NFL DRAFT TIER C: Teams with Unfinished Business Heading into June Cuts
- iAmMizz!
- May 28, 2020
- 12 min read
Sorry for the delay, got busy with work and a move into a new apartment so I had to put part three of my draft coverage on the back burner. Part C of theNightCap's NFL Draft coverage focuses on the bottom third of grading or in other words, our biggest losers (C+ to F range). If you missed tier A, click here. Tier B, here. To repeat, these grades are based almost entirely on pre-draft projections for players and team needs that were either successfully filled or not. I will also look at draft strategy for those who seemed to have one, or lack there of.
P.S. If you missed my NFL Free Agency Winners and Losers of March, check them out by clicking these links or perusing 'theHuddle' section of 'theNightCap'.
Philadelphia Eagles:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- B-
NightCap Draft Grade- C+
The main problem here was taking Jalen Hurts in the second round. I understand why they drafted a quarterback, the Jets and Bills also took QB's with young franchise signal callers in place. I have no issue with the Eagles taking Hurts, but second round? That was way too high. This is a quarterback that has major NFL question marks, if Philly wanted a viable backup then why not wait and take an Eason, Morgan or Fromm type. I even believe Hurts would have been there in the third round if they really were set on him. Didn't hate the Jalen Reagor selection, even though it was probably a slight reach at No. 21. The Eagles needed a slot receiver more than an outside guy, with Jeffery, D-Jax and Arcega-Whiteside all on the roster already. Greg Ward Jr. won the slot job last year and he's a former QB himself. John Hightower and Quez Watkins will also compete for a WR job as depth picks. The other need position was linebacker, and they brought in two bodies that could win jobs in Davion Taylor and Shaun Bradley. One sleeper I really liked for Philly was offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho in the sixth, the Auburn pro fell much lower than expectations and adds depth behind second year Andre Dillard. Ironically, the Eagles also selected Auburn's other tackle Jack Driscoll one round earlier. GM Howie Roseman understands the importance of stockpiling offensive line talent, which is always a wise move.
Kansas City Chiefs:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- Updated to C- (from D)
NightCap Draft Grade- C+
The Chiefs don't have too much to worry about, they just won a Super Bowl and most of their starters from their championship run are still under contract in 2020. Pretty much everyone knew KC would take a running back at the end of the first round, even though you might say they had many more pressing needs on the other side of the ball like cornerback or linebacker. They did just that (I guess Andy Reid is okay with outscoring his opponents), the problem was the choice of running back. We won't truly know until we see them all in action, but LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire was generally ranked somewhere from third to fifth in this RB class. The Chiefs took him first, over D'Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor. The rumor was that Mahomes wanted C.E.H. and the front office just went with it, so I guess the Chiefs victory lap is still in the honeymoon stage... later on, linebacker Willie Gay and tackle Lucas Niang seemed like very solid picks, but still the cornerback position was neglected until deep in the draft (with L'Jarius Sneed and Bopete Keyes). I would have liked to see Kansas City replace Kendall Fuller with a high pick, I don't think they win the Super Bowl without him, but I suppose the Chiefs brass disagreed.
