Todd Prisco's Overall Draft Grades

[Ravnet]

Per CBS Sports, here are some notable evaluations,

[quote]Cincinnati Bengals
- Best pick: They didn't get scared off of Andre Smith because of his post-playing issues. This is a Pro Bowl tackle.
- Questionable move: Taking Rey Maualuga in the second round. He's a thumper, but he lacks the coverage skills.
- Second-day gem: Third-round pick Chase Coffman is a tight end who should be a factor as a rookie in the passing game.
For a team that has been ripped for poor drafting the past decade or so, they did a really nice job. This draft might just make them a playoff team.
[b]- Overall grade: B+[/b]

Baltimore Ravens
- Best pick: Second-round pick Paul Kruger is a tough player who will push for time as a 3-4 rush player. He fits with the Ravens.
- Questionable move: Passing on a receiver or a corner to take Michael Oher. I get that you take big people when you can, but they needed other help.
- Second-day gem: They really don't need a running back, but landing Virginia's Cedric Peerman in the sixth round is a nice pick.
They always seem to land good players. Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta are good at what they do.
[b]- Overall grade: B[/b]

Pittsburgh Steelers
- Best pick: Evander Hood was a nice pick in the first round because age is becoming an issue on their defensive line.
- Questionable move: Waiting until the third round to address the offensive line and doing so only once.
- Second-day gem: Fourth-round pick Mike Wallace is a speedy receiver who could help fill the void left by Nate Washington.
Kevin Colbert remains one of the league's most underrated talent evaluators.
[b]- Overall grade: B[/b]

Cleveland Browns analysis Grade
- Best pick: I love the pick of receiver Brian Robiskie in the second round. He will be a starter as a rookie.
- Questionable move: Trading down as much as they did and not quite getting the value they deserved. The Jets got the better of them in that deal for the fifth pick.
- Second-day gem: Sixth-round pick James Davis was a highly rated back a year ago, but he struggled as a senior. There is talent there.
I like some of their picks, but they didn't get enough in their trade downs.
[b]- Overall grade: C [/b][/quote]

Summary: The Ravens/Steelers succeeded once again, the Bengals took a bunch of high risk/reward players, and the Browns remain a terrible organization despite stealing yet another Baltimore front office member.

[theFRANCHISE]

I find it questionable in itself that this guy would question the selection of Michael Oher over a receiver or corner, when corner isn't a pressing need (we have NINE freaking corners now, after the drafting of Webb in the 3rd round -- that's not a bad thing), and the only receivers worth taking in the 1st round were already gone.

Now, that's not a complete knock on the guys drafted after the Ravens picked at 23rd, but those guys didn't belong in the 1st round and could've easily gone in the 2nd round instead.

[Moderator 2]

B is what I would have said too. They drafted BPA.

[ChiseBack(CB)]

For the record the Bengals always seem to draft well, it's just when they put that uniform on things start to go wrong.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='187326' date='Apr 27 2009, 12:31 AM']and the only receivers worth taking in the 1st round were already gone.[/quote]

I use that same logic to justify Ozzie passing on a wide receiver in round two; with Crabtree, Maclin, Britt, DHB, Nicks, and Robiskie off the board, drafting for need and bringing in a WR would have been a major, major reach.

By the way, the story of OJ Brigance is being shown on ESPN right now. His ability to articulate has really deteriorated, and it's truly sad.

[Sizzle]

[quote name='ChiseBack(CB)' post='187329' date='Apr 27 2009, 12:33 AM']For the record the Bengals always seem to draft well, it's just when they put that uniform on things start to go wrong.[/quote]
I hear ya. there is just some thing in those jerseys no one can explain.

[Sizzle]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='187330' date='Apr 27 2009, 12:33 AM']I use that same logic to justify Ozzie passing on a wide receiver in round two; with Crabtree, Maclin, Britt, DHB, Nicks, and Robiskie off the board, drafting for need and bringing in a WR would have been a major, major reach.

By the way, the story of OJ Brigance is being shown on ESPN right now. His ability to articulate has really deteriorated, and it's truly sad.[/quote]
Oh crap. I wish him well.

[Grand Weepers]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='187326' date='Apr 27 2009, 12:31 AM']I find it questionable in itself that this guy would question the selection of Michael Oher over a receiver or corner, when corner isn't a pressing need (we have NINE freaking corners now, after the drafting of Webb in the 3rd round -- that's not a bad thing), and the only receivers worth taking in the 1st round were already gone.

