AFC Draft Grades

With the NFL Draft complete, the analysis begins. Some teams really helped themselves over the weekend. Others really didn’t. Today, we grade each team based on their selections, which includes the value of it and the need it filled. Both aspects are important when it comes to drafting.

A = Great Value at Need Spots

B = Good Value at Need Spots

C = Average

D = Reached a lot, Left Needs Unfulfilled

F = Failed at Filling Needs and got Terrible Value

To sum it up, we're trying to figure out how each team used the draft to improve their team. We'll handle the AFC today and the NFC tomorrow. Here you go:

AFC Draft Grades

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are one of the best drafting teams year after year. By taking the "best available player" approach, they always come away with top talent. This year, their first three picks were absolute gems due to that approach. C.J. Mosley was great value at 17, Timmy Jernigan, once considered a first rounder, was a great pick in the second round, and Terrence Brooks was a steal in the third. All three could be starters at some point this season. The tight end Gillmore they added in the late third is intriguing too. BUT, we saw a giant need along the offensive line, yet they only added a center in the fifth round. That's not near good enough to solidify a weak line that had holes.

GRADE: B+

Buffalo Bills

There were some great things about Buffalo's draft, but also some downers. Sammy Watkins will be a star and become the big-time receiver they sorely needed. It came at a cost though, as they'll be down a first round pick next year (they lost a 4th as well but got it back by trading Stevie Johnson). That first pick is a huge loss for a rebuilding franchise. I did liked how they addressed offensive line with Kouandjio and Cyril Richardson. Manuel needed better protection and they got it. But another big need was at safety, which they completed neglected. So while they improved in a couple need areas, it came at a cost that may offset any of the positives.

GRADE: C+

Cincinnati Bengals

There wasn't anything special about Cincy's draft, but it was productive nonetheless. Darqueze Dennard was one of the biggest steals of the first round at #24. That filled a need at cornerback as well. They added Jeremy Hill to pair with Gio for the foreseeable future too, which was nice. But they needed a big replacement for Michael Johnson, and while William Clarke was a decent pick in the third, there will be a big drop-off at that position this season. I did love the value of taking AJ McCarron in the fifth though. Smart move.

GRADE: B

Cleveland Browns

This draft was very good except for one area... First, they Browns picked up a first round pick in 2015 by moving down four positions (five before they moved back one). They selected Justin Gilbert there, the top corner in the draft in the eyes of many, and an immediate starter opposite Joe Haden. Then, they drafted Johnny Manziel, our favorite QB in the draft. He could be a star and is instantly the face of the franchise. Great value at #22 also. They filled a need with Bitonio in the second, a very talented offensive tackle. And we loved the value of Pierre Desir in the fourth. West was another great pick, one of the best overall in the third round, and Kirksey was decent there as well. So what's the downer? We believed WR was a need area coming into the draft, and it became an even greater need when news broke about Josh Gordon and the potential he won't play this season. Johnny Football needs someone to throw to, yet they selected zero receivers...

GRADE: A-

Denver Broncos

Denver entered the draft without a lot of pressing needs. But the tiny needs they did have they filled in the first few rounds. Roby is a corner with a ton of upside, Latimer could become a star WR, and Schofield could start on the o-line as early as this year. Outside of Latimer though, the value wasn't terrific. And after the top three guys, the others are just fodder.

GRADE: B

Houston Texans

The Texans acquired a lot of talent and improved their roster a lot this weekend. Clowney is a stud, so it was good they stuck to that pick. They got the #1 guard in the draft too in Xavier Su'a-Filo. Louis Nix III was another terrific pick with tremendous value. And Tom Savage is a guy that seemed to be on the rise, yet they drafted him in the fourth. Overall, they walked away with ten new players, many of which could make an impact. The issue is that they were held back last season by poor quarterback play. And while Savage could be a decent pro in the future, there isn't any immediate hope, like they would have gotten with one of the top four QB's. So Texans fans shouldn't expect big things this season despite improved personnel.

