AFC North
Cleveland Browns
The Browns chose Baker Mayfield as there future. A bit of a strange pick as Hue Jackson likes tall QB’s more but Mayfield was great in college and will have a bit of time to develop in Cleveland. The Browns passing on Chubb to fulfill a need when quality corners were available in the second round hurts there grade.
Best Pick: Baker Mayfield
Worst Pick: Austin Corbet (better guards were on the board)
Favorite pick: Baker Mayfield
Sleeper: Nick Chubb
Grade: B+
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals addressed there awful offensive line a key to a good Andy Dalton season. The future was left un fulfilled in this draft though as the Bengals didn’t take a top tier WR to replace AJ Green. The Bengals off season was trying to reload and reform to try to get back into contention, we will see.
Best Pick: Billy Price
Worst Pick: None
Favorite pick: Billy Price
Sleeper: Malik Jefferson
Grade: B
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens draft picks showed us that Ozzie Newsome is planning for the future. Drafting Lamar Jackson in round one give the Ravens a Joe Flacco Successor and tight end Hayden Hurst gives him a target to throw too right now. Not to mention Newsome addressing a need at tackle with Orlando Brown.
Best Pick: Lamar Jackson QB
Worst Pick: None
Favorite pick: Orlando Brown OT
Sleeper: Anthony Averett
Grade: A
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers made a head scratching pick in the first round. You cant knock anything the Steelers did though, addressing needs and finding a potential Big Ben replacement in Mason Rudolph. I love the addition of James Washington to the receiving core after trading away Martavis Bryant. This is what the Steelers do, draft well at wide out.
Best Pick: James Washington
Worst Pick: Jaylen Samuels
Favorite pick: James Washington
Sleeper: Chuks Oakafor
Grade: B+
AFC East
New York Jets
The Jets gave up a lot to get there QB of the future. In the end it paid off though, few thought Sam Darnold would fall to the Jets and yet somehow the Jets got there guy. Darnold wont be forced to start early which is always good for a young passer. The Jets didn’t pick again until the third and took a very boom or bust semi project guy in Nathan Shepherd at DT. Grabbing CB Perry Nickerson further shows the Jets commitment to building a defense as there identity. A mediocre draft for the Jets overall but all worth it if Darnold pays off.
Best Pick: Sam Darnold
Worst Pick: None
Favorite pick: Sam Darnold
Sleeper: Parry Nickerson
Grade: A-
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins missed there shot at retooling away from a Ryan Tannehill driven offense by one pick. However they reacted well by taking the best DB in the draft in Minkah Fitzpatrick. Then selecting top TE prospect Mike Gesicki and for the first time giving Adam Gase a tight end he likes to work with. I saw first hand RB Kallen Ballage destroy some of the best defenses in the PAC 12 this year a truly underrated runner that will be able to contribute to the offense as a third down back. This may be Adam Gases last draft if he cant figure it out this year but he has some nice pieces to work with.
Best Pick: Minkah Fitzpatrick
Worst Pick: None.
Favorite pick: Mike Gesicki
Sleeper: Kallen Ballage
Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
The Bills bet big on Josh Allen. Analytics wise not a good pick, however physically Allen fits in Buffalo well. I’m going to withhold judgement on Allen until I see him play an NFL game. We judge these QB’s non-stop going into the draft but I’m not willing to say any will be absolute busts until I see them play. People also gloss over the fact that the Bills picked up arguably the best linebacker in the draft in Tremaine Edmunds with there second first rounder.
Best Pick: Tremaine Edmunds
Worst Pick: None.
Favorite pick: Tremaine Edmunds
Sleeper: Harrison Phillips
Grade: B+
New England Patriots
A lot of people knocked this draft class by Bill Belichick for his lack of pick using what they fail to see is that now the Patriots have 6 picks in the first three rounds next year. That is some tremendous ammunition to work with going into the draft next year. This year Belichick focused on the present, which isn’t a bad idea he still has the best QB in the leauge on his roster. So he went out and grabbed Isaiah Wynn to protect him. Then you add a true number one back in Sony Michel to an already stocked backfield and you have a really scary roster. Don’t doubt the Patriots, ever, there is a plan in place and they are following it.
Best Pick: Isaiah Wynn
Worst Pick: Danny Etling
Favorite pick: Sony Michel
Sleeper: Duke Dawson
Grade: A-