1st Round Grades

[Shanemansj13]

My 1st round GRADES (don't get mad at me, just my opinion)

1st pick - Cincinnati Bengals select Joe Burrow, QB, from LSU. A. He has a chance to be great.

2nd pick - Washington Redskins select Chase Young, EDGE, from Ohio State. A. WAS got the best player in the draft. Wouldn't say it is their main need but this is a generational type of player.

3rd pick - Detroit Lions select Jeff Okudah, CB from Ohio State. A-. CB is a need and they got the best one in this class and it isn't close imo.

4th pick - NY Giants select Andrew Thomas, OT, from Georgia. A. This was a need for the Giants and they got the best OT in this draft imo. There are guys that could have more upside but I think Thomas' floor is much higher.

5th pick - Miami Dolphins select Tua Tagovailoa, QB, from Alabama. B. QB was a desperate need. This is a pick that could be so bad or so good. A lot of upside but injury concerns and many other concerns. Still it was a pick they HAD to make.

6th pick - LA Chargers select Justin Herbert, QB, from Oregon. D. With Simmons on the board I thought that was the right pick. Herbert is a late 1st or 2nd round pick imo. This is a bust in the making but at 5 makes it even worse.

7th pick - Carolina Panthers select Derrick Brown, DT, from Auburn. B+. I think Kinlaw can be better but still a solid pick and fills a position of need.

8th pick - Arizona Cardinals select Isaiah Simmons, LB, from Clemson. B+. At 8 this is GREAT value and I know OT is deep in this draft but thought OT was more of a need. That being said I think Simmons can be a monster in the right system.

9th pick - Jacksonville Jaguars select C.J Henderson, CB, from Florida. A. This was a position of need and I love this pick. Henderson has a lot of upside.

10th pick - Cleveland Browns select Jedrick Wills, OT, from Alabama. A. Didn't think Wills would fall to 10 but I feel he was a top 2 OT and this was a huge need for the Browns. Day 1 starter with a lot of upside.

11th pick - NY Jets select Mekhi Becton, OT, from Louisville. B+. I am not a huge fan of Becton but at 11 I don't mind this. Protect Darnold and he does have high upside.

12th pick - Las Vegas Raiders select Henry Ruggs, WR, from Alabama. B-. This isn't about the player, this is about fit. I think Ruggs can be a beast but Carr is a checkdown machine and one of the worst at getting the ball down the field. I feel like Lamb was a better fit.

13th pick - Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade up one spot (San Francisco 49ers) and select Tristan Wirfs, OL, from Iowa. A. Position of need and they need to protect Brady. They lost Dotson and replaced him with a pure RT. Great fit here.

14th pick - San Francisco 49ers select Javon Kinlaw, DL, from South Carolina. A+. San Fran sticks to their guns. JimmyG isn't a guy that is going to light you up with his deep ball so they passed on WR. Instead they get a guy with high upside that is just another guy on the best DL in the NFL.

15th pick - Denver Broncos select Jerry Jeudy, WR, from Alabama. A. Lock has a big arm and Jeudy is a homerun threat and could be the best WR in the class, it wouldn't surprise me. He can play the slot with Sutton on the outside and Fant. Nice fit.

16th pick - Atlanta Falcons select A.J Terrell, CB, from Clemson. B-. Atlanta needed a CB but I feel this is a reach. I can see why they love Terrell but I feel there were other guys on the board.

17th pick - Dallas Cowboys select CeeDee Lamb, WR, from Oklahoma. B. Thought they needed a secondary/CB more. Great value pick but I feel like there is an odd man out now. Gallup, Cooper and Lamb are not really slot guys. Still like the value here though.

18th pick - Miami Dolphins select Austin Jackson, OL, from USC. B+. They need OL plain and simple and they got one. He does have good upside too.

19th pick - Las Vegas Raiders select Damon Arnette, OL, from Ohio State. F. I mean there is nothing to say. Arnette definitely improved from last year but he is still a 3rd-4th round pick. I mean what were they thinking.

20th pick - Jacksonville Jaguars select K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, from LSU. A-. This is a nice fit and Chaisson is a machine.

