Before we get to the grades, I want to explain my grading system. There are always exceptions, but I grade picks based on both value and team needs, with value taking priority in most cases.
A: A team filled a major need and got great value.
B: A team filled a need and got respectable value OR got great value at a spot that wasn't a major need.
C: A team filled a need, but didn't get value for the player OR found good value, but the player doesn't fill a need.
D: A team didn't fill a need or reached terribly.
F: A team didn't remotely fill a need AND reached terribly.
I'm pretty tough on teams early on, so these grades might be lower than you might see on other sites. I get easier as the draft moves on, but I was pretty disappointed with some of the early picks. Remember, a team might get an overall grade lower or higher than the sum of their individual picks.
Arizona Cardinals: C+
1.27: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State - C
2.52: Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame - C+
3.84: Kareem Martin, DE, UNC - C
3.91: John Brown, WR, Pittsburgh State - C
4.120: Logan Thomas, QB, VT – C-
5.160: Ed Stinson, DE, Alabama – B+
6.196: Walt Powell, WR, Murray State – C+
Taking Bucannon in round one was a slight reach, but they did get an extra third to help make up for it. He'll make a good pairing with the Honey Badger. Palmer will love Niklas, but I was surprised the Cardinals grabbed a TE so early. I wasn't a fan of the Brown pick, as it was a reach and the Cards have a player like Brown already on the roster in Ted Ginn. Logan Thomas looks like an elite QB, but he's inaccurate and I doubt he reaches his full potential, even with quarterback guru Bruce Arians running the show. He looks like a first round pick, but plays like a seventh rounder. He was a reach in the fourth. I didn't hate any of the Cardinals' picks, but I didn't love any of them either. I'm surprised they didn't get any outside linebackers.
Atlanta Falcons: A-
1.6: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M - A-
2.37: Ra'Shede Hageman, DL, Minnesota - B+
3.68: Dez Southward, S, Wisconsin - C+
4.103: Devonta Freeman, RB, FSU – B
4.139: Prince Shembo, OLB, Notre Dame – B-
5.147: Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue – B
5.168: Marquis Spruill, LB, Syracuse – C+
7.253: Yawin Smallwood, ILB, UConn – A+
7.255: Tyler Starr, OLB, South Dakota – B
I really liked grabbing Matthews and Hageman to start the draft. Southward was a reach, but he and Spruill were the only picks the Falcons made I didn't like. I like Freeman quite a bit and he will eventually replace Steven Jackson. Smallwood will an absolute steal at the end of round seven. Shembo was a nice pick, but the Falcons still need a three-down player at the outside linebacker spot.
Baltimore Ravens: B
1.17: C.J. Mosely, LB, Baltimore - B
2.48: Timmy Jernigan, DT, FSU - B+
3.79: Terrence Brooks, S, FSU - B
3.99: Crockett Gilmore, TE, Colorado State - D
4.134: Brent Urban, DE, Virginia – B+
4.138: Lorenzeo Taliaferro, RB, Costal Carolina – C-
5.175: John Urschel, OG, Penn State – B+
6.194: Keith Wenning, QB, Ball State – B
7.218: Michael Campanaro, WR, Wake Forest – B+
The Ravens had another typical Ravens draft. They found good value and filled needs early on with Mosely, Jernigan and Brooks. Urban, Urschel and Campanaro were all nice late round picks. However, I don't understand taking Gilmore at the end of the third. It was a reach and didn't fill a need. Taliaferro fills a need, but he went too early and there were better running backs on the board. Had the Ravens taken other players in lieu of Gilmore and Taliaferro, this could have been an A draft.
Buffalo Bills: C+
1.4: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson - C+
2.44: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama - B
3.73: Preston Brown, ILB, Louisville - D
4.109: Ross Cockrell, CB, Duke – B
5.153: Cyril Richardson, OG, Baylor – A
7.221: Randell Johnson, OLB, FAU – B-
7.237: Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami (FL) – A-
I struggled with this grade. I love Watkins, but I don't love giving up a potential high draft pick next year. I like grabbing Kouandjio in round two and Richardson in round five was a steal. Brown was a bad reach in round three and he doesn't fill an immediate need. Henderson is an enigma. He looks like Orlando Pace, but underachieved at Miami. I like the pick though, because he could grow into a great player. If he doesn't, then the Bills only wasted a late seventh rounder. I was impressed with the Bills second day, more so than their first day. If the Bills didn't send away a first rounder, this grade would higher.
