- Cincinnati Bengals B+ Joe Burrow QB LSU The Cincinnati Bengals took the only player in the draft that deserved to be the #1 overall pick. Joe Burrow had an amazing senior year at LSU. He broke tons of single-season records including most single-season passing touchdowns [60] and touchdowns responsible for [65]. The only problem I see with this pick is that he will be starting right away. There will be no experienced starters to mentor Burrow after the recent release of Andy Dalton.
2. Washington Redskins A-
Chase Young EDGE Ohio State
The Washington Redskins now have a dangerous defensive line. Montez Sweat on one side and Chase Young on the other. If the secondary and the offense can pull it together then the Redskins could compete in the NFC East. Chase Young the most disruptive EDGE in the draft was the best player on the board after Burrow was taken. Opponents are going to have to make special plans to protect there quarterbacks from Sweat and Young.
3. Detroit Lions B
Jeffrey Okudah CB Ohio State
The Lions take the best available player in Okudah. The lions should have traded down to the 5th or 6th pick to acquire more picks and most likely still pick up Okudah. Okudah is very good at his position. He has great awareness and was a leader on defense. Okudah joins a broken Detroit secondary. After trading away Darius Slay the Lions looked like a joke in the NFC North. Now that they have Okudah there defense may cause some disturbance in the passing game.
4. New York Giants C-
Andrew Thomas OT Georgia
Andrew Thomas is an amazing offensive lineman seriously watch the tape he is just shoving guys to the ground. So you may be wondering why I gave the Giants such a low grade it’s because Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, and Mekhi Becton were available. All those o-lineman were more powerful and just plain better at defending the QB. You can’t pass up an offensive lineman like Jedrick Wills that man is a powerhouse! But still the Giants drafted somebody to protect Daniel Jones so at least they drafted the right position.
5. Miami Dolphins C-
Tua Tagovailoa QB Alabama
I just can’t ignore the injury questions surrounding Tua. The hip is a very important part of the body to workout let alone play football. I just don’t think Tua will have a very long career. The reason I don’t give this pick a F is because Fitzpatrick is on the roster and he can start the first few games while Tua learns from him. Tua was amazing at Alabama he had trust in his receivers and he was very mobile. He just needs to learn when to throw away the football to avoid more injuries.
6. Los Angeles Chargers B+
Justin Herbert QB Oregon
I love Herbert he was one of my favorite players coming into the draft. He was arguably the greatest Oregon QB ever [sorry Mariota]. The only problem with Herbert is that he is not very mobile. He is a big quarterback and had a great offensive line at Oregon so he didn’t need to be mobile but this is the NFL now. He was horrible at throwing on the run. He has a great wide receiver in Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler is a reliable three-down back. I think Herbert will have a great NFL career.
7. Carolina Panthers A-
Derrick Brown DL Auburn
First year head coach Matt Rhule is a huge fan of big fellas in the trenches [James Lynch and Bravvion Roy] and Derrick Brown fits the script. The NFC South is now full of talented quarterbacks the Panthers are gonna need to put pressure on them. Brady, Brees, and Ryan are only pocket passers, if the Panthers can force them to run outside the pocket they will not last.
8. Arizona Cardinals A+
Isaiah Simmons Clemson LB/S
Isaiah Simmons has top three talent. An athlete like him is rare, a hard-hitting safety/linebacker like Simmons is a must have on a rebuilding roster like the Cardinals. With the secondary that the Cardinals have, the Cardinals could be a potential surprise team in the NFC West.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars B-
C.J. Henderson Florida CB
The Jaguars have found there franchise QB in Gardner Minshew, now they need a young leader to help the defence Henderson is the answer. Great size, can read the quarterback, Henderson has it all. The one thing I would like Henderson to improve on is his zone coverage you see too many plays when the Gators are playing zone coverage and Henderson turns his back to the play. Overall Henderson is one of the best DB’s in this past draft.
10. Cleveland Browns A+
Jedrick Wills Alabama OT
The Browns hit this pick out of the park! Jedrick Wills is the best OL in this draft. It is a miracle that he fell this far down. He has Top-5 talent. He is an absolute beast. Baker Mayfield should feel a lot safer after this pick. The Browns definitely need an O-lineman. Mayfield is always on the run because the pocket collapsed around him. Jedrick Wills is the answer.
