Tag: draft grades

Mar 2, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly (OL07) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Grading the Commanders’ Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: A-

Best Pick: Josh Conerly Jr., No. 29 Overall

What We Liked: Great players all the way down. Conerly’s explosive movement skills should make him a great fit for move-blocking and keeping a clean pocket for Jayden Daniels whether he chooses to scramble or not. Trey Amos deserved to be taken in the first round and should boost the secondary and help them recover from their early 2023 choice of Emmanuel Forbes. Even their late-round picks of Jaylin Lane and Kain Medrano stand to make an impact with their impressive athleticism.

Not Sure About: The Commanders could have paid a little closer attention to need, as they neglected an empty edge room and did not address the back end of their secondary. While I love Conerly, he may be getting thrown into the fire here before developing as an anchor, which could come back to bite the Commanders as they plan for the future, especially if they move him from his natural position of offensive tackle.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Apr 25, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants first round draft picks, Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart pose for photos prior to the start of the press conference. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images

Grading the Giants’ Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: C-

Best Pick: EDGE Abdul Carter, No. 3 Overall

What we liked: Carter is a great player. Pairing him with Brian Burns will turn a middling edge rusher unit into a force to be reckoned with. Focusing on the defensive trenches was a good decision for the Giants, who despite having lots of talent, really only felt like they were getting halfway decent results. Picking up Darius Alexander to supplement Dexter Lawrence should play out well, too. That defense could easily become a top-10 unit next year with the added talent.

Not Sure About: I know when you see a guy who could be a franchise quarterback on the board, you should do anything to get him, but is Jaxson Dart really that guy? Not only did the Giants take a quarterback propped up by an incredibly friendly system, they traded up to get him. After the first read, Dart often crumbled. I’m not sure I can see a world where Dart takes the Giants any further than Daniel Jones did. At least Jones could push the ball all the way downfield.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Jan 28, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team wide receiver Tai Felton of Maryland (10) grabs a pass during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Grading the Vikings’ Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: B+

Best Pick: WR Tai Felton, No. 102 Overall

What We Liked: Felton should come in as a great WR3 to give J.J. McCarthy a really easy time finding open receivers. The two early picks put their new quarterback (coming off an injury last year) in a good space to continue the trajectory that Sam Darnold was able to execute on. Donovan Jackson will help McCarthy stay upright and could flex between guard or tackle for the Vikings depending on what they need. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins provides a lot of athleticism and flexibility to a defensive line that needs more of it. They did the most with what they had.

Not Sure About: There should have been a stronger effort to get more picks in the class. The only trade made was a pick swap that still left them with only four picks. With the value as on point as it was this year, giving Kwesi Adofo-Mensah more darts to throw could have resulted in a boost to the team’s ceiling. The move to get QB Sam Howell feels a little underwhelming for a backup option to McCarthy, and securing another rookie might have been a better long-term play. Cornerback not being addressed early means the problems from last year will continue.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (DB04) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images

Grading the Broncos’ draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: C

Best Pick: CB Jahdae Barron, No. 20 Overall

What We Liked: Barron is a stud. His extreme versatility along with high-end tackling skills and coverage ability should make him a cornerstone of that defense for a while. In an era that’s shifting more toward the idea of “positionless football,” the Broncos are charging forward into the future with a defensive back that is the shining example of that philosophy. I also think Sai’vion Jones could work in quickly as a third pass rusher.

Not Sure About: In theory, adding a couple skill players for Bo Nix should work for Denver, but these guys don’t have the juice. RJ Harvey does not have a standout trait and plays slower than his tested speed. Spending a second-round pick on a guy who doesn’t elevate your running back room is a problem. Pat Bryant feels like a guy head coach Sean Payton over-drafted for his blocking ability, but in the third round, it feels like he should have focused on players that can also catch and run with the ball.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; University of Georgia offensive lineman Jared Wilson (OL49) answers questions at a press conference during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Grading the Patriots’ Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: A+

Best Pick: C Jared Wilson, No. 95 Overall

What We Liked: Lots of rock-solid picks building in Mike Vrabel’s first year as the head coach. The offensive line is molding into more of a unit than a series of disparate parts, the Patriots have a new running back in TreVeyon Henderson who can hopefully carry the workload. Kyle Williams gives QB Drake Maye one more weapon. This feels like a draft driven by logic and smart team-building.

