Arizona Cardinals- Arizona upgraded an already strong offensive line by picking DJ Humphries in the first round. They also added much needed depth on the defensive line by selecting Markus Golden, Rodney Gunter, and Shaq Riddick in the later rounds. The Cards also needed a running back and they selected David Johnson in the third round to pair with Andre Eillington. Something they could've done but they didn't was add depth to the linebacker positions as well as another cornerback. Instead, they added receiver depth, which isn't the worst thing to do.
Grade: B
Atlanta Falcons- Atlanta arguably filled its biggest need with an pass rusher in their first round pick, Vic Beasley. They also gave Matt Ryan more weapons in picking Tevin Coleman and Justin Hardy. Hardy gives the Falcons receiving depth behind Julio Jones and Roddy White, which Atlanta truly lacked for a while. Atlanta shore up the defensive line depth with Grady Jarrett and the secondary with Jalen Collins and Akeem King. I really think Atlanta should have drafted a tight end somewhere between the second and fourth rounds and they could have added another defensive lineman between those rounds as well and saved the secondary depth for later on. Other than that, I like what Atlanta did here.
Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens- Baltimore had a very nice draft here. Arguably their most glaring need was at wide receiver and they selected Breshad Perriman in the first round to replace Torrey Smith. With Dennis Pitta aging and injury prone, they selected Maxx Williams in the second round to give them tight end depth. The Ravens also added much needed running back depth with Javorius Allen. Also, they shore up their defensive line depth by adding Carl Davis and Za'Darius Smith. Their secondary was shore up as well as they picked Tray Walker. One position that Baltimore could have added depth at was linebacker. Other than that, Baltimore had a successful draft.
Grade: A-
Buffalo Bills- Buffalo didn't have that great of a draft by all accounts. They did upgrade the secondary by picking Ronald Darby in the second round. The offensive line needed some help and they used a pick on John Miller to sure up that. They added running back depth by selecting Karlos Williams and linebacker depth by selecting Tony Steward. The Bills should have selected a quarterback somewhere between the second and fourth rounds since they really don't have a long-term answer there. Although I like the Darby pick, they should have upgraded the safety position as well.
Grade: C
Carolina Panthers- Carolina still has a ton of holes on their roster. They added depth to an area which they already had strength in which was at linebacker by bringing in Shaq Thompson and David Mayo. They upgraded the offensive line by bringing in Daryl Williams, although they should have addressed the offensive line earlier in the draft. The Panthers did bring in more weapons for Cam Newton by drafting Devin Funchess and Cameron Artis-Payne. Carolina made a mistake in trading away some picks because they should've used them to upgrade the secondary. Overall, not a good draft for Carolina.
Grade: D
Chicago Bears- I didn't mind Chicago's draft. They found their replacement for Brandon Marshall in Kevin White, who has the potential to be great. They shored their defensive line up by picking Eddie Goldman in the second round, who has first round talent. They also addressed their offensive line by bringing in Hroniss Grasu and Tayo Fabuluje. Jeremy Langford in all likelihood will replace Matt Forte and will be the Bears running back of the future. They did shore up the secondary by bringing in Adrian Amos, although I preferred them drafting a corner. One area I thought they should've shored up was the linebacking core. Other than that, Chicago had a great draft.
Grade: B+
Cincinnati Bengals- Cincinnati had an excellent draft. They addressed the offensive line in the first and second rounds by picking Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher. They gave Andy Dalton more weapons by drafting Tyler Kroft, CJ Uzomah, and Mario Alford. The defensive line was shore up by bringing in Marcus Hardison and they also brought in Paul Dawson to shore up the linebacking core. I really liked what Cincinnati did here.
Grade: A-
Cleveland Browns- A lot of people loved Cleveland's draft, but I didn't love it although I didn't mind it. Cleveland addressed the defensive line by drafting Danny Shelton, Nate Orchard, and Xavier Cooper. They shore up the receiving by drafting Vince Mayle, Malcolm Johnson, and Randall Telfer. The offensive line was also addressed by bringing in Cameron Irving. The linebacking core was shored up by bringing in Hayes Pullard. Cleveland should have brought in a quarterback to upgrade over Johnny Manziel, who's in all likelihood a bust. Overall, I don't mind it, except one of those earlier picks should have been a quarterback and that's why I gave the Browns the grade I gave them.
Grade: B
Dallas Cowboys- Dallas's draft has had many controversial opinions about it. I think they did ok. They addressed the secondary by drafting Byron Jones in the first round. The controversial pick actually filled an important need the Cowboys had on the defensive line which was Randy Gregory. Dallas also shored up the linebacking core by bringing in Damien Wilson and Mark Nzeocha. An area which they didn't address which will cost them a letter grade from me was running back, which they needed someone to replace DeMarco Murray. Another piece to the secondary would have been nice as well.
Grade: C+
Denver Broncos- Denver traded up in the first round to draft the troubled but talented Shane Ray, which fills a need on the defensive line. They also added Darius Kilgo to the defensive line. They also shore up the offensive line by drafting Ty Sambrailo and Max Garcia. The secondary depth was also shore up with Lorenzo Doss, Taurean Nixon, and Josh Furman. Overall, a pretty good draft for the Broncos.
