Draft Grades

jdewaard · 04-16-2008, 04:23 PM

Every year, right after the NFL draft, there are a rash of team grades put out by so-called experts. I always read them, and I always come away thinking "Well, how do they know so soon? These guys haven't even played a down."

So, I was looking at last year's draft and I stumbled upon the Patriots draft card. 9 picks. Most of them were 2nd day picks, but that's still a lot. And Belichick is such a good talent scout, right? Most experts were giving them grades ranging from a "B" to an "A+". So how did they do, 1 year later?

Of the 9 guys that the Patriots drafted, only one of them (Brandon Merriweather) ever saw the field for any amount of time, and he was spotty at best. Besides him, only 2 others are still on the team but both sat out the whole season with injuries. The rest were cut (including Mike Elgin from Iowa, HA!) Anyway, the point is, how many people are talking about what a crappy draft they had last year? How many times do you think we'll hear the ESPN crew talk about how great Belichick is as spotting talent this year?

Maybe I'm just a hater, and if so...then I guess I am. I just think it's funny.

wheels686 · 04-16-2008, 05:01 PM

There draft grades are always wrong. Basically the teams with the highest draft order get the best grades. The Packers last year got like a C for a grade and alot of them saw meaningful playing time. They rated the browns class really good because they got quinn and thomas. I dont take to much into their grades.

ISUFan22 · 04-16-2008, 11:15 PM

I've always thought draft grades shouldn't show up until after year 3 or 4.

I'm not a Pats fan, but clearly they have the right recipe. I wouldn't expect those 2nd day picks to be contributing a lot early. If nothing from them in the next couple years - then there's a case to be made.

Clone9 · 04-16-2008, 11:46 PM

Saw this article a little while ago on espn.com. I guess it discusses exactly what you're talking about....except give a couple more years than just one (which I think is fair).

ESPN - What a difference three years can make - NFL

isuarch80 · 04-17-2008, 12:10 AM

1. You should read Peter King's MMQB article on Monday's - the last two weeks (I believe) he's mentioned how he hates next day draft grades. The grades are usually based on needs for the team, and where players were projected to go before the draft.
2. Much discussion was made about the Pats draft last year how they kept trading down (which got them the #7 pick this year) because they only had a couple roster spots open for draft picks, so they tried to get future picks. Many a writer actually said only a few would make the team. So I actually think you've only read what justifies your argument. I'll try to find a link or two...

klerme · 04-17-2008, 11:14 AM

Although I agree most draft grades are worthless, your argument makes little sense because the grades the Pats received for their draft took into account that with their 2nd, 4th and 7th round picks, they traded for Wes Welker and Randy Moss. In other words, their draft accounted for 210 receptions for more than 2600 yards and 31 TD's. I am not a Pats fan at all, but I do give credit to getting that type of production out of a draft, not to mention trading a 29th pick in 2007 for what ended up being the #7 pick this year - so whoever they get with that pick also needs to be considered as a part of the 07 draft. If your favorite team got that type of return on a draft, you would say that it was possibly the best draft of all time.