Houston Texans:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- Updated to D (from D -)
NightCap Draft Grade- C+
Out of his five draft picks, did Bill O'Brien make poor selections? Not really. This grade goes back to his haphazard offseason trading that made no sense whatsoever. We all know about the Hopkins trade which sent "Nuk" to the Cardinals for David Johnson and an exchange of picks, which was bad, but the Brandin Cooks trade was actually somehow WORSE. Why on Earth would you give up a second round pick for Cooks, with his history of concussions and his outrageous contract (even if the Rams are paying a large chunk of it)? Especially when you consider that this draft was LOADED with wide receivers. Plenty of which were available in the second round as cheaper, higher upside options than Cooks in his current state. These trades were just dumb. The draft was fine aside from that; Ross Blacklock will help Timmy Jernigan replace D.J. Reader on the D-line, Jonathan Greenard seemed like a value edge rusher in the third, and John Reid will add to the cornerback depth. Tackle Charlie Heck however looks like a reach in the fourth based on most pre-draft grades, there were plenty of other options available here.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- D+
NightCap Draft Grade- C+
I thought the Steelers would be more primed to "win now" in free agency with Big Ben nearing the end of his career, but they weren't. Then in the draft, they really didn't have a whole lot to work with after recent trades for players like Minkah Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh sort of just stuck to filling needs in the end, and I can't fault them for that, but the lack of urgency has been troubling all offseason. They needed another wide receiver in case JuJu Smith-Schuster walks in free agency next year, enter Chase Claypool (one of my favorite receivers in this draft... remember the Steelers are famous for drafting wide receiver sleepers under this regime). They needed a running back to compete with James Conner, enter Anthony McFarland (probably a reach but the Steelers went with the Sophomore who has less tread on the tires). They needed an extra edge rusher in case Bud Dupree leaves in 2021, enter Alex Highsmith. They needed a guard to replace the retired Ramon Foster, enter Kevin Dotson. Some might say, they filled every need with minimal picks, why the C+ grade? I agree that they were efficient as always, but most of these picks were average prospects in the end, and outside of maybe Claypool all of these replacements are downgrades from 2019.
Chicago Bears:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- Updated to C- (from D+)
NightCap Draft Grade- C
This was an odd one, because I liked the prospects, just not for Chicago. It was almost as if the Bears avoided all of their biggest needs and targeted their strengths. Cole Kmet could be a superstar tight end, but the Bears had about 10 tight ends on their roster at the time, and Kmet was their top pick after the residual effects of the Khalil Mack trade. They also spent what little cap space they had available on Jimmy Graham. That's called a lack of a plan right there. Corner Jaylon Johnson towards the end of the second was much better, that could be a sleeper pick that immediately upgrades on Prince Amukamara. Edge rusher Trevis Gipson was another Kmet situation though. They have Mack, they go out and sign Robert Quinn to big money, then they spend their third pick on another edge rusher. The Bears really didn't have many high picks in this draft (Gipson was the first of many fifth rounders), and the rest graded out as either reaches or possible busts altogether... plus they really failed to adequately address both the WR and offensive line positions which I saw as NEEDS for them. At the end of the day, Chicago doesn't seem to have a clear idea of what they want to do this offseason. They wrangled some decent talent in the draft, and have a lot left over from the 2018 playoff team, but if none of it fits together properly then what's the point?
Washington Redskins:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- C+
NightCap Draft Grade- C
This will be one of the most BOOM or BUST drafts this season, starting with Chase Young who some people see as the next Nick Bosa and others see as the next Vernon Gholston. Personally, Chase Young didn't impress me in big games but that isn't why I disliked this pick. The Redskins did not need an edge rusher, they already have Ryan Kerrigan and Montez Sweat plus a crowded defensive tackle room as well. What they really needed was a franchise left tackle to replace Trent Williams and help Dwayne Haskins. There were four top tackles available before Washington passed on all of them, instead this is something Ron Rivera and crew really never addressed in the draft at all (fourth round Saahdiq Charles may be more suited for guard in the NFL). They did shore up the interior of the offensive line with center Keith Ismael later on. The next boom or bust selection was wide receiver/running back Antonio Gibson, who Washington compared to Christian McCaffrey. To others he is just a gadget type player like Tavon Austin or Darren Sproles. For me, their best pick was actually wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden out of Liberty. He was a diamond in the rough in college, and could turn into an NFL sleeper. Overall, I just didn't feel the Redskins did enough to give Haskins the tools to win now, and if he fails they may have to restart the process all over again. For Redskins fans, that's the worst possible outcome.
