Post by MGB01 on May 5, 2008 15:32:27 GMT -5
BIRMINGHAM BOLTS
1. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
2. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
3a. Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin
3b. Phillip Wheeler, OLB, Georgia Tech
4. Quintin Demps, S, UTEP
5. Wilrey Fontenot, CB, Arizona
6a. Durant Brooks, P, Georgia Tech
6b. Curtis Johnson, OLB, Clark
8a. Tyler Polumbus, OT, Colorado
8b. Matt Spanos, C, USC
On one hand the Bolts starred with Brohm, Slaton, and Wheeler, and got steals with Demps and little-known tackling machine Johnson, but the selections of Ikegwuonu and Brooks were puzzlers. Ikegwuonu won't play in 2008 after surgery to repair a torn ACL, a 2-10 team isn't in the position to look one year ahead, especially with a day one selection. Brooks was the best available punter, but the Bolts could have waited. Nonetheless the Bolts' best second-day pick may have been their first one, Fontenot, who was overshadowed by Antoine Cason but was hard-working defensive back who was productive on the college level and will be used in nickel or dime packages with the Bolts.
The two eighth-round selections have gem potential too, as the Bolts' depth was nonexistent coming in.
GRADE: B
CAROLINA COLONELS
1. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
2. DeMario Pressley, DT, North Carolina State
3. Terrence Wheatley, CB, Colorado
4. Jason Shirley, DT, Fresno State
5. Kevin O'Connell, QB, San Diego State
6. Danny Woodhead, RB, Chadron State
7. Frank Morton, DT, Tulane
8. Mike Dragosavich, P, North Dakota State
Forte will come in and almost certainly replace backup RB T.A. McLendon, facing a two-game suspension for an offseason drug arrest. Of course the fact that the Colonels are supposedly taking a hard-line stance contrasted by the fourth-round selection of Shirley is laughable. But if Sharkey can get his act together he (and Morton) could help beef up a reconfigured front line which will feature four players over 330 pounds--three if Grady Jackson retires. Pressley will almost certainly move over to DE where the Colonels are all but ready to give up on former first-rounder George Gause, and converted tackles Claude Wroten and Dusty Dvoracek are in place. Wheatley will almost end up starting, and with Brian Williams facing a make-or-break year, has #1 corner potential. A pair of day two picks, Woodhead and Dragosavich could find their way onto the roster, as the Colonels have been dangling John Avery for the last two years with no success and Jason Baker could be looking at getting cut for the second consecutive year.
GRADE: B-
CHICAGO ENFORCERS
1a. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
1b. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami(FL)
1c. Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
2a. Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Iowa State
2b. Josh Barrett, SS, Arizona State
3. Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State
5a. Drew Radovich, OG, USC
5b. Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson
6. David Roach, FS, TCU
7a. Caleb Hanie, QB, Colorado State
7b. Eric Young, OG, Tennessee
8. Anthony Alridge, WR, Houston
With three first-round picks, the Enforcers made it clear that the reshaping of the lineup (that more or less started after they failed to 'three-peat' in 2005) is continuing. Thomas will come in and start right away, and possibly once again put inconsistent Kelley Washington on notice. By drafting Campbell, the Enforcers were aware their defensive line, especially the ends, had plenty of deficiencies and Campbell will find his way into the starting lineup sooner or later (Rubin as well). The Enforcers haven't been able to get any takers for disappointing Corey Webster or Justin Miller (though Miller is still a dangerous return man), but they still beef up the secondary with Godfrey, Barrett, and Roach regardless. Davis will fight it out with Ben Troupe, who's never really been able to get on track since missing the entire 2005 season with an ankle injury.
