Draft Grades For All Teams After The 1st Round
David Eulitt. Getty Images.Panthers - QB Bryce Young (Alabama), 1st overall: C-
I do not like this pick as while I feel Young has gotten a lot of credit for being wired right, he's just too little to survive the constant rigors the come with playing Quarterback in the NFL. Not to mention the Panthers gave up a HAUL to move up and now don't have a 1st round pick next year. He was most pundits best overall QB, but not mine. C- is generous.
Texans - QB C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), 2nd overall AND EDGE Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama), 3rd overall: B+
This looks like an incredible haul, but then you realize they gave up next year's 1st rounder and more to get it done and it's risky business. C.J. Stroud has great tape and a bad S2 test score. But S2 test scores aren't the be all end all for prospects and I respect them taking him at #2. Will Anderson Jr. was my top available player, but I just hate that they gave up so much to move up. Gotta respect the nuts to do it though.
Colts - QB Anthony Richardson (Florida), 4th overall: Incomplete
It's impossible to know how this will turn out. The guy started 13 games and I'm a fan. If he flourishes under Shane Stiechen then it's an A+ move, but it's a risk. I respect Chris Ballard for this move, but it comes with considerable risk. This is truly boom or bust and there is no guarantee he'll start right away, but with that QB room, how could he not?
Seahawks - CB Devon Witherspoon (Illinois), 5th overall AND WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State), 20th overall: C+
Witherspoon was mocked to Detroit at #6 all day so I'm surprised they went CB with Jalen Carter on the board. With Tariq Woolen having such a monster year, Witherspoon will be CB2 and that feels a bit rich for the 5th overall pick. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was good value at #20 but I was a Zay Flowers guy.
Cardinals - OT Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State), 6th overall: A+
This grade is less about the player and more about the fact that they manipulated the board and moved down from 3 to 12 and then back up to 6. In doing so they picked up Houston's 1st Round pick next year + a 3rd Rounder while giving up a Day 3 pick. Absolute big brain move while still getting a guy commonly mocked to them at #3.
Raiders - EDGE Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech), 7th overall: B+
This one is hard to grade as his medicals are a concern. I do like the player and paired with Maxx Crosby will be a force in the AFC West. But will he be on the field?
Falcons - RB Bijan Robinson (Texas), 8th overall: D-
A Runningback at #8?! Bijan Robinson was my #3 overall player, but #8 is crazytown for an RB in today's game. He is a modern RB, but how big of an upgrade is he over Tyler Allgeier?! He better be a MASSIVE upgrade to justify spending this type of draft capital.
Eagles - DT Jalen Carter (Georgia), 9th overall AND EDGE Nolan Smith (Georgia) 30th overall: B
I'm a big fan of the Jalen Carter pick up. Especially trading up to #9 from #10 to secure getting your guy. But I do not like the Nolan Smith pick. He's an athletic freak that's never had more than 4 sacks in a season and is under 240 lbs. as an EDGE Rusher. I get taking Georgia guys worked out previously for them, but this is a boom or bust class in my opinion as Carter comes with some baggage too.
Bears - OT Darnell Wright (Tennesee), 10th overall: B+
The Bears have a lot of holes, but protecting Justin Fields has to be the top priority. Wright didn't allow a sack last year and dominated Will Anderson Jr., so that seems like a good move. They also picked up an extra Day 3 pick in moving down one spot which is nice.
Titans - OT/OG Peter Skoronski (Northwestern), 11th overall: B
Tennessee didn't even wait until Taylor Lewans body was cold to pick another #77 that plays Left Tackle. Skoronski is a technician, but has short arms that may force him to move inside.
Lions - RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama), 12th overall AND LB Jack Campbell (Iowa), 18th overall: D-
Listen, I kind of like Jack Campbell. Not an overly fast guy (4.65 40-yard dash), but he's smart (academic Heisman) and instinctive. He's been training with Luke Kuechley too which is a very smart move. #18 is a bit rich, but if he's your guy, go get him. Jahmyr Gibbs at #12 is the surprise of the Draft as that was about 14-18 picks too high. He's only had 25+ touches in a game one time and he goes into a backfield with D'Andre Swift and David Montgomery already. Do they plan on running it 45 times/game?
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Packers - EDGE Lukas Van Ness (Iowa), 13th overall: B+
Love this pick. His nickname is Hercules and while he didn't start at Iowa, he put up numbers. He's a heavy handed rusher off the EDGE that'll pair nicely with Rashaan Gary to give Green Bay some heavy hitters rushing the Quarterback.
