Tag: NFL Draft grades

Buccaneers NFL Draft grades: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington

Buccaneers NFL Draft grade for selecting Washington WR Jalen McMillan in the third round

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to add to one of the best wide receiver rooms in the entire league. With age and impending free agency being a potential problem looming over the horizon, Tampa Bay chooses to get younger with the selection of Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan in the bottom of the third round.

McMillan will likely be locked into a camp battle for the starting slot role with second year pro Trey Palmer who looked solid at that position last season. McMillan is talented enough and brings a speedy edger that could win him the job. With Mike Evans entering his 30s and Chris Godwin coming up on a new contract, McMillan could find himself as a cemented starter should he impress early on.

Reliable, explosive, and with great run after the catch ability, McMillan finds himself as the third Washington receiver to go in this class. There is plenty of talent and production to like, and McMillan was not a far cry from his teammate that went a whole round before him when it comes to talent.

Grade: A

Bengals NFL Draft grades: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama 80th overall

Bengals NFL Draft grades: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama 80th overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals faced the offseason with the possibility of losing two of their top three receivers to free agency, while they were able to retain one of them it may not be for the long term. The Bengals cleared a bit of depth anxiety with the selection of Alabama receiver Jermain Burton in the third round.

Burton projects as a potential starter as the third receiver in a talented Cincinnati offense that includes Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Burton will need to battle it out with veteran Trenton Irwin to see snaps as the third receiver, but given Irwin is a more natural fit in the slot role it might be a tall mountain to climb for the rookie.

With sticky hands, explosive ability, and proven production, Burton has all the tools needed to develop into a excellent number two receiver in the NFL. There are inherent off the field concerns with Burton, but if he keeps those in check this could be terrific value for the Bengals.

Grade: A

Colts NFL Draft grades: Matt Goncalves, OT, Pitt 79th overall

Colts NFL Draft grade for selecting Pittsburgh OL Matt Goncalves in the third round

The Indianapolis Colts continue to invest in surrounding Anthony Richardson with offensive talent to ensure the young star’s success. A key to that success will be keeping him on the field, and Indianapolis is hoping Pitt offensive tackle Matt Goncalves will help do just that.

Goncalves does not project as an immediate starter with the Colts but rather as a valuable depth piece on either side of the line. With proven players Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith as bookend tackles, Goncalves will have plenty of time to develop behind both tackles.

Experienced, versatile, and powerful, Goncalves showed the ability to play at either left or right tackle in college, being a starter on both sides of the line. Goncalves is a tone-setter with a mean streak and presents good value at one of the most important positions in the sport.

Grade: B

Buccaneers NFL Draft grades: Tykee Smith, DB, Georgia

Buccaneers NFL Draft grade for selecting Georgia DB Tykee Smith in the third round

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to add to a young and talented secondary this offseason and choose to further that idea here in the third round with the selection of Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith.

Smith projects as an immediate contributor as the teams nickel corner. Smith’s more natural position is safety, but with Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead locking down both safety positions, Smith will show off his versatility defending slot receivers instead.

A top contributor on one of college football’s top defenses over the past few seasons, Smith has shown the instincts, athleticism, and aggressiveness to succeed as an in the box safety or as a nickel corner. Smith will need to be closer to the line of scrimmage to be fully comfortable, as he can be a bit exposed out in the open field by the speedier offensive weapons.

Grade: B-

Cardinals NFL Draft grades: Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois 82nd overall

Cardinals NFL Draft grade for selecting Illinois TE Tip Reiman in the third round

The Arizona Cardinals once again delve into their new found identity of a dominant running game and make sure to help that philosophy out even further with the selection of Illinois tight end Tip Reiman in the middle of the third round.

Reiman projects as an immediate starter as the secondary tight end opposite Trey McBride. While McBride is a certified starter and receiving threat, Reiman will see plenty of time on the field acting as the teams ‘in-line’ tight end to help handle incoming blockers and eat up space in the short area.

With powerful blocking skills, rock solid hands, and good burst for his size, Reiman is an intriguing pick at this point in the draft. It’s hard to hand out a bad grade for getting a player who should contribute in the third round, but this felt like a bit of a reach for a team with plenty of holes.

