Grade the NFC North Drafts

[Fritz]

No, I'm not doing no pole. Or poll. I just want to know what you think the NFC North teams did in comparison to the Packers.

Because they all picked before GB, it's hard not to think they've automatically done better. Who didn't want Trae Waynes or Eddie Goldman or Kevin White to miraculously fall to the Pack?

So, taking that into account, who were the winners and losers of the NFC North?

[Cheesehead Craig]

I thought the Vikes hit on their 1st, 2nd and 4th rounders (assuming that T stays healthy). The others are projects and kinda meh. But Zimmer is a hell of a defensive guy, so the CB and ILB should flourish there.

Chicago got a WR that should be a stud, but with Cutler there who knows. They needed more and better defense than they got. They didn't improve much, IMO.

I loved the G Detroit got. I think Abdullah is going to be a bust. They drafted the positions that they needed on paper. Didn't think they did that bad.

Overall, I thought the Vikes were the best of the division in the draft, primarily due to that their HC is a great DC and their early picks will be immediate impact guys.

[smuggler]

I think Minnesota clearly had the best draft. Chicago's Langford and Amos were players I liked, and we all know about White and Goldman. Detroit.... well, I think their draft was poor, but time will tell.

[Fritz]

I think Minnesota clearly had the best draft. Outside of the top two picks, I didn't care much for Chicago's. Detroit.... well, I think their draft was poor, but time will tell.

Detroit's borrowing against the future - they're banking on getting a third round compensation pick for Suh, but instead of having two third-rounders next year, they traded next year's third to pick up a fourth round pick this year, which turned out to be DT Gabe Wright.

They've re-tooled the offensive line - it's much younger - and grabbed a corner in the fourth round. But Mayhew traditionally doesn't do so well with later-round picks, except Theo Riddick, I think.

[vince]

Any chance someone could post their respective draft classes? Unfortunately I'm not able to do it.

[smuggler]

Detroit

28 - Laken Tomlinson, G
54 - Ameer Abdullah, RB
80 - Alex Carter, CB
113 - Gabe Wright, DT
168 - Michael Burton, FB
200 - Quandre Diggs, CB
240 - Corey Robinson, OT

[smuggler]

Chicago

7 - Kevin White, WR
39 - Eddie Goldman, DT
71 - Hroniss Grasu, C
106 - Jeremy Langford, RB
142 - Adrian Amos, FS
183 - Tayo Fabuluje, G

[smuggler]

Minnesota

11 - Trae Waynes, CB
45 - Eric Kendricks, LB
88 - Danielle Hunter, DE
110 - TJ Clemmings, OT
143 - MyCole Pruitt, TE
146 - Stefon Diggs, WR
185 - Tyrus Thompson, OT
193 - BJ Dubose, DE
228 - Austin Sheppard, OT
232 - Edmond Robinson, LB

[3irty1]

I think Minnesota had a spectacular draft. Things really fell their way.

Waynes can be a fast Al Harris. Kendricks is safe, a perfect fit, and a huge need. Hunter is a big freak who goes 100% which is useful on its own but if he can get some any kind of instincts or technique he'll be a force. Diggs is like a poor man's Greg Jennings, he should contribute sooner rather than later. I think that's a really good haul considering the quality of the class.

[Guiness]

Not sure what a non-playoff team like Chicago is doing with only 6 draft choices - need more kicks at the can than that!

[smuggler]

The answer is this: More of the same. Also, even though the Bears are terrible at safety, they are also pretty thin at LB and completely ignored that position...

[Rastak]

I liked the Vikings draft. Waynes has all the physical talents to be a great corner....now to see if coaching can bring it out. I love the Kendricks pick, he and Barr are going to be something I think.
Hunter is a project like others have said.....although I read he is a tremendous special teams guy.

Clemmings is the perfect hedge against Kahlil struggling. Don't know much about Diggs. Undrafted Ant Harris is interesting.


