Commentary

Gore, Tatupu were draft-day steals

Originally Published: April 10, 2008
By Scouts Inc. | ESPN.com
Editor's note: Scouts Inc.'s philosophy is to wait three years before judging a draft class. As the 2008 draft approaches, we are looking back at the 2005 draft to determine how teams fared.

In the NFC West, the same team that drafted a borderline bust with the first overall pick (QB Alex Smith) hit a home run with Pro Bowl RB Frank Gore. The Cardinals' draft picks never lived up to their potential. The Seahawks drafted one of the best middle linebackers in Lofa Tatupu, while the Rams added some key pieces to their secondary and offensive line. Let's take a team-by-team look at the NFC West's 2005 draft class.

Arizona Cardinals

At one time, this draft class looked like it had some potential, but the group has not developed as expected. CB Antrel Rolle has been inconsistent on the outside and is moving inside to free safety next season. RB J.J. Arrington is hanging on by a thread, and CB Eric Green has talent but can't stay healthy. Darryl Blackstock, Lance Mitchell and LeRon McCoy are not on the roster. But the biggest disappointment has to be G Elton Brown, who showed promise as a rookie before displaying poor work ethic, something that dropped his stock on draft day.

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