After seven rounds, 32 teams and about 13 hours of televised content, let’s see how the Cleveland Browns and the other teams did in the 2020 NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is over and it’s time to look at how each and every one of the teams draft grades for all three days of this way-too-long event. This is the complete breakdown, not just for an individual day or round. Did the teams that need to step up do it?
Not every team was on the ball in this draft and others showed a surprising lack of focus, foresight, or just a basic understanding of what they need to do. Then there’s Jon Gruden who just has a history of being wrong so dang often. Each team will be laid out like in previous posts, as part of the overall divisional format; except one. The Cleveland Browns.
The Browns get their own page because this is a Cleveland-centric site and because I said so. The Browns are a team I have more to say about because I follow them far more regularly than I do the rest of the league. It’d be disingenuous to say that I have the time or patience to follow every team from every sport. I don’t. I only know what I know and what I know right now is draft talent; because I watched, read, and studied a lot of it over the last eight months.
Overall I think most teams found guys that should develop or could develop into the players that teams need but most times that’s far from the case. Most of these teams will be lucky to have two or three of the guys they just drafted on their squad in five years. That’s the reality of this process.
The hope is that you get one or two who can make a difference and a few others who can stick around. The hope for most of these players is to just make the team. That’s why it’s more important to look at what holes a team had, and what needs that team went to go get filled when judging on a final grade. It’s great if you got a talent graded as a second-round pick in the fourth round. All that means is he wasn’t a second-round pick and that he fell for a reason.
So let’s see how teams did filling those needs.
Cleveland
OT Jedrick Wills (Alabama), SAF Grant Delpit (LSU), DT Jordan Elliot (Missouri), ILB Jacob Phillips (LSU), TE Harrison Bryant (Florida Atlantic), IL Nick Harris (Washington), WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (Michigan)
It’s important to note that the NFL Draft is an inexact science. To judge any team on the talent selected, instead of the needs filled would be foolish. When it comes to the Browns exclusively, there are guys I really wanted them to get. They didn’t get any. That doesn’t mean the draft was bad. Yes, Tristan Wirfs and Ezra Cleveland were two of my most favorited prospects but the Browns went with Jedrick Wills. Is Wills a bad player? In college, no, he was great. Will he be in the pros? Anyone saying he will or won’t be is selling you something. We don’t know until they put on the pads.
So when it comes to the Browns, whoever anyone wanted is irrelevant. Did the Browns address their needs? That’s it. That’s all one should care about. For the most part, yes, they did. More or less.
Getting Jedrick Wills to play the blindside was a good pickup. While Wills was a right tackle in college, he was only there because Tua Tagovailoa was a lefty. With Baker Mayfield being a righty, Wills will switch sides. Wirfs was someone who I liked for his non-football intangibles. You just gotta love a tackle who knows how to grapple, being a former wrestler and all. Wills doesn’t have that intangible, at least not to Wirfs championship degree but Wills still has a great base.
Grant Delpit and Harrison Bryant are good picks, and the best at their position according to the collegiate awards they won. With Jordan Elliot and Jacob Phillips on the squad, the defense gained three new starters, alongside Delpit. Bryant will be a third-string tight end for now, but his arrival should mark the end of David Njoku’s involvement with the team eventually.
Nick Harris is the only guy on this squad that should give pause. Not because he’s bad, but because the team prioritized a tight end over a guard, which the team needed more urgently. Relying on Wyatt Teller and Chris Hubbard to play guard is a mistake. They were quite literally half of the reason why Mayfield couldn’t stay upright, but now they’re going to be able to stay in front of pass rushers? Pass. Getting a project pick like Harris was the lone misstep. Not him individually mind you, but the priority placement.
Overall, you have to love the Browns draft for the year. This could continue the run of solid to strong drafts for the team. That 2018 draft was fantastic, too bad they traded away Austin Corbett, though. The team filled all their needs this year, even if a lot of fans were mad that they passed up on some OSU talent.
Grade: A –
AFC North
Cincinnati – QB Joe Burrow (LSU), WR Tee Higgins (Clemson), ILB Logan Wilson (Wyoming), OLB Akeem Davis-Gaither (Appalachian State), DE Khaleed Kareem (Notre Dame), OT Hakeem Adeniji (Kansas), ILB Markus Bailey (Purdue)
You gotta love what the Bengals did in the draft. They got at least four starters in this draft, hopefully, and with an additional two more if the development of the team breaks just right. guys like Logan Wilson and Tee Higgins are hopefully going to impress and are going to be guys Bengals fans are going to want to keep an eye on.