GRADE: B
DALLAS LONESTARS
1. DaJuan Morgan, SS, North Carolina State
3. Tony Hills, OT, Texas
4. Tommy Blake, DE, TCU
5. Gary Barnidge, TE, Louisville
6. Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa
7. Marcus Walker, CB, Oklahoma
8. Marcus Griffin, FS, Texas
Morgan will come in and start right away, as the Lonestars lost both starting safeties in the offseason. Griffin isn't his brother (2007 XFL DROY Michael), but is a decent developmental prospect while Walker is perfectly suited for nickel duty, as long as he's facing the action. Barnidge is an athletic pass-catching tight end, but then again so was Joe Newton. Neither will exactly make up for the loss of Chris Cooley. Hills is a potential left tackle prospect if the Lonestars ever decide to move Jordan Black back inside. As if the Lonestars needed another mystery man, Gene Chizik and crew will have to work real hard to keep Blake in the game--and that's before getting to the field
GRADE: C-
DETROIT MUSTANGS
1. Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
2. Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida
3. Landon Cohen, DE, Ohio
4. Dorien Bryant, WR, Purdue
5. Wesley Woodyard, OLB, Kentucky
6. Michael Grant, FS, Arkansas
7. Chester Adams, OG, Georgia
8. Simeon Castille, CB, Alabama
With literally half the Mustangs' D in some kind of legal trouble, the selections of Laws, Cohen, and Woodyard (cousin of Hitmen CB Ashante) were a given. Grant and Castille will help in a secondary that scares no one. Massive Adams fits the replacement as the Mustangs' successor to Travelle Wharton, a big lineman that plays both guard and tackle. Smith and Dwayne Wright will be a nice 1-2 punch but unless the team can develop a dependable vertical game they could get worn down quick. Bryant was a productive college player and will fight it out with Travis Wilson as the #2 receiver.
GRADE: A-
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
1. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
2. Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State
3. Mike Hart, RB, Michigan
4. Caleb Campbell, SS, Army
5. Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
6a. Jerome Felton, FB, Furman
6b. John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
7. Brian Johnston, DE, Gardner-Webb
8a. Josh Morgan, WR, Virginia Tech
8b. Pierre Garcon, WR, Mt. Union
Sweed is a great fit for the Bulls and will not only complement Chad Jackson, but help ensure that Tyler Palko won't be just a one-year (not even that) story. Connor was a first-round talent that fell to the Bulls in the second, he could end up starting at ILB right out of preseason. Campbell will replace Adrian Singleton at strong safety, as his best days are behind him and the Bulls won't simply ride out the seven-year deal he signed in 2003. Hart is a great pickup, but where he'll fit in a group that includes Joseph Addai (returning from an injury-marred 2007) and surprise late-round pick Courtney Lewis (the Bulls' leading rusher in 2007) is anyone's guess. Johnston was the big-time pick on day two, with the potential to grow into a starter.
GRADE: B
KANSAS CITY MONARCHS
1. Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
2. Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami(FL)
3. Zackary Bowman, CB, Nebraska
4a. Justin Forsett, RB, California
4b. Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
5a. Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
5b. Carlton Powell, DT, Virginia Tech
6. Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State
7a. Ali Highsmith, OLB, LSU
7b. Davone Bess, WR, Hawaii
8a. Thaddeus Coleman, OT, Mississippi Valley State
8b. Nate Garner, OT, Arkansas
8c. Brian Bonner, SS, TCU
The Monarchs made it clear in the offseason that they're not about to settle for anything less than an X-Bowl, not a bad mindset for a fifth-year team. Picking up Max Starks, Alex Stepanovich, and Erik Coleman in the offseason were bigtime. Any disappointment over losing Chris Cooley in a bidding war with Washington were eased--albeit six months later--by drafting Bennett, a powerful tight end out of Texas A&M, who will complement starter Teyo Johnson nicely with his blocking ability. Gooden is a pass-flowing linebacker with the ability to make plays all over the field. Bowman and Scandrick could be steals as the Monarchs are loading up in the secondary. Taking two running backs is questionable, though Chris Brown and Darren Sproles are both free agents and one, if not both, will not be back.
GRADE: B+
LAS VEGAS OUTLAWS
1. Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
2. Tom Zbikowski, SS, Notre Dame
3. Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas
4. Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas
5. Erin Henderson, OLB, Maryland
6. Dennis Keyes, FS, UCLA
7. Amir Pinnix, RB, Minnesota
8. Michael Bumpus, WR, Washington State
Moore was a given with Rien Long's season all but done and his career possibly in limbo. This will allow the Outlaws to move Tommy Kelly outside. Secondary wasn't exactly a position of need but the Outlaws did a great job landing Zbikowski, and while Keyes will have a long way to go he's definitely in the right place to develop. Henderson reminds the Outlaws a lot of Richard Seigler, so making him their first pick on the second day was natural. If Monk can get back to pre-knee injury form, he could form a strong trio with Nate Burleson and Jason Hill. Bumpus will take over as the punt returner, and offers the skills to be the Outlaws' fourth receiver. While Pinnix, who was only a part-timer at Minnesota last year, won't solve any nproblems at running back the big hit is Hillis, more a halfback in a fullback's body, essentially a quicker version of ex-Outlaw Chrys Chukwuma.
