NFL Draft Grades 2018

Posted by Doc Fantasy
Tuesday, May 01, 2018 | 0 comments

Anthony Cervinos NFL Draft Grades

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Arizona – I loved that Cardinals draft. They filled needs across the offense. Chase Edmonds should immediately act as the RB2 behind David Johnson, Mason Cole will be in the interior offensive line rotation. He is a reliable two-position asset. And we can’t forget Josh Rosen or Christain Kirk. With a good preseason, Kirk should be the Week 1 starter in the slot and it wouldn’t surprise me if Josh Rosen started a handful of games this season due to Sam Bradford’s practice injury history. He’s their future. Draft Grade: B+

Atlanta – While Calvin Ridley is the big-named pick of the class, Atlanta’s best pick may have come in the second round. Isaiah Oliver fits their scheme and although cornerback wasn’t an immediate need, I think he will still make an impact. You can never have enough DBs in today’s NFL. My biggest issue with the Falcons draft is that they didn’t target an interior offensive lineman or a tight end. Two positions that could use depth and perhaps an upgrade. Draft Grade: B

Baltimore – The Ravens had a strong draft. They are a team that loves to feature a versatile tight end in the receiving game. They went out and grabbed two. Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews add young depth to the tight end position in Baltimore since they lost Dennis Pitta and Ben Watson in the past two offseasons. They needed this upgrade as the others on the depth chart have a checkered injury history. The Ravens traded back into the first to snag Lamar Jackson, who slipped to the final pick of day-1. It wasn’t an immediate need per say but now they aren’t forced to hang on to Joe Flacco should he begin to struggle. Plus, if he goes down, they aren’t relying on Ryan Mallett anymore. Jaleel Scott and Jorden Lasley are two project receivers that add depth to a position that the Ravens are desperately trying to retool this offseason. Though of the duo, Scott is the favorite to develop quickly and make a year-one impact. Draft Grade: B+

Buffalo I like that the Bills didn’t mortgage the house by trading up to the second or fifth spot to get a quarterback. They moved up just enough to snag Josh Allen while retaining their second first-round pick. However, Allen wasn’t the best QB on the board. They let Josh Rosen fall to the Cardinals and went with Allen, a big-armed passer who needs some work. Rosen was the more ready to go now guy to me. With the aforementioned second pick in the first round, they took three-down LB Tremaine Edmonds. He’ll see the starting lineup in Week 1. While they waited until the later rounds of the draft to target a receiver in a very deep class — they took Austin Proehl in the sixth — they snagged tremendous value in the third with big DT Harrison Phillips. He may not be an immediate starter but I certainly think he’ll be in the rotational mix. Draft Grade: A

Carolina I love what the Panthers did in the draft. First, they got Cam Newton a weapon in the form of D.J. Moore, my top-ranked wideout. He’s their Week 1 WR1. With their next two picks, they went after defensive backs. Respective second and third round picks Donte Jackson and Rashaan Gaulden will get every opportunity to play early and often — the Panthers’ secondary hasn’t been the same since Josh Norman left. And let’s not forget Ian Thomas, one of my favorite tight ends in this year’s class. With Greg Olsen coming off of a foot injury, plus, there is no guarantee he will play out his contract despite just singing a two-year extension — just ask Jason Witten and the Cowboys — as well as the loss of Ed Dickson in free agency, Thomas is poised to see instant playing time behind the longtime starter. I feel like Ian Thomas is in a similar spot as Jonnu Smith is in behind Delanie Walker in Tennesse. Draft Grade: A

Chicago -The Bears capped off an outstanding offseason in personnel movement by following it up with an equally promising draft. They took Roquan Smith, the top middle linebacker on the board with their eighth overall pick and followed that up by taking Anthony Miller, an upside wideout and James Daniels, a first-round prospect and swing interior offensive lineman, in the second. All three players are already slated to be Week 1 starters. Day-three was used to bolster depth on the defense and at wide receiver with Javon Wims. Chicago had one of the best drafts in the league. Ryan Pace is in the running for general manager of the year. Draft Grade: A+

