[h=1]Re-grading the 2014 NFL draft[/h][h=3]Mel takes a look at where he was right and wrong for all 32 teams ... so far[/h]
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider
Yes, I know you can't grade a draft class for performance until a few years after -- at least. But again, the draft grades aren't based on NFL performance, they are based on total value added based on where I had players ranked. It's about maximizing the draft, maneuvering through trades, and nothing more.
Remember: The updated grades are just a fun exercise in seeing how the draft class appears to be shaping up. It's a check to see how players are coming along. A few parameters:
• I look at first-year impact from the rookie class based on relative value -- contributing to a winner is worth more than piling up reps for a bad team.
• I included rookie undrafted free agents added after the draft. (That's part of the process, really.)
• Like the rookie rankings, I try to ask whether players who contributed could do so for most teams. Again, relative value matters.
On the undrafted free agents: Those guys are a part of the draft in many ways. The draft is shorter now to better allocate rookies, so how well teams prioritize free agents is part of that process. And I certainly scout and rate far more players than will be drafted. With that in mind, let's see whether my draft night grades held up.
[h=3]New York Jets[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]Summary: There is going to be a misconception about this dropped grade. Let me dispel that quickly, because I hear "struggled" when this player's rookie year is described, pretty much all the time. The truth: Calvin Pryor was just fine as a rookie. He was better than a league-average safety, and in a league where safeties and corners look bad all the time as they adjust to the speed and technical ability of receivers, tight ends and backs running at them -- remember Dee Milliner's rookie year, Jets fans? -- Pryor wasn't remotely bad. He just wasn't a star, had his ups and downs in coverage, and assuming he improves, he can be a really good player. He wasn't a bad pick. Jace Amaro caught 38 passes (tied for second on the team) and if he can ever find chemistry with whomever is at QB, can be a good one. Dexter McDougle got hurt, so that's just bad luck.
Where this draft suffers is New York simply didn't find even the hint of a playmaker at wide receiver when so many others did. They took Pryor when Brandin Cooks was available (excusable), McDougle instead of John Brown or Donte Moncrief, then both Jalen Saunders and Shaq Evans in front or Martavis Bryant. Heck yes, this is total hindsight, but that's what an early re-grade is. I wrote then, "I thought the Jets did a nice job with my one question being whether they really added a player in the passing game that will scare defenses." Amaro is a start, and a trade for Percy Harvin that came too late helped, but there was some bad luck and missed opportunities. There's nothing really to be said yet for the many late lottery ticket picks they had. The fact that the team struggled so much doesn't help, either.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
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[h=3]Miami Dolphins[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: At the time, I described this as "a really quiet draft class in terms of star appeal, but the Dolphins did a pretty solid job of hitting their biggest needs. Ja'Wuan James isn't a player many people know, but ... the Dolphins need an immediate starter at right tackle, and that's James." And, "Jarvis Landry doesn't fill a major need at WR, but he's a really reliable target who catches absolutely everything."
James did, in fact, get plugged in, but it's hard to push the grade up based on his performance because while he turned in nearly 1,100 snaps, it was pure necessity, and Ryan Tannehill saw just as much pressure in 2014 as he did in 2013. That said, James did start and a year of reps could help. He can still turn into a good NFL player. Landry was a favorite of mine and finished second among all rookies in catches, and led the Dolphins with 84. If there's a knock it's that he didn't stretch the field at all (9.0 YPC), but that's a nice find at No. 63 overall, and Tannehill's so-so protection factored in to any field-stretching. That's about it, though. Walt Aikens is a "we'll see" type, and Billy Turner could develop. I do think they helped Tannehill, which was the goal. James just needs to take another step.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]New England Patriots[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: C[/h]
Summary: Why does the grade go up with so little from both a first- and a second-round pick, one of which still deserves a major question mark? Because they're in the Super Bowl and got value out of a rookie class even with a deep roster. I wrote then: "The Patriots should be better in 2014 than they were in 2013. They get significant pieces back on defense, and the unrest they experienced on offense (not to mention the youth at WR) is a year removed. Because of that, they took a player in Round 1 who needs to play a limited role this season due to health concerns, and a player in Round 2 who hopefully doesn't see a snap."
While I understand taking Dominique Easley in Round 1 -- he's a top-10 talent if healthy -- it still feels like a major bet on a guy with a major injury history. He played just 270 snaps, not a total surprise. We really don't know what he'll become. A great get was landing eventual starting center Bryan Stork in Round 4 and also getting likely keepers Cameron Fleming and Zach Moore.James White could factor in eventually. Yes, they got less out of their rookies than many teams with worse grades. But, divide that by winning.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]Buffalo Bills[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: C-[/h]
Summary: I wrote this after the draft: "My issue is that this draft is loaded with wide receivers -- there are good ones already signing as undrafted free agents as I type this, in fact -- and the Bills paid a significant price to get [Sammy] Watkins. A future first-round pick is always a heavy price, but they threw in a fourth, as well, and they could have gotten a very good wide receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. without moving. Or think about this: The Jags took a QB one slot ahead of Watkins, but still managed to get Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson in Round 2. Would you rather have Watkins, or those two plus next year's first?" This is pure speculation, but the reality is the Bills paid a huge price to move up a few spots for Watkins when they could have added picks and moved a couple spots down and still gotten Beckham.
I still really like Watkins, the No. 2 player on my final 2014 Big Board. I still feel like the Bills paid a massive price to get him, one fans now realize more today knowing they don't pick until No. 45 overall in April. Watkins didn't get much help at QB, but still finished with 65 catches (sixth among rookies) and nearly 1,000 yards. Again, he's going to be great, but he has to be to justify the cost. Cyrus Kouandjio is still a mystery, but Preston Brown is a keeper, a nice value in Round 3 who delivered over 1,000 effective snaps. I know Seantrel Henderson started, but based on performance that was pure necessity -- he really struggled and should be challenged to keep the job. The Bills got players, but they had to with how much they gave up.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
[h=3]Pittsburgh Steelers[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: A-[/h]
Summary: I summarized the draft by writing: "Even though the Steelers could have done more at cornerback, it was hard to pass on players they took where they did, and it adds up to one of the best 2014 draft classes." The grade has slipped since then, even though it seems clear the Steelers may have one of the bigger steals in the entire draft.
