Arizona Cardinals: B+
Draft Picks:
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, WR, Junior (No. 4 overall)
- Darius Robinson, Missouri, ED, Graduate (No. 27)
- Max Melton, Rutgers, CB, Senior (No. 43)
- Trey Benson, Florida State, RB, Senior (No. 66)
- Isaiah Adams, Illinois, G, Senior (No. 71)
- Tip Reiman, Illinois, TE, Senior (No. 82)
- Elijah Jones, Boston College, CB, Senior (No. 90)
- Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech, S, Senior (No. 104)
- Xavier Thomas, Clemson, ED, Senior (No. 138)
- Christian Jones, Texas, T, Senior (No. 162)
- Tejhaun Palmer, UAB, WR, Senior (No. 191)
- Jaden Davis, Miami, CB, Senior (No. 226)
Analysis: Solid draft by general manager Monti Ossenfort and crew. Getting a blue-chip talent like Harrison Jr. is always a great way to start a draft. Grabbing Melton with your 43rd pick and adding Trey Benson with your 66th pick to pair with running back James Conner were good day-two moves. Lastly, grabbing Taylor-Demerson earlier on day three and Jones from Texas added valuable pieces to the roster. While all good picks, some picks like Adams and Reiman from Illinois and Jones from Boston College feel like reaches to me.
Atlanta Falcons: D
Draft Picks:
- Michael Penix Jr., Washington, QB, Senior (No. 8 overall)
- Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson, DI, Senior (No. 35)
- Bralen Trice, Washington, ED, Senior (No. 74)
- Brandon Dorlus, Oregon, DI/ED, Senior (No. 109)
- JD Bertrand, Notre Dame, LB, Senior (No. 143)
- Jase McClellan, Alabama, RB, Senior (No. 186)
- Casey Washington, Illinois, WR, Senior (No. 187)
- Zion Logue, Georgia, DI, Senior (No. 197)
Analysis: Not a fan of this draft. The first two picks of this draft are what really sinks the whole draft for me. The biggest shocker of the weekend was the Falcons taking Penix Jr. with their eighth pick. As I mentioned in my night one draft grades, where I gave that selection an F, I can’t find a good reason for this pick. Penix Jr. is a great player, but the Falcons are in a position to make a playoff push, so using your highest pick on a 24-year-old quarterback who won’t play for two to four years instead of wide receiver Rome Odunze or any defensive player of your choosing is head-scratching. Heading into their first pick of day two, the Falcons didn’t improve much in the drafting department. If trading up to grab Orhorhoro when you could’ve gotten him if you stayed put wasn’t bad enough, trading up and not drafting Jer’Zhan Newton may be worse. Solid picks with Trice and Dorlus ensued afterward, but it couldn’t save this draft class from the top two picks.
Baltimore Ravens: A
Draft Picks:
- Nate Wiggins, Clemson, CB, Junior (No. 30 overall)
- Roger Rosengarten, Washington, T, Junior (RS) (No. 62)
- Adisa Isaac, Penn State, ED, Senior (No. 93)
- Devontez Walker, North Carolina, WR, Senior (No 113)
- T.J. Tampa, Iowa State, CB, Senior (No. 130)
- Rasheen Ali, Marshall, RB, Junior (RS) (No. 165)
- Devin Leary, Kentucky, QB, Senior (No. 218)
- Nick Samac, Michigan State, C, Senior (No. 228)
- Sanoussi Kane, Purdue, S, Senior (No. 250)
Analysis: Once again, the Ravens kill the draft. Wiggins, with his lockdown corner potential, was good value at pick 30. Rosengarten at 62 was solid, but the next three picks had huge value. Isaac, Walker, and Tampa were all picked one to three rounds after some expected them to be drafted. If there’s anyone in the league that finds value in these drafts, it’s the Ravens. Throw in picking Ali from Marshall and Spartan legend Samac, the Ravens had a great weekend.