Carolina Panthers: D+
1.28: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, FSU - B
2.60: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri - C-
3.92: Trai Turner, OG, LSU - B-
4.128: Tre Boston, S, UNC – C+
5.148: Bene Benwikere, CB, San Jose State – B-
6.204: Tyler Gaffney, RB, Stanford – C-
I was confused by several picks the Panthers made. Offensive tackle was the team's biggest need and the Panthers didn't take a single one. Morgan Moses was on the board in round two, but the Panthers passed on him for Kony Ealy. That was a great value pick and he'll likely replace Greg Hardy, but it wasn't the right move. Benjamin is a boom-or-bust pick and the Panthers needed a wideout, but they should have taken at least two. They reached for Boston. Gaffney is a nice player, but the Panthers have plenty of runnings backs already. I wasn't impressed by what the Panthers did.
Chicago Bears: C+
1.14: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech - D+
2.51: Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU - D-
3.82: Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State - B+
4.117: Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Arizona – B-
4.131: Brock Vereen, S, Minnesota – B+
6.183: David Fales, QB, San Jose State – B
6:191: Pat O’Donnell, P, Miami (FL) – C+
7.246: Charles Leno, OT, Boise - B+
I wasn't a fan of taking Fuller or Ferguson, but the Bears' draft got better as it went on. Fuller was a reach at 14 and the Bears needed a safety. Unless they plan on moving Fuller to Charles Tilman to safety, I don't like that pick. Chicago eventually got Vereen to fill that role, but they needed to spend a higher pick. Ferguson was a huge reach early, but Sutton was a good pick. I like Carey and the Bears needed a running back behind Matt Forte.
Cincinnati Bengals: B+
1.24: Darqueze Dennard, CB, MSU - A+
2.55: Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU - B
3.88: Will Clarke, DE, West Virginia - B-
4.111: Russell Bodine, C, UNC – B
5.164: A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama – B+
6.212: Marquis Flowers, OLB, Arizona – B-
7.239: James Wright, WR, LSU – B
7.252: Lavelle Westbrooks, CB/S, Georgia Southern – B
Another year, another great draft by the Bengals. Dennard was a steal in round one and a great pick. Hill is more talented than Carlos Hyde, who many Bengals fans wanted. He has some off the field issues, but it was the right pick. Clarke will provide depth with the loss of Michael Johnson and Bodine could be the starting center. I'm not high on McCarron, but in the fifth round, it was a quality pick. The only area the Bengals didn't really address was getting another lineman.
Cleveland Browns: B+
1.8: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State - B-
1.22: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M - A-
2.35: Joel Bitonio, OG, Nevada - B-
3.71: Christian Kirksey, LB, Iowa - B-
3.94: Terrence West, RB, Towson - C+
4.127: Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood – B+
I think the Browns' draft is an example of the whole of its parts being greater than the sum, as I like what they did. They failed to address the wide receiver spot, which I thought was a big need even before the whole Josh Gordon mess. Still, they picked up another pick next year and got some great players. Gilbert and Haden make for a scary 1-2 combo, while Bitonio and Kirksey filled needs at guard and inside linebacker, respectively. West was probably a slight reach, but the Browns needed someone behind Ben Tate. Desir was great value in the fourth. Oh, and Johnny Cleveland has a great ring to it.
