1. CARDINALS - Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma - A
Murray is a polarizing QB prospect, mainly if not exclusively due to his size. It's a valid concern, that's why I can't give this pick an A+, but I look at Murray and I see a faster, more elusive, and yes, better passer than Russell Wilson too. Kingsbury has coveted this kid since he went 43-0 in H.S. Tried to recruit him to Texas Tech to no avail, later told the whole world he would take Murray with the #1 Pick in the NFL draft if he had a chance, never dreaming he would be in that position, and finally landed the kid he's been chasing for years. Murray is undersized, obviously, but an elite talent tailor-made to run Kingsbury air-raid offense. His speed and ability to run are exceeded only by his ability to beat you with his arm.
2. 49ERS - Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State - B+
Most draftniks would give this pick an A or A+ strictly based on talent and so would I, but there are other factors to consider. For one thing, I've been saying for months that Quinnen Williams was the best player in the draft on my board, an absolute monster who reminds me of Jerome Brown, the one player in this draft I would pick to become a Hall of Famer if my life depended on it, so while I believe Bosa will be a perennial Pro Bowler for the 49ers if he can stay healthy (more on that in a second), I would have taken Q with this pick. That aside, if there was any doubt the clincher for me would be their injury histories. Q has none. Bosa has had two recent surgeries due to season-ending injuries, first as a senior in H.S. when he tore his ACL and second in 2018 when a groin/abdominal injury required surgery as well. That said, if Bosa stays healthy the skies the limit, but that's a concern for me. To be perfectly honest, and I posted this in another thread, I breathed a sigh of relief when the 49ers took Bosa over Q with the #2 Pick.
3. JETS - Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama - A
If the Jets played a base 4-3 like the 49ers, this would be an A+ and my only regret would be that I can't give it a higher grade, that's how good this kid is. Only because the Jets are vague about their schemes and seem to be leaning towards remaining in a base 3-4 restricts me from giving this pick an A+, but I have faith in Gregg Williams ability to put Quinnen Williams in a position to succeed if not outright maximize his skills, though I'm hoping for the latter, some kind of hybrid 4-3 or however GW can get creative. As for the player, based on talent alone he's one of the best college DT's I have ever seen. I watched every Alabama Game in 2018 and Quinnen Williams was Jerome Brown 2.0, that's the only other college DT who I watched regularly and thought this guy is going to kill someone in the NFL, most likely the other teams QB. Yes, I am old enough to have watched Jerome Brown at the University of Miami, when Miami was a powerhouse like Alabama is now, thus on TV on the east coast most Saturdays, and Q gave me Jerome Brown flashbacks every time I watched him play. For those who are too young to remember Jerome Brown, let me tell you how good he was in college. When Parcells caught wind that the Eagles were going to draft JB, he told Phil Simms; "Son, your life is about to change. OUR LIVES are about to change." Simms asked Parcells, is he really that good?, and Parcells responded, YES. Lastly, if the Jets switch to a 4-3 or some kind of hybrid scheme that allows Q to one-gap instead of two-gap, you can instantly change this grade to an A+ ... and Tom Brady's life is about to change. I know Jets fans had their heart set on an edge rusher, me too, but trust me, Jets just drafted someone who is going to remind him that he's 42, not 28.
4. RAIDERS - Clelin Ferrell, ER, Clemson - D
The draft is not only graded by who you pick, but also by where you picked him and who you passed on as well. That said, while I like Ferrell and he was consistently in my TOP 25 that I posted, he was never in my TOP 10 and there's no way in hell I would have taken him ahead of Josh Allen. I read somewhere that Allen had the same agent as Khalil Mack and that might have been a factor. Needless to say there are hard feelings between Allen's agent and Gruden. But business is business and football is football, and if that is the reason they passed on Allen for Ferrell, or if it was just plain ignorance, I would be furious with this pick (Ferrell over Allen) if I was a Raiders fan. I won't give it an F because I do like Ferrell and recognize his upside, but there's no way in hell he should have entered this draft with a higher grade than Allen on anyones board.
5. BUCS - Devin White, ILB, LSU - A
I love the player, reminds me of Patrick Willis and he does fill a big need for the Bucs as well, but with Tampa switching to a base 3-4 I would have taken the impact edge rusher, Josh Allen, over the dominant ILB. That's my only complaint and its not with the player, so I give this pick an A, but I can't give it an A+ even though I'm tempted.
