A little different than my earlier article on “First Round Draft Grades”. These grades are based on the prospect, that’s it. I won’t take into account the draft position/the needs of the team or anything else besides the talent of the player. I’ve given each team a final grade as well.
Arizona Cardinals
Round 1 (8): LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Clemson (C+)
Round 3 (72): T Josh Jones, Houston (B+)
Round 4 (114): DI Leki Fotu, Utah (B-)
Round 4 (131): DI Rashard Lawrence, LSU (C-)
Round 6 (202): LB Evan Weaver, Cal (C-)
Round 7 (222): RB Eno Benjamin, Arizona State (D+)
Total Grade: B-
I’m not a fan of Simmons, but he could prove useful in the coming years if he can find a position that suits him. I think he best fits as a 3/4 blitzing lb who can also cover well. That would be a really interesting and new weapon for the Cards. Josh Jones was a great pick in round 2 and I love big lineman so you know I’m all about Fotu. They added some good depth in this draft but they still have many holes on the defense. I’m not sure they did enough this draft, would have liked to see a trade down from pick 8. But the prospects and talent they brought in are good enough.
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1 (16): CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson (B)
Round 2 (47): DI Marlon Davidson, Auburn (C-)
Round 3 (78): C Matt Hennessey, Temple (C+)
Round 4 (119): LB Mykal Walker, Fresno State (C-)
Round 4 (134): S Jaylinn Hawkins, Cal (C-)
Round 7 (228): P Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse (N/A)
Total Grade: C+
Terrell is a fine pick in the first and they need help on the defense (also replacing Desmond Trufant was important). I’m not a fan of Davidson in the second or really as a prospect. Hennessey was the probably the second best center in the draft (again not saying much) and the o-line is old so providing young depth is a good choice. They still need more help on the defense but Hawkins is a good late rounder and Walker is not a great prospect but he’ll get a chance to play in Atlanta.
Baltimore Ravens
Round 1 (28): LB Patrick Queen, LSU (B+)
Round 2 (55): RB JK Dobbins, Ohio State (B-)
Round 3 (71): DI Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M (C+)
Round 3 (92): WR Devin Duvernay, Texas (D+)
Round 3 (98): LB Malik Harrison, Ohio State (B)
Round 3 (106): IOL Tyre Phillips, Mississippi State (C+)
Round 4 (143): IOL Ben Bredeson, Michigan (D+)
Round 5 (170): DI Broderick Washington, Texas Tech (C-)
Round 6 (201): WR James Proche, SMU (D+)
Round 7 (219): S Geno Stone, Iowa (C+)
Total Grade: A-
This is probably one of the best drafts. They got a solid RB (although I think get went a bit early for my liking), two really good linebackers, a rotational interior defender, a reinforced offensive line (which is the key to another 14-2 season especially in the running game) and one of best late round steals with the most upside in Geno Stone. The only criticism I have is the bad WR choices.
Buffalo Bills
Round 2 (54): EDGE AJ Epenesa, Iowa (B+)
Round 3 (86): RB Zack Moss, Utah (C+)
Round 4 (128): WR Gabriel Davis, UCF (D)
Round 5 (167): QB Jake Fromm, Georgia (C+)
Round 6 (188): K Tyler Bass, Georgia Southern (N/A)
Round 6 (207): WR Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State (D-)
Round 7 (239): CB Dane Jackson, Pittsburgh (D-)
Total Grade: B-
The Bills did the best they could with the limited amount of picks they had. Getting a round one talent in Epenesa was lucky but they pounced. Zach Moss was a good change of pace back to add to their running back group and at a fine price. The rest of the picks are suspect to me except Fromm who was a second round talent who could be a starter in a year if Josh Allen falls from grace. I also think Fromm is a better fit as a game manager for a Bills team that prides itself on defense. I want to give them a higher grade but they really only acquired two players who will make an immediate impact apart from the kicker.
