The 2008 draft is in the books. For those of us present at the draft, there can be no question it will live as the most memorable draft yet, what with the plush leather chairs, plasma TV mounted over the fireplace, and the pitchers of free beer. For the rest of you slackers - get your priorities in order.
As last year, I am sending a series of questions to each of the teams to gather their thoughts on the draft - their team, as well as best & worst of the draft. The Drafts page on 4thand20.com has been updated with the draft results for your reference.
Without further ado...
Jeremy
Team-Specific Questions
Q: Okay, you knew this one was coming. You took Darren McFadden #1 overall. While there can be no doubt that Run DMC is an intriguing prospect, the pick seemed a bit like a reach. Was this a matter of lining up a potential keeper for 2009 (and beyond)? Are you concerned about McFadden getting enough touches to warrant the early selection?
Haha, I did know this one was coming. First of all, the RB pool was VERY thin this year, which made me realize that if I didn't take a RB at # 1, I wouldn't be getting someone that I felt comfortable starting at the flex spot. On top of that, I AM losing Portis & Barber next year, so lining up a nice RB keeper prospect was a small consideration with this pick. But, the main reason that I took McFadden there is because I thought there were going to be a few guys in the top 2 tiers of WRs still there for my 2nd & 3rd picks... which I was right about. I thought the difference between what Moss & Owens will finish the year with and what Boldin & CJ will finish with was marginal enough to warrant taking McFadden at # 1. Oh yea, I think McFadden will be a stud RB too!
Q: What is it with the young guys? Calvin Johnson with your 2nd pick? Megatron is a beast, and while Roy Williams may have made the same selection, you took CJ when there were bonafide, proven, WR studs - guys like Brandon Marshall, Plaxico Burress, and
As anyone who watched the Lions first 2 preseason games can attest to, Megatron has looked like a man amongst boys so far this year. I really liked CJ this year and had him as a top 15 WR before seeing him play, and the preseason games vaulted him into my top 10 available WRs. It was tough to pass on Ocho and Marshall, but knowing that Chad had a shoulder injury (that turned out worse than previously reported) and Marshall will miss 2-3 games because of a suspension, you really can't consider any of those guys non-risk picks (Plax was not available, C Walk selected him 2 picks earlier). I just picked the guy I liked the most (and the one I will be able to watch every week.... yes, I am drinking the Lions koolaid!)
I am not too concerned with CJ splitting looks with
Q: Your overall strategy seemed predicated on bust or boom. Guys like McFadden, Calvin, and your two-headed QB monster of Culter & Garrard. Any concerns that you went all-in on a roster of young, unproven, guys?
Yea, I was talking to Craig about this strategy after (and kind of regretting it), but he mentioned that its a typical draft for me, which I have to agree with. My style is always to swing for the fences, hopefully this is finally the year I knock one out of the park (yes, that was a pretty lame analogy)
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
I'd like to call out the dude that took a kicker in the 7th round, but Rudi Johnson in the 2nd round was worse IMO. This is Liefers # 2 RB, and was a pick he couldn't afford to whiff on
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Devin Hester by Craig in the 12th round. He is their # 1 WR, and even if their passing game sucks, he is guaranteed to get some looks. Add to that the 3-4 return TDs he is likely to get, and Hester could provide a nice return for Craig, especially for a 12th round pick
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Dustin - it's hard to call out the defending champ, but he took a kicker in the 7th ROUND (could have drafted him in the 15th)!!! That alone makes it the worst draft
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Eric - Hands down the best 2 keepers, coupled with a stud QB & WR, along with some great value picks in Selvin Young & DeAngelo Williams. Waited too long on TE and I dont like the # 2 WR, but if either Young or DeAngelo blow up, he could trade one and get a solid TE and the WR2.
*
Wes
Team-Specific Questions
Q: Outside of Steve Smith, you elected to go with a relatively young, unproven bunch at WR - guys like Dwayne Bowe, Ted Ginn Jr., and James Hardy. In general, even the best WRs take until their 3rd year to get to a point where they really produce (Braylon in 2007, for example). Do you expect these guys to beat that trend, or was this a case of drafting based on pure potential?
