The NFL Draft has come and gone. It’s bittersweet, really. I’m one of those weird people who loves the anticipation of events almost as much as the actual event. Notice how I said “almost” as much?

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With the draft in the rearview, it allows us to break down the depth charts, find the strengths and weaknesses of each team, and project them into the 2020 season. We finally have a variable that’s changed, which is very welcomed for someone like me who’s been studying and dissecting depth charts since the Super Bowl.

While my big board is certainly different than yours and every GM, there’ll be a multitude of things factored into these draft grades. How talented was the player they selected? Did he fill a need on their roster? Did they reach to select a player they could’ve gotten a full round later? Was there someone available in free agency who could’ve helped them instead?

ARIZONA CARDINALS

1.08 – Isaiah Simmons (LB – Clemson)
3.72 – Josh Jones (OT – Houston)
4.114 – Leki Fotu (IDL – Utah)
4.131 (from Texans) – Rashard Lawrence (IDL – LSU)
6.202 (from Patriots)  – Evan Weaver (LB – California)
7.222 – Eno Benjamin (RB – Arizona State)

The Cardinals likely didn’t expect Simmons to be there at No. 8 overall, but they’re sure glad he was. He’s a centerpiece to a defense that struggled last year. With him and Budda Baker on the defense, they have a lot of flexibility. No one expected Josh Jones to fall into the third round, but again, the Cardinals were glad he did. He may not be elite and ready to play yet, but his upside is tremendous with his length. The picks of Fotu and Lawrence seemed like band-aids they’ll need to address later, as I didn’t have either as a starter grade on either of them. Weaver and Benjamin were solid picks to close the draft, as both could’ve been viewed as 4th/5th round players. When you add in DeAndre Hopkins, who was essentially their second-round pick, the Cardinals did extremely well.

DRAFT GRADE: A-
 

ATLANTA FALCONS

1.16 – A.J. Terrell (CB – Clemson)
2.47 – Marlon Davidson (DL – Auburn)
3.78 – Matt Hennessy (IOL – Temple)
4.119 – Mykal Walker (LB – Fresno State)
4.134 – Jaylinn Hawkins (S – California)
7.228 – Sterling Hofrichter (P – Syracuse)

The Falcons were trying to trade into the top-10 but were ultimately happy with Terrell being there for them at No. 16 overall. The pick of Davidson wasn’t my favorite, as he’s changing positions after putting on a lot of weight. There were safer options on the board to put alongside Grady Jarrett. Still, it was wise to snag an interior defensive lineman. They also snagged an interior offensive lineman in the third-round, which was another big need they had on their board. Kudos to the Falcons for recognizing their weaknesses and attacking them early. Day 3 wasn’t anything to write home about, though, as Walker and Hawkins were players I wondered if they’d be drafted at all. Day 1 and 2 are the most important, and the Falcons did a solid job with those picks.

DRAFT GRADE: B
 

BALTIMORE RAVENS

1.28 – Patrick Queen (LB – LSU)
2.55 (from Falcons) – JK Dobbins (RB – Ohio State)
3.71 (from Patriots) – Justin Madubuike (IDL – Texas A&M)
3.92 – Devin Duvernay (WR – Texas)
3.98 (from Patriots) – Malik Harrison (LB – Ohio State)
3.106 – Tyre Phillips (IOL – Mississippi State)
4.143 – Ben Bredeson (IOL – Michigan)
5.170 (from Vikings) – Broderick Washington Jr. (IDL – Texas Tech)
6.201 (from Vikings) – James Proche (WR – Southern Methodist)
7.225 (from Jets) – Geno Stone (S – Iowa)

The fit of Queen to the Ravens was a favorite of mock drafts, and for good reason. The Ravens desperately needed a full-time linebacker and it had to be a nail-biter on whether or not he’d fall to them. Dobbins was a bit of a head-scratcher for me considering they still have Mark Ingram, drafted Justice Hill last year, and then tendered Gus Edwards this offseason. He’ll fit their offense well, but it’s not a pick that’ll boost them into the Super Bowl or anything. Madubuike was getting some first-round buzz, so that was a nice value to see in the third round, while Harrison went right where he was expected to. The wide receiver additions of Duvernay and Proche add more speed to the team, though they’re probably “just guys” on a mediocre depth chart. I loved both the Bredeson and Stone picks on Day 3, as both were tremendous values on my big board. This felt like a solid draft for the Ravens, though it was somewhat puzzling to see them not snag any edge rushers.

DRAFT GRADE: B-
 

BUFFALO BILLS

2.54 – A.J. Epenesa (EDGE – Iowa)
3.86 – Zack Moss (RB – Utah)
4.128 – Gabriel Davis (WR – UCF)
5.167 – Jake Fromm (QB – Georgia)
6.188 (from Browns) – Tyler Bass (K – Georgia Southern)
6.207 (from Patriots) – Isaiah Hodgins (WR – Oregon State)
7.239 (from Vikings) – Dane Jackson (CB – Pittsburgh)

Not having a first-round pick is tough, but it’s easier to deal with when you have Stefon Diggs on your roster. It also helps when you land Epenesa at No. 54 overall when he was once considered a top-15 pick. His Combine was weak, but the fact remains that he’s a bull in a china shop with a lot of strength. I love Moss and though some ripped his 40-time, he makes a perfect match for Devin Singletary. Davis in the fourth round was too rich for my blood, especially knowing the receivers that were still on the board. In fact, I felt like Hodgins and Davis would go in a similar area of the draft (sixth round). Fromm had a freefall that no one expected, but the Bills stopped it in the fifth round, and though he’s nothing like Josh Allen (they’d have to create a new offensive gameplan), he’s going to play in this league at some point. At the very least, he’s a great backup to have.