6. GIANTS - Daniel Jones, QB, Duke - F
You gotta be kidding me? QB or no QB, and I know their QB situation is dire, there's no way in hell I'm taking Dave Brown, uh, excuse me, I mean Daniel Jones from Duke at #6, with Ed Oliver and Josh Allen still on the board. Incidentally the Giants play a base 3-4 too, but unlike the Bucs they don't have anyone who even resembles an edge rusher on their roster. When they went on the clock I would have bet my life they they were going to run that card to the podium with Josh Allen's name on it, and then, if Daniel Jones didn't slide to them at #17, and IMO he would have because if Miami passed on Haskins, it's doubtful they take Jones at #13 instead, but even if he didn't, and there was no other QB's you liked after Murray and Haskins, or no QB's you liked in RD 2, like perhaps Drew Lock, then you trade your second round pick to the Cardinals for Rosen. Gettleman did the impossible with this pick, he made Mike MacCagnan look like a genius by comparison. If Gettleman was the Jets GM, Jets fans would be committing suicide.
7. JAGUARS - Josh Allen, ER, Kentucky - A+
The Raiders, Bucs and Giants, especially the Raiders and Giants, whiffed on Allen and gift-wrapped the consensus best edge rusher in the draft for the Jaguars, but unlike those clowns the Jaguars GM pounced as if Adriana Lima invited him to spend an all expenses paid weekend in the Bahama's with her. At this point Allen may not have been the best player in the TOP 6, he wasn't, but he was the biggest steal in the TOP 6 ... courtesy of Mayock/Gruden and Gettleman.
8. LIONS - TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa - B
Hey look, I'm a fan of the player, he was consistently in my TOP 10 or close to it, but I never would have passed on Ed Oliver. Hock is a terrific blocker and a bull in a china closet as a receiver, but if Matt Patricia thinks they can re-create Gronk with this pick, it's highly unlikely. There's only one idiot savant who comes along in a decade who couldn't spell CAT if you spotted him the C and the A, but plays football like he's inhuman. I do think Hock has a high ceiling, maybe Mark Bavaro if everything breaks right, but his floor could be Kyle Brady, another guy who looked like a beast in college and stunk in the pros. I just think Oliver has as high of an upside as Hockenson and is far more likely to meet expectations.
9. BILLS - Ed Oliver, DT, Houston - A+
I have to be honest, this pick made me want to punch Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn in the face. I thought Hockenson was a TOP 10 talent, but more towards the bottom or just outside the TOP 10, but I feel like the Bills stole a TOP 5 talent at #9 overall. That said, I suspect the Bills would have taken Hockenson had the Lions taken Oliver, because they have nothing at TE for their young QB to throw too, so I'll be hoping Hockenson does turn into Gronk or Bavaro, then this won't bother me as much as it does now.
10. STEELERS - Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan - B
For a swap of 1's, 20 to 10, it cost Pittsburgh their 2nd RD Pick in this draft (#52) and their 3rd RD Pick in 2020. IMO that's not too high a price if they love the player, and they obviously do. Actually it seems like a cost efficient trade for the Steelers. So there are no complaints about the price and Bush is a terrific player, but I would have stayed at 20, kept my picks, and trusted that someone of real value would slide to us at 20, like Andre Dillard. That said, they filled a need with a terrific player, even if he's not Devin White, and it didn't cost them very much to get their man. I like the player and the trade, but I don't love it.
11. BENGALS - Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama - B
There really was no consensus #1 O-lineman in this draft. In the beginning there was and it was Jonah Williams, so at least there was a time when he topped most O-line positional rankings. No other OL can make that claim so in the end we were simply right back where we started, with Jonah Williams being the first O-lineman off the board in a deep but not great O-line class. To be fair to the Bengals, I loved Dillard but he slid to 22, so perhaps I overrated him, but there were no egregious misses with this pick and Jonah is a safe pick. At best you have a quality OT, in the middle you have a Pro Bowl OG, and at worse you have a quality starter at OG. High ceiling without a low floor.
12. PACKERS - Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan - D
I can't give this grade an F because I know Gary has all of the tools and physical traits to be an impact player, but there's an old saying in the draftnik community; "If they don't produce on Saturdays, it's doubtful they will produce on Sundays." Clearly this player underachieved at Michigan, and it's not just the sack totals, go on any Michigan Wolverines message board (and I have while studying for the draft) and mostly their reaction to Gary declaring for the draft was goodbye and good riddance. He was one of the most highly recruited H.S. players in the nation, Wolverine fans were psyched when they landed him, but most believe he failed to deliver on the expectations. Oh, he has a bum shoulder too.
13. DOLPHINS - Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson - A
This is the player the Packers should have taken at 12, would have been a much better and safer choice to play 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. Man I hate it when division rivals draft players that scare me, and yes, this makes me want to punch the Packers GM in the face too. I would have been LMAO if Miami had taken Gary after the Packers took Wilkins.
14. FALCONS - Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College - F
One of the biggest reaches on day one. Chris Lindstrom at #14 overall, really? Was the Falcons GM drunk?
