Day 1 Draft Grade

chrisl13

I dont know why so many people hate these picks. We added 2 big receivers who can go out and catch the ball. We got probably the strongest receiver in the draft in Devin Thomas so I'm pretty grateful. I love Kelly's height and I was rooting for us to get him. As far as defense, I think we'll find someone at DE in the 4th round. We've had luck drafting DL on the second day of the draft.

Also, as far as addressing our OL needs, UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS!
We got a good one last year in Stephon Heyer so everyone, don't panic. We should embrace the beginning of our success on offense and the success that Jason Campbell will have. Can anyone say 30 TDs?

djnemo65

Who specifically?

djnemo65

Unquestionably an A for value, at least if you are evaluating these players based on common consensus.

GoSkins!

I'm going with a C for now. They could have had an A, but they passed up a good DE in Campbell. They could have easily taken him there and picked up either Davis or Kelly a couple of picks later (whichever was still there).

If you believe you pick the best player available in the second round regardless of need, then I'd grade us an A. I believe that you do it in the 1st round, but not 2nd. By the time you get to the 2nd, player talent is leveling out and I believe you have to address need.

What I'm guessing, is that they have a DT or OG targeted in the 3rd and 4th. Maybe they figured if they couldn't land Chad Johnson in a draft day trade, they would draft WR and then look to pick up a DE/DT somehow after June 1. It just seems hard for me to believe that with all the talk of Blanche identifying a big DT that can collapse the pocket as his biggest need that they have ignored d-line all together. Maybe wouldn't have happened regardless because of where we were picking.

I wonder what our picks would have looked like if we moved up 3 spots in each of our picks. Seems like we just missed a few guys.

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redwagonskins

Grade = B. Moss played 14 games last year and got 61 receptions (and in how many of those was he gimpy?). ARE played in 15 and had 51 receptions. Thats less total receptions than many #1 receivers in the league. Caldwell/Mix are obviously not the answer. When you look at past draft classes, 30-40% of guys end up being busts. What we got were two solid WRs and even if one gets Rod Gardner disease, at least we have a shot a productive big receiver. As far as TE, after Cooley, we don't have much of anything. At least now, Campbell is assured of a safety valve on every play and when we go to a 2 TE formation for run plays, other teams will have to respect the pass.
I would like to have picked up some linemen as well but we got some great value with those picks.

singlewing

C+

Without more help on O-line, JC will be scrambling.

BrudLee

C+

Individually, the players we picked not only are all valuable, but they're specifically valuable to this team. We got two big receivers who appear to have been 1 and 1A on our draft board. We got a big pass-catching TE. All those things will help this team. My concern is that we ignored needs to get them, so while they may help us as a franchise, they might not have much positive impact in 2008.

I might also add that I think Jason Taylor could be available for a Day 2 pick. There are rumors that there was an agreement in place with Tampa Bay for the 52nd pick this year. With the selection of Merling, they might be ready to move on.

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rypper11

C It was a great move trading back with Atlanta. Because of it, you get two of the guys we were considering with the #21 pick. The more I think about it taking 2 wr's this close together was probably really smart. Half of recent early round wr's bust out (Gardner, Mike Williams, Rashaun Woods, Micheal Jenkins....etc) and those that prove worthy take more than a season (Calvin Johnson, Braylon Edwards, Sinorice Moss, etc). So I guess the hope is that one of them will be a good player for the 2009 season. Davis will be a great addition. None of them will make an impact in 2008 though and with 3 picks in the early to mid second you expect at least one to be an immediate impact guy.

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redwagonskins

This was the first year of the modern draft in which they did not hold the 3rd round on day one. It will be interesting to see after they make their pick in the 3rd whether everybody will have the same "sky is falling" response.

redskins5044

why wont both see the field? this just means it will be the end for thrash or mix. mathis we strictly a returner or we coulde even release him if needed. both of these rookies will get to play. moss has had some nagging injuries the last couple years. and randle el is more of a #3 WR than a #2. these guys will get there chance this year. but in 2009 they will have a huge role in our offense

jdlea

I give them a B for getting good value, being patient and grabbing some big receivers. This was a huge need for the Skins and I'm glad they addressed it. The Fred Davis pick was a bit of a luxury, but I had every player they took higher on my board than Quentin Groves (the end I wanted).

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circa82

My first day here and I love you guys that have knowledge. O-line, D-Line? starting with D-line. We have young tackles that we are developing. Montgomery, Golston. They didnt do bad last year and may improve. Lets not forget that a little secret is that Chris Wilson is an animal rushing at DE he just needs to work on run support, but he can rush the passer. A. Carter, beast! O-line is getting Older but we get back Thomas and Jansen. Kendall is the oldest one. every one else has at least two good years. Who knows with Jansen but Stephon Heyer did well as a rookie and will get better and better. You do remember Thomas and Jansen right? The meanest S.O.B.'s on our line! We win 3 more gams last year, maybe 4 if we can just get the ball in the endzone inside the redzone. Lastly, when the day started if someone said Thomas would fall to us we'd have been excited. But if we knew we would get Thomas AND Kelly we would have all messed ourselves. Come on, give Vinny some well deserved props on this one.

Stuck in TX

B... and I feel that we could not pass on Malcolm Kelly. There is still plenty of talent left to address the DE and CB position. We still have lots of picks left with alot of quality players out there. This is a draft that I have been dreaming of for years. Dont be surprised to see Zorny go after a QB later on. We need some depth but not before we get some depth behind Dline and Def backfeild!! Overall, there isnt much we could have done (except take Flowers somewhere) to make this draft go any better.

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