DRAFT GRADE: C+
 

CAROLINA PANTHERS

1.07 – Derrick Brown (IDL – Auburn)
2.38 – Yetur Gross-Matos (EDGE – Penn State)
3.64 (from Seahawks) – Jeremy Chinn (S – Southern Illinois)
4.113 – Troy Pride (CB – Notre Dame)
5.152 – Kenny Robinson (S – West Virginia)
6.184 – Bravvion Roy (IDL – Baylor)
7.221 – Stanley Thomas-Oliver (CB – Florida International)

We knew the Panthers would need to address the many holes they have on defense, but passing on Isaiah Simmons may come back to haunt them. You can’t be mad they took all defense with every single pick, though there’s a concern on the interior of their offensive line with John Miller and Tyler Larsen projected to be the starters at guard. Still, Brown, Gross-Matos, Chinn, and Pride were all rock-solid picks. Waiting to snag a cornerback until the fourth round was bold, and they’re lucky Pride was still available. I still believe they need more talent at cornerback considering the division they play in. It’s tough to find a standout player in the fifth round and beyond, so we can’t criticize their picks there too much.

DRAFT GRADE: B+
 

CHICAGO BEARS

2.43 (from Raiders) – Cole Kmet (TE – Notre Dame)
2.50 – Jaylon Johnson (CB – Utah)
5.155 (from Vikings) – Trevis Gipson (EDGE – Tulsa)
5.163 – Kindle Vildor (CB – Georgia Southern)
6.173 (from Eagles) – Darnell Mooney (WR – Tulane)
7.226 (from Raiders) – Arlington Hambright (IOL – Colorado)
7.227 (from Eagles) – Lachavious Simmons (IOL – Tennessee State)

The Bears finally finish with the aftermath of the Khalil Mack trade, but now deal with the aftermath of the David Montgomery trade as well, leaving them with just two picks inside the top 150. Kmet is a solid player, but it was not a good pick when you have holes on the interior of the offensive line and safety opposite Eddie Jackson. The Bears now have 10 tight ends on their roster. Johnson was a value pick in the second round and did fill a void left by Prince Amukamara, and then they added to their cornerback depth when they took Vildor in the fifth. Gipson is a solid rotational edge rusher that’ll fit in well, but my issue is that they didn’t address two of their biggest needs in this draft with any sort of equity: Interior offensive line and safety. Not having picks in the first, third, and fourth rounds was an obstacle the Bears didn’t overcome.

DRAFT GRADE: D+
 

CINCINNATI BENGALS

1.01 – Joe Burrow (QB – LSU)
2.33 – Tee Higgins (WR – Clemson)
3.65 – Logan Wilson (LB – Wyoming)
4.107 – Akeem Davis-Gaither (LB – Appalachian State)
5.147 – Khalid Kareem (EDGE – Notre Dame)
6.180 – Hakeem Adeniji (IOL – Kansas)
7.215 – Markus Bailey (LB – Purdue)

When you have the No. 1 overall pick and are able to select a quarterback who just had the best college season of all-time, you’re going to get a great score. The pick of Higgins at the top of the second round was shocking, to say the least. I say that because they have a very competent group of wide receivers, and though they have two with expiring contracts next year, it’s a position that’s easier to find, especially in this draft. Higgins is a solid player, but there were other needs that should’ve been addressed. They started addressing those needs from the third round on, snagging three linebackers, one edge rusher, and an offensive lineman. I didn’t mind any of their picks and none we considered reaches. Davis-Gaither is someone who fell due to reported “bone on bone” knee issues, but the risk was worth the reward where they got him. The Bengals are turning their franchise around, and this was another step in the right direction.

DRAFT GRADE: A
 

CLEVELAND BROWNS

1.10 – Jedrick Wills (OT – Alabama)
2.44 (from Colts) – Grant Delpit (S – LSU)
3.88 (from Saints) – Jordan Elliott (IDL – Missouri)
3.97 (from Texans) – Jacob Phillips (LB – LSU)
4.115 – Harrison Bryant (TE – Florida Atlantic)
5.160 (from Colts) – Nick Harris (IOL – Washington)
6.187 – Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR – Michigan)

While I like Wills and had him as my second-best tackle in the draft, he has played right tackle, which is where Jack Conklin has played. It’ll be interesting to see how they handle those two. Delpit has had some ups and downs on his film but has first-round talent. Some defensive tackles fell further than expected, so they took advantage of Elliott in the third round. They definitely needed to address linebacker, but selecting Phillips over guys like Davion Taylor, Troy Dye, and Malik Harrison was risky. Snagging Bryant in the fourth was solid value, though it makes little sense unless they have a plan to move on from David Njoku. Harris was a steal in the fifth round and one of the better values on Day 3. And lastly, they got the No. 8 wide receiver on my board in the sixth round. Mark my words: Donovan Peoples-Jones will be a real player in this league.

