GRADING THE AFC
AFC SOUTH TEXANS
Lacking picks in the first two rounds, they sent a message Deshaun Watson will be traded by taking QB Davis Mills with their first pick. He’s a developmental prospect. WR Nico Collins has impressive size and speed. TE Brevin Jordan lines up all over the field. OLB Garret Wallow should help special teams. DT Joe Lopez adds depth.
COLTS
They didn’t fill the hole left by the retirement of LT Anthony Castonzo, but GM Chris Ballard drafted one of the best pass rushers in DE Kwity Paye, who’ll bolster the defensive pressure. DE Dayo Odeyingbo plays the left side and could move inside in some situations. QB Sam Ehlinger was an interesting pick to develop behind Carson Wentz.
JAGUARS
The offense should be vastly improved with QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne, who should split time with James Robinson as a rookie. OT Walker Little missed most of the last two seasons, but once he’s all the way back physically, he’ll provide solid protection for Lawrence. S Andre Cisco is a hard hitter who’ll improve the back end.
TITANS
After blowing their first-round pick last year on OT Isaiah Wilson, the Titans took a chance on CB Caleb Farley, who’s coming off back surgery. When he’s healthy, he’s outstanding. Then they went for OT Dillon Radunz, who could start right away. They also selected CB Elijah Molden, who specializes in covering slot receivers.
AFC NORTH RAVENS
Lamar Jackson should be ecstatic because the Ravens drafted receivers Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace. Bateman is big and tough, and Wallace is a speed merchant like Hollywood Brown. Jason Oweh should improve the pass rush, and CB Shaun Wade can play outside or inside. G Ben Cleveland is a 6-5, 355-pound monster on the inside.
BENGALS
Joe Burrow is reunited with his favorite receiver at LSU, Ja’Marr Chase, the best prospect at his position. LT Jackson Carman was a reach in the second round but should help the protection. LB Joseph Ossai could start as a rookie, and DE Carmen Sample and DT Tyler Shelvin will improve the depth in the defensive line.
BROWNS
They entered the draft looking for another cornerback — even though they’re loaded in the secondary — and came away with Greg Newsome. They got the best value of any player in the draft by getting OLB Jeremiah OsusuKoramoah in the second round. He was projected to go in the middle of the first round. DT Tommy Togiai should provide depth.
STEELERS
They solved their biggest weakness after ranking last in rushing in 2020 by selecting RB Najee Harris. He’s a big, tough, threedown back who can run inside or outside and help the passing game. Ben Roethlisberger is going to love TE Pat Freiermuth and G Kendrick Green. Quincy Roche will be developed as an edge rusher.
AFC EAST BILLS
They wanted to improve their pass rush, and DE Greg Rousseau has the talent to help them off the edge. DE Carlos Basham is stout against the run but needs to improve as a pass rusher. An intriguing pick is OT Spencer Brown. He’s an athletic 6-8 and 311 but has a lot to learn. Keep an eye on WR Marquez Stevenson.
DOLPHINS
They loaded up in the first two rounds with WR Jaylen Waddle, DE Jaelen Phillips, S Jevon Holland and OT Liam Eichenberg. Waddle is a big-play receiver who’ll make an immediate impact. Phillips helps the pass rush and Holland the pass coverage and run defense. Eichenberg could solve a problem if he can start as a rookie.
PATRIOTS
Bill Belichick was fortunate QB Mac Jones fell into his lap. He’ll learn behind Cam Newton and eventually replace him. DT Christian Barmore was the top-rated inside player. He’ll help the run defense and provide an inside push. DE Ronnie Perkins needs time to develop, but at some point he should be able to help the pass rush.
JETS
With 10 picks, GM Joe Douglas hit a home run, starting with QB Zach Wilson and G Alijah VeraTucker, who also can play tackle, in the first round. WR Elijah Moore was an excellent pick who should start as a rookie. RB Michael Carter has breakaway speed and, like Moore, gives the offense a lot of firepower. S Hamsah Nasirildeen is a sleeper.
AFC WEST BRONCOS
They were interested in Deshaun Watson, and now they’re interested in Aaron Rodgers, but they didn’t draft a quarterback. CB Patrick Surtain II should be an immediate starter. They got RB Javonte Williams, who might turn out to be the best player at his position. C Quinn Meinerz could start as a rookie.
CHIEFS
Andy Reid sent his No. 1 pick to the Ravens for LT Orlando Brown Jr., then used his first pick on C Creed Humphrey, who also can play guard. Brown, Humphrey and G Trey Smith are key components of the Chiefs’ rebuild up front. OLB Nick Bolton could start right away.
CHARGERS
They were relieved LT Rashawn Slater was available. He’ll start right away and protect Justin Herbert’s blind side. CB Asante Samuel Jr. could start as a rookie. OLB Chris Rumph II is an edge rusher who can pressure the passer and drop into coverage. WR Josh Palmer and TE Tre’ McKitty give Herbert more options.
RAIDERS
Desperate for offensive linemen, Jon Gruden reached for OT Alex Leatherwood with the 17th overall pick, but the Raiders expect him to start right away. They also got another rookie starter in S Trevon Moehrig before adding two more safeties, Divine Deablo and Tyree Gillespie. They’re hoping DE Malcolm Koonce can enhance the pass rush.