2008 NFL Draft Analysis & Redraft Rankings
Complete analysis of 252 players • Career performance metrics • Team grades • Biggest busts & steals
Draft Class
252 players
Tracked in performance analysis
Class Performance
Below Average
Relative to draft position expectations
Top Position
OL
Offensive Lineman
Top Team
49% above expected
2008 Draft Order vs Redraft Rankings
Compare the original 2008 draft selections with career-based redraft rankings, and see which teams maximized their draft capital.
Original First Round
| Pick | Player | Redraft |
|---|---|---|
 | Jake Long OL #1 | Michigan | Top 10- |
 | Chris Long DE #1 | Virginia | Round 1-2↘ |
 | Matt Ryan QB #1 | Boston Col. | Top 10- |
 | Darren McFadden RB #1 | Arkansas | Round 2↘ |
 | Glenn Dorsey DT #1 | LSU | Round 2↘ |
 | Vernon Gholston DE #2 | Ohio St. | Round 2-3↘ |
 | Sedrick Ellis DT #2 | USC | Round 2-3↘ |
 | Derrick Harvey DE #3 | Florida | Round 2-3↘ |
 | Keith Rivers LB #1 | USC | Round 2↘ |
 | Jerod Mayo LB #2 | Tennessee | Top 20↘ |
Redraft First Round
| Redraft | Player | Diff |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Ryan QB #1 | Boston Col. | +2 |
 | Calais Campbell DE #1 | Miami (FL) | +48 |
| Josh Sitton OL #1 | Central Florida | +132 |
 | Duane Brown OL #2 | Virginia Tech | +22 |
| Carl Nicks OL #3 | Nebraska | +159 |
| Jake Long OL #4 | Michigan | -5 |
| Jordy Nelson WR #1 | Kansas St. | +29 |
 | Aqib Talib DB #1 | Kansas | +12 |
 | Ryan Clady OL #5 | Boise St. | +3 |
 | DeSean Jackson WR #2 | California | +39 |
2008 Team Draft Grades
| Rank | Team | Capital | Value | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 picks · Josh Sitton | 142 Rank #12 | 211 Rank #3 | +69 +49% vs. expected |
 | INDProfile → 9 picks · Pierre Garcon | 91 Rank #28 | 150 Rank #8 | +59 +65% vs. expected |
| ARIProfile → 7 picks · Calais Campbell | 119 Rank #18 | 170 Rank #6 | +51 +43% vs. expected |
| PHIProfile → 10 picks · DeSean Jackson | 135 Rank #14 | 173 Rank #5 | +38 +28% vs. expected |
 | CARProfile → 9 picks · Jonathan Stewart | 153 Rank #7 | 181 Rank #4 | +28 +19% vs. expected |
| DENProfile → 9 picks · Ryan Clady | 135 Rank #13 | 161 Rank #7 | +25 +19% vs. expected |
 | TENProfile → 7 picks · Chris Johnson | 121 Rank #17 | 142 Rank #9 | +21 +18% vs. expected |
| 12 picks · Jamaal Charles | 224 Rank #1 | 244 Rank #1 | +20 +9% vs. expected |
| ATLProfile → 11 picks · Matt Ryan | 207 Rank #2 | 224 Rank #2 | +17 +8% vs. expected |
| 7 picks · Aqib Talib | 114 Rank #19 | 129 Rank #12 | +16 +14% vs. expected |
2008 Draft Investment Returns
Each bubble is a player, sized by draft capital invested. Click a player to see how they compare to their position group.
Complete Draft Results
Filter and explore all picks from the 2008 NFL Draft, with detailed performance metrics and redraft rankings.
