1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Original Grade: B-
Thoughts: I will die on the hill that the Jaguars should’ve taken a lineman to protect Lawrence. If it had to be Hutch or Walker I like that it’s Walker. He can play early downs opposite Josh Allen and let Chaisson take third downs until Walker can develop some pass rush moves. Walker will allow the Jags to mix up looks in the front though. He’s just not as ready as people think; this is more of an upside pick.
Season Stats: 49 Total Tackles, 5 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, 1 INT
Updated Grade: C+
Thoughts: Walker has shown flashes of being very good but he also has not put together a complete season. He has been slightly above average in his rookie season and should progress over his rookie deal.
2. Detroit Lions- Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Original Grade: A-
Thoughts: Hutchinson is not this generational talent people think he is. He is definitely not a Bosa or Myles Garrett. I’m glad he goes to a 4-3 defensive team because being a 4-3 end is going to be a better fit for Hutchinson. He still has some developing to do as a pass rusher, but should be serviceable for now. I also love the match of Dan Campbell and Hutchinson; this is a Dan Campbell player.
Season Stats: 52 Total Tackles, 9 TFL, 9.5 Sacks, 3 INT
Updated Grade: A
Thoughts: Hutchinson has been amazing there is no other way to describe it. As stated, we liked the pick a lot, but Hutchinson has been better than we thought he would be. He even has added 3 interceptions while being a very good pass rusher.
3. Houston Texans- Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Our Grade Grade: B+
Thoughts: I LOVE THIS PICK! I love that they are taking a chance on Stingley. My only issue with and the only reason Stingley was my CB2 is because of the injury concern. He is high risk, high reward, but if he stays healthy the Texans just got their lockdown corner and arguably the best prospect this year when healthy. It is not an A+ only because of the injury risk.
Season Stats: 43 Total Tackles, 5 PD, 1 INT, 1 Sack
Updated Grade: B+
Thoughts: The only reason this grade is not higher is that he only played in nine games. His injury woes that hit him in college struck again. Despite this he was a tackling machine and put up 5 deflections while being a very capable corner.
4. New York Jets- Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Original Grade: A-
Thoughts: Some thought that Sauce may go 3 to the Texans or even 2 to the Lions. To get Sauce at 4 is a gift, and absolutely beautiful. The Jets are lacking an alpha in their cornerback room, and they just got their guy. He is going to have high expectations especially playing in NY, but I think he’ll be able to take it. This is my CB1 this year; he is a physical man to man corner. Good luck young buck, Diggs and Hill are going to challenge you every single snap.
Season Stats: 75 Total Tackles, 20 PD, 2 INT, All Pro
Updated Grade: A+
Thoughts: There is not much to say here. Sauce has been better than expected when expectations were sky high. He has a whopping 75 tackles, 20 pass deflections, and was an All Pro this year. He is most likely DROY as well.
5. New York Giants- Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Original Grade: D+
Thoughts: The only reason this is not lower is because Thib does have a lot of upside. He has red flags as well and the tape to me does not show elite pass rusher. He can contribute as a run defender and hopefully Martindale unlocks his physical upside. But, what concerns me is what happens if he does not start hot and the New York fandom turns on him after he preached over and over that he was the best in this class. He may start hot and never look back, but this is a bigger risk than people think.
Season Stats: 49 Total Tackles, 4 Sacks, 5 PD
Updated Grade: C+
Thoughts: Statistically Thib has been good. But, our mid level grade is about his maturity. You can say we are being too harsh here, but it was a concern for us all throughout the draft process and it has been on display this season. The Nick Foles incident was awful and his lack of remorse and how he handled it shows that he has a long way to go. He was a distraction for the team and is lucky the Colts played with no passion and did not put a target on the team’s back because of his actions.
6. Carolina Panthers- Ickey Ekwonu, OL, NCST
Original Grade: A-
Thoughts: This is the dream scenario for Carolina, all the lineman fall to them. My first thought is, good on you for addressing the line. My second thought, I do not think Ekwonu will be a tackle at the pro level, I think he would be better suited kicking inside to guard. For Carolina who hasn’t had a left tackle since Jordan Gross, I would’ve personally gone with Cross or Neal, but at the end of the day Ickey will be a good player for the Panthers.
Updated Grade: B-
Season Stats: 1018 Snaps, 13 Penalties, 6 Sacks Allowed
Thoughts: Ekwonu ended up being exactly what we thought he’d be for the Panthers, good not great. He probably did better at tackle than we originally predicted. It’s a solid pick especially with Neal’s rookie year struggles. Hopefully Ekwonu will continue to grow as a player as time goes on.
7. New York Giants(Originally Chicago Bears)- Evan Neal, OL, Alabama
Updated Grade: A
Thoughts: Initial thought is Giants may be the luckiest team this draft so far. For the board to fall this way and have their choice of Neal and Cross at 7 is insane. Taking Neal was the right choice, he is my best pure tackle in this year’s class. Neal was talked about as the first overall pick at one point, to get him at 7 is crazy value. Thomas and Neal are probably the best young tackle tandem in the league.
Updated Grade:C-
Season Stats: 738 Snaps, 7 Penalties, 7 Sacks Allowed
Thoughts: Yikes. Neal clearly has not looked like the No.1 rookie tackle this year. Although we did say there were parts of his game to worry about coming out last year. We hope he continues to grow as a player with time and maybe even have a career path like the guy who plays across from him, Andrew Thomas, who struggles at first but then pulls it together in a year or two.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Drake London, WR, USC
Original Grade: B+
Thoughts: I like London. I think he’s a solid receiver prospect, but with the way the Falcons offense is composed, I thought that they would’ve gone with Olave to replace Ridley or Wilson who is great after the catch. I guess they want to play tall ball in Atlanta, which I never saw coming, but at least they addressed the biggest need.
Updated Grade: B+
Season Stats: 72 Catches, 866 Yards, 4 TDs
Thoughts: Drake London had a super under the radar season compared to other receivers drafted after him. He did not have as many yards as guys like Wilson and Olave, but still had a good season for a team that really struggled to pass the ball. He should be able to build upon a good rookie campaign with a better quarterback (hopefully) next season.
9. Seattle Seahawks(Originally Denver Broncos)- Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Original Grade: A
Thoughts: This was yet another dream scenario for a team in need of a franchise left tackle. With Cross climbing up boards over the last few weeks, I don’t know if anyone could’ve predicted that he would be here at 9. Even when he was I was waiting for that infamous Seattle reach pick. Good on Carroll and Schnieder for actually taking the best player available to solidify the line and help protect what seems to be starting QB Drew Lock. Just a side note: I feel like this was an F U to Russell Wilson.
Updated Grade: B-
Season Stats: 1088 Snaps Played, 7 Penalties, 7 Sacks Allowed
Thoughts: Cross gave up more sacks than we probably thought he would’ve, but it’s not a bad rookie season, we heard he was playing well. It’s also hard to tell if the sacks were really his fault or not since we didn’t see many Seahawks games this season. Cross has the build for a franchise LT, and we hope he continues to grow as a player heading into year two.
10. New York Jets(Originally Seattle Seahawks)- Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Original Grade: B
Thoughts: It was almost a dream scenario for the Jets as Cross almost fell right to their lap and almost walked out with the best 2 picks possible for their draft position. Instead they leave with Garrett Wilson. I’m not sure what to think about this pick. Wilson is good after the catch, but has some smaller red flags that could lead to bigger issues. For now I guess it’s a good pick? I personally would’ve taken Kenyon Green or trade down. I just don’t think receiver is as big a need as people think for the Jets.
Updated Grade: A
Season Stats: 83 Catches, 1103 Yards, 4 TDs
Thoughts: Wilson was better than we expected he would be. While the Jets had a major quarterback problem throughout the year, Wilson was perhaps the only constant on the offense with very good rookie statistics. Provided they have a better starting quarterback next year (or somehow an improved Zach Wilson), Garrett should continue to develop as a number 1 option.
11. New Orleans Saints(Traded with Washington Commanders)- Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Original Grade: A-
Thoughts: Olave is our WR1. The Saints have needed a WR2 for years now. For me the reason this isn’t an A is because Thomas and Olave are copies of each other. They are both top tier route runners. I would’ve thought this is Jameson Williams, a guy who can stretch the field. At least they got another weapon for Winston, good pick overall.
I love the Saints getting ahead of the receiver run and taking the initiative. On top of this, the trade up did not require a ton. Olave is our wide receiver one and now the Saints have two elite route runners that do slightly different things in my opinion. Olave has more speed to run vertical routes while Thomas has more size. A very good and much improved receiver room from last year
Updated Grade: A
Season Stats: 72 Catches, 1042 Yards, 4 TDs
Thoughts: Our WR1 in the 2022 NFL Draft, Olave did not disappoint. He was one of two wide receiver rookies to go over 1000 yards and looks like a budding star. The Saints will hopefully have improved quarterback play next year to aid in his development. The only concern is Olave and concussion as he had at least one on a wicked hit and missed two games.
12. Detroit Lion(Trade with Minnesota Vikings)- Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Original Grade: A
Thoughts: First thought is the Lions just finessed Minnesota. They gave up peanuts to move up from 32. Second thought is the Lions said they wanted to get more vertical and they got a guy who can do just that. This was a shock, but a good pick. The only reason this is not an A+ is because Williams is coming off a torn ACL suffered in January.
Updated Grade: Incomplete
Season Stats: 1 catch, 41 yards, 1 TD, 40 yards rushing
Thoughts: Jameson technically played in six games this year, but the Lions were extremely careful with how they used him. He did show off his potential with his only two touches going for 40 yards. We have to put incomplete though as the Lions never rushed him back which seems like it was the plan all along.
13. Philadelphia Eagles(Trade with Houston Texans, Originally Cleveland Browns)- Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
Original Grade: B+
Thoughts: Davis is the best run stuffer in this year’s defensive line class and is a super freak athlete. The reason this pick is a B+ is because the more I think about this pick the less it makes sense. Cox is still in Philly and is an every down starter, they also have Milton Williams from last year, and Javon Hargrave who not only got paid a couple offseasons ago, but is coming off a pro bowl season. The + comes from the fact that they gave up peanuts to move up. Good trade, good player, but interesting selection. This trade and pick perfectly reflects Howie Roseman.
Updated Grade: B
Season Stats: 18 TT, 1 TFL, 1 PD
Thoughts: The season stats are not eye popping by any means. He also missed games due to injury. Due to the Eagles’ depth at the defensive line, he did not play a lot but his presence in run defense was easy to see. He should take a big leap forward.
14. Baltimore Ravens- Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Original Grade: A+
Thoughts: The Ravens are one pick away from their dream pick in Jordan Davis, but instead walk away with our top prospect in this year’s class. Chuck Clark and Marcus Williams are both being paid big bucks, but this pick has to be made by Baltimore who is known for defense. They are going to be able to continue to give all kinds of looks on the defensive side by adding a third safety. I don’t know if anyone could’ve seen Hamilton falling that far.
Updatated Grade: A+
Season Stats: 62 TT, 5 PD, 2 Sacks, 4 TFL
Thoughts: Hamilton is another top prospect who had a great season in the background it seems. For someone who was not talked about a ton, he had an amazing season for Baltimore and got better as the season went on. He also added a ton in coverage that cannot be truly reflected in statistics.
15. Houston Texans(Trade with Philadelphia Eagles, Originally Miami Dolphins)- Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
Original Grade: A+
Thoughts: Green provides the Texans positional flexibility across the offensive line, which they need with Laremy Tunsil being the only name of note on the line. It doesn’t matter where they put Green, it is an upgrade. This is overall great for the Texans, they pick up a fourth and two fifths, and still get Kenyon Green.
Updated Grade: C
Season Stats: 823 Snaps, 12 Penalties, 4 Sacks Allowed
Thoughts: So Green didn’t exactly pan out the way we thought when he got drafted. He had an extremely rough rookie season from what we’ve heard. Although, we did hear he picked it up toward the end of the year. 4 sacks allowed is not bad at all though, especially compared to the other rookies. Hopefully Green can continue to trend upward and show why he was drafted in the first in a year or two.
16. Washington Commanders(Trade with New Orleans Saints, From Philadelphia Eagles, Originally Indianapolis Colts)- Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Original Grade: C-
Thoughts: Only the Commanders could make a move like this. They have a slot receiver in Curtis Samuel, and Dotson is going to get beat up on the outside. Pickens, Watson, Burks, Moore were all still on the board. This is not the move we expected. Receiver yes, but wrong one.
Updated Grade: B-
Season Stats: 35 Catches, 523 Yards, 7 TDs
Thoughts: Dotson was a bigger red zone asset than we considered. That being said he did miss five games and also only ended up with 35 catches. He seemed to take a back seat at times to McLaurin and Samuel, but there is still a lot of potential for him to grow.
17. Los Angeles Chargers- Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
Original Grade: B+
Thoughts: To the consensus this is not a reach; however to me this is a reach pick. Not a super reach, but they probably could’ve traded back and still got their guy. At least they addressed the line, and have Herbert’s health in mind. Taking Johnson could point to the Chargers wanting to run the ball more. I thought Johnson was the best run blocking interior offensive lineman.
Updated Grade: B+
Season Stats: 1184 Snaps, 6 Penalties, 5 Sacks Allowed
Thoughts: We heard Zion Johnson had a pretty strong showing his rookie year, not perfect, but we didn’t expect him to. We thought there were some parts of Johnson’s game that needed work and that’s okay. Herbert seemed to have time in the pocket, and the offensive struggles shouldn’t be blamed on the offensive line with all the WR injuries they dealt with.
18. Tennessee Titans(Trade with Philadelphia Eagles, Originally New Orleans Saints)- Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Original Grade: B
Thoughts: My first thoughts are that the Titans got pretty good value for AJ Brown; pick 18 and a third round pick. They come up and get the best receiver available in Treylon Burks, but you are trying to replace a proven young superstar wide receiver with an upside receiver who has developing to do.
Updated Grade: C
Season Stats: 33 Catches, 444 Yards, 1 TD
Thoughts: Burks had as much negative press as you could have for a rookie with the asthma concerns and conditioning and everything in rookie camp. However, he flashed at different points and showed potential. He did miss six games though.
19. New Orleans Saints(Originally Philadelphia Eagles)- Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Original Grade: C+
Thoughts: The reason this is a C+ and not a C or C- or even worse is because they addressed the need. You got Winston a second receiver, and now you try to keep Winston upright. My issue is this is not a high value pick. This is a super reach for me. Penning’s physicality is his way of trying to hide that he is beatable. He did not stand out at the FCS level. To say he’s going to replace Terron Armstead is a hot take. Armstead is one of the league’s best tackles. Penning needs time to develop and the Saints can not give that to him, this is a concerning pick for me.
Updated Grade: Incomplete
Season Stats: N/A
Thoughts: Nothing to say here because Penning didn’t play this season. Although we had heard that holding was an issue for him before he got hurt… just as we predicted.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
Original Grade: C
Thoughts: I believe in Mitch Trubisky. I believe that Pickett and Trubiksy are closer in style of play than you might think. I get that he’s the hometown kid, but that doesn’t mean you take him. Pickett is the most ready to play, he does not have the upside of some of the other QBs. I guess if Trubisky fails or can’t win the job you have a safe starter, but this is interesting for sure when you have the choice of all the QBs.
I do not hate this pick. On the positives, he is super safe, can compete right away, is insurance for Trubisky, and is a local kid that your fans can get behind. On the negative side, his upside to me is capped, you already have a similar version of him in Mitch, and you may have been better served banking on Willis or Howell. If Trubisky truly does not have what it takes mentally to be an NFL quarterback, this grade is better. If he starts hot and does not look back though, Pickett gains nothing by sitting and it is a worse grade.
Updated Grade: C
Season Stats: 63% Cmp, 2404 Yards, 7 TD, 9 INT, 3 RTD
Thoughts: Kenny Pickett played almost exactly like we thought he would, if not slightly worse. As we noted in his profile and in our original thoughts, it was not a bad pick by Pitt. It was safe, and he played that way. At no point did he light it up, but at no point did he look overmatched either. The Steelers need to get offensive line help and another weapon for him, but he should continue to be a middle of the road quarterback moving forward.
