The 2001 NFL Draft had its usual share of winners and losers. With multiple trades and questionable picks, certain teams pulled ahead of the pack by the end of Day 2. Draft day grades for 2001:
“A” Range:
Atlanta Falcons – For a franchise mired in mediocrity, the trade that brought Michael Vick to Atlanta turned not just a few heads, but awakened an entire city. With a brittle quarterback past his prime, the Falcons were headed nowhere in 2001. The No. 5 pick in the draft would have given the Falcons a solid player, but not a franchise player like Vick. While Vick will take time to harness his skills, his superstar athleticism makes him a draft day gift for the Falcons. Atlanta then went after North Carolina TE Alge Crumpler in Round 2, who was rated the top tight-end on some draft boards around the league. While Crumpler does lack the typical height and catching skills of a prototypical tight end, he will fit into Atlanta’s two tight-end set early on in the season. Sleeper pick: Vinny Sutherland: WR, Purdue.
San Diego Chargers-The Chargers got both of the players they had targeted the final week leading up the draft: LaDainian Tomlinson with the No. 5 pick and Drew Brees with the 32nd pick. The Spanos family, which was haunted by the Ryan Leaf saga, was not convinced that Michael Vick was a franchise quarterback. While Vick may turn out to be a future Pro Bowler, Tomlinson and Brees are not bad compensation for a player the organization was not sold on. Sleeper pick: Zeke Moreno: LB, USC.
Seattle Seahawks-The Seahawks traded down in the First round and still got their man in WR Koren Robinson with the No. 9 pick. They then stole Michigan guard Steve Hutchinson with the 17th pick in the draft. Hutchinson was a projected top-10 pick on draft guru Mel Kiper’s “big board.” The Seahawks then took fullback Heath Evans from Auburn, the No. 1 rated fullback in the draft, who will become an integral part of Seattle’s offense. Sleeper pick: Evans.
“B” Range:
Carolina Panthers – Carolina got an instinctive linebacker in Round 1 with the selection “Captain” Dan Morgan. The Panthers then took defensive tackle Kris Jenkins from Maryland in the second round. However, the most intriguing pick by Carolina has to be Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke. At age 29, Weinke does not have a lot of time to sit on the bench, and should be able to compete for the starting job. Sleeper pick: Weinke.
Miami Dolphins-Miami snagged speedy cornerback Jamar Fletcher with their first pick. WR Chris Chambers then literally fell into the Dolphins lap in round two. Chambers was projected to land at the end of the first or top of the second round. Miami then went on to select Florida State running back Travis Minor and Oklahoma QB Josh Heupel. While each are big names, it is unlikely either will have much impact in their rookie seasons. Sleeper pick: Brandon Winey: OT, Louisiana State.
“C” Range:
Jacksonville Jaguars-The Jags took a huge chance in the first round after drafting Georgia defensive tackle Marcus Stroud. Stroud, who stands at 6’5 317 pounds, definitely has the size to be effective in the NFL. Yet Jacksonville could have easily traded down and landed the Stround in the bottom of the round. Sleeper pick: Chad Ward: OG, Washington.
Pittsburgh Steelers-The Steelers reached when selecting defensive tackle Casey Hampton. However, Pittsburgh did pick up a solid and talented linebacker in Kendrell Bell out of Georgia. The Steelers stuck to their needs, selecting five lineman and two linebackers. Sleeper pick: Bell.
“F” Range:
Dallas Cowboys-Dallas made a very questionable move when it selected Quincy Carter in the middle of the second round. Carter was a projected fifth or sixth round draft pick. While he may have the potential to be a good NFL quarterback, his mediocre junior season at Georgia has to raise questions. The Cowboys reached again in round two after selecting safety Tony Dixon from Alabama. Sleeper pick: Matt Lehr: OG, Virginia Tech.
-It is fair to say that the Atlanta Braves are slumping. Entering play Monday, Atlanta had played 14 games without scoring more than four runs. Infielders Rafael Furcal, Quilvio Veras and Javy Lopez have all failed to get on track. Veras and Lopez are both coming off season-ending injuries from last season. While Maddux and Glavine have been able to keep the Braves competitive, the two can only keep up their dominating performances for a limited amount of time. Injured pitcher John Smoltz is not expected back for another two to three weeks.
-The XFL season is over as the L.A. Extreme won the inaugural “Million Dollar Game.” The Extreme were led by NFL-castaway Tommy Maddox. NBC has not made any statements regarding programming for next year; however, it is doubtful that the network will pick up XFL games next season. The final game only drew a 2.5 overnight Nielsen rating. Vince McMahon vows that the XFL will be around again next year.