Fanspeak: Draft Grades

Green Bay Packers Draft Grade:   Round 1, #26 – DE Datone Jones, UCLA – Grade: A- -Really nice pick by the Packers here. Jones gives Green Bay another guy who can get pressure on the quarterback. He should quickly earn a starting job, and is a nice value for this pick. Round 2, #61 … More »

New Orleans Saints Draft Grade:   Round 1, #15 – S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas – Grade: A -The Saints secondary was a mess last season and they add the top safety in the draft with this pick. Vaccaro should step in day one and make a nice impact for this unit. This is a major … More »

Buffalo Bills Draft Grade:   Round 1, #16  – QB EJ Manuel, Florida State – Grade: B -Manuel is a high upside quarterback and the Bills are desperate here for a signal caller. Five years from now Manuel has the potential to be an elite quarterback and the best from this class. That being said … More »

Chicago Bears Draft Grade:   Round 1, #20 – G Kyle Long, Oregon – Grade: B -Love the fact that the Bears addressed their offensive line, as their free agent acquisitions weren’t enough to protect Jay Cutler. Long though is a bit of a reach and a raw prospect. He might not be ready to … More »

Denver Broncos Draft Grade:   Round 1, #28 – DT Sylvester Williams, UNC – Grade: B+ -Williams fills a big need for the Broncos, but I feel this is a slight reach pick. Also given the loss of Dumervil an edge rusher may have made more sense. Round 2, #58 – RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin … More »

Baltimore Ravens Draft Grade:   Round 1, #32 – S Matt Elam, Florida – Grade: A -Elam fills a big need for the Ravens and this is right about where he should have gone in the draft. He has the potential to be a very good safety early on for the Ravens. Teaming him with … More »

Cleveland Browns Draft Grade:   Round 1, #6 – DE Barkevious Mingo – Grade: B+ -The Browns took Mingo here who is an edge rusher with a ton of potential, but also one that may never reach it. There were better pass rushers still on the board, especially those who could make a big impact … More »

Tampa Buccaneers Draft Grade:   Round 2, #43 – CB Johnthan Banks, Miss St – Grade: A -This is a great value pick for the Buccaneers as they land Banks who had a borderline first round grade here in the 2nd. Yes they had bigger needs, but pairing him with Revis, really strengthens this team. … More »

Seattle Seahawks Draft Grade:   Round 2, #62 – RB Christine Michael, Texas A&M – Grade: C -Michael got a fair amount of buzz in the draft community, but he’s got a lot of red flags from an injury and attitude standpoint. He also doesn’t have the best vision when running, which is a key … More »

Washington Redskins Draft Grade –   Round 2, #51 – CB David Amerson, NC State – Grade: D+ -Amerson was a big reach for the Redskins as their top pick. He was more of a late 3rd rounder to early 4th round pick. And even in that range he was a poor fit for the … More »