We've had almost a week to digest the 2021 NFL Draft, and it's report card time. Find out what grade TRO has assigned your team.
While draft grades can be completely irrelevant and are hard to gauge until three years from now, TRO is handing out grades based on teams' needs, how each franchise addressed those needs, how each GM accomplished what they wanted to based on their styles, and what was the predicted value of each pick in relation to the picks the team held.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
via Tulsa Football
Round 1: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Round 2: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Round 4: Marco Wilson, CB, Florida
Round 6: Victor Dimukeje, EDGE, Duke
Round 6: Tay Gowan, CB, UCF
Round 7: James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati
Round 7: Michal Menet, Penn State
Zaven Collins has all the tools to be a household name at the linebacker spot, and might have more consistent success early on than last year's pick Isaiah Simmons. Rondale Moore is a nice acquisition as he can peel the top off of a defense, elevate a special teams return unit, and will fit in nicely with the Cardinals' deep receiving corp. However, Arizona had a glaring need at the cornerback position, and waiting until Rounds 3 and 5 to address that need might not have been the most beneficial decision.
GRADE: B
ATLANTA FALCONS
via Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Round 1: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Round 2: Richie Grant, S, UCF
Round 4: Darren Hall, CB, San Diego State
Round 4: Drew Dalman, C, Stanford
Round 5: Ta'Quan Graham, DT, Texas
Round 5: Adetokunbo Ogundeji, EDGE, Notre dame
Round 5: Avery Williams, CB, Boise State
Round 7: Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State
Kyle Pitts might be the best overall player in this draft class. He will present a matchup nightmare and should have his game seamlessly translate at the next level, especially playing in this loaded Falcons offense. Atlanta also added some solid offensive line depth, Jalen Mayfield was once consistently pegged as a first rounder, and Drew Dalman could wind up being their starting center sooner than later. The Falcons went through the rest of the draft going for the best available on the board, and they improved their roster.
GRADE: A-
BALTIMORE RAVENS
via Tony Dejak / Associated Press
Round 1: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Round 1: Odafe Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Round 3: Ben Cleveland, OG, Georgia
Round 3: Brandon Stephens, CB, SMU
Round 4: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
Round 5: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Round 5: Daelin Hayes, EDGE, Notre Dame
Round 7: Ben Mason, OT, Michigan
The Ravens added another pass-catching weapon for Lamar Jackson, and Rashod Bateman is a great fit. He should find himself in the starting lineup week 1 as he is a weapon that can line up all over the field and run the full route tree. They added some suitable defensive depth without reaching for anyone. The only thing holding the Ravens' grade back some was that they did not prioritize taking a tackle after losing Orlando Brown, Jr. this offseason.
GRADE: B+
BUFFALO BILLS
via Tony Dejak / AP Photo
Round 1: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Round 2: Carlos Basham, Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
Round 3: Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
Round 5: Tommy Doyle, OT, Miami (OH)
Round 6: Marquez Stevenson, WR, Houston
Round 6: Damar Hamlin, S, Pittsburgh
Round 6: Rachad Wildgoose, CB, Wisconsin
Round 7: Jack Anderson, OG, Texas Tech
The Bills wisely decided to get younger and deeper coming off of the edges on the defensive line as their two starters have gotten older. They also invested in their offensive line by selecting back to back offensive tackles in the third and fifth rounds. It was a little surprising to see the Bills not select a running back with one of their picks. However, Sean McDermott has a long history with developing defensive linemen, and he should be able to shape the raw talents of Rousseau and Basham, Jr. to keep the Bills' style of play pressing on.
