NFL Draft Grades For All 32 Teams
*Note from Barstool's Senior Draft Analyst: this post was published without my approval. Please consider all information inside this blog incorrect. Again, every single idea presented here is most likely wrong. I will be working closely with this junior analyst going forward, but for now—just know he is junior for a reason.*
Here are my way instant Draft Grades for each team. I will note that this article has not been reviewed by Caleb Pressley. Just being honest. The Draft just ended and I gotta be timely. Here we go:
Arizona Cardinals: B
The LB/S Isaiah Simmons pick was surprising. They clearly went with the best player on their board because they had other needs like OT, CB, & DT. They’ve got to make sure they use him properly, but if they do, they’ve got a guy to track Russell Wilson for years to come. Mission #1 would be to protect Kyler Murray and their selection of Houston’s OT Josh Jones was a good one. He slid to the 3rd round and they nabbed him at #72. They didn’t have a 2nd rounder because they traded it for WR DeAndre Hopkins while also unloading the contract of David Johnson which really helped their team.
Atlanta Falcons: C+
CB A.J. Terrell at #16 was a bit rich for me, but I like what they did in Rounds 2 & 3 building the trenches on both sides of the ball with DT Marlon Davidson out of Auburn and C/G Matt Hennessy out of Temple. Surprised they didn’t take another RB as Todd Gurley insurance.
Baltimore Ravens: A+
LSU has turned into LBU and Patrick Queen is the next in line. Baltimore gets great value with him at #28. RB J.K. Dobbins at #55 will also juice up a running game that fell apart once Mark Ingram got hurt in the playoffs. DT Justin Madubuike will be able to provide some pass rush and I know HC John Harbaugh was really excited about Texas WR Devin Duvernay who should get some time early in his career. LB Malik Harrison is a good example about why compensatory picks are so valuable. C.J. Mosley’s contract with the Jets turned into another LB with a Ohio State’s Malik Harrison.
Buffalo Bills: B-
They didn’t have a 1st rounder because they traded it for Stefon Diggs, but I do like the A.J. Epenesa pick at #54. He was a borderline 1st. Not the upside you’d like to see in a prospect, but should be a solid pro. RB Zack Moss out of Utah is a great compliment for Devin Singletary and QB Jake Fromm should at least bring a capable backup to help Josh Allen.
Carolina Panthers: C-
Derrick Brown is certainly a safe pick at #7 as his size, effort, and athleticism will translate immediately. And while I like the upside of Penn State’s EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos in Round 2 and Southern Illinois’ S Jeremy Chinn, they didn’t draft any offensive players which was an interesting decision.
Chicago Bears: C+
They didn’t have a 1st rounder because of the Khalil Mack trade so they didn’t pick until #43. And with that pick they got Cole Kmet who is the 10th TE on their roster. Definitely a talented player, but I always feel TE is a luxury pick early (I was not in favor of the Bucs taking O.J. Howard in 2017). CB Jaylon Johnson has 1st round tape, but has had three shoulder surgeries, so you just worry about that. I do like CB Kindle Vildor in the 5th, but due to his size, 5’10” 191 lbs., he’s likely limited to a Nickel CB.
Cincinnati Bengals: B+
Joe Burrow is obviously a tremendous selection at #1 and will alter the course of their franchise. I like the Tee Higgins selection to kick off Round 2, but they do already have A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither will be a solid pair of LBs but they didn’t address the Offensive Line. If you’re taking Burrow, you should aim to protect him.
Cleveland Browns: B-
I like Jedrick Wills Jr. a lot, but he’s only played Right Tackle. They just signed Jack Conklin who is a Right Tackle so one of them will have to make the move. Grant Delpit is a rangy Safety with major tackling issues. Jordan Elliott is a nice value at #88 but the best pick in their Draft was in the 5th round with Washington C Nick Harris. Great value for a guy that’ll eventually start.
Dallas Cowboys: A-
CeeDee Lamb is outstanding value at #7. You may originally remember me breaking him to the Cardinals at #8…Anywho, Alabama CB Trevon Diggs slid a bit as he could have been a 1st rounder and they get a replacement for Byron Jones who left via Free Agency. Wisconsin C Tyler Biadasz could eventually replace another former Badger, C Travis Frederick who just retired.
