1. Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray
The talk was all true about the Cardinals, and they now must see what they can do with Josh Rosen. Kyler Murray fits Kingsbury scheme so perfectly that I still will give the pick an A-. I believe they should have stuck it out with Rosen, and built around him by trading down from the 1st overall pick. Either way, they just got a generational quarterback to start the Kingsbury era.
A –
2. San Francisco 49ers
Nick Bosa
The 49ers got blessed with Nick Bosa falling into their laps. San Francisco now can trade off Solomon Thomas or Arik Armstead to open room for Bosa and Dee Ford. Nick looks every part of the Bosa family tree, and most likely will be the 49ers most dominant edge rusher on their defensive line. San Francisco needs to hit on their late round picks to help with them going defensive line in the first round four years in a row, but for the first round they get an A+.
A+
3. New York Jets
Quinnen Williams
Once again the Jets had a top defensive tackle fall into their lap, and Quinnen Williams couldn’t have gone to a better team. The Jets defense is loaded in the secondary, and now have a deadly Williams Duo. C.J. Mosley should benefit greatly from the damage Williams can make on the interior offensive line.
A+
4. Oakland Raiders
Clelin Ferrell
Mike Mayock said that they would surprise a lot of people with their 4th overall selection, and they certainly caught me off guard. Ferrell is one of the most NFL ready edge rushers in the draft class, but most likely could have been there way later in the draft, possibly even 24th. They could have traded down and gained more assets, but kudos to them for sticking with their gut and selecting Ferrell that early. Clelin will be a good starter in the NFL, but only time will tell if he can be the replacement for Khalil Mack, until then, B-.
B-
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devin White
I personally think Mack Wilson is better than White, but Devin White is still a good selection here. Kwon Alexander left a giant gap, and what better way to replace and LSU linebacker than with an even better LSU linebacker? White is just as athletic, but will need work on his coverage skills to completely replace what Alexander left.
A
6. New York Giants
Daniel Jones
Last night I saw that the Giants were going to take Daniel Jones with the 6th pick, and I hoped they wouldn’t actually pull the trigger. The Giants could easily have had Jones with a later pick, and Dwayne Haskins was available, who is a better prospect in my opinion. Hopefully I am wrong, but the Giants whiffed on their 6th pick here.
D
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Allen
The Jaguars just got even better on defense by stopping Josh Allens slide. With Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue already on the defensive line, adding Josh Allen gives them a problematic pass rush. Allen was projected to be off the board way before this, so I believe the Jaguars got a steal here. Hopefully Jacksonville can grab a good wide receiver in the 2nd round due to how far they have fallen.
A+
8. Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson
This selection caught me a little off guard here. At first you wouldn’t think tight end would have been their biggest need, but after Eric Ebron leaving them, they are missing an athletic mismatch at tight end. He is already a better blocker than what they had with Eric Ebron, or what they currently have with Jesse James. Devin Bush or Mack WIlson would have also helped their defense is a giant way, but no team could have went wrong with drafting Hockenson.
B+
9. Buffalo Bills
Ed Oliver
Before the pick was even in I had Ed Oliver placed in for the Bills. It was more a matter of Ed slipping to the Bills rather than them passing on him. For a team that used to have a deadly duo of defensive tackles, this is huge for them to finally get a monster in the middle again. Oliver offers Ndamukong Suh upside, and will make Tremaine Edmunds a lot easier by forcing double teams.
A+
10. Pittsburgh Steelers via Denver Broncos
Devin Bush
The Steelers surprised the hell out of me trading up this high, and to select an inside linebacker at that. I really thought they would sit the Shazier processes out one more season, but if he never comes back the Steelers will have a great prospect ready to go. Depending on what they had to give up in this trade, I would grade this a B+.
B+
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Jonah Williams
The Bengals just got a football freak for their future left tackle. Williams is going to be a plug in tackle, and will immediately upgrade their offensive tackle position. Though it isn’t sexy, this was one of the smarter picks taken considering how badly the Bengals have needed tackle help. No matter what, Williams will be a future Pro Bowl offensive lineman, and could be the next Andrew Whitworth for the Bengals.
