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Gute Loot
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2017
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At the moment we are all understandably preoccupied with the 2017 class. However, draft grades put out right after the players are chosen make very little sense. In reality, they are used for click bait or serve as a platform for people to just share their thoughts on the prospects.
After three seasons, however, I think it's fair to assess a class. By that time, players have usually had time to demonstrate who they are on the field (though exceptions exist for various reasons-- e.g. Nick Perry). So with that said, I think this is the time of year to grade the 2014 class.
Round 1, Pick 21: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama: HHCD broke the mold in terms of athletic profile that the Packers usually draft. He isn't a bad athlete by any means, but he also isn't the type of freak that TT tends to target. Players like him serve as proof that the front office is willing to go "off type" if the right football player falls to them, which I appreciate. Clinton-Dix has steadily progressed, and was a 2nd Team All-Pro in 2016. This becomes all the more impressive when you look at the players who came off after him. With a few exceptions, it is a minefield of disappointments. A
Round 2, Pick 53: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State: 2014 will always be famous for its wide receivers. And while the Packers didn't land any of the elites at the top of round one, they did get in on the action in round 2. Adams is the perfect explanation of why you need to wait to apply draft grades. After a promising rookie season, Adams struggled with injury through a rough 2015 season. Last year saw him bounce back in a huge way as a very capable WR2 and redzone threat. The only gripe with this selection is that it left Allen Robinson on the board, who would almost certainly be even better than Adams on this roster. B+
Round 3, Pick 85: Khyri Thornton, DL, Southern Miss: In Thornton, TT took a swing on a small school DL with some measurables that indicated explosion. If I recall correctly, Thornton was a late riser due to the Senior Bowl and his workouts. In my opinion, the goal of a pick in the top 3 rounds is to become a starter or major role player. Thornton made it one season before bouncing to the Patriots and then the Lions. He hasn't done anything in any of the three places. That's a big miss. F
Round 3, Pick 98: Richard Rodgers, TE, Cal: Rodgers was a strange pick by TT standards. He was a sub standard athlete who some projected as a good Y TE. His hands were and are his best asset. In the pros, he has been laughable as a blocker and is generally just a catch and fall option in the passing game. He isn't dynamic, but has been reliable in his role when called upon. He has a 58/510/8 season to his name. That said, he hasn't been nearly good enough to be considered a starter moving forward. Not a total bust, but certainly not what you'd want out of a late 3rd round pick. C-
Round 4, Pick 121: Carl Bradford, LB, ASU: Bradford was a strange prospect in that he was an edge player at ASU whose lack of length projected to the ILB position in the pros. TT tried him as a conversion prospect, and it failed. In the 4th round, a player isn't necessarily a bust if he can't become a starter, but Bradford could not even manage to become a ST contributor. For that reason, he's another pure miss. F
Round 5, Pick 161: Corey Linsley, C, OSU: If not for injury, Linsley would have started all 48 games of his first three years so far. He was solid and steady as a rookie, and has remained so since. It looks as though he will be a staple of the offensive line for a long time to come. In the 5th round, finding an instant quality starter is about as good as it gets. A+
Round 5, Pick 176: Jared Abbrederis, WR, WISC: The Pack took a late shot on this WR because of his decent size (6'1"), speed (4.50), and route running ability. A torn ACL cost him his rookie season, and concussions dogged him. Injuries in general cloud whether he ever could have been a contributor. But in the end he did very little. You can cut a little break for the bad luck, but this wasn't a good pick. D-
Round 6, Pick 197: Demetri Goodson, DB, Baylor: In standard TT form, Goodson was a gamble on undeveloped athleticism. While he hasn't emerged as a diamond in the rough, he has done enough to stick around with help on ST and the occasional defensive contribution. His work last season, before getting injured, was competent in comparison to some others who saw the field. Far from a home rum, but in the 6th round you'll take these modest returns. C+
Round 7, Pick 236: Jeff Janis, WR, Saginaw Valley State: Hilariously, this is the most controversial player of the entire draft. His tantalizing physical skills have led many fans to believe that there should be a lot more production to be found here. But he can't run routes or digest the play book, which means he's never going to be a consistent factor on offense. However, he's been very important on special teams and he had a big clutch moment in the playoffs. That's good value when you're picking this late. B
Taken all together, I give this draft a B. It has yielded three starters, all of them above average and one of them an All-Pro. Three other players have yielded decent returns relative to their draft slot. Normally three starters of this caliber and some other help would be a highly successful draft, but two big misses in the top 4 rounds mar the final product. But the fact remains that it was a solid offering from everyone's favorite GM.
