OTC Analysis: Kansas City Chiefs (#5 & #15)

 
Kansas City Chiefs
Coming off the trade of their standout DE Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for three draft picks, including Minnesota’s #17 in the first round, the Chiefs were looking to make a major upgrade to their defensive line. When the stars aligned for them and Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU fell to [...]

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OTC Analysis: Atlanta Falcons (#3 & #21)

Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2008 draft needing an extreme team makeover. From the fallout of Bobby Petrino’s abrupt resignation to the lingering affects of the Michael Vick conviction on dogfighting charges, the new regime led by GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith needed to hit on all cylinders.
With their number three [...]

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First Round Draft Analysis

We hope you all enjoyed our “On the Clock” feature where we provided team’s 2008 draft picks and some historical data on what each team has done with their last five first round picks, as well as their history at the specific position for which they made their selection.  Over the next day or so we [...]

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OTC Analysis: Carolina Panthers (#13 & #19)

2008 Draft Comments (0)

Carolina Panthers

Coming off a 7-9 season where head coach John Fox’s job was considered by many to be in jeopardy the Carolina Panthers had a number of questions to answer. QB Jake Delhomme went on injured reserve early in the season with a major elbow injury, DT Mike Rucker announced his retirement and RB DeShaun Foster was released.

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Pete @ April 30, 2008

OTC Analysis: New York Jets (#6 & #30)

2008 Draft Comments (1)

New York Jets

Entering the 2008 offseason the New York Jets seemed to be competing with the Oakland Raiders to see who could spend more on free agent contracts. With their own sixth pick in the draft the Jets would select Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State, an odd selection considering the rich free agent deal they gave to former Cardinal Calvin Pace. Gholston is a bit of hybrid player who will likely be used in a pass rushing role in the Jets 3-4 defense.

The last time the Jets used their first round pick to take defensive line help was back in 2003 when they selected Dwayne Robertson out of Kentucky. Robertson has been a bit of disappointment for the Jets who recently traded him to the Broncos. The Jets also used first round selections in 2002 and 2000 to draft Bryan Thomas and Shaun Ellis, respectively, at the defensive end position.

As the first round wound down the Jets made a late trade with the Green Bay Packers to obtain the #30 overall draft pick, which they used to selected Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue. Keller, who is a converted wide receiver, was selected to provide a more vertical threat in the passing game, as compared with the last TE the Jets drafted in 2000, Anthony Becht. Becht would play four seasons with the Jets before signing with Tampa Bay for the 2005 season.

Over the past twenty years the Jets have used their first round draft selection to take a tight end three other times. Outside of Becht, the Jets have also drafted Kyle Brady (1995) and Johnny Mitchell (1992). Brady, a prototypical blocking tight end, played four seasons in New York before moving on to Jacksonville and New England. Mitchell would also play four seasons in New York and would spend a fifth season in the NFL with the Cowboys in a diminished role.

Pete @ April 28, 2008