Draft Grades

With the 2010 NCL draft in the books, it’s time to size-up how NCL Owners performed in the draft. The draft was a bit subdued as almost everyone was hung over from the night before, but nonetheless interesting as two owners drafted via ‘satellite.’ On to the grades...

BOOBS
Grade: B

There are two certainties in life: everyone dies and Boobs drafts rookies. With that in mind, it came as no surprise when Boobs took Ryan Matthews 1st overall, as the 1st year player out of Fresno State looks to step-in and fill the RB role in the Chargers high-powered offense. With the fourth pick in the first round, Boobs selected Larry Fitzgerald, a franchisable WR who may not produce this season, but will nonetheless provide value if Arizona ever finds a QB. Boobs loaded up on RBs with 2nd-year back Knoshown Moreno, Marion Barber and Colts successor Donald Brown before chasing 2nd year WR Jeremy Maclin, who will likely evolve into a 1b option in Philidelphia opposite Desean Jackson. Mike Wallace will be the number one option in Pittsburgh at WR, and if Percy Harvin can keep from vomiting he’ll be a threat for the Vikings with Sidney Rice out for 8 weeks. Good, safe draft for Boobs with lots of franchise options after this season, because his current roster of franchised players blows harder than…you guessed it…Nancy Wall.

Wall
Grade: B—

Ragin’ Cajun James Carville look alike entered the draft with questions on his franchised roster. McFadden will be the number 2 option in Oakland, Matt Forte needs a strong rebound in a Mike Martz offense and LeSean McCoy is my pick to repeat Matt Forte’s 2009 season. DeAngelo Williams is a safe pick at RB, although his future is in question with his contract up at the end of this season and Jonathon Stewart/Michael Goodson looking to assume the two-headed monster role in Carolina. There are questions for Williams if Wall’s looking to drop a tag at year’s end. Nice add of classic number 1 receivers in Steve Smith and Reggie Wayne. Smith’s upside is limited by Matt Moore, but great deep threat potential in Hakeem Nicks. Michael Bush will be the number one in Oakland, and he stocks up at QB with Flacco and Favre. He waited awhile on TE with Gresham, who’s a borderline one.




Austin
Grade: B+

For all of my cracking on Austin for his affinity for Minnesota, he actually acquitted himself quite well in his first NCL draft. Frank Gore is a slam dunk number one RB and a potential franchise player for another two seasons. Desean Jackson is a number one WR, but his fantasy scoring came in bunches last season, and the droughts were painstaking. Plus Maclin should emerge as just as viable an option for Kolb in Philadelphia. Cadillac is a nice RB 3 option, though injury prone, and D. Bowe is an unknown in KC, but the unquestioned number one option for Matt Cassel. Shiancoe is a nice TE pickup with Favre back in the fold, and a great value pick with Lee Evans late. Nothing outstanding at WR on the roster, but a lot of potential leaves Austin with a solid roster going forward.

Bille
Grade: C

I guess there weren’t many better options at RB in the first round, but Pierre Thomas is viewed is a partial homer pick with nice potential in a crowded NO backfield. Reggie Bush has shown an ability to run between the tackles during the preseason, and the backfield should be considered a legit platoon. Greg Jennings is the number one option in GB at WR, but with old man Driver and the emergence of J. Finley, Jennings will need to rebound from a disappointing 2009 season to be worthy of his draft slot. Felix Jones is a world of possibility, but he’s proven he’s incapable of staying on the field, and Marion Barber is still the number one in the Big D. Plus the Cowboys’ O-Line looks like pure garbage so far, and there are legit concerns in Dallas about their ability to open holes and keep Tony Romo upright. I like Malcolm Floyd in the fifth as the number one option in San Diego, and he could take Bille’s WR 2 spot by season’s end. Nice depth at QB in Palmer and Matty Ryan, and Dustin Keller could be interesting if Dirty Sanchez quits attending Bieber concerts.