Ryan Shazier is a player I really liked, but between health and simply looking overwhelmed at times, he just wasn't an impact player for this defense. Did Pittsburgh whiff on C.J. Mosley, whom the Ravens got two picks later? Shazier hopefully makes major strides in 2015. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt should be a starter in the future, but he's also just getting his sea legs at this level. I hoped for more from running back Dri Archer, but it's early.
The big hit was wide receiver Martavis Bryant, a first-round physical talent who hadn't put it all together while at Clemson and dropped to Round 4. Once he saw the field, the impact was there. He's the reason the grade stays where it does. And the Steelers go into another draft (2015) with cornerback as a need.
[h=3]New grade: B[/h]
[h=3]Cincinnati Bengals[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: I can hear Bengals fans up in arms about dropping the grade a little after Jeremy Hillwas everything you could hope for as a second-round pick, but it's hard to move it up when (A) that's really not a shocking return out of a second-round back if he gets the carries (222) in an age when the second round is a really good slot for that position, and (B) the first-round pick is still an incomplete. Darqueze Dennard played only 61 snaps all season at cornerback. I'm a fan of his talent, and while he may have simply run into a ceiling of more veteran players not getting hurt, he's still in the "we'll see" camp.
The Bengals also were able to plug in Russell Bodine at center; he'll just need to find consistency after a really up-and-down year. They didn't have major needs, and they had some veteran players hold up reasonably well in the secondary, where I expected Dennard to be an early-impact guy. More impact in Year 2 won't surprise.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]Baltimore Ravens[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: You have to give the Ravens a lot of credit. Their needs included safety (Calvin Pryorand Ha Ha Clinton-Dix were available) and wide receiver (Brandin Cooks and Kelvin Benjaminwere there), and I also mentioned right tackle (Ja'Wuan James went two picks later). At No. 17, they took C.J. Mosley, and he wasn't just a good rookie -- he was among the top inside linebackers in the NFL. Now, I think Baltimore got bailed out some by the fact that Steve Smith Sr. refuses to age and was a stud at 35, and they didn't truly suffer at wide receiver, making this draft look better.
Elsewhere, Timmy Jernigan was the best rookie 3-4 defensive end in the NFL, and Crockett Gillmore (tight end), Lorenzo Taliaferro (running back) and John Urschel (guard) all saw time. Free safety Terrence Brooks has a ways to go, but has a chance to become a starter. Add it up and it's a pretty productive draft for a team that was a contender.
That said, I did write: "The addition of Steve Smith calms some worries about the weapons Joe Flacco has at his disposal, but Smith is 35 and they could be looking at wide receiver next year." I'll echo that as we head into draft season this year if for some reason Torrey Smith departs.
[h=3]New grade: B+[/h]
[h=3]Cleveland Browns[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B-[/h]
Summary: The amazing things about this draft class is that Cleveland has no idea what it has out of two first-round picks, with cornerback Justin Gilbert a total nonfactor in 2014 and quarterback Johnny Manziel a storyline for all the wrong reasons. Yet this was still a successful draft in several ways. First, remember that Cleveland has two first-round picks this year thanks to the trade with Buffalo. Again, that's a ton of value to get for a small slide down the board.
Joel Bitonio was one of the best guards in the NFL last season and he looks like a steal. Terrance West put up decent totals and split time with Isaiah Crowell, an undrafted free agent who helps with the grade. Linebacker Chris Kirksey is a keeper, and cornerback Pierre Desir came on late in the year and looked good. Add to that undrafted free agents K'Waun Williams -- who really helped out at cornerback -- and useful wideout Taylor Gabriel, and the Browns got a lot from this class, plus that extra pick. There's a pretty big gripe -- no wide receiver and a total incomplete on Round 1 so far -- but it's amazing how much the Browns did get, and that extra first-rounder is a jewel.
[h=3]New grade: B[/h]
[h=3]Jacksonville Jaguars[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: A[/h]
Summary: The Jags had one of the better grades in the entire draft, but it comes down for two reasons: (1) Blake Bortles didn't look at all like a starting NFL QB, ranking 32nd in Total QBR by a mile, so we just don't know what Jacksonville has there yet, and (2) while so many rookies contributed, they did so for a three-win team, so you can't assume they're getting these kinds of reps for teams in the playoff picture.
But there were many bright spots. Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson combined for 85 catches even as both spent time on the shelf with injuries, and UFA Allen Hurns hauled in 51 catches -- a nice get. Telvin Smith played a lot, made a lot of tackles, and looks like he can be a starter in this league. Brandon Linder was probably the most consistent player on the entire offense, and a healthy Aaron Colvin got on the field late in the year. Furthermore, sixth-rounder Luke Bowankocould be the answer at center. If Bortles is the answer at QB -- a new offensive coordinator should help -- it could be a great class. If not, well, that was the No. 3 pick. It would be a big setback.
[h=3]New grade: B[/h]
[h=3]Houston Texans[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: A-[/h]
Summary: I realize people are lining up to call Jadeveon Clowney a bust and a wasted No. 1 overall pick, but it's simply way too soon. We're talking about a freak athlete who won't turn 22 years old until Feb. 14. Yes, the draft doesn't look as good if his health is an issue well into his career, but I'm certainly not closing the door on his potential. Good pick, bad luck, we'll see.
