CBS Sportsline: 2000 Draft Grades, Then and Now.

[az643dp]

This is quite interesting:

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/6356407

Part One:

Arizona Cardinals
2000 SportsLine.com grade: A. 2003 grade for same class: D.

Best pick: The Cardinals were right on in taking defensive tackle Darwin Walker in the third round. Too bad they cut him and he now starts for the Eagles.

Blown pick: They used the seventh overall pick on Jones, a major bust. He is being shopped in a trade, which tells how quickly things went bad for him.

Comment: The only starters they got from this draft were linebacker Raynoch Thompson, a decent player they took in the third round, and corner David Barrett, a nice choice as a fourth-round pick. Blowing the Jones pick brings the grade down in a big way.


Atlanta Falcons
2000 SportsLine.com grade: D 2003 grade for same class: C-

Best pick: Tough to find one, but we'll go with second-round pick Travis Claridge, who has started 43 of 46 games at both guard and tackle.

Blown pick: Third-round pick Mark Simoneau was traded away this spring to the Eagles for a draft pick. Eleven picks later, the Jets took Laveranues Coles, who would have ended the Falcons' pursuit for a speed receiver.

Comment: Aside from Claridge, they got little from this draft. The way their draft went, you get the feeling they would have blown the first-round pick had they had one. That went to Baltimore in 1999 for a second-round pick that turned out to be tight end Reggie Kelly, who is no longer on the team after signing with the Bengals as a free agent.


Baltimore Ravens
2000 SportsLine.com grade: A 2003 grade for same class: B+

Best pick: Running back Jamal Lewis, taken with the fifth overall pick, was a risk at the time, but he has proved to be worth it.

Blown pick: Travis Taylor starts at receiver, and is coming off his best year, but was he worth the 10th overall pick?

Comment: Took quarterback Chris Redman in the third round and found defensive end Adalius Thomas in the sixth round. Defensive tackle Cedric Woodard, the team's other sixth-round pick, now plays a major role in Seattle. Lewis was a hit with the pick that came from the Falcons.


Buffalo Bills
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 Grade for same class: D

Best pick: Fifth-round pick Sammy Morris has been a contributor at times in his career, although he didn't provide much last season.

Blown pick: The Bills were desperate for a pass-rusher and took Erik Flowers with the 26th pick in the first round. He has proved to be a major bust.

Comment: After looking at this draft, the Bills should get down on their knees and kiss the ground for bringing Tom Donahoe in as general manager.


Carolina Panthers
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: C-

Best pick: Sixth-rounder Jeno James has started at both guard and tackle since coming to the Panthers. He has 12 starts, including two last season.

Blown pick: First-rounder Rashard Anderson was suspended for all of 2002 and his future is up in the air with a hearing for reinstatement scheduled for May.

Comment: Anderson was a risk coming out of school, but the Panthers gambled anyway. Second-round pick Deon Grant has developed into a solid starter at safety.


Chicago Bears
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: A

Best pick: Some people thought they were crazy taking Brian Urlacher with the ninth overall pick. Who thinks so now?

Blown pick: Third-round pick Dez White has played in his three seasons, but Coles went nine picks after he did. White isn't in that class.

Comment: An outstanding draft. They got Urlacher, starting safeties Mike Brown (second) and Mike Green (seventh) and kicker Paul Edinger (sixth).


Cincinnati Bengals
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B+ 2003 grade for same class: D

Best pick: Tough to find one here, so we'll go with kicker Neil Rackers, who was a sixth-round pick. He bounced back from a bad 2001 season to have a decent 2002.

Blown pick: Using the fourth pick on a smallish receiver is always a risk, and that proved to be true with the Bengals' pick of Peter Warrick. He has played and produced, but not nearly as well as that pick would warrant.

Comment: Warrick is the only non-specialist starter from this draft. Now we know why the Bengals picked first this year.


Cleveland Browns
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: F

Best pick: Second-round pick Dennis Northcutt is a quality receiver who also makes plays in the return game.