Not Sure About: It was a little early for Craig Woodson for my liking. Woodson has trouble run-stopping and struck me as more of a developmental player than a solution to a safety problem. Other than that, nothing to complain about.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah State wideout Jalen Royals (WO38) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Grading the Chiefs’ Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: A-

Best Pick: WR Jalen Royals, No. 133 Overall

What We Liked: The Chiefs managed to solve their offensive tackle problem thanks to the fall of Josh Simmons, which feels reminiscent of the Trey Smith pick from 2021. As usual, the Chiefs are playing to consensus, picking up talented fallers such as Royals and Ashton Gillotte, who have the production and athleticism to become quick starters. The Chiefs are sticking to the strategy that turned them into perennial Super Bowl contenders. Good stuff.

Not Sure About: That Omarr Norman-Lott pick feels like a disaster waiting to happen. It’s hard to trust a player who isn’t taking a majority of the snaps for his defense, and to take him on Day 2 is suspect. Also, Jeffrey Bassa strikes me as a nothing burger player with limited upside and is not someone who projects to have a role starting anytime soon or even a role on special teams.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; East Carolina defensive back Shavon Revel (DB27) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images

Grading the Cowboys’ Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: C+

Best Pick: CB Shavon Ravel Jr., No. 76 Overall

What We Liked: The Ravel pick was impressive value for the spot. The once-incredible Cowboys cornerback room took a major step back and Ravel should be able to make it afloat again. Tyler Booker is a really good player who fits with the scheme of the Cowboys with his overwhelming power profile. The Cowboys addressed the majority of their needs and at least should have new competition at the spot.

Not Sure About: Can Donovan Ezeiruaku keep up his high production in the pros when he’s at an athletic disadvantage? The value is better in the second than his first-round projection, but it still is a worrying projection. Jaydon Blue does not seem equipped to take on a bellcow role and feels like more of a special teams add.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin (TE07) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Grading the Browns’ Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: B

Best Pick: Harold Fannin Jr., No. 67 Overall

What We Liked: Lots of talented guys made their way onto the Browns roster through this class. It’s a very productive group that isn’t lacking in potential. Mason Graham plays with a furor that should scare opponents, the new RB duo of Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson has a lot of athleticism and should create a nice one-two punch. Fannin adds a dynamic weapon to the receiving corps that can be used in a wealth of ways. The support system for whoever is playing quarterback is going to be boosted.

Not Sure About: There’s an old adage that if you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks. Forcing a Dillon Gabriel vs. Shedeur Sanders quarterback competition seems like a move that will ultimately cause distractions. It’s classic Browns, never able to quite solve the quarterback problem as they intend to, and always with more drama than necessary. Carson Schwesinger also got taken a little early for my liking, but the value at linebacker in the second round wasn’t there for anyone.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori (DB40) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images

Grading the Seahawks’ Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: A-

Best Pick: S Nick Emmanwori, No. 35 Overall

What We Liked: Lots of jumping on the fallers, a strategy that will always get my approval. Emmanwori and Elijah Arroyo specifically feel like players who fell more based on happenstance than actual inferior play. I like this as a landing spot for Jalen Milroe too — give him a chance to learn behind Sam Darnold and get up to speed with NFL play, hopefully allow him to reach that untapped upside everyone was excited about. Getting Grey Zabel early also feels like a good move for a team that was putting out turnstiles on the interior.

Not Sure About: I don’t feel particularly confident in most of the Day 3 flyers, even Tory Horton who was once considered a Day 2 guy. It feels like he’s a really big injury risk. The others just aren’t particularly talented with Robbie Ouzts and Rylie Mills being the least interesting of the bunch, two guys who have the build of NFL players but not really the skills to back it up. I don’t have confidence in any of these guys to be regular contributors.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Boston College offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo (OL42) answers questions at a press conference during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Grading the Bears’ Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: A-

Best Pick: OT Ozzy Trapilo, No. 56 Overall

What We Liked: The Bears kept a good balance of need and overall player value for much of the draft. Starting off with Colston Loveland was a welcome surprise, as much of the buzz was around the inferior (sorry) Tyler Warren. Continuing to support Caleb Williams, the next two picks were another weapon in Luther Burden III, who can really cook with the ball in his hands, and added protection from Ozzy Trapilo. Their defensive picks mostly landed as well with Shemar Turner and Zah Frazier being high-floor prospects with decent athleticism and physicality.

Not Sure About: That Ruben Hyppolite pick was an insane miscue. It was sort of like acing a history test and then writing gibberish on one of the essay questions. Does anyone outside of the Maryland fanbase and obsessive pro day watchers like myself even know who Hyppolite is? Surely they could have gotten him later. The Bears don’t even really need a linebacker, which means they have to have really loved this guy. Very odd pick from an otherwise very logical set of selections.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media