Hi guys,
I was wondering what people think of the draft picks made in 2007. Now we're a few weeks in to the season, I thought it would be nice for an early review.
(1) What did you think were the requirements before the draft?
(2) Straight after the draft did you feel those requirements had been met?
(3) How do you rate each of the picks now the season has started?
(4) If you could turn back time, are there any players that could have been picked (i.e were available when it was Oakland's turn to pick), and didn't, that you think would actually have been better for the team?
Looking forward to reading what you think.
Oz
1. Roster Turnover - It is important to bring new blood to the team and improve at a lot of positions even if you only improve slightly.
Quantity and Quality - Teams hit on players anywhere in the draft, it is important that we have a lot of chances to bring in players. However, our scouting needs to be on point enough to hit on quality players.
2. I think I would like to believe they were met. I was dissapointed with our late round picks at first, and thought that the Justin Harrell pick was questionable.
3. Grades
Justin Harrell - D - Really was drafted into a deep position, and has to be questioned as a draft pick because of it. There were playmakers on the board at TE and S while there was quality on the OL.
Brandon Jackson - C - Has been unspectacular in games. He really needs to prove to me that he has the field vision that the coaches touted.
James Jones - A - Finding a player of his calibur even in the third round was incredible. Really made the pundits eat their words after calling him a reach, and he will be a staple of this offense for yeards to come.
Aaron Rouse - C - 1st on the depth chart behind a talented set of safeties. Hopefully he can realize his potential and find the field, but Bigby and Collins have looked very good, and it will be difficult for him.
Allen Barbre - C- - He is the kind of offensive lineman we want, but he is pretty deep on the depth chart. I was hoping he could bounce Coston on the depth chart, but he has yet to do so. He has the mentality and the speed to be something special in our system.
David Clowney - D- - He was the only receiver on our roster in the preseason that had blazing speed and it just didn't show on the field. He is on the practice squad, but didn't show enough to me that I can justify saying he should even get a roster spot in the future.
Korey Hall - C+ - Looked like a busted pick for a deep linebacking core, but he has stepped in and been solid out of the backfield as a receiving fullback. He is also part of an excellent special teams.
Desmond Bishop - C+ - Monster on special teams, and could be a staple at backup middle linebacker. Excellent pick for this point in the draft.
Mason Crosby - A - Great leg strength, good accuracy. Probably the best kicker in the draft, and he stepped right in to win our first game for us. Great pick.
Deshawn Wynn - B+ - I didn't even think he would make the roster, but he has looked like the best running back on the team. His mentality has changed, and his play has mirrored that.
Clark Harris - F - Blown pick. We needed quality at TE, and it wouldn't have been difficult for a marginal talent to make the roster there, and he didn't.
4. I think the only round where it would be sound to make a thought like that would be in the first round, and if I could turn back the hands of time to pick a different player there it would have to be one of these players:
Dwayne Bowe - WR - LSU
Robert Meachem - WR - Tennessee
Brandon Meriweather - S - Miami
Greg Olsen - TE - Miami
Aaron Ross - CB - Texas