Post-Draft Grade for Each First-Round Pick

Post-Draft Grades for Each First Round Pick

Nick Gaschler

In the wake of an epic 2018 NFL Draft 1st Round, I give my grades

for each and every pick as I have time to reflect and grade each one.

1. Cleveland Browns-Baker Mayfield-QB-Oklahoma

Huge fan of this pick. Cleveland needs a QB and if anyone has the firepower, competitiveness
and will to breathe life into a dead franchise Baker does. I worry he may be a bust as with all
other Browns picks, but he seems to be different. Grade: A

2. New York Giants-Saquon Barkley-RB-Penn State

The Giants needed a guy that wasn’t a QB. They needed someone to count on to bring their franchise back to the forefront before Eli retired. And they got exactly that. Saquon will be a difference maker in New York and should start day one. Grade: A+

3. New York Jets-Sam Darnold-QB-USC

In the end, #suckforsam worked and the Jets have a franchise QB for the future. I really like
Darnold and believe he could be a good fit in New York. They will need a lot more, but this
could end up making the Jets a contender once more. Grade: B+

4. Cleveland Browns-Denzel Ward-CB-Ohio State

I’m still shocked by this pick. Sure it’s good and all, but I didn’t expect Denzel to go that high
and I think they could have used Chubb a lot more. Regardless, this makes the defense better
and fuel Cleveland’s comeback. Grade: B

5. Denver Broncos-Bradley Chubb-DE-NC State

I honestly don’t dislike this pick as much as I did when it was made because the more I thought
about it, the more effective Chubb was as a stand-up rusher against the left tackle and with Von
Miller on the other side, that could make us dangerous. Grade: A

6. Indianapolis Colts-Quenton Nelson-G-Notre Dame

 A big time pick for the Colts. Getting a Hall of Fame guard is a huge score for team that needs it. With Andrew Luck, a new coach, and now Quenton Nelson, Indy is looking scary.. I’m a fan of this pick and should turn the Colts into a contender pretty soon. Grade: A+

7. Buffalo Bills(via Tampa Bay)-Josh Allen-QB-Wyoming

It’s the man the Bills wanted all along. The first trade in the draft was expected to be this and it came
through. The Bills get a big armed QB and although I’m not the biggest fan of Allen he can develop
and start long-term for Buffalo in the future. Grade: B

8. Chicago Bears-Roquan Smith-LB-Georgia

The Bears get a great linebacker in Roquan Smith that can be a long term threat inside for Chicago
and makes their defense that much better. I would be weary of the Danny Trevathan-Roquan Smith
duo in the AFC North because it could rise up soon. Grade: A-

9. San Francisco 49ers-Mike McGlinchey-OT-Notre Dame

Meh. John Lynch was the supposed master of trades last year, but I didn’t like this pick. He’s a career
right tackle and I don’t think he will be able to replace Joe Staley in the time frame that he has been
given in San Francisco. Either way it will impact the 9ers. Grade: B-

10. Arizona Cardinals(via Oakland)-Josh Rosen-QB-UCLA

 I really dislike this pick. I don’t think Josh Rosen is a good QB and I think his true character really
showed through in the green room tonight. He was pouty and in a bad mood because he didn’t go
top 5. Plus his old bones will break apart in the dry desert. Grade: C+

11. Miami Dolphins-Minkah Fitzpatrick-DB-Alabama

 I’m a fan of this pick. This is similar to the Marshon Lattimore thing last year and I think the Dolphins made the right selection here wherever Minkah plays. If he’s a FS cool, if he’s a corner cool. This is impactful for the Dolphins. Grade: A+

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Vita Vea-DT-Washington

I really liked this pick. Vita Vea, Gerald McCoy, JPP, and Vinny Curry can make a real impact on the
Bucs defensive line and hopefully bring their defense back to the top. Jason Licht has made some
really good picks and it may finally pay off. Grade: A

13. Washington Redskins-Da’Ron Payne-DT-Alabama

Payne is a great pick. With the two Bama defenders on the front line, I have a good feeling about the
Redskins after the draft they have had the last two years. Payne is a quality prospect and I think the
Redskins made another good choice. Grade: A-

14. New Orleans Saints-Marcus Davenport-DE-UTSA

This was a decent pick. I’ve projected them getting a defensive end for about a year now so it was
cool to see it happen. I really believed it was gonna be Lamar at 14, but then I realized Oakland was
picking. Either way they got their guy and he’s good. Grade: B

15. Oakland Raiders-Kolton Miller-OT-UCLA

One of several picks that I absolutely despise. Kolton Miller is NOT a first round tackle and the fact
that Jon Gruden was so angry he didn’t get Davenport he selected this dude over Tremaine or
Derwin is baffling. Whatever. Have fun with another losing season. Grade: C-

16. Buffalo Bills-Tremaine Edmunds-LB-Virginia Tech

I love this pick a lot. Edmunds falls, Beane realizes and takes advantage of getting a franchise
player like Edmunds this low in the draft. He should have gone a lot earlier and when it’s all over,
he’s gonna be a great draft steal of NFL History. Grade: A