15. REDSKINS - Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State - B+
I don't love Haskins and IMO outside of Murray this was a poor QB class, not even close to last years class. Heck, last year Murray, as much as I like him, probably would have been the forth QB off the board in my view, behind Mayfield, Darnold and Allen despite his accuracy issues because he's big, strong, can run and has a cannon for an arm. Yes he's more of a project than Murray, not nearly as accurate a passer, but I could see GM's falling in-love with his measurable's and upside. Anyway, at best Murray would have been the third QB taken last year, and IMO he was the slam-dunk #1 QB in this draft. That said, the Skins needed a QB like a dehydrated man needs water and they were rumored to be in trade discussions to possibly go up and get him. So you also have to give them credit for not panicking and trading up for Haskins, but staying put at 15 and watching him fall to 15.
16. PANTHERS - Brian Burns, ER, Florida State - A+
If we look back on this draft two or three years from now and it turns out that Brian Burns was the best edge rusher in this class, it would not surprise me in the least. This kid is a blur off the edge and he alleviated all concerns about his size when he showed up the the combine at 6' 5"/250 and ran a 4.53 regardless. IMO this was one of the biggest steals of the draft at 16, right there with Josh Allen at 7 and Ed Oliver at 9, and maybe an even bigger steal than both of them. Incidentally the Panthers are switching to a base 3-4, so Burns was a Godsend for the Panthers to ease that transition.
17. GIANTS - Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson - C+
I like the player, but I view him more as a two down run stuffer than a three/four down player who can rush the passer equally as well. Don't get me wrong, he does have some pass rushing skills as a bull rusher verses weaker O-linemen, but his real value is as a run-stuffer. I would have given this pick a B if they hadn't passed on Andre Dillard who went a few picks later. Nate Solder was a disappointment at LT last year and they have a UDFA scrub starting at RT. I would have drafted Dillard here, stuck him at LT and moved Solder to RT, strengthening two important positions with one pick, but that would require a little thinking outside the box and Gettleman might be the dumbest GM in the league.
18. VIKINGS - Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State - A
If the Jets had traded down my top three targets would have been Burns, Dillard and Bradbury, and I posted that in this forum prior to the draft. Needless to say I am high on this player, IMO he has All-Pro potential, and at 18 he was good value. This was right about where I had him projected. Now they can move Elflein to OG.
19. TITANS - Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State - B+
Simmons will not pay immediate dividends as he recovers from a torn ACL while preparing for the draft, but they should get him back sometime in the second half of the season, maybe week ten or thereabouts. But this is a TOP 5 talent at #19 overall. At worse Simmons would have went somewhere in the TOP 10 if not for that injury, so when he gets healthy, and he will barring something unforeseen, this pick will look like a steal.
20. BRONCOS - Noah Fant, TE, Iowa - A
Not much of a blocker but is probably the best receiving TE in the draft, even better than Hockenson. For the Broncos to have traded down from 10 to 20, essentially passing on Devin Bush and settling for Noah Fant (who IMO carries a similar grade), and to add a 2 this year and a 3 next year as well, they are one of the big day one winners. I can't give them an A+ because Fant is a non-factor as a blocker, but they deserve a solid A.
21. PACKERS - Darnell Savage, S, Maryland - B
A lot of people are killing the Packers for their two first round picks, reaching for Savage and trading up when they probably could have had him at 30. IMO the criticism for Gary at #12 is deserved, but I'm not so sure about this one. Savage was a late riser with terrific workouts, which I'm sure led GM's and Scouts to go back and look at his tape again, and they saw a diamond in the rough that they underrated, so don't be so sure he would have been there at 30 and don't be surprised if he becomes one of the better Safeties in the league. I don't love trading up for this pick and he probably was a reach at 21, but this kid can ball and I'm not as surprised as some people that he went in the first round.
22. EAGLES - Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State - A+
LT Jason Peters is 37 years old, tore his ACL and MCL two years ago, and is a shell of his former self. Also they don't have Nick Foles around anymore to bail them out if Carson Wentz goes down again, so they better protect him like a Mama Bear protects her newborn Cubs. That said, Dillard was the consensus best pass-pro LT in the draft, even if his run blocking needs work, but if he keeps Wentz upright and healthy that's a HR, he can get stronger and work on his run blocking, the main this is protecting Carson's blindside. The Eagles had to trade up a few picks to leap the Texans who undoubtedly were chomping at the bit for Dillard to slide just one more pick. First, I'm shocked he slid this far to begin with, but it was a brilliant move to leap the Texans and snatch a player they (both) desperately needed.
23. TEXANS - Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State - F
The Texans were so stunned when the Eagles leaped them for Dillard that they took a small school stud OT most people had projected on day two. I'm sure the Eagles absolutely rattled them with that move, like a Mike Tyson overhand right ... BOOM!!! The worst part is, the Texans desperately needed an OT even more than the Eagles. When I study for my mock drafts I carefully look at each teams rosters and needs, and I was stunned when I saw what the Texans have (or don't have) at both of their Tackle positions, especially LT. To call OT a need for the Texans is the understatement of the year, that's why I'm not shocked that they reached for Howard, but it was a big reach courtesy of the Eagles.
