GRADING THE DRAFT

As most of our subscribers know, we do not grade the draft success of individual teams. It will be about three years before anyone can fairly assess the value of a draft pick. For the present, the best theory is a simple one. The team that drafts most and drafts earliest usually ranks near the top in success.

We do owe our subscribers a statement of our own performance. That follows below.

CREDIBILITY CHECK

The 2010 FINAL issue of THE DRUGSTORE LIST was completed and sent to our printer on March 20, 2010. The results were as follows:

Of our top 50 prospects, 36 (72%) were selected in the top 50, 50 (100%) were drafted.

Of our top 100 prospects, 76 (76%) were selected in the top 100, 99 (99%) were drafted.

Of our top 150 prospects, 119 (79%) were selected in the top 150, 141 (94%) were drafted.

Of our top 200 prospects, 155 (78%) were selected in the top 200, 169 (85%) were drafted.

Overall, 253 (99%) of the 255 draftees appeared in the FINAL issue of THE DRUGSTORE LIST.

Two draftees were missing from the FINAL issue:

Eastern Illinois G-T Otis Hudson (6-4 7/8, 331, 5.33), drafted by Cincinnati in Round 5 (# 152).

U.C.L.A.WR-KR Terrence Austin (5-11, 178, 4.47), drafted by Washington in Round 7 (# 219).

THE CONTINUING INFLUENCE OF THE COMBINE

A total of 327 eligible prospects attended the Indianapolis combine. 215 (64%) were drafted. They made up 84% of all draftees, a percentage that matched the 18-year average. 40 draftees (16% of the total) were not invited to the Indianapolis combine.

All of the first 100 draftees attended the combine. So did 146 (97%) of the first 150 chosen and 185 (93%) of the first 200 selections.

The earliest draftee who did not attend the combine was Tennessee G Jacques McClendon, drafted in Round 4 (#129) by Indianapolis.

The long-term history of combine invitees continues to show that those invited have a much higher chance to be drafted and to be drafted earlier.

GETTING A HIGH PICK

Being assigned an early NFL draft selection is a consolation prize for having a bad season. It is where a lot of All-Pros come from but it is also where a very costly choice can occur. Can teams win without getting a few top ten picks?

Over the past 10 seasons, there are four teams that have not had a selection in the top ten. The teams are Denver, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Over the same period, they all have winning records. Their regular season wins for 2000-2009 were Denver (93), Philadelphia and Pittsburgh (103.5 each) and Indianapolis (115). That’s not too shabby.

THE EARLY FAVORITES FOR HONORS IN 2011

It is time to quit looking backward and start looking forward. The following is a list of about 150 players who bear close watching in the coming college season. The players are listed by position and then alphabetical by school. Most of the players are seniors. (* -Juniors, (Class of 2012), ** - Sophomores, (Class of 2013)

The underclassmen get attention because of their continuing presence in the draft. The 2010 NFL draft included 46 underclassmen. Five were selected in the first eight picks. The first 24 selections included 16 prospects who entered the draft early. Underclassmen made up a majority of round one (17 of 32). They secured 34 of the first 100 draft spots.

Thanks for checking us out – a special thanks to the many subscribers who support our efforts.

This draft review concludes our efforts for this season. We will be back in a couple months with a more extensive early look at the talent for the 2011 draft.

A few copies of the 2010 FINAL edition of THE DRUGSTORE LIST are still available. If you wish to obtain one for review, please specify "2010" on your order

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN

THE DRUGSTORE LIST