Well, seeing as though I am buried in snow and can't really go anywhere it's that time of year where the magic 3 years have passed and we can now grade Packers GM Ted Thompson's 1st NFL draft with the team:

Thompson was a tradin' down mad man that April grabbing 11 players. Here is the link including bio's of players here.

IMHO, here are my grades....

1
24
QB Aaron Rodgers, Cal
Bio | Audio & Video | Photo Gallery: Day 1 | Photo Gallery: Rodgers Visits Lambeau Field

Grade: B (Starter): While Rodgers has very limited time in regular season play, it's clear he has grown to being a very capable, solid starting QB and his maturing from '05 through '07 is pretty apparent IMO. A player who "fell" to GB and also one who the 49er's likely would not pass on if they could do it again.


2
51
S/CB Nick Collins, Bethune-Cookman
(From New Orleans for CB M.McKenzie)
Bio | Audio & Video

Grade: C (Starter): With Collins, he has been a pretty average starting S. If he was drafted to be a back up, I would place him as a solid back up but as a starter?? We kept waiting for the real Nick Collins to show up, the guy to take the next step, to improve on his previous year. Well, we're still waiting. If a do-over could occur, TT passes on Collins this high.

2
58
WR/KR Terrence Murphy, Texas A&M
Bio | Audio & Video
Grade: D (Out of NFL): Shame here because Murphy looked really good and before the neck issue was revealed, he could have been quite the WR. Still, reality is what it is. Out of the league and a 2nd rounder not contributing 3 years later.

3
89
To Carolina in Draft Day Trade


4
115
S Marviel Underwood, San Diego State
(From Carolina in Draft Day Trade)
Bio | Audio & Video

Grade: D (No longer on the team): See Murphy. Nearly the same scenario only a year later when in 2006 TC it looked like Underwood would take either Collins or Manuel's position. Had high hopes for him but the knee never recovered.



4
125
LB Brady Poppinga, BYU
Bio | Audio & Video
Grade: B- (Starter): Brady's been a solid player, not a Pro Bowler, not as good as Barnett or even Hawk but a guy who shows alot of effort and perhaps with a better scheme could show pass rush skills like he did in college. He has some serious competition with the signing of Chillar now so we shall see if the starter label applies in 2008.

4
126
To Philadelphia in Draft Day Trade
(From Carolina in Draft Day Trade)


5
143
C/G Junius Coston, North Carolina A&T
From Oakland for S M.Anderson)
Bio | Audio & Video
Grade: C- (Back Up): Coston could very well knock out Colledge IF, and it's a big if he stays healthy. A guy with nagging injuries that has prevented him from being able to start more games. When healthy, MM has liked what he has seen.

5
162
To Kansas City for DE R.Truluck


5
167
CB Mike Hawkins, Oklahoma
(From Philadelphia in Draft Day Trade)
Bio | Audio & Video
Grade: F (no longer with the team): Never lived up to his potential. Vikings signed then waived him in 2007. I believe he is out of football?


6
175
To New England in Draft Day Trade
(From Philadelphia in Draft Day Trade)


6
180
DE Mike Montgomery, Texas A&M
(From Oakland for S M.Anderson)
Bio | Audio & Video
Grade: D+ (Back up): Here is a kid with a long list of health issues too. If he can ever get and stay healthy he could make some push for more playing time. But with a deep DL and not unlike TT to draft yet another DE/DT in 2008, I would be surprised if he makes the final roster in 2008. Time is running out.

6
195
WR Craig Bragg, UCLA
(From New England in Draft Day Trade)
Bio | Audio & Video
Grade: F (no longer on the team): Who?

6
199
To Kansas City for DE R.Truluck


7
245
LB Kurt Campbell, Albany
(From Philadelphia in Draft Day Trade)
Bio | Audio & Video
Grade: F (no longer on the team): See Bragg.