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 (7): DI Derrick Brown, Auburn (A)
Round 2 (38): Edge Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State (B)
Round 2 (64): S Jeremy Chinn, SIU (C+)
Round 4 (113): CB Troy Pride Jr., Notre Dame (C-)
Round 5 (152): S Kenny Robinson, WVU* (D)
Round 6 (184): DI Bravvion Roy, Baylor (D+)
Round 7 (221): CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver, FIU (D)
Total Grade: B
Most of the good grade here comes from Brown who is lock to be a top 10 player from this draft. His floor is just so high. Gross-Matos is a fine player worthy of a second round pick and one of the best suited for 4/3 system. Chinn is a little too raw to be taken so early but if he can develop who can be a surefire starter. The rest I’m not super enthused about besides Pride who is a nice prospect but a project for sure. Roy is an intriguing prospect as well but I’m nowhere near as sold as others are.
Chicago Bears
Round 2 (43): TE Cole Kmet, Notre Dame (C+)
Round 2 (50): CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah (B-)
Round 5 (155): Edge Trevis Gipson, Tulsa (D)
Round 5 (163): CB Kindle Vildor Georgia Southern (D)
Round 5 (173): WR Darnell Mooney, Tulane (D)
Round 7 (226): T Arlington Hambright, Colorado (D-)
Round 7 (227): IOL Lachavious Simmons, Tennessee State (D)
Total Grade: C-
The Bears addressed a serious need with their first pick and that gets them some point from me saving their grade from become a D. Jaylon Johnson could have been a first round pick (per most analysts) but I’m not a fan. CB was a need for the defense so again they are addressing it here which is good. The CB out of Georgia Southern has good potential but I’m not sold on the player he is today.
Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1 (1): QB Joe Burrow, LSU (A+)
Round 2 (33): WR Tee Higgins, Clemson (A)
Round 3 (65): LB Logan Wilson, Wyoming (B)
Round 4 (107): LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, App State (B-)
Round 5 (147): Edge Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame (D)
Round 6 (180): T Hakeem Adenji, Kansas (C-)
Round 7 (215): LB Markus Bailey, Purdue (D-)
Total Grade: A
If they just took Burrow and Tee this might have been enough for an A- but with two linebackers who were personal favorites of mine in the later rounds they upgrade to A. Hakeem is an interesting depth piece but on a young offensive line he may actually get some work.
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 (10): T Jedrick Wills, Alabama (A-)
Round 2 (44): S Grant Delpit, LSU (A-)
Round 3 (88): DI Jordan Elliott, Missouri (B-)
Round 3 (97): LB Jacob Phillips, LSU (B-)
Round 4 (115): TE Harrison Bryant, FAU (B-)
Round 5 (160): IOL Nick Harris, Washington (C-)
Round 6 (187): WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan (C)
Total Grade: A
What a great time it is to be a Browns fan. Their only real need on offense is O-line and they got the best one at 10 (it was close but he was my favorite). Getting Deplit was another need that fell right into their lap. They got 2 high first round talents with their first two picks. They also got the second best TE in the draft and an interior DT that most experts liked butut I’m not a huge fan of the player right now .At least they got him in the 3rd and that’s a fine bargain. Jacob Phillips will be an immediate impact player since the Browns have very limited options at linebacker. We’ll see if he’s developed enough to not be a liability.
Dallas Cowboys
Round 1 (17): WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma (B-)
Round 2 (51): CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama (B)
Round 3 (82): DI Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma (B+)
Round 4 (123): CB Reggie Robinson, Tulsa (C-)
Round 4 (146): IOL Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin (C-)
Round 5 (179): Edge Bradlee Anae, Utah (B-)
Round 7 (231): QB Ben DiNucci, James Madison (D)
Total Grade: B+
The top 3 picks here are where most of the action is. I’m not as high as most on CeeDee but he could be a good player in the Cowboys system. Diggs is a second round talent that could have snuck his way into the first. The Cowboys addresses a need a corner with the departure of Jones. Gallimore is such a stud and even though they didn’t need a DT he was the right choice and he’ll be helpful immediately. I’m not sure why Anae fell so far but he could be almost as talented as Gallimore on this roster. Overall I think BPA has got to be the best strategy employed in this draft.