DRAFT GRADE: B+
 

DALLAS COWBOYS

1.17 – CeeDee Lamb (WR – Oklahoma)
2.51 – Trevon Diggs (CB – Alabama)
3.82 – Neville Gallimore (IDL – Oklahoma)
4.123 – Reggie Robinson (CB – Tulsa)
4.146 (from Eagles) – Tyler Biadasz (IOL – Wisconsin)
5.179 – Bradlee Anae (EDGE – Utah)
7.231 – Ben DiNucci (QB – James Madison)

It was a surprise to hear Lamb drafted by the Cowboys, because while wide receiver was a need, it really shouldn’t have been a priority. Still, we can’t dock them too much for taking a rock-solid prospect. They stole Diggs in the second round, especially if they can get consistent effort out of him. Gallimore should’ve been under second round consideration for teams, so getting him in the third was another value. The Cowboys got tons of value when it mattered most. They continued that trend as the rounds went on, stealing both Biadasz in the fourth and Anae at the end of the fifth. It’s crazy that they had Biadasz simply fall into their lap once Travis Frederick retired. Be happy, Cowboys fans. They did a great job.

DRAFT GRADE: A-
 

DENVER BRONCOS

1.15 – Jerry Jeudy (WR – Alabama)
2.46 – KJ Hamler (WR – Penn State)
3.77 – Michael Ojemudia (CB – Iowa)
3.83 (from Steelers) – Lloyd Cushenberry (IOL – LSU)
3.95 (from 49ers) – McTelvin Agim (DT – Arkansas)
4.118 – Albert Okwuegbunam (TE – Missouri)
5.178 – Justin Strnad (LB – Wake Forest)
6.181 (from Redskins) – Netane Muti (IOL – Fresno State)
7.252 – Tyrie Cleveland (WR – Florida)
7.254 – Derrek Tuszka (EDGE – North Dakota State)

There’ll be no excuses for Drew Lock during his sophomore season. After snagging my top receiver with the No. 15 pick (Jeudy), they doubled-down and snagged speedster Hamler in the second round. The offensive squad they’ve assembled is quite ridiculous. Courtland Sutton, Jeudy, Hamler, Noah Fant, Melvin Gordon, and Phillip Lindsay. They also snagged their replacement center with Cushenberry in the third round, and though I’m not super high on him, he’s competent, and it filled a need. The pick of Muti in the sixth round was easily the best-case scenario for them, as he was the best lineman on the board. They reached on both Ojemudia and Agim, as they weren’t expected to go until Day 3. Trading back would’ve made sense. They got the Missouri team of Lock and Okwuegbunam back together as insurance to Fant, though it seems like the Broncos have drafted like 10 tight ends the last five years. It’s clear the offense was a priority here and rightfully so, though there were a few reaches.

DRAFT GRADE: B
 

DETROIT LIONS

1.03 – Jeff Okudah (CB – Ohio State)
2.35 – D’Andre Swift (RB – Georgia)
3.67 – Julian Okwara (EDGE – Notre Dame)
3.75 (from Colts) – Jonah Jackson (IOL – Ohio State)
4.121 (from Raiders) – Logan Stenberg (IOL – Kentucky)
5.166 (from Eagles) – Quintez Cephus (WR – Wisconsin)
5.172 (from Raiders) – Jason Huntley (RB – New Mexico State)
6.197 (from Colts) – John Penisini (IDL – Utah)
7.235 (from Patriots) – Jashon Cornell (IDL – Ohio State)

I’m of the mindset that the Lions should’ve traded out of the No. 3 pick, as the Dolphins were clearly willing to trade up, and the Giants weren’t going to select a cornerback at No. 4 overall. The point is that the pick was good, but it could’ve been better. The Lions didn’t make a bad pick over the first five rounds, and that’s saying something. Swift is a rock-solid three-down running back, Okwara is a pass-rushing monster, and Jackson is one of the better interior guards available in this class with little injury concern. You can argue they could’ve waited on Jackson, but it wasn’t egregious. In fact, they got Stenberg, who I had graded higher, a round later. Cephus was a top-10 wide receiver on my board, too. The Lions absolutely crushed this draft.

DRAFT GRADE: A
 

GREEN BAY PACKERS

1.26 (from Dolphins) – Jordan Love (QB – Utah State)
2.62 – A.J. Dillon (RB – Boston College)
3.94 – Josiah Deguara (TE – Cincinnati)
5.175 – Kamal Martin (LB – Minnesota)
6.192 (from Raiders) – Jon Runyan (IOL – Michigan)
6.208 (from Titans) – Jake Hanson (IOL – Oregon)
6.209 – Simon Stepaniak (IOL – Indiana)
7.236 (from Browns) – Vernon Scott (CB – Texas Christian)
7.242 (from Ravens) – Jonathan Garvin (EDGE – Miami)

The Packers were one of the biggest disappointments in the first round. Then the same in the second round. And again in the third round. Fortunately, they didn’t have a fourth-round pick to do the same. There’s really no way to defend their picks, unless you believe they’re concerned about Aaron Rodgers‘ long-term outlook. Looking at his contract, he’s going to be there until at least 2022 (unless the Packers wanted to eat $17.2 million in dead cap space after 2021). This is a team that was in the NFC Championship last year, and in the first three rounds, they took a backup quarterback, a third-string running back, and backup tight end who they’re describing as a fullback. This draft reeks of a team who traveled back in time to ground-and-pound the football, like they don’t have a Hall of Fame quarterback on their roster. In what was considered one of the best wide receiver classes of all-time, the Packers didn’t select a single wide receiver. Aaron Rodgers deserves better. There’s absolutely no defending this draft, as the only player who came as a value was Garvin (their seventh-round pick).