24. RAIDERS - Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama - A
This pick is getting mostly bad reviews for three reasons. First because they don't believe you should ever draft a RB in the first round unless he's elite. Second because they look at Jacobs stats and see nothing about them that screams "ELITE", failing to consider Saban's 3 RB's rotation and put this in context, and third because he ran a disappointing 4.65 at the combine. All things considered a lot of people view this pick as a reach. I beg to differ. If you watched this kid as much as I did, it would have been impossible for you to walk away thinking he is not a feature back and a first round grade, with a real chance to be an elite feature back. This is my primary candidate to win AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. OBTW he's not just a beast of a runner, but also a terrific receiver out of the backfield with great hands.
25. RAVENS - Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma - B
I'm not crazy about small WR's, but speed kills and this kid can run like the wind. If you want a HR hitter, another Tyreek Hill (as a player, not as a person), a threat to score every time he touches the football and a deep threat who can blow by DB's like they are standing still, Hollywood Brown is your man. That said, I don't like that he's returning from lisfranc surgery. Sometimes foot injuries are chronic, you see that on occasion in basketball, it's literally ruined careers, so while it may turn out to be nothing, it concerns me. The other thing is, Lamar Jackson is a great runner, but not a very good passer. If he doesn't improve at the latter you'll never maximize Brown's talent.
26. REDSKINS - Montez Sweat, ER, Mississippi State - B+
This becomes an A+ if Sweat's heart condition turns out to have been overblown and no real concern, a misdiagnosis as is now being reported, and if Sweat stays put of trouble (he was arrested and suspended for OWI his Freshman season), but if the heart is fine and he stays out of trouble, this is not only an A+ but the steal of the draft at 26 in round one, topping all of the aforementioned steals.
27. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State - B
I thought Abram was the best Safety in the draft prior to last nice, apologies to Darnell Savage, but this is right about where I figured he would be drafted, a late 1. I don't think he's the next Mel Blount, but at 27 it's a solid pick and a position of need for the Raiders.
28. CHARGERS - Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame - C-
Tillery has talent but he also has character concerns and I'm surprised they didn't take Cody Ford instead, who filled their needs at RT or OG. Tillery filled a need at 3-4 DE too, but Rivers is not getting any younger or faster so his pass protection grows more urgent. Also, again, it's no secret that there are character concerns with Tillery. Not sure what they are referring too, but one scout said he gave him a 3rd RD Grade despite his 1st RD talent.
29. SEAHAWKS - LJ Collier, DE, TCU - B
I know Collier was a late riser and I like what little I've seen, so I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a really good player for the Seahawks, maybe better than good, but I didn't think Collier was going in the first round so I think it's a bit of a reach in this spot. But I'm giving this pick a B to be fair, because I know this kid was rising late.
30. GIANTS - Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia - C
I love the player so I hate giving this pick a C (and I even considered a D), but you cannot trade the #37 overall pick and your 4th and 5th RD Picks when the CB's are obviously sliding and there are so many good ones left on the board. Deandre Baker was still available, so was Greedy Williams, Byron Murphy, Rock YaSin, and more! Unless RD 2 starts with the biggest run on CB's the the history of the NFL Draft, you were guaranteed to get a good one at 37 without giving anything away, maybe even Baker. I said it before and I'll say it again, you think Mac is bad, if Gettleman was the Jets GM you would see Jets fans committing suicide. The only reason I'm giving this pick a C is because I do like Baker, just not enough to trade up for him when there are numerous CB's still on the board who carried borderline 1st RD Grades and I was sure to get one of them at 37, maybe Baker!
31. FALCONS - Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington - C
I know he was rising and I know he has some talent, but IMO he's more of a project than a plug-and-play OT in the NFL, and I don't believe in drafting players in RD 1 who are not ready to walk into the NFL and play unless it's a QB, that's what the later rounds are for. Maybe I'm being too harsh and this player is a lot better and a lot more NFL ready than I think he is, and if he is I apologize for underrating him, but I don't believe he's a day one starter, so I wouldn't make him a day one pick.
32. PATRIOTS - N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State - B
This is right about where I had Harry on my board, late one or early two. Great hands and he surprisingly ran a faster forty than people expected, but I'm not sure that speed translates to the football field. If it does, with Tom Brady throwing him the football this will look like a steal, and even if it doesn't, if he gets on the field for the Patriots with those terrific hands, you'll want to pick him up for your fantasy football teams. Belichick and Brady will make him a household name even if he's not a deep threat.
