 Carolina Panthers Tickets Atlanta Falcons Tickets Philadelphia Eagles Tickets NFL Football Tickets2004 KAC NFL DRAFT 2004 AFC DRAFT GRADES 2004 NFC DRAFT GRADES  2003 NFL DRAFT PROFILESA-D | E-J K-P | Q-Z | AFC GRADES | NFC GRADES FOOTBALLBASEBALLBASKETBALLHOCKEYNASCAR2003 FANTASY GOLF PREVIEWARCHIVES |
ARIZONA � You could have argued that Ben Roethlisberger would had been a better choice at #3 overall, but Dennis Green got his man in Larry Fitzgerald, who led an uncharacteristically strong Cardinal draft. LB Karlos Dansby (Round 2), DL Darnell Dockett (R-3), and C Alex Stepanovich (R-4) all became starters in 2004. OL Nick Leckey (R-6) may also crack the starting grid in �05. 7th round QB John Navarre got a late-season start but seems more like a third string type. DE Antonio Smith (R-5) was the only one who didn�t perform up to par, he is currently an NFL Europe project. GRADE: B+ (B)
ATLANTA � CB DeAngelo Hall missed a good part of 2004, but is worth every bit of his #8 overall selection, a star for years to come. WR Michael Jenkins (#29 overall) was a disappointment, more should be expected of him in �05 � anyone who saw the Pro Bowl knows that Michael Vick will find receivers if provided with the proper weapons. With Vick now signed for $100 million-plus, there is no way third-round QB Matt Schaub will ever unseat him. Schaub was a quick study last year and will keep the Falcon ship afloat if ever needed to step in for Vick for an extended period. Second-day picks Demorrio Williams (LB) and Chad Lavalais (DT) both have a chance to crack the starting lineup this fall. GRADE: B+ (B+)
BALTIMORE � Ravens didn�t have a first round pick but #51 overall selection Dwan Edwards should see time on the defensive line this year. Division II outside linebacker Roderick Green (R-5) is a project that could pay dividends down the road. Team selected three wide receivers in 2004, the best of which turned out to be sixth-round pick Clarence Moore. The teams best addition of all turned out to be return specialist B.J. Sams, who was an undrafted free agent. GRADE: C+ (C+)
BUFFALO � We will get a better feel on the Bills 2004 draft a couple years down the road when we know how new starting QB J.P. Losman pans out. Buffalo committed to Losman (#22 overall pick) pre-flop when the team cut Drew Bledsoe and his expensive salary loose. The Bills have already scored with their other first round pick, as WR Lee Evans (#13) had a huge second half and finished the year with 9 TD scores. Hard-working DT Tim Anderson (R-3) and TE Tim Euhus (R-4) also made contributions as rookies. Seventh round WR Jonathan Smith may find a niche as a return man. GRADE: B (C+)
CAROLINA � The stock of CB Chris Gamble plummeted in the days before the 2004 Draft, the Panthers definitely benefited with Gamble falling to #28 overall, with the Ohio St. product starting all 16 games and recording six interceptions. Second-round pick Keary Colbert got a golden opportunity to start after Steve Smith�s early season injury, and did well enough that the team chose not to re-sign Mushin Muhammad. G/T Travelle Wharton (R-3) improved drastically and cracked the starting lineup for the second half of the season. GRADE: B (B-)
CHICAGO � DT Tommie Harris was solid as the #14 overall pick, but the plum of the Bears draft may had been Texas CB Nathan Vasher � who somehow slid all the way to Round 4 and ended up leading the team with five interceptions worth 177 yards in returns and a score. LB Leon Joe (R-4) and DE Claude Harriott (R-5) were such flops that both got pink slips by the end of Week 1. Sixth-round QB Craig Krenzel wound up starting some games out of desperation, but he�s more destined for either third-string, the Arena League, or post-grad work at Ohio State. GRADE: C+ (B)
CINCINNATI � Bengals had 11 picks in all last year, with some hits and misses. The headliners in Cincy�s draft were Keiwan Ratliff and Madieu Williams, who went seven picks apart in the second round and soon were making huge contributions in a revamped Bengal secondary. #26 overall selection Chris Perry wasn�t called upon at all in �04, he well be expected to at least spell starter Rudi Johnson at running back. Fourth-round DE Robert Geathers was a disruptive force as a situational pass rusher. GRADE: C+ (A-)
CLEVELAND � How often does it happen that a draft pick who chooses to hold out for training camp soon finds his way onto the IR list??? That was definitely the case for TE Kellen Winslow, who was done after Week 2. Second round pick Sean Jones didn�t even make it that far, the Georgia�s safeties� season ending with a wrecked knee in June mini-camp. The second-day picks are mostly projects, although seventh-round RB Adimchinobe Echemandu could find his way into some playing time in �05. This draft edges back to respectability if Winslow and Jones can make successful recoveries GRADE: D (C+)