Cincinnati -While the Bengals upgraded their struggling offensive line by taking Billy Price 22nd overall, they reached for him. He’s coming off a torn pec and wasn’t even the best center on the board – I had Frank Ragnow and James Daniels ranked ahead of him. Although he’ll start immediately, they could have done better. The addressed defensive needs with their next three picks. However, Jessie Bates, Sam Hubbard, Malik Jefferson may only be rotational players in their first-year. I do like the Mark Walton pick in the fourth, however. It wouldn’t surprise me if he pushed Gio Bernard for tie behind Joe Mixon. Draft Grade: C

Cleveland – Oh my Browns, my poor, poor Browns. They reached for Baker Mayfield with the top overall pick and then reached No. 4 as well. With Bradley Chubb, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Quinton Nelson still on the board, they took Denzel Ward, my No. 2 ranked corner. While they filed needs with those selections, they could have had better or equipment value if they moved back. Some would say they even reached with the first second-round pick Austin Corbett. However, I love the Nick Chibb selection a few picks later. I think they were smart for letting Derrius Guice slide. They have enough off the field issues to deal with. Speaking of off the field issues, they took Antonio Calaway 105th overall. While he’s a great value there, he did slip due to his off the field decisions, like Guice. And although they didn’t take Bradley Chubb to line up opposite Myles Garrett, they did get value in the rid with Chad Thomas. If it wasn’t for their questionable reaches with their top three picks, I would have given Cleveland an A. Those early picks are much too valuable to jerk around with. Loved Josh Dorsey’s offseason up to this point. Draft Grade: C+

Dallas – Despite what some people think, the Cowboys had a great draft. While the flashy pick would have been a WR or a TE in the first, they recognized that their bigger need was at linebacker. Not only is Sean Lee injury-prone, but we don’t know how Jaylon Smith will be in his first year with the training wheels off due to his knee injury and the Anthony Hitchens loss in free agency. Leighton Vander Esch could be a great player for years to come. He has a past neck injury, but his upside is too much to pass on. In the second, the Cowboys addressed their second biggest need with Connor Williams. Tyron Smith’s absence exposed Dak Prescott and the rest of the Cowboys offense last season. Williams should start right away and could eventually replace Smith. In a deep class for wide receivers, the Cowboys waited until the third and took one with tremendous upside and value in Michael Gallup. He’s on the fast track to the WR1 spot. They waited until the fourth to take a tight end despite the sudden news of Jason Witten’s retirement. Daulton Schultz is another one who may be seeing snaps immediately, especially if Jason Garrett cant talks Witten into coming back. Draft Grade: A

Denver – The Broncos and Josh Elway did it right. They knew quarterback wasn’t an immediate need in the wake of the Case Keenum signing and the fact that Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold were already off the board. They weren’t in love with the other prospects so they decided to take the best player on the board in Bradley Chubb. I bet that if Chubb wasn’t there, they would have dealt the pick to a team like the Bills. But Chubb was too much value to pass up. Moreover, it was a need. He’ll start on the other side of Von Miller. Remember, Miller was at his best when Damarvus Ware was on the other side. In the second, they took Courtland Sutton. With Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders both at the age of 30 with big contracts, taking an heir apparent was a smart move. It wouldn’t surprise me if Sander was released with a post-June 1 designation at this point. And let’s not overlook Royce Freeman. In a deep running back class, Freeman was a great value where they got him. And with C.J. Anderson no longer in the mix and Devonta Booker clearly not being the answer, I expect Freeman to enter 2018 as the Denver RB1. Getting WR DaeSean Hamilton and LB Josey Jewell in the middle rounds will pay dividends later on their respective sides of the ball. Draft Grade: A+

Detroit – I’m not in love with the Lions draft after their first two picks. While Frank Ragnow was a solid pick in the first to bolster the inside of their offensive line, there were better players on the board like an Isaiah Wynn. In the second, they took their running back in Kerryon Johnson, whom I love. While he doesn’t come with the big name attached like Derrius Guice or Saquan Barkley, he’s entering a favorable situation. I think he’ll be the ions Week 1 RB1 and make an impact. He’ll be what Ameer Abdulah and Theo Riddick weren’t. The got an upgrade at DB with Trace Walker but may have paid the piper for Da’Shawn Hand. Draft Grade: C+