DRAFT GRADE: F
 

HOUSTON TEXANS

2.40 (from Cardinals) – Ross Blacklock (IDL – TCU)
3.90 – Jonathan Greenard (EDGE – Florida)
4.126 (from Rams) – Charlie Heck (OT – North Carolina)
4.141 (from Dolphins) – John Reid (CB – Penn State)
5.171 – Isaiah Coulter (WR – Rhode Island)

Despite losing DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans didn’t have a first-round pick in this draft. That’s not great. You do have to add Brandin Cooks to their draft haul this year, which does help, but they started the draft upside-down. Blacklock was a solid pick, as they needed to address the loss of D.J. Reader in free agency. Greenard was another solid selection for their pass-rush in the third round, but going defense with their first two picks led to them passing on the top-tier of offensive linemen and over-drafting Heck in the fourth. They also severely reached for Reid in the fourth round, when he was someone who many had a sixth-round grade on. They were not able to leave this offseason saying they have a better football team.

DRAFT GRADE: D+
 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

2.34 (from Redskins) – Michael Pittman (WR – USC)
2.41 (from Browns) – Jonathan Taylor (RB – Wisconsin)
3.85 (from Lions) – Julian Blackmon (S – Utah)
4.122 – Jacob Eason (QB – Washington)
5.149 (from Lions) – Danny Pinter (IOL – Ball State)
6.193 – Robert Windsor (DT – Penn State)
6.211 (from Jets) – Isaiah Rodgers (CB – Massachusetts)
6.212 (from Patriots) – Dezmon Patmon (WR – Washington State)
6.213 (from Patriots) – Jordan Glasgow (LB – Michigan)

For not having a first-round pick, the Colts snagged a couple guys who can help their offense immediately. Pittman complements T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell quite well, giving Philip Rivers a big-bodied wide receiver to throw the ball up to. Taylor was a surprise pick considering they have Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines on the roster, but he’s going to crush behind that offensive line and getting him in the second round was a value. I had a fourth-round grade on Blackmon, so it was somewhat of a reach at the top of the third round. I also felt that taking Eason over Jake Fromm will come back to haunt them, as Fromm can run Frank Reich’s offense. There wasn’t any pick they made on Day 3 that felt like a great value. I expected them to snag a tight end in this draft, but it seems they may be happy with their Trey Burton signing.

DRAFT GRADE: C+
 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

1.09 – CJ Henderson (CB – Florida)
1.20 (from Rams) – K’Lavon Chaisson (EDGE – LSU)
2.42 – Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR – Colorado)
3.73 – Davon Hamilton (IDL – Ohio State)
4.116 – Ben Bartch (OT – St. Johns)
4.137 (from Broncos) – Josiah Scott (CB – Michigan State)
4.140 (from Bears) – Shaquille Quarterman (LB – Miami)
5.157 (from Ravens) – Daniel Thomas (S – Auburn)
5.165 (from Rams) – Collin Johnson (WR – Texas)
6.189 – Jake Luton (QB – Oregon State)
6.206 (from Seahawks) – Tyler Davis (TE – Georgia Tech)
7.223 – Chris Claybrooks (CB – Memphis)

You won’t find many teams with more picks than the Jaguars. After snagging Henderson at No. 9, they seemed to go for pure upside. Chaisson is versatile but never produced like expected with his athleticism. Shenault is a moveable chess piece who’s coming off core muscle surgery. I felt they could’ve taken Jalen Hurts with that second-round pick, as they have no Gardner Minshew insurance. Instead, they waited until the sixth round to select Luton. It was odd to see them continually pass on quarterbacks. Hamilton was someone who went around where I thought he would, though some had a fifth-round grade on him. Johnson was a solid pick in the fifth round, as you can’t teach his size. Bartch was a late riser in the draft process and got some Day 2 buzz, so he could be considered a slight value. But outside of them, there wasn’t really anyone who stood out among their Day 3 picks.

DRAFT GRADE: C-
 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

1.32 – Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB – LSU)
2.63 (from 49ers) – Willie Gay Jr. (LB – Mississippi State)
3.96 – Lucas Niang (OT – TCU)
4.138 – L’Jarius Sneed (S – Louisiana Tech)
5.177 – Michael Danna (EDGE – Michigan)
7.237 (from Titans) – Bopete Keyes (CB – Tulane)

The Chiefs reportedly said “Clyde Edwards-Helaire, no matter what” the day of the first round, before it even started. They apparently asked Patrick Mahomes who he wanted, and he said Edwards-Helaire. Andy Reid has already stated he believes Edwards-Helaire is better than Brian Westbrook on film. They now have him with a fifth-year option, too. To know that the Chiefs passed on edge rusher and cornerback in each of the first four rounds is odd though, as those were their two biggest weaknesses. Niang was my No. 5 tackle in this class, so I loved the value they got with him, but again, positional needs weren’t met, lowering their grade. Sneed was somewhat unnecessary with the safeties on their roster, while Danna was a reach. They landed solid players early in the draft, which counts, but they didn’t address two of their biggest weaknesses.

DRAFT GRADE: C
 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

1.12 – Henry Ruggs (WR – Alabama)
1.19 (from Bears) – Damon Arnette (CB – Ohio State)
3.80 – Lynn Bowden (WR/RB – Kentucky)
3.81 (from Bears) – Bryan Edwards (WR – South Carolina)
3.100 (from Patriots) – Tanner Muse (S – Clemson)
4.109 (from Lions) – John Simpson (IOL – Clemson)
4.139 (from Patriots) – Amik Robertson (CB – Louisiana Tech)

I’ll be straight with you… I didn’t like the Raiders first-round picks. Taking Ruggs with Jerry Jeudy on the board felt like a disgrace, as Jeudy would’ve done all the things they wanted Antonio Brown to do. Arnette is a player I had a third-round grade on, so when you combine that with his off-the-field question marks, taking him at No. 19 overall was a reach. Edwards was a good complement to Ruggs in the third round, so they deserve some love for the planning to pair the two. Then they went right back to reaching at the end of the third round, as Muse was considered to be a 6th/7th round pick. Simpson was a good value in the fourth, as was Robertson, who was expected to have Round 2/3 appeal. The early picks negatively impact their grade more, as those are the ones you can’t miss on, but they did a decent job in the 3rd/4th round.

DRAFT GRADE: C-
 

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

1.06 – Justin Herbert (QB – Oregon)
1.23 (from Patriots) – Kenneth Murray (LB – Oklahoma)
4.112 – Joshua Kelley (RB – UCLA)
5.151 – Joe Reed (WR – Virginia)
6.186 – Alohi Gilman (S – Notre Dame)
7.220 – K.J. Hill (WR – Ohio State)

Did the Chargers actually want Herbert, or were they simply hoping Tua Tagovailoa would fall to them? After trading away their starting left tackle and signing Bryan Bulaga to play right tackle, I’m guessing the latter. Herbert is a risky pick at No. 6 overall and it’s unlikely he starts over Tyrod Taylor right out of the gate. I liked the trade-up to the back end of the first round to pick Murray, as he’s someone who’s a plug-and-play linebacker, a position of need for them. Kelley makes for a very good complement to Austin Ekeler, while Reed/Hill will both have a shot to compete for the No. 3 receiver job. I had a fifth-round grade on Hill, so he was a tremendous value in the seventh. In the end, the Chargers’ fate is in Herbert’s hands, and that’s something I wouldn’t feel comfortable with knowing he doesn’t have a sturdy presence at left tackle.

DRAFT GRADE: C
 

LOS ANGELES RAMS

2.52 – Cam Akers (RB – Florida State)
2.57 (from Texans) – Van Jefferson (WR – Florida)
3.84 – Terrell Lewis (EDGE – Alabama)
3.104 – Terrell Burgess (S – Utah)
4.136 (from Texans) – Brycen Hopkins (TE – Purdue)
6.199 – Jordan Fuller (S – Ohio State)
7.234 – Clay Johnston (LB – Baylor)
7.248 (from Texans) – Sam Sloman (K – Miami)
7.250 (from Texans) – Tremayne Anchrum (IOL – Clemson)

The Rams seemingly had a lot of holes to fill but didn’t have a first-round pick, leaving them to find value starters on Day 2 where they had four picks. Everyone seemed to scoff when I suggested the Rams could take a running back in the third round, but they one-upped me, taking Akers in the second round. That feels rich for a team with plenty of holes on the offensive line. They essentially traded Brandin Cooks for Van Jefferson, which is a net loss in my book (and I like Jefferson just fine). Lewis and Burgess both addressed needs, and they were both expected in the third-round range. The pick of Hopkins in the fourth round was puzzling with both Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee on the roster, but it signifies they’ll move on from Everett after the 2020 season. Them not selecting an offensive lineman until the seventh round is puzzling, as is the fact that they didn’t replace Nickell Robey-Coleman at cornerback.

DRAFT GRADE: D+
 

MIAMI DOLPHINS

1.05 – Tua Tagovailoa (QB – Alabama)
1.18 (from Steelers) – Austin Jackson (OT – USC)
1.30 (from Packers) – Noah Igbinoghene (CB – Auburn)
2.39 – Robert Hunt (OL – Louisiana-Lafayette)
2.56 (from Saints) – Raekwon Davis (IDL – Alabama)
3.70 – Brandon Jones (S – Texas)
4.111 (from Texans) – Solomon Kindley (IOL – Georgia)
5.154 (from Steelers) – Jason Strowbridge (EDGE – North Carolina)
5.164 (from Eagles) – Curtis Weaver (EDGE – Boise State)
6.185 – Blake Ferguson (LS – LSU)
7.246 (from Chiefs) – Malcolm Perry (WR – Navy)

There was no team with more picks in the first two days than the Dolphins in the 2020 NFL Draft. They made six selections through the first three rounds, with five of them coming in the first two rounds. I absolutely loved the Tagovailoa pick, as they didn’t have to mortgage their future to take the quarterback with what might be the most upside. Sure, he comes with risk, but again, they didn’t have to move anything to get him. I’m not particularly high on Jackson, but I can’t fault them for attacking the offensive line, as it’s a necessity. Igbinoghene was a bit of a reach as well, especially when you consider the other cornerbacks who were available. The pick I liked most was getting Davis near the end of the second round. Pairing him with Christian Wilkins is going to create problems for opposing offensive lines. Jones was a solid value in the third round, too. They continued getting value with both Kindley and Weaver on Day 3, as both had buzz for Day 2. The Dolphins are turning their franchise around.

DRAFT GRADE: A
 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

1.22 (from Bills) – Justin Jefferson (WR – LSU)
1.31 (from 49ers) – Jeff Gladney (CB – TCU)
2.58 – Ezra Cleveland (OT – Boise State)
3.89 – Cameron Dantzler (CB – Mississippi State)
4.117 (from 49ers)  – D.J. Wonnum (EDGE – South Carolina)
4.130 (from Saints) – James Lynch (IDL – Baylor)
4.132 – Troy Dye (LB – Oregon)
5.169 (from Saints) – Harrison Hand (CB – Temple)
5.176 (from 49ers) – K.J. Osborn (WR – Miami)
6.203 (from Saints) – Blake Brandel (IOL – Oregon State)
6.205 – Josh Metellus (S – Michigan)
7.225 (from Ravens) – Kenny Willekes (EDGE – Michigan State)
7.244 (from Saints) – Nate Stanley (QB – Iowa)
7.249 Brian Cole (S – Mississippi State)
7.253 Kyle Hinton (IOL – Washburn)

If there was a record for number of picks on Day 3, the Vikings may have set it. The Eagles allowed Jefferson to fall right into the Vikings lap, so they were surely ecstatic to select him at No. 22 overall. Gladney at the end of the first round was another pick that deserved a lot of love. I’m not a big fan of Cleveland, even if he was a late riser. They made up for it with Dantzler in the third round, a rock-solid value. The Vikings have pressing needs on their defensive line, as Everson Griffin still isn’t signed, so the pick of an edge rusher would’ve made sense earlier than the fourth round, and Wonnum was a reach there. Dye was a solid value in the fourth, as I had a late-second/early-third grade on him. There wasn’t any pick after Dye that came as a tremendous value, though. My guess is that a lot of these players don’t make the roster. They made some of their best picks in the first few rounds, which helps their grade more than the late ones.

DRAFT GRADE: B+
 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

2.37 (from Chargers) – Kyle Dugger (S/LB – Lenoir-Rhyne)
2.60 (from Ravens) – Josh Uche (LB – Michigan)
3.87 – Anfernee Jennings (EDGE – Alabama)
3.91 (from Raiders) – Devin Asiasi (TE – UCLA)
3.101 (from Jets) – Dalton Keene (TE – Virginia Tech)
5.159 (from Raiders) – Justin Rohrwasser (K – Marshall)
6.182 (from Colts) – Michael Onwenu (IOL – Michigan)
6.195 (from Broncos) – Justin Herron (IOL – Wake Forest)
6.204 (from Texans) Cassh Maluia (LB – Wyoming)
7.230 (from Falcons) – Dustin Woodard (IOL – Memphis)

I’m just going to say it: The Patriots had a bad draft. They’re clearly entering a rebuilding phase, which is fine, but reaching to select Dugger at No. 37 overall was a big risk. It’s one that might pay off, but the risk/reward cost is too large to justify, especially when they have other pressing needs. They tried attacking those needs with Uche (who I do like quite a bit) and Jennings (who I wouldn’t have drafted, period), but there were others available. Jennings is someone I had a sixth-round grade on. Closing out the third round with two tight ends was odd, and though they were both somewhat of a reach, the Patriots didn’t have a pick until the fifth round. It was a position of need, though. They closed out the draft by taking three interior offensive linemen, which again made little sense when you look at their wide receiver depth chart. They also continually passed on Jake Fromm when Brian Hoyer is their No. 2 quarterback. The Patriots coaching staff usually gets the most out of their players, but this draft could’ve been so much better.

DRAFT GRADE: D-
 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

1.24 – Cesar Ruiz (IOL – Michigan)
3.74 (from Browns) – Zack Baun (EDGE – Wisconsin)
3.105 (from Vikings) – Adam Trautman (Dayton)
7.240 (from Texans) – Tommy Stevens (QB – Mississippi State)

This is one of the shortest draft lists in recent memory, as the Saints made just four picks the entire draft. Don’t forget they made just five last year, too. Ruiz was expected to be a first-round pick, though I didn’t like him as much as some. Baun was a value in the third round, as he wasn’t expected to get out of the second round. He’ll contribute in 2020, which is important considering the Saints are “in-it-to-win-it.” Trautman is a high-upside pick for the long term, though. He comes from a small school and is still learning the position. The Saints had a fine draft.