I liked the Packers draft second with the Bears a close 3rd with Kevin White. Wasn't super high on the Lions.

[smuggler]

Clemmings is a better bet at RT and a mean run blocker. Kalil should come around, so I think it's moot.

[Patler]

I liked the Vikings draft. Waynes has all the physical talents to be a great corner....now to see if coaching can bring it out. I love the Kendricks pick, he and Barr are going to be something I think.
Hunter is a project like others have said.....although I read he is a tremendous special teams guy.

Clemmings is the perfect hedge against Kahlil struggling. Don't know much about Diggs. Undrafted Ant Harris is interesting.


I liked the Packers draft second with the Bears a close 3rd with Kevin White. Wasn't super high on the Lions.

What's the scuttlebut on Kalil? Are they expecting him to bounce back? Any thoughts on what happened last year?

[HarveyWallbangers]

What's the scuttlebut on Kalil? Are they expecting him to bounce back? Any thoughts on what happened last year?

He's been below average the last two years. Clemmings looks like a good fallback, but I think he's dealing with a foot injury.

[Rastak]

He's been below average the last two years. Clemmings looks like a good fallback, but I think he's dealing with a foot injury.


He has NOT been below average the last two years, he's been outright shitty for most of it. Played half way decent to close out last season. Clemmings claims post draft the foot is fine and he played with not even knowing it was an issue.

I also heard he was better suited to RT so not really sure what to think there.

From the things I have read, Kahlil doesn't handle a power rush well and once the league realized that, it's all he got. Just something mentioned on NFL Radio.

[KYPack]

He has NOT been below average the last two years, he's been outright shitty for most of it. Played half way decent to close out last season. Clemmings claims post draft the foot is fine and he played with not even knowing it was an issue.

I also heard he was better suited to RT so not really sure what to think there.

From the things I have read, Kahlil doesn't handle a power rush well and once the league realized that, it's all he got. Just something mentioned on NFL Radio.

I was surprised the Queens picked up Kahlil's 5th year.

I've seen him play OK, but when they start bull rushing him successfully, they push him right off the field.

[Bretsky]

Minnesota

11 - Trae Waynes, CB
45 - Eric Kendricks, LB
88 - Danielle Hunter, DE
110 - TJ Clemmings, OT
143 - MyCole Pruitt, TE
146 - Stefon Diggs, WR
185 - Tyrus Thompson, OT
193 - BJ Dubose, DE
228 - Austin Sheppard, OT
232 - Edmond Robinson, LB


GREAT DRAFT IMO

[HarveyWallbangers]

GREAT DRAFT IMO

You say that every year. I think you might be right this year, but interesting note on Waynes on ESPN's 10 potential first round busts:


Trae Waynes, CB, Minnesota Vikings (No. 11)

There's no denying Waynes -- the first cornerback drafted Thursday -- has the speed to cover deep in the NFL. What makes him a potential bust candidate? Well, considering his 20-yard shuttle time was slower than his 40-yard dash time, there's legitimate concern about his ability to change directions and keep up with receivers. That showed on the field too, with Waynes allowing 1.04 yards per coverage snap, tied for just 36th among cornerbacks in this draft class.

[vince]

I know slightly more than squat about 1 or 2 of these guys from each of these groups, and less than that about the rest so I probably shouldn't even comment....

I agree with the consensus that Minnesota looks like they were able to grab some good potential at a number of need spots. Clemmings dropping (and credit to Spielman for grabbing him), seems like a good get there, along with Kendricks and Waynes.

Plus, like Guiness says, they got more kicks at the can so they have more chances to hit it with the other guys in the group. That in and of itself is more valuable than most appreciate. Getting decent production from any of the lower picks can turn a draft class.

[Zool]

GREAT DRAFT IMO

Well that doesn't bode well for the Vikes. Sorry Ras.

[smuggler]

Lol I forgot about Bretsky's draft juju...

