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 NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
2008 1st Round Review
by Neil Murphy
15/2/2009
Last year’s draft produced a number of instant stars, most notably two rookie QB’s who lead their teams to the playoffs. One of the trends of the first round was teams focusing on the lines eight offensive linemen and six defensive linemen were chosen. Interestingly given the high bust rate of the position, no wide receiver was taken until Donnie Avery at the top of the second round. Avery. Denver’s Eddie Royal, and DeSean Jackson of the Eagles were biggest performers among rookie pass catchers. It was also instructive how many late round tailbacks had success, showing that great value at the position can be had further down the board.
Obviously the real winners and losers of this draft won’t become clear for a few years yet, so with that in mind let’s pronounce ruthless and arbitrary judgement on it.
1 Dolphins OT Jake Long
A Dolphin-friendly first draft for the Tuna (sorry). Long started from day one, and helped to stabilize a greatly improved OL. Earned a Pro Bowl spot as an injury replacement. Played hard and played hurt, has a great future ahead of him. He’d want to, at that price.
Grade: A
2 Rams DE Chris Long
Didn’t put up great numbers, finishing the season with four sacks. Nonetheless, played with great effort and determination, and showed flashes of excellence. He tormented Dallas LT Flozell Adams in the Rams glorious upset win, but struggled to make an impact against some veteran LT’s. Will improve.
Grade: B
 3 Falcons QB Matt Ryan
New GM Thomas Dimitroff’s first pick was criticised at the time but looks like a no-brainer now. Ryan won the starting job in camp, and got off to a dream start, throwing for a touchdown on his first pass. The kid rarely looked like less than a seasoned veteran. The most impressive rookie QB in years, and a runaway winner of the ROY. His last minute heroics against the Bears, throwing a deep out to Michael Jenkins to set up a game winning field goal with one second left, was one of the highlights of the season. Helped the team consign the ghosts of Vick and Petrino to the past. Also has wonderful hair.
Grade: A
4 Oakland RB Darren McFadden
Touted as the next Adrian Purple Jesus Peterson, McFadden struggled with injuries and only managed one 100 yard game. And that was against the Chiefs D, so it barely counts. Finished with 499 yards and 4 TD’s. You would have gotten great odds pre-draft that his college lead blocker, Peyton Hillis, would outrush him. With Justin Fargas and Michael Bush running well, the Raiders had much greater needs at this pick. On the plus side, he did manage to lead all rookies in paternity suits.
Grade: C
5 Chiefs DT Glenn Dorsey
The explosive DT from LSU seemed to disappear this year. Dorsey struggled badly at times and only managed one sack. Shorn of Jared Allen, the woeful Chiefs pass rush totalled only ten sacks for the season, a new NFL low (Allen alone managed 14.5). Many have commented that Dorsey would be better utilised lined up at the 3-technique made famous by Warren Sapp, rather than over the guard.
Grade: D
6 Jets LB Vernon Gholston
The next Demarcus Ware? The next Mike Mamula more like. A phenomenal performance at the Combine had scouts salivating at his blend of speed and power. Rumours hyped Gholston up as a potential first overall selection, and the Jets jumped when he fell to 6. Unfortunately his rookie season was desperately underwhelming. The former Buckeye star made just six solo tackles, with zero sacks or big plays to speak of. Rex Ryan’s role in grooming Terrell Suggs into a star was surely a key factor in his appointment as head coach.
Grade: D-
7 Saints DT Sedrick Ellis
Stock rose on a strong Senior Bowl appearance. Was solid without ever really dominating, but was hampered by injuries and still played hard. Ellis provided some pass rush, posting four sacks from the interior, but the edge rushers didn’t hold up their end. Overall the Saints defence still sucked. Will improve, might benefit from new DC Gregg Williams’ aggressive blitzing scheme.
Grade: B
8 Jaguars DE Derrick Harvey
After being picked apart by Tom Brady in last years playoffs, the Jags traded away most of their draft choices to trade up and grab pass rushers Harvey and second rounder Quentin Groves. The idea was that the young speedsters could get after Peyton Manning enough to push the Jags to first in the division. Unfortunately, a contract holdout saw him miss training camp, and he never caught up to speed. With a full offseason programme, should do better next year.
Grade: C
9 Bengals LB Keith Rivers
Rivers was playing well until a savage blindside block from Hines Ward broke his jaw and ended his season in prematurely. Managed to get one vote for DROY despite playing less than half the season. Put up a lot of tackles, but playing for the Bengals will give you that opportunity. Will be looking forward to next year’s two encounters with Ward and the Steelers.
