We are officially in the dead part of the NFL calendar (if such a thing exists). While the concept of the NFL Draft is still somewhat fresh in our heads, I have issued draft grades that derive from what the players did in the NFL. Grades are often dished out just days after the NFL Draft and to each their own. It is content that is part of the business for the media and fans.
The grades that matter are the ones that come from what players did over the course of multiple years in the NFL. If you think about it, labeling a draft class “good” or “bad” before a player has done anything good or bad on the professional level is a hard sell. I went back to the 2020 class. I felt it was appropriate for two reasons. One, fifth year options (on first rounders) were either picked up or declined in early May. Two, three seasons in the NFL can almost always dictate the trajectory of a player in a broad sense. He met/will meet expectations, or he did not. Here is a quick glimpse how I blended a very simple numerical grade to each player to add some blend of objectivity to the subjective process we call evaluating.
A player received +2, +1, 0, -1, or -2.
+2 = Way over expectations
+1 = Over expectations
= Met expectations
-1 = Under expectations
-2 = Way under expectations
So, what exactly are these expectations? Again, I tried to think more macro than micro because of the endless variables we see from player to player, team to team, situation to situation.
Round 1: Good Starter – 5th yr option picked up – key piece to team
Round 2: Plus Starter within year 2 = key piece to team
Round 3: Starter within year 3 = key piece to team
Round 4: Heavy rotational in year 3 = key piece to team
Round 5: Rotational / backup = special teams contributor
Round 6: Still on roster = special teams contributor
Round 7: Roster / PS into third season
Admittedly, the standards can be debated but I did cross check this with multiple people much higher up in the world of evaluation than me. These are my views, and they are not far off from what the league looks for out of those draft slots.
Here is the list and short explanation of all 32 drafts ranked, from best to worst.
1 (t): CINCINNATI BENGALS / .57
HC: Zac Taylor
GM: Duke Tobin
Things could not have lined up any easier for the franchise, landing at the #1 overall spot in a year where local kid Joe Burrow was available. Winning the comeback player of the year award, winning the AFC, and finishing fourth in the MVP voting all within his first three seasons makes the pick a homerun. The rest of the draft is what puts them at the top of the league. Tee Higgins will soon be signed to a top-ten receiver contract and Logan Wilson is the nucleus of a strong defense. Out of the seven picks, just one struggled to contribute and is no longer with the team (Khalid Kareem). Even their seventh rounder, Markus Bailey, has contributed as a starter and is one of the top special teamers in the league.
1(1): Joe Burrow – QB/LSU
2(33) Tee Higgins – WR/Clemson
3(65) Logan Wilson – LB/Wyoming
4(107) Akeem Davis-Gaither – LB/Appalachian State
5(147) Khalid Kareem – DE/Notre Dame
6(180) Hakeem Adeniji – OT/Kansas
7(215) Markus Bailey – LB/Purdue
1 (t): DALLAS COWBOYS / .57
HC: Mike McCarthy
GM: Jerry Jones
The first two picks are nearly as good as you will find from the entire draft. Two players who earned their way to separate All-Pro teams gives this class a strong head start and near automatic success. Throw in a multi-year starter coming from round four and a solid rotational defensive tackle, the fact they had a fourth and fifth rounder that barely saw the field can be overlooked.
1(17) CeeDee Lamb – WR/Oklahoma
2(51) Trevon Diggs – CB/Alabama
3(82) Neville Gallimore – DT/Oklahoma
4(123) Reggie Robinson – CB/Tulsa
4(146) Tyler Biadasz – OC/Wisconsin
5(179) Bradlee Anae – DE/Utah
7(231) Ben DiNucci – QB/Delaware
3) BALTIMORE RAVENS / +.50
HC: John Harbaugh
GM: Eric DeCosta
The most impressive facet of this draft class can be one of two things. One, they walked away from rounds 5-6-7 with three players still on the team, two of which exceeded expectations for the respective draft slots. Two, just one pick out of ten did not pan out (Tyre Phillips). The only other player that is no longer with the team (Ben Bredeson) was traded for capital that landed them their current backup right tackle. If they get long-term star power out of their first two picks, this will end as one of the best classes in the league if not the best. A case can be made they went an amazing 9 for 10 here.
