Jan/Feb 2011
Round 2
Intro
After every NFL draft, pundits come out and proclaim the draft's winners and losers. An exercise in speculation, since none of the players drafted has played a single down of pro football. But now that the 2010 draft class has completed their rookie seasons, we can go back to the 2010 draft and determine which teams have the early lead. But it will be a couple more year until we're prepared to proclaim victors.
A few years ago, Drafttek.com devised a scoring system which assigned points to each team's draft picks. Points are assigned according to how well a player is performing. In the early rounds, draft picks are supposed to do well, so we do not assign too many points for successful picks. In the later rounds, successes are rewarded much more generously. Alternately, 1st round flops are punished severely, while 7th round cuts are almost expected.
Scoring System
Round 2 scoring concept is below. Player evaluations for each selection are further below:
Category A (200 points) - A regular starter with all-pro potential. Player was drafted to start, but surprised it's happening already. Sky's the limit
Category B (100 points) - Getting a decent amount playing time. Seems on track to become a regular starter - only a matter of time
Category C (0 points) - Barely getting on the field. A little disappointing. Hoping he will work hard in the off season and next year will be great
Category D (-100 points) - A virtual bust. Not playing now and do not see any work ethic or potential to give hope for the future.
Category F (-200 points) - Total Bust. Cut.
After every NFL draft, pundits come out and proclaim the draft's winners and losers. An exercise in speculation, since none of the players drafted has played a single down of pro football. But now that the 2010 draft class has completed their rookie seasons, we can go back to the 2010 draft and determine which teams have the early lead. But it will be a couple more year until we're prepared to proclaim victors.
A few years ago, Drafttek.com devised a scoring system which assigned points to each team's draft picks. Points are assigned according to how well a player is performing. In the early rounds, draft picks are supposed to do well, so we do not assign too many points for successful picks. In the later rounds, successes are rewarded much more generously. Alternately, 1st round flops are punished severely, while 7th round cuts are almost expected.
Scoring System
Round 2 scoring concept is below. Player evaluations for each selection are further below:
Category A (200 points) - A regular starter with all-pro potential. Player was drafted to start, but surprised it's happening already. Sky's the limit
Category B (100 points) - Getting a decent amount playing time. Seems on track to become a regular starter - only a matter of time
Category C (0 points) - Barely getting on the field. A little disappointing. Hoping he will work hard in the off season and next year will be great
Category D (-100 points) - A virtual bust. Not playing now and do not see any work ethic or potential to give hope for the future.
Category F (-200 points) - Total Bust. Cut.
| 33 | St Louis |
Rodger Saffold Indiana OT Reach/Value: -2 |
 |
GRADE A+ SCORE 200 |
| How many 2nd round picks start from Game 1 at Left Tackle in the NFL for a team starting a rookie QB? Now how many of those team allow 10 fewer sacks and win 6 more games than the previous season? That is what Rodger Saffold and the Rams accomplished in 2010. Saffold was the blind side protector for Bradford, starting all 16 games, committing only 8 penalties and allowing just 3 sacks. |
| 34 | Minnesota |
Chris Cook Virginia CB Reach/Value: -13 |
 |
GRADE B- SCORE 50 |
| Unfortunately, injuries got the best of Cook's rookie season. He battled throughout the year through a couple knee injuries and managed to accumulate 5 games started, 21 tackles and 2 passes defended. However, he was placed on IR in December. He'll likely start the year opposite of Antoine Winfield in 2011 as Ced Griffin rehabs his second ACL tear. |
| 35 | Tampa Bay |
Brian Price UCLA DE43 Reach/Value: -1 |
 |
GRADE C SCORE 0 |
| Price was placed on IR after week 8 with a pelvic fracture. He's been oft injured and finished up with 6 tackles. Price was a little disappointing, but unless your name is Suh you're not going to be a DT and impress right out of the gate. |
| 36 | Kansas City |
Dexter McCluster Mississippi WRS Reach/Value: -18 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 100 |
| A high ankle sprain slowed his rookie career. When he was healthy, he showed some big play ability. Given his size and injury this year, questions about his size and durability will persist. McCluster caught 21 balls for 209 yards and 1 TD. At 165 lbs, he better excel at returning kicks. Among the league leaders returning Punts: 13-202-15.5 YPR-1TD. |
| 37 | Philadelphia |
Nate Allen South Florida FS Reach/Value: -6 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 200 |
| The USF product earned the starting FS spot out of training camp, and made an immediate impact. He played in 13 games, all starts. He missed week 10 with an inury and was placed on IR prior to week 16. Allen finished the year with 42 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 8 passes defended and 3 INT's. He provided above average coverage and was missed at the end of the season. Shows real promise. |