GRADE: A-
LOS ANGELES XTREME
1. Fred Davis, TE, USC
2. Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
3. Chauncey Washington, RB, USC
4. Ryan Grice-Mullen, WR, Hawaii
5. Andrew Crummey, C, Maryland
6a. Robert Felton, OG, Arkansas
6b. Geno Hayes, OLB, Florida State
7. Shannon Tevaga, OG, UCLA
8. Todd Blythe, WR, Iowa State
No the Xtreme are not changing their name to the Los Angeles Trojans despite taking three with their first three picks. The Xtreme traded disappointing tight end Anthony Fasano to the Washington Glory so Davis will become the starter right away with oft-injured fellow ex-Trojan Antoine Harris as his backup.
Crummey, Felton, and Tevaga are solid acquisitions to a line that needs youth and depth, with Crummey immediately having a chance to push 35-year-old center Cory Raymer for the starting job. Washington is a steal in the third round and will be a strong backup to Maurice Jones-Drew. Hayes is the only pick here who looks out of place, because the Xtreme already have a loaded linebacking unit. The question has to be asked though if Grice-Mullen and Blythe were the best the Xtreme could do at wide receiver although wide receiver wasn't a pressing need.
GRADE: A-
MEMPHIS MANIAX
1. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
2. Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
3. Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State
4. Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville
5. Nick Hayden, DT, Wisconsin
7. Maurice Murray, DT, New Mexico State
8. Jason Rivers, WR, Hawaii
The Maniax had two positions they could have addressed here but didn't due to a rather questionable draft strategy, especially on day one. They drafted Urrutia, then promptly shuffled him off to Birmingham for Brandon Myles, not a bad trade--especially considering Myles' productivity last year for the Bolts, but why even draft the guy in the first place? Torain was a great first round pick considering they're all the sudden ready to send Eric Shelton out of town (a huge mistake) and Hayden is a good pickup for a defensive line devoid of inside depth. But aside from that, were any of their other drafts necessary? Why take Collins, a solid offensive line prospect but not one of need, with Red Bryant still on the board? Not taking Bryant forced the Maniax to take Murray, who like Bryant has size but is not as polished. And was another wide receiver really necessary in the eighth round? Luckily for the Maniax, they did address their lack of a kicker by tagging Art Carmody with a territorial pick but this draft was still largely meh.
GRADE: D
NEW YORK HITMEN
1. Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
2. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
3. Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
4. Jonathan Goff, ILB, Vanderbilt
5. Jamar Adams, SS, Michigan
7. Brandon Barnes, G-T, Grand Valley State
8. Drew Miller, C-G, Florida
The champs went to work and struck gold. Rice wasn't the best back on the board because he did have a heavy workload in college, but he is a solid insurance policy just in case Michael Bush gets hurt again, although if last year's mini-run was any indication he'll be good to go for a full season in '08. Henne comes into the ideal situation and will compete with (and should beat out) Jordan Palmer for the backup job. The champs' SEC haul all ranged from players on the rise (Goff) to players with ability but character could be a question (Harrison) to erstwhile underachievers that have shown flashes (Miller). Adams is a potential goldmine pick with uncertainty surrounding Diamond Ferri's future. Barnes could be the next Jamaal Jackson.
GRADE: A
ORLANDO RAGE
2a. Early Doucet, WR, LSU
2b. Jeremy Zuttah, OG, Rutgers
3. Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
4. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
5. Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio State
6. Steve Justice, C, Wake Forest
7. Darrell Robertson, DE, Georgia Tech
8. Nehemiah Warrick, SS, Michigan State
Doucet was easily the best receiver still on the board when the Rage picked him and Vincent Jackson needs a big year to hold Doucet out of the starting lineup. Ellis has strong potential as a pass-rushing specialist, as does Robertson, a steal in the seventh round. The problem is the Rage are still small at end and thus are probably locked in to moving Jovon Bush outside by default. The selection of Woodson in the fourth round means that Michael Bishop's days are probably done in O-town after the Rage went with a high-profile quarterback in the draft for the second straight year. Justice is a nice pickup too, as were the other two pickups along the offensive line.
