The Touchdown Wire post-draft podcast with Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield review the 2021 NFL draft.

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield are back with another podcast, and this time, it’s all about the 2021 NFL draft. Doug and Mark review the following:

  • The QB Gauntlet: Which rookie quarterbacks best fit with their NFL teams, and where are the question marks?
  • Our Guys: Which players taken outside of the first round have the ability to be instant NFL stars?
  • The best and worst team drafts: We all know that immediate draft grades are ridiculous, so let’s do them anyway!

Let’s get going with the 2021 NFL draft wrap-up, right here.

Hear the podcast on BlogTalkRadio:

And watch it on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/V69DdxiI1PY

2021 NFL Draft Team Rankings, All 32 From The College Perspective

Which NFL teams did the best and worst jobs? The 2021 NFL Draft team rankings of all 32 teams, from the college perspective.

Which NFL teams did the best and worst jobs? The 2021 NFL Draft team rankings of all 32 teams, from the college perspective.


2021 NFL Draft Team Rankings, All 32 From The College Perspective

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No NFL team has ever said it didn’t like its draft class.

It might be awful, it might have been disappointing, and it might have been full of random guesses, but they get who they get and they don’t get upset.

And now everyone makes the attempt to grade draft classes and project how good they’ll be. Here’s how we do it.

1. Assume that every pick after the fourth round was a waste of time, because historically and statistically, it almost certainly was. More credit is given to teams who had a ton of picks – more picks, more spins of the wheel to possibly get a contributor.

2. How many great college football players were selected who also have the freakish NFL tools? If that sounds totally obvious it’s because it is, but after all the hoo-ha you’ve probably heard over the last few days and months, the simplicity of that gets swarmed over by the paralyzing overload of analytical bull-muffins.

3. Value. That’s all relative – your worth is what the NFL draft says it is – but this weird little world of draft analysts all have the same 150ish guys in the same general pecking order. Whether or not the pick actually works is almost all random luck – believe me, it truly is – but what’s skill and art is the ability to draft a player you need before where everyone else thinks he should go.

And finally …

4. Were the needs and holes filled? Did the teams get the position guys they needed with top prospects at the right value? Duh, that’s what drafting is, but again, a lot of teams make it way harder than that.

So from the college football perspective, the 2021 NFL Draft Team Rankings are …

32. Seattle Seahawks

CFN Draft Rankings
2020: 28, 2019: 14, 2018: 19

Three picks. Western Michigan WR D’Wayne Eskridge in the second, Oklahoma CB Tre Brown in the fourth, and Florida OT Stone Forsythe in the sixth. They’re all decent prospects – the Brown pick wasn’t great, but it’s Seattle. It drafts guys it wants no matter what – let everyone else be about value.
Seattle Seahawks 2021 NFL Draft Analysis

31. New Orleans Saints

CFN Draft Rankings
2020: 31, 2019: 31, 2018: 28

This franchise does just fine for itself despite being really, really mediocre at this whole drafting thing when it comes to value. The first three selections aren’t bad – Stanford CB Paulson Adebo was a steal in the third – but the Saints once again wasted a pick on a quarterback who won’t work. Last year it was Tommy Stevens in the seventh, and this time around it’s Ian Book – and it was in the fourth round.
New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Draft Analysis

30. Indianapolis Colts

CFN Draft Rankings
2020: 5, 2019: 6, 2018: 7

To be kind, the Colts needed pass rushers, and they got them with Kwity Paye out of Michigan at the 21 and Vanderbilt’s Dayo Odeyingbo with a massive reach at the 54. There were some nice ideas after that, but … blah. They needed offensive tackles, and in a draft rich with them, they failed to get one who’ll stick.
Indianapolis Colts 2021 NFL Draft Analysis

29. Los Angeles Rams

CFN Draft Rankings
2020: 17, 2019: 11, 2018: 15

To be fair, the Rams did what they could with what they had to work with. They didn’t pick until the 57, and smallish-speedy Louisville WR Tutu Atwell fits the system. Even with nine picks, considering they’re all late, maybe three of them will do anything meaningful – at best.
Los Angeles Rams 2021 NFL Draft Analysis

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28. Houston Texans

CFN Draft Rankings
2020: 26, 2019: 25, 2018: 11

Let’s give the Texans a break here by grading on a curve. They had absolutely nothing to work with, and yet they got a guy in Davis Mills in the third round who might just be one of the best quarterbacks in this draft if he can stay healthy. Of course, that pick screamed how the franchise feels about Deshaun Watson, but they kept on going with some nice targets for whoever plays quarterback for them this year.
Houston 2021 NFL Draft Analysis

27. Washington Football Team

CFN Draft Rankings
2020: 15, 2019: 5, 2018: 9

Washington took a long snapper in the sixth round. Washington isn’t good enough to be taking a long snapper in the sixth round. It was an okay draft full of random guys – there are a whole lot of big projections. The Football Team 1) didn’t take a quarterback, 2) no, really, it didn’t take a quarterback and it desperately needs one to develop, and 3) … they took a long snapper in the sixth round.
Washington Football Team 2021 NFL Draft Analysis

26. Philadelphia Eagles

CFN Draft Rankings
2020: 27, 2019: 7, 2018: 32

Wide receivers taken in the top ten rarely play up to their draft status, but DeVonta Smith at the ten absolutely had to be done. It would’ve been nice, though, to get Jalen Hurts some more weapons, and it would’ve been even nicer if the second pick – OG/C Landon Dickerson out of Alabama – wasn’t coming off a torn ACL. Basically, the Eagles drafted the The Slim Reaper, and a bunch of guys who likely won’t do much in 2021.
Philadelphia Eagles 2021 NFL Draft Analysis

NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Team Rankings Top 25

2021 NFL draft grades: Analysts give Chargers’ haul highest praise

The Los Angeles Chargers 2021 NFL draft class received nothing but great remarks.