Buffalo Bills: B
Draft Picks:
- Keon Coleman, Florida State, WR, Junior (No. 33 overall)
- Cole Bishop, Utah, S, Junior (No. 60)
- DeWayne Carter, Duke, DI, Senior (No. 95)
- Ray Davis, Kentucky, RB, Senior (No. 128)
- Sederick Van Pran-Granger, Georgia, C, Junior (RS) (No. 141)
- Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington, LB, Senior (No. 160)
- Javon Solomon, Troy, ED, Senior (No. 168)
- Tylan Grable, UCF, T, Senior (No. 204)
- Daequan Hardy, Penn State, CB, Senior (No. 219)
- Travis Clayton, England, G, 23 (No. 221)
Analysis: Not a bad weekend for the real New York team. Coleman with your first pick gives quarterback Josh Allen a real X receiver to add to his arsenal. It will be fun to see the crazy catches Coleman will have in his rookie year. Along with that, adding Bishop to improve your secondary, Carter to bolster your defensive line, Davis to the running back room, and Pran-Granger to be your new center were all great moves.
Carolina Panthers: C+
Draft Picks:
- Xavier Legette, South Carolina, WR, Senior (No. 32 overall)
- Jonathon Brooks, Texas, RB, Sophomore (RS) (No. 46)
- Trevin Wallace, Kentucky, LB, Junior (No. 72)
- Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas, TE, Junior (No. 101)
- Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State, CB, Senior (No. 157)
- Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State, DI, Senior (No. 200)
- Michael Barrett, Michigan, LB, Senior (No. 240)
Analysis: I’m torn on this Panthers draft. I like grabbing Legette for quarterback Bryce Young. He has true X-receiver potential, and Young desperately needs a receiver like that to continue his development. Also grabbing the Texas running and tight end in Jonathon Brooks and Ja’Tavion Sanders respectively to their offense were good choices. But, besides those moves, which aren’t home-run selections, nothing else here sticks out. Overall, solid draft.
Chicago Bears: A
Draft Picks:
- Caleb Williams, USC, QB, Junior (No. 1 overall)
- Rome Odunze, Washington, WR, Senior (No. 9)
- Kiran Amegadjie, Yale, T, Junior (No. 75)
- Tory Taylor, Iowa, P, Senior (No. 122)
- Austin Booker, Kansas, ED, Sophomore (RS) (No. 144)
Analysis: Even with only five picks, general manager Ryan Poles made his mark. Williams is a generation quarterback, so grabbing him with pick one was a no-brainer. Then, picking Odunze at nine is not only great value but doing everything you can to help Williams succeed. Their later-round draft picks were great as well. Amedadjie from Yale has a lot of potential and Booker from Kansas was a steal at pick 144. You know your draft is good when I’m not worried about taking a punter in the fourth round.
Cincinnati Bengals: B
Draft Picks:
- Amarius Mims, Georgia, T, Junior (No. 18 overall)
- Kris Jenkins, Michigan, DI, Junior (RS) (No. 49)
- Jermaine Burton, Alabama, WR, Senior (No. 80)
- McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M, DI, Senior (No. 97)
- Erick All, Iowa, TE, Senior (No. 115)
- Josh Newton, TCU, CB, Senior (No. 149)
- Tanner McLachlan, Arizona, TE, Senior (No. 194)
- Cedric Johnson, Mississippi, ED, Senior (No. 214)
- Daijahn Anthony, Mississippi, S, Senior (No. 224)
- Matt Lee, Miami, C, Senior (No. 237)
Analysis: Not too bad for Cincy. Mims in the first round is a strong pick. Out of all of the tackles in this draft with high ceilings, his ceiling might be the highest. Then going on to take both Jenkins and Burton on day two, both players who can contribute immediately, was a good way to keep the positive momentum going. Throw in All at pick 115 and Johnson at pick 214 (great value), and you have a solid draft.
Cleveland Browns: B-
Draft Picks:
- Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State, DI, Sophomore (RS) (No. 54 overall)
- Zak Zinter, Michigan, G, Senior (No. 85)
- Jamari Thrash, Louisville, WR, Senior (No. 156)
- Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State, LB, Senior (No. 206)
- Myles Harden, South Dakota, CB, Senior (No. 227)
- Jowon Briggs, Cincinnati, DI, Senior (No. 243)
Analysis: A small class from Cleveland, but good picks throughout. My least favorite pick for this group is its first pick. Hall Jr. is a good player with untapped potential, but pick 54 is too rich for me. They got back on track with their next two picks though. Zinter, if he didn’t break his leg against Ohio State, would’ve gone higher than pick 85, so that’s good value. Thrash at pick 156 is good value and gives quarterback Deshaun Watson a new, solid weapon. Also, Harden at pick 227 could be a sneaky great pick in the future if he stays around in the league for as long as I think he will.
