Much of the ink that has been spilled about the Minnesota Vikings this offseason surrounds the annual “will he, or won’t he” status of quarterback Brett Favre. More important than “Favretirement Watch 2010″, however, is the concern for the Vikings’ ground game with the loss of RB Chester Taylor to divisional rival Chicago. The team made a move to sign free agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson to fill the void, but lost out to the New York Jets.

The Minnesota Vikings have been conspicuously quiet in free agency with their biggest moves being the retention of CB Benny Sapp and DT Jimmy Kennedy. Still, if the Vikings hope to return to the NFC Championship game next season for another shot at the Super Bowl they will need more than the signings of PK Rhys Lloyd (Panthers) and DE Mike Montgomery (Packers) to get them there.

2009 Team Record: 12-4
First Round Pick: 30th Overall

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 39.62% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 80.0%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 30.19% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 5
Restricted: 7
Notable: Tavaris Jackson, QB (RFA); Ray Edwards, DE (RFA); Jimmy Kennedy, DT (UFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2009 – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida (22nd Overall)
2008 – No pick, selection trade to Kansas City for DE Jared Allen
2007 – Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma (7th Overall)
2006 – Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa (17th Overall)
2005 – Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina (7th Overall)
2005 – Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin (18th Overall)

DNQBR

For the 2009 season, Brett Favre had a Draft Nuggets quarterback rating of 23.1, good for 2nd in our rankings.^

Notes & Observations

• Four of the Minnesota Vikings five 2009 draft picks made the team’s active roster
• If you include the trade for DE Jared Allen, the Vikings have used three of their last six first round draft picks on defense
• Neither 2005 first round selections are currently on the Vikings roster
• WR Troy Williamson traded to the Jaguars for a sixth round pick in the 2008 draft
• DE Erasmus James traded to the Redskins for a conditional seventh rounder after injury plagued seasons in 2006 and 2007

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

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In the two season since the Green Bay Packers traded away quarterback Brett Favre his replacement, Aaron Rodgers, has proven himself capable of leading the team. After finishing a dismal 6-10 in 2008 the defensive staff got a makeover with the addition of new defensive coordinator Don Capers. With an attacking defensive philosophy in place the team rebounded well, but closed out the season with a disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Despite the loss of DE Aaron Kampman to the Jaguars, the Green Bay Packers have kept themselves busy in free agency by retaining their own players. They have re-signed offensive lineman Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, as well as have locked up S Nick Collins and NT Ryan Pickett. The Packers who are not typically big players in free agency have only signed P Chris Bryan and WR Charles Dillon.

2009 Team Record: 11-5
First Round Pick: 23rd Overall

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 58.49% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 87.5%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 28.30% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 6
Restricted: 9
Notable: Ryan Pickett, DT (UFA); Aaron Kampman, OLB (UFA); Chad Clifton, OT (UFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2009 – B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College (9th Overall)
2009 – Clay Matthews, OLB, USA (26th Overall)
2008 – No pick, selection traded away to NY Jets
2007 – Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee (16th Overall)
2006 – A.J. Hawk, OLB, Ohio State (5th Overall)
2005 – Aaron Rodgers, QB, California (24th Overall)

DNQBR

For the 2009 season, Aaron Rodgers had a Draft Nuggets quarterback rating of 22.2, good for 4th in our rankings.^

Notes & Observations

• Seven of the Green Bay Packers eight 2009 draft picks made the team’s active roster
• Four of the teams last five first round selections have been defensive
• The team traded away their 2008 first round selection to the New York Jets who used it to draft TE Dustin Keller

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

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Head coach Jim Schwartz’s first year at the helm of the Detroit Lions was largely forgettable. While the team actually won a game, ending a franchise record 19 game losing streak, they only managed to win one other contest the rest of the season. Franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford had his rookie season cut short and the team’s defensive woes continued.

On the eve of free agency the Detroit Lions got uncharacteristically aggressive courting Tennessee free agent DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and Seattle free agent WR Nate Burleson, acquiring both early. The team also traded for DT Corey Williams (Cleveland), CB Chris Houston (Atlanta) and QB Shaun Hill (San Francisco) to help bolster their depth. Additionally, the team parted with CB Phillip Buchanon and DT Grady Jackson.