Grade: B+
Detroit Lions- Detroit had a decent draft to say the least. The offensive line was shored up with Laken Tomlinson and Corey Robinson. The defensive line was shored up as well with Gabe Wright. The secondary was also shored up with Alex Carter and Quandre Diggs. The Lions addressed the depth of the running back position as well by drafting Ameer Abdullah. My only issue is that they should have addressed the defensive line in the earlier rounds.
Grade: B
Green Bay Packers- Green Bay had an outstanding draft. They added secondary depth by drafting Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. The defensive line was shored up by bringing in Christian Ringo. They also added linebacking depth by bringing in Jake Ryan. Aaron Rodgers was given new weapons because of the fact they drafted Ty Montgomery, Aaron Ripkowski, and Kennard Backman. The Packers also drafted their possible future quarterback in Brett Hundley. Overall, a great draft for the Pack.
Grade: A
Houston Texans- Houston had a great draft. They upgraded their secondary by drafting Kevin Johnson. They shored up the receiving core by drafting Jaelen Strong and Keith Mumphrey. The Texans also shored up their linebacking core by bringing in Benardrick McKinney and Reshard Cliett. One thing Houston should have done was address the long-term answer at quarterback, but other than that, a great draft overall.
Grade: B+
Indianapolis Colts- I liked something's Indianapolis did and there were things I didn't like here. They added offensive line depth with Denzelle Good. They addressed the secondary by drafting D'Joun Smith and Clayton Geathers. They added running back depth by drafting John Robinson. The defensive line was shored up by bringing in Henry Anderson and David Parry. They should have went and got offensive line help in the earlier rounds instead of drafting Phillip Dorsett, a receiver that Andrew Luck doesn't necessarily need.
Grade: B
Jacksonville Jaguars- Jacksonville had a solid draft. With the third overall pick, they selected Dante Fowler Jr, who is a edge rusher in which Jacksonville needed. They addressed the running back position by drafting TJ Yeldon. The secondary was also addressed by drafting James Sample. The Jaguars have given Blake Bortles new weapons in Rashad Greene, Neal Sterling, and Ben Koyack. One thing I think Jacksonville should have done was add another linebacker.
Grade: B
Kansas City Chiefs- Kansas City had a great draft. They addressed the offensive line by drafting Mitch Morse. They shore up the receiving core by bringing in Chris Conley, James O'Shaugnessy, and Da'Ron Brown. The Chiefs also shored up their linebacking core by adding Ramik Wilson and DJ Alexander. The secondary was also shored up by adding Marcus Peters and Steven Nelson. Overall, you got to like what the Chiefs did here.
Grade: A
Miami Dolphins- Miami had a nice draft. They needed a wide receiver and they got one in DeVante Parker, who was a steal from where they selected. They addressed the offensive line by drafting Jamil Douglas. The Dolphins also needed a running back and they got one in Jay Ajayi. The secondary was also shored up by drafting Bobby McCain, Cedric Thompson, and Tony Lippett. The only area that I feel had to be shored up but wasn't was the linebacking core. Overall, a fine draft for Miami.
Grade: B
Minnesota Vikings- Minnesota did a great job in this draft. They addressed the cornerback position by drafting Trae Waynes. The offensive line was shored up by bringing in TJ Clemmings and Tyrus Thompson. The linebacking core was shored up as well by bringing in Eric Kendricks and Austin Sheppard. The Vikings gave Teddy Bridgewater another weapon in Stefon Diggs. I loved what Minnesota did, but something they should have done was drafted a receiver in one of the early rounds.
Grade: A-
New England Patriots- There are some things I really liked about New England's draft and there were some things I didn't like. They needed someone to replace Vince Wilfork on the defensive line and they one in Malcolm Brown. The offensive line was addressed my bringing in Tre' Jackson and Shaq Mason. The secondary was shored up by bringing in Jordan Richards and Darryl Roberts. The
Overall: C+
New Orleans Saints- New Orleans filled some needs and they also failed to fill other needs. They got offensive line help with their first round pick in Andrus Peat. The secondary was shored up by bringing in PJ Williams and Damian Swann. The defensive line got shored up too by bringing in Tyeler Davison. The linebacking core got addressed by bringing in Stephone Anthony, Hau'oli Kikawa, and Davis Tull. The Saints did not add depth to the wide receiver and tight end positions, which had gotten weaker before the draft.
Overall: C
New York Giants- There has been many different opinions on the Giants draft throughout the media. I didn't mind it. They addressed the offensive line by taking Ereck Flowers in the first round, although I believe they wanted Brandon Scherff. They traded up into the second round to fill a big hole at safety with Landon Collins. The defensive line was shored up by drafting Owamagbe Odighizuwa. They also picked Mykkele Thompson to shore up the secondary. Overall, a pretty solid draft for Big Blue.