If Markus Bailey can stay healthy, and keep his knees together, he should make the squad. Akeem Davis-Gaither and Khaleed Kareem could be impact players, though, like all picks, only time will tell. The Bengals took a lot of crap from the sports media during the lead up to the draft, but they nailed this year.
Grade: A
Baltimore – LB Patrick Queen (LSU), RB JK Dobbins (OSU), DT Justin Madubuike (Texas A&M), WR Devin Duvernay (Texas) LB Malik Harrison (ILB), G Tyre Phillips (Mississippi State), IL Ben Bredeson (Michigan), DT Broderick Washington Jr. (Texas Tech), WR James Proche (SMU), SAF Geno Stone (Iowa)
Baltimore isn’t fair, and yes, it’s been said before. Patrick Queen could wreck the league with the Ravens system. JK Dobbins is going to be a great compliment to the Baltimore rushing attack. Getting guys like Malik Harrison and Tyre Phillips could be starters out of training camp.
Late picks like James Proche and Geno Stone have upside and they could be great special team players. Justin Madubuike is one of the guys that could really dangerous in this system. There’s a barbaric torture having to deal with a team’s rushing attack, only to then get off the field face that Raven’s defense. It’s hard to think of how this draft could’ve been better.
Grade: A+
Pittsburgh – WR Chase Claypool (Notre Dame), OLB Alex Highsmith (Charlotte), RB Anthony McFarland (Maryland), IL Kevin Dotson (Lousiana), SAF Antoine Brookes Jr. (Maryland), DT Carlos Davis (Nebraska)
In totality, the Steelers didn’t have the worst of drafts. They did get some positions of need like the wideout Chase Claypool. and Alex Highsmith. There were a lot of guys who got drafted by the collegiate 49ers but concerns for anyone out of Charlotte would be justified, as they’re not exactly tested regularly against top talent. Can Highsmith be the kind of guy that steps in regularly for the Steelers?
Kevin Dotson and Antoine Brookes are solid pick up’s but the team is far closer to the end of their winning era. This might be the last draft before a full-blown rebuild. It’s a bit surprising that they didn’t get go chase after a highly-touted prospect. Not going for Jalen Hurts in the second round with an injured, overweight, slow, and aging quarterback was a mistake. At best Hurts could’ve been the next franchise star. At worse, he could’ve been the next Kordell Stewart.
Grade: C+
AFC South
Indianapolis – RB Johnathan Taylor (Wisconsin), SAF Julian Blackmon (Utah), QB Jacob Eason (Washington), IL Danny Pinter (Ball State), DT Robert Windsor (PSU), CB Isaiah Rodgers (UMass), WR Dezmon Patmon (WSU), SAF Jordan Glasgow (Michigan)
The Colts had a model draft. They needed weapons for Phillip Rivers, and they got that in Johnathan Taylor (Thomas) who should be a great fit for any offense. Dezmon Patmon might be someone who can get on the field as a fourth wideout. Danny Pinter should help keep Rivers upright and the team will have Jacob Eason to develop with Rivers, assuming Eason can be developed. If he can’t, who cares, he went on the third day.
The defense was also given many opportunities to improve with Robert Windsor and Julian Blackmon. Both men are highly talented and if they can play in the pros will help this team significantly.
Grade: A-
Tennessee – OT Isaiah Wilson (Georgia), CB Kristan Fulton (LSU), RB Darrynton Evans (Appalachian State), DT Larrell Murchison (NC State), QB Cole McDonald (Hawaii), SAF Chris Jackson (Marshall), CB Chris Jackson (Marshall)
It’s obvious Mike Vrabel is high on his current team. Getting a tackle to replace Jack Conklin was smart. Isaiah Wilson wasn’t high on many lists but he should be good enough to start right out of the gate. Darrynton Evans will also provide a change of pace from Derrick Henry but with no wide receiver taken, one has to wonder why. The team could use a new body in that corps but they avoided them.
Defensively, you gotta love the picks. Vrabel’s defense was arguably more impressive than the reclamation project he made Ryan Tannehill into. They were quick, violent, and ruthless. They got some decent talent and should be useful should the Titans matchup again the Chiefs again. Though, Cole McDonald is peculiar as a backup option but should be a fun experiment to watch unfold.