GRADE: B
PITTSBURGH IRONMEN
1. DeSean Jackson, WR, California
2. Frank Okam, DT, Texas
4a. Dominique Barber, FS, Minnesota
4b. Jalen Parmele, RB, Toledo
5. Fernando Velasco, OG, Georgia
6. Jonathan Zenon, CB, LSU
7. Vince Hall, ILB, Virginia Tech
8. Keilen Dykes, DL, West Virginia
Jackson is the do-it-all home run threat for sure, but even so the Ironmen might possibly have been tempted to go with Devin Thomas. Rex Ryan is gambling that Okam is his guy, he better be, considering Ahtyba Rubin and Red Bryant were both available. The Ironmen kicked off the second day by reaching for Velasco, but came back two rounds later with a potential gem in Hall. The Ironmen had to move former starting strong safety James Sanders with Eric Weddle playing well and poised to supplant him, but using the pick they got from Washington to select Parmele left some fans with a 'that's it?' feeling.
GRADE: C-
SAN FRANCISCO DEMONS
1. Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
2. John Greco, OT, Toledo
3. Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia
4. Spencer Larsen, ILB, Arizona
5. Darius Reynaud, WR, West Virginia
6. Yvenson Bernard, RB, Oregon State
7. Danny Amendola, WR, Texas Tech
8. Ken DeBauche, P, Wisconsin
The Demons have been an exercise in futility the last two years in the first round. First they used the tenth pick in the draft to select Gerald Riggs two years ago (though not as much of a reach as it was when they drafted Kliff Kingsbury in 2003, at least Riggs will get a lot of PT for the Maniax this year), then they traded the seventh pick to Orlando for Reggie Brown, the Rage only selected XFL Rookie of the Year Marshawn Lynch. While Charles clearly won't be confused with Lynch, but has great upside. The selections of Schmitt, a bulldozing fullback, and the shifty Bernard will greatly help the Demons out in third down and short-yardage situations, both of which the Demons were terrible at in '07. Greco is a strong addition to an offensive line whose average age was 28 and injuries made them look much older. The Demons added depth at wide receiver with Reynaud and Amendola, both can also help T.J. Rushing out in the return game with Rushing coming back from a knee injury. Larsen is probably the best value pick the Demons made, as his versatility and starting ability easily makes him the top reserve of the unit.
GRADE: A-
SEATTLE REIGN
1. James Hardy, WR, Indiana
2. Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
3. Craig Stevens, TE, California
4. Beau Bell, OLB, UNLV
5. Stanley Franks, CB, Idaho
6. Kevin Robinson, WR, Utah State
7. Adam Spieker, C, Missouri
8. Husain Abdullah, FS, Washington State
Hardy is a big, strong receiver who will more than make up for the loss of Devard Darling. This enables the Reign to move Mike Hass back into the slot, where he's better utilized. At least three teams passed on Bryant, who the Reign were only too happy to take. The Reign can go ahead with their plans to move Shaun Cody outside to end. On the second day, the strongest picks were Robinson, considered a poor man's Devin Hester, and Spieker, who walks into a potential starting opportunity with all-XFL center Nick Hardwick out for the season with a broken foot and Monarchs castoff Tupe Peko penciled in at the position. Stevens was regarded by some as the best tight end available outside the big three of Davis(Fred)/Bennett/Carlson. The only question marks are Franks, who could be a darkhorse pick but looks to be a reach, and Abdullah, who isn't the prospect his brother Hamza was when the Reign made him a territorial selection three years ago (he didn't even make first cuts).
DRAFT GRADE: B
WASHINGTON GLORY
1. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
2. Cliff Avril, OLB, Purdue
3a. Justin King, CB, Penn State
3b. Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State
4a. Craig Steltz, SS, LSU
4b. Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
5. Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State
6. Maurice Purify, WR, Nebraska
7. Courtney Grixby, CB, Nebraska
8. Mike Viti, FB, Army
So what does a team do when their former all-XFL defensive end drops off the map? Get another one with similar potential. Victor Adeyanju is a good run-stopping DE, and both Adam Braidwood and Jay Moore have great potential, but Merling has the home-run package. King would have been a first-round talent had he had an inspired junior year, and probably would have been better served staying another year in Happy Valley. Nonetheless the Glory shipped out former #1 overall pick Dyshod Carter to accomodate him as well as Grixby, a high-potential athlete who they picked on day two. Avril steps into a crowded LB situation that is the best east of San Francisco. Selecting two receivers adds depth, but in reality the #4 spot is wide open. Viti will have a shot to catch on at fullback after the Glory traded Brandon Miree to Memphis (they selected Purify with the pick). In addition to drafting Steltz, the Glory also traded for James Sanders, who will replace Glenn Sumter at strong safety.
