NFL Draft 1st round grades
by Iain Fish
This was the craziest draft I’ve ever seen. This draft was way different then any mock draft I saw, and there was some absolutely insane moves in this draft. I will be going over every pick and giving them a grade.
1st: Raiders: Fernando Mendoza
After the Geno Smith experiment the Raiders biggest need was quarterback by far, and the Raiders got the best quarterback in the draft in Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza is a coach’s dream with exceptional play making and accuracy. Mendoza loves the checkdown and he will spot the ball perfectly to any WR. Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, and Brock Bowers get a huge boost from Mendoza joining the team, and the Raiders look playoff hopeful this year. Mendoza is for sure worth the #1 pick and this grade is obvious.
Grade: A
2nd: Jets David Bailey
The Jets need help at any defensive position, but EDGE rusher wasn’t the biggest one after exercising Will Mcdonald’s 5th year option. Aaron Glenn needed a new leader for his defense and I would’ve gone Arvell Reese, but David Bailey is still a phenomenal player. David Bailey will be an absolute force off the line for this Jets defense and this pick is huge for Aaron Glenn as this will be his last chance to keep his job. The Jets still won’t be anything but this pick is a big step in the rebuild. Bailey is the best EDGE rusher in the draft and he is worth the #2 pick.
Grade: B+
3rd: Cardinals Jerimyah Love
The Cardinals really don’t need running back compared to other positions. The Cardinals offense is actually pretty good when you compare it to the defense, but I guess David Bailey was off the board. The Cardinals have already added Tyler Allgier on free agency so adding Jerimyah Love just adds to the running back room. Jerimyah Love will be such a great player to increase offensive drives, and the Cardinals will definitely have a better offense this year. Sadly for Jerimyah Love the Cardinals offensive line is terrible. With the way Jerimyah Love runs with his big cuts this offensive line will lead to more stops in the backfield for Love. This pick takes a lot of pressure off Jacoby Brissett to be better this year. Love is worth the #3 pick, and this pick isn’t the best but it wasn’t the worst
Grade: B
4th: Titans Carnell Tate
The Titans already spent so much money in free agency on Wandale Robinson, so why spend all this money if they were just gonna draft another wide receiver. Carnell Tate is a great receiver to be a security blanket for Cam Ward and a player to keep Cam Ward consistent. It was a great pick to go wide receiver when Cam Ward is your franchise player to pick. Tate wasn’t worth a #4 pick, and wide receiver wasn’t the biggest need
Titans Grade: B-
5: Giants Arvell Reese
The Giants do have a need for linebacker but not the biggest need. The Giants signed Tremaine Edmonds in free agency, and they also already have spaces filled at EDGE rusher with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibedeaux. Arvell Reese will be an instant leader of the defense. The Giants defense could transform into top 10 in the Leauge with Arvell Reese. Reese is a phenomenal play-reader and he can stop the run or pass whenever. Reese is exactly what you want out of a linebacker and the Giants could be a playoff worthy team now. Arvell Reese is a player worth a top 5 pick in the draft, and I don’t really see a way the Giants could’ve gone besides Reese.
Giants Grade: B
6: Chiefs Mansoor Delane
Cornerback was for sure the Chiefs biggest need after trading Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and Mansoor Delane was the best corner in the draft. Mansoor Delane is an insane corner who can keep up with anybody in the League and can stop a pass from anybody. Mansoor Delane is a huge piece in Spags new defense and Delane can somewhat help this terrible Chiefs secondary. There was better players on the board, but the Chiefs need corners badly so this was a great pick
Chiefs Grade: A
7: Commanders Sonny Styles
Linebacker was a bigger need then people think for the Commanders after losing Bobby Wagner, and Sonny Styles was the best linebacker available. Sonny Styles is the best off-ball linebacker in the class and is a force when making the tackle. Good for Styles he gets to learn under Dan Quinn as his head coach, so Styles has big potential in Washington. The Commanders will be back this year, and Sonny Styles will probably be one of the key factors. Styles is worth the 7th pick and the Commanders make an excellent choice here.