| 38 | Cleveland |
T.J. Ward Oregon FS Reach/Value: -66 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 200 |
| The Browns hit the jackpot with the long reach for Ward. Ward has been a solid starter since being drafted, and will have the starting FS job locked down for many years. |
| 39 | Tampa Bay |
Arrelious Benn Illinois WRF Reach/Value: -9 |
 |
GRADE A/B SCORE 150 |
| Benn picked up his production in the 2nd half of the season prior to landing on IR in week 16 (knee). Finished with 25-395-2TD. Like fellow Buc rook Gerald McCoy, the lightbulb turned on. Benn started 9 games and looks to have tremendous upside going into the 2011 season where he and Mike Williams are the projected starters. |
| 40 | Miami |
Koa Misi Utah OLB34 Reach/Value: -17 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 200 |
| Earned a starting OLB job early in his rookie season and finished the year appearing in every game with 11 starts. Amassed 41 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Should emerge as starter opposite dynamic Cameron Wake in 2011. This "reach" panned out with Misi having a solid rookie campaign. Bigger things expected in 2011. |
| 41 | Buffalo |
Torrell Troup Central Florida DT34 Reach/Value: -44 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 100 |
| Troup had 2 starts but saw action in 15 games. He amassed 11 tackles, 12 assists, and blocked 2 passes, mainly in relief of Kyle Williams. Those breathers on the sidelines likely enabled Williams lead all DT's in stops and QB disruptions. Troup has the quickness; he needs two things to happen to see more playing time -- a D-line of Williams-Troup-Carrington (or Dareus), and more muscle. |
| 42 | New England |
Rob Gronkowski Arizona State TE Reach/Value: -11 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 200 |
| Gronkowski played in all 17 New England games this past season (including postseason), starting 12 of them. The former Arizona star amassed 46 receptions for 611 yards and 10 TDs in those games. He went over 100 yards receiving in the regular season finale vs Miami. Part of a strong pairing with fellow rookie TE Hernandez. A position of need now a position of strength. |
| 43 | Baltimore |
Sergio Kindle Texas OLB34 Reach/Value: +22 |
 |
GRADE C SCORE 0 |
| The Ravens could have used Kindle this year but wil have to wait until next year due to a non-football injury before the start of the year. |
| 44 | Oakland |
Lamarr Houston Texas DT43 Reach/Value: -11 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 200 |
| A reach according to our Big Board, but the Raiders reached well with Houston. Another of the Raiders rookies that cracked the TSN All-Rookie team, Houston brought intensity to the Raiders DL. 39 tackles, 5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble indicate that the Raiders have found a young building block for a tough defense. |
| 45 | Denver |
Zane Beadles Utah OG Reach/Value: -90 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 200 |
| The Ute started 14 games and appeared in all 16 this past season. Considered quite the reach at the time he was drafted, Beadles earned a starting job in training camp. Though he struggled at times with consistency (thanks to shuffling positions most likely), he should be a solid starter or at least a great back-up for the foreseeable future. Played guard and tackle. |
| 46 | NY Giants |
Linval Joseph East Carolina DT43 Reach/Value: -21 |
 |
GRADE C SCORE 0 |
| Joseph was a non-factor for the Giants this year, appearing in only 6 games with 8 total tackles to his credit. Buried in the depth chart behind Canty, Cofield, and Bernard, he was inactive more often than not. However, he is talented, and will have an outside chance to crack the starting lineup in 2012. Grade: C. |
| 47 | Arizona |
Daryl Washington TCU ILB Reach/Value: +5 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 200 |
| Rare rookie starter for coach Whisenhunt. Has shown flashes of becoming a more than able replacement for departed Dansby, recording 78 tackles, and interception and a sack on the season. |
| 48 | Carolina |
Jimmy Clausen Notre Dame QB Reach/Value: +34 |
 |
GRADE B-/C+ SCORE 50 |
| Clausen did start 10 games out of necessity, but could only manage 3 passing TDs (against 9 INT) for the offensively anemic Panthers. His passer rating was 58.4, the worst in the NFL among qualifying QBs. Clausen could get on track with better protection and weapons, but his rookie season was totally forgettable. |
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| 49 | San Francisco |
Taylor Mays USC FS Reach/Value: +31 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 100 |
| Mays logged 38 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble in his rookie year. He stood out with great displays of hustle and energy. He'll need to work on his awareness in the secondary, and had games where he didnt record a solo tackle, but Mays looks like he is a solid investment. |
| 50 | Kansas City |
Javier Arenas Alabama CB Reach/Value: -52 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 100 |
| Why does a team coming off a four win season draft a nickel back in round two? Arenas was solid, but most expected a higher impact player. Given the pass-happy nature of the NFL, this is not as big of a stretch as it seems. He should continue to develop as a DB and as a returner. |
| 51 | Minnesota |