1(28) Patrick Queen – LB/LSU
2(55) JK Dobbins – RB/Ohio State
3(71) Justin Madubuike – DT/Texas A&M
3(92) Devin Duvernay – WR/Texas
3(98) Malik Harrison – LB/Ohio State
3(106) Tyre Phillips – OT/Mississippi State
4(143) Ben Bredeson – OG/Michigan
5(170) Broderick Washington Jr – DT/Texas Tech
6(201) James Proche – WR/SMU
7(219) Geno Stone – S/Iowa
4) CHICAGO BEARS / +.43
HC: Matt Nagy
GM: Ryan Pace
There were 33 picks in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. A strong case can be made that Chicago came away with the top two selections in Darnell Mooney and Trevis Gipson. That, in combination with two solid starters taken in round two and even a third fifth rounder that has been a key defender in the secondary makes this class incredibly valuable. Without a first-round pick because of the Khalil Mack trade two years prior, this class was sneaky-strong and one of the best Ryan Pace ever put together.
2(43) Cole Kmet – TE/Notre Dame
2(50) Jaylon Johnson – CB/Utah
5(155) Trevis Gipson – DE/Tulsa
5(163) Kindle Vildor – CB/Georgia Southern
5(173) Darnell Mooney – WR/Tulane
7(226) Arlington Hambright – OT/Colorado
7(227) Lachavious Simmons – OG/Tennessee State
5) PITTSBURGH STEELERS / +.33
HC: Mike Tomlin
GM: Kevin Colbert
This draft class was heading toward being one of the top in the league. The downward spiral of Chase Claypool dampened the outlook a small bit, but they did turn him into 2023 second round selection Joey Porter Jr. Getting the 2022 sixth-leading sack artist in round three and a full-time starting guard in the fourth round by year two brought great value to one of the league’s top drafting teams historically.
2(49) Chase Claypool – WR/Notre Dame
3(102) Alex Highsmith – OLB/Charlotte
4(124) Anthony McFarland Jr – RB/Maryland
4(135) Kevin Dotson – OG/Louisiana
6(198) Antoine Brooks Jr – S/Maryland
7(232) Carlos Davis – DT/Nebraska
6 (t): SEATTLE SEAHAWKS / +0.25
HC: Pete Carroll
GM: Jon Schneider
Even though Jordyn Brooks had his fifth-year option declined, he is going to be a part of this team’s future (top 10 leaguewide in tackles 2021-20220 but the uncertainly that comes from a torn ACL suffered week 17 may cloud the vision). Their final two picks (6th and 7th rounders) did not make it to a third season with the team. However, the rest of the class either met or exceeded expectations for their respective draft slots. Injuries have impacted both edge defenders (Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson), but we have seen flashes and they both remain key components to the defense. Rounds three and four are where they made the difference. Damien Lewis has started games (45) at all three interior spots, Colby Parkinson broke out in 2022 and has seen increased playing time + impact all three years, and DeeJay Dallas has consistently been a top tier special teamer and quality backup power back.
1 (20) Jordyn Brooks – LB/Texas Tech
2 (48) Darrell Taylor – DE/Tennessee
3 (69) Damien Lewis – OG/LSU
4 (133) Colby Parkinson – TE/Stanford
4 (144) DeeJay Dallas – RB/Miami
5 (148) Alton Robinson – DE/Miami
6 (214) Freddie Swain – WR/Florida
7 (251) Stephen Sullivan – TE/LSU
6 (t): WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM / +0.25
HC: Ron Rivera
GM: Ron Rivera
This is why we wait multiple seasons to evaluate a draft. Chase Young appeared to be the home run many expected him to be coming out of Ohio State. But after winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2020, Young has missed 22 of 34 games and had his fifth-year option declined. While there were a couple misses in the middle of the draft, the immense seventh round values from Kamren Curl and James Smith-Williams in addition to a third round running back that led the team in rushing in both of his first two seasons kept the returns on this class overall in the green.