GRADE: B
1. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
2. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
3a. Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin
3b. Phillip Wheeler, OLB, Georgia Tech
4. Quintin Demps, S, UTEP
5. Wilrey Fontenot, CB, Arizona
6a. Durant Brooks, P, Georgia Tech
6b. Curtis Johnson, OLB, Clark
8a. Tyler Polumbus, OT, Colorado
8b. Matt Spanos, C, USC
On one hand the Bolts starred with Brohm, Slaton, and Wheeler, and got steals with Demps and little-known tackling machine Johnson, but the selections of Ikegwuonu and Brooks were puzzlers. Ikegwuonu won't play in 2008 after surgery to repair a torn ACL, a 2-10 team isn't in the position to look one year ahead, especially with a day one selection. Brooks was the best available punter, but the Bolts could have waited. Nonetheless the Bolts' best second-day pick may have been their first one, Fontenot, who was overshadowed by Antoine Cason but was hard-working defensive back who was productive on the college level and will be used in nickel or dime packages with the Bolts.
The two eighth-round selections have gem potential too, as the Bolts' depth was nonexistent coming in.
GRADE: B
CAROLINA COLONELS
1. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
2. DeMario Pressley, DT, North Carolina State
3. Terrence Wheatley, CB, Colorado
4. Jason Shirley, DT, Fresno State
5. Kevin O'Connell, QB, San Diego State
6. Danny Woodhead, RB, Chadron State
7. Frank Morton, DT, Tulane
8. Mike Dragosavich, P, North Dakota State
Forte will come in and almost certainly replace backup RB T.A. McLendon, facing a two-game suspension for an offseason drug arrest. Of course the fact that the Colonels are supposedly taking a hard-line stance contrasted by the fourth-round selection of Shirley is laughable. But if Sharkey can get his act together he (and Morton) could help beef up a reconfigured front line which will feature four players over 330 pounds--three if Grady Jackson retires. Pressley will almost certainly move over to DE where the Colonels are all but ready to give up on former first-rounder George Gause, and converted tackles Claude Wroten and Dusty Dvoracek are in place. Wheatley will almost end up starting, and with Brian Williams facing a make-or-break year, has #1 corner potential. A pair of day two picks, Woodhead and Dragosavich could find their way onto the roster, as the Colonels have been dangling John Avery for the last two years with no success and Jason Baker could be looking at getting cut for the second consecutive year.
GRADE: B-
CHICAGO ENFORCERS
1a. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
1b. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami(FL)
1c. Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
2a. Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Iowa State
2b. Josh Barrett, SS, Arizona State
3. Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State
5a. Drew Radovich, OG, USC
5b. Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson
6. David Roach, FS, TCU
7a. Caleb Hanie, QB, Colorado State
7b. Eric Young, OG, Tennessee
8. Anthony Alridge, WR, Houston
With three first-round picks, the Enforcers made it clear that the reshaping of the lineup (that more or less started after they failed to 'three-peat' in 2005) is continuing. Thomas will come in and start right away, and possibly once again put inconsistent Kelley Washington on notice. By drafting Campbell, the Enforcers were aware their defensive line, especially the ends, had plenty of deficiencies and Campbell will find his way into the starting lineup sooner or later (Rubin as well). The Enforcers haven't been able to get any takers for disappointing Corey Webster or Justin Miller (though Miller is still a dangerous return man), but they still beef up the secondary with Godfrey, Barrett, and Roach regardless. Davis will fight it out with Ben Troupe, who's never really been able to get on track since missing the entire 2005 season with an ankle injury.
