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NFL Draft Grades: AFC East And NFC East
NFL Draft
Mike Mauro
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Sports
Another NFL Draft is in the books and it's time to hand out early grades on how each team fared in improving their teams. As the New York Giants proves last season, with Aaron Ross, Steve Smith, Kevin Boss and Ahmad Bradshaw among others, a good draft can vault a franchise to a championship.
Here are the initial draft grades for each team in the NFC East and AFC East:
NFC EAST
New York Giants - B-plus
The Giants came into the draft needing a safety and got the player they targeted with Miami's Kenny Phillips. He is the next great safety to come out of Miami and is expected to compete for a starting job right away. USC cornerback Terrell Thomas strengthens the secondary as well, but third-rounder Mario Manningham, wide receiver from Michigan was a great steal at that point. Once thought to be battling for the No. 1 receiver spot in the draft, a subpar 40-yard-dash time and character concerns made him fall. However, he has the ability to make big plays and comes into a good situation without pressure. Also of note was sixth-round pick Andre' Woodson, quarterback from Kentucky. Once viewed as a potential top-10 pick, he will have a chance to develop behind Eli Manning.
Washington Redskins - B-plus
For a team that traded out of the first round, they had a great draft. They were able to draft three guys in the second round that had first-round value. Wide receiver Devin Thomas from Michigan State who many viewed as the best receiver in the draft slipped to them at No. 34. Washington also added USC tight end Fred Davis and Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly later in the round. All three should contribute greatly in their rookie seasons.
Dallas Cowboys - B-minus
They took Arkansas running back Felix Jones with the first pick, but Rashard Mendenhall was still on the board and is much more of a complete running back. With their other first-rounder they traded ahead of Houston and took South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins who was a good value at No. 25. They then went on to reach for Martellus Bennett, tight end from Texas A&M, who has never lived up to the skills that he possesses. They grabbed another solid running back in round four with Tashard Choice from Georgia Tech and also got an athletic cornerback from Boise State, Orlando Scandrick, in round five. Overall though, passing on Mendenhall was a big mistake.
Here are the initial draft grades for each team in the NFC East and AFC East:
NFC EAST
New York Giants - B-plus
The Giants came into the draft needing a safety and got the player they targeted with Miami's Kenny Phillips. He is the next great safety to come out of Miami and is expected to compete for a starting job right away. USC cornerback Terrell Thomas strengthens the secondary as well, but third-rounder Mario Manningham, wide receiver from Michigan was a great steal at that point. Once thought to be battling for the No. 1 receiver spot in the draft, a subpar 40-yard-dash time and character concerns made him fall. However, he has the ability to make big plays and comes into a good situation without pressure. Also of note was sixth-round pick Andre' Woodson, quarterback from Kentucky. Once viewed as a potential top-10 pick, he will have a chance to develop behind Eli Manning.
Washington Redskins - B-plus
For a team that traded out of the first round, they had a great draft. They were able to draft three guys in the second round that had first-round value. Wide receiver Devin Thomas from Michigan State who many viewed as the best receiver in the draft slipped to them at No. 34. Washington also added USC tight end Fred Davis and Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly later in the round. All three should contribute greatly in their rookie seasons.
Dallas Cowboys - B-minus
They took Arkansas running back Felix Jones with the first pick, but Rashard Mendenhall was still on the board and is much more of a complete running back. With their other first-rounder they traded ahead of Houston and took South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins who was a good value at No. 25. They then went on to reach for Martellus Bennett, tight end from Texas A&M, who has never lived up to the skills that he possesses. They grabbed another solid running back in round four with Tashard Choice from Georgia Tech and also got an athletic cornerback from Boise State, Orlando Scandrick, in round five. Overall though, passing on Mendenhall was a big mistake.
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