Time for draft grades
If (Mike) Gesicki and Jerome Baker can’t become respectable starters in their first two seasons, this draft will be a disappointment. Dolphins get a C+ with solid first-round pick
Take a look at how Miami Dolphins beat writer Omar Kelly grades each NFL team’s 2018 draft and what teams should expect from the rookie class. Here are the grades in alphabetical order:
Arizona Cardinals: C-
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, the Cardinals’ first-round pick, might have arm talent, but does he have the makeup to handle adversity and criticism, which all quarterbacks will face? Sam Bradford’s injury history means Rosen will likely have the team’s fate in his hands at some point duiring his rookie season. Christian Kirk could have an immediate impact as a receiver and return specialist.
Atlanta Falcons: B-
The Falcons didn’t need another receiver unless Julio Jones’ purge of all Falcons affiliated pictures on his social media account truly meant something, but taking Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley in the first round makes sense since he fit the bestplayer-available criteria. Cornerback Isiah Oliver and defensive tackle Deadrin Senat should be role players their rookie seasons, and have the talent to become starters.
Baltimore Ravens: B+
Ozzie Newsome went out with a bang in his last draft as the Ravens’ top decision maker. Tight end Hayden Hurst and quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens’ two first-round selections, are picks made for the future. If they develop into the
players they have the potential to be ,Baltimore’s future is bright. Offensive tackle Orlando Brown, tight end Mark Andrews, cornerback Anthony Averett and safety DeShon Elliott were value picks.
Buffalo Bills: B-
Josh Allen made the most sense for Buffalo because of his arm strength, which is needed to complete passes in Buffalo in November and December. And Trumaine Edmunds, Buffalo’s second first-round pick, satisfies a huge need, as does defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, Buffalo’s third-round pick. But if Allen and Edmunds, two unpolished talents, don’t turn out to be good, this draft will be mocked for years.
Carolina Panthers: B
Plenty of evaluators felt Maryland’s D.J. Moore was the best receiver in this draft class, and if they are right, quarterback Cam Newton now has plenty of talent to work with, including a young tight end to groom behind Greg Olsen in Ian Thomas. Cornerback Donte Jackson, the Panthers’ second-round pick, has the talent to push for a starting spot as a rookie.
Chicago Bears: A
Chicago’s first here picks – linebacker Roquan Smith, center James Daniels and receiver Anthony Miller – have the talent to become Pro Bowl players if they can stay healthy, and pick up the playbook quickly. If they even come close to reaching their full potential, the Bears are off to a good start replenishing that roster’s talent base.
Cincinnati Bengals: B-
Considering one-third of NFL draft picks turn out to be successful, the Bengals virtually ensured they had a fruitful draft by making 11 selections, and most of them were conservative picks. But three years from now Billy Price, James Bates III, Sam Hubbard, Malik Jefferson and Mark Walton could all wind up being productive starters for the Bengals, who have annually put together solid draft classes.
Cleveland Browns: A-
The Browns’ entire draft class features players who are fueled by the bolder they carry on their shoulders. Taking cornerback Denzel Ward over defensive end Bradley Chubb, who went to the Broncos, might end up being a mistake. But Nick Chubb, Cleveland’s second of two secondround picks, could end up being the best tailback in this draft class, and defensive end Chad Thomas and linebacker Genard Avery are both hidden gems that could blossom with the right coaching.
Dallas Cowboys: C
Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, the Cowboys’ first-round pick, addressed the team’s most glaring need on defense, but the Cowboys didn’t properly address the tight end position with Jason Witten likely to retire because Stanford’s Dalton Schultz, Dallas’ fourth-round pick, isn’t ready to be a rookie starter. Trading a late-round draft pick for former Rams receiver Tavon Austin was also a headscratching move.
Denver Broncos: A
The Broncos added the draft’s best pass rusher in Bradley Chubb, two polished pass catchers in Courtland Sutton and DeaSean Hamilton, a productive college linebacker in Josey Jewell, and a talented, but inconsistent tailback in Royce Freeman. If all five players become starters in two years, this group would be viewed as a phenomenal draft class. The only second-guess special would be not taking a quarterback early, which means Denver hasn’t given up on Paxton Lynch.