Now, that's not a complete knock on the guys drafted after the Ravens picked at 23rd, but those guys didn't belong in the 1st round and could've easily gone in the 2nd round instead.[/quote]

Agreed. This analysis seems suspect. Did they get paid to write this?

[Ravnet]

Per [url="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9501382"]John Czarnecki[/url]

[b]Cincinnati[/b]

This has a chance to be one of the best drafts in Bengals history, especially if Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith and USC middle linebacker Rey Maualuga develop into All-Pro performers. Both have the ability to be great NFL players. Maualuga slid into the second round because of off-the-field issues, plus the fact that he didn't call the defense at USC despite being a middle linebacker. But Maualuga is an upbeat, physical player who can lead in the locker room. Smith's bad body got him in trouble with some teams, but he weighed in at 333 pounds this week, plus Alabama head coach Nick Saban totally supported his status as a high pick.

Missouri TE Chase Coffman, 6-5, broke his foot in the Alamo Bowl game vs. Northwestern, but he has a pro pedigree, being the son of former Packers tight end Paul Coffman. Georgia Tech pass rusher Michael Johnson has great physical skills although many scouts thought he took many plays off on Saturdays. A local kid, Cincinnati punter Kevin Huber, won the Ray Guy Award as the nation's best punter last season. [b]Grade: A[/b]

[b]Baltimore[/b]

GM Ozzie Newsome made a bold move to trade up and select Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher at No. 23. Oher was rated in the top 12 on most teams' draft boards and was considered the smartest player at his position.

Utah's Paul Kruger reminds me of Jared Allen, a high-motor pass rusher who seems to fit Baltimore's defensive scheme. Texas Christian University inside linebacker Jason Phillips will be given a shot to replace the departed Bart Scott. [b]Grade: B-[/b]

[b]Pittsburgh[/b]

The Steelers took Evander "Ziggy" Hood, a very good inside pass rusher from the defensive tackle position. Hood was the only player the Steelers took in the first two rounds because they don't have many needs. They took undersized Penn State center A.Q. Shipley in the seventh round, but scouts think this kid knows how to play despite his limitations.

The Steelers went for a two-gapping defensive tackle in Oregon's Ra'Shon Harris in the sixth round and took a blocking tight end in David Johnson of Arkansas State at the end of the seventh round. [b]Grade: C[/b]
[b]
Cleveland
[/b]
There's a good chance that Eric Mangini's former employer, the Jets, picked the Browns' pocket. Cleveland didn't get enough value for the fifth overall spot in the first round from the Jets, unless you really love Jets safety Abram Elam, DE Kenyon Coleman and third-string QB Brett Ratliff. Well, Mangini does love those players and that's why he pulled the trigger on the draft's biggest trade. The Rams may not be the best judge, but they passed on these same players.

Cal center Alex Mack should eventually be a starter and the fans had to love Buckeyes WR Brian Robiskie in the second round. Hawaii's David Veikune is a project at outside linebacker, but he does have power and good hands. [b]Grade: C[/b]

[Ravnet]

By the way, if a Mod wishes to change this thread title to "Overall Draft Grades," then I can just post grades from many different sites.

[lowrider]

[quote name='ChiseBack(CB)' post='187329' date='Apr 27 2009, 12:33 AM']For the record the Bengals always seem to draft well, it's just when they put that uniform on things start to go wrong.[/quote]
The bungals for a reason. They would draft Andre Smith who went a little crazy before the draft.

[Ed_Reed20]

These draft grades mean nothing until the players hit the field.

[Ravnet]

Better yet, just go to this link - [url="http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/story?id=4104114"]http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/story?id=4104114[/url]

ESPN has taken grades from numerous "credible" sources and averaged out the grades to get a GPA for each team.

Cincinnati - 3.19
Baltimore - 3.04
Cleveland - 2.74
Pittsburgh - 2.48
Oakland - 0.59

[MKdave]

The fact that Prisco is calling Maualuga a questionable pick at that point in the draft, for that team, is ridiculous.
And Kruger's our best pick? I'd disagree...
I actually disagree with most points of the article.

[Devastat1on]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='187613' date='Apr 27 2009, 03:38 PM']Better yet, just go to this link - [url="http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/story?id=4104114"]http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/story?id=4104114[/url]

ESPN has taken grades from numerous "credible" sources and averaged out the grades to get a GPA for each team.

Cincinnati - 3.11
Baltimore - 2.96
Cleveland - 2.70
Pittsburgh - 2.56
Oakland - 0.78[/quote]

Not sure how credible this is, but going through the comments, this was posted.. I guess something was wrong with how they averaged in USA today or something.. Not sure..