Dallas Cowboys: D+
1.16: Zach Martin, OG, Notre Dame - D+
2.34: Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise - C-
4.119: Anthony Hitchens, LB, Iowa – D
5.146: Devin Street, WR, Pittsburgh – B-
7.231: Ben Gardner, DT, Stanford – A-
7.238: Will Smith, ILB, Texas Tech – B+
7.248: Ahmad Dixon, S, Baylor – A+
7.251: Ken Biship, DT, Northern Illinois – B+
7.254: Terrance Mitchell, CB, Oregon – A+
I like Martin and Lawrence and they'll be quality starters, but they weren't the right picks for Dallas. At least they didn't foolishly grab Johnny Manziel. I hated trading up for Lawrence too. Hitchens shouldn't have even been drafted. I don't think Dallas needed another wide receivers, but taking Street was good value in round five. Dallas could have drafted Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Kony Ealy, Louis Nix and David Yankey in the first four rounds, which would have been amazing. Instead, they took Martin, Lawrence and Hitchens. On the bright side, Dallas made some great picks in the seventh round. Mitchell and Dixon were steals that late.
Denver Broncos: B
1.31: Bradley Roby, CB, OSU - B
2.56: Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana - B
3.95: Michael Schofield, OT, Michigan - C
5.156: Lamin Barrow, ILB, LSU – A
6.207: Matt Paradis, C, Boise State – B-
7.242: Corey Nelson, LB, Oklahoma – B-
The Broncos didn't have many needs, so they could pretty much take the best player available. Aside from Schofield, who was a reach, they made solid picks. Adding Latimer makes the offense even scarier, while Barrow fills a key need and was great value in round five.
Detroit Lions: C+
1.10: Eric Ebron, TE, UNC - C-
2.40: Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU - B
3.76: Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas - C-
4.133: Nevin Lawaon, CB, Utah State – A
4.136: Larry Webster, DE, Bloomsburg – C+
5.158: Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton – B+
6.189: T.J. Jones, WR, Notre Dame – B
7.229: Nate Freese, K, BC – B+
I don't like the Ebron pick, as it didn't fill a need and it wasn't great value. Van Noy fills a need though and was a nice pick. Swanson will eventually be a starter, but the Lions should have addressed the secondary before the fourth round. Lawson was great value, but they should have spent at least another pick on the position. Webster is a freak athlete, but he is a project and a reach. Reid doesn't fill a need, but taking him was great value in the fifth. The Lions would have gotten a better grade if they had done more to address their porous secondary.
Green Bay Packers: A-
1.21: Ha Ha Clinton Dix, S, Alabama - A+
2.53: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State - B
3.85: Khyri Thornton, DT, Southern Miss - C-
3.98: Richard Rodgers, TE, California - C+
4.121: Carl Bradford, OLB, Arizona State – B+
5.161: Corey Linsley, C, OSU – C+
5.176: Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin – A
6.197: Demetri Goodson, CB, Baylor – B-
7.236: Jeff Janis, WR, Saginaw Valley State – B+
The Packers had yet another solid draft. Clinton Dix was a great pick in the first and Adams was a solid selection in round two. I didn't like Thornton in round three and Rodgers was a slight reach, but I love the Bradford and Abbrederis picks. Linsely was a reach, but he filled a need. Ted Thompson knows what he is doing in Green Bay.
Houston Texans: A
1.1: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina - B
2.33: Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA - B
3.65: C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa - B
3.83: Louis Nix, NG, Notre Dame - A+
4.135: Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh – B-
6.177: Jeoffrey Pagan, DE, Alabama – B
6.181: Alfred Blue, RB, LSU – B-
6.211: Jay Prosch, FB, Auburn – B
7.216: Dre Hal, CB, Vanderbilt – A
7.256: Lonnie Ballentine, S, Memphis – B+
Clowney was the correct pick, even though he would be better in a 4-3 than a 3-4. Still, he's such a special talent that it won't matter too much. Su'a-Filo and Fiedorowicz will starter soon, if not right away. Getting Louis Nix at No. 83 was probably the steal of the draft. He could have been their second round pick and I would have loved it. Savage went earlier then his play says he should have, but he has potential. He's not ready to start right away, but Bill O'Brien is a QB guru. If anyone can get the most out of Savage, it's O'Brien. The Texans found some nice players with their late round picks too. Houston had one of the best drafts this year.
