It was believed that the necessary isolationism brought about by the coronavirus pandemic might eliminate the groupthink NFL teams often engage in as the draft drew near. People in the league will tell you that the more scouts, coaches, and executives come together in various social occasions, the more potential there is for every singular opinion to get rounded off by the force of the collective.
Here’s what we know about how things got weird in some instances: The Panthers didn’t select a single offensive player on the offensive side of the ball with their seven picks, becoming the first team to do so in the era of the common draft, which began in 1967. The Packers and Patriots, two teams in desperate need of receiver help, didn’t avail themselves of the deepest group at that position, perhaps, in NFL history. And two teams — the Packers and Eagles — selected flawed quarterbacks high in their picks for various and odd reasons.
Did it get weirder? Perhaps. But no matter the circumstances, teams have to get their drafts right. There are no excuses, not even this one. With the eternal proviso that we won’t really know how these picks will work out for at least the next two seasons, here’s how I evaluate every NFL team’s evaluations in the 2020 draft class.
Arizona Cardinals: A+
Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has had his share of detractors through the years, but it’s hard to see the Cardinals’ 2020 draft as anything but one great move after another. With the eighth overall pick, they got Clemson defender Isaiah Simmons, the perfect distillation of the modern “linebacker” who can do all kinds of things.
“The only guy I could think of, with similarities, was Brian Urlacher when he came out,” Keim said of Simmons. “He was a safety at New Mexico, for the most part … not quite as fast, but a guy who became a great player and who made that ascension to playing more in the box. He was the one guy who I’d say, if there was any kind of comp and you could make a projection, it’d be Brian Urlacher.”
I made exactly the same comparison, and Keim has always been on point when it comes to multi-position defensive players. It’s a perfect fit for Simmons, who might have been lost with the wrong coaching staff that may have miscast him as a traditional linebacker. Urlacher was one of the pre-eminent Tampa-2 linebacker in his era, and Simmons projects just as well in an NFL where the ideal linebacker can work everywhere from the box to the defensive line to the slot.
Arizona wasn’t done, though. They sent their second-round pick and running back David Johnson packing to Houston for receiver DeAndre Hopkins in Crazy Bill O’Brien’s Fire Sale (“I will trade any good player for ninety-nine dollars!”), which is kind of a good deal. Then, in the third round, they absolutely stole Houston’s Josh Jones, perhaps the best pass-protecting offensive tackle in this draft class.
And then, with their two fourth-round picks, they nabbed Utah’s Leki Fotu and LSU’s Rashard Lawrence, two of the sleeper defensive tackles in this group. This team is getting better in all the right ways, and if you believe as I do that 2020 will be the Year of Kyler Murray… well, watch out for these guys.
Atlanta Falcons: B
There were better cornerbacks on the board when the Falcons took Clemson’s A.J. Terrell with the 16th pick, but Terrell is a tough, rangy defender who had a great 2019 season if you remove what LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase did to him in the College Football Championship. In the second round, Atlanta took Auburn star defensive lineman and quote machine Marlon Davidson, who does not lack for confidence and aggression on the field.
“I instill confidence. I instill passion. I instill heart,” Davidson said after he was picked. “I instill everything you want in a football player as a man and everything. That’s me. I mean, I wake up every day thinking about being the best. I woke up at four o’clock this morning and couldn’t go to sleep because I was mad because I didn’t go first round. I’m waking up at four o’clock. I ain’t been asleep all day, man. I’ve been waiting on this call and I got it and now I’m going to give everything I can to the organization. I’m going to give everything I possibly can and leave everything on the field, every game, and show that they did not mess up by picking Marlon Davidson at all; they didn’t.”
No, they didn’t. You put Davidson next to Grady Jarrett in the middle of Atlanta’s defensive line, and it’s going to be a problem for opposing guards and centers. Speaking of, the third round brought Temple’s Matt Hennessy, who’s not the most athletic center in the draft, but is tough and reliable and should be a plug-and-play starter. If you’re looking for a sleeper here, remember Fresno State linebacker Mykal Walker, taken in the fourth round, who could surprise as an edge defender and off-the-ball linebacker in Dan Quinn’s defense.