2009 Team Record: 2-14
First Round Pick: 2nd Overall

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 35.85% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 50.0%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 20.75% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 12
Restricted: 10
Notable: Dante Culpepper, QB (UFA); Larry Foote, LB (UFA); Will James, CB (UFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2009 – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia (1st Overall)
2009 – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State (20th Overall)
2008 – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College (17th Overall)
2007 – Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech (2nd Overall)
2006 – Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State (9th Overall)
2005 – Mike Williams, WR, USC (10th Overall)

DNQBR

We did not calculate a DNQBR for the 2009 season as no Detroit Lions quarterback started 13 or more games.^

Notes & Observations

• Five of the Detroit Lions ten 2009 draft picks made the team’s active roster.
• TE Dan Gronkowski (7th round) finished the season on the practice squad
• Both of the Lions’ first round selections, QB Matthew Stafford (1st overall) and TE Brandon Pettigrew (20th overall) finished the season on injured reserve.
• If you go back to the 2003 NFL draft the Detroit Lions have used their past eight first round selections on offense, including four wide receivers of which only one remains on the team’s roster

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

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Before the 2009 NFL draft the Chicago Bears made a huge deal with the Denver Broncos for QB Jay Cutler in hopes that he would be the franchise quarterback they have been lacking since for what seems like decades. However, their lack of talent at offensive skill positions, a weak offensive line, an aging defense and Cutler’s propensity to play catch with members of the opposing team conspired to ruin the season.

Facing what is likely a do or die season for both GM Jerry Angelo and head coach Lovie Smith, the Chicago Bears sold out in free agency by signing DE Julius Peppers to a big money contract. The team also hired misunderstood offensive mastermind Mike Martz to revamp the team’s beleaguered offense. To aid in the transition the Chicago Bears also signed TE Brandon Manumaleuna (Chargers) and Chester Taylor (Vikings).

2009 Team Record: 7-9
First Round Pick: No Selection (traded to Denver for QB Jay Cutler)

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 50.94% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 66.67%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 18.87% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 4
Restricted: 5
Notable: Adewale Ogunleye, DE (UFA); Adrian Peterson, RB (UFA); Danieal Manning, S (RFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2009 – No pick, selection traded to Denver for QB Jay Cutler
2008 – Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (14th Overall)
2007 – Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (31st Overall)
2006 – No pick, selection traded away to Buffalo
2005 – Cedric Benson, RB, Texas (4th Overall)

DNQBR

For the 2009 season, Jay Cutler had a Draft Nuggets quarterback rating of 8.0, good for 18th in our rankings.^

Notes & Observations

• Six of the Chicago Bears nine 2009 draft picks made the team’s active roster
• DE Henry Melton (4th round) finished the season on injured reserve
• The Bears have only had three first round draft picks in the last five years thanks to the Jay Cutler trade (2009) and trading out of the first round altogether (2006).

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

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For the first time in recent memory the Washington Redskins did not jump out of the gate and make a big name free agent signing. Despite rumors of their interest, the team sat on the sidelines as DE Julius Peppers was quickly snatched up by Chicago. Could the new regime lead by GM Bruce Allen and head coach Mike Shanahan be ushering in a new mentality in the nation’s capital?

While they have not gone for the flash, the Washington Redskins have certainly not been on the sidelines. They have moved quickly to ink QB Rex Grossman (who was with new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Houston last season), RB Larry Johnson (Chiefs/Bengals), P Josh Bidwell (Tampa Bay) and, most recently, CB Phillip Buchanon (Lions). Probably the biggest area the team has to address this offseason is offensive line to fill the void left by retired OT Chris Samuels.

2009 Team Record: 4-12
First Round Pick: 4th Overall

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 37.74% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 66.67%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 28.30% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 6
Restricted: 11
Notable: Jason Campbell, QB (RFA); Rocky McIntosh, LB (RFA); Phillip Daniels, DE (UFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2009 – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas (13th Overall)
2008 – No pick, traded down with Atlanta
2007 – LaRon Landry, SS, LSU (6th Overall)
2006 – No pick, selection traded to Denver as part of Campbell trade
2005 – Carlos Rogers, DB, Auburn (9th Overall)
2005 – Jason Campbell, QB, Auburn (25th Overall)

DNQBR

For the 2009 season, Jason Campbell had a Draft Nuggets quarterback rating of 9.6, good for 17th in our rankings.^

Notes & Observations

• Four of the Washington Redskins six 2009 draft picks made the teams’ active roster
• FB Eddie Williams (7th round) finished the year on injured reserve
• Three of the last four first round draft selections have been used on the defensive side of the ball

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

©2010 Draft Nuggets. All Rights Reserved.

After starting out the 2009 season 5-0 the New York Giants finished the season a highly disappointing 8-8 and missed the opportunity to extend their playoff streak to five straight seasons. Two years removed from the franchise’s most recent Super Bowl victory, the New York Giants have lost their best receiver to prison and their defensive coordinator to the head coaching position in St. Louis.

Outside of the signing of free agent S Antre Rolle to a 5 year, $37 million contract the Giants have otherwise been quiet during the free agent period. They have lost DT Fred Robbins, CB Kevin Dockery and TE Darcy Johnson to the Rams and back up quarterback David Carr to the 49ers who was replaced by Colt’s castoff QB Jim Sorgi.

