The Christmas of the NFL offseason. The first round of the 2021 NFL draft offered some interesting picks and some big slides by players I expected to go early. Now that the first round has concluded it’s time to grade each pick, so how did every pick grade out?
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence QB Clemson
This was an easy one for the Jags. They get their franchise player without much discussion. Lawrence is one of the best QB prospects to come out of college. He’s easily going to be a 15 year player in the NFL.
Grade: A+
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson QB BYU
Wilson isn’t personally my choice for the Jets, but he’s still a great player that can make throws off platform like Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. He’ll have a long career in the NFL.
Grade: A-
3. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance QB North Dakota State
The 49ers made the right decision here taking Lance. He is one of the smartest players in this draft and has an absolute cannon. He will translate extremely well into Kyle Shannahan’s offense. Lance has the second best ceiling of the QBs in this class. Home run pick.
Grade: A+
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts TE Florida
He’s the best player in the draft. He’s got the potential to be a Hall of Fame talent. Matt Ryan got himself a serious weapon and I expect Pitts to have an insane rookie year.
Grade: A+
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase WR LSU
I love this pick for the Bengals. This tackle class is insanely deep, so I’m not concerned about them not getting Sewell here. This connection is special and will make life miserable for the NFL. Chase is the real deal.
Grade: A+
6. Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle WR Alabama
This is an interesting pick here for the Dolphins. He’s the most explosive WR in this draft, but Tua might not be able to get him the ball. Waddle will get his touches, but Smith might’ve been better for Tua’s skill set.
Grade: C
7. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell T Oregon
The lions needed help on the offensive line and they got the best lineman in the draft. What a steal to get him at seven. He’ll be a cornerstone on the o-line for a while. He’s the exact type of player that fits the Dan Campbell Cutlure.
Grade: A
8. Carolina Panthers: Jaycee Horn CB South Carolina
I thought they would go offensive line here, but Horn is a solid pick. He’s going to be a great corner in the NFL if he can fix some of his holding issues. That Panther defense just got a little bit better.
Grade: B+
9. Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II CB Alabam
Two straight corners taken. I, personally, am not a huge fan of this pick. Surtain is a great man cover corner, but they already have a great corners after just signing Kyle Fuller. I thought they would’ve tried to help Drew Lock, but I guess that Defense gets even more talent.
Grade: B-
10. Philadelphia Eagles (Trade w/ Cowboys): Devonta Smith WR Alabam
The Eagles committed a rare intra-division trade to move up two spots and snag the Heisman Trophy winner, filling a huge need. His size is the only question, but I think it won’t mean a thing. Smith is untouchable off the line and is the best route runner in this class. Hurts just got a serious weapon to work with.
Grade: A
11. Chiago Bears (Trade w/ Giants): Justin Fields QB Ohio State
Congratulations Ryan Pace, you finally made a good decision. Fields will get at least half a year to learn under Andy Dalton. He’s got a very talented arm and will have some great weapons in Chicago.
Grade: A
12. Cowboys (Trade w/ Eagles): Micah Parson LB Penn State
After missing out on their biggest need, corner, the Cowboys get one of the most athletic prospects we’ve seen. It’s not what they wanted, but it’s a great plan B. Parsons is one of my favorite players in the entire draft. He’s a freak athlete and will be extremely versatile. His one downside is his cover ability. If he can sure that up this will be an absolute steal for the Cowboys. Their linebacking core is stacked.
Grade: A
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater T Northwestern
The Chargers had two big holes coming into this draft, corner and tackle. No one thought Slater would be available here for them, but he was and they wasted no time taking the second best lineman in the draft. He will protect Justin Herbert’s blind side. Props to the Chargers for turning one of their weaknesses into a strength in one offseason.
Grade: A+
14. New York Jets (Trade w/ Minnesota): Alijah Vera-Tucker G USC
The Jets did exactly what they needed to, protect Zach Wilson. I would’ve gone Christian Darrisaw to play tackle, but Vera-Tucker is going to be a really good guard in the NFL.
Grade: B
15. New England Patriots: Mac Jones QB Alabama
Wow. The Patriots did absolutely nothing and still got their guy. Belichick took all of a minute to get the pick in. Jones is my 5th ranked QB, but in this system he could end up much higher. Josh McDaniels is going to mold him into a great starting caliber QB. His one weakness, arm strength, won’t be a huge issue.
Grade: A+
16. Arizona Cardinals: Zaven Collins LB Tulsa
I think this is a reach here for Arizona. Collins is a good player, but I don’t think he is better than JOK. It just seems like they got desperate with all their top guys taken and took someone they could have traded down to get.
Grade: C
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Alex Leatherwood T Alabama
I don’t understand the Gruden and Mayock at all. They continue to baffle me with the way they run their team. I thought Leatherwood was maybe worth a second round pick. Especially with Tevin Jenkins and Christian Darrisaw on the board.
