Draft Recap: Round 1 Grades
by Finloctopus | 3 years ago | 0 Comments
1.1 LA Chargers - Juan Bronson, FS
I would try to comment on all the trades but I simply can’t keep track. Moving up to 1.1 in a draft is normally an indicator that you are going after an edge, QB, LT. But thats real life. Here, in this house, we trade up for free safeties. Action Bronson was a menace at the U with a do it all mentality. Plenty of centerfield capability and can guard anyone on the field in man. And even when the pass game isn’t the focus, he is able to make plays against the run.
Grade: B+, not the best position for 1.1 and star dev.
Pro Comp: Adrian Amos
1.2 Philadelphia Eagles - Braylon Hampton, CB
The Golden Gopher finds his home in Philly, a team that really struggled to stop the pass this year. The superstar dev corner is not quite as pro ready as you’d like for a pick this high, but ill be damned if his combine wasn’t the reason the Philly front office fell in love. Hampton is a good counter to the speed meta that comes in madden and is a great replacement for Slay who departed this offseason.
Grade: A-, SS dev, important position, rough coverage numbers
Pro Comp: Keion Crossen
1.3 Detroit Lions - Jay Rodgers, CB
I actually yelled out loud when Jay was picked. You would think Detroit would know better to go corner at 1.3 for the 2nd time in 3 seasons….especially without a QB rostered. That being said, Jay was a force in the ACC this year who used his raw athleticism to dominate. He joins a DB group that is a little rough around the edges, but he may be the final piece to help them close out games defensively.
Grade: B+ Star dev, important position, there were better needs
Pro Comp: Javelin Guidry
1.4 Baltimore Ravens - Don Washington, QB
Baltimore’s big Lamar move left them without a rostered QB heading into draft day BUT with the 4th overall pick they replaced Lamar with a talented Notre Dame gunslinger in Washington. Don has a big arm and is quite mobile for his size. While he can move the ball downfield with ease, he does struggle on some of the more routine throws.
Grade: A, big need, great player, star dev
Pro Comp: Carson Wentz
1.5 Houston Texans - Michael Holloman, WR
From what I have heard, Ben is THE team builder of BL. With his first draft pick in Texas, he fucking nails it. Holloman is everything you want in a WR. a big body, strong at the point of attack, without sacrificing speed to do it. The lone XF in the class may be the WR who can replace the gaping hole left by the DeAndre Hopkins trade. Must watch football this year in Houston.
Grade: A+
Pro Comp: Julio Jones
1.6 New Orleans Saints - Rashard Robinson, WR
The offensive woes in New Orleans last year have no true source. It could be the the lack of a dynamic receiving corps, the trading away of a top 3 receiving back in the league, or maybe just the reliance on a washed up youth pastor. Either way, the 6th pick bring Rashard Robinson to the Bayou. Rashard is as dynamic before the catch as he is after. A deep threat that will back up your corners just to catch a screen and go yard any ways. He will be asked to take on WR1 duties early, but a fun athlete to watch nonetheless.
Grade: B+ Star dev
Pro Comp: Brandin Cooks
1.7 Dallas Cowboys - Jeremy Rushing, EDGE
Dallas needs defensive help bad, considering they now have to face Lamar twice a season. Rushing is one of the best athletes in the class with 86 speed to go with his 260lb frame. Needs some brushing up in run defense but he is a stud pass rusher.
Grade: B+
Pro Comp:
1.8 Pittsburgh Steelers - Rashaun Haywood, CB
Haywood is a speedy man corner who has a tough task of WR1s to deal with. Pittsburgh rebuild is underway and they address the sub par secondary speed they had in 2021.
Grade: B need, speed, normal dev
Pro Comp: Bradley Roby
1.9 New York Jets - Xavier Mullins, WR
The Jets dominated on the ground, so that realistically should lead to stacked boxes and open deep balls. King knows this and grabs one of the best deep threats in the draft. Mullins should see some big plays should the Jets play their offense right.
