NFC 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

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona was referred to often as one of the teams with few apparent needs heading into the draft. But they still managed to really improve. Bucannon should complete a dynamic safety tandem, and Martin is a highly athletic defensive end. Niklas should be a solid tight end and the upside is high for John Brown. Logan Thomas isn’t the perfect prospect for a long-term QB, but you could do worse. So they did fairly well.

GRADE: B+

Atlanta Falcons

I loved the value the Falcons got with their first two picks, Matthews and Hageman, but there really wasn’t anything I loved after that. In fact, Hageman wasn’t even at a need position. They needed pass rushers from the outside and failed to land a difference maker. They also have a gaping hole at tight end and didn’t pick one. The success of this draft could depend upon if Southward, Freeman, and Shembo develop nicely.

GRADE: C+

Carolina Panthers

For the record, I like the upside of Kelvin Benjamin and I thought Kony Ealy was tremendous value at pick #60. But I didn’t get there draft as a whole. Despite the upside of Benjamin, he was too risky of a pick to go in the first round. And for a team set on defense but searching for offense, why did they take mainly defenders in rounds 2-5? And why take a running back in the sixth round when they already have a surplus of back on their roster? I’d be much more excited had they doubled up on WR’s in rounds 1 and 2, then invested picks on other need areas such as their offensive line. I think they blew it, and I’d consider them lucky if they reached the playoffs again this season.

GRADE: D

Chicago Bears

Chicago entered the draft needing to improve their defense. I think they did it for the most part. They took four defenders in the first four rounds hitting needs at CB, DT, and S. They even found very promising backups at RB, QB, and potentially a new starting punter (not a sexy pick, but a needy pick). The downside is they ignored linebacker and they reached in round two with Ego Ferguson. They also better hope Vereen works out as a safety after passing on the top guys at that position earlier in the draft.

GRADE: B

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas shocked us all by making a sensible first pick with Zach Martin, an instant starter on the offensive line at a spot they needed to improve. And after that they went with defender after defender (very smart), with a lone wide receiver mixed in (another need spot actually on offense). The issue is that the players they targeted on defense may not be the right guys. I think Demarcus Lawrence could be decent, but I don’t know if any other player will be able to make an impact here. I’m no expert though, so we’ll wait and see.

GRADE: B-

Detroit Lions

Not a fan of what Detroit did. Ebron is so talented, but a terrible fit for the Lions and tight end is far from a need. Wasted pick. And while I like Van Noy, I didn’t like any picks after him. In fact, they desperately needed help in the secondary, and took one DB, and no true cornerbacks or safeties. Dumb!

GRADE: D

Green Bay Packers

As a Bears fan, I hate to admit it but Green Bay was solid. Clinton-Dix was one of the best picks in the first round. He’s an instant starter at a big need area. Davante Adams could be a big steal also, and he could help them this year too. I also think Khyri Thornton could be a good player, and he was at another position of need. And while I don’t know a lot about Richard Rodgers, he too filled a need at tight end. This was a smart draft.

GRADE: A-

Minnesota Vikings

This was good draft haul I thought. They may have had the best first round of any team with Barr and Bridgewater. Barr is very talented, and Teddy could turn out to be the best QB in this draft. I also like Crichton (third round), and I thought Yankey in the fifth was amazing value. They took steps forward this weekend, so that’s all you can ask.

GRADE: A-

New Orleans Saints

The Saints made some solid plays in the draft. I loved them adding Brandin Cooks, a guy that can help their offense immediately. I also like Jean-Baptiste, as he can fill a need at corner. It was smart for them to address defense with their picks in the mid-rounds as well. And if Rooks can help the offensive line at all, this draft becomes an “A”.

GRADE: B

New York Giants

The Giants have been treading water for a couple years, so it’s nice that they added some contributors. Beckham Jr. is a weapon Eli desperately needs. Richburg could be a starter on the offensive line for years to come. Andre Williams is another guy that could make an immediate impact at running back. But I don’t see a ton of help on defense, at least in terms of sure things.

GRADE: B-

Philadelphia Eagles

I wanted to give Philly a higher grade but I just couldn’t. While I loved the Matthews/Huff picks, I didn’t like the others. In fact, it’s the others that they needed to nail as the defense has to get better. I also hated their first round selection in Marcus Smith, who was a total reach.

GRADE: C

San Francisco 49ers

Best draft in the NFL. Ward can be a big time safety for their secondary, which needed to get better. Carlos Hyde will be a key player now, but also in the long-term. They added the best center in the draft too, and got great depth at linebacker now with Chris Borland. They added another solid lineman in Thomas, and improved on offense with Bruce Ellington (steal) and Stevie Johnson (nice trade). I even like the upside of the later picks such as Dontae Johnson and Aaron Lynch. Home run draft on every level!

GRADE: A+

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle develops players nicely, and they’ll need to, because there isn’t one pick that I like here. They failed to make a first round pick at all, and then they reached on their second rounders. They had some players available to them that could have helped them stay on top, but instead, they may have let SF walk right past them in the division.

GRADE: F

St. Louis Rams

This is a draft I view similar to Oakland and Cleveland. It was a home run minus the wide receiver position. Robinson and Donald are pro-bowl caliber picks in the first round. The secondary got a playmaker in Lamarcus Joyner. Tre Mason is a great aid to Zac Stacy. And Michael Sam was actually a steal in the 7^th round. They failed to collect any WR’s to help Bradford, but the rest of the roster is now stacked.

GRADE: A-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This was a draft that was unlike Lovie Smith, as it was all about offense. But I don’t mind it. Evans and ASJ could be great players this year, and will help McCown on offense. They added some protection pieces as well, which was smart. I would have liked to see a couple defensive picks though, especially since they wasted a pick on a RB, a spot they have depth at already.

GRADE: B

Washington Redskins

Things didn’t start well for Washington, as they didn’t have a first round pick, and reached on their second round choice Trent Murphy (as well as Long in the third). But they got a massive steal in Morgan Moses, and I am also a fan of Bashaud Breeland in the fourth. Lache Seastrunk could actually help as well down the road at running back, so they covered themselves well after reaching early.

GRADE: C-

By: The Sports Guys