After three seasons, however, I think it's fair to assess a class. By that time, players have usually had time to demonstrate who they are on the field (though exceptions exist for various reasons-- e.g. Nick Perry). So with that said, I think this is the time of year to grade the 2014 class.
Round 1, Pick 21: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama: HHCD broke the mold in terms of athletic profile that the Packers usually draft. He isn't a bad athlete by any means, but he also isn't the type of freak that TT tends to target. Players like him serve as proof that the front office is willing to go "off type" if the right football player falls to them, which I appreciate. Clinton-Dix has steadily progressed, and was a 2nd Team All-Pro in 2016. This becomes all the more impressive when you look at the players who came off after him. With a few exceptions, it is a minefield of disappointments. A
Round 2, Pick 53: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State: 2014 will always be famous for its wide receivers. And while the Packers didn't land any of the elites at the top of round one, they did get in on the action in round 2. Adams is the perfect explanation of why you need to wait to apply draft grades. After a promising rookie season, Adams struggled with injury through a rough 2015 season. Last year saw him bounce back in a huge way as a very capable WR2 and redzone threat. The only gripe with this selection is that it left Allen Robinson on the board, who would almost certainly be even better than Adams on this roster. B+
Round 3, Pick 85: Khyri Thornton, DL, Southern Miss: In Thornton, TT took a swing on a small school DL with some measurables that indicated explosion. If I recall correctly, Thornton was a late riser due to the Senior Bowl and his workouts. In my opinion, the goal of a pick in the top 3 rounds is to become a starter or major role player. Thornton made it one season before bouncing to the Patriots and then the Lions. He hasn't done anything in any of the three places. That's a big miss. F
Round 3, Pick 98: Richard Rodgers, TE, Cal: Rodgers was a strange pick by TT standards. He was a sub standard athlete who some projected as a good Y TE. His hands were and are his best asset. In the pros, he has been laughable as a blocker and is generally just a catch and fall option in the passing game. He isn't dynamic, but has been reliable in his role when called upon. He has a 58/510/8 season to his name. That said, he hasn't been nearly good enough to be considered a starter moving forward. Not a total bust, but certainly not what you'd want out of a late 3rd round pick. C-
Round 4, Pick 121: Carl Bradford, LB, ASU: Bradford was a strange prospect in that he was an edge player at ASU whose lack of length projected to the ILB position in the pros. TT tried him as a conversion prospect, and it failed. In the 4th round, a player isn't necessarily a bust if he can't become a starter, but Bradford could not even manage to become a ST contributor. For that reason, he's another pure miss. F
Round 5, Pick 161: Corey Linsley, C, OSU: If not for injury, Linsley would have started all 48 games of his first three years so far. He was solid and steady as a rookie, and has remained so since. It looks as though he will be a staple of the offensive line for a long time to come. In the 5th round, finding an instant quality starter is about as good as it gets. A+
Round 5, Pick 176: Jared Abbrederis, WR, WISC: The Pack took a late shot on this WR because of his decent size (6'1"), speed (4.50), and route running ability. A torn ACL cost him his rookie season, and concussions dogged him. Injuries in general cloud whether he ever could have been a contributor. But in the end he did very little. You can cut a little break for the bad luck, but this wasn't a good pick. D-
Round 6, Pick 197: Demetri Goodson, DB, Baylor: In standard TT form, Goodson was a gamble on undeveloped athleticism. While he hasn't emerged as a diamond in the rough, he has done enough to stick around with help on ST and the occasional defensive contribution. His work last season, before getting injured, was competent in comparison to some others who saw the field. Far from a home rum, but in the 6th round you'll take these modest returns. C+
Round 7, Pick 236: Jeff Janis, WR, Saginaw Valley State: Hilariously, this is the most controversial player of the entire draft. His tantalizing physical skills have led many fans to believe that there should be a lot more production to be found here. But he can't run routes or digest the play book, which means he's never going to be a consistent factor on offense. However, he's been very important on special teams and he had a big clutch moment in the playoffs. That's good value when you're picking this late. B
Taken all together, I give this draft a B. It has yielded three starters, all of them above average and one of them an All-Pro. Three other players have yielded decent returns relative to their draft slot. Normally three starters of this caliber and some other help would be a highly successful draft, but two big misses in the top 4 rounds mar the final product. But the fact remains that it was a solid offering from everyone's favorite GM.
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