Grading the NFL Draft
B Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys needed pass-rush help and a backup quarterback, but they waited until Day 3 to get that done. Elliott, however, is the favorite for offensive rookie of the year, and if Smith and Gathers develop, it will be a home-run draft.
1 (4) Ezekiel Elliott, rb, Ohio State.
2 (34) Jaylon Smith, lb, Notre Dame.
3 (67) Maliek Collins, dt, Nebraska.
4 (101) Charles Tapper, de, Oklahoma.
4 (135) Dak Prescott, qb, Mississippi State.
6 (189) Anthony Brown, cb, Purdue.
6 (212) Kavon Frazier, s, Central Michigan.
6 (216) Darius Jackson, rb, Eastern Michigan.
6 (217) Rico Gathers, te, Baylor.
C New York Giants
The Giants filled many needs with their six choices, including three of their biggest at receiver, safety and linebacker. Apple was a little early, but he was a consolation pick after targets Conkin and Floyd went in the top 10.
1 (10) Eli Apple, cb, Ohio State.
2 (40) Sterling Shepard, wr, Oklahoma.
3 (71) Darian Thompson, s, Boise State.
4 (109) B.J. Goodson, lb, Clemson.
5 (149) Paul Perkins, rb, UCLA.
6 (184) Jerrell Adams, te, South Carolina.
C Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles sacrificed picks to move to No. 2 overall to get Wentz. He better be worth it. They had no second- or fourth-round choices. Seumalo and Vaitai will compete for jobs in a porous offensive line.
1 (2) Carson Wentz, qb, North Dakota State.
3 (79) Isaac Seumalo, c, Oregon State.
5 (153) Wendell Smallwood, rb, West Virginia.
5 (164) Halapoulivaati Vaitai, ot, TCU.
6 (196) Blake Countess, cb, Auburn.
7 (233) Jalen Mills, s, LSU.
7 (240) Alex McCalister, de, Florida.
7 (251) Joe Walker, lb, Oregon.
B- Washington Redskins
They could hit big on their first three picks. Doctson might end up being the best receiver in the draft and will get to learn from Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson in his first season.
1 (22) Josh Doctson, wr, TCU.
2 (53) Su’a Cravens, lb, Southern Cal.
3 (84) Kendall Fuller, cb, Virginia Tech.
5 (152) Matthew Ioannidis, dt, Temple.
6 (187) Nate Sudfeld, qb, Indiana.
7 (232) Steven Daniels, lb, Boston College.
7 (242) Keith Marshall, rb, Georgia.
C Chicago Bears
The Bears’ first three picks will contribute Day 1. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was with the San Francisco 49ers when they took Aldon Smith. He’ll use Floyd like Smith. Six of nine picks were defensive players.
1 (9) Leonard Floyd, lb, Georgia.
2 (56) Cody Whitehair, g, Kansas State.
3 (72) Jonathan Bullard, dt, Florida.
4 (113) Nick Kwiatkoski, lb, West Virginia.
4 (124) Deon Bush, s, Miami.
4 (127) Deiondre’ Hall, s, Northern Iowa.
5 (150) Jordan Howard, rb, Indiana.
6 (185) DeAndre Houston-Carson, s, William & Mary.
7 (230) Daniel Braverman, wr, Western Michigan.
C+ Detroit Lions
Decker and Robinson help the Lions in rebuilding their offensive and defensive lines. They allowed 89 sacks the past two seasons.
1 (16) Taylor Decker, ot, Ohio State.
2 (46) A’Shawn Robinson, dt, Alabama.
3 (95) Graham Glasgow, c, Michigan.
4 (111) Miles Killebrew, s, Southern Utah.
5 (151) Joe Dahl, g, Washington State.
5 (169) Antwione Williams, lb, Georgia Southern.
6 (191) Jake Rudock, qb, Michigan.
6 (202) Anthony Zettel, dt, Penn State.
6 (210) Jimmy Landes, ls, Baylor.
7 (236) Dwayne Washington, rb, Washington.
C Green Bay Packers
The Packers’ draft lacks any “wow!” players. But they filled needs at linebacker, defensive tackle and on the offensive line. They did not get any help at corner.