1(2) Chase Young – DE/Ohio State
3(66) Antonio Gibson – RB/Memphis
4(108) Saahdiq Charles – OG/LSU
4(142) Antonio Gandy-Golden – WR/Liberty
5(156) Keith Ismael – OG/San Diego State
5(162) Khaleke Hudson – LB/Michigan
7(216) Kamren Curl – S/Arkansas
7(229) James Smith-Williams – DE/North Carolina State
8: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS / +.20
HC: Kyle Shanahan
GM: John Lynch
The back end of this class saved the massive failure they took by drafting Kinlaw with the 14th overall pick. He has played in just 24 games over three years and the consistency issues that were discussed in is scouting report never got fixed. Brandon Aiyuk was traded up for and has panned out to be a key starter for their offense after a slow start, which was expected. Colton McKivitz appears to be in line for a starting job as year four approaches and has provided the expected spot duty and quality depth we expect from a fourth rounder. Woerner and Jennings, however, have far-exceeded expectations for 6th/7th round picks. Not only are they still on the roster, which is not the norm, but they are contributing players on both offense and special teams.
1 (14) Javon Kinlaw – DT/South Carolina
1 (25) Brandon Aiyuk – WR/Arizona State
5 (153) Colton McKivitz – OT/West Virginia
6 (190) Charlie Woerner – TE/Georgia
7 (217) Jauan Jennings – WR/Tennessee
9: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS / +.18
HC: Frank Reich
GM: Chris Ballard
An All-Pro running back taken in round two and one of their four sixth round picks turning into a starting cornerback are the biggest positives from this class. Their number one receiver was also brought in via an early second rounder with another key piece at safety taken in round three. You could not ask for a much better day two. The biggest blunder was their major swing and miss at a quarterback in the fourth round, as Jacob Eason was waived during his second season and played just five snaps prior to. Had he at least stuck around as a backup, this group could have been top five in the league.
2(34) Michael Pittman – WR/USC
2(41) Jonathan Taylor – RB/Wisconsin
3(85) Julian Blackmon – S/Utah
4(122) Jacob Eason – QB/Washington
5(149) Danny Pinter – OG/Ball State
6(193) Robert Windsor – DT/Penn State
6(211) Isaiah Rodgers – CB/Massachusetts
6(212) Dezmon Patmon – WR/Washington State
6(213) Jordan Glasgow – LB/Michigan
10 (t): CLEVELAND BROWNS / + .14
HC: Kevin Stefanski
GM: Andrew Barry
The lone pick in the draft that has exceeded expectations reserved for their respective draft slot was their final selection, sixth round receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. A case can be made he has been the top sixth rounder from the entire class. While the rest of the group lacks star power, they have gotten enough from all of them in regard to where they were drafted. Only third rounder Jacob Phillips ended with a negative mark, and a case can be made that has more to do with injuries than level of play.
1(10) Jedrick Wills Jr – OT/Alabama
2(44) Grant Delpit – S/LSU
3(88) Jordan Elliot – DT/Missouri
3(97) Jacob Phillips – LB/LSU
4(115) Harrison Bryant – TE/Florida Atlantic
5(160) Nick Harris – OC/Washington
6(187) Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR/Michigan
10 (t): BUFFALO BILLS / +.14
HC: Sean McDermott
GM: Brandon Beane
Gabriel Davis and his incoming pay day made up for the shortcomings we saw from their second rounder AJ Epenesa and fifth rounder Jake Fromm. While neither of those misses changed the trajectory of this team much, they were lost opportunities that they had to make up elsewhere in personnel. Late picks Tyler Bass and Dane Jackson were nice finds, but Isaiah Hodgins did not blossom until he left town to reunite with his former coordinator, Brian Daboll, in New York.
2(54) AJ Epenesa – DE/Iowa
3(86) Zack Moss – RB/Utah
4(128) Gabriel Davis – WR/Central Florida
5(167) Jake Fromm – QB/Georgia
6(188) Tyler Bass – K/Georgia Southern
6(207) Isaiah Hodgins – WR/Oregon State
7(239) Dane Jackson – CB/Pittsburgh
12(t): KANSAS CITY CHIEFS / 0
HC: Andy Reid
GM: Brett Veach
L’Jarius Sneed saved the class. The team found their number one corner in the fourth round and then added a key rotational edge rusher in Michael Danna a round later. That strong day three at least partially hides the fact their first round running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, had his fifth-year option declined and lost his starting job multiple times and their day two tackle cannot seem to instill confidence to the coaching staff as starter.