Denver Broncos
Round 1 (15): WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama (A)
Round 2 (46): WR KJ Hamler, Penn State (C+)
Round 3 (77): CB Michael Ojemudia, Iowa (C-)
Round 3 (83): C Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU (B-)
Round 3 (95): DI McTelvin Agim, Arkansas (C-)
Round 4 (118): TE Albert Okuwuegbunam, Missouri (C)
Round 5 (178): LB Justin Strnad, Wake Forest (D+)
Round 6 (181): IOL Netane Muti, Fresno State (C)
Round 7 (252): WR Tyrie Cleveland, Florida (D-)
Round 7 (254): Edge Derrek Tuzka, NDSU (D-)
Total Grade: B
I love Juedy, he is by far the best WR in this class and it’s not close. The rest of the picks are fine but nowhere near as good as their first round selection. Cushenberry was good value and Okwuegbunam will pair nicely with Fant for years to come. The later round selections are really fine depth but nothing special. On a final note Hamler has two gaping holes in his game (hands, route running) which are two terrible traits not to possess but as a gadget player he can be a useful player. The reason this draft is a “B” is because of Juedy, no one else really sticks out.
Detroit Lions
Round 1 (3): CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State (A-)
Round 2 (35): RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia (B+)
Round 3 (67): EDGE Julian Okwara, Notre Dame (B)
Round 3 (75): G Jonah Jackson, Ohio State (B)
Round 4 (121): G Logan Stenberg, Kentucky (C-)
Round 5 (166): WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin (C-)
Round 5 (172): RB Jason Huntley, New Mexico State (D)
Round 6 (197): DI John Penisini, Utah (C-)
Round 7 (235): DI Jashon Cornell, Ohio State (D-)
Total Grade: B+
Another draft bolstered by the top picks. Okudah is the best CB in a very crowded class, although not the best by a lot. Swift is the best pure running back in the draft, I guess the Lions are out on Johnson or at least want to use a 2 headed approach. A bit early tho. Jackson is a great guard, he went as a steal. The Lions upgraded both sides of the trenches in this draft. I am intrigued by Quintez Cephus, even with the bad grade I have for him I’m curious about his development. He will have time to learn in the offense which is good for him and the team.
Green Bay Packers
Round 1 (26): QB Jordan Love, Utah State (B+)
Round 2 (62): RB AJ Dillon, Boston College (B-)
Round 3 (94): TE Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati (C-)
Round 5 (175): LB Kamal Martin, Minnesota (C-)
Round 6 (192): OT Jon Runyan, Michigan (D)
Round 6 (206): IOL Jake Hanson, Oregon (D-)
Round 6 (209): IOL Simon Stepaniak, Indiana (D-)
Round 7 (236): DB Vernon Scott, TCU (D-)
Round 7 (242): Edge Jonathan Garvin, Miami (Fla.) (D-)
Total Grade: B
Let’s get this out of the way I love the Love pick and Dillon was the #5 RB on my big board. I thought Dillon would go a lot later but he was a mauler in college and I loved his tape. The Packers have a crowded backfield but I believe Dillon can provide an immediate impact. I did not like the Deguara pick because I think Jace Sternberger can be a really good TE especially now that he has had a year to sit. I am happy to see the Packers try to address pressing issues like offensive line but they did it with players who I have very low grades on. The biggest takeaway from the draft is the Packers could secure another 10+ years of great quarterback play if Love pans out after he is able to sit and learn like Rodgers did before him.
Houston Texans
Round 2 (40): DI Ross Blacklock, TCU (B)
Round 3 (90): EDGE Jonathan Greenard, Florida (C)
Round 4 (126): OT Charlie Heck, UNC (D+)
Round 4 (141): CB John Reid, Penn State (C-)
Round 5 (171): WR Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island (D)
Total Grade: C
Blacklock is the easiest the best pick the Texans had. They need to rebuild their defense and starting in the trenches is a tried and true way to try that. John Reid is another interesting pick and probably their second best player. The Texans needed to address their secondary and the defense as a whole in this draft while also adding offensive lineman and they really didn’t do any of that. I try not to judge teams based on the picks they needed to make but but they didn’t do enough here to the address pressing needs of the team in terms of talent.
