Jan/Feb 2011
Round 3
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 3 scoring concept is below. Player evaluations for each selection are further below:
Category A (250 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 (125 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 (-50 points) - A virtual bust. Not playing now and do not see any work ethic or potential to give hope for the future.
Category E (-150 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 3 scoring concept is below. Player evaluations for each selection are further below:
Category A (250 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 (125 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 (-50 points) - A virtual bust. Not playing now and do not see any work ethic or potential to give hope for the future.
Category E (-150 points) - Total Bust. Cut.
| 65 | St Louis |
Jerome Murphy South Florida CB Reach/Value: -19 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 125 |
| Murphy was all over the Rams depth chart in his Rookie season due to injuries in the secondary but never started. He is likely a solid Nickel/Dime package specialist who will provide an occasional quality start. Murphy ended up with 30 tackles, 3 Passes Defended and an interception, which earns him a B for his rookie review but without a marked improvement in his play this grade is likely to drop for his sophomore review. |
| 66 | Detroit |
Amari Spievey Iowa CB Reach/Value: -47 |
 |
GRADE B/B+ SCORE 150 |
| Spievey was in Coach Gunther Cunningham's doghouse. The DC is notorious for being hard on rookies, and the Iowa CB just could not make the smooth transition to the man-heavy coverage scheme of Detroit. Buried on the depth chart, it took a spate of injuries to give him a chance--at safety. He played in 15 games, starting 9, and recording 51 tackles and 2 INTs. |
| 67 | Tampa Bay |
Myron Lewis Vanderbilt CB Reach/Value: -56 |
 |
GRADE C+/B- SCORE 75 |
| Myron Lewis appeared in 10 games (no starts) with 9 tackles and 3 passes defended to his credit. Lewis saw that field more as the season progressed (and Talib went on IR). He probably showed enough to the staff to lay off CB as a 2011 draft need. |
| 68 | Kansas City |
Jon Asamoah Illinois OG Reach/Value: -11 |
 |
GRADE B/B- SCORE 100 |
| Stuck behind Brian Waters and Ryan Lilja, Asamoah has not seen the field as much his talent indicates. He did play very well in limited action, starting one game. This pick is a 'B' now, but could easily turn into an 'A' in a couple of years. |
| 69 | Oakland |
Jared Veldheer Hillsdale OG (OT) Reach/Value: -2 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 250 |
| The Raiders final member of TSN's all-rookie team, Veldheer was impressive as a rookie. He's found his home as the franchise LT of the Raiders. He'll need to clean up the penalties (which killed a couple of drives), and watch the elite speed of NFL DE's, but all signs point to the Raiders discovering a gem in Round 3. |
| 70 | Baltimore |
Ed Dickson Oregon TE Reach/Value: -21 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 125 |
| Dickson appeared in 17 of the Ravens' 18 games this season, with 4 starts. He was the primary backup for Todd Heap. The former Ducks star hauled in 12 catches for 154 yards with 1 TD. Not a whole lot of production but he showed better than perceived blocking ability. Time to develop behind Heap. |
| 71 | Green Bay |
Morgan Burnett Georgia SS Reach/Value: +22 |
 |
GRADE A- SCORE 200 |
| Stepped right in for the injured Atari Bigby and started from day one. Showed on-field leadership skills & drew high praise from his coaches. Unfortunately, became yet another Packers injury casualty. A bright future. In 4 games (all starts) he accumulated 14 tackles, 1 pass defensed, and 1 INT. |
| 72 | Buffalo |
Alex Carrington Arkansas State DE34 Reach/Value: +11 |
 |
GRADE C/C+ SCORE 25 |
| Carrington had 8 tackles and a sack, not numbers we expected after the Senior Bowl he had. Looks like DE might be an early pick yet again. It hasn't helped that the Bills scouts have been pitiful in selecting difference-making DE's (Flowers / Maybin RD1, Denney /Chris Kelsay RD2, Ellis RD3) in 10 years since Schobel (RD2 in 2001). Carrington better show it in 2011. |
| 73 | Miami |
John Jerry Mississippi OG Reach/Value: +9 |
 |
GRADE B/B+ SCORE 150 |
| Jerry earned the starting job out of training camp, much like Odrick. The Ole Miss standout caught a nasty flu early and missed weeks 3 through 7. He returned as a starter once more though Miami utilized an OG rotation due to their questionable results. Jerry shows promise but still has much work to do. He gained some necessary experience but was inconsistent in his 12 appearances (10 starts). |