Commanders Grade: A
8: Saints Jordan Tyson
Wide Receiver was probably the biggest need for the Saints as they weren’t going to go into the season with only Devaughn Vele as the WR2. I love Jordan Tyson and he was the best wide receiver available so this was a pretty logical pick for the Saints. Jordan Tyson has excellent speed and is a great deep ball threat, so Tyson getting a young and improving arm at quarterback is huge for him. Jordan Tyson gets to learn under Super Bowl winning head coach Kellen Moore and Tyson also helps Tyler Shough as he gets new weapons. The Saints could be a NFC South contender and Tyson is worth a top 10 pick for the Saints.
Saints Grade: A
9: Browns Spencer Fano
The Browns were going wide receiver or tackle here, but with Tyson and Tate gone they had to go tackle. Mauigoa is probably better than Fano but I don’t have them two as far off as some people do. Fano is an absolute force and is unstoppable in the run game. He can push anybody away and he makes it look like a 5 year old could do it. Fano is a big help to Judkins and Sheduer Sanders. The Browns look a lot better than last year, and this pick is a big help to that. I think Fano is actually worth a top 10 pick. I love the pick, but passing on Mauigoa for Fano will lower this grade a bit.
Browns Grade: B+
10: Giants Francis Mauigoa
Tackle wasn’t the biggest need for the Giants but it is one of them. Andrew Thomas and Francis Mauigoa are such a dangerous duo for defenses and they will be hard to get by. Mauigoa is the best tackle in this class, and he is the perfect pass and run blocker. He allowed nearly any sacks in the last 2 years with Miami and will help any quarterback. Mauigoa is a big help to protecting Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo from injuries. The Giants look really good know, and Mauigoa is a steal at #10.
Giants Grade: A
11: Cowboys Caleb Downs
The Cowboys secondary is terrible after the release of Trevon Diggs and Daron Bland is out f his prime. Malik Hooker is getting old at safety so this Downs pick is a big 1st step in helping this defense. Caleb Downs can play anywhere on the field and can make any tackle or stop any pass. The ability for him to play all over the field is just what the Cowboys need for this defense. The Cowboys defense will be way better now and getting Downs outside the top 10 is perfect. This may be the best pick so far.
Cowboys Grade: A
12: Dolphins Kaydn Procter
I felt like the Dolphins biggest needs were for sure wide receiver or cornerback so I’m a bit disappointed but going tackle isn’t even that bad. Procter was my 2nd best tackle on the board making this a reach. Either way Procter is a big dude, and a great player to block for Devon Achane and Malik Willis. Procter will be a big factor in this offense for Miami but not as big as some other picks could have been. Procter wasn’t worth the 12th pick and offensive tackle was their 3rd need.
Dolphins Grade: C-
13: Rams Ty Simpson
The Rams are a win now team and they selected a pick that they need the least. The Rams currently have the MVP and for a team that looks to win the Super Bowl, wasting your pick on a Quarterback is just stupid. Ty Simpson has a pretty good arm and pretty good athleticism, but his decision making and accuracy are terrible. Ty Simpson will get help from Mcvay and Stafford, but I don’t see Simpson as someone who can be the franchise QB. This pick doesn’t help the Rams and I don’t know why they did this.
Rams Grade: D
14: Ravens Vega Ionae
IOL might have been the Ravens biggest need going into the draft after losing Daniel Faale and Tyler Linderbaum to free agency. Vega Ionae is one of the best lineman in the draft if not 1st and is some help in restoring the Ravens offense and protecting Lamar from injury. This pick helps the entire offense, and the Ravens already looked good but with Vega they’re even better. Vega is definitely worth the 14th pick and the Ravens made the right selection here.
Ravens Grade: A
15: Buccaneers Rueben Bain
The Buccaneers pass rush has definitely taken a hit in free agency, making edge rusher a big need for the Buccaneers. Rueben Bain was the best available edge rusher here, making this pick make sense. Bain has explosive power, but Bains finesse moves are pretty average. Bain cant get past the tackle most of the time making him an inconsistent rusher. Bain gets Todd Bowles as his head coach who is defensive minded. For the Buccaneers this was a great move to bring them back to the playoffs. Bain at 15 is a fine pick, and I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it.