Green Bay – I love how the Green Bay Packers handled their draft. Brian Gutekunst is already doing better than Ted Thompson. They traded back and targeted cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, who were viewed among the best CBs on the overall board — with their first two picks. A positional upgrade of great proportions. The Packers also got better at linebacker in the third with Oren Burks. Let’s not forget they mid-to-late round upgrades at wideout. Much like they did in last year’s draft at running back — they took tree — they took the receivers. One of J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Equanimeous St. Brown should be Green Bay’s Week 1 WR3. my early money is on Moore. Draft Grade: A

Houston – You can grade the Texans’ 2018 draft class on how Deshaun Watson performs moving forward. They traded this year’s first rounder to the Browns during last year’s draft to take Deshaun Watson. However, they also didn’t have a second-round pick either. They traded it to the Browns in order to move on from the Brock Osweiler debacle. Cleveland cleaned up. While Cleveland cleaned up, both sides ultimately won. While Houston didn’t have a pick until the third round this year, they did have three of them. They used them on S Justin Reid, OL Martinas Rankin, and TE Jordan Akins, addressing immediate needs across the board, especially at tight end with the uncertainty surrounding C.J. Fiedorowicz and gis concussions — they also added another tight end, Jordan Thomas, in the sixth. A player to watch though is fourth-round WR Keke Coutee. I expect him to instantly push Bruce Ellington and Braxton Miller for reps in the slot. A quality return ace, Coutee could also get time in the return game. Draft Grade: D+

Indianapolis – The Colts were very smart in this year’s draft. They didn’t mess around. When Chris Ballard said that he intends to protect Andrew Luck, he meant it, drafting Quentin Nelson, my top-ranked overall prospect in 2018 who remarkably fell to the sixth pick, in the first and then taking Braden Smith, a sure-fire starting guard in the second. With their another slew of second and third round picks, they upgraded their defense with LB Darius Leonard, DE Kemoko Turay, and DE Tyquan Lewis. All three will start in the future and could certainly see ample playing time in year one. However, a sleeper pick in the likes of Nyheim Hines came in the fourth. Hines will play immediately and likely split time with Marlon Mack. Add in Deon Cain Daurice Fountain to compete for time at wide receiver and the Colts did very well for themselves during a time of rebuilding around Andrew Luck, before its too late. Draft Grade: A+

Jacksonville – A team that didn’t have very many needs, the Jaguars had an okay draft when it could have been better. They bolstered their interior defensive line with Taven Bryan in the first, but D.J. Chark’s selection in the second was a head-scratcher since they added Donte Moncrief in free agency and retained Marqise Lee — not to mention they also roster Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole. Ronnie Harrison was a nice pick in the third who should see rotational duty, but they waited until the fourth get adds offensive line depth in Will Richardson. Draft Grade: C+

Kansas City – We didn’t see the Chiefs make a selection until No. 46 overall — they traded this year’s first last season to jump up and get Pat Mahomes. At 46 overall they took Breeland Speaks, but the project player with upside didn’t come cheap. They gave up their third rounder to move up and get him. A very questionable decision. Their next four picks in the mid-to-late rounds also addressed the defensive side of the ball – their once-potent defense was their Achilles heel last season — though I don’t see any imminent difference makers in this group. Draft Grade: D

LA Chargers – Early in the draft, the Chargers got better all over their defense, most notably, improving an already up and coming secondary with the Derwin James pick. He’s a player amongst playmakers. Their next three picks –LB Uchenna Nwosu, DT Justin Jones and Kyzir White, a hybrid player, should all be playing time early, but may not crack the starting lineup. They’ll likely be in the rotation on a talented defense. Day-three of the draft focused on offensive depth. The player to watch here is Justin Jackson. He may compete with Austin Ekeler for reps behind Melvin Gordon. Draft Grade: B+

