NFL Draft Review

With the NFL draft past us and NFL teams now excited for the new players, it wouldn’t be fair unless we did a recap of it and shared thoughts on it. So without a further do, let’s get into it.

The Jacksonville Jaguars select Trevor Larwernce-QB-Clemson.
The whole 2020 season was a battle to see who would win the Lawrence sweepstakes. The New York Jets had a chance to win it, but decided to win games at the end of the season. So Jags write this in blood.
-Grade: A+
The New York Jets select Zach Wilson-QB-Brigham Young
Wilson exploded onto the scene in 2020 with 33 Touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. He played well and then broke BYU fans hearts by skipping his senior season and going to the NFL. Hopefully the Jets don’t ruin him.
-Grade: A
The San francisco 49ers select Trey Lance-QB-North Dakota State
A couple of days before the Draft, the 49ers said that they were either going to take Mac Jones (Quarterback from Alabama) or Trey Lance. They went with Lance. With this, the 49ers playbook opens up with QB run plays. They haven’t been able to do that since well, Colin Kapernick. However, he only started 17 games for North Dakota State, so he is going to be coached up.
-Grade: B+
The Atlanta Falcons Select Kyle Pitts-TE-Florida.
The Falcons had a choice to make, grab a quarterback they can develop behind Matt Ryan or select an offensive player to help Matt Ryan. Kyle Pitts was the best player that wasn’t a quarterback. Pitts is a match up nightmare. Defensive backs can’t cover him and linebackers can’t guard him. This was a smart pick by the Falcons.
-Grade: A

The Cincinnati Bengals Select Ja’marr Chase-WR-LSU
This pick was probably influenced by Joe Burrow. Joe kept saying he wanted to be reunited with Chase and the Bengals let him make the selection. Other than that Chase is considered the best wide receiver in the draft. The Bengals should have probably used this pick to select Penei Sewell, tackle from Orgeon. But hey, do what you must to keep a QB happy.
-Grade: B+
The Miami Dolphins select Jaylen Waddle-WR-Alabama
The Dolphins need a wide receiver. Waddle was one of the best wideouts in this draft and would have probably been the first wideout taken if it wasn’t for his ankle injury. However, the Dolphins are getting a huge playmaker. Dolphins are going to love Waddle.
-Grade: A-
The Detroit Lions select Penei Sewell-OT-Orgeon
Anyone else scratching their heads about this pick? Well you could have taken Devonta Smith from Alabama. Protecting Jared Goff was a bigger need apparently. He can keep playing left tackle or play Guard instead. So pick your poison Lions. Lions get points for addressing a position, just not the right one.
-Grade: A
The Carolina Panthers select Jaycee Horn-CB-South Carolina
As a Panther fan, I don’t know how to feel about this pick. I was hoping they were going to take a tackle, but defense was a bigger need. Donte Jackson is going to be a free agent next year, so picking up a player to play on the other side and then probably replace him, is probably going to be the best pick.
-Grade: B
The Denver Broncos select Patrick Surtian II-CB-Alabama
Bronco’s did pretty well not giving away that they wanted Surtian. With a division with Patrick Mahomes II, rookie of the year Justin Herbert and can’t forget Derrick Carr, you’re going to need all the help you can get. So the Broncos did pretty well this draft.
-Grade: A-

The Philadelphia Eagles Select Devonta Smith-WR-Alabama
NFL fans saw something that they thought they would never see. The Cowboys traded the 10th overall pick to the division rival the Eagles. Then the Eagles selected the Heisman trophy winner. Devonta is a great target who most people saw falling out of the top 10. Great pick Eagles.
-Grade: B+
The Chicago Bears select Justin Fields-QB-Ohio State
Ok, who let Ryan Pace take control of the draft again? Trading up for a QB. Oh well, Justin Field in most people’s book to be the second best QB in the draft. Fields gives the Bears an upgrade over Mitchell Trubisky. He is a mobile, strong arm QB. This is a great fit for the Bears. Hopefully he doesn’t flop like other Ohio State QBs. Cough, Cough, Dwayne Haskins.
-Grade: A-
The Dallas Cowboys select Micah Parsons-LB-Penn State
The Cowboys wanted Jaycee Horn or Patrick Surtian II. Both of them went before the Cowboys selected. So you trade back and then get the best Linebacker in the draft. With the Cowboys declining Leightion Vander Esch’s fifth year option and him becoming a free agent next year, they have to reload the LB’s core with a tackling machine.
-Grade: B
The Los Angeles Chargers Select Rashawn Slater-OT-Northwestern
With Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert exploding on to the scene, the biggest need was to protect him. Slater was projected to be the second or the first tackle taken in this draft. Somehow he fell to 13. Herbert is going to have time to throw the ball. Unlike Philip Rivers in his prime.
-Grade: A
The New York Jets select Alijeh Vera-Tucker-OL-USC
What is a QB’s best friend? A good offensive line. Alijeh can play all over the O-line and make running lanes for whoever the starting running back is for the Jets. Protecting Wilson needs to be the top priority for the Jets and this is a good step.
-Grade: A

