Apr 24, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;  A view of a billboard on Interstate 75 North welcoming LSU quarterback Joe Burrow to Cincinnati, after being selected number one overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Packers Fail in 2020 NFC Draft grade scores

2020 NFC Draft Grades

The start to the NFL season is right around the corner however it’s never too late to take a look at what each NFL team accomplished in the draft. Here is my final draft grades for all NFC teams:

Arizona Cardinals

1 (8). Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons

3 (72). Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones

4 (114). Utah defensive tackle Leki Fotu

4 (131). LSU defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence

6 (202). California linebacker Evan Weaver

7 (222). Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin

The Cardinals successfully acquired three starters from this draft as their 2nd round pick ended up being Deandre Hopkins. Needless to say, the Cardinals knocked this out of the park.

Grade: A

Atlanta Falcons

1 (16). Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell

2 (47). Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson

3 (78). Temple guard/center Matt Hennessy

4 (119). Fresno State linebacker Mykal Walker

4 (134). California safety Jaylinn Hawkins

7 (228). Syracuse punter Sterling Hofrichter

A.J Terrell was a huge reach at 16. Players like CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Reagor and K’Lavon Chaisson were still on the board. I believe they could have chosen a Corner in the second round.

Grade: C-

Carolina Panthers

1 (7). Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown

2 (38). Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos

2 (64). Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn

4 (113). Notre Dame cornerback Troy Pride

5 (152). West Virginia safety Kenny Robinson

6 (184). Baylor defensive tackle Bravvion Roy

7 (221). Florida International cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver

The Panthers decided to  overload on defence in the draft and rightfully so after losing Luke Keuchly, Mario Addison and James Bradberry. Brown, Yetur and Chinn should all see the field in 2020.

Grade: B+

Chicago Bears

2 (43). Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet

2 (50). Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson

5 (155). Tulsa defensive end Trevis Gipson

5 (163). Georgia Southern cornerback Kindle Vildor

5 (173). Tulane wide receiver Darnell Mooney

7 (226). Colorado guard Arlington Hambright

7 (227). Tennessee State offensive tackle Lachavious Simmons

With a shortage of premium picks, the Bears went with the best player available instead of drafting their obvioust need which is offensive line depth. Kmet needs to shine for this to be a successful draft.

Grade: C

Dallas Cowboys

1 (17). Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb

2 (51). Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs

3 (82). Oklahoma defensive tackle Neville Gallimore

4 (123). Tulsa cornerback Reggie Robinson

4 (146). Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz

5 (179). Utah edge rusher Bradlee Anae

7 (231). James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci

Dallas came away with three potential starters in the draft, and CeeDee Lamb has star potential. They arguably had the best draft in the entire NFL.

Grade: A+

Detroit Lions

1 (3). Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah

2 (35). Georgia running back D’Andre Swift

3 (67). Notre Dame edge rusher Julian Okwara

3 (75). Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson

4 (121). Kentucky guard Logan Stenberg

5 (166). Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus

5 (172). New Mexico State running back Jason Huntley

6 (197). Utah defensive tackle John Penisini

7 (235). Ohio State defensive tackle Jashon Cornell

Okudah is going to be a stud in the NFL. However besides Okudah, there is not much to cheer about for the Lions in this draft. Swift was a luxury pick for a team that needed an addition on defense.

Grade: C

Green Bay Packers

1 (26). Utah State quarterback Jordan Love

2 (62). Boston College running back A.J. Dillon

3 (94). Cincinnati tight end/fullback Josiah Deguara

5 (175). Minnesota linebacker Kamal Martin

6 (192). Michigan offensive lineman Jon Runyan

6 (208). Oregon center Jake Hanson

6 (209). Indiana guard Simon Stepaniak

7 (236). TCU safety Vernon Scott

7 (242). Miami edge rusher Jonathan Garvin

Green Bay fans were furious with their draft, and rightfully so. After trading up for Aaron Rodgers replacement, they go the entire draft without taking a wide receiver. This class had the most wide receiver depth in recent memory. The Packers should have helped out Aaron Rodgers.

Grade: F

Los Angeles Rams

2 (52). Florida State running back Cam Akers

2 (57). Florida wide receiver Van Jefferson

3 (84). Alabama edge rusher Terrell Lewis

3 (104). Utah safety Terrell Burgess

4 (136). Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins

6 (199). Ohio State safety Jordan Fuller

7 (234). Baylor linebacker Clay Johnston

7 (248). Miami of Ohio kicker Sam Sloman

7 (250). Clemson guard Tremayne Anchrum

While Green Bay had an awful draft, the Rams may have rivalled.  Without a first round pick, they use their two firsts on luxury selections with Van Jefferson and Akers. They needed more depth on defense, and they decided to load up on offense.

