Grade Your Team’s Draft Picks—2021 Edition

[Daniel]

Yall know the drill. There’s one of these threads every year, and I haven’t seen it yet.

Titans:

22: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech: A-

Love this pick. Would I have preferred Horn or Surtain? Yes, but Farley has better measurables and fundamentals than either, and we didn’t get to see how he improved in 2020. Likely a shut down corner...if he plays.

53. Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota St: B+

I like this pick. Radunz had some buzz as a possible first rounder, but the problem here is how the Titans handled this position. The team was already three deep in playable tackles, then signed Kendall Lamm. This makes little sense when the plan was to spend an early pick on a tackle.

92. Monty Rice, LB, Georgia: C-

ILB will be a need next season, when both Evans and Brown are free agents. Still, this felt like a reach for a player of Rice’s quality. Better players were available at positions of more need, and even at the same position. The only thing keeping this from D territory is the fact that he’s a lifelong Titans fan.

100. Elijah Molden, DB, Washington: B+

Molden is a good value here, but the team already spent its first pick on a DB. I expect Molden will play some slot and some safety. Good pick, not great.

109. Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, Louisville: C

I didn’t scout this guy pre-draft at all. Not on my radar. But having looked at him now, he’s a big bodied receiver with good physical traits. Not bad in the early fourth, but moving up for him was costly.

135. Rashad Weaver, Edge, Pittsburgh: A

The best pick in the Titans’ draft. Weaver is a great penetrator, though he doesn’t finish once he’s back there. An early third value at 135 at a big position of need is a great pick.

205. Racey McMath, WR, LSU: C-

Nobody receiver who barely played. Sixth round, sure. But there was better available.

215. Brady Breeze, S, Oregon: C-

This makes either two pucks at CB, or two picks at S. None at DL, TE, or K.

Overall: B+
The Titans completely revamped the defensive secondary, which was their biggest need, and added some much needed depth at WR and Edge. Still, the front seven looks like an underwhelming unit, several needs went unaddressed, and I don’t know if they added enough talent at receiver.

[ET80]

Oh... fun.

3.67 - Davis Mills, QB, Stanford. Absolutely baffling pick. Will compete for playing time against Tyrod Taylor, but starting a rookie 3rd rounder on a team with no talent anywhere is a surefire way to end up with the #1 pick, which will have to be a QB, thereby making this pick a one year rental. (And this is IF he wins the starting job). 

3.89 - Nico Collins, WR, Michigan. I like this one, a big bodied WR in a crowd of smaller guys in this draft. Good speed, competes well to get the ball. He should get snaps opposite Brandin Cooks right out the gate. (It's one of two picks I genuinely like).

5.147 - Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami. The annual drafting of the TE in Houston. Jordan is a very impressive TE, but the team already invested goodness knows how much in the position. Meanwhile, the defense is considering starting the lunch lady at CB. As a player, Jordan is pretty intriguing and probably forces Jordan Akins off the team... So it's solving for a problem that wasn't a problem.

5.170 - Garrett Wallow, LB, TCU. Hey, a defensive player. Undersized LB, lacks top end speed but plays with aggression and instinct. Probably a future ST ace at best, could be an intriguing rotational piece in Lovie's Cover 2.

6.195 - Roy Lopez, DT, Arizona. Back to back defensive picks! Heck yeah! I actually think this could develop into a good pickup down the line. Big, strong NT who plays non-stop and has the strength to occupy multiple blockers. I don't think he'll get sacks or major TFLs, but he opens up the opportunity for others to get those plays.

Overall - F. The Texans had significant needs, but pretty much ignored them. 

[Turnobili]

 

[FalconFan13]

Alright so the draft is done and it's time for my rankings and draft grade based on value, need, and fit.

I start everyone at a B and can push you up or down based on a need or value.   I lower my needs from the 5th round on because i feel you more so draft for value there but if you get some need as well then you get a bonus point.    If you don't draft for need then you go down a grade but the value can add a + or negative to the grade as well.  If you are drafted more than a round better than you were expected to go you go up a grade as well.  So with that said here is how we did without me being biased

Pick 4      -    Kyle Pitts  -  A+   - We use 2 TE sets and he is a generational talent it's gonna be A+ every time you get the best player in the entire draft even if it wasn't a major need.  He was too good to pass on.

Pick 40    -  Richie Grant - A+ - My number 1 safety in draft he hit a need which brought him to an A from B  and is good value with a extra pick added in on top for the 4th which made it an A+.