7
246
G Will Whitticker, Michigan State
(from New England in Draft Day Trade)
Bio | Audio & Video
Grade: D- (no longer on the team): Part of a bad early OL in 2005, TT wisely moved on from this pick. Not a bad try at the 7th round though.

7
258
To Kansas City for CB D.Combs (2003)
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Overall Grade: B-. Now I know individual grades were not high enough to equate to a B- average however TT did get 3 starters from this team and a potential 4th if Coston's health holds up. IMO, that alone is pretty good. GM Mike Sherman left these shelves extremely bare.

Grade and/or flame away....

I think B- is fair. Coming away with three starters is pretty good, and there may have been more barring injuries. Aaron Rodgers can't be graded yet until we see him on the field.

Its turned out to be more of a D. Collins is ok but not great, same with Poppinga. Murphy would have been good but had the injury. Coston might be something but might not.

I think Rodgers is either going to be a complete flop like Harrington, or hang on a few years kind of like Carr. So that will make the draft pretty bad overall. I don't fault Thompson on that though because he was put in a can't win position.

quote:

Originally posted by runningdirt:
I think B- is fair. Coming away with three starters is pretty good, and there may have been more barring injuries. Aaron Rodgers can't be graded yet until we see him on the field.

Ya, I thought about giving Rodgers the typical "I" for incomplete because this will be his first year as starter however IMO his skills and developmen/growth are pretty tangible when you look at his play in 2005 vs. now. He has matured quite nicely and was placed into an ideal situation. So, I felt I could grade him so far. Obviously, '08 is the test of all tests for him.

Can't wait to see if kworst grades this.

It's a turd of a draft as it stands right now .. probably a D. If Rodgers is a quality NFL starting QB it becomes a B. If he becomes a Pro Bowl type it's an A.

quote:

Originally posted by the-icon:
Its turned out to be more of a D. Collins is ok but not great, same with Poppinga. Murphy would have been good but had the injury. Coston might be something but might not.

I think Rodgers is either going to be a complete flop like Harrington, or hang on a few years kind of like Carr. So that will make the draft pretty bad overall. I don't fault Thompson on that though because he was put in a can't win position.

Pretty much as I see it as well. Though I was a little more generous I gave it a D+

Hey packerboi can you grade my term papers? I like how you grade.

Giving a D+ to Monty is pretty harsh IMO. He's a pretty solid rotational guy. What more can you reasonably expect out of a sixth rounder?

quote:

Originally posted by Liam:
Giving a D+ to Monty is pretty harsh IMO. He's a pretty solid rotational guy. What more can you reasonably expect out of a sixth rounder?

Really now .. has the guy ever made a play? I seem to remember one or two instances, but he's been pretty invisible as a pro.

C at best. Lousy as it stands right now. It basically comes down to Rodgers. IMHO, the 2006 draft far outweighs the '05 already. As smelly as this draft is, it's already looking like TT hit a home run the next year.

http://www.packers.com/draft/2006/

quote:

Originally posted by the-icon:


I think Rodgers is either going to be a complete flop like Harrington, or hang on a few years kind of like Carr. So that will make the draft pretty bad overall. I don't fault Thompson on that though because he was put in a can't win position.

Or Rodgers will lead the Pack to 3 or more consecutive play off appearances. Then I guess the grade becomes a solid B+.

Now if yopu had inserted Nall's name where you have Rodgers then I would agree with you.

D

Maybe higher if Rogers pans out.

11 picks and Poppinga is the best they got out of that class? Not good.

quote:

Originally posted by packerboi:
While Rodgers has very limited time in regular season play, it's clear he has grown to being a very capable, solid starting QB

Wow.

I mean, at the very least the guy should actually start a game before anyone says it's "clear" he's solid at it. You seem to be basing an awful lot on a good half against Dallas.

quote:

Originally posted by grbaypack:

quote:

Originally posted by Liam:
Giving a D+ to Monty is pretty harsh IMO. He's a pretty solid rotational guy. What more can you reasonably expect out of a sixth rounder?

