Everyone loves to do post-NFL Draft grades, but I just can’t bring myself to do them. There’s no way to know for another couple years how these things should grade out and all we’re really doing is comparing our personal expectations and biases to what happened.
So, I’ll give everyone an “I” for incomplete and tell you for each team what I really liked, and what I didn’t. Let’s start with the NFC.
NFC
Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Just about everything. They got a king’s ransom to move back from the third pick, selected what appear to be good players that fit. Arizona also has a lot of flexibility for next year after picking up an additional first.
What I didn’t: There wasn’t much here to dislike. Quarterback Clayton Tune from Houston feels like an odd selection, but maybe they see something the rest of us don’t.
Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft recap
What I liked: This was another strong draft. The analytics types will hate Bijan Robinson in the top 10. But this is a strong draft and having your running back under a rookie contract for up to five seasons actually makes a lot of sense.
What I didn’t: They probably could have traded back and multiplied their picks while still being able to land Robinson.
Carolina Panthers NFL Draft recap
What I liked: They were aggressive early in trading to the top to get their guy in potential franchise quarterback Bryce Young.
What I didn’t: Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo was a draft Twitter favorite, but he’s a limited route tree guy who body catches a lot. Felt like there were potentially better options at the top of Round 2.
Chicago Bears NFL Draft recap
What I liked: They have needs all over the place and got significantly more for the top pick than what they’d have got for moving quarterback Justin Fields. Calculated risk.
What I didn’t: They need offensive line and wide receiver help. Unfortunately, Chicago spent four of its first five picks on other positions.
Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was a no-brainer in the first round. Best big body out there with a big drop off after. This was a huge get for Dan Quinn’s defense.
What I didn’t: The Deuce Vaughn pick was one of the best feel-good moments of the draft, but he was the second running back Dallas took. His NFL usage figures to be limited given the Kansas State product’s size.
Detroit Lions NFL Draft recap
What I liked: I think getting cost controlled five-year deals on top players at devalued positions is genius. I loved the Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell picks in the first round.
What I didn’t: After the Hendon Hooker pick in Round 3, it felt like dart throws on smaller school guys with upside when there was immediate impact talent available.
Green Bay Packers NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Tight end Luke Musgrave was a steal at pick 42. The complete big-body tight end should give new starting quarterback Jordan Love a safety blanket.
What I didn’t: Lukas Van Ness is a rotational edge rusher. There wasn’t much value in Round 1. Former Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford as a position switch possibility didn’t make much sense in Round 5.
Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Texas Christian guard Steve Avila had first-round potential and should plug right in.
What I didn’t: Quarterback Stetson Bennet in the fourth round felt like a major reach. There were other players with more value at need positions available.
Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Running back DeWayne McBride in the seventh will prove to be smart. Wide receiver Jordan Addison filled a need. However, cornerback was also a need for Minnesota.
What I didn’t: Prioritizing offense over defense for a team that desperately needs defensive help.
New Orleans Saints NFL Draft recap
What I liked: I really liked a lot of the player selections. First-round pick, defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, will be a Day 1 starter.
What I didn’t: Jake Haener isn’t the QB of the future and doesn’t seem to fit the offense. It felt like a wasted pick.
New York Giants NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Deonte Banks, John Michael Schmitz and Jalin Hyatt were great picks and obvious needs.
What I didn’t: The Day 3 picks don’t look like there are any starters, and there were players to be had that could have been.
Philadelphia Eagles NFL Draft recap
What I liked: General manager Howie Roseman continues to play the draft extremely well, moving up and down and maximizing picks. The Philly Georgia Bulldogs jokes aside, it was mostly a strong draft.
What I didn’t: Almost nothing. A well-executed draft.
San Francisco 49ers NFL Draft recap
What I liked: They made the most of a draft class devoid of much capital. Tough when you don’t have picks until late day 2.
What I didn’t: A kicker in the third?
Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft recap
What I liked: The first round. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba figure to be huge contributors early.
What I didn’t: Pete Carroll can’t help himself with the running backs (both of whom I really like), and I felt like there were better players for each defensive selection.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Wide receiver Trey Palmer and tight end Payne Durham feel like excellent value picks.
What I didn’t: First-round pick Calijah Kancey feels like a reach and doesn’t seem to be a fit.
Washington Commanders NFL Draft recap
What I liked: I love the selections of cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (first round) and center Ricky Stromberg (third round).
What I didn’t: Cornerback Jartavius Martin felt like a reach. And outside of running back Chris Rodriguez, there doesn’t seem to be many Year 1 contributors.
AFC
Baltimore Ravens NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Zay Flowers was one of the better wide receiver prospects in a pedestrian class. Reminds many of Antonio Brown on the field.
What I didn’t: Rookie wide receivers typically take two years to hit their stride and the Ravens need help now. Loved the defensive picks but the team’s more pressing need was along the offensive line, which they ignored until late.
Buffalo Bills NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Tight end Dalton Kincaid gives them another weapon and guard O’Cyrus Torrence should be an impact player out of the gate.