GRADE: A-

Indianapolis Colts

Obviously, the Trent Richardson trade seems to be hurting more than helping. Not having a first round pick was costly in such a talented draft. And they better hope Mewhort turns out okay, cause he was an iffy selection. We did like Moncrief a lot in the third round, as they needed a young wideout with potential. The other good news for Colts fans is that free agency treated them good, so that will help cancel out a poor draft overall.

GRADE: D

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville was a team going nowhere, and suddenly the future is bright. Despite poor value at #3, the Jags have hope now with Blake Bortles. That hope grew even more when they stole Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson in the second round. Brandon Linder will help protect the new franchise, and they had some nice value late in the draft as well. They said Chad Henne may still start in 2014, but I love their new direction regardless. And they actually have the pieces for a formidable offense.

GRADE: A

Kansas City Chiefs

Of all the teams in the NFL, the Chiefs were one of the few teams that HAD to draft playmakers on offense to catch passes from Alex Smith. Yet they drafted ZERO players at that position. How is that possible? How do they expect the keep up with Denver if they can't score? So while Dee Ford is a good player, and I am intrigued by De'Anthony Thomas and Aaron Murray, I question the strategy of this draft.

GRADE: C-

Miami Dolphins

Miami targeted players to fill their needs for sure. Two of their first three picks were for the woeful offensive line. And the other was a wide receiver to give Tannehill another target. They even grabbed a corner and a tight end in the mid-rounds. But the value wasn't great, particularly Ja'Wuan James at #19 overall. They seemingly reached on a number of selections, which is what hurt their overall grade.

GRADE: B-

New England Patriots

This was not your typical Patriots draft. Don't get me wrong, I like some of the players they selected, Easley, Garoppolo, and White in particular. But Easley and White were both reaches at the places they picked them, and Garoppolo won't help them make a run at the Super Bowl, which should be there goal. This was a wasted draft as they got no impact players. The only pick I really thought was both good value and need-filling was Jeremy Gallon in the 7th round. But he's not likely to play much at all.

GRADE: D+

New York Jets

Overall, it was a decent draft for New Y0rk. I love Calvin Pryor, and I think he'll start immediately for them. Jace Amaro, Jalen Saunders, and Shaq Evans are all playmakers which were needed in this offense. I don't love Dexter McDougle, but he filled a need at corner. So this was a good draft, but not great.

GRADE: B

Oakland Raiders

This was a great draft. The Raiders sat patiently and let great players fall to them. Mack at 5 = steal. Carr at 36 = steal. Jackson at 81 = steal. Ellis and McGill in the fourth = steals (potentially). They landed starters, got a QB for their future, and got a face for their defense. The only reason I didn't say it was a perfect draft was they ignored wide receiver, so that remains a big area of need.

GRADE: A-

Pittsburgh Steelers

This was another good draft. They picked potential starters and impact players with Shazier, Tuitt,  and Bryant. Dri Archer will be a great complementary running back as well. Even their mid-round picks have a chance to make an early impact, as well as becoming mainstays for the future. They didn't improve offensive line much though, so that still remains an issue. But I think they improved the roster for sure.

GRADE: A-

San Diego Chargers

I loved that they gave their defense great talent in Verrett and Attaochu. Chris Watt could be a nice player along the offensive line. After that I wasn't in love with their picks, but they landed three impact players despite having only six picks. That's a decent ratio.

GRADE: B+

Tennessee Titans

Other are harder on the Titans than what I am. Lewan didn't fill a need, but he was tremendous value and will be a starter on the line immediately. Teams win in the trenches, so I loved the pick. And many say that Sankey shouldn't have been the pick over Hyde, but Sankey is a nice contrast to Shonne Greene, a guy he will split time with. I also thought Jones was a solid pick in the third, and Mettenberger was a steal in the sixth. He'll be a great man to develop behind Locker. Now, did they add a pass rusher, no. Did they add offensive playmakers, no. But they got some talent nonetheless.

GRADE: B

By: The Sports Guys