GRADE: B+
CAROLINA PANTHERS
via Brandon Todd / Carolina Panthers
Round 1: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Round 2: Terrace Marshall, Jr., WR, LSU
Round 3: Brady Christensen, OT, BYU
Round 3: Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame
Round 4: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
Round 5: Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
Round 6: Deonte Brown, OG, Alabama
Round 6: Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina
Round 6: Thomas Fletcher, LS, Alabama
Round 7: Phil Hoskins, DT, Kentucky
Scott Fitterer appeared to be magical in his first year as the Panthers' GM. He and Matt Rhule worked through the draft, multiplying picks, and acquiring value players that appear to fit their style of play on both sides of the ball. Some were concerned that they passed on Justin Fields and did not trade back a few spots to take Jaycee Horn in the first round, but what they were able to do in the later rounds in acquiring draft capital quelled any concern. Terrace Marshall, Jr. might be one of the top steals of the draft if he can stay healthy, Brady Christensen is an athletic tackle, and Tommy Tremble was the highest graded pass blocking tight end in the country last year. The Panthers addressed a multitude of needs on the team, and even nabbed a talented running back in Chuba Hubbard to take some of the load off of Christian McCaffrey.
GRADE: A
CHICAGO BEARS
via Chicago Bears
Round 1: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Round 2: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Round 5: Larry Borom, OT, Missouri
Round 6: Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech
Round 6: Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
Round 6: Thomas Graham, Jr., CB, Oregon
Round 7: Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU
The Bears got off to a rough start this offseason (as covered https://www.readoptionfootball.com/post/5-winners-and-5-losers-from-free-agency-to-date ). The only hope Chicago fans could hold on to was that the Bears' front office would have a successful draft, and they swung for the fences and knocked it out the park.
TRO's mock draft had the Bears taking OT Teven Jenkins with the 20th overall pick as he seemed to be a perfect fit for the team's style of play. Well, the bears traded the pick and moved up to land their potential next franchise quarterback, and certainly one of the most touted and talented prospects they've ever gotten their hands on. Then they managed to still take Jenkins in the second round! The Bears rounded off their draft by not reaching for any players, filling gaps, and adding depth to key positions on both sides of the ball.
They will be feeling the effects of the draft day trade around this time next year, but if Fields pans out, it'll be worth it.
GRADE: A+
CINCINNATI BENGALS
via BengalsWire / USA Today
Round 1: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Round 2: Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson
Round 3: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
Round 4: Cameron Sample, EDGE, Tulane
Round 4: Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU
Round 4: D'Ante Smith, OT, ECU
Round 5: Evan McPherson, Kicker, Florida
Round 6: Trey Hill, C, Georgia
Round 6: Chris Evans, RB, Michigan
Round 7: Wyatt Hubert, EDGE, Kansas State
The Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow reunion will be a sight to see in the NFL, and the Bengals certainly needed the help at the wide out spot. However, after what happened to Joe Burrow last year, and the sheer volume of hits he took, passing on Penei Sewell might lead to more trouble for the team. Some might say tackle wasn't the issue last year and it was guard play, and that the addition of veteran Riley Reiff will improve the offensive line. Even if all of that is true, if you have a chance to pair your second year face of the franchise with a generational talent at the tackle position, you can't pass that up. Reiff is 33, and soon the Bengals will be wondering where they go from there.
Cincy did draft Jackson Carman in the second round who will likely be playing guard, and got some depth on the defensive line. They took a kicker with the 5th round pick which seemed like WAY too high of a pick to spend at the position.
The Bengals should have prioritized their needs in a different order.
GRADE: C+
CLEVELAND BROWNS
via The Athletic
Round 1: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Round 2: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Round 3: Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn
Round 4: James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
Round 4: Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State
Round 5: Tony Fields II, LB, West Virginia
Round 5: Richard LeCounte, S, Georgia
Round 7: Demetric Felton, RB, UCLA
The Browns improved their already talented roster in great fashion this past weekend. They were able to improve their biggest area of concern, the defensive backfield, with the third best corner in the class. They then got their hands on a first round graded linebacker with their second round pick, while utilizing their third round pick to add another explosive option for Baker Mayfield.
Cleveland used their remaining picks to pick the best available talent on the board, and not once did they reach for a player. They added valuable depth to a good roster and have loaded up primed for another playoff run.
