We’re already in week 2, but it’s better late than never, right? I’ll share my biased selections for my top 2 favorite picks in each round the 2004 PTF draft. I’m taking into account where in the round, the rarity of the skill set, and whatever the hell else crosses my mind.
Round 1
1.3 FS Sean Taylor to my Lions
I went into the draft hoping he was a stud because he career was cut tragically short in real life, he was a rare combination of size and speed, and it was a position of long term need. Before and after the private workout, I wasn’t disappointed. He was always the target. I was so locked in on Taylor that there was no point in hiding it, and I even became paranoid in the end that Breck’s talk of Manning was just a smokescreen to ruin my hopes and dreams. I even missed a good offer to move up from the Chargers due to sleep, which I would have likely taken. I ended up sweating things out, and although I would have taken Vilma(or maybe Williams) in the worst case scenario, it would have been a bitter pick and I would held a slight grudge for a while for being bamboozled. Taylor’s obviously a rare talent when only a handful of safeties in either position have 90/90/90 SPD/AGI/ACC, only 1 that is 6’2” (2nd rounder Rashad Washington who went to the Raiders, though his INJ is really low), plus a high 65 AWR for a 22 year old with 80 TAK to start as well. I would like to keep him at his historically accurate position but it’d probably the smartest move to have him slide over to CB at some point in his rookie campaign for many reasons, but one of the more tempting ones is the +2 ACC he would get at the end of the year. He’s a stud’s stud and you all should be jealous.
1.6 WR Reggie Williams to the Giants
Williams was definitely on the radar along with Vilma if my dear Taylor was stolen from my grasp. At 6’4” with 94 SPD and ratings low enough everywhere else that I felt he would get both years of progression, I was considering taking the criticism of bypassing both a QB and Vilma for him. He could be 97 SPD hitting year 3 and that’s going to be a problem for opposing teams. He’s just 22 years old and wasn’t hindered by the trademark low injury ratings for this draft class. Only the Vikings WR Randy Moss and 5 INJ rating Ernest Wilford from the Texans match his size and speed combo. He’s a rare talent that I think went a bit slept on in this draft class.
Round 2
2.3 OG Sean Locklear to my Lions
I was ready to take another position at this point in the draft, and didn’t have offensive line anywhere near the top of my priorities, but Locklear muddied the waters. How do I not take him? His athleticism is too intriguing to pass up even if he is as fragile as they come. Through 2 games he hasn’t produced as I’d hoped he would but watching him, he’s still holding his own despite the crappy PBK/RBK, and it’s fun to watch him on pulling plays. He’s gone down briefly once and it was after he forced a fumble after an INT, like I suspected could be a problem. I think he’s going to tell a lot about what matters in regards to what makes an offensive lineman valuable. You could be seeing an future 90 SPD/99ACC 300+lb mammoth bc why not? If things don’t turn out as well as I’d like, maybe he ends up a fullback. It’ll have him at the mercy more tackle animations but still pretty limited. We shall see.
2.16 WR Maurice Mann to the Jags
I was pretty tempted to take Mann at 2.3 as he’s got an exceptional size/speed combo with a lot of room for improvement. I went back and forth between him and Locklear a couple of times after i ran his private workout. I figured starting him at the slot to minimize his exposure early would be the way to go but he may have played his way into lining up alongside Boldin as a rookie too. He’s currently producing at this stage w a 22 YPC average and a TD. His OVR is low enough for both rook/sophomore bumps. I do want to mention I had no worked out Brooks at this point but had I know, it would have been an even tougher choice. I guess I had Taylor pegged as an eventual corner and just disregarded the position as a whole by that time.
3.1 WR Michael Jenkins to the Titans
It was wishful thinking that Jenkins would continue to fall and end up in the 4th round where I would be waiting. He’s one of the injury prone guys but you can’t teach size.He’s also got good awareness for a rookie wideout, and he wouldn’t have shouldered a large load being a big slot man for me. But he’s a Titan now and should help both Air McNair and Bollinger with a huge target when he’s on the field. Entering year 3 he’ll have 90+ SPD/AGI/ACC. I’ll take that for a 3rd rounder in any draft.
3.30 HB Michael Turner to the Saints
I was surprised he lasted this long, and because I hadn’t run a private workout, I assumed the worst. But no, he’s actually pretty good w his 247lb frame and decent speed, good awareness and BTK. Maybe he STR scared some off but I think he is better than some backs that went before him still. Looking at how the draft fell, I’m actually pretty shocked he almost fell into the 4th round. I think it’s a steal of a pick for New Orleans.
4.3 CB Bruce Thornton to my Lions
Can you tell I really liked my draft? What you probably didn’t know is that I spent way too much on private workouts to churn Thornton out. He lacks ideal size but he’s got good awareness for a 22 year old rookie with 93 SPD. With no training camps used on him, he can be 94 SPD/90 AGI/90 ACC in year 3, with above 70 awareness if he gets just a respectable amount of snaps. That’s pretty good value in the 4th in my estimation.
4.15 Ryon Bingham to the Chargers
Bingham is a well rounded defensive tackle who can move better than a lot of current starters in the league. At 64 SPD, 68 AGI and 72 ACC alongside 87 STR at 22, I think there is good value there. If he gets snaps he is a solid starter in a 43 scheme but at worst, a long term pretty good backup who can rush the passer.
5.5 MLB Rod Davis to Browns
Things are getting really thin in this injury plagued class but Davis was a 5th round find as he’s actually pretty durable at 95 INJ, will have 80 SPD as a sophomore, but most importantly, comes in with 89 TAK. He can easily get to 99 TAK early in his career if given an opportunity.
5.15 OLB Robert Reynolds to my Lions
How can I not like my draft gem? I paid good money for him, and with his boosts, he’s probably even better than the 1st round OLBs taken before him. He’s fast, has really good starting awareness and already solid TAK. Hopefully he can stay healthy but given it’s a 5th round selection at stake, it’s all gravy from here on out.
6.5 OT Bo Lacy to the Browns
Lacy is a sloth but he’s got 66 AWR and very good PBK/RBK to start his career. I think he’s a solid backup at left tackle for quite some time, and that’s about as much as you can ask for a pick this late.
6.27 QB Ty Branyon to the Bills
With 69 AWR, 84 THP and 86 THA, Branyon is a good depth chart filler and can become a serviceable backup in pinch.
Screw the 7th round, it was pretty miserable.
This draft had depth issues, but the value hits were real.
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