Tennessee Titans
Grade: B+
Best Pick: QB Cameron Ward, No. 1 Overall
What We Liked: An all-around good draft for the Titans, who are putting together a crack offense in an attempt to actually win some games this year. Ward was the clear QB1 this year. His confidence and ability to handle lots of responsibilities will make the lives of his coordinators easier. Wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (No. 136) and tight end Gunnar Helm (No. 120) will be great support for Ward and provide reliable hands to help him get his rhythm going at the professional level. Safety Kevin Winston Jr. (No. 82) headlines the defensive picks for me. Though he was injured last year, he gave his all in 2023 and kept a day three slot because of it.
Not Sure About: I’m still not convinced Oluwafemi Oladejo (No. 52) is a real edge rusher. He just feels like a square peg being pushed into a round hole. I’ve mentioned the idea of “positionless defenses” but this guy has a position: It’s just not the one he’s playing at the moment. It also felt like a stretch to take wide receiver Chimere Dike (No. 103) in the fourth round, another speedster who does not do a lot else to provide value to the team.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: B
Best Pick: CB/WR Travis Hunter, No. 2 Overall
What We Liked: That Travis Hunter trade was incredible. Getting two top-end weapons for the price of one is worth any amount of pick capital you have to pay to get up there. James Gladstone is making an incredible splash in his first year as a general manager with this trade and did lots of draft maneuvering that worked to his advantage. The pickup of guard Wyatt Milum (No. 89) solidifies the offensive line well, and running back Bhayshul Tuten (No. 104) should be a really strong dynamic duo with Tank Bigsby to take pressure off Trevor Lawrence.
Not Sure About: Hmm, lots of announcing guys who aren’t going to play the
position they did in college, shifting over to somewhere else. Caleb Ransaw (No. 88) played all slot corner last year and is looking to be used at safety; Jalen McLeod (No. 194) got announced as a linebacker when his natural fit is as an edge rusher; and Milum is likely shifting from tackle to guard. If these guys don’t do well at their next position, the Jaguars’ depth class is pretty much toast.
New York Giants
Grade: C-
Best Pick: Edge Abdul Carter, No. 3 Overall
What we liked: Carter is a great player. Pairing him with Brian Burns will turn a middling edge rusher unit into a force to be reckoned with. Focusing on the defensive trenches was a good decision for the Giants, who despite having lots of talent, really only felt like they were getting halfway decent results. Picking up defensive tackle Darius Alexander (No. 65) to supplement Dexter Lawrence should play out well, too. That defense could easily become a top-10 unit next year with the added talent.
Not Sure About: I know when you see a guy who could be a franchise quarterback on the board, you should do anything to get him, but is Jaxson Dart (No. 25) really that guy? Not only did the Giants take a quarterback propped up by an incredibly friendly system, they traded up to get him. After the first read, Dart often crumbled. I’m not sure I can see a world where Dart takes the Giants any further than Daniel Jones did. At least Jones could push the ball all the way downfield.
New England Patriots
Grade: A+
Best Pick: C Jared Wilson, No. 95 Overall
What We Liked: Lots of rock-solid picks building in Mike Vrabel’s first year as the head coach. The offensive line is molding into more of a unit than a
series of disparate parts, the Patriots have a new running back in TreVeyon
Henderson (No. 38) who can hopefully carry the workload. Wide receiver Kyle Williams (No. 69) gives quarterback Drake Maye one more weapon. This feels like a draft driven by logic and smart team-building.
Not Sure About: It was a little early for safety Craig Woodson (No. 106) for my liking. Woodson has trouble run-stopping and struck me as more of a developmental player than a solution to a safety problem. Other than that, nothing to complain about.
Cleveland Browns:
Grade: B
Best Pick: Harold Fannin Jr., No. 67 Overall
What We Liked: Lots of talented guys made their way onto the Browns roster through this class. It’s a very productive group that isn’t lacking in potential. Defensive tackle Mason Graham (No. 5) plays with a fury that should scare opponents, the new running back duo of Quinshon Judkins (No. 36) and Dylan Sampson (No. 126) has a lot of athleticism and should create a nice one-two punch. Fannin adds a dynamic weapon to the receiving corps that can be used in a wealth of ways. The support system for whoever is playing quarterback is going to be boosted.