Bowe established himself as at least a dependable #2 (995 yds, 5 TDs), and I expect him to improve on those numbers somewhat. Ginn has the potential to break out in his second year; Hardy was just a flier.
Q: Sticking with the WRs - you took Ginn in the 6th round. Though he seems to have a lock on the #1 WR position down in
You know, I am a fan of Berrian. I like Ginn's potential in his second year, though, especially considering his QB situation improved (even though Pennington doesn't have a strong arm, as you mentioned) and they also use him as a return man.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
I'm torn between Forte in the 4th and Slaton in the 7th. Or Devin Thomas in the 8th (sorry Jerad).
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Cotchery in the 15th. How did that happen? Too much free draft beer.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
I like the Meins. Let's see who he trades away this year!
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
The defending champs look a little rough. That's two years in a row I picked them. Repeat? God I hope not.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Gotta go with the Meins.
*
Liefer
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You were the only team to start without at least one RB as a keeper. You started the draft RB-RB, but surprisingly didn't go back there until the 6th, getting Rashard Mendenhall. Adding more fuel to the fire, your 2nd rounder was Rudi Johnson, who isn't projected to be the starter in Cincy, and even worse, may fall to 3rd on the depth chart. Any regrets with not focusing more on RBs in the early going?
Taking Thomas Jones was a no brainer with my first pick but after that I made if not the worst draft decision ever – taking Rudi Johnson. I was contemplating between him, Kevin Smith and Jonathan Stewart. After the first two rounds, there were literally no starters left but a plethora of wide receivers which helped me to a third place finish last season.
Q: Lots of rumbling coming out of Indy regarding the health of Peyton Manning's knee. Reports from camp talk about him limping around, and the possibility of missing Week 1 (at least) is very real. Considering this, are you concerned that you didn't move to back him up earlier in the draft? Or that when you did get a backup, you got a guy coming off a season-ending injury in Jake Delhomme?
Having Manning as my keeper, my draft plan was to take a backup very late which has a lot of upside. Delhomme, who I took last year, is in my eyes a real sleeper. Yes, he’s coming off a season-ending injury but if he stays healthy could easily be a top 10 QB. I had him slotted higher on my draft board compared to where I took him.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Rudi Johnson (if I could pick my own) but I’ll go with Ronnie Brown
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Chris Perry (6th round)
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy Pierce
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Badics
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy Pierce
*
Eric
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You strayed from your normal draft strategy by drafting Romo in the 2nd round... which resulted in you not locking up your # 2 WR until the 5th and left you with a rotating trio of Chambers/Galloway/A. Gonzalez for your WR2 . Are you regretting waiting so long for your # 2 and having to choose between the matchups every week? You know this will lead to some self-ass-kicking & queasiness when you start the wrong guy... better stock up on the Tums!
This is indeed my biggest regret. My normal strategy is to wait on QB. I had even known that Romo would be there for me, and had elected to pass for someone like Cutler or Garrard later. My plan had actually been to matchup Fitz & Colston with S Jax & AP, giving me the best RB & WR duos in the league. Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment, I went for the guy who was rated best. Part of that was I thought I could get good WR later on.
I did have a shot at some nice #2 WR in rounds 3-4, but again elected to go for best value, adding DeAngelo & Selvin. Part of it was not being able to pass on the value at the time, part was locking up my #3 RB spot. And part of it was that I thought a solid #2 WR would still fall. I thought I might get a shot at someone like Dwayne Bowe or Hines Ward. Unfortunately, Ward went literally right before my 5th round pick.
Nervous? You bet. But, I feel like someone will emerge from my platoon of #3 WRs to be a solid #2. Early money is on
Q: You waited even longer for your TE (10th round, when you locked up Owen Daniels). You then picked McMichael to end the draft, which was a nice pick, but do you have any regrets not drafting TE sooner? Kellen Winslow was available with your 4th pick, but you elected to take a guy that will sit your bench instead (Selvin Young, your 4th RB), why?