GRADE: A+
DALLAS COWBOYS
via Tony Dejak / AP
Round 1: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Round 2: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
Round 3: Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA
Round 3: Chauncey Golston, EDGE, Iowa
Round 3: Nashon Wright, CB, Oregon State
Round 4: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
Round 4: Josh Ball, OT, Marshall
Round 5: Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford
Round 6: Quinton Bohanna, DT, Kentucky
Round 6: Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina
Round 7: Matt Farniok, OG, Nebraska
The Dallas Cowboys selected 11 players in this draft. If we're playing a sheer numbers game, then they will likely hit on several on these picks. They needed help on the defensive side of the ball, and they used their first six picks to wisely do so. They missed out on one of the top two corners, but Parsons should be a star at the linebacker position, and Dallas was able to maneuver in the second round to obtain a corner they claimed to have had high on their list. Props to the Cowboys for wisely utilizing their picks where needed.
GRADE: B
DENVER BRONCOS
via Getty Images
Round 1: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Round 2: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
Round 3: Quinn Meinerz, C, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Round 3: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
Round 5: Caden Sterns, S, Texas
Round 5: Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana
Round 6: Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
Round 7: Kary Vincent Jr., CB, LSU
Round 7: Jonathan Cooper, EDGE, Ohio State
Round 7: Marquiss Spencer, EDGE, Mississippi State
This is an impressive draft haul. The Denver Broncos have a solid roster, outside of the signal-caller position, and got great value players for the picks they had. They plugged holes, added depth, and did not reach for anyone. The only thing holding the Broncos back is the fact that they passed on taking quarterback Justin Fields after he fell right into their lap. The Broncos will be trotting out Teddy Bridgewater/Drew Lock out in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Derek Carr. Fields to Denver made sense, but for some reason the Broncos did not think so. Maybe there's some substance to the Aaron Rodgers rumors after all...
GRADE: B-
DETROIT LIONS
via Associated Press
Round 1: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Round 2: Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
Round 3: Alim McNeill, DT, NC State
Round 3: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
Round 4: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
Round 4: Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue
Round 7: Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State
The Lions wisely chose to work to build this team from the inside out. If these picks hit, then they can look to avoid a full-blown rebuild. A good offensive and defensive line will help keep any team in games, and will allow you to plug in skill positions down the road to improve. The Lions have work to do, but this was a great start. The front office drafted how they wanted to without really reaching for any players.
GRADE: A
GREEN BAY PACKERS
via Kirby Lee / USA Today
Round 1: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
Round 2: Josh Myers, C, Ohio State
Round 3: Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
Round 4: Royce Newman, OT, Ole Miss
Round 5: Tedarrell Slaton, DT, Florida
Round 5: Shemar Jean-Charles, App State
Round 6: Cole Van Lanen, OT, Wisconsin
Round 6: Isaiah McDuffle, LB, Boston College
Round 7: Kylin Hill, RB, Mississippi State
Eric Stokes might be the fastest player in this entire draft class, but he is a raw prospect, and he would have been available in the second, and possibly even the third round. The Packers could have gotten more aggressive, and selected a first round wide receiver, stayed with Josh Myers with the second round pick because center was a high need, and then gone for Stokes in the third. If that was the approach they took, then they could have really hammered this draft out of the park, and maybe even could have helped cool down this Aaron Rodgers debacle.
GRADE: C+
HOUSTON TEXANS
via Soobum Im / USA Today
Round 3: Davis Mills, QB, Stanford
Round 3: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
Round 5: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
Round 5: Garett Wallow, LB, TCU
Round 6: Roy Lopez, DT, Arizona
Yikes. You never want to be one of the worst teams in the league AND be one of the teams with the fewest picks in the upcoming draft. Add that together with the fact that your franchise quarterback's tenure in Houston has all but ended, and your ability to find a trade partner for him has been stalled in its tracks. The Texans tried to save face and prepare for worst case scenario with the picks they had. They took a young quarterback, they traded to get another 3rd round pick to take one of the better receivers available, and they tried to get some athletic/raw prospects that they hope to coach up with their remaining three picks. Unfortunately for Houston, they were shopping at the Bargain Mart for crucial team needs.