Toby Gerhart Minnesota RBF Reach/Value: -27 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 100 |
| Vikings fans hope that they'll never have to see Gerhart start as that would be mean Adrian Peterson, arguably the best running back in the league, is injured. However, if that were to happen that Gerhart showed that he is more than capable of filling in. In his only start of the season, Gerhart had 16 carries for 77 yards vs a solid Bears' defence. |
| 52 | Pittsburgh |
Jason Worilds Virginia Tech OLB34 Reach/Value: -10 |
 |
GRADE C SCORE 0 |
| Technically Worilds only merits a C due to lack of playing time and contribution as a position player. For a player converting to a 3-4 OLB and playing behind Pro-Bowl caliber players in Harrison and Woodley, Worlids has done everything expected of him. He's been one of the better tacklers on special teams units and is the sole backup at OLB. |
| 53 | New England |
Jermaine Cunningham Florida OLB34 Reach/Value: -59 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 100 |
| The former Gator star appeared in 16 of the teams 17 games this past season (including playoffs), with 11 starts. He fit nicely in the rotation with Banta-Cain and Ninkovich. Had 27 tackles and 1 sack. Production isn't eye-popping but the amount of PT he received shows he has potential and could break out in the next year or two. Production tailed off late in the year though. |
| 54 | Cincinnati |
Carlos Dunlap Florida DE43 Reach/Value: +9 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 100 |
| Not a great start for the rookie Gator but it's how you finish, right? Despite missing 4 of first 5 games, Dunlap still set the Bengals rookie sack record with 9.5 sacks for 2010, with 8.5 of those coming in the teams' final 6 games. He also had 19 tackles and 3 passes defensed in 12 game appearances, though no starts. Future looks bright. |
| 55 | Dallas |
Sean Lee Penn State ILB Reach/Value: -3 |
 |
GRADE B- SCORE 75 |
| Can he stay healthy? Dallas needs Lee to challenge for a starting position and for sure fulfill the nickel LB role. After a slow start to the season (10 tackles first half), Lee recorded 22 more in the last 8 games and intercepted 2 passes, returning 1 for a TD. |
| 56 | Green Bay |
Mike Neal Purdue DE34 Reach/Value: -85 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 100 |
| A beast when healthy, Neal was a rotational starter before going to IR. Unfortunately that was only for 2 games, logging 3 tackles and a sack. Tremendous future - could be another potential Ted Thompson gem that many others missed. |
| 57 | Baltimore |
Terrence Cody Alabama DT34 Reach/Value: +13 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 100 |
| Cody really started making an impact in the second half of the season by clogging up the middle for the Ravens. He'll be back for more next year. Appeared in 13 games with 13 tackles. |
| 58 | Houston |
Ben Tate Auburn RBF Reach/Value: -12 |
 |
GRADE C SCORE 0 |
| Injured early on and then watched from the IR list as Arian Foster (UDFA '09) has a Pro Bowl campaign at his position! |
| 59 | Cleveland |
Montario Hardesty Tennessee RBF Reach/Value: -4 |
 |
GRADE C SCORE 0 |
| Hardesty showed some promise in camp, but blew out a knee and spent the season on IR. It will be interesting to see how his 2011 season goes. The Browns need a compliment to Peyton Hillis. |
| 60 | Seattle |
Golden Tate Notre Dame WRF Reach/Value: +29 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 0 |
| Probably would've had better numbers for the season if not for the veteran Brandon Stokely. Tate had 21 receptions in 11 games, 227 yards and no TD's. The 3-year plan that is associated with many wideouts in the NFL will be may apply to Tate - we'll be here to document his progress over his next 2 seasons. |
| 61 | NY Jets |
Vladimir Ducasse Massachusetts OG Reach/Value: +10 |
 |
GRADE C+/B- SCORE 25 |
| Ducasse has only seen the field in 2 games as a backup to Matt Slauson. He could develop into a starter for them at some point given development and time in the weight room. |
| 62 | New England |
Brandon Spikes Florida ILB Reach/Value: -24 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 200 |
| Spikes had an up & down rookie season in the NFL, including some off the field issues such as being suspended for violating of the NFLs Banned Substances Policy. He missed the final 4 weeks of the regular season. In the teams 13 other games (including playoffs) Spikes started 8 times. He had his best game in a week 6 win over Baltimore, when he started and recorded 16 tackles. |
| 63 | Indianapolis |
Pat Angerer Iowa ILB Reach/Value: -87 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 200 |
| Though struggling in the playoff game vs the Jets, Angerer did a remarkable job as a rookie, filling in for the injured vet Gary Brackett. The former Hawkeye finished the year 3rd in overall tackles (72, with 49 solo) for the team, including 1 sack and a forced fumble. Probably won't ever be a Pro Bowler, but will be a steady force for Indy. |
| 64 | New Orleans |
Charles Brown USC OT Reach/Value: +27 |
 |
GRADE C+/B- SCORE 25 |
| Could not crack the starting line-up for the Saints in 2010, and saw action in only 3 games for New Orleans. Still, with Bushrod and Nicks available in FA this off-season, his time could be coming shortly. |
Forward to Round 3
Forward to Round 4
Forward to Round 5
Forward to Round 6
Forward to Round 7