Not Sure About: There’s an old adage that if you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks. Forcing a Dillon Gabriel (No. 94) vs. Shedeur Sanders (No. 144) quarterback competition seems like a move that will ultimately cause distractions. It’s classic Browns, never able to quite solve the quarterback problem as they intend to, and always with more drama than necessary. Carson Schwesinger (No. 33) also got taken a little early for my liking, but the value at linebacker in the second round wasn’t there for anyone.
Las Vegas Raiders:
Grade: A+
Best Pick: RB Ashton Jeanty, No. 6 Overall
What We Liked: The Raiders got a blue-chip guy at six, hard to argue with
that. Jeanty is a big-time impact player for a team that never really had an
offense that chugged. However, one great pick does not make an A+ draft
class. The Raiders knocked it out of the park with virtually every pick. Their
new wide receiver room combines high-floor prospects like Jack Bech (No. 58) with big-upside swings like Dont’e Thornton Jr. (No. 108). Their two offensive linemen picks are both big-time athletes who could start early. Darien Porter (No. 68) may be old for a draft pick, but he’s the perfect Pete Carroll corner. Raiders fans, get excited.
Not Sure About: The two late defensive tackle picks don’t really have any
special skills and have limited upside. I would expect them to be rotational
players at best. If JJ Pegues (No. 180) starts getting reps at fullback, then get worried about these being wasted picks. I personally would have added a safety earlier, but that’s a nitpick on a top-tier draft class.
New York Jets
Grade: B
Best Pick: OT Armand Membou, No. 7 Overall
What We Liked: The Jets hit home runs with their first three selections. Membou can bring his athleticism to an offensive line that really needed only one more piece and create a rushing powerhouse for quarterback Justin Fields and running back Breece Hall. Tight end Mason Taylor (No. 42) sets Fields up with a quick dump-off weapon and with with good run-after-catch ability. Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas (No. 73) does great work in both zone and man and should quickly become part of the rotation. It’s now up to the free agent class to make it work.
Not Sure About: The day three selections were nothing to write home about. Wide receiver Arian Smith (No. 110) is very fast, but when it’s not game-breaking and it’s your main trait, it’s hard to be too impressed. Safety Malachi Moore is also a good athlete, but he doesn’t quite have the mental finesse to keep pass-catchers in his view consistently. Linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (No. 162) is good, but where will he play?
Carolina Panthers
Grade: B+
Best Pick: Edge Nic Scourton, No. 51 Overall
What We Liked: Getting two edge rushers (Scourton and Princely Umanmielen at No. 77) feels like a great maneuver to fill out the room. Especially adding Scourton to the mix, a crazy good power rusher whose hands will make waste to offensive lines across the southeast. The Panthers hit on all of their day three picks as well, especially Lathan Ransom (No. 122) and Cam Jackson (No. 140), who can make an immediate impact at safety and nose tackle. The depth on the team just got a lot stronger.
Not Sure About: It feels like the Panthers already have a lot of tall wideouts who can’t really separate consistently. Tetairoa McMillan (No. 8) does not add much to the room that quarterback Bryce Young doesn’t already have. Umanmielen doesn’t move me as an edge rusher, and while he isn’t a bad value in the third round, it doesn’t strengthen their bid for the NFC South. Running back might have been a higher priority.
New Orleans Saints
Grade: D
Best Pick: OT Kelvin Banks, No. 9 Overall
What We Liked: Banks is a good tackle who fits the mauling mold the Saints seem to look for. He feels a lot like Trevor Penning, but with more experience facing NFL talent and less frenzy. Jonas Sanker (No. 93) can fill a safety slot once their older guys age out, and he’s versatile enough where you can evaluate his strengths and slot a new guy in next to him pretty easily. Quincy Riley (No. 131) adds some speed to the cornerback room.
Not Sure About: Taking Tyler Shough (No. 40) is just begging to have the Brandon Weeden experience for yourself. If this is your plan at quarterback, you’ll be taking another big swing in 2026. It’s not like they have given him any support this year either. If the Saints had given him an earlier wideout, then perhaps it could be fine, but if the injuries return, it honestly could be an 0-17 season.
Chicago Bears:
Grade: A-
Best Pick: OT Ozzy Trapilo, No. 56 Overall
What We Liked: The Bears kept a good balance of need and overall player
value for much of the draft. Starting off with tight end Colston Loveland (No. 10) was a welcome surprise, as much of the buzz was around the inferior (sorry) Tyler Warren. Continuing to support Caleb Williams, the next two picks were another weapon in wide receiver Luther Burden III, who can really cook with the ball in his hands, and added protection from Trapilo. Their defensive picks mostly landed as well with defensive tackle Shemar Turner (No. 62) and cornerback Zah Frazier (No. 169) being high-floor prospects with decent athleticism and physicality.