GRADE: D
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
via WolverwinesWire / USA Today
Round 1: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Round 2: Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt
Round 4: Kylen Granson, TE, SMU
Round 5: Shawn Davis, S, Florida
Round 6: Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas
Round 7: Michael Strachan, WR, Charleston (WV)
Round 7: Will Fries, OG, Penn State
The Colts added some good, raw talent to their defensive line in the first and second rounds, and it helps former Colts great, Robert Mathis works with the team as a "pass rush consultant." So, look for these guys to reach their maximum potential. Getting a young quarterback, looking to be a solid backup, is not a bad idea for a team kicking the tires on Carson Wentz's redemption tour, but time will tell if the team addresses the glaring need at OT.
GRADE: B-
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
via Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Round 1: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Round 1: Travis, Etienne, RB, Clemson
Round 2: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Round 2: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
Round 3: Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse
Round 4: Jay Tufele, DT, USC
Round 4: Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB
Round 5: Luke Ferrell, TE, Ohio State
Round 6: Jalen Camp, WR, Georgia Tech
Any draft that starts out with Trevor Lawrence automatically earns a high grade. It's interesting to see the Jags go and get Carlos Hyde and draft Travis Etienne after the season James Robinson is coming off of last year, but you'd be lying if you said you didn't think it was cool that Lawrence and Etienne will continue being teammates at the next level. The Jags could have used their second first round pick to address a greater need, but they had lots of subsequent picks, and they managed to use those wisely to round out this draft.
GRADE: B+
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
via UTSports
Round 2: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Round 2: Creed Humphry, C, Oklahoma
Round 4: Joshua Kaindoh, EDGE, Florida State
Round 5: Noah Gray, TE, Duke
Round 6: Cornell Powell, WR, Clemson
Round 7: Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee
This is a solid draft for a team that has not had a high draft pick as of late. Without any first rounders this year, the Chiefs still managed to land a linebacker who should be ready to contribute and improve their corp on day one. They also added some needed depth on both sides of the ball, and most notably landed Trey Smith who will be one of the biggest steals of the draft. Smith is a first round talent player, whose stock took a major hit due to concerns surrounding blood clots in his lungs. The Chiefs took note that Smith has had a recent clean bill of health and were elated to find that he fell to the sixth round.
GRADE: A-
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
via LasVegasSun
Round 1: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Round 2: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Round 3: Malcom Koonce, EDGE, Buffalo
Round 3: Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech
Round 4: Tyree Gillespie, S, Missouri
Round 5: Nate Hobbs, CB, Illinois
Round 7: Jimmy Morrissey, C, Pittsburgh
Alex Leatherwood seemed like a bit of a reach, but at least the Raiders used their first round pick on a position of need. Trevon Moehrig is the best safety in this year's class, and landing him in the second round is not a bad shake, but drafting two more safeties, making it three before the fifth round seems like a very strange draft approach. Especially when you already have Jonathan Abraham and Karl Joseph holding down the starting spots. If you add Moehrig, then why do you need both Deablo and Gillespie when you have so many more positions of need?
GRADE: C
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
via Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Round 2: Asante Samuel, Jr., CB, Florida State
Round 3: Josh Palmer, WR, Tennessee
Round 3: Tre' McKitty, TE, Georgia
Round 4: Chris Rumph II, EDGE, Duke
Round 5: Brenden James, OT, Nebraska
Round 6: Nick Niemann, LB, Iowa
Round 6: Larry Rountree III, Missouri
Round 7: Mark Webb, CB, Georgia
The Chargers had a textbook draft. They landed the second highest rated tackle in the class, stole a sure thing (as close as any second round pick can be) at the cornerback position in the second round, and then filled out both sides of the ball with solid prospect after solid prospect. Each pick seemed like a win for the organization.
