The Biggest Draft Disappointments

by adelfish | 4 years ago | 0 Comments

Season 68 Biggest Draft Disappointments

The draft is one of the most exciting times of the year, EVERYBODY is getting a new start at 0-0, the emotional highs of big free agency signings are still fresh, and now there is a chance to bring in the futures of your respective franchises. 

There is also a unique lowpoint to the draft, and it usually comes around the halfway points of the season. It usually is full of 'what-ifs' and regret, looking at how other rookies around the league are performing, and watching your selection struggle through his rookie campaign.

There is nothing more click-baity and reactive to judging rookies based on their first 9-10 games, and that is EXACTLY what I plan to do today! Let's take a look at the 1st round from last summer's draft, and see which players are not performing up to the spot they were taken.

Above is a live look at the Patriots front office

#1 Overall - New England Patriots - Layne Godwin (Defensive End)

When I do articles about the league with a theme of disappointment, it is always nice to know that I can count on the Patriots to have a segment.

It was really a three way decision between Godwin, Kazeem Cloud (LV) and Chris Shields (BUF), and Godwin ended up being the selection for the pass rush needy Patriots. Godwin is a really athletic lineman (89 SPD, 90 ACC), but lacked fundamentals in the pass rush and run defense game.

With his higher than average development (Star), he has a chance to be really good if the Pats focus him, but right now the results are pretty underwhelming. Just 3 sacks in 10 games, and the Patriots rush defense is ranked 31st in Red Zone. Yikes.

The biggest kick to the family jewels is that the next two defensive ends taken after Godwin (Cloud & Shields) both have X-Factor...

 

#3 Overall - Las Vegas Raiders - Kazeem Cloud (Defensive End)

As mentioned above, Cloud was among the top 3 projected defensive ends taken, and he went two selections after Godwin. This pick has a way higher ceiling than Godwin, due to the development trait that Cloud comes with (X-Factor), so his chances of becoming a high impact rusher are certainly there.

This year has been a rough start for Cloud's career, with 2 sacks in 10 games, and the Raiders defense has been pitiful, ranked bottom 3 in nearly all categories. His presence on the field hasn't helped the defense this year, but we can assume it will going forward. All potential comments aside, rough first year for Cloud.

 

#6 Overall - Green Bay Packers - Luis Colon (Wide Receiver)

Real tough start for Luis Colon, who was the top wideout selected in this year's draft, one that was honestly pretty underwhelming at the position. The Packers had a massive need at the position with Davante Adams departing for Seattle in free agency, and the trade of Bowers a year earlier. With K.J. Hamler, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, and Dede Westrbrook added to the room, it seemed a top rookie wideout would be able to ascend the depth chart.

Well, that hasn't happened.

Colon has 5 receptions for 41 yards and 1 touchdown. After a nice Week 1 that saw him catch a touchdown, it seemed as though he would fit right in. Since then, 2 receptions for 4 yards. 

The Packers need to get this 22 year old involved more.

 

#8 Overall - Cincinnati Bengals - Ben Barrow (Defensive Tackle)

Ben Barrow came into the draft as the strongest interior lineman, as he blew everyone away at the bench press at the combine. Thought to be an elite run stuffer, Cincy brought him in to pair with Raphael Rivers and others in a rotation.

Small problem, he hasn't played. If he has, he hasn't recorded any stats.

Yikes. The Bengals are hopefully focusing on developing him into a future asset, because guys with raw physical strength like Barrow has don't come along often. Would be a real shame if the 8th overall pick didn't see the field.

#9 Overall - Jacksonville Jaguars - Brenden Williams (Safety)

This was a great planning ahead move by Jacksonville, as both of their starting safeties (Taylor Rapp & Ronnie Harrison) were scheduled to be 3+1 casualties, and opted to bring in Williams as a replacement for one of the two.

Williams has barely played this season, with 4 tackles and 1 interception, so obviously he belongs on this list, but guess what??

Jacksonville extended BOTH Rapp and Harrison, giving over $30 million between the two, so now the Jaguars will have Williams on the bench for his career, unless they plan on running 3 safety packages, or transitioning him to another role. Great use of the 9th overall pick!

#10 Overall - Washington Football Team - Josh Walters (Defensive End)

Another 'plan for the future' pick here, as Washington knew that both Adam Rushing and Tyrone Sweet (defensive ends) were coming up for contract extensions, and with Montez Sweat already on roter, they wouldn't keep both. Rushing was traded to Arizona, and Sweet was nearly traded, further validating the Walters pick.

Walters will be good, as his development (X-Factor) will increase his productivity over the next few years, but he is having a rough start. 

1 sack through 10 games, although the pass defense for Washington has been really solid (3rd in passing yards allowed), it seems to be more of a product of the way Washington is losing. The run defense is currently sitting at 5th worst in the league.

I think Walters will certainly improve, but right now he isn't making much of an impact on the game. Give him a full offseason of development, and he should start to show signs of life starting alongside Sweat.

#11 Overall - Pittsburgh Steelers - Doug Stewart (Tight End)

This pick was strange at the time, as the Steelers have one of the best young tight ends in the league on roster (Lloyd Reece), and has way more pressing needs elsewhere. 

It has gone as expected, as Stewart has 15 receptions for 189 yards and 1 touchdown, and has dealt with some injury issues. The Steelers invested way too much in a second tight end, and unless they are going to transition to an offense featuring Stewart and Reece on the field togehter, I really don't understand this pick.

#13 Overall - Miami Dolphins - Danny Woodard (Linebacker)

What is going on in this draft? Why are so many players in the top half of the first round not playing?

This was another strange pick, as I thought there were two clear cut better linebackers in the class, and both are younger than Woodard, who is 23 years old. Woodard has appeared in 4 games this season, and has totaled 5 tackles. 

Despite all this, Miami is 6-4, and a top 5 defense in terms of yardage. Seriously, what is going on??

#16 Overall - Dallas Cowboys - Jason Burnett (Defensive End)

No team spends more draft capital and money on the defensive line for mediocrity than the Dallas Cowboys. They've already invested 3 first rounders in their defensive line, with the trade for Javon Kinlaw, and drafting Barnett and Ellington (and don't forget draft bust Jamie Woodbury). 

None of the big 3 are due an extension, so this seemed like a luxury pick, becuase there is no doubt Burnett is talented (Star dev), but has just 2 tackles in just 3 games played.

I'm surprised that Coach Greg hasn't implemented more of a rotation to get Burnett involved, instead of him riding the bench. Wait, who am I kidding, they have no idea what they are doing!

#18 Overall - Indianapolis Colts - Victor Haden (Wide Receiver)

Hey we have Justin Bennett, Kenny Golladay, and Michael Gallup. You know what we need?

A receiver.

It's gone as well as you can expect for the 4th string wideout. He has 5 receptions for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season. Seems like he is pretty explosive, would make sense to give more reps to your 22 year old wideout, rather than Michael Gallup!

#19 Overall - Seattle Seahawks - Matt Griffith (Quarterback)

I really liked what Seattle did with the 2nd overall pick, selecting cornerback Najee Barlow (who has been really good when healthy). I also really liked the selection of Matt Griffith. With the departure of Russell Wilson, the Seahawks somehow luck into the best quarterback in the draft at pick 19. With a bright future (Superstar development), Griffith could be a fantastic quarterback in the right system.

One problem, he plays for the Seahawks.

9 starts.

6 three pick sits.

1100 yards.

3 touchdowns.

21 interceptions

#20 Overall - New York Giants - Matt Gholston (Defensive End)

In a deep defensive line class, Gholston seemed like 'just a guy'. No real standout qualities to his game, no elite talent, just another solid pass rusher.

That is exactly how he has played. With the Giants defense hovering around bottom 10 in the league, the 23 year old Gholston has tallied 2 sacks in rotational play, and 5 tackles. Just what the Giants were missing...

#28 Overall - San Francisco 49ers - Edward Spence (Cornerback)

Edward Spence was selected to be a future starter for the 49ers, but there are a few problems. He is pretty slow, he doesn't figure to develop much (Normal dev), and he was terrible in college when he was asked to play zone coverage.

All those great notes add up to where Spence is now, 5th on the depth chart. Yikes!

 

#29 Overall - San Francisco 49ers - Dalton James (Tight End)

Pittsburgh and San Francisco are so talented, that they can afford to burn 1st rounders on backup tight ends! All jokes aside, this makes more sense because George Kittle is 32 years old, but he hasn't shown any signs of decline.

James has been purely a backup this year, with 5 receptions all year. This pick may pay some dividends in a couple years, but for now it seems pretty wasteful.

 

#31 Overall - Seattle Seahawks - Cory Whittaker (Wide Receiver)

Seattle continues the offensive overhaul, this time with the speedy Whittaker at the bottom of the 1st round. Whittaker has been a low impact guy this year, behind star receivers Davante Adams and Marcus Peterson, tallying just 318 yards, and 0 touchdowns.

I don't forsee Adams around for the long-term, so Whittaker will certainly become more of an impact down the road, but right now he is just a guy.

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15 picks on this list of players who aren't making big impacts on their team right away, and there were a few others who almost made the cut. We should all be ashamed!!!