Grade: B+
Houston – DT Ross Blacklock (TCU), OLB Johnathan Greenard (Florida), OT Charlie Heck (North Carolina), CB John Reid (PSU), WR Isaiah Coulter (Rhode Island)
The Houston Texans traded away their best wideout and did next-to-zilch to replace him. Made worse, Bill O’Brien looked like a fool on camera after a trade fell through. This isn’t to knock the team’s efforts as a whole. Ross Blacklock is a great prospect. His pass-rush skills could really help take double teams off of J.J. Watt on the line. Johnathan Greenard and John Reid could be difference-makers.
Isaiah Coulter could be something, but can he be DeAndre Hopkins? Unlikely but possible. With David Johnson on his last legs, and Duke Johnson expected to carry more of the load, it would’ve made sense to go get a running back to help spell the Johnsons and keep them healthy. The team did make some good picks but we’ll see if their lack of focus on the offensive side of things hurts them in the long run.
Grade: C-
Jacksonville – CB C. J. Henderson (Florida), LB K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU), WR Laviska Shenault (Colorado), DT Davon Hamilton (OSU), OT Ben Bartch (Saint John’s), CB Josiah Scott (Mich State), ILB Shaquille Quarterman (Miami), SAF Daniel Thomas (Auburn), WR Collin Johnson (Texas), QB Jake Luton (Oregon State), TE Tyler Davis (Georgia Tech), CB Chris Claybrooks (Memphis)
The Jaguars might be on their way back if these picks pan out. K’Lavon Chaisson and C.J. Henderson will be looked to start right off the bat. With how many guys who’ve demanded to be traded in recent years from the Jags, the team needs as many rookies to step up as soon as possible for this reason, especially on defense.
Ben Bartch and Laviksa Shenault could see a lot of playing time early and if Gardner Minshew is the guy, those two could help bring the best out of him. The rest of the draft picks could be impressive, but all a team needs are four or five starters out of a draft for it to be considered good or great. They might of just gotten that.
Grade: A-
AFC East
New England – SAF Kyle Dugger (Lenoir-Rhyne), OLB Josh Uche (Michigan), OLB Anfernee Jennings (Alabama), TE Devin Asiasi (UCLA), TE Dalton Keene (Virginia Tech), K Justin Rohrwasser (Marshall), IL Michael Onwenu (Michigan), OT Justin Herron (Wake Forrest), LB Cassh Maluia (Wyoming), IL Dustin Woodard (Memphis)
When you lose Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski with Bill Belichick allegedly being why, you would hope that he’d do all he could to get the next era of Patriot football started off right. As much as everyone loves Brian Hoyer, the team may need more than what the team has at quarterback. Even Belichick said that they didn’t intend to not draft one. They did get two back to back tight ends, much like when they drafted Gronkowski. So that’s something. I guess.
Defensively they’re the standard Patriot-players. They even got the best-named player in the draft with Cassh Maluia. That said, a rare mistake popped up with Justin Rohrwasser, the teams’ new kicker. News has come out that he’s part of a far-far-right militia and considering how Belichick’s rigid rules seem to negate any type of controversial character, one has to wonder if they did their research when drafting him. This could be the start of the end of the Patriot way.
Grade: C+
Miami – QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), OT Austin Jackson (USC), CB Noah Igbinoghene (Auburn), IL Robert Hunt (Louisiana), DT Raekwon Davis (Alabama), SAF Brandon Jones (Texas), IL Solomon Kindley (Georgia), DE Jason Strowbridge (North Carolina), DE Curtis Weaver (Boise State), LS Blake Ferguson (LSU), SLASH Malcolm Perry (Navy)
This might be the best-looking crop of prospects that Miami has had in decades. If Tua Tagovailoa is healthy and lives up to the hype, the Dolphins could be the new kings of the AFC East. Austin Jackson will provide some stress relief, and getting slash player Malcolm Perry could be the steal of the draft. You would have hoped the team went with a running back or wideout considering how gutted they’ve been over the recent years.
Defensively they made some good additions, but like with their offense, the corp was previously gutted in order to get more draft picks. Noah Igbinoghene has the potential to be the next great DB for the squad, but he’ll be exposed at times due to the lack of support around him. The team had no real pash rush last season, and they’ll need to find something akin to one in order for the team to find some success. Though, this team shouldn’t be expecting to compete in 2020.