Indianapolis Colts: C-
2.59: Jack Mewhort, OL, OSU - C-
3.90: Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss - C+
5.166. Jonathan Newsome, DE, Ball State – C
6.203: Andrew Jackson, ILB, WKU – B+
7.232: Ulrick John, OT, Georgia State – B-
I'm not a big fan of what the Colts did. They were in a tough spot without a first round pick, but they didn't make the most of their selections. Mewhort fills a need, but there were better players on the board. Moncreif could be good in a few seasons, but he won't help right away. The Colts needed more defensive help and they didn't really get any. Jackson was the only pick I liked.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C
1.3: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF - D-
2.39: Marqise Lee, WR, USC - A
2.61: Allen Robison, WR, Penn State - C
3.93: Brandon Linder, OG, Miami (FL) - D+
4.114: Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma B
5.144: Telvin Smith, OLB, FSU – A
5.159: Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas – B
6.205: Luke Bowanko, C, Virginia – B-
7.222: Storm Johnson, RB, UCF – A
I hated the Jaguars' start, as Bortles was a huge reach early. Lee was a great pick in round two. Getting Robinson was good value, but didn't really fill a need. Trading up for Linder was a reach, but the Jags got better after that. They'll 'redshirt' Colvin, a move patented by the 49ers, so I liked that pick. Telvin Smith was a steal in round five. Chris Smith and Johnson could be starters sooner rather than later. The Jags are banking the future on Bortles. I don't think that's a wise move, but they think he's more Ben Roethlisberger than he is Jake Locker.
Kansas City Chiefs: C-
1.23: Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn - D
3.87: Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice - B
4.124: De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon – C+
5.163: Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia – B
6.193: Zach Fulton, OG, Tennessee – B
6.200: Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff, OT, McGill – B+
Dee Ford was a terrible pick early, as the Chiefs already have Justin Houston and Tamba Hali at outside linebacker. Gaines was a nice pick in round three, as was Murray in round five. Both could develop into starters. Thomas will replace Dexter McCluster, although I'm not that high on Thomas and the Chiefs reached for him. I think he would be a very good cornerback, but no team will move him there. The biggest issue is the Chiefs failed to find another wideout to pair with the inconsistent Dwayne Bowe.
Miami Dolphins: C
1.19: Ja'Wuan James, OT, Tennessee - D
2.63: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU - C+
3.67: Billy Turner, OL, North Dakota State - B+
4.125: Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty – B
5.155: Arthur Lynch, TE, Georiga – A
5.171: Jordan Tripp, LB, Montana – A
6.190: Matt Hazel, WR, Costal Carolina – B
7.234: Terrence Fede, DE, Marist – B
The Dolphins were in a tough spot early, as they desperately needed a tackle. However, they reached badly for James. Landry was a decent pick, but a bit of a reach and didn't fill a major need. After that, the Dolphins had a nice draft. Turner might be better than James and Aikens and Lynch were good value picks and filled needs. Tripp was a steal in the fifth. Reaching so badly for James ruins Miami's grade.
Minnesota Vikings: A
1.9: Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA - B-
1.32 Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville - A+
3.72: Scott Crichton, DE, Vikings - B+
3.96: Jerick McKinnon, RB, Georgia Southern - C
5.145: David Yankey, OG, Stanford – A+
6.182: Antone Exum, CB, VT – A-
6.184: Kendall James, CB, Maine – B
7.220: Shamar Stephen, DT, UConn – B
7.223: Brandon Watts, OLB, GT – B-
7.225: Jabari Price, CB, UNC – B
Barr is raw, but he could be great. Getting Bridgewater at No. 32 was easily the best pick in the first round. While McKinnon was a bit of a reach in round three, getting Crichton was great value. Taking Yankey in round five was one of the best steals in the draft. He should have gone on Day 2. Exum could be a starter down the road. I love what the Vikings did this year. They've set themselves up for a bright future.