1(32) Clyde Edwards-Helaire – RB/LSU
2(63) Willie Gay Jr – LB/Mississippi State
3(96) Licas Niang – OT
4(138) L’Jarius Sneed – CB/Louisiana Tech
5(177) Michael Danna – DE/Michigan
7(237) Thakarius Keyes – CB/Tulane
12 (t): LOS ANGELES CHARGERS / 0
HC: Anthony Lynn
GM: Tom Telesco
Finding the franchise quarterback is one thing, finding one that set records over his first two seasons in the NFL after falling his way into the starting job thanks to an accidental injury to Tyrod Taylor is another. Herbert sets the tone for the class but fellow first rounder Kenneth Murray (who the team traded their entire day two for), softened the potential impact of the class. Sixth round safety and special teamer Alohi Gilman was a key value that hid the fact their fifth and seventh rounders both were off the roster before the 2022 regular season
1(6) Justin Herbert – QB/Oregon
1(23) Kenneth Murray – LB/Oklahoma
4(112) Joshua Kelley – RB/UCLA
5(151) Joe Reed – WR/Virginia
6(186) Alohi Gilman – S/Notre Dame
7(220) KJ Hill – WR/Ohio State
12 (t): GREEN BAY PACKERS / 0
HC: Matt LaFleur
GM: Brian Gutekunst
Jordan Love is a unique evaluation – and there is no clear right or wrong. I kept him at even because he is now the starter, was signed to a short extension, and was blocked by a first ballot Hall of Famer at a position that does not have flexibility to get on the field. Jon Runyan was the top value of the class and their final selection, Jonathan Garvin, brought the overall group back to even. Not many seventh rounders are still on the team that drafted them, let alone a key piece to the depth at a premium position. This class has a healthy mix of delivering what was expected along with under/over performing their draft slots.
1(26) Jordan Love – QB/Utah State
2(62) AJ Dillon – RB/Boston College
3(94) Josiah Deguara – TE/Cincinnati
5(175) Kamal Martin – LB/Minnesota
6(192) Jon Runyan Jr – OG/Michigan
6(208) Jake Hanson – OC/Oregon
6(209) Simon Stepaniak – OT/Indiana
7(242) Jonathan Garvin – DE/Miami
12 (t): NEW YORK GIANTS / 0
HC: Joe Judge
GM: Dave Gettleman
Andrew Thomas earning an All-Pro honor at a premium position made up for a class that only produced one other sustainable starter out of nine selections. Darnay Holmes has been up and down from the start of his career but 11 starts (potentially and counting) at nickel from a fourth rounder presents good value. The misses along the offensive line have contributed to the grade flattening out overall and none of their five 6th/7th round picks exceeded expectations for sustainable time. Tae Crowder did see plenty of starts but he played his way on to the waiver wire before the end of year three.
1(4) Andrew Thomas – OT/Georgia
2(36) Xavier McKinney – S/Alabama
99(3) Matt Peart – OT/Connecticut
4(110) Darnay Holmes – CB/UCLA
5(150) Shane Lemieux – OG/Oregon
6(183) Cam Brown – LB/Penn State
7(218) Carter Coughlin – LB/Minnesota
7(238) TJ Brunson – LB/South Carolina
7 (247) Chris Williamson – CB/Minnesota
7 (255) Tae Crowder – LB/Georgia
12 (t): ATLANTA FALCONS / 0
HC: Dan Quinn
GM: Thomas Dimitroff
Grabbing an All-Pro caliber corner in round one that started from the second he put the uniform on is a significant win for the draft class. The problem is they have not gotten one other sure-thing starter out of the class. Fourth rounders Mykal Walker and Jaylinn Hawkins did start in 2022 but ensuing free agent signings following the season will push them back into rotational/backup roles. If Matt Hennessy can grab ahold of a starting position and play at a high level, he could be the one that takes this class into the green. The major blip on the radar was second rounder Marlon Davidson who played in just 19 games with one start before being released during year three.
