NEW YORK  -  The Class of ‘08 had its fair share of drama, from the Lions moving from number 5 to number 3, then the Bengals moving  to number 2, and then the Lions moving into the driver’s seat it was quite the interesting day. We’ve had a few months to evaluate the rookies, and we’ve seen what rookies have made an impact on their respective teams. We’ve seen impact players at every position, and a few surprises in the late rounds. So who exactly is here to stay? Who can we expect to see on the covers of our beloved sports magazines, who can you expect to see in the pro bowl? We look at all that as we take you deep into the 2008 draft…

 

Quarterbacks  -  The top two picks were both quarterbacks, the Lions gave up an arm and a leg to get Gerald Meeber.

Meeber as expected is extremely undeveloped, but his potential makes him arguably the top QB prospect. Meeber has a strong arm, but his best work is at the line of scrimmage. Meeber studies game film for hours and once ready will be in a class of his own at commanding the offense similar to Peyton Manning. The second overall pick is Cincinatti QB Zach Palmer, who will fight Meeber to be distinguished as the best QB of the 2008 Class. Palmer’s greatest attribute is his mistake free play, while his accuracy and timing aren’t on par with Meeber’s he knows when the

play isn’t there and won’t take unnecessary risks. In the second

round the Seahawks took QB Ethan Doebler who was the only one

of the top rookie QBs to start, where he played an average game.

It’s believed he does not have the potential of the top two, but will

once developed he will be an extremely solid QB. The final QB we

take a look at was the biggest surprise, QB Terrell Betrozoff who

was taken in the seventh Round by the Oakland Raiders. The rawest

of all prospects with a very similar upside. Luckily he has veteran

QB Jeff Garcia to take him under his wings and show him the ropes.

 

 

 

Meeber has shown great promise, but is still very raw. Expect to see him start at the end of 2008 or beginning of next season.

Running/Full Backs  -  Another position where two were taken in the top 5, we take a look at the running backs of 2008. So far rookie Dana Swenson has had the biggest impact as he has rushing for 297 yards and three touchdowns in three games, but Swenson’s greatest attribute is the ability to catch out the backfield. He has caught two touchdowns already this year, and only has room to grow in his multi talents. The other rookie back who was taken at number five is Antonio Pedigo who didn’t have a start as good as Swenson and seems to struggle at times. Pedigo was drafted by the 49ers who have been unhappy with his play, but he isn’t as developed as Swenson. We suspect if you give it another year Pedigo will begin to shine and become one of the elite backs in the league. The other running back taken in the first round was Oscar Shepard, taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Shepard doesn't have the ability that either of the

two do, however he has great breakaway speed

and is solid at everything else. The other

interesting prospect is running back Jerome

Upshaw who was originally drafted by the

Tampa Bay Buccaneers only to be traded to the

Kansas City Chiefs. Upshaw would’ve been a

round pick, but he is severly lacking in the ability

to catch out the backfield, which murdered his

stock. In his first game he started, Upshaw ran for 120 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown, so it’s easy to see where his true talent is. The best FB taken in the first round by the Steelers, who many felt was a reach that early, but Jose Durham does it all, he can block, he can run with the ball, and he can catch...wait to see big things out of him.

 

Receivers  -  This was a very deep draft for wide receivers with four being taken in the first round alone. The first WR taken was Grady Fields at number eight. Fields is the most developed of this WR class and has exceptional speed, in fact he’s the fastest player currently in the NAFL. Fields remind many of Marvin Harrison, and in his first three games has caught a little over 300 yards and two touchdowns. Three picks later the Minnesota Vikings took WR Ernest Sullivan, who hasn’t had the production that Fields has had, however he will be a very capable WR for the Vikings. He will play a more essential role as he learns more and more and eventually will become one of Culpepper’s favorite targets. The next WR taken was Casey Porter by the St. Louis Rams, who has been the least productive WR so far. Many feel that he will not live up to the hype mainly because of his lack of courage when going over the middle...an important part of the passing game today. The biggest standout so far though, is WR Peter Coffey who was taken 27th overall by the Washington Redskins and has dominated so far. Coffey has 369 receiving yards and three touchdowns in just 3 games, and is currently second in the league in receiving yards. Coffey’s strongest attribute is his big play ability and his toughness, what he lacks in speed in makes up in power. The only really great TE that was taken, was taken early in the second round by the 49ers. TE Antonio Cato reminds many of Tony Gonzalez, who isn’t great at blocking, but displays amazing hands and will be a great end zone target.

 

                                                                                                                                                                        

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49ers rookie running back Antonio Pedigo has struggled mightily at times, but give it some time and he will become an elite back in the NAFL.