GRADE: B
DALLAS LONESTARS
1. DaJuan Morgan, SS, North Carolina State
3. Tony Hills, OT, Texas
4. Tommy Blake, DE, TCU
5. Gary Barnidge, TE, Louisville
6. Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa
7. Marcus Walker, CB, Oklahoma
8. Marcus Griffin, FS, Texas
Morgan will come in and start right away, as the Lonestars lost both starting safeties in the offseason. Griffin isn't his brother (2007 XFL DROY Michael), but is a decent developmental prospect while Walker is perfectly suited for nickel duty, as long as he's facing the action. Barnidge is an athletic pass-catching tight end, but then again so was Joe Newton. Neither will exactly make up for the loss of Chris Cooley. Hills is a potential left tackle prospect if the Lonestars ever decide to move Jordan Black back inside. As if the Lonestars needed another mystery man, Gene Chizik and crew will have to work real hard to keep Blake in the game--and that's before getting to the field
GRADE: C-
DETROIT MUSTANGS
1. Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
2. Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida
3. Landon Cohen, DE, Ohio
4. Dorien Bryant, WR, Purdue
5. Wesley Woodyard, OLB, Kentucky
6. Michael Grant, FS, Arkansas
7. Chester Adams, OG, Georgia
8. Simeon Castille, CB, Alabama
With literally half the Mustangs' D in some kind of legal trouble, the selections of Laws, Cohen, and Woodyard (cousin of Hitmen CB Ashante) were a given. Grant and Castille will help in a secondary that scares no one. Massive Adams fits the replacement as the Mustangs' successor to Travelle Wharton, a big lineman that plays both guard and tackle. Smith and Dwayne Wright will be a nice 1-2 punch but unless the team can develop a dependable vertical game they could get worn down quick. Bryant was a productive college player and will fight it out with Travis Wilson as the #2 receiver.
GRADE: A-
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
1. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
2. Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State
3. Mike Hart, RB, Michigan
4. Caleb Campbell, SS, Army
5. Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
6a. Jerome Felton, FB, Furman
6b. John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
7. Brian Johnston, DE, Gardner-Webb
8a. Josh Morgan, WR, Virginia Tech
8b. Pierre Garcon, WR, Mt. Union
Sweed is a great fit for the Bulls and will not only complement Chad Jackson, but help ensure that Tyler Palko won't be just a one-year (not even that) story. Connor was a first-round talent that fell to the Bulls in the second, he could end up starting at ILB right out of preseason. Campbell will replace Adrian Singleton at strong safety, as his best days are behind him and the Bulls won't simply ride out the seven-year deal he signed in 2003. Hart is a great pickup, but where he'll fit in a group that includes Joseph Addai (returning from an injury-marred 2007) and surprise late-round pick Courtney Lewis (the Bulls' leading rusher in 2007) is anyone's guess. Johnston was the big-time pick on day two, with the potential to grow into a starter.
GRADE: B
KANSAS CITY MONARCHS
1. Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
2. Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami(FL)
3. Zackary Bowman, CB, Nebraska
4a. Justin Forsett, RB, California
4b. Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
5a. Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
5b. Carlton Powell, DT, Virginia Tech
6. Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State
7a. Ali Highsmith, OLB, LSU
7b. Davone Bess, WR, Hawaii
8a. Thaddeus Coleman, OT, Mississippi Valley State
8b. Nate Garner, OT, Arkansas
8c. Brian Bonner, SS, TCU
The Monarchs made it clear in the offseason that they're not about to settle for anything less than an X-Bowl, not a bad mindset for a fifth-year team. Picking up Max Starks, Alex Stepanovich, and Erik Coleman in the offseason were bigtime. Any disappointment over losing Chris Cooley in a bidding war with Washington were eased--albeit six months later--by drafting Bennett, a powerful tight end out of Texas A&M, who will complement starter Teyo Johnson nicely with his blocking ability. Gooden is a pass-flowing linebacker with the ability to make plays all over the field. Bowman and Scandrick could be steals as the Monarchs are loading up in the secondary. Taking two running backs is questionable, though Chris Brown and Darren Sproles are both free agents and one, if not both, will not be back.
GRADE: B+
LAS VEGAS OUTLAWS
1. Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
2. Tom Zbikowski, SS, Notre Dame
3. Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas
4. Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas
5. Erin Henderson, OLB, Maryland
6. Dennis Keyes, FS, UCLA
7. Amir Pinnix, RB, Minnesota
8. Michael Bumpus, WR, Washington State
Moore was a given with Rien Long's season all but done and his career possibly in limbo. This will allow the Outlaws to move Tommy Kelly outside. Secondary wasn't exactly a position of need but the Outlaws did a great job landing Zbikowski, and while Keyes will have a long way to go he's definitely in the right place to develop. Henderson reminds the Outlaws a lot of Richard Seigler, so making him their first pick on the second day was natural. If Monk can get back to pre-knee injury form, he could form a strong trio with Nate Burleson and Jason Hill. Bumpus will take over as the punt returner, and offers the skills to be the Outlaws' fourth receiver. While Pinnix, who was only a part-timer at Minnesota last year, won't solve any nproblems at running back the big hit is Hillis, more a halfback in a fullback's body, essentially a quicker version of ex-Outlaw Chrys Chukwuma.