Second-rounder Xavier Su'a-Filo is also something of a redshirt, as he didn't play much at guard and waited his turn behind veteran starters. Tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz saw plenty of the field, but struggled a bit. Alfred Blue turned into a useful player when Arian Foster was out, picking up 528 yards. Tom Savage did see the field, but it was brief exposure. There's no telling yet what he's going to be. Louis Nix III landed on IR. In some ways, this looks like a really disappointing class, but the team improved a ton in the win column, and minus a fair analysis of a healthy Clowney, it feels more like an incomplete.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
[h=3]Tennessee Titans[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: C+[/h]
Summary: I really like a trio of players the Titans added, it's just hard to take that initial grade, look at it through the prism of what almost anybody on the 2014 Titans accomplished (2-14) and say the draft looks a lot better. Taylor Lewan did something a number of other drafted tackles didn't do -- he actually played tackle. While Lewan didn't hit even 400 snaps thanks in part to a late-season injury, he's the Titans' left tackle of the future, and that's pretty good to know. Bishop Sankey is a good player, I just noted then I thought Tennessee should have takenCarlos Hyde instead, and I feel the same way today. Sankey did lead the team with 569 rushing yards, but you simply expect a decent level of production out of a second-round RB or you don't draft him.
A real find here was linebacker Avery Williamson. From Week 5 on, he got starter's reps and acquitted himself well -- not too bad for the No. 151 overall pick in his rookie season. Zach Mettenberger is the wild card here. We know there's talent, but we really have no reason to say at this point he's a future NFL starter at quarterback. We need to see more. The draft doesn't look bad, it just suffers against the win totals.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
[h=3]Indianapolis Colts[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: D+[/h]
Summary: You have to give Ryan Grigson and his scouting team some credit, because they actually got some really good pieces out of this draft even after, frankly, basically flushing away a first-round pick for Trent Richardson. The bulk of the low grade at the time was based around the fact that Richardson, at a non-premium position, had cost them a first and given them close to nothing. At this point, he's probably done in Indy.
That said, Jack Mewhort at No. 59 overall was useful -- basically an average NFL guard, but one who played a ton of snaps. Donte Moncrief, an inconsistent but physically gifted receiver, helped out down the stretch. And Jonathan Newsome was a breakthrough player in a part-time role, showing he can get to the passer. Undrafted free agent Jonotthan Harrison was a really useful addition and gave them a lot of snaps, and fellow UFA Zurlon Tipton got some action -- 87 snaps -- and could be in the RB mix in 2015. Richardson had to factor in the grade here, and they didn't hit a couple needs, but the Colts sure rallied well and pushed the grade up because they found players who helped them win games.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]Oakland Raiders[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B+[/h]
Summary: I've pounded some Raiders drafts in recent years, but I thought they did a great job in 2014, and it looks even better today. I know a bad team is supposed to get more out of the rookie class, but off the top, I can ask this question: Is there a single team in the NFL that wouldn't have been helped by Khalil Mack in 2014? I wrote then, "They stayed put at No. 5 and got Khalil Mack, who not only offers them an added pass-rusher, but a great deal of versatility. He doesn't have to be a great pass-rusher to be a very good NFL player right away." Well, Mack wasn't a great pass-rusher early on, but he was arguably the single best run defender in the NFL at any position, at least among players not named J.J. Watt. And even then, Mack still piled up 40 QB hurries, per Pro Football Focus numbers. He was a total stud and deserves to be in the Pro Bowl.
While Derek Carr isn't a certain star, he's at least given this franchise hope that it has found a franchise QB. He and Teddy Bridgewater were the best rookie QBs by far, and Carr isn't exactly surrounded by top-flight talent. And Oakland got him in Round 2. Mack and Carr also both fill premium positions. Elsewhere, Justin Ellis was arguably the best rookie defensive tackle not named Aaron Donald, and Oakland nabbed him in Round 4. T.J. Carrie is a starter at CB who held up well as a seventh-round pick, and Gabe Jackson (my No. 2 guard in this class) also played well and could have started on a number of teams. No, it didn't add up to much winning, but the Raiders got a lot from the 2014 draft class.
[h=3]New grade: A-[/h]
[h=3]San Diego Chargers[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: The grade sinks a bit from where it was, but on a team that really didn't have many pressing needs, the pick of Jason Verrett hit my top need (CB) and was a home run early on. Unfortunately, Verrett ended up on injured reserve and didn't play a snap after Week 8. Before that, he was playing as well or better than any rookie CB, and at draft time I pointed out he was a nice get a few slots ahead of the Broncos, who could have used a more "ready" talent at the position and instead ended up with Bradley Roby. (Roby turned out to be a good match for Denver.)
Chris Watt ended up in a starting role after being taken at No. 89 overall, and looks to be a starter in the future at either center or guard. Jeremiah Attaochu saw a little bit of action but has a ways to go; same with Ryan Carrethers, a fifth-rounder. And everybody needs to stay healthy. One of the quiet bright spots didn't come from that draft. Branden Oliver, a UFA running back out of Buffalo, picked up 582 yards rushing, though at just 3.6 yards per carry. Defensive end Tenny Palepoi, another UFA, saw decent action. If Verrett can stay on the field, this group looks a lot better.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]Kansas City Chiefs[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: When you consider a Chiefs draft class that so far hasn't shown us a whole lot, there are two things to remember. For one, that second-round pick they had traded away is still Alex Smith. Regardless of what you think about where Smith stands as an NFL starter, given where the Chiefs were at QB before they acquired him -- start with that 2012 record of 2-14 and fast-forward to the 20 regular-season wins in the two seasons since -- they could have done worse for the price of a second-rounder.
