Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Grading the 2008 Draft
11:14 AM | 
Posted by
Eric
This is the second of three in a look back over the last three years of Bengal's drafts.
1st Round- Keith Rivers (B-)
Rivers has been a starter since day one and was taken at a position of serious need at the time. The previous season the Bengals had no one at LB and were bringing guys in off the streets to play the position due to all the injuries. I don't think Rivers has fully developed yet or produced like he is capable. Maybe he's been playing timid since the Hines Ward hit. But he has been solid and has been among the team leaders in tackles. I think we've yet to see Rivers at his best and the farther away from that hit he gets the better he'll be.
Other available players- Jerod Mayo, Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah, Chris Johnson, Joe Flacco
2nd Round- Jerome Simpson (F)
If this pick isn't an F I don't know what is. Simpson was one of those picks where fans went "who" when the pick was announced. Terrible pick from a small school that likely could've been available a couple rounds later. He has yet to get the offense and has a whopping one career catch. He didn't see the field at all last year during the regular season and wasn't even active half the time. This was a waste when you consider who else was available at the position.
Other available players- DeSean Jackson, Ray Rice, Chad Henne, Martellus Bennett
3rd Round- Pat Sims (C+)
Sims has been a solid pick and has outperformed Trevor Laws who many wanted the Bengals to take in the 2nd, myself included. For a 3rd DT Sims is very good and showed flashes of being great last year in the preseason. DT was a big need at the time and Sims has faired pretty decent, I'm happy with the pick.
Other available players- Steve Slaton, Jermicheal Finley, Mario Manningham
3rd Round- Andre Caldwell (B)
Caldwell has majorly outperformed Simpson who was taken a round and a half higher than he was. Although he's had a couple costly fumbles, he's also had 2 huge catches to beat Pittsburgh and Baltimore and that's why I give him a B. Even with those catches he's going to have to show some major improvement to stay on the field after this 2010 draft.
4th Round- Anthony Collins (B)
Collins also gets a B. He stepped in at LT in his rookie year and did a great job. He struggled somewhat last year at RT, but he's out of position at RT. He's one of the best, if not the best, backup LT in the league. LT is an extremely important position and I'm glad the Bengals have the depth they do at the position. I think Collins could start for a number of teams in the NFL.
5th Round- Jason Shirley (C-)
Shirley is a massive man, and after not having any room at DT the Bengals switched him to a Guard to try to find a place for this big man. In the preseason last year he was throwing people around the field and if he develops could end up being a steal.
6th Round- Matt Sherry (D-)
It's hard for me to give 6th and 7th rounders F's because how much should really be expected out of them. Sherry basically hasn't done anything and hasn't been able to find the field on a team that literally had nothing at the position.
7th Round- Angelo Craig (D-)
This was a lets take a hometown guy pick and see if we can find some hometown magic. Craig didn't make the team, but like I said how much can you expect out of a 7th round pick.
7th Round- Mario Urrutia (D+)
Urrutia atleast stuck around on the practice squad for a couple years. Though he never saw the field he provided competition at the position and another practice player.
Overall- (B-)
This draft atleast has provided multiple players that have contributed unlike the 2007 draft. Four players from this draft have started at some point so that's not bad. I don't think Rivers has lived up to expectations so far, but he's still got time. Had they hit on a WR in the 2nd I think this draft could've been a huge success. Atleast they got a guy that caught game winners to beat the hated Steelers and Ravens. All but 2 players atleast made the team and they've gotten some solid depth and production out of this draft class, it just could be better.
1st Round- Keith Rivers (B-)
Rivers has been a starter since day one and was taken at a position of serious need at the time. The previous season the Bengals had no one at LB and were bringing guys in off the streets to play the position due to all the injuries. I don't think Rivers has fully developed yet or produced like he is capable. Maybe he's been playing timid since the Hines Ward hit. But he has been solid and has been among the team leaders in tackles. I think we've yet to see Rivers at his best and the farther away from that hit he gets the better he'll be.
Other available players- Jerod Mayo, Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah, Chris Johnson, Joe Flacco
2nd Round- Jerome Simpson (F)
If this pick isn't an F I don't know what is. Simpson was one of those picks where fans went "who" when the pick was announced. Terrible pick from a small school that likely could've been available a couple rounds later. He has yet to get the offense and has a whopping one career catch. He didn't see the field at all last year during the regular season and wasn't even active half the time. This was a waste when you consider who else was available at the position.
Other available players- DeSean Jackson, Ray Rice, Chad Henne, Martellus Bennett
3rd Round- Pat Sims (C+)
Sims has been a solid pick and has outperformed Trevor Laws who many wanted the Bengals to take in the 2nd, myself included. For a 3rd DT Sims is very good and showed flashes of being great last year in the preseason. DT was a big need at the time and Sims has faired pretty decent, I'm happy with the pick.
Other available players- Steve Slaton, Jermicheal Finley, Mario Manningham
3rd Round- Andre Caldwell (B)
Caldwell has majorly outperformed Simpson who was taken a round and a half higher than he was. Although he's had a couple costly fumbles, he's also had 2 huge catches to beat Pittsburgh and Baltimore and that's why I give him a B. Even with those catches he's going to have to show some major improvement to stay on the field after this 2010 draft.
4th Round- Anthony Collins (B)
Collins also gets a B. He stepped in at LT in his rookie year and did a great job. He struggled somewhat last year at RT, but he's out of position at RT. He's one of the best, if not the best, backup LT in the league. LT is an extremely important position and I'm glad the Bengals have the depth they do at the position. I think Collins could start for a number of teams in the NFL.
5th Round- Jason Shirley (C-)
Shirley is a massive man, and after not having any room at DT the Bengals switched him to a Guard to try to find a place for this big man. In the preseason last year he was throwing people around the field and if he develops could end up being a steal.
6th Round- Matt Sherry (D-)
It's hard for me to give 6th and 7th rounders F's because how much should really be expected out of them. Sherry basically hasn't done anything and hasn't been able to find the field on a team that literally had nothing at the position.
7th Round- Angelo Craig (D-)
This was a lets take a hometown guy pick and see if we can find some hometown magic. Craig didn't make the team, but like I said how much can you expect out of a 7th round pick.
7th Round- Mario Urrutia (D+)
Urrutia atleast stuck around on the practice squad for a couple years. Though he never saw the field he provided competition at the position and another practice player.
Overall- (B-)
This draft atleast has provided multiple players that have contributed unlike the 2007 draft. Four players from this draft have started at some point so that's not bad. I don't think Rivers has lived up to expectations so far, but he's still got time. Had they hit on a WR in the 2nd I think this draft could've been a huge success. Atleast they got a guy that caught game winners to beat the hated Steelers and Ravens. All but 2 players atleast made the team and they've gotten some solid depth and production out of this draft class, it just could be better.
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