New England Patriots:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- D -
NightCap Draft Grade- C
People will call me a hater, people will say I am biased, people will say trust in Bill Belichick and that last one I don't doubt... but this has been a horrendous offseason for New England. The worst in my lifetime. The draft was better than the free agency period, but B.B. made two crucial mistakes that I cannot justify in any way. One, he did not bring in a single quarterback to compete with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer. I know this wasn't the best QB draft class as a whole but rather than double up on tight ends or triple on linebacker/safety hybrids, why not use one pick on Jake Fromm or anyone else. Stidham needs real competition this year, and I'm sorry but that is not Brian Hoyer. If it is, we got trouble in paradise. Two, he didn't draft a single wide receiver in a top WR draft (with sub-par weapons on the roster). Expect this offense to run the ball as nauseam in 2020. I didn't have any issues with the defensive selections (Kyle Dugger, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings), it's clear that Belichick is trying to counteract the direction of the league (specifically the AFC) and the growing number of mobile quarterbacks. All of these guys have speed and athleticism, and can keep up with the Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes of the NFL. Smart thinking. Taking Devin Asiasi seemed like a fine tight end selection as well, but why double up with Dalton Keene? That's almost admitting that you aren't confident enough in the Asiasi selection, Belichick should have taken a quarterback or wide out here. In typical B.B. fashion, he also reached on kicker Justin Rohrwasser in the fifth, who most analysts didn't even have getting drafted. The Patriots finished with a new batch of offensive linemen, the cream of the crop being center Dustin Woodard.
Tennessee Titans:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- Updated to C+ (from C)
NightCap Draft Grade- C
Is there any team more average in the NFL on a yearly basis? The Tennessee Titans grades and recent history (outside of last year's surprise playoff run) would argue that there isn't, and this draft was another riveting display from Mike Vrabel's bunch. They certainly reached on Isaiah Wilson in the first, but they got the right tackle they wanted to take over for Jack Conklin. Notably, Josh Jones and Robert Hunt were available among others. Their best pick was cornerback Kristian Fulton, who many think could be a sleeper candidate. The combination of Fulton and veteran Jonathan Joseph more than accounts for the loss of Logan Ryan. After that the picks seemed really uninspiring to me. Future backup running back Darrynton Evans, average defensive tackle Larrell Murchison, a new backup quarterback in Cole McDonald, but no wide receivers to help Tannehill and A.J. Brown (which I thought to be foolish).
Las Vegas Raiders:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- Updated to B (from B-)
NightCap Draft Grade- C -
Jon Gruden does not follow draft ranks and neither does his GM, former draft analyst Mike Mayock (ironically). They take who they want, when they want. I personally have no issue with this strategy, Belichick has made a career off doing whatever he thinks is best and Gruden/Mayock are definitely cut from a similar cloth. Still, it's hard to give them a positive grade until these guys actually prove them right. Last year people questioned the Clelin Ferrell selection and so far the Raiders brass has been wrong. They found sleepers in players like Maxx Crosby however, and hit big on star running back Josh Jacobs. It has been a give and take for Gruden so far, the true boom or bust coach even more so than the Redskins. Taking Henry Ruggs III over CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy was the first step on that path. Cornerback Damon Arnette followed as the leap off the cliff, drafted absurdly far above his projected value. After the two surprising first rounders, not in terms of position but player, Gruden's third rounder went to a running back who specializes in his ability as a receiver, Lynn Bowden. I liked this pick more than the first two, Gruden needs versatile players to run his versatile offense (which is one of the reasons I would have preferred Lamb over Ruggs). Adding to the receiver core again with Bryan Edwards was necessary, this was their greatest need, but adding another safety was not (Tanner Muse). This team has an excess of safeties and few corners. Amik Robertson could help with that problem, taken in the fourth round. Gruden's drafts could end up being flawless or total disaster on a yearly basis. The uncertainty makes for a shaky grade, but he'll probably end up with another win-some lose-some scenario.
