NFL Draft Grades For All Teams After The 1st Round
Gregory Shamus. Getty Images.Bears: A++
This grade technically doesn't exist but they made the easy choice at 1.1 to get Caleb Williams but then they follow it up with Rome Odunze at #9! What an incredible haul! These two should be a dynamic duo for years to come! Congrats to all Bears fans and what is hopefully a decade of good, fun, football full of forward passes. Finally!
Cardinals: A+
Marvin Harrison Jr. was my top ranked player in the draft and he fits the need for the Cardinals to upgrade their Receivers room. Easy home run pick.
Patriots: A+
Drake Maye was my QB2 and while Dave may have wanted JJ McCarthy, I think he'll be happy with Drake Maye despite his Wall Street look. He's got ideal size and arm strength and has a winning pedigree. I expect him to start to turn the Patriots around. Maybe not this year, but once the team gets some talent. He is the guy.
Chargers: A+
Joe Alt was the top Offensive Tackle on the board and while I was expecting a Wide Receiver, they chose to address the trenches which should be a smarter decision in the long term. Alt and Rashawn Slater could be bookend tackles for Herbert's entire career.
Eagles: A
Quinyon Mitchell at #22 was a steal! They didn't even have to move up! He was my top rated Cornerback and he instantly upgrades their secondary which was their biggest need.
Jets: A
Trading down and picking up extra assets while still getting a bluechip Left Tackle, which was a need was huge. Olu Fashanu is a natural LT and should help protect Aaron Rodgers and the next QB the Jets bring in down the line.
Lions: A
Cornerback was also their biggest need and they traded up to get arguably the best CB in the Draft in Terrion Arnold. Outstanding maneuvering of the board to get their guy who was falling.
Saints: A
Offensive Tackle is a huge need with Ryan Ramczyk's status in doubt and Trevor Penning having a tough two years to start his career. Taliese Fuaga is a tough, gritty Right Tackle who can help protect Derek Carr and blow holes open in the run game.
Steelers: A
They addressed a huge need at Left Tackle while also staying pat at #20. Troy Fautanu is a freakshow who can really help their run game which protecting their QB, whether it be Russell Wilson or Justin Fields.
Buccaneers: A
Center was a big need as Ryan Jensen's career was cut short due to injury and they hadn't gotten the same type of production since he's left. Graham Barton was a guy they zeroed in on early in the process and they were happy he fell to them, running the card up fairly quickly.
Giants: A
Malik Nabers is a gamebreaking player and will give Daniel Jones his best receiving option he's ever had. This will be huge for his development in what is likely a make or break year. The best dressed guy goes to New York.
Cowboys: A-
The Cowboys are intent at keeping Tyler Smith at Left Guard, where he is a monster, so they took Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma who replaces Tyron Smith. Great value at a position of need. They also traded back to pick up additional assets.
Jaguars: A-
Brian Thomas Jr. is a homerun pick and started the second run on Receivers. After losing Calvin Ridley Jr. they needed a #1 WR and while Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis can play, they may not be fit for that role. Thomas has that potential. Not only that, but they traded down and got more assets to do so.
Commanders: A-
Daniels is a great fit in Washington. I was a Drake Maye as QB2 guy, but Daniels is right there. Happy for all my Washington friends to get their QB of the future.
Packers: B+
The Packers have needs along the offensive line and I'm curious where they plug in Jordan Morgan. He played Left Tackle at Arizona, but projects better as a Guard. Either way, the Packers just bought Jordan Love some much needed time.
Titans: B+
While they couldn't land Joe Alt, they got JC Latham who feels like more of a Titan as far as he'll be a mauling run blocker and set the tone in the AFC South.
Vikings: B+
They get their Quarterback with JJ McCarthy and only have to move up one spot to do so. That's a win right there, but they stayed aggressive going up from #23 to #17 to get Dallas Turner. So they got a Quarterback and an EDGE rusher. That is massive. If these two turn out to be Pro Bowl-type players this could be the foundation for a perennial contender. There are some concerns both will get there, but you have to love the aggressiveness.
Seahawks: B
Byron Murphy was the top DT on the board and they'll pair him with Leonard Williams to form a run stuffing duo that can also get after the Quarterback.
Rams: B
Jared Verse at EDGE was a nice move and filled a big need for a team severely lacking pass rush. For a team that hadn't had a 1st Round pick since 2016, they sure acted like they knew what they were doing.
Panthers: B-
Xavier Legette is a monster of a man and gives Bryce Young a potential legit #1 WR. This pick gives the team a lot more juice than Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson. The greatest voice in the NFL now resides in Carolina.
Bengals: C+
Amarius Mims is a BIG TIME projection. He's only started eight games. But he's 6'8" 340 lbs. with a massive wingspan and dominated when he was on the field. But again, that was only for eight games. Will that translate to the NFL? I don't think anyone can confidently give you an answer on that. But if it does work out, this becomes an A+.
Dolphins: C+
There was a need at EDGE rusher after Bradley Chubb's injury, but Chop Robinson is another big time projection. He's explosive, but only 4.5 sacks last year and 7.5 tackles for loss with 15 total tackles is not a ton of activity for a 1st round pass rusher. But if his traits translate, this turns into an A.
Colts: C+
Latu Laiatu is a polarizing prospect. He's the most natural pass rusher but was medically retired at Washington. After transferring to UCLA he showed out. How long will his career be? Will he be an instant impact guy? It's all very hard to see. I could see him being rookie of the year but I could also see him having a short career.
Ravens: C
Nate Wiggins is a good cover Corner but very light at 173 lbs. and not a super aggressive tackler. I'm sure that'll have to change in Baltimore, but worried about his fit in the rough and tumble AFC North.
Raiders: D+
What a confusing pick. Brock Bowers? They just drafted Michael Mayer, who was a very good Tight End last year. So I guess they're just going to run a lot of 12 personnel next year? Maybe go big and shift into passing sets where their size either overwhelms Corners or speed blows by Linebackers? I like the player, don't like the fit.
49ers: D
Despite reports from Will Compton that they 49ers drafted Cooper DeJean, they actually drafted Florida WR, Ricky Pearsall. While he owns probably the catch of the year, there were other WRs with a bit more upside on the board.
Chiefs: D-
Xavier Worthy? The speedster that has only had three 100+ yard games the past two seasons. Also less than 19% of his plays went for 20+ yards. He'll need to utilize that 4.21 speed to just blow by guys regularly to make this selection make sense. Feels like a one trick pony.
Broncos: F
Bo Nix at 12?! Holy cow that's rich! Nix is a borderline 1st Round talent and being unable to find a trade partner to move down is disappointing. They're paying $2.50 on the dollar for a QB with a low ceiling. I understand QBs were at a premium but this was far too rich.
Falcons: F-
This presumably isn't a real grade unless you're Zack Morris taking a driving test, but what the heck was that?! They just signed Kirk Cousins to a 4-year $180 million dollar deal and then you take a Quarterback at #8 overall?! This was by far the most bizarre move o the draft. Do they just redshirt Penix, who is turning 24 in about a week and a half for two seasons?! One of the more memorable surprises in NFL Draft history. Looking forward to seeing how it pans out. But as far as instant reactions, this was definitely the worst grade of Day 1.