What I didn’t: Buffalo’s offense hasn’t been the problem. Late in the season and playoffs they couldn’t stop the run. They’ve stockpiled edge rushers but need situational interior guys and passed on that for a tight end and guard.
Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Myles Murphy is an immediate impact player off the edge and DJ Turner will work into the cornerback rotation. Solid picks throughout.
What I didn’t: The Bengals’ problem has been the offensive line. Period. They devoted no assets to it.
Cleveland Browns NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Cedric Tillman, Siaki Ika and Luke Wypler are great talents who all likely should have gone before they did.
What I didnt: Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson feels like a waste with the monstrous financial commitment made to Deshaun Watson. Even if he plays phenomenally and Watson struggles, are they leaving a quarter billion rotting on the bench?
Denver Broncos NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Addressed a lot of need with extremely limited draft capital. All the players drafted (except center Alex Forsyth) are also heavy special teams contributors. Linebacker Drew Sanders fell in their lap in Round 3.
What I didn’t: Is Riley Moss actually a corner, or is he a safety? They got PJ Mustipher as an undrafted free agent but where is the insurance at nose tackle? Did they really need to move up and mortgage a future pick for Moss?
Houston Texans NFL Draft recap
What I liked: They were aggressive getting their guys. Selecting C.J. Stroud at No. 2 made competition for the third pick minimal. Wide receiver Nathaniel Dell should contribute on special teams. Fellow wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson in Round 6 might end up being a sleeper.
What I didn’t: They paid an arm and a leg for the third pick. Will Anderson has to be a generational edge rusher to justify that.
Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Patience was rewarded, and they got their guy in Anthony Richardson. The question is how big the dice roll on a raw QB was. Cornerback Julius Brents and wide receiver Josh Downs figure to be Year 1 impact players.
What I didn’t: The offensive line has been one of the biggest problems with the Colts post-Luck (60 sacks allowed in 2022). The lack of commitment to getting starter-caliber players here doesn’t help, especially with a high draft pick spent on a project QB.
Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft recap
What I liked: They traded down twice and nabbed a lot more value before selecting the guy they wanted in offensive tackle Anton Harrison. Tackle was a glaring need.
What I didn’t: They made a boatload of picks, but I’m not sure how many of these guys even make the roster.
Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Nabbed a rotational edge rusher (Felix Anudike-Uzomah) and wide receiver (Rashee Rice). It’s two positions that seem to be a hallmark of an Andy Reid draft.
What I didn’t: Keondre Coburn was ineffective as a pass rusher at Texas. BJ Thompson is a high motor guy but rail thin and struggled against tight ends as well as tackles.
Las Vegas Raiders NFL Draft recap
What I liked: A definite commitment to a completely lacking defense was needed. The Raiders are wasting the career of Maxx Crosby on the lack of talent around him. Tyree Wilson, Bryon Young, Jakorian Bennett and Christopher Smith could all contribute in Year 1. Michael Mayer was a smart pick at tight end in Round 2.
What I didn’t: For a team with this many needs, moving down would have been prudent. Felt like they could have “played the draft” a bit better despite liking the picks.
Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Quentin Johnston is an intriguing wide receiver prospect, and the Chargers desperately need deep speed.
What I didn’t: The book on Brandon Staley’s defense is out, and the Chargers can’t stop the run. There was a lot of deep speed in this class. They could have traded back taken Mazi Smith and still got a burner to take the top off. Rest of the draft offered little Day 1 help. Max Duggan is not an NFL starting QB.
Miami Dolphins NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Met needs with extremely limited capital. Weren’t afraid to get running back Devin Achane despite that.
What I didn’t: Elijah Higgins and Ryan Hayes aren’t impact players and there still players that were available. With limited picks, that seemed to be a mistake.
New England Patriots NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Remained patient and let the boars come to them. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez was a steal. Edge rusher Keion White and linebacker Marte Mapu have a chance to impact this year.
What I didn’t: Not much. They did well drafting for need and taking swings. One of the better drafts for Bill Belichick on paper in recent years.
New York Jets NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Commitment to the offensive line and getting tight end Zack Kuntz in the seventh was a steal.
What I didn’t: Weren’t aggressive early. Let the Steelers leap them for their guy in offensive tackle Broderick Jones, then selected a rotational rusher in Will McDonald. Big reminder for teams to go get their guy before someone else does.
Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Draft recap
What I liked: Typical Steelers draft full of high floor players. Loved being aggressive for Broderick Jones. Bloodlines pick with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will be fun.
What I didn’t: Wasn’t a lot to dislike here. Feels like a home run draft.
Tennessee Titans NFL Draft recap
What I liked: There’s a soft rebuild happening for the Titans right now with Ryan Tannehill nearing the end and Derrick Henry possibly getting close. Getting a versatile offensive lineman, a potential QB and stud running back in your first three picks is a good haul.
What I didn’t: None of the picks after that appear to be roster players. When you’re in a rebuild and trying to stay competitive, every pick counts.
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