NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: F-
Round 1 (8): QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Round 2 (35): DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
Round 3 (74): EDGE Bralen Trice, Washington
Round 4 (109): DL Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
Round 5 (143) :LB JD Bertrand, Notre Dame
Round 6 (186): RB Jase McClellan, Alabama
Round 6 (187): WR Casey Washington, Illinois
Round 6 (197): DL Zion Logue, Georgia
What in the world are the Falcons doing? Do they know that they just signed Kirk Cousins to a 4 year $180M deal, with $100M fully guaranteed? Why would they draft a quarterback with the 8th overall pick a month later?? Nobody thought Penix would be selected before their pick, so if they liked him this much, they should have been able to plan on taking Penix, by not making Kirk the 8th highest paid player in the league. Penix is not a player that needs time sitting behind an established starter, as he will turn 24 on May 8th, and needs reps after having his first four collegiate seasons ended by injuries, 2 shoulders, and 2 torn right ACLs. This move and their explanation of the pick make no sense. GM Terry Fontenot and HC Raheem Morris’ talked about how they plan on drafting in the 20’s for the next few years, meaning they expect to be a playoff team, so they wouldn’t have been in a position to draft a franchise QB again. I struggle with this line of thinking, because if you plan on being a real contender, why would you take a player that won’t help for at least his first two years? They had their pick of every defensive player in the class, and could’ve gotten a difference maker on the DL, or even Rome Odunze. Fontenot also said if Penix “sits for four or five years, that’s a great problem to have.” No it most certainly is not. They would be missing out on all of the savings that come with a good QB on a rookie contract, and then be forced to decide whether or not to pay starting QB money to a 28 year old with no experience! This is a horrible pick, and the Falcons failed to make up for it in the second round, when they gave away a third round pick to trade up for DT Ruke Orhorhoro. He was taken one pick before Jer’Zhan Newton, who I think is a better player. Orhorhoro and Trice should at least be able to contribute this year, though. It’s still hard to see this draft class as anything but a colossal failure. I’m not sure I could have disliked a pick more than I dislike this Penix pick, as this is a terrible fit for both Penix and the Falcons.
New Orleans Saints: A
Round 1 (14): OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Round 2 (41): CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Round 5 (150): QB Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Round 5 (170): WR Bub Means, Pittsburgh
Round 5 (175): LB Jaylan Ford, Texas
Round 6 (199): DT Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa
Round 7 (239): OT Josiah Ezirim, Eastern Kentucky
I love this draft for the Saints. You couldn’t need a position more than the Saints needed a tackle. Trevor Penning has struggled to live up to his 1st round pedigree, and there has been speculation that Ryan Ramczyk might be forced to retire due to his knee injuries. Enter Taliese Fuaga, one of the strongest players in the draft, who will immediately become their best tackle. Kool-Aid McKinstry also could be a steal if he stays healthy, as before an underwhelming 2023 season, he was seen as a potential top 10 pick. They didn’t have another pick until the fifth round, but Spencer Rattler is one of my favorite picks of the draft. He has character concerns, and was benched at Oklahoma, before transferring to South Carolina, but his talent is immense. He should have been a third round pick, so taking a flier on him late in the fifth round makes all the sense in the world. The comparison to Baker Mayfield is one I particularly like, so don’t be surprised if he eventually ends up starting over Derek Carr.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+
Round 1 (26): OL Graham Barton, Duke
Round 2 (57): EDGE Chris Braswell, Alabama
Round 3 (89): S Tykee Smith, Georgia
Round 3 (92): WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
Round 4 (125): RB Bucky Irving, Oregon
Round 6 (220): OG Elijah Klein, Texas-El Paso
Round 7 (246): TE Devin Culp, Washington
The Bucs had a very good draft. Graham Barton could develop into one of the best interior offensive lineman in the league, and might have some positional versatility. Braswell, Smith, McMillan, and Irving could also all be solid starters this season, which should help them compete for the NFC South title. I particularly liked the Jalen McMillan pick, as when he was healthy, he was a very productive slot receiver for Washington. This draft sets up Baker Mayfield to continue playing at a high level.
