Tag: draft grades

Grading the Bears’ selection of RB Khalil Herbert

The Bears added depth at running back with the selection of Khalil Herbert. Here’s how we graded the pick.

The Chicago Bears selected Virginia Tech running back Khalil Herbert with the 217th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, another solid selection for GM Ryan Pace, who has been known for his late-round gems.

Herbert played at both Virginia Tech (one year) and Kansas (four years), where he rushed for 2,917 yards and 22 touchdowns. Herbert had an impressive 2020 season with the Hokies, where he led the team with 1,204 rushing yards, becoming the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015. He also averaged 7.7 yards per carry.

While running back wasn’t a dire need like some other positions, the Bears got another good value pick in Herbert, who provides depth behind David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen. With the addition of veteran Damien Williams to a one-year deal, Herbert could eventually work himself into that No. 3 role.

But the Bears are also getting some special teams value in Herbert, who has experience returning kicks during his collegiate career. Last year, Herbert averaged 23.5 yards per return. With Cordarrelle Patterson’s departure and Cohen returning from a torn ACL, Chicago certainly needs help in the kick return department, and Herbert could be that guy.

Ultimately, the Bears got a solid value pick in Herbert, who addresses depth at running back and could help resolve one of Chicago’s biggest questions on special teams.

Grade: A-

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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:

Grading each of the Rams’ 7 picks on Day 3 of the 2021 NFL draft

The Los Angeles Rams went heavy on skill position players in the draft, but they added some quality defenders on Saturday, too.

The Los Angeles Rams came into the 2021 NFL draft with six picks in their pocket. Thanks to three total trades on Friday and Saturday, they made seven picks alone on the final day of the draft.

Their selections on Saturday ranged from wide receivers to defensive linemen, but not a single offensive lineman was drafted by Los Angeles. A puzzling development, no doubt, but one that Sean McVay explained after the draft concluded.

It’s hard to gauge how successful a draft class will be until two or three years out, but it’s never too early to hand out grades for each pick. We graded all nine of the Rams’ selections on Day 3, from Bobby Brown III to Chris Garrett.

Overall, it was a day filled with surprises, but one that looks better on paper than the Rams’ second- and third-round picks. You can find my Day 2 grades here, but let’s get into the team’s seven selections on Saturday.

NFL analysts are loving the Bears’ selection of OT Teven Jenkins

Here’s a collection of grades for Teven Jenkins from various outlets and everyone agrees that the Bears got another steal!

For the second time in the NFL draft, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace traded up to land a top prospect at a position of need. The Bears traded up 13 spots to draft Oklahoma State offensive tackle Teven Jenkins with the 39th overall pick.

And just like the Justin Fields selection in the first round, the Jenkins pick was met with plenty of excitement from across the league as many agreed Chicago got a steal in Jenkins in the second round.

Jenkins projects to step into the starting right tackle role immediately for the Bears, where he brings a nastiness to his game that this offensive line has been missing since Kyle Long.

Here’s a collection of all of the grades for Jenkins from various sports outlets, and the analysts are loving this pick for Chicago.

Grading the Rams’ Day 2 picks, Tutu Atwell and Ernest Jones

Were the Rams wise to add a wide receiver at No. 57? Was Ernest Jones the right pick in Round 3?

Les Snead and the Los Angeles Rams entered Day 2 of the 2021 NFL draft with three picks in their pocket. At the start of Round 2, Snead teased a potential move to acquire an additional pick by trading back. But while the Rams did wind up moving down the board, they finished the night with only two selections.

And with those two selections, they left a lot of fans scratching their heads. First, they added a speedy receiver in Tutu Atwell at pick 57, a shocking pick in the eyes of most analysts, given Atwell’s size and projection as a Day 3 pick for some.

Then, they filled a need by taking linebacker Ernest Jones at No. 103, 15 picks after they traded their 88th overall selection to the 49ers. Jones will hopefully contribute right away on defense, but in the third round, it may have been a bit early for him to go.

So let’s get into the grades of Atwell and Jones on Day 2 of the draft.

2021 NFL draft: Live grades, instant analysis for every Day 2 pick

Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling gives breaks down every pick in the second and third rounds of the 2021 NFL draft in real time

The first round of the 2021 NFL draft is in the books, but Friday brings the second and third rounds, where teams can still find key contributors and future stars.

Keep it locked here for live grades and instant analysis for every Day 2 selection:

Analysts grade Chargers’ first round selection of Rashawn Slater

The pick of Rashawn Slater was a home run for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers made a splash on Thursday night, selecting offensive tackle Rashawn Slater with the No. 13 overall selection in the 2021 NFL draft.

How did national writers and analysts feel about the Bolts’ first pick of the draft?

A look at the experts’ ratings of Los Angeles’ choice in the first-round:

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar: A

“The Chargers knew they needed to get more and better protection for Justin Herbert, so they signed Corey Linsley, the NFL’s best center, in free agency. Then, to get Slater at 13 without having to make a move? That’s outstanding value. You may remember Slater as the guy who beat the daylights out of reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young in 2019, and he’ll continue kicking butt on Herbert’s blind side.”

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco: B

“He will be an immediate starter at left tackle, which fills a major need. Justin Herbert will be happy.”

NFL Media’s Chad Reuter: A

“Slater is not the tallest or longest tackle prospect in the draft, but he has the best tape. After all, he neutralized stud pass rusher Chase Young back in 2019. Slater plays with a nasty attitude and put up a highly impressive pro day, yet he could not convince teams he was worthy of a top-12 pick. Their loss is the Chargers’ gain, as Slater will protect Justin Herbert’s blindside for the foreseeable future.”

Fox Sports’ Rob Rang: B

“Pegged as a clear fit for the Chargers for months, Slater’s light feet, balance and technically-refined, heavy hands make him an exciting blindside pass protector for young star quarterback Justin Herbert. Slater’s lack of ideal length had some questioning whether he’ll be able to handle the speed he’ll face in the NFL – a concern given the edge rushers in Denver and Kansas City especially.”

Yahoo Sports’ Eric Edholm: A-

“The Chargers absolutely needed to add to their bulwark in front of Justin Herbert, and they get a super-athletic tackle (or is he a guard?) to help that effort. Slater opted out last season but had three seasons of starting experience for the Chargers to view — at both OT spots. They also had good intel on Slater from Cody Cejda, who joined the staff from Northwestern. A really nice pick here.”

The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia: A

“The board fell the Chargers’ way. Slater started 37 games in three seasons — 26 at right tackle and 11 at left tackle. His stock rose when Slater held his own against Chase Young in 2019. He didn’t allow a sack that entire season before opting out for 2020. Slater (6-foot-4, 304) is considered a quick processor, and he tested well athletically.

Given the Chargers’ gaping hole at left tackle, that’s almost definitely where Slater will begin his career. But he has the versatility to play right tackle or guard as well. The Chargers signed center Corey Linsley and guard Matt Feiler in free agency. They’ve completely re-made their offensive line, which was the right strategy, given what they have in Justin Herbert.”

2021 Browns draft grades: Browns earn high marks for selecting CB Greg Newsome

2021 Browns draft grades: Browns earn high marks for selecting CB Greg Newsome

The grades are in for the Cleveland Browns and the first-round selection of Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome. And the marks are high for GM Andrew Berry and the Browns.

Our friends at Touchdown Wire really liked the pick. Newsome’s selection earns an “A” from analyst Doug Farrar.

Farrar notes,

The Browns helped their defense in free agency with the acquisitions of former Rams safety John Johnson III and cornerback Troy Hill, and Newsome is an excellent addition to a group with cornerbacks who have missed time due to injury. Last season, Newsome was targeted seven times on passes of 20 or more air yards, and didn’t allow a single catch.

The pick earned a “B” from CBS Sports, with analyst Pete Prisco not thrilled about the Browns selecting another cornerback.

“They’ve spent a lot of draft capital at corner in recent years. Newsome is a good, solid player but they have bigger needs,” Prisco wrote.

It was a different story at Pro Football Focus. PFF doesn’t issue grades but rather ratings, and the Browns earned the loftiest “elite” mark for selecting Newsome. The praise flowed in their commentary,

The Browns are one of the NFL’s smartest teams, and they attacked one of the most valuable positions in the game here. Newsome is also a very good prospect, representing incredible value here at No. 26. He was battle-tested on a small sample of snaps in 2020, facing 34 targets through his first four games. He held his own, allowing just 93 yards and five first downs while making eight plays on the ball. His feet are easily the best in the class. Whether Newsome is playing off-coverage or press-man, he’ll make plays.