21. Kansas City Chiefs(Trade with New England Patriots)- Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Original Grade: B+
Thoughts: I’m glad this wasn’t a trade up for a wide receiver. Kansas City traded with Patriots who are in the market for a corner to also get ahead of other teams in need of a corner. I like McDuffie, but I feel like his potential is down the line. The AFC is a bloodbath and the West is the heart of it. Although his upside isn’t as high I personally would’ve taken Kyler Gordon here. He is more ready to play now than McDuffie in my opinion, and is the best run defending corner in the class which I think the Chiefs could use in a division with Ekler, J. Williams, Gordon, Jacobs, and Drake.
Updated Grade: B+
Season Stats: 44 TT, 7 PD, 1 FF
Thoughts: McDuffie missed time with an injury, but seemed to play well when healthy. McDuffie to us is still a player to be excited about in the future. We think he has upside and potential still to be unlocked
22. Green Bay Packers(Originally Las Vegas Raiders)- Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Original Grade: D+
Thoughts: Look I like Quay. I believed that he could be the first linebacker off the board this year, and I do pat myself on the back for being right, but this is clearly not a need. The Packers have Campbell and Barnes, I know everyone forgets about Barnes but he’s a quality backer. This is a deep linebacker class, and they could’ve added to the room later in the draft. The only reason this isn’t a lower grade is because I like Walker as a prospect. He has high upside if given the opportunity to sit at first which he can do in Green Bay. He can play situationally in GB as a rookie. He played all over the Georgia front, and he’ll probably be used to help give different looks in the front.
This has nothing to do with Walker as a prospect, and everything to do with the position. Barnes is the starter next to Campbell and has been a gem find as an undrafted free agent. Even if you wanted to replace him, first round was not the choice when you need receiver so badly. Even if you wanted to argue receiver can be found later, Jermaine Johnson and players like Linderbaum were there. Instead they take a position they will regret. As with their next pick, what is the point of trading Adams for a first if your move does not greatly improve your team, and Walker does not.
Updated Grade: B-
Season Stats: 121 TT, 5 TFL, 7 PD, 3 FF
Thoughts: He was very good this season. Quay has quickly become a pro bowl level player in this league. However, he weirdly got ejected for two different maturity related penalties that were very odd. You can be a passionate player and still not do something dumb like push a trainer. We also stand by the notion that so many other positions could have been taken for Green Bay.
23. Buffalo Bills(Trade with Baltimore Ravens, Via trade with Arizona Cardinals)- Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Original Grade: C
Thoughts: Either one of the Washington corners would’ve been the best fit in Buffalo in my opinion. This grade sits at a C because they drafted the right position and Elam is not a bad prospect. Elam has the coverage skills to have been a top 20 pick in this year’s class, but he has injury concerns and may be the worst run defending corner I’ve ever watched. Think Marcus Peters but worse. If Elam was a better run defender or this is a different corner it’s a higher grade.
Updated Grade: D+
Season Stats: 41 TT, 2 INT, 4 PD
Thoughts: Kaiir Elam is a player who from what we could see wasn’t a full time starter, he was part of what seemed to be a rotation of the Bills CB room. From the small sample size we saw, he wasn’t playing too bad. Hopefully he can grow into a bigger role next season.
24. Dallas Cowboys- Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
Jack’s Grade: D-
Thoughts: I have Tyler Smith graded as a mid-late day 2 prospect. He has a lot more developing to do than most people think. Technique wise he is one of the rougher prospects I watched at tackle, but yanno Dallas gonna Dallas. Now Smith can get destroyed on the line and Anthony Brown can continue to try to live up to the legendary piece of burnt toast that is Eli Apple.
Updated Grade: C+
Season Stats: 1144 Snaps, 13 Penalties, 6 Sacks Allowed
Thoughts: We have to admit, Tyler Smith played better than we originally thought he would. The penalty number isn’t really shocking but it seemed to be a pretty good start for a player that we thought would need time to develop. We expect him to take a step forward next year.
