The first round of the NFL draft is here and we’re giving live grades on the draft as the picks come in on draft night. There’s obvious speculation on who will be drafted at the top, but let’s see how it pans out for each team and their respective boards.
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, USC, QB: A+
Quick reaction: The most obvious pick, welcome Caleb Williams to Chicago as the new franchise quarterback. He’ll be coming in with very high expectations and it will be interesting to see how it works out.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB: A
Quick reaction: The Commanders have been looking for a franchise quarterback for over a decade now and Jayden Daniels will come and hope to be that for the franchise.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, NC, QB: A-
Quick reaction: The Patriots could’ve gone a lot of ways here but they’ve decided to draft their hopeful new franchise quarterback in Maye. Maye’s got immense potential with elite arm talent, it will be interesting to see if he can pull it all together.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, WR: A+
Quick reaction: The first non-quarterback pick, Harrison Jr. was considered by some as the most talented player in the draft and you can see why. Kyler Murray will be very glad to get himself a true WR1 in Harrison Jr. that can make plays with his length and size.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, Notre Dame, OT: A+
Quick reaction: I love this pick, the Chargers are going to go towards running the ball more and getting one of the surest picks in the draft and a potential All-Pro in Joe Alt to help the run game and their young QB is one way to do so.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, LSU, WR: A
Quick reaction: The Giants needed to get some kind of talent in that receiver position and Nabers will give you just that. He’s got the ability to make plays all over the field, enough where some thought of him as the #1 receiver in the class. Whoever the Giants deploy as the starting quarterback, Nabers will be a valuable asset in New York.
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham, Alabama, OT: B+
Quick reaction: One of the most physical run blockers, it seemed like he was picking up a lot of steam as of recent and you can see why. The Titans want to protect their young quarterback and one way to do so is bring some edge and mauler to the offensive line.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., Washington, QB: C+
Quick reaction: Love Penix as a player, but kind of confused at the value they’re getting at #8 when they probably could’ve traded down and gotten him. Either way, I’m sure the acquisition of Kirk Cousins makes this a bit more confusing…
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, Washington, WR: A-
Quick reaction: Another young receiver prospect to put around their new franchise quarterback, Odunze will become another weapon for Williams to throw to. Love this pick to provide another weapon for their young QB.
10. (Trade) Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, QB: A
Quick reaction: A lot of traction for McCarthy and for good reason, he’s got all the intangibles you want in a quarterback and can bring another dynamic to the Vikings offense. They have their new franchise quarterback to pair with their other JJ.
11. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, Penn State, OT: B+
Quick reaction: The New York Jets want to protect their investment in Aaron Rodgers and set themselves up for a potential playoff run and protecting your QB with a huge speciman like Fashanu is one way to do so.
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, Oregon, QB: B
Quick reaction: The Broncos finally have a young quarterback to potentially have as their future franchise quarterback. He has shown elite decision-making, accuracy, and poise as a player to build around. Broncos fans should be excited for the future with Bo Nix.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers, Georgia, TE: B+
Quick reaction: Love the value with Bowers, even though I think they could’ve gone elsewhere here. Getting another tight end after drafting one in Mayer last year is a bit surprising, but you can’t deny the talent of Bowers and potential to be a game changer.
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State, OT: B
Quick reaction: Saints go get themselves an offensive lineman that can play all across the line. A powerful player that will be a mauler and bring some edge to the Saints line and create some holes for the running game. You can never go wrong drafting an offensive-lineman in this class.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, UCLA, DE: B+
Quick reaction: You can always have more edge rushers and Colts get another edge rusher to cause havoc to opposing offenses. Latu’s motor and strength to get off blocks and cause issues will be glaring the day he joins as a Colt.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, Texas, DT: A-
Quick reaction: One of the more underrated players in the draft, Murphy II will come in and be an impactful player on the Seahawks defensive line immediately. His ability to be disruptive in the run game will be evident immediately.
17. (Trade) Minnesota Vikings: Dallas Turner, Alabama, LB: A+
Quick reaction: The Vikings trade up and get insane value for a player many thought would go in the top 10. He’s got a lot of speed and power and will be a dangerous player for the Vikings for years to come.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims, Georgia, OT: B
Quick reaction: Very dominant when he played, but lacks experience. The Bengals want to protect their franchise and one way to do so is continue to get elite lineman around him.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, FSU, DE: B+
Quick reaction: Time to get more talent on that defensive line since the retirement of Aaron Donald and getting Verse is one way to do so.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu, Washington, OG: A-
Quick reaction: Great pick by the Steelers, getting protection for whoever starts for them at quarterback will be essential. Fautanu can either play on the outside or even inside, got a lot of versatility Steelers coaches will love.
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson, Penn State, DE: B-
Quick reaction: Feel like the Dolphins could’ve gone elsewhere with this pick, but getting an elite athlete from the edge with Robinson’s potential was too enticing for the Dolphins to pass up on and you can see why.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo, CB: A
Quick reaction: Love the value here, getting a top 15 talent at #22 when the Eagles had a need at corner was perfect for the Eagles.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., LSU, WR: A-
Quick reaction: Losing Calvin Ridley meant the Jagaurs needed to get a receiver at some point in the draft, getting Thomas Jr. at #23 seems like solid value. He can come in and be a dangerous weapon for Lawrence.
24. (Trade) Detroit Lions: Terrion Arnold, Alabama, CB: A-
Quick reaction: Another value pick by the Lions who desparately needed some talent at the corner position and get one of the best in the draft.
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan, Arizona, OT: B
Quick reaction: They needed to find a replacement for David Bakhtiari and although Morgan won’t be that, he has the potential to come in and be a starter immediately for the Packers offensive line.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Burton, Duke, C: B-
Quick reaction: Getting interior protection is always important, they go and get the best center in the draft in Burton to solidify the offensive line for Mayfield.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Darius Robinson, Missouri, DE: B-
Quick reaction: An elite athlete that has great physical traits to be a threat every time he lines up against offensive linemen with his length. You can never have enough edge rushers, Arizona get themselves one.
28. (Trade) Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, Texas, WR: A
Quick reaction: Man… the Chiefs get their speedster again. They get the fastest player in NFL combine history to give Mahomes a speedy weapon. Sheesh, an inevitable pick.
29. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma, OT: B+
Quick reaction: The Cowboys lost their franchise left tackle in Tyron Smith in the offseason, it’s time they get a young player to come in and compete at the tackle starts and potentially take over as the new left tackle.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, Clemson, CB: B+
Quick reaction: A division with receiving talent like Ja’Marr Chase, Amari Cooper, Tee Higgins, Jerry Jeudy, and others… you need corners. Ravens get themselves one to pair with Marlon Humphrey.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, Florida, WR: C-
Quick reaction: The 49ers had a lot of options to go here but a slot WR was not where I saw them going… at all.
32. (Trade) Carolina Panthers: Xavier Leggette, South Carolina, WR: B
Quick reaction: Get as much receiving talent as you can around your #1 pick overall investment from a year ago, Leggette will be another weapon for Bryce Young to throw to.