Buccaneers: B
16: Jets Kenyon Sadiq
The Jets have a need at nearly every position except for offensive line, edge rusher, and running back, and tight end. The Jets already have Mason Taylor who is young and getting better and drafting a tight end was just a stupid move for the Jets. Sadiq’s combine has really overshadowed his actual performance at Oregon which is not worth the 16th pick. Sadiq is a terrible blocker, and a fine receiver who has great speed and athleticism. Geno Smith gets huge help here with Sadiq. The Jets don’t get any better from this move and I don’t know why they did this.
Jets Grade: D
17: Lions Blake Miller
Tackle was obviously the biggest need for the lions and you can tell because they were considering moving Penei Sewell to left tackle. I love Blake Miller and he gets a phenomenal offense to work behind with Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jared Goff. The Lions offensive line Wouk be in big trouble this year without a tackle pick and Blake Miller was probably the 2nd best on the board for me. I don’t know if Millers value is 17th but they Lions were desperate so this isn’t the worst pick
Lions Grade: B+
18: Vikings Caleb Banks
Defensive tackle and safety were the Vikings two biggest needs, so it was either Theineman or one of the 3 best defensive tackles available. The Vikings lost Javon Hargrove and Jonathon Allen this year, so drafting a defensive tackle was a must. I actually do have Caleb Banks over Peter Woods. Caleb Banks finesse moves are pretty bad, and his speed is average, but faster than Woods. With Woods injury concerns I would have probably gone Kaydn McDonald here. The big thing for Banks is he gets to learn under one of the leagues best coordinators in Brian Flores. Banks wasn’t worth the 18th pick and this was one of the worse picks in the 1st round
Vikings Grade: C-
19: Panthers Monroe Freeling
Tackle isn’t that big of a need for the Panthers after signing Rasheed Walker in free agency, but Freeling is still a great player at 19. Freeling is super athletic for a tackle, and he was the best available here. The Panthers have a very young team and getting a young tackle, makes this offense even better for the future. Freeling is worth the 19th pick, but I don’t know how I feel about the Panthers drafting a tackle.
Panthers Grade: B-
20: Eagles Makai Lemon
Wide Receiver is a big need for the Eagles after trading A.J Brown, and Dotson or Wicks wouldn’t have been WR2. Drafting Makai Lemon puts the Eagles in a great position for Makai Lemon at some point to take A.J Browns role. The Eagles offense is still packed and Super Bowl ready, and Jalen Hurts gets even more help than he already has. This was huge for the Eagles and getting Lemon at 20th is phenomenal.
Eagles Grade: A
21: Steelers Max Iheanchor
I can’t believe the Steelers didn’t pick Theineman here, but tackle is a secondary need. Iheanchor is gonna have the fight for a starting role so I’d not really understand the point of making this pick. The Steelers offensive line is pretty bad so any extra help is something for Jalen Warren and possibly Aaron Rodgers. Iheanchor might have been a reach at 21 for the Steelers and it wasn’t the best pick
Steelers Grade: C
22: Chargers Akheem Mesidoor
EDGE might have been the biggest need for the Chargers in the draft, after losing Odafe Oweh, and Khalil Mack is getting older. Mesidor was the best edge rusher available in my opinion, so this was a great pick in my opinion. Interior offensive line is probably a bigger need than Edge rusher but they weren’t going to draft Pregon in the first. Mesidoor is worth pick 22 and the Chargers needed him so I loved this.
Chargers Grade: A-
23rd: Cowboys Malachi Lawrence
The Cowboys already took a player in the secondary, so now it was time to focus on the edge rusher position. Ever since the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons this has been a huge need of theirs. The Cowboys could’ve gone Keldrick Faulk or maybe somebody else, but I think this was the correct decision for the Cowboys. Malachi Lawrence probably won’t be an x-factor yet and he won’t be at a start level, but he fills the empty space in the Cowboys pass rush. Lawrence probably wasn’t worth a 1st, but the Cowboys had to take an edge rusher so this makes sense.