Pick 68   -    Jalen Mayfield  - A - Hit a need in OG and maybe OT if Kaleb doesn't improve or Matthews contract needs to be moved.  I don't feel his value was much better or worse than this so no + or - .

Pick 108 - Darren Hall -   B-   -  This is probably my biggest gripe in the whole draft.  He got an A for need at CB but his value was so low here that he gets dropped down a grade and - because their was much better players based on my board we could have chosen even at CB.

Pick 114 -  Drew Dalman - A-   - I personally didn't think we needed a Center but i also think he is a better prospect than Hennesey and had a late 2nd round to early 3rd round grade  on him.  So he bumps up to a higher grade for Value but still a - for not a need as much.

Pick 148 - Ta'Quon Graham -   B-    - Stout run defender like top 5 in the draft on the D-line.  But pass rush struggles alot and his value is a bit low here.  DT wasn't a major need to me but needs don't matter to much to me in 5th round and on i more base it on value so i won't dock you for not being a need here but you can still gain value if you are a need.   So he stays a B player but gets a negative on value.

Pick 182 - Adetokunbo Ogundeji -    A+   -  Absolutely killed this pick so much so that i didn't even know he was still available to choose from.  He was a late 3rd round to early 4th round  player that fell to right at the 6th round.  Thats insanely good value to me + a Edge rusher was a need.  A+ easy on this pick might be one of the better picks as far as talent and value in the draft where we got him.

Pick 183 -  Avery Williams - B+   -  ST Specialist whois probably the best pure ST player in the draft on returns and defending.  Doesn't offer a ton at CB but i don't think we drafted him for that.  In the 6th round to target a ST Ace is a smart move because ST is a big part of the team too and we need help on ST.   A for need but drops a bit of a grade based on value. Didn't think he deserved to drop a whole grade on value though. So went with a B+. 

Pick 187 - Frank Darby -  A   Value alone is going to get this pick an A he was in the late 4th round area to very early 5th.  Paired with alot of guys people wanted to us much earlier than this pick.  Don't think WR was a need so he doesn't get a + on the pick to get extra credit but still value alone he is a very solid A in the 6th round. 


So overall if you add up all the grades  which i give each grade a value point

A+ = 10
A = 9
A- = 8
B+ = 7
B = 6
B- = 5
C+ = 4
C = 3
C- = 2
F = 1

My final grade would be this on the draft = 73 for every draft pick divide that by 9 picks and you get a 9.125

Final grade on this draft is an  A    Thats a **** of a job from TF on his 1st go around for the Falcons well done good sir.

This is based on my values on players and a few sites i like to follow a bit.   This doesn't mean TF and AS don't like these players more than me or they won't be good players.  It's just based on how i feel about each pick and each need and the value.

[ET80]

5 hours ago, Daniel said:

135. Rashad Weaver, Edge, Pittsburgh: A

The best pick in the Titans’ draft. Weaver is a great penetrator, though he doesn’t finish once he’s back there. An early third value at 135 at a big position of need is a great pick.

... Sorry, bud.

[Daniel]

3 minutes ago, ET80 said:

... Sorry, bud.

Yeah, that may drop the grade a tad.  We'll see in the coming days.

[Johnny Nix]

Bengals:

1. Ja’Marr Chase WR - A

- any time you land an elite player it’s a solid grade. Sewell vs. Chase will always be compared by Bengals fans for the next 10 years...

2. Jackson Carman OG - C

- I personally didn’t like trading out with Teven Jenkins on the board, even if we did make out in the trade. The plan is to play Carman at G and leave Reiff at RT, I think it’s an ok pick and at least they traded down first. I would have been irate if Carman would have been the original pick. 
 

3. Joseph Ossai Edge- B
- always hesitant to give a sliding player amazing grades, as there is probably a reason they slid. I think Ossai has some good tools, but is very BOOM/BUST.

4. Cam Sample Edge- B+

- probably my favorite pick aside from Chase. I think Sample has an insane motor and tremendous ability. I expect him to make an impact from day 1
 

4. Tyler Shelvin NT- C-

- felt like a bit of a reach, but obviously the Bengals liked what they saw from the tape. Monster of a man, hope he can stay motivated to keep his conditioning in check. Felt like 3T was more of a need than a true NT. 

 

4. D’Ante Smith OT- C+
 

- liked another dart thrown at developmental OL. Kid has a good frame and long arms, with exceptional athleticism. Just needs to put and keep on some weight. Could be the RT of the future while playing behind Reiff this year. 
 