Detroit Lions: D+
Even though Detroit needed to upgrade the center position, the Lions could have waited until the second round to select Arkansas’ Frank Ragnow, who was taken with pick No. 20. Detroit desperately needed to upgrade the tailback spot and Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson, who isn’t the most elusive runner, was their choice in the second round. But Alabama defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand could be a third-day steal.
Green Bay Packers: C+
Louisville’s Jaire Alexander and Iowa’s Josh Jackson were two of the top cornerbacks in the NFL draft, so it makes sense the Packers made the pair Green Bay’s first- and second- round picks. Green Bay drafted three receivers, but the best of that trio might be Notre Dame’s Equanimeous St. Brown, the last one selected.
Houston Texans: C+
When a team doesn’t have a draft pick until the third round it’s hard to come away with studs, but the Texans got tremendous value at positions of need in Stanford safety Justin Reid and Mississippi State center Martinas Rankins, who were both third-round picks. Texas Tech receiver Keke Coutee, Houston’s fourth-round pick, might also develop into a playmaker.
Indianapolis Colts: C+
The Colts used their firstround selection to take Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson, who might have been the safest pick in this draft. But after that Indianapolis reached on a ton of picks, starting with South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard in the second round. Even though the Colts drafted two tailbacks – N.C. State’s Nyheim Hines and Mississippi’s Jordan Wilkins – neither of them are talented enough to push Marlon Mack for the starting job.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B-
Florida defensive tackle Taven Bryan and LSU receiver D.J. Chark have the talent to immediately push for playing time, and safety Ronnie Harrison, Jacksonville’s third-round pick, might be the steal of this draft. The Jaguars needed to do better than Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee, the team’s sixth-round pick, because Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler aren’t going to cut it longterm.
Kansas City Chiefs:
CThe Chiefs didn’t have a firstround pick because of last year’s trade, which produced quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, but Kansas City did address some needs and got good value from the six picks they made. Mississippi’s Breeland Speaks and FSU’s Derrick Nnadi will help fortify an aging defensive line. And while Texas A&M safety Armani Watts has some talent, the Chiefs haven’t found a replacement for Ron Parker yet.
Los Angeles Chargers: B
The Chargers desperately needed a playmaker in the backend of their defense and got one in FSU’s Derwin James in the first round. The Chargers gained some versatility and toughness on the second day with the selection of USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and NC State’s Justin Jones, who will each have an opportunity to become role players as rookies.
Los Angeles Rams: C
The Rams’ all-in approach to this coming season gave Los Angeles the longest wait (pick No. 89) to make a selection in the draft, and the Rams used eight of their 11 picks to fortify the offensive and defensive lines. None of the selections have flashy names, but Rams general manager Les Snead has a history of finding draft gems. Moving receiver Tavon Austin – and his salary – to Dallas during the draft was also a work of art.
Miami Dolphins: C+
Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was one of the six topshelf prospects in the draft, so landing him with the No. 11 pick was impressive. Taking Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki in the second round will be the second-guess special of this draft, especially if he doesn’t learn how to become a respectable blocker. He will forever compared to Dallas Goedert, who was taken seven picks later by the Eagles. If Gesicki and linebacker Jerome Baker can’t become respectable starters in their first two seasons, this draft will be a disappointment.
Minnesota Vikings: C
UCF cornerback Mike Hughes, the Vikings’ first-round pick, will be a boom-or-bust type of selection, especially since Minnesota had bigger needs. Pittsburgh’s Brian O’Neill, Minnesota’s second-round pick, and Appalachian State’s Colby Gossett, one of two sixth-round picks, will have a chance to become immediate contributors on Minnesota’s offensive line.