17. Los Angeles Chargers-Derwin James-S-Florida State

I really like this pick for the Chargers. A steal as well. Derwin is gonna be a playmaker in the NFL
and makes the Chargers defense much better. This guy is as close to Malik Hooker as it gets this
draft and I projected Hooker to LA last year so good pick. Grade: A

18. Green Bay Packers-Jaire Alexander-CB-Louisville

Jaire Alexander was a very surprising pick here and another player that got hype later in the process,
but I still think he could be used in Green Bay however they want to use him. He’ll be a stud in the
future and join Kevin King in a reinvented secondary. Grade: B

19. Dallas Cowboys-Leighton Vander Esch-LB-Boise State

I really don’t like LVE that much. He just doesn’t impress me with his ability to make consistent plays
like Tremaine, Roquan, and Rashaan Evans. Either way if the Cowboys like him, I hope he works
out for them and will make the team better, but I doubt it. Grade: C+

20. Detroit Lions-Frank Ragnow-C-Arkansas

Frank Ragnow was more than questionable in the first round. He was a player that got hyped towards
the end because rumors started swirling and I don’t believe he will live up to the 1st Round hype.
Maybe next time Detroit! Grade: C

21. Cincinnati Bengals-Billy Price-C-Ohio State

Another weird pick. I had a feeling the Bengals would target him, but then Ragnow rumors came
to light and when Ragnow got picked they went back to Price. I think he has decent potential if
developed correctly. Grade: B-

22. Tennessee Titans-Rashaan Evans-LB-Alabama

I’m a fan of this pick. Rashaan Evans is a heck of a player and his sideline to sideline ability could
really be used in Tennessee to reinforce their defense. Mike Vrabel is going to like this pick and
being able to work with him and establish a future after Orakpo. Grade: A-

23. New England Patriots-Isaiah Wynn-OG-Georgia

Interestingly enough they announced Wynn as a tackle. I think Belichick intends for him to take
over as the new left tackle. I think Wynn is capable and I’m a huge fan of him, but I feel Connor
Williams is a better player here. Grade: B

24. Carolina Panthers-DJ Moore-WR-Maryland

I think it’s a good pick. DJ Moore is skilled and will be a star in the future if he keeps playing the
way he did at Maryland. I wish Calvin Ridley was the pick, but Carolina will be a good fit for DJ
and make the offense more electric. Grade: B

25. Baltimore Ravens-Hayden Hurst-TE-South Carolina

I didn’t like this pick much. I don’t like tight ends in the first round unless it’s OJ Howard or a top
20-25 player in the draft and Hayden Hurst is not. I think he will be a good player, but not for
long due to his age. Grade: B-

26. Atlanta Falcons-Calvin Ridley-WR-Alabama

I like the pick here. Pairing Julio with Calvin will make a great pair in the air for MVP QB Matt
Ryan. I’ve said it after the pick that he probably deserved to go top 16 in my opinion, but a lot
of receivers did fall so this is a steal. Grade: A

27. Seattle Seahawks-Rashaad Penny-RB-SDSU

Life Lesson: Don’t roll blunts on Draft Day. Penny was too big of a reach to even attempt a B-.
I’m a fan of his style because it reminds me of CJ Anderson, but why would they draft Penny
in the first round? He’s gonna make an impact, but it will take a while. Grade: C-

28. Pittsburgh Steelers-Terrell Edmunds-S-Virginia Tech

Speaking of guys who need to stay off the weed. The pick is weird, but his interview was weirder.
I don’t like the pick too much as it’s another 3rd Round reach, but if he works for the Steelers like
many are suggesting I guess it’s the right pick. Grade: C-

29. Jacksonville Jaguars-Taven Bryan-DT-Florida

I think the Jaguars have enough lineman at this point. I like Taven Bryan a lot, but I really hope
he can make an impact for Jacksonville because Taven is really talented. The Jaguars can start
him after harnessing his raw talent. Grade: B

30. Minnesota Vikings-Mike Hughes-CB-UCF

This was a combo of BPA and a need. Terence Newman is getting old and while Xavier Rhodes
is a All-Pro level guy, adding his counterpart is a good idea. Mike Hughes has the power to be a
big baller, and can do it in Minny. Grade: B

31. New England Patriots-Sony Michel-RB-Georgia

Sony Michel was a really weird pick here, but it’s the Patriots so what’s new. I never saw him as a
first-round runner, but he definitely makes an impact and joins a huge Pats RB wrecking crew that
could carry them next season. Grade: C

32. Baltimore Ravens-Lamar Jackson-QB-Louisville

This might have been my favorite pick. Lamar is such a good fit for the Ravens and I really don’t like Joe Flacco. The Ravens let him know his time has come and give Lamar time to develop and become an elite NFL QB in the future. Grade: A+