Secondly, when they drafted Dee Ford it was coming off a season where the pass rush had been slowed (and really hurt them in a playoff loss to Indy) with health issues, and also heading intoJustin Houston's final season before free agency. Houston was a terror this season, and Tamba Hali played in all 16 games. So Ford was mere depth. Beyond that, there were mixed returns.Phillip Gaines saw some action, De'Anthony Thomas showed he'll be a weapon, and Zach Fultonstarted but struggled. They also found undrafted kicker Cairo Santos, and he was pretty solid, going 25-of-30 on field goals. The big void was, as I wrote then, "at wide receiver ... that's an area I might have targeted in a deep draft." The Chiefs didn't get one, and they'll be looking for help there in the draft or free agency this year.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
[h=3]Denver Broncos[/h]
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: C+[/h]
Summary: The Broncos went into the 2014 draft as the team that, on paper, probably had the fewest true immediate needs. The reality is that no front office is drafting with the hope that rookies will have to play key roles. Denver had been active in free agency, adding secondary help (Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward) as well as a proven pass-rusher (DeMarcus Ware). This was a win-now roster heading into 2014 -- a well-constructed group on both sides of the ball.
To the extent that they needed a rookie to step up, I think you have to call the addition ofBradley Roby a success. He played over 850 snaps, and proved some of my suspicions that he'd struggle unfounded, as he played pretty well considering how raw I felt he was. Roby is clearly a keeper and a certain starter for years to come. After that, however, there wasn't much of note.Cody Latimer was buried on the depth chart in a deep group of pass-catching options at WR and tight end, and will still need to show that he's a good player, not just a great athlete. Lamin Barrow could start in the future, but we just don't know yet beyond special teams duty. Michael Schofield was supposed to provide help at right tackle, but simply isn't ready yet. No, there weren't many holes to fill, and they won a lot, but beyond Roby there isn't much to show for this class at all, and we don't have any certainty that contributions will come and that useful depth was added.
[h=3]New grade: C[/h]
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By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider
Yes, I know you can't grade a draft class for performance until a few years after -- at least. But again, the draft grades aren't based on NFL performance, they are based on total value added based on where I had players ranked. It's about maximizing the draft, maneuvering through trades, and nothing more.
Remember: The updated grades are just a fun exercise in seeing how the draft class appears to be shaping up. It's a check to see how players are coming along. A few parameters:
• I look at first-year impact from the rookie class based on relative value -- contributing to a winner is worth more than piling up reps for a bad team.
• I included rookie undrafted free agents added after the draft. (That's part of the process, really.)
• Like the rookie rankings, I try to ask whether players who contributed could do so for most teams. Again, relative value matters.
On the undrafted free agents: Those guys are a part of the draft in many ways. The draft is shorter now to better allocate rookies, so how well teams prioritize free agents is part of that process. And I certainly scout and rate far more players than will be drafted. With that in mind, let's see whether my draft night grades held up.
[h=3]AFC East[/h]
[h=3]New York Jets[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 18 | S | Calvin Pryor | Louisville |
| (2) | 49 | TE | Jace Amaro | Texas Tech |
| (3) | 80 | CB | Dexter McDougle | Maryland |
| (4) | 104 | WR | Jalen Saunders | Oklahoma |
| (4) | 115 | WR | Shaq Evans | UCLA |
| (4) | 137 | G | Dakota Dozier | Furman |
| (5) | 154 | LB | Jeremiah George | Iowa State |
| (6) | 195 | CB | Brandon Dixon | NW Missouri State |
| (6) | 209 | WR | Quincy Enunwa | Nebraska |
| (6) | 210 | DE | I.K. Enemkpali | Louisiana Tech |
| (6) | 213 | QB | Tajh Boyd | Clemson |
| (7) | 233 | OLB | Trevor Reilly | Utah |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]Summary: There is going to be a misconception about this dropped grade. Let me dispel that quickly, because I hear "struggled" when this player's rookie year is described, pretty much all the time. The truth: Calvin Pryor was just fine as a rookie. He was better than a league-average safety, and in a league where safeties and corners look bad all the time as they adjust to the speed and technical ability of receivers, tight ends and backs running at them -- remember Dee Milliner's rookie year, Jets fans? -- Pryor wasn't remotely bad. He just wasn't a star, had his ups and downs in coverage, and assuming he improves, he can be a really good player. He wasn't a bad pick. Jace Amaro caught 38 passes (tied for second on the team) and if he can ever find chemistry with whomever is at QB, can be a good one. Dexter McDougle got hurt, so that's just bad luck.
Where this draft suffers is New York simply didn't find even the hint of a playmaker at wide receiver when so many others did. They took Pryor when Brandin Cooks was available (excusable), McDougle instead of John Brown or Donte Moncrief, then both Jalen Saunders and Shaq Evans in front or Martavis Bryant. Heck yes, this is total hindsight, but that's what an early re-grade is. I wrote then, "I thought the Jets did a nice job with my one question being whether they really added a player in the passing game that will scare defenses." Amaro is a start, and a trade for Percy Harvin that came too late helped, but there was some bad luck and missed opportunities. There's nothing really to be said yet for the many late lottery ticket picks they had. The fact that the team struggled so much doesn't help, either.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
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[h=3]Miami Dolphins[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 19 | T | Ja'Wuan James | Tennessee |
| (2) | 63 | WR | Jarvis Landry | LSU |
| (3) | 67 | T | Billy Turner | ND State |
| (4) | 125 | CB | Walt Aikens | Liberty |
| (5) | 155 | TE | Arthur Lynch | Georgia |
| (5) | 171 | OLB | Jordan Tripp | Montana |
| (6) | 190 | WR | Matt Hazel | Coastal Carolina |
| (7) | 234 | DE | Terrence Fede | Marist |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: At the time, I described this as "a really quiet draft class in terms of star appeal, but the Dolphins did a pretty solid job of hitting their biggest needs. Ja'Wuan James isn't a player many people know, but ... the Dolphins need an immediate starter at right tackle, and that's James." And, "Jarvis Landry doesn't fill a major need at WR, but he's a really reliable target who catches absolutely everything."