Dallas Cowboys: B
Draft Picks:
- Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma, T, Junior (No. 29 overall)
- Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan, ED, Senior (No. 56)
- Cooper Beebe, Kansas State, G, Senior (No. 73)
- Marist Liufau, Notre Dame, LB, Senior (No. 87)
- Caelen Carson, Wake Forest, CB, Senior (No. 174)
- Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State, WR, Senior (No. 216)
- Nathan Thomas, Louisiana, T, Senior (No. 233)
- Justin Rogers, Auburn, DI, Senior (No. 244)
Analysis: Owner Jerry Jones did a good job this weekend. Guyton, another one of these high-ceiling tackles, gives Dallas a new option to replace the former Cowboy tackle Tyron Smith. All three of their day two picks, Kneeland, Beebe, and Luifau, were all some of the better picks of that day. Also, Carson at pick 174 is good value. Good stuff, America’s team.
Denver Broncos: B+
Draft Picks:
- Bo Nix, Oregon, QB, Senior (No. 12 overall)
- Jonah Elliss, Utah, ED, Junior (No. 76)
- Troy Franklin, Oregon, WR, Junior (No. 106)
- Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri, CB, Senior (No. 145)
- Audric Estimé, Notre Dame, RB, Junior (No. 147)
- Devaughn Vele, Utah, WR, Senior (No. 235)
- Nick Gargiulo, South Carolina, C, Senior (No. 256)
Analysis: This draft class got better as that weekend unfolded. Drafting Nix at pick 12 can be construed as a reach, but if the Broncos wanted one of the top quarterbacks of this draft, they needed to pounce while he was there. That pick is even better when they were able to draft his college receiver, Franklin, at good value at pick 102. Also, Elliss in the third round is sneaky great, Abrams-Draine has immediate starting potential, and Estimé brings a new dimension to their running attack. Good job head coach Sean Payton.
Detroit Lions: A
Draft Picks:
- Terrion Arnold, Alabama, CB, Sophomore (RS) (No. 24 overall)
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri, CB, Junior (No. 61)
- Giovanni Mani, British Columbia, T, Senior (No. 126)
- Sione Vaki, Utah, RB/S, Sophomore (No. 132)
- Mekhi Wingo, LSU, DI, Junior (No. 189)
- Christian Mahogany, Boston College, G, Senior (No. 210)
Analysis: The hometown Lions had one of the best drafts out of anyone in the NFL. You already know how I feel about taking two corners with your first two picks if you read my day two winners and losers. Identifying and strongly attacking your team’s biggest need is a good way to do business. The next two picks involved the Lions trading up both times. Mani is a massive human being with unique athleticism for that size and Vaki played both running back and safety in college, so it’ll be interesting to see what head coach Dan Campbell does with him. Lastly, the Lions absolutely stuck the landing with their last two picks. Wingo and Mahogany are both immense value picks that also fill needs for the team. The Lions couldn’t have done much better.
Green Bay Packers: B
Draft Picks:
- Jordan Morgan, Arizona, T/G , Senior (No. 25 overall)
- Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M, LB, Senior (No. 45)
- Javon Bullard, Georgia, S, Junior (No. 58)
- Marshawn Lloyd, USC, RB, Senior (No. 88)
- Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri, LB, Senior (No. 91)
- Evan Williams, Oregon, S, Senior (No. 111)
- Jacob Monk, Duke, C, Senior (No. 163)
- Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State, S, Senior (No. 169)
- Travis Glover, Georgia State, T, Senior (No. 202)
- Michael Pratt, Tulane, QB, Senior (No. 245)
- Kalen King, Penn State, CB, Junior (No. 255)
Analysis: Not too bad Green Bay, not too bad. Starting with selecting Morgan at pick 25 can be seen as a reach, but he is a first-round talent at a place of need, so I’m on board with it. Cooper is an athletic freak that I think comes in and immediately is the best linebacker on the roster and Bullard will pair well with the new offseason addition, safety Xavier McKinney. The Packers also ended their draft strong. Oladapo at pick 169 is good value, but picking Pratt and King at picks 245 and 255 respectively is even better value. A solid job, and take care of us next year at the 2025 NFL Draft, Green Bay.