Grade: A- need, star dev
Pro Comp: Will Fuller
1.10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Khary Hood, DT
The first big boy goes off the board! Hood was considered one of the most pro ready players in the draft and an elite run defender. Normal dev hurts but he is very strong and as advertised against the run.
Grade: C+ low position value, normal, cant pass rush
Pro Comp:
1.11 LA Rams - Jonathan Talley, EDGE
Trading back from 5 the Rams sure up the defensive front 7 with a fantastic edge rusher. Talley is very quick and has one of the best speed rush ratings in the class. A fantastic addition to a SB caliber roster.
Grade: A
Pro Comp: Josh Allen
1.12 New York Jets - Edward Garrett, MLB
Our first repeat team so far, the Jets double dip on talent and snag the athletic Crimson Tide backer. Garrett gets to the ball quick and tackles well. A little user skill will help him not be clueless in coverage but a solid run defender.
Grade: B+
Pro Comp: Patrick Queen
1.13 Jacksonville Jaguars - Connor Fowler, RT
The Jags looked hot to end the season and adding more protection only makes this offense that much deadlier. Fowler is well rounded and a great low key pick for this team
Grade: A
Pro Comp: idk pick a RT that is starter quality
1.14 Green Bay Packers - Garrett Thurman, WR
Years ago when Love was picked, there was controversy about GB not helping Rodgers with a WR. Well say no more as Love is gone to Denver and Garrett Thurman is here. The tall white boy is the most polished route runner in the class and explosive in all phases. The second Miami Hurricane to feature in the top 15 and it’s their star WR headed to Lambeau
Grade: A-
Pro Comp: I tried to not use the cop out but, Adam Thielen
1.15 Carolina Panthers - Victor Jenkins, QB
The race in the NFC S was always who would get a QB first. gamble won with Burrow but in come Victor Jenkins from Michigan. Jenkins has a capable arm and very comfortable throwing the ball short and medium. He may have to shine in anticipation on deeper routes but he should grow into that.
Grade: B+
Pro Comp: Jared Goff
1.16 Philadelphia Eagles - Bruce Glenn, CB
Corner must have really been a need for Philly as they snag another superstar dev cornerback. Glenn is tall and quick with a highlight reel that lit up TikTok so much that I’m surprised he wasn’t taken at 1.4. He might be the best CB2 in the league after 2022x
Grade: A+
Pro Comp: Darius Slay
1.17 Arizona Cardinals - Kerry Chamberlain, LG
Similar to the Jags, the Cardinals got hot late and with one of the leagues best running backs they bolster the line with a great talent in Kerry. A thriving a run blocker, Chamberlain should make this team even more of a menace to deal with.
Grade: B+
1.18 New York Jets - Justin Callahan, TE
The league has seen elite TE talent enter with eye popping athleticism. While Callahan isn’t that kind of tight end, he certainly is a reliable target and capable in the run game, basically a perfect fit for New York.
Grade: C, not athletic, normal
Pro Comp: TJ Hockenson
1.19 Tennessee Titans - Roman Riddick, WR
The Titans were on the phone wanting to trade back from this pick but ultimately took the home town WR. Riddick is a polished route runner with great technical skills against the press and after the catch.
Grade: B+
Pro Comp: Cole Beasley
1.20 Pittsburgh Steelers - Tony Carr, WR
They traded away both their star receivers and star fresh with Tony. A bit of a reach on Carr, who relied heavily on his speed to get him open in college. Will have to develop the route running game to see the field in the big leagues.
Grade: D
Pro Comp: Khalif Raymond
1.21 Pittsburgh Steelers - Matt Hall, SS
Steel redeems himself with a great defensive pick to join Minkah and Rayshaun. Hall is electric fast and one of the best safeties against the pass. A great fit for this defense
Grade: A-
Pro Comp: Tyrann Mathieu/Justin Reid
1.22 LA Rams - Juan White, EDGE
The Rams double up on edge rushers and snag another hidden dev beast. Very similar to the other rookie, he is an athletic speed rusher who is not quite as well rounded as you would like. But with star dev and some love, I am sure Juan will see 7-9 sacks on the year.
