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Rating the '98 rookies

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Thursday December 17, 1998 12:40 PM

 

Click here to send an NFL question to James Lofton.

Remember the 1998 draft way back in April? Ever wondered what happen to those 30 first rounds picks? I've done my research. Like a good professor, I'm ready to hand out the grades. Just A's, B's and C's. No one flunks out in their first year in the NFL.

Making the grade
Lofton, the sixth pick in a '78 first round that included Earl Campbell, Ozzie Newsome and
Doug Williams, grades the first-round picks from 20 years later:
Pick Player Pos. Team Grd Comment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Peyton Manning
Ryan Leaf
Andre Wadsworth
Charles Woodson
Curtis Enis
Grant Wistrom
Kyle Turley
Greg Ellis
Fred Taylor
Duane Starks
Tra Thomas
Keith Brooking
Takeo Spikes
Jason Peter
Anthony Simmons
Kevin Dyson
Brian Simmons
Robert Edwards
Vonnie Holliday
Terry Fair
Randy Moss
Tebucky Jones
Mo Collins
Shaun Williams
Donovin Darius
Alan Faneca
Victor Riley
R.W. McQuarters
John Avery
Marcus Nash
QB
QB
DE
DB
RB
DE
OL
DE
RB
DB
OL
LB
LB
DE
LB
WR
LB
RB
DE
DB
WR
DB
OT
DB
DB
OL
OT
DB
RB
WR
Colts
Chargers
Cardinals
Raiders
Bears
Rams
Saints
Cowboys
Jaguars
Ravens
Eagles
Falcons
Bengals
Panthers
Seahawks
Oilers
Bengals
Patriots
Packers
Lions
Vikings
Patriots
Raiders
Giants
Jaguars
Steelers
Chiefs
49ers
Dolphins
Broncos
A-
C-
B
A
C+
C+
B
C+
A+
B-
B
C-
B+
C
C+
C
B
A-
A-
B
A+
B-
B
C
A-
B
B
B
B-
C
Bill Polian never wavered on top pick.
Looked good, then bad, now just looks on
Holdout. No "i" in team, two in "millions"
Opposing coach said he's like a 5-year veteran
Holdout=injury. See Biakabutuka, Carter, etc.
Solid but not special for St. Louis
Can lift weight room, play a little ball, too
Model citizen with lots of hustle
Jags would be .500 team without him
5 INTs -- teams throw at Woodson just as much
Good building block for next coaching staff
Mostly on special teams, some nickel packages
Leads team in tackles, future leader on defense
Already blended in with rest of Panthers
Tough defense to crack starting lineup on
McNair drops back, takes off running. 'Nuff said.
Forms solid young tandem with Spikes
Curtis who? Powerful inside runner
Brought Reggie White back to life this year
Small corner, but a big return man in Detroit
From questionable to All-Pro in one season
No room for this talent in talented secondary
More ups than downs for this rookie left tackle
INT vs. Elway was highlight of lackluster season
2nd on team in tackles, plays smart
Not his fault Bus and Slash had breakdowns
Forced into lineup, got better every week
Good tackler, showed promise on returns
Ran hard, fumbled too much, good on returns
Four catches. Must have been that Manning guy.
 

 
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