San Francisco 49ers:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- C -
NightCap Draft Grade- C -
The main problem with this draft for San Francisco comes when you realize the byproduct of their trading. I originally liked the DeForest Buckner trade for both sides, but I didn't think it was wise to draft his exact replacement with the pick that you dealt him away for. Now Javon Kinlaw will always be compared to Buckner, an All-Pro talent, and even if Kinlaw is a decent NFL player, decent may not be enough. I would have liked San Francisco to either use the early pick on a true number one wide receiver that could be a game-changer for their offense, or trade the pick for more selections later on. Instead, they waited and took Brandon Aiyuk to fill this role. I'll be honest, I don't know Aiyuk well enough to judge him fairly, but I don't think he'll compare to CeeDee Lamb when all is said and done (Niners passed on Lamb for Kinlaw). The second trade was the Trent Williams one. This one was bad luck for GM John Lynch. Left tackle Joe Staley decided to retire just before the draft, forcing Lynch's hand. Lynch doubled down on replacing the future Hall of Fame tackle, trading draft capital for Williams and drafting Colton McKivitz. I don't think this was the Niners fault, but it affects their grade nonetheless. There isn't much to talk about after that, San Fran didn't have many worthwhile draft picks in 2020.
Seattle Seahawks:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- C
NightCap Draft Grade- D+
Seattle had a draft littered with unexcitement. They reached on positions and prepared for the worst (which would be losing unsigned free agents like Jadeveon Clowney, Ziggy Ansah and Mychal Kendricks to other teams) rather than be aggressive on what they really needed to help them win in 2020. Jordyn Brooks in the first will step in for Kendricks and learn from Bobby Wagner. I don't hate the pick, but Brooks was no first rounder, why not trade down? Later, Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson seemed like smart picks in terms of undervalued talent, but if Clowney does return then the EDGE will become very crowded very quickly. Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa have already signed, and don't forget last year's first round pick L.J. Collier who has barely factored for Seattle so far. What the Seahawks desperately needed (for years now) was offensive line, and they only drafted one player to supplement this gaping hole, guard Damien Lewis. Also, what was the possible rational for drafting TWO receiving tight ends in Colby Parkinson and Stephen Sullivan after re-signing Jacob Hollister and Luke Willson, already having Dissly, and bringing in veteran Greg Olsen? Way too many tight ends on this roster.
Green Bay Packers:
NightCap Free Agency Grade So Far- Updated to D+ (from C-)
NightCap Draft Grade- F
The only draft by any team that I truly hated was by the Green Bay Packers. The reasoning on why is simple. This team was on the doorstep of a Super Bowl last year. The roster didn't gain or lose much in free agency; a few veterans left (most notably right tackle Bryan Bulaga and middle linebacker Blake Martinez), a few low risk fliers joined the roster (Devin Funchess, Rick Wagner, Christian Kirksey). Overall, the team didn't really fluctuate too much though. They desperately needed two things in the draft, receiving weapons for Aaron Rodgers (WR or TE preferably) and defensive help at middle linebacker and cornerback. General manager Brian Gutekunst did not draft a single WR however (in, as we know, a DEEP WR CLASS). He also did not draft a defensive player until round five in middle linebacker Kamal Martin. He took one tight end, Josiah Deguara, who by all reports sounds like a future fullback/blocker (in the third round). He took three offensive linemen, who all seem similarly average. The only secondary he drafted was safety Vernon Scott in the seventh round. And worst of all these complaints, his first two picks went quarterback/running back (Jordan Love and A.J. Dillon), arguably the Packers strongest two positions. This draft did not help the Packers in 2020 whatsoever (may even have a negative effect on team chemistry) and oh by the way, Rodgers claims he's nowhere close to retirement which gives us another Tom Brady situation in Green Bay. Nice job ya cheeseheads!
Again, I apologize for taking so long on this final edition of my NFL Draft coverage, life got in the way this time... but thank you to anyone who followed this all the way to the end with me! You dedicated fans keep me going in this side hobby of mine. THANK YOU.
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