Our NFL writers teamed up once again to breakdown the entire draft as a whole, in a fun way:
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Arizona Cardinals
- Best Pick: Josh Jones
- Worst Pick: Evan Weaver
- Missed Pick: Bradlee Anae
- Final Analysis: Steve Keim loaded up the front-7 in this draft, spending 4 of his 6 players on that group, including 2 DTs, (Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawerence) – which will certainly help a group that was ranked 31st in pass defense. He also pulled off what many considered the steal of the draft, drafting Houston OT Josh Jones, who was predicted to be a 1st round pick by analysts and team executives; 72nd overall.
- Overall Grade: A+
Atlanta Falcons
- Best Pick: Marlon Davidson
- Worst Pick: Mycal Walker
- Missed Pick: Brycen Hawkins
- Final Analysis: Thomas Dimitroff did an excellent job finding young talent for major team needs at Cornerback, O-Line, and D-Line — Day 1 and 2 of the draft. Although the Terrell and Walker picks felt like they were reached, the Falcons found great value in athletic Safety Jaylinn Hawkins, a late 4th rounder who had a huge senior season at Cal.
- Overall Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens
- Best Pick: Patrick Queen
- Worst Pick: Tyre Phillips
- Missed Pick: Curtis Weaver
- Final Analysis: Eric Decosta and John Harbaugh did an amazing job in their second draft together, getting value in all 3 days. The Ravens filled needs, got talent, and set up for the future.
- Overall Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
- Best Pick: Zack Moss
- Worst Pick: Tyler Bass
- Missed Pick: Prince Tega Wanogho
- Final Analysis: Although the Bills lost a first round pick to acquire Stefon Diggs, Buffalo polished their team needs and added more playmakers to their offense. An overall solid draft for the Bills Mafia, as they strengthened their pass-rush with Epenesa, and found quality skill players later on.
- Overall Grade: A
Carolina Panthers
- Best Pick: Derrick Brown
- Worst Pick: Stantley Thomas-Oliver III
- Missed Pick: Isaiah Simmons
- Final Analysis: Matt Rhule’s first ever NFL Draft was one of the best drafts in Panthers’ history. Using all 7 of their picks on defense, Hurney and Rhule did an excellent job of finding players with versatility and upside. The only critique I would have with this draft is passing up on the versatile linebacker Isaiah Simmons in the first round. However, I can’t be too mad as Carolina still got a top 5 player in the draft, Derrick Brown.
- Overall Grade: B+
Chicago Bears
- Best Pick: Jaylon Johnson
- Worst Pick: Trevis Gibson
- Missed Pick: Josh Jones
- Final Analysis: The Bears got 2 first round value players with both of their second round picks. Jaylon Johnson is a top 3 corner in the class and is going to come in and start immediately. Kmet is a great Tight End, as him and Jimmy Graham will be a great fit. They should not have traded up for Trevis Gibson when they have Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. They also should have addressed the offensive line position with one of their early draft picks.
- Overall Grade: B-
Cincinnati Bengals
- Best Pick: Joe Burrow
- Worst Pick: Khalid Kareem
- Missed Pick: Josh Jones
- Final Analysis: Bengals entered this draft desperate for Linebackers and Offensive Linemen. They were able to get three quality LB’s for the future, but only one OL (Hakeem Adeniji) in the 6th round; which was a cause for concern. The Bengals will have to upgrade their O-Line before the season begins if you want to give Burrow proper pass protection.
- Overall Grade: B
Cleveland Browns
- Best Pick: Jedrick Wills Jr.
- Worst Pick: Nick Harris
- Missed Pick: Malik Harrison
- Final Analysis: Andrew Berry did a pretty good job this draft, but the later rounds were somewhat of a blunder. I don’t really know why Cleveland took Nick Harris, but we will have to wait and see.
- Overall Grade: B-
Dallas Cowboys
- Best Pick: CeeDee Lamb
- Worst Pick: Ben DiNucci
- Missed Pick: Malik Harrison
- Final Analysis: After Mike McCarthy decided to get rid of incompetent draft influencers like DC Rod Marinelli (who claimed the Cowboys should pick Taco Charlton over TJ Watt in 2017), the Cowboys had one of their best drafts in recent memory. They got three first round talents with their first three picks, WR CeeDee Lamb, CB Trevon Diggs, and DE Neville Gallimore. The Cowboys didn’t miss any needed positions by drafting C Tyler Biadasz with the fourth round pick they acquired from Philly and DE Bradlee Anae with their fifth round pick.
- Overall Grade: A+
Denver Broncos
- Best Pick: Jerry Jeudy
- Worst Pick: Albert Okwuegbunam
- Missed Pick: Troy Dye
- Final Analysis: John Elway and the rest of the Broncos staff absolutely nailed this draft. Giving Drew Lock even more weapons in Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, while also adding two phenomenal offensive lineman in Lloyd Cushenberry and Netane Muti. Denver filled their team’s needs almost perfectly – as this draft could potentially be the final pieces into this franchise becoming a playoff team again.
- Overall Grade: A+
Detroit Lions
- Best Pick: Jeff Okudah
- Worst Pick: Jason Huntley
- Missed Pick: Yetur Gross-Matos
- Final Analysis: Bob Quinn did a solid job of addressing needs at CB, O-Line, and pass rushers (Romeo Okwara specifically). The one thing Quinn missed was addressing the need at DT, as he waited until the 6-7th rounds to select a defensive tackle. That is a primary position of need and should’ve been addressed in rounds 1-4, and this is not mentioning the fifth-round selection of unranked running back Jason Huntley which made virtually zero sense.
- Overall Grade: B+
Green Bay Packers
- Best Pick: AJ Dillon
- Worst Pick: Josiah Deguara
- Missed Pick: Zack Baun
- Final Analysis: By not taking a wide receiver, Brian Gutekunst’s decision making is now being heavily questioned by fans across the world, but that might not be fair. That being said, as NFL fans we must consider the fact that Lafleur could have possibly had a heavy say in this draft class, and he could be equally as responsible as Gutekunst. Now that it’s over I think that only time will tell how this draft plays out, and it may not be as big a bust as many have come to think.
- Final Grade: C+
Houston Texans
- Best Pick: Ross Blacklock
- Worst Pick: John Reid
- Missed Pick: Bryce Hall
- Final Analysis: In Bill O’Brien’s first draft as Head Coach and GM he went all out to fill holes on offense and defense, as well as stay patient in the early rounds of this draft. However, in the later rounds he began to reach for guys that just didn’t make sense, picking John Reid with Bryce Hall still on the board, will baffle me all season long.
- Overall Grade: B+
Indianapolis Colts
- Best Pick: Michael Pittman Jr.
- Worst Pick: Dezmon Pattmon
- Missed Pick: Curtis Weaver
- Final Analysis: GM Chris Ballard went all offense in this draft, and they did their best to provide this unit with as much talent as possible. He also continued to gather picks and he provided the team with players that could be studs if everything goes right.
- Overall Grade: B+
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Best Pick: K’Lavon Chaisson
- Worst Pick: DaVon Hamilton
- Missed Pick: Neville Gallimore
- Final Analysis: Adding a top corner in C.J. Henderson and edge-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, the Jags added young talent to a needy defense. With a total of 12 picks in this year’s draft, Jacksonville hit on most of those selections – but reaching on a few such as DaVon Hamilton, Shaquille Quarterman, Daniel Thomas, and Tyler Davis.
- Overall Grade: B
Kansas City Chiefs
- Best Pick: Willie Gay Jr.
- Worst Pick: L’Jarius Snead
- Missed Pick: Amik Robertson
- Final Analysis: The defending champs did exactly what they needed to in order to maintain their Super Bowl caliber roster. Upgrading at linebacker with Wilie Gay Jr. and adding to an already powerful run-game with Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Chiefs are getting a ton of value with these picks, as they look to defend the Lombardi Trophy.
- Overall Grade: B+
Las Vegas Raiders
- Best Pick: Henry Ruggs III
- Worst Pick: John Simpson
- Missed Pick: Troy Dye
- Final Analysis: Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock were able to drastically improve their passing offense and passing defense with the addition of three new receivers and two new defensive backs. Though, the Raiders failed to add depth behind newly signed linebackers Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski in the later rounds of the draft.
- Overall Grade: B
Los Angeles Chargers
- Best Pick: Kenneth Murray
- Worst Pick: Alohi Gilman
- Missed Pick: Isaiah Simmons
- Final Analysis: The Chargers got their future QB in Justin Herbert, but they also missed on a very versatile player that could have been the future on defense: Isaiah Simmons. Fans shouldn’t be mad at the pick, but Simmons might have been the better option. Overall, the Chargers did a great job drafting. They got the steal of the draft with KJ Hill in the 7th round! He will be WR3 along with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
- Overall Grade: B+
Los Angeles Rams
- Best Pick: Tyler Burgess
- Worst Pick: Cam Akers
- Missed Pick: J.K. Dobbins
- Final Analysis: Akers is not a bad player, but how do you pass on Dobbins? Dobbins is a much better player and has played in a work horse role last season at Ohio State. With the departure of Gurley, Dobbins would’ve already had experience with the workload in LA this season. But, Van Jefferson was a good pick with the departure of Cooks, and Burgess was a great pick in the back of round 3.
- Overall Grade: B
Miami Dolphins
- Best Pick: Tua Tagovailoa
- Worst Pick: Blake Ferguson
- Missed Pick: JK Dobbins
- Final Analysis: The Dolphins drafted their QB of the future with Tua, filled many holes in their offensive line with Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt, strengthened their defensive line by picking Raekwon Davis and Curtis Weaver (my prediction for late round steal of the draft), and building up their secondary with Noah Igbinoghene and Brandon Jones. However, there were certainly a couple of questionable picks such as taking Brandon Jones in the third round or selecting long snapper Blake Ferguson in the sixth round when they could have got him as a UDFA.
- Overall Grade: A
Minnesota Vikings
- Best Pick: Cameron Dantzler
- Worst Pick: Brian Cole II
- Missed Pick: Bryce Hall
- Final Analysis: “Slick Rick” is back at it again by acquiring 17 draft picks, flipping two of them into earlier draft picks in the 2021 draft. The Vikings drafted a new NFL record high, 15 draftees. Rick managed to get amazing value in every pick while not trading up once. Replacing Diggs with Jefferson by the numbers looks promising as well.
- Overall Grade: A+
New England Patriots
- Best Pick: Alfernee Jennings
- Worst Pick: Kyle Dugger
- Missed Pick: Cole Kmet
- Final Analysis: It was a classic Belichick draft. After trading down from pick 23 on day one, the Patriots managed to fill positional needs on day two and three. Kyle Dugger was a questionable selection due to him being a DII player. But, overall the team filled their roster holes well.
- Overall Grade: C+
New Orleans Saints
- Best Pick: Zach Baun
- Worst Pick: Tommy Stevens
- Missed Pick: Xavier McKinney
- Final Analysis: The Saints traded picks throughout most of the draft, ending up with only four selections. Cesar Ruiz and Zach Baun were great selections to help protect Drew Brees and help a young defense. Many will question why the Saints drafted a quarterback, especially after signing Jameis Winston. It would have been nice to see the Saints draft more offensive or defensive linemen, but Sean Peyton feels that their team has been and will continue to compete for the Lombardi Trophy.
- Overall Grade: C
New York Giants
- Best Pick: Xavier McKinney
- Worst Pick: Darnay Holmes
- Missed Pick: Donovan Peoples-Jones
- Final Analysis: The Giants stole a first-round level corner and bulked up their offensive line for almost nothing. The Giants filled holes that will definitely have an impact in the future of this young team.
- Overall Grade: B+
New York Jets
- Best Pick: Denzel Mims
- Worst Pick: Jabari Zuniga
- Missed Pick: James Proche
- Final Analysis: This was Joe Douglas’ first NFL Draft with the Jets, since he was hired last offseason. The Jets filled some much needed positions and they added more depth to the roster.
- Overall Grade: B+
Philadelphia Eagles
- Best Pick: K’Von Wallace
- Worst Pick: Jalen Hurts
- Missed Pick: Denzel Mims
- Final Analysis: Speed kills! The Eagles improved tremendously through the draft by selecting players with the one pure quality they needed – speed. The Jalen Hurts pick was a head scratcher, but general manager Howie Roseman redeemed himself through day 3 of the Draft. Although fans would’ve liked to have seen a cornerback drafted, they should be satisfied with the ten players selected.
- Overall Grade: A
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Best Pick: Chase Claypool
- Worst Pick: Carlos Davis
- Missed Pick: JK Dobbins
- Final Analysis: Overall a very solid draft; filled many needs like WR, RB, and OL. The Steelers could have done better during certain parts of the draft, but there weren’t any picks the Steelers made that would make you scratch your head.
- Overall Grade: B-
San Francisco 49ers
- Best Pick: Javon Kinlaw
- Worst Pick: Charlie Woerner
- Missed Pick: Nick Harris
- Final Analysis: The 49ers finished the 2020 draft filling in team needs at both WR and DT and adding more depth all-around offensively. With only five selections made, the 49ers solidified offensive needs, and set-aside adding defensive talent.
- Overall Grade: B+
Seattle Seahawks
- Best Pick: Darrell Taylor
- Worst Pick: Jordyn Brooks
- Missed Pick: Patrick Queen
- Final Analysis: Darrell Taylor is a great option, especially if Clowney decides to sign with another team. Russell Wilson received even more help as the Seahawks drafted 4 offensive players (including three wide receivers).
- Overall Grade: B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Best Pick: Antoine Winfield Jr.
- Worst Pick: Raymond Calais
- Missed Pick: Evan Weaver
- Final Analysis: After signing Tom Brady in Free Agency, the Bucs goal in this year’s draft was to find as much talent as possible for the 6-time Super Bowl Champ. Tampa Bay did exactly that, adding a monster of a tackle in Tristan Wirfs, running back Ke’Shawn Vaugh, and adding slot receiver Tyler Johnson early in the 5th round. Most importantly, the Bucs added the best safety in this year’s draft – Antoine Winfield Jr.
- Overall Grade: A
Tennessee Titans
- Best Pick: Kristian Fulton
- Worst Pick: Chris Jackson
- Missed Pick: James Morgan
- Final Analysis: Jon Robinson accounted for all the Titans needs. He acquired a corner, offensive tackle, and a defensive tackle. The one position he didn’t address was edge Rusher. Robinson may also have a plan for free-agent Jadeveon Clowney.
- Overall Grade: B+
Washington Redskins
- Best Pick: Chase Young
- Worst Pick: Kamren Curl
- Missed Pick: Zack Baun
- Final Analysis: The Redskins added more young talent with an All-Pro caliber edge rusher, and a versatile Antonio Gibson. With their defense getting an upgrade and Haskins receiving more help on offense, the Redskins could definitely be a team to watch next year.
- Overall Grade: B+
