From Fox Sports.Com
Four Years Later.. Evaluating The 2002 NFL Draft.. - FOX SPORTS
How many years does it take before you can justly evaluate the impact of a draft class?
One or two years is obviously not enough, while even the third year some players are just starting to blossom into the prized athletes the organizations that invested millions (and in some cases-jobs) charted them becoming.
After the fourth season, it’s a competent assumption you get an effective read on what was a Rolls Royce and what was a lemon.
A look back at the NFL draft class of 2002 and the impact they have made.. or lack thereof, with the team that selected them.
1- Houston- David Carr, QB
Even after four years, The fact he's been on a horrible team without any kind of offensive talent surrounding buys him one more year. With Gary Kubiak now at the helm, it's now or never. (Grade: C-)
2- Carolina - Julius Peppers, DE
Arguably the best defensive end in football. (Grade: A+)
3- Detroit - Joey Harrington
Is it the system or his lack of a NFL mentality? (Grade: D)
4- Buffalo - Mike Williams, OT
Complete bust. Lost his job to an un-drafted tight end. (Grade: F)
5- San Diego - Quentin Jammer, CB
Has made no kind of real impact. (Grade: C-)
6- Kansas City- Ryan Sims, DT
Complete and utter bust. (Grade: F)
7- Minnesota - Bryant McKinnie, OT
Compared to Williams, He's the second coming of Anthony Munoz, (Grade: B)
8- Dallas - Roy Williams, S
Has been to 'Boys what Peppers is to Carolina. (Grade: A+)
9- Jacksonville - John Henderson, DT
Might not get the hype the others do, but he's a stud. (Grade: A-)
10- Cincinnati - Levi Jones, OT
Underrated member on explosive Cinci offense (Grade: B)
11- Indianapolis - Dwight Freeney, DE
Chiefs would have been S.B. contender if they took him instead of Sims. (Grade: A+)
12- Arizona - Wendell Bryant, DT
Symbolic of the mediocrity of the organization. (Grade: F)
13- New Orleans - Donte Stallworth, WR
Decent, but never became threat the team has hoped he'd be. (Grade: C)
14- New York Giants - Jeremy Shockey, TE
Great playmaker, oft-injured. Still was a steal at this spot (Grade: B+)
15- Tennessee - Albert Haynesworth, DT
A very good tackle on a very bad defense. (Grade: B)
16- Cleveland - William Greene, RB
Browns took a chance. It failed miserably (Grade: F)
17- Oakland - Phillip Buchanon, CB
Injured often in Oakland.. Traded to Houston.. Injured in Houston. (Grade: D)
18- Atlanta - DJ Duckett, RB
Role player has served his role very well. (Grade: B)
19- Denver - Ashlee Lelie, WR
Started slow. Has improved each year, could be No. 1 guy next year (Grade: B-)
20- Green Bay- Jevon Walker, WR
Coming into his own as one of NFL's best before injury derailed 2006 (Grade: A-)
21- New England - Daniel Graham, TE
Has had his moments but Watson is the man in Foxboro. (Grade: C)
22- New York Jets - Bryan Thomas, DE
Could have done much better at this spot. (Grade: C-)
23- Oakland - Napoleon Harris, LB
Traded as part of Randy Moss deal. Backup in Minnesota. (Grade: C-)
24- Baltimore - Ed Reed, S
At this draft position, was the steal of the draft. (Grade: A+)
25- New Orleans - Charles Grant, DE
Still has upside in him. Will it ever come out? (Grade: C+)
26- Philadelphia - Lito Sheppard, CB
Took over for Troy Vincent/Bobby Taylor and is a Pro Bowler. (Grade: A)
27- San Francisco- Mike Rumph, CB
Missed most of last two years with injuries. (Grade: F)
28- Seattle - Jeremy Stevens, TE
Nothing special. Then again, they haven't need him much. (Grade: C-)
29- Chicago - Marc Columbo, T
Backup tackle. (Grade: C-)
30- Pittsburgh - Kendall Simmons, G
Good enough to start on a Super Bowl quality team, that's good enough for me. (Grade: B)
31- St. Louis - Robert Thomas, LB
Now with Packers. That doesn't do the Rams any good. (Grade: F)
32- Washington - Patrick Ramsey, QB
Marc Brunnel, even at age 63, still starts ahead of Ramsey. (Grade: D-)
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Ebenezer
