2008 NFL Draft: More dumb draft grades

by Brad Wells on May 1, 2008 12:52 PM EDT in NFL Draft

Take a look at what CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco said about Indy's draft:

Indianapolis Colts

Best pick: Taking Georgia linebacker/defensive end Marcus Howard in the fifth round is a steal. He's perfect for the Colts, who like undersized ends with speed.

Questionable move: Nothing really. They added interior line depth, which they had to have, and selected two tight ends, which they needed.

Second-day gem: Tight end Jacob Tamme, a fourth-round pick, is a converted receiver. The Colts lost Ben Utecht, so they try and replace him with Tamme.

Overall grade: B-. Third-round pick Phillip Wheeler is a typical Colts pick, a linebacker who can run.

So, let me get this straight, the Colts made a great pick in Howard, got a good second day gem in Tamme, and made no questionable moves or picks throughout the entire draft... and they get a B-?

This is why draft grades are dumb folks. I agree with Prisco's analysis (and I like how he talked about Howard over Mike Hart), but doesn't he realize how stupid it looks to give a team a B- after he praises them for doing a great job?

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Comments

Give Us A C

I totally agree. He gives no negatives at all; not even saying we made a reach with anybody (as some pundits have said we did with Wheeler), yet he gives us a B-?

I would rather have a C from him and all the other ‘experts’. Polian’s words are etched into my mind.

by TouchdownMonkey on May 1, 2008 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Well

I liked the comment about Mike Hart on this same page:

“No mention of how the Colts grabbed Mike Hart with 202nd pick which will turn out to be one of the biggest steals in the draft. In my humble opinion, he is in the 4-6th best back range.”

Word.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by MerryGoByeBye on May 1, 2008 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

apparently

a big flashy pick is required for a draft to be considered a success…

by jochexum on May 1, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

In Prisco's Defense

If the Colts got an A from a draft “expert”, it would most likely be the cause of the apocalypse. Prisco just enjoys life.

coltshomer.blogspot.com

by Colts Homer on May 1, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

And this is why I don’t read what draft experts or the like have to say.

by KingRichard on May 1, 2008 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

what the hell is wrong with a B-

In my book, if your draft is graded either an A or B regardless of plus or minuses, thats pretty good.

They didn’t pick until the late 2nd rd so obviously they didn’t draft any top prospects. I think B- is pretty good considering where they were drafting.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 2, 2008 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

Nothing Wrong With B-

There is nothing wrong with a B-. The point is that Prisco’s comments don’t justify the grade. I don’t really care what grade anybody gives us. Polian’s going to put together the best team possible and Dungy and his staff will lead us through the season.

by TouchdownMonkey on May 2, 2008 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I wonder

what criteria these “experts” are using in determining their grades. Are they based simply on the quality of players drafted or on the drafting team maximizing value for their draft position? If it’s the former, then a team like the Colts will never get an “A” because they are not drafting high enough to land the Glenn Dorsey’s and Chris Long’s of the world. If it’s the latter, then it would seem like a team that filled its needs, made no questionable moves, and got a couple of later-round steals would warrant higher than a B-.

by ctnyc on May 2, 2008 9:19 AM EDT reply actions