Really now .. has the guy ever made a play? I seem to remember one or two instances, but he's been pretty invisible as a pro.

Do you really expect more than what we've gotten out of him in a 6th round pick? It's nitpicking, I know, but there has to be guys like him on every roster, who can spell starters and provide relatively steady play, be it in limited minutes. Judging every guy we pick in the 6th round next to the Johnny Jolly's, Corey Williams, and Scott Wells of the world is unfair; they're pretty exceptional considering where they were picked. Not every guy fits neatly into either a "stud" or "bust" category, and I think that often fans are too harsh on those players that fall in between. That's it, nothing monumental, just my opinion.

What is the standard being used to grade the draft. Any attempt to say how good the draft without looking at either draft history or other teams results is not useful.
There is a site some place that tracks picks league wide. There conclusion is that having a 50% success rate on picks is about as good as it gets.
If I can find the site I will post the link.

Using Wolf measurement rule of getting three starters as the standard of a good draft then this was a good draft.
QB Aaron Rodgers, Cal
S/CB Nick Collins, Bethune-Cookman
LB Brady Poppinga, BYU
C/G Junius Coston, North Carolina A&T

quote:

Originally posted by Liam:

quote:

Originally posted by grbaypack:

quote:

Originally posted by Liam:
Giving a D+ to Monty is pretty harsh IMO. He's a pretty solid rotational guy. What more can you reasonably expect out of a sixth rounder?

Really now .. has the guy ever made a play? I seem to remember one or two instances, but he's been pretty invisible as a pro.

Do you really expect more than what we've gotten out of him in a 6th round pick? It's nitpicking, I know, but there has to be guys like him on every roster, who can spell starters and provide relatively steady play, be it in limited minutes. Judging every guy we pick in the 6th round next to the Johnny Jolly's, Corey Williams, and Scott Wells of the world is unfair; they're pretty exceptional considering where they were picked. Not every guy fits neatly into either a "stud" or "bust" category, and I think that often fans are too harsh on those players that fall in between. That's it, nothing monumental, just my opinion.

Wow, you must expect just about nothing of anyone that went un-drafted then?

quote:

Originally posted by turnip blood:
What is the standard being used to grade the draft. Any attempt to say how good the draft without looking at either draft history or other teams results is not useful.
There is a site some place that tracks picks league wide. There conclusion is that having a 50% success rate on picks is about as good as it gets.
If I can find the site I will post the link.

Using Wolf measurement rule of getting three starters as the standard of a good draft then this was a good draft.
QB Aaron Rodgers, Cal
S/CB Nick Collins, Bethune-Cookman
LB Brady Poppinga, BYU
C/G Junius Coston, North Carolina A&T

Those are some pretty marginal starters, though, and Pop may be in the process of being replaced as we debate this. Collins is no shoo-in to keep his position either if Rouse lights it up. Coston is a rotation guy. It basically comes down to Rodgers. If you get two even average starters from a draft and your QB if he's good, that's a good draft. If Rodgers busts, then this draft looks like crap unless guys like Collins and Coston figure out how to play well consistently. I'm certainly not making excuses, but when exactly did TT take this job? Wasn't it pretty soon before the draft? It doesn't look good regardless, but his next two drafts have been better, and I wonder if that has anything to do with having a full year in the program and assembling his team.

As said, the 06 draft was a bonanza, and IMHO Jennings has been TT's best draft pick to date.

quote:

Originally posted by JJSD:

quote:

Originally posted by turnip blood:
What is the standard being used to grade the draft. Any attempt to say how good the draft without looking at either draft history or other teams results is not useful.
There is a site some place that tracks picks league wide. There conclusion is that having a 50% success rate on picks is about as good as it gets.
If I can find the site I will post the link.