[Bretsky]

Lol I forgot about Bretsky's draft juju...

Oh where oh where is Odell Thurman ??? He may be still be out best ILB besides Clay

[Rastak]

You say that every year. I think you might be right this year, but interesting note on Waynes on ESPN's 10 potential first round busts:


There are some fans here that have been trumpeting that also. Plus he holds like Ahmad Carroll according to the stories. That said, I have to trust Zimmer as he really has done wonders with corners in his career. The dude has the tools. Rhodes had a really nice year under Zimmer and I expect Waynes will do ok.

[smuggler]

Oh Ahmad Carroll. Even when he could get an interception, he would stumble while running unopposed to the endzone and cost us a decisive defensive TD... Still feel bad for that guy.

[Rastak]

Well that doesn't bode well for the Vikes. Sorry Ras.


Yikes - true dat.

[pbmax]

Bears might need this draft to be good. As well as the next few ...

Football Perspective ‏@fbgchase 4m4 minutes ago
What's really scary is situation in Chicago, where Bears are both bad and old. Offense and Defense in bottom 8 in age http://www.footballperspective.com/2014-av-adjusted-team-age/

Average Value is a measure of a player's effectiveness measured by both individual and some team stats. Its just a approximation, but its not a bad stand in for age evaluation since total roster age can be misleading and even starters' age might mask vulnerability at key positions.

Packers are ranked sixth youngest.

[Fritz]

Bears might need this draft to be good. As well as the next few ...

Football Perspective ‏@fbgchase 4m4 minutes ago
What's really scary is situation in Chicago, where Bears are both bad and old. Offense and Defense in bottom 8 in age http://www.footballperspective.com/2014-av-adjusted-team-age/

Average Value is a measure of a player's effectiveness measured by both individual and some team stats. Its just a approximation, but its not a bad stand in for age evaluation since total roster age can be misleading and even starters' age might mask vulnerability at key positions.

Packers are ranked sixth youngest.

Yet writers around the country will undoubtedly trumpet that the Lions or Vikings will take down the Packers this year because the Pack is getting old. This perception comes from those writers confusing the winning of your division (or at least getting into the playoffs) several years in a row and the veteran-ness of your team - conflating the two.

It happened in the Detroit papers last year, or at least the talking heads spewing that the Pack was getting old and the Lions would take them down - even though the Lions' average age was way older than the Packers'.

[red]

Bears might need this draft to be good. As well as the next few ...

Football Perspective ‏@fbgchase 4m4 minutes ago
What's really scary is situation in Chicago, where Bears are both bad and old. Offense and Defense in bottom 8 in age http://www.footballperspective.com/2014-av-adjusted-team-age/

Average Value is a measure of a player's effectiveness measured by both individual and some team stats. Its just a approximation, but its not a bad stand in for age evaluation since total roster age can be misleading and even starters' age might mask vulnerability at key positions.

Packers are ranked sixth youngest.

that means the packers are getting old.

what happened to the good old days when we were the youngest team every year?

i'm sure peppers messes up the whole average almost by himself

[pbmax]

that means the packers are getting old.

what happened to the good old days when we were the youngest team every year?

i'm sure peppers messes up the whole average almost by himself

Ranking by the player's Average Value means a lot of the young vets on second contracts count more (Rodgers, Matthews, Burnett, Peppers, Sitton, Lang).

[pbmax]

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero 15h15 hours ago

Matt Kalil had both knees scoped plus injections designed to treat joint pain as he tries to regain Pro Bowl form. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2015/05/06/matt-kalil-knee-surgeries-regenexx-plasma-therapy-minnesota/70918658/ …

[Rastak]

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero 15h15 hours ago

Matt Kalil had both knees scoped plus injections designed to treat joint pain as he tries to regain Pro Bowl form. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2015/05/06/matt-kalil-knee-surgeries-regenexx-plasma-therapy-minnesota/70918658/ …


Now we know why they drafted three OTs......