1 (27) Kenny Clark, dt, UCLA.
2 (48) Jason Spriggs, ot, Indiana.
3 (88) Kyler Fackrell, lb, Utah State.
4 131) Blake Martinez, lb, Stanford.
4 (137) Dean Lowry, de, Northwestern.
5 (163) Trevor Davis, wr, California.
6 (200) Kyle Murphy, ot, Stanford.
B+ Minnesota Vikings
Treadwell and Alexander could be hits after both fell a bit. The Vikings addressed their three most pressing needs with their first three choices with the best player available.
1 (23) Laquon Treadwell, wr, Mississippi.
2 (54) Mackensie Alexander, cb, Clemson.
4 (121) Willie Beavers, ot, Western Michigan.
5 (160) Kentrell Brothers, lb, Missouri.
6 (180) Moritz Boehringer, wr, no college (Germany).
6 (188) David Morgan, te, Texas-San Antonio.
7 (227) Stephen Weatherly, lb, Vanderbilt.
7 (244) Jayron Kearse, s, Clemson.
C Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons had only 19 sacks and ranked 16th in total defense, which is why three of their first four picks were defensive players. Neal and Jones likely are walk-in starters.
1 (17) Keanu Neal, s, Florida.
2 (52) Deion Jones, lb, LSU.
3 (81) Austin Hooper, te, Stanford.
4 (115) De’Vondre Campbell, lb, Minnesota.
6 (195) Wes Schweitzer, g, San Jose State.
7 (238) Devin Fuller, wr, UCLA.
C- Carolina Panthers
Josh Norman’s departure forced the Panthers to spend three of five picks on corners. None will be Norman right away. They failed to address their offensive line, where Michael Oher is a stop-gap.
1 (30) Vernon Butler, dt, Louisiana Tech.
2 (62) James Bradberry, cb, Samford.
3 (77) Daryl Worley, cb, West Virginia.
5 (141) Zack Sanchez, cb, Oklahoma.
7 (252) Beau Sandland, te, Montana State.
C- New Orleans Saints
The problem wasn’t who the Saints picked, but their lack of picks. They had only five and used three of them to try to help a defense that ranked 31st overall and gave up an NFL-record 45 touchdown passes.
1 (12) Sheldon Rankins, dt, Louisville.
2 (47) Michael Thomas, wr, Ohio State.
2 (61) Vonn Bell, s, Ohio State.
4 (120) David Onyemata, dt, Manitoba (Canada).
7 (237) Daniel Lasco, rb, California.
C Tampa Bay Bucs
Everything the Bucs did was overshadowed by how much they spent to move up to get a kicker. A kicker? But Hargreaves and Spence immediately upgrade the defense.
1 (11) Vernon Hargreaves III, cb, Florida.
2 (39) Noah Spence, de, Eastern Kentucky.
2 (59) Roberto Aguayo, pk, Florida State.
4 (108) Ryan Smith, cb, N.C. Central.
5 (148) Caleb Benenoch, ol, UCLA.
6 (183) Devante Bond, lb, Oklahoma.
6 (197) Dan Vitale, fb, Northwestern.
C Arizona Cardinals
It turned into a high-risk, high-reward draft for the Cardinals with their first two selections. Nkemdiche has off-field issues, and Williams has played only one season at corner.
1 (29) Robert Nkemdiche, dt, Mississippi.
3 (92) Brandon Williams, cb, Texas A&M.
4 (128) Evan Boehm, c, Missouri.
5 (167) Marqui Christian, s, Midwestern State.
5 (170) Cole Toner, ot, Harvard.
6 (205) Harlan Miller, cb, Southeastern Louisiana.
C Los Angeles Rams
The Rams gave up a lot to move up to No. 1 overall and get their franchise quarterback. They have to hope he works out better than Sam Bradford did. The trade left the Rams with only five other picks, and none in the second or third rounds.
1 (1) Jared Goff, qb, California.
4 (110) Tyler Higbee, te, Western Kentucky.
4 (117) Pharoh Cooper, wr, South Carolina.
6 (177) Temarrick Hemingway, te, South Carolina State.
6 (190) Josh Forrest, lb, Kentucky.