5. Evan McPhearson K- C-

- don’t like taking a kicker this high unless he’s a legit threat. McPhearson will obviously be our starter, but just seemed like it was a round early and there was some good names still on the board. 
 

6. Trey Hill C- B-

- really liked the value of Hill in the 6th. With Billy Price unlikely to be retained, could be a future depth guy. Has a lot of talent, just had some injury issues. 
 

6. Chris Evans RB- C

- apparently the coaching staff loves the kid. I wasn’t much of a fan pre draft and didn’t read much into him. Looks like he might be a ST guy/back of the roster dude. 
 

7. Wyatt Hubert Edge- B

- really loved the additional dart at edge rusher, kid may not have the huge upside, but is all heart and effort. Could be a special teams monster. 

[animaltested]

2.56 D'Wayne Eskridge WR (B)

Not going to lie, wasnt super thrilled when I saw this pick. There's things to like (Speed Demon, Dominated his competition, Great Senior Bowl) but he is a slot WR and is 24 years old. 3rd WR was easily the biggest hole on the roster, but I dont know about spending Seattle's only premier pick on a luxury. Maybe he turns out to be Lockett 2.0. I guess that's the hope.

 

4.137 Tre Brown CB (C)

Again, not super thrilled about this pick. Fast but small. Not sure how his game is going to translate to the NFL. Does have a decent floor, as he should have a big impact on special teams. Him and DEskridge probably battle it out for return duties. 

 

6.208 Stone Forsythe OT (C+)

With Duane Brown and Shell both FAs in 2022, Seattle needed a developmental piece at the OT position. Stone fits the bill. Yet, its never a good sign with a guy that was projected as a day 2 pick slips all the way to the 6th round. Probably a small miracle for him to even make the the final roster, unless Jamarco Jones/ Cedric O completely shat the bed, or get hurt. 

 

Went in with low expectations, and Seattle ... .well did Seattle things. Eskridge and Brown are two quintessential "Seahawk" players. But it seems like those guys aren't really panning out as of late. Really disappointing they only ended up making 3 picks, and the longterm roster projection is currently bleak. Seattle is going to need to get lucky with their UDFA and Wavier Wire dumpster diving.

Overall = C

 

[NYJets4716]

Jets

1 (2) - Zach Wilson QB A.  Love the pick, Hopeful he will be the one.

1 (14) - Alijah Vera-Tucker OG A.  Some people say it was too much to give up 2 3rds, but the chances of Vera-Tucker becoming a all pro is higher than those 3rds even being starters. Vera-Tucker can plug and start at LG right away becoming a instant upgrade to what we had, plus him and Becton have the upside to form a dominant tandem. 

2- Elijah Moore WR A. Loved this pick, hes going to make an impact right away can't believe he wasn't drafted round 1. This guy was torching teams.

4-Michael Carter RB A. Again, I was a fan. I think Carter is a great scheme fit, but also the guy can ball. He is just a good football player and will be a productive NFL player, IMO we needed another RB and this was a good round to get one.

5-Jamien Sherwood LB/S. B.  Hes going to play LB, converting from safety. Saleh seems to love his tape and thinks he can play LB in his system, hopefully he can because LB is a need.

5-Michael Carter II CB/S. B+ gets a plus for being named Michael Carter. 

5-Jason Pinnock CB B. hey why not? High upside athlete.

6-Hamsah Nasirildeen LB/S B+ another player Saleh wants to convert to LBer, he was rated higher than 6th round before draft.

6-Brandin Echols CB B. Great athlete, see what we get. 

6-Jonathn Marshall DT B Looks like he has some upside to work with, our DL is pretty good so maybe he can develop. 

 

Overall I loved this draft, so far under Joe Douglas it would appear that he is at the least competent when it comes to drafting and constructing a roster. This team appears to be heading the right direction, but it all falls on if they were right on Wilson. 

 

[JAF-N72EX]

I did this in our sub.

R1:  QB Justin Fields:  A+

R2:  OT Teven Jenkins: A+

R5:  OL Larry Borom:  Don't know enough about him to grade and won't pretend to.

R6:  RB Khalil Hebert:  C-

R6:  WR Dazz Newsom:  A-

R6:  CB Thomas Graham: B

R7:  DT Khyris Tonga: See Borom...  

 

[MWil23]

Round 1, No. 26 overall: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

The Browns biggest area of weakness last year was defense, specifically in the secondary. Greedy Williams hasn't been able to stay healthy and has permanent nerve damage in his shoulder, and thus we can't count on him. Factoring in the return (hopefully) of Delpit from an Achilles, John Johnson III, and Troy Hill (slot), the Ward and Newsom tandem on the outside with Hill in the slot and Greedy as a Dime looks unbelievable on paper...and they finally have something they haven't had in DECADES...depth.