Baltimore Ravens: A
No team blitzed more than the Ravens did last season, and if there was one issue with their defense throughout the year, it was the lack of a full-field linebacker — that really went out the window after the 2018 season when C.J Mosley became a Jet. Eric DeCosta and his front office staff fixed that issue with an absolute vengeance with the 28th pick, when LSU ‘backer Patrick Queen fell into Baltimore’s collective lap. Queen isn’t a huge run-stopper, but he does everything else you want a modern linebacker to do, and Baltimore has enough beef on the defensive line to allow Queen to run and chase and cover as he does so well. Add Ohio State’s Malik Harrison, who the Ravens did in the third round as more of a run-plugger with movement skills, and it’s clear where this team wanted to improve in the draft.
Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, taken in the second round, adds even more to the NFL’s best running game with his ability to run like a small tank and add dimension to the passing game.
But here’s the name you’ll want to remember: Third-round pick Justin Madubuike out of Texas A&M. The defensive tackle put up tape in some games that rivaled that of Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw; it’s just that he didn’t do it all the time. But he’s in the perfect spot to work on his technique and consistency. The Ravens had another great draft. Is anybody surprised?
Buffalo Bills: A
The Bills gave up their 2020 first-round pick to the Vikings for receiver Stefon Diggs, which may have made their receiver group the NFL’s best. And in the fourth round, they took UCF wideout Gabe Davis, who projects well as a DK Metcalf/end-of-career Anquan Boldin type as a physical deep target. It’s certainly time for quarterback Josh Allen to take the proverbial next step. In case Allen can’t, the Bills also took Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm in the fifth round. Fromm’s physical limitations are well-known, but he has upside as a Kellen Moore-style backup with a big football brain.
But the two big names in Buffalo’s draft are unquestionably second-round pass-rusher A.J. Epenesa from Iowa, and third-round running back Zack Moss from Utah. Epenesa isn’t a speed rusher, but he has power, great technique, and the ability to move inside in certain packages. And Moss brings another Bills draft pick to mind — Marshawn Lynch — with his frenzied, tackle-breaking running style and surprising agility.
“We set the board up and there were some guys that are a little more finesse, but big-time speed players,” general manager Brandon Beane said after the draft’s second day. “Epenesa has got great measurables, length and all these things, which I do find important, but it’s not the end-all be-all.
“Zack is a very good complement to Devin [Singletary]. Devin has got that shiftiness and Zack is going to be banging in there. Not that he can’t dodge [defenders], but he’s going to lower that shoulder a little bit how Frank [Gore] did at an older age for us.”
This is a loaded receiver class, but nobody who’s done what Diggs has already done in the NFL, so it’s a pretty good haul when you factor that in.
Carolina Panthers: B
Carolina had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season, which is why most people were mocking either Auburn’s Derrick Brown or South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw to the Panthers. In the end, Carolina took Brown, who’s the more developed player and better run-stopper at this point, though Kinlaw could be the better pass-rusher over time. Regardless, it’s a great player at a desperate need with the seventh overall pick.
The Panthers went heavy on defense throughout the draft, picking up Penn State pass-rusher Yetur Gross-Matos and Southern Illinois saafety Jeremy Chinn in the second round. Gross-Matos is a smooth quarterback disruptor off the edge, and Chinn is a Patrick Chung-style player who plays at a breakneck pace.
But the guy to watch here could be Notre Dame cornerback Troy Pride Jr., taken in the fourth round. Pride is a pure press man cornerback who can run with receivers all day, and if he gets his technique together at the catch point, could be a plus-level starter in time.
Chicago Bears: B
The Bears didn’t have a first-round pick in 2020 as a result of the Khalil Mack trade, but they were able to get an absolute first-round defender in this draft. Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson had minor injury concerns, but he’s one of the smartest, most-targeted, and mistake-proof players at his position in this class, and he should be able to take the field and start right away. Johnson slipped enough from his first-round talent that Chicago were able to take Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet, also in the second round. Kmet isn’t the most dynamic tight end in this draft class, especially on intermediate and deep throws, but he’s a good all-round player.