GRADE: A-
LOS ANGELES XTREME
1. Fred Davis, TE, USC
2. Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
3. Chauncey Washington, RB, USC
4. Ryan Grice-Mullen, WR, Hawaii
5. Andrew Crummey, C, Maryland
6a. Robert Felton, OG, Arkansas
6b. Geno Hayes, OLB, Florida State
7. Shannon Tevaga, OG, UCLA
8. Todd Blythe, WR, Iowa State
No the Xtreme are not changing their name to the Los Angeles Trojans despite taking three with their first three picks. The Xtreme traded disappointing tight end Anthony Fasano to the Washington Glory so Davis will become the starter right away with oft-injured fellow ex-Trojan Antoine Harris as his backup.
Crummey, Felton, and Tevaga are solid acquisitions to a line that needs youth and depth, with Crummey immediately having a chance to push 35-year-old center Cory Raymer for the starting job. Washington is a steal in the third round and will be a strong backup to Maurice Jones-Drew. Hayes is the only pick here who looks out of place, because the Xtreme already have a loaded linebacking unit. The question has to be asked though if Grice-Mullen and Blythe were the best the Xtreme could do at wide receiver although wide receiver wasn't a pressing need.
GRADE: A-
MEMPHIS MANIAX
1. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
2. Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
3. Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State
4. Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville
5. Nick Hayden, DT, Wisconsin
7. Maurice Murray, DT, New Mexico State
8. Jason Rivers, WR, Hawaii
The Maniax had two positions they could have addressed here but didn't due to a rather questionable draft strategy, especially on day one. They drafted Urrutia, then promptly shuffled him off to Birmingham for Brandon Myles, not a bad trade--especially considering Myles' productivity last year for the Bolts, but why even draft the guy in the first place? Torain was a great first round pick considering they're all the sudden ready to send Eric Shelton out of town (a huge mistake) and Hayden is a good pickup for a defensive line devoid of inside depth. But aside from that, were any of their other drafts necessary? Why take Collins, a solid offensive line prospect but not one of need, with Red Bryant still on the board? Not taking Bryant forced the Maniax to take Murray, who like Bryant has size but is not as polished. And was another wide receiver really necessary in the eighth round? Luckily for the Maniax, they did address their lack of a kicker by tagging Art Carmody with a territorial pick but this draft was still largely meh.
GRADE: D
NEW YORK HITMEN
1. Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
2. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
3. Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
4. Jonathan Goff, ILB, Vanderbilt
5. Jamar Adams, SS, Michigan
7. Brandon Barnes, G-T, Grand Valley State
8. Drew Miller, C-G, Florida
The champs went to work and struck gold. Rice wasn't the best back on the board because he did have a heavy workload in college, but he is a solid insurance policy just in case Michael Bush gets hurt again, although if last year's mini-run was any indication he'll be good to go for a full season in '08. Henne comes into the ideal situation and will compete with (and should beat out) Jordan Palmer for the backup job. The champs' SEC haul all ranged from players on the rise (Goff) to players with ability but character could be a question (Harrison) to erstwhile underachievers that have shown flashes (Miller). Adams is a potential goldmine pick with uncertainty surrounding Diamond Ferri's future. Barnes could be the next Jamaal Jackson.
GRADE: A
ORLANDO RAGE
2a. Early Doucet, WR, LSU
2b. Jeremy Zuttah, OG, Rutgers
3. Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
4. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
5. Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio State
6. Steve Justice, C, Wake Forest
7. Darrell Robertson, DE, Georgia Tech
8. Nehemiah Warrick, SS, Michigan State
Doucet was easily the best receiver still on the board when the Rage picked him and Vincent Jackson needs a big year to hold Doucet out of the starting lineup. Ellis has strong potential as a pass-rushing specialist, as does Robertson, a steal in the seventh round. The problem is the Rage are still small at end and thus are probably locked in to moving Jovon Bush outside by default. The selection of Woodson in the fourth round means that Michael Bishop's days are probably done in O-town after the Rage went with a high-profile quarterback in the draft for the second straight year. Justice is a nice pickup too, as were the other two pickups along the offensive line.