GRADE: A+
LOS ANGELES RAMS
via Twitter / @RamsNFL
Round 2: Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
Round 3: Ernest Jones, LB, South Carolina
Round 4: Bobby Brown III, DT, Texas A&M
Round 4: Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas
Round 4: Jacob Harris, WR, UCF
Round 5: Earnest Brown IV, EDGE, Northwestern
Round 7: Jake Funk, RB, Maryland
It seemed like the Rams just reached a round too early several times throughout their draft. They addressed some positions of need, but nothing about this draft stands out. There always seemed to be a couple more enticing options at the same positions available each time they selected. Maybe they spent too much time sunbathing by the infinity pool at their draft mansion.
GRADE: C+
MIAMI DOLPHINS
via Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Round 1: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Round 1: Jaelen Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Round 2: Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
Round 2: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Oregon
Round 3: Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
Round 7: Larnel Coleman, OT, Massachusetts
Round 7: Gerrid Doaks, RB, Cincinnati
The Dolphins had five picks in the first three rounds. Not bad for a team coming off of a 10 win season. They've added another offensive weapon in Jaylen Waddle, and took who was once one of the highest EDGE prospects in the country both in the first round. They also landed a solid safety talent and a tackle with good upside in the second round. The Dolphins are a good team, and they utilized all the picks they finagled through trades to get better.
GRADE: A
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
via Minnesota Vikings
Round 1: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Round 3: Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
Round 3: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
Round 3: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
Round 3: Patrick Jones II, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Round 4: Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
Round 4: Camryn Bynum, CB, California
Round 4: Janarius Robinson, EDGE, Florida State
Round 5: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
Round 5: Zach Davidson, TE, University of Central Missouri
Round 6: Jaylen Twyman, EDGE, Pittsburgh
The Vikings had a heap of picks in this year's draft and used them to reel in a solid haul. Christian Darrisaw falling in their lap was a great stroke of luck as he is a pure pass protector, and will work great with Kirk Cousins's style of play and Minnesota's offensive scheme. Kellen Mond is a good candidate to serve as the backup for the Vikings, and who knows, if they can develop him, maybe they found their next answer at the position. Chazz Surratt is a solid third round pickup, a stud at the linebacker spot. The only reason he fell to the third round was because he was a quarterback in high school, so his tenure on the defensive side of the ball is rather fresh. They picked up some raw prospects on the defensive side of the ball and a division II school tight end (who also can serve as a punter). This is a good draft class for Minnesota, assuming they can develop most of these selections into key contributors.
GRADE: A-
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
via Aaron Josefczyk / UPI
Round 1: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Round 2: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Round 3: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
Round 4: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma
Round 5: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
Round 6: Joshua Bledsoe, CB, Missouri
Round 6: William Sherman, OT, Colorado
Round 7: Tre Nixon, WR, UCF
For the first time in the Bill Belichik era, the Patriots selected a quarterback in the first round. Mac Jones fits the Patriots and the Patriots fit Mac Jones. Whether Jones plays this year, or waits until after Cam Newton's tenure is to be seen, but what we do know is that whenever Jones does take the helm, this team will look much like Tom Brady's 2011 Patriot offense that featured an elite two tight end set. The next few picks were very Belichick-eque, going mostly defense and adding a running back. The only thing holding this draft back from being perfect for the Patriots was how long they waited to select a cornerback.
GRADE: A
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
via Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Round 1: Payton Turner, EDGE, Houston
Round 2: Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
Round 3: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
Round 4: Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame
Round 6: Landon Young, OT, Kentucky
Round 7: Kawaan Baker, WR, South Alabama
Selecting Payton Turner with their first round pick seems like a major reach. He is a player that would have been available, likely in the late second round, or even early to mid-third round. Pete Werner is a solid linebacker, but the Saints purportedly were set on drafting a cornerback to give Marshon Lattimore some help in coverage, and there were still strong options available on the board. Not to mention, the Saints linebacking corp likely has no room for Werner to contribute at this stage. Ian Book is another pick that would have likely been there by the sixth round, but a Drew Brees endorsement likely played a role in boosting his stock up in the Saint's war room.