Blown pick: They used the first overall pick on defensive end Courtney Brown, but he has not paid the dividends they expected. He doesn't play with fire and he has been injury prone.

Comment: They had 13 picks in this draft and Brown is the only one of those players currently penciled in as a definite starter. Ugh.


Dallas Cowboys
2000 SportsLine.com grade: C 2003 grade for same class: D

Best pick: The Cowboys took two other corners before using a sixth-round pick on Mario Edwards, and he's the only one left on the roster. Edwards started all 16 games last year, but will be pushed for his job by 2003 top pick Terence Newman.

Blown pick: Second-round DB Dwayne Goodrich was a need pick that didn't work out. He was cut this spring after a car accident for which he's facing criminal charges.

Comment: Edwards and fifth-rounder Michael Wiley are the only two players left on the roster. Now we know why Jerry Jones needed Bill Parcells.


Denver Broncos
2000 SportsLine.com grade: C 2003 grade for same class: B+

Best pick: They got an over-aged running back out of Utah named Mike Anderson in the sixth round. All he did was rush for 1,000 yards as a rookie and he now starts at fullback.

Blown pick: You have to move all the way to the fourth round to see a blown pick, with that being defensive tackle Jerry Johnson.

Comment: They got three defensive starters with their first three picks in cornerback Deltha O'Neal (first), linebacker Ian Gold (second) and safety Kenoy Kennedy (second). Add in Anderson and that's quite a nice haul.


Detroit Lions
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: C-

Best pick: Seventh-rounder Alfonso Boone has developed into a solid defensive tackle. Too bad he's now with the Bears after Detroit cut him.

Blown pick: The Lions took tackle Stockar McDougle with the 20th overall pick, but he hasn't played up to that level. He has battled weight troubles and injuries in his three years, starting just 22 of a possible 48 games.

Comment: Second-rounder Barrett Green has proved to be the best player from this draft, starting 24 games the past two seasons.


Green Bay Packers
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: A+

Best pick: So many to choose from, but we'll go with fifth-round pick Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilla, who has developed into a pass-rushing force and just signed a huge contract.

Blown pick: Third-round pick Steve Warren had too many injury problems and was let go last season.

Comment: This draft is a tribute to former GM Ron Wolf. In addition to KGB, the Packers got four other starters from this draft. They are Bubba Franks (first), Chad Clifton (second), Na'il Diggs (fourth) and tackle Mark Tauscher (seventh).


Indianapolis Colts
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: B

Best pick: Fourth-round DT Josh Williams is a decent player who has started at times for the Colts. He was limited to three starts last season because of injuries.

Blown pick: There are some who would say Rob Morris was a blown pick with the 28th overall selection, but he started to come into his own last year.

Comment: They got four starters in the first four picks, which is impressive. Linebacker Marcus Washington and cornerback David Macklin were the other two defensive starters acquired in that draft.


Jacksonville Jaguars
2000 SportsLine.com grade: C 2003 grade for same class: C-

Best pick: Second-rounder Brad Meester has been a starter since his rookie year and will move from guard to center this year.

Blown pick: Taking receiver R.Jay Soward in the first round was a risk that backfired in a bad way for this team. The Jags haven't been the same since.

Comment: Taking Soward really lowers the grade from a draft that produced Meester, linebacker T.J. Slaughter, nickel corner Kiwaukee Thomas and another solid linebacker in Danny Clark.


Kansas City Chiefs
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: C

Best pick: Fifth-rounder Dante Hall has developed into a big-play threat as a receiver and a return man.

Blown pick: Wide receiver Sylvester Morris blew out a knee as a rookie and has never produced much, which has left a void in the Kansas City offense.

Comment: If Morris was healthy, this would have been a good draft. They got starting corner William Bartee in the second and starting safety Greg Wesley in the third.

 

[az643dp]

Part Two:

Miami Dolphins
2000 SportsLine.com grade: C 2003 grade for same class: C-

Best pick: Second-round pick Todd Wade has been a starter at right tackle since his rookie year. He had a good year in 2003.

