2005 NFL Draft Grades: AFC East

Most of the time, scouts and analysts suggest that one has to wait three seasons before truly gauging just how successful or unsuccessful a draft is. The 2005 version was full of surprises and some drama, seemingly like every draft, and now that three seasons have passed, it’s time to have a look at the 2005 NFL Draft and hand out grades to each team.

Buffalo Bills: D

The Bills are left with little to show for their efforts during the 2005 draft. They selected wide receiver Roscoe Parrish in the second round, and while Parrish has become a decent returner on special teams, he has caught just 73 passes and four touchdowns in three seasons of work. His numbers have improved each year, but he still hasn’t produced as hoped. Prior to Kevin Everett’s severe injury, the third round tight end had done little on the field.

Buffalo went with a guard in Duke Preston during the fourth round. Preston is a backup player, but remains in Buffalo unlike later round selections Justin Geisinger and Eric King, who are both backup players elsewhere in the league. Lionel Gates, a running back who was a seventh round pick, is no longer in the league.

Miami Dolphins: C

Ronnie Brown was the headliner for Miami during this draft. The team banked on the fact that Brown could step in as a quality back since they were looking for Ricky Williams’ eventual replacement. Brown has shown flashes of greatness, but he has also battled with injuries the past two seasons. He could still become the back that the Dolphins originally envisioned, but he’ll have to stay healthy to make that a reality. Brown has averaged 4.4 yards per carry and has 15 total touchdowns to his credit. Second rounder Matt Roth is a starting defensive end, but he hasn’t had a significant impact as of yet. He isn’t an ideal end, and he has just 7.5 sacks through his first three seasons in the league.

Third round pick Channing Crowder may be the best player Miami came away with from this draft. Crowder is a starting inside linebacker, and he made 104 total tackles during just his second season. He played in only 11 games this past season, but still came up with 77 tackles. He’ll be an important piece of Bill Parcells’ defense going forward. Fourth-rounder Travis Daniels is a backup cornerback still with the team, while sixth-rounder Anthony Alabi is a backup offensive lineman in Kansas City. The Dolphins’ final selection was Kevin Vickerson, who hasn’t played in the NFL.

New England Patriots: A-

The Patriots went with offensive lineman Logan Mankins at the end of the first round and he has become a quality starter. With their next pick, the team used a third rounder to secure cornerback Ellis Hobbs. Hobbs has also become a starting caliber player and has been a contributor as a return man. New England used another third to draft another offensive lineman. Nick Kaczur has also earned a role as a starter who protects Tom Brady.

James Sanders was taken in the fourth, and he’s currently listed as the starting free safety, although he may not keep the job long-term. Ryan Claridge, a fifth round linebacker is out of the league. Quarterback Matt Cassel was taken in the sixth round, and has been stuck backing up Tom Brady. Like Claridge, seventh-rounder Andy Stokes is also out of the NFL.

New York Jets: B

The Jets were without a first round pick, and when it came their turn in the second, kicker Mike Nugent was booed once he was selected. Fans generally don’t like to see kickers taken to open a team’s draft, but Nugent has become a solid NFL kicker. He has converted over eighty percent of his kicks and has been fairly consistent from forty yards or more. The Jets then took Justin Miller with their other second round pick. Miller, a cornerback, has shown promise as a returner early on, but a knee injury could affect his ability to make things happen on the field like he has previously. Third-rounder Sione Pouha is a nose tackle who plays occasionally.

Fourth round pick Kerry Rhodes has developed into one of the league’s best players at the safety position. In three seasons, Rhodes has 273 tackles, 10 interceptions, eight sacks, and six forced fumbles. He continues to shine in New York’s secondary. Andre Maddox, a fifth round choice, is out of the league, as is sixth-rounder Cedric Houston. Joel Dreessen, a sixth round pick, is a backup elsewhere, as is seventh-rounder Harry Williams.

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