GRADE: C-
NEW YORK GIANTS
via Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Round 1: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Round 2: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Round 3: Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
Round 4: Elerson Smith, EDGE, Northern Iowa
Round 6: Gary Brightwell, RB, Arizona
Round 6: Rodarius Williams, CB, Oklahoma State
Dave Gettleman traded back! That should be enough to award this team at least a B, but we'll dive a little deeper. The Giants seemed to hit relatively well on all of their picks. Toney is a good WR that will serve as another weapon for Daniel Jones to take a much needed third year leap. Ojulari was a great pick in the second round, as some thought he wouldn't last that long, and he fits the Giants' defensive scheme well. Robinson will likely fall into defending the slot which will add an extra clamp on this already stout New York secondary.
GRADE: B+
NEW YORK JETS
via Steve Luciano / Associated Press
Round 1: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Round 1: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC
Round 2: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
Round 4: Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
Round 5: Jamien Sherwood, S, Auburn
Round 5: Jason Pinnock, CB, Pittsburgh
Round 6: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
Round 6: Brandin Echols, CB, Kentucky
Round 6: Jonathan Marshall, DT, Arkansas
Great draft for the Jets. They landed their next quarterback, stayed in the first round to afford him some protection, added a receiving weapon, and found an answer for the run game all by round four. They then shifted their focus on defense, picking best available secondary players, and adding a defensive tackle for depth. The Jets need some more help on the offensive line, but Rome wasn't built in one day.
GRADE: A
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
via Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports
Round 1: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Round 2: Landon Dickerson, OG, Alabama
Round 3: Milton Williams, DT, Louisiana Tech
Round 4: Zech McPherson, CB, Texas Tech
Round 5: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
Round 6: Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC
Round 6: Tarron Jackson, EDGE, Coastal Carolina
Round 6: JaCoby Stevens, S, LSU
Round 7: Patrick Johnson, EDGE, Tulane
The Silver Lining (see what we did there ?) to being a team riddled with holes and roster needs is that it is not difficult to earn a respectable draft grade. The Eagles need help in a lot of areas, so they went through the draft plugging where they could. It's never a bad idea to add the reigning Heisman Trophy winner to your team, especially if he's already played with your quarterback. Using the next two picks on linemen on both sides of the ball will help in setting the stage as the team continues to build.
GRADE: B
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
via SteelersWire / USA Today
Round 1: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Round 2: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
Round 3: Kendrick Green, C, Illinois
Round 4: Dan Moore, Jr., OT, Texas A&M
Round 4: Buddy Johnson, LB, Texas A&M
Round 5: Isaiahh Loudermilk, DT, Wisconsin
Round 6: Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
Round 7: Tre Norwood, S, Oklahoma
Round 7: Pressley Harvin III, P, Georgia Tech
Some were against the Najee Harris pick in the first round, but he is perfect for what the Steelers look for at the position, and the team was in need of a replacement for James Conner. It was a surprise to see them go tight end in the second round and not prioritize an offensive line pick. Pat Freiermuth is widely considered to be the second best at the position in the class, but it's a class that, beyond Kyle Pitts, is not overly impressive. The Steelers did address their need for a center and a tackle in the next two rounds which saved this draft grade from bottoming out. Time will tell if they can develop both of these prospects. They rounded out their draft by adding defensive depth and selecting an absolute unit of a punter.
