YardRat
04-27-2008, 08:47 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3370622
Best move
Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12044) was, by virtually all accounts, the safest pick in this draft. The Dolphins couldn't afford a boom-or-bust approach to the top overall choice. Ownership expects significant improvement right away and steady improvement over time.
Riskiest move
No player in the draft could match Ohio State pass-rusher Vernon Gholston (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12144) for physique or raw physical prowess. The Jets might never regret taking him sixth overall, but Gholston was not always a consistent producer in college. He dominated in some games, including against top competition, but he also seemed to disappear for stretches in others, according to scouts.
Most surprising move:
The Bills needed a cornerback and Leodis McKelvin (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?id=11805&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfldraft%2fdraft%2ftracker%2fplayer%3fid%3d11805) fits the profile, but plenty of analysts bought the pre-draft line about Buffalo pursuing a receiver early in the draft. More than a few mockers had penciled in Michigan State's Devin Thomas (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12247) for the Bills at No. 11.
The thinking made sense given how much time and effort the Bills poured into analyzing big receivers.
The Bills played the percentages by avoiding receivers in the first round.
No other position has produced disappointment as consistently in the first round recently. Taking McKelvin worked out well for the Bills because the run on receivers didn't begin until the second round. Buffalo got its corner and still came away with Indiana's James Hardy (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12158) at No. 41.
Best move
Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12044) was, by virtually all accounts, the safest pick in this draft. The Dolphins couldn't afford a boom-or-bust approach to the top overall choice. Ownership expects significant improvement right away and steady improvement over time.
Riskiest move
No player in the draft could match Ohio State pass-rusher Vernon Gholston (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12144) for physique or raw physical prowess. The Jets might never regret taking him sixth overall, but Gholston was not always a consistent producer in college. He dominated in some games, including against top competition, but he also seemed to disappear for stretches in others, according to scouts.
Most surprising move:
The Bills needed a cornerback and Leodis McKelvin (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?id=11805&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfldraft%2fdraft%2ftracker%2fplayer%3fid%3d11805) fits the profile, but plenty of analysts bought the pre-draft line about Buffalo pursuing a receiver early in the draft. More than a few mockers had penciled in Michigan State's Devin Thomas (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12247) for the Bills at No. 11.
The thinking made sense given how much time and effort the Bills poured into analyzing big receivers.
The Bills played the percentages by avoiding receivers in the first round.
No other position has produced disappointment as consistently in the first round recently. Taking McKelvin worked out well for the Bills because the run on receivers didn't begin until the second round. Buffalo got its corner and still came away with Indiana's James Hardy (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12158) at No. 41.