Carolina Panthers: B-
Round 1 (32): WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Round 2 (46): RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Round 3 (72): LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
Round 4 (101): TE J’Tavion Sanders, Texas
Round 5 (157): CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State
Round 6 (200): DT Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State
Round 7 (240): LB Michael Barrett, Michigan
The Panthers did the best they could with what they were given to work with. Xavier Legette is a gadget type of receiver, who is very good with the ball in his hands, but I would have preferred Georgia WR Ladd McConkey for them. I did love the trade down from pick 39, gaining the Rams 2025 2nd round pick in order to trade down 13 spots. The following trade up to pick 46 giving up two fifth round picks, to pick the top running back was more confusing. Brooks is coming off a torn ACL, but before his injury he was easily the best back in the class. Even if I don’t agree with all of the players they took, it is still a solid draft because they picked up a future 2nd and are at least trying to give Bryce Young some weapons.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: A-
Round 1 (1): QB Caleb Williams, USC
Round 1 (9): WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Round 3 (75): OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale
Round 4 (122): P Tory Taylor, Iowa
Round 5 (144): EDGE Austin Booker, Kansas
Caleb Williams is one of the most impressive prospects of all time, and after pairing him with a potential superstar WR in Odunze, Williams is coming into a perfect situation to succeed. The reason this draft is not an A+ is because of what they did on day 3 of the NFL Draft. The Bears came into the draft with just 4 draft picks and there was an expectation that they would trade down from their 9th overall pick and/or their third and fourth round picks. Grabbing Odunze at 9 makes perfect sense, but not trading down in the 3rd or 4th round, and instead giving up a 2025 4th round selection to trade back into the fifth round to select Booker, is a mistake. Drafting a punter in the fourth round is never worth it, especially considering they could have traded down, not given up a future pick, and probably still came away with both players. I doubt we will be worried about that when Caleb and Odunze lead Chicago to the playoffs, though.
Minnesota Vikings: C
Round 1 (10): QB JJ McCarthy
Round 1 (17): EDGE Dallas Turner
Round 4 (108): CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
Round 6 (177): OT Walter Rouse, Oklahoma
Round 6 (203): K Will Reichard, Alabama
Round 7 (230): C Michael Jurgens, Wake Forest
Round 7 (232): DT Levi Drake Rodriguez, Texas A&M Commerce
The Vikings were one of the busiest teams trading up multiple times. Because of trading up and last year’s Z’Darius Smith trade, they only have a 1st, and two 5th round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sacrificing so much draft capital in a year where they will either start a rookie quarterback, or Sam Darnold, might not be the best decision. The saving grace is that they got a potential franchise QB and possibly the best defensive player in the draft. Dallas Turner and JJ McCarthy have to be superstars in order for this to not look like a mistake, similar to the Texans with C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson last year. JJ is in a great position to succeed, but the pressure is on him to not make the Vikings regret trading almost all of their 2025 draft class.
Detroit Lions: C+
Round 1 (24): CB Terrion Arnold, Bama
Round 2 (61): CB Ennis Rakestraw, Mizzou
Round 4 (126): OT Giovanni Manu, British Columbia
Round 4 (132): RB/S Sione Vaki
Round 6 (189): DT Mekhi Wingo, LSU
Round 6 (210): G Christian Mahogany, Boston College
The first two picks of the Lions draft were home runs, picking two of the top five corners in the draft effectively filling the biggest hole on their roster. The Lions then decided to sacrifice future draft capital for fourth round picks, trading a 2025 3rd rounder for Giovannia Manu, and a 2025 4th round pick in order to draft Sione Vaki. Manu is a massive human being standing at 6 foot 7 and 352 pounds, who could very well develop into a good tackle, but most likely will need a year of development before he’s ready to start. They then traded their 2025 fourth round pick for a running back who just switched positions from safety and most likely won’t see the field much. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery form one of the better duos in the league, so this seems like somewhat of a waste. Detroit is lucky their first two selections were so good.
Green Bay Packers: B-
Round 1 (25): OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Round 2 (45): LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Round 2 (58): S Javon Bullard, Georgia
Round 3 (88): RB MarShawn Lloyd, USC
Round 3 (91): LB Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri
Round 4 (111): S Evan Williams, Oregon
Round 5 (163): C Jacob Monk, Duke
Round 5 (169): S Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State
Round 6 (202): OT Travis Glover, Georgia State
Round 7 (245): QB Michael Pratt, Tulane
Round 7 (255): CB Kalen King, Penn State
The Packers drafted good players in positions of need that should contribute this year. Jordan Morgan is a solid pick, as he should be an immediate starter, but I would have taken Graham Barton or Tyler Guyton over him. Cooper is a great athlete that could develop into one of the better LB’s in the league, and is probably the best linebacker in the draft. I do think the MarShawn Lloyd pick was a little bit of a reach, and he might struggle to get on the field while sitting behind Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon. Overall, just another solid draft by the Packers.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: A+
Round 1 (4): WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State
Round 1 (27): EDGE Darius Robinson, Missouri
Round 2 (43): CB Max Melton, Rutgers
Round 3 (66) RB Troy Benson, Florida State
Round 3 (71) OG Isaiah Adams, Illinois
Round 3 (82) TE Tip Reiman, Illinois
Round 3 (90) CB Elijah Jones, Boston College
Round 4 (104) S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech
Round 5 (138) EDGE Xavier Thomas, Clemson
Round 5 (162) OT Christian Jones, Texas
Round 6 (191) WR Tejhaun Palmer, UAB
Round 7 (226) CB Jaden Davis, Miami
The Cardinals had one of the most talent devoid rosters in the league last year, and needed to infuse some young talent in this draft. After 8 picks in the top 104 selections they have done just that. Marvin Harrison Jr. might be the best player in the draft, and I believe he’ll be a top 15 WR as soon as he steps on the field. Max Melton is also a pick I love, especially considering they traded down and added a 3rd rounder before taking him. Melton is one of my favorite players in the draft, a lockdown corner with great ball skills that fills their biggest remaining need. I wasn’t as much of a fan of picking Darius Robinson over Jer’Zhan Newton, and I thought there were better players available when they selected RB Troy Benson at 66, but overall this is a home run draft by the Cardinals that should change the trajectory of the franchise.
Seattle Seahawks: A-
Round 1 (16): DT Byron Murphy II, Texas
Round 3 (81): OG Christian Haynes, UConn
Round 4 (118): LB Tyrice Knight, New Mexico State
Round 4 (121): TE AJ Barner, Michigan
Round 5 (136): CB Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn
Round 6 (179): OG Sataoa Laumea, Utah
Round 6 (192): CB DJ James, Auburn
Round 6 (207): OT Mike Jerrell, Findlay
Seahawks fans should be ecstatic with Mike Macdonald’s first draft. Byron Murphy has a chance to be the best defensive player in this draft class, and is a perfect fit next to Leonard Williams in Macdonald’s scheme. Their biggest need was easily on the OL, specifically finding some guards, and it looks like they found a good one in Christian Haynes. Haynes tested very well at the combine and could start right away. Byron Murphy at 16 is one of the best picks of the first round, and finding another starter in the third at a position of need makes this class a great one.
Los Angeles Rams: D+
Round 1 (19): EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
Round 2 (39): DT Braden Fiske, Florida State
Round 3 (83): RB Blake Corum, Michigan
Round 3 (99): S Kamren Kinchens, Miami
Round 5 (154): EDGE Brennan Jackson, Washington State
Round 6 (196): DT Tyler Davis, Clemson
Round 6 (209): K Joshua Karty, Stanford
Round 6 (213): WR Jordan Whittington, Texas
Round 6 (217): OC Beaux Limmer, Arkansas
Round 7 (254): OG KT Leveston, Kansas State
The Rams draft started with a great pick in Jared Verse, as he is probably the most physical edge rusher in the class, and will immediately be a stout run defender, with the chance to develop into a solid pass rusher. After a great day one, the Rams made an awful trade on day two. It seems as if they panicked after the run on DT's started, with three being taken off the board at 35, 36, and 38. Their panic turned into them trading the 52nd and 155th pick along with a 2025 2nd round pick for the 39th pick that they used on Fiske. Fiske has a high floor, but his lack of length and size limit his ceiling. I think he would have been a reach at their original 52nd pick, let alone the 39th pick. Giving up next year’s second for him, especially in the first year without Aaron Donald, could be a disaster, and it's obvious this front office panicked to fill a need. Getting at least three probable starters in Verse, Fiske and Kinchens saves this class from being an F.
San Francisco 49ers: B
Round 1 (31): WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida
Round 2 (64): CB Renardo Green, Florida State
Round 3 (86): OL Dominick Puni, Kansas
Round 4 (124): S Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest
Round 4 (129): RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville
Round 4 (135): WR Jacob Cowing, Arizona
Round 6 (215): G Jarrett Kingston, USC
Round 7 (251): LB Tatum Bethune, Florida State
The 49ers had one of the most intriguing classes this year. Ricky Pearsall was definitely a surprise pick at 31, considering most mocks had him getting picked in the 40s, and they already have two star WR’s in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. The pick had rumors swirling that either Deebo or Aiyuk was going to be on the move, but a trade never materialized, and now the 49ers have the best skill position group in the league. I do like Pearsall’s fit in the offense, as he offers inside-outside versatility, and should dominate from the slot in year 1. On day two they filled some of their biggest remaining needs with Green and Puni. I loved the Puni pick, as I didn’t expect him to be available at 86. Puni offers positional flexibility and great size at 6’ 5” and 313 pounds. San Francisco got much faster with Pearsall, Guerendo and Cowing running impressive 40 yard dash times at 4.41, 4.33, and 4.38 respectively. Thanks to this draft class, their offense should once again be among the best in the league.