1(16) AJ Terrell – CB/Clemson
2(47) Marlon Davidson – DE/Auburn
3(78) Matt Hennessy – OC/Temple
4(119) Mykal Walker – LB/Fresno State
4(134) Jaylinn Hawkins – S/California
7(228) Sterling Hofrichter – P/Syracuse
12 (t): CAROLINA PANTHERS / 0
HC: Matt Rhule
GM: Marty Hurney
Matt Rhule’s first draft as Head Coach resulted in defensive-only prospects. The first three picks were supposed to set the tone and one of which they traded up for (Jeremy Chinn). Derrick Brown is a rising star at tackle and Chinn finished second in the voting for the Defensive Rookie of the Year. It is Yetur Gross-Matos that prevented this from being a 1-2-3 punch of a group. The final two picks are still on the team with one of them, Bravvion Roy, has provided immense value for a sixth rounder. Neither of the early day three defensive backs remain on the team.
1(7) Derrick Brown – DT/Auburn
2(38) Yetur Gross-Matos – DE/Penn State
2(64) Jeremy Chinn – S/Troy
4(113) Troy Pride Jr – CB/Notre Dame
5(152) Kenny Robinson – S/West Virginia
6(184) Bravvion Roy – DT/Baylor
7(221) Stantley Thomas-Oliver – CB/Florida International
12 (t): TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS / 0
HC: Bruce Arian
GM: Jason Licht
This class could not have started much better than landing a two-time All-Pro at tackle and one of the most versatile defensive backs in the NFL with picks one and two. They also have a third rounder that is a key piece to the depth chart but the final four selections are no longer on the roster, three of which barely even saw the field. While this class does not (and should not) have a negative grade overall, it could have been a special one if they hit on day three.
1(13) Tristan Wirfs – OT/Iowa
2(45) Antoine Winfield – S/Minnesota
3(76) Ke’Shawn Vaughn – RB/Vanderbilt
5(161) Tyler Johnson – WR/Minnesota
6(194) Khalil Davis – DT/Nebraska
7(241) Chapelle Russell – LB/Temple
7(245) Raymond Calais – RB/Louisiana
19: MINNESOTA VIKINGS / +.07
HC: Mike Zimmer
GM: Rick Spielman
A league high 15 picks did not necessarily prove the idea that “more is better”. That said, 11 of them came in day three and this class did land an All-Pro wide receiver. The early release of the late Jeff Gladney was a significant miss on a team that has been constantly struggling to draft quality cornerbacks. Cam Dantzler not making it to year four furthered the notion. There is a solid amount of quality and depth that came out of this class, however. They were incredibly close to even returns.
1(22) Justin Jefferson – WR/LSU
1(31) Jeff Gladney – CB/TCU
2(58) Ezra Cleveland – OG/Boise State
3(89) Cameron Dantzler – CB/Mississippi State
4(117) DJ Wonnum – DE/South Carolina
4(130) James Lynch DT/Baylor
4(132) Troy Dye – LB/Oregon
5(169) Harrison Hand – CB/Temple
5(176) KJ Osborn – WR/Miami
6(203) Blake Brendel – OT/UCLA
6(205) Josh Metellus – S/Michigan
7(225) Kenny Willekes – DE/Michigan State
7(244) Nate Stanley – QB/Iowa
7(249) Brian Cole II – S/Mississippi State
7(253) Kyle Hinton – G/Washburn
20) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES / -.10
HC: Doug Pederson
GM: Howie Roseman
Here is a clear example of quickly giving a situation like this a positive outlook because of the quarterback. Yes, finishing second in the MVP voting and leading your team to the Super Bowl is about as good as it gets from a second rounder, or any draft pick for that matter. But another first rounder that had more drops than touchdowns in two years before being traded for late draft picks and third rounder that was released before year three brought this class back down to earth. There was some quality depth and special teams play added in the class, but a case can be made that only Hurts will be on this roster two years from now in a class that included ten selections.
