DRAFT GRADES ARE IN
The 2017 NFL draft is in the books. Over the course of three days, teams did their best to bolster their rosters for this season and beyond.
The Patriots seemed like parttime players in the show with no picks in the first two rounds and just four picks overall. But that’s a bit misleading considering everything they accomplished. Here’s how they fared compared to last year’s other AFC playoff teams:
Patriots
Best pick: Youngstown State defensive end Derek Rivers. He’s a third-rounder who has a chance to step in and contribute right way. He’s a good fit given his versatility and ability to rush the quarterback, whether he starts with his hand in the dirt or standing up.
And how about...: Holding on to Jimmy Garoppolo. Bill Belichick might prove incredibly prescient by not dealing his backup QB for a boatload of draft picks. But he also stands to be second-guessed if Tom Brady remains healthy and at an elite level and Belichick loses free-agent Garoppolo after the season.
Skinny: The Patriots count players they obtained with 2017 draft picks (Brandin Cooks, Dwayne Allen, Kony Ealy, Mike Gillislee, James O’Shaughnessy). In that context, they did great. They’re stacked and primed to repeat. Factoring in the four actual picks, they knocked off a couple areas of need with the two defensive ends and two tackles.
Grade: A
Steelers
Best pick: Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The Men of Steel didn’t panic and mortgage their future to move up the board to get him. They just waited and let the likely heir to Ben Roethlisberger come to them. He’s going to need time, but he should be better than Landry Jones.
And how about...: Steelers GM Kevin Colbert giving Roethlisberger another weapon with USC’s JuJu SmithSchuster. They snagged the 6-foot-2, 216-pounder in the second round. Adding this big, tough, competitive kid to a group that includes Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant will make Big Ben very happy.
Skinny: They pretty much checked off all the boxes in terms of needs. Of note, they took J.J. Watt’s brother T.J. to fill as a 3-4 pass rusher, and also running back James Conner, who is a cancer survivor. On the whole, though, they might have missed on some players who were rated higher. Grade: B
Texans
Best pick: Texas running back D’Onta Foreman. He’ll help lighten Lamar Miller’s workload and also be a stud on the goal line, which is a place they need help. The bruising back was a bargain at No. 89.
And how about...: Going all out to get Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. Everything rides on this pick. Having seen what Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates, Brandon Weeden, Tom Savage and Brock Osweiler gave them, the Texans were desperate. Watson has a winning pedigree but it’s no guarantee he’s the solution.
Skinny: Their draft will ultimately be judged by the Watson pick. With an elite defense, they need a quarterback. Beyond that, Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham and Clemson defensive lineman Carlos Watkins, who was terrific in the title game against Alabama, should contribute.
Grade: B
Raiders
Best pick: UConn safety Obi Melifonwu. How can it be a bad thing when the Raiders now have a 6-foot-4, 224-pound athletic freak who has the ability to cover KC tight end Travis Kelce (twice a year) and Rob Gronkowski, who they see on Nov. 19?
And how about...: Taking a chance on Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley. He’s one of the top-rated corners, but was recently accused of rape. He hasn’t been arrested or charged as yet, but the Raiders were convinced enough of his innocence to make the selection at No. 24. It could prove to be a good move if their faith is rewarded.
Skinny: There are a lot of question marks, starting with Conley. He could turn out good or be a huge problem. UCLA defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, their third-round pick, was terrific in 2015. Not so much in 2016. So while they added some talent, the Raiders gambled and reached on several picks.
Grade: C
Chiefs
Best pick: Toledo running back Kareem Hunt. Able to catch the ball out of the backfield, he fills a big need. Andy Reid will enjoy scheming plays for him given his elusiveness in space. And how about...: Reid surrendering a ton to move up 17 spots for a quarterback who will likely need a mechanics overhaul. Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a great arm, the best in the draft, but needs a lot of work.
Skinny: Alex Smith is signed until 2019. So they gave up a lot for a quarterback who wouldn’t seem to be in their immediate plans. Mahomes might be a gunslinger like Brett Favre, but he might also be a bust. Beyond that, Villanova DE Tanoh Kpassagnon is an intriguing prospect.
Grade: C-plus
Dolphins
Best pick: Missouri DE Charles Harris. While Dolphins fans might not have been over the moon with the pick — Miami passed on Alabama’s Reuben Foster — they should be happy getting a stud pass rusher who has the ability to get to Tom Brady.
And how about ...: Landing an immediate starting guard in Isaac Asiata in the fifth round? They could have taken Forrest Lamp in the first round, but waited and got great value. Utah’s Asiata isn’t Lamp, but he’ll be a serviceable guard.
Skinny: With Cameron Wake getting up in years, the Fins needed to add some youth to their pass rush. Harris helps there. They also got a tackling machine in Raekwon McMillan while adding Clemson’s Cordrea Tankersley, one of the taller corners (6-foot-1, 199), who fell to them in the third round. Not a bad haul.
Grade: B-minus