The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Washington Post
NFC EAST Dallas Cowboys
C+
The Cowboys’ focus on fortifying their offensive line — by taking tackle Tyler Guyton in Round 1 and guard Cooper Beebe in Round 3 — was justified. Second-round pass rusher Marshawn Kneeland could help. But many observers expected the Cowboys to add a running back on Day 2, perhaps as early as the second round, and they didn’t. That remains a position of need following Tony Pollard’s departure as a free agent.
New York Giants
B-
The Giants opted to help Daniel Jones as the QB returns from his torn ACL in his right knee rather than search for his eventual successor. They stayed put at No. 6, passed up the available quarterbacks and chose WR Malik Nabers. He could be a star — if the Giants have a QB capable of getting him the ball. They added the draft’s toprated safety, Tyler Nubin, in the middle of the second round.
Philadelphia Eagles
B-
The Eagles prioritized the secondary by taking two cornerbacks, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, in the first two rounds. The DeJean pick was a great value after he dropped into the second round. He also could be given a chance as a returner under the NFL’s new kickoff rules. The Eagles made a like-father, likeson selection in the fifth round by taking LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. However, they did nothing to help their offense on the draft’s first two days.
Washington Commanders
B-
The new regime of general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn made the right move at QB by taking Jayden Daniels second overall, even if the Commanders made an unforced error when they risked miffing their new franchise player with their group approach to the pre-draft visit. But if Daniels’ development is undone by the shortcomings of his offensive line, Adams and Quinn will regret not trading back up into the first round for a tackle. They did get excellent value by landing DT Jer’Zhan Newton in Round 2, even if that amounted to bolstering a position of strength on the roster.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
A-
Caleb Williams’ NFL play might justify the comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, or it might not, but the Bears had to find out. They made the right move by trading Justin Fields, keeping the No. 1 choice and using it on Williams. They also did well by using the ninth selection on WR Rome Odunze. Adding Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie in the third round was interesting. The Bears’ draft class was small but could be transformational, and the supporting cast around Williams on offense gives him a reasonable chance to thrive.
Detroit Lions
B The Lions made big moves on defense, especially at CB, landing Terrion Arnold in the first round and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in Round 2. Both are capable of being immediate contributors and long-term starters. Getting DT Mekhi Wingo in the sixth round was excellent value. The Lions didn’t do much to immediately help their offense, but that probably can be forgiven, with their existing level of talent. Fourth-round offensive tackle Giovanni Manu is intriguing as a developmental prospect.
Green Bay Packers
B+
The Packers did well to add to their collection of young talent and potentially build on last season’s surprising run to the divisional round of the playoffs. They got an offensive tackle, Jordan Morgan, in the opening round after releasing mainstay David Bakhtiari this offseason. They landed a pair of potential defensive contributors in Round 2 in linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and former UGA safety Javon Bullard. And they chose a third-round running back, MarShawn Lloyd, who could split carries with free-agent newcomer Josh Jacobs after they released Aaron Jones. Adding Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt in the final round also was justified. Another team with a bigger need at QB probably should have done that sooner.
Minnesota Vikings
A-
The Vikings had to trade up only one spot to make J.J. McCarthy the fifth QB chosen in the top 10. He was a polarizing prospect, but he is set up well to maximize his chances of success, with Kevin O’Connell as his coach and Justin Jefferson as his top receiver. Because they did not have to make a major move up to get their QB, the Vikings were able to retain their second opening-round pick, and they traded up again to secure pass rusher Dallas Turner at No. 17. He was a top10-caliber talent pushed down because of the early run on offensive players. And don’t dismiss the significance of getting Alabama kicker Will Reichard in the sixth round.
NFC SOUTH Atlanta Falcons
D It’s not that Michael Penix Jr. is not an excellent QB prospect, arguably worthy of being the No. 8 pick. He is. It’s that the Falcons gave Kirk Cousins a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency, a move indicative of an attempt to be an immediate contender. The Falcons needed to add an excellent player at another position to improve Cousins’ chances — and theirs — of succeeding. There was no rush to put his eventual successor in place before he even played his first game. The rule in the NFL is that if you don’t have a franchise QB, you need to do all that you can to try to get one. But you don’t need to do all that you can to try to get two.
Carolina Panthers
B-
There is a rather long way to go, but the Panthers made a few steps in the proper direction. They added a pair of potential playmakers on offense with first-round WR Xavier Legette and second-round RB Jonathon Brooks. It’s still questionable whether the Panthers have done enough to fix their offensive line to help quarterback Bryce Young make progress after his rookie-year struggles. But the talent around him on offense at least has been upgraded.
New Orleans Saints
B Their most interesting pick may have come in the fifth round on Day 3 when they selected QB Spencer Rattler at No. 150. That made Rattler the first quarterback chosen since the Broncos took Bo Nix 138 picks earlier. Rattler had been regarded as a potential Day 2 selection and is promising enough to be considered an eventual successor to current starter Derek Carr. The Saints also did well by getting offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga in the first round and CB Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
B-
The Buccaneers made a low-key but solid selection at No. 26 by taking center Graham Barton. He also played offensive tackle in college but probably will play center in the NFL. He could be a standout. Second-round pass rusher Chris Braswell should play an immediate role, and fourth-round RB Bucky Irving could contribute.
NFC WEST Arizona Cardinals
B The Cardinals made seven of the draft’s first 90 picks. You’d better upgrade your roster considerably when you have those resources available, and the Cardinals did fine. It was a sound move to keep the No. 4 pick and use it on WR Marvin Harrison Jr. rather than trade down. The Cardinals already had plenty of draft capital, and Harrison could be a standout. Taking edge rusher Darius Robinson with their second firstrounder was justified. The Cardinals’ selections on Day 2 were generally solid, even if none delivered particularly more value than expected. Third-round RB Trey Benson should help immediately.
Los Angeles Rams
B-
They are the “Eff Them Picks” franchise no longer. The Rams made a first-round selection for the first time since 2016 (when they took Jared Goff first overall). And they made it count by getting pass rusher Jared Verse at No. 19. It’s wildly unfair to call second-round DT Braden Fiske a potential replacement for the retired Aaron Donald, but that choice represented solid value. Third-round RB Blake Corum should be an immediate contributor. The Rams also took a kicker, Joshua Karty, in Round 6. Don’t look now, but the Rams actually are building through the draft.
San Francisco 49ers
C+
The most notable development for the defending NFC champs was that they didn’t trade Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers raised eyebrows when they used the No. 31 overall pick on a wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall. But the 49ers apparently will use him alongside Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel rather than have him replace one of them. The question is whether the 49ers took the right receiver at that point, with so many very good wideouts still available.
Seattle Seahawks
C+
The Seahawks landed the only defensive tackle to come off the board in Round 1 when they took Byron Murphy II at No. 16. That was a solid choice. It was interesting that they did not make a move to add a developmental quarterback, even as Spencer Rattler fell through the draft order.