Grade: D-

Minnesota Vikings

1 (22). LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson

1 (31). TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney

2 (58). Boise State guard/tackle Ezra Cleveland

3 (89). Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler

4 (117). South Carolina defensive end D.J. Wonnum

4 (130). Baylor defensive end James Lynch

4 (132). Oregon linebacker Troy Dye

5 (169). Temple cornerback Harrison Hand

5 (176). Miami wide receiver K.J. Osborn

6 (203). Oregon State guard Blake Brandel

6 (205). Michigan safety Josh Metellus

7 (225). Michigan State edge rusher Kenny Willekes

7 (244). Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley

7 (249). Mississippi State safety Brian Cole

7 (253). Washburn center Kyle Hinton

 

Volume. That’s what the Vikings needed and they did exactly that. Their top three picks should all contribute on day one. In my opinion the Vikings had one of the better drafts in the league.

Grade: B+

New Orleans Saints

1 (24). Michigan center Cesar Ruiz

3 (74). Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun

3 (105). Dayton tight end Adam Trautman

7 (240). Mississippi State quarterback Tommy Stevens

With only four picks in the draft, the Saints needed to hit on their top two. I like Ruiz and Baun. Both have the physical tools to help this team day one.

Grade: C+

New York Giants

1 (4). Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas

1 (36). Alabama safety Xavier McKinney

3 (99). Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart

4 (110). UCLA cornerback Darnay Holmes

5 (150). Oregon guard/center Shane Lemieux

6 (183). Penn State linebacker Cam Brown

7 (218). Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin

7 (238). South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson

7 (247). Minnesota cornerback Chris Williamson

7 (255). Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder

Although McKinney went down with a foot injury, this class should produce out of the gate. Expect Thomas to anchor this line for years to come.

Grade: B

Philadelphia Eagles

1 (21). TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor

1 (53). Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts

3 (103). Colorado linebacker Davion Taylor

4 (127). Clemson safety K’Von Wallace

4 (145). Auburn offensive tackle Jack Driscoll

5 (168). Boise State wide receiver John Hightower

6 (196). Temple linebacker Shaun Bradley

6 (200). Southern Miss wide receiver Quez Watkins

6 (210). Auburn offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho

7 (233). Stanford edge rusher Casey Toohill

Although CeeDee Lamb would have been the best addition, the Eagles picked the \ next best in Jalen Reagor. The Hurts pick still remains a head scratcher, and with the Hurts pick aside, it was a solid overall draft for the Eagles.  Look for Hightower and Wallace to produce this season.

Grade: B

San Francisco 49ers

1 (14). South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw

1 (25). Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

5 (153). West Virginia offensive tackle Colton McKivitz

6 (190). Georgia tight end Charlie Woerner

7 (217). Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings

Both Kinlaw and Aiyuk have star potential. San Francisco went after and acquired quality not quantity.

Grade: B-

Seattle Seahawks

1 (26). Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks

2 (48). Tennessee edge rusher Darrell Taylor

3 (69). LSU guard Damien Lewis

4 (133). Stanford tight end Colby Parkinson

4 (144). Miami running back DeeJay Dallas

5 (148). Syracuse edge rusher Alton Robinson

6 (214). Florida wide receiver Freddie Swain

7 (251). LSU tight end Stephen Sullivan

I think Brooks was a reach at 26, however overall Seattle did a solid job filling in the needs of this team. DeeJay Dallas is someone to watch going forward.

Grade: B-

Tampa Bay Bucs

1 (13). Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs

2 (45). Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

3 (76). Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn

5 (151). Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson

6 (194). Nebraska defensive tackle Khalil Davis

7 (241). Temple linebacker Chapelle Russell

7 (245). Louisiana-Lafayette running back Raymond Calais

Tampa Bay straight up had a miraculous offseason. Wirfs will start day one, and players  like Vaughn and Johnson could make noise in a crowded offense.

Grade: B+

Washington Whatever-You-Call-Ems

1 (2). Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young

3 (66). Memphis receiver/running back Antonio Gibson

4 (108). LSU offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles

4 (142). Liberty wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden

5 (156). San Diego State center Keith Ismael

5 (162). Michigan linebacker Khaleke Hudson

7 (216). Arkansas safety Kamren Curl

7 (229). NC State defensive end James Smith-Williams

After Chase Young there are some questionable picks. Charles and Gibson were both head scratchers, however I like Gandy-Golden. It’s important for this franchise that this draft is a successful one.

Grade: C