6 (206) Michael Thomas, wr, Southern Miss.
C San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ biggest need seems to be quarterback with Colin Kaepernick wanting out. They had 11 selections but waited until their eighth pick to take a QB. Buckner and Garnett are penciled in as starters.
1 (7) DeForest Buckner, de, Oregon.
1 (28) Joshua Garnett, g, Stanford.
3 (68) Will Redmond, cb, Mississippi State.
4 (133) Rashard Robinson, cb, LSU.
5 (142) Ronald Blair, de, Appalchian State.
5 (145) John Theus, ot, Georgia.
5 (174) Fahn Cooper, ot, Mississippi.
6 (207) Jeff Driskel, qb, Louisiana Tech.
6 (211) Kelvin Taylor, rb, Florida.
6 (213) Aaron Burbridge, wr, Michigan State.
7 (249) Prince Charles Iworah, cb, Western Kentucky.
C Seattle Seahawks
After losing Russell Okung, they spent three picks on offensive linemen. After Marshawn Lynch’s retirement, they drafted three running backs. None are Okung or Lynch.
1 (31) Germain Ifedi, ot, Texas A&M.
2 (49) Jaron Reed, dt, Alabama.
3 (90) C.J. Prosise, rb, Notre Dame.
3 (94) Nick Vannett, te, Ohio State.
3 (97) Rees Odhiambo, g, Boise State.
5 (147) Quinton Jefferson, dt, Maryland.
5 (171) Alex Collins, rb, Arkansas.
6 (215) Joey Hunt, c, TCU.
7 (243) Kenny Lawler, c, California.
7 (247) Zac Brooks, rb, Clemson.
B- Buffalo Bills
The Bills’ first three picks were on defensive players to help a unit that ranked 19th in total defense and had only 21 sacks. Jones, Williams and Listenbee offer great third-day value.
1 (19) Shaq Lawson, de, Clemson.
2 (41) Reggie Ragland, lb, Alabama.
3 (80) Adolphus Washington, dt, Ohio State.
4 (139) Cardale Jones, qb, Ohio State.
5 (156) Jonathan Williams, rb, Arkansas.
6 (192) Kolby Listenbee, wr, TCU.
6 (218) Kevon Seymour, cb, Southern Cal.
C- Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins had Tunsil as the No. 2 player on their draft board and never expected him to be there. But the pre-draft video sent from his Twitter account dropped him into their laps.
1 (13) Laremy Tunsil, ot, Mississippi.
2 (38) Xavien Howard, cb, Baylor.
3 (73) Kenyan Drake, rb, Alabama.
3 (86) Leonte Carroo, wr, Rutgers.
6 (186) Jakeem Grant, wr, Texas Tech.
6 (204) Jordan Lucas, s, Penn State.
7 (223) Brandon Doughty, qb, Western Kentucky.
7 (231) Thomas Duarte, wr, UCLA.
C- New England Patriots
Patriots forfeited their first-round pick, but still ended up with nine players, including four of the top 100. They will hit on some of them.
2 (60) Cyrus Jones, cb, Alabama.
3 (78) Joe Thuney, g, N.C. State.
3 (91) Jacoby Brissett, qb, N.C. State.
3 (96) Vincent Valentine, dt, Nebraska.
4 (112) Malcolm Mitchell, wr, Georgia.
6 (208) Kamu Grugier-Hall, lb, Eastern Illinois.
6 (214) Elandon Roberts, lb, Houston.
6 (221) Ted Karras, g, Illinois.
7 (225) Devin Lucien, wr, Arziona State.
C New York Jets
Lee and Jenkins will help the defense. The Jets drafted Hackenberg a year after drafting Bryce Petty, passing on Paxton Lynch in the first round.
1 (20) Darron Lee, lb, Ohio State.
2 (51) Christian Hackenberg, qb, Penn State.
3 (83) Jordan Jenkins, lb, Georgia.
4 (118) Justin Burris, cb, N.C. State.
5 (158) Brandon Shell, ot, South Carolina.
7 (235) Lac Edwards, p, Sam Houston State.
7 (241) Charone Peake, wr, Clemson.