New England Patriots: C
1.29: Dominique Easley, DT, Florida - C-
2.62: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois - B-
4.105: Bryan Stork, C, FSU – B
4.130: James White, RB, Wisconsin – C+
4.140: Cameron Fleming, OT, Stanford – A
6.179: Jon Halapio, OG, Florida – B
6.198: Zach Moore, DE, Concordia University St. Paul – C+
6.206: Jemea Thomas, S, Georgia Tech – B
7.244: Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan – B
The Patriots had a strange draft. They took players I liked in Easley, Graoppolo, Stork and White. However, they reached for those players. White was probably the worst of those moves, as he went too early and there were better players on the board. Getting Fleming in round four was a steal though. I think the Patriots got some good players, but reached for most. Plus, not many of them will help the team right away. I'm surprised they didn't get Tom Brady more help.
New Orleans Saints: C+
1.20: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State - C+
2.58: Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska - C
4.126: Khairi Fortt, LB, California – C+
5.167: Vinnie Sunseri, S, Alabama – B
5.169: Ronald Powell, LB, Florida – B+
6.202: Tavon Rooks, OT, Kansas State – C
I think the Saints got a great player in Cooks, but in such a deep draft class I don't think they should have moved up for him. Jean-Baptiste may compare to Richard Sherman, but that doesn't mean he plays like Sherman. Fortt was a bit of a reach, but I liked the Powell pick. I'm not as impressed by the Saints' draft as others are, but it was still solid.
New York Giants: C+
1.12: Odell Beckham, WR, LSU - C
2.43: Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State - B
3.74: Jay Bromley, DT, Syracuse: C
4.113: Andre Williams, RB, BC – B
5.152: Nat Berhe, S, San Diego State – C-
5.174: Devon Kennard, OLB, USC – B
6.187: Bennett Jackson, CB, Notre Dame – B
I think the Giants should have selected Aaron Donald and not Odell Beckham in the first round. Beckham is talented, but Donald was better a value and filled a bigger need. Richburg could start right away. Bromley filled a need, but there were better prospects on the board. Williams, Kennard and Jackson were all solid picks. Berhe was a reach in the fifth. The Giants didn't have a bad draft, but I think they could have done much better.
New York Jets: C-
1.17: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville - B-
2.49: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech - A
3.80: Dex McDougle, CB, Maryland - C-
4.104: Jalen Saunders, WR, Oklahoma – C
4.115: Shaq Evans, WR, UCLA – C+
4.137: Dakota Dozier, OG, Furman – B+
5.154: Jeremiah George, ILB, Iowa State – C-
6.195: Brandon Dixon, CB, NW Missouri State – C
6.209: Quincy Enunwa, WR, Nebraska – C
6.210: IK Enemkpali, DE, Lousiana Tech – C
6.213: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson – B+
7.233: Trevor Reilly, OLB, Utah – A+
The Jets started well with Pryor and Amaro, who was a great selection in round two. However, they then reached for McDougle, Saunders and Evans. They made a nice pick with Dozier but kept reaching until they took Boyd and Riley. Boyd might not amount to much, but he was worth a sixth round selection. Reilly was an absolute steal in the seventh. He should have been gone long before that. With so many selections, the Jets should have done much better than they did.
Oakland Raiders: A
1.5: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo - A
2.36: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State - A
3.81: Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State - A-
4.107: Justin Ellis, DT, Oakland – B
4.116: Keith McGill, CB, Utah – A
7.219: T.J. Carrie, CB, Ohio – B+
7.235: Shelby Harris, DE, Illinois State – B
7.247: Jonathan Dowling, S, WKU – B+
The Raiders had their best draft in a long time. Mack was a great pick at No. 5 and he's going to be a stud for them. Getting Carr was good value in the second and he should be their starting QB in a year or two. Jackson was another great pick in the third. Ellis wasn't as great as the first three selections, but it was still a good pick. McGill was a steal in the fourth. Carrie could be a sleeper. It's clear Al Davis is no longer running the show in Oakland.