Indianapolis Colts
Round 2 (34): WR Michael Pittman Jr., USC (A-)
Round 2 (41): RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (B-)
Round 3 (85): S Julian Blackmon, Utah (B-)
Round 4 (122): QB Jacob Eason, Washington (B-)
Round 5 (149): IOL Danny Pinter, Ball State (D+)
Round 6 (193): DI Robert Windsor, Penn State (D)
Round 6 (211): CB Isaiah Rodgers, UMass (D)
Round 6 (212): WR Dezmon Patmon, Washington State (D)
Round 6 (213): LB Jordan Glasgow, Michigan (D)
Total Grade: B+
I love the Pittman pick, I had the Colts trading up to grab him in the first round. There isn’t much to say here, I love him and I won’t be convinced otherwise. Jonathan Taylor was considered by many to be the best RB so he was a good get and they also don’t have to pay Mack. Good on them. I like Blackmon a lot too, he played great at safety and might have been a higher pick if he wasn’t hurt last year. Eason is another great pick here as the Colts need a successor to Rivers and possibly Jacoby. Eason was my 6th best QB on the board. I really didn’t care for anyone else drafted by the Colts but their top 4 picks where really good.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1 (9): CB CJ Henderson, Florida (B+)
Round 1 (20): EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU (B)
Round 2 (42): WR Laviska Shenault, Colorado (C+)
Round 3 (73): DI Davon Hamilton, Ohio State (B-)
Round 4 (116): OT Ben Bartch, St. John’s (C-)
Round 4 (137): CB Josiah Scott, Michigan State (C-)
Round 4 (140): LB Shaq Quarterman, Miami (Fla.) (D)
Round 5 (157): S Daniel Thomas, Auburn (D)
Round 5 (165): WR Collin Johnson, Texas (C-)
Round 6 (189): QB Jake Luton, Oregon State (D-)
Round 7 (223): CB Chris Claybrooks, Memphis (D)
Total Grade: B+
The two first round picks are on point. Henderson went a little early especially considering where Fulton ended up going. Chaisson was the second edge player off the board in this draft and probably the 2nd best in an underwhelming class but the LSU pro is wildly athletic and fits perfectly into the new 3/4 scheme. Laviska Shenault is another guy who I’ve been down on since he’s more of a tools guy than a typical wide receiver but the Jaguars have two good outside guys already so taking Shenault makes sense as a slot guy or a wide out 4. There were better guys on the board at WR I would have liked to see. Hamilton makes the transition to 3/4 even more obvious and I love it, helps kick the Jags 2018 first rounder (Taven Bryan) to 3/4 defensive end. Love what the FO is doing with the talent at their disposal. Out of the 8 other picks I only liked Collin Johnson and Josiah Scott. Johnson is another big outside body to along with Chris Conley and Scott can be another good slot CB in the Jags arsenal. People seem to like Quarterman but I’m not sold. Overall the Jags got an influx of talent from this draft that should help them a great deal going forward.
Kansas City Chiefs
Round 1 (32): RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU (B+)
Round 2 (63): LB Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State (C)
Round 3 (96): OT Lucas Niang, TCU (C+)
Round 4 (138): S L’Jarius Sneed, LA Tech (D+)
Round 5 (177): Edge Mike Danna, Michigan (D+)
Round 7 (238): CB Thakarius Keyes, Tulane (D-)
Total Grade: C+
Edwards-Helaire was probably the only RB in this class that deserved to be a first round pick. He isn’t a typical RB and as Andy Reid put it he might be better than Brian Westbrook. Pair him with Pat Mahomes and this is a deadly combo. Naing and Gay seemed like appropriate picks but Gay was at more of a need for KC. Linebacker was more in of a need for sure and Gay is better than maybe all thier current linebackers so that was a good pick even if the prospect isn’t my favorite. Lucas Niang has character issues but that is a dumb reason to pass on a kid with a lot of talent. Happy to take a risk on them here.
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 1 (12): WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama (B-)
Round 1 (19): CB Damon Arnette, Ohio State (B)
Round 3 (80): RB Lynn Bowden Jr., Kentucky (D+)
Round 3 (81): WR Bryan Edwards, South Carolina (B-)
Round 3 (100): S/LB Tanner Muse, Clemson (C)
Round 4 (109): IOL John Simpson, Clemson (C-)
Round 4 (139): CB Amik Robertson, LA Tech (C)
Total Grade: B
I’ll say this again and I’ll scream it from the mountaintops RUGGS ISN’T DARRIUS HEYWARD BEY. He is a burner, that they share in common but Ruggs is a more complete prospect. But the fact that Ruggs was the first WR taken off the board is a complete miss for the Raiders. Damon Arnette was one of my favorite value picks and while I wouldn’t have taken him in the first he’s probably worth it there. Bryan Edwards was a great pick he might even end up with a better career than Ruggs. Robertson and Muse were good late round selections as well. I don’t really hate any of the picks the Raiders made but I certainly don’t love any of them.