B+ Baltimore Ravens
Considering general manager Ozzie Newsome’s track record, it’s a good bet the Ravens hit on some of their 11 picks. The biggest need was filled with the first pick, adding protection for Joe Flacco’s surgically repaired knee.
1 (6) Ronnie Stanley, ot, Notre Dame.
2 (42) Kamalei Correa, lb, Boise State.
3 (70) Bronson Kaufusi, de, BYU.
4 (104) Tavon Young, cb, Temple.
4 (107) Chris Moore, wr, Cincinnati.
4 (130) Alex Lewis, ot, Nebraska.
4 (132) Willie Henry, dt, Michigan.
4 (134) Kenneth Dixon, rb, Louisiana Tech.
5 (146) Matt Judon, de, Grand Valley State.
6 (182) Keenan Reynolds, rb, Navy.
6 (209) Maurice Canady, cb, Virginia.
B+ Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals wanted a receiver in the first round with the departures of Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu. But the run on the position took the top ones off the board. They got Boyd in the second round. Billings has great fourth-round value and will contribute Day 1.
1 (24) William Jackson III, cb, Houston.
2 (55) Tyler Boyd, wr, Pittsburgh.
3 (87) Nick Vigil, lb, Utah State.
4 (122) Andrew Billings, dt, Baylor.
5 (161) Christian Westerman, g, Arizona State.
6 (199) Cody Core, wr, Mississippi.
7 (245) Clayton Fejedelem, s, Illinois.
C Cleveland Browns
With 14 picks, the Browns have to get some starters out of this draft. As much as anything, Cleveland set itself up for next year, with two first rounders and two second rounders. This is a team building for the future.
1 (15) Corey Coleman, wr, Baylor.
2 (32) Emmanuel Ogbah, de, Oklahoma State.
3 (65) Carl Nassib, de, Penn State.
3 (76) Shon Coleman, ot, Auburn.
3 (93) Cody Kessler, qb, Southern Cal.
4 (99) Joe Schobert, lb, Wisconsin.
4 (114) Ricardo Louis, wr, Auburn.
4 (129) Derrick Kindred, s, TCU.
4 (138) Seth Devalve, te, Princeton.
5 (154) Jordan Payton, wr, UCLA.
5 (168) Spencer Durango, ot, Baylor.
5 (172) Rashard Higgins, wr, Colorado State.
5 (173) Trey Caldwell, db, Louisiana-Monroe.
7 (250) Scooby Wright III, lb, Arizona.
C- Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers need corners and got two in the first 58 picks. Burns is the first CB the Steelers selected in the opening round since Chad Scott in 1997. But he is raw, which is why some teams had him rated lower than the first round.
1 (25) Artie Burns, db, Miami.
2 (58) Sean Davis, cb, Maryland.
3 (89) Javon Hargrave, dt, South Carolina State.
4 (123) Jerald Hawkins, ot, LSU.
6 (220) Travis Feeney, lb, Washington.
7 (229) Demarcus Ayers, wr, Houston.
7 (246) Tyler Matakevich, lb, Temple.
C+ Houston Texans
The Texans wanted Corey Coleman, but got their second choice to fill a need for a speed receiver. Miller is an intriguing pick, and Martin will be the team’s center for the next 10 years.
1 (21) Will Fuller, wr, Notre Dame.
2 (50) Nick Martin, c, Notre Dame.
3 (85) Braxton Miller, wr, Ohio State.
4 (119) Tyler Ervin, rb, San Jose State.
5 (159) KJ Dillon, s, West Virginia.
5 (166) D.J. Reader, nt, Clemson.
C Indianapolis Colts
The Colts allowed 37 sacks and 118 quarterback hits last season, which is why four picks were offensive linemen. Kelly and Clark are expected to compete for starting jobs.
1 (18) Ryan Kelly, c, Alabama.
2 (57) T.J. Green, s, Clemson.
3 (82) Le’Raven Clark, ot, Texas Tech.
4 (116) Hassan Ridgeway, dt, Texas.
4 (125) Antonio Morrison, lb, Florida.
5 (155) Joe Haeg, ot, North Dakota State.
7 (239) Trevor Bates, lb, Maine.
