It's finally here. The draft was as wild as it always was and every mock draft was as useful as flat soda after the first pick. It's all part of the fun though, much like how draft grades are part of the fun. Let's look at every pick made on Thursday night.
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, EDGE, Texas A&M
If Cleveland had picked anybody else, Cleveland would have resembled Metropolis after Man of Steel. They got a generational talent at one of the premier positions in the NFL. What more could you want? (Ok maybe a franchise quarterback but hey Sam Darnold right?)
Grade: A+
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| Mitchell Trubisky |
2. Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The Bears gave up a lot to move up one spot (two 3rd round picks and a 4th) and take Mitch Trubisky. If Trubisky becomes a good quarterback, then this trade becomes irrelevant. For now the, it is safe to say the Bears got the short end of the stick.
Grade: D+
3. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, EDGE, Stanford
John Lynch put on a draft clinic. He was basically given three extra picks to move back one spot and take the guy he wanted all along. A defensive line with Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, and Solomon Thomas has a great potential to be one of the league's best.
Grade: A
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
With the disappointments of TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory looming over Jacksonville, the Jaguars did the right thing and moved on from that unexciting duo. Fournette is a physical beast to can take over games for Jacksonville.
Grade: A-
5. Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
I know the Titans need a receiver, but Corey Davis going 5th overall seems like a reach. He doesn't have the upside of Mike Williams and comes with some injury baggage. I would have been happier with this pick if they made it at 18.
Grade: C+
6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Jets addressed their woeful secondary by getting one of the best safety prospects in years. Adams is a monster on the field and a leader in the locker room.
Grade: A
7. San Diego Chargers: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
This is a good pick in the sense that Mike Williams has All-Pro potential, but a bad move in the sense that there are still holes on defense and their offensive line couldn't rip a hole in a wet paper bag.
Grade: B-
8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
The Panthers needed help at wide receiver and running back, so getting a great athlete who excels in both roles was a win for the Panthers. Good luck stopping Cam Newton, Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Olsen, Christian McCaffrey, and Jonathan Stewart.
Grade: A
9. Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross, WR, Washington
The Bengals are much like the Chargers: they picked a very good player, but they had bigger holes at other positions. They need to address their defensive line and linebacking core in order for their grade to go up.
Grade: B-
10. Kansas City Chiefs: Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
The Chiefs are a team built to make a Superbowl run in the next few seasons. Can someone explain why trading up 17 spots to get a quarterback that needs to redshirt at least a season or two makes sense? This move befuddled me.
Grade: D+
11. New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
This pick, however, made perfect sense. The Saints were fortunate to have the best corner in the draft fall to them, and they didn't squander the opportunity. This is another building block for a young defense slowly turning it around.
Grade: A+
12. Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
This pick actually makes sense. The Texans have few holes and need somebody other than Tom Savage starting. They drafted a guy who can compete immediately and possibly fix the Texan's quarterback woes.
Grade: B
13. Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick, LB, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals needed to replace Kevin Minter, and Haason Reddick is a great choice. He brings versatility and toughness to the Cardinals. Reddick should make a nice duo with Deone Buchanon.
Grade: A-
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett, EDGE, Tennessee
The Eagles needed a consistent EDGE rusher across from Brandon Graham, and Derek Barnett is the solution. Barnett is young and coming off three consecutive seasons of domination against SEC opponents. He fits nicely in Jim Schwart's scheme and should be an immediate contributor come this fall.
Grade: A-
15. Indianapolis Colts: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The Colts under Chris Ballard have had a pleasant lack of foolishness with their decisions. Hopefully, the Ryan Grigson combo of overspending and reaching in the draft has been thrown out of the window. Drafting a top-10 talent with the 15th pick is a smart, savvy move.
Grade: A
16. Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Perhaps no corner in this draft has the upside of Marlon Humphrey. Not many corners also hail from a school notorious for not being able to produce good pro corners. Humphrey is a worthy project, but this was a reach.
Grade: C+
17. Washington Redskins: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Much like the Colts, the Redskins did a nice job of being patient and letting the draft come to them. They netted one of the five best football players in the draft and filled a dire need.
Grade: A
18. Tennessee Titans: Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
One reach wasn't enough for the Titans, who over drafted Adoree' Jackson. He is a phenomenal athlete, but he has had numerous weaknesses in coverage that must be addressed before he is worth this draft pick.
Grade: C-
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
The fact that OJ Howard fell all the way to pick 19 is a crime. He is the most complete tight end prospect since Vernon Davis. Credit the Bucs for getting the best tight end in the draft this late.
Grade: A+
20. Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles, OT, Denver Broncos
Bolles is definitely a risky prospect, but the Broncos are in such dire need of offensive line help that the risk is worth the potential to keep their quarterback's safe.
Grade: B
21. Detroit Lions: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
The Lions replaced DeAndre Levy with Jarrad Davis, an instinctive and athletic linebacker who plays with a high motor and passion. My only question is if he can stay healthy or not.
Grade: B+
22. Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris, EDGE, Missouri
The Dolphins are continuing to building across their front four with the pick of Charles Harris. Harris is an explosive yet unrefined player. Fortunately, the coaching staff and Cameron Wake should help smooth out the wrinkles in his game.
Grade: B+
23. New York Giants: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
The Giants needed a tight end, but I think they got the wrong one. Engram is more like a big receiver with some blocking ability than a tight end with great speed. This pick could go either way, it just depends on the relationship he makes with Eli Manning.
Grade: C+
24. Oakland Raiders: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Until I know he is innocent, Conley will be a reach. Grade: D
Jabrill Peppers is a very good athlete who needs to find a position in the NFL. If the Browns can harness his talent, they could have an All-Pro on their hands. Then again, asking the Browns to harness talent is a dangerous proposition,
Grade: C
26. Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley, EDGE, UCLA
The Falcons traded up to get Tak McKinely, which makes sense. He fits their mold of the defender: fast and mean. Plus, he fills the void across from Vic Beasley on the defensive line.
Grade: A-
27. Buffalo Bills: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Credit to the Bills for trading down and acquiring a nice haul of picks while still getting a day one starter. Tre White should replace Stephon Gillmore and help strengthen the Bill's defense.
Grade: A
28. Dallas Cowboys: Taco Charlton, EDGE, Michigan
The Cowboy's filled a need with an immediate starter, but Charlton is a more risky prospect than may seem due to his woeful combine and one-year wonder season. Rod Marinelli will have quite the challenge on his hands, but if anybody can get the most out of Charlton, it's him.
Grade: B+
29. Cleveland Browns: David Njoku, TE, Miami
The Browns decided to trade back into the first round when they realized that the tight end with the highest upside in the entire class was still available. This was a savvy move that should pay dividends once Njoku adjusts to the NFL.
Grade: A
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: TJ Watt, EDGE, Wisconsin
The Steelers filled the hole across from Bud Dupree with TJ Watt. Along with the bloodlines, Watt is a great athlete with active hands and a good burst. He could finally be the answer to the Steeler's pass rushing problems.
Grade: A
31. San Francisco 49ers: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
My goodness, John Lynch took everyone to school. He gave up a fourth round pick to move back into the first round and get one of the five best players in the draft. Solomon Thomas was a great pickup, but getting Thomas and Reuben Foster is ridiculous.
Grade: A+
32. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Much like pass rushers, a team can never have enough capable offensive lineman. The problem with this pick is that the Saints have capable offensive lineman and one pass rusher worth starting. Otherwise, Ramczyk is a good pick.
Grade: C+
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