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1 (6): QB Justin Herbert, Oregon (C+)
Round 1 (23): LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma (B+)
Round 4 (112): RB Joshua Kelley, UCLA (C)
Round 5 (151): WR Joe Reed, Virginia (D+)
Round 6 (186): S Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame (C)
Round 7 (220): WR KJ Hill, Ohio State (C)
Total Grade: C+
The Chargers draft was a mixed bag. They really killed it in the later rounds. Herbert is likely to be a bust going 6th overall, he’s too inconsistent and teams too easily fall in love with the “what if” good stuff and completely ignore all the bad. Herbert has a lot of bad and never really improved on it all 4 years he started in college. But the Chargers made up for that irrational 1st rounder with a way better pick. Murray is admittedly a more boom or bust candidate that I’d like to gamble on in the first. He’s the best linebacker prospect in the draft. The Chargers didn’t need much help on defense but linebacker was one of the only spots of need and they addressed it. The RB pick in round 4 didn’t seem too necessary but I like Kelley enough as a 4th rounder. Their round 6 and round 7 picks really hit it out of the park as day 3 picks. Both way higher on my board than other guys who went in this round. Gilman can play a great rotational role and allow the Chargers to move Derwin around more often. KJ Hill could have been a 3rd round pick and I wouldn’t have hated it.
Los Angeles Rams
Round 2 (52): RB Cam Akers, Florida State (C+)
Round 2 (57): WR Van Jefferson, Florida (B)
Round 3 (84): EDGE Terrell Lewis, Alabama (C+)
Round 3 (104): S Terrell Burgess, Utah (C)
Round 4 (136): TE Brycen Hopkins, Purdue (B-)
Round 6 (199): S Jordan Fuller, Ohio State (C)
Round 7 (234): LB Clay Johnston, Baylor (D-)
Round 7 (248): K Sam Sloman, Miami (Ohio) (N/A)
Round 7 (250): OT Treymayne Anchrum, Clemson (D)
Total Grade: B
The Rams did a really good job considering they didn’t have a first round pick. Cam Akers is a fine pick but he isn’t rated too highly on my board. Van Jefferson was a great selection to replace Cooks, his film really popped. Lewis fits the Rams scheme well but I’m not sold on him as prospect I would have liked more production against good teams and more film for me to watch (he played 4 games in 2017 and 10 in 2019). Hopkins will get time behind two good Rams tight ends to develop and you can’t teach speed right? I’m excited for him as a prospect but I wouldn’t’ expect him to shine for a few years. Jordan Fuller is another prospect I was surprised went so late, I like his film better than Burgess but good for the Rams to try and stack young safteys.
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 (5): QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama (A)
Round 1 (18): T Austin Jackson, USC (B+)
Round 1 (30): CB Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn (C+)
Round 2 (39): IOL Robert Hunt, Louisiana (C+)
Round 2 (56): DI Raekwon Davis, Alabama (B-)
Round 3 (70): S Brandon Jones, Texas (B)
Round 4 (111): IOL Solomon Kindley, Georgia (B-)
Round 5 (154): DI Jason Strowbridge, UNC (C)
Round 5 (164): Edge Curtis Weaver, Boise State (B-)
Round 6 (185): LS Blake Ferguson, LSU (D+)
Round 7 (246): QB/WR Malcom Perry, Navy (D)
Total Grade: A
Miami got a wonderful haul out of the draft. At least 5 or 6 possible starters. Tua could be the best QB in the draft or at least a star in his own right. Curtis Weaver and Strowbridge are great late round selection to go along with hits on almost all round 1-3 picks. Not much I can say besides I love all of these guys. Protecting Tua is going to be so important so maybe they could have gone OL/G in the later rounds but I guess they really wanted a LS. If they grabbed Driscoll or Prince Tega Wanogho in the late rounds this could have been a perfect draft. The only really bad pick was Igbinoghene but I guess he fits into the role of a slot corner because he won’t be able to compete with the outside guys Miami already has.
Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 (22): WR Justin Jefferson, LSU (A-)
Round 1 (31): CB Jeff Gladney, TCU (C+)
Round 2 (58): T Ezra Cleveland, Boise State (B)
Round 3 (89): CB Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State (B)
Round 4 (117): Edge DJ Wonnum, South Carolina (D+)
Round 4 (130): Edge James Lynch, Baylor (C-)
Round 4 (132): LB Troy Dye, Oregon (C)
Round 5 (169): CB Harrison Hand, Temple (D+)
Round 5 (176): WR KJ Osborn, Miami (Fla.) (D)
Round 6 (203): T Blake Brandel, Oregon State (D)
Round 6 (205): S Josh Metellus, Michigan (D)
Round 7 (225): Edge Kenny Willekes, Michigan State (D-)
Round 7 (244): QB Nate Stanley, Iowa (D)
Round 7 (249): S Brian Cole II, Mississippi State (D)
Round 7 (253): IOL Kyle Hinton, Washburn (D-)
Total Grade: B+
While I do award better grades if a team brings in a bigger class because of the total influx of talent, there obviously are diminishing returns. That’s evident in Minnesota, I was not a fan of their draft from round 5 on. But their first 4 picks all addressed needs and Jefferson is as good a receiver as they come, Gladney and Dantzler are great additions to replace previous draft fuck ups (moreso Dantzler) and Cleveland is going to go a long way to improving that offensive line (which is probably the biggest need of this team). The early picks really nail it so the lowest I could give them is a B.
New England Patriots
Round 2 (37): S Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne (C+)
Round 2 (60): EDGE Josh Uche, Michigan (B-)
Round 3 (87): EDGE Anfernee Jennings, Alabama (C)
Round 3 (91): TE Devin Asiasi, UCLA (C-)
Round 3 (101): TE Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech (C-)
Round 5 (159): K Justin Rohrwasser, Marshall (N/A)
Round 6 (182): IOL Michael Onwenu, Michigan (D)
Round 6 (195): OT Justin Herron, Wake Forest (D+)
Round 6 (204): LB Cassh Muluia, Wyoming (D+)
Round 7 (230): IOL Dustin Woodward, Memphis (D)
Total Grade: C
This was such a Patriots draft but I don’t think it was a good one. The Pats are usually able to find pieces for their offensive line and defensive line and they usually strike out with position players. They went defense heavy while their defense was already a powerhouse. I guess that’s the Bill way but they really needed to improve their receiving core and position players rather than take players at positions of strengths. Uche is a good prospect and was the BPA but I don’t like almost any of the other picks. The tight ends were reaches but if they follow the Pats way they might actually end up being good. Right now I give most of these prospects a low grade but the Pats have a way with the draft.
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 (24): IOL Cesar Ruiz, Michigan (B+)
Round 3 (74): LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin (B+)
Round 3 (105): TE Adam Trautman, Dayton (D+)
Round 7 (240): QB Tommy Stevens, Mississippi State (D-)
Total Grade: B
They brought in two guys who are great prospects and the other two I really don’t care about. Ruiz is the best center in the draft and can play almost anywhere on the line. Baun should have been a mid-early second rounder with the talent he posses as a pass rusher. Those two guys could have an immediate role on the starting 11 and that’s more than other teams can say even if they had multiple picks on day one and two.
New York Giants
Round 1 (4): T Andrew Thomas, Georgia (A-)
Round 2 (36): S Xavier McKinney, Alabama (B+)
Round 3 (99): T Matt Peart, Connecticut (C+)
Round 4 (110): CB Darnay Holmes, UCLA (D+)
Round 5 (150): IOL Shane Lemieux, Oregon (D)
Round 6 (183): LB Cam Brown, Penn State (C-)
Round 7 (218): Edge Carter Coughlin, Minnesota (D+)
Round 7 (238): LB TJ Brunson, South Carolina (D-)
Round 7 (247): CB Chris Williamson, Minnesota (D-)
Round 7 (255): LB Tae Crowder, Georgia (D-)
Total Grade: B
Love the first two picks, they are right on the money. Thomas is a top 10 prospect and McKinney was accurately appraised as a second round talent. Matt Peart is another tackle that could start if needed. I worry about the level of play he dominated at Conn tho. I like Cam Brown late but the rest of the picks are really not worth my time or anyone else’s. If they had some late gems this could have really had a great draft. Tae Crowder is probably better than their other 7th round picks.