Not Sure About: That pick of linebacker Ruben Hyppolite (No. 132) was an insane miscue. It was sort of like acing a history test and then writing gibberish on one of the essay questions. Does anyone outside of the Maryland fan base and obsessive pro day watchers like myself even know who Hyppolite is? Surely they could have gotten him later. The Bears don’t even really need a linebacker, which means they must have really loved this guy. Very odd pick from an otherwise very logical set of selections.
San Francisco 49ers:
Grade: C
Best Pick: LB Nick Martin, No. 75 Overall
What We Liked: Coach Mike Shanahan found some very good value outside of the first round. Martin was vastly underrated after getting injured early in the season, but he should bring sideline-to-sideline range that he couples with great instincts. Jordan Watkins (No. 138) has WR1 upside but at the very least projects as a WR2 for the offense. He was almost an Emeka Egbuka type in college who kept getting pushed by really impressive talents and not given a chance to shine.
Not Sure About: The first two rounds made me shrug. Edge Mykel Williams (11) is better on paper than on the field, but this isn’t a Strat-O-Matic game. Defensive tackle Alfred Collins (43) doesn’t have the strength or agility to be a game-wrecker, so the whole defensive line feels stagnant. There’s still a glaring hole at offensive tackle that needs more capital investment.
Dallas Cowboys:
Grade: C+
Best Pick: CB Shavon Revel Jr., No. 76 Overall
What We Liked: The Revel pick was impressive value for the spot. The once-incredible Cowboys cornerback room took a major step back, and Ravel should be able to make it afloat again. Guard Tyler Booker (No. 12) is a really good player who fits with the scheme of the Cowboys with his overwhelming power profile. The Cowboys addressed the majority of their needs and at least should have new competition at the spot.
Not Sure About: Can edge Donovan Ezeiruaku (No. 44) keep up his high production in the pros when he’s at an athletic disadvantage? The value is better in the second than his first-round projection, but it still is a worrying projection. Running back Jaydon Blue does not seem equipped to take on a bell cow role and feels like more of a special teams add.
Miami Dolphins:
Grade: C
Best Pick: DT Kenneth Grant, No. 13 Overall
What We Liked: Effort was made to replace the big-time players who have
left Miami for greener pastures. Grant is clearly meant to be the
next force up the middle, similar to how Christian Wilkins operated for the
Dolphins, and safety Dante Trader Jr. (No. 155) is kind of like if you got Jevon Holland from the 99-cent store: lots of strong play with a much lower paycheck attached. Guard Jonah Savaiinaea (No. 37) feels like one more step in the right direction to fixing an offensive line that has led to Tua Tagovailoa concussions. The needs are being addressed.
Not Sure About: Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (No. 143) was a prospect that got first-round hype early in the cycle, but that tapered off when everyone realized that rumors of his athleticism were greatly exaggerated. Even the fifth round feels out of the range I would want someone of his production caliber. Cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (No. 150) is a similar former high-upside project player who just never did much of anything. Miami needs some players who can actually make an impact —
outside of their offense, they lack star power.
Indianapolis Colts
Grade: B+
Best Pick: RB DJ Giddens, No. 151 Overall
What We Liked: The Chris Ballard strategy of taking exclusively pure athletes seems to have cooled off, as now Ballard is taking guys who also play good football. After a few years of middling draft classes, this is a group of guys you can feel confident in. Tight end Tyler Warren (No. 14) will provide more ways to ease Anthony Richardson’s quarterback responsibilities, and edge JT Tuimoloau (No. 45) and cornerback Justin Walley (No. 80) are good enough athletes but really excel in technical skill. The best pick, though, is Giddens in the fifth round. He has a balanced skill set that could make him a great supplement to Jonathan Taylor and even potentially be a full-time starter.
Not Sure About: Tim Smith seems to have been picked because he’s an Alabama defensive tackle. Really just another body for that rotation. I’m not
in love with the Warren pick, either. As dynamic as he was at the
college level, I’m not sure an offense can really be built around him in the pros without his athletic limitations showing through. Adding Riley Leonard (No. 189) to the quarterback room when he mostly just runs feels underwhelming for a team that’s sorely missing an actual passer.