New England: B
The Patriots fortified a depleted offensive line by selecting Georgia’s Isaiah Wynn in the first round, and trading for former 49ers starter Trent Brown during the draft. New England added tailback Sony Michel to an already crowded backfield, but considering the Patriots need to make up for the departure of Dion Lewis, who signed with the Titans this offseason, taking the former American Heritage standout in the second round makes a ton of sense.
New Orleans: D
The Saints traded their 2019 first-round pick to move up 13 spots in this year’s draft to take defensive end Marcus Davenport, who is far from a finished product. Every other member of New Orleans’ draft was taken a round or two earlier than projected, and it’s hard to envision them contributing much as rookies.
New York Giants: A-
All four of the Giants’ first- and second-day picks – tailback Saquon Barkley, offensive guard Will Hernandez, linebacker Lorenzo Carter and defensive tackle BJ. Hill – have enough talent to become rookie starters. And former Hurricanes defensive tackle R.J. McIntosh might be the biggest late-round gem of the draft. But the Giants might regret not selecting a quarterback better than Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta.
New York Jets: B-
The Jets traded three secondround picks to put themselves in position to take Sam Darnold with the third pick, and if he turns out to be a top-16 NFL starter in a year or two, he’ll be worth it. Nathan Shepherd, the Jets’ thirdround pick, might struggle to earn immediate playing time. Former Hurricanes tight end Chris Herndon, who was taken in the fourth round, will likely compete with Jordan Leggett and Clive Wafford for the starting spot.
Oakland Raiders: C
Jon Gruden’s return to the NFL produced a couple of risky draft picks. Kolton Miller, the Raiders’ first-round pick, will be asked to handle the starting right tackle spot as a rookie, and the job might be too big for him. LSU pass rusher Arden Key, the Raiders’ third-round pick, has just as many concerns about his character as he possesses talent. But landing Maurice Hurst in the fifth-round because of concerns about a heart condition discovered at the NFL scouting combine could be a steal.
Philadelphia Eagles: C
The Eagles traded out of the first round to pick up second- and fourth-round selects in the 2019 draft, and still managed to land one of the top tight ends in this draft, selecting South Dakota’s Dallas Goedert in the second round. The Eagles also had arguably the most intriguing pick of the weekend by selecting rugby player Jordan Mailata in the seventh round.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C+
Virginia Tech safety Terrell Edmunds is an intriguing player, but selecting him with the No. 28 pick was a bit of a reach. However, the Steelers got good value in Oklahoma State receiver James Washington, their second-round pick, and Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, who was taken in the third round.
San Francisco 49ers: B-
Mike McGlinchey wasn’t viewed as a top-10 talent, but it is understandable why the 49ers took him with the ninth selection considering they need to protect quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo much better than the offensive line did last season. Both Dante Pettis, a receiver taken in the second round, and Fred Warner, a linebacker taken in the third, have a ton of upside.
Seattle Seahawks: C+
The Seahawks delivered the story of the draft by taking UCF’s Shaquem Griffin in the fifth round, reuniting the one-handed linebacker with Shaquill, his twin brother. But the Seahawks reached on a couple of draft picks, and that includes San Diego State tailback Rashaad Penny, who the Seahawks selected in the first round. This draft appears to be filled with role players and special teamers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
The Buccaneers began the draft with two picks in the first three rounds and ended up with five in the first three after trades. Washington’s Vita Vea should play well with Gerald McCoy, and USC’s Ronald Jones II, who was one of the Buccaneers’ three second-round picks, has the talent to become a 1,000-yard rusher in the NFL.
Tennessee Titans: B
The Titans only had four picks because they traded up to get both Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry, the team’s first- and second-round picks. Both linebackers should be able to add some intensity to Tennessee’s defense. Taking Washington’s Luke Falk in the sixth round gives the Titans a quarterback worth developing.
Washington Redskins: A
Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne, who Washington took with the 13th pick, was one of the top-rated defensive linemen in the draft, and defensive tackle Tim Settle, Washington’s fifth-round pick, is one of the draft’s biggest sleepers. Tailback Derrius Guice has firstround talent but character concerns made him side to the second round. He’ll have a chance to push Rob Kelley for the starting spot.