Murray is a polarizing QB prospect, mainly if not exclusively due to his size. It's a valid concern, that's why I can't give this pick an A+, but I look at Murray and I see a faster, more elusive, and yes, better passer than Russell Wilson too. Kingsbury has coveted this kid since he went 43-0 in H.S. Tried to recruit him to Texas Tech to no avail, later told the whole world he would take Murray with the #1 Pick in the NFL draft if he had a chance, never dreaming he would be in that position, and finally landed the kid he's been chasing for years. Murray is undersized, obviously, but an elite talent tailor-made to run Kingsbury air-raid offense. His speed and ability to run are exceeded only by his ability to beat you with his arm.
2. 49ERS - Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State - B+
Most draftniks would give this pick an A or A+ strictly based on talent and so would I, but there are other factors to consider. For one thing, I've been saying for months that Quinnen Williams was the best player in the draft on my board, an absolute monster who reminds me of Jerome Brown, the one player in this draft I would pick to become a Hall of Famer if my life depended on it, so while I believe Bosa will be a perennial Pro Bowler for the 49ers if he can stay healthy (more on that in a second), I would have taken Q with this pick. That aside, if there was any doubt the clincher for me would be their injury histories. Q has none. Bosa has had two recent surgeries due to season-ending injuries, first as a senior in H.S. when he tore his ACL and second in 2018 when a groin/abdominal injury required surgery as well. That said, if Bosa stays healthy the skies the limit, but that's a concern for me. To be perfectly honest, and I posted this in another thread, I breathed a sigh of relief when the 49ers took Bosa over Q with the #2 Pick.
3. JETS - Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama - A
If the Jets played a base 4-3 like the 49ers, this would be an A+ and my only regret would be that I can't give it a higher grade, that's how good this kid is. Only because the Jets are vague about their schemes and seem to be leaning towards remaining in a base 3-4 restricts me from giving this pick an A+, but I have faith in Gregg Williams ability to put Quinnen Williams in a position to succeed if not outright maximize his skills, though I'm hoping for the latter, some kind of hybrid 4-3 or however GW can get creative. As for the player, based on talent alone he's one of the best college DT's I have ever seen. I watched every Alabama Game in 2018 and Quinnen Williams was Jerome Brown 2.0, that's the only other college DT who I watched regularly and thought this guy is going to kill someone in the NFL, most likely the other teams QB. Yes, I am old enough to have watched Jerome Brown at the University of Miami, when Miami was a powerhouse like Alabama is now, thus on TV on the east coast most Saturdays, and Q gave me Jerome Brown flashbacks every time I watched him play. For those who are too young to remember Jerome Brown, let me tell you how good he was in college. When Parcells caught wind that the Eagles were going to draft JB, he told Phil Simms; "Son, your life is about to change. OUR LIVES are about to change." Simms asked Parcells, is he really that good?, and Parcells responded, YES. Lastly, if the Jets switch to a 4-3 or some kind of hybrid scheme that allows Q to one-gap instead of two-gap, you can instantly change this grade to an A+ ... and Tom Brady's life is about to change. I know Jets fans had their heart set on an edge rusher, me too, but trust me, Jets just drafted someone who is going to remind him that he's 42, not 28.
4. RAIDERS - Clelin Ferrell, ER, Clemson - D
The draft is not only graded by who you pick, but also by where you picked him and who you passed on as well. That said, while I like Ferrell and he was consistently in my TOP 25 that I posted, he was never in my TOP 10 and there's no way in hell I would have taken him ahead of Josh Allen. I read somewhere that Allen had the same agent as Khalil Mack and that might have been a factor. Needless to say there are hard feelings between Allen's agent and Gruden. But business is business and football is football, and if that is the reason they passed on Allen for Ferrell, or if it was just plain ignorance, I would be furious with this pick (Ferrell over Allen) if I was a Raiders fan. I won't give it an F because I do like Ferrell and recognize his upside, but there's no way in hell he should have entered this draft with a higher grade than Allen on anyones board.
5. BUCS - Devin White, ILB, LSU - A
I love the player, reminds me of Patrick Willis and he does fill a big need for the Bucs as well, but with Tampa switching to a base 3-4 I would have taken the impact edge rusher, Josh Allen, over the dominant ILB. That's my only complaint and its not with the player, so I give this pick an A, but I can't give it an A+ even though I'm tempted.