LA Rams – We didn’t see the Rams take a player until the third round. They moved their first and second round selections in the past two offseasons to get players like Brandin Cooks and Sammy Watkins. No longer having Watkins and the fact they gave up a second for him hurts their draft grade for me. However, with their third and fourth-round choices, they addressed needs on their offensive line with OT Joseph Noteboom and C Brian Allen. They were picks to fill needs in the future, but will also provide depth for their veteran linemen now. Their notable offensive selection, RB John Kelley should immediately be slated behind Todd Gurley as the Rams RB2. He is expected to overtake Malcolm Brown as the change of pace back. Despite not having a pick on day-one or day-two, the Les Snead did a respectable job. Draft Grade: C+

Miami – It seemed like the Dolphins were considering drafting a quarterback with their first-round pick as we saw the Cardinals jump up ahead of them to take Josh Rosen. However, even if that was the case, Miami didn’t panic. In fact, they got a gift in my No. 1 ranked DB, Minkah Fitzpatrick, who slipped to them at No. 11. No question he’s a day-one starter. How about their second-round pick Mike Gesicki. He was my top ranked tight end who fell to them at No. 42. Miami needed a tight end. It was a position of lesser value for them in recent memory with players like Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, and Dustin Keller never panning out. Gesicki will be Ryan Tannehill’s safety net and red zone target. Cold is the year’s, Hunter Henry. Their next three picks were solid additions as well. LB Jerome Baker should see immediate time in the rotation, TE Durham Smythe will play behind Gesicki as the team’s in-line/ primary blocking tight end and it wouldn’t surprise me if Kalen Ballage splits time with the elder Frank Gore spelling Kenyan Drake. They didn’t reach for a QB either. Solid draft. Draft Grade: B+

Minnesota – The Vikings had two glaring needs entering this draft, cornerback opposite, and offensive line. Sitting at the 28th pick in the back of the first round, Minnesota took Mike Hughes. With Terrance Newman no longer in the mix as he remains unsigned, I expect Hughes to come in and starting the slot. While their 0-line need was on the interior, they decided to take T Brian O’Neill. A project player with upside, I think O’Neill will eventually replace either Riley Reiff or Mike Remmers. While day-three picks DE Jalyn Holmes and TE Tyler Conklin could take time to develop, the latter is the favorite to emerge behind Kyle Rudolph as the Vikings TE2 to open the season. Draft Grade: C+

New England – This is one of the first drafts I can remember where the Patriots actually had multiple needs. After losing Nate Solder in free agency, the Patriots addressed the offensive line with the 23rd overall pick, selecting Isaiah Wynn. He was an outstanding value there. Best guard on the board at that point. The followed that up with a head-scratcher. Selecting RB Sony Michel 31st overall. He was not only a questionable pick because of his injury history, but the Patriots are also loaded at running back. Moreover, with Lamar Jackson and Mason Rudolph on the board, I’m shocked New England didn’t snag one of them t perhaps succeed Tom Brady. Now, they’ll enter 2018 with Brian Hoyer as their QB2. As usual, the Patriots were busy with trades during the draft. One of which, moving up and reaching for CB Duke Johnson. It is a need, but there were better on the board, but who am I to question the great Bill Belichick. They spent day-three targeting defense and wide receiver, slicing Braxton Berrios to eventually replace Danny Amendola in the slot. Not my favorite Patriots draft in the Belichick era. Draft Grade: C

New Orleans – While everyone thought the Saints dealt away a king’s ransom to trade up to get a quarterback, I had a gut feeling that Marcus Davenport was the pick. And unfortunately, I was right. This isn’t a knock on Davenport, it is more of a knock on Micky Loomis. The kind of haul they gave up to move up and grab Davenport was the type a team trades away for a quarterback or elite skill position player, but they obviously see something in Davenport. He must be in the running for DROY for this pick to make sense. Following the deal, their next pick didn’t come until the third round in which they selected Tre’Quan Smith. Another questionable call. The Saints just added Cameron Meredith to an already loaded WR depth chart. While Smith may be a significant player for them in the future, perhaps replacing Ted Ginn, Drew Brees isn’t getting any younger and the Saints are ready to win now. They should have selected a player that could make a difference in a 2018 Super Bowl run. Day-three wasn’t much better here. I don’t see anything more than small role players and special timers here in the immediate future. Bad draft for a contender. A complete 180 from last year. Draft Grade: D

