BY: Tony LiebertThis year’s draft came out with plenty of storylines. There were many teams that had terrific drafts, and a couple who did not come out so well. Teams who missed the cut on the winners list, and why: - Titans: They still need more offensive firepower, mostly more speed than anything. - Dolphins: Still need more receiver help for newly acquired Josh Rosen, still only have Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson, and always injured Devante Parker on the roster. - Jaguars: They still need more receivers for Nick Foles 5 WINNERS5. Los Angeles Chargers (First Round)
The Chargers were another playoff team that had a great draft. Jerry Tillery at the 28th pick was my 14th ranked prospect, so he was a steal. Tillery will also help fill the Chargers biggest hole of an interior defensive linemen. Nasir Adderley in the second round was my 33rd ranked prospect so getting him with the 60th pick was another steal. Adderley will make a terrific safety duo between himself and Derwin James. Trey Pipkins is a great developmental tackle that can learn behind Russell Okung and could possibly be his replacement. Drue Tranquill will add great depth at the linebacker position. And lastly Easton Stick could be a great developmental QB behind Tyrod Taylor, and obviously Philip Rivers. Grade: 88/100 B+ 4.Washington Redskins (First Round)
NO SELECTION (Third Round)
In the eyes of the consensus media... the Redskins had one of the best drafts in the entire league, which I would agree with. Having Dwayne Haskins fall into their lap at 15 was highway-robbery. Haskins definitely has the potential to be a franchise quarterback, but for Haskins to be successful Washington needed more offensive weapons, and they did just that. Before they went offense, the Redskins took Montez Sweat who many viewed as a top 5-10 prospect but began to fall due to a “heart-condition” but it later came out that they heart problem may not be as bad as expect. Sweat is another high potential prospect, but there is no doubt his value at 26th was tremendous. The Redskins rounded out their draft with Bryce Love, who will make an underrated backfield between Derrius Guice and himself. Terry McLaurin and Kelvin Harmon have the potential to be great weapons for Haskins making their draft nearly perfect. Other than the QB position last season, Washington had one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, so if Haskins plays as well as expected I can see the Redskins making a playoff run. Grade: 89/100 B+ 3. Arizona Cardinals (First Round)
The Cardinals obviously had the luxury of having the first pick of each round, but they definitely took advantage of their opportunity. It took ‘balls’ to decide to move on from Josh Rosen and take their new franchise QB Kyler Murray, within one season… But it was the right move, Murray is a once in a generation talent, and he is a far superior player than Rosen. In the second round, they got Byron Murphy who was the 10th ranked prospect in my rankings, and Andy Isabella who was 11th, that value is just unbelievable. Arizona rounded out their draft with adding quality weapons for Murray with, Hakeem Butler, Keesean Johnson, and Caleb Wilson who were all great value picks, all who have the ability to contribute right away. With all of their offensive additions, the front office will be able to find out quickly how well Kliff Kingsbury’s system works at the next level. Zach Allen and Dionte Thompson was also great value who both have serious has starter potential. The only complaint I have about Steve Keim’s draft was that they took no offensive linemen. They had the worst line in the league last year by far… and decided to draft only 2. Grade: 89/100 B+ 2. Los Angeles Rams (First Round) NO SELECTION (Second Round)
NO SELECTION (Seventh Round)
n/a The Rams came into this years draft with very few picks. They did a great job of trading down to acquire much more draft capital, which is a thing that really helps the “elite” teams in the NFL extend their run. Taylor Rapp in the first round will add great depth to their defensive backs and can eventually be newly acquired Eric Weddle’s replacement. Darrell Henderson will be a great sidekick to Todd Gurley in the back field. David Long also adds depth to LA’s d-backs, and can also be the replacement to veterans Marcus Peters, and Aqib Talib. Greg Gaines will be a great run-stopper in the middle of the Rams defense. David Edwards, and Bobby Evans will add depth to their veteran o-line while also being the potential replacements for starters Rob Havenstein and Andrew Whitworth. Overall the Rams did a great job of looking towards the future in this draft, and have a great chance of another deep playoff run. Grade: 92/100 A- Pictured Above: former Washington DT Greg Gaines. 1. Pittsburgh Steelers (First Round)
NO SELECTION (Third Round)
n/a The Pittsburgh Steelers really could not have done any better in this draft. They traded up to take Devin Bush Jr, who will be the heart and soul of their defense for 10+ years as well as being a great replacement for Ryan Shazier. Dare I say it, but I think Diontae Johnson was the closest thing to Antonio Brown in this draft. He was an incredibly smooth route runner at Toledo, although he still has room to improve with his hands. Justin Layne filled the Steelers second biggest need of cornerback, and he could step in to be a starter right away alongside Joe Haden. Benny Snell Jr, will make a great 1-2 punch between James Conner and himself. Zach Gentry will add to an underrated tight end group with Jesse James, Vance McDonald and himself. Sutton Smith was one of the most underrated players in this class, and he can contribute right away with the Steelers pass rush. Overall I think this draft will get Pittsburgh back to their winning ways in the “post-Le’Veon and AB” era. Grade: 93/100 A- 5 LOSERS5. Dallas Cowboys (First Round)