The 2021 NFL draft is officially in the books.

The Chargers got better on both sides of the ball, all while bringing in players that upgrade the special teams department.

In the eyes of national writers and analysts, this was by far one of Tom Telesco’s best haul since he has held the role of general manager.

A look at the experts’ grades and overall review of Los Angeles’ selections:

NFL Media’s Chad Reuter: A

“Slater only lasted to No. 13 overall because of his average length for the tackle position. But he’ll more than overcome that, and find success in the NFL, because of his athleticism and toughness. Samuel’s slight frame (5-10, 180) also cost him draft position, but again GM Tom Telesco found value by selecting the future starter midway through Round 2. Palmer and McKitty give Justin Herbert needed depth at pass catcher and will help negate some of the production lost by Hunter Henry’s exit in free agency.

Adding Rumph’s Gumby-like bend off the edge should bolster the Chargers’ pass rush, while James’ positional versatility should give the team’s O-line more flexibility. Rountree looked like a third-round pick at times at Missouri; he could be a Justin Jackson-type value pick for the Bolts.”

Yahoo Sports’ Nick Goss: A-

“The Chargers got a left tackle for franchise QB Justin Herbert with the selection of Northwestern offensive lineman Rashawn Slater in the first round. They also added a talented wide receiver for Herbert’s passing attack in Tennessee star Josh Palmer.

One of the best picks in the second round was Los Angeles drafting Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. at No. 47 overall. He has great instincts and athleticism, just like his father.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: A

The Chargers’ top two needs headed into this draft were clearly defined: a left tackle to protect Justin Herbert and a starting-caliber corner. General manager Tom Telesco hit both of those early, and he didn’t have to reach.

Rashawn Slater (13) was a popular fit for mock drafts, and there were some teams that had a higher grade on him than Penei Sewell. He has the potential to be an All-Pro left tackle. Now, with the additions in free agency of Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler, this offensive line is suddenly one of the league’s 10 best. Herbert was pressured a whopping 217 times last season. I said it on Thursday — this pick is a dream come true for the Chargers. I thought cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (47) would go earlier than he did, but he could play in the slot or outside as a rookie. L.A. upgraded with both of these picks.

Wideout Josh Palmer (77) averaged 21 yards per catch in 2018, and his numbers would have been better if he had consistent quarterbacks throwing to him. Tight end Tre’ McKitty (97) wasn’t used much as a receiver in his lone season at Georgia, but he can block a little bit. Versatile linebacker Chris Rumph II (118) was one of my top available prospects for Day 3, and I’m curious where he’ll fit in Brandon Staley’s defense. Larry Rountree III (198), my eighth-ranked running back, put up 3,720 career rushing yards at Missouri.

Again, Telesco didn’t reach to fill two big voids, and so this class is one of the best of the year. This team absolutely got better.

USA Today’s Nate Davis: A-

“It fell pretty nicely to the Bolts, but their top two choices, OT Rashawn Slater in Round 1 and CB Asante Samuel Jr. in Round 2, have a chance to be franchise cornerstones – Slater the bodyguard this offense needed to get for offensive rookie of the year Justin Herbert. Pass rusher Chris Rumph II (Round 4) could blossom under new coach Brandon Staley.”

The Ringer’s Danny Kelly: A-

“I love what the Chargers did this weekend, especially in the early rounds. Los Angeles nabbed its long-term solution at left tackle, offering reliable protection for second-year quarterback Justin Herbert, and added depth and playmaking talent to an already strong defensive backs group. Plus, I really like Palmer, who offers big-play potential and has the skill set to be the eventual replacement for Mike Williams, who will play this season on his fifth-year option.”

Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling: B+

“After their first two picks, anything else was just gravy. Rashawn Slater was a steal outside the top 10, and gives Justin Herbert the franchise left tackle he needs. Asante Samuel Jr. was another bargain, and filled their biggest need on defense. Josh Palmer and Tre’ McKitty both bring tons of athleticism and potential to the passing game, while Chris Rumph II has tons of upside as a pass rusher. Brenden Jaimes and Larry Rountree II were their best picks on Day 3.”

2021 NFL draft: Instant grades for every team

Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling gives out his initial grades for every team’s haul in the 2021 NFL draft

Listen, we all know that whatever I say here is simply going to fuel screenshots and @OldTakesExposed tags, in both good ways and bad.

We obviously don’t know anything about how the 2021 NFL draft class is going to turn out for each of the 32 teams, and we won’t for a few years.

But, we’re here to have fun. So that’s what we’re gonna do.

Based on my own player evaluations, and how value met need at every selection, here are my way-too-early grades for every team’s 2021 draft class:

2021 NFL draft: Analysis and grades for all 32 first-round picks

With the first round of the 2021 NFL draft in the books, Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar provides grades and analysis for all 32 picks.

The mock drafts are shelved. The speculation is over. We now know every pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, and there are 32 new additions to the NFL family. Which teams pulled off the biggest steals, and which teams might want to re-think their choices? It’s always specious at best to grade draft picks right as they happen, but as a card-carrying member of the Draft Industrial Complex, I am obliged to do just that. Here’s how the top 32 picks in the 2021 NFL draft look, at least in one analyst’s eyes, with grades from me, and analysis from myself and Touchdown Wire colleague Mark Schofield.

2021 NFL draft: Instant grades, analysis for every 1st-round pick

Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling gives live grades and analysis for every first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft

The 2021 NFL draft is officially underway, and we’ve got you covered with instant grades and analysis for every first-round pick.

Keep it locked here for our live breakdowns of every pick Thursday night: