Welcome to another AGML draft review. It’s me the Mel Kiper lite Dustin here to provide more rash opinions. In this article we are grading the first round draft picks of every team based on player talent, potential, team fits, class strength and most importantly my own unchecked opinion. So lets get started on this terrible class
Pick 1 Jaguars QB Dan Gillispie Stanford
Panic ensured among analysts everywhere when Gillispie threatened to return to school at the mere thought of having to move to New Orleans. The Stanford man made the right choice because now he’s going to …..Duval? Regardless of his personal tastes the man is everything you could want in a QB with his powerful arm and accuracy at all levels he will compete immediately with the ailing Derek Carr. While his weapons will be a little lacking he has a solid line in Jacksonville which should be just the incubator the young QB needs to develop. As arguably the best QB in this draft the Jaguars are going to have to hope he was worth the kings ransom to move up. If he doesn’t blow up they will have trouble drafting talent to help him out. Regardless a franchise QB is worth any price and Gillispie has all the tools to be that man. Early Favorite for AFC OROY
Grade: A+
Pick 2 Jets MLB Tyler Griggs Alabama
The Jets are in need of a leader on their defense. They ranked bottom 10 in nearly every metric and while they need patches everywhere, a aggressive and smart leader is a great place to begin building a defense. Tyler Griggs was a 5 star recruit who became a starter as a true freshman at Alabama. He is one of the most dynamic run defenders from any MLB I have every seen. He diagnoses plays just by the pupil dilation of opposing QBs. If a halfback makes the mistake of meeting him in the gap it is the equivalent of running into a brick wall attached to a jacked up semi. Expect flash plays again and again with him on the Jets. As he is already so pro ready I don’t expect him to improve as much as other prospects as the season goes on. Early favorite for AFC DROY.
Grade: A-
Pick 3 Patriots WR Jaelin Burley Washington State
A Wide receiver fell past Josh and the Patriots are jumping on their chance to grab a talented player. While some people think the Patriots need to protect Rocco Garner, the patriots are arming him. Burley isn’t a physically imposing receiver like the prototypical round 1 receiver were used to but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a threat to defenses everywhere. Categorized as a deep threat Burley has enough speed to take the top off of defenses which will open up the PAtriots Passing game. Joining a young wide receiver corp including N’Keal Harry and Joey Grissom targets will be hard to come by but Burley is just as excellent as a slot receiver where I predict he will receive the majority of targets. Burley struggles to compete on 50/50 balls due to his size and lack of competitiveness at contact. While Burley is talented I struggle to see the value of a 3rd wide receiver at #3 but considering this draft class its probably smart
Grade: B
Pick 4 Redskins DT Vincent Burton Auburn
This pick surprises me in multiple ways. The first is that the redskins already have first round DT Chad Sapp from last year and recently signed premiere Free agent Sheldon Richardson. They also passed over the insanely talented Covin for this pick which suprisines me. Still Burton is still one of the top prospects this class and being younger I can understand why they took him instead with his slightly higher potential. This pick definitely makes the redskins defensive line a threat but that pass rush is useless with how terrible there current secondary is. Still Burton will look to be a great interior rusher for them and should develop nicely if he can even get snaps in and if he does who ends up on the bench? I’d take a corner here but the Redskins have a plan...right?
Grade:C-
Pick 5 Raiders QB William Kincade Penn State
The Raiders are glad Gillipsie committed to the nfl draft
because that means the QB they wanted fell right into
their lap. That works great for the Raiders as they planned
ahead signing 2 free agent lineman for protection and
grabbing John Ross to give Kincade a deep threat. While
Kincade isn’t as talented as Gillispie he is a leader of men
on and off the field. His arm is adequate at the NFL level
and he remains accurate on most throws but I suspect
that he will struggle his first season as he adjusts to the
speed of the game. Still the Raiders get probably the best and last “good” QB left in the
draft and with his weapons I think he can give Gillespie a run for his money for AFC
OROY. I certainly think he is the Spark the Raiders need to be a contender.
Grade: B+
Pick 6 Patriots LT Jarell SeaWright Tennessee
The Patriots do the smart move by drafting much needed protection for Rocco. That said they picked a guy who doesn’t belong as a top 10 pick. I had him as my #5 offensive lineman and as a mide-late 1st pick. That said the Patriots liked his scheme fit for them and believe with a bit of coaching they can maximise Seawrights potential. Complaints aside Seawright is a capable blocker and while he’ll get exposed against top tier rushers 1 on 1 I think he is a welcome addition to that poor excuse of a line they currently have. But I still question the decision when Sheppard, Nash, Fowler, and Boatwright are still on the board and for that I hate this pick.