25. Baltimore Ravens(Trade with Buffalo Bills)- Tyler Linderbuam, C, Iowa
Original Grade: A+
Thoughts: I don’t know how they do it, but the Ravens seem to be the best drafting team in football. Their ability to trust the board and move up and down without missing their guy is incredible. They get Hamilton at 14, and as they made that pick they traded back into the first 10 picks later to go get their guy in Linderbaum. They even traded down with Buffalo and still landed Linderbaum. They got 2 of the best prospects in this year’s class and at insanely low draft positions for players of their caliber. Great job Baltimore; Green Bay could use some advice.
Updated Grade: A+
Thoughts: 1092 Snaps, 6 Penalties, 3 Sacks Allowed
Thoughts: The fact that he fell to 25 is still baffling to us. Penalty number wasn’t too bad, and only 3 sacks allowed is great. People were worried about his size, but he proved it didn’t seem to matter. Linderbaum will hopefully take another step forward next year.
26. New York Jets(Trade with Tennessee Titans)- Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
Original Grade: A+
Thoughts: There were rumors that the Jets may take Johnson at 4 or even 10. The fact that they were able to take two different prospects at those picks and still be able to trade back into the first later on for peanuts and get their guy makes this a high value pick for me.
Updated Grade: B
Season Stats: 29 TT, 3 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 1 Safety
Thoughts: He definitely did not have the year we thought he would, but he still made himself known in run defense. He also missed 3 games. His pass rushing was always a work in progress but we expect him to take a step forward to match his run defense.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars(Trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers)- Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Original Grade: D+
Thoughts: There’s a couple ways to look at this. First, maybe the Jags want to be versatile up front to be able to give a variety of looks and generate pressure in a non-conventional sense. Walker, Lloyd, Allen, Chaisson, Key, the looks they could give could get confusing for opposing defenses. My second thought is that after the Urban Meyer year, Pederson’s first priority is trying to build the culture back up. Lloyd and Walker are both high character prospects. These are reasons why this is a C-. If not for these reasons this would be an F. Lloyd is a high reward prospect, but has developing to do. He is also high risk.
Updated Grade: C-
Season Stats: 115 TT, 8 PD, 3 INT
Thoughts: We heard Lloyd struggled this season despite having over 100 tackles, and even heard his snaps started to get cut toward the end. Not even surprised about that, we told you we thought there were effort concerns as well as part of his game to worry about. Not to say it’s over for Lloyd, but you hope he grows as a player heading into next year because he has the potential to be great.
28. Green Bay Packers- Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia
Original Grade: D
Thoughts: I’m giving Wyatt a slightly lower grade than I gave Q. Walker. I think Wyatt will help the Packers be able to give different looks on the front, but Wyatt is still more so based around upside and athleticism. He is not a sure thing. The point is the Packers continue to pass on first round wide receivers when it is desperately a need. If you don’t think the value is there, trade out don’t just take a player to take him. Your defense wasn’t the issue.
Horrible drafting continues for Green Bay. Even if I liked Wyatt more as a prospect, this does not make sense. It is not as much nonsense as the Walker pick, but it is still ridiculous. One of these two firsts had to be receiver, there should have been a trade up if they did not have first round grades on Moore or Watson or any of the ones remaining. I do not feel Wyatt is even a great fit on their line and in their scheme. If Wyatt and a receiver were taken the grade may be lighter, but going with Quay Walker and Wyatt makes this all the worse of a pick. Green Bay needs to pray there is not a receiver run early in the second (and it looks like there could be). They also need to move Jordan Love already and get whatever value they can, but with all of the quarterbacks falling besides Pickett, they may have hurt themselves even more by not doing it before.
Updated Grade: F
Season Stats: 15 TT, 1.5 Sacks, 1 PD
Thoughts: Total non factor. He did not miss any time and was maybe the worst rookie in the first round this year. Horrible pick at the time, even worse after the fact.