6. GIANTS - Daniel Jones, QB, Duke - F
You gotta be kidding me? QB or no QB, and I know their QB situation is dire, there's no way in hell I'm taking Dave Brown, uh, excuse me, I mean Daniel Jones from Duke at #6, with Ed Oliver and Josh Allen still on the board. Incidentally the Giants play a base 3-4 too, but unlike the Bucs they don't have anyone who even resembles an edge rusher on their roster. When they went on the clock I would have bet my life they they were going to run that card to the podium with Josh Allen's name on it, and then, if Daniel Jones didn't slide to them at #17, and IMO he would have because if Miami passed on Haskins, it's doubtful they take Jones at #13 instead, but even if he didn't, and there was no other QB's you liked after Murray and Haskins, or no QB's you liked in RD 2, like perhaps Drew Lock, then you trade your second round pick to the Cardinals for Rosen. Gettleman did the impossible with this pick, he made Mike MacCagnan look like a genius by comparison. If Gettleman was the Jets GM, Jets fans would be committing suicide.
7. JAGUARS - Josh Allen, ER, Kentucky - A+
The Raiders, Bucs and Giants, especially the Raiders and Giants, whiffed on Allen and gift-wrapped the consensus best edge rusher in the draft for the Jaguars, but unlike those clowns the Jaguars GM pounced as if Adriana Lima invited him to spend an all expenses paid weekend in the Bahama's with her. At this point Allen may not have been the best player in the TOP 6, he wasn't, but he was the biggest steal in the TOP 6 ... courtesy of Mayock/Gruden and Gettleman.
8. LIONS - TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa - B
Hey look, I'm a fan of the player, he was consistently in my TOP 10 or close to it, but I never would have passed on Ed Oliver. Hock is a terrific blocker and a bull in a china closet as a receiver, but if Matt Patricia thinks they can re-create Gronk with this pick, it's highly unlikely. There's only one idiot savant who comes along in a decade who couldn't spell CAT if you spotted him the C and the A, but plays football like he's inhuman. I do think Hock has a high ceiling, maybe Mark Bavaro if everything breaks right, but his floor could be Kyle Brady, another guy who looked like a beast in college and stunk in the pros. I just think Oliver has as high of an upside as Hockenson and is far more likely to meet expectations.
9. BILLS - Ed Oliver, DT, Houston - A+
I have to be honest, this pick made me want to punch Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn in the face. I thought Hockenson was a TOP 10 talent, but more towards the bottom or just outside the TOP 10, but I feel like the Bills stole a TOP 5 talent at #9 overall. That said, I suspect the Bills would have taken Hockenson had the Lions taken Oliver, because they have nothing at TE for their young QB to throw too, so I'll be hoping Hockenson does turn into Gronk or Bavaro, then this won't bother me as much as it does now.
10. STEELERS - Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan - B
For a swap of 1's, 20 to 10, it cost Pittsburgh their 2nd RD Pick in this draft (#52) and their 3rd RD Pick in 2020. IMO that's not too high a price if they love the player, and they obviously do. Actually it seems like a cost efficient trade for the Steelers. So there are no complaints about the price and Bush is a terrific player, but I would have stayed at 20, kept my picks, and trusted that someone of real value would slide to us at 20, like Andre Dillard. That said, they filled a need with a terrific player, even if he's not Devin White, and it didn't cost them very much to get their man. I like the player and the trade, but I don't love it.
11. BENGALS - Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama - B
There really was no consensus #1 O-lineman in this draft. In the beginning there was and it was Jonah Williams, so at least there was a time when he topped most O-line positional rankings. No other OL can make that claim so in the end we were simply right back where we started, with Jonah Williams being the first O-lineman off the board in a deep but not great O-line class. To be fair to the Bengals, I loved Dillard but he slid to 22, so perhaps I overrated him, but there were no egregious misses with this pick and Jonah is a safe pick. At best you have a quality OT, in the middle you have a Pro Bowl OG, and at worse you have a quality starter at OG. High ceiling without a low floor.
12. PACKERS - Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan - D
I can't give this grade an F because I know Gary has all of the tools and physical traits to be an impact player, but there's an old saying in the draftnik community; "If they don't produce on Saturdays, it's doubtful they will produce on Sundays." Clearly this player underachieved at Michigan, and it's not just the sack totals, go on any Michigan Wolverines message board (and I have while studying for the draft) and mostly their reaction to Gary declaring for the draft was goodbye and good riddance. He was one of the most highly recruited H.S. players in the nation, Wolverine fans were psyched when they landed him, but most believe he failed to deliver on the expectations. Oh, he has a bum shoulder too.
13. DOLPHINS - Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson - A
This is the player the Packers should have taken at 12, would have been a much better and safer choice to play 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. Man I hate it when division rivals draft players that scare me, and yes, this makes me want to punch the Packers GM in the face too. I would have been LMAO if Miami had taken Gary after the Packers took Wilkins.
14. FALCONS - Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College - F
One of the biggest reaches on day one. Chris Lindstrom at #14 overall, really? Was the Falcons GM drunk?
