Draft Analysis Bullshit

[wesfau2]

Saw some spiky, gelled blond analyst on ESPN breaking down best and worst draft picks.  The picks were apparently ranked regardless of position (because one of his two worst was an OL that Miami took).

His best pick: Timmy Jernigan (DT from FSU)
His worst pick: Dee Ford (DE from AU)

Plenty of viable candidates in either the "best" or "worst" category, so I was left wondering why Dee was the worst pick.  Here are their stats/measurables for comparison:

Jernigan (BEST PICK OF THE DRAFT!!!!!!!):

6'2" 299
5.84 "Draft Grade" per NFL.com
Played in 3 seasons (his last, and most productive, at DT):
2011 - 2.5 Sacks
2012 - 1.5
2013 - 4.5

Ford:

6'2" 252
5.75 "Draft Grade" per NFL.com
Played in 5 seasons (Medical Redshirted 2011)
2009 - 1 Sack
2010 - 2
2011 - 1
2012 - 6.5
2013 - 10.5

So, both suffered through injury in school, but Dee played longer (at a higher level and against better competion) and more than doubled Jernigan's sack total.  I realize that sacks aren't the be-all of defensive statistics and schemes (offensive and defensive) can affect the totals (hey, Clowney!), but for DL they are a good measuring stick.

You could argue that Jernigan should have gone earlier if you wanted.  You could have argued that Dee wasn't worth a first round pick.  But why, when Bortles went #3 and McCarron got drafted at all, would you argue that Dee Ford was the worst pick of the draft?

[dallaswareagle]

Saw some spiky, gelled blond analyst on ESPN breaking down best and worst draft picks.  The picks were apparently ranked regardless of position (because one of his two worst was an OL that Miami took).

His best pick: Timmy Jernigan (DT from FSU)
His worst pick: Dee Ford (DE from AU)

Plenty of viable candidates in either the "best" or "worst" category

If ESPN didn't show college football in the fall I would cancel the package I have to get in order to get them.

[Townhallsavoy]

Auburn homerism aside, I could see the argument for Ford being one of the worst picks.  It isn't his ability.  It's that Kansas City has two pro bowlers at DE right now and both are in the middle of contracts.  There was no need to take a defensive end that will be a pass rushing specialist at the next level.

[Pell City Tiger]

Auburn homerism aside, I could see the argument for Ford being one of the worst picks.  It isn't his ability.  It's that Kansas City has two pro bowlers at DE right now and both are in the middle of contracts.  There was no need to take a defensive end that will be a pass rushing specialist at the next level.

Yeah, but neither of them can play piano worth a damn.

[WiregrassTiger]

Saw some spiky, gelled blond analyst on ESPN breaking down best and worst draft picks.  The picks were apparently ranked regardless of position (because one of his two worst was an OL that Miami took).

His best pick: Timmy Jernigan (DT from FSU)
His worst pick: Dee Ford (DE from AU)

Plenty of viable candidates in either the "best" or "worst" category, so I was left wondering why Dee was the worst pick.  Here are their stats/measurables for comparison:

Jernigan (BEST PICK OF THE DRAFT!!!!!!!):

6'2" 299
5.84 "Draft Grade" per NFL.com
Played in 3 seasons (his last, and most productive, at DT):
2011 - 2.5 Sacks
2012 - 1.5
2013 - 4.5

Ford:

6'2" 252
5.75 "Draft Grade" per NFL.com
Played in 5 seasons (Medical Redshirted 2011)
2009 - 1 Sack
2010 - 2
2011 - 1
2012 - 6.5
2013 - 10.5

So, both suffered through injury in school, but Dee played longer (at a higher level and against better competion) and more than doubled Jernigan's sack total.  I realize that sacks aren't the be-all of defensive statistics and schemes (offensive and defensive) can affect the totals (hey, Clowney!), but for DL they are a good measuring stick.

You could argue that Jernigan should have gone earlier if you wanted.  You could have argued that Dee wasn't worth a first round pick.  But why, when Bortles went #3 and McCarron got drafted at all, would you argue that Dee Ford was the worst pick of the draft?

A couple of reasons. Number one, you would have to be a complete dumb ass. Number two, you cannot say that it's Michael Sam. Other than that, I got nothing. I just know that I feel confident that Dee will prove him completely wrong.

[Lurking Tiger]

Auburn homerism aside, I could see the argument for Ford being one of the worst picks.  It isn't his ability.  It's that Kansas City has two pro bowlers at DE right now and both are in the middle of contracts.  There was no need to take a defensive end that will be a pass rushing specialist at the next level.

He will play OLB. 

[CCTAU]

Auburn homerism aside, I could see the argument for Ford being one of the worst picks.  It isn't his ability.  It's that Kansas City has two pro bowlers at DE right now and both are in the middle of contracts.  There was no need to take a defensive end that will be a pass rushing specialist at the next level.

The only problem with that logic is when one of those guts goes down(like last season), everything goes to shit.

Plus one of those guys comes off contract after next season.

So they figure if they had Ford last year, they go a lot farther.