Here are my analysis of the first round of the NFL draft.
1) CAR: Bryce Young (A+)
The right pick. He's the best QB in the draft and, after the long rebuild, the Panthers are finally ready to compete for a playoff spot for years to come. Just need to add some weapons.
2) HOU: CJ Stroud (A+)
Has a higher upside than Bryce and has a similar floor. Love the pick (but as a Jags fan I hate it). This was the right call to start the rebuild in HOU. My 12th ranked player on my big board but it doesn't matter, this is a huge upgrade and a step in the right direction. Great pick.
3) HOU: Will Anderson Jr. (A)
Yea the safest player in the draft and a similar pick to Clowney for this franchise. HOU getting possibly the best offense player and best defensive player in the draft is the perfect way to continue this rebuild after starting off strong last year with Derek Stingley Jr and Pitre. HOU heading in the right direction.
4) IND: Anthony Richard (A)
Why is the AFC South nailing this draft? Richardson was my QB3 and the correct choice for a team that desperately needs QB stability and help. He's not as raw as anyone who has never watched his film will tell you and he's just as a good a pick as any we've seen tonight.
5) SEA Devon Witherspoon (A)
Surprised by this pick but I get wanting to get the best CB in the draft. It's probably the most important position outside of Edge. Very good pick. He had an insane year, the best I've seen since I've started scouting.
6) ARI: Paris Johnson Jr. (A)
My second favorite tackle in the draft but that doesn't mean this wasn't a good pick. This year is a mulligan for ARI so taking the more physically talented OT and giving him a year to develop before he has to block for Kyler is the right move. 11th best player on my board and my number 2 OT. A good player. No busts yet.
7) LVR: Tyree Wilson (A+)
I really wanted to hate after reading about him in my secondary sources but after watching the film I was so sold. He gets pressure on like every play or is at least moving toward the QB. He could end up being the best player in this draft I would not be surprised. Great great pick.
8) ATL: Bijan Robinson (A: 94)
Hard to give this lower than an A but it's just so high for an RB. ATL has their RB, QB, WR1, TE1 all set up for success. All they need to do is grow. Robinson is the best offensive player in the draft and is young LT. Probably the fantasy RB1.
9) PHI: Jalen Carter (A)
Possibly the best player in the draft but at a less valuable position than true edges (Wilson and Anderson). But this is probably a dream scenario for PHI. The rich get richer and PHI continues their insane dominance in the draft, just like clockwork my best DI (#1) and my 3rd best player in the draft
10) CHI: Darnell Wright (B-)
The right position but wrong player. My 4th best OT in the class and a 2nd or 3rd round selection for me. Good call building the OL through the draft so it raises the grade but there are way better players at other positions of need for CHI (ANY DEF) My 54th best player on the board and my OT4. Not worth.
11) TEN: Peter Skoronski (A+)
I mean he is my number 10 prospect and at a position of need. Not much more I need to say; the right pick. AFC South nailing the draft so far. HOU gave up too much to move up considering the lack of good players on the roster but maybe they plan on going on a spending spree next offseason so they don't need the picks as much
12) DET: Jahmyr Gibbs (B-)
I love Gibbs but like you have two good RBs already. Too much of a luxury pick. But I can't give lower than a B for such a good RB.
13) GB Lukas Van Ness (B+)
A bit early for Van Ness but not a bad pick. GB probably should have gone WR/CB tbh (Gonzales, Porter/JSN/QJ). He's my 22nd best player on my board but I can see the appeal. People will doubt because they discount his run game play; which is real good.
14) PIT: Broderick Jones (C)
I get it, it's a position of need (raises Najee in fantasy) in a shallow OT class but he is my 71st overall player and my 6th best OT. Not a fan at all esp when CB is such a position of need
15) NYJ: Will McDonald (B+)
Perdy meh. My 7th best Edge and my 29th ranked player in this draft. There were other and possibly better Edge still available so I wont give this an A. A fine pick adding to an already good NYJ defense. Do love the bend; ESPN correct on that.