29. New England Patriots(Trade with Kansas City Chiefs, Via trade with Miami Dolphins, Originally San Francisco 49ERS)- Cole Strange, OG, Tennessee-Chattanooga
Original Grade: B+
Thoughts: New England picks up a couple later picks and goes out and gets their guy in typical Patriots fashion. I liked Strange, I had a late first round grade on him, so I’m happy to see that there was a team who had a late first grade on him too. I’m more comfortable with NE taking a first round lineman than I am them taking a CB because they have a bad history of taking first round corners. If there’s a strength on the Pats, it’s always the O-Line. If Belichick takes him, he’s most likely going to work out. Strange will take the spot left from the Shaq Mason trade.
Updated Grade: B-
Season Stats: 982 Snaps, 6 Penalties, 5 Sacks Allowed
Thoughts: HAHA… y’all thought we were crazy for how high we were on Cole Strange. Not that he was an elite level lineman, surely he played better than most of you thought he would. We think Strange will only get better with time, the Patriots have a history of developing lineman. Strange is next in line.
30. Kansas City Chiefs- George Karlaftis, DL, Purdue
Original Grade: A+
Thoughts: Karlaftis was our number one end. He has probably the quickest first step of the edges/ends, and is still fairly new to the position. There’s no elite pass rusher in KC, but he should be able to learn a thing or two from All-Pro Chris Jones. Karlaftis has versatility along the front and is solid in the run and as a rusher. To get him at 29 is an absolute steal. Again, great job by KC showing trust in their receivers, and addressing actual needs.
Karlaftis was my number one pure defensive end, and the Chiefs get him here at immense value. He is a day one starter, a three down player, and can kick inside if asked in different situations. A nice blend of speed and power will serve him well, as will learning from Chris Jones. Do not be surprised if he is the best pass rusher to come out of this first round.
Updated Grade: A-
Season Stats: 33 TT, 8 TFL, 6 Sacks, 7 PD
Thoughts: Karlaftis was our EDGE 2 in this draft and he played like it. He was third in sacks and second in TFL among rookie edge rushers. He especially came on strong in the second half with 5.5 of his 6 sacks coming after week 11.
31. Cincinnati Bengals- Daxton Hill. DB, Michigan
Original Grade: C-
This pick hurt me. For anyone who follows our stuff, you know that Dax Hill may have been my favorite prospect from this class. He is a playmaker. The issue is that either Cincy drafted him to be a full time safety or an outside corner, as their nickel position is already filled by Mike Hilton who in my book is the best nickel in the NFL. Can Hill be a full time safety or cornerback? Absolutely. I think he can be whatever a team asks him to be; however, it minimizes his ability to be the playmaker he was in college. Bates is still technically on the team. Hilton is on this team. This is a questionable pick with Booth and Gordon still on the board. I would’ve gone pure corner over Dax here. This grade is more about where is Dax going to fit in, not grading Dax as a player.
Updated Grade: D+
Season Stats: 16 TT, 1 QB Hit
Thoughts: He just barely played. We questioned this selection when the Bengals made it and it had nothing to do with his skill. This may be a more long term pick for them with Bates expected to move on after this season, but for first year grades, it is hard to believe almost any other position would have been more impactful here.
32. Minnesota Vikings(Trade with Detroit Lions, Originally Los Angeles Rams)- Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Original Grade: C
This grade has nothing to do with Cine as a prospect. I actually really like Cine. He was my 4th ranked safety in the class. Third if you take out the versatile Dax Hill. For a guy with the reputation of being a hard hitter, Cine played a lot of the deep zone coverage. He does a nice mix of everything and is still raw. Harrison Smith is the perfect veteran safety for Cine to learn leadership and technique and strategy stuff from. This grade has to do with the fact that Minnesota moved back 20 spots in the first just to move up 10 picks in the second round and gain a third rounder… and this trade was with a division rival nonetheless. They were also sitting at 12 where they could’ve taken Hamilton. Cine is a fine prospect but he’s not Hamilton. They walk out with a good prospect, a guy who probably pairs with Smith to be arguably the best safety tandem in football; however, this is a bozo move. The Lions went up to get Jameson Williams, and your CB room is still basically only the old man, Pat Pete.
Updated Grade: Incomplete
Season Stats: N/A
Thoughts: He barely played in the first two games and when he finally got a chance in the third he fractured his leg. It is a shame and a brutal injury, hopefully he recovers and is ready to go at the start of next season.