Grade: C+
10 Patriots LB Jerod Mayo
This pick was a described by many at the time as a reach, however Mayo played from day one in a Belicheck’s complex 3-4 scheme. He ran away with the DROY award (49 of 50 votes) and posted 128 tackles. A minor quibble would be that his success was a little overblown, given that in 16 games, he failed to record any sacks, interceptions, and had just one forced fumble. Overall however, the vile and despicable Patriots got more than they would have expected out of him as a rookie.
Grade: A-
11 Bills DB Leodis McKelvin
The top corner in the draft, McKelvin started six games, forcing his way into the starting line up by the end of the season. His best game came against the Chiefs, intercepting two passes and taking one back for a score. On special teams, averaged 28.2 yards on kickoff returns, with one TD. Should develop further next year, has great potential.
Grade: B
12 Broncos OT Ryan Clady
If it’s possible to get a steal at 12th in the draft, then here it is. Clady was one of the top left tackles in football last year, and should have made the Pro Bowl. Despite injuries devastating the running game, making the Broncos a one dimensional offence, Jay Cutler had time to throw almost every time. In sixteen starts, Clady allowed only one half sack. That’s nothing short of amazing, but for a rookie? Ridiculous. Looks like guarding Cutlers blindside for the next decade.
Grade: A+
 13 Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart
Fitted in nicely as a bruising complement to the elusive Deangelo Williams. Williams had failed to live up to his billing as a previous first rounder with Stewart pressing him he made 2008 a career year. An absolute beast at the goalline. I still don’t understand why the Panthers gave up on the running game so early against Arizona.
Grade: B+
14 Bears OT Chris Williams
In a draft stacked with quality tackles, the Bears took the third one off the board. Unfortunately, he was the crocked one. A back injury that had reportedly scared off other teams flared up again, requiring surgery, and Williams missed a lot of time. Hasn’t really played enough to be judged, so we’ll give him a D and declare him to be a terrible bust.
Grade: D
15 Chiefs OT Brandon Albert
The Chiefs offence actually played well last year once they shifted to the spread. Albert came in with a reputation as a devastating run blocker, but held up well in a pass heavy scheme. Allowed only 3.5 sacks, and impressively, gave up zero penalties. Matched with perennial Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters on the left side, gives the Chiefs a solid line to build from.
Grade: B+
16 Cardinals DB Dominic Rogers-Cromartie
Had his struggles early on, but forced his way into the starting lineup, and by the end of the regular season was looking like a star. Had four picks, one returned for a TD. Also managed a pick in the Jake Delhomme Meltdown Bowl, where he helped contain Panthers WR Steve Smith. His year ended on a sour note, with Santonio Holmes giving him the runaround in the Super Bowl, but overall he looks a quality player. Had a better season than his famous cousin, Antonio Cromartie of the Chargers.
Grade: B+
17 Lions OT Gosder Cherilus
Had a very tough year. An assault case saw him cop a plea for one year’s probation. Maybe he should have pleaded to be sent to jail. Anywhere but Detroit. Started 13 games for the worst team in football (ever?), but was criticised and benched at one stage by coach Rod Marinelli. His biggest impact was made when taking a cheap shot at Jared Allen’s knee, which could have done more damage than it did. Struggled in pass protection, particularly in two meetings with Packers DE Aaron Kampman. Next season can’t be as bad.
Grade: C-
18 Ravens QB Joe Flacco
The plan was for Troy Smith to start the season as the Ravens looked to rebuild. When Smith was hampered with a virus, Flacco took the starting role, quarterbacking the team to the AFC Conference Game. New OC Cam Cameron didn’t ask him to do too much, and with three tough running backs and an elite defence, the emphasis for Flacco was just avoiding mistakes. His stats weren’t great, 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, but he completed 60% of his passes and didn’t cost them games. Equipped with a cannon of a deep ball and a devastating Unibrow, he has all the physical tools.
Grade: B+
19 Panthers OT Jeff Otah
The Cats traded back into the first round, giving up a second rounder and next year’s first rounder to the Eagles in order to take Otah. His pass blocking at RT was reasonable but needs improvement. On the front foot in the run game however, he most resembled Galactus, Devourer of Worlds, relentlessly destroying all in his path. Missed four games with injuries.