Cowboys Grade: A-
24th: Browns: KC Concepion
Wide receiver was the biggest need after selecting Fano, so going wide receiver was the correct move here. The thing is though, Concepion was my 3rd best wide receiver on the board. The Browns passed on Omar Cooper who would have been a phenomenal addition. Denzel Boston is a player I also have above Concepion but the Browns also passed on Boston and landed here. Concepion won’t make much of an impact in the offense, but he is some minor help for Sheduer and limiting turnovers. Concepion wasn’t worth a 1st, and it was a reach, but it only gains a grade because wide receiver was a need.
Browns Grade: C-
25th: Bears: Dillion Theineman
Safety wasn’t talked about as an option here as much as it should have. The Bears lost both of their starting safeties in Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard, and Theineman was the best safeties on the board here and a great selection. Theineman has great speed, coverage, and he can be a leader in the Bears defense. With the Bears offense already set, adding to their defense makes the Bears a division winning team again. Theineman this late was perfect for the Bears and there was nobody else they could’ve picked.
Bears Grade: A
26th: Texans Keylan Rutledge
So the Texans picked a right guard. They just resigned Ed Ingram to a 3 year 37 million dollar extension this off-season, making right guard one of the least of their needs. There was still many great players on the board, but they went with a second round projected guard who wasn’t even the best guard available. The Texans drafted a player who wasn’t worth a 1st round pick, and he won’t make an impact this year.
Texans Grade: F
27th: Dolphins Chris Johnson
The Dolphins had to pick a wide receiver or corner here and they picked a corner. I probably would’ve liked if they went with Cooper better, but Chris Johnson is phenomenal. Chris Johnson ran a top 5 40 yard dash at the combine, and had a 92% coverage rating in college. Off the field coaches have described him as a leader. Chris Johnson gets to go to Jeff Hafley’s new defense, and Johnson was a great player to start a rebuild on this defense. Johnson was worth a 1st and the Dolphins have a need on them, so this is an easy grade.
Dolphins Grade: A
28th: Patriots Caleb Lomu
Left Tackle and Edge Rusher were the Patriots two biggest needs going into the draft, and they went with left tackle. There wasn’t really any 1st round worthy edge rushers left, so going Lomu is perfect. Lomu was Spencer Fano’s counterpart in Utah, and Lomu is a awesome player, who will help a young Drake Maye and Treyveon Henderson. Lomu will make the offense better, and make Drake Maye safer, so Lomu was worth this pick at 28.
Patriots Grade: A
29th: Chiefs Peter Woods
Defensive tackle was somewhat a need going into the draft and they used one of their 2 firsts on one here. Woods was my 3rd best defensive tackle going into the draft, so the Chiefs grade here will drop for passing on Kaydn McDonald here. Peter Woods has pretty good power, but his speed is absolutely terrible and he will look silly trying to chase down faster running backs or quarterbacks. Woods will get to learn under Chris Jones and Steve Spagnolua so the Chiefs is a great landing spot for him. Woods wasn’t a first rounder in my mind, so the grade will be pretty bad, but Woods was still a need.
Chiefs Grade: C-
30th: Jets Omar Cooper Jr
Wide Receiver wasn’t the biggest need for the Jets after taking Kenyon Sadiq , but it was for sure worth it when they get to steal Omar Cooper here. Cooper was my 3rd best wide receiver in the class, and he will be a huge help to Geno Smith. The Cooper pick also helps Garret Wilson get less attention meaning more targets for him. Cooper at 30 was a great pick and it will change the Jets offense.
Jets Grade: A
31st: Titans Keldrick Faulk
Edge rusher is a huge need for the Jets so trading up and getting the last first round worthy edge rusher was great. Faulk gets to go to a Titans team where he will get loads of playing time, and he will get to learn under Robert Saleh. I don’t know if Faulk will make an immediate impact, but I don’t hat picking Faulk at 31. Faulk does have some flaws that he needs to overcome in Tennessee but this pick was pretty good for the Titans.
Titans Grade: B+
32nd: Seahawks Jadarian Price
The Seahawks Don’t have a starting running back for the start of next season yet, so I love this pick here. Price was my #2 running back in the class, and he gets to go to an awesome Seahawks offense and try to fill Zach Charbonet’s hole. Price probably wasn’t a first rounder, but running back was a need making this pick good.
Seahawks Grade: B+