DALLAS � Last year at this time I thought that the Cowboys made a mistake trading down instead of drafting RB Stephen Jackson, but that Bill Parcells deserves the benefit of the doubt with his resume. Well Julius Jones (R2-#43) ended up with 819 yards and seven TD�s in a half-seasons worth of work, nice work Bill. T Jacob Rogers (R-2) and G Stephen Peterman (R-3) were dogged by injuries, and fourth round CB Bruce Thornton wound up playing behind seventh round picks Nathan Jones and Jacques Reeves, neither of whom project as major players. Early indications also suggest that trading for QB Drew Henson may be a mistake. GRADE: C+ (C+)
DENVER � LB D.J. Williams (#17 pick) turned out to be everything the Broncos could had possibly wanted, leading the team in tackles. Second-round RB Tatum Bell finally emerged as Denver�s featured back by late-season, now we�ll see if Bell can stay healthy, which has been a challenge thus far. Receivers Darius Watts (2-54) and Triandos Luke (R-6) should work their ways into more playing time in �05. And 2003 pick George Foster emerged as a stalwart on the offensive line when he wasn�t ending players careers with cut blocks. GRADE: B (B)
DETROIT � Almost all of the Lions picks worked out well. #7 overall pick Roy Williams was a stud early in the year before getting hampered with injuries, he should be future Pro-Bowler if all goes well. Late first-round pick Kevin Jones was one of the leagues best backs in the second half of the season. Just seven picks later the Lions went to work on their defense and selected Oklahoma�s Teddy Lehman, who quickly became a fixture in the Lions� linebacking corps. Third-round pick Keith Smith also made the leap from 1-AA ball and saw some action in the secondary. The second day brought LB Alex Lewis (R-5), who made an impact in nickel situations, along with tackle Kelly Butler (R-6), who is a candidate to start this year. GRADE: A- (A)
GREEN BAY � Last year at this time I ripped the Packers organization a new one for trading up to select punter B.J. Sander late in the third round. And that was assuming Sander was at least going to contribute. Imagine how I thought after Sander shanked his way to a 36-yard average in the pre-season. Attempting to save face, the Packers kept Sander and made him inactive in every game last year, and will give him another shot this summer. The Packers invested heavily in cornerbacks selecting Ahmad Carroll (1-25) and Joey Thomas (3-70), who were immediately thrown into the fire, and were brawling each other in the locker room by Week 3. Thomas showed some progress later in the season, while Carroll continued to struggle, being flagged 13 times for pass interference (and that wasn�t even counting the pre-season). Green Bay did have some second day finds in DE Corey Williams along with center Scott Wells, who was taken five picks before the end of the draft. GRADE: C- (C+)
HOUSTON � I originally thought the Texans reached a little selecting Dunta Robinson #10 overall, but he started almost immediately and was considered one of the best rookies in the league. OLB/DE Jason Babin (1-27) also had his moments and should be a contributor in the future. Houston had no second or third round picks but had helped themselves out in the second day selecting safety Glenn Earl, who quickly moved into the starting lineup. Former Nebraska QB Jammal Lord is another safety the team likes and he should see some time this coming season. GRADE: B (B-)
INDIANAPOLIS � My theory concerning holdouts and subsequent injuries happened here too. Iowa safety Bob Sanders (2-44) held out for the longest time, and was soon on the shelf after finally signing on the dotted line. That said, the Indy brass loves the potential of the hard-hitting safety. Third-round TE Ben Hartsock performed well in situational duty and will get an expanded role with veteran Marcus Pollard departed. Fourth-round CB Jason David was pressed into service due to injuries and held his own. GRADE: C+ (B-)
JACKSONVILLE � In a heavy year for wide receivers, Reggie Williams (1-9) was a disappointment and I still say a bit of a reach. The Jags actually got better value out of fourth-round pick Ernest Wilford. Second-round linebacker Daryl Smith did well before getting slowed by injury. Fifth-round kicker Josh Scobee won the job in camp and wound up having a nice season (21-26). GRADE: C+ (B)
KANSAS CITY � Best selection was probably fourth-round DE Jared Allen, who immediately supplanted veteran Vonnie Holliday. DT Junior Siavii (2-36) was the teams top draft pick but is considered too much of a project to be selected that early. The team liked what they saw out of TE Kris Wilson (2-61), but he went down with a season-ending injury in the final pre-season game. GRADE: D (B-)
MIAMI � The Dolphins were decimated by free-agent defections last off-season, and #19 overall pick Vernon Carey didn�t live up to expectations. He gets another shot this year. Miami did get value on the O-line with guard (formerly center) Red Hadnot in Round 6, Hadnot plays with a large bubble, as they like to say in draft jargon. CB Will Poole was a late-first round talent that was available in the fourth round due to injuries and baggage, and he contributed to one of the league�s best secondaries in �04. A couple of other interesting late-round cases are LB�s Tony Bua, and Derek Pope � both of whom are considered too small for new coach Nick Saban�s system. Bua is expected to move back to safety, where he played as a collegian. GRADE: C+ (B+)
