AFC Draft Grades

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Baltimore Ravens: A
Best Pick: Breshaud Perriman, WR, Central Florida(1st round) --Perriman was projected to go as high as 14, so landing him at 26 is a coup for the Ravens. He fills their biggest need, and gives them some much needed size to go with his blazing speed.
Keep an eye on: Buck Allen, RB, USC(4th round) --Allen emerged as a big play threat as a runner and receiver his last two years at USC. He has the size and power to run between the tackles, and the speed to take it the distance. His dual threat ability could make him a 20 touch per game type of back at some point in his career.
Overall: The draft really should shake down any better for the Ravens. Perriman was a great pick in the first, and that was followed up by landing the drafts top TE, Maxx Williams, in the 2nd. DT Carl Davis(3rd round) was good value, as was RB Allen in the fourth. After filling needs with value on the first two days, the Ravens added talent with project on day three. CB Tray Walker(4th round), OG Robert Myers(5th round), and WR/TE Darren Waller(6th round) all have the talent to make an impact at the NFL level.

Buffalo Bills: C-
Best Pick: Ronald Darby, CB, Florida St(2nd round) --This is their best pick, almost by default. They traded their first rounder in the Sammy Watkins deal last year, and Darby was their top pick. Hes got the speed and cover skills to excel in man coverage, which is a great fit in Rex Ryan's defense.
Keep an eye on: Karlos Williams, RB, Florida St(5th round). --Williams had the talent to go a lot higher, but there are glaring character concerns. But, his size, ability between the tackles, and speed would make him a great complement to LeSean McCoy.
Overall: The Bills apparently decided to save on their scouting budget this year, camping out in Tallahassee, FL. Three of their six selections came from Florida St. Cb Darby(2nd round) gives them depth at corner, RB Williams(5th round) depth at RB, and TE Nick O'Leary(6th round) is a throwback at tight end. 7th round WR Dezmin Lewis has the size and speed to develop, if given time.

Cincinnati Bengals: B+
Best Pick: Paul Dawson, LB, TCU(3rd round) --Dawson is one of the top pure linebackers in this draft class. He did not test out well, but he is a gamer. He's going to make an impact right away.
Keep an eye on: Derron Smith, S, Fresno St(6th round) --Smith is on the small side and there is some doubt about how big of an impact he'll have this year after surgery, but he was one of the best safeties in college football last year. He makes plays all over the field, and could be a steal, if healthy.
Overall: The Bengals doubled up on tackles with their first two picks in Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher. With both current tackles free agents after the year, they now have in house replacements that will be ready to go. LB Dawson was a steal in the third. The 4th round brought CB/S Josh Shaw and DT Marcus Hardison, which brought excellent value and depth.

Cleveland Browns: B
Best Pick: Danny Shelton, NT, Washington --This appeared to be one of the easiest picks to mock before the draft, because of the Browns need to upgrade their run defense. Even though it was an obvious choice, it's still a great pick.
Keep an eye on: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon(7th round). --Not everyone heals the same, but it's shocking to see Todd Gurley and Cedric Ogbuehi both have season ending ACL injuries and land in the first round, while Ekpre-Olomu falls to the seventh. Even if he sits out the entire year, he's a great pick. No risk, and very obvious upside. He's a starting caliber corner and first round pick when healthy.
Overall: The Browns opted to neglect the WR position, which hurts their grade, and will hurt them this year. But, they did an excellent job upgrading both lines, as well as their running game. Shelton was a great pick, as was fellow 1st round pick, OL Cam Erving. He can play all five spots along the line, but will likely play guard this year, and take over at center when Alex Mack's contract is up after this year. OLB Nate Orchard(2nd round) will improve the pass rush and RB Duke Johnson(3rd round) will add much needed speed and receiving to the ground game. The seventh round could give the Browns two keepers: LB Hayes Pullard can play inside or out and CB Ekpre-Olomu could be one of the bigger steals of the draft if he recovers from his ACL tear.

Denver Broncos: B-
Best Pick: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri(1st round) --Trading up to get Ray was a great move. He's a top ten talent an they landed him at 23. He will be a great replacement for Demarcus Ware, sooner than later.
Keep an eye on: Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio St(3rd round) --Peyton Manning loves his tight ends. Heuerman isn't the same type of receiver as the departed Julius Thomas, but his dependability as a receiver will get him his fair share of targets, and he will help with his blocking ability.
Overall: Moving up to get Ray was a smart move, and 2nd round OL Ty Sambrailo can play guard or tackle. Heuerman is a solid all around TE that could make an impact early. There isn't much else to write home about in their draft.