Steelers - OT Broderick Jones (Georgia), 14th overall: B+
I got winder earlier in the day that he may be the guy at #17, but I told Jersey Jerry I didn't think he'd made it past the Jets. The Steelers brass must've felt the same way as they leapfrogged New York to get their guy. Keeping Kenny Pickett clean is a top priority and they maneuvered the board beautifully.
Jets - EDGE Will McDonald IV (Iowa State), 15th overall: D
I'm not a fan of sub-240 lbs. EDGE rushers and while I think Jets GM Joe Douglas put on a show last year, I think he got got this year with getting leapfrogged for Broderick Jones and then reaching at #15 for a guy figuring to be a borderline 1st round talent.
Commanders - CB Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State), 16th overall: B+
If you like on-ball production from a Cornerback, you'll love this pick. 35 passes defensed, 6 pick 6s. He's got outstanding stats and is fast as heck. But he's only 166 lbs. Can he hold up at the next level? That's the only question.
Patriots - CB Christian Gonzalez (Oregon), 17th overall: A+
Shoutout to Davey Draftnik as this is 100% the correct take. Gonzalez was my top ranked Corner and he goes into an ideal situation under Bill Belichick who does an outstanding job developing guys in the Secondary. A former WR he fits the mold for the modern CB.
Buccaneers - DT Calijah Kancey (Pittsburgh), 19th overall: A-
The Bucs draft freaks and this Defensive Tackle that runs a 4.67 40-yard dash certainly classifies as that. An Aaron Donald clone from a size/testing perspective, if he can hopefully have a career even half as good this pick will be a homerun.
Chargers - WR Quentin Johnston (TCU), 21st overall: C
Johnston is a strong prospect, but feels somewhat duplicative to Mike Williams in the Chargers passing attack. The main difference is Johnston is nowhere near as good at 50/50 balls so hopefully some of Williams greatest trick can rub off on this newcomer.
Ravens - WR Zay Flowers (Boston College), 22nd overall: A-
My top ranked Receiver goes to Baltimore and while he's not the biggest, he is always running free. He's a terrific route runner and run after the catch guy and Baltimore got a dude.
Vikings - WR Jordan Addison (USC), 23rd overall: B
The last time the Vikings picked a Receiver in the early 20s it worked out really well, so hopefully for them they hit another dinger here. Addison was a Belitnikoff winner two seasons ago at Pitt and hopefully he can recreate that success with Kirk Cousins.
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Giants - CB Deonte Banks (Maryland), 24th overall: B
Corner is a massive need for the Giants and they go their guy trading up to #24 to get him. My concern with him is injuries as he played only seven games in 2020 and 2021, but when he's on the field, he's a baller.
Bills - TE Dalton Kincaid (Utah), 25th overall: B
I like Kincaid as a prospect, so great value here, but they have a similar Tight End in Dawson Knox. Will they be moving towards more of a 2-Tight End look? If so, this works.
Cowboys - DT Mazi Smith (Michigan), 26th overall: B+
I'm a big Mazi Smith fan. He's a Nose Tackle and strong as the day is long. He repped 225 lbs. a whopping 34 times and while he won't put up crazy numbers (only 0.5 career sacks), he is a force against the run.
Jaguars - OT Anton Harrison (Oklahoma), 27th overall: C-
Taylor Lewan called him a bust immediately which seemed informed from someone in the league. Hating on a Left Tackle seconds after he lands a job is a tough way to start a career, but Harrison will have to adjust from Oklahoma's offense into a real NFL offense led by Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson.
Bengals - EDGE Myles Murphy (Clemson), 28th overall: A-
A height/weight/speed guy, Murphy will look good in stripes. He forms a pretty dynamic pass rush rotation with Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.
Saints - DT Bryan Bresee (Clemson), 29th overall: A-
As much as I hate the Saints, I like this pick. Bresee was the #1 recruit in the nation coming out of High School and was terrific as a Freshman. He dealt with a lot of shit the past two seasons, tearing his ACL, getting a kidney infection, and losing his younger sister to brain cancer, but hopefully he's on an upswing now because he is a tremendous talent.
Chiefs - EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Kansas State), 31st overall: B-
The Chiefs pick the local kid, who grew up in Kansas City and went to K-State. A real feel good story to end the 1st Round. He wasn't my top EDGE guy left, but they probably have great intel on him since he was so close to home.