Author: DrafttekStaff_Warren | Filed under: 2009 NFL Regular Season

Drafttek Team Analysts have reviewed all the selections in the first 3 rounds of the 2009 NFL draft.   Below is a summary of each team’s selections, or in the situation of traded picks, how well the trade target has performed.   Of course it is still a little early to formally crown the winners – some teams have drafted players at positions where it is notoriously difficult to make an impact during the first season.  That said, a few teams have already reaped significant benefit from their 2009 draftees.

The link to the individual player evaluations is here:

http://www.drafttek.com/round12009Rvw.asp

Atlanta – 1^st rounder Peria Jerry could ultimately develop, but he’s spent essentially the entire season on IR.  Ditto 2^nd round  S William Moore.   A few starts by 3^rd round CB Chris Owens won’t hide the fact that the Falcons are likely a little disappointed with the group.  A few of the mid-rounders serve in backup roles, so there’s potential with the 2009 class.

Arizona – RB Chris Wells has been the only significant producer of the group.   2nd rounder Cody Brown has been out.  3^rd rounder Rashad Johnson gets secondary and Special Teams action. The group has potential, but Arizona is solid and there are not many opportunities to crack the lineup.   Picking at #31 can be a bear!

Baltimore – There was some concern that Michael Oher could play in the NFL, but he currently starts at RT.  Good value at #23.   Paul Kruger has made some nice plays at DE.  Lardarius Webb (3^rd rounder) has also contributed in the return game.  If letter grades were assigned, call it a “B” with potential for more.

Buffalo – Starting C Eric Wood (1^st) and OG Andy Levitre (2^nd) give the Bills OL a solid interior.   But it’s interception machine Jairus Byrd (8 to date) who highlights the Bills draft.   #11 pick Maybin has been a flop so far, but the Bills look to have a successful draft.

Carolina – The Panthers picked up Everette Brown in the 2^nd – he’s seen some situational PT.    They also added Sherrod Martin later in the 2^nd.  Martin has become the starter at FS due to injury, and may not give it up!  If we were assigning letter grades, call it a  C grade with upside.

Cleveland – The Browns got 2 starters: OC Mack (R1) and WR Massaquoi (R2).  They had 2 other picks in Rounds 1-3 who look like complete duds and will need to work to turn it around.  Hometown product WR Brian Robiskie being one of those.  Labeled a “can’t miss”, he’s been a major disappointment thus far.  Despite the two starters, the Browns need to do better.

Chicago – The Bears did get a starting QB out of the draft, although Cutler hasn’t led Chicago to success as expected.   But their two 3^rd round picks Gilbert and Iglesias have flopped.

Cincinnati – Rey Maualuga (2^nd round) was a great value and is a great starter during the Bengals resurgent season.   3^rd rounder Michael Johnson sees the field now and then.  But 1^st round pick Andre Smith and 3^rd rounder Chase Coffman have yet to provide any value.  Lotta people saying “told ya so” on Smith . . .

Dallas – The Cowboys had 8 picks in rounds 3-5 and continually frustrated their fans by reaching for players when higher rated prospects were out there.  The picks in Round 3: LB Jason Williams (#69) and Robert Brewster (#75) have been disappointing.   Several of their later picks have managed backup roles, but at this point this draft can not be regarded as successful due to the dearth of contributors.

Denver – grabbed what could be the next great Bronco RB in Knowshon Moreno with the #12 overall.   They picked up an additional 3 players who are contributing as rooks, although not yet starting or standing out:  DT Robert Ayers (R1), CB Alphonso Smith (R2) and Darcel McBath ( R3).  Could see this group moving up to an “A”  grade in a years time.

Detroit –Matt  Stafford look promising, although a little OL help will allow him time to find his weapons.  Such as fellow 1st round pick TE Brandon Pettigrew -  also  looking good after a rough start.    2^nd round pick Louis Delmas is a stud – we gave Delmas a “1” score. Despite some residual draft riffraff, the Lions got at least 3 impact players going forward.  Nice job.

Green Bay – #9 overall BJ Raji has been working into the Pack DL rotation – wouldn’t be surprised to see Raji in a Pro-bowl one day.  Fellow 1^st rounder Clay Matthews has taken over the starters role and has made some high profile plays.  Add in 7^th rounder Brad Jones (starting in place of injured aaron Kampmann, and this could be a grade “A” draft in a year,s time

Houston – LB Brian Cushing will be all rookie, a great pickup for the Texans.  And 3^rd round OC Antoine Caldwell will start soon.  Wait and see on Connor Barwin, he’s got a lot of talent in front of him and is having trouble getting on the field.  Not steller (yet) but not Houston got some quality personnel.

Indianapolis – Indy always seems to draft well.  RB Donald Brown (Round 1)  has done well in a shared backfield – when healthy.    DT Fili Moala (Round 2) has not been productive, but as a DT, Moala gets a pass for a year.  Pick #92 (Round 3) Jerraud Powers was a huge reach but has been starting for the Colts as of late!   Toss in WR Austin Collie (R4) for good measure.

Jacksonville – The Jags got starting OT’s in Rounds 1 and 2 with Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton.  But reaching deep for Derek Cox (from William and Mary) and DT Terrence Knighton (Temple) shows the Jaguar scouting department is in a class by itself.  Jags brass were ridiculed after reaching for Knighton – Drafttek had him rated as a 7th round prospect.   Then then very next pick topped it by TRADING UP to select an unheralded player from William & Mary, of all places.    All four start for the resurgent Jaguars.   A++ this draft class is tough to beat.