Grade: B+
New York (Jets) – OT Mekhi Becton (Louisville), WR Denzel Mims (Baylor), SAF Ashtyn Davis (Cal), DE Jabari Zuniga (Florida), RB La’Mical Perine (Florida), QB James Morgan (FIU), OT Cameron Clark (Charlotte), CB Bryce Hall (Virginia), P Braden Mann (Texas A&M)
The Jets were all over the place in the draft. Mekhi Becton is a huge presence on the line but guys like him aren’t always sure-fired bets. Denzel Mims is intriguing and has a nice skillset that could translate to a number one type receiver. Ashtyn Davis might the steal of their draft, as an ultra-athletic, ball-hawking safety.
The only problem with their draft is they took a few guys, like Becton and Mims who is going to be so important to the strength of their team immediately and in the future, that if one of them fails to catch on could hinder the team in totality for years. With the hype of Becton by those in the “know” like Mel Kiper, anything short of a Hall of Fame-worthy career would be seen as a letdown. This could be an A+ draft in five years, but today it’s not.
Grade: B
Buffalo – DE AJ Epenesa (Iowa), RB Zack Moss (Utah), WR Gabriel Davis (UCF), QB Jake Fromm (Georgia), K Tyler Bass (Georgia Southern), WR Isaiah Hodgins (Oregon State), CB Dane Jackson (Pitt)
These grades are solely on teams drafting of talent, not teams who had good off-seasons. The Bills traded away their first-round pick for Stefon Diggs. A very good player. He’s not a rookie though, so not having a first might have hurt this team. Might have.
Yet, AJ Epenesa and Zack Moss have tremendous upside and fit so well into what they’re doing. UCF has a history of turning out surprisingly good pros, and Gabriel Davis is a great pick. He should fit seamlessly into the offense and give Josh Allen another option. If anyone else catches on, then this draft is a solid A+. Yet, they took Jake Fromm, wasting a pick that was better spent on securing that offense. Hey, got a kicker though.
Grade: B+
AFC West
Kansas City – RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU), ILB Willie Gay (Mississippi State), OT Lucas Niang (TCU), SAF L’Jarius Sneed (Louisana Tech), DE Mike Danna (Michigan), CB Thakarius Keyes (Tulane)
Willie Gay and L’Jarius Sneed are expected to see a lot of time off the bat defensively. With the Chiefs wanting to repeat, they’ll need to step up in a big way considering how good the rest of the West just got. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Lucas Niang will be competition to start on offense, with Edwards-Helaire being looked at as the starter-in-waiting.
Damien Williams just doesn’t have what the team is hoping to be a regular starter this season. Also, when you’re compared to Priest Holmes like Edwards-Helaire was, then you’re kinda forced to step up.
Grade: B
Denver – WR Jerry Jeudy (Alabama), WR K.J. Hamler (PSU), CB Michael Ojemudia (Iowa), IL Lloyd Cushenberry (LSU), DT McTelvin Agim (Arkansas), TE Albert Okwuegbunam (Missouri), LB Justin Strnad (Wake Forest), IL Netane Muti (Fresno State), WR Tyrie Cleveland (Florida), LB Derrek Tuszka (NDSU)
If you have doubts about Drew Lock, you’re not alone. The Broncos have kinda been a running joke in the draft, always taking a quarterback and you half expected them to do so again because it’s Lock. He’s not exactly guaranteed to be good. Yet, John Elway feels like Lock is their guy, and drafted as such.
Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler could be on the field most of the time with how good they were in college. Both are dynamic, playmaking scorers – just get them the ball. The defense saw some much-needed upgrades talent-wise, and Derrek Tuszka is a sleeper pick for a breakout rookie. The success of this team’s draft will fall on the shoulders of Lock. Which isn’t fair but it is the reality. If he doesn’t pan out, then it’s possible that their top picks down either.