7 (248) Austin Blythe, c, Iowa.
C+ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars got the top-rated defensive player in the draft, a run of five consecutive defenders. If Jack’s knee holds up, they might end up having the best draft of anyone. But it’s a big if right now.
1 (5) Jalen Ramsey, cb, Florida State.
2 (36) Myles Jack, lb, UCLA.
3 (69) Yannick Ngakoue, de, Maryland.
4 (103) Sheldon Day, dt, Notre Dame.
6 (181) Tyrone Holmes, lb, Montana.
6 (201) Brandon Allen, qb, Arkansas.
7 (226) Jonathan Woodard, de, Central Arkansas.
B- Tennessee Titans
The Titans came away with 10 selections, including five in the top 64. They got better on the offensive line (Conklin) and the defensive line (Dodd).
1 (8) Jack Conklin, ot, Michigan State.
2 (33) Kevin Dodd, de, Clemson.
2 (43) Austin Johnson, dt, Penn State.
2 (45) Derrick Henry, rb, Alabama.
3 (64) Kevin Byard, s, Middle Tennessee.
5 (140) Tarjae Sharpe, wr, Massachusetts.
5 (157) LeShaun Sims, cb, Southern Utah.
6 (193) Sebastian Tretola, g, Arkansas.
7 (222) Aaron Wallace, lb, UCLA.
7 (253) Kalan Reed, db, Southern Miss.
C Denver Broncos
The Broncos traded up to get their quarterback, jumping the Cowboys for Lynch. It was a must-have after they lost Peyton Manning to retirement and Brock Osweiler in free agency.
1 (26) Paxton Lynch, qb, Memphis,
2 (63) Adan Gotsis, dt, Georgia Tech.
3 (98) Justin Simmons, s, Boston College.
4 (136) Devontae Booker, rb, Utah.
5 (144) Connor McGovern, g, Missouri.
6 (176) Andy Janovich, fb, Nebraska.
6 (219) Will Parks, s, Arizona.
7 (228) Riley Dixon, p, Syracuse.
C- Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs traded out of the first round, but they ended up with nine choices. The biggest need was at quarterback, and they waited until the fifth round to get one. Jones was drafted as a possible replacement for Dontari Poe, who is in the final year of his contract.
2 (37) Chris Jones, dt, Mississippi State.
3 (74) KeiVarae Russell, cb, Notre Dame.
4 (105) Parker Ehinger, g, Cincinnati.
4 (106) Eric Murray, cb, Minnesota.
4 (126) Demarcus Robinson, wr, Florida.
5 (162) Kevin Hogan, qb, Stanford.
5 (165) Tyreek Hill, wr, West Alabama.
6 (178) D.J. White, cb, Georgia Tech.
6 (203) Dadi Nicolas, de, Virginia Tech.
C Oakland Raiders
Joseph and Calhoun will provide immediate help to a defense that ranked 26th against the pass last season. Ward is raw and will need time to develop. Cook was the most interesting pick of the draft.
1 (14) Karl Joseph, s, West Virginia.
2 (44) Jihad Ward, de, Illinois.
3 (75) Shilique Calhoun, de, Michigan State.
4 (100) Connor Cook, qb, Michigan State.
5 (143) DeAndre Washington, rb, Texas Tech.
6 (194) Cory James, lb, Coloradoa State.
7 (234) Vadal Alexander, g, LSU.
C+ San Diego Chargers
The Chargers should get a lot of help out of this draft, with Bosa, Henry, Tuerk, Kaser and Watt among the picks with a chance to contribute. But Bosa’s production is the key to San Diego’s draft.
1 (3) Joey Bosa, de, Ohio State.
2 (35) Hunter Henry, te, Arkansas.
3 (66) Max Tuerk, c, Southern Cal.
4 (102) Joshua Perry, lb, Ohio State.
5 (175) Jatavis Brown, lb, Akron.
6 (179) Drew Kaser, p, Texas A&M.
6 (198) Derek Watt, fb, Wisconsin.
7 (224) Donavon Clark, g, Michigan State.
This story was originally published April 30, 2016 at 10:27 PM with the headline "Grading the NFL Draft."