Pick | Player | Redraft | Position | Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Long #6 Redraft Top Steal OL #1 | Michigan | Top 10 | OL #4 out of 40 | 73.4 | |
| Chris Long DE #1 | Virginia | Round 2 | DE #3 out of 20 | 36.3 | |
| Matt Ryan #1 Redraft Top Steal QB #1 | Boston Col. | Top 10 | QB #1 out of 13 | 103.4 | |
| Darren McFaddenBust RB #1 | Arkansas | Round 3 | RB #8 out of 23 | 18.2 | |
| Glenn Dorsey DT #1 | LSU | Round 3 | DT #2 out of 18 | 20.4 | |
| Vernon GholstonBust DE #2 | Ohio St. | Round 6-7 | DE #15 out of 20 | -0.4 | |
| Sedrick EllisBust DT #2 | USC | Round 4-5 | DT #6 out of 18 | 8.7 | |
| Derrick HarveyBust DE #3 | Florida | Round 4-5 | DE #9 out of 20 | 8.8 | |
| Keith RiversBust LB #1 | USC | Round 3 | LB #8 out of 35 | 12.9 | |
| Jerod Mayo LB #2 | Tennessee | Round 1 | LB #2 out of 35 | 37.9 | |
 | Leodis McKelvin DB #1 | Troy | Round 2 | DB #7 out of 27 | 26.4 | |
| Ryan Clady #9 Redraft Top Steal OL #2 | Boise St. | Top 10 | OL #5 out of 40 | 62.1 | |
| Jonathan Stewart RB #2 | Oregon | Round 1 | RB #4 out of 23 | 41.4 | |
 | Chris WilliamsBust OL #3 | Vanderbilt | Round 3 | OL #28 out of 40 | 11.0 | |
| Branden Albert OL #4 | Virginia | Top 20 | OL #7 out of 40 | 51.0 | |
| Dominique Rodgers-CromartieTop Steal DB #2 | Tennessee St. | Top 20 | DB #2 out of 27 | 60.3 | |
 | Gosder Cherilus OL #5 | Boston Col. | Round 1 | OL #13 out of 40 | 37.4 | |
 | Joe FlaccoSteal QB #2 | Delaware | Top 20 | QB #2 out of 13 | 55.8 | |
| Jeff Otah OL #6 | Pittsburgh | Round 2 | OL #17 out of 40 | 32.4 | |
| Aqib Talib #8 Redraft Top Steal DB #3 | Kansas | Top 10 | DB #1 out of 27 | 64.9 | |
| Sam Baker OL #7 | USC | Round 2 | OL #16 out of 40 | 33.4 | |
 | Felix Jones RB #3 | Arkansas | Round 3 | RB #9 out of 23 | 16.3 | |
 | Rashard Mendenhall RB #4 | Illinois | Round 2 | RB #6 out of 23 | 28.5 | |
| Chris Johnson RB #5 | East Carolina | Round 1 | RB #5 out of 23 | 40.4 | |
| Mike Jenkins DB #4 | South Florida | Round 2 | DB #8 out of 27 | 24.4 | |
| Duane Brown #4 Redraft Top Steal OL #8 | Virginia Tech | Top 10 | OL #2 out of 40 | 81.5 | |
 | Antoine Cason DB #5 | Arizona | Round 3 | DB #10 out of 27 | 22.5 | |
 | Lawrence JacksonBust DE #4 | USC | Round 3 | DE #7 out of 20 | 12.5 | |
 | Kentwan BalmerBust DT #3 | North Carolina | Round 6-7 | DT #15 out of 18 | -0.9 | |
| Dustin Keller TE #1 | Purdue | Round 2 | TE #7 out of 16 | 23.3 | |
 | Kenny Phillips S #1 | Miami (FL) | Round 2 | S #3 out of 18 | 31.3 | |
| Phillip MerlingBust DE #5 | Clemson | Round 6-7 | DE #17 out of 20 | -0.6 | |
| Donnie Avery WR #1 | Houston | Round 3 | WR #10 out of 35 | 14.2 | |
 | Devin ThomasBust WR #2 | Michigan St. | Round 4-5 | WR #17 out of 35 | 2.0 | |
| Brandon FlowersTop Steal DB #6 | Virginia Tech | Top 20 | DB #3 out of 27 | 57.4 | |
| Jordy Nelson #7 Redraft Top Steal WR #3 | Kansas St. | Top 10 | WR #1 out of 35 | 71.9 | |
| Curtis Lofton LB #3 | Oklahoma | Round 2 | LB #3 out of 35 | 27.6 | |
| John Carlson TE #2 | Notre Dame | Round 3 | TE #8 out of 16 | 21.6 | |
| Chilo Rachal OL #9 | USC | Round 1 | OL #11 out of 40 | 39.0 | |
| Tracy Porter DB #7 | Indiana | Round 2 | DB #9 out of 27 | 24.1 | |
| James HardyBust WR #4 | Indiana | Round 6-7 | WR #32 out of 35 | -0.6 | |