Houston Texans: B+
Best Pick: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St(3rd round). --Had the Texans taken Strong in the first round, nobody would've criticized the pick. In the third round, its one of the drafts bigger steals.
Keep an eye on: Christian Covington, DT, Rice(6th round). --Covington looked like a future day two pick a year ago, but injuries limited him this year. He has the quickness and strength to play in this league, and is great value this late on day three.
Overall: 1st round CB Kevin Johnson, 2nd round LB Benardrick McKinney, and 3rd round WR Jaelen Strong were all fantastic picks. All three could have significant impacts this year. Covington in the 6th round has starting potential if he is healthy and regains his form of a year ago.

Indianapolis Colts: C
Best Pick: Henry Anderson, DT, Stanford(3rd round) --Stopping the run was a major problem for the Colts last year. Anderson is a solid prospect that will make an impact right away with his size and strength.
Keep an eye on: Clayton Geathers, S, Central Florida(4th round) --Geathers has the size, physicality, and bloodlines to make an impact as an in the box safety down the road.
Overall: WR Philip Dorsett(1st round) is a solid player, but there were better picks on the board for the needs of the team. Cb DJ Smith(2nd round) is a solid pick that will help the secondary. DT Anderson is a solid pick, but the real question is why did they wait so long to address their run defense. Anderson helps, but he's not a difference maker.

Jacksonville Jaguars: B+
Best Pick: AJ Cann, OG, South Carolina(3rd round) --Cann is the drafts top guard and the Jags got him in the third. He will step in right away and help the run game, which will help balance the offense for Blake Bortles.
Keep an eye on: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio St(6th round) --Still trying to understand how he fell to the sixth round. Bennett can get up field and make plays in the backfield. Gus Bradley has a steal on his hands. One that could play as a rookie.
Overall: I really like what the Jags did. They got their edge rusher in the first in Dante Fowler. After spending much of last years draft on the passing game with QB Blake Bortles and WRs Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, this year they addressed the run game with RB Tj Yeldon(2nd round) and OG Cann(3rd round). S James Sample(4th round) could thrive in this defense, WR Rashad Greene(5th round) could be a good slot receiver, and Dt Bennett(6th round) was a steal.

Kansas City Chiefs: B
Best Pick: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington(1st round). --Peters is arguably the top corner in the draft. He went a bit higher than most expected considering his dismissal from UW, but lower than his talent suggests. Hes got the cover skills and toughness to be a #1 corner.
Keep an eye on: Chris Conley, WR, Georgia(3rd round). --While Conley may be limited because of Alex Smith's fear of the long ball, his skills could open up the offense. He's got great size, speed, and is very intelligent. His best football is ahead of him.
Overall: CB Peters(1st round) was a great pick, but OL Mitch Morse(2nd round) was a bit of a reach. WR Conley, CB Steven Nelson(3rd round), and LB Ramik Wilson(4th round) all could have impacts for the club.

Miami Dolphins: B+
Best Pick: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville(1st round) --Most expected Parker to be off the board come pick 14, so he provided excellent value to the Dolphins. His size and playmaking ability are exactly what they needed at the WR position.
Keep an eye on: Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise St(5th round) --Questions about the health of his knees caused his slide from the second to the fifth round, to the Dolphins gain. He will be a great complement to Lamar Miller, and he could possibly be a replacement for him if Miller leaves in free agency.
Overall: The Dolphins had a very good draft. They upgraded their passing game with WR Parker, and added depth at RB with Ajayi. DT Jordan Phillips(2nd round) is a first round talent that fell due to motor questions. Him and Suh could be a devastating duo if he is motivated. 4th round OG Jamil Douglas and 5th round CB Bobby McCain add depth and upside on day three.

New England Patriots: B-
Best Pick: Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas(1st round) --Hard to argue this one, as it might have been one of the best picks in the first round. The Patriots had a glaring hole at DT and landed a player nobody anticipated falling to 32. Value and need met perfectly for the Patriots.
Keep an eye on: Tre' Jackson, OG, Florida St(4th round). --For the second straight year, the Patriots may have found a starter on the interior offensive line in the fourth round from Florida St. Last year, Bryan Stork played very well at center when healthy, and this year, he is reunited with Jackson. This is another steal for the Patriots.
Overall: After acing the Brown pick, Bill Belichick had his typical head scratching moments in rounds two and three. S Jordan Richards(2nd round) and DE Geneo Grissom(3rd round) were reaches. The three players selected in round four: OG Jackson, DE Trey Flowers, and G/C Shaq Mason, were all ranked higher than Richards and Grissom. The decision to not move up to get a corner is a bit surprising with the surprlus of picks the Patriots had, but they are the champs for a reason.

New York Jets: A
Best Pick: Leonard Williams, DT, USC(1st round) --Landing the best player in the draft at #6 was all luck, but the Jets will take it. He is a part of the leagues most talented front, and maybe most talented defense. Williams will be an impact player early, even if his reps are somewhat limited because of the presence of Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson.
Keep an eye on: Lorenzo Mauldin, LB, Louisville(3rd round) --The Jets needed some youth in their pass rush, and Mauldin was good value in the third. He is long, athletic, and relentless.
Overall: It started with stopping Leonard Williams fall in the first, but WR Devin Smith(2nd round) was another great selection. He brings the speed and vertical ability that Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker do not. QB Bryce Petty(4th round) was another great pick. Even if he takes a little time to develop, he's a steal this late and may take over sooner than expected. Even 5th round OG Jarvis Harrison has the talent to go much higher. If he's motivated, he's a steal.

Oakland Raiders: B
Best Pick: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama(1st round) --Im sure it was hard to pass on Leonard Williams, and time will tell if that was the right choice. Derek Carr needed weapons though, and Cooper is ready to make an impact now.
Keep an eye on: Clive Walford, TE, Miami(3rd round) --Walford is a reliable target in the passing game that will also get in there and block. He isn't going to rack up big numbers, but hes another safe target for Carr, and he will help the running game as well.
Overall: Cooper and Walford were very good picks. 2nd round DL Mario Edwards is a great athlete, but the production has not come yet. He is a versatile front seven defender and will be moved around a lot to create mismatches. 5th round LB Ben Heeney isn't going to jump out at you physically, but he will always been around the action on the field.

Pittsburgh Steelers: B
Best Pick: Bud Dupree, LB, Kentucky(1st round) --Dupree fell a bit further than expected, to the Steelers gain. They had a need for some help on the edge, and they got an athletic freak who could be a major playmaker in the NFL.
Keep an eye on: Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville(7th round). --It has to be a surprise to Holliman that he lasted as long as he did on draft day. He declared after his sophomore season in which he picked off 14 passes. It's those ball skills that make him one to watch. He needs to be more physical and get stronger, but he's young. You can't teach those instincts.
Overall: There is a lot of boom or bust to the Steelers draft. You have to like the amount of talent added, but it could go either way. Bud Dupree is a freak and a great pick in the first, but even he has some risk as he's more athlete than productive football player to this point. CB Senquez Golson(2nd round) is a 5'8 corner that has severe limitations. He was a reach in round two. WR Sammie Coates(3rd round) has blazing speed and is a big play threat, but has trouble catching the football. CB Doran Grant (4th round) will provide good depth, as will Anthony Chickillo(6th round). S Holliman has tremendous ball skills and could surprise for a 7th rounder if he can add some toughness to his game.

San Diego Chargers: C+
Best Pick: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin(1st round) --They moved up to get him, but he was their guy, so no harm in that. Gordon's big play ability is much needed in the Charger backfield.
Keep an eye on: Craig Mager, CB, Texas St(3rd round). --All projection at this point but he has all the necessary physical tools to develop. At that point of the draft, you might as well gamble on the talent.
Overall: The draft only features five players, but two of them will start and have a big impact from day one. Gordon could run for 1,200 yards this year, and 2nd round Lb Denzel Perryman could become the defenses leader. The Chargers swung for the fences with their last three picks, drafting small school standouts CB Mager(3rd round), LB Kyle Emanuel(5th round) and redshirt sophomore DT Darius Philon(6th).

Tennessee Titans: B+
Best Pick: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon(1st round) --Early on in the draft process, it didn't look like the Titans would take Mariota. As it went on, he won them over, so much so that they turned down numerous trade offers to keep him. He's the drafts best QB and has all the intangibles and talent you could want in a QB. It'll take a little time for him to reach his potential, but there is no reason to think he can't be a franchise QB.
Keep an eye on: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma(2nd round) --There's no better way to ease a QB's transition to the NFL and a new offense than to get him a 6'5 wideout with 4.4 speed. DGB has some character concerns, but his talent is undeniable.
Overall: Mariota and Green-Beckham have some bust potential for different reasons, but they were great picks that could really change the Titans fortunes. OL Jeremiah Poutasi(3rd round) adds some beef and toughess up front, and RB David Cobb(5th round) gives the team a nice complement to Bishop Sankey. The Titans have a few pieces in place on offense, but they really loaded up and tried to make it an explosive offense with this draft. It wont happen overnight, but Mariota has a lot to work with.