MINNESOTA � DE Kenechi Udeze was top-ten on most draft boards, but slipped to #20 after a bum shoulder was revealed late in the evaluation process. Kenechi played adequately as a rookie and underwent surgery this off-season. Third round pick Darrion Scott ended up starting ahead of Udeze late in the season. Second-round LB Dontarrious Thomas has the tools, but is a bit of a project. The Vikes scored huge with a couple of fourth-round picks as injuries forced tackle Nat Dorsey and smallish RB Mewelde Moore into the starting lineup, both performed well and gained valuable experience. GRADE: B (B+)
NEW ENGLAND � Vince Wilfork was a wonderful selection at #21, and was used all over the defensive line as a rookie. The Pats then got promising TE Ben Watson with the final pick of Round 1. Watson shows plenty of promise, but was a camp holdout before (big surprise) landing on IR. Third round safety Guss Scott tore up a knee in camp and likewise spent the year on IR. Late-round head-cases Cedric Cobbs (RB) and P.K Sam (WR) have not shown much as of yet. Still a solid draft based on the two first-rounders. GRADE: B (A)
NEW ORLEANS � Saints made up for their Jonathan Sullivan reach of the year before with DE Will Smith at #18 overall, who was one of the best rookies in the league overall. WR Devery Henderson (2-50) never got up to speed after a holdout although LB Courtney Watson (2-60) immediately entrenched himself as a starter from the first day of camp. Saints had one of the best seventh-round picks with LB Colby Bockwoldt, who first made an impact on special teams before cracking the starting lineup at mid-season. GRADE: B (C+)
NY GIANTS � The jury is not out yet, but I will continue to hammer the Giants organization for taking Eli Manning off the Chargers hands for a steep price instead of just simply selecting Ben Roethlisberger. Early second-round pick Chris Snee wasted no time becoming a fixture on the O-line. Early fourth-round pick Reggie Torbor also made an impression and should have an impact as a pass-rusher this year. Sixth-round WR was on the board due to a knee injury late in his senior season, but appears to be a good pick who should see some time this year. GRADE: C+ (C)
NY JETS - #12 overall pick Jonathan Vilma was everything he was billed, and was a starter by Week 2. CB Derrick Strait (3-76) and WR Jerricho Cotchery (4-108) are both working their way to being serviceable role players. Jets scored well with three of their four seventh-round picks. LB Darrell McClover and S Rashad Washington were special-team standouts and DE Trevor Johnson held his own when forced to fill for John Abraham late in the season. GRADE: B+ (B)
OAKLAND � I usually blast the Raiders draft, and the team struck out reaching for CB Nnamdi Asomugha in the late first-round last year. But I think the front office came through big-time in 2004 with three selections that fit the Raider persona. Tackle Robert Gallery had some problems committing penalties, but otherwise is everything that would be expected from the #2 overall pick. Well before the draft last year, I billed C/G Jake Grove as a possible Barrett Robbins replacement. Coming into 2005, Jake appears headed as the latest in a long line of great Raider centers. S Stuart Schweigert also slipped in the draft due to some minor character issues, but the third-rounder has sick potential and cracked the starting lineup late in the year. Mid-round receivers Johnnie Morant and Carlos Francis have potential, but neither saw the field last year. The team may have found their tight end of the future with Courtney Anderson in Round 7. He is a nice receiver and is also developing as a blocker. Colorado St. LB Andre Sommersell had the title of Mr. Irrelevant as the final pick of the draft. Andre got caught up by a numbers game and was visited by the Turk in the final round of cuts, but was picked up by Indianapolis later on in the year. GRADE: A- (A-)
PHILADELPHIA � Had a lot of misfortune with injuries with this group, but this still might not be that bad a draft. Massive guard Shawn Andrews slipped to #16 overall, and became an Opening Day starter but broke his leg in that first game and went on IR. Late third-round CB Matt Ware injured his knee in camp, but remained on the active roster and contributed late in the year. Fourth-round pick J.R. Reed played so well that he has been mentioned as Brian Dawkins heir-apparent, but an off-season injury puts his future in doubt. Fifth-round RB Thomas Tapeh is a great human interest story, but a horrible hip injury sustained late in the year has his career in jeopardy. Seventh-round guard Adrien Clark also spent the year on IR. GRADE: C+ (B-)
PITTSBURGH � Roethlisberger falling to #11 in itself made this draft for the Steelers, although they got precious little from most of their late-rounders. Second-round CB Ricardo Colclough performed up to his press clippings and third-round tackle Max Starks should be a starter in �05. GRADE: A- (B)