New York Jets
Round 1 (11): T Mekhi Becton, Louisville (B+)
Round 2 (59): WR Denzel Mims, Baylor (B+)
Round 3 (68): S Ashtyn Davis, California (B-)
Round 3 (79): EDGE Jabari Zuniga, Florida C)
Round 4 (120): RB La’Mical Perine, Florida (C)
Round 4 (125): QB James Morgan, FIU (D)
Round 4 (129): OT Cameron Clark, Charlotte (D+)
Round 5 (158): CB Bryce Hall, Virginia (C+)
Round 6 (191): P Braden Mann, Texas A&M (N/A)
Total Grade: A
What a great draft, when was the last time a Jets fan was able to say that? This reminds me very much of the 06’ draft. Becton is a powerful blocker who is going to dominate the run game and that makes him great even if he has problems in pass pro. Mims fell way too far and might have been the steal of the draft, he was an easy first round talent for me. After getting basically two easy first round picks they come back and get a safety who dominates in pass coverage and will pair perfectly as a foil for Adams who is hard hitting box safety (a good one tho). Pierne is a fine back to add to your depth at RB, and I like Zuniga fine but I wouldn’t want him to start for a team right now. Then they almost got the other best value pick of the draft in Bryce Hall and at a position of need. Wowy, I don’t even know if this could have been a better draft for them.
Philadelphia Eagles
Round 1 (21): WR Jalen Reagor, TCU (C+)
Round 2 (53): QB Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma (C-)
Round 3 (103): LB Davion Taylor, Colorado (C-)
Round 4 (127): CB K’Von Wallace, Clemson (C)
Round 4 (145): OT Jack Driscoll, Auburn (C+)
Round 5 (168): WR John Hightower, Boise State (D)
Round 6 (196): LB Shaun Bradley, Temple (C-)
Round 6 (200): WR Quez Watkins, Southern Mississippi (D)
Round 6 (210): OT Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn (C)
Round 7 (233): Edge Casey Toohill, Stanford (D-)
Total Grade: C-
OK so I think people can be mad at me for ranking this only as a C-. To be fair I think this a really bad draft but I can’t ignore the fact they did bring in come talented players like Driscoll and Prince Tega and even Jalen Hurts. I don’t think Reagor should have been a first round pick and is not nearly as good as the other receivers in this draft. I also think Bradley could have a really good career, he was amazing at Temple and was popping all the time on film but he is for sure a work in progress unless his dominance on film transitions to the NFL immediately. I again wanted to give them a bad draft but we can’t ignore the talent that was brought in even if it didn’t directly address needs and even if I thought they should have gone a different way.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 2 (49): WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame (C+)
Round 3 (102): EDGE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte (C)
Round 4 (124): RB Anthony McFarland Jr., Maryland (D+)
Round 4 (135): IOL Kevin Dotson, Louisiana (D+)
Round 6 (198): S Antoine Brooks Jr., Maryland (C-)
Round 7 (232): DI Carlos Davis, Nebraska (D)
Total Grade: D+
This was a perdy bad draft. Chase Claypool is an OK receiver but in a deep class he got a bit overshadowed. The Steelers do great things with 2nd round or later guys and Claypool is an outside guy who should complement JuJu nicely. Highsmith was good at D-II but it’s D-11 and it’s hard for me to judge the talent there. I' label this guys a work in progress. The rest of the draft was bad to meh and Brooks might be the second best player they drafted this year. But don’t forget their first round pick was basically Minkah so if I counted that in the total grade this would probably be like a B.