| Eddie Royal WR #5 | Virginia Tech | Round 2 | WR #5 out of 35 | 32.9 | |
 | Tyrell JohnsonBust S #2 | Arkansas St. | Round 6-7 | S #17 out of 18 | -1.0 | |
| Matt ForteTop Steal RB #6 | Tulane | Top 20 | RB #2 out of 23 | 51.5 | |
| Jordon DizonBust LB #4 | Colorado | Round 6-7 | LB #32 out of 35 | -0.2 | |
| Jerome Simpson WR #6 | Coastal Carolina | Round 3 | WR #9 out of 35 | 16.0 | |
| Trevor LawsBust DT #4 | Notre Dame | Round 4-5 | DT #7 out of 18 | 2.7 | |
| Fred Davis TE #3 | USC | Round 2 | TE #5 out of 16 | 24.6 | |
| DeSean Jackson #10 Redraft Top Steal WR #7 | California | Top 10 | WR #2 out of 35 | 62.1 | |
| Calais Campbell #2 Redraft Top Steal DE #6 | Miami (FL) | Top 10 | DE #1 out of 20 | 90.8 | |
| Malcolm KellyBust WR #8 | Oklahoma | Round 4-5 | WR #20 out of 35 | 0.4 | |
| Quentin GrovesBust DE #7 | Auburn | Round 4-5 | DE #11 out of 20 | 2.0 | |
| Limas SweedBust WR #9 | Texas | Round 6-7 | WR #33 out of 35 | -0.6 | |
| Jason Jones DE #8 | Eastern Michigan | Round 3 | DE #4 out of 20 | 20.8 | |
| Ray RiceSteal RB #7 | Rutgers | Round 1 | RB #3 out of 23 | 42.1 | |
| Brian BrohmBust QB #3 | Louisville | Round 6-7 | QB #12 out of 13 | -0.4 | |
| Chad Henne QB #4 | Michigan | Round 3 | QB #3 out of 13 | 18.7 | |
| Dexter JacksonBust WR #10 | Appalachian St. | Round 6-7 | WR #22 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Mike Pollak OL #10 | Arizona St. | Round 2 | OL #14 out of 40 | 34.4 | |
| Pat Lee DB #8 | Auburn | Round 4-5 | DB #14 out of 27 | 5.4 | |
| Martellus BennettTop Steal TE #4 | Texas A&M | Round 1 | TE #1 out of 16 | 48.1 | |
| Terrence WheatleyBust DB #9 | Colorado | Round 4-5 | DB #17 out of 27 | 0.6 | |
| Terrell Thomas DB #10 | USC | Round 2 | DB #6 out of 27 | 29.6 | |
| Kevin Smith RB #8 | Central Florida | Round 4-5 | RB #11 out of 23 | 8.3 | |
| John GrecoTop Steal OL #11 | Toledo | Round 1 | OL #10 out of 40 | 42.7 | |
| Kendall Langford DE #9 | Hampton | Round 3 | DE #5 out of 20 | 20.2 | |
| Charles GodfreyBust S #3 | Iowa | Round 6-7 | S #16 out of 18 | -0.8 | |
| Chevis Jackson DB #11 | LSU | Round 4-5 | DB #13 out of 27 | 5.9 | |
| Jacob Hester FB #1 | LSU | Round 4-5 | FB #3 out of 4 | 1.3 | |
| Earl Bennett WR #11 | Vanderbilt | Round 3 | WR #7 out of 35 | 22.3 | |
| Tavares Gooden LB #5 | Miami (FL) | Round 4-5 | LB #15 out of 35 | 2.1 | |
| Chris EllisBust DE #10 | Virginia Tech | Round 6-7 | DE #14 out of 20 | -0.1 | |
| Jamaal CharlesTop Steal RB #9 | Texas | Top 20 | RB #1 out of 23 | 61.1 | |
| Dan Connor LB #6 | Penn St. | Round 3 | LB #6 out of 35 | 17.1 | |
| Reggie Smith S #4 | Oklahoma | Round 6-7 | S #14 out of 18 | -0.2 | |
| Brad Cottam TE #5 | Tennessee | Round 4-5 | TE #11 out of 16 | 3.4 | |
| Pat Sims DT #5 | Auburn | Round 3 | DT #4 out of 18 | 11.7 | |
| Shawn Crable LB #7 | Michigan | Round 6-7 | LB #33 out of 35 | -0.4 | |
| Antwaun Molden DB #12 | Eastern Kentucky | Round 6-7 | DB #25 out of 27 | -0.3 | |
| Bryan Smith LB #8 | McNeese St. | Round 4-5 | LB #18 out of 35 | 1.2 | |
| Early Doucet WR #12 | LSU | Round 4-5 | WR #19 out of 35 | 0.9 | |
| DaJuan Morgan S #5 | North Carolina St. | Round 6-7 | S #15 out of 18 | -0.5 | |
| Jeremy ZuttahTop Steal OL #12 | Rutgers | Round 1 | OL #9 out of 40 | 47.0 | |
| Harry Douglas WR #13 | Louisville | Round 3 | WR #8 out of 35 | 18.1 | |