A+
12. Green Bay Packers
Rashan Gary
Rashan Gary went right where he should have, and the Packers are lucky to have an athlete like Gary fall to them. Rashan Gary can play everywhere on the Packers defensive line, and is a good defensive line coach away from being an elite edge rusher. I think with as much edge presents they brought in this off season, they probably should have addressed the middle of the defense, or wide receiver position, but Gary is a hard athlete to pass on.
B+
13. Miami Dolphin
Christian Wilkins
Christian Wilkins is the second Clemson defensive lineman off the board, and is another NFL ready prospect. The Dolphins are looking like they are waiting till the 2020 draft to get their quarterback, and I would have selected D.K. Metcalf to help that quarterback. Wilkins will bring leadership to a defense that is young and raw, and is a great starting piece along side Minkah Fitzpatrick.
B+
14. Atlanta Falcons
Chris Lindstrom
As I said before, the Falcons are very hard to predict and that they would most likely address the offensive or defensive line. Lindstrom was the best guard in this class, and many scouts compare him to how Quenton Nelson was last year. Atlanta wants to not only keep Matt Ryan upright, but run the ball with efficiency.
A-
15. Washington Redskins
Dwayne Haskins
Washington got one of the top quarterbacks in this class, and didn’t have to move from the 15th pick to grab him. Just with that I would give this pick an A+, but on top of that, Dwayne Haskins was the guy Dan Snyder has been locked onto this entire process. For both those reasons, Washington knocked the 15th pick out of the park.
A+
16. Carolina Panthers
Brian Burns
With Clelin Ferrell being taken off with the 4th pick, the selection of mid 1st round edge players got a little washed. Burns is a fast and twitchy edge rusher that offers an extremely high ceiling, but as a low floor on his flip side. Brian is a project prospect, and for a team that doesn’t have a defender returning with more than 3 sacks last season, might have wanted more of a ready to go prospect. At the end of the day the Carolina Panthers addressed their biggest need with a great athlete.
B-
17. New York Giants via Cleveland Browns
Dexter Lawrence
Many people might consider this pick a reach, but I believe Lawrence is more than worth the 17th pick in this draft. They probably could have traded down into the late 20’s and still have gotten him there, but I still like Lawrence to the Giants. Bradbury, Greedy Williams, Montez Sweat are all names I probably would have taken before Lawrence at 17, but I will still give this a B-.
B-.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Garrett Bradbury
After giving Kirk Cousins a record breaking contract, it is time to keep him upright to throw the ball. Bradbury will help in pass protection, but will also help tremendously in opening gaps for Dalvin Cook to run through. Center isn’t a pretty position to pick in the 1st round, but I would still give the Vikings an A+ with their selection.
A+
19. Tennessee Titans
Jeffrey Simmons
The Titans just got the value pick of the 1st round, and it was only a matter of time till Simmons had his name called. Tennessee will have to start Simmons on the PUP list due to his torn ACL, but is healing at an extremely fast rate. With his background issues, and the torn ACL, I will give the Titans a B+ on the pick, but probably could have used a pick that will make an impact sooner.
B+
20. Denver Broncos via Pittsburgh Steelers
Noah Fant
Noah Fant is a great player, and deserves to go 20th overall, but Drew Lock was still on the board. Lock would have been perfect for the Broncos, and had him still fall into their laps at pick 20. Noah Fant will give Joe Flacco a giant red-zone target, and is someone that will help them win games in 2019.
B-
21. Green Bay Packers via Seattle Seahawks
Darnell Savage Jr
Not only did the Packers trade up for this pick, they took a prospect that would have most likely been there in the 2nd. Savage wouldn’t have been my first safety off the board, but many did have him as a borderline 1st round prospect. Safety was still a big need for the Packers though, and they moved up to get the guy they believed would solve their problems.
C+
22. Philadelphia Eagles via Baltimore Ravens
Andre Dillard
Moving up to the 22nd pick was a great move for the Eagles because the Texans would have definitely taken him with the 23rd pick. Keeping Carson Wentz on his feet has to be the Eagles main priority for the future, and the best way to have that happen is upgrade the tackle position. Andre Dillard is going to bring you that, and possibly a lot more.
