Drew Jones, big, powerfull with stocky legs. Wont fall over the first tackler like Foster always seemed to do. Fox has preached the run the ball philosophy from day 1. I actually believe well get it done now. Got the job done when Dixon went down and all eyes were on him. Doesnt have the fumbling concerns of McFadden, Mendenhall or Foster. The turf toe is a concern, but we obviously had first hand knowledge of the surgery (How did that get through the cracks?).

Otah, B

So we traded back into 1 for an OT most of us would have been happy with at #13. Will probably develop into the biggest mauler this franchise has ever had. Like the fact we finally drafted a power blocker for a power runner. Gives me another reason to believe were on the right track to finally running the ball with some authority. (Hopefully Fonoti will have alot to say about that too.). But you gotta question giving so much up for a RT when we already had Wharton and Gross. Does Gross move to LT? Will Wharton stay at LT and Gross to G. Would love to see Otah excell at LT but his skill set suggests RT for now.

Godfrey, B+

This will be our Beason pick this year. He'll start game one at safety and finally answer the question weve had for way too many years, finally, a safety with some speed to his resume.

Connor, B-

The kids got talent to stop the run. Hopefully his body can take the punishment in the NFL that Morgans couldnt. Its kinds funny tho, was shouting for Posluzny last year but we drafted Beason and Shaw. This year we drafted Conner who left PSU as the leading tackler. But Pat Sims was sitting there waiting for us. Either we had Conner graded way higher or Sims was off the board completely.

Barnidge, C

Could this be a trend away from the TE's of our past. Shows more of an ability as a pass catching TE with Wesley Walls type hands. Loads of room to develop and get bigger. Can see us splitting this guy out wide in motion while the bigger linemen take care of the interior.

 

this is an A draft. period.