Grade: C

Cowboys NFL Draft grade: Cooper Beebe, IOL, Kansas State

Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft grade for selecting Kansas State OL Cooper Beebe in the third round

The Dallas Cowboys continue to refuel a historically dominant offensive line draft after draft, and going into the 2024 class, they found a steal in Kansas State interior offensive lineman Cooper Beebe in the third round.

Beebe is a four-year starter with plenty of production and projects to potentially start for Dallas from year one as their center. With guards Tyler Smith and Zack Martin locked in at both guard spots, Beebe fits like a glove into the middle of a talented Dallas offensive line.

Versatile, experienced, refined, and powerful, Beebe played both guard and tackle in college and excelled in both areas. With reliability being the golden rule for this ‘all in’ approach to the Dallas Cowboys season, Beebe provides tremendous value in the third round and should walk away with the starting center job.

Grade: A

Panthers NFL Draft grades: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

Carolina Panthers NFL Draft grade for selecting Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace in the third round

The Carolina Panthers had some gaping holes at the linebacker position, with star player Frankie Luvu departing in the offseason. New general manager Dan Morgan is hoping he hit on a potential replacement in a value spot with the selection of Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace in the third round.

With veterans Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell likely locked in as starters heading into the season, it’s tough to project Wallace seeing a ton of snaps early on in his career. Wallace will perhaps have to wait one more season, barring injury, and further develop his high-ceiling skillset while making the most of the limited snaps he should see.

Speedy, explosive, rangey, and possessing a solid build, Wallace could have gone quite a bit earlier than this spot. Given his natural playmaking ability, Wallace should have some impact on this defense sooner rather than later.

Grade: B+

Cardinals NFL Draft grades: Isaiah Adams, OL, Illinois 71st overall

Cardinals NFL Draft grade for selecting Illinois OL Isaiah Adams in the third round

The Arizona Cardinals have committed these past two offseasons to evolve as an offense and leaning more on a solid running attack as well as protecting franchise quaterback Kyler Murray. With the selection of Illinois offensive lineman Isaiah Adams, the Cardinals have added even more depth to an already impressive line rebuild.

Adams projects as a potential starter on an Arizona roster, but given the teams locked in starters at both tackle spots, he may be best suited for his more natural position at guard. Adams will have to compete with veteran Evan Brown for the starting guard spot opposite Will Hernandez.

Having played all across the offensive line in college, Adams is a super versatile player who can be a spot starter in a pinch. With natural power, solid technique, and a great track record as a pass blocked, Adams brings some much needed depth to the desert. This was a bit earlier than where we saw him going as Adams really lacks the top end potential to be a slam dunk starter in the league, but is still plenty valuable in the third round.

Grade: C+

Giants NFL Draft grades: Andru Philips, CB, Kentucky 70th overall

Giants NFL Draft grade for selecting Kentucky CB Andru Phillips in the third round

The New York Giants have made a massive effort to forge what is quickly becoming one of the NFL’s most talented defenses over the last two seasons, and in this draft that made even more steps to improve it. With the selection of Kentucky cornerback Andru Philips the Giants add some more of that young talent to their secondary.

Philips projects as a potential immediate starter either outside as a boundary corner or inside as the Giant’s nickel corner. With veterans Nick McCloud and Darnay Holmes on the roster, Philips will have to battle it out and find his natural role at the next level and try to take a starting spot in his rookie season.

A fundamentally sound corner, who has NFL level speed, and plenty of physicality in his game, Philips brings excellent value in the third round to a New York team that could put him out on the field right away. With plenty of upside despite his lack of interception in college, Philips is a terrific pick this late into the draft class.

Grade: A

Commanders NFL Draft grades: Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU

Commanders NFL Draft grade for selecting Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU in the third round

The Washington Commanders trotted out one of the worst offensive lines in the entire league every week last season. With the addition of new quarterback Jayden Daniels being drafted in the first round, the team made it a priority to improve the protection around their newfound signal caller. They took a step towards that improvement here with the selection of TCU offensive lineman Brandon Coleman.

Coleman does not quite project as an immediate starter and will instead be locked into camp battles for either the backup tackle spot or potentially even as a starting guard. With plenty of experience at either spot, Coleman should see the field eventually on this uneven offensive line.

Versatile, fundamentally sound, and possessing good athleticism and quickness, Coleman possesses plenty of traits of an ideal depth piece along the offensive line. Though Coleman has physical limitations that may keep him from being a long-term starter, it’s hard to find such pieces in the third round.

Grade: B-