New York Giants – The Giants disappointed me. Their Achilles heel has been their offensive line in recent years. They signed Nate Solder and attempted to reel in Andrew Norwell as well to no avail, which made me believe Quentin Nelson would be their pick. However, they went with Saquan Barkley instead. While he is an elite talent, Penn State running backs have had difficulty panning out in the NFL dating back to the late 1980s. Plus, aside from the Solder upgrade, their line remains a handicap. While they waited and neglected to address the o-line with the top player on the board in the first, they selected borderline first-round talent Will Hernandez in the second. He’s starting. Three of their last four picks were over on the defensive side of the ball. Third-round picks LB Lorenzo Carter and DT B.J. Hill should see immediate reps with the ones. Though I feel that statement is better fitted for Carter than Hill if we’re talking about first-year starters. The Giants got a quarterback. But instead of going with one of the big six, they selected Kyle Lauletta at 108 overall. He’ll compete with Davis Webb for the QB21 spot behind Eli Manning. Draft Grade: B-

New York Jets – The Jets paid a king’s ransom to move up to the third pick in the draft to get a quarterback. The absolutely lucked out with Sam Darnold, who many thought he’d be off the board within the first two picks. However, Darnold won’t be ready right away. I expect Josh McCown to open the year as the starter. If the Jets are smart, they’ll let Darnold sit as long as they can, perhaps until 2019. Because they gave up so much for Darnold, they rest of their draft suffered. In the third, they selected a plug for the middle of their defense in Fort Hayes State DT Nathan Shepard. Expected to enter 2017 as a rotational player, Shepard could help out a pass rush that was amongst the league’s worst last season. In the fourth, they addressed another position of dire need, selecting TE Christopher Herndon. However, he is better suited as a blocker and won’t make much of an impact in the passing game.The Jets’ 2018 draft lives and dies with Sam Darnold. Draft Grade: C

Oakland Raiders – I’ve been floored by the Raiders offseason so far and the draft didn’t make it any better. While Oakland addressed their once-sturdy front five with two of their top three picks (OT Kolton Miller and OT Brandon Parker), I believe they had bigger holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball and at running back – I don’t believe in a semi-retired Marshawn Lynch or Doug Martin and his 2.8 YPC average from a season ago. As for their defense, they addressed that with run-stuffing nose tackle P.J. Hall and pass rusher Arden Key with second and fourth round picks respectively. Though there is a ton of upside there, I don’t see them being key contributors immediately. Aside from drafting P Johnny Townsend in the sixth and WR Marcel Ateman in the seventh, the Raiders added depth on their struggling defense in the middle of day-three. Fourth-round pick Maurice Hurst, a tremendous value, is my favorite Raiders pick of the day. It wouldn’t surprise me if he made a difference from the get-go. Draft Grade: C+

Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles were a strong team coming into the draft. And aside from a need at tight end, they could have drafted the best available player in every round. Trading out of the first round, the Eagles didn’t have a pick until the second in which they jumped in front of the Cowboys to select TE Dallas Goedart. While Zach Ertz is the clear-cut starter, he has missed a game or two in each of the past three seasons, which opens the door for Goedart to step in and prove his value. I fully expect Goedart to step into the void that Trey Burton made when he moved on in free agency, and the one Brent Celek made upon his offseason retirement. The Eagles would then address their depth at CB with their next pick, which didn’t come until the end of the fourth round, selecting Avonte Maddox 125th overall. They would follow that up with fifth-round pass rusher Josh Sweat. With concerns surrounding Michael Bennett both off the field and injury, it wouldn’t surprise me if Sweat was given the opportunity to make an impact sooner rather than later. Draft Grade: B-

Pittsburgh Steelers – With a late pick in the first round, the Steelers upgraded their safety position with Terrell Edmonds, While they may have reached for him, he does fill an immediate need and should be a day-one starter. Coming back around in the second, the Steelers took WR James Washington. The move made sense since they traded Martavis Bryant to the Raiders on day-one. Early on day-three, the Steelers got lucky. Mason Rudolph, who some thought could have gone in the late-first or second, fell to them at No. 76. With the yearly uncertainty surrounding Ben Roethlisberger’s playing status as well as his erratic injury struggles, Rudolph could be Pittsburgh’s QB of the future. They drafted Marcus Allen in the fifth round. However, this one is not the Hall of Fame running back. This Allen is a developmental safety. Jaylen Samuels was the rusher they took in the fifth. He’ll compete with John Connor for reps behind Le’Veon Bell. Draft Grade: C+