Blown pick: Third-round corner Ben Kelly was a major disappointment and has been let go. He's now in New England.

Comment: In addition to Wade, the only other starter they got from this draft was safety Arturo Freeman (fifth).


Minnesota Vikings
2000 SportsLine.com grade: C 2003 grade for same class: B-

Best pick: First-rounder Chris Hovan, taken with the 25h overall pick, has developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Blown pick: They reached with their second second-round pick to take Miami defensive end Michael Boireau and foot problems ruined his chances of playing in Minnesota.

Comment: Hovan and second-round pick Fred Robbins make up the interior of the defensive line, which brings the grade up some.


New England Patriots
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: B-

Best pick: They took a quarterback named Tom Brady in the sixth round and all he did was become a Super Bowl MVP.

Blown pick: Tackle Adrian Klemm, the team's second-round pick, has been a major disappointment, starting only 10 of a possible 48 games after being hindered by injuries.

Comment: Any draft that produces a starting quarterback the caliber of Brady deserves a decent grade. But he's about it from this class.


New Orleans Saints
2000 SportsLine.com grade: C 2003 grade for same class: C-

Best pick: Darren Howard, taken in the second round, has been a quality starter and is entering what should be his best years.

Blown pick: They didn't have a first-round pick, traded away in the Ricky Williams deal to Washington, so we'll go with fifth-round pick Tutan Reyes, a tackle who is no longer with the team.

Comment: They hit on two late picks, fifth-rounder Chad Morton and sixth-rounder Marc Bulger, although both of those players are with other teams. Howard is a quality get from this draft.


N.Y. Giants
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: C

Best pick: Fourth-round pick Brandon Short is a solid starter who is coming off his best year.

Blown pick: They took Ron Dayne with the 11th overall pick, and they are still considering letting him walk. He has been too slow to the hole to be an effective runner in the NFL. But it's tough to give up on premium picks.

Comment: Second-round DT Cornelius Griffin was a quality starter -- before having an off year -- joining Short on a good defense. They also got return man Ron Dixon in this draft.


N.Y. Jets
2000 SportsLine.com grade: A 2003 Grade for the same class: A+

Best pick: They took Coles in the third round and he developed into a big-play receiver who bolted for the Redskins in free agency.

Blown pick: Shaun Ellis has been a decent starter, but he certainly hasn't lived up to being the 12th player taken.

Comment: They had two extra first-round picks thanks to the Keyshawn Johnson trade and ended up with four quality starters with the four first-round picks, including quarterback Chad Pennington. It was hard to fail in this draft.


Oakland Raiders
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: C+

Best pick: After a slow start, second-round pick Jerry Porter has developed into a big-play threat. He is the Raiders' best receiver.

Blown pick: Fourth-round pick Junior Ioane has produced no starts in his three seasons with the team.

Comment: First-rounder Sebastian Janikowski was a reach, even though he is now a solid kicker. But is he worth the 17th overall pick?


Philadelphia Eagles
2000 SportsLine.com grade: C 2003 grade for same class: C

Best pick: They used the sixth overall pick on defensive tackle Corey Simon, who has proved to be worth the pick and more. He's a Pro Bowl talent.

Blown pick: Second-round guard Bobbie Williams has proved to be a major disappointment, getting just one start in three years.

Comment: Simon and second-round WR Todd Pinkston are the only hits in this draft. That's not good enough.


Pittsburgh Steelers
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B+ 2003 grade for same class: B

Best pick: Second-rounder Marvel Smith is the team's starting right tackle, although he might move to the left side. He is a quality player.

Blown pick: Fourth-round WR Danny Farmer was let go after his rookie season and is now in Cincinnati.

Comment: They did get Plaxico Burress (first) and defensive tackle Kendick Clancy (fourth) in this draft, which were both good picks to go with Smith.