| 74 | Jacksonville |
D'Anthony Smith Louisiana Tech OLB43 Reach/Value: -52 |
 |
GRADE C-IR SCORE 0 |
| Suffered an Achilles heel injury in a preseason game and placed on IR for the 2010 season. |
| 75 | Chicago |
Major Wright Florida FS Reach/Value: -15 |
 |
GRADE B/B- SCORE 75 |
| Wright played in 13 of the Bears' 18 games this season. While he didn't notch a start he did fill in admirably for starter Chris Harris at FS. He also played well on special teams. He finished 2010 with 24 tackles. |
| 76 | NY Giants |
Chad Jones LSU SS Reach/Value: +10 |
 |
GRADE C-IR SCORE 0 |
| Chad Jones was involved in a horrific car accident in the summer, and almost lost his leg. The fact that he might be able to come back in 2011 is a miracle in itself. Grade: C. |
| 77 | Tennessee |
Damian Williams USC WRF Reach/Value: +21 |
 |
GRADE C+ SCORE 50 |
| Williams played in all 16 games for the Titans but did not make much of an impact. He amassed 16 receptions and 219 yards. Titans fans hope he supplants Justin Gage as the #2 receiver in 2011. |
| 78 | Carolina |
Brandon LaFell LSU WRF Reach/Value: -2 |
 |
GRADE B+ SCORE 150 |
| LaFell is a promising performer for the Panthers who didn't have a whole lot else going. If they can get a QB, the tandem of LaFell and Gettis could have a solid career ahead of them. LaFell started 2 games and snared 38 balls for 468 yards and 1 TD. Performance improved in the latter half of the season which is what you like to see from your rooks. His only rush of the season was a highlight reel 60 yard end-around vs ATL. |
| 79 | San Diego |
Donald Butler Washington ILB Reach/Value: -4 |
 |
GRADE C-IR SCORE 0 |
| Didn't have much of a chance to prove himself as he was placed on IR after tearing his Achilles' Tendon before even seeing the field in the preseason. Hopefully he'll come back strong next year as the Chargers could use him in the middle of their defence. |
| 80 | Denver |
J.D. Walton Baylor OC Reach/Value: -18 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 250 |
| Another reach for Denver, albeit a smaller one than Beadles. It turned out pretty good for them! Walton, like Beadles, earned a starting spot out of training camp. He played in and started every game in 2010. Once he gets more acclimated with the playbook, and perhaps adds a tad more strength & bulk, Walton should be a nice OL anchor in Denver. |
|
|
| 81 | Houston |
Earl Mitchell Arizona DT43 Reach/Value: -117 |
 |
GRADE B/B+ SCORE 150 |
| Has appeared in all but 1 game, backing up Akoye in the DT rotation, Mitchell has tallied 28 tackles and 1 sack. Unfortunately, he may not fit Wade Phillips' new 3-4 alignment. |
| 82 | Pittsburgh |
Emmanuel Sanders SMU WRS Reach/Value: -77 |
 |
GRADE B+ SCORE 150 |
| Sanders took over the slot receiver spot from Antwaan Randle El in midseason and has been making a progressively bigger impact week by week. For a rookie, his route running is exceptional. He made 28 catches in the regular season with a healthy 13.4 yards per completion. |
| 83 | Atlanta |
Corey Peters Kentucky DT43 Reach/Value: -112 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 250 |
| Was a very good defensive tackle for Atlanta as the starting NT for all 16 games. Came in and had some rookie problems, but averaged a pressure every 20 pass rush plays, and had 32 tackles, 2 TFL and a sack, for a very solid year against the run. He's only going to get better and is making the reach look worth it. |
| 84 | Cincinnati |
Jordan Shipley Texas WRS Reach/Value: -30 |
 |
GRADE A- SCORE 200 |
| The former Longhorns star had a solid rookie campaign in Cincy, snagging 52 balls for 600 yards (best of any AFC rookie) and 3 TDs. And he did that all while starting just 4 games (played in 15 of 16 games). With Ochocinco and/or Owens out for next season, Shipley could see his role increase. He'll be up to the task. |
| 85 | Cleveland |
Colt McCoy Texas QB Reach/Value: +47 |
 |
GRADE B+ SCORE 175 |
| McCoy was Cleveland's 3rd QB until Delhomme & Wallace suffered high ankle sprains. He then took the controls and has become the most recent man to attempt to solve the Browns' QB woes. Look for the new regime to install the West Coast offense to complement McCoy. Played in 8 of the teams 16 games (all starts). Went 135 of 222 for 1,576 yds with 6 TDs & 9 INTs. |
| 86 | Philadelphia |
Daniel Te'o-nesheim Washington OLB43 Reach/Value: -51 |
 |
GRADE C/C+ SCORE 25 |
| The former Huskie, like fellow rookie Graham, was more game-ready for a 3-4 defense. The Eagles slotted him at OLB in their 4-3 but Te'o-Nesheim played in just 6 games, garnering a start in week 17 loss vs Dallas. He concluded 2010 with 2 tackles & 1 sack. Little impact at all. |
| 87 | Denver |