| Craig Stevens TE #6 | California | Round 2 | TE #6 out of 16 | 23.4 | |
| Tom Zbikowski S #6 | Notre Dame | Round 4-5 | S #7 out of 18 | 9.8 | |
| Andre Fluellen DT #6 | Florida St. | Round 4-5 | DT #10 out of 18 | 0.4 | |
| Bruce Davis LB #9 | UCLA | Round 6-7 | LB #23 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Steve Slaton RB #10 | West Virginia | Round 3 | RB #10 out of 23 | 15.5 | |
| Marcus Harrison DT #7 | Arkansas | Round 6-7 | DT #16 out of 18 | -0.9 | |
| Jermichael FinleySteal TE #7 | Texas | Round 2 | TE #2 out of 16 | 31.9 | |
| Cliff AvrilTop Steal LB #10 | Purdue | Top 20 | LB #1 out of 35 | 49.3 | |
| Philip Wheeler LB #11 | Georgia Tech | Round 3 | LB #5 out of 35 | 17.7 | |
| Kevin O'Connell QB #5 | San Diego St. | Round 6-7 | QB #11 out of 13 | -0.3 | |
| Mario Manningham WR #14 | Michigan | Round 2 | WR #6 out of 35 | 28.0 | |
| Chad Rinehart OL #13 | Northern Iowa | Round 2 | OL #20 out of 40 | 27.0 | |
| Andre Caldwell WR #15 | Florida | Round 4-5 | WR #12 out of 35 | 7.1 | |
| Thomas DeCoud S #7 | California | Round 3 | S #5 out of 18 | 17.7 | |
| Oniel Cousins OL #14 | Texas-El Paso | Round 6-7 | OL #38 out of 40 | -0.1 | |
| Tyvon BranchTop Steal S #8 | Connecticut | Round 2 | S #1 out of 18 | 35.2 | |
| Justin King DB #13 | Penn St. | Round 6-7 | DB #27 out of 27 | -1.3 | |
| Jeremy Thompson DE #11 | Wake Forest | Round 6-7 | DE #19 out of 20 | -0.7 | |
| William HayesTop Steal DE #12 | Winston-Salem St. | Round 1 | DE #2 out of 20 | 37.6 | |
 | Beau Bell LB #12 | UNLV | Round 6-7 | LB #28 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Will Franklin WR #16 | Missouri | Round 6-7 | WR #35 out of 35 | -1.0 | |
| Marcus Smith WR #17 | New Mexico | Round 6-7 | WR #34 out of 35 | -0.7 | |
| Cody Wallace OL #15 | Texas A&M | Round 6-7 | OL #39 out of 40 | -0.2 | |
| Kory LichtensteigerTop Steal OL #16 | Bowling Green | Round 2 | OL #15 out of 40 | 34.3 | |
| Mike McGlynn OL #17 | Pittsburgh | Round 3 | OL #27 out of 40 | 11.3 | |
| Shawn Murphy OL #18 | Utah St. | Round 6-7 | OL #33 out of 40 | 0.0 | |
| Martin Rucker TE #8 | Missouri | Round 6-7 | TE #16 out of 16 | -0.4 | |
| Anthony Collins OL #19 | Kansas | Round 2 | OL #21 out of 40 | 25.3 | |
| Dwight LowerySteal S #9 | San Jose St. | Round 2 | S #2 out of 18 | 32.0 | |
| Reggie Corner DB #14 | Akron | Round 4-5 | DB #16 out of 27 | 3.1 | |
| Dre Moore DT #8 | Maryland | Round 6-7 | DT #12 out of 18 | -0.3 | |
| Kenny Iwebema DE #13 | Iowa | Round 6-7 | DE #18 out of 20 | -0.7 | |
| Quintin Demps S #10 | Texas-El Paso | Round 2 | S #4 out of 18 | 24.5 | |
| Xavier Adibi LB #13 | Virginia Tech | Round 6-7 | LB #35 out of 35 | -1.0 | |
| Jack Williams DB #15 | Kent St. | Round 4-5 | DB #18 out of 27 | 0.6 | |
| Craig Steltz S #11 | LSU | Round 4-5 | S #8 out of 18 | 4.8 | |
| Red Bryant DT #9 | Texas A&M | Round 3 | DT #3 out of 18 | 18.6 | |
| Tashard Choice RB #11 | Georgia Tech | Round 4-5 | RB #15 out of 23 | 0.9 | |
| Bryan Kehl LB #14 | BYU | Round 4-5 | LB #14 out of 35 | 4.1 | |
| Justin Tryon DB #16 | Arizona St. | Round 3 | DB #12 out of 27 | 11.3 | |
| Arman Shields WR #18 | Richmond | Round 6-7 | WR #24 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Lavelle Hawkins WR #19 | California | Round 4-5 | WR #16 out of 35 | 2.7 | |