Atlanta Falcons
Grade: B-
Best Pick: S Xavier Watts, No. 96 Overall
What we liked: The selections were impressive values in comparison to consensus. Edge Jalon Walker (No. 15) was seen by many as a potential top 10 pick thanks to his explosive nature; the testing numbers of edge James Pearce Jr. (No. 26) make his potential impressive, and getting Watts at the back half of day two after a slide could change their secondary. The values on these guys was impressive, and the Falcons betting on upside is a great choice in a weak division where any team could cement itself as the front-runner for the next five years. If these players pan out along with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., they could be a perennial playoff team.
Not Sure About: Trading up with a future first-round pick for a player at a position you already took in the top 15 feels like a poor use of resources. That defensive line certainly needed sprucing up, but it only matters so much if they’re not getting any interior pressure, and they certainly did not invest in defensive tackle as many expected. Not only that, they doubled up on doubling up. They took two safeties too! There are more holes on the roster than that! Solve your other problems!
Arizona Cardinals
Grade: A
Best Pick: CB Will Johnson, No. 47 Overall
What We Liked: Everything. The Cardinals went for the best football player available at every turn, from ending the surprising fall to the second round for cornerback Will Johnson (No. 47) to their first pick of Walter Nolen (No. 16), who got some of the best production of any defensive tackle in the SEC.
Even their day two and three selections were great choices, taking edge Jordan Burch (No. 78), who performed admirably at Oregon, and Cody Simon (No. 115), who led the linebacker corps for Ohio State. I had Burch as a top 50 guy, and Simon as one of the most underrated linebackers in the class. It solves a lot of problems for them very quickly.
Not Sure About: While these picks are great value, they all come with some caveats. Nolen has alleged character issues, Johnson has some grievous medical history, and Burch could accurately be described as a tweener. Plus, some earlier help for quarterback Kyler Murray would have been nice.
Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: B-
Best Pick: Edge Shemar Stewart, No. 17 Overall
What We Liked: Stewart has an impressive physical profile that should pair well with Trey Hendrickson coming off the line. The Bengals need a big splash after stagnating after their Super Bowl run, and they need more than a firecracker offense to get closer to the playoffs next year. Even their offensive additions should help keep Burrow stable, with guard Dylan Fairchild No. 81) as a high-floor guard prospect who has lots of experience. Linebacker Barrett Carter (No. 119) feels like a potential steal as well.
Not Sure About: Two linebackers feels like a bit much considering Germaine Pratt is a decent starter, although Pratt has requested a trade. Especially since I’m not sold on Demetrius Knight Jr. (No. 49), who was a late bloomer at South Carolina and does not appear to have much more room to grow as a player. Fairchild is a solid interior lineman, but he doesn’t project to be a long-term starter and may just continue the revolving door for the Bengals.
Seattle Seahawks
Grade: A-
Best Pick: S Nick Emmanwori, No. 35 Overall
What We Liked: Lots of jumping on the fallers, a strategy that will always get my approval. Emmanwori and tight end Elijah Arroyo (No. 50) specifically feel like players who fell more based on happenstance than actual inferior play. I like this as a landing spot for quarterback Jalen Milroe, too (No. 92) — give him a chance to learn behind Sam Darnold and get up to speed with NFL play, hopefully allow him to reach that untapped upside everyone was excited about. Getting guard Grey Zabel at No. 18 also feels like a good move for a team that was putting out turnstiles on the interior.
Not Sure About: I don’t feel particularly confident in most of the Day 3 flyers, even wide receiver Tory Horton, who was once considered a Day 2 guy. It feels like he’s a really big injury risk. The others just aren’t particularly talented, with tight end Robbie Ouzts (No. 39) and defensive tackle Rylie Mills (No. 142) being the least interesting of the bunch, two guys who have the build of NFL players but not really the skills to back it up. I don’t have confidence in any of these guys to be regular contributors.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: A-
Best Pick: CB Jacob Parrish, No. 84 Overall
What We Liked: The Buccaneers are really ready to fix what didn’t work for them last year, investing heavily in a barren cornerback room and new edge rotational players. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison (No. 53) and Parrish could be a scary duo on the outside and slot, respectively. Emeka Egbuka (No. 19) brings a young face to an aging wide receiver room and could easily become the next Chris Godwin.
