2019 NFL Draft First Round Evaluation
As I stated in my previous blog, this was the most unpredictable draft in a while and that is what happened last night. There were a couple of moves that I guessed correctly but my previous blog was based off what I would do and not a real prediction mock. The first round is over and now I will put out my evaluation with a grade.
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB
Although the Cardinals had a great draft, they topped it off with their first round pick. Arizona brought in a new head coach in Kliff Kingsbury that will introduce the air raid offense, an offense that Kyler perfected at Oklahoma. Arizona eventually shipped Josh Rosen on day 2 and will continue with Kyler.
Grade: B+
San Francisco: Nick Bosa, Edge
San Francisco got the best edge in the draft who will anchor their defense for the next 10 years. They will now have one of the scariest front seven’s in the league with the addition of Kwon Alexander and Dee Ford and now they’ve added the best edge in the draft. The 49ers should be happy Arizona let him fall.
Grade: A+
New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT
“He’s the best DT prospect since Aaron Donald”. Quinnen will bring an extra push upfront with Leonard Williams and they can create one of the scariest tandems in the league. I love the pick and I’m sure Jets Fans love it also.
Grade: A+
Oakland Raiders: Clelin Ferrell, Edge
Clelin didn’t get the hype like all the other edge rushers did but he was still a great college edge. He accumulated awards and was one of the best defensive linemen in CFB. I don’t hate the pick however, this was a bit of a reach. I believe there were better players out there but the raiders may have a formula for Clelin.
Grade: C+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White, LB
Tampa got the best ILB in the draft and filled a gigantic hole in their defense. Great player and great pick.
Grade: A
New York Giants: Daniel Jones, QB
Everyone thought Haskins would be the pick but I knew after I saw the David Cutcliffe relationship hit the media, Daniel would land in New York. However, New York reached tremendously here. New York could have grabbed a better defensive player and selected Daniel or another QB at 17 but they decided to take Daniel at 6. Only time will tell but for now, this wasn’t the best pick.
Grade: D
Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen, Edge
Jacksonville got a steal at 7 with Josh Allen. For some reason, Josh was a for sure top 5 pick but the blunders of Oakland let him slip to 7. This was a great pick for a team with an already dominant defense.
Grade: A
Detroit Lions: T.J Hockenson, TE
This wouldn’t have been my call but T.J is still one of the best offensive players in the draft who can be the next George Kittle. I feel as if Detroit should’ve went defense here though but T.J wasn’t a terrible pick.
Grade: B-
Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver, DT
Buffalo is many pieces away from contending for anything so grabbing one of the best defensive linemen here doesn’t hurt. Buffalo has a long way to go but this is a start.
Grade:B+
Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, LB
Pittsburgh traded up 10 spots to select Devin and it wasn’t a bad choice at all. Steelers have had a glaring hole at LB since Ryan Shazier went down and they may have found their replacement. Devin is a great athlete at LB who was overshadowed by his defensive line at Michigan and he will make an impact right away in Pittsburgh.
Grade: A
Cincinnati Bengals: Jonah Williams, OT
Wouldn’t have been my call but protecting your QB is one of the 3 steps in succeeding in the NFL. Jonah can bring versatility to a team who badly needs help on the offensive line and will be a day 1 starter.
Grade: B
Green Bay Packers: Rashan Gary, DE
Green Bay filled their needs in free agency but Rashan falling to 12 was too good to pass up. Although he didn’t put up the stats, Rashan can be a great piece to a veteran filled defense. He can sit behind those edge rushers and learn for some years while also making pays himself.
Grade: B+
Miami Dolphins: Christian Wilkins, DT
I thought Miami would take defense and Christian was a great pick. He is a dominant run stopper than can also pass rush.
Grade: A
Atlanta Falcons: Chris Lindstrom, G
I guess protecting Matt Ryan was the number one priority coming into the draft so they took a guard here. This was a good pick that can benefit Matt and Devonta in the years to come.
Grade: B
Washington Redskins: Dwayne Haskins, QB
Washington finally found their franchise QB after years if searching. Although this isn’t the NFC East team people expected him to go to, this was still a great landing spot. “The league done messed up” were his words and I believe it, Dwayne is home and it’s time for him to go and prove everyone that passed up on him wrong.
Grade: A+
Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns, Edge
Carolina lacked pass rush last year so taking Brian here wasn’t surprising, however, I didn’t expect him to last this long. Brian brings versatility and speed to Carolina front which lacked youth. Brian does have work to do, but overall, great pick.
Grade: B+
New York Giants: Dexter Lawrence, DT
Like I said earlier, the Giants could’ve gotten a better defensive player at 6 and waited for Daniel, but I guess Gettleman has it figured out. Dexter wasn’t a bad pick but they should’ve looked at grabbing someone to protect Eli.
Grade: C-
Minnesota Vikings: Garrett Bradbury, C
Protecting Kirk should’ve been the #1 priority so I’m glad they took Garrett. He was the best center in this class and can help solidify an offensive line for Cook and Cousins. He can also bring versatility and athleticism.
Grade: B+
Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons, DT
Jefferey was a top 15 pick before he tore his ACL but even now, he is worth the risk. Simmons dominated at Mississippi State and when he gets his chance in the pros, he won’t disappoint. The Titans needed help up front so the Simmons upside will trump the time he has to take off.
Grade: A
Denver Broncos: Noah Fant, TE
Seeing all the Quarterbacks drop gave Denver hope they can get their guy later so why not load up on weapons for Joe? Noah can bring speed to the TE spot and can stretch the field for Joe. Good pick.
Grade: B
Green Bay Packers: Darnell Savage, S
Darnell was by far my favorite safety in the draft and I wish he had fell to the 2nd round for my Panthers but after running a 4.3, I knew his stock would shoot up. Green Bay got their hitter at the safety spot in Amos during free Agency but now, they got their cover guy.
Grade: B
Philadelphia Eagles: Andre Dillard, OT
2 years since their Super Bowl win and the Eagles still have no holes. Why not load up in the trenches? Dillard was considered the best tackle by many. I wish they would’ve went corner but tackle works too.
Grade: B
Houston Texans: Tytus Howard, OT
Houston got the position right but there were far better players available than Tytus Howard. Cody, Yodny. and Jawaan were better options but hopefully this pays off for the Texans.
Grade: C-
Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB
I like the pick because of need but I didn’t see enough from Josh to give this a better grade. He didn’t have the resume like past top 10 RB selections had but he did have film. This was a good selection so I can't argue with the pick.
Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens: Marquise Brown, WR
He’s a burner and he’s going to bring more speed to an offense that needs that type of receiving threat. He’s gonna put up stats and I love this pick for Lamar and the Ravens.
Grade: A+
Washington Redskins: Montez Sweat, Edge
After getting their quarterback at 15, Washington also got one of the best edge rushers in the draft. It’s a mystery for why his stock fell after his amazing combine but Washington got him and it is a good pick.
Grade: B+
Oakland Raiders: Johnathan Abram, S
Questionable pick but not a bad pick. After signing Lamarcus in free agency, the Raiders decided to draft the hardest hitter available. He can play in the box or play in coverage so he will bring versatility. I would’ve went corner but safety wasn’t a bad choice.
Grade: B-
Los Angeles Chargers: Jerry Tillery, DT
I knew the Chargers would go defensive line so this pick wasn’t bad. Jerry has great upside and will help make the defense better. He will bring great pass rush and run stopping to a defense that needs it.
Grade: A
Seattle Seahawks: L.J. Collier, Edge
They needed a replacement for Frank Clark so grabbing L.J at the end of the first isn’t the worst idea. He can bring power to a defense that lost it when they traded Frank.
Grade: B+
New York Giants: Deandre Baker, CB
The Giants got back into the first round and selected Deandre Baker. He was considered by many to be the best corner although he didn't test well but the stats don’t lie. He hasn’t let up a touchdown in 2 seasons at Georgia. This was a great selection but it doesn’t make up for the earlier blunders.
Grade: B+
Atlanta Falcons: Kaleb McGary, OT
Like I said earlier, the number one priority coming into the draft was protecting Matt Ryan, however this pick is questionable. There were far better options but the Falcons don’t have a bad history of drafting.
Grade: C+
New England Patriots: N’Keal Harry, WR
The Patriots haven’t drafted a receiver in first round for some while so this was a surprise. N’Keal was regarded as the best receiver and his film can back that up. He will bring a big body along with elite athleticism, something Tom Brady has lacked.
Grade: B+