Grade: B+
Las Vegas – WR Henry Ruggs (Alabama), CB Damon Arnette (OSU), WR Lynn Bowden (Kentucky), WR Bryan Edwards (South Carolina), ILB Tanner Muse (Clemson), IL John Simpson (Clemson), CB Amik Robertson (Lousiana Tech)
Jon Gruden is a bad drafter. Remember when the Raiders picked a kicker in the first round over Shaun Alexander and Chris Hovan? In Tampa he drafted just two Pro Bowlers and tanked the franchise because he didn’t like their defense. That’s why he let John Lynch go, who was still in the prime of his career. Cadillac Williams anybody?
Now in Las Vegas there’s all this turmoil over Derek Carr, and let’s be real, Marcus Mariota was brought in to force a competition. So yes, his draft is going to be suspect because he’s suspect. It should baffle people this guy isn’t seen in the same light as Jeff Fisher these days, yet here we are. He drafted three wide receivers, which he wouldn’t have needed to do had he not traded Amari Cooper. The defense has yet to replace Khalil Mack and certainly didn’t do that here. Last year’s selection, DE Clelin Ferrell, had just 4.5 sacks as the No. 4 overall pick. That’s never a good way to start a career. This is a coach who thinks Richie Incognito is a good presence on a team. More Gruden madness in this draft.
Grade: D+
Los Angeles (Chargers) – QB Justin Herbert (Oregon), LB Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma), RB Joshua Kelley (UCLA), WR Joe Reed (Virginia), SAF Alohi Gilman (Notre Dame), WR K.J. Hill (OSU)
Are you sold on Justin Herbert being the guy? That’s going to be the question because outside of 2004, there aren’t that many multiple Hall of Fame selections at quarterback in the same draft. It stands to reason that someone in the first round drafted a bust at QB. It might not be Herbert, but it could be. That said, Kenneth Murray has “star” written all over him. If he pans out the Chargers just found their best all-around linebacker since Junior Seau.
Staying home with Joshua Kelley was smart, they need depth and potentially a starter at that position, and Alohi Gilman and Joe Reed could be game-breakers for them. If K.J. Hill can make the team, he might be a good special teams player. Anything more is gravy.
Grade: B+
NFC North
Chicago – TE Cole Kmet (Notre Dame), CB Jaylon Johnson (Utah), OLB/DE Trevis Gipson (Tulsa), CB Kindle Vildor (Georgia Southern), WR Darnell Mooney (Tulane), OT Arlington Hambright (Colorado), IL Lachavious Simmons. (Tenn State)
ESPN reported that the Bears have 10 tight ends. Ten. T-e-n. They have two over-paid quarterbacks on their roster, both of whom are going to try to start for the team and despite being the fourth-worst offense in 2019 spent a majority of their early draft picks on defensive players. Despite all the talking points Trey Wingo was dispensing, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounders aren’t game-changers, for the most part. They’re backups, special teams, and even at times, practice squad guys.
Chicago needed to make more of an impact to improve their offense. Cole Kmet should be a future Pro Bowler, but the Bears had a top ten defense last year, to ignore such a need to add to something already so strong is puzzling. They are the Raiders of the NFC North.
Grade: D+
Detroit – CB Jeff Okudah (OSU), RB D’Andre Swift (Georgia), OLB Julian Okwara (Notre Dame), IL Jonah Jackson (OSU), IL Logan Stenberg (Kentucky), WR Quintez Cephus (Wisconsin), RB Jason Huntley (New Mexico State), DT John Penisini (Utah), DT Jashon Cornell (OSU)
For a defensive back, Jeff Okudah is as good of a prospect as you can find. The defense should be much improved with his addition and Julian Okwara. The line should be much better as Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg should be starters coming out of camp. While the Jason Huntley pick was good, they had already picked up D’Andre Swift and the team needed more help in the secondary.
Quintez Cephus and John Penisini are later round guys who could be really intriguing to watch develop. Sure, they might not even make the team this year, but if they can improve and produce, that would be something special for this class. Getting two running backs was a mistake, even if both are talented. Optimize your selections better.
Grade: B
Minnesota – WR Justin Jefferson (LSU), CB Jeff Gladney (TCU), OT Ezra Cleveland (Boise State), CB Cameron Dantzler (Mississippi State), DE D.J. Wonnum (South Carolina), DT James Lynch (Baylor), LB Troy Dye (Oregon), CB Harrison Hand (Temple), WR K.J. Osborn (Miami), OT Blake Brandel (Oregon State), SAF Josh Metellus (Michigan), Kenney Willekes (Mich State), QB Nate Stanley (Iowa), SAF Brian Cole II (Miss State), IL Kyle Hinton (Washburn University)
Gotta love this draft. The first four players taken are starting-caliber prospects. The love affair I have with Ezra Cleveland can’t be stressed enough. He’s a great prospect. Then you have so much good and promising late-round picks to round out a strong first four.
