2007 Draft Reviews - AFC & NFC West
AFC West:
1. Oakland Raiders: The top spot in the AFC West goes to those lowly Raiders. Russell was a great pick for them, especially after passing on Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler last year. Quentin Moses, Mario Henderson, and Zach Miller all have the potential to be very good starters in the NFL. The biggest pick of the draft though, has to be Michael Bush in the 4th round. If he can get healthy and play like he did before he was hurt, this could be the best pick of the entire draft.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: Finally, after years of sub par wide receivers, the Chiefs drafted a top player at the position. If it wasn’t for Calvin Johnson, a total freak of nature, Bowe could have gone in the top 5 picks. The Chiefs also attempted to address their weak defensive line, but I think they could have found better value than the DTs they drafted. If it wasn’t for the Bowe pick, the Chiefs would have been 3rd behind…
3. Denver Broncos: Denver didn’t hide what it needed. Everyone knew the Broncos needed pass rushers, and that is exactly what they got. Jarvis Moss has great speed off the edge, but needs to bulk up to be able to stop the run. The pick of Tim Crowder will help them more in the short term, because he has the size to play every down. As much as I like the Crowder pick though, I dislike the Marcus Thomas pick. With all the trouble he has been in, I think to waste a 4th round choice on him was idiotic. If Thomas can somehow clean up his act though, it could be a great pick. This draft is either boom or bust for Denver.
4. San Diego Chargers: With receivers like Jarrett and Smith still available, to reach for Craig Davis was too much. Davis is quick, but was too inconsistent. Jarrett didn’t have the greatest speed, but he is a proven player who should have gone in the 1st round. The Chargers will regret passing him up. They finally got a top safety, but they paid for it. They gave up a lot to get Eric Weddle, and you have to wonder if that will come back to haunt them if Weddle isn’t a top player early in his career. Brandon Siler could be an excellent replacement for the departed Donnie Edwards if he can clean up his character issues.
NFC West:
1. San Francisco 49ers: If all they did in this entire draft was select Patrick Willis at #11, I would have ranked them first in this division. He will be a major force in the NFL before you know it. They were also able to trade back into the 1st round to take tackle Joe Staley. If he is given the time to develop and learn the position, he can be a top left tackle for many years. DE Ray McDonald is a perfect fit for the 3-4 defense coach Nolan like to run. Add to this draft the pick-up of WR Darrell Jackson from division rival Seattle, and this was a heck of a weekend for the 49ers.
2. Arizona Cardinals: While some see the selection of Levi Brown at #5 as a reach, I think it had to be done. They needed a left tackle to develop, and Brown is just the type of lineman those new coaches from Pittsburgh love. To get a talent like Alan Branch in the 2nd round was a great value pick, as he could be a tremendous player if he can dedicate himself to working hard. Buster Davis and Steve Breaston could both pay long term rewards as well. TE Ben Patrick was an excellent selection in the 7th round. If he were drafted in the 3rd round, no one would have thought anything of it.
3. St. Louis Rams: While I love the selection of both Adam Carriker and Brian Leonard, the Rams needed to get significantly better in the secondary. They passed on the top two corners in the draft to take Carriker. If he doesn’t play very well early on and the corners are still getting used and abused, there could be some major grumbling by the fans. Leonard will be a great NFL player and St. Louis is a great fit. Clifton Ryan and Justin Fry, both 5th round choices, have the potential to be good players down the line.
4. Seattle Seahawks: With no first round pick, they actually did a decent job of getting some type of talent. Josh Wilson has the talent to be a top contributor in the secondary right away. The problem is, he may be the only starter (now and later) that Seattle got in this draft. A tight end like Ben Patrick in any round after the 2nd would have been a great choice. The ‘Hawks have a good team, but they could have done a lot more to improve.
1. Oakland Raiders: The top spot in the AFC West goes to those lowly Raiders. Russell was a great pick for them, especially after passing on Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler last year. Quentin Moses, Mario Henderson, and Zach Miller all have the potential to be very good starters in the NFL. The biggest pick of the draft though, has to be Michael Bush in the 4th round. If he can get healthy and play like he did before he was hurt, this could be the best pick of the entire draft.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: Finally, after years of sub par wide receivers, the Chiefs drafted a top player at the position. If it wasn’t for Calvin Johnson, a total freak of nature, Bowe could have gone in the top 5 picks. The Chiefs also attempted to address their weak defensive line, but I think they could have found better value than the DTs they drafted. If it wasn’t for the Bowe pick, the Chiefs would have been 3rd behind…
3. Denver Broncos: Denver didn’t hide what it needed. Everyone knew the Broncos needed pass rushers, and that is exactly what they got. Jarvis Moss has great speed off the edge, but needs to bulk up to be able to stop the run. The pick of Tim Crowder will help them more in the short term, because he has the size to play every down. As much as I like the Crowder pick though, I dislike the Marcus Thomas pick. With all the trouble he has been in, I think to waste a 4th round choice on him was idiotic. If Thomas can somehow clean up his act though, it could be a great pick. This draft is either boom or bust for Denver.
4. San Diego Chargers: With receivers like Jarrett and Smith still available, to reach for Craig Davis was too much. Davis is quick, but was too inconsistent. Jarrett didn’t have the greatest speed, but he is a proven player who should have gone in the 1st round. The Chargers will regret passing him up. They finally got a top safety, but they paid for it. They gave up a lot to get Eric Weddle, and you have to wonder if that will come back to haunt them if Weddle isn’t a top player early in his career. Brandon Siler could be an excellent replacement for the departed Donnie Edwards if he can clean up his character issues.
NFC West:
1. San Francisco 49ers: If all they did in this entire draft was select Patrick Willis at #11, I would have ranked them first in this division. He will be a major force in the NFL before you know it. They were also able to trade back into the 1st round to take tackle Joe Staley. If he is given the time to develop and learn the position, he can be a top left tackle for many years. DE Ray McDonald is a perfect fit for the 3-4 defense coach Nolan like to run. Add to this draft the pick-up of WR Darrell Jackson from division rival Seattle, and this was a heck of a weekend for the 49ers.
2. Arizona Cardinals: While some see the selection of Levi Brown at #5 as a reach, I think it had to be done. They needed a left tackle to develop, and Brown is just the type of lineman those new coaches from Pittsburgh love. To get a talent like Alan Branch in the 2nd round was a great value pick, as he could be a tremendous player if he can dedicate himself to working hard. Buster Davis and Steve Breaston could both pay long term rewards as well. TE Ben Patrick was an excellent selection in the 7th round. If he were drafted in the 3rd round, no one would have thought anything of it.
3. St. Louis Rams: While I love the selection of both Adam Carriker and Brian Leonard, the Rams needed to get significantly better in the secondary. They passed on the top two corners in the draft to take Carriker. If he doesn’t play very well early on and the corners are still getting used and abused, there could be some major grumbling by the fans. Leonard will be a great NFL player and St. Louis is a great fit. Clifton Ryan and Justin Fry, both 5th round choices, have the potential to be good players down the line.
4. Seattle Seahawks: With no first round pick, they actually did a decent job of getting some type of talent. Josh Wilson has the talent to be a top contributor in the secondary right away. The problem is, he may be the only starter (now and later) that Seattle got in this draft. A tight end like Ben Patrick in any round after the 2nd would have been a great choice. The ‘Hawks have a good team, but they could have done a lot more to improve.
No comments:
Post a Comment