Grading the 2005 First Rounders

[AvengerRam]

Okay, its a bit early, but here are my current grades on the first rounders from this year:

1. San Francisco: Alex Smith, QB
Did not rise to the starting spot as quickly as the team hoped, and has played poorly (QB rating of 28.3) when given the chance. Not surrounded by much talent, but still disappointing for a top pick. Grade: D-

2. Miami: Ronnie Brown, RB
Got off to slow start, and has had fumbling problems, but is the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year with 811 yards and a 4.6 average after 12 weeks. Dolphins made the right choice here. Grade: A

3. Cleveland: Braylon Edwards, WR
Was showing some real potential before suffering season ending ACL tear. Browns continue to be snakebitten in the first round. Grade: B

4. Chicago: Cedrick Benson, RB
Unwise holdout lead to slow start and reserve role before injury sidelined Benson. May make an impact in the future, but rookie season has been forgettable. Grade: D

5. TampaBay: Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, RB
Got off to great start, but then was slowed by injuries. Concerns whether he can be a workhorse back, but clearly a talent. Grade: A-

6. Tennessee: Adam "Pacman" Jones, CB
Brash rookie has been burned a lot, as young corners often are. Decent production as a KR/Page Ranking. Grade: C

7. Minnesota: Troy Williamson, WR
Status as Randy Moss's "replacement" unfair burden for rookie, but still, more production (20 receptions) was expected. Grade: C-

8. Arizona: Antrel Rolle, CB
Played in only three games before being sidelined with injury. Grade: Incomplete

9. Washington: Carlos Rogers, CB
Still a work in progress, but has produced fairly well (37 tackles, 2 interceptions). Grade: B

10. Detroit: Mike Williams, WR
Only four starts and 26 receptions for a top 10 pick is disappointing. Grade: C

11. Dallas: Demarcus Ware, DE/LB
42 tackles and 4 sacks. Has helped Dallas improve defense. Grade: B+

12. San Diego: Shawne Merriman, OLB
Playmaker (7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles) battling 2nd round steal Lofa Tatupu for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Grade: A

13. New Orleans: Jammal Brown, OT
Slowed by injuries recently, but has been very solid when in the lineup. Grade: B

14. Carolina: Thomas Davis, SS
Has been a disappointment. Only 26 tackles and not much of an impact. Grade: C-

15. Kansas City: Derrick Johnson, LB
Another Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate with 73 tackles and 2 sacks. Grade: A

16. Houston: Travis Johnson, DT
Off to slow start (22 tackles) playing on a poor defense. Grade: C-

17. Cincinnati: David Pollack, DE/LB
Not much production (19 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and clearly outshined by 2nd round choice Odell Thurman. Grade: C

18. Minnesota: Erasmus James, DE
Another slow starter (16 tackles, 2 sacks). Grade: C-

19. St. Louis: Alex Barron, OT
Shored up right side of line after entering lineup in week 3. Penalties and hand injuries have slowed his progress somewhat, but he looks like he'll be a fixture on the Rams' line. Grade: B

20. Dallas: Marcus Spears, DE
Has made minimal contribution thus far. Grade: C-

21. Jacksonville: Matt Jones, WR
Converted QB still learning the position, but has had some flashes of true potential. Grade: B-

22. Baltimore: Mark Clayton, WR
With a 8.9 yard receiving average and no TDs, nobody's mistaking Clayton for his former Dolphin namesake. Grade: D

23. Oakland: Fabian Washington, CB
Has done well with 29 tackles and 5 passes defended. Grade: B

24. Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers, QB
Has one pass attempt. Grade: Incomplete

25. Washington: Jason Campbell, QB
Has yet to play. Grade: Incomplete

26. Seattle: Chris Spencer, C
Has seen action in only 5 games backing up Reggie Tobeck. Grade: Incomplete

27. Atlanta: Roddy White, WR
5 starts, 19 receptions, 1 TD. I guess WRs just are not impact rookies very often. Grade: D

28. San Diego: Luis Castillo, DT
Has quietly had a fine rookie season (28 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble). Grade: B+

29. Indianapolis: Marlin Jackson, DB
Making a nice contribution (42 tackles, 1 interception, 3 passes defended) on league's top team. Grade: B

30. Pittsburgh: Heath Miller, TE
Has been a big help in the Red Zone (6 TDs). Grade: A-

31. Philadelphia: Mike Patterson, DT
For all the troubles the Eagles have had, Patterson (26 tackles, 3.5 sacks) has been a pleasant surprise. Grade: B+

32. New England: Logan Mankins, OG
Had big accolades early, then rookie mistakes began. Overall a solid pick. Grade: B

[general counsel]

Barron was fantastic value at #19. We really lucked out that he was still around. How is khalif barnes doing, if memory serves me correctly, he was considered the #3 tackle in the draft.

ramming speed to all, keep ike and sign big grease,

general counsel

[CanadianRam!]

Originally Posted by general counsel

Barron was fantastic value at #19. We really lucked out that he was still around. How is khalif barnes doing, if memory serves me correctly, he was considered the #3 tackle in the draft.

ramming speed to all, keep ike and sign big grease,

general counsel

agreed i thought hed be taken in the early teens and was the best o lineman of the draft

[RamJackson39]

I think that saying Thomas Davis has had little impact is a mistake. Really, he was one of the biggest reasons for Carolina beating Atlanta. He was able to contain Michael Vick, and for the Panthers; that's something that they really needed.

[AvengerRam]

Perhaps, but just over 2 tackles per game is not very good production for a SS.

[RamJackson39]

He's also splitting time back there still. He's gotten more paying time as the season has progressed.

[AvengerRam]

Right. And he was drafted to play, not sit. I'm not saying he won't be a great player in the future. I'm just grading his performance to date.

[RamJackson39]

To date, he has not performed up to speed. In big games though, he has been a force. Against the Pats and Falcons, he made key plays that helped the Panthers win.

I'd grade him as a C+ to a B-

[Rampage39]

thomas davis was benched after first game where he looked completely lost. there have been reports that the panthers are going to move him to linebacker.