Grade: B
20 Buccaneers DB Aqib Talib
Talib first made headlines by getting into a boxing match at the rookie symposium, seeming to confirm his reputation as immature and reckless. On the field, he got toasted at times, but showed great athleticism and playmaking ability. Plays the game like a compulsive gambler, always trying to read the QB. Finished the season with four interceptions in limited playing time. Talent isn’t in question, decision making is.
Grade: B
21 Falcons OT Sam Baker
Looking for a bookend tackle to protect Matt Ryan, the Falcons traded up for Baker. Only started 5 games while struggling with injuries and didn’t look the same player after a late season back surgery. Gets marks for playing hurt, but was crucified by the less than elite Arizona D-line in their playoff game.
Grade: C
22 Cowboys RB Felix Jones
Looked like the perfect complement to Marion Barber early on, starting the season with touchdowns in three consecutive games and a stunning 8.9 yards per carry. Made an impact both as a change of pace ball carrier and also on kickoff returns. A big play threat every bit as good as advertised. A season ending injury meant he only took part in six games, or his grade would be higher. Expectations for next year will be huge.
Grade: B
23 Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall
A great season for Pittsburgh, but a disappointing one for the rookie. It was prematurely ended by a ferocious Ray Lewis tackle which crushed his shoulder. This came after reports that Mendenhall had run his mouth off to Baltimore RB Ray Rice about what he was going to do to the Ravens D. Not a good idea. Failed to make any real impact, with only 58 yards on 19 carries.
Grade: D
 24 Titans RB Chris Johnson
A 4.24 40-time at the Combine sent his draft stock skyward. The pick was criticised, given that the Titans had spent second round choices on tailbacks in each of the preceding two years. Acting as the Lightening to Lendale White’s Thunder, gave the team a home run threat on offence. Topped 1,200 yards, and impressively for a rookie runner, only lost one fumble.
Grade: A
25 Cowboys DB Mike Jenkins
The latest member of the Cowboy’s hilariously overrated secondary showed up in some highlight reel plays. Unfortunately, for the most part they were other people’s highlights. Did manage a pick six against the Giants on a ball that Eli threw directly at him. Started a couple of games due to injuries/suspensions.
Grade: C
26 Texans OT Duane Brown
A run on offensive tackles saw Brown climb into the first round, it seemed because they weren’t any more left. Brown gave up more sacks than any other starting left tackle (joint with Pro Bowl turnstile Jason Peters on 11.5) despite splitting series for much of the season, ‘when he got tired’. In fairness to him he did manage to start every game as a rookie, and played against a who’s who of the NFL’s top pass rushers, including Dwight Freeney, Jared Allen, Terrell Suggs and James Harrison. Run blocking was good. Should improve next year under the tuition of line guru Alex Gibbs.
Grade: C
27 Chargers DB Antoine Cason
This seemed like a luxury pick, with the Chargers already starting two good corners in Jammer and Cromartie. The rookie started three games due to injuries, grabbing two picks and returning one for a score. Didn’t play badly, the secondary in general struggled as the front seven failed to produce pressure.
Grade: B
28 49ers DE Kentwan Balmer
Who?
No seriously. Who?
I couldn’t pick this guy out of a lineup. The NFL website credits him with playing in 16 games, and making seven tackles, six of them all by himself!
Grade: D
29 Seahawks DE Lawrence Jackson
The Hawks D underperformed badly this year, the loss of top pass rusher Patrick Kerney hitting particularly hard. Jackson didn’t make much of an impact, totalling two sacks on the season, and both came in Week 2 against the man, the myth, the legend – J.T. O’Sullivan. Interestingly, J.T. is the first person named O’Sullivan to play in the NFL. Fact!
Grade: C-
30 Jets TE Dustin Keller
I’ll admit to being sceptical about this pick. Despite having a perfectly reasonable TE in Chris Baker (albeit a player unhappy with his contract), the Jets traded back up into the first round for Keller. His best game came against the Rams, when he topped 100 receiving yards for the first time. His best game against an actual football team came the following week in the Monday night thriller against the hated Patriots. Keller had eight receptions for 87 yards, including three big catches in overtime. He looks a good player, but I still think they had more pressing needs.
Grade: B
31 Patriots Pick
Forfeited due to Spygate and general pantomime villainy. Boo hiss!
32 Giants DB Kenny Philips
Played a part in all 16 games, starting three, and finished the season as one of the team’s leading tacklers and added a pick. Solid rather than spectacular, but didn’t do much wrong. Will probably be in the starting lineup by opening day next year.
Grade: B
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