John McClain grades each team on its draft performance.
TEXANS
No picks in the first two rounds. Solved needs with FS Justin Reid and OT Martinas Rankin, who could start as rookies. WR Keke Coutee can play inside and may be the answer to their kickoff return problem. OLB Duke Ejiofor could be a steal in the sixth round after his shoulder heals. Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas should make interesting competition at tight end.
Grade: B-minus
JACKSONVILLE
The defending division champions got better with their first four picks. DT Taven Bryan adds to the talent up front. WR D.J. Chark has size and speed and should replace Allen Robinson. S Ronnie Harrison is a physical player who should help off the bench. OT Will Richardson could start as a rookie.
Grade: B
TENNESSEE
The Titans had only four picks — fewest in the league. They used them wisely. ILB Rashaan Evans is a terrific player who makes plays all over the field. He can rush, stop the run and drop into coverage. OLB Harold Landry could become a dangerous pass rusher. QB Luke Falk is a developmental prospect.
Grade: B-minus
INDIANAPOLIS
Guards Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith, their first two picks, should become immediate starters. They bolstered the pass rush with a pair of ends in Kemoko Turay and Tyquan Lewis. RB Nyheim Hines should replace Frank Gore and enhance the running game. WR Deon Cain was a smart pick in the sixth round.
Grade: B-minus
ATLANTA
WR Calvin Ridley should provide them with an awesome one-two Alabama punch opposite Julio Jones. CB Isaiah Oliver is good enough to get a lot of playing time as a rookie. DT Deadrin Senat is quick, strong and talented enough to come off the bench and help the run defense.
Grade: C
NEW ORLEANS
They wanted DE Marcus Davenport so bad they traded up in the first round to get him. He’s raw, but he can make their pass rush more productive once he develops. WR Tre’Quan Smith and OT Rich Leonard could contribute off the bench as rookies. C Will Clapp may turn out to be a shrewd seventh-round pick.
Grade: C
Carolina
Their first four picks were solid. WR D.J. Moore could become one of Cam Newton’s favorite targets. If CB Donte Jackson and S Rashaan Gaulden don’t start as rookies, they’ll contribute off the bench. TE Ian Thomas was a superb fourth-round pick. LB Marquis Haynes will help special teams.
Grade: B-plus
TAMPA BAY
DT Vita Vea will help anchor the middle and free up Gerald McCoy to make even more plays. They’ll become a gruesome twosome. RB Ronald Jones is a big-time breakaway threat who could start as a rookie. M.J. Stewart and Carlson Davis can make a quick impact on the secondary. G Alex Cappa could start as a rookie.
Grade: B
PITTSBURGH
S Terrell Edmunds was a reach in the first round, but the Steelers usually know what they are doing, and they need to improve on the back end. WR James Washington and QB Mason Rudolph, teammates at Oklahoma State, were quality picks. So were OT Chuks Okorafor, S Marcus Allen and RB Jaylen Samuels.
Grade: B
BALTIMORE
In his last draft as general manager, Ozzie Newsome traded into the first round to get QB Lamar Jackson, selected two talented tight ends in Hayden Hurst and Mark Sanders, took a chance on OT Orlando Brown, got a steal in CB Anthony Averett, and found a bargain in S DeShon Elliott in the sixth round.
Grade: B-plus
CINCINNATI
Of their 11 picks, the first two — C Billy Price and S Jessie Bates III — could make an immediate impact. Price is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle suffered at the combine. DE Sam Hubbard should help the pass rush. LB Malik Jefferson could take advantage of Vontaez Burfict’s suspension.
Grade: B
CLEVELAND
There was a lot of skepticism over taking QB Baker Mayfield with the first pick, but he could solve the Browns’ most pressing need. CB Denzel Ward is a terrific prospect, but they passed up DE Bradley Chubb, the best pass rusher. OT Austin Corbett could replace Joe Thomas on the left side. RB Nick Chubb should improve the running game. Grade: A-minus
MINNESOTA
The Vikings’ picks in the first and second rounds — CB Mike Hughes and OT Brian O’Neill — should pay immediate dividends. Hughes will be the fourth first-round pick – the third at corner – in the secondary. DEs Jalyn Holmes and Ade Aruna will aid the pass rush on the NFL’s No. 1 defense.
Grade: B
GREEN BAY
The Packers had 11 picks in their first draft without GM Ted Thompson in charge. They got superb corners in Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson in the first two rounds. Both should play right away. Their best lower picks were G Cole Madison in the fifth round and WR Equanimeous St. Brown in the sixth.
Grade: B-plus
DETROIT
C Frank Ragnow’s stock was on the rise, and he should be an immediate starter. RB Kerryon Johnson could be the 1,000-yard rusher who has been missing. DE Da’Shawn Hand was an excellent fourth-round pick. Getting OT Tyrell Crosby in the fifth round could turn out to be the shrewdest move. Grade: B
CHICAGO
ILB Roquan Smith makes plays sideline to sideline and should be a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. James Daniels was the best center prospect in the draft and also can start at guard. WR Anthony Miller could turn out to be the league’s best rookie at his position.