San Francisco 49ers – I had the 49ers taking a linebacker with the ninth overall pick. But that was before the Rueben Foster news came out, likely clearing him from his domestic allegations involving his girlfriend. Instead, the 49ers reached for Mike McClinchy, arguably the top offensive tackle in the draft. While he’s not going to start at left tackle, which is occupied by Joe Staley, he’ll immediately start on the right side. He’ll slide to the left once Staley’s tenure in San Franciso is over. In the second they targeted a wide receiver, another position of need. While Dante Pettis may not have been the best player on the board at wideout, he fits Kyle Shanah’s system well. Tons of upsides there. Six of their last seven picks addressed the defensive side of the ball. Third round LB Fred Warner will see the field should Foster get hit with a suspension stemming from his two recent arrests, which is expected. Draft Grade: B

Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks are reeling. Aside from Russell Wilson, they have holes everywhere. With their first pick, they took Rashaad Penny, which was a tremendous surprise for me and pretty much everyone else. He was really a day-two pick. However, the Seahawks have a solid stable of rushers that include Chris Carson, Mike Davis, and C.J. Prosise. I think they would have been fine entering 2018 with that stable and using their top pick to get a lineman to block for them and protect Wilson. With their next selection, they addressed that once-stout defense. Replacing the recently traded Michel Bennett with pass rusher Rasheem Green. Their next few picks made sense, but too little too late. They drafted TE Will Dissly in the fourth — a need in the wake of Jimmy Graham and Luke Wilson’s departures — fan favorite LB Shaquem Griffin and DB Tre Flowers. I can see Flowers getting a chance to see significant snaps early in the nickel or better on a retooled secondary. Draft Grade: D

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jason Licht had a solid draft for the Buccaneers, filling needs on both sides of the ball. In the first, the Buccaneers took the top defensive tackle on the board, Vita Vea, who is a freak. Along with offseason acquisition Jason Pierre Paul, amongst their tenured notable players, Tampa Bay is poised to have one of the best defensive fronts in the league. In the second they took Ronald Jones. While Payton Barber is the favorite to start, Jones will see significant action. He could be splitting touches with Barber by mid-season. Tampa’s next two picks addressed their secondary. I expect second-round pick versatile DB M.J. Stewart and third-round pick Carlton Davis to be significant time early. With an aging Brent Grimes and an underwhelming Vernon Hargreaves ahead of them, both rookies DBs could crack the starting lineup come year’s end. Draft Grade: A

Tennessee Titans – The Titans snagged awesome value with their first two picks. It is clear new head coach Mike Vrabel wants to fine-tune his new defense. Selecting Rasheen Evans in the first and pass rusher Harold Landry in the second, I think he accomplished that feat. While both Evans and Landry were viewed mid-grade day-one picks, the Titans arguably got them at a steal, especially Landry. Tennesse only had four total selection in 2018, however. They rounded out their draft class with sith round safety Dane Cruikshank and seventh-round quarterback Luke Falk. At best, Cruikshank will draw special teams value in 2018. Draft Grade: C

Washington Redskins – With the 12th overall pick, the Redksins selected Da’Ron Paye. An under-developed run-stuffer up the middle with questionable pass-rushing upside. He was a reach. However, in the second, they took Derrius Guice. The second best running back in the draft fell to the late second due to his off the field concerns. If he pans out, he’ll vastly improve a porous Redskins rushing attack. I expect him to start immediately if he “gets it.” A pick I love is third-round tackle Geron Christian. If he doesn’t start on the right, he’ll certainly be in the rotation and is the front-runner for Trent Williams’ job when his career is over. Aside from seventh-round WR Trey Quinn, they used the bulk of their day-three picks to bolster their defensive depth at all three levels. Draft Grade: B


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Anthony Cervino | NFL Draft Grades 2018 - Gridiron Experts


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