I had Coburn rated as the best defenceman available in 2003. Loved his smarts and his mobility for a player with his size. All that was lacking was a mean streak and a little creativity. I don't know if those will ever develop, but he'll still be a terrific, top-pairing, defensive defenceman. Most scouts had Coburn ahead of Phaneuf. In a couple years, Atlanta fans will be very happy with Coburn. He won't be as good as the guy drafted before him, or after him, but when you wind up with a player as good as Coburn, you don't complain, unless you're an idiot.
In 2003, it was the big 3 on defence. Once the first player was picked, everyone at the draft expected the other two to be selected right away.
Just to counter MS's point: there were some who thought Phaneuf had strong offensive upside, largely due to his bomb of a shot. A friend of mine who makes his living in junior hockey pointed out that 16 of Phaneuf's 30 points were goals. Very, very rare for a defenceman in junior, or at any high level, to have more goals than assists in a season. The assists will come, he said. The main thing was the 16 goals, and on a veteran-laded Red Deer squad.