James did, in fact, get plugged in, but it's hard to push the grade up based on his performance because while he turned in nearly 1,100 snaps, it was pure necessity, and Ryan Tannehill saw just as much pressure in 2014 as he did in 2013. That said, James did start and a year of reps could help. He can still turn into a good NFL player. Landry was a favorite of mine and finished second among all rookies in catches, and led the Dolphins with 84. If there's a knock it's that he didn't stretch the field at all (9.0 YPC), but that's a nice find at No. 63 overall, and Tannehill's so-so protection factored in to any field-stretching. That's about it, though. Walt Aikens is a "we'll see" type, and Billy Turner could develop. I do think they helped Tannehill, which was the goal. James just needs to take another step.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]New England Patriots[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 29 | DL | Dominique Easley | Florida |
| (2) | 62 | QB | Jimmy Garoppolo | Eastern Illinois |
| (4) | 105 | C | Bryan Stork | Florida State |
| (4) | 130 | RB | James White | Wisconsin |
| (4) | 140 | OL | Cameron Fleming | Stanford |
| (6) | 179 | G | Jon Halapio | Florida |
| (6) | 198 | DE | Zach Moore | Concordia (MN) |
| (7) | 206 | CB | Jemea Thomas | Georgia Tech |
| (7) | 244 | WR | Jeremy Gallon | Michigan |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: C[/h]
Summary: Why does the grade go up with so little from both a first- and a second-round pick, one of which still deserves a major question mark? Because they're in the Super Bowl and got value out of a rookie class even with a deep roster. I wrote then: "The Patriots should be better in 2014 than they were in 2013. They get significant pieces back on defense, and the unrest they experienced on offense (not to mention the youth at WR) is a year removed. Because of that, they took a player in Round 1 who needs to play a limited role this season due to health concerns, and a player in Round 2 who hopefully doesn't see a snap."
While I understand taking Dominique Easley in Round 1 -- he's a top-10 talent if healthy -- it still feels like a major bet on a guy with a major injury history. He played just 270 snaps, not a total surprise. We really don't know what he'll become. A great get was landing eventual starting center Bryan Stork in Round 4 and also getting likely keepers Cameron Fleming and Zach Moore.James White could factor in eventually. Yes, they got less out of their rookies than many teams with worse grades. But, divide that by winning.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]Buffalo Bills[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 4 | WR | Sammy Watkins | Clemson |
| (2) | 44 | T | Cyrus Kouandjio | Alabama |
| (3) | 73 | LB | Preston Brown | Louisville |
| (4) | 109 | CB | Ross Cockrell | Duke |
| (5) | 153 | G | Cyril Richardson | Baylor |
| (7) | 221 | OLB | Randell Johnson | Florida Atlantic |
| (7) | 237 | T | Seantrel Henderson | Miami (FL) |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: C-[/h]
Summary: I wrote this after the draft: "My issue is that this draft is loaded with wide receivers -- there are good ones already signing as undrafted free agents as I type this, in fact -- and the Bills paid a significant price to get [Sammy] Watkins. A future first-round pick is always a heavy price, but they threw in a fourth, as well, and they could have gotten a very good wide receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. without moving. Or think about this: The Jags took a QB one slot ahead of Watkins, but still managed to get Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson in Round 2. Would you rather have Watkins, or those two plus next year's first?" This is pure speculation, but the reality is the Bills paid a huge price to move up a few spots for Watkins when they could have added picks and moved a couple spots down and still gotten Beckham.
I still really like Watkins, the No. 2 player on my final 2014 Big Board. I still feel like the Bills paid a massive price to get him, one fans now realize more today knowing they don't pick until No. 45 overall in April. Watkins didn't get much help at QB, but still finished with 65 catches (sixth among rookies) and nearly 1,000 yards. Again, he's going to be great, but he has to be to justify the cost. Cyrus Kouandjio is still a mystery, but Preston Brown is a keeper, a nice value in Round 3 who delivered over 1,000 effective snaps. I know Seantrel Henderson started, but based on performance that was pure necessity -- he really struggled and should be challenged to keep the job. The Bills got players, but they had to with how much they gave up.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
[h=3]AFC North[/h]
[h=3]Pittsburgh Steelers[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 15 | OLB | Ryan Shazier | Ohio State |
| (2) | 46 | DE | Stephon Tuitt | Notre Dame |
| (3) | 97 | RB | Dri Archer | Kent State |
| (4) | 118 | WR | Martavis Bryant | Clemson |
| (5) | 157 | DB | Shaq Richardson | Arizona |
| (5) | 173 | T | Wesley Johnson | Vanderbilt |
| (6) | 192 | ILB | Jordan Zumwalt | UCLA |
| (6) | 215 | DE | Daniel McCullers | Tennessee |
| (7) | 230 | TE | Rob Blanchflower | UMass |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: A-[/h]
Summary: I summarized the draft by writing: "Even though the Steelers could have done more at cornerback, it was hard to pass on players they took where they did, and it adds up to one of the best 2014 draft classes." The grade has slipped since then, even though it seems clear the Steelers may have one of the bigger steals in the entire draft.
Ryan Shazier is a player I really liked, but between health and simply looking overwhelmed at times, he just wasn't an impact player for this defense. Did Pittsburgh whiff on C.J. Mosley, whom the Ravens got two picks later? Shazier hopefully makes major strides in 2015. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt should be a starter in the future, but he's also just getting his sea legs at this level. I hoped for more from running back Dri Archer, but it's early.
The big hit was wide receiver Martavis Bryant, a first-round physical talent who hadn't put it all together while at Clemson and dropped to Round 4. Once he saw the field, the impact was there. He's the reason the grade stays where it does. And the Steelers go into another draft (2015) with cornerback as a need.
[h=3]New grade: B[/h]
[h=3]Cincinnati Bengals[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 24 | CB | Darqueze Dennard | Michigan State |
| (2) | 55 | RB | Jeremy Hill | LSU |
| (3) | 88 | DE | William Clarke | West Virginia |
| (4) | 111 | C | Russell Bodine | UNC |
| (5) | 164 | QB | AJ McCarron | Alabama |
| (6) | 212 | OLB | Marquis Flowers | Arizona |
| (7) | 239 | WR | James Wright | LSU |
| (7) | 252 | DB | Lavelle Westbrooks | Georgia Southern |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: I can hear Bengals fans up in arms about dropping the grade a little after Jeremy Hillwas everything you could hope for as a second-round pick, but it's hard to move it up when (A) that's really not a shocking return out of a second-round back if he gets the carries (222) in an age when the second round is a really good slot for that position, and (B) the first-round pick is still an incomplete. Darqueze Dennard played only 61 snaps all season at cornerback. I'm a fan of his talent, and while he may have simply run into a ceiling of more veteran players not getting hurt, he's still in the "we'll see" camp.
The Bengals also were able to plug in Russell Bodine at center; he'll just need to find consistency after a really up-and-down year. They didn't have major needs, and they had some veteran players hold up reasonably well in the secondary, where I expected Dennard to be an early-impact guy. More impact in Year 2 won't surprise.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]Baltimore Ravens[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 17 | ILB | C.J. Mosley | Alabama |
| (2) | 48 | DT | Timmy Jernigan | Florida State |
| (3) | 79 | S | Terrence Brooks | Florida State |
| (3) | 99 | TE | Crockett Gillmore | Colorado State |
| (4) | 134 | DE | Brent Urban | Virginia |
| (4) | 138 | RB | Lorenzo Taliaferro | Coastal Carolina |
| (5) | 175 | C | John Urschel | Penn State |
| (6) | 194 | QB | Keith Wenning | Ball State |
| (7) | 218 | WR | Mike Campanaro | Wake Forest |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: You have to give the Ravens a lot of credit. Their needs included safety (Calvin Pryorand Ha Ha Clinton-Dix were available) and wide receiver (Brandin Cooks and Kelvin Benjaminwere there), and I also mentioned right tackle (Ja'Wuan James went two picks later). At No. 17, they took C.J. Mosley, and he wasn't just a good rookie -- he was among the top inside linebackers in the NFL. Now, I think Baltimore got bailed out some by the fact that Steve Smith Sr. refuses to age and was a stud at 35, and they didn't truly suffer at wide receiver, making this draft look better.
Elsewhere, Timmy Jernigan was the best rookie 3-4 defensive end in the NFL, and Crockett Gillmore (tight end), Lorenzo Taliaferro (running back) and John Urschel (guard) all saw time. Free safety Terrence Brooks has a ways to go, but has a chance to become a starter. Add it up and it's a pretty productive draft for a team that was a contender.
That said, I did write: "The addition of Steve Smith calms some worries about the weapons Joe Flacco has at his disposal, but Smith is 35 and they could be looking at wide receiver next year." I'll echo that as we head into draft season this year if for some reason Torrey Smith departs.
[h=3]New grade: B+[/h]
[h=3]Cleveland Browns[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 8 | CB | Justin Gilbert | Oklahoma State |
| (1) | 22 | QB | Johnny Manziel | Texas A&M |
| (2) | 35 | G | Joel Bitonio | Nevada |
| (3) | 71 | LB | Chris Kirksey | Iowa |
| (3) | 94 | RB | Terrance West | Towson |
| (4) | 127 | CB | Pierre Desir | Lindenwood |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B-[/h]
Summary: The amazing things about this draft class is that Cleveland has no idea what it has out of two first-round picks, with cornerback Justin Gilbert a total nonfactor in 2014 and quarterback Johnny Manziel a storyline for all the wrong reasons. Yet this was still a successful draft in several ways. First, remember that Cleveland has two first-round picks this year thanks to the trade with Buffalo. Again, that's a ton of value to get for a small slide down the board.
Joel Bitonio was one of the best guards in the NFL last season and he looks like a steal. Terrance West put up decent totals and split time with Isaiah Crowell, an undrafted free agent who helps with the grade. Linebacker Chris Kirksey is a keeper, and cornerback Pierre Desir came on late in the year and looked good. Add to that undrafted free agents K'Waun Williams -- who really helped out at cornerback -- and useful wideout Taylor Gabriel, and the Browns got a lot from this class, plus that extra pick. There's a pretty big gripe -- no wide receiver and a total incomplete on Round 1 so far -- but it's amazing how much the Browns did get, and that extra first-rounder is a jewel.
[h=3]New grade: B[/h]
[h=3]AFC South[/h]
[h=3]Jacksonville Jaguars[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 3 | QB | Blake Bortles | Central Florida |
| (2) | 39 | WR | Marqise Lee | USC |
| (2) | 61 | WR | Allen Robinson | Penn State |
| (3) | 93 | G | Brandon Linder | Miami (FL) |
| (4) | 114 | CB | Aaron Colvin | Oklahoma |
| (5) | 144 | LB | Telvin Smith | Florida State |
| (5) | 159 | DE | Chris Smith | Arkansas |
| (6) | 205 | C | Luke Bowanko | Virginia |
| (7) | 222 | RB | Storm Johnson | Central Florida |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: A[/h]
Summary: The Jags had one of the better grades in the entire draft, but it comes down for two reasons: (1) Blake Bortles didn't look at all like a starting NFL QB, ranking 32nd in Total QBR by a mile, so we just don't know what Jacksonville has there yet, and (2) while so many rookies contributed, they did so for a three-win team, so you can't assume they're getting these kinds of reps for teams in the playoff picture.
But there were many bright spots. Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson combined for 85 catches even as both spent time on the shelf with injuries, and UFA Allen Hurns hauled in 51 catches -- a nice get. Telvin Smith played a lot, made a lot of tackles, and looks like he can be a starter in this league. Brandon Linder was probably the most consistent player on the entire offense, and a healthy Aaron Colvin got on the field late in the year. Furthermore, sixth-rounder Luke Bowankocould be the answer at center. If Bortles is the answer at QB -- a new offensive coordinator should help -- it could be a great class. If not, well, that was the No. 3 pick. It would be a big setback.
[h=3]New grade: B[/h]
[h=3]Houston Texans[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 1 | DE | Jadeveon Clowney | South Carolina |
| (2) | 33 | G | Xavier Su'a-Filo | UCLA |
| (3) | 65 | TE | C.J. Fiedorowicz | Iowa |
| (3) | 83 | DT | Louis Nix III | Notre Dame |
| (4) | 135 | QB | Tom Savage | Pittsburgh |
| (6) | 177 | DE | Jeoffrey Pagan | Alabama |
| (6) | 181 | RB | Alfred Blue | LSU |
| (6) | 211 | FB | Jay Prosch | Auburn |
| (7) | 216 | CB | Andre Hal | Vanderbilt |
| (7) | 256 | S | Lonnie Ballentine | Memphis |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: A-[/h]
Summary: I realize people are lining up to call Jadeveon Clowney a bust and a wasted No. 1 overall pick, but it's simply way too soon. We're talking about a freak athlete who won't turn 22 years old until Feb. 14. Yes, the draft doesn't look as good if his health is an issue well into his career, but I'm certainly not closing the door on his potential. Good pick, bad luck, we'll see.
Second-rounder Xavier Su'a-Filo is also something of a redshirt, as he didn't play much at guard and waited his turn behind veteran starters. Tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz saw plenty of the field, but struggled a bit. Alfred Blue turned into a useful player when Arian Foster was out, picking up 528 yards. Tom Savage did see the field, but it was brief exposure. There's no telling yet what he's going to be. Louis Nix III landed on IR. In some ways, this looks like a really disappointing class, but the team improved a ton in the win column, and minus a fair analysis of a healthy Clowney, it feels more like an incomplete.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
[h=3]Tennessee Titans[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 11 | T | Taylor Lewan | Michigan |
| (2) | 54 | RB | Bishop Sankey | Washington |
| (4) | 112 | DT | Daquan Jones | Penn State |
| (4) | 122 | DB | Marqueston Huff | Wyoming |
| (5) | 151 | LB | Avery Williamson | Kentucky |
| (6) | 178 | QB | Zach Mettenberger | LSU |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: C+[/h]
Summary: I really like a trio of players the Titans added, it's just hard to take that initial grade, look at it through the prism of what almost anybody on the 2014 Titans accomplished (2-14) and say the draft looks a lot better. Taylor Lewan did something a number of other drafted tackles didn't do -- he actually played tackle. While Lewan didn't hit even 400 snaps thanks in part to a late-season injury, he's the Titans' left tackle of the future, and that's pretty good to know. Bishop Sankey is a good player, I just noted then I thought Tennessee should have takenCarlos Hyde instead, and I feel the same way today. Sankey did lead the team with 569 rushing yards, but you simply expect a decent level of production out of a second-round RB or you don't draft him.
A real find here was linebacker Avery Williamson. From Week 5 on, he got starter's reps and acquitted himself well -- not too bad for the No. 151 overall pick in his rookie season. Zach Mettenberger is the wild card here. We know there's talent, but we really have no reason to say at this point he's a future NFL starter at quarterback. We need to see more. The draft doesn't look bad, it just suffers against the win totals.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
[h=3]Indianapolis Colts[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) | 59 | T | Jack Mewhort | Ohio State |
| (3) | 90 | WR | Donte Moncrief | Mississippi |
| (5) | 166 | DE | Jonathan Newsome | Ball State |
| (6) | 203 | ILB | Andrew Jackson | Western Kentucky |
| (7) | 232 | G | Ulrick John | Georgia State |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: D+[/h]
Summary: You have to give Ryan Grigson and his scouting team some credit, because they actually got some really good pieces out of this draft even after, frankly, basically flushing away a first-round pick for Trent Richardson. The bulk of the low grade at the time was based around the fact that Richardson, at a non-premium position, had cost them a first and given them close to nothing. At this point, he's probably done in Indy.
That said, Jack Mewhort at No. 59 overall was useful -- basically an average NFL guard, but one who played a ton of snaps. Donte Moncrief, an inconsistent but physically gifted receiver, helped out down the stretch. And Jonathan Newsome was a breakthrough player in a part-time role, showing he can get to the passer. Undrafted free agent Jonotthan Harrison was a really useful addition and gave them a lot of snaps, and fellow UFA Zurlon Tipton got some action -- 87 snaps -- and could be in the RB mix in 2015. Richardson had to factor in the grade here, and they didn't hit a couple needs, but the Colts sure rallied well and pushed the grade up because they found players who helped them win games.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]AFC West[/h]
[h=3]Oakland Raiders[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 5 | OLB | Khalil Mack | Buffalo |
| (2) | 36 | QB | Derek Carr | Fresno State |
| (3) | 81 | G | Gabe Jackson | Mississippi State |
| (4) | 107 | DT | Justin Ellis | Louisiana Tech |
| (4) | 116 | CB | Keith McGill | Utah |
| (7) | 219 | CB | Travis Carrie | Ohio |
| (7) | 235 | DE | Shelby Harris | Illinois State |
| (7) | 247 | S | Jonathan Dowling | Western Kentucky |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B+[/h]
Summary: I've pounded some Raiders drafts in recent years, but I thought they did a great job in 2014, and it looks even better today. I know a bad team is supposed to get more out of the rookie class, but off the top, I can ask this question: Is there a single team in the NFL that wouldn't have been helped by Khalil Mack in 2014? I wrote then, "They stayed put at No. 5 and got Khalil Mack, who not only offers them an added pass-rusher, but a great deal of versatility. He doesn't have to be a great pass-rusher to be a very good NFL player right away." Well, Mack wasn't a great pass-rusher early on, but he was arguably the single best run defender in the NFL at any position, at least among players not named J.J. Watt. And even then, Mack still piled up 40 QB hurries, per Pro Football Focus numbers. He was a total stud and deserves to be in the Pro Bowl.
While Derek Carr isn't a certain star, he's at least given this franchise hope that it has found a franchise QB. He and Teddy Bridgewater were the best rookie QBs by far, and Carr isn't exactly surrounded by top-flight talent. And Oakland got him in Round 2. Mack and Carr also both fill premium positions. Elsewhere, Justin Ellis was arguably the best rookie defensive tackle not named Aaron Donald, and Oakland nabbed him in Round 4. T.J. Carrie is a starter at CB who held up well as a seventh-round pick, and Gabe Jackson (my No. 2 guard in this class) also played well and could have started on a number of teams. No, it didn't add up to much winning, but the Raiders got a lot from the 2014 draft class.
[h=3]New grade: A-[/h]
[h=3]San Diego Chargers[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 25 | CB | Jason Verrett | TCU |
| (2) | 50 | OLB | Jeremiah Attaochu | Georgia Tech |
| (3) | 89 | G | Chris Watt | Notre Dame |
| (5) | 165 | DT | Ryan Carrethers | Arkansas State |
| (6) | 201 | RB | Marion Grice | Arizona State |
| (7) | 240 | WR | Tevin Reese | Baylor |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: The grade sinks a bit from where it was, but on a team that really didn't have many pressing needs, the pick of Jason Verrett hit my top need (CB) and was a home run early on. Unfortunately, Verrett ended up on injured reserve and didn't play a snap after Week 8. Before that, he was playing as well or better than any rookie CB, and at draft time I pointed out he was a nice get a few slots ahead of the Broncos, who could have used a more "ready" talent at the position and instead ended up with Bradley Roby. (Roby turned out to be a good match for Denver.)
Chris Watt ended up in a starting role after being taken at No. 89 overall, and looks to be a starter in the future at either center or guard. Jeremiah Attaochu saw a little bit of action but has a ways to go; same with Ryan Carrethers, a fifth-rounder. And everybody needs to stay healthy. One of the quiet bright spots didn't come from that draft. Branden Oliver, a UFA running back out of Buffalo, picked up 582 yards rushing, though at just 3.6 yards per carry. Defensive end Tenny Palepoi, another UFA, saw decent action. If Verrett can stay on the field, this group looks a lot better.
[h=3]New grade: B-[/h]
[h=3]Kansas City Chiefs[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 23 | DE | Dee Ford | Auburn |
| (3) | 87 | CB | Phillip Gaines | Rice |
| (4) | 124 | RB | De'Anthony Thomas | Oregon |
| (5) | 163 | QB | Aaron Murray | Georgia |
| (6) | 193 | G | Zach Fulton | Tennessee |
| (6) | 200 | T | Laurent Duvernay-Tardif | McGill (Canada) |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: B[/h]
Summary: When you consider a Chiefs draft class that so far hasn't shown us a whole lot, there are two things to remember. For one, that second-round pick they had traded away is still Alex Smith. Regardless of what you think about where Smith stands as an NFL starter, given where the Chiefs were at QB before they acquired him -- start with that 2012 record of 2-14 and fast-forward to the 20 regular-season wins in the two seasons since -- they could have done worse for the price of a second-rounder.
Secondly, when they drafted Dee Ford it was coming off a season where the pass rush had been slowed (and really hurt them in a playoff loss to Indy) with health issues, and also heading intoJustin Houston's final season before free agency. Houston was a terror this season, and Tamba Hali played in all 16 games. So Ford was mere depth. Beyond that, there were mixed returns.Phillip Gaines saw some action, De'Anthony Thomas showed he'll be a weapon, and Zach Fultonstarted but struggled. They also found undrafted kicker Cairo Santos, and he was pretty solid, going 25-of-30 on field goals. The big void was, as I wrote then, "at wide receiver ... that's an area I might have targeted in a deep draft." The Chiefs didn't get one, and they'll be looking for help there in the draft or free agency this year.
[h=3]New grade: C+[/h]
[h=3]Denver Broncos[/h]
| Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 31 | CB | Bradley Roby | Ohio State |
| (2) | 56 | WR | Cody Latimer | Indiana |
| (3) | 95 | T | Michael Schofield | Michigan |
| (5) | 156 | LB | Lamin Barrow | LSU |
| (6) | 207 | C | Matt Paradis | Boise State |
| (7) | 242 | OLB | Corey Nelson | Oklahoma |
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[h=3]Post-draft grade: C+[/h]
Summary: The Broncos went into the 2014 draft as the team that, on paper, probably had the fewest true immediate needs. The reality is that no front office is drafting with the hope that rookies will have to play key roles. Denver had been active in free agency, adding secondary help (Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward) as well as a proven pass-rusher (DeMarcus Ware). This was a win-now roster heading into 2014 -- a well-constructed group on both sides of the ball.
To the extent that they needed a rookie to step up, I think you have to call the addition ofBradley Roby a success. He played over 850 snaps, and proved some of my suspicions that he'd struggle unfounded, as he played pretty well considering how raw I felt he was. Roby is clearly a keeper and a certain starter for years to come. After that, however, there wasn't much of note.Cody Latimer was buried on the depth chart in a deep group of pass-catching options at WR and tight end, and will still need to show that he's a good player, not just a great athlete. Lamin Barrow could start in the future, but we just don't know yet beyond special teams duty. Michael Schofield was supposed to provide help at right tackle, but simply isn't ready yet. No, there weren't many holes to fill, and they won a lot, but beyond Roby there isn't much to show for this class at all, and we don't have any certainty that contributions will come and that useful depth was added.
[h=3]New grade: C[/h]
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