Everyday of our lives we likely win some, we lose some. That is especially true in the world of sports. In the NFL the annual College Player Selection Process (The Draft) is the primary tool for teams to acquire young talent, at a reasonable price to refresh and/or retool their player rosters. Earlier this week I gave you my opinion on which teams looked to have helped themselves the most. Now it is time to call out, if you will, those teams that for various and sundry reasons did not help improve their team a whole lot. I call them the bottom feeders in the player acquisition process.
At this stage of things I seldom even consider issuing F-grades. And that holds true this year. So here are my 3 teams that get a D for their recent Draft efforts.
Grade: D RAVENS
It was a most unusual Draft year for the team from Baltimore. The best news I can give them is that on Thursday afternoon, only a matter of hours before the Draft began, they announced they had reached a contract agreement with QB LAMAR JACKSON. Better news than they could possibly announce no matter who they selected Thursday night onward. But it does not count in this evaluation despite its importance. It was also a bit unusual for them in that they only held 5 Picks because of traded Picks for players such as ROQUAN SMITH from the BEARS last season. So I am giving them some credit for his acquisition. But they seemed to be a bit distracted by the prolonged LAMAR negotiations.
I have no quarrel with their selection of ZAY FLOWERS at Pick 22. Combine him with RASHAD BATEMAN & ODELL BECKHAM and prospects look much improved for JACKSON to complete some throws downfield to wideouts in a new Todd Monken offensive scheme. Getting Clemson LB TRENT SIMPSON at Pick 86 was solid, which helped them make the decision to not Pick up the 5th year option on former 1st Rounder LB PATRICK QUEEN. On Day 3 they snatched up athletic Edge Rusher TRAVIUS ROBINSON/Ole Miss who flashes but never really caught my fancy. Age has crept up on them in their CB group, so CB/KELLY from Stanford was their choice at Pick 157. But I question his speed and agility, much like another Stanford grad Paulson ADEBO to the Saints a couple of years ago. Can’t argue with size on the Pick of OT AUMAVE-LAULU, but I don’t think he has the feet or quicks to hold up in pass-pro at the NFL level. OG ANDREW VORHEES blew out a knee running at the Combine, and has had injury issues during his 6-year career at USC. He is doubtful to play in 2023, if ever.
Let out a big sigh, and a groan if you are a Ravens fan. Not an exciting group in general… thus the D. Bit also smile and remember LAMAR will be back.
Grade: D VIKINGS
What a difference a year makes when your team has a new GM, and coaching staff, which doesn’t seem to totally buy into the Draft being your prime mode of upgrading your roster. Once again we must remember that they acquired TE/HOCKENSON last season which cost them in Draft Capital. During the RICK SPIELMAN regime this team more than once had double digit Draft Picks in the Spring. This year the Pick count was 5, which included 1 Compensatory Pick. And to make things worse it seems apparent that the new Vikings Front Office is also not buying into the growing analytic that preaches athleticism as a key factor in pro football success. I did a quick numbers check and do not believe the Vikings drafted any players with a RAS score of over 9.00. RAS uses a scale of 1-10 to rank player athleticism, for those of you, who like the Vikings brass, obviously don’t pay attention to those numbers… yet. After JORDAN ADDISON/WR at Pick 23 (my Rank 29) my next highest ranked player they selected was RB DeWAYNE Mc BRIDE who I had ranked at 119, because I failed to notice his serious fumbling issues. For the last two seasons (2021/2022) McBRIDE made and lost 9 fumbles. He is also lacking in burst and plain old speed, 4.50/40. He clearly has a “hands” issue as also indicated by having only 5 career receptions. Oh yeah, he can’t block in pass pro very well either. They got him at Pick 222, but he still may not be a bargain given his athletic issues. The other draftees were CB/BLACKMON (PP#199), DT/ROY (PP#208), DB/WARD (PP#235), QB/J. HALL (PP#160).
In a nutshell, call me very unimpressed by this Draft group, at a time when the Vikings roster needs more athletic, productive players. I am holding my nose on this Draft group. I took a quick peak this morning and their URFA signings don’t appear too exciting at this point in time either.
Grade: D DOLPHINS
Much of the low grade for the Dolphins stems from a paltry 4 Picks in the Draft. When their meddling owner cost them their Round One Pick the demise of their Draft hopes settled in. They got a little help for their secondary with CB/CAM SMITH who at the least should have a legit shot to win one of their CB jobs. RB DEVIN ACHANE at Pick 84 adds some more speed to their RB room and potential to help as a Return Specialist. But lack of smaller, speedy RB was not really an issue for them to solve. He’ll likely contribute for them, but is not a pressing need. ELIJAH HIGGINS/Stanford is a college WR they intend to employ as a flex-TE. Not a huge move, but position change projects seldom work out immediately. RYAN HAYES/OT/Michigan I had slotted for Round 5, and he does have potential. But it may take a while working on his strength in their weight room before he can push for a job in their OL room.
The one First Rounder they had was traded last year for BRADLEY CHUBB. CHUBB is not a pass-rush ace. He’s a steady DE who can provide some QB pressure if his DE-mate on the other side is very productive. Let’s go JAELAN PHILLIPS. You may be the key to CHUBB’s success.
They could be a contending team in the AFC East, but this Draft effort is not likely to improve their chances much, if at all.
That’s all I have for this grade level. I think my next piece will feature teams who might have had an average Draft (C) this time around, but have set the table for flexing a lot of Draft Capital in 2024.
Stay tuned, and cheers to all.
Pigskin