The New England Patriots select Mac Jones-QB-Alabama
Anyone else want to explain how Mac Jones feels all the way down to the Patriots? Look, Dolphin’s QB Tua Tagovailoa said he is a more mobile Tom Brady. Why wouldn’t the Pats go after the man who could maybe be the next TB12
-Grade:A+
The Arizona Cardinals select Zaven Collins-LB-Tusla
The saying is ‘defense wins championships.’ I think the Cardinals took that one to heart. Completely rebuilding their defense. Collins can rush the quarterback and can play the pass. Collins can play all over the field. IN my opinion this is a great pick.
-Grade: A-
The Las Vegas Raiders select Alex Leatherwood-OT-Alabama
The Raiders did know that the best right tackle was still available in the draft, right? This just comes to show that Gruden likes his players and will take them even if the Raiders look insane.
-Grade: B-
The Miami Dolphins select Jalien Phillips-DE-Miami
The Dolphins take the first edge rusher. I like this pick to a point. He does have some medical problems with him retiring because of concussions. If he can stay healthy, I will call this a steal, but for now, um ok.
-Grade: B
The Washington Football team select Jamin Davis-LB-Kentucky
This pick is confusing to grade. Jamie Davis is a player that shot up draft boards and not a lot of people watched Kentucky play football this year. Washington beefed up it’s defense. Washington gets points for helping it’s defense.
-Grade: B-
The New York Giants select Kadarius Toney-WR-Florid
The Giants are giving Daniel Jones everything he needs to succeed. Toney reminds me of Deebo Samuel. He is going to be a very dangerous player if the Giants can use his abilities correctly.
-Grade: B+

The indianapolis Colts select Kwity Paye-DE-Michigan
Defensive end is one of the biggest needs for the Colts. Paye’s story of how he got here is very inspiring and you the reader should watch it. He is now going to pair up with Deforest Buckner and destroy Quarterbacks.
-Grade:A-
The Tennessee Titans select Caleb Farley-CB-Virginia Tech
At the beginning of the year there was a debate going on about who was the best cornerback coming out of college. It was between Farley and Surtian. However he had back surgery and fell all the way to 22. The Titans got a steal here, if he can return to form.
-Grade: B+
The Minnisota Vikings select Christian Darrisaw-OT-Virginia Tech
Kirk Cousins is celebrating this pick because of them addressing the O-line. Long time starter Riley Reiff is gone and he left a hole at left tackle. Good pick for the Vikings.
-Grade:B+
The Pittsburgh Steelers select Najee Harris-HB-Alabama
I love this pick. The Steelers need an o-line, however a run game keeps the defense guessing and with Ben Rothlisberger on the back end of his career, a run game could really help him out.
-Grade:B+
The Jacksonville Jaguars Travis Etienne-HB-Clemson
Look before I say anything, I love Etienne. But this was one of the most confusing picks of the night. James Robinson was an all star last year. So why would you draft a running back in the first round? They get the grade because of the pick, not the player.
-Grade:C
The Cleveland Browns select Greg Newsome II-CB-Northwestern
This is a pick where I’m scratching my head. You have Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams. Why would you draft another Corner? Maybe Addressing your D-Line would have been the better pick.
-Grade: B

The Baltimore Ravens select Rashod Bateman-WR-Minnesota
Ravens need a NO.1 wide receiver to pair with Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins. Bateman is that physical player that will make contested catches. Plus check out his highlights.
-Grade: A-

The New Orleans Saints select Payton Turner-DE-Houston
Does anyone want to explain this to me? This is a player that I have no clue on. Maybe he will develop into the next Cameron Jordan. But until then,
-Grade: C-
The Greenbay Packers select Eric Stokes-CB-Georgia
The Packers still refuse to help out Aaron Rodgers. I mean they need help with the secondary and he is an upgrade over Kevin King. But at this point, anyone is an upgrade over Kevin King.
-Grade: B-
The Buffalo Bills select Gregory Rousseau-DE-Miami
Gregory had 15.5 sacks in 2019, however he opted out of the 2020 season. So the question rises, was he a one hit wonder? If not the Bills got a steal. But for now,
-Grade: C+
The Baltimore Ravens select Odafe Oweh-DE-Penn State
The Ravens needed to rebuild their pass rush, so this pick makes sense. However, there were some better pass rushers available like Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari. They get points for addressing it.
-Grade: B-
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Joe Tryon-DE-Washington
-Jason Pierre-Paul isn’t going to be around forever. Adding Tryon to learn under Jason and Shaquil Barrett is a great idea. For the rest of the NFL, Gosh darn it.
-Grade: B

Welcome to the end. If you disagree with any of my ratings feel free to put them down in the comment section. These are just my ratings and you have your own. I could be wrong about some of these and I accept that. However, it’s up to the player to decide how their career pans out.