21st pick - Philadelphia Eagles select Jalen Reagor, WR, from TCU. B+. I think this is a good fit and they can replace Jeffrey. Thought Jefferson could have been a better pick but they needed a WR.

22nd pick - Minnesota Vikings select Justin Jefferson, WR, from LSU. A. Replace Diggs and Jefferson is a great slot guy. Love this pick.

23rd pick - Los Angeles Chargers (traded pick with Patriots) select Kenneth Murray, LB, from Oklahoma. A-. Murray is a beast and I think he is underrated and they got him at 23. Nice value, they did give up a 2nd and 3rd but they got their guy.

24th pick - New Orleans Saints select Cesar Ruiz, C, from Michigan. A-. They needed interior lineman and they got a nice one. Thought they might go Queen but still a nice pick.

25th pick - San Francisco 49ers (traded pick with Vikings) select Brandon Aiyuk, WR, from Arizona State. A. Another nice pick for the 49ers bc I feel like Aijuk is a better fit and is underrated. Underrated speed, good WR screen option. Nice pick.

26th pick - Packers select Jordan Love, QB, from Utah State. C+. I don't mind getting a backup QB and looking to the future but with Higgins on the board and the fact they need more weapons for Rodgers I thought there were better players available for what they need.

27th pick - Seattle Seahawks select Jordyn Brooks, LB, from Texas Tech. C. Didn't expect him to go in the 1st. This was a reach, could be a nice player though. Thought they could have been DL and got Brooks in the 2nd, even 3rd.

28th pick - Baltimore Ravens select Patrick Queen, LB, from LSU. A. This is a dangerous combo bc this is a great scheme fit. Fuck you Baltimore.

29th pick - Tennessee Titans select Isaiah Wilson, OL, from Georgia. B. They need a OT. This guy has nice upside, needs to work on some of his technique but young kid. TN stick to stacking their lines.
30th pick - Miami Dolphins select Noah Igbinoghene, CB, from Auburn. B-. Thought this was a reach but I feel this is another guy with high upside. Not looking to make an immediate impact but could be really for the rebuild just in time if it works out.

31st pick - Minnesota Vikings select Jeff Gladney, CB, from TCU. B+. They need a CB and they got a good one. Not much more to say about this pick.

32nd pick - Kansas City Chiefs select Clyde Edwards Helaire, RB, from LSU. B+. I mean they took a RB in the 1st but it is a need. Not their top need but they also don't really have many needs. This was a luxury pick and CEH is underrated.

 

[dbldwn711]

I really like what Minnesota did. Great value and great picks from where they were

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Nice write up, but Brooks was not going to last to the 3rd let alone end of the 2nd round. Seattle still should've traded back (and they were trying from rumors) but he was not going to last until the end of the 2nd where Seattle's next pick was.

I believe he had the lowest % missed tackles for all linebackers in the Country, he had the most QB pressures than ALL linebackers, and his coverage ability is solid, making him an every down backer. He was also a team captain and high character player.

Zero chance he was going to be available at the Seahawks at 59, and Seattle doesn't really have a ton of draft ammunition to trade up this year.

I do agree with your grade, however. It'd be an A if they could've somehow traded back to the early 2nd and picked up another 3rd.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Nice write up, but Brooks was not going to last to the 3rd let alone end of the 2nd round. Seattle still should've traded back (and they were trying from rumors) but he was not going to last until the end of the 2nd where Seattle's next pick was.

I believe he had the lowest % missed tackles for all linebackers in the Country, he had the most QB pressures than ALL linebackers, and his coverage ability is solid, making him an every down backer. He was also a team captain and high character player.

Zero chance he was going to be available at the Seahawks at 59, and Seattle doesn't really have a ton of draft ammunition to trade up this year.

I do agree with your grade, however. It'd be an A if they could've somehow traded back to the early 2nd and picked up another 3rd.

Yeah true, he was a Day 2 pick. It's not that I don't like the player it's where they took him. I do agree if they would have traded back like they usually do and took him I am fine with that BUT when you love a guy, you love a guy.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Yeah true, he was a Day 2 pick. It's not that I don't like the player it's where they took him. I do agree if they would have traded back like they usually do and took him I am fine with that BUT when you love a guy, you love a guy.