NFC EAST
Washington Commanders: A-
Round 1 (2): QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Round 2 (36): DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
Round 2 (50): CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Round 2 (53): TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Round 3 (67): OG Brandon Coleman, TCU
Round 3 (100): WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
Round 5 (139): LB Jordan Magee, Temple
Round 5 (161): S Dominique Hampton, Washington
Round 7 (222): EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame
The Commanders had a potentially franchise changing draft class. I personally would have taken Drake Maye over Jayden Daniels, but both are worthy of the 2nd overall pick. Daniels is a great athlete with high end speed and an accurate arm. I really like the RG3 comparison, as they both win with high end athleticism and elite accuracy. He could produce right away just like RG3 did as a rookie, but Daniels also has a tendency to take big hits while scrambling, and might struggle to stay healthy. If they found their franchise QB, the rest of this draft class won’t matter much, but they really did well with their five other top 100 picks. Newton should have been a top 25 pick, and they got a steal, even if DT wasn’t much of a need for them. Sainristil might be best as a nickel corner, but he is easily the best nickel in the class. Luke McCaffrey is also going to be a great option for Daniels in the slot, as his quickness and route running ability should allow him to produce right away. The only thing holding this class back from an A+ is that they didn’t find a tackle, even though that was their biggest need, outside of QB. They did find quality starters and possibly a superstar QB, but I’m just not sure they have the line to keep him healthy.
New York Giants: B+
Round 1 (6): WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Round 2 (47): S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
Round 3 (70): CB Andru Phillips, Kentucky
Round 4 (107): TE Theo Johnson, Penn State
Round 5 (166): RB Tyrone Tracy Jr, Purdue
Round 6 (183): LB Darius Muasau, UCLA
Malik Nabers to the Giants is perfect. They have not had a receiver that defenses have had to fear since they traded Odell Beckham Jr. Nabers is the most electric WR in the class, and will immediately be their best playmaker. Some analysts wanted the Giants to draft a QB with the 6th pick, but I really don’t believe anyone outside of the top 3 (Caleb, Drake, Jayden) were worth that pick, and reaching for a QB at pick 6 is exactly how the Giants got in the mess they’re currently in. I didn’t like the rest of the draft as much, as I thought it might be a little early to pick Nubin, but they did get some starters at positions of need. If Theo Johnson ever puts it together, his athleticism will make him a great Darren Waller replacement. Overall, this high quality draft class will give Daniel Jones a chance to prove he’s not terrible.
Philadelphia Eagles: A+
Round 1 (22): CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Round 2 (40): DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Round 3 (94): EDGE Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian
Round 4 (127): RB Will Shipley, Clemson
Round 5 (152): WR Ainias Smith Texas A&M
Round 5 (155): LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Round 5 (172): OG Trevor Keegan, Michigan
Round 6 (185): WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
Round 6 (190): OC Dylan McMahon, NC State
The Eagles probably had the best draft in the league. The Eagles secondary was one of the weakest units in the league and was a major reason for their late season collapse. It took just one draft to completely fix this, as they got the best corner and best safety in the class. DeJean could probably play corner, but with Darius Slay still on the roster, I’d imagine they'll play him at safety. Philly also tied the record for most draft day trades, making 8 trades, and accumulating a 2025 3rd, 4th, and 5th round pick in the process. Fixing their biggest hole on the roster by drafting two players that should have gone in the top 25 picks, while accumulating future draft capital, is the reason the Eagles will continue to stay competitive even after paying Jalen Hurts.
Dallas Cowboys: B+
Round 1 (29): OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Round 2 (56): EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Round 3 (73): OG Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Round 3 (87): LB Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
Round 5 (174): CB Caelen Carson, Wake Forest
Round 6 (216): WR Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State
Round 7 (233): OT Nathan Thomas, Louisiana-Lafayette
Round 7 (244): DT Justin Rogers, Auburn
The Cowboys had a very smart draft. Trading down from 26, picking up the 73rd pick, and still getting a starting tackle, in Tyler Guyton was a great move. Tyler Guyton might not be as ready to start as Dallas needs him to be, but he has the upside to be a steal at 29. Cooper Beebe is the player they got for trading down, and should also be a starter right away, possibly at center. Dallas needed major help on the offensive line, after losing both Tyler Biadasz and Tyron Smith in free agency. The one problem I have with this class, is that they needed a running back badly, and didn't draft any, but it’s hard to argue against the first two days for the Cowboys, as they probably got four starters, and fixed their problems with the offensive line.
Photos by AP Photos
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