15. REDSKINS - Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State - B+
I don't love Haskins and IMO outside of Murray this was a poor QB class, not even close to last years class. Heck, last year Murray, as much as I like him, probably would have been the forth QB off the board in my view, behind Mayfield, Darnold and Allen despite his accuracy issues because he's big, strong, can run and has a cannon for an arm. Yes he's more of a project than Murray, not nearly as accurate a passer, but I could see GM's falling in-love with his measurable's and upside. Anyway, at best Murray would have been the third QB taken last year, and IMO he was the slam-dunk #1 QB in this draft. That said, the Skins needed a QB like a dehydrated man needs water and they were rumored to be in trade discussions to possibly go up and get him. So you also have to give them credit for not panicking and trading up for Haskins, but staying put at 15 and watching him fall to 15.
16. PANTHERS - Brian Burns, ER, Florida State - A+
If we look back on this draft two or three years from now and it turns out that Brian Burns was the best edge rusher in this class, it would not surprise me in the least. This kid is a blur off the edge and he alleviated all concerns about his size when he showed up the the combine at 6' 5"/250 and ran a 4.53 regardless. IMO this was one of the biggest steals of the draft at 16, right there with Josh Allen at 7 and Ed Oliver at 9, and maybe an even bigger steal than both of them. Incidentally the Panthers are switching to a base 3-4, so Burns was a Godsend for the Panthers to ease that transition.
17. GIANTS - Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson - C+
I like the player, but I view him more as a two down run stuffer than a three/four down player who can rush the passer equally as well. Don't get me wrong, he does have some pass rushing skills as a bull rusher verses weaker O-linemen, but his real value is as a run-stuffer. I would have given this pick a B if they hadn't passed on Andre Dillard who went a few picks later. Nate Solder was a disappointment at LT last year and they have a UDFA scrub starting at RT. I would have drafted Dillard here, stuck him at LT and moved Solder to RT, strengthening two important positions with one pick, but that would require a little thinking outside the box and Gettleman might be the dumbest GM in the league.
18. VIKINGS - Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State - A
If the Jets had traded down my top three targets would have been Burns, Dillard and Bradbury, and I posted that in this forum prior to the draft. Needless to say I am high on this player, IMO he has All-Pro potential, and at 18 he was good value. This was right about where I had him projected. Now they can move Elflein to OG.
19. TITANS - Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State - B+
Simmons will not pay immediate dividends as he recovers from a torn ACL while preparing for the draft, but they should get him back sometime in the second half of the season, maybe week ten or thereabouts. But this is a TOP 5 talent at #19 overall. At worse Simmons would have went somewhere in the TOP 10 if not for that injury, so when he gets healthy, and he will barring something unforeseen, this pick will look like a steal.
20. BRONCOS - Noah Fant, TE, Iowa - A
Not much of a blocker but is probably the best receiving TE in the draft, even better than Hockenson. For the Broncos to have traded down from 10 to 20, essentially passing on Devin Bush and settling for Noah Fant (who IMO carries a similar grade), and to add a 2 this year and a 3 next year as well, they are one of the big day one winners. I can't give them an A+ because Fant is a non-factor as a blocker, but they deserve a solid A.
21. PACKERS - Darnell Savage, S, Maryland - B
A lot of people are killing the Packers for their two first round picks, reaching for Savage and trading up when they probably could have had him at 30. IMO the criticism for Gary at #12 is deserved, but I'm not so sure about this one. Savage was a late riser with terrific workouts, which I'm sure led GM's and Scouts to go back and look at his tape again, and they saw a diamond in the rough that they underrated, so don't be so sure he would have been there at 30 and don't be surprised if he becomes one of the better Safeties in the league. I don't love trading up for this pick and he probably was a reach at 21, but this kid can ball and I'm not as surprised as some people that he went in the first round.
22. EAGLES - Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State - A+
LT Jason Peters is 37 years old, tore his ACL and MCL two years ago, and is a shell of his former self. Also they don't have Nick Foles around anymore to bail them out if Carson Wentz goes down again, so they better protect him like a Mama Bear protects her newborn Cubs. That said, Dillard was the consensus best pass-pro LT in the draft, even if his run blocking needs work, but if he keeps Wentz upright and healthy that's a HR, he can get stronger and work on his run blocking, the main this is protecting Carson's blindside. The Eagles had to trade up a few picks to leap the Texans who undoubtedly were chomping at the bit for Dillard to slide just one more pick. First, I'm shocked he slid this far to begin with, but it was a brilliant move to leap the Texans and snatch a player they (both) desperately needed.
23. TEXANS - Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State - F
The Texans were so stunned when the Eagles leaped them for Dillard that they took a small school stud OT most people had projected on day two. I'm sure the Eagles absolutely rattled them with that move, like a Mike Tyson overhand right ... BOOM!!! The worst part is, the Texans desperately needed an OT even more than the Eagles. When I study for my mock drafts I carefully look at each teams rosters and needs, and I was stunned when I saw what the Texans have (or don't have) at both of their Tackle positions, especially LT. To call OT a need for the Texans is the understatement of the year, that's why I'm not shocked that they reached for Howard, but it was a big reach courtesy of the Eagles.