The guy Bears fans might want to get excited about in this class is fifth-round pass-rusher Trevis Gipson out of Tulsa. At 6-foot-3 and 261 pounds, Gipson isn’t developed in his technique, but his raw physical tools explode off the tape.
Cincinnati Bengals: B
The Bengals taking Joe Burrow with the first pick in the 2020 draft was the worst-kept secret in this draft, and we can’t really give Cincinnati’s staff any extra credit for having the best player in this class fall into their laps with the first overall pick. But we will give the Bengals props for stealing Clemson receiver Tee Higgins with the first pick in the second round. Higgins was the best contested-catch receiver in this class, and he’s an absolute weapon downfield. Comparisons to A.J. Green make sense, so Burrow will have A.J. Green and A.J. Green Jr. in his receiver group. Not bad.
Then, Cincinnati went for need at the linebacker position with two excellent players — Wyoming’s Logan Wilson in the third round, and Appalachian State’s Akeem Davis-Gaither in the fourth. Seventh-round ‘backer Markus Bailry from Purdue projects well as a high-quality backup. And watch out for fifth-round Notre Dame edge-rusher Khalid Kareem. Kareem isn’t a flashy guy, but he has the technique and leverage to be a problem for opposing offensive linemen at the NFL level.
Cleveland Browns: B
It’s easy to like the selection of Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills with the 10th overall pick — Wills is a demolition machine in the run game and has a ton of upside as a pass-protector. He’ll need a second to adjust to a left tackle future, but he has all the attributes to do so. Second-round safety Grant Delpit out of LSU is one of the best coverage defenders in this class, but his tackling is abysmal, and that’s kind of a problem in the NFL. Cleveland’s coaching staff will have to clear that up before Delpit is able to make the post of his potential as a deep-third eraser.
I love the selection of Missouri defensive tackle Jordan Elliott — he’s an underrated pass-rusher and run-stopper who doesn’t excite on tape down-to-down, but he’s a remarkably consistent player. And with new head coach and offensive shot-caller Kevin Stefanski’s love for multiple tight end sets, it’s no surprise the Browns reached out to FAU’s Harrison Bryant in the fourth round. Michigan receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, a developmental downfield receiver with power at the catch point, could be a starter when he figures out the nuances at his position. He’s a steal in the sixth round.
Dallas Cowboys: A+
The Cowboys were already fairly loaded at receiver with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, but Jerry Jones decided to make Dak Prescott’s life even better with the first-round selection of Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, the best overall receiver in this draft class. Yes, Jerry Jeudy is a slightly better route-runner, and Henry Ruggs III is faster, but nobody in class brings the complete package at the position like Lamb does. He’ll be a force multiplier outside and in the slot.
Then, Dallas took Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs in the second round — a natural press-man cornerback who has some elements of early Richard Sherman in his game. He’s a very different kind of player than Byron Jones, who went to Miami in free agency, but he gives Mike Nolan lockdown ability to one side.
The Cowboys went with great players throughout their draft. I love the pick of Utah edge-rusher Bradlee Anae in the fifth round — he’s a smaller, twitched-up guy who can make bad things happen for quarterbacks. And defensive tackle Neville Gallimore from Oklahoma, their third-round pick, is a perfect one-gap interior disruptor. Add in Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz, and Tulsa press cornerback Reggie Robinson II, and the Cowboys not only got a great haul, but they also established a clear paradigm for their cornerbacks,
Denver Broncos: B
Perhaps inspired by facing the Chiefs twice a year, the Broncos went hard at the idea that their passing game should look more like a track meet. First-round pick Jerry Jeudy is the most practiced route-runner I’ve seen come out of college in a long time, and he brings peak Antonio Brown to mind without any of the off-field stuff. Second-round pick K.J. Hamler out of Penn State is another speed target, and quarterback Drew Lock now had the downfield targets he needs to complement Courtland Sutton. Denver also took tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who played at Missouri with Lock.
On defense, Denver took Iowa cornerback Michael Ojemudia in the third round, and he projects well as an off-coverage defender with the athleticism to play press and match as well. Arkansas defensive tackle McTelvin Agim is a pass-rusher on the rise.
