USA Today 2005 Draft Ratings

[BlainThePain]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nf...e-mainbar_x.htm

Rating the rookies: A look at the NFL's freshman class

By Derek Harper, the Sports Xchange and Matt Pitzer, USA TODAY Sports Weekly

No rookie report would be complete without a report card. Here are the grades for the rookie class for all 32 teams. It was a productive draft for more than half the teams, which received a B or better.

BEARS Grade: B+

Because of a holdout and a knee injury, RB Cedric Benson has not yet been able to show why he was the fourth overall pick. Second-round WR Mark Bradley was an emerging presence before his knee injury. And say what you want about the passing game, but third-round QB Kyle Orton has started more than twice as many games as the six quarterbacks drafted ahead of him combined.

BENGALS Grade: A

First-round LB David Pollack was slow to make the transition from end, but MLB Odell Thurman (second round) is building a strong résumé for rookie of the year. WR Chris Henry (third) has seen an increase in playing time and has five TD catches. C Eric Ghiaciuc (fourth) looks like a future 10-year starter, and WR Tab Perry (fifth) has made his impact as a return man.

BILLS Grade: C

Second-round WR Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo's top pick, has flashed potential as a playmaker when healthy. Third-round pick Kevin Everett wasn't able to make it back this season from a minicamp knee injury. Fifth-round pick CB Eric King has been a pleasant surprise.

BRONCOS Grade: C+

Spent top three picks on cornerbacks. Darrent Williams (second round) and Domonique Foxworth (third) have made big impacts already, while Karl Paymah (third) is improving after early struggles. The Maurice Clarett debacle hurts the overall grade.

BROWNS Grade: B

Third overall pick WR Braylon Edwards was in the midst of a breakout season when he injured his knee. QB Charlie Frye looks like a steal in the third round, but the jury is out on the rest of the group.

BUCCANEERS Grade: A

RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams' exploits as the fifth overall pick are well-documented. But this class also includes future starting MLB Barrett Ruud (second) and a developing weapon in TE Alex Smith (third). LG Dan Buenning (fourth) has started every game.

CARDINALS Grade: B-

All seven selections made the roster, and four have started games. Injuries have limited first-round pick CB Antrel Rolle and fourth-round pick G Elton Brown, while second-round RB J.J. Arrington gets some slack for getting pounded behind a porous offensive line.

CHARGERS Grade: A-

OLB Shawne Merriman looked like a physical freak of nature at the scouting combine and is quickly becoming one of the league's most feared pass rushers. RB Darren Sproles (fourth) is a valuable weapon as a kick returner and future third-down back.

CHIEFS Grade: B

First-round OLB Derrick Johnson has started every game, but he has yet to make the impact plays he was known for at Texas. P Dustin Colquitt (third) has struggled more than expected, but it's a deep class that will be remembered as solid if unspectacular.

COLTS Grade: B-

It's tough for rookies to make their mark on the league's best team. CBs Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden, the team's top two picks, have both impressed as they slowly improve. Nine of 10 picks have stuck on the roster, injured reserve or the practice squad.

COWBOYS Grade: A

Hit the first-round jackpot with OLB Demarcus Ware and DE Marcus Spears, who are already difference-makers. Fourth-round picks RB Marion Barber III and DE Chris Canty have displayed breakout potential while earning significant snaps, and sixth-round T Rob Petitti has started every game despite some pass blocking issues.

DOLPHINS Grade: A-

RB Ronnie Brown has justified being the second overall selection, impressing as a runner, receiver and blocker, and will be a perennial Pro Bowl-type. ILB Channing Crowder (third) and CB Travis Daniels (fourth) earned starting roles early on and are learning on the job.

EAGLES Grade: A

A huge 11-player class didn't just bolster the depth chart, it produced a bounty. DT Mike Patterson (first round) and WR Reggie Brown (second) have garnered most of the attention, but DE Trent Cole (fifth) is an emerging pass rushing force and RB Ryan Moats (third), and T Todd Herremans (fourth) are getting a chance to make their marks down the stretch.

FALCONS Grade: C+

First-round WR Roddy White has worked his way into the starting lineup, while fifth-round OLB Michael Boley has held his own starting since MLB Ed Hartwell was lost for the season. Not much impact yet from the rest of the group.