Grade: A
Pro Comp: Von MIller
1.23 Baltimore Ravens - Rashad Gentry, HB
Prompty replaced by Derrick Henry, Rashad will spend a lot of his action in third down and passing scenarios. Lightning quick with solid hands, the Gator will join a division absolutely loaded with RB talent.
Grade: D
Pro Comp: Ronald Jones
1.24 Buffalo Bills - Rashaud Ferguson, MLB
The Bills add a key piece next to Edmunds with another tall speedy linebacker. Ferguson is about as prototypical as it gets at 21st century linebacker. Great pursuit instincts, very strong. Should make big plays cleaning up tackles in the run.
Grade: B
Pro Comp: Roquan Smith
1.25 Detroit Lions - Alex McCalister, FS
Considered a day 2 or 3 selection, Alex’s height and combine saw him shoot up the boards and lands him in Detroit. A true center fielder with incredible length and range, they dont make a lot of safeties like him.
Grade: A+
Pro Comp: Earl Thomas if he was 6ft4
1.26 Philadelphia Eagles - Alani Dorsey, WR
After addressing defense, the Eagles add a receiver to the stable. Dorsey has a good frame and lightning quick in and out of cuts. Struggles to high point the ball but is electric after the catch. Might develop into one of the best slot receivers in the league.
Grade: A
Pro Comp: Jerry Jeudy
1.27 LV Raiders - Shane Shelton, QB
Shelton is a big arm, athletic quarterback who the Raiders just had to get their hands on. While accuracy issues did arise throughout the offseason, the Raiders have a solid WR corps to help make the passing windows a lot bigger for the rookie.
Grade: B
Pro Comp: Dak Prescott
1.28 Atlanta Falcons - Desean Northcutt, WR
The Falcons go BPA here and take the Colorado receiver who many had pinned as a top 5 pick. Not the flashiest receiver in the class, Northcutt is a do it all guy. Well rounded route running, 6ft2 with great elusiveness after the catch. The Falcons land a quality WR2 allowing them to be more flexible with Pitts and Ridley.
Grade: A
Pro Comp: Cooper Kupp
1.29 Detroit Lions - Marc Newell, QB
South Carolina isn’t exactly a QB factory but every once in awhile a must see prospect comes from an SEC team not named Bama or UGA. The Lions land an absolute banger of a pick at 29 with a superstar QB. 93 throw power, efficient accuracy, and enough athleticism to extend plays, Marc is going to be a name we remember for a long time in BL.
Grade: A+
Pro Comp: Baker Mayfield
1.30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tracy Scott, LE
The Buccaneers once again add to their defensive front. Tracy is a big body and another top tier run defender. A little more capable in the draft than his first round counterpart Hood, Tracy is very athletic and should make a difference day 1.
Grade: B+
Pro Comp: Chris Jones
1.31 Baltimore Ravens - Rahim Fowler, EDGE
The Ravens finish their first round shopping spree with the Buckeye edge rusher. Fowler is explosive off the ball and can win with both his speed and his power. A great value pick here to grab an edge this late in a division that requires pressure on the QB.
Grade: B
Pro Comp: Derek Barnett
1.32 Atlanta Falcons - Dwight Caver, EDGE
Reports from the War Room is that the Falcons had both Caver and Fowler tied at the top of the board. The Ravens pick at 1.31 solved their issue for them and the Falcons come out on top as a result. The Michigan man was a force in college. Excelled against the pass and the run, has top tier burst off the ball and really finishes plays. Much needed for a team that started Brandon Copeland at edge last season.
Grade: A-
Pro Comp: TJ Watt