But the picks that may pay as many dividends as any are the ones Denver made for its offensive line. LSU Center Lloyd Cushenberry and Fresno State guard Netane Muti add serious power to an interior line in need.
Detroit Lions: B
Only the Patriots played a higher percentage of man coverage snaps than the Lions last season, so it made all the sense in the world that Detroit would go with Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah with the third overall pick. The best pure cornerback in this class, Okudah is a plug-and-play aggressor with impeccable technique. Second-round pick D’Andre Swift out of Georgia should provide immediate juice as a rusher and receiver, and he’s an underrated run-blocker. Two good guards came in the middle rounds with Ohio State’s Jonah Jackson in the third and Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg, but the guy to watch here is Notre Dame edge-rusher Julian Okwara, who has the speed and athleticism you’d expect from a tight end, and he brings it against offensive tackles. A little refinement in his game, and Okawra could prove to be one of the steals in this class.
Green Bay Packers: D-
This grade is based less on the quality of the players the Packers picked up than it is an indictment of the overall philosophy. Last season, Green Bay went 13-3 with a receiver group that had very little going for it beyond Davante Adams, and general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t take a single receiver in what was one of the deepest drafts at that position in NFL history. Moreover, Green Bay took Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with the 26th overall pick, despite the fact that Love is a serious developmental prospect. This is a team in the last years of the Aaron Rodgers era, and Rodgers still has a lot on the ball. Not only did the Packers not do anything to help him, they seemed to go out of their way to antagonize their best player. It’s difficult to understand the logic here.
Houston Texans: D
The Texans now have holes all over their roster as Bill O’Brien continues to do whatever the heck it is that Bill O’Brien does, and with all the awful trades and deals, the Texans were going to have to nail this draft on all levels to make up for it. This, they did not do. Second-round defensive lineman Ross Blacklock is a great athlete in need of technical proficiency who could have Javon Hargrave-level upside over time, and Florida edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard is an interesting project, but nobody else really pops off the tape as a serious force in the near term. Once again, we have to wonder what exactly the Texans are trying to accomplish.
Indianapolis Colts: B
Giving their first-round pick to the 49ers for DeForest Buckner was a worthy move, and the Colts turned around in the second round and gave Philip Rivers an estimable target in Michael Pittman. The USC alum is a big, physical target, and one of the more overlooked deep receivers in this class. Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor adds to Indy’s highly productive rushing attack as a high-rep guy. Over time, third-round pick Julian Blackmon, a cornerback conversion to safety, could be a top-tier defender. However, unless head coach Frank Reich is able to take his quarterback-developing skills to the next level, Washington’s Jacob Eason seems like a wasted pick in the fourth round. Yes, Eason fits the NFL’s preferred “Big Guy/Big Arm” paradigm, but from reading defenses to consistent accuracy, to questions about his work ethic, it’s tough to view Eason as a draftable prospect.
Jacksonville Jaguars: A-
With two first-round picks in 2020, and a front office seemingly fixated on a rebuilding plan that has nearly every important player on the roster out the door in one way or another, the Jaguars had to nail their 2020 draft. And for the most part, they did. With Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye gone, Jacksonville needed cornerback talent, and Florida’s C.J. Henderson was worth it at the ninth pick — outside of Jeff Okudah, nobody else in this class has better pure coverage skills. I’m less convicted that LSU edge-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, taken with the 20th pick, will be a top-level quarterback disruptor in the NFL, but he’ll be okay if he works on his moves and finds ways to avoid getting nuked by power tackles.
Perhaps the most immediately exciting player in Jacksonville’s draft class is second-round receiver Laviska Shenault. The Colorado alum doesn’t yet have a full command of an NFL route tree, but he’s electric as an after-catch receiver and deep threat.
Kansas City Chiefs: A
Good luck dealing with this offense now. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase were the explosive parts of LSU’s offense in 2019, but Edwards-Helaire was the glue. He gained 1,867 yards from scrimmage and scored 17 touchdowns last season. He’s also been working on his pass protection with LSU assistant coach (and former Patriots stalwart back) Kevin Faulk. Since his days in Philadelphia, Andy Reid has always wanted versatile backs. Edwards-Helaire has some aspects of Darren Sproles in his playing style, but he looks even more like peak Ray Rice, but a bit more powerful, and without any of the off-field stuff. A great player and a great fit.