Using Wolf measurement rule of getting three starters as the standard of a good draft then this was a good draft.
QB Aaron Rodgers, Cal
S/CB Nick Collins, Bethune-Cookman
LB Brady Poppinga, BYU
C/G Junius Coston, North Carolina A&T

Those are some pretty marginal starters, though, and Pop may be in the process of being replaced as we debate this. Collins is no shoo-in to keep his position either if Rouse lights it up. Coston is a rotation guy. It basically comes down to Rodgers. If you get two even average starters from a draft and your QB if he's good, that's a good draft. If Rodgers busts, then this draft looks like crap unless guys like Collins and Coston figure out how to play well consistently. I'm certainly not making excuses, but when exactly did TT take this job? Wasn't it pretty soon before the draft? It doesn't look good regardless, but his next two drafts have been better, and I wonder if that has anything to do with having a full year in the program and assembling his team.

As said, the 06 draft was a bonanza, and IMHO Jennings has been TT's best draft pick to date.

Not sure when TT took the job but I'm hoping that MM got over-ruled in San Fran when they drafted Alex Smith!

I'm sure those are details we'll never know for sure. I also think Smith's bust-ola status has a lot to do with that disastrous franchise and the fact that Smith had zero tallant in the OL, bad WR's and about 3034 coaches in his first three years, all with completely different systems. He sucks - no argument there, but IMHO that's as much about environment as it is tallant or lack thereof. Now he's trying to learn Martz's offense, which may make him more efficient but will likely get him decapitated as it has every other QB in that offense.

quote:

Originally posted by Max:

quote:

Originally posted by packerboi:
While Rodgers has very limited time in regular season play, it's clear he has grown to being a very capable, solid starting QB

Wow.

I mean, at the very least the guy should actually start a game before anyone says it's "clear" he's solid at it. You seem to be basing an awful lot on a good half against Dallas.

It's like calling the Packers Super Bowl contenders without seeing Aaron Rodgers play a full game.

quote:

Originally posted by Max:
[I mean, at the very least the guy should actually start a game before anyone says it's "clear" he's solid at it. You seem to be basing an awful lot on a good half against Dallas.

No, I'm saying its clear he is capable of being a solid starting QB. I think Rodgers biggest obstacle will be if he has a decent enough OL to protect him. When he broke his foot, he was playing behind a bad OL in 2005 with guys like Klemm and Whitaker protecting if memory serves.

I hear what your saying regarding his starting time however there is also no denying his progress in OTA/TC/Pre-season and regular season practices vs. where he was in 2005 in those same areas.

quote:

Originally posted by Fur Fish and Feathers:

quote:

Originally posted by Liam:

quote:

Originally posted by grbaypack:

quote:

Originally posted by Liam:
Giving a D+ to Monty is pretty harsh IMO. He's a pretty solid rotational guy. What more can you reasonably expect out of a sixth rounder?

Really now .. has the guy ever made a play? I seem to remember one or two instances, but he's been pretty invisible as a pro.

Do you really expect more than what we've gotten out of him in a 6th round pick? It's nitpicking, I know, but there has to be guys like him on every roster, who can spell starters and provide relatively steady play, be it in limited minutes. Judging every guy we pick in the 6th round next to the Johnny Jolly's, Corey Williams, and Scott Wells of the world is unfair; they're pretty exceptional considering where they were picked. Not every guy fits neatly into either a "stud" or "bust" category, and I think that often fans are too harsh on those players that fall in between. That's it, nothing monumental, just my opinion.

Wow, you must expect just about nothing of anyone that went un-drafted then?

Well I can't say I'm every surprised or severely disappointed when an undrafted rookie gets cut in training camp, so yeah, you can pretty much say I have just about zero expectation for them. Doesn't mean I won't support them or hope for the best. With an investment that small, any contribution is a bonus.

Funny that this thread spurned me to look at the whole first round from 05, and other than a few really good players like Merriman and Braylon Edwards, who really didn't do anything until this year, that whole first round was almost total garbage - yuck. Second round doesn't look much better.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?season=2005