With the 2011 regular season freshly over it is time to go back and evaluate every team’s draft classes based on performance this year. I will use a formula to grade each pick and calculuate a final grade for each team. The Green Bay Packers are the next to last to get looked over.
ROUND 1 – graded from a 0-5 scale
ROUND 2 – graded from a 0-4 scale
ROUND 3 – graded from a 0-3 scale
ROUND 4 – graded from a 0-2 scale
ROUND 5 – graded from a 0-1 scale
ROUND 6 & 7 – no scale, point awarded if player was productive
*I reserve the right to award a bonus point to any player who outperformed their draft position.*
FINAL GRADING SCALE
90-100 – A
80-89 - B
70-79 - C
60 -69 - D
0-59 - F
2011 Draft Class
Round 1: Derek Sherrod OT, Missippi St. - 5 Games Played
Analysis: Sherrod had trouble getting on the field as he battled minor injuries the first half of the season and then broke his leg in the Chiefs game. He will be in line to start at either right tackle or guard in 2012.
Grade: 1/5
Round 2: Randall Cobb WR, Kentucky – 25 Receptions, 375 Receiving Yds, 1 TD, 5 Rushing Yds
Analysis: Cobb was good in spurts as a receiver in the Packers aerial attack, but it was as a return man he made the biggest impact. He had 941 kick return yds, and 295 punt return yds and scored a TD doing both. Good return on their second round investment.
Grade: 4/4
Round 3: Alex Green RB, Hawaii- 11 Rush Yds
Analysis: Green played sparingly before getting hurt in late October and was put on I.R.
Grade: 0/2 (scale reduced due to injury)
Round 4: Davon House CB, New Mexico St.- 1 Tackle
Analysis: House appeard in 2 games and in one of those he made a tackle. Most teams would hope for a little more from a fourth rounder.
Grade: 0/2
Round 5: DJ Williams TE, Arkansas – 2 Receptions, 13 Yds
Analysis: Williams did appear in 13 games which is impressive but he only hauled in two balls which isn’t.
Grade: .25/1
Round 6: Caleb Schlauderaff G, Utah - Cut
Analysis: Caleb was cut by the Packers but was picked up by the Jets where he ended up playing in 6 games and starting one.
Grade: 0/0
Round 6: DJ Smith LB, Appalachian St. – 43 Tackles, 1 INT
Analysis: Smith was a pleasant surprise for the Packers as he made a bunch of tackles and even an interception in the 16 games he played in.
Grade: 1.5/0
Round 6: Ricky Elmore LB, Arizona - Cut
Analysis: Elmore was cut by the Packers and picked up by the 49ers.
Grade: 0/0
Round 7: Ryan Taylor TE, UNC – 1 Reception, 4 Yds, 1 TD
Analysis: Taylor played in 15 games, and even caught a touchdown pass.
Grade: .5/0
Round 7: Lawrence Guy DT, ASU – Placed on I.R.
Analysis: Guy did nothing for the Packers in year one.
Grade: 0/0
TOTAL SCORE: 7.25 / 14
FINAL GRADE: 52% F
Analysis: The Packers 2011 Draft Class didn’t make a huge impact in its first year at Lambeau. Derek Sherrod had trouble staying healthy and it cost him valuable playing time. The same can be said for third round choice Alex Green. There were some year one hits though, as Randall Cobb was impressive as a return man and showed plenty of promise at WR. They also got a sixth round steal in LB DJ Smith who played well above 6th round expectations. This grade does have fairly high growth value as Sherrod, and Green should see much more playing time in year two, and Cobb and Smith will only get better in their sophomore campaigns.
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