If K.J. Osborn or Blake Brandel can get time as rookies and play well, then they’ll be starters for a long time. Josh Metellus was one of the few impressive things about Michigan last year and it’s hard for anyone to say that about Michigan. The steal for them might have been Kenney Willekes. The kid plays so much like former Viking Jared Allen it’s uncanny. He’s fighting to just make the team, however, not just a starting spot. If he can improve and get more physical, he could be someone really interesting.
Grade: A-
Green Bay – QB Jordan Love (Utah State), RB A.J. Dillion (Boston College), TE Josiah Deguara (Cinncinati), ILB Kamal Martin (Minnesota), IL Jon Runyan Jr (Michigan), IL Jake Hanson (Packers), IL Simon Stepaniak (Indiana), SAF Vernon Scott (TCU), DE Jonathan Garvin (Miami U)
The offensive line picks were good, love Jon Runyan Jr. He, Jake Hanson, and Simon Stepaniak could be starters eventually. Yet, there’s something missing, where are the receivers? Yes, Josiah Deguara is a great tight end prospect. Yes, you did put a few new linemen into play for Aaron Rodgers to use to shield him from hits. Yet, you got three new linemen who probably aren’t going to be starters for a year or two, and if they are, won’t be as good as they will be down the road. You also wasted a pick on a running back, a position where you already have a pretty good one.
Jordan Love might be good, yet many said that he was the fourth or fifth-best quarterback in the draft. After he got selected everyone was immediately comparing him to Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was thought of as the best quarterback in his draft, alongside Alex Smith. They were 1A and 1B. Love was maybe 5A. At best.
No, this was a draft designed to tell Rodgers to pound salt, so in that respect, you did just that. Because Rodgers isn’t talking about retirement, unlike Brett Favre did when Rodgers was drafted, to draft like Rodgers is out the door is counterproductive to your teams broadcasted forecast for 2020.
Grade: D+
NFC South
Tampa Bay – OT Tristan Wirfs (Iowa), SAF Antonie Winfield Jr. (OSU), RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn (Vanderbilt), WR Tyler Johnson (Minnesota), DT Khalil Davis (Nebraska), OLB Chapelle Russell (Temple) RB Raymond Calais (Louisana)
Four potential starters in four picks is not shabby. While I’m not on the Tom Brady hype train, the Buccaneers got a good draft with or without Brady and Rob Gronkowski. Of the four top tackles, Wirfs was my favorite and Antoine Winfield is versatile, able to play anywhere in that secondary. He’s gonna have to prove he can tackle NFL talent though if he wants to be a safety. Ke’Shawn Vaughn is interesting and he’s smart as heck.
Khali Davis has upside but the rest of the picks aren’t doing it for me as far as breakout potential. The team really only needs three or four guys per draft to make a difference for that class to be successful. The Buccaneers have as good of a chance as any of that happening.
Grade: A-
New Orleans – CEN Cesar Ruiz (Michigan), OLB Zack Baun (Wisconsin), TE Adam Trautma (Dayton), QB Tommy Stevens (Miss State)
When you don’t have many picks, you are forced to make each one of them hit. The New Orleans Saints will rely on Cesar Ruiz, Zack Baun, and Adam Trautma to start right off the bat. If they don’t then this draft class is going to be seen poorly in retrospect. Thankfully, Ruiz and Baun are two of the most agreed upon prospects who are deemed “pro-ready”.
The decision to trade back into the draft to get Tommy Stevens was interesting and raises questions. The team has Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, reportedly Jameis Winston coming in on a one year contract and now Stevens from Mississippi State? Perplexing.
Grade: B
Atlanta – CB A. J. Terrell (Clemson), DE Marlon Davidson (Auburn), IL Matt Hennessy (Temple), ILB Mykal Walker (Fresno State), SAF Jaylinn Hawkins (CAL), K Sterling Hofrichter (Syracuse)
The Atlanta Falcons were as bad defensively as the Cleveland Browns if that puts things into proper context. For them to spend a bulk of their haul on defense makes sense. Marlon Davidson might be really impressive as a player. He’s certainly got everything you’d want in a prospect.