Houston Texans: B-
Draft Picks:
- Kamari Lassiter, Georgia, CB, Junior (No. 42 overall)
- Blake Fisher, Notre Dame, T, Sophomore (RS) (No. 59)
- Calen Bullock, USC, S, Junior (No. 78)
- Cade Stover, Ohio State, TE, Senior (No. 123)
- Jamal Hill, Oregon, LB, Senior (No. 188)
- Jawhar Jordan, Louisville, RB, Senior (No. 205)
- Solomon Byrd, USC, ED, Senior (No. 238)
- Marcus Harris, Auburn, DI, Senior (No. 247)
- LaDarius Henderson, Michigan, T, Senior (No. 249)
Analysis: After an expectation-shattering season, the Texans follow it up with an alright draft. While all good picks and definitely no reaches, I don’t think many of these picks come with value. Their first three picks, Lassiter, Fisher, and Bullock, are all good picks and bring in players who can contribute immediately. But, besides that, every pick is okay. Stover could be fun reuniting with quarterback C.J. Stroud and Jordan could have an impact on Houston’s running game.
Indianapolis Colts: A-
Draft Picks:
- Laiatu Latu, UCLA, ED, Senior (No. 15 overall)
- Adonai Mitchell, Texas, WR, Junior (No. 52)
- Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh, T, Senior (No. 79)
- Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin, C, Senior (No. 117)
- Anthony Gould, Oregon State, WR, Senior (No. 142)
- Jaylon Carlies, Missouri, S, Senior (No. 151)
- Jaylin Simpson, Auburn, S, Senior (No. 164)
- Micah Abraham, Marshall, CB, Senior (No. 201)
- Jonah Laulu, Oklahoma, DI, Senior (No. 234)
Analysis: General manager Chris Ballard did a great job in this draft. After six quarterbacks went in the first 12 picks, it was apparent that the Colts would have the chance to draft any defensive player they wanted. With that opportunity, the Colts drafted the best pure pass-rusher in this draft in Latu. They then followed that great pickup with an even better one. To me, Mitchell is a top-20 player in this draft, so being able to get him at pick 52 is wicked value. A receiving core of Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Mitchell is fantastic. Following that, Goncalves was previously perceived as a round-two pick before his injury so that’s good value, Bortolini has the athletic ability to eventually become a starting center, and Laulu all the way down at pick 234 is a steal.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C-
Draft Picks:
- Brian Thomas Jr., LSU, WR, Junior (No. 23 overall)
- Maason Smith, LSU, DI, Sophomore (RS) (No. 48)
- Jarrian Jones, Florida State, CB, Senior (No. 96)
- Javon Foster, Missouri, T, Senior (No. 114)
- Jordan Jefferson, LSU, DI, Senior (No. 116)
- Deantre Prince, Mississippi, CB, Senior (No. 153)
- Keilan Robinson, Texas, RB, Senior (No. 167)
- Cam Little, Arkansas, K, Junior (No. 212)
- Myles Cole, Texas Tech, ED, Senior (No. 236)
Analysis: I’m not in love with this Jaguars draft. Grabbing Thomas Jr. in the first, at pick 23, gives quarterback Trevor Lawrence a new, speedy weapon so it’ll be fun to see those two link up next season. But after that, the draft sort of falls apart. Smith at 48 is a reach, but he does have the ceiling as a player where it can be a steal later down the line. Jones is a good slot cornerback so grabbing him at pick 96 is smart, but Jefferson at pick 116 is a big reach, bigger than the other LSU interior defensive lineman that they grabbed the day before.
Kansas City Chiefs: A
Draft Picks:
- Xavier Worthy, Texas, WR, Junior (No. 28 overall)
- Kingley Suamataia, BYU, T, Sophomore (RS) (No. 63)
- Jared Wiley, TCU, TE, Senior (No. 131)
- Jaden Hicks, Washington State, S, Sophomore (RS) (No. 133)
- Hunter Nourzad, Penn State, C, Senior (No. 159)
- Kamal Hadden, Tennessee, CB, Senior (No. 211)
- C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross, G, Senior (No. 248)
Analysis: The back-to-back Super Bowl champs are going all out to three-peat with this draft. Trading up for Worthy to take him can be seen as a reach for the other 31 teams, but pairing a receiver with 4.21 speed with a top-five all-time quarterback like Patrick Mahomes is utterly scary. Snagging Suamataia with pick 63 to develop him has the potential to be a steal, and the three picks of Hicks, Nourzad, and Hadden are all great value.