Grade: B-plus
NEW ENGLAND
Bill Belichick was wheeling and dealing and went to Georgia for his first two picks — G Isaiah Wynn and RB Sony Michel. Both will help the running game. Wynn also could project to tackle. Multitalented CB Duke Dawson was a smart secondround pick, who is expected to replace Malcom Butler.
Grade: A-minus
BUFFALO
The Bills traded up to get QB Josh Allen, who should replace A.J. McCarron sometime during his rookie year. ILB Tremaine Edmunds is only 19, but he is talented enough to start as a rookie. DT Harrison Phillips, who should eventually replace Kyle Williams, was a third-round bargain. He will help the run defense.
Grade: B
MIAMI
They were fortunate CB Minkah Fitzpatrick was available with the 11th overall pick. He is a candidate to be voted Defensive Rookie of the Year. TE Mike Gesicki is a tremendous receiver but not much of a blocker. TE Durham Smythe is a better blocker than receiver. RB Kalen Ballage is underrated.
Grade: B
NEW YORK JETS
QB Sam Darnold fell into their laps, and they could not pass him up. He may take time to develop, but he was the best prospect at his position. DT Nathan Shepherd could start as a rookie. CB Parry Nickerson was one of the fastest players in the draft. TE Chris Herndon could earn playing time right away.
Grade: B
PHILADELPHIA
The Eagles traded their first pick to Baltimore and then traded up in the second round ahead of Dallas to select TE Dallas Goedert. He will make an immediate contribution behind Zach Ertz at a need position. DB Avonte Maddox, and DE Josh Sweat will help the defending Super Bowl champions off the bench.
Grade: C
DALLAS
ILB Leighton Vander Esch solves a need and could be the team’s leading tackler. G Connor Williams will switch from tackle and may take time to develop, but he also could earn a starting job as a rookie. WR Michael Gallup may be a third-round bargain. Keep an eye on TE Damon Schultz.
Grade: B
WASHINGTON
To help anchor the interior run defense, the first pick was used on DT Da’Ron Payne, who is outstanding against the run and an improving pass rusher. RB Derrius Guice should play with a big chip on his shoulder after dropping low in the second round. OT Geron Christian could start as a rookie. Grade: B-minus
NEW YORK GIANTS
RB Saquon Barkley was the top prospect in the draft and could become Offensive Rookie of the Year. G Will Hernandez was a great second-round pick, who could start from day one. OLB Lorenzo Carter and DT B.J. Hill was smart picks. The Giants made a wise decision taking QB Kyle Lauletta in the fourth round.
Grade: A
KANSAS CITY
No first-round pick, but their first two selections — LB Breeland Speaks and DT Derrick Nnadi — are talented enough to help the defense right away. The Chiefs had six picks, and their first five were used to fortify the defense. Expect S Armani Watts to earn some playing time as a rookie. Grade: B-minus
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
They had seven choices, and they used the first four on defense, beginning with S Derwin James. He should be an immediate starter. LBs Uchenna Nwosu is expected to help the run defense and pressure the passer. C Scott Quessenberry could earn a starting job as a rookie.
Grade: B
DENVER
DE Bradley Chubb was the best pass rusher available. WR Courtland Sutton is a big target for Case Keenum. RB Royce Freeman should replace C.J. Anderson off the bench. CB Isaac Yiadom, ILB Josey Jewell and TE Troy Fumagalli were solid picks, who could contribute as rookies.
Grade: B-plus
OAKLAND
They reached for OT Kolton Miller, but he could start on the right side. DT P.J. Hall and OT Brandon Parker are talented but must adjust to the competition. They could be eventual starters. DE Arden Key and DT Maurice Hurst are loaded with talent and could make the pass rush a lot better. Grade: B-minus
LOS ANGELES RAMS
They didn’t have a first-round pick, but they finished with 11, including five in the sixth round. They didn’t pick until the third round, where they took OT Joseph Noteboom, who could be groomed to eventually replace Andrew Whitworth. LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was a sleeper pick in the fifth round.
Grade: C-plus
SEATTLE
The Seahawks hope RB Rashaad Penny will do a reasonable impersonation of Marshawn Lynch in his prime. OLB Shaquem Griffin was the feel-good story of the draft. He will help special teams and may contribute as a pass rusher. If DE Rasheem Green can pressure the quarterback, he will help replace Michael Bennett.
Grade: C
ARIZONA
The Cardinals traded up to get QB Josh Rosen with the 10th overall pick. With Sam Bradford ahead of him, expect Rosen to start at some point as a rookie. WR Christian Kirk is a splendid slot receiver, who can also help the return game. C Mason Cole was a solid pick in the third round.
Grade: B
SAN FRANCISCO
OT Mike McGlinchey and WR Dante Pettis will help QB Jimmy Garoppolo and an offense that could be one of the league’s best. Pettis also is a great return specialist. The next six picks were on defense. LB Fred Warner and FS Tarvarius Moore should contribute as rookies. P Michael Dickson should affect field position.
Grade: B-plus