ST LOUIS � The torch will be passed from Marshall Faulk to #24 overall pick Stephen Jackson in 2005. Jackson got dinged a little late in the year but otherwise was everything that was advertised. Late third-round DE Anthony Hargrove has a high motor, and cracked the lineup by late-season and will start in �05 with Bryce Fisher departed. Fourth-round LB Brandon Chillar could also challenge for a starting job this summer. QB Jeff Smoker had some issues in college that was well chronicled, but the team thinks enough of the sixth-round that he could challenge Marc Bulger at some point. Seventh-rounder Larry Turner filled in admirably on an O-line that got badly beat up by the end of the year. GRADE: B (B)
SAN DIEGO � The Chargers seemed poised to be cursed for at least another decade after the 11th hour snub by would-be #1 overall draft choice Eli Manning. The Chargers selected Eli anyways, and were able to swing him for Philip Rivers and two picks, including the #12 overall pick this year. Had hindsight been 20/20 and the Chargers knew the transformation that was about to take place with Drew Brees, the pick would had been Robert Gallery but you still can�t quibble too much � although how the organization handles the Brees/Rivers QB controversy will ultimately determine the long-term fate of last year�s first round. What we do know is that the Chargers run-defense improved drastically last year, and strongman Igor Olshansky (2-35) gets a good portion of the credit. Even without selecting Gallery, SD improved it�s O-line immensely with center Jeff Hardwick (3-66) and tackle Shane Olivea (seventh round). Second day picks Michael Turner and Ryan Krause appear to be good insurance policies for Pro-Bowlers LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates. Linebackers Shaun Phillips and Dave Ball were two more tremendous second day finds. Kicker Nate Kaeding (3-65) is best remembered so far for his playoff miss, but still had a solid rookie year (20-25). Even though it turns out that QB was not a need, the Chargers still had perhaps the best 2004 Draft of anyone. GRADE: A (A)
SAN FRANCISCO � WR Raushaun Woods (1-31) is already being labeled a bust, but it would be nice to see how he develops with an actual QB throwing to him. The team�s two second-round picks were decent, guard Justin Smiley was serviceable while CB Shawntae Spencer was one of the late-risers in the draft and quickly became a fixture in the secondary. Third-round receiver Derrick Hamilton was another disappointment and was listed among the inactives for most of the season. Niners scored well in Round 6 with punter Andy Lee (41.6 avg) along with hard-hitting safety Keith Lewis. Many believe that seventh-round QB Cody Pickett has more upside than either Ken Dorsey or Tim Rattay. GRADE: C (B+)
SEATTLE � DT Marcus Tubbs (1-23) gets a mulligan for a somewhat disappointing rookie year. Tubbs was behind in the program after tending to family issues during training camp. Seahawks scored huge in Round 2 with safety Michael Boulware, who is now being touted as a future Pro-Bowler. Lineman Sean Locklear (R-3) is a considered a project for 2006 while LB Niko Koutouvides was serviceable and played as what you would expect from a fourth-rounder when pressed into service. Seventh-round pick Donnie Jones is projected to be the Seahawks punter this year. GRADE: B- (B)
TAMPA BAY � In a deep year for wide receivers, the Bucs perhaps stole the best one of all when Michael Clayton fell to #15 overall. The rest of the draft was too much to crow about. Third-round linebacker Marquise Cooper contributed on special teams, along with former Ohio State safety Will Allen (R-4). The picks in Rounds 5-7 consisted of inactives, practice squad participants, and two others who were sent walking before the end of camp. GRADE: C+ (C+)
TENNESSEE � Did not pick until #40 overall, but had 12 picks for the entire draft � several of which will be expected to step in on a team that has been decimated by the salary cap. Those in fantasy leagues looking for a tight end should look towards Ben Troupe (R-2), who started to fulfill his potential late in the year. Defensive ends Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom were also taken in round 2, but the team is now higher on Bo Schobel, a fourth-round selection. The plum of this harvest may be former Maryland tackle Randy Starks, a first-round talent that fell to #71 overall. Fifth-rounder Jacob Bell (Miami, OH) held his own on the offensive line, but tore an ACL late in the year. GRADE: B- (B+)
WASHINGTON � With only four picks in all, how this draft pans out depends on which direction safety Sean Taylor goes � this grade could end up as an A or an F three years from now. Taylor is a tremendous talent, but also had some off-the field issues. Third-round TE Chris Cooley seems to fit in the long line of Joe Gibbs H-backs. Second day linemen Mark Wilson and Jim Molinaro were both pressed into service, and Molinaro was even moved to the defensive line in a desperation move late in the year. GRADE: C+ (B)