Grade: F-
18. Miami Dolphins: Jalean Phillips EDGE Miami
What a pick by Miami. Obviously Brian Flores thinks this kid is special even though he’s had three concussions already and might have to retire if he gets another. He is by far the best pass rusher in this class. Miami gets some much needed edge help. Could be the steal of the draft.
Grade: A+
19. Washington Football Team: Jamin Davis LB Kentucky
The Football Team gets a great linebacker here. I just don’t understand why they didn’t go JOK here. It’s not that I don’t like Davis, but JOK is a once in a lifetime linebacker prospect. I won’t question the front office that put together this defense though.
Grade: C+
20. New York Giants (Trade w/ Bears): Kadarius Toney WR Ole Miss
I’m not a fan of this pick. I think Toney is a little overrated. Elijah Moore or Rondale Moore would preferably be better. I do like that they’re giving more weapons to Daniel Jones, just don’t agree with the pick. They could have got him on day two if they really wanted.
Grade: D+
21. Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye EDGE Michigan
I don’t hate the pick. Kwity Paye is a really great run defender and an unpolished pass rusher. After the loss of Anothony Costanzo I thought they would’ve picked Darrisaw or Jenkins. I felt like tackle was a bigger need for them considering their starting left tackle is Sam Tevi. They must think they can get someone on day two, but I’m just confused.
Grade: C
22. Tennessee Titans: Caleb Farley CB Virginia Tech
I love Caleb Farley, but his injury concerns dropped him to the Titans at 22. If Farley stays healthy he’s going to be the steal of the draft. He’s top ten talent. He’s got the height and the speed to be an elite corner in the NFL. Just hope he stays healthy.
Grade: A-
23. Minnesota Vikings (Trade w/ Jets): Christian Darrisaw T Virginia Tech
The Vikings traded down to get the guy they could’ve got at 14. It’s the move of the draft. Darrisaw is going to protect Cousins blindside for the rest of his tenure in Minnesota. Great pick here by the Vikings.
Grade: A+
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris RB Alabama
The Steelers get some much needed help on the ground. Harris is a monster in every facet of the game. On paper, The Steelers offense is getting a huge boost here, but they need people to block for him. I’m indifferent on this pick until I see what they are able to get across the offensive line after losing three starters this offseason.
Grade: B+
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne RB Clemson
I don’t like this pick at all. They already have James Robinson and could’ve used someone in the secondary, tackle or TE. Etienne is a great player and he’ll reunite with Lawrence, but I don’t think this was the best way to go here.
Grade: D+
26. Cleveland Browns: Greg Newsome CB Northwestern
Another pick I’m not a fan of. I love Newsome, but again, JOK is on the board. I don’t hate this one as much as some of the others. You can never have too many corners in the NFL. It’s just something about needing a cover linebacker and not taking the best one in a long time.
Grade: B-
27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman WR Minnesota
A great pick for the Ravens. Lamar needed a true possession receiver outside of Mark Andrews and Bateman is as good as it gets. He’s going to make Lamar’s life a lot easier. He immediately becomes the number one receiver in Baltimore.
Grade: A+
28. New Orleans Saints: Payton Turner EDGE Houston
I’m a big Payton Turner guy. He’s a huge guy that is extremely athletic for his size. I think that the Saints had other needs, but I don’t fault them for getting him here. Turner is basically a replacement for Marcus Davenport who hasn’t worked out the way the Saints thought he would. They would’ve got a higher grade if they went wideout or corner.
Grade: B
29. Green Bay Packers: Eric Stokes CB Georgia
Well Aaron Rodgers is gone. This is the Packers accepting defeat on that. They focus on defense, which I’m okay with, but I don’t think Stokes was the best guy. I would’ve preferred Asante Samuel. They definitely needed corner because Kevin King is not the answer, just the wrong one in my opinion.
Grade: C+
30. Buffalo Bills: Gregory Rousseau EDGE Miami
The Bills get much needed edge help with the second Miami edge rusher taken in this draft. Rousseau is an interesting prospect. He’s very raw, but has the work ethic to be great. The Bills is a great landing spot for him where he can learn from Jerry Hughes.
Grade: B+
31. Baltimore Raves: Jayson Oweh EDGE Penn State
The Ravens used Kansas City’s pick to take another Penn State athletic freak. Oweh just started playing football a couple years ago. He’s about as raw a prospect as you can get. Baltimore is the perfect pick for him scheme wise. He will be Pernell McPhee for the next decade.
Grade: B+
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon EDGE Washington
What a great pick here for the Bucs. Tryon is going to be a day one rotational player and can lineup in a bunch of different spots on the d-line. The rich get richer.
Grade: A-
