GRADING THE NFC
NFC SOUTH FALCONS
They avoided the urge to select a quarterback and took the best position player in the draft, TE Kyle Pitts. He should be a bigtime weapon for Matt Ryan. S Richie Grant also could start right away. OT Jaylen Mayfield could start opposite Jake Matthews. CB Darren Hall could get playing time off the bench. DT Ta’Quon Graham reminds of Grady Jarrett.
PANTHERS
CB Jaycee Horn, the first defensive player drafted, should be a starter from day one and improve the secondary. After a multitude of trades, they ended up with impressive picks in WR Terrace Marshall Jr. and DT Daviyon Nixon. They could get a lot of production off the bench from OT Brady Christensen, TE Tommy Tremble and RB Chuba Hubbard.
SAINTS
They reached in the first round for DE Payton Turner, but there’s no reason for him not to contribute to the pass rush as a rookie. He’ll help replace Trey Hendrickson. LB Pete Werner could start right away. Needing help in the secondary, they drafted CB Paulson Adebo. QB Ian Book was an interesting pick.
BUCCANEERS
DE Joe Tryon and QB Kyle Trask, their first two picks, were fortunate to get drafted by the Bucs. They’re playing for the defending Super Bowl champions, and there’s no pressure on them to produce right away. Trask gets to learn from Tom Brady. WR Jaelon Darden might help in a reserve role where they’re loaded.
NFC NORTH BEARS
GM Ryan Pace, whose job was supposed to be on the line this season, was aggressive, trading up nine spots in the first round for QB Justin Fields. Then he got OT Tevin Jenkins. Both should start as rookies. Pace hopes Fields makes fans forget his disastrous move up to get Mitchell Trubisky. OT Larry Borom gives them some depth.
LIONS
OT Penei Sewell was the highest-rated offensive lineman in the draft, and he’ll be a day-one starter. He’s got Pro Bowl potential. They got another starter in DT Levi Onwuzurike. To continue to improve in the trenches, DT Alim McNeill was selected to be part of the rotation. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown can play inside or outside.
PACKERS
Their draft didn’t get much attention because of stories about Aaron Rodgers wanting to be traded. They reached with CB Eric Stokes, but he’s fast and tough and should help as a rookie. C Josh Myers could start in place of Corey Linsley, who was lost in free agency. WR Amari Rodgers should fit nicely into their offense.
VIKINGS
They had 10 picks and got lucky that LT Christian Darrisaw was still available when they made their first choice. They had four picks in the third round — QB Kellen Mond, LB Chazz Surratt, G Wyatt Davis and DE Patrick Jones II. All but Mond could contribute as rookies. He’ll be developed behind Kirk Cousins. •
NFC EAST COWBOYS
Jerry Jones didn’t get the cornerback he needed in the first round, but LB Micah Parsons is a big-time talent and should start as a rookie. CB Kelvin Joseph is under pressure to contribute right away. LB Jabril Cox could get playing time as a rookie and excel on special teams. Jones took some players with character issues.
GIANTS
GM Dave Gettleman got a lot of grief for trading down, but he had an outstanding draft, beginning with big-play WR Kadarius Toney. QB Daniel Jones will love throwing to him. Azeez Ojulari, one of the best edge rushers available, was a first-round talent who’ll improve the pass rush. CB Aaron Robinson excels covering slot receivers.
EAGLES
WR DeVonta Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, is instant offense for QB Jalen Hurts, and he’ll make defenses miserable. C Landon Dickerson can play guard and should be an immediate starter. DT Milton Williams could contribute as a rookie. CB Zech McPhearson is playing a need position and could earn a lot of playing time.
WASHINGTON
An impressive draft for coach Ron Rivera, who has final say on personnel. He added to a terrific defense with LB Jamin Davis and CB Benjamin St-Juste. Watch them make a lot of bigtime plays as rookies. Expect OT Samuel Cosmi to start on the left side. WR Dyami Brown was a superb pick and should help them right away.
NFC WEST CARDINALS
They surprised by using their first pick on a linebacker for the second year in a row, but Zaven Collins is a splendid prospect who could project to defensive end. WR Rondale Moore should take some pressure off DeAndre Hopkins. CBs Marco Wilson and Tay Gowan and S James Wiggins give them an infusion of youth in the secondary.
RAMS
Another draft for the Rams without a first-round pick, but they selected prospects overall. WR Tutu Atwell is undersized but has dangerous speed. LB Ernest Jones, CB Robert Rochell and DT Bobby Brown III should bolster the defense as rookies. Brown is underrated and could be part of the rotation right away.
49ERS
Kyle Shanahan paid dearly to get the third overall pick so he could draft QB Trey Lance. He’ll need time to develop, but he can become their franchise quarterback. RB Trey Sermon gives them power between the tackles. G Aaron Banks should get playing time. CBs Ambry Thomas and Deommodre Lenoir and S Talanoa Hurfanga give them depth.
SEAHAWKS
They had only three draft choices because of trades, none in the first round. WR D’Wayne Eskridge is a fast, productive small college receiver who’ll join D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett as an additional target for Russell Wilson. CB Tre Brown could earn playing time as a rookie. OT Stone Forsythe should provide depth.