Not Sure About: Edge David Walker (No. 121) does not have extensive FBS experience and did not shine at the all-star games, so it feels like a major projection to picture him sticking around as a continuous edge rusher. Could an earlier edge pick and a later wideout selection have set the 49ers up more for immediate success? It’s something to think about for sure. They need only so much from Egbuka considering the capital they spent.
Denver Broncos
Grade: C
Best Pick: CB Jahdae Barron, No. 20 Overall
What We Liked: Barron is a stud. His extreme versatility along with high-end tackling skills and coverage ability should make him a cornerstone of that defense for a while. In an era that’s shifting more toward the idea of “positionless football,” the Broncos are charging forward into the future with a defensive back that is the shining example of that philosophy. I also think edge Sai’vion Jones (No. 101) could work in quickly as a third pass rusher.
Not Sure About: In theory, adding a couple skill players for Bo Nix should work for Denver, but these guys don’t have the juice. Running back RJ Harvey (No. 60) does not have a standout trait and plays slower than his tested speed. Spending a second-round pick on a guy who doesn’t elevate your running back room is a problem. Wide receiver Pat Bryant (No. 74) feels like a guy head coach Sean Payton over-drafted for his blocking ability, but in the third round, it feels like he should have focused on players that can also catch and run with the ball.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: C-
Best Pick: DT Derrick Harmon, No. 21 overall
What We Liked: Lots of big, strong men in this draft. Harmon and Yahya Black (No. 164) shore up the defensive tackle room, giving quick fixes to one-tech and three-tech, hopefully opening up edge rusher T.J. Watt and linebacker Alex Highsmith to converting even more pressures into sacks. Kaleb Johnson (No. 83) feels like he provides the strength and vision coach Mike Tomlin loves from his running backs that he wasn’t getting from Najee Harris. The traits are there that we associate with the Steelers, and it seems like the team has found guys that fit their standards.
Not Sure About: This draft feels like it does not solve the Steelers’ problems. It’s one thing to tap out on quarterback despite having many chances to add a starting-level body to the room (see Shedeur Sanders), but to not add competition at nickel or another pass-catcher until well into day three feels like the team took “take the best player available” just a little too far. The organization lost sight of what was necessary by chasing gritty strength guys and lacked finesse. Do they really need edge Jack Sawyer (No. 123)?
Los Angeles Chargers
Grade: B
Best Pick: WR Tre Harris, No. 55 Overall
What We Liked: The Chargers picked up lots of talented players. The selection of running back Omario Hampton (No. 22) should help the Chargers offense play more toward Jim Harbaugh’s strengths as a coordinator who loves to pound the rock. Harris helps build out a wide receiver room for quarterback Justin Herbert, who I’m sure has been worried about a lack of support. The defensive line adds bring a
really high floor and good power profile to the defense that can hopefully
help the Chargers force more teams to lose yards instead of giving them
time to dink and dunk all over them.
Not Sure About: They have a lot of players I like, but no one in particular I
love. It feels like the Chargers have collected a bunch of low-end starters
here, but no stars that are going to truly elevate the team to the next level.
Edge Kyle Kennard (No. 125), defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell (No. 86) and Harris all don’t really have the athletic juice to be game-breakers, and Harris seems more and more injured every season. Can Hampton’s lack of creativity survive behind a line that still doesn’t have a very strong interior?
Green Bay Packers
Grade: C-
Best Pick: WR Matthew Golden, No. 23 Overall
What We Liked: Golden at 23 was impressive value that would’ve had me salivating if I was a general manager. He should be the top target for quarterback Jordan Love instantly and finally provide an alpha presence to that room of complementary pieces. General manager Brian Gutekunst took need into account well and addressed nearly all the positions that were missing starting-level talent and injected youth into rooms that had lost veterans to free agency. The floor of that team at the very least has been raised.
Not Sure About: Nearly every pick after Golden felt like a reach. There was constantly better talent on the board, and it looks to me like Gutekunst was
more worried about scheme fit than actually getting the best players possible. Barryn Sorrell (No. 124) and Collin Oliver (No. 159) are good fits for how the Packers run their defense, but ultimately they just don’t have the same natural talent as edge rushers who came off the board later. Wide receiver Savion Williams feels like an attempt to recapture the brief Christian Watson magic, but he has a lot of development still to come.