DRAFT GRADE: B-
 

NEW YORK GIANTS

1.04 – Andrew Thomas (OT – Georgia)
2.36 – Xavier McKinney (S – Alabama)
3.99 – Matt Peart (OT – Connecticut)
4.110 – Darnay Holmes (CB – UCLA)
5.150 – Shane Lemieux (IOL – Oregon)
6.183 – Cameron Brown (LB – Penn State)
7.218 – Carter Coughlin (EDGE – Minnesota)
7.238 (from Saints) – T.J. Brunson (LB – South Carolina)
7.247 – Chris Williamson (CB – Minnesota)
7.255 – Tae Crowder (LB – Georgia)

I had Thomas as the No. 1 offensive tackle on the board, so I’m certainly not upset about the Giants No. 4 overall selection. He projects as a left tackle, so you must wonder if they move Nate Solder to the right side of the line. The picks of McKinney and Peart were considered decent values on Day 2, but not selecting a single edge rusher until the seventh round? That’s going to haunt them. The Giants have dumped a lot of equity into their offensive line, and while they needed to improve, I don’t think they did enough on the defensive side of the ball. Taking three linebackers in the 6th/7th round won’t fix your issues there. All in all, the Giants had a decent draft, but they may have overinvested in just one portion of their team.

DRAFT GRADE: C+
 

NEW YORK JETS

1.11 – Mekhi Becton (OT – Louisville)
2.59 (from Seahawks) – Denzel Mims (WR – Baylor)
3.68 (from Giants) – Ashtyn Davis (S – California)
3.79 – Jabari Zuniga (EDGE – Florida)
4.120 – Lamical Perine (RB – Florida)
4.125 (from Patriots) – James Morgan (QB – Florida International)
4.129 (from Patriots) – Cameron Clark (OT – Charlotte)
5.158 – Bryce Hall (CB – Virginia)
6.191 – Braden Mann (P – Texas A&M)

The Jets were able to snag an offensive tackle at No. 11 after all. Becton over Tristan Wirfs will be discussed for some time, though. The Jets traded back in the second round and still got the wide receiver I mocked to them. Mims is going to be the go-to option for Sam Darnold before long and it was best-case for the Jets when they moved back. Davis and Zuniga were both good picks in the third round, so as far as I’m concerned, the Jets nailed the first three rounds. Perine and Morgan were “ehh” picks, but the Jets stole one of the best values in the entire draft when they took Hall in the fifth round. If he had no health question marks, he would’ve gone in the first round. The only thing they didn’t address in the draft was their coach (sorry, had to).

DRAFT GRADE: A
 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

1.21 – Jalen Reagor (WR – TCU)
2.21 – Jalen Hurts (QB – Oklahoma)
3.103 – Davion Taylor (LB – Colorado)
4.127 – K’Von Wallace (S – Clemson)
4.145 – Jack Driscoll (OL – Auburn)
5.168 (from Patriots) – John Hightower (WR – Boise State)
6.196 (from Bears) – Shaun Bradley (LB – Temple)
6.200 (from Bears) – Quez Watkins (WR – Southern Mississippi)
6.210 (from 49ers) – Prince Tega Wahogho (OT – Auburn)
7.233 (from Bears) Casey Toohill (EDGE – Stanford)

You can argue about which wide receiver the Eagles should’ve taken in the first round, but that’s semantics. Reagor is a baller and should benefit from being around DeSean Jackson for a year. Drafting a quarterback in the second round though? Nah. The pick of Hurts is not quite as bad as the Packers pick of Jordan Love because they didn’t trade up for him and they didn’t use a first round pick on him, but when you have Carson Wentz, you should be helping other areas of your team instead of a luxury pick that won’t see the field without injury. The sad part is that the Eagles had a good draft outside of that pick. Taylor, Wallace, Driscoll, and Hightower were all good values. Some may say Taylor was a reach, but I believe he’ll be an impact player, and it was a position of need. Tega Wanogho was another value for their offensive line in the sixth round. Still, the pick of Hurts haunts the draft and it’s what they’ll be remembered for.

DRAFT GRADE: C-
 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

2.49 – Chase Claypool (WR – Notre Dame)
3.102 – Alex Highsmith (EDGE – Charlotte)
4.124 – Anthony McFarland Jr. (RB – Maryland)
4.135 (from Dolphins) – Kevin Dotson (IOL – Louisiana)
6.198 – Antoine Brooks Jr. (S – Maryland)
7.232 – Carlos Davis (IDL – Nebraska)

If you’ve followed my draft coverage, you’d know that Claypool isn’t someone I liked, especially knowing he would go inside the top three rounds. Highsmith in the third round was a reach, as there were some good edge rushers on the board at that time. McFarland should be a fun player to watch in Pittsburgh, but his selection also makes the draft pick they used on Jaylen Samuels to seem useless. There’s not a signature player from this draft that I can see being an impact player for them, though Dotson could be a piece on their offensive line.

DRAFT GRADE: D
 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

1.14 (from Buccaneers) – Javon Kinlaw (IDL – South Carolina)
1.25 (from Vikings) – Brandon Aiyuk (WR – Arizona State)
5.153 (from Dolphins) – Colton McKivitz (OT – West Virginia)
6.190 (from Eagles) – Charlie Woerner (TE – Georgia)
7.217 (from Lions) – Jauan Jennings (WR – Tennessee)

The 49ers essentially swapped out DeForest Buckner for Javon Kinlaw. Will it work out? Time will tell, as Buckner was a great player, though Kinlaw is younger and cheaper. Trading up for Aiyuk was a head-scratcher, but it’s clear they have a role planned for him. Snagging Jennings in the seventh round was rock-solid value, though. The 49ers also made a big splash during the draft, trading for Trent Williams, giving up a third- and fifth-round pick. That was a steal for them, especially when we found out shortly after that their Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley was retiring. The 49ers didn’t have a whole lot of draft picks, but it was extremely shocking to see them not address the cornerback position at all.