Grade: F
Pick 7 Texans LT Ja’Quan Sheppard Michigan
The Texans were thrilled to trade up after the Patriots passed on Sheppard, giving up their 1.20 2 second round picks, and a late round pick in a pretty good bargain for the Texans because Sheppard is a stud. The Texans were i need of some Offensive line help after trading away several high impact players. Having a stud like Sheppard on the line will surely lead Donaghey to the promised playoff meadows to graze. Sheppard is everything you want in your franchise blind side defender with his already well developed pass protection against both powerful lineman and more finesseful olbs. In the run game he is a little more hampered but should have no problem once he learns the Texans zone run scheme. While his run blocking is worse than his pass blocking he’s still better than Seawright at both and the Texans will be overjoyed at their blue chip tackle for years to come. I also love the Texans trading ahead of the Titans to secure their guy and to weaken their rival.
Grade: B+
Pick 8 Saints DT Lamont Colvin Stanford
The Saints dropped from the number 1 pick and still get what I consider a top 3 pick from it. With it they take a malnourished and terrible run defense and breathe some life into it with Lamont Colvin. Unlike his teammate, Dan Gillipsie, Colvin has no problem playing in the bayou which is certainly a relief for the Saints. Colvin should see the field instantly on the Saints roster and with his strength and speed combo he might be a nightmare for NFC South teams for awhile. While hes lauded for his pass rush ability he is also a great run defender and should be vital to shutting down opposing offenses and make them one dimensional. Great value for the Saints in every possible way they got a steal somehow with a top 10 pick.
Grade:A
Pick 9 Titans LT Kevonne Nash Florida
The Titans are in need of help in several areas but one most specifically is Offensive Line. With Sheppard off the board the Titans grab a very solid tackle in Kevonne Nash who is not only a well rounded pass blocker but is a mauler in the trenches who will be able to blow open holes for Halfback Harvey Hodges and protect their QB for awhile. An imposing 6’8 335 Nash lead blocking is sure to help Tennessee gash their opponents. Nash’s only limiting factor is his technique as he got away with beating several rushers on size alone in college but if the Titans staff helps him progress I think he can be the best LT in the draft. Although passing on Center Tre Boatwright is a questionable move for sure and my only complaint about this pick.
Grade: B-
Pick 10 Colts CB Denard Stringer Iowa State
The Colts corners are all decent but they don’t really have a true #1 to match opposing offenses. Denard Stringer fills that role for them I think as he is one of the most cerebral corners to come out of the draft. He excels at reacting faster than the receiver does due to a huge work ethic and great ability to memorise film study. The guy knows where he needs to be and where his teammates need to be for every play. He is at his best in zone coverage and reacting to what the offense does but is relatively untested in man coverage but based on his measurables he should have no problem there. Great value for the Colts to get and amazing player this late in the draft, could develop into a dangerous lockdown corner in a zone defense.
Grade: A
Pick 11 Bengals FS Matthew Sherwood Texas A&M
Matthew Sherwood to the bengals is an interesting pick. The Bengals already have a dangerous Free Safety in Jessie Bates and solid backups to him Deointe Thompson both who I think are better than Sherwood. That said Sherwood is a hard hitting safety who is intelligent and good at running down runners who break free of other players. I just don’t understand the value here considering the weaknesses located on the rest of their roster or the fact that several talented Cornerbacks are still around in the draft. The Bengals are betting of Sherwoods high upside and might be looking to cut ties with Jessie Bates or transition him to Strong Safety. With Sherwood on the field I think the Bengals will be more boom or bust either Sherwood bites and makes a spectacular play through raw athleticism and instincts or he bites and gets beat deep. I expect a rookie with lots of tackles but mostly because he allows to many catches.
Grade: C
Pick 12 Rams EDGE Ricky Falk San Diego State
Aaron Donald destroys the league with the amount of pressure he can create. When your double teaming that guy you create 1 on 1 scenarios for players such as Ricky Falk and I think this is the best place(other than pittsburgh :( ) where he can thrive. Ricky Falk is everything you want in a 3-4 olb where he possess the speed to cover but also the strength to rush the passer when needed. Athletically Falk is a dream come true but technique wise he is a work in progress in zone and coverage. He rellies on only a small array of pass rush moves mostly misdirections and spins which could leave him exposed against experienced tackles. In the open field he can chase down runners with ease and fill his gaps admirably. With the Rams current roster he could struggle to see the field but he looks like he’ll be Dante Fowlers replacement as his contract expires this year. Falk gets a redshirt year to learn and grow before he replaces his elder. As the only EDGE guy worth anything the Rams did good here.
Grade: B+
Pick 13 Bears FS Lynn Sweat Tennessee
With their first of 3 picks the bears the bears take the 1b safety of this draft in Lynn Sweat. Lynn Sweat doesn’t hit as hard or take as good of angles on tackles but he is just as intelligent on the field and even more athletic. The Bears were busy boosting their secondary and Sweat seems to be the last piece they wanted to add. FA signing Grant Haley looks to be an insurance policy and I see the dynamic Sweat taking the starting job after preseason. The Bears gave a monster contract to Desean Perry and combined with Sweat are looking to build a young and dangerous secondary. Sweat has the weakness of communicating zone packages with teammates which could leave him being picked on by opposing QBs and will need all his athleticism to make up until he masters it.
Grade: B
Pick 14 Cardinals C Tre BoatWright UCLA
The Cardinals luck into everyon disrespecting interior Offensive line and get my second favorite prospect in Boatwright. I have several sources calling him the best talent in the draft and the Cardinals probably just doubled Kyler Murray’s shelf life in Arizona with this pick. Boatwright is the best Power scheme player you could ask for and should be a top 10 run blocker in year 1. Basically he is exactly what you need in a division now featuring names such as Colvin and Donald twice a year. Getting this steal solidifies the Cardinals and I think this is a turning point for them. Boatwright isn’t the most traditionally athletic prospect but shoving the opposing DT into the dirt and Tea bagging them is its own form of athletism and on that metric hes an olympic athlete in Arizona.
Grade: A++++
Pick 15 Seahawks LT Jahil Fowler Texas A&M
The first pick of two for the Seahawks the Seahawks take the strongman out of Texas with Jahlil Fowler. Pick 15 for a really talented Tackle yes please. The Seahawks have weapons and a young exciting defense but no QBs have the value necessary for this pick so instead they further protect whoever is back their next. Fowler is a really physical blocker who is sort of a jack of all trades whether it be run or pass block regardless of who is is rushing him. His biggest red flags are some attitude problems and scoring a 10 on his wonderlic which is why he has fallen as far as he did. The kid has all the physical tools but could struggle against advanced blitzes. That said if the coaches can straighten him out he could be a stalwart on their line.
Grade: B+
Pick 16 Bears QB Allen Fredrickson Mississippi State
With a decent pick out of the way the Bears use their second pick to reach into the remaining scraps of hope at QB. They ended up with the strong arm QB out of Mississippi State Allen Fredrickson who analyst have as either a late first or undrafted talent depending on who you ask. Allen has the arm to make any throw on the field and off the field. With Allen in his current state every ball is a 50/50 ball whether it reaches his wide receivers. I’d compare him to a Josh Allen who can’t run and still has accuracy issues. The Bears have a decent line and some weapons to provide Fredrickson something but it probably wont be enough for the young QB. On the bright side with both better QBs going to the AFC he could probably win NFC OROY but his odds are just like his chance of being accurate on a screen pass…. Miniscule. But hey franchise QB and what not.
Grade: D+
Pick 17 Eagles HB Anton Royster Missouri
This Eagles team is very inconsistent and it lead to a 8-8 season, no playoffs, mid round draft picks. The Eagles rushing attack implements a runningback by committee approach to make up for a shitty offensive line. They need fresh blood to assist Matt Brieda and Anton Royster is just the guy who can spark this team to consist yardage. Royster had a solid college career and lead the nation in broken tackles in his final season shooting him up draft boards. He is a downhill runner with the athletism to break away when he sees daylight. He should compliment Brieda as the goal line back and as a way to bruise defenses as the game drags on. He won’t be a threat in the passing game as he doesn’t have soft hands and has notably dropped most passes his way. He excels between the tackles and can make a negative gain a positive game which this team needs. The only runningback deserving a first round grade the Eagles got him at a good spot.
Grade: B+
Pick 18 49ers CB Desean Royal Texas A&M
With only a few corners left worth taking the 49ers couldn’t take chances and traded up in front of several CB needy teams to take Desean Royal from Texas A&M. Desean is good at staying with 1 man and attacking at the line of scrimmage but is a little one dimensional in his abilities as he looks hopeless in zone coverage. There was some concern that his abilities were overhyped with Pick 11 Matthew Sherwood detering throws to guys Royal was covering. Despite these concerns Royal can develop nicely on the 49ers as I can see him taking the role of #3 Cornerback and slot corner in his first year. While some argue CB Jason Heyward is more balanced and developed I think Royal has a higher ceiling. He should make a good defense even better as the 49ers prepare for another Playoff run.
Grade: B+
Pick 19 Packers CB Omari Clay Clemson
This is where the run on cornerbacks starts with the Packers taking Clemson corner Clay. Omari Clay is a very similar player to Royal with more red flags present. Many analysts had him as a late round player because of his struggles interviewing and his team discipline problems but he has the talent of a first rounder and the Packers know he wouldn’t last to 25. Clay has the physical traits to be a top player but will need to improve his fundamentals like most of this corner class. Clay should fill in quite nicely as the #3 corner to develop behind two good corners.
Grade: B-
Pick 20 Seahawks CB Jason Heyward Washington
With their second first round pick the Seahawks choose to beef up their secondary. Heyward is the youngest of the corners taken and is probably the best mix of developed and capable of improving the most. Heyward is a playmaker and could be responsible for several gaps in coverage but seems more pro ready than Clay. Heyward will surely develop quite nicely as the #3 CB on the Seahawks secondary and should grow to replace Darby and Griffin in a few years.
Grade:B+
Pick 21 Steelers RT Xavier Samuels Arizona State
The Steelers defense is in desperate need of new blood in the secondary which would suggest taking Christian but instead decided to beef up their lin in order to keep Luck upright in his final contract year. Samuels is a great power blocker but could spend his first season as the primary backup to the other lineman. With the Andrews in his final year Samuels should be a good starter sometime. I’M BIASED AND I LOVE THE PICK.
Grade: Favoritism B+
Pick 22 Saints WR Cole Cromartie Texas A&M
Besides Kamara and Thomas Russel Wilson doesn’t have much in the ways of weapons and one of Cromartie's many sons should do a lot to help. While hes certainly not the greatest talent in this draft he pretty good and should be able to do some damage with Wilson throwing to him. He doesn’t have top physical characteristics or top technique but he can make impact plays with the ball in his hands. That is of course only if he is able to catch it of course which he will struggle to do. He can do damage on designed screens or kick returns which could help him get a pro bowl.
Grade: C+
Pick 23 Buccaneers SS Ramon Christian UNLV
Young and talented Buccaneers definitely needed some secondary support with only Justin Evans being capable of playing strong safety. Christian has the physical traits to be force in the center of the field and make plays with good coverage skills that can take opposing QBs by surprise. Unfortunately he isn’t the best tackler so he will certainly let go of a big play now and again so he will be hoping to not be put in those situations. Does have that special something all coaches are looking for so he should start immediately.
Grade: B
Here is where I gave up
Pick 24 Raiders RE Allen Carr TCU
Lets be honest there isn’t much 1st round talent available but at least the Raiders grab a guy with a bit of potential. With Clelin Ferrel and Ron Jones already in charge on the edge Carr will be a rotational piece but should develop into a starter by the time Ferrel is out of Oakland.
Grade: A-
Pick 25 Packers RG Javier Boss UCLA
With the top tier of lineman gone the Packers search for whats left. Boss is a strong run blocker who needs to improve his pass blocking before the Packers will trust him to protect Drew Lock.
Grade: B+
Pick 26 Redskins CB Montell Haskins Miami
They needed a cornerback and this isn’t the guy
Grade: F
Pick 27 Giants LE Shon Holmes California
The remaining Left ends are practically the same and as such are to be judged the same.
Grade: 0/100 for copying
Pick 28 Vikings LE Logan Katz NDSU
The remaining Left ends are practically the same and as such are to be judged the same.
Grade: 0/100 for copying
Pick 29 Bills LG Parrish Pamphille USF
Young blocker who needs to improve everywhere before he sees the field but he landed in the best place to do it.
Grade: B
Pick 30 Broncos RE Malachi Porter Virginia Tech
The remaining Left ends are practically the same and as such are to be judged the same.
Grade: 0/100 for copying
Pick 31 Bears C James Adcock Virginia Tech
Bears need to protect Fredrickson and I guess this guy will do
Grade; B
Pick 32 Browns OLB Terrell Rose Washington State
Motherfuckin got a hidden dev . ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh please let me have a chance.
Grade: neverending dynasty
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