METZ
Grade: C-

Fresh off the franchise tag of Dallas Clark, the NCL’s favorite trophy hunter (sorry, Jace) looked to go for it all in the last year of Peyton Manning. Metz needed help at RB, as Brandon Jacobs could be the RB2 in NY, and Washington didn’t bring in Willie Parker and Larry Johnson because they thought Clinton Portis was producing. Ronnie Brown, Metz’s previous tag will provide some pop at the RB provided he stays healthy. Ditto Wes Welker at WR. Metz’s receiving corps is running on potential and a pocket full of wishes with Johnny Knox, and Mike Sims-Walker. It’s only a matter of time before Monterio Hardesty is the man in Cleveland (for what that’s worth). Thomas Jones is nice RB3-4 depth.

Kelly
Grade: F

Eli Manning first round pick. Larry Johnson. Derrick Ward.

Mendo
Grade: C

The only thing impressive about Steve’s draft was his iPad. Joseph Addai is a by-the-chalk number one in Indianapolis, and scuttlebutt out of Indianapolis is that Donald Brown is not ready yet to carry the load. Vince Jackson in the 5th was a reach, considering no one knows when he’ll play and who he’ll play with. We know for certain that it’s not going to be San Diego. Brent Celek is a solid TE pick, and Steve Breaston is a victim of Derek Anderson Syndrome.

Roy
Grade: A

With Chris Johnson on his roster, Martin did an amazing job of grabbing RB potential. Jahvid Best is the man out of Detroit, and while he carries the same warning tag as all rookie RBs, he’s been shooting up draft boards across the fantasy landscape while Kevin Smith continues to rehab. Ahmad Bradshaw will be the number one back in New York, and he looks like an absolute beast this year. Ringer was an absolute handcuff necessity with the history of backs coming off of 2,000 yard seasons, and he had to get CJ’s backup. Martin’ WR corps will be his weakness. I’m not crazy about Bernard Berrian as his WR 2. There’s a reason Minnesota brought in Javon ‘Make-It-Rain’ Walker and Greg Camarillo other than Sidney Rice’s convenient hip surgery. Fred Taylor is a nice addition, even with Bill Belichek’s penchant for rotating 3 RBs and giving them equal carries.

Cathey
Grade: D

Without his 1st and 4th round picks, Tom once again backed himself into a hole. Jonathan Stewart was the pick in the 1st round, taking into consideration the Stewart will be the number one in Carolina next season. It was a franchise pick. Then he started the TE run too early, and even though Finley will be the top rated TE by year’s end, he probably could’ve used WR help there. At WR, Garcon could end up being the man in Indianapolis by year’s end, but with an undisclosed injury cropping-up, who knows. And yes, Hines Ward could be value, he’s got Dennis Dixon until Week 5 and an emerging Mike Wallace who should be the go-to-guy for the Steelers shortly. Tom had to go with fliers at WR in Kenny Britt, Jacoby Jones and Mike Wallace. Could those guys be Tom’s Desean Jackson and Steve Smith (NYG) of 2010? Doubtful. Oakland defense? Really? Yeah, I get they’ll play the Chiefs and Broncos four times, but come on.

Tibs
Grade B

With two workhorse RBs on the roster, Tibs got to go with pass game threats in the first two rounds. Anquan Boldin could bust out in Baltimore as the number one, and Vernon Davis should post decent numbers. Ricky Williams is a good value pick, especially with the health status of Ronnie Brown an always lingering question. Dez Bryant will be a solid WR 2 option by season’s end, and Donovan McNabb looks decent in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Solid draft for Tibs.

Jace
Grade: B+

When you’re the champ and you get to reload with Aaron Rogers and Adrian Peterson, two first round talents, life is good. Ochocinco will benefit from having TO on the other side, and Antonio Gates will jockey with Finley to be the top tight end producer in 2010. With no Vinny Jack, Gates is Phillip Rivers unquestioned number one option. Donald Driver is old, but he’s not done, especially if Greg Jennings can’t discover his 2008 form. Solid dept at RB with Maroney, and Santana Moss is a nice sleeper pick.

Efurd
Grade: A+

Efurd managed to grab four starting running backs in the draft, which is absurd. Arian Foster, Justin Forsett, Jermone Harrison (Hardesty out for the season), and Tim Hightower has beat out Beanie Wells for the top spot on the depth chart. With MJD already in the fold, Efurd can afford to deal a RB for depth at other positions. Oh, and he got Miles Austin to go opposite Calvin Johnson. Owen Daniel’s knee is healed, and Efurd takes two defenses to play match-ups. I’m calling it now: Efurd will battle Jace for the 2010 NCL crown.