by Daniel Maiorana, Current staff writer
This year’s hyped up NFL Draft took place in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the Cleveland Browns. A draft headlined by one of the deepest quarterback classes of all time, it was a night to remember in the world of football. Trevor Lawrence was the talk of the much anticipated draft this year, as everyone knew he was going to be selected first. Other quarterbacks such as Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones all went in the first round of the draft. Staying on the offensive side of the ball, receivers such as Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith, Kadarius Toney, Rashod Bateman, and tight end Kyle Pitts were all part of a star-studded receiving class. The teams in need of depth at the receiver position were stuck with many tough decisions, as all five receivers have a high ceiling in the NFL. For the defensive side of the ball, the athleticism was very prominent in many players selected in the first round, such as Jaycee Horn, Partick Surtain II, Caleb Farley, and many more linebackers and defensive backs. Both sides of the ball on the lines were also very talented, headlined by OT Senei Sewell from Oregon, who was the first lineman drafted last Thursday night. Thank you to NFL.com for some of the information used in this article:
Grades:
Arizona Cardinals: A
The Arizona Cardinals drafted LB Zaven Collins from Tulsa, who was wanted by almost every team in the first round that was looking for a LB. He plays well in zone coverage and also in man-to-man coverage, and at 6’5”, he is a big threat to quarterbacks whether he’s blitzing or not.
Atlanta Falcons: A+
The Atlanta Falcons selected TE Kyle Pitts from Florida, who was the Falcons’ number one target. Management decided that Matt Ryan will be playing quarterback this coming season, so they went with the best non-quarterback player in the draft.
Baltimore Ravens: A-
The Baltimore Ravens had two picks in the first round, thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs,who received Orlando Brown Jr. in return for draft picks in a trade not too long ago. With the 27th pick, Baltimore went with Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman, who is a fast receiver that will definitely be a weapon for Lamar Jackson next year. With the 31st pick, Baltimore decided to draft OLB Odafe Oweh from Penn State, who is a very physically strong athlete with lots of potential.
Buffalo Bills: A
The Buffalo Bills selected DE Gregory Rousseau from Miami with pick 30 in the draft. Rousseau is a powerful rusher, which is exactly what the Bills need. He is very agile at the line of scrimmage, so he should be a key factor for the Bills in the near future.
Carolina Panthers: A-
The Panthers selected CB Jaycee Horn, son of Joe Horn, from South Carolina, who was tall, strong, and athletic just like his son, who hopes to shut down receivers every Sunday. Another possible choice for the Panthers would have been Patrick Surtain II, but whatever choice the Panthers made would’ve been good.
Chicago Bears: A+
The Bears found their quarterback with Ohio State’s Justin Fields, who will most likely start over Andy Dalton next season. He has lots of leg speed to go with his ability to throw the ball, so Fields should be a big change in the Bears organization if he can live up to the hype.
Cincinnati Bengals: B+
The Bengals made a good choice drafting WR Ja’Marr Chase, who played with their QB Joe Burrow at LSU. This young connection could be lethal in upcoming years, as Chase was the top receiver in the draft. The Bengals are in desperate need of offensive linemen, so they targeted linemen with their following picks.
Cleveland Browns: A
The Browns drafted CB Greg Newsome II who surprisingly fell to the Browns at pick 26. He has the size and strength to match up with NFL receivers, as he can press up or play zone very well. The team also needs to draft LB’s and DE’s in the later rounds to build their defense around a top player in the league in Myles Garrett.
Dallas Cowboys: A+
The Cowboys selected LB Micah Parsons from Penn State, who the team traded up for in the draft once the top cornerbacks were gone. Parsons is very quick and he has the ability to chase down any offensive player with the ball in the hands with ease.
Denver Broncos: B+
The Broncos selected Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II, which builds the Broncos depth chart even stronger as they picked up two solid corners in free agency. Surtain II was the top ranked corner in the draft according to many experts, and he will definitely make a statement in the NFL with the skills he possesses.
Detroit Lions: A+
The Lions were in need of an offensive lineman, so drafting Oregon’s Penei Sewell was the obvious choice. His big size is one thing, but for how big Sewell is, he can move exceptionally well which will help Lion’s quarterback Jared Goff next season.
Green Bay Packers: A
The Packers selected CB Eric Stokes with the 29th pick, which filled the gap at the cornerback position for Green Bay. He possesses excellent on-ball skills and he covers the slot and receiver position very well, so this was a great choice for the Packers in the late first round.
Houston Texans: D-
The Texans had no first round picks, thanks to a trade made two years ago in which they acquired LT Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil has proven that the trade was not worth giving up these valuable draft picks, as the Texans gave up way too much for a non-quarterback.
Indianapolis Colts: A
The Colts were in need of a playmaking rusher, so drafting Michigan DE Kwity Paye made lots of sense. He also defends the run very well, so the Colts made good usage of their 21st pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars: A+
The Jaguars went with Clemon QB Trevor Lawrence with pick 1, and Clemson RB Travis Etienne with pick 25, making it a Clemson party. Lawrence was the obvious choice at number 1, as there are almost no flaws to his game, with his incredible speed, size, and arm strength. Etienne was also a solid pick for the Jaguars who explodes when he finds a gap and can also make defenders miss with his agility.
Kansas City Chiefs: A
The Super Bowl runners-up of last season did not get a first round pick, as they gave it to the Ravens along with other draft picks for OL Orlando Brown Jr, who will give Mahomes more time to find his weapons downfield.
Las Vegas Raiders: B
With many skilled offensive linemen available, the Raiders chose Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood with pick 17. He has a high football IQ on the field, and his toughness will definitely help the Raiders long-term.
Los Angeles Chargers: A
The Chargers selected Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater, who surprised lots of teams with his pro day which resulted in him being selected at pick 13. Slater will protect quarterback Justin Herbert with his tenacity on the field for many years to come.
Los Angeles Rams: A+
Acquiring Jalen Ramsey last year was the right decision for the Rams, despite giving up two first round draft picks. With Matt Stafford at QB, the Rams have their eyes on a Lombardi Trophy in the near future.
Miami Dolphins: A-
The Dolphins went with Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle with pick 6, and Miami DE Jaelen Phillips with pick 18. Waddle was the right choice for the Dolphins, as they already have size at the receiver position with Devante Parker, so a small, speedy receiver will be a lethal combo. Despite injuries that kept Phillips out for a long time, he showed many good things at Miami, as he can rush the QB and also chase down running backs.
Minnesota Vikings: A+
The Vikings made the right decision drafting Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw with pick 23. His strength and athleticism will be put on show in the NFL, and the potential long-term stability that he can provide made it an easy choice for the Vikings.
New England Patriots: A
Alabama QB Mac Jones was on Bill Belichick and the Patriots radar leading up to the draft, and the pick was set in stone last Thursday when Jones fell to pick 15. His playstyle fits the Pats’ offense perfectly, as he makes quick decisions in the pocket, setting up receivers down field.
New Orleans Saints: C+
With pick 28, the Saints went with Houston DE Payton Turner, who wasn’t expected to go in round 1. He has lots of upside and his speed could turn out to help the Saints in the future.
New York Giants: A+
The Giants selected Florida WR Kadarius Toney with pick 20, and it was definitely the right pick. The Giants were in need of a slot WR, and Toney’s quickness will be a good weapon for QB Daniel Jones.
New York Jets: B+
With two picks in the first round, the Jets went with a clear choice at pick 2 with BYU QB Zach Wilson and a smart choice at pick 14 with USC OG Alijah Vera-Tucker. Wilson is neck-and-neck with Justin Fields and Trey Lance with their abilities, so the Jets will have to let time tell if they made the right QB choice. Vera-Tucker will help out the offensive line that had a rough 2020 season, so his strength and IQ should help the Jets in that department.
Philadelphia Eagles: A
With the 10th pick, the Eagles went with Alabama WR Devonta Smith, who is coming off a Heisman winning season with Alabama. His lanky stature will help out the Eagles, as they are in need of a playmaker at the WR position.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A
The Steelers were in need of a RB, so picking Alabama RB Najee Harris at pick 24 was the right choice. His power and agility will help the Steelers fill their missing RB position now that former RB James Conner is on the Cardinals.
San Francisco 49ers: A
The 49ers went with NDSU QB Trey Lance with pick 3 in the draft. Lance will start the year as a backup for Jimmy Garoppolo, but don’t be surprised when he gets some playing time towards the end of the season. Lance’s physical and mental toughness could lead the 49ers to a deep playoff and even a Super Bowl run in the near future if he lives up to his hype.
Seattle Seahawks: B
Losing two first round picks to the Jets in return for S Jamal Adams didn’t prove to be worth it, as Adams had an off year last season compared to the rest of his career. If Adams plays at the level he should be at, the Seahawks will be fine with no picks coming from this year’s first round draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
The reigning Super Bowl champions made good usage of their first round pick, taking Washington OLB Joe Tryon. Tryon will bring lots of power to the Tampa Bay defense, which is already a force to be reckoned with. He will bring good youth to the Bucs, and his potential is through the roof thanks to his size.
Tennessee Titans: B
The Titans made good use of their 22nd pick, taking Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farely,who was surprisingly still available. The Titans are in need of CB’s so drafting Farely was a great choice, as he possesses great speed and athleticism.
Washington Football Team: B
Kentucky LB Jamin Davis was a good choice for the Football Team, as he brings lots of intensity in games, which is what Washington’s defense needs. Some may wonder if drafting an OT would’ve been a better decision, but only time will tell.