GRADE: B-
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
via Tony Dejak / AP Photo
Round 1: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Round 2: Aaron Banks, OG, Notre Dame
Round 3: Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State
Round 3: Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan
Round 5: Jaylon Moore, OT, Western Michigan
Round 5: Deommodore Lenoir, CB, Oregon
Round 5: Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC
Round 6: Elijah Mitchell, RB, Louisiana
This obviously all hinges on the production of Trey Lance, but the Niners used their remaining picks to address offensive line depth, secondary, and running back. It's always a good call to keep the offensive line deep and youthful, and they needed the help at secondary with the growing age of the unit and departure of Richard Sherman. The questions arise in trying to figure out what the need was for drafting two running backs when the Niners seem to already have a deep running back room.
GRADE: B+
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
via Tony Dejak / AP Photo
Round 2: D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
Round 4: Tre Brown, CB, Oklahoma
Round 6: Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida
It's hard to earn a high draft grade when you only have three picks, none of which are first rounders. Some have D'Wayne Eskridge as a reach, and in the grand scheme of things, he kind of was. However, we have to consider the Seahawks' ability to turn undersized, fast, route runners into tremendous weapons for Russell Wilson. Tre Brown fills a position of need for a porous pass defense lodged in the league's top division, and it's never a bad idea to add a tackle. Hopefully Stone Forsythe can live up to his first name and be a player that can get off the bench and develop into a brick wall before Russell Wilson leaving Seattle rumors stir back up. Not a tremendously great draft, but the Seahawks tailored the draft to fit them, using the few picks they had, and that saves some face.
GRADE: C+
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
via Tony Dejak / AP Photo
Round 1: Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
Round 2: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Round 3: Robert Hainsey, OG, Notre Dame
Round 4: Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas
Round 5: K.J. Britt, LB, Auburn
Round 7: Chris Wilcox, CB, BYU
Round 7: Grant Stuard, LB, Houston
Tampa Bay's draft does not necessarily scare anyone. At least not nearly as much as the franchise bringing back their entire roster and coaching staff from the previous year, in addition to some bigger named free agent depth signings. That being said, Joe Tryon is the versatile EDGE rusher that seems to fit in perfectly with this defensive front. You have to respect the Bucs for trying to address the post-Brady quarterback void that will come some day, or maybe not as it seems Brady will never retire. Kyle Trask needs some work, but it's better than ignoring the future at all, and when you're the reigning champs you get to utilize your second round pick for risky moves. Not sure how soon or how much action the linebackers and the receiver taken by the Bucs will see during their rookie deals given the elite-level talent the Bucs already have at those positions.
GRADE: B-
TENNESSEE TITANS
via Tony Dejak / AP Photo
Round 1: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Round 2: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
Round 2: Monty Rice, LB, Georgia
Round 3: Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
Round 4: Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, Louisville
Round 4: Rashad Weaver, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Round 6: Racey McMath, WR, LSU
Round 6: Brady Breeze, S, Oregon
The Titans addressed positions of need, and may have benefitted from the uncertainty surrounding Caleb Farley's back procedure, causing his stock to take a slight hit. Dillon Radunz was viewed by some as a player who would sneak into the first round, with his only concern being level of talent of the competition he regularly faced. Either way, he is worth a second round pick. The Titans then went and added additional defensive depth, and added two wide receivers, one of which they will hope to take some of the attention off of A.J. Brown following the departure of Corey Davis.
GRADE: A-
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
via Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Round 1: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Round 2: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Round 3: Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota
Round 3: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
Round 4: John Bates, TE, Boise State
Round 4: Darrick Forrest, S, Cincinnati
Round 6: Camaron Cheeseman, LS, Michigan
Round 7: William Bradley-King, EDGE, Baylor
Round 7: Shaka Toney, EDGE, Penn State
Round 7: Dax Milne, WR, BYU
The Washington Football Team's draft seems like a slam dunk. If anyone knows linebackers its Ron Rivera. Jamin Davis has routinely been afforded the comparison of Darius Leonard, which is an extremely good sign. Washington was able to steal Samuel Cosmi in the second round, a versatile and athletic tackle, capable of playing either left or right. They utilized their double third and fourth round picks to add depth to the receiving corp, by selecting playmaking receiver, Dyami Brown, and they improved their already stout secondary.
GRADE: A
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