Many didn't think Newsome would be here, especially after Horn and Surtain getting picked so early. He's still just 20 years old, but did miss 14 games in college with some injuries. That said, he should be a Day 1 starter.

Grade: A

---

Round 2, pick No. 52: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame

Owusu-Koramoah was someone that the Browns  Round 1, and after trading up, they got a nice hybrid 3 down LB/S in the 2nd Round. Owusu-Koramoah's versatility fits Cleveland's scheme perfectly, with the ability to play all over the field. Cleveland's biggest weakness last season was covering the pass. While he did fall due to heart issues, doctors have cleared him, and moving up only cost them a total of 20 slots in the draft (they traded pick 89, but got back a 4th rounder in return).

Grade: A+

---

Round 2, No. 91 overall: Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn

The Browns added the fastest player in the draft in Schwartz, who they hope can take the top off of a defense. This dimension was very noticeably missing from their offense over the past 2 years, but if he's a viable deep threat and added dimension over the next 2 years, this will be a great pick. That said, this was the first pick that I wasn't a huge fan of, as I don't ever see him becoming much more than a take the top off of a defense kind of guy (not a future #1 or #2 or even a traditional slot IMO).  

Grade: C

---

Round 4, No. 110 overall: James Hudson, OT, Cincinnnati

My take: The Browns stay in state to bolster the depth of their offensive line with Hudson. Cleveland lost top tackle reserve Kendall Lamm in free agency, and Hudson will have a chance to develop into a rotation piece up front. He didn't give up a single sack this year, and is a mauling finisher in the run game.

Grade: B+

---

Round 4, No. 132 overall: Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State

The Browns needed to improve their depth on the inside of the defensive line, especially after cutting Sheldon Richardson. They also added Marvin Wilson, which to me is a sign that Richardson isn't coming back. Togiai is a fan favorite, as the strongest prospect in the class and has the production to match at OSU. He's going to be a nice rotational piece as a rookie with a chance to become a quality starter down the road. They also traded back and still got their guy, picking up an additional 5th this year AND 4th in 2022, making it a good value pickup. 

Grade: A-

---

Round 5, No. 153 overall: Tony Fields II, LB, West Virginia

Fields they drafted as a bulk tackling guy, and LB is clearly an area of weakness. IMO this guy is a pure special teamer and undersized guy who they hope may end up eventually competing for a purely WLB job. He's basically the 2 down version of JOK, as I don't see much athletic upside or frame upside with him as a starter down the road. Most of us would have preferred Shaun Wade here, as he's got slot/S hybrid potential and more upside.

Grade: C-

---

Round 5, No. 169 overall: Richard LeCounte, S, Georgia

 

LeCounte gives the Browns another depth piece at safety with Delpit still working his way back from an Achilles injury. LeCounte can return kicks as well. Likely he makes the team and they cut Redwine. He played very well at UGA, but didn't test well at his pro day.

Grade: B-

---

Round 6, No. 211 overall: Demetric Felton, WR, UCLA

The Browns got a running back/receiver who can get open and could bring a change of pace aspect. He's about 50/50 to make the team. He's not super athletic He will challenge D'Ernest Johnson as the 3rd RB, but ideally, he's going to be a pure out of the backfield pass catcher and 3rd down back...if he's getting carries, that spells trouble and injury for Chubb and Hunt.

Grade: B-

Edited May 4, 2021 by MWil23

[DoleINGout]

On 5/3/2021 at 10:07 AM, ET80 said:

Overall - F. The Texans had significant needs, but pretty much ignored them. 

Caserio GM? Checks out.

[DoleINGout]

On 5/3/2021 at 7:12 PM, Johnny Nix said:

2. Jackson Carman OG - C

- I personally didn’t like trading out with Teven Jenkins on the board, even if we did make out in the trade. The plan is to play Carman at G and leave Reiff at RT, I think it’s an ok pick and at least they traded down first. I would have been irate if Carman would have been the original pick. 

What do you make of Billy Price post-injury?

[SBLIII]

54 minutes ago, DoleINGout said:

Caserio GM? Checks out.

Caserio is a big problem.

[Johnny Nix]

2 hours ago, DoleINGout said:

What do you make of Billy Price post-injury?

He’s never really taken advantage of the opportunities he’s been given to grab a starting spot. I think at this point he’s a bust.