Philadelphia Eagles: C+
1.26: Marcus Smith, OLB, Louisville - F
2.42: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt - C
3.86: Josh Huff, WR, Oregon - C-
4.101: Jaylen Watkins, CB, Florida – A-
5.141: Taylor Hart, DE, Oregon – B+
5.162: Ed Reynolds, S, Stanford – A
7.224: Beau Allen, DT, Wisconsin – B
I didn't like the Eagles' first three selections, as Matthews, Huff and Smith were all reaches. Huff will probably be successful under his old coach, but he went too early. I didn't think the Eagles needed to move up for Matthews. Smith was the worst pick of the first round, as I had him as an early third or late second round prospect. However, I loved the Eagles' picks on Day 3. Watkins and Reynolds were steals, while Hart is a perfect fit. Those picks saved the Eagles' grade.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B
1. 15: Ryan Shazier, LB, OSU - D+
2.46: Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame - A
3.97: Dri Archer, RB, Kent State - C-
4.118: Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson – A
5.157: Shaq Richardson, CB, Arizona – B
5.173: Wesley Johnson, OT, Vanderbilt – B
6.192: Jordan Zumwalt, LB, UCLA – A
6.215: Daniel McCullers, NG, Tennessee – A
7.230: Rob Branchflower, TE, UMass – A-
The Steelers made some questionable picks, but made some great ones too. I think they grabbed Shazier too early and he doesn't fill a major need. A corner at No. 15 would have been better. Tuitt was a great pick in the second. I don't like the Archer selection though. It was a luxury pick the Steelers couldn't afford. Bryant will be the big wide out Ben Roethlisberger likes to have. Johnson and Richardson filled big needs, but the Steelers should done more at those positions. The Steelers got steals in Zumwalt, McCullers and Branchflower. All three should have been drafted before they were. Had the Steelers found more help at corner and on the offensive line, they would have gotten a better grade. I think they could be one of the few teams to have all their draft picks make the roster.
San Diego Chargers: B
1.25: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU - B
2.50: Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech - B
3.89: Chris Watt, OG, Notre Dame - C+
5.165: Ryan Carrethers, NG, Arkansas State – A
6.201: Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State – B
7.240: Tevin Reese, WR, Baylor – A-
The Chargers had a solid, albeit unspectacular draft. Aside from Watt, they didn't reach for any players. Getting Verrett, Attaochu and Carrethers filled the team's biggest needs and they didn't reach for any of them. Attaochu is unheralded because he went to Georgia Tech, but he is a talented player. Reese can fly, but he might be too small to last long.
San Francisco 49ers: A-
1.30: Jimmie Ward, S, NIU - C+
2.57: Carlos Hyde, RB, OSU - B-
3.70: Marcus Martin, C, USC - A-
3.77: Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin - A
3.100: Brandon Thomas, OG, Clemson - A
4.106: Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina – A
4.129: Dontae Johnson, CB, N.C. State – B
5.150: Aaron Lynch, DE, USF – B
5.170: Keith Reaser, CB, FAU – C
6.180: Kenneth Acker, CB, SMU – C+
7.243: Kaleb Ramsey, DT, Boston College – B
7.245: Trey Millard, FB, Oklahoma – B+
Ward was a bit of reach in the first, but I'm a big fan of his. The 49ers didn't need Hyde, but he provided nice value in the second. I do wonder what his selection means for the health of Marcus Lattimore and/or the futures of Frank Gore and LaMichael James. Martin, Ellington, Borland and Johnson all provided value while filling needs. Lynch has potential, but needs to play more like he did at Notre Dame than he did at South Florida. Millard and Thomas are both "draft-and-stash" players. They can sit out a year while they get healthy. Thomas could have been a late first or early second round pick if he didn't get hurt in the months leading up to the draft. This was another classic 49ers draft, which is a good thing.
Seattle Seahawks: C-
2.45: Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado - C
2.64: Justin Britt, OT, Missouri - F
4.108: Cassius Marsh, DE, UCLA – B-
4.123: Kevin Norwood, WR, Alabama – B
4.132: Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB, Boston College – B
5.172: Jimmy Staten, DT, Middle Tennessee – C+
6.199: Garrett Scott, OT, Marshall – C+
6.208: Eric Pinkins, S, San Diego State – B-
7.227: Kiero Small, RB, Arkansas – B-
I'm often perplexed by Seattle's drafts and am so again this year. They reached for a ton of players, as their last four picks were players I didn't think were going to be drafted. Marsh went too early, but he's a classic Seahawks player, so I like that pick. Norwood and Pierre-Louis were good selections too. Richardson was a reach, but he could be a very good player. Britt was the worst reach of the draft. Of course, Seattle has proven they know what they are doing.
