The NFL’s streamlined draft process made its debut with a quicker pace than usual, the result of less time alloted for picks in the first and second rounds. While the period of time it took to conduct the annual selection meeting may have been shortened, the end result is the same as ever: 32 teams now feature a haul of fresh, young talent to bolster their rosters.
What follows is a team-by-team look at the players drafted, and what each of them brings to his new team and how he may fill an existing need.
There was little argument entering the draft that wide receiver and cornerback were the Bills’ two biggest needs. In No. 1 pick Leodis McKelvin, the Bills secured the draft’s top-rated cornerback who will bolster a defense that ranked 29th against the pass in 2007. He has the makings of the next great defender out of Troy, following in the footsteps of Pro Bowlers Osi Umenyiora and DeMarcus Ware. A surprisingly late run on receivers enabled the Bills to nab Indiana’s supersized James Hardy in Round Two. Although raw, Hardy’s blend of size and speed (6-5 3⁄8, 217 pounds, 4.54 in the 40) contributed to his catching a school-record 36 TD passes in just three seasons in Bloomington. Hardy provides the size complement to speed-merchant wideout Lee Evans that Buffalo has been sorely lacking. TE Derek Fine isn’t the stretch-the-seam athlete the Bills really want, but his fine blocking and reliable hands still will aid new coordinator Turk Schonert’s offense. Even with a dearth of offensive playmakers, WR Steve Johnson and RB Xavier Omon will struggle to find roles. OT Demetrius Bell, biological son of NBA great Karl Malone, doesn’t show the rugged toughness on the gridiron that his dad did on the hardwood. Chris Ellis has a chance to be the first defensive end off the bench, providing badly needed depth at a position that will be without top reserve Anthony Hargrove, who’s suspended for the season. Ironically, Ellis also comes with his share of character issues. Aptly named Reggie Corner lacks quality measurables but has the natural instincts to develop into a solid nickel back, while CB Kennard Cox’s makeup could lend itself better to safety. OLB Alvin Bowen’s best shot at making an impact — if not the roster — comes on special teams.
Past Buffalo Team Reports >
Jake Long joins Ron Yary (1968) and Orlando Pace (1997) as the only offensive tackles to be taken No. 1 overall. Although lacking elite athleticism, Long’s outstanding run blocking and efficient pass protecting has him looking like an OLT fixture for the next decade. Along with ORT Vernon Carey, the addition of Long gives the Dolphins an enviable pair of offensive bookends to build around. Miami was almost as needy at guard as it was at tackle, so 24-year-old Shawn Murphy and Donald Thomas will be in the mix for starting jobs in training camp, although Thomas needs to improve his lower-body strength. A hernia operation scared off teams from taking DE Phillip Merling in the first round, but Miami was glad to pluck him at No. 32. He won’t terrorize quarterbacks with blistering speed off the edge, but he should hold up nicely as a 3-4 end in Miami’s new scheme. With the selection of Chad Henne, the QB derby in Miami is shaping up as one of the NFL’s most intriguing training-camp battles. Henne’s a long shot to earn the starting gig in Week One, but he certainly will be groomed to compete soon for the top job. While not nearly as polished as Merling, Kendall Langford has the raw upside to emerge eventually as the better 3-4 end. He’s bigger than Merling and plays with the nastiness coaches love in their linemen. After shipping shifty and undersized RB Lorenzo Booker to Philadelphia, the Fins added some pop to their ground game with beefy RBs Jalen Parmele and Lex Hilliard. Too small to man the nose but not quick enough to play end, injury-prone DL Lionel Dotson will struggle finding a role in the 3-4.
Past Miami Team Reports >
The Patriots needed to get younger, faster and more physical in the back seven, and they accomplished their plan, beginning with the selection of Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo — a smart, tough, physical and versatile inside ’backer. Wiry OLB Shawn Crable needs to mature physically but brims with potential. He makes up for his lack of spatial awareness by bringing exceptional closing speed into the offensive backfield — his 28½ tackles for loss ranked second nationally in ’07. The Patriots’ LB-heavy draft culminated in the selection of try-hard Bo Ruud. Unlike his brother Barrett, who plays middle linebacker for the Bucs, Bo will play outside. Cornerback was the Patriots’ biggest need, but a lack of early first-round value convinced them they could wait until pick No. 62 to grab one. Undersized Terrence Wheatley had an injury-riddled college career but plays tough. His speed, instincts and man-cover skills give Belichick more flexibility to blitz. Jonathan Wilhite’s size and durability concerns are similar to Wheatley’s, but he adds depth to the underwhelming CB stable. The selection of Kevin O’Connell in Round Three is a sign that Matt Cassel, a free agent after this season, may be too expensive to keep around. Matt Slater, Jackie Slater’s son, has exceptional kick-return ability but virtually zero WR experience.
Past New England Team Reports >
Coach Eric Mangini has made big strides this offseason overhauling his defense, as he continues to find the pieces to properly execute his preferred 3-4 scheme. After bringing aboard veterans Kris Jenkins to play nose tackle and Calvin Pace to play outside linebacker, the Jets’ selection of OLB Vernon Gholston is the third major front-seven fortification since the season ended. Gholston could be a terror off the edge, but he must learn to play hard every down. A rare physical specimen, he’ll team with Pace and ’07 rookie sensation ILB David Harris to give the Jets a trio of formidable, young linebackers. TE Chris Baker’s ordinary speed and playmaking ability convinced the Jets to trade back into Round One to nab Purdue’s ultra-athletic Dustin Keller. A scrappy yet underwhelming blocker, his receiving value will open things up for the wideouts, including fellow draftee Marcus Henry. A lanky possession receiver, Henry will compete for playing time at a position many believed the Jets would address earlier in the draft. With the uncertainty at quarterback, Tennessee’s Erik Ainge was added to the mix in Round Five. Although a late-round draftee, Ainge’s polish and experience playing top-flight collegiate competition make him a possibility to see rookie minutes if Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens struggle. CB Dwight Lowery’s gaudy interception numbers — 13 over his last two seasons — don’t account for his coverage vulnerability. Massive OT Nate Garner is strictly a developmental prospect.
Past NY Jets Team Reports >