2009 Team Record: 8-8
First Round Pick: 15th Overall

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 47.17% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 66.67%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 18.87% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 4
Restricted: 11
Notable: Fred Robbins, DT (UFA); David Carr, QB (UFA); Domenik Hixon, WR (RFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2009 – Hakim Nicks, WR, North Carolina (29th Overall)
2008 – Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami (31st Overall)
2007 – Aaron Ross, CB, Texas (20th Overall)
2006 – Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (32nd Overall)
2005 – No pick, selection dealt to San Diego as part of Eli Manning trade

DNQBR

For the 2009 season, Eli Manning had a Draft Nuggets quarterback rating of 13.8, good for 12th in our rankings.^

Notes & Observations

• Six of the New York Giants nine 2009 draft picks made the team’s active roster
• RB Andre Brown (4th round) finished the season on injured reserve
• The Giants also picked up three 2009 draft picks from other teams, specifically RB Gartrell Johnson (San Diego, 4th round), FS Michael Johnson (Cincinnati, 3rd round) and TE Bear Pascoe (San Francisco, 6th round)

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

©2010 Draft Nuggets. All Rights Reserved.

This week has been an interesting one so far for the Philadelphia Eagles as rumors heated up regarding a possible trade of 11 year veteran QB Donovan McNabb. Prior to the 2009 season the Eagles made an interesting move by signing disgraced QB Michael Vick upon his release from prison. The team also has second round pick QB Kevin Kolb who is entering his fourth season with the team.

With both McNabb and Kolb entering the final years of their contracts it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that the Philadelphia Eagles would try to move one of them. The rumors that a deal was nearly in place with the St. Louis Rams were the first to hit with Philly set to receive the first pick in the second round (33rd overall) and another player.

While both sides vehemently denied the rumors, on the surface the trade does make a lot of sense. The Rams are in desperate need of leadership and would enable them to focus on the two studs at defensive tackle with their first overall pick. Then the Philadelphia Eagles would be free to enter camp with a true competition between Kolb, Vick and any quarterback they may have the opportunity to draft in April.

2009 Team Record: 11-5
First Round Pick: 24th Overall

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 47.17% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 50%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 32.08% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 3
Restricted: 11
Notable: Ellis Hobbs, CB (RFA); Jason Avant, WR (RFA); Sean Jones, S (UFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2009 – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri (19th Overall)
2008 – No pick, traded selection to Carolina
2007 – No pick, traded selection to Dallas
2006 – Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State (14th Overall)
2005 – Mike Patterson, DT, USC (31st Overall)

DNQBR

For the 2009 season, Donovan McNabb had a Draft Nuggets quarterback rating of 15.5, good for 10th in our rankings.^

Notes & Observations

• Four of the Philadelphia Eagles eight 2009 draft picks made the team’s active roster
• TE Cornelius Ingram (fifth round) and T Fenuki Tupou finished the season on injured reserve
• The Eagles have released LB Will Witherspoon, OL Shawn Andrews and WR Kevin Curtis
• So far in the offeason the Eagles have signed RFA WR Jason Avant to a 5 year deal, DB Marlin Jackson (UFA, Colts), RB Mike Bell (RFA, Saints) to a one year deal and swapped defensive ends with Seahawks (Chris Clemons, 2010 4th rounder for Darryl Tapp)
• S Sean Jones departed the team via free agency signing with Tampa Bay
• The Eagles have been unafraid to trade out of the first round, as they have only made only three picks in the last five drafts

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

©2010 Draft Nuggets. All Rights Reserved.

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In 2009 the Dallas Cowboys finally ended a 13 year playoff win drought by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card round. Unfortunately, their run ended the following week with a defeat at Minnesota against a rejuvenated Brett Favre.

As the Cowboys enter the 2010 offseason they have a large number of restricted free agents, but very few would be considered key contributors. The Dallas Cowboys have managed their contract situation well in that most of their core players are under contract for the next few seasons.

However, the team is likely regretting the decision to trade for WR Roy Williams that cost them their first, third and sixth 2009 draft picks, as well as a new six year contract worth $54 million ($26 million of which is guaranteed).