49ERS Grade: B

Top overall pick Alex Smith has shown leadership while struggling through a knee injury and the typical roller-coaster ride of a rookie quarterback. C David Baas (second round) and G Adam Snyder (third) have cracked the starting lineup by default while RB Frank Gore (third) has impressed when healthy.

GIANTS Grade: B+

Quality over quantity for this four-man class. CB Corey Webster has had his struggles but is a good athlete who has the makings of a longtime starter. DE Justin Tuck is becoming an important part of the rotation, and RB Brandon Jacobs is a load in short-yardage situations.

JAGUARS Grade: A-

First-round pick WR Matt Jones is still raw — which is scary considering how much his versatility has forced defensive coordinators to account for him. T Khalif Barnes (second round) has taken over the starting job on the left side, and several later picks have shown potential.

JETS Grade: B

The silver lining in a terrible year. S Kerry Rhodes (fourth round) is entrenched as a starter, and CB Justin Miller (second) has started several games as well. There might not be a future star among the eight picks, but it's a solid group despite no first-round pick.

LIONS Grade: D+

With so many other glaring holes, criticism of the team's selection of WR Mike Williams with the 10th overall pick have so far been validated. Only sixth-round pick Johnathan Goddard isn't on the roster, while DT Shaun Cody (second) and CB Stanley Wilson (third) have earned snaps.

PACKERS Grade: Incomplete

S Nick Collins (second) and RG Will Whitticker (seventh) are undergoing a baptism by fire while starting for a terrible team. But this class can't be judged until first-round QB Aaron Rodgers gets the opportunity to take the torch from Brett Favre.

PANTHERS Grade: C

For 10 selections, not as many impact players so far as you'd like to see. First-round pick Thomas Davis, who looks like a future Pro Bowler at linebacker or safety, saves the class. Second-round pick RB Eric Shelton was disappointing before getting injured.

PATRIOTS Grade: B+

Two linemen, first-round G Logan Mankins and third-round T Nick Kaczur, are starting on the left side, and CB Ellis Hobbs (third round) and S James Sanders (fourth) are playing big roles in a depleted secondary.

RAIDERS Grade: C

Time will tell if it was wise to spend their top two picks on speed-burning CBs Fabian Washington and Stanford Routt, although Washington has held up admirably after being forced into action due to injuries. QB Andrew Walter hasn't been heard from since having shoulder surgery.

RAMS Grade: B+

First-round pick T Alex Barron looks like a fixture on the right side despite struggling through a slew of penalties. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick might prove to be the steal of the draft in the seventh round. Injured C Richie Incognito (third) won't play this season, but the staff still thinks he's a potential star.

RAVENS Grade: D

Little impact so far. First-round pick WR Mark Clayton has been solid but unspectacular. Second-round pick DE Dan Cody was lost for the season in August. FB Justin Green looks like a nice find in the fifth round.

REDSKINS Grade: C

CB Carlos Rogers recently taking over as the starter opposite Shawn Springs saves this six-player class to date. QB Jason Campbell (first round) has yet to play, and there has been hardly any impact from anyone else.

SAINTS Grade: C-

First-round T Jammal Brown and second-round S Josh Bullocks are learning the ropes in the starting lineup and should prove to be solid picks. But hardly a peep from the rest of the seven-player group.

SEAHAWKS Grade: B+

Criticized for "reaching" for several players, the Seahawks are having the last laugh with MLB Lofa Tatupu (second round) making a run at defensive rookie of the year starting next to fellow playmaker OLB LeRoy Hill (fourth). But the rest of the nine-player class has yet to show much.

STEELERS Grade: B

TE Heath Miller is putting up Pro Bowl numbers and was a good value with the 30th overall pick. CB Bryant Mcfadden (second round) has made his fair share of big plays, and T Trai Essex (third) has been forced into significant action. Fourth-round WR Fred Gibson was a major flop who didn't make the roster.

TEXANS Grade: B

First-round DT Travis Johnson continues to earn more playing time while fourth-round WR Jerome Mathis could prove to be a steal as he flashes big-play potential. S C.C. Brown is going through rookie growing pains, but he has more than held his own for a sixth-rounder.

TITANS Grade: B+

After making coaches scratch their heads with his erratic behavior and play early on, sixth overall pick Adam "Pacman" Jones has turned it up a notch the past month. Fellow CB Reynaldo Hill (seventh round) is starting, T Michael Roos (second) looks like a he'll be a starter for a long time, and WR Brandon Jones (third) was impressive before succumbing to a knee injury.

VIKINGS Grade: C+

Seventh overall pick WR Troy Williamson has struggled to make the active roster while trying to crack a deep rotation. Fellow first-rounder DE Erasmus James is coming on strong, while G/T Marcus Johnson has been in and out of the starting lineup.

BESTS AMONG NO. 1 PICKS ...

1. Shawne Merriman, LB, Chargers: San Diego's biggest problem was a pass rush, which Merriman has helped provide with seven sacks, best among rookies.

2. Logan Mankins, OL, Patriots: Mankins has been one of the few healthy and reliable players on an offensive line plagued by penalties.

3. Heath Miller, TE, Steelers: Miller has provided a much-needed red-zone threat and has a rookie-leading six touchdown receptions, even though he has not scored since Week 8.

4. Luis Castillo, DE, Chargers: Has emerged as a key component of the league's best run defense after moving into the starting lineup in Week 2.

5. Matt Jones, WR, Jaguars: He has not had a huge immediate impact but shows the potential to be a defensive headache with his ability to play several positions.

... WORSTS AMONG NO. 1 PICKS

1. Travis Johnson, DT, Texans: For a team with so many other problems, a defensive lineman who has trouble staying on the field has turned out to be a remarkable waste.

2. Troy Williamson, WR, Vikings: The wide receiver taken with the premium pick acquired in the Randy Moss trade, Williamson was inactive for two recent games and has more than one catch in a game once since Week 6.

3. Cedric Benson, RB, Bears: A long holdout kept Benson stuck behind holdover Thomas Jones until a knee injury shortened Benson's rookie year with only one 50-plus yard game and no TDs.

4. Chris Spencer, C, Seahawks: Seattle is still high on his potential, but Spencer has barely sniffed the field behind veteran Robbie Tobeck.

5. Mike Williams, WR, Lions: The fear that Williams would be nothing more than a glorified tight end is proving true, and Williams has not escaped the malaise that has infected Detroit this season.

TOP 10 DRAFT SURPRISES

1. Lofa Tatupu, LB, Seahawks, 2nd round (45th overall). Tatupu has solidified Seattle's long-running weakness at middle linebacker and is helping the Seahawks make a run at home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

2. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Rams, 7th round (250). Fitzpatrick provided one of this season's highlights as he came off the bench to throw for 310 yards and two TDs in his first action, leading the Rams to a 24-point second-half comeback in a 30-27 overtime win against Houston on Nov. 27. The Rams have struggled in his two starts since.

3. Reynaldo Hill, CB, Titans, 7th round (218). Although Tennessee has been last in the league in passing TDs allowed for most of the season, the Titans think they found an unexpected long-term starter in Hill, despite some rookie struggles. Hill has started alongside first-round pick Adam Jones since Week 8.

4. Trent Cole, DE, Eagles, 5th round (146). Injuries to the defensive line promoted Cole to the starting lineup for the last four games; he already is one of the team's best pass rushers and has five sacks.

5. Rob Petitti, T, Cowboys, 6th round (209). Petitti has started all season at right tackle, although he has earned some criticism from coach Bill Parcells for his inconsistent play.

6. Nick Collins, S, Packers, 2nd round (51). A widely panned and largely unknown pick from Bethune-Cookman College, Collins has started every game this season and appears to be a potential long-term replacement for the departed Darren Sharper.

7. Chris Henry, WR, Bengals, 3rd round (83). Henry immediately stepped into the regular rotation and has 30 receptions for the AFC North-leading Bengals.

8. Cedric Houston, RB, Jets, 6th round (182). Expected to be the starter for the rest of the season after Curtis Martin had season-ending knee surgery, Houston's 74 rushing yards in his first start Sunday were better than Martin did in all but three games this year.

9. Ryan Moats, RB, Eagles, 3rd round (77). Given an opportunity to play after a foot injury to starter Brian Westbrook, Moats flashed his speed and explosiveness and scored twice Sunday against the Giants.

10. Michael Boley, LB, Falcons, 5th round (160). Forced into the starting lineup in the sixth game because of injuries, Boley has become more active in recent weeks but has not helped solve Atlanta's problems stopping the run.

[Stripes]

Once again, we have a first round pick who is dissapointing in his rookie season but is in position to pull a Chris Perry next year.

[bengalindian]

Hmmm, I wonder if there is a correlation between teams with good grades and their records? I love you Marvin.