Grade Your Draft

[Daniel]

3 minutes ago, ET80 said:

I think next year is the year the Texans draft a QB - it’s a really good class next year, Young and Stroud are the headliners with some great options with Hendon Hooker, Anthony Richardson alongside potential risers in Spencer Rattler and DJ Uiagalelei - each one of these guys would have went ahead of Kenny Pickett this draft, well ahead at that.

I think the QB drop this draft was partially due to such a solid class next year. Texans should have another high pick next draft along with Cleveland’s 1/3 next draft, so the ammo to move up is there…

If a division rival takes Hooker, I will not be a happy man.

Better yall than the Colts, but still.

[mtmmike]

2 minutes ago, ET80 said:

I think next year is the year the Texans draft a QB - it’s a really good class next year, Young and Stroud are the headliners with some great options with Hendon Hooker, Anthony Richardson alongside potential risers in Spencer Rattler and DJ Uiagalelei - each one of these guys would have went ahead of Kenny Pickett this draft, well ahead at that.

I think the QB drop this draft was partially due to such a solid class next year. Texans should have another high pick next draft along with Cleveland’s 1/3 next draft, so the ammo to move up is there…

Ok have a good off season getting substantially busy at work.

My point is that the Osu qb typically do not

Impress me that leaves 1 qb carrying a 1st round grade. 

[ET80]

1 hour ago, Daniel said:

Texans did very well too, but I feel they were like the Giants, with Stingley over Sauce and Green a little early.  But I liked almost all the players they took.

I actually agree a bit on this - I liked Sauce over Stingley, but by an eyelash width at most, razor thin difference between the two. Both are going to be fine pros, IMO.

Green was somebody I was thinking the Texans would trade up from 37 for - maybe in the 20s, give or take? So 15 did require a double take. Watching Zion Johnson go two picks later made me feel better about the choice, but I also like that Caserio didn’t plan on moving a T to G (which was a suggestion when Icky was mocked to Houston - I’m not a fan of changing positions for highly rated rookies). Texans needed IOL, so draft an IOL. Green is also a nasty run blocker, which is a primary trait all new Texans OL need. Texans run game is lacking a push up the middle, and Green is the starting point to get that done.

Each player drafted does something very specific, something the Texans need - and with a barren team, these kids are going to get a lot of PT, which will either turn them into better pros or let people know it’s not clicking for them at this level. We’re going to get an answer on this class very quickly, simply because we’re going to see theses guys playing meaningful snaps… early and often.

[ET80]

7 minutes ago, mtmmike said:

Ok have a good off season getting substantially busy at work.

I’m going to have to connect with your some time on your work. I think my wife and kids would love visiting the Tetons one day. 😃

Cheers, bud!

[ET80]

10 minutes ago, Daniel said:

If a division rival takes Hooker, I will not be a happy man.

Better yall than the Colts, but still.

It’s either Hooker or Richardson for me. Whoo-saaaaa, I’d be stoked.

[mtmmike]

Just now, ET80 said:

I’m going to have to connect with your some time on your work. I think my wife and kids would love visiting the Tetons one day. 😃

Cheers, bud!

No charge

Just let advise you on trip

Hook you up with a whitewater trip

And a horseback ride.

[Daniel]

1 minute ago, mtmmike said:

Ok have a good off season getting substantially busy at work.

My point is that the Osu qb typically do not

Impress me that leaves 1 qb carrying a 1st round grade. 

There's still Bryce Young, who's all but guaranteed to go in the first, Kedon Slovis, Will Levis, Spencer Rattler, Tyler Van Dyke, and a slew of small school guys (Fresno kid, Coastal Carolina kid, etc.) along with the aforementioned Anthony Richardson and CJ Stroud.  It looks like a much, much stronger class than 2022 did at this time last year.

Pretty sure right now, Stroud, Richardson, and Young are all labeled as first rounders.  And all are on strong teams that will likely look good in 2022, so they have an easy path forward.

And the Texans still have a dinosaur head coach and no real QB in a tough division and a ton of draft capital.  They won't win enough games to be picking super low, and they'll easily be able to trade up if they need to.

Just now, ET80 said:

I actually agree a bit on this - I liked Sauce over Stingley, but by an eyelash width at most, razor thin difference between the two. Both are going to be fine pros, IMO.

Green was somebody I was thinking the Texans would trade up from 37 for - maybe in the 20s, give or take? So 15 did require a double take. Watching Zion Johnson go two picks later made me feel better about the choice, but I also like that Caserio didn’t plan on moving a T to G (which was a suggestion when Icky was mocked to Houston - I’m not a fan of changing positions for highly rated rookies). Texans needed IOL, so draft an IOL. Green is also a nasty run blocker, which is a primary trait all new Texans OL need. Texans run game is lacking a push up the middle, and Green is the starting point to get that done.

Each player drafted does something very specific, something the Texans need - and with a barren offense, these kids are going to get a lot of PT, which will either turn them into better pros or let people know it’s not clicking for them at this level. We’re going to get an answer on this class very quickly, simply because we’re going to see theses guys playing meaningful snaps… early and often.