B
23. Houston Texans
Tytus Howard
Even with Andre Dillard getting snagged right before them, the Texans whiffed on their 1st round pick. If they wanted a tackle they could have easily selected him in the 2nd round if not later. With Montez Sweat still on the board, and the Texans questions with Jadeveon Clowney, you gotta wonder what they were thinking with this selection.
D
24. Oakland Raiders via Chicago Bears
Josh Jacobs
This pick has been locked in for basically 2 weeks now. Josh Jacobs fits too well with what Jon Gruden looks for in players to pass on him with other teams below you biting for him. The Raiders were left extremely thin at running back once Marshawn Lynch retired, so I would expect to see a lot of Jacobs in the Raiders offense going forward. I would keep an eye on him in fantasy drafts this year.
B+
25. Baltimore Ravens via Philadelphia Eagles
Marquise Brown
Baltimore had to draft a wide receiver here, and it was only a question of which one would be left for them. Luckily enough for them, they took the first one off the board and still was able to trade down. I would have preferred D.K. Metcalf or N’Keal Harry here but Marquise Brown has elite speed that will hurt defenses everywhere. The biggest question left here is can Lamar get him the deep ball accurately or not?
B+
26. Washington Redskins via Indianapolis Colts
Montez Sweat
Washington surprised a lot of people by trading back into the 1st round. After losing Preston Smith, the Redskins did have a need off the edge but I personally didn’t think it was needed enough to jump back into the 1st to fix. Needless to say, Washington was able to add Reuben Foster, and Landon Collins before adding Sweat to the mix; making this Washington defense looking very different and a whole lot more scary.
A
27. Oakland Raiders via Dallas Cowboys
Johnathan Abram
Similarly to the Clelin ferrell pick, the Abram pick could have probably waited till the 2nd round, but stuck to their guts and took their guy slightly early. I personally would have taken Deionte Thompson or Greedy Williams here before Abram, but safety was still a major need for the Raiders to fill. Johnathan Abram is going to be a leader on and off the field for the Raiders.
B+
28. Los Angeles Chargers
Jerry Tillery
Defensive tackle was one of the only needs the Chargers truly had left on their roster, and the Chargers went with the best one available. I probably would have taken Greedy Williams here, but Tillery brings a lot to the table as well. With the way the draft went in Day 1, if they really want a corner, they can most likely trade up in the 2nd to grab a good one.
B+
29. Seattle Seahawks via KC Chiefs
L.J Collier
I was able to watch a lot of L.J Collier, live and on TV, due to my fandom of TCU. He was always someone that would stand out on our defense, but had risen up a lot of draft board after a great NFL Combine. Collier can move around the defensive line, and hopefully fill the Michael Bennett role in the Seahawks defense.
B
30. New York Giants Via Green Bay Packers via New Orleans Saints
DeAndre Baker
This is a great way for the New York Giants to end their 1st round this year. DeAndre Baker and Greedy Williams were my top two cornerbacks for the entire season, and I would be okay with either of them being the first off the board. I do think the Giants could have just waited till their pick and just draft the corner that was there, but making up for Daniel Jones was a must as well.
B+
31. Atlanta Falcons via Los Angeles Rams
Kaleb McGary
McGary has risen up draft boards as fast as anyone did this year. The Falcons doubling up on the offensive line, and are obviously looking to keep Matt Ryan at his MVP caliber level for as long as possible. I think Cody Ford or Jawaan Taylor should have been selected before McGary but he still addresses some kind of issue on the offense.
C+
32. New England Patriots
N’Keal Harry
Noah Fant went off the board way earlier than most expected I believe, but luckily for the Patriots, there was only one wide receiver taken before them. N’Keal Harry was my #1 wide receiver in this class, and him going to New England only makes the pick even more valuable. Harry will battle with Edelman for that main receiver role, and possibly be a OROY candidate with another great Tom Brady season. Another outstanding pick for the Pats.