16) WSH: Emmanuel Forbes (A)
Love it, my 7th best player on my big board and CB3. Still would have gone Gonzales over him but Forbes was underrated coming into the draft. Glad the NFL understand the respect he deserves. Such a ballhawk and is ganna love playing the role behind that DL (We will see what happens to Chase)
17) NE: Christian Gonzalez (A+)
Great player, great size, great twitch and smooth hips. Hard not to fall in love once you turn on the tape. NE needed to get away from being so contrarian (like last year). They nailed it and in a division with 3 great QBs this is a must.
18) DET: Jack Campbell (A-)
Hard for me to give this a higher grade but man Campbell is good. In my three years of doing this he's he best LB I've seen and my 24th best player in this draft (which is so high for a LB). They needed to add to the defense and they got the best LB in the draft. Lmao I have a lot to say this draft.
19) TB: Calijah Kancey (A+)
My 19th best player on my big board lmao. Love pairing this smaller but insanely penetrative DI with Vita Vea. That's such a fun pairing. Encouraging for Trask to see them adding to the defense. Could have seen a WR here too but love the pick Kancey is smaller but that doesn't mean he can't be great. Love the pick and the player.
20) SEA: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (A-)
I love him, my 16th best player on my big board and my WR2B. He could have been higher. Not sure this was a need but I get it with Lockett getting older. Giving Geno (who doesn't have a great arm) a route runner like JSN is a great move. Slot? maybe, but that isn't a dig. Lockett can be cut at the end of the year JSN with a year experience with DK, send me to the mooooon.
21) LAC: Quentin Johnston (A)
He has the highest upside of any WR in this draft. He's big and his YAC is insane. My WR1 and my 14th best player on the big board. No excuses for Herbert this year, he has a great WR group and QJ should be his best friend for a while. Great fit too
22) BAL: Zay Flowers (A-)
Def would have taken Addison over Flowers; they have similar skillsets and Addison is better. But signing Lamar and brining in a good route runner to help him is a great call from the FO. This franchise barely makes mistakes in the draft and it shows.
23) MIN: Jordan Addison (A+)
Addison and Justin Jefferson on the same team is insane. Def need to focus on the defense for the rest of the draft but this a great pick. My W2A and my 15th best player in the draft. I don't know how he made it this far but he wasn't going longer. Whenever MIN get's their QB of the future he's ganna be one happy camper.
24) NYG: Dionte Banks (B+)
This is about right for him, I'm getting a bit less excited about players now but they needed to add to the defense and while not my best available still a good pick. My CB6 and my 26th player on the big board
25) BUF: Dalton Kincaid (A)
He's probably the only TE who really deserves to go in the first (Not Michael Mayer). Can do it all and with all the top WRs gone it just makes sense. Thought they could have reached on a WR but good staying disciplined. He's basically a WR anyway lol
26) DAL: Mazi Smith (DI) A-
He's a risk for sure and this is the earlier range. But the upside is crazy, his bend, size, power and athletics all points to him being a star. But he's just raw enough for me to not say it with certainty. DAL could have gone offense but this was fine.
27) JAX: Anton Harrison (OT) B
A position of need for sure, and this pick grade could change with such a deep edge and CB class and OT being so shallow, but I'm not a big fan. He's too risky for a first but it's fine. Not exciting, especially with the defensive talent available.'m mad as a jags fan tho, I wish he reps were cleaner on tape.
28) CIN: Myles Murphy (C-)
This is a bad pick in a crowded class. Had a 3rd round grade on him. I get he's versatile and thats useful for CIN but this isn't it. Not sure how he went ahead of BJ Ojulari, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Nolan Smith
29) NO: Bryan Bresee (B)
Ehh this isn't a great pick. More of a project than a 1st round pick. He can sit for a bit or play on certain downs but this isn't the instant impact you would expect from NO (who is trying to compete this year). My 4th best DI and my 39th overall player
30) PHI: Nolan Smith (A-)
Another Georgia guy lmao but like it's smart, one of those guys had to be the reason they were so good. This is about right for him my Edge6 and my 23rd overall player. The rich get richer, it's crazy how this franchise just keeps doing it. Will say this isn't a slam dunk, there is a low ceiling but can def be a playmaker right away an minimum.
31) KC: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Edge) A
Great bend, really easy traits to project to the NFL, and a high floor so will make an instant impact. Great selection KC; the rich get richer.