| Jacob TammeSteal TE #9 | Kentucky | Round 2 | TE #3 out of 16 | 30.2 | |
| Keenan Burton WR #20 | Kentucky | Round 4-5 | WR #15 out of 35 | 2.9 | |
| Jonathan Wilhite DB #17 | Auburn | Round 6-7 | DB #26 out of 27 | -0.6 | |
| Tony Hills OL #20 | Texas | Round 6-7 | OL #40 out of 40 | -0.4 | |
| Jack Ikegwuonu DB #18 | Wisconsin | Round 6-7 | DB #19 out of 27 | 0.0 | |
| Derek Fine TE #10 | Kansas | Round 4-5 | TE #10 out of 16 | 3.7 | |
| David Hale OL #21 | Weber St. | Round 4-5 | OL #32 out of 40 | 0.2 | |
| Stanford Keglar LB #15 | Purdue | Round 4-5 | LB #20 out of 35 | 0.3 | |
| Josh Sitton #3 Redraft Top Steal OL #22 | Central Florida | Top 10 | OL #1 out of 40 | 84.3 | |
| Kenny Moore WR #21 | Wake Forest | Round 6-7 | WR #31 out of 35 | -0.5 | |
| John David Booty QB #6 | USC | Round 4-5 | QB #6 out of 13 | 0.0 | |
| Robert James LB #16 | Arizona St. | Round 4-5 | LB #29 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Ryan Torain RB #12 | Arizona St. | Round 4-5 | RB #12 out of 23 | 6.7 | |
| Brandon CarrTop Steal DB #19 | Grand Valley St. | Round 2 | DB #4 out of 27 | 34.3 | |
| Gary Barnidge TE #11 | Louisville | Round 2 | TE #4 out of 16 | 24.8 | |
| Zackary Bowman DB #20 | Nebraska | Round 4-5 | DB #15 out of 27 | 4.1 | |
| Orlando ScandrickTop Steal DB #21 | Boise St. | Round 2 | DB #5 out of 27 | 33.5 | |
| DeMario Pressley DT #10 | North Carolina St. | Round 4-5 | DT #9 out of 18 | 0.5 | |
| Jason Shirley DT #11 | Fresno St. | Round 4-5 | DT #8 out of 18 | 1.3 | |
| Jerome Felton FB #2 | Furman | Round 2 | FB #1 out of 4 | 23.1 | |
| Alvin Bowen LB #17 | Iowa St. | Round 4-5 | LB #22 out of 35 | 0.1 | |
| Carlton Powell DT #12 | Virginia Tech | Round 6-7 | DT #13 out of 18 | -0.4 | |
| Tim Hightower RB #13 | Richmond | Round 4-5 | RB #13 out of 23 | 6.5 | |
| Breno Giacomini OL #23 | Louisville | Round 3 | OL #23 out of 40 | 18.5 | |
| Frank Okam DT #13 | Texas | Round 6-7 | DT #14 out of 18 | -0.6 | |
| Letroy Guion DT #14 | Florida St. | Round 4-5 | DT #5 out of 18 | 10.5 | |
| Matthew Slater WR #22 | UCLA | Round 4-5 | WR #14 out of 35 | 2.9 | |
| Kroy Biermann LB #18 | Montana | Round 3 | LB #4 out of 35 | 17.9 | |
| Thomas Williams LB #19 | USC | Round 4-5 | LB #17 out of 35 | 1.5 | |
| Dennis Dixon QB #7 | Oregon | Round 6-7 | QB #13 out of 13 | -0.5 | |
| Roy Schuening OL #24 | Oregon St. | Round 4-5 | OL #37 out of 40 | 0.0 | |
| Kellen Davis TE #12 | Michigan St. | Round 3 | TE #9 out of 16 | 17.6 | |
| Trae Williams DB #22 | South Florida | Round 4-5 | DB #23 out of 27 | 0.0 | |
| Josh Johnson QB #8 | San Diego | Round 4-5 | QB #4 out of 13 | 2.5 | |
| Marcus Howard LB #20 | Georgia | Round 4-5 | LB #19 out of 35 | 0.7 | |
| Erik Ainge QB #9 | Tennessee | Round 4-5 | QB #7 out of 13 | 0.0 | |
| Owen Schmitt FB #3 | West Virginia | Round 6-7 | FB #4 out of 4 | -0.8 | |
| Carl Nicks #5 Redraft Top Steal OL #25 | Nebraska | Top 10 | OL #3 out of 40 | 76.5 | |
| Jonathan Goff LB #21 | Vanderbilt | Round 4-5 | LB #9 out of 35 | 6.8 | |
| Marcus Thomas RB #14 | Texas-El Paso | Round 4-5 | RB #18 out of 23 | 0.0 | |
| Erik Walden DE #14 | Middle Tenn. St. | Round 3 | DE #6 out of 20 | 14.7 | |
| Durant Brooks P #1 | Georgia Tech | Round 4-5 | P #1 out of 1 | 0.0 | |