24. RAIDERS - Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama - A
This pick is getting mostly bad reviews for three reasons. First because they don't believe you should ever draft a RB in the first round unless he's elite. Second because they look at Jacobs stats and see nothing about them that screams "ELITE", failing to consider Saban's 3 RB's rotation and put this in context, and third because he ran a disappointing 4.65 at the combine. All things considered a lot of people view this pick as a reach. I beg to differ. If you watched this kid as much as I did, it would have been impossible for you to walk away thinking he is not a feature back and a first round grade, with a real chance to be an elite feature back. This is my primary candidate to win AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. OBTW he's not just a beast of a runner, but also a terrific receiver out of the backfield with great hands.
25. RAVENS - Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma - B
I'm not crazy about small WR's, but speed kills and this kid can run like the wind. If you want a HR hitter, another Tyreek Hill (as a player, not as a person), a threat to score every time he touches the football and a deep threat who can blow by DB's like they are standing still, Hollywood Brown is your man. That said, I don't like that he's returning from lisfranc surgery. Sometimes foot injuries are chronic, you see that on occasion in basketball, it's literally ruined careers, so while it may turn out to be nothing, it concerns me. The other thing is, Lamar Jackson is a great runner, but not a very good passer. If he doesn't improve at the latter you'll never maximize Brown's talent.
26. REDSKINS - Montez Sweat, ER, Mississippi State - B+
This becomes an A+ if Sweat's heart condition turns out to have been overblown and no real concern, a misdiagnosis as is now being reported, and if Sweat stays put of trouble (he was arrested and suspended for OWI his Freshman season), but if the heart is fine and he stays out of trouble, this is not only an A+ but the steal of the draft at 26 in round one, topping all of the aforementioned steals.
27. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State - B
I thought Abram was the best Safety in the draft prior to last nice, apologies to Darnell Savage, but this is right about where I figured he would be drafted, a late 1. I don't think he's the next Mel Blount, but at 27 it's a solid pick and a position of need for the Raiders.
28. CHARGERS - Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame - C-
Tillery has talent but he also has character concerns and I'm surprised they didn't take Cody Ford instead, who filled their needs at RT or OG. Tillery filled a need at 3-4 DE too, but Rivers is not getting any younger or faster so his pass protection grows more urgent. Also, again, it's no secret that there are character concerns with Tillery. Not sure what they are referring too, but one scout said he gave him a 3rd RD Grade despite his 1st RD talent.
29. SEAHAWKS - LJ Collier, DE, TCU - B
I know Collier was a late riser and I like what little I've seen, so I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a really good player for the Seahawks, maybe better than good, but I didn't think Collier was going in the first round so I think it's a bit of a reach in this spot. But I'm giving this pick a B to be fair, because I know this kid was rising late.
30. GIANTS - Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia - C
I love the player so I hate giving this pick a C (and I even considered a D), but you cannot trade the #37 overall pick and your 4th and 5th RD Picks when the CB's are obviously sliding and there are so many good ones left on the board. Deandre Baker was still available, so was Greedy Williams, Byron Murphy, Rock YaSin, and more! Unless RD 2 starts with the biggest run on CB's the the history of the NFL Draft, you were guaranteed to get a good one at 37 without giving anything away, maybe even Baker. I said it before and I'll say it again, you think Mac is bad, if Gettleman was the Jets GM you would see Jets fans committing suicide. The only reason I'm giving this pick a C is because I do like Baker, just not enough to trade up for him when there are numerous CB's still on the board who carried borderline 1st RD Grades and I was sure to get one of them at 37, maybe Baker!
31. FALCONS - Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington - C
I know he was rising and I know he has some talent, but IMO he's more of a project than a plug-and-play OT in the NFL, and I don't believe in drafting players in RD 1 who are not ready to walk into the NFL and play unless it's a QB, that's what the later rounds are for. Maybe I'm being too harsh and this player is a lot better and a lot more NFL ready than I think he is, and if he is I apologize for underrating him, but I don't believe he's a day one starter, so I wouldn't make him a day one pick.
32. PATRIOTS - N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State - B
This is right about where I had Harry on my board, late one or early two. Great hands and he surprisingly ran a faster forty than people expected, but I'm not sure that speed translates to the football field. If it does, with Tom Brady throwing him the football this will look like a steal, and even if it doesn't, if he gets on the field for the Patriots with those terrific hands, you'll want to pick him up for your fantasy football teams. Belichick and Brady will make him a household name even if he's not a deep threat.
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