GRADE: B
PITTSBURGH IRONMEN
1. DeSean Jackson, WR, California
2. Frank Okam, DT, Texas
4a. Dominique Barber, FS, Minnesota
4b. Jalen Parmele, RB, Toledo
5. Fernando Velasco, OG, Georgia
6. Jonathan Zenon, CB, LSU
7. Vince Hall, ILB, Virginia Tech
8. Keilen Dykes, DL, West Virginia
Jackson is the do-it-all home run threat for sure, but even so the Ironmen might possibly have been tempted to go with Devin Thomas. Rex Ryan is gambling that Okam is his guy, he better be, considering Ahtyba Rubin and Red Bryant were both available. The Ironmen kicked off the second day by reaching for Velasco, but came back two rounds later with a potential gem in Hall. The Ironmen had to move former starting strong safety James Sanders with Eric Weddle playing well and poised to supplant him, but using the pick they got from Washington to select Parmele left some fans with a 'that's it?' feeling.
GRADE: C-
SAN FRANCISCO DEMONS
1. Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
2. John Greco, OT, Toledo
3. Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia
4. Spencer Larsen, ILB, Arizona
5. Darius Reynaud, WR, West Virginia
6. Yvenson Bernard, RB, Oregon State
7. Danny Amendola, WR, Texas Tech
8. Ken DeBauche, P, Wisconsin
The Demons have been an exercise in futility the last two years in the first round. First they used the tenth pick in the draft to select Gerald Riggs two years ago (though not as much of a reach as it was when they drafted Kliff Kingsbury in 2003, at least Riggs will get a lot of PT for the Maniax this year), then they traded the seventh pick to Orlando for Reggie Brown, the Rage only selected XFL Rookie of the Year Marshawn Lynch. While Charles clearly won't be confused with Lynch, but has great upside. The selections of Schmitt, a bulldozing fullback, and the shifty Bernard will greatly help the Demons out in third down and short-yardage situations, both of which the Demons were terrible at in '07. Greco is a strong addition to an offensive line whose average age was 28 and injuries made them look much older. The Demons added depth at wide receiver with Reynaud and Amendola, both can also help T.J. Rushing out in the return game with Rushing coming back from a knee injury. Larsen is probably the best value pick the Demons made, as his versatility and starting ability easily makes him the top reserve of the unit.
GRADE: A-
SEATTLE REIGN
1. James Hardy, WR, Indiana
2. Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
3. Craig Stevens, TE, California
4. Beau Bell, OLB, UNLV
5. Stanley Franks, CB, Idaho
6. Kevin Robinson, WR, Utah State
7. Adam Spieker, C, Missouri
8. Husain Abdullah, FS, Washington State
Hardy is a big, strong receiver who will more than make up for the loss of Devard Darling. This enables the Reign to move Mike Hass back into the slot, where he's better utilized. At least three teams passed on Bryant, who the Reign were only too happy to take. The Reign can go ahead with their plans to move Shaun Cody outside to end. On the second day, the strongest picks were Robinson, considered a poor man's Devin Hester, and Spieker, who walks into a potential starting opportunity with all-XFL center Nick Hardwick out for the season with a broken foot and Monarchs castoff Tupe Peko penciled in at the position. Stevens was regarded by some as the best tight end available outside the big three of Davis(Fred)/Bennett/Carlson. The only question marks are Franks, who could be a darkhorse pick but looks to be a reach, and Abdullah, who isn't the prospect his brother Hamza was when the Reign made him a territorial selection three years ago (he didn't even make first cuts).
DRAFT GRADE: B
WASHINGTON GLORY
1. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
2. Cliff Avril, OLB, Purdue
3a. Justin King, CB, Penn State
3b. Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State
4a. Craig Steltz, SS, LSU
4b. Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
5. Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State
6. Maurice Purify, WR, Nebraska
7. Courtney Grixby, CB, Nebraska
8. Mike Viti, FB, Army
So what does a team do when their former all-XFL defensive end drops off the map? Get another one with similar potential. Victor Adeyanju is a good run-stopping DE, and both Adam Braidwood and Jay Moore have great potential, but Merling has the home-run package. King would have been a first-round talent had he had an inspired junior year, and probably would have been better served staying another year in Happy Valley. Nonetheless the Glory shipped out former #1 overall pick Dyshod Carter to accomodate him as well as Grixby, a high-potential athlete who they picked on day two. Avril steps into a crowded LB situation that is the best east of San Francisco. Selecting two receivers adds depth, but in reality the #4 spot is wide open. Viti will have a shot to catch on at fullback after the Glory traded Brandon Miree to Memphis (they selected Purify with the pick). In addition to drafting Steltz, the Glory also traded for James Sanders, who will replace Glenn Sumter at strong safety.
GRADE: B