Denver Broncos: A-
If there was any doubts they liked QB Drew Lock, those are gone. They got him a TON of weapons! WR Jerry Jeudy was my top ranked Receiver. They also got Penn State speedster KJ Hamler. I like C/G Lloyd Cushenberry who fell to the mid-3rd round. Albert Okwuegbunam out of Mizzou is a speedy TE to pair with Noah Fant. The Broncos are going to try to outscore the Chiefs. Best of luck guys.
Detroit Lions: B+
I love Jeff Okudah, but feel Cornerback isn’t the best value at 3rd overall. I do think he could end up being the best player from this class after all is said and done though. D’Andre Swift in Round 2 will help them immediately, which is what HC Matt Patricia needs. I also like Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg to beef up the interior Offensive Line.
Green Bay Packers: F
Jordan Love at #26 is probably about where he should have gone. A.J. Dillon is an ok player. But they’ve got Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones. A team that was 13-3 and went to the NFC Championship Game just drafted depth. While Love will need some seasoning and could end up being really good, this does not help them immediately. This was a very bad draft short term for the Packers.
Houston Texans: C-
The Texans didn’t have a 1st round pick since they traded it for LT Laremy Tunsil. They drafted DT Ross Blacklock out of TCU who is a nice player but they didn’t address their two biggest needs (WR & CB) until Day 3. Jonathan Greenard wasn’t the most consistent prospect but there wasn’t just much to get excited about from the past few days.
Indianapolis Colts: B
They didn’t have a 1st rounder after trading #13 overall for DT DeForest Buckner. Philip Rivers loves big bodied WRs and they got a good one in USC’s Michael Pittman Jr. near the top of Round 2. They traded up to get Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor who has 900+ carries in college and fumble issues, but is a very instinctive runner. Washington QB Jacob Eason in the 4th round is solid value for a developmental Quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars: D+
I did not like the C.J. Henderson pick at #9. Tough to pick a Cornerback who doesn’t like to tackle and has limited ball production (0 INTs last season) so high. K’Lavon Chaisson at #20 was in his range, but I didn’t love him as a prospect. Benefitted from a weaker EDGE rusher class and only had 9.5 sacks in college. WR Laviska Shenault Jr. has great potential, but he needs to stay healthy. Ben Bartch in Round 4 was a solid pick to beef up the Offensive Line and CB Josiah Scott was a steal at the end of Round 4.
Kansas City Chiefs: C
I love Clyde Edwards-Helaire. A surprise pick as the first RB to be taken and in the 1st round. But Andy Reid has his new Brian Westbrook and with 55 catches last season for LSU will present another option out of the backfield for the Super Bowl Champions. LB Willie Gay Jr. is a high risk/high reward pick in Round 2 and same things with OT Lucas Niang in the 3rd
Los Angeles Chargers: B
I wonder how close the Chargers had grades on Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert. There was so much smoke leading up to the Draft the Dolphins would take Herbert that I’m surprised the Chargers didn’t leapfrog the Dolphins to be able to choose their guy. I like but don’t love Herbert as a prospect and #6 was rich. I would have preferred they traded up for Tua. Kenneth Murray was a good pick at #23 arfter trading up with New England and RB Josh Kelley will be a good rotational Back with Austin Ekeler. K.J. Hill is great value in Round 7.
Los Angeles Rams: C
Another team without a 1st rounder as they dealt it for CB Jalen Ramsey. Cam Akers is a Back I really like and #52 was right in his range. WR Van Jefferson is a great route runner who is a Coach’s son. Terrell Lewis is a big time injury risk but has sky high upside.
Las Vegas Raiders: B+
Henry Ruggs III was a surprise unless you read my Final Mock Draft. Gruden LOVES speed and this guy has it to burn. CB Damon Arnette was projected as a mid-Day 2 guy and went 19th. I really like Lynn Bowden Jr. who can play WR, RB, or even some QB, he’ll be a weapon for Gruden. Bryan Edwards is a really nice player too and I like their 4th rounders with G John Simpson out of Clemson and CB Amik Robertson who was Daniel Jeremiah’s red star player.
Miami Dolphins: A
Getting Tua Tagovailoa at #5 overall is outstanding. If it wasn’t for his injuries, it would certainly be a debate about him vs. Joe Burrow. They beefed up their Offensive Line with USC’s Austin Jackson and two solid Guards in Lousiana’s Robert Hunt and Georgia’s Solomon Kindley. Boise State EDGE Curtis Weaver is outstanding value in Round 5 to help the pass rush.