1(21) Jalen Reagor – WR/TCU
2(53) Jalen Hurts – QB/Oklahoma
3(103) Davion Taylor – LB/Colorado
4(127) K’Von Wallace – S/Clemson
4(145) Jack Driscoll – OG/Auburn
5(168) John Hightower – WR/Boise State
6(196) Shaun Bradley – LB/Temple
6(200) Quez Watkins – WR/Southern Mississippi
6(210) Prince Tega-Wanogho – OT/Auburn
7(233) Casey Toohill – OLB/Stanford
21: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS / -.40
HC: Bill Belichick
GM: Bill Belichick
The team had some extra day two capital to work with after trading out of round one with the Chargers. While it did land them a building block in Kyle Dugger and he adds to the success with fellow second rounder Josh Uche (11.5 sacks in 2022), the third rounders were complete whiffs. They double dipped at tight end and neither made it to year three, combining for 16 games and seven catches in two seasons. Two of their day three picks never saw the field either. Michael Onwenu saved this draft class from being a complete failure and ranking near the bottom of the league. He is arguably their top lineman and Justin Herron, another sixth rounder, started ten games in two seasons before being traded to the Raiders.
2(37) Kyle Dugger – S/Lenoir-Rhyne
2(60) Josh Uche – OLB/Michigan
3(87) Anfernee Jennings – OLB/Alabama
3(91) Devin Asiasi – TE/UCLA
3(101) Dalton Keene – TE/Virginia Tech
5(159) Justin Rohrwasser – K/Marshall
6(182) Michael Onwenu – OG/Michigan
6(195) Justin Herron – OT/Wake Forest
6(204) Cassh Maluia – LB/Wyoming
7(230) Dustin Woodard – OC/Memphis
22) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS / -.42
HC: Doug Marrone
GM: David Caldwell
Two first rounders and another top-42 selection ended with two trades for much lesser value and a pass rusher that had his fifth-year option declined after seeing less playing time and production each season. DaVon Hamilton is rock-solid along the defensive line that the team recently locked up for three years and their next pick, fourth rounder Ben Bartch, is a multi-year starter at guard. Josiah Scott marks the third player from this group traded before year three, but final selection Chris Claybrooks saved what was an otherwise lackluster day three group.
1(9) CJ Henderson – CB/Florida
1(20) K’Lavon Chaisson – OLB/LSU
2(42) Laviska Shenault Jr – WR/Colorado
3(73) DaVon Hamilton – DT/Ohio State
4(116) Ben Bartch – OG/Saint John’s (MN)
4(137) Josiah Scott – CB/Michigan State
4(140) Shaquille Quarterman – LB/Miami
5(157) Daniel Thomas – S/Auburn
5(165) Collin Johnson – WR/Texas
6(189) Jake Luton – Oregon State
6(206) Tyler Davis – TE/Georgia Tech
7(223) Chris Claybrooks – CB/Memphis
23 (t): LOS ANGELES RAMS / -.44
HC: Sean McVay
GM: Les Snead
Cam Akers flashed enough as a rookie to instill long-term hope at a position that hadn’t recovered from the quick Todd Gurley exit. His own injury and inconsistent play after has left him in the gray area, but by no means in a negative light. The five picks on day three resulted in one meaningful player and the fact both third round picks never hit their mark of expected contribution created a strong portion why the current Rams roster is in shambles.
2 (52): Cam Akers – RB/Florida State
2 (57) Van Jefferson – WR/Florida
3 (84) Terrell Lewis – OLB/Alabama
3 (104) Terrell Burgess – S/Utah
4 (136) Brycen Hopkins – TE/Purdue
6 (199) Jordan Fuller – S/Ohio State
7 (234) Clay Johnston – LB/Baylor
7 (248) Sam Siloman – K/Miami (OH)
7 (250) Tremayne Anchrum – OG/Clemson
23(t): DETROIT LIONS = -4/9 (-.44)
HC: Matt Patricia
GM: Bob Quinn
The fail of the Okudah pick is hard to overcome when evaluating the 2020 draft class as a whole. While he was not a complete bust (his best football was played in 2022), he turned into a future fifth round pick rather than a building block of the franchise. Their second selection, D’Andre Swift, also turned into a day three draft pick via trade but did provide value for three seasons. The third rounders Julian Okwara and Jonah Jackson offset each other and the lack of sustainable impact and positive progression from day three kept this grade below average.
