After 15 weeks, grading Hickey's 2014 Draft

[testtubetimmy]

So many people feel the perfect time to evaluate a draft is before the season ever begins. I like to wait until at least the end of their first season before judging the success of a draft, though really you need 2-3 years for a complete analysis. So, being that our season is basically over (why do you play the season if not to get to the playoffs?) why don't we take a look back at Hickey's draft and determine how successful it actually was.

After all, we may need to determine Hickey's fate too.

Round 1, #19- Ja'Wuan James, OT, Tennessee- B+
I think James is an asset to this team. He has shown flexibility in moving from the right to the left, and although recent games have shown him to hit that rookie wall, I believe he'll be a solid, starting RT for our team in the future.

Round 2, #61 (from Broncos through 49ers)- Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU- A
You couldn't ask for more from a 2nd round pick. Landry is clutch and was a steal at 61. He's going to be a dolphin for a long time.

Round 3, #67 (from Raiders)- Billy Turner, OT/OG, North Dakota State- F
This might seem like a harsh grade, but after the Albert injury how does this guy not crack the lineup? If, with all of the injuries on our offensive line, we can't find a spot for Turner who is being cross-trained to be a guard (so he can play two positions and he still isn't contributing?!?) this has to be an indictment from the coaching staff. Turner clearly isn't ready to contribute and is still developing, but you're telling me you drafted someone worse than Dallas Thomas? Fail.

Round 4, #125 (from Chargers)- Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty- C
In 14 games, (he's played 14 games so already a good sign) he's had 15 combined tackles (13 solo, 2 asst) with 1 pass defended and an interception return for 49 yards. He's seeing playing time but by no means are these numbers stellar. I'll take a few more INTs please to validate this pick. For now, I'd say an average 4th rounder.

Round 5, #155- Arthur Lynch, TE, Georgia- INC
After a season-ending back injuring during OTAs, it's impossible to judge. We'll need a body of work on the field to see what's what, but you never want to see a rookie put on IR before the season begins. The last thing you want is to be labeled as "injury prone"

Round 5, #171 (from Broncos through 49ers)- Jordan Tripp, LB, Montana- D
I had such high hopes for Jordan Tripp this season! I thought he was going to come out, fists swinging, and really cause some damage. I was wrong. 11 games played with 3 combined tackles. There are multiple bloggers who really pegged Tripp to be a stud before the season began. He can definitely step it up next year, but with our linebacker troubles, it's a shame he couldn't contribute more.

Round 6, #190- Matt Hazel, WR, Coastal Carolina- C
No one expects a 6th rounder to even be on the team this time of year, so it's good he made it through camp. We have some decent WR depth on this team, and i'm not surprised he hasn't seen any playing time. If we drafted him higher, he'd have a much lower score. But for a 6th round WR, it's pretty much expectation that he rides the bench his rookie season.

Round 7, #234- Terrence Fede, DE, Marist- B
This guy deserves more playing time. He's got a great motor, was a gem in the 7th round, and in the 6 games he's played, he has a sack and 9 combined tackles (7 solo) For someone we picked up in the slop of the 7th round, not a bad pick at all.

VERDICT:
There are some immediate contributors, which is more than we can say from Ireland's Draft Famine. With significant contributions from our 1st and 2nd picks, and varying "success" from our 4th, 6th and 7th rounders, I think we can say it wasn't a TERRIBLE draft. But we need to see more from these rookies, especially with the injuries at key positions. I initially chalked Philbin's reticence of playing rookies up to poor drafting by Ireland, but I'm beginning to suspect otherwise. Regardless, there's really no excuse not to put Billy Turner, Jordan Tripp and Terrence Fede out there now. With two games left to see what these guys can put on tape, it would be silly to have them wasting away on the bench.

 

[PCmor]

Funny thing is, I actually thought it was a better draft until we started to go down the list pick-by-pick. One could argue that as bad a job as Ireland did leaving so many holes on the field, we should have more of these draft picks contributing than just the top two.

 

[dlockz]

The draft definatly loses its luster have the first two picks.

jawan James has been a good player. I still think we should have traded down and took him and got an extra pick and if he was gone we could have drafted Bitonio or another player.
Jarvis Landry has been as good as I thought he would maybe better as a rookie.

After that there really isnt much to say.

 

[Zounds]

I think those are some pretty fair grades based off of what the expectations would be for their respective rounds taken.

I'm hoping we see more Walt Aikens in the final 2 games, and less Jimmy Wilson. I know many here will scoff at your Bill Turner grade, but I think its fair considering he hasn't even been activated for a game yet. I know he's been injured, but he has been healthy for quite a while now and he's been a healthy scratch.

 

[dlockz]

I think those are some pretty fair grades based off of what the expectations would be for their respective rounds taken.

I'm hoping we see more Walt Aikens in the final 2 games, and less Jimmy Wilson. I know many here will scoff at your Bill Turner grade, but I think its fair considering he hasn't even been activated for a game yet. I know he's been injured, but he has been healthy for quite a while now and he's been a healthy scratch.

Its quite fair esp with how bad the line has been. Its much like Dallas Thomas last year who didnt play

 

[AEGBRG]

His first overall draft was very mediocre. He had two very good picks in James and Laundry, but as you mentioned, very little contribution from the other players. If you switched out Hickey's name for Ireland, I think people would be far more disappointed with this years draft class, but I think for whatever reason, Hickey gets a pass since it was his first. So far, Hickey's approach of heavily drafting players from small schools has been a disappointment. The big question remains: was it good enough to keep him around another year? Tough call, but if Ross can some how work magic and get Gamble and Harbaugh, I don't think anyone would have an issue saying bye to Hickey.

 

[zach attach]

James and Landry have earned starting spots, and are consistent impactful players. The rest are more than likey developmental over some time. Of those, I'm most interested in seeing how Tripp and Fede pan out.

 

[Kdawg954]

I'll say this, we drafted Billy Turner with his "rawness" in mind and he battled a turf toe injury for most of the season. Knowing he was one of the rawest offensive linemen in this draft we decided to 'cross train' him at OT and OG. Still you wanted to see him this year and it just hasn't happened. Who knows the reasoning, but he's definitely a guy to key in for next season.

Arthur Lynch was on IR from the beginning, so not much you can do there.

Hazel made the practice squad from a WR group that really he didn't have much of a chance to crack the top 5. Hell Landry was the #4 guy when the season started. I think he performed about as well as you could expect.

Fede flashed from day 1 and IMO he probably should be playing much more but the Fins have to play Wake, Jordan, Shelby, Vernon and company, knowing they can bring Fede along as a 7th rounder.

Aiken I thought would be taking bigger strides but overall he's been ok. Versatile guy, look forward to him next season and his improvements.

The only REAL disappointment has been Tripp but he was overrated on here from day 1. He's a guy that was always going to be one of those "overachiever" types he probably makes his money on special teams. I know dreams of Zach Thomas flashed for fin fans but that was always a big reach. He also battled injuries this year

So yea, was it a perfect draft, no, but it's of much higher quality than what we are used to

 

[Kdawg954]

Funny thing is, I actually thought it was a better draft until we started to go down the list pick-by-pick. One could argue that as bad a job as Ireland did leaving so many holes on the field, we should have more of these draft picks contributing than just the top two.

Holes on the field are a direct result of "previous drafts", not a current draft. You don't draft with the expectation that you are going to have guys jump in day one and play . . . this is why it usually takes 2 to 3 years to properly evaluate a draft.

And mentioning Ireland's name is just a straight up insult to Hickey . . . or have you forgot Dion Jordan/Jamar Taylor/Dallas Thomas/Will Davis . . . 4 picks in the first 3 rounds just a year ago.

 

[datruth55]

His first overall draft was very mediocre. He had two very good picks in James and Laundry, but as you mentioned, very little contribution from the other players. If you switched out Hickey's name for Ireland, I think people would be far more disappointed with this years draft class, but I think for whatever reason, Hickey gets a pass since it was his first. The big question remains: was it good enough to keep him around another year? Tough call, but if Ross can some how work magic and get Gamble and Harbaugh, I don't think anyone would have an issue saying bye to Hickey.

Mediocre in terms of immediate impact. Don't know what the future holds for all these draft picks yet. Ireland had 9 picks, including the #1 pick in most rounds, in his first draft and only managed two starters as well in Jake Long and Kendall Langford...Henne and Philip Merling both 2nd rounders, didn't start. Fede has shown more potential than Merling did IMO.

I think Hickey may have gambled too much on small school players. Those guys take time to develop, if they develop at all. If he's here for the next draft he needs to focus on guys who are more NFL ready and can contribute much sooner to the team.

 

[PCmor]

Holes on the field are a direct result of "previous drafts", not a current draft. You don't draft with the expectation that you are going to have guys jump in day one and play . . . this is why it usually takes 2 to 3 years to properly evaluate a draft.

And mentioning Ireland's name is just a straight up insult to Hickey . . . or have you forgot Dion Jordan/Jamar Taylor/Dallas Thomas/Will Davis . . . 4 picks in the first 3 rounds just a year ago.

If it takes two to three years to properly evaluate a draft, then how can you say in the very previous post that it was a higher quality draft than we are used to?

And I stand by the fact that if the cupboard was left bare by previous drafts, it's reasonable to expect that more of these guys should have gotten opportunities to contribute in some way, be it special teams, be it when we had nothing of quality left when injuries set it.

You can't have it both ways. Or, in this case, none of the ways.

I think someone else hit the nail on the head. This looks like a very Irelandish draft. People saying we should give Philbin another shot because of how well he works with Hickey, well, right now, there's nothing to support that.

 

[Mogwai]

You start the thread by seeming critical of judging a draft too early then you judge the draft. Well alright. D's and F's really should be reserved for players who are cut. Our HC has played rookies less snaps then any other team in the league so I don't think we should be over critical that some of the picks haven't seen the field. Overall, just an oddly negative view of what has been a comparatively productive draft.

Ju'wuan James - A- I can't see giving him less than that considering the heavy weight put on his shoulders this year. Starting immediately. Having to switch to a side he hadn't played. Crap around him. If he's showing fatigue this time of year it's understandable.

Jarvis Landry - A His play on the field in the slot and as a returner has been incredible. He's pretty much unquestionably as a rookie the best WR in the highest paid WR group in the league. His attitude and toughness might be worth more than the incredibly high level he plays at.

Billy Turner - C (or INC) He was drafted raw from a small school. He and Aikens were brought in as developmental picks. Considering how bad our line is would I rather have thrown him out there? Yeah. But the coaching staff isn't taking that route. The kid's still immensely talented. How can we give an F to a project who was playing at North Dakota State last year?

Walt Aikens - B- Same as Turner. Small school project being transitioned into a new position. I like the way he projects at S. He's already getting some playing time. I hope we see more of him than Wilson in these last 2 games and we'll probably get a better sense of where he's at after we play the season out.

Arthur Lynch - D Immediately injured. Not a small school project at all so if he was going to make an impact you'd want to see it sooner than later. Back injuries can be chronic and he wasn't a very good pick to begin with. If any pick would be an F it could be this one.

Jordan Tripp - C- Disappointing he hasn't fought for playing time in our terrible LB corps. In theory he's an ideal LB prospect. He has the physicality and a terrific mental makeup, but I didn't see it ever translate to his performance on the field. That he's made such little impact doesn't sit well, but it could be a case of this coaching staff's reluctance to play rookies. But let's not get crazy with the disappointment. It's a late 5th round pick and we're mad he's not starting in the NFL?

Anything later in the draft shouldn't be graded yet and you should just be happy they've shown anything. Hazel's flashed promise. Fede has even more so. We could also include grades for McCain, AJ, Damien Williams and any other undrafted pickups.

 

[Mogwai]

I think someone else hit the nail on the head. This looks like a very Irelandish draft. People saying we should give Philbin another shot because of how well he works with Hickey, well, right now, there's nothing to support that.

No it doesn't. In 5 years he never brought in one playmaker the level of Landry. The only olinemen he ever brought in that were worth a damn was the number one overall pick whose career was shortlived and the highest taken C in history. Hickey checked those boxes with the first two picks.

It bothers to hear that people can't see the difference between Ireland and Hickey. It's the same as when people can't differentiate Philbin with the top coaches in this league. There are varying degrees of competence with which things are accomplished. It's disappointing when people don't take the time to notice them.

 

[Kdawg954]

If it takes two to three years to properly evaluate a draft, then how can you say in the very previous post that it was a higher quality draft than we are used to?

And I stand by the fact that if the cupboard was left bare by previous drafts, it's reasonable to expect that more of these guys should have gotten opportunities to contribute in some way, be it special teams, be it when we had nothing of quality left when injuries set it.

You can't have it both ways. Or, in this case, none of the ways.

I think someone else hit the nail on the head. This looks like a very Irelandish draft. People saying we should give Philbin another shot because of how well he works with Hickey, well, right now, there's nothing to support that.

If you think about it, the previous draft has 2 seasons under their belt. We've seen Dion Jordan underachieve and get suspended (and this was the #3 pick overall . . . a guy we traded a 2nd rounder to move up in get), we've seen Dallas Thomas reach Marc Colombo levels and we have a desperate need at CB inspite of drafting 2 of them.

This looks nothing like an Ireland draft. We ignored the skill positions on offense the first 2 days in a Jeff Ireland draft. Hickey does it once and he may have the offensive rookie of the year.

And guys are on special teams? Are they not? I've seen Fede, Aiken, Tripp all on specials. Hazel on the PS and Lynch was on IR. I mean it almost seems like people are just mad that Billy Turner hasn't become an All Pro already or something and are using that to weigh down Hickey's draft. The kid was a raw pick loaded with talent, he's a kid that deserves another year, especially with this coaching staff not allowing him to focus on just one position but multiple.

15 weeks in, this was a good draft from Hickey, one that could go up or down based on year 2 . . . I'll take another one just like it along with the development of the rest of this years.

**** Ireland.

 

[Irishfinfan1]

You start the thread by seeming critical of judging a draft too early then you judge the draft. Well alright. D's and F's really should be reserved for players who are cut. Our HC has played rookies less snaps then any other team in the league so I don't think we should be over critical that some of the picks haven't seen the field. Overall, just an oddly negative view of what has been a comparatively productive draft.

Ju'wuan James - A- I can't see giving him less than that considering the heavy weight put on his shoulders this year. Starting immediately. Having to switch to a side he hadn't played. Crap around him. If he's showing fatigue this time of year it's understandable.

Jarvis Landry - A His play on the field in the slot and as a returner has been incredible. He's pretty much unquestionably as a rookie the best WR in the highest paid WR group in the league. His attitude and toughness might be worth more than the incredibly high level he plays at.

Billy Turner - C (or INC) He was drafted raw from a small school. He and Aikens were brought in as developmental picks. Considering how bad our line is would I rather have thrown him out there? Yeah. But the coaching staff isn't taking that route. The kid's still immensely talented. How can we give an F to a project who was playing at North Dakota State last year?

Walt Aikens - B- Same as Turner. Small school project being transitioned into a new position. I like the way he projects at S. He's already getting some playing time. I hope we see more of him than Wilson in these last 2 games and we'll probably get a better sense of where he's at after we play the season out.

Arthur Lynch - D Immediately injured. Not a small school project at all so if he was going to make an impact you'd want to see it sooner than later. Back injuries can be chronic and he wasn't a very good pick to begin with. If any pick would be an F it could be this one.

Jordan Tripp - C- Disappointing he hasn't fought for playing time in our terrible LB corps. In theory he's an ideal LB prospect. He has the physicality and a terrific mental makeup, but I didn't see it ever translate to his performance on the field. That he's made such little impact doesn't sit well, but it could be a case of this coaching staff's reluctance to play rookies. But let's not get crazy with the disappointment. It's a late 5th round pick and we're mad he's not starting in the NFL?

Anything later in the draft shouldn't be graded yet and you should just be happy they've shown anything. Hazel's flashed promise. Fede has even more so. We could also include grades for McCain, AJ, Damien Williams and any other undrafted pickups.

Think this is a very balanced and fair assessment, to get your 1st and 2nd round picks starting as rookies and playing very well is much better than most teams out there. Everyone knows it takes a few years to properly grade a draft but I have to say this was a better draft than literally any Ireland had bar drafting Tannehill.