Grade: B
New York Jets- The Jets had a great draft. They got a steal with their first round pick in Leonard Williams since five other teams passed on him. The linebacking core was shored up by drafting Lorenzo Mauldin. The shored up their receiving depth by drafting Devin Smith. The Jets may have also drafted their future franchise quarterback in Bryce Petty. Depth was added to the offensive line by picking up Jarvis Harrison. The Jets did not draft a running back, but they traded for one during the draft in Zac Stacy. Like I said, there's a lot to like here.
Grade: A
Oakland Raiders- Oakland did a good job addressing certain needs they had. They drafted the best receiver in the draft in Amari Cooper and they did need a big-time receiver and they got one here in Cooper. They addressed the defensive line by drafting Mario Edwards Jr and Max Valles. The offensive line was shored up as well by picking up Jonathan Feliciano and Anthony Morris. They also shored up the secondary by drafting Dexter McDonald. I do think they should have drafted secondary help in the earlier rounds but other than that, nice draft by the silver and black.
Grade: B+
Philadelphia Eagles- No team was in more trade rumors for the top two picks than Philadelphia. Well, they didn't trade up for Marcus Mariota and they settled with their own first round pick by picking a position of need player in Nelson Agholor. They addressed their cornerback situation by drafting Eric Rowe, JaCorey Shepherd, and Randall Evans. The linebacking core was shored up by picking Jordan Hicks. The Eagles should have drafted a safety here too. I really think it's somewhat of a failure that they didn't land Mariota. That's why the grade is a lowly one.
Grade: D+
Pittsburgh Steelers- I really liked what Pittsburgh did. They drafted Bud Dupree to shore up the linebacking core and he may have been a steal at where he was drafted. They addressed the secondary by picking up Senquez Golson, Doran Grant, and Gerod Holliman. They got more receiving and tight end depth with Sammie Coates and Jesse James. Overall, they had a great draft.
Grade: A-
San Diego Chargers- San Diego had a nice draft. They were aggressive and traded up in the first round to get Melvin Gordon and the Chargers did have a need at running back. The defensive line was shored up by picking up Kyle Emanuel and Darius Philon. They also addressed a need at linebacker with Denzel Perryman and at cornerback with Craig Mager. One thing the Chargers did not address was the offensive line. Other than that, not a bad draft.
Grade: B-
San Francisco 49ers- San Francisco did not fill all the needs they had to fill. One of the needs they did fill though was on the defensive line by drafting Arik Armstead and Eli Harrold. Jaquiski Tartt was a nice addition to the secondary but they needed corners not necessarily safeties. And one key position that they needed and addressed was at wide receiver with DeAndre Smelter. They did address the offensive line as well with Ian Silberman and Trenton Brown. I felt that they needed help at the linebacker position since some guys they have there are aging at the position and they did not address that either.
Grade: D
Seattle Seahawks- Seattle didn't have many needs, but they filled most of them. They shored up their offensive line by drafting Terry Poole and Mark Glowinski. Russell Wilson needed some weapons and he got a one in Tyler Lockett. They added defensive line depth by drafting Frank Clark, Obum Gwacham, and Kristjan Sokoli. They also added secondary depth by picking Tye Smith and Ryan Murphy. The lone area that I felt had to be addressed but wasn't was the linebacker position. Other than that, a solid draft for Seattle.
Grade: B
St. Louis Rams- St. Louis had yet another great draft. They drafted the talented running back Todd Gurley in the first round, which led to them trading Zac Stacy. They addressed the offensive line by adding Rob Havenstein, Jamon Brown, Andrew Donnal, and Cody Wichmann. They got more receiver depth in drafting Bud Sasser. Nick Foles probably isn't the long term answer at quarterback so they decided to draft Sean Mannion, who will likely compete for a backup role. Overall, what's not to like here?
Grade: A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Tampa Bay addressed their more important needs, but not all needs. Jameis Winston is a red flag because of his off-field issues, but he is very talented and is capable of becoming a franchise quarterback. The offensive line was shored up by bringing in Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet. The linebacking was shored up as well by drafting Kwon Alexander. An area that should have been addressed was the defensive line, but it wasn't. Since Doug Martin will be a free agent at the end of the year, they should have drafted a running back as well.
Grade: C+
Tennessee Titans- After all that trade talk, Tennessee decided to keep the pick and draft Marcus Mariota. They got offensive line help with Jeremiah Poutasi coming into the mix. The running back position was given more depth with David Cobb. Mariota got some weapons as well in Dorial Green-Beckham and Tre McBride. The defensive line was shored up as well by drafting Angelo Blackson. The secondary should have been shored up too, but it wasn't.
Grade: B-
Washington Redskins- Washington did a good job filling their needs. They got offensive line help in drafting Brandon Scherff in the first round, although some may argue that they should have drafted Leonard Williams instead. They got secondary help by drafting Kyshoen Jarrett and Tevin Mitchel. They shored up the linebacking by drafting Martell Spaight and the defensive line by bringing in Preston Smith. Overall, a solid draft.
Grade: B+
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