By steve
Is there anything better errr worse than grading a team's draft right after it happens? Doesn't matter because Im doing it any way.
Let's see, they drafted a potential franchise qb, good. They drafted him two rounds too early, bad. They traded back from #8 good, they seemingly could have moved back again, bad.
They drafted a couple of receivers and a tight end, good. They drafted a freaking kicker in the 6th, bad. No offensive linemen good and bad. Two safties were selected, good and bad. Do you see a trend here?
I wont complain much about selecting Manuel at 16. Nix, Whaley and Brandon (and who ever else has a say) took the guy they wanted when they wanted. That is worth at least some props.
Woods from USC impressed me when I watched the average pac12 this season and the other receiver was in the Olympics. Clearly they believed they had to upgrade the offense and their spped.
Not much attention was paid to the defense, at least early, which is disconcerting. Byrd better be in a Bills uniform next year but after that he may not be needed, we'll see.
This draft (unless at least a few of these later picks become studs) will begin and end with Erik James Manuel Jr. If he turns out to be better than good it will be looked at as a great draft. I still have questions about the Kiko selection though.
Basically there was some good and some bad but I'll take it. Just don't force Manuel to start right away.
Grade: B-