Same.  I had Stingley as the top CB in my first rankings, but switched them when Sauce killed the combine and injuries.  Stingley played with Fulton, who's turned into a good CB in the NFL, and Stingley was clearly superior on the field when they were together.

I liked Zion over Green myself.  Green was fine as a pick, and he's versatile.  Just a little early.

Pitre was good value for a good player, as was Harris.

[mtmmike]

1 minute ago, Daniel said:

There's still Bryce Young, who's all but guaranteed to go in the first, Kedon Slovis, Will Levis, Spencer Rattler, Tyler Van Dyke, and a slew of small school guys (Fresno kid, Coastal Carolina kid, etc.) along with the aforementioned Anthony Richardson and CJ Stroud.  It looks like a much, much stronger class than 2022 did at this time last year.

Pretty sure right now, Stroud, Richardson, and Young are all labeled as first rounders.  And all are on strong teams that will likely look good in 2022, so they have an easy path forward.

And the Texans still have a dinosaur head coach and no real QB in a tough division and a ton of draft capital.  They won't win enough games to be picking super low, and they'll easily be able to trade up if they need to.

Same.  I had Stingley as the top CB in my first rankings, but switched them when Sauce killed the combine and injuries.  Stingley played with Fulton, who's turned into a good CB in the NFL, and Stingley was clearly superior on the field when they were together.

I liked Zion over Green myself.  Green was fine as a pick, and he's versatile.  Just a little early.

Pitre was good value for a good player, as was Harris.

You could be right but for me 1st round

Qbs jump off the screen when I see them.

To me fields would be the 2nd qb in this draft.

Anyways good luck thanks for opinion

[Raves]

I'd put the Saints at a solid B.  They didn't have a lot of needs coming into the draft, but a WR that was truly worthy of being a #2 and an OT to replace Armstead were definitely positions to be addressed and they addressed both.  Olave fits perfectly with CGM and will be a great #2 and although Penning has penalty issues due to be overaggressive, that can be coached out of him to be a little less aggressive near the end of plays, but was the best OT available at their pick.

The rest of the picks will provide good depth/great upside if they develop, if not not a big deal due to the fact that the Saints already had a top 5 defense so them stepping up and seeing the field will only mean good things for the defense.

Trading the future picks is a little tough, but when you consider the fact that the Saints really did have few holes and the fact that prior to Winston's injury the Saints were 5-2 and looking like they would win the NFC South, it's hard to blame them for thinking that they'd be contenders if Winston didn't get hurt.

[Matts4313]

17 hours ago, onejayhawk said:

Chiefs

This is different. Usually the Chiefs have severely limited draft capital. When they had it, they didn't waste it.

Pick 21 Trent McDuffie CB - Washington 
Pick 30 George Karlaftis EDGE - Purdue
Pick 54 Skyy Moore WR - Western Michigan
Pick 62 Bryan Cook SAF - Cincinnati
Pick 103 Leo Chenal LB - Wisconsin
Pick 135 Joshua Williams CB - Fayetteville State University
Pick 145 Darian Kinnard OL - Kentucky
Pick 243 Jaylen Watson CB - Washington State
Pick 251 Isiah Pacheco RB - Rutgers
Pick 259 Nazeeh Johnson CB Marshall

• According to GM Veach the team had 16-18 players rated as first round talent. Trent McDuffie was one of them. They have not had a cover corner in years, getting by with the likes of, well, Joshua Williams and Jaylon Watson. This was a want more than a need but excellent value. A-
• Going into the offseason, upgrading the DL was the stated priority. Re-signing Frank Clark was step #1. George Karlaftis is step #2. He starts at LDE from last Thursday night. B
• Skyy Moore is a perfect scheme fit. He's a natural slot receiver with great catch radius. Slot was Tyreek Hill's base position. B+
• Bryan Cook is as close to a reach as anyone in the Chiefs' draft. He's a physical safety with only decent coverage skills but excellent leadership qualities. One of the less spoken aspects of Tyrann Mathieu's tenure was his leadership. Cook continues the theme drafting hitters. B
• Leo Chenal takes the theme to another level. If he gets a square shot, this guy will put you out. He'll play Sam in the base. What makes him really intersting is his suddenness. All the reports describe him as an effective blitzer. In the NFL pass rush could be his claim to fame. B+ with upside
• Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson are very much the Chiefs sort of DB. Both are long and athletically gifted but raw. It's a tribute to the depth of the DB class that Watson was even available. They'll play ST and occasionally a spot of use. B
• Darian Kinnard is a hitter for the offense. If you watch him in interviews, there is a striking resemblance to Tre Smith. This is a bad dude. I am not saying he will take the starting RT job and run with it, like Smith took RG, but it is a possibility. B+
• Isaiah Pacheco is extreme fast and not at all elusive. I suspect he was drafted as KR and core ST player more than RB. C+
• Nazeeh Johnson is an anomaly. He isn't big. He isn't a hitter like Karlaftis, Cook, and Chenal. He does not have growth potential, being 25 and sixth year senior. He is fast and can do everything, but excels at nothing for this level. I suspect he was drafted to replace Dorian o'Daniel as the core ST leader. Incomplete

There are no home runs but a lot of solid value at places where the team needed help. The defense got a LOT more physical and probably more aggressive. The core special teams were gutted by free agency. We see a lot of new pieces here. Last year's PS has several more candidates

Overall, I suspect this was one of the top 5 drafts in the league.

