Let's go jump into the only draft grade article that grades the picks differently than the actual selections! If you want to find out more about what I think of the player, click their name to go to my profile on them. Also, to y'all receiving this via email, come to the site to check out the whole post, as it will probably clip at a point.
1st. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB1, 5th Overall
Well, we knew this was coming, but it does not make it any less of a good pick. While Mendoza is not the surefire generational QB we have come accustomed to, he is totally worthy of the first pick. Will need to improve his pressure plan and get rid of some negative plays in the league.
Grade: A
2nd. New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE3, 6th Overall
Not the pick I would have made, but a very solid player who will be a pass-rush specialist in the NFL. I am worried about his ability to contribute as a run defender, but Jets just need talent and Bailey has plenty of it.
Grade: B
3rd. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB1, 3rd Overall
No. The Cardinals do not get to do this. There are so many holes in this roster, you cannot think that a RB will be the best long-term option. The hope is that at the end of Love's league-wide expensive contract, the Cardinals will have finally put the train back on the tracks to where he can help take a team over the top. Stupid, even if he is a phenomenal player.
Grade: D
4th. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR1, 9th Overall
I understand the process here. Watching the Titans' offense last year, it was clear how bad they needed playmaking talent. Cam Ward was trying to string drives together with at best a couple of WR3s. I think the idea is they have now put enough good offensive infrastructure around Ward they can either let him thrive or learn to cut bait. Would have gone in a different direction myself.
Grade: B+
5th. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, EDGE1, 1st Overall
I think if you asked the Giants what they thought the odds of drafting Arvell Reese at 5 was before the draft today, they would have said no higher than 20%. He is a phenomenal player, and I will be interested to see where he fits into their defensive scheme. While I think he holds the most value at EDGE, he is also a superb off ball linebacker so he might just line up there.
Grade: A+
Chiefs and Browns Trade
The Chiefs received the 6th overall pick for Numbers 9, 74, and 148. The Browns won on more advanced pick value charts, and there was a tie on the old Jimmy Johnson chart. I think this was a slight overpay by the Chiefs, especially with how the board was falling. For the Browns, with how the board was falling, I love this.
Chiefs Grade: C Browns Grade: A-
6th. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB1, 14th Overall
I am a fan of the player, but not the pick. I would think that he would still be available to pick 9, and even if not, the 2nd overall player who plays a position of need is still on the board. Poor process..
Grade: C+
7th. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB1, 12th Overall
Washington has struggled with an old and slow defense ever since Adam Peters stepped in as GM. Sonny Styles could single-handedly solve that. He is one of the most athletically gifted prospects who has ever entered the draft. A home run pick, and one they probably thought they had little chance of making.
Grade: A+
8th. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR2, 13th Overall
Last year I lauded the Saints for their hedging strategy with Tyler Shough, and it really looks like they found something with him. After trading away Rasheed Shaheed, it was obvious they were going to need WR help, but at this price, I am not convinced. Tyson has a major injury history, and while having the highest upside of any WR in this draft, could also cannot garner a second contract because of injuries. With one injury-prone WR already on the team in Chris Olave, and a QB with a checkered injury history of his own, the Saints are building a glass cannon.
Grade: B-
9th. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT1, 7th Overall
Amazing process and great selection. I love Fano, and he will slot right into a porous Browns offensive line. Especially as a pass protector, his reps against Myles Garrett in practice will test him and make him even better.
Grade: A
10th. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT3, 10th Overall
Some people have questions about Mauigoa's ability to play tackle at the NFL level, and whil I do not question as much, it looks like he will start his career at guard before moving to tackle. People talk about this transition all the time, but there are few examples of it actually happening. I still really like Mauigoa though, and the Giants have added the last piece to a pretty impressive offensive line.
Grade: B+
Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins trade
The Cowboys traded picks 12, 177, and 180 for pick 11. They traded those picks because they knew there were probably other teams calling as well for one of the best players left on the board. For the Dolphins, adding late round picks that add flexibility to move later in the draft is a good idea
Cowboys Grade: A Dolphins Grade: A
11th. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S1, 2nd Overall
The steal of the first round. Maybe the safest pick in the draft, in the Cowboys new defensive system, Downs will garner DROY buzz, and by the end of his contract might be talked about as the best in his position in the league. I do not care that he is a safety; he does so much to help teams win.
Grade: A+++
12th. Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT6, 27th Overall
I am all for a team on a gap year taking this swing. Proctor has the highest potential of any OT in this draft, and up there as the highest potential overall. He has not figured out a way to stay in shape and focus enough on football to refine his technique so far. It is a big bet to make that he will now, in Miami of all places, but if he can, watch out.
Grade: A-
13th. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB2, 36th Overall
Hell no. There is talk that McVay heavily influences early picks in the draft, and if that is true in this case, horrible process. I understand needing a QB after Stafford is gone, but this team needs to win now. And guess what, last year they did not prove they could get over the hump with what they had. Yes, they have made great off-season moves before this, but this pick reeks of arrogance and a team reading their own newspaper clippings.
Grade: F
14th. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G1, 11th Overall
Exactly what the Ravens wanted to happen. They needed help on the interior of their offensive line, and Ioane does just that. A very good pass blocker, but a mauling run defender who will open up truck-sized lanes for Derrick Henry to power through.
Grade: A+
15th. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain, EDGE2, 4th Overall
The Bucs desperately need pass rush help and Bain provides that in spades. At this point his shorter arms become less of a glaring issue, and instead you can just see how much he kicks ass. Though unlike some other earlier drafted EDGEs, provides a ton in the run game too.
Grade: A
16th. New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE1, 15th Overall
So without the knowledge of how the whole first round went , this looks a little more suspect than it is. Sadiq was my highest remaining pass catcher on the board, but I thought it was a sure deal that they would go WR here because WRs are worth more. Sadiq is exceptional, though, and will provide some serious vertical stretch for Geno to target this year.
Grade: B+
17th. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT4, 19th Overall
Such a Lions pick. Miller will play RT for the Lions, and they will have Penei Sewell move to LT. Miller looks the part of a plug and play solution that has more upside than many people want to give credit for. They could have gone for a bigger swing, but this is solid contact on the ball; just have to see where it lands.
Grade: A-
18th. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT2, 31st Overall
The Joel Embiid of this draft class. If he turns out like Joel, amazing, you have an all-world player. If he is more Sam Bowie or Greg Oden, watch out. The Vikings desperately needed DT help, but he has to actually be on the field to help. Appreciate the bet, though.
Grade: B-
19th. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT5, 21st Overall
Panthers had a sneaky need at tackle, and Freeling having been a LT throughout college tells me my suspicions about Ikem Ekwonu are probably right in that he may never be the same player again. So the Panthers re-roll with a similar physical profile tackle and see if they can refine some of his rougher edges.
Grade: B+
Eagles and Cowboys Trade
The Eagles traded picks 23, 114, and 137 to the Cowboys for pick 20 and a 7th rounder. Seems in line with Howie Roseman's thinking of trying to make sure he gains elite talent, especially as the offense needs to get cheaper, but an overpay. For the Cowboys, the board looks good for their needs so they can afford to drop a few picks.
Eagles Grade: B- Cowboys Grade: A
20th. Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR5, 28th Overall
So I dislike this pick. Jalen Hurts refuses to throw over the middle, and that is where Lemon does his best work. I mentioned needing to get the offense cheaper, and we more or less know AJ Brown is gone, but are we looking at a Jalen and Philly divorce on the radar in the next 12 months? Something to monitor for sure. Lemon would have fit better on so many offenses, and maybe Sean Mannion can force a change, but many have tried and failed.
Grade: C
21st. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT2, 8th Overall
Seeing how Pittsburgh developed Broderick Jones, a similarly toolsy but raw player, this pick gives me pause. But with that much value, it is hard to argue with it. Hopefully Max can sit for a year and learn and come out swinging in 2027.
Grade: A+
22nd. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE4, 29th Overall
I would have loved a slightly more ambitious and upside-filled pick, but this is a solid selection. Mesidor was my highest-rated EDGE rusher left on the board, and he will help a poor pass-rushing unit be more productive right away. A great fit for Harbaugh culturally.
Grade: B
23rd. Dallas Cowboys: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE8, 45th Overall
Lawrence is a bet on his athletic and physical upside. At this price, I dislike that bet. I had three other edge rusher rated higher on the board, and other positions of need like corner were still around good value here too.
Grade: C-
24th. Cleveland Browns: KC Concepcion, WR11, 54th Overall
I might be the analyst lowest on Concepcion, but I understand the Browns' need for WRs. That being said, I had 6 other guys ranked higher than him at WR still available. Not for me.
Grade: D+
25th. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S2, 17th Overall
There are going to be so many Thieneman jerseys in Chicago the CCP is going to have to block their games from playing in the country. BPA at a position of need, does not get better than that.
Grade: A+
Texans and Bills trade
The Texans traded picks 28, 69, and 157 to receive 26, and 91 from the Bills. I like this more from the Bills' side; add two picks to help accumulate depth to an aging roster and this is classic Texans. They hit hard on CJ Stroud and Will Anderson and now think they can be aggressive everywhere, but I think they would have been better off to just sit and see what came to them.
Texans Grade: D Bills Grade: B+
26th. Houston Texans: Keylan Rutledge, G3, 43rd Overall
I love Rutledge, and he will come in and start mauling in the run game day one. I worry a bit more about him in the passing game, but I guess CJ Stroud is just used to bad pass pro at this point. And that is not me saying Rutledge is a bad pass protector; he is just a mauler, not a pass specialist.
Grade: B+
Dolphins 49ers trade
The Dolphins traded picks 30, and 90, for the 49ers picks 27 and 138. Good process all around.
Dolphins Grade: B+ 49ers Grade: B+
27th. Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB4, 23rd Overall
The Dolphins were in dire need of secondary help, so this is a fantastic pick of a fantastic player. i only have one gripe, and it is consistency. if you are swinging for the fences with Kadyn Proctor, why not do it here with Jermod McCoy? It's a gap year.
Grade: A-
Patriots and Bills trade
The Patriots traded up to pick 28 in exchange for pick 31 and 125. I see wanting to preempt other teams who might want to trade up and grab their desired player in a position of need here. Did not give up too much to do it. Buffalo must have intel about their favorite player.
Patriots Grade: B+ Bills Grade: A-
28th. New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, OT7, 34th Overall
The Patriots really wanted a tackle and got it here. Now the question is Lomu and Will Cambell have only ever played LT. We can assume Lomu might sit this year, but then what happens after that?
Grade: B
29th. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT2, 25th Overall
What a great schematic fit. It is sad that for years fans have asked the Chiefs to have someone next to Chris Jones and now that his powers are waning, they now get someone. Will bring interior pressure and get after the QB. Trust the 2024 season not the 2025.
Grade: A-
Jets and 49ers trade
The Jets traded picks 33 and 179 to the 49ers for pick 30. The Jets have so many picks over the next two years, this is a great idea to go get a 5th year option. For the 49ers, an older team without enough cost-controlled players, ?????
Jets Grade: A 49ers Grade: C-
30th. New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr, WR3, 20th Overall
Are the Jets cooking? I am worried that I got my evaluations wrong now because this looks like a well thought out and executed draft? Cooper Jr will be an outstanding foil to Garrett Wilson and help make the Jets' offense watchable this year.
Grade: A
Titans and Bills trade
The Titans sent picks 35, 66, and 101 to Buffalo for picks 31, 69, and 165. Again Buffalo has to have some amazing intel about the player they want falling to early in the 2nd round. Like the aggressiveness of the Titans to hunt a 5th year option for a young team.
Titans Grade: B Bills Grade: B-
31st. Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, EDGE6, 40th Overall
Faulk as a pass rusher is currently a concept. He is already outstanding as a run stopper. He is also only 20. This is a smart pick by a team that knows they arent there and can afford to have a player like this develop over the next few years as they build.
Grade: B+
32nd. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB2, 57th Overall
The worst-ranked player drafted in the first round. An asinine decision. RB was a need, but Price is nowhere near 1st round quality. Apparently, the NFC Championship game last year infected everyone involved with sniffing their own farts disease.
Grade: F
Also, check out my draft guide for breakdowns on more targets!
Duncan Brookover
Duncan Brookover