1(3) Jeff Okudah – CB/Ohio State
2(35) D’Andre Swift – RB/Georgia
3(67) Julian Okwara – DE/Notre Dame
3(75) Jonah Jackson – OG/Ohio State
4(121) Logan Stenberg – OG/Kentucky
5(166) Quintez Cephus – WR/Wisconsin
5(172) Jason Huntley – RB/New Mexico State
6(197) John Penisini – DT/Utah
7(235) Jashon Cornell – DT/Ohio State
25) NEW YORK JETS / -.56
HC: Adam Gase
GM: Joe Douglas
Left tackle Mekhi Becton started off with a bang but he has started just one game over the past two seasons combined. From there, the class has not produced one player that exceeded expectations and all three day two picks have fallen below what is expected from that tier. They had four selections from #79 overall to #129 and not one remains on the team and two of which never played a snap. Bryce Hall in round five showed promise early on but he is now hanging on for dear life at the end of the depth chart and punter Braden Mann was released with one year left on his deal. At this time next year, this entire draft class may be gone and/or without a single starting job in the league.
1(11) Mekhi Becton – OT/Louisville
2(59) Denzel Mims – WR/Baylor
3(68) Ashtyn Davis – S/California
3(79) Jabari Zuniga – DE/Florida
4(120) La’Mical Perine - RB/Florida
4(125) James Morgan – QB/Florida International
4(129) Cameron Clark – OT/Charlotte
5(158) Bryce Hall – CB/Virginia
6(191) Braden Mann – P/Texas A&M
26 (t): DENVER BRONCOS / -.60
HC: Vic Fangio
GM: John Elway
Jerry Jeudy’s nine missed games over the past two years do bring into question where he will end up long-term. But the team did opt to pick up his fifth-year option and he remains the most dangerous weapon in their new passing game. The next four picks either have not met value or fell well below the mark. Four day-two picks brought poor results, a big-time missed opportunity. KJ Hamler has played in 23 of 50 games, Michael Ojemudia was released in year three, Lloyd Cushenberry III has struggled to firmly take hold of the starting center job long term as the team just used a day three pick on the position for the second year in a row, and McTelvin Agim played in 17 games over two and a half years before being released. Day three had a couple of singles and groundouts, but nobody that made up for the losses they took on from day two.
1(15) Jerry Jeudy – WR/Alabama
2(46) KJ Hamler – WR/Penn State
3 (77) Michael Ojemudia – CB/Iowa
3(83) Lloyd Cushenberry III – OC/LSU
3(95) McTelvin Agim – DT/Arkansas
4(118) Albert Okwuegbunam – TE/Missouri
5(178) Justin Strnad – LB/Wake Forest
6(181) Netan Muti – OG/Fresno State
7(252) Tyrie Cleveland – WR/Florida
7(254) Derrek Tuszka – OLB/North Dakota State
26 (t): HOUSTON TEXANS / -0.60
HC: Bill O’Brien
GM:Bill O’Brien
This was an era of Texans football where picks were being dealt for veterans. In this draft alone, they were without a first rounder (for Laremy Tunsil), a second rounder (for Brandin Cooks), a third rounder (for Gareon Conley), another third rounder (for Duke Johnson), and a fourth rounder (again for Tunsil). Whether the moves worked out or not, it left the draft capital depleted. Just two of their five selections met the standard respectively but a second rounder that seems to be holding on for dear life and then a fourth and fifth rounder both off the roster before year two made this class a big fail.
2(40) Ross Blacklock – DT/TCU
3(90) Jonathan Greenard – DE/Florida
4(126) Charlie Heck – OT/North Carolina
4(141) John Reid – CB/Penn State
5(171) Isaiah Coulter – WR/Rhode Island
26 (t): NEW ORLEANS SAINTS / -.60
HC: Sean Payton
GM: Mickey Loomis
The smallest draft class in the league gave them very little wiggle room for selections that did not pan out. Three of their four picks have not panned out. First rounder Cesar Ruiz just had his fifth year option declined, Zack Baun has yet to record a sack, and Adam Trautman was just traded to Denver so he can reunite with Sean Payton in a trade that valued him at a seventh rounder.