Minnesota Vikings
Grade: B+
Best Pick: WR Tai Felton, No. 102 Overall
What We Liked: Felton should come in as a great WR3 to give J.J. McCarthy a really easy time finding open receivers. The two early picks put their new quarterback (coming off an injury last year) in a good space to continue the trajectory that Sam Darnold put to good use. Guard Donovan Jackson (No. 24) will help McCarthy stay upright and could flex between guard or tackle depending on what the Vikings need. Defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (No. 139) provides a lot of athleticism and flexibility to a defensive line that needs more of it. They did the most with what they had.
Not Sure About: There should have been a stronger effort to get more picks in the class. The only trade made was a pick swap that still left them with only four picks. With the value as on point as it was this year, giving Kwesi Adofo-Mensah more darts to throw could have resulted in a boost to the team’s ceiling. The move to get quarterback Sam Howell feels a little underwhelming for a backup option to McCarthy, and securing another rookie might have been a better long-term play. Cornerback not being addressed early means the problems from last year will continue.
Baltimore Ravens
Grade: B
Best Pick: Malaki Starks, No. 27 Overall
What We Liked: Lots of good value early. The Ravens continued their strategy of taking advantage of teams not valuing safety and have now created an imposing secondary between Starks and Kyle Hamilton. Edge Mike Green (No. 59) is a good upside play that far down the board. If even half of his college production translates to the professional level, he’ll be an impact player for the Ravens. I like offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. (No. 91) as well. He could secure a guard spot for the Ravens with a good training camp. Lots of potential impact here.
Not Sure About: There are too many guys here who haven’t performed
against top-level competition. Offensive tackle Carson Vinson (No. 141) and cornerback Bilhal Kone (No. 178) aren’t battle-tested and could really get exposed if they’re thrown into the fire too early. Even cornerback Robert Longerbeam (No. 212) didn’t have to handle too many top-end talents, and with his weight, I’m not sure his size outlier nature will be a positive at the next level. There are red flags to look out for here.
Detroit Lions
Grade: B-
Best Pick: OG Miles Frazier, No. 171 Overall
What We Liked: The Lions continue their emphasis on size after solid results. Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (No. 28) is a big hog molly who can handle double teams with ease and should help build out a line that is hopefully less ravaged by injuries this year. Guard Tate Ratledge (No. 57) and Frazier build out a set of interior offensive linemen that could push to start as soon as the beginning of the season if Christian Mahogany doesn’t pan out. It feels like the Lions found their needs early and stuck to their size requirements.
Not Sure About: Trading up with a future third-rounder to get wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (No. 70) feels like a classic Lions overthink. They love giving up lots of capital to get guys that weren’t even on my radar as potential possibilities, and TeSlaa is no exception. A raw, overaged wideout is not worth multiple Day 2 picks, and I don’t think he’ll do much with the limited time he’ll have at his disposal in the Lions’ wide receiver room. Nor is Ahmed Hassanein (No. 196) a great fix at edge rusher.
Washington Commanders
Grade: A-
Best Pick: Josh Conerly Jr., No. 29 Overall
What We Liked: Great players all the way down. Conerly’s explosive movement skills should make him a great fit for move-blocking and keeping a clean pocket for Jayden Daniels whether he chooses to scramble or not. Cornerback Trey Amos (No. 61) deserved to be taken in the first round and should boost the secondary and help them recover from their early 2023 choice of Emmanuel Forbes. Even their late-round picks of wide receiver Jaylin Lane (No. 128) and linebacker Kain Medrano (No. 205) stand to make an impact with their impressive athleticism.
Not Sure About: The Commanders could have paid a little closer attention to need, as they neglected an empty edge room and did not address the back end of their secondary. While I love Conerly, he may be getting thrown into the fire here before developing as an anchor, which could come back to bite the Commanders as they plan for the future, especially if they move him from his natural position of offensive tackle.
Buffalo Bills
Grade: A-
Best Pick: DT T.J. Sanders, No. 41 Overall
What We Liked: Incredible value outside the first round. Their three players
after their first pick all had first-round buzz at some point in the draft cycle
and will go a long way in rebuilding a defensive line that lacked intensity and sack production last season. Going heavy on defense feels like a particularly bright move; much of their core from the beginning of Josh Allen’s career is aging. That said, tight end Jackson Hawes (No. 173) and offensive tackle Chase Lundt (No. 206) are nice pickups to provide depth in that offense as well.
Not Sure About: Cornerback Maxwell Hairston (No. 30) is fast, but choosing him over Trey Amos feels like it could be an error akin to the Commanders picking Emmanuel Forbes over Christian Gonzalez in the 2023 draft. He lacks consistent tackling skills and has some stiff footwork that will likely give him fits early in his career even though he’s blazing fast. Jordan Hancock (No. 170) and Dorian Strong (No. 177) are good value adds, but did they need to address cornerback THAT bad? I would’ve loved to see a wideout or a safety go earlier for them instead.
Philadelphia Eagles
Grade: B+
Best Pick: LB Jihaad Campbell, No. 31 Overall
What We Liked: Days one and two felt like a coup. Letting the Eagles get a weapon like Campbell in their second level, and maybe even get some reps on edge, feels like we’re asking them to run back a second Super Bowl in a row. Pair him with Andrew Mukuba (No. 64), a lightning-quick safety who is an absolute ballhawk, and it seems like the highlight reel is ready to be replayed. I also dig the value on Drew Kendall (No. 168), a very athletic center prospect who could push Tyler Steen and Cam Jurgens for starting reps.
Not Sure About: Perhaps we were expecting too much, but this doesn’t feel quite like the collection of steals we’re used to from the Eagles, especially in day three. Mac McWilliams (No. 145) was not a draftable talent on our board and does not add meaningful depth to the cornerback room, though he may play on special teams. Linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (No. 161) is a Georgia guy whom general manager Howie Roseman clearly loves, but this time, the fifth round almost feels like pushing it for a guy who is more of a downhill run-stopper with a lacking mind for coverage. The team also doesn’t feel like it’s building for the near future anymore.
Kansas City Chiefs
Grade: A-
Best Pick: WR Jalen Royals, No. 133 Overall
What We Liked: The Chiefs managed to solve their offensive tackle problem thanks to the fall of Josh Simmons (No. 32), which feels reminiscent of the Trey Smith pick from 2021. As usual, the Chiefs are playing to consensus, picking up talented fallers such as Royals and edge Ashton Gillotte (No. 66), who have the production and athleticism to become quick starters. The Chiefs are sticking to the strategy that turned them into perennial Super Bowl contenders. Good stuff.
Not Sure About: Taking defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott (No. 63) feels like a disaster waiting to happen. It’s hard to trust a player who isn’t taking a majority of the snaps for his defense, and to take him on Day 2 is suspect. Also, linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (No. 156) strikes me as a nothing burger player with limited upside, not someone who projects to have a role starting anytime soon or even a role on special teams.
Houston Texans
Grade: B+
Best Pick: WR Jayden Higgins, No. 24 Overall
What We Liked: The Texans kicked off the draft incredibly well, getting the
dynamic wide receiver from Iowa State and offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery (No. 48), two players who could immediately earn starting time on the Texans and will help quarterback C.J. Stroud return to rookie form. Jaylen Reed (No. 187) is also a sneaky good safety pick on Day 3 who picked up a lot of responsibilities after Kevin Winston Jr. got injured. Also, from a comic standpoint, I like that the Texans picked three Jaylin variations and a Jayden.
Not Sure About: The two USC players, cornerback Jaylin Smith (No. 97) and running back Woody Marks (No. 116), were a bit overdrafted, with Marks being traded up for with crazy levels of capital. I don’t see either of them getting many early reps, even Marks, who I’m not sure is ready for prime time. It feels like the offensive line needed to be fortified a bit more since Stroud was running for his life a lot of the year. The Texans’ shift toward more weapons feels like they misunderstood the issue.
Los Angeles Rams
Grade: D+
Best Pick: LB Chris Paul Jr., No. 172 Overall
What We Liked: Really great pick for Paul, who projects as an early starter and is adept in pass coverage. That’s an absolute steal deep into day three. Jarquez Hunter profiles as lightning to Kyren Williams’ rumbling thunder. Coach Sean McVay clearly has a vision for his scheme that involves getting highly productive college players and letting them do reprise their success from the NCAA level. McVay is sticking to his guns.
Not Sure About: Tight end Terrance Ferguson (No. 46) and edge Josaiah Stewart (90) didn’t make for an inspiring day two haul. I felt Stewart could reasonably have gone undrafted after a heinously bad 40-yard dash, considering his size combined with his limited length. The college pressure rates are good, but you have to think about his comparison to NFL competition. And I just never saw any game-wrecking moments or any sections of Ferguson’s tape that popped out to me. He really seemed like an ordinary tight end, which isn’t how you want to start your draft.
–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media