Over at The Athletic, Newsome’s pick merited a “B”. Chad Reuter at NFL.com issued the Browns an “A”, noting “you can never have too many cornerbacks.”

Overall it’s a quite favorable assessment for the No. 26 overall pick.

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2021 Lions draft grades: Penei Sewell pick earns high marks

Tracking the draft grades for the Lions selection of Oregon OT Penei Sewell in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft

The draft grades for the Detroit Lions and their selection of Oregon OT Penei Sewell are starting to pour in. Nearly every major outlet likes the choice for the new Lions regime, headed by GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.

Almost all the prominent media outlets gave the Lions an “A” or a “B” for the pick. That includes our friends at Touchdown Wire, where analyst Doug Farrar pegged the Lions with a solid B.

Farrar notes,

I love Sewell as much as any player in this class, but this is a really interesting decision for the Lions, as they are frightfully thin at receiver, and even in a deep class, that could be a problem for Jared Goff. New offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn loves to be creative in the run game, and Sewell can certainly help with that, but this pick does give one a second of pause.

At CBS Sports, the Sewell pick earned a B-plus. Analyst Pete Prisco writes,

“They probably thought he wouldn’t be here, so they had to be happy he was. Sewell has a ton of talent and will upgrade that line in a big way.”

Pro Football Focus didn’t do a letter grade but rated the pick “very good” and notes Sewell “could be a Lions tackle for the next decade.”

Rob Rang of Fox Sports gives the Lions an A for Sewell, while the pick earns an A-minus from Pro Football Network.

The highest mark comes from NFL.com and longtime analyst Chad Reuter. He loves the Sewell pick, giving it a rare A-plus while noting,

There was no doubt in my mind that the Lions would jump at the chance to draft Sewell. I view him as a future All-Pro who will make new quarterback Jared Goff feel much more at home in Detroit. Offensive linemen that weigh 330 pounds simply aren’t supposed to move like Sewell does.

He doesn’t have plus length for the position, but you’re not getting around this guy very easily. The Lions can play Sewell at either tackle spot. It had to be a no-brainer for the team — and their palpable excitement visible in the draft room after the pick was made showed they were thrilled.

The initial reaction for the pick is exactly what you want to see for the new Lions regime.

2021 Lions draft grades: Penei Sewell pick earns high marks

Tracking the draft grades for the Lions selection of Oregon OT Penei Sewell in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft

The draft grades for the Detroit Lions and their selection of Oregon OT Penei Sewell are starting to pour in. Nearly every major outlet likes the choice for the new Lions regime, headed by GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.

Almost all the prominent media outlets gave the Lions an “A” or a “B” for the pick. That includes our friends at Touchdown Wire, where analyst Doug Farrar pegged the Lions with a solid B.

Farrar notes,

I love Sewell as much as any player in this class, but this is a really interesting decision for the Lions, as they are frightfully thin at receiver, and even in a deep class, that could be a problem for Jared Goff. New offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn loves to be creative in the run game, and Sewell can certainly help with that, but this pick does give one a second of pause.

At CBS Sports, the Sewell pick earned a B-plus. Analyst Pete Prisco writes,

“They probably thought he wouldn’t be here, so they had to be happy he was. Sewell has a ton of talent and will upgrade that line in a big way.”

Pro Football Focus didn’t do a letter grade but rated the pick “very good” and notes Sewell “could be a Lions tackle for the next decade.”

Rob Rang of Fox Sports gives the Lions an A for Sewell, while the pick earns an A-minus from Pro Football Network.

The highest mark comes from NFL.com and longtime analyst Chad Reuter. He loves the Sewell pick, giving it a rare A-plus while noting,

There was no doubt in my mind that the Lions would jump at the chance to draft Sewell. I view him as a future All-Pro who will make new quarterback Jared Goff feel much more at home in Detroit. Offensive linemen that weigh 330 pounds simply aren’t supposed to move like Sewell does.

He doesn’t have plus length for the position, but you’re not getting around this guy very easily. The Lions can play Sewell at either tackle spot. It had to be a no-brainer for the team — and their palpable excitement visible in the draft room after the pick was made showed they were thrilled.

The initial reaction for the pick is exactly what you want to see for the new Lions regime.