| Trevor Scott DE #15 | Buffalo | Round 4-5 | DE #10 out of 20 | 3.0 | |
| Barry Richardson OL #26 | Clemson | Round 3 | OL #22 out of 40 | 19.0 | |
| Marcus Henry WR #23 | Kansas | Round 4-5 | WR #23 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Thomas Brown RB #15 | Georgia | Round 4-5 | RB #21 out of 23 | 0.0 | |
| Dominique Barber S #12 | Minnesota | Round 4-5 | S #13 out of 18 | 0.4 | |
| Josh Morgan WR #24 | Virginia Tech | Round 3 | WR #11 out of 35 | 12.9 | |
| Geno Hayes LB #22 | Florida St. | Round 3 | LB #7 out of 35 | 15.3 | |
| Jalen Parmele RB #16 | Toledo | Round 6-7 | RB #23 out of 23 | -0.3 | |
| Corey Lynch S #13 | Appalachian St. | Round 4-5 | S #12 out of 18 | 1.1 | |
| Taylor Mehlhaff K #1 | Wisconsin | Round 4-5 | K #2 out of 2 | 0.0 | |
| Xavier Omon RB #17 | NW Missouri St. | Round 4-5 | RB #16 out of 23 | 0.1 | |
| Kareem Moore S #14 | Nicholls St. | Round 6-7 | S #18 out of 18 | -1.3 | |
| Nick Hayden DT #15 | Wisconsin | Round 6-7 | DT #18 out of 18 | -1.0 | |
| Kevin Robinson WR #25 | Utah St. | Round 4-5 | WR #21 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Spencer Larsen LB #23 | Arizona | Round 4-5 | LB #16 out of 35 | 2.0 | |
| Mike Gibson OL #27 | California | Round 4-5 | OL #29 out of 40 | 8.6 | |
| Chris Harrington DE #16 | Texas A&M | Round 4-5 | DE #12 out of 20 | 0.0 | |
| Colt Brennan QB #10 | Hawaii | Round 4-5 | QB #9 out of 13 | 0.0 | |
| John SullivanTop Steal OL #28 | Notre Dame | Top 20 | OL #6 out of 40 | 55.1 | |
| Mike Humpal LB #24 | Iowa | Round 4-5 | LB #24 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Tyler Schmitt LB #25 | San Diego St. | Round 4-5 | LB #25 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Ahtyba RubinSteal DT #16 | Iowa St. | Round 2 | DT #1 out of 18 | 25.6 | |
| Paul Hubbard WR #26 | Wisconsin | Round 6-7 | WR #28 out of 35 | -0.2 | |
| DeJuan Tribble DB #23 | Boston Col. | Round 4-5 | DB #21 out of 27 | 0.0 | |
| Jaymar Johnson WR #27 | Jackson St. | Round 4-5 | WR #26 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Ryan Mundy S #15 | West Virginia | Round 3 | S #6 out of 18 | 15.3 | |
| Donald ThomasTop Steal OL #29 | Connecticut | Round 2 | OL #18 out of 40 | 29.5 | |
| Tom Santi TE #13 | Virginia | Round 4-5 | TE #12 out of 16 | 0.8 | |
| Bo Ruud LB #26 | Nebraska | Round 4-5 | LB #26 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Andre Woodson QB #11 | Kentucky | Round 4-5 | QB #8 out of 13 | 0.0 | |
| Robert Henderson DE #17 | Southern Miss | Round 4-5 | DE #13 out of 20 | 0.0 | |
| Joe Mays LB #27 | North Dakota St. | Round 4-5 | LB #11 out of 35 | 6.3 | |
| Steve Justice OL #30 | Wake Forest | Round 4-5 | OL #30 out of 40 | 4.2 | |
| Mike Hart RB #18 | Michigan | Round 4-5 | RB #14 out of 23 | 1.9 | |
| Andy Studebaker LB #28 | Wheaton | Round 4-5 | LB #12 out of 35 | 5.6 | |
| Lex Hilliard RB #19 | Montana | Round 6-7 | RB #22 out of 23 | -0.1 | |
| Pierre GarconTop Steal WR #28 | Mount Union | Top 20 | WR #3 out of 35 | 56.7 | |
| Haruki Nakamura S #16 | Cincinnati | Round 4-5 | S #10 out of 18 | 3.1 | |
| Matt Sherry TE #14 | Villanova | Round 4-5 | TE #14 out of 16 | 0.0 | |
| Ervin Baldwin DE #18 | Michigan St. | Round 6-7 | DE #16 out of 20 | -0.4 | |
| Matt Flynn QB #12 | LSU | Round 4-5 | QB #5 out of 13 | 0.5 | |
| Brian Johnston DE #19 | Gardner-Webb | Round 6-7 | DE #20 out of 20 | -1.0 | |
| Nate Garner OL #31 | Arkansas | Round 3 | OL #26 out of 40 | 11.8 | |
| Wilrey Fontenot DB #24 | Arizona | Round 4-5 | DB #22 out of 27 | 0.0 | |
| Chauncey Washington RB #20 | USC | Round 4-5 | RB #17 out of 23 | 0.1 | |
| Larry Grant LB #29 | Ohio St. | Round 4-5 | LB #27 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Justin Harper WR #29 | Virginia Tech | Round 6-7 | WR #29 out of 35 | -0.3 | |
| Landon Cohen DT #17 | Ohio | Round 6-7 | DT #17 out of 18 | -0.9 | |
| Brett Swain WR #30 | San Diego St. | Round 6-7 | WR #30 out of 35 | -0.3 | |
| Caleb Campbell DB #25 | Army | Round 4-5 | DB #20 out of 27 | 0.0 | |
| Demetress Bell OL #32 | Northwestern St. (LA) | Round 3 | OL #24 out of 40 | 12.9 | |
| Josh Barrett S #17 | Arizona St. | Round 4-5 | S #11 out of 18 | 1.3 | |
| Hilee Taylor LB #30 | North Carolina | Round 4-5 | LB #21 out of 35 | 0.1 | |
| Chester Adams OL #33 | Georgia | Round 4-5 | OL #35 out of 40 | 0.0 | |
| Alex Brink QB #13 | Washington St. | Round 4-5 | QB #10 out of 13 | 0.0 | |
| Stevie JohnsonTop Steal WR #31 | Kentucky | Round 1 | WR #4 out of 35 | 39.8 | |
| Brandon Keith OL #34 | Northern Iowa | Round 3 | OL #25 out of 40 | 11.9 | |
| Chaz Schilens WR #32 | San Diego St. | Round 4-5 | WR #13 out of 35 | 6.0 | |
| Peyton HillisSteal FB #4 | Arkansas | Round 3 | FB #2 out of 4 | 21.2 | |
| Chris Chamberlain LB #31 | Tulsa | Round 4-5 | LB #13 out of 35 | 4.1 | |
| Cary Williams DB #26 | Washburn | Round 3 | DB #11 out of 27 | 16.7 | |
| King DunlapTop Steal OL #35 | Auburn | Top 20 | OL #8 out of 40 | 50.5 | |
| Alex Hall LB #32 | St. Augustine's | Round 6-7 | LB #34 out of 35 | -0.5 | |
| Keith Zinger TE #15 | LSU | Round 6-7 | TE #15 out of 16 | -0.3 | |
| Justin ForsettSteal RB #21 | California | Round 2 | RB #7 out of 23 | 23.4 | |
| Corey Clark OL #36 | Texas A&M | Round 4-5 | OL #34 out of 40 | 0.0 | |
| Brandon Coutu K #2 | Georgia | Round 4-5 | K #1 out of 2 | 0.0 | |
| Jamey Richard OL #37 | Buffalo | Round 4-5 | OL #31 out of 40 | 3.3 | |
| Adrian Arrington WR #33 | Michigan | Round 4-5 | WR #18 out of 35 | 1.3 | |
| Cory Boyd RB #22 | South Carolina | Round 4-5 | RB #20 out of 23 | 0.0 | |
| Mike Merritt TE #16 | Central Florida | Round 4-5 | TE #13 out of 16 | 0.0 | |
| Allen Patrick RB #23 | Oklahoma | Round 4-5 | RB #19 out of 23 | 0.0 | |
| Geoff SchwartzTop Steal OL #38 | Oregon | Round 1 | OL #12 out of 40 | 38.8 | |
| Rob Jackson DE #20 | Kansas St. | Round 4-5 | DE #8 out of 20 | 9.3 | |
| Joey LaRocque LB #33 | Oregon St. | Round 4-5 | LB #30 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Angelo Craig LB #34 | Cincinnati | Round 4-5 | LB #31 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Lionel Dotson DT #18 | Arizona | Round 4-5 | DT #11 out of 18 | 0.3 | |
| Mario Urrutia WR #34 | Louisville | Round 4-5 | WR #25 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Kirk Barton OL #39 | Ohio St. | Round 4-5 | OL #36 out of 40 | 0.0 | |
| Marcus Monk WR #35 | Arkansas | Round 4-5 | WR #27 out of 35 | 0.0 | |
| Chris Horton S #18 | UCLA | Round 4-5 | S #9 out of 18 | 4.7 | |
| Mackenzy BernadeauTop Steal OL #40 | Bentley College | Round 2 | OL #19 out of 40 | 28.0 | |
| Kennard Cox DB #27 | Pittsburgh | Round 6-7 | DB #24 out of 27 | -0.1 | |
| David Vobora LB #35 | Idaho | Round 4-5 | LB #10 out of 35 | 6.6 |
2008 NFL Draft: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the 2008 draft class, including analysis of the biggest busts, best steals, team performances, and how players' careers compared to their draft positions.
Who were the best players from the 2008 NFL Draft?
In a complete redraft based on career performance, the top three picks would be: 1) Matt Ryan (QB), originally drafted #3 by the Atlanta Falcons, with 103 career value points; 2) Calais Campbell (DE), originally #50 by the Arizona Cardinals; 3) Josh Sitton (OL), originally #135 by the Green Bay Packers.
Which players provided the best value relative to their draft position in 2008?
The top value picks based on performance vs. draft position: 1) Josh Sitton (OL, Pick #135): +73 value vs. expected; 2) Carl Nicks (OL, Pick #164): +68 value vs. expected; 3) Calais Campbell (DE, Pick #50): +65 value vs. expected; 4) Matt Ryan (QB, Pick #3): +57 value vs. expected; 5) Pierre Garcon (WR, Pick #205): +51 value vs. expected. Josh Sitton delivered 73 points above expected value for pick #135, drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the round 4.
Who were the biggest busts in the 2008 NFL Draft?
The biggest disappointments from the 2008 draft's early rounds include: Vernon Gholston (#6 by New York Jets), Sedrick Ellis (#7 by New Orleans Saints), Derrick Harvey (#8 by Jacksonville Jaguars), Kentwan Balmer (#29 by San Francisco 49ers), Phillip Merling (#32 by Miami Dolphins). Vernon Gholston, selected #6 overall by the New York Jets, delivered only -0 career value points, 45 points below expectations for that draft slot.
Which NFL team had the best draft in 2008?
The Green Bay Packers had the best draft, generating 211 total career value from 9 picks - 49% above expected. Their best selection was Josh Sitton.
Who was the biggest steal in the 2008 NFL Draft?
Josh Sitton was the biggest steal - drafted #135 by the Green Bay Packers but performed at a Top 10 level. Should have been drafted #3 overall. The Offensive Lineman delivered 84 career value points.
Was Darren McFadden a bust in the 2008 NFL Draft?
Yes, Darren McFadden was a significant disappointment. Selected #4 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, the Running Back managed only 18 career value points. In a redraft, would fall to the Round 2 range.
Which late-round picks from the 2008 draft became stars?
Late-round selections that became impact players: Josh Sitton (#135, OL), Carl Nicks (#164, OL), Pierre Garcon (#205, WR). Josh Sitton (#135, Green Bay Packers) accumulated 84 career value points.
Which position provided the best value in the 2008 NFL Draft?
Offensive Lineman (OL) provided the best value with 40 players averaging 27.4 career value points, significantly outperforming other positions.
How did the 2008 NFL Draft class perform compared to other years?
The 2008 draft class performed average with 252 players combining for 3515 total career value points. Players averaged 2.1 points below expected draft position value.
38Draft Steals
45Draft Busts
252Players Analyzed
10Teams Graded