Kansas City – #3 overall DE Tyson Jackson is still getting his feet wet, as is 3^rd round DT Alex Magee.  The 2^nd rounder was traded for QB Matt Cassel.  Kansas City fans are probably not too happy with these picks, but by no means can any of these three be referred to as a bust, or even a disappointment.

Miami – Got starting CB’s in Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, but it stops there.  Pat White and Pat Turner haven’t helped yet.  If, as it appears, that the Dolphins have bagged themselves two starting corners for the next 5 years, you would have to call the draft successful despite other shortcomings.

Minnesota – Teams weren’t really sure about Percy Harvin going into the draft, but he’s one of the few guys we’ve got with a “1” rating – exceedingly rare for this stage of an NFL players career.  Congrats to the Vikings for researching a player with a specific usage in mind, and succeeding.  And starting RT Phil Loadholt was plucked in the 2^nd round.  There were many questions about Loadholt as well, but why does this guy succeed and Andre Smith flops?  Viking scouting and player evaluation!!

New England – I guess when you have 6 picks in rounds 2 and 3, and you are (allegedly) one of the league’s elite teams, it cannot be expected that all 6 will stick.   Still we expected a little more.  OT Sebastian Vollmer (late 2^nd round)  looks like a quality Offensive Tackle.   Butler and Chung (early 2^nd rounders) have contributed in the secondary, but the other 3 have not made any impact.  We’ll see how this group shapes up down the road.

New Orleans – The Saints grabbed the #1 CB in the draft in Malcolm Jenkins.  Jenkins hasn’t quite cracked the starting lineup, but we suspect he will soon find his way there.   The Saints traded away their 2^nd and 3^rd rounders for TE Jeremy Shockey and LB Jonathan Vilma, which on the surface appear to be excellent usage of those selections.  Both are key cogs in the Saint juggernaut of 2009.

NY Giants – The G-men had 5 draft picks in the first 3 rounds.  Only 1^st round WR Nicks has contributed much – he’s found playing time and has stood out in a quality Giants WR group.  Would not be surprised to see a couple of others (OT Beatty, LB Sintim) moving into starting roles in the future. Like the Patriots above, when your tean does not have many holes to fill, its hard to make an impact.

NY Jets – Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene.  Sanchez appears to have a bright future despite recent travails, but Greene has acquired most of his yards in non-critical situations (re: Oakland).  Both look promising but we’ll need to re-evaluate in a years time.

Oakland – WR Heyward-Bey in the 1^st, S Mitchell in the 2^nd, DE Shaunessey in the 3^rd.   None have done more than spot contribution, although DHB is a technically a starter.   4^th rounder Louis Murphy gives Oakland some consolation – sorta like scoring that late TD to take the edge off a 40-3 drubbing.

Billboard: I-880 in Oakland

Philadelphia – It starting last year when no one else thought DeSean Jackson could play (at least fulltime WR) in the NFL.   The next Peter Warrick, or Sinorice Moss, or Ted Ginn Jr.    This year they added WR Jeremy Maclin and RB LeSean McCoy.   Maclin starts in a crowded WR field at Philly – no small accomplishment with that talented group.  And McCoy has taken over for injured legend Brian Westbrook.   No one could actually replace BW, but McCoy is starting RB material.  And let us not forget trading the #28 overall for LT Jason Peters.  Quality Left Tackles do not grow on trees.  Getting the young allpro Peters for a #28 is a great use of the draft.

Pittsburgh – late 1^st rounder Ziggy Hood could one day be a force in the middle, but fine 3^rd round pick WR Mike Wallace is sufficient to keep the Steelers draft squarely in the black (and gold).  When you’re the world champs, getting any contribution at all from the draft is a positive.

San Diego – 1^st rounder Larry English can’t get on the field with Phillips and Merriman in his way – by no means a dissapoinment though.  3^rd rounder Vasquez starts at RG – nice find!

San Francisco – Michael Crabtree finally showed up and validated the 2009 draft for the Niners.  And 3^rd round RB Glen Coffee modestly contribute.  Additionally, San Francisco traded their 2^nd and 4^th rounders to Carolina for the 2010 1^st rounder – quite possibly a  top-10 pick.

St Louis – Stud 2^nd round LB James Laurinaitis singlehandedly makes this draft a success.  Can’t miss 1^st round OT Jason Smith is starting, but has not been overwhelming.  Promising CB Bradley Fletcher in the 3^rd has been injured since week 6.

Seattle - #4 overall LB Aaron Curry hasn’t yet provided a Patrick Willis style impact (yet), but he’s starting and contributing.  2^nd rounder (from Chicago)  C Max Unger a great pick and solid starter.   We considered moving Seattle to an A by virtue of trading their own 2^nd round pick to Denver for a 1^st round pick in 2010, however the Broncos fine play is keeping this pick in the 20’s for now.

Tampa Bay – At this point, Josh Freeman looks like a winner.  Playing at the level of Stafford and Sanchez (if not better), time will tell.  3^rd rounder Roy Miller is a contributor, rare for a rook DT.  The Buccaneers cement an A grade by fetching all-pro TE Kellen Winslow II for a 2^nd rounder.  It would be difficult to envision how bad the Buccaneer offense would be without K2 (Hint: Winslow’s former team), and we might be tagging the “B” word onto Freeman instead.

Tennessee – The Titans first two picks are at WR ( Britt 1^st Round) and DT (Marks 2^nd round)  – two positions notorious in terms of limited rookie year success.  Britt has proved he belongs with several highlight plays and a decent rook statline.   The rest wait and see.

Washington – Brian Orakpo

singlehandedly lands the Redskins into the B column with excellent all-rookie play.  The Skins should be penalized for giving up their 2^nd rounder for Jason Taylor, but Orakpo’s selection overcomes that transgression and gives the Redskins draft a “Success” stamp.