Not really. TE was really deep this year, and at the end of the draft, there were still some TEs I liked - Kevin Boss, Zach Miller, Dustin Keller. I really liked McMichael going into the draft and wanted to target him late - Al Saunders has a history of producing top 5 TE numbers - 6 years running (Gonzo, then Cooley). And now Saunders is in
For one, Bulger is a better QB than
Owens was an insurance pick, someone that should be a top 10-12 TE. But I'm really hoping McMichael comes through.
No regret on the Selvin pick - he was best value by far at that pick. Plus, I would have gone with another WR before addressing TE anyway.
Q: Last year you drafted
It's a whole new year. Last season, I had to insure the expensive rookie (my 2nd round pick), as he was still unproven at the NFL level. But this year, we know what AP is all about. Sure, there are injury concerns. But I decided that, rather than go the handcuff route, I would take guys that are going to get looks regardless. Once I got both DeAngelo & Selvin, I wasn't concerned about
That said, if he would have been there in the 7th/8th round, I would have taken him for sure. But 5th/6th? Nah - especially when I still needed WR help.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer's selection of Rudi Johnson in the 2nd. It was circulating before the draft that Rudi was essentially out of the rotation for starting RB. And since then, he was actually cut (ouch). Now he's in
Dustin had a couple of real stinkers too - Eli in the 6th (he already had Brees) and his kicker in the 7th. Both picks were taken before he locked up his #2 WR.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Liked the Devin Hester pick for the potential. Chris Perry in the 6th - a starting RB going that late in this league? Unheard of. Sticking to the Cincy backfield, I also liked Kenny Watson in the 8th - I think he'll figure into the equation and is a nice #3 RB option. I'll toss Dustin a bone too – liked where he got Ricky Williams (last pick of 5th).
Overall though, I would say Twig getting Bryant Johnson in the 11th. Johnson is the #1 WR in San Fran, and is now playing in the Martz offense. He is talented for sure, was just buried behind Boldin & Fitz in
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy. He's got 3 top 20 RBs, 3 (likely) top 20 WR, a top 5 TE, and a pair of nice break-out QB candidates. Also got nice value late with RB depth and his DEF. Walker is right there too, and definitely has some big names on his team. But there are enough question marks already (Ocho's shoulder, Hasselbeck's back) to bump him down below Jeremy.
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Dustin (I also said this last year, and he went on to win..)
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Provided he can keep them healthy, I'd say Jeremy.
*
Badics
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy with McFadden #1
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Felix Jones to Craig in the 6th round
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Craig
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Dustin
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Jerome
*
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You really flipped the script, going WR-WR-WR the first 3 rounds, amassing the best WR group in the league (TO, Plax, Ocho). However, after the 3rd round, you never drafted another WR. Considering that Ocho is hurt and Plax is an injury concern, how concerned are you about your lack of depth at WR?
First, Plax always has small injuries, but never misses games. 2nd, Ocho is a man, will wear an arm sling and play, and is worth the risk at that draft position. I plan on picking up another receiver if needed, as receivers are deep with a bunch still available via free agency.
Q: You were the last team to select a TE and ended up with Alge Crumpler. Alge has a history of producing with scrambling quarterbacks, so should rebound from a rough 2007. Was it your intent to wait so long on TE, or did the draft get away from you?
I definitely wanted to wait, but it was surprise to see the tight end position go so early in our draft. After missing out on the top 5, I figured there was not much difference from the rest of the group.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Twig with McNabb in the 3rd round. What is the old saying, "risk and reward"!!!!! When healthy for a full season, he could be a top 5 quarter back, but at the same time, he has some weak receivers and could be a bust.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Tie!! Bud taking Chris Perry in the 6th. Could be the starter for the Bengals. Twig taking Bryant Johnson in the 11th round. Could be the number receiver for a team that could throw a ton. Remember, he is a former first round pick that was stuck behind two studs in
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
JPierce. Dang, I can't pick my own team.
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Dustin! This was not even close.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
JPierce
*
Bud
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You started the draft with two solid RBs - Larry Johnson and Brandon Jacobs (your keepers). Both are considered injury risks. Despite that, and your long-storied tradition of drafting RBs, you did not address the position until the 5th-6th round, when you selected Steve Slaton & Chris Perry. Both have looked good in the preseason, but are you considered at all about passing on RBs for so long?
This league is very predicated on running backs. I felt going in that I wasn't going to draft a running back until later in the draft and grab a couple guys with upside.
Q: Your WR are solid (R Moss,
I think Bulger can carry this team as long as he stays healthy. Plays in a dome in a weak conference. Also, Vince Young I had a little bit higher on the board for this league with the chance he could put together some valuable running stats in a spot start. These are two guys that would have been gone by the 4th and 6th rounds last year.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
I really can't say that any running back is a reach because really they all are. And the people that weren't there can be ruled out because they went off a list. So, I'll go Devin Thomas in round 6. I think he is 4th on the depth chart.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Best value was Brady. Experts had him 2 or 3 and our league he went 31.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
I'll give Eric a pretty good draft actually. Getting two starting running backs after Fitzgerald and Romo is good. I could say Torey but this list thing weakens it a little.
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Sorry twig - worst draft. I think this was self caused with "no love" for anyone after Ted Ginn jr.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Love where Charles or Pierce started here. They each could have had bad drafts and still let their keepers lead them into the playoffs.
*
Twig
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You went TE early in the draft (round 5), nabbing Tony Scheffler at the end of a run on TEs. The next TE taken was Heath Miller in the 8th. In retrospect, do you feel you could have waited on Scheffler given he is not a top-tier TE? Or do you expect him to produce top 5 numbers at his position?
Scheffler was the guy I wanted going in and I prolly went a little high for him.
Q: You selected Devin Thomas in the 6th. The rookie is banged up and expected to miss a few weeks, and once he's back, he'll need to push Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El for playing time. Are you expecting big things from the MSU rookie or was this a reach?
After Wes took Ginn I was off my game and I have no real answer for this pick, I expect him to be a good NFL receiver but...?
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Jerome's Kevin Curtis Pick (but that's hard since he was not there, but it was his ranked board).
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Buds Chris Perry in the 6th
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Buds
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Charles
Craig
Team-Specific Questions
Q: After addressing your RB in the 1st round with Reggie Bush, you didn't go back there again until round 5, nabbing Ray Rice. Considering that Rice is essentially your must-have handcuff for McGahee, that leaves your top 3 RB as McGahee/Rice, Bush, and Felix Jones. How concerned are you with your RB depth, and any regrets on not addressing that position earlier in the draft?
I am not overly concerned with my depth. I really didn't want Reggie Bush but I felt there was a drop off between him and the next RB available so thought I had to take him. The way I look at it I will have Baltimores starter (unless Mcgahee and Rice get hurt). I also feel between Deuce and Bush I will have a starter and maybe a flex player. Felix Jones also has potential.
Q: How concerned are you with your depth at WR? Andre Johnson has yet to play all 16 games in a season. Backing up your dynamic duo of Welker & Johnson is a motley bunch - Vincent Jackson (physical beast, but unproven), Donte' Stallworth (perennial disappointment), Devin Hester (expecting big things, but Chi-town QB situation is flaky,) and Justin Gage (#1 receiver on a run-first and dink-and-dunk team). Of them all, Hester seems the best bet, but could just as easily be a whiff. Your thoughts?
WR I am a little more worried about and is the reason I couldnt make the Westbrook trade. Going into the draft I saw my keeper (Welker) as a #2 receiver so I was happy to get Andre Johnson (a #1). Later in the draft I went for a lot of WR hoping one pans out. I also decided to go with a better TE then in the past hoping to offset the WR position.
League Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Rudi Johnson
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Chester Taylor Rd 8
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Bud
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Dustin (kicker and Forter in 1st)
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Bud
Labels: Draft
¶ 8:27 AM 0 Comments