A.J. Terrell will have to step up early though to make sure this team can maximize Matt Ryan’s remaining years. You can’t keep having Matty Ice’s defense fall apart on him. He can only do so much on his own. Keep an eye on Mykal Walker, he has breakout potential.
Grade: B+
Carolina – DT Derrick Brown (Auburn), DE Yetur Gross-Matos (PSU), SAF Jeremy Chinn (Southern Illinois), CB Troy Pride Jr. (Notre Dame), SAF Kenny Robinson (West Virginia/XFL), DT Bravvion Roy (Baylor), CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (FIU)
I’m a sucker for defense. I’m a sucker for a coach who’s a sucker for defense. I’m a sucker for a team that does the unthinkable. The Carolina Panthers 2020 NFL Draft is the only time in the history of the modern era that a team went all defense in the draft. Getting two GREAT defensive line prospects in Derrick brown and Yetur Gross-Matos certainly helped the enthusiasm.
As they were one of the worst defenses last year, these picks work. Yet, a wide receiver, a second running back or a tight end would’ve at least taken some pressure off of Christian McCaffery to do everything for the team. Plus an upgrade to the offensive line, or depth at least, would’ve been nice.
Grade: B
NFC East
New York (Giants) – OT Andrew Thomas (Georgia), SAF Xavier McKinney (Alabama), OT Matt Peart (UConn), CB Darney Holmes (UCLA), IL Shane Lemieux (Oregon), LB Cam Brown (PSU), LB Carter Coughlin (Minn), LB T.J. Brunson (South Carolina), CB Chris Williamson (Minn), ILB Tae Crowder (Georgia)
The New York Giants went into 2020 looking to improve their line, and they accomplished the goal in theory. Andrew Thomas, Matt Peart, and Shane Lemieux could all be starters this year. Should they be is a different question.
They didn’t ignore the defense, getting Xavier McKinney, Darney Holmes, and CAm Brown early(ish). Brown is one of the more slept on players in this draft and could develop into one of those lowkey veterans who’s been a starter for 15 years but no one realizes it types. Still, the team needed help playmakers on offense to help Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley not be overwhelmed and it doesn’t seem like they did that at all.
Grade: B-
Philadelphia – WR Jalen Reagor (TCU), QB Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma), OLB Davion Taylor (Colorado), SAF K’von Wallace (Clemson), OL Jack Driscoll (Auburn), WR John Hightower (Boise State), ILB Shaun Bradley (Temple), WR Quez Watkins (Southern Miss), OT Prince Tega Wanogho (Auburn), OLB/DE Casey Toohill (Stanford)
The Miami Dolphins took a slash player in round seven. The New Orleans Saints found theirs as an undrafted free agent. Taking one in round two is a mistake. They can spin this any way they want but they took him because there are issues with Carson Wentz. He’s in his fifth year, and he’s either missed gobs of time or played poorly at various points in his career. Hurts is an insurance policy. Still, a second-round insurance policy.
Jalen Reagor and Jack Driscoll are great prospects, but Davion Taylor played on a bad Colorado team, and he might not be someone who can transition. He might be an All-Pro as a rookie, I’m just saying I have my doubts. This draft is going to be carried by Hurts, if they don’t get more for him than they gave up, this will hurt the draft grade. If he flames out, the same thing. If he replaces Wentz and leads them to a SuperBowl? A+, but not until then.
Grade: C+
Dallas – WR CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma), CB Trevon Diggs (Alabama), DT Neville Gallimore (Oklahoma), CB Reggie Robinson II (Tulsa), IL Tyler Biadasz (Wisconsin), DE Bradlee Anae (Utah), QB Ben DiNucci (James Madison)
The Cowboys are not a team I respect or like. Jerry Jones is the evil Emperor and he conducted the 2020 Draft from the freaking Death Star. Like a villain from a film, Jones may have won the day. CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs scream future Pro Bowlers. Neville Gallimore could and should be a starter right off the bat.
Tyler Biadasz is such a great run blocker, but he does need to work on hand placements in the pass rush. He at times gets his off-snapping hand stuffed by interior pass rushers. Bradlee Anae could be a stud if he can show the league that measurables are bull. I always rep for Italians who get drafted, so props to Ben DiNucci.