The Cowboys draft definitely could’ve been worse, but overall it was very underwhelming. Trysten Hill in the second round fits a need with last season’s starting DT David Irving announcing his retirement, but Hill is still a selection that holds serious risk. Hill definitely has the talent to replace Irving but he struggled to find the field last season at UCF, by only starting one game. Connor McGovern will add depth to the Cowboys o-line, but overall he just has average starter potential. If anything my two favorite picks of the Cowboys draft were their last two. Mike Webber has the potential to be a solid backup behind Ezekiel Elliott, and Jalen Jelks’ talent of rushing the passer is definitely more than worth a seventh round pick. So the Cowboys definitely fit the majority of their needs, but it just happened to be a boring draft. Grade 79/100 C+ 4. Kansas City Chiefs (First Round) NO SELECTION (Second Round)
NO SELECTION (Fifth Round) NO SELECTION (Sixth Round)
The Chiefs had a lot of work to do heading into this years draft. They just recently traded their first round pick for Frank Clark, and their "former" players Kareem Hunt, and Tyreek Hill have been in the headlines for all of the wrong reasons. In the second round I think Mecole Hardman can be a decent replacement for Hill, but there were better options available, such as JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Parris Campbell, and Hakeem Butler. I do like the pick of Juan Thornhill and will make an interesting safety combo between Tyrann Mathieu and himself, and Khalen Saunders has the potential to be a Dontari Poe type of player on the defensive line. The reason why I am so low on the Chiefs draft it because... THEY DIDN’T DRAFT A CORNERBACK UNTIL THE 6TH ROUND. The Chiefs currently have Steven Nelson, Kendall Fuller, Charvarius Ward, and Tremon Smith as the only corners on their roster. Now the average football fan, at best may only be able to say they’ve heard of Kendall Fuller. The Chiefs last season were last in almost ever pass defensive category, so “what would make you think that you don’t need a cornerback Brett Veach… tell me?” Grade: 76/100 C 3. New York Giants (First Round)
NO SELECTION (Third Round)
n/a The Giants were the talk of the draft, by taking Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick. Jones was obviously a tremendous reach, but he still has back-up to “average” starting QB potential which I guess still holds some value. The Giants made up for their huge blunder, with their next four picks. Dexter Lawrence will be a great pro, with the ability to rush the passer and stop the run from the interior of the defensive line. Deandre Baker was my 12th ranked prospect, so selecting him with the 30th pick is tremendous value. Oshane Ximines was a steal on 2. He day 61st ranked prospect, and the G-Men selected him with the 95th pick. Lastly Julian Love was a great on day four being my 65th rated prospect and they got him 108th. So overall the Giants did a great job starting the beginning of the their “rebuild” on the defensive end, but having a underwhelming first round starting QB can set a franchise back to the beginning of their rebuild Grade: *(With Josh Allen: 95/100 A) without 75/100 C 2. Oakland Raiders (First Round)
NO SELECTION (Fourth Round)
NO SELECTION (Seventh Round)
The media has liked to bash the Raiders draft, it definitely could’ve been better, but overall they just drafted “good” football players. First off it was utterly ridiculous that new GM Mike Mayock decided to take Clelin Ferrell over Josh Allen. I expect Ferrell to still be a productive pro, but Allen can be a franchise-changing player. Josh Jacobs was a solid pick, but running back value in the first round has proven to not be worth it. Johnathan Abram was a bit of a reach but still has starter potential. Trayvon Mullen also has average starter potential at best. In the fourth round Maxx Crosby was great value being one of the most athletic pass rushers in this class, and Isaiah Johnson is a great developmental prospect. In the fifth round Hunter Renfrow has the potential to be a terrific third or fourth staring receiver. Lastly Oakland’s undrafted free agent class was also very underrated with Te’Von Coney who has starter potential with one of the best fullbacks in the country Alec Ingold. Overall what could’ve been a “franchise-changing” draft just turned out to be okay. Grade: 74/100 C 1. Atlanta Falcons
(First Round)
NO SELECTION (Third Round) NO SELECTION (Fourth Round)
NO SELECTION (Notable UDFAs) n/a The Falcons in my opinion had the worst draft in the entire NFL. Chris Lindstrom will be a starting NFL guard, but not much more than that. So at 14 that’s a bit of a reach and Kaleb McGary is about the same level as Lindstrom. Getting two starting caliber o-lineman is definitely not a negative, but I just think there were better options out there when they were drafting. Qadree Ollison in the fifth round is an underrated selection to replace Tevin Coleman.. But again I just think there were better options at running back, such as Rodney Anderson or Myles Gaskin. Overall the Falcons’ draft was a bit underwhelming in what could be a decisive year for Dan Quinn and the Falcons’ staff. Grade: 71/100 C-
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May 2020
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