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 (14): DI Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina (A-)
Round 1 (25): WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State (C+)
Round 5 (153): OT Colton McKivitz, West Virginia (D+)
Round 6 (190): TE Charlie Woerner, Georgia (D)
Round 7 (217): WR Jauan Jennings, Tennessee (C-)
Total Grade: B-
I really like Kinlaw, if Brown wasn’t in the draft I would have loved to have Kinlaw as a top 10 pick. He replaced Buckner at a lower cost, but Buckner is like a top 5 DT so while I don’t think Kinlaw isn’t there yet he could become great within the next 2 years easy (especially with this defensive line the way it is). Aiyuk is another fine receiver but he was nowhere near as good as the rest of the top 7 guys at WRs. Not worth the pick but he is an OK prospect. Jauan Jennings is a good prospect though and I could absolutely see him outplaying Aiyuk in the early parts of their career. The 9ers also acquired Trent Williams and he was the best player taken on day 3 lol.
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 (27): LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech (C+)
Round 2 (48): EDGE Darrell Taylor, Tennessee (C-)
Round 3 (69): IOL Damien Lewis, LSU (B-)
Round 4 (133): TE Colby Parkinson, Stanford (C-)
Round 4 (144): RB DeeJay Dallas, Miami Fla. (D+)
Round 5 (148): Edge Alton Robinson, Syracuse (B-)
Round 6 (214): WR Freddie Swain, Florida (D-)
Round 7 (251): TE Stephen Sullivan, LSU (D-)
Total Grade: C-
Best player in the draft class is Lewis, he could have been a second round pick easy but on the flip side Taylor and Brooks were both 3rd round talents and Brooks for sure had no business going in front of Patrick Queen. Alton Robinson is a great late round selection and possibly the best pick in Seattle’s draft class. I love the tools he brings to the table and I think his game will translate well to the NFL. Parkinson has some upside but I think I’d rather have Thad Moss or Hunter Bryant easy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 1 (13): T Tristan Wirfs, Iowa (A-)
Round 2 (45): S Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota (A-)
Round 3 (76): RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt (C-)
Round 5 (161): WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota (C-)
Round 6 (194): DI Khalil Davis, Nebraska (D)
Round 7 (241): LB Chappelle Russell, Temple (D-)
Round 7 (245): RB Raymond Calais, Louisiana (D-)
Total Grade: B+
They knocked their first two picks out of the fucking park and at positions of need. Oh man the Buccas are ganna be good this year. But the rest of the draft is perdy trash. Vaughn and Johnson are OK guys, not really ready to make in impact on a team or in a really crowded RB and WR group. The rest are fine but not really impactful for this team but it doesn’t matter because, I can’t stress this enough, they nailed their first two picks.
Tennessee Titans
Round 1 (29): T Isaiah Wilson, Georgia (B)
Round 2 (61): CB Kristian Fulton, LSU (A-)
Round 3 (93): RB Darrynton Evans, App State (C-)
Round 5 (174): Edge Larrell Murchison, NC State (D)
Round 7 (224): QB Cole McDonald, Hawaii (D)
Round 7 (243): CB Chris Jackson, Marshall (D)
Total Grade: B
They could have flipped their first and second round pick and it would have made more sense to me. But both picks can have a big impact on the Titans going forward in areas they need help with. Fulton could easily be the best CB in the draft, I’m convinced of that. But just like the above draft they really didn’t do much outside of their first two picks. Getting another RB makes sense because there is no way they should pay Henry.
Washington Redskins
Round 1 (2): EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State (A-)
Round 3 (66): RB Antonio Gibson, Memphis (C-)
Round 4 (108): OT Saahdiq Charles, LSU (C-)
Round 4 (142): WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty (D)
Round 5 (156): IOL Keith Ismael, San Diego State (D+)
Round 5 (162): LB Khaleke Hudson, Michigan (D)
Round 7 (216): S Kamren Curl, Arkansas (D-)
Round 7 (229): Edge James Smith-Williams, NC State (D)
Total Grade: B
They only drafted Chase Young right? We’re done here right? So I like Young as a prospect but I still think he needs to refine his game, he’s not surefire but his upside is monumental. More than the Bosa bros. I don’t know why they drafted an RB in the third when they already have a crowded and middling RB group. Gibson is really going to fit in with the mediocrity. The rest of the picks I don’t care for, Charles might be interesting. The LSU offensive line was good on film but I don’t think it was because of Charles.