NFL Draft – Who got it right and who screwed up

When you think about it, what goes into selecting young men to build a football team, it is a lot like a NASCAR race. The strong teams have the right people in place to succeed and they have a very clear understanding of the task, no matter where their position is in the field (draft board). Others view the race (upcoming season) as reason to take chances and try to make the right moves that will help not only this year, but in the future as well. Also, there are others who could have the best car in the field and they would go hire Cal Naughton, Jr. as their driver.

The NFL draft’s impact as a whole is seldom felt or correctly determined until three or more years down the road, when all aspects can be judged. Were starters added, based on value of draft position and was adequate depth brought in to help when injuries occur. Nevertheless, subjective evaluation can be determined by where most experts thought players should be drafted and how each NFL team presumably improved there stock for upcoming season and beyond.

Teams Taking Step Forward

Kansas City Chiefs

For the second year in a row, the Chiefs added to foundation of turnaround with a completely new front office. The New England flavor was apparent with new Kansas City GM Scott Pioli running the show. The defensive front is a priority, taking DE Tyson Jackson and DT Alex Magee to blend with Glenn Dorsey. If this group matures quickly, they can cover up other defensive weaknesses and within a year or two the Chiefs are right in the thick of AFC West race again, with San Diego and Denver coming back to the pack.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The running game slipped to 18th last season in north Florida and coach Jack Del Rio needed reinforcements to upgrade the offensive line to play his preferred style. Picking offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton takes Jacksonville towards short term goal of establishing running game and protecting quarterback David Garrard.

Cincinnati Bengals

Some draftniks were not as impressed with the Bengals draft as whole, but for a team needing something more than a collection of average players, Cincinnati met those requirements. Supposedly OT Andre Smith and LB Rey Maulaluga have character issues, but that is why coaches are asked to make players accountable. How has Randy Moss done in New England, trouble-maker, I think not. These two are arguably as good as any players at there positions coming out of college and neither is finished product, meaning with proper coaching, they have room to grow. DE Michael Johnson could be passing rushing specialist off the edge and TE Chase Coffman has to be inviting target to Carson Palmer as real threat all over the field.

New York Jets

Give credit to GM Mike Tannenbaum for being aggressive and going after the player he wanted in Mark Sanchez. The feeling one gets in watching Sanchez is he seems ideal for New York, with confident easy manner. He might not be prototypical laser thrower, but he can make all the right throws and has look of natural born leader. RB Shonn Green doesn’t have 0-60 speed, but he makes people miss in the hole and runs for the tough yards on third down. Did a lot with a little.

New England Patriots

The best organization in football flows like the St. Charles River. After just missing on perfect year and another Super Bowl in 2007, New England has committed to rebuilding with youth, with not much perceptible dip in productivity, after finishing 11-5 with a quarterback who had essentially not played in the NFL before last year. S Patrick Chang and CB Darius Butler should make secondary better, possibly as soon as late in the season. DT Ron Brace helps keep defensive front stout and three offensive linemen if as good as the Patriots believe, will add depth and be possible replacements down the line. As usual, Bill Belichick secured even more future picks. Rollin’ down the river.

Green Bay Packers

General Manager Ted Thompson took a great deal of heat for Brett Favre ordeal last year, but this is his strength and it showed. B.J. Raji is perfect nose tackle in new 3-4 defense scheme and Clay Mathews is versatile, intelligent linebacker who adds spice to what has been vanilla defense. The offensive linemen will be expected to work their way up the ladder as eventual replacements.

Teams Taking Step Backward

Oakland Raiders

Honestly have no idea if Darius Heyward-Bey will be a star, but I do know the seventh player taken in the draft should be a fairly complete player. Some TV analysts were trying to cover up for Al Davis saying Cliff Branch was raw player coming out of college, who cares, that was 37 years ago. You seldom hear of a top 10 pick exceeding expectations, however you hear about a whole truck-full that doesn’t live up to expectations. Oakland is smarter than everyone else, that is why they drafted S Michael Mitchell, whom most projected as latter round draft choice. Another throw away draft for organization living in the past.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers need a quarterback, but having seen Byron Leftwich play in the NFL all these years, Josh Freeman looks like the second coming. The big man has all the intangibles, however most agree, something is missing. The windup delivery should surface as problem and he doesn’t possess the greatest mobility, which would be less of issue if he released the ball quicker. DT Roy Miller is known as plugger and DE Kyle Moore has potential, not what you would call electrifying.

Buffalo Bills

Aaron Maybin may be the pass rushing specialist the Bills have lacked at linebacker for years; nonetheless, the term “one year wonder” has to creep into conversation, since that is how long he started at Penn State. Trading away Jason Peters meant offensive line needs had to be addressed and neither C Eric Wood nor Andy Levitre was not distinguished players who overwhelmed scouts. CB Jairus Byrd could save this pedestrian looking group for a team off a trio of 7-9 seasons.