St. Louis Rams: B+
1.2: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn - C+
1.13: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh - B+
2.41: LaMarcus Joyner, CB/S, FSU - A-
3.75: Tre Mason, RB, Auburn - B-
4.110: Maurice Alexanders, S, Utah State – C-
6.188: E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri – A-
6.214: Garrett Gilbert, QB, SMU – C+
7.226: Mitchell Van Dyk, OL, Portland State – B-
7.241: Christian Bryant, S, OSU – B
7.249: Michael Sam, DE, Missouri – A-
7.250: Demetrius Rhaney, C, Tennessee State – B-
The Rams made a solid selection in Robinson and then made a pair of great ones in Donald and Joyner. Donald reminds me of Geno Atkins and Joyner has a bit of Tyrann Mathieu in his game. Mason didn't fill a need, but was good value. Taking Alexander makes for a great story, but it was a reach. Gaines filled a need and was good value in the sixth. Gilbert won't last long in the NFL, but it was the sixth round so it wasn't too bad of a selection. Sam is better than his draft position indicates. His landing spots were limited because he's a tweener. The Rams had an impressive draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B-
1.7: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M - B
2.38: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington - B-
3.69: Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia - D-
5.143: Kadeem Edwards, OG, Tennessee State – B-
5.149: Kevin Pamphile, OT, Purdue – C
6.185: Robert Herron, WR, Wyoming – A
Evans and Seferian-Jenkins were both solid picks. Josh McCown is going to think he's throwing to basketball players next year. Edwards was a solid pick, while Pamphile was a slight reach. I am surprised the Bucs didn't get a guard sooner though. Sims was a terrible pick though. He was a reach it doesn't fill a need at all. I really don't understand why the Bucs felt the need to take him when they have Doug Martin, Bobby Rainey and Mike James. Herron was a great pick in the sixth. The small but fast wide out is the perfect compliment to the size on the Bucs' roster. The only thing preventing the Bucs from getting a higher grade is that they didn't address some holes in the front seven.
Tennessee Titans: C+
1.11: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan - D+
2.54: Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington - B+
4.112: Daquan Jones, DT, Penn State – B+
4.122: Marqueston Huff, CB/S, Wyoming – B
5.151: Avery Williamson, ILB, UK – B-
6.178: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU – A+
Taking Taylor Lewan wasn't a reach, but it was one of the more confusing picks in the first round because he didn't fill a need at all. The Titans just signed Michael Oher and have Michael Roos. They won't move anyone to guard, because they paid Andy Levitre a lot of money and drafted Chance Warmack in the first round last year. Aside from that selection, I like the draft quite a bit. Sankey fills the massive hole at running back created by cutting Chris Johnson. I thought he was the best running back in the draft and the Titans did too. Jones, Huff and Williamson all fill needs in the Titans' 3-4 defense while providing value. Mettenberger was a steal in the sixth. He could be the starter in a year if the Titans let Jake Locker walk. The Titans should have added more pieces for their 3-4 defense.
Washington Redskins: C
2.47: Trent Murphy, LB, Stanford - D
3.66: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia - A+
3.78: Spencer Long, OG, Nebraska - D
4.102: Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson – A
5.142: Ryan Grant, WR, Tulane – B-
6.186: Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor – A+
7.217: Ted Bolser, TE, Indiana – B-
7.228: Zach Hocker, K, Arkansas - B
The Redskins made some bad picks early. They reached for Trent Murphy when they already have Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo, both of whom were first round picks, at the position. Long was a sixth round pick at best, but he does fill a need. Morgan Moses was one of the best picks of the draft though. He should have been the Redskins' pick in the second round. Breeland was a steal too. He should have been at least a third rounder. Lache Seastrunk was a steal in the sixth. He was one of my favorite running backs in the draft. The Redskins were hamstrung by not having a first round pick, but they made some nice picks. Stealing a third rounder from Dallas in a trade helps the grade too.
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