11. New York Jets B+
Mekhi Becton Louisville OT
Mekhi Becton is the biggest player in the draft. That is exactly what you want out of an o-lineman. Sam Darnold has the potential to be an absolute all-around great player. All he needs is an o-line to help him [and receivers of course]. The only problem with this pick is Tristan Wirfs was still available. Tristan Wirfs is the better o-lineman but sometimes you have to go with the bigger guy. Becton failed some drug tests which is a little concerning but how he played on the field over shadows those tests.
12. Las Vegas Raiders B
Henry Ruggs III Alabama WR
The Raiders passed on the best receiver in the draft and the most consistent player in the draft. Ruggs is the fastest player in the entire draft but that does not mean he is the best. Ceedee Lamb is slick, fast, and has amazing hands. Jerry Jeudy Is consistent, trustworthy, and he has great hands. Ruggs is fast and has somewhat reliable hands. The Raiders should have taken Lamb or Jeudy. Ruggs will still be a WR2 behind Tyrell Williams. Still, the Raiders still picked a player at a position they deeply needed so it is a good pick.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers A
Tristan Wirfs Iowa OT
An absolute amazing pick, the Bucs picked the second best player at the OT position. Although the trade up to get Wirfs was unnecessary, they still picked the exact player they needed. Tom Brady is old and is not a good runner or out of pocket thrower. The Bucs need to keep Brady safe or else he could get injured, and the Bucs DO NOT want Blaine Gabbert starting.
14. San Francisco 49ers B+
Javon Kinlaw South Carolina DL
Javon Kinlaw is a great player. He has great size, great skill, and he is perfect for his position. The problem with this pick is not with him, it’s with the Niners. The Niners did need a DL yes, but they also desperately needed a WR. Ceedee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy were still available and they passed on them. The Niners had another pick in the first round and they could have gotten a good DL there, instead they take one here. That is bad timing by the Niners.
15. Denver Broncos A-
Jerry Jeudy Alabama WR
Jerry Jeudy is an absolutely outstanding player. He had a great career at Alabama. He can catch almost any ball you throw at him. The reason this pick is not an A+ is because Ceedee Lamb was STILL available. Lamb was the best WR is the draft and they passed on him. Jeudy will still loosen the load on Courtland Sutton, but the Broncos missed out on a potential star.
16. Atlanta Falcons A-
A.J. Terrell Clemson CB
The Falcons needed help in the secondary especially at the CB position. Terrell is an exceptional pick fits the Falcons defence perfectly. But the Falcons passed on Jeff Gladney, who was one of the best DB’s in the entire draft. On some occasions Gladney looked as good as Jeffrey Okudah. Overall Terrell was a good fit for the team but Gladney would have been the better pick.
17. Dallas Cowboys B+
Ceedee Lamb Oklahoma WR
Throughout this whole article I have talked up Lamb like he was Julio Jones or Michael Thomas, he is like those two by the way, so you’re probably wondering why I didn’t give this pick an A+, I didn’t give it an A+ because the Cowboys don’t need another WR. They already have Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. And if they really wanted a WR they would have still gotten a really good one in the third round. The Cowboys needed a DB and they took the exact opposite.
18. Miami Dolphins C-
Austin Jackson USC OT
First of all, there were at least three better o-lineman still available, and second of all, the Dolphins needed to draft Xavier Mckinney. Mckinney would have fitted beautifully into the new and improved Dolphins defense. Jackson is a reliable tackle, but he just isn’t powerful enough. Josh Jones would have been a better pick.
19. Las Vegas Raiders B-
Damon Arnette Ohio State CB
Damon Arnette is a very aware CB. He reads the QB’s eyes wonderfully. The Raiders should have taken K’Lavon Chaisson the LSU LB. The Raiders secondary looks really good, and they will need it because they play the pass heavy Super Bowl champions Chiefs twice. Overall this is a good pick by the Raiders and I see Arnette having a long career.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars A-
K’lavon Chaisson LSU LB/EDGE
Sure the Jaguars needed a DB like Jeff Gladney, but they also needed a hard-hitting LB like Chaisson. Chaisson played outstanding in the second half of the year at LSU. Recording 6.5 sacks in his final season at LSU. Chaisson has the potential to be the next Von Miller.
21. Philadelphia Eagles B
Jalen Reagor TCU WR
The Eagles did need a WR, but they also needed a LB. The Eagles should have taken Patrick Queen the LSU LB. And if they were going to take a WR they should have taken the LSU WR Justin Jefferson. Jalen Reagor has great size and great hands. I want him to work on his speed and agility. The Eagles have found there franchise WR.
22. Minnesota Vikings A+
Justin Jefferson LSU WR
The Vikings desperately needed a reliable and speedy WR to replace Stefon Diggs. Justin Jefferson is literally a younger Stefon Diggs. Here are some crazy stats that Jefferson put up: in his junior year he had 1,540 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 111 receptions. That is unheard of! He averaged over 100 yards per game! That is crazy! The Vikings just found Diggs’s replacement.
23. Los Angeles Chargers B+
Kenneth Murray Oklahoma LB
The Chargers needed a DB and Jeff Gladney was STILL available. They definitely should have taken Gladney. The Chargers wanted a LB so they took one, they should have picked Patrick Queen the LSU LB. Kenneth Murray is still a very talented player so the pick still deserves a good grade. The Chargers are still getting a top of the line player.
24. New Orleans Saints A-
Cesar Ruiz Michigan C
The Saints needed a LB and Patrick Queen was STILL available. But Cesar Ruiz must have been tempting, after all Ruiz was the most complete lineman in the draft. The Saints are getting their money’s worth in this pick. Cesar Ruiz is going to have a long decorated career. And he gets to play with Drew Brees an experienced signal caller. This should be a developmental year for Ruiz.
25. San Francisco 49ers B+
Brandon Aiyuk Arizona State WR
The Niners picked the right position, but not necessarily the right player. Laviska Shenault Jr. was a consistent pass catcher at Colorado. He would fit into the Niners run heavy offense. He has good size and he has a good frame. Brandon Aiyuk can only be a pass catcher, he will not help in the run game.
26. Green Bay Packers C+
Jordan Love Utah State QB
Jordan Love was a leader at Utah State. He threw way to many interceptions. The Packers DO NOT NEED A QB! They have Aaron Rodgers! The fact that they drafted a QB should make Rodgers a little uneasy. Rodgers needs to have a great year or else he could traded away. Then Jordan Love would be the new face off the franchise. This was a bad move by the Packers, they needed a WR to help Rodgers. This could be a tough year for the Packers.
27. Seattle Seahawks C
Jordyn Brooks Texas Tech LB
Brooks had games were he played lights out, for example the Baylor game. But the Seahawks could have taken a player I have talked about a lot; PATRICK QUEEN! He was still available and he is a linebacker! He was exactly what the Seahawks needed. This was not a good call by the Seahawks.
28. Baltimore Ravens A-
Patrick Queen LSU LB
The Ravens desperately needed a reliable WR, Laviska Shenault Jr. would have been perfect. But the Ravens also needed a LB and Queen was just too good to pass up. Baltimore is getting a quality player late in the draft. Queen is going to be the next Terrell Suggs.
29. Tennessee Titans B+
Isaiah Wilson Georgia OT
Isaiah Wilson is a great lineman. The only problem is he is under-developed, he is young and probably shouldn’t start his rookie year. He needs to learn how to defend the big guys in the NFL. Josh Jones would have been the better pick because he already has the size of most NFL d-lineman so he could start his rookie year. The Titans could have used a DL like A.J. Epenesa but they needed an o-lineman just as bad.
30. Miami Dolphins A
Noah Igbinoghene Auburn CB
The Dolphins really needed a DB coming into the draft, even after the addition of Byron Jones. This was a perfect pick except for one reason, Jeff Gladney was STILL AVAILABLE! Noah is great at reading the QB’s eyes. Noah has the potential to be the next Richard Sherman.
31. Minnesota Vikings A
Jeff Gladney TCU CB
The Vikings already took care of their biggest need at WR, now they need a DL or EDGE. The third option would have been a DB and Gladney was just to good to pass up. Minnesota could have used A.J. Epenesa or Zack Baun but neither of those guys are as talented as Jeff Gladney. Gladney plays his position perfectly. I see Gladney going far in his NFL career.
32. Kansas City Chiefs C-
Clyde Edwards-Helaire LSU RB
The Chiefs needed a RB to take some pressure off the passing game and Patrick Mahomes. So they should have taken D’andre Swift or J.K. Dobbins, or maybe even Jonathan Taylor. Not Clyde! Clyde never really took off in the run game or the pass game at LSU. He definitely needs a year or two to develop as a 3-down back.