[quote]rotogod00 (4/27/2009 at 4:03 PM)

Corrected consensus GPAs (w USA Today fixed)

Packers 3.51
Eagles 3.46
Patriots 3.46
Giants 3.38
Jets 3.26
[b]Ravens 3.10[/b]
[b]Bengals 3.09[/b]
Bears 3.08
Lions 3.08
Cardinals 3.08
Jaguars 3.04
Falcons 2.99
Texans 2.98
[b]Browns 2.85[/b]
Titans 2.75
Rams 2.71
Seahawks 2.68
Vikings 2.66
Colts 2.66
Bills 2.55
[b]Steelers 2.54[/b]
Chiefs 2.39
Dolphins 2.35
Broncos 2.34
49ers 2.30
Redskins 2.25
Panthers 2.21
Saints 2.21
Chargers 2.16
Bucs 2.04
Cowboys 1.66
[b]Raiders 0.46[/b][/quote]

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Devastat1on' post='187645' date='Apr 27 2009, 04:09 PM']Not sure how credible this is, but going through the comments, this was posted.. I guess something was wrong with how they averaged in USA today or something.. Not sure..[/quote]

They probably used different sources; I know that ESPN used its fan poll as an official rating which probably skews the overall scheme of things.

[Shawn`]

B sounds about right. After all we'll just have to wait and see which of these rookies make an impact in the long run.

[Bullrush]

Mike Lombardi:

BALTIMORE: One of my favorite drafts. The Ravens solved their need at right tackle, get a future left tackle in Michael Oher and add a very good corner in Lardarius Webb in the third. They added good players in each round. Watch out for Cedric Peerman from Virginia, their pick in the sixth.

CINCINNATI: The Bengals had a good day. As they always do, they stayed in each spot, and this year their picks seem very solid. DE Michael Johnson was killed by scouts for his perceived lack of toughness, but how many sons of a Marine do you know who aren

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Devastat1on' post='187645' date='Apr 27 2009, 04:09 PM']Not sure how credible this is, but going through the comments, this was posted.. I guess something was wrong with how they averaged in USA today or something.. Not sure..[/quote]

ESPN actually updated the GPAs.

Cincinnati - 3.19
Baltimore - 3.04
Cleveland - 2.74
Pittsburgh - 2.48

[Ravnet]

[url="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtXKXoxEZms4CeQlqkwJJNdDubYF?slug=jc-09afcdraftgrades042709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns"]Jason Cole[/url].

[quote]Bottom line: A. The Ravens are one of the best teams at finding falling talent in the first round and did just that this year. Oher is a lot closer to the likes of Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith and Jason Smith than his status as the No. 23 overall pick indicates. Oher will likely push Jared Gaither to right tackle or take over at right tackle to give the Ravens an excellent young tackle combination. Kruger is an interesting player who seems destined to be an outside linebacker in Baltimore’s 3-4 system and could replace departed Bart Scott. Kruger was miscast as a defensive end in college but should make a nice transition in the NFL. Meanwhile, it’s going to be interesting to see how long the 178-pound Webb lasts with his physical style.[/quote]

An interesting take as he suggests that Gaither may be moved to right tackle; I disagree, but Oher may just push Jared over if Michael is that good.

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='187326' date='Apr 27 2009, 12:31 AM']I find it questionable in itself that this guy would question the selection of Michael Oher over a receiver or corner, when corner isn't a pressing need (we have NINE freaking corners now, after the drafting of Webb in the 3rd round -- that's not a bad thing), and the only receivers worth taking in the 1st round were already gone.

Now, that's not a complete knock on the guys drafted after the Ravens picked at 23rd, but those guys didn't belong in the 1st round and could've easily gone in the 2nd round instead.[/quote]
I do not think this guy understands the concept of picking the best player on your draft board!

[Fred Sanford]

Oher's strength is pass protection, which is of course key at LT because it's QB's blind side. It'll be interesting to see how the starters pan out, with Willie still in the mix.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Fred Sanford' post='187720' date='Apr 27 2009, 05:30 PM']Oher's strength is pass protection, which is of course key at LT because it's QB's blind side. It'll be interesting to see how the starters pan out, with Willie still in the mix.[/quote]

I thought it was the other way around; Ole Miss is run-heavy, and that is where Oher excelled.

He's probably good at both, though.

[Ravnet]

By the way, numerous analysts are calling Kruger our best pick, and right tackle, believe it or not, probably was a huge need.

Does anyone really think that Anderson/Terry have it in them to hold down a very, very important position on the offensive line?

The knee-jerk reactions were pretty far off.