Akhhorus and CNYSkinFan Debate Series: Post-Draft 2005 grades

Now that we all have had some time to disgest the picks, and see posed pictures of the picks in redskins uniforms, CNYSkinFan and I have a grade for each of the draft picks the skins made:

Carlos Rodgers:

CNYSkinfan on Rodgers: Despite my initial disappointment in missing out on Mike Williams, I like this pick. When we lost Fred Smoot I felt that Walt Harris and Shawn Springs *could* be an adequate replacement, but I was worried about their age and injury history. Rogers puts those fears at ease. He is bigger then Smoot at 6’ 1” and very athletic. Many teams had him as the top rated corner and he may be the best fit into the Williams “D”. Grade: A

Akh on Rodgers: I think he was the best CB available in the draft. He’s got good size, speed, quickness and technique. The only reservation I had about this pick was whether or not they could have deal down to 13 or so and still gotten him, but a lot of teams would have snapped him up in a second. If you want a comparison to a player in the NFL, think Dunta Robinson, only more polished a player. Grade: A

Jason Campbell:

CNYSkinFan on Campbell: First off I was disappointed that the Redskins used this pick on a QB. I still feel the possession type receiver that offense needs does not exist on our roster and Heath Miller (TE) was available with this pick. But after taking time to look at things there is some logic to this choice. Patrick Ramsey has not done as well as expected in his Redskin career. Now Ramsey will get his shot this year, but it will be his last. Ramsey’s contract runs out at the end of next season. His agent and him have been displeased with Ramsey’s stay and whether Ramsey does well or does not, it looks as he won’t be in Burgundy and Gold for too much longer. Campbell can spend this year as the #3 and next year as the #2 and learn the Gibbs offense. It is a wise plan. But I still would rather have Heath Miller and go for it all in the next two years. Grade: Conditional B (If Ramsey falters and Campbell is the starter next year).

Akh on Campbell: I like the pick. While we could have used Heath Miller or another player there, if Gibbs sees something in him that made him want to draft Campbell there, I say, get the Qb of the future now and let him learn. I would rather take him now, and let him sit for a year, learning the NFL and be ready for 06 than see Ramsye fail again, draft a rookie and force him into a lineup before he is ready. Grade: Conditional B+ (based on where the first the skins gave up for him is)

Manuel White:

CNYSkinFan on White: Manuel is going to get a little bump in his grade because the Redskins traded back for him and picked up another pick as well. Manuel is going to be replacing Rock Cartwright on the roster and giving the Redskins more flexibility when it comes to goal line situations. The Redskins could line White at RB and let Sellers be the lead blocker and also could line White at H-Back and let CP run it in. White could be a candidate to take over the H-back slot full time if Cooley moves to TE. This is a good value pick in the second day and could help our offense immediately. Grade: B

Akh on White: I don’t think this was the guy they were targetting after the trade down. I think they were after one of the wideouts taken between where they dealt from to where they to. Interesting pick here, though, and I think he will contribute at HB and as a short yardage back. Grade: C+/B- due to picking up a draft pick

Robert McCune:

CNYSkinFan on McCune: This could be one of the most intriguing picks of the draft. At age #26 McCune is not your typical rookie. He served his country for 3 years and went to school on the GI Bill. You gotta like his story. The MLB spot is one that requires a lot of mental acuity. He may not be a candidate to start there, this year anyways. However if Barrow is unable to come back from injury and if Lemar Marshall can not make the adjustment to the inside or God forbid we need him on the outside because of injuries, McCune could be ready to serve us as well. At the very least he will be a “teamer” and give us quality depth at LB. Grade: B

Akh on McCune: He needs teaching, but as a physical talent, is amazing. Good value pick here. he’s a mature person who is a physical freak. He will immediately contribute on special teams, but don’t be surprised to see him in the defense before too long. Grade: B

Jared Newberry:

CNYSkinFan on Newberry: With Lavar ailing and Lemar moving to the inside the Skins needed help at the OLB spot. Newberry also plays special teams which is a must for a Gibbs linebacker. He is noted for his smarts and work ethic. However he is bit of a tweener, too small for LB to big for Strong safety. Williams needs to make a decision on where he needs to go and Newberry has to follow the plan for him to stay on the team past this next year. He will help on special teams this year though. Grade: C+

Akh on Newberry: They must see something I don’t in this guy. I don’t see him as anything but a special teamer, and with other needs, wouldnt this pick have been better served on a guy like Bill Swancutt or Jovan Haye? I’ve heard he might move to SS, which still isnt a need. He’s another hard worker type who will make the team on effort and character. Grade: C-/D+

Nehemiah Boughton:

CNYSkinFan on Boughton: This is the most puzzling pick of the draft for me. On face it appears as if White and Newberry will be battling for the same roster spot as a big h-back who can also do TB. I know Nehemiah plays special teams and you can never have too much of that. However I do think that the Redskins bypassed need at the WR position and added a guy at H-back that may not make the team. Many quality WR projects were bypassed , including JR Russell. Grade: C

Akh on Boughton: Very interesting pick here. Boughton is a hard worker who is relentless on the field. Big, with okay speed, he will be the change up to Portis. Betts, you might want to update your resume. He’s another guy who is a hard working, top effort, high motor type guy; who have colored the skins’ draft. Interesting. Grade: C+

Overall:

CNYSkinFan: The Redskins addressed needs at CB and LB. They also drafted a future QB and addressed the goal line rushing situation. However glaring needs at TE and WR went wholly unaddressed. Time will tell on this draft as only one player, Carlos Rodgers, is likely to see major time this season. Grade: B

Akh: I really like the Rodgers pick. He will make people forget about Smoot. Campbell will be the Qb of the team, but the question is how much we gave up for him. The later picks were less about addressing needs, but stocking the team with high motor, hard worker types. Obviously Gibbs feels that this is a bigger need than any positional one. Interesting. Conditional Grade: B+ (If Campbell pans out and the first we gave up isn’t a high one, then the grade might go up to an A)