ESPN NFL

It's said it takes three years before you can really evaluate a draft class. Fair enough. Three years later, Scouts Inc. looks back and reviews how NFC teams did in the '04 NFL draft.

Arizona Cardinals
The first day of the Cardinals' 2004 draft seems to have been a success. First-round WR Larry Fitzgerald has made great strides alongside fellow All-Pro WR Anquan Boldin. The Cardinals found a steal in second-round OLB Karlos Dansby, who is developing into a prototypical player but has been hampered by injuries. Third-round DT Darnell Dockett has not lived up to the level he showed in his rookie campaign, having produced only six sacks in three seasons. Fourth-round C Alex Stepanovich was thought to be a future starter, but he never matured into the player the Cardinals expected. Fifth-round DE Antonio Smith started last season but generated only 2.5 sacks. Sixth-round C Nick Leckey has become the starter, but his frame and build likely will land him as a backup long-term. Seventh-round QB John Navarre saw action in two games his first two seasons but did not play at all last season and recently signed with Indianapolis as a free agent.
• In retrospect, what draft grade would you give the Cardinals?

Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons came away from the first day of the 2004 draft with a shutdown corner in DeAngelo Hall, a solid No. 2 receiver in Michael Jenkins and a possible franchise quarterback in Matt Schaub, who has since been traded to the Houston Texans for multiple draft picks. Hall is on the fast track to becoming one of the league's elite players at his position. Jenkins, the team's second first-round pick, has all the physical tools to develop into a solid front-line player. Though Schaub had limited playing time in Atlanta, he will get the opportunity to start in Houston in 2007. On the second day of the 2004 draft, the Falcons found tremendous value with OLB Demorrio Williams in the fourth round. Williams is a fast, athletic linebacker who contributed mainly in sub-defensive packages and on special teams until last season, when he started nine games. The Falcons didn't uncover any late-round jewels, as DT Chad Lavalais, DB Etric Pruitt and RB Quincy Wilson are no longer on the roster.
• In retrospect, what draft grade would you give the Falcons?

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider