In three years, we will be looking back at this draft wondering how one team was able to add both the best cornerback and offensive linemen in the draft class along with three other potential starters. On the flip side, we will be scratching our heads about a few of these teams trading up to grab a mediocre quarterback. Let’s take a look at which teams had a great draft weekend, then a few who had quite the opposite.

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Draft Masterpieces

Miami Dolphins (A+)
They may not have had one incredible value pick, but each of their seven selections were among the best values in their round and filled a need for Miami. This draft couldn’t have possibly gone better. Charles Harris is one of the top pass-rushers in the draft while Cordrea Tankersley (CB) and Raekwon McMillan (ILB) could also make significant impacts toward improving the defense from day one.  

Cleveland Browns (A+)
Myles Garrett was the obvious first overall pick and they stole perhaps the best tight end in the draft, David Njoku, at pick 29, but what they did regarding the quarterback position was superb. While some teams were spending a high-first, two thirds and a fourth on a quarterback with major question marks, the Browns were patient and managed to add a similar, albeit more raw talent in DeShone Kizer with the 52nd pick. Securing Roderick Johnson in the 5th was pure thievery too.

New Orleans Saints (A)
Some thought Marshon Lattimore might go as high as the second overall pick, so grabbing him with the 11th was a steal. What’s more is that Ryan Ramczyk may just be the best offensive lineman in the draft and they nabbed him at the close of the first round. If that wasn’t enough, their 42nd, 67th and 76th picks were all impressive pickups as they added two potential rookie starters on defense and an explosive pass-catching back.

Cincinnati Bengals (A)
Drafting wide receiver, John Ross, with the 9th pick was a reach, but what they did in rounds 2, 3 and 4 was remarkable. Joe Mixon just might end up as the top running back in the draft if he can stay out of trouble. Edge rusher, Jordan Willis, was expected to go in the first round, but somehow fell all the way to pick 73 in the 3rd. Then, they snagged another DE, Carl Lawson, in the 4th with first round ability.

Baltimore Ravens (A-)
Like the Dolphins, the Ravens didn’t have one pick that stole loads of value, but after securing Marlon Humphrey in the first, their next five picks were all excellent additions. Tyus Bowser surged up draft boards in the final weeks and could end up as one of the top edge rushers in the draft. Nearly everyone expected DT, Chris Wormley, and OLB, Tim Williams, to go in the second round, but both dropped to them in the 3rd round.

Los Angeles Chargers (A-)
One of the last things the Chargers needed was another receiver, but they drafted Mike Williams 7th overall anyways. Had it not been for that pick, they may have earned the top draft grade of any NFL team. Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney were two of the top offensive linemen in the draft, yet the Chargers were able to snatch them up in the second and third rounds. Likewise, Desmond King could perform like a first round safety but lasted until the 5th. Issac Rochell was their 7th rounder and he has both a great athletic profile and high character. That combination could lead to a super-steal down the road.

Draft Disasters

Pittsburg Steelers (F)
There were many who liked the Steelers draft, as is common practice from year to year, but I’m not a fan. T.J. Watt was their first pick, who as you surely know, has plenty of hype because of who his brother is. More reasonably, he should have gone in the middle of the second round. They also reached on 3 of their next 4 picks including JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second who doesn’t appear to have any place on the depth chart. Drafting a long-snapper in the sixth was just icing on the cake.

Los Angeles Rams (F)
It’s bad enough that the Rams dealt their first round pick last year for a third-string quarterback who couldn’t beat out Case Keenum for a job. Then, when you see that they took Gerald Everett, the 6th best tight end on the board, in the early second round, it makes you think Jeff Fisher might be back making decisions. Also, just because Steve Smith may think Cooper Kupp is the best receiver in this draft class, that doesn’t mean he can be anything more than WR3. There were a handful of more talented wide receivers still available in the draft at that point with much more substantial upside.

Tennessee Titans (D-)
It is tough to have the 5th and 18th picks in the draft and manage a terrible grade, but the Titans did just that. Corey Davis may end up as a quality wide receiver, but most considered him a borderline top-20 talent in this draft. Likewise, Adoree’ Jackson is an electric kick returning talent, but his ability at cornerback does not warrant a first round pick, let alone 18th overall. Jayon Brown was a nice add in the 5th, but none of the other picks were enough help to make up for the first round mess.

Kansas City Chiefs (D-)
Usually, when a quarterback-needy team adds the quarterback with the highest ceiling in the draft, they don’t get a terrible grade, but this draft class is an exception to the rule. None of these quarterbacks are first round talents, yet the Chiefs sent multiple firsts to take a major chance on Patrick Mahomes. What’s more, is that their window to win is now so it doesn’t make sense to take a project in the first rather than adding an impact playmaker at a position of current needs. After the Mahomes pick, they did nothing worth any excitement with their remaining picks.

New York Giants (D)
Evan Engram may end up being a fine piece, but he is by no means a tight end, so they virtually drafted their 4th wide receiver with the 23rd overall pick despite major needs elsewhere. Dalvin Tomlinson in the 2nd is a fine pick and Davis Webb is an intriguing 3rd round QB, but nowhere near enough to make up for the Engram pick.

Atlanta Falcons (D)
They had one need: pass rusher, and they filled it with their first pick, but that doesn’t mean their draft should have ended at that point. Of their final five picks, only Damontae Kazee wasn’t a major reach. Plus, that pass rusher that they drafted in the first has some character concerns and almost certainly would have still been there 5 picks later if they hadn’t traded up to get him.

All Grades

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