Yah, when I heard it I was like, "Uhh... okay, like the player, but why this early?" But that seems to be Seattle's M.O. Taking players a frame too early. I do think Seattle is eerily thin at linebacker. If Bobby Wagner goes down their linebacker depth is terrible. I was high on Cody Barton but with his playtime last year he did NOT produce.

Seattle was also one of the worst rush defenses in the league last year and Brooks graded VERY highly according to PFF in his rush defense. With Kendricks also gone and Seattle's love for the 3 linebacker set, no surprise.

But again, too early

I blame COVID-19 for lack of a trade partner.

 

[mcnabb7542]

I really like what Minnesota did. Great value and great picks from where they were

I do as well but they should've traded up and gotten that franchise QB that they have missed out on since Culpepper left

 

[Cincyfan78]

I do as well but they should've traded up and gotten that franchise QB that they have missed out on since Culpepper left

Not sure either of Tua or Herbert were worth trading up for. For me, certainly not Tua - as you are putting a lot of eggs in one basket with draft picks and banking on his body holding up when the history on him is enough to have some real concerns.

I like Herbert, but I think he's more of a project QB still - not as much as Love, but I think SD could have traded back and still landed him, potentially. But, if you are going to sit him for a year or so behind Cousins, I think that could have worked, especially with such a run oriented offense.

Bengals were not entertaining offers at all on Burrow, so no chance there.

 

[mcnabb7542]

Not sure either of Tua or Herbert were worth trading up for. For me, certainly not Tua - as you are putting a lot of eggs in one basket with draft picks and banking on his body holding up when the history on him is enough to have some real concerns.

I like Herbert, but I think he's more of a project QB still - not as much as Love, but I think SD could have traded back and still landed him, potentially. But, if you are going to sit him for a year or so behind Cousins, I think that could have worked, especially with such a run oriented offense.

Bengals were not entertaining offers at all on Burrow, so no chance there.

I know, I was just being a smart ass to Viking fans and Cousins.....

 

[jdwills126]

My random thoughts:

Didn't like KC pick with Swift and Dobbins still on the board.

WTF Green Bay was doing. AR is still a Pro Bowl player. They didn't need to look for a replacement yet. I will give them an out if AR has told them he is only playing 2 more years.

The Raiders must have used a Ouija Board to let Davis make their picks.

I think the Falcons reached a little.

The Lions lost at Poker with Miami and San Diego. They outplayed Quinn.

The Jags needed to be free wheelers and package some players to get rid of malcontents, their thinking.

Arizona gets nothing but love for not over thinking and taking a great play maker. My out on this is only if Arizona knows how to use him.

Dolphins reached for the OT. I think the OT from Houston was better and he is still available.

 

[Shanemansj13]

My random thoughts:

Didn't like KC pick with Swift and Dobbins still on the board.

WTF Green Bay was doing. AR is still a Pro Bowl player. They didn't need to look for a replacement yet. I will give them an out if AR has told them he is only playing 2 more years.

The Raiders must have used a Ouija Board to let Davis make their picks.

I think the Falcons reached a little.

The Lions lost at Poker with Miami and San Diego. They outplayed Quinn.

The Jags needed to be free wheelers and package some players to get rid of malcontents, their thinking.

Arizona gets nothing but love for not over thinking and taking a great play maker. My out on this is only if Arizona knows how to use him.

Dolphins reached for the OT. I think the OT from Houston was better and he is still available.

Yeah Josh Jones is there or Cincy or Washington now.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

The weird thing for me is I can be persuaded into thinking Belaire is RB1 in this draft; that also strongly implies that RB value is very low and not worth any kind of 1st round pick.

So what if you pick up Westbrook 2.0? It's not even as though Damien Williams or Darwin Thompson would be apocalyptically bad by any means. Just a strange pick.

 

[jdwills126]

Yeah Josh Jones is there or Cincy or Washington now.

I would not mind the Lions taking hime either.

I really like the D-line depth. So much so I think I would wait till the third.

 

[beardown07]

My random thoughts:

Didn't like KC pick with Swift and Dobbins still on the board.

WTF Green Bay was doing. AR is still a Pro Bowl player. They didn't need to look for a replacement yet. I will give them an out if AR has told them he is only playing 2 more years.

The Raiders must have used a Ouija Board to let Davis make their picks.

I think the Falcons reached a little.

The Lions lost at Poker with Miami and San Diego. They outplayed Quinn.

The Jags needed to be free wheelers and package some players to get rid of malcontents, their thinking.

Arizona gets nothing but love for not over thinking and taking a great play maker. My out on this is only if Arizona knows how to use him.

Dolphins reached for the OT. I think the OT from Houston was better and he is still available.

I'm one of the few that actually liked Green Bay's pick. Nothing wrong with letting the kid marinate for a couple of years under Rodgers. I know the league has become a young man's game, but it wasn't that long ago, that this was how you drafted QBs for sustained success.

That's very much how they've maintained elite QB play for 30 years.

 

[Shanemansj13]

The weird thing for me is I can be persuaded into thinking Belaire is RB1 in this draft; that also strongly implies that RB value is very low and not worth any kind of 1st round pick.

So what if you pick up Westbrook 2.0? It's not even as though Damien Williams or Darwin Thompson would be apocalyptically bad by any means. Just a strange pick.

I really don't see a CLEAR #1 RB in this class. Swift is often mentioned, Dobbins is there, CEH, Taylor has a lot of mileage. Maybe going DT or CB could have been an option. Fulton was on the board, DT-Blaylock. It was a luxury pick though imo

 

[Shanemansj13]

I'm one of the few that actually liked Green Bay's pick. Nothing wrong with letting the kid marinate for a couple of years under Rodgers. I know the league has become a young man's game, but it wasn't that long ago, that this was how you drafted QBs for sustained success.

That's very much how they've maintained elite QB play for 30 years.

Yeah I don't mind it either. I just think Higgins (I'm high on him) would have also been a great pick. Love wouldn't have lasted till their Round 2 pick though...but they can find a very nice WR option at #62

 

[Cincyfan78]

I really don't see a CLEAR #1 RB in this class. Swift is often mentioned, Dobbins is there, CEH, Taylor has a lot of mileage. Maybe going DT or CB could have been an option. Fulton was on the board, DT-Blaylock. It was a luxury pick though imo

Agreed. I think CEH is the better receiver compared to JK - not sure about Swift, but I know that OSU didn't have JK catch a ton of passes. I think CEH fits nicely into that offense and gives them another dimension on check-downs and passes into the flat.

 

[jdwills126]

I'm one of the few that actually liked Green Bay's pick. Nothing wrong with letting the kid marinate for a couple of years under Rodgers. I know the league has become a young man's game, but it wasn't that long ago, that this was how you drafted QBs for sustained success.

That's very much how they've maintained elite QB play for 30 years.

I like Love but with the Packers so close I think a guy that would contribute right away would have helped them. Plus a rookie 1st rounder on the bench has a chance to create friction. I think a receiver like Mims or CeeCee would have helped then.

 

[beardown07]

I like Love but with the Packers so close I think a guy that would contribute right away would have helped them. Plus a rookie 1st rounder on the bench has a chance to create friction. I think a receiver like Mims or CeeCee would have helped then.

I don't think they are as close as last season suggests. I think they fall off a bit this year, and other NFC teams get better. And also I think Rodgers end is closer than most would like to believe.

Plus, it's a deep WR class.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

I don't think they are as close as last season suggests. I think they fall off a bit this year, and other NFC teams get better. And also I think Rodgers end is closer than most would like to believe.

Plus, it's a deep WR class.

Packers had the worst pick of the entire night. Which is impressive considering a team drafted a RB in the 1st round.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Packers had the worst pick of the entire night. Which is impressive considering a team drafted a RB in the 1st round.

Uhhh...I am an Ohio St fan and this was the worst pick.

19th pick - Las Vegas Raiders select Damon Arnette, CB, from Ohio State. F. I mean there is nothing to say. Arnette definitely improved from last year but he is still a 3rd-4th round pick. I mean what were they thinking.