San Diego Chargers
2000 SportsLine.com grade: D 2003 grade for same class: C

Best pick: Third-round T Damion McIntosh has started 24 games the past two seasons, including 10 last year.

Blown pick: Receiver Trevor Gaylor, the team's fourth-round pick, was traded to Atlanta last season.

Comment: They didn't have a first-round pick, but got starters in second-round FS Rogers Beckett and McIntosh; fourth-round DT Leonardo Carson is a nice player on the defensive line.


Seattle Seahawks
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: B+

Best pick: There were some eyes opened when they used a first-round pick on running back Shaun Alexander with Ricky Watters on the roster, but that was certainly the right move.

Blown pick: Second-round pick Ike Charlton was a major disappointment and is now with the Jaguars.

Comment: In addition to Alexander, they got quality starters in receiver Darrell Jackson (third) and Isaiah Kacyvenski (fourth).


San Francisco 49ers
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: A

Best pick: First-round LB Julian Peterson is one of the better first-round picks from this draft. He has developed into a nice all-around linebacker.

Blown pick: Third-round QB Giovanni Carmazzi was beaten out by seventh-rounder Tim Rattay.

Comment: They had 11 picks in this draft and did a heck of a job with those picks. They got their starting corners (Ahmed Plummer and Jason Webster) and two quality front-seven players in Peterson and John Engleberger (second).


St. Louis Rams
2000 SportsLine.com grade: C 2003 grade for same class: D

Best pick: Sixth-round DB Matt Bowen just signed a nice free-agent contract with the Redskins, but he never played for the Rams.

Blown pick: Coach Mike Martz was the one who wanted running back Trung Canidate in the first round, and he is the one who traded him to the Redskins this year.

Comment: The only quality player from this draft who will still be a major contributor this year is fifth-round DT Brian Young.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: C-

Best pick: Sixth-round pick SS David Gibson was traded to Indianapolis last year where he played some as a starter.

Blown pick: Second-round guard Cosey Coleman has been a starter, but he has lost his job to Jason Whittle.

Comment: They won a Super Bowl in part because they had Keyshawn Johnson, who they traded two first-rounders to get in this draft, but this draft didn't produce a player who will start next season.


Tennessee Titans
2000 SportsLine.com grade: B 2003 grade for same class: A

Best pick: Linebacker Peter Sirmon just signed a new contract that will keep him in Tennessee. Not bad for a fourth-round pick who has developed into a quality starter.

Blown pick: Third-round DE Byron Frisch was a major disappointment and was let go in 2001.

Comment: They got some good players from this draft, including underrated linebacker Keith Bullock, who came in the first round. Tight end Erron Kinney (third), Sirmon and sixth-round DE Robaire Smith also were nice picks.


Washington Redskins
2000 SportsLine.com grade: A 2003 grade for same class: B

Best pick: When the Browns took Courtney Brown, they were left with LB LaVar Arrington with the second pick and they're glad that's the way it worked out.

Blown pick: Third-rounder Lloyd Harrison never developed into the cover corner they though he would become.

Comment: In addition to Arrington, they got tackle Chris Samuels with the third pick. It would have been tough to blow those two picks, but they deserve credit for hitting on them. Not much else from this draft, though.

 

[green machine]

Just goes to show how we won't know how good this draft is for a few years. Nice link.

adam

 

[arthurracoon]

Maybe it's better getting a D now and an A in two years instead of an A now and a D in two years.

 

[az643dp]

Originally posted by arthurracoon
Maybe it's better getting a D now and an A in two years instead of an A now and a D in two years.

You sir, are correct!

 

[az643dp]

2003 Grade From Prisco:

Arizona Cardinals
Best pick: Florida State receiver Anquan Boldin didn't run well during his workouts, but he plays faster than his 40 times. He will be a good slot receiver in the next few years.

Worst pick: Pittsburgh linebacker Gerald Hayes has some speed limitations, and that's not exactly what you want in this era with teams getting so fast on offense.