Second-round linebacker Willie Gay Jr. from Mississippi State has the physical tools to upgrade the athleticism of Kansas City’s linebacker corps, and that was a major issue in 2019, Lombardi Trophy aside. Third-round tackle Lucas Niang from TCU didn’t allow a single sack in three collegiate seasons despite a very odd duck-walking pass set. The sleeper here could be Louisiana Tech defensive back L’Jarius Sneed, who’s exactly the kind of corner/safety hybrid Steve Spagnuolo likes to develop.
Las Vegas Raiders: A-
First-round receiver Henry Ruggs III brings the old-school Raiders to mind—the speed receivers in the Warren Wells and Cliff Branch days—and Al Davis must be smiling down from above. And he’s more than just a speed guy; he can run routes, and he’ll take the top off a defense every time he hits one up the seam. Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock took Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette with their second first-round pick, and though he’s not technically perfect, he looks good as a man-coverage prospect with outstanding aggression and footwork. So too does fourth-round cornerback Amik Robertson out of Louisiana Tech — he’s an ideal slot bully, and with these two picks, the Raiders have made it very clear that they want alpha dogs who can push receivers around. What’s that we said about Al Davis smiling down from above?
Los Angeles Chargers: C
The extent to which you’re on board with the Chargers’ draft strategy hands on whether you’re on board with Justin Herbert as an NFL prospect. I suspected that Herbert would go higher than his game tape would inspire, because he’s a big guy with a big arm, and for some teams, that’s all that’s required. The Chargers now have to deal with Herbert’s remedial field reads, his inaccuracy to the boundary, and his wonkiness when throwing on the run. I didn’t have a first-round grade on Herbert, but one understands which attributes move the needle when it comes to quarterbacks. Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray is a great pick at 23rd overall, and the Chargers got a real steal in seventh-round receiver K.J. Hill out of Ohio State, but this all rests on the decision to take Herbert sixth overall.
Los Angeles Rams: C
Without a first-round pick this year, the Rams had to make the most of their picks. They got a couple of interesting developmental players who could succeed wildly in the NFL on a “what-if” basis. Second-round running back Cam Akers managed to be productive in a garbage-fire offense at Florida State, but some of Akers’ college issues (like a sub-par offensive line) will follow him to the NFL. And third-round edge-rusher Terrell Lewis from Alabama has all the traits you want in a high-performance disruptor — he only fell that far because of his lengthy injury history. Safety Terrell Burgess from Utah, another third-round pick, is the surest thing in the Rams’ 2020 class with his ability to cover in both the deep third and the slot. It’s a good haul if everything goes right.
Miami Dolphins: B
The Dolphins decided to go on faith with Tua Tagovailoa’s hip inquiry, and if it all works out, they get a guy who could be equal parts Drew Brees and Russell Wilson, with an offensive coordinator in Chan Gailey who seems perfectly attuned to Tagovailoa’s future. So, the “Tank for Tua” thing worked out, even though the Dolphins didn’t tank as much as we expected. Miami’s second first-round pick went to USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson, an athletic pass-protector who will be great if he can upgrade his technique and leverage. This may have been an overdraft. Noah Igbinoghene from Auburn adds to Miami’s stacked cornerback room with an aggressive mindset and the ability to announce his presence with authority in the slot. The steal here is Boise State edge-rusher Curtis Weaver, who proved productive at the college level despite a body that featured too much bad weight. An NFL weightroom should take care of that.
Minnesota Vikings: A
Trading Stefon Diggs to Buffalo and losing most of their cornerbacks in free agency made the Vikings’ draft needs very clear, and they addressed both very well in the first round. Justin Jefferson was LSU’s top slot receiver last season, but he can be more than that in a pro passing game. He doesn’t quite have the pure explosion Diggs provided, but he caught 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. And TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney is an ideal man and match cornerback with his outstanding footwork, spatial awareness, and trail speed. To serve as Gladney’s potential future bookend, Minnesota also grabbed Mississippi State’s Cameron Dantzler, a favorite of most analysts, including this one. The guy to watch from the third day is fourth-round linebacker Troy Dye from Oregon. Mike Zimmer values linebackers who can cover half the field, and Dye has that skill set all day. The Vikings held steady at receiver, and they upgraded a cornerback rotation that was mostly awful in 2019.
New England Patriots: C
The Patriots did nothing in the draft to upgrade a receiver corps that had Tom Brady saying he was the unhappiest 8-0 quarterback halfway through the 2019 season. Not a single wideout in a historically deep class, and though we’re always inclined to give Bill Belichick the benefit of the doubt, that will not help whoever’s playing quarterback in Foxboro in 2020 and beyond. New England traded out of the first round to get depth defensively with two second-rounders who fit the Belichick paradigm of positional versatility. Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger reminds me of Kam Chancellor with his alpha on-field mentality, and Michigan’s Josh Uche is a really nice speed rusher. The Patriots did bring two tight ends on board in the middle rounds in UCLA’s Devin Asiasi and Virginia Tech’s Dalton Keene, but the o-fer on receivers (not to mention quarterbacks) is a head-scratcher.
New Orleans Saints: B
Some may wonder why the Saints took Michigan center Cesar Ruiz in the first round, but with 2019 rookie center Erik McCoy turning into a star right away, Ruiz can develop into the kind of right guard that is essential in Sean Payton’s offense — technically refined, strong at the point of attack, and able to hit the second level in a hurry. Third-round edge-rusher and linebacker Zach Baun from Wisconsin is a similar scheme fit for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen — though Baun was a highly productive pass-rusher in college, he could be an even better off-ball linebacker at the next level. New Orleans also picked up Dayton tight end Adam Trautman in the third round, and Trautman looks good with everything from route complexity to easy speed to in-line blocking. New Orleans wound up with just four picks in this draft, but they got the job done.
New York Giants: B-
One never knows exactly what Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is going to do, least of all Gettleman himself. But the typically atypical Gettleman nailed the Giants’ first two picks. Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas immediately fills a desperate need on the left side as the most complete and refined player at his position in this class, and second-round safety Xavier McKinney from Alabama is the perfect distillation of the NFL’s need for multi-position players. Actually, at the 36th overall pick, getting McKinney is absolute larceny. Fourth-round cornerback Darnay Holmes from UCLA is an interesting player in that he has all the tools you want at the position, but he’s got to put the intricacies together.
New York Jets: A+
The Jets have had more than their share of inept personnel men, but if the 2020 draft is any indication, the franchise is in very good hands with Joe Douglas. Help was needed all over the offensive line, so it’s no surprise the Jets went with Louisville’s Mekhi Becton with the 11th overall pick. At 6-foot-7 and 367 pounds, Becton absolutely tore up the scouting combine with numbers you’d expect from 300-pound defensive tackles. And on the field, that agility shows up. Louisville ran a shotgun zone scheme, and Becton proved quick enough to handle it. And when it’s time to get nasty, he can throw defenders around in cartoonish fashion. Second-round receiver Denzel Mims from Baylor brings Josh Gordon to mind with his freakish athleticism, third-round safety Ashtyn Davis from Cal is an ideal deep-third safety, and third-round edge-rusher Jabari Zuniga might just be the most underrated player at his position in this class.
Philadelphia Eagles: D
Philly took TCU receiver Jalen Reagor with their first-round pick, and Reagor fits perfectly in Doug Pederson’s West Coast passing offense. All good there. Then, the Eagles went YOLO with the second-round selection of Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts. The reasoning for this was that Carson Wentz’s injury history is always a factor, and general manager Howie Roseman has said that he’d like his team to be a quarterback factory, but that’s like saying you’re going to open a square peg factory in a round hole world. Yes, Hurts is a quarterback with potential, but as was true of the Packers taking Jordan Love, there were more pertinent positional decisions to be made to help the quarterback in charge. Perhaps Hurts can be another Nick Foles over time, but it’s hard to expect another “Philly Philly” in a Super Bowl with a relatively unspectacular draft outside of the Reagor pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B-
Pittsburgh didn’t address its cornerback needs in a very deep class, instead vowing to become more explosive on offense with second-round receiver/tight end Chase Claypool, the pure athlete and combine star. At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, Claypool has the potential to become what Darren Waller has become in the Raiders’ offense. And fourth-round running back Anthony McFarland may be undersized, but he runs with authority and has potential as a pass-catcher. Watch out for third-round edge-rusher Alex Highsmith from Charlotte, a sleeper at his position who could be a force with his agility in Pittsburgh’s nickel fronts.
San Francisco 49ers: B
Yeah, Coach… the rest of the NFC West knows how you feel. The 49ers made a big splash on the third day of the draft by trading for Trent Williams, but they also put together an estimable 1-2 punch at the top of their draft. At 6-feet-6 and 302 pounds, 14th overall pick Javon Kinlaw fits the physical profile of the ideal multi-gap defensive lineman who can get nasty everywhere from over the center to outside the offensive tackles. In 2019, he raised his sack total from four in 2018 to six, adding seven quarterback hits and 28 quarterback hurries. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Kinlaw’s potential is that he’s turned himself into a wrecking machine without the benefit of advanced hand technique. And second-round receiver Brandon Aiyuk from Arizona State gives Kyle Shanahan the vertical threat his offense didn’t have last season. The retirement of longtime left tackle Joe Staley is an emotional hit, but a healthy Williams should ease the pain.
Seattle Seahawks: C-
Death, taxes, and the Seahawks taking somebody nobody expected in the first round—if they don’t trade out. If you had Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks as a first-round guy and your name isn’t Pete Carroll or John Schneider, raise your hand? It’s an interesting gambit for a team with Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright on their roster, but remember that the Seahawks played a three-linebacker base more than any other team. Brooks is a natural run-stopper, but his coverage limitations make him an iffy first-round guy… for any other team. Carroll and Schneider were very high on second-round edge-rusher Darrell Taylor from Tennessee, and it’s easy to see why when you see the kind of strength, leverage, and gap versatility Taylor brings to the table. Miami running back DeeJay Dallas could be the sleeper of this group with his power and receiving ability.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs may have been the best possible option for the Bucs with his strength, agility, and potential to move inside to guard, given Tom Brady’s vulnerability to interior pressure. And I’m still not sure how it happened, but Tampa Bay filled a huge need at deep safety in the second round with Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr. A first-round talent who may have been dinged due to his injury history, Winfield brings Earl Thomas to mind with his range, intelligence, and intensity. Speaking of need, third-round running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn out of Vanderbilt could complete Tampa Bay’s relatively anemic running game with his one-cut agility and power through gaps.
Tennessee Titans: A-
If you thought it was a headache to tackle Derrick Henry last season, imagine how many aspirins opposing defenses will need when Henry has the 6-foot-6, 350-pound Isaiah Wilson from Georgia grading roads for Henry to roam on the right side. Wilson is the second-best power tackle in this class behind Mekhi Becton, and he’s good enough as a pass-protector. Picking up LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton in the second round could be one of the top value picks in this draft if Fulton can get his leverage and technique straight, and third-round running back Darrynton Evans from Appalachian State looks like an outstanding “lightning” component to Henry’s thunderback role.
Washington Redskins: A-
The Redskins’ new regime, led by head coach Ron Rivera in a personnel sense, came away with a few aces here. Taking Ohio State edge star Chase Young with the second overall pick was a no-brainer, but things got interesting in the third round, when Washington selected Memphis RB/WR Antonio Gibson, who I believe to be the single most explosive offensive player in this draft class. Gibson had a relatively small sample size in college, but he’s a speed-burning, tackle-breaking monster, and Rivera might like to use him as he did with Christian McCaffrey with the Panthers as a do-it-all guy from the backfield to a wide receiver alignment. And LSU left tackle Saahdiq Charles, taken in the fourth round, has a ton of first-round tape that was negatively mitigated by disciplinary issues in college. If he cleans that up, and becomes more consistent on the field, Charles could be one of the best offensive linemen in this class.