2009 Team Record: 11-5
First Round Pick: 27th Overall

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 52.83% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 50%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 26.42% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 2
Restricted: 12
Notable: Miles Austin, WR (RFA); Gerald Sensabaugh, S (RFA); Marcus Spears, DE (RFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2008 – Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (22nd Overall)
2008 – Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (25th Overall)
2007 – Anthony Spencer, OLB, Perdue (26th Overall)
2006 – Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State (18th Overall)
2005 – Marcus Spears, DE, LSU (20th Overall)
2005 – DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Troy (11th Overall)

DNQBR

For the 2009 season, Tony Romo had a Draft Nuggets quarterback rating of 18.4, good for 9th in our rankings.^

Notes & Observations

• Six of the Dallas Cowboys twelve 2009 picks made the team’s active roster
• Two picks ended the season on injured reserve while another two made the practice squad
• The team did not have a 2009 first round pick as a result of the trade that netted Roy Williams from Detroit
• Of the team’s last six first round selections five were on the defensive side of the ball

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

©2010 Draft Nuggets. All Rights Reserved.

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Since their devasting loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII, the Oakland Raiders have been a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Over the past nine years the team has had five different head coaches, interim or otherwise, and has been a franchise that has shown little in the way of stability.

The Raiders last three first round draft picks have been more style than substance and then they traded away their 2011 first round selection for DE Richard Seymour, who while a solid citizen and consistent Pro Bowl level performer, is still a nine year veteran in the final year of his contract. As the Raiders are clearly more than a defense end from being an elite defense, let alone an elite team, the move was puzzling.

2009 Team Record: 5-11
First Round Pick: 8th Overall

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 47.17% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 71.42%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 26.42% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 5
Restricted: 12
Notable: Sebastian Janikowski, PK (UFA); Bruce Gradkowski, QB (RFA); Richard Seymour, DE (UFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2009 – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland (7th Overall)
2008 – Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (4th Overall)
2007 – JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU (1st Overall)
2006 – Michael Huff, SS, Texas (7th Overall)
2005 – Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska (23rd Overall)

DNQBR

We did not calculate a DNQBR for the 2009 season as no Oakland Raiders quarterback started 13 or more games.^

Notes & Observations

• Five of the Oakland Raiders seven 2009 draft picks made the team’s active roster
• LB Slade Norris (4th round) finished the season on the injured reserve list
• The Raiders tagged DE Richard Seymour who they obtained in a trade with the New England Patriots in exchange for their 2011 first round draft pick
• 2005 first round pick CD Fabian Washington was dealt to the Ravens for a fourth round pick in the 2008 draft
• The 2010 draft will mark the fifth consecutive year that the Oakland Raiders have had a selection in the Top 10 of the draft

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

©2010 Draft Nuggets. All Rights Reserved.

The good news for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 is that they doubled their win total from 2008. Unfortunately, double the wins still meant a 4-12 season. New general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley had their work cut out for them with one of the worst rosters in the NFL.

Towards the end of the season the Kansas City Chiefs made the decision to release troubled running back Larry Johnson. Fortunately, the Chiefs were able to land RB Thomas Jones who rushed for a career high 1,402 yards in 2009, yet was released by the New York Jets because of contract bonuses due. Additionally, the Kansas City Chiefs have moved to shore up their offensive line by signing free agent C Casey Wiegmann and G Ryan Lilja.

2009 Team Record: 4-12
First Round Pick: 5th Overall

Roster Analysis

2009 Active Roster Batting Average (NFL Average): 33.96% (44.69%)
2009 Draft Pick Retention: 87.5%*
Undrafted Players on 2009 Active Roster (NFL Average): 35.85% (27.89%)

2010 Free Agents

Unrestricted: 8
Restricted: 12
Notable: Mike Vrabel, OLB (UFA); Chris Chambers, WR (UFA); Brodie Croyle, QB (RFA)

Last Five First Rounds

2009 – Tyson Jackson, DT, LSU (3rd Overall)
2008 – Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (5th Overall)
2008 – Branden Albert, OG, Virginia (15th Overall)
2007 – Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU (23rd Overall)
2006 – Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State (20th Overall)
2005 – Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas (15th Overall)

DNQBR

For the 2009 season, Matt Cassel had a Draft Nuggets quarterback rating of 3.7, good for 20th in our rankings.^

Notes & Observations

• Seven of the Kansas City Chiefs eight 2009 picks made the team’s active roster
• Kansas City’s second 2008 first round draft pick came from the trade of DE Jared Allen to Minnesota
• Early in free agency the Kansas City Chiefs moved quickly to ensure the return of their own free agents, including OLB Mike Vrabel and WR Chris Chambers

* we have not performed a complete analysis of teams’ 2009 draft selections versus their 2009 active rosters in order to calculate an NFL league average.

^ we will detail the breakdown of the DNQBR in a future post, however, the figure represents the approximate number of points per game that the team’s quarterback contributes. As a point of reference Saints QB Drew Brees lead the league with a DNQBR of 26.3, while Jets QB Mark Sanchez possessed the lowest at .7

Follow all the action with Draft Nugget’s Around the Draft series leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft.

©2010 Draft Nuggets. All Rights Reserved.