Minnesota Vikings: A
Justin Jefferson is a great WR who I’m guessing they’ll play in the slot. CB Jeff Gladney out of TCU is ultra feisty and Boise State OT Ezra Cleveland will be a starter. Mississippi State CB Cam Dantzler had a really bad Combine 40-yard dash but put out a video of him running much faster, so who knows. His tape was solid. South Carolina EDGE D.J. Wonnum is a Danielle Hunter replica in terms of size, if they can get half that production it’d be a home run in the 4th round.
New England Patriots: C
I like Kyle Dugger, the Safety out of Lenoir-Rhyne. He played small school competition but showed at the Senior Bowl he could play with the big boys. Michigan EDGE Josh Uche is too small to be a full time player and they went TE/TE at the end of Round 3. They needed a kicker and Marshall K Justin Rohrwasser seems to have a tendency to go wayyyy right ;)
New Orleans Saints: A-
They only had four picks, but they made the most of them. Michigan C Cesar Ruiz is a dependable player at a position that the Saints rely a ton of importance on. Wisconsin LB Zack Baun fell to the 3rd despite being a 1st round talent. Great value at #74. Dayton TE Adam Trautman out of Dayton is sneaky value in Round 3. I think they got three starters which would signify a great draft.
New York Giants: B+
Operation protect Daniel Jones is in effect. OT Andrew Thomas will likely kick over to Right Tackle. OT Matt Peart and OG Shane Lemieux help beef up a struggling line. Xavier McKinney will be a dependable start.
New York Jets: B+
Mekhi Becton is a great pick at #11 and WR Denzel Mims at #59 is also good value. I didn’t love the Ashytn Davis pick because he could have some medical issues. QB James Morgan out of FIU was overdrafted in the 4th, but CB Bryce Hall in the 6th was a sneaky good pick.
Philadelphia Eagles: C+
I do like Jalen Reagor more than most, but hard to take him over Justin Jefferson at #21. Jalen Hurts at #53 is a puzzling pick unless you want to use him in a Taysom Hill type role. S K’Von Wallace out of Clemson is a nice pick in the 4th.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C-
They didn’t have a 1st round pick as they traded it to Miami for Minkah Fitzpatrick. WR Chase Claypool as your first pick doesn’t sit well with me. Great timed speed and size, but he’ll struggle to separate in the NFL. RB Anthony McFarland Jr. is a decent depth play in Round 4.
Seattle Seahawks: C-
LB Jordyn Brooks out of Texas Tech was a mid-Day 2 player and they took him 27th overall. Darrell Taylor benefitted from a weak EDGE rushing class. I do like RB DeeJay Dallas in the 4th who can at least replace what they never got from C.J. Procise.
San Francisco 49ers: A
They’re swinging for the fences by trading a 5th rounder this year and a 3rd next year for LT Trent Williams. That’s a huge deal, especially with LT Joe Staley retiring. DT Javon Kinlaw is a nice addition to the line after trading DT DeForest Buckner and WR Brandon Aiyuk will be a great fit in that offense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+
Trading up one spot to #13 was a great move to secure one of the top four Tackles. Tristan Wirfs is a complete freak show athletically having run a 4.85 40-yard dash and setting records at the combine for vertical and broad jump at 322 lbs. He’ll start right away. S Antoine Winfield Jr. is a nice pick that has great NFL bloodlines. I worry about his size, but he is a playmaker as evidenced by his 7 INTs last season. RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn was a surprise pick in the 3rd, but definitely a need. WR Tyler Johnson was great value in Round 5 and has a ton of production. He’ll likely contribute immediately, even with a crowded Receiver room. LB Chapelle Russell in the 7th is good depth at LB and RB Raymond Calais in the 7th gives them a returner which they haven’t had in awhile.
Tennessee Titans: C+
OT Isaiah Wilson was a huge reach in the 1st. He was most prognosticators 7th OT. CB Kristian Fulton was a nice value at #61 and RB Darrynton Evans will bring a playmaker to the offense.
Washington Redskins: B
Chase Young was a great pick at #2 and I think WR/RB Antonio Gibson out of Memphis will be a playmaker who can at minimum replace Chris Thompson on 3rd downs. WR Antonio Gandy-Golden has a ton of potential but hasn’t done it against big competition. OT Saahdiq Charles also has a ton of potential, but has some demons.
And that concludes the NFL Draft coverage, thanks for following along. That was a lot of fun!