Reach: Wake Forest defensive end Calvin Pace has some pass-rush ability, but he went higher than he should have, taken at No. 18 in the first round.

Comment: They could have had the impact defensive end in Terrell Suggs had they stayed put at No. 6. That was the right thing to do. Getting Pace and receiver Bryant Johnson with those picks will be closely scrutinized for the next couple of years. They made a good choice in sixth-round pick Tony Gilbert, a linebacker from Georgia.

Grade: C-.

 

[arthurracoon]

[Wishfull Thinking]

Arizona Cardinals
2003 SportsLine.com grade: C-. 2006 grade for same class: A+.

Best pick: The Cardinals were right on taking defensive end Calvin Pace in the first round even though he was a reach.

Blown pick: there were none

Comment: Johnson is an all pro while Boldin is a solid slot WR. Pace is a future HOF.

[/Wishful Thinking]

I can dream, can't I.

[Wishful Thinking] Super Bowl Bound!!!! [/Wishful Thinking]

 

[Houdini]

That's an interesting article. Their grades were off on several teams, which is another reason why people shouldn't get to rattled if a team drafts a player that isn't high on one of those pre-draft rating guides.

What I wish we could see, is the draft boards of all the NFL teams after the draft is done to see how the different teams rated all the players. We'll never get to see it, but I wish we could.

 

[spanky]

It wasn't a bad draft..........three out of the top for picks have produced.......albeit Walker is now in Philly.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by az643dp
This is quite interesting:

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/6356407

Comment: The only starters they got from this draft were linebacker Raynoch Thompson, a decent player they took in the third round, and corner David Barrett, a nice choice as a fourth-round pick. Blowing the Jones pick brings the grade down in a big way.

I thought that Thompson was a second Rounder

 

[Krangodnzr]

Re: Re: CBS Sportsline: 2000 Draft Grades, Then and Now.

Originally posted by MadCardDisease
I thought that Thompson was a second Rounder

Yep, you are correct! I was thinking the same thing....Imagine how good that draft would have been if we had drafted Urlacher and kept Darwin Walker....

 

[MadRob]

This years first round picks weren't reaches...

Oakland has stated outright that they would have taken Pace at the end of the first round had he been there, and several teams picking in the twenties were hoping to go for Johnson.... This years draft hopefully will be one that goes from D to A...

 

[Russ Smith]

Re: This years first round picks weren't reaches...

Originally posted by MadRob
Oakland has stated outright that they would have taken Pace at the end of the first round had he been there, and several teams picking in the twenties were hoping to go for Johnson.... This years draft hopefully will be one that goes from D to A...

Interesting do you have a quote for that comment by Oakland? I'm not doubting it I just know Sunday evening day 2 of the draft local tv channel 7 had their Raiders show on discussing their draft. ARtie Gigantino who is on the show(former coach) said that while he understood the criticism of their first round picks as being reaches "at least it wasn't Calvin Pace at 18 what a reach the Raiders had him as a 4th rounder with a medical asterisk on their board".

I would love to know if that was really how the Raiders had him rated or if the whole thing was a bluff because they liked Pace?
After the draft that comment was one reason I was really unhappy with the pick but in hindsight the Raiders may very well have been trying to sneak Pace to their pick. Gigantino is an "insider" but not so much of one that he would know for sure if the draft board they were showing him was their actual board.

Nobody ever tells the truth on the draft I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Raiders planned to take him in round 1.

I do know they drafted a LB from Fresno State named Sam Russell that they are converting to DE. He's gone from 245 to 260 and still runs a 4.57 40. The paper said Raider coaches were instructed to keep full "radio silence" about Russell prior to the draft because they didn't want anybody else to pick him out from under them. They think he's going to be a good pass rusher down the line he's 6'5" with long arms but he was mainly used in coverage in college.

They may have had the opposite plan with Pace tell people he's injured so they'll pass on him.

 

[MadRob]

I've heard it a few times... I know most recently on the Deus... but I'll look for the quote...

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by MadRob
I've heard it a few times... I know most recently on the Deus... but I'll look for the quote...

Don't bother the more I think about it the more it makes sense the injury asterisk comment was so people wouldn't think they wanted Pace. That's how Al Davis operates he either says nothing or gives total misinformation.

I've read since they had McGahee off their board until round 3 at the earliest, of course everyone had the Raiders using a #1 pick on him until Buffalo beat them to it, but the claim is they wouldn't pick him before round 3.

Thanks I hadn't heard that another thing that makes me feel better about the Pace pick.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Re: Re: This years first round picks weren't reaches...

Originally posted by Russ Smith
Interesting do you have a quote for that comment by Oakland? I'm not doubting it I just know Sunday evening day 2 of the draft local tv channel 7 had their Raiders show on discussing their draft. ARtie Gigantino who is on the show(former coach) said that while he understood the criticism of their first round picks as being reaches "at least it wasn't Calvin Pace at 18 what a reach the Raiders had him as a 4th rounder with a medical asterisk on their board".

I would love to know if that was really how the Raiders had him rated or if the whole thing was a bluff because they liked Pace?
After the draft that comment was one reason I was really unhappy with the pick but in hindsight the Raiders may very well have been trying to sneak Pace to their pick. Gigantino is an "insider" but not so much of one that he would know for sure if the draft board they were showing him was their actual board.

Nobody ever tells the truth on the draft I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Raiders planned to take him in round 1.

I do know they drafted a LB from Fresno State named Sam Russell that they are converting to DE. He's gone from 245 to 260 and still runs a 4.57 40. The paper said Raider coaches were instructed to keep full "radio silence" about Russell prior to the draft because they didn't want anybody else to pick him out from under them. They think he's going to be a good pass rusher down the line he's 6'5" with long arms but he was mainly used in coverage in college.

They may have had the opposite plan with Pace tell people he's injured so they'll pass on him.

No, his name is Sam Williams....he is a workout warrior, that I looked up. He was always about the 4th or 5th best defender on Fresno State.

 

[Russ Smith]

Re: Re: Re: This years first round picks weren't reaches...

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
No, his name is Sam Williams....he is a workout warrior, that I looked up. He was always about the 4th or 5th best defender on Fresno State.

Yep Sam Russell is a contact at my air conditioning vendor at work!

Davis is raving about Williams I admit I've never seen him play.

 

[Lex]

I don't see how we deserve a D on that draft. Darwin Walker was cut because he refused to play for us. When he got picked up by Philly, he was quoted as saying he only wanted to play for the Eagles, his home town team.

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if TJ does well when he gets out of here. He seems to be cut from the same cloth as Walker.

There should be a remedy for this problem, that seems to happen to us, over, and over, and over.

 

[CardinalChris]

Re: Re: Re: Re: This years first round picks weren't reaches...

Originally posted by Russ Smith
Yep Sam Russell is a contact at my air conditioning vendor at work!

Davis is raving about Williams I admit I've never seen him play.

That's because he's always hurt. Flash in the pan type. FS defenders never translate to good pro careers. But every year they put a decent defense together.

The Walker debate rages again.... He was a one gap tackle drfated in a two gap defense. He was simply shovd around and a HORRIBLE pick by the front office because he didn't fit what Tobin wanted from his DTs.

 

[CardinalChris]

Originally posted by Lex
I don't see how we deserve a D on that draft. Darwin Walker was cut because he refused to play for us. When he got picked up by Philly, he was quoted as saying he only wanted to play for the Eagles, his home town team.

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if TJ does well when he gets out of here. He seems to be cut from the same cloth as Walker.

There should be a remedy for this problem, that seems to happen to us, over, and over, and over.

Unlike most drafts AZ has had, a few of the non-first rounders have shown some ability.

 

[CardinalChris]

I also saw that Pace was #3 DE on our board... and rumor says we wanted McDougle......... That means he was higher on the Cards board than guys like Kelsay and Haynes.... I think that is sort of interesting.