Eric Decker Minnesota WRF Reach/Value: +15 |
 |
GRADE C/C+ SCORE 50 |
| Made 14 appearances (0 starts) during his first NFL season. Saw mostly ST time, thanks in large part to the Broncos depth at WR. Finished the year with 6 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD in limited PT. Will have to work his way up in 2011. |
| 88 | Arizona |
Andre Roberts Citadel WRS Reach/Value: -34 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 125 |
| Finished the season strong, gathering back-to-back starts. Roberts has shown flashes of adjusting to the NFL game and should be in for a larger role next year with Breaston potentially leaving as a free agent. Roberts caught 24 passes for 307 yards with 2 TDs. He played in the teams final 15 games & started weeks 7 and 17. |
| 89 | Carolina |
Armanti Edwards Appalachain State WRS Reach/Value: -74 |
 |
GRADE D/C- SCORE -25 |
| Edwards didn't see the field much for Carolina as Panthers brass tried to convert his to a a slash type player, but didn't give him much opportunity to play despite a woeful record. He recorded just 1 rush and 1 pass for the year, and served as 3rd string QB at times. |
| 90 | New England |
Taylor Price Ohio WRF Reach/Value: +13 |
 |
GRADE C SCORE 0 |
| This "value" selection did nothing in 2010. He was active for only 1 game, the week 17 matchup vs Miami. He did catch 3 balls for 41 yards that day. Not enough out of a 3rd round pick, especially once Moss was jettisoned. Disappointing rookie season. |
| 91 | San Francisco |
Navorro Bowman Penn State ILB Reach/Value: +26 |
 |
GRADE B SCORE 125 |
| Bowman started 1 game this season, but still racked up 46 total tackles during the 2010-2011 NFL season. The game he started was an 8 tackle game, though he had a couple of 1 tackle games throughout the season. We haven't seen the consistent big plays out of Bowman, but despite the room for improvement, he shows potential as an NFL starter. |
| 92 | Cleveland |
Shawn Lauvao Arizona State OT Reach/Value: -76 |
 |
GRADE C+ SCORE 50 |
| Lauvao struggled when he was thrown into the O-line. Browns fans can only hope that his performance will improve with seasoning. Did start 3 preseason games and appeared in 10 regular season tilts, with his only start coming in week 11. |
| 93 | Kansas City |
Tony Moeaki Iowa TE Reach/Value: -26 |
 |
GRADE A SCORE 250 |
| A big steal for the Chiefs. Injury questions pushed him down, but his talent was always there. He is a complete tight end and a big part of the Chiefs going forward. If he stays healthy, he is a Pro Bowl level talent. Finished his rookie campaign with 48 receptions for 578 yards and 3 TDs in 16 games (all starts, includes playoff loss vs Ravens). |
| 94 | Indianapolis |
Kevin Thomas USC CB Reach/Value: -42 |
 |
GRADE C-IR SCORE 0 |
| In a type of "preview" of bad things to come for Indianapolis in the 2010 season, former USC Trojan Kevin Thomas went down with an injury before regular season play began and was placed on IR for the entire season. If he can get healthy and return to form, he will battle for the RCB position. |
| 95 | New Orleans |
Jimmy Graham Miami TE Reach/Value: +36 |
 |
GRADE A-/B+ SCORE 200 |
| Though only a starter in 5 games for the Saints, Graham will be one of the key recipient of many future Drew Brees' passes. The 6'-6" former Hurricane made his presence felt in quite a few key plays for New Orleans in 2010 and his role should continue to grow. Graham caught 31 passes for over 350 yards and 5 TD's, on a team already loaded with weaponry and depth at the receiving position. |
| 96 | Cincinnati |
Brandon Ghee Wake Forest CB Reach/Value: +46 |
 |
GRADE C SCORE 0 |
| Did not appear in a game until week 5 and was placed on IR prior to week 14. In between there he appeared in 6 games with no starts, contributing mostly on special teams. This "value" selection contributed little defensively. |
| 97 | Tennessee |
Rennie Curran Georgia OLB43 Reach/Value: -23 |
 |
GRADE C+/B- SCORE 50 |
| Curran appeared in 9 games, amassing 7 tackles most on special teams. Not much in the way of performance, but Titans coaches seem high on the Georgia Bulldog. Some buzz about making Curran the starting "Mike" should Stephen Tulloch depart in Free Agency, though this seems unlikely in the near term. |
| 98 | Atlanta |
Mike Johnson Alabama OG Reach/Value: -13 |
 |
GRADE C+/B- SCORE 50 |
| The former Crimson Tide guard did not make a game appearance in 2010 though he will likely be in the starting lineup next season at LG, unless the team resigns Blalock. Johnsons was the primary backup for both OG spots his rookie season. Remained on 53-man roster all year but saw no PT. |
Return to Round 2
Forward to Round 4
Forward to Round 5
Forward to Round 6
Forward to Round 7