I dont have the link handy, but I read a tweet that combined draft players RAS and NCAA production, and they concluded you guys had the #1 draft.

 

Cowboys were #3 and I do really like our draft. It was a very meat and potatoes, which is what we needed.

[Blackstar12]

lol.

[swoosh]

26 minutes ago, Blackstar12 said:

lol.

19 A's

9 B's

4 C's

What a joke.

[swoosh]

Round 1, No. 8 overall: Drake London, WR, USC / Grade: B+

- I might be one of the few Falcons fans who didn't mind a WR here. My reasoning was simple - I felt WR was likely going to be BPA. I wasn't high on Jermaine Johnson and unless Kayvon or someone else unexpected dropped, WR made the most sense. Lots of people were mocking Garrett Wilson to the Falcons and got flamed for it (for mocking a WR in general). Good content to look back on there. Ultimately I felt London or Williams fit Smith's offense better and while my personal flavor of choice was Williams, I get the appeal for London. He fits the Falcons ideal makeup better. I don't think London will be as good as Mike Evans, but for a team who has been crap in the redzone for years he's such a welcomed addition. And if you put on his 2020 tape where he's mostly in the slot, you'll see better separation skills. I felt a primary factor for a high percentage of contested catches was due to underwhelming QB play (I'm being kind). My knock here is nothing against London but rather the lack of elite talent at the top of this draft. London is likely not a top 10 pick in most years, so I dropped it to a B+ just for that. He'll make an immediate D1 impact and compete for OROY. 

Round 2, No. 38 overall: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State / Grade: A-

- Outstanding pick and the only reason this isn't an A is because the Falcons had to give up a 4th to move up to snag him. Well worth it though. Fits a huge need and was BPA. Can't ask for anything more than that. I expect him to compete for DROY. It'll be nice to finally have a pass rusher. 

Round 2, No. 58 overall: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State / Grade: B

- Solid value. He's raw but a freak athlete who has a ceiling as high as anyone in this draft. I expect him to get some early PT on sub-packages and ST, prepping him to start in year 2 if all goes according to plan. With guys like Jones, Evans, and Walker in front of him, he won't be forced into action until ready.

Round 3, No. 74 overall: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati / Grade: A

- I preferred Willis like I'm sure most fans did, but I'm not going to pretend I have any clue. Willis would've been the flashy pick, but Ridder fits Smith to a tee. Mature, reads defenses well, and has the athleticism to make up for an average arm. Two comparisons I've heard are Mariota and Tannehill. Even if he doesn't hit, taking Ridder in the 3rd is low risk. If anything, he should make for a solid back-up. And if the Falcons are in a position to grab one of the top QBs next year, this pick won't stop that. Steal here. 

Round 3, No. 82 overall: DeAngelo Malone, OLB, Western Kentucky / Grade: B+

- He's been called a one trick pony and I'm good with that, although I actually think he sets the edge better than people give him credit for. Ultimately though he was brought in to rush the passer. He may just be a third down specialist, but in the mid-3rd that's okay. I rounded up to a B+ here simply because it was nice to see the Falcons finally invest some draft capital on pass rushers. Landing Ebiketie and Malone on day 2 was lovely. 

Round 5, No. 151 overall: Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU / Grade: B

- Absolute bruiser who seeks contact and punishes defenders. With Davis cut, he'll get an opportunity to get lots of PT on day one. 

Round 6, No. 190 overall: Justin Shaffer, G, Georgia / Grade: B-

- Not the best athlete, but he's a mauler in the run game. He's probably just depth, but if the Falcons don't bring in a vet to compete for Mayfield at LG you never know. Fits what the Falcons want to do. 

Round 6, No. 213 overall: John FitzPatrick, TE, Georgia / Grade: B

- Blocking TE who takes over as the TE3 in place of Lee Smith. In Smith's offense, that's a crucial role. Had questionable hands at times at Georgia, but also didn't get a lot of opportunity as a receiving threat. There may be some untapped potential there with his frame, but as long as he can block as advertised this is a solid pick in the 6th to close things out. 

Overall: B+ - I honestly have no complaints whatsoever and debated between an A- and B+. I'll round down to try and downplay any homerism, but I believe Fontenot and crew knocked this draft out the park. 

[TheKillerNacho]

what draft

[TheKillerNacho]

In all seriousness I liked the Tindall pick, hated the Ezukanma pick, and honestly haven't even bothered to check who our 7th round picks were yet.