So, how did our newbies do in the draft?
New York Giants:
Boom:
6th rd +17/+16 RG Pickle - Very serviceable pick who should make the roster. Given a chance to develop, he could start or be a valuable substitute along the OL.
5th rd +4/+7 C McCants - Good value for a 5th rd pick. If his blocking skills continue to approve, he too could start or be a valuable substitute along in the interior OL.
Bust:
4th rd +1/-19 C Snider - Strong and very mobile, he lacks the blocking skills to be much help along the OL. He will be lucky to make the roster.
3rd rd 0/-21 LT Calloway - See comments to Snider above. If he stays, he ill be a doormat to skilled pass rushers.
As expected:
7th rd +3/+2 TE Ortega - Possesses good top speed; middling pass catching skills; strong, but a bit small. A potential great blocker. Would be second or third string on most teams at best.
Overall: Poor early draft results saved by the late round picks. Hampered by not having any high draft picks, there was no immediate help for the new GM.
Baltimore Ravens:
Busts:
4th rd +7/-10 TE Kent - Decent speed, but poor receiving skills. Below average blocking skills. No upside potential means he only makes the roster if it's an economic decision to not have his future bonus cut into the cap.
7th rd +5/-7 DT Willems - A strong player, his only real skill will be to stand his ground and try to clog up the running lanes in the middle. Otherwise, no real skills. and not likely to make the roster.
Almost a bust:
2nd rd +6/-8 WR Howell - Very good speed and strength offsets his lackluster pass catching skills. Still a potentially good wide receiver and worthy of the pick - just not great. Very good potential as a punt/kickoff returner adds value.
A Gem:
1st rd +18/+3 LB Giles - Likely steps onto the field as a starter at LB. Minor issue is he lacks the ability to B&R cover receivers. Nevertheless. a starter for the Ravens for seasons to come.
Overall, two players who will contribute mightily to the cause. Just not enough help by themselves to turn the franchise around.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Sort of a Bust:
6th rd +2/-6 DE Jordan - Strong, but less than optimum speed and tackling ability. A bit more than average pass rusher, but less than average ability against the run. At best he is third string. More likely he rides the pine. Even more likely, he fails to make the roster.
7th rd +2/-5 FB Seeley - Smart, disciplined player with good hands. Other than that he is mostly average to below average in terms of skills required to succeed at FB in this league. Prediction: He makes the squad - but will soon be forgotten.
Not bad, considering:
7th rd +12/0 DE Paolucci - Below average speed, but strong with very good pass rushing skills. Not much of a tackler, so I wouldn't expect a great deal of sack, but will hurry QBs into rushed passes. Certainly worth taking a look at in the preseason.
Certainly worth taking:
2nd rd +15/+3 RB King - Above average speed with all the qualities necessary to gain a few yards carrying the ball. He might have some difficulty getting open on pass routes, but overall a very good pick with good upside.
No gamble here:
1st rd +8/+1 WR Williams - A safe and very good choice, Williams has all the skills necessary to be a great receiver. He is not the fastest WR in the draft - but still plenty fast and with great acceleration - and lacks blocking skills. However, his potential to return punts/kicks more than offsets those liabilities.
Overall, likely the best draft results among the newbies, with two surefire successes and two other potential roster makers.
Denver Broncos:
Sorry, not helpful:
4th rd -1/-22 SS Bowers - A strong safety who can't tackle or play pass defense. Not much to admire here. Unfortunately, you can't keep him, but he'll cut into the pay cap dearly next season when he's cut.
Might be helpful, but not great:
2nd rd 0/-4 RB Walker - Better than average speed, strength and size, he might turn our to be a very good pounder. Can't really help in the passing game unless he polishes his pass blocking skills. He might be better suited at FB. A solid pick overall.
Has got all the skills:
1st rd +13/0 WR Twitchell - A very conservative, yet excellent draft pick, he has speed, strength and all the receiving skills necessary to star in this league for a long time. He can't block very well, but that's not why you take a guy like him. I hate to see him in my division.
Overall, considering he had only three picks, Denver's GM acquitted himself nicely.
Some failure and some successes, but none of the newbies really restocked the cupboard. One thing the newbies all had in common was that none of them had a lot of picks. Perhaps there is a lesson for those who continue to offload draft picks for players. Unless it works out and you make run in the playoffs, you're practically dooming your franchise to a dismal future.
Welcome to the league gentlemen.
