The NFL Draft ended yesterday, capping off a nationally televised three day event that determined the professional teams for many college stars. The spectacle had many shocking moments, and football fans across the country excitedly watched their team get new talent. We recap the action, team by team, and grade every draft class.
N’Keal Harry appeared to be a reach, especially with Deebo Samuels and DK Metcalf still on the board. Bill Belichick has never drafted a receiver in the first round in his tenure with the Patriots, so he probably isn’t the best at evaluating talent at that position. In round 3, the got a huge steal in DE Chase Winovich, and they got a potential backup for Brady in Jarrett Stidham. They never did address their big hole at tight end, though.
Grade: B
New York Jets
Quinnen Williams was a great pick, but they didn’t actually need a defensive lineman. With only six picks in the entire draft, they weren’t able to get the outside linebacker they needed, and they also couldn’t get any interior offensive linemen. So while they may have gotten a lot of talent, it wasn’t the talent that they needed.
Grade: B+
Buffalo Bills
The decision to pick Ed Oliver was a no brainer, as they got one of the best players in the draft at the position they needed most. Cody Ford was a huge steal, but the rest of their class was just average. Still, they filled two big needs with great players, so it was a good draft for them.
Grade: A-
Miami Dolphins
Christian Wilkins was their only good pick, and he didn’t even fill a hole on the Miami secondary. However, he’s still a great player. 7th rounder Myles Gaskin was a great player in college, and he could give the Dolphins some production, if he gets the chance.
Grade: B-
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
A pretty good draft by the Ravens included Marquise Brown, Jaylon Ferguson and Myles Boykin. They needed help at the receiver position to give Lamar Jackson, but their defense is fine. Still, they got some good players, and will be stronger next year because of it.
Grade: B+
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers shocked everyone by trading up to get ILB Devin Bush, and despite giving up a bit too much, they really needed Bush. He is very fast, and is a great open field tackler. CB Justin Layne was a third round steal, and they needed a cornerback too. They may have reached on WR Diontae Johnson, but Pittsburgh has always drafted great receivers, so he could work out.
Grade: A-
Cincinnati Bengals
While they didn’t get Devin Bush because the Steelers jumped in front of them, they did get Jonah Williams, and remedied almost every need. Ryan Finley was a ridiculous Round 4 steal, and it’s a miracle that RB Trayveon Williams was available in the sixth round. This phenomenal class should help the Bengals improve, despite being one of the worst teams in the NFL.
Grade: A
Cleveland Browns
Despite years of futility, Cleveland is poised to be great next season thanks to a collection of acquisitions over the past few years. They added some new potential stars in this year’s draft. Despite having no first round picks, they still brought in a good class. They got a shocking steal in Greedy Williams, and Mack Wilson was also taken surprisingly late. While the rest of the picks weren’t as good, this was still a solid draft for them.
Grade: B+
AFC South
Houston Texans
This draft was one of the worst, as they reached on Tytus Howard in the first round, and things kept going downhill. They ended up wasting a second rounder on Max Scharping, even though they already had a OT in Howard. They only had seven picks, and didn’t fix many problems.
Grade C+
Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Allen was a great pick. They needed a linebacker alongside Myles Jack, and they got the best one. They then fixed a huge need with a huge steal in Jawaan Taylor. I have no idea how he was still available in the second round, but the Jags are glad he was. The rest of their draft was just decent, but their first two picks were outstanding.
Grade: A-
Indianapolis Colts
They had no first rounder, but their three good second rounders really helped out the Colts. Rock Ya-Sin was a smart pick knowing that they needed a corner, and Parris Campbell helped satisfy a need at the receiver position. Their Day 3 wasn’t that good, which holds this draft back from being great.
Grade: B+H
Tennessee Titans
It’s hard to have a great draft with only six picks, but the Titans found a way to make it work in front of their home crowd. Jeffery Simmons is a good DT, which they needed. They also needed a receiver, so they got AJ Brown out of Ole Miss. Overall, they had no reaches, and took care of almost every need.
Grade: A
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
Here’s another team with only six picks, but their draft went in a drastically different direction than the Titans. They made a few reaches, and waited too long to improve some of their biggest needs. They didn’t really need a receiver, so Mecole Hardman was a somewhat pointless pick. They then failed to address their biggest need until the sixth round, where they took CB Rashad Fenton. At least they got a good safety in Juan Thornhill.
Grade: C+
Los Angeles Chargers
Jerry Tillery filled a void at DT, giving LA an absolutely stacked defensive line, with Tillery, Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. They made a stupid and absolutely ridiculous reach by drafting OT Trey Pipkins, who wasn’t even in ESPN’s Top 300. Chuma Edoga went one pick later at the same position, so I have no clue why they didn’t go with him instead.
Grade: B
Denver Broncos
Noah Fant got his wish of playing for the Broncos, and the Broncos got their wish of a good draft. Drew Lock was a great steal, and so was Dre’Mont Jones. They both came at positions of need. Denver filled most of their holes, and they got good players with the exception of sixth rounder Juwann Winfree.
Grade: A-
Oakland Raiders
Having three first rounders is an amazing thing, but Oakland didn’t use them that well. Clelin Ferrell was a reach, and they didn’t need a running back, so Josh Jacobs wasn’t a great idea either. At least Jonathan Abrams was a decent pick. They also didn’t draft anybody impressive in Rounds 2-7, so they wasted a lot of their good picks.
Grade: B
NFC analysis coming soon!