1(24) Cesar Ruiz – OC/Michigan
3(74) Zack Baun – OLB/Wisconsin
3(105) Adam Trautman – TE/Dayton
7(240) Tommy Stevens – QB/Mississippi State
29) TENNESSEE TITANS / -.71
HC: Mike Vrabel
GM: Jon Robinson
There may not have been a bigger failure in the first round of the entire draft than Isaiah Wilson. He played in one game as a rookie and was eventually suspended by the team for an off-field incident. He was traded before year two for what equated to be a late seventh rounder. Third rounder Darrynton Evans and fifth rounder Larrell Murchison both did not make it through year three and quarterback Cole McDonald did not even make it to the practice squad as a rookie. Kristian Fulton and Chris Jackson were the only two picks that met expectations.
1(29) Isaiah Wilson – OT/Georgia
2(61) Kristian Fulton – CB/LSU
3(93) Darrynton Evans – RB/Appalachian State
5 (174) Larrell Murchison – DT/North Carolina State
7(224) Cole McDonald – QB/Hawaii
7(243) Chris Jackson – S/Marshall
30) MIAMI DOLPHINS / -.73
HC: Brian Flores
GM: Chris Grier
A golden opportunity with three first round picks ended with an injury question at quarterback and two players at premium positions that just had their fifth-year options declined. What could have been. Their day two somewhat saves the draft overall, with three starters coming that night but day three was another train wreck. Both fifth rounders and their fourth rounder are no longer with the team, with Curtis Weaver not even making it to his rookie regular season before being waived. Their sixth rounder did land them an immediate and current long snapper, so it was not a complete waste of five picks, I guess?
1(5) Tua Tagovailoa – QB/Alabama
1(18) Austin Jackson – OT/USC
1(30) Noah Igbinoghene – CB/Auburn
2(39) Robert Hunt – OG/Louisiana
2(56) Raekwon Davis – DT/Alabama
3(70) Brandon Jones – S/Texas
4(111) Solomon Kindley – OG/Georgia
5(154) Jason Stowbridge – DE/North Carolina
5(164) Curtis Weaver – DE/Boise State
6(185) Blake Ferguson – LS/LSU
7(246) Malcolm Perry – WR/Navy
31: ARIZONA CARDINALS / -.83
HC: Kliff Kingsbury
GM: Steve Keim
Simmons was one of the biggest gambles in the draft class, a superstar athlete without a true position. Entering year four, he still does not have a true position. The next three picks were used on building the trenches and even though Josh Jones did show an acceptable level at left tackle in 2022, the weakness this team has on both the offensive and defensive lines are partially on the shoulders of those three picks. Evan Weaver never saw the field and Eno Benjamin was released halfway through his third year.
1 (8): Isaiah Simmons – LB/Clemson
3 (72): Josh Jones – OT/Houston
4 (114): Leki Fotu – DT/Utah
4 (DT): Rashard Lawrence – DT/LSU
6 (LB) Evan Weaver – LB/California
7 (RB) Eno Benjamin – RB/Arizona State
32: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS / -1.14
HC: Jon Gruden
GM: Mike Mayock
This is about as bad as it gets. Two first rounders resulted in less than 34 out of 100 games played with the club since draft day, with neither making it to year three. Then a third rounder that was traded away just a few months after he was brought in and another third rounder that never played a regular season snap for the club. The nail in the coffin was a fourth-round pick in John Simpson that was waived before the end of his third season.
1(12) Henry Ruggs III – WR/Alabama
1(19) Damon Arnette – CB/Ohio State
3(80) Lynn Bowden Jr – WR/Kentucky
3(81) Bryan Edwards – WR/South Carolina
3(100) Tanner Muse – S/Clemson
4(109) John Simpson – OG/Clemson
4(139) Amik Robertson – CB/Louisiana Tech