Grade: A
Washington – DE Chase Young (OSU), RB Antonio Gibson (Memphis), OT Saddiq Charles (LSU), WR Antonio Gandy-Golden (Liberty), IL (Keith Ismael (SDSU), OLB Khaleke Hudson (Michigan), SAF Karmen Curl (Arkansas), DE James Smith-Williams (NC State)
Chase Young is arguably the closest thing to a lock as a team can get. If he’s not as productive as the Bosa Brothers, then that’s going to be surprising. Despite having a dozen running backs at any one point (sarcasm), getting Antonio Gibson was smart. Adrian Peterson may want to run until he’s 50 but he won’t be able to.
It looks like the team drafted with the idea that DeWayne Haskins is their guy, which is wise. He’s too young to give up on. Antonio Gandy-Golden is someone I just feel good about. Saddiq Charles is going to have to prove he’s not a problem, however, the team needed to hit on their o-line picks and Charles is their best bet. If he spirals, then the team’s line will struggle.
Grade: B
NFC West
Seattle – LB Jordyn Brooks (Texas Tech), DE Darrell Taylor (Tenn), IL Damien Lewis (LSU), TE Colby Parkinson (Stanford), RB DeeJay Dallas (Miami), DE Alton Robinson (Syracuse), WR Freddie Swain (Florida), TE Stephen Sullivan (LSU)
The Seahawks should be good for years. Jordyn Brooks and Darrell Taylor are exactly what this team is needing as far as prospects go. They upgraded their line with Damien Lewis, and they just need to hope that he actually pans out. DeeJay Dallas is a good change of pace back.
Freddie Swain could be a star if he continues to improve his skills. Yet, it’s the pick of Colby Parkinson that fans should be excited for. A deceptively good pass catcher who could line up at receiver. He’s also a tremendous blocker for a tight end. The steal of their draft.
Grade: A-
San Francisco – DT Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina), WR Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona State), OT Colton McKivitz (West Virginia), TE Charlie Woerner (Georgia), WR Jauan Jennings (Tenn)
John Lynch himself said they were thinking about getting Tom Brady, thus hinting at them not being all-in on Jimmy Garappolo. If that’s the case, why not get a quarterback like Jake Fromm? The team made some good pickups but they also lost some good veterans to get there.
Will Javon Kinlaw replace DeForest Buckner? He better, that’s why he was drafted. With such pressure and expectations on one player to define a draft, that rarely ever turns out well. The 49ers tried to get out from guys with expiring contracts by going younger but that doesn’t always work as a formula for winning, let alone for drafting.
Grade: C+
Arizona – LB Isaiah Simmons (Clemson), OT Josh Jones (Houston), DT Leki Fotu (Utah), DT Rashard Lawrence (LSU), ILB Evan Weaver (California), RB Eno Benjamin (Arizona State),
The Cardinals’ second draft of the Kliff Kingsbury era was all positive. From his righteous home to getting a slew of potential rookie starters. Isaiah Simmons should be a great safety, who can come up in nickel and dime packages to play against the run. Josh Jones will be expected to start right off the bat and if he doesn’t, this will hurt the overall class.
Leki Fotu, Evan Weaver, and Eno Benjamin all have breakout potential. Staying home to get Benjamin was a stroke of genius. Fans love that stuff. Defensive tackles are always the hardest to gauge, as so many top prospects bust and so many mid-rounders become studs. Will Rashard Lawrence step up? We’ll see.
Grade: A-
Los Angeles (Rams) – RB Cam Akers (FSU), WR Van Jefferson (Florida), OLB Terrell Lewis (Alabama), SAF Terrell Burgess (Utah), TE Brycen Hopkins (Purdue), SAF Jordan Fuller (OSU), ILB Clay Johnston (Baylor), K Sam Sloman (Miami OH), IL Tremayne Anchrum (Clemson)
Despite being bloated with fat contracts and having to let two of their better players leave in the off-season, the Rams may have just found a few new guys to build around. Cam Akers and Van Jefferson will be expected to contribute right away offensively. If they can’t the team is going to take another step back from their already disappointing 2019.
Brycen Hopkins might be a great steal for them if he can work on his consistency. Terrell Burgess seems like the safest best to bank on becoming a regular contributor to the team. Also, who doesn’t love a kicker with the name of Sam SLOMAN. It’s almost like he was born to be a kicker.
Grade: A-