DRAFT GRADE: B-
 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

1.27 – Jordyn Brooks (LB – Texas Tech)
2.48 (from Jets) – Darrell Taylor (EDGE – Tennessee)
3.69 (from Panthers) – Damien Lewis (IOL – LSU)
4.133 – Colby Parkinson (TE – Stanford)
4.144 – DeeJay Dallas (RB – Miami)
5.148 (from Panthers) – Alton Robinson (EDGE – Syracuse)
6.214 – Freddie Swain (WR – Florida)
7.251 (from Dolphins) – Stephen Sullivan (TE – LSU)

I completely understand going to the beat of your own drum and drafting off the list that you and your scouts have created, but stop reaching for those players. Brooks is a fine three-down linebacker but wasn’t expected to go until late-second/early-third. Taylor was a late riser who did get some second round buzz, but they traded up to get him. The only player the Seahawks drafted who should be considered good value is Robinson, who I think deserved a third-round selection. If you like a generic brand of food, should you pay the same price as the name brand? No, that’s the point. You like value. Trade back, Seahawks. With the players they like, they should be what the Vikings were this year, a team that had 11 picks on Day 3. They would’ve been able to address their offensive tackle issues with more picks, as they ignored the losses of Germain Ifedi and George Fant this offseason.

DRAFT GRADE: D
 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

1.13 (from 49ers) – Tristan Wirfs (OT – Iowa)
2.45 – Antoine Winfield (S – Minnesota)
3.76 – Ke’Shawn Vaughn (RB – Vanderbilt)
5.161 – Tyler Johnson (WR – Minnesota)
6.194 – Khalil Davis (IDL – Nebraska)
7.241 (from Patriots) – Chapelle Russell (LB – Temple)
7.245 (from 49ers) – Raymond Calais (RB – Louisiana-Lafayette)

The first two rounds couldn’t have gone better for the Bucs. They got their right tackle to help protect Tom Brady, and even traded up one spot to ensure they’d get him. They then stole Winfield at No. 45 overall, who is one of my favorite players in the draft. Vaughn is an interesting pick because he almost clashes with Ronald Jones and doesn’t necessarily complement him. I thought the Bucs would go with more of a passing-down back to put alongside Jones, which they did later with Calais. The pick of Johnson in the fifth makes some sense considering their wide receiver depth chart, but his best position is playing in the slot, which is currently occupied by Chris Godwin. But the Bucs hit when they needed to, and this team is better coming out of the NFL Draft.

DRAFT GRADE: B+
 

TENNESSEE TITANS

1.29 – Isaiah Wilson (OT – Georgia)
2.61 – Kristian Fulton (CB – LSU)
3.93 – Darrynton Evans (RB – Appalachian State)
5.174 – Larrell Murchison (IDL – NC State)
7.224 (from Browns) – Cole McDonald (QB – Hawaii)
7.243 – Chris Jackson (CB – Marshall)

It was no secret that the Titans wanted a tackle at No. 29 to replace Jack Conklin, and they landed one with Wilson. That was a popular choice in mock drafts, as was edge rusher, a position they did not address at all. The pick of Fulton in the second round was an absolute steal, one of the best in the entire draft. I still have no clue how or why Fulton fell where he did. Evans was a perfect pick in the third, even if some thought they reached a tad. Running backs came off the board quicker than expected and Evans is a great complement to Derrick Henry. The Titans really should’ve snagged Jake Fromm to put a competent quarterback behind Ryan Tannehill, but they settled on McDonald in the seventh round. The Titans draft was solid, but not addressing edge rusher bumps their grade down.

DRAFT GRADE: B-
 

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

1.02 – Chase Young (EDGE – Ohio State)
3.66 – Antonio Gibson (WR – Memphis)
4.108 – Saahdiq Charles (OT – LSU)
4.142 – Antonio Gandy-Golden (WR – Liberty)
5.156 (from 49ers) – Keith Ismael (IOL – San Diego State)
5.162 (from Seahawks) – Khaleke Hudson (LB – Michigan)
7.216 – Kamren Curl (S – Arkansas)
7.229 (from Broncos) – James Smith-Williams (EDGE – North Carolina)

Snagging Young at No. 2 overall was a gimme pick, though one that obviously helps their draft grade. He’s a top-notch edge rusher who’ll contribute from day one. The Redskins defensive front is suddenly one of the best in football. The Redskins announced Gibson as a running back, which makes him the sixth one on their depth chart. He’s not a bad player but it’s a bad pick if they want him to be a running back. Gandy-Golden is a perimeter-only player right now, but one who comes with tremendous upside. He was a great pick in the fourth round, though I thought they could’ve added another wide receiver later. They didn’t address tight end in the draft, though they did snag Thaddeus Moss as an undrafted free agent. If he didn’t just have surgery on his foot, he would’ve been considered in the fourth round. Some teams reportedly had high grades on Charles, and the Redskins need to hope that he pans out after trading away Trent Williams. There were some hits from their draft, but there could also be some big misses.

DRAFT GRADE: C+

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Mike Tagliere is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeTagliereNFL.