The first round of the NFL Draft is behind us! There was a ton of action – from the Jacksonville Jaguars trading up to select Travis Hunter, to some late-round one action allowing the Giants to grab a quarterback, and the Falcons to take a fun edge rusher. But before we get into draft grades….
Be sure to join us tonight for a LIVE draft show for rounds 2-3 – on Twitter and Youtube. We’re going to be providing instant analysis for every pick, and we hope to see you there.
Now, let’s get into it.
1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The Titans get their quarterback of the future. I feel somewhat bad for them, though, as NFL Network was basically talking about the Jaguars/Browns trade the entirety of the Titans/Ward airtime. Can’t say I would’ve taken Ward above Travis Hunter, but I certainly understand it.
Grade: B
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado
Trade: The Jaguars traded the 5th pick, their 2025 second round pick, and their 2026 first round pick (among other later compensation) to the Browns in exchange for the 2nd pick (among other later compensation).
!?!?!?!?!? WHAT.
Seriously, though, this is an electric, tenure-defining move for general Manager James Gladstone. Travis Hunter was the best player in this draft, and I understand the aggression in landing him.
Pick Grade: A
Trade Grade: C
3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
This pick was simple and straightforward. The Giants did the right thing by taking one of the few blue chip prospects in this class. Carter, Burns, and Lawrence will be exciting to watch.
Grade: A
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The New England Patriots had to come away from this draft with a better offensive line – and they did just that. Campbell is a plug-and-play starter at tackle – Drake Maye has to be happy right now.
Grade: B+
5. Cleveland Browns – Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
Trade: The Jaguars traded the 5th pick, their 2025 second round pick, and their 2026 first round pick (among other later compensation) to the Browns in exchange for the 2nd pick (among other later compensation).
Man, it’s really hard to stomach giving up a talent like Travis Hunter. If you remove that from the equation, I think the Browns did pretty well. I like the Mason Graham selection, but as great as he is, Andrew Berry will get killed by the media if Travis Hunter becomes what most people think he will.
Pick Grade: A
Trade Grade: F
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
I really love Ashton Jeanty, and I think the Raiders got significantly better this offseason between the addition of both he and Geno Smith. Would offensive line have been preferable here? Maybe, but I don’t mind taking arguably the final elite player in this draft class – even if it is a running back.
Grade: B+
7. New York Jets – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The New York Jets have invested in the trenches for the second straight draft. I really love what they’ve built up front – and Membou was the highest rated offensive lineman on my personal board.
Grade: A
8. Carolina Panthers – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Another pretty shocking pick in the moment – Tet McMillan gives Bryce Young a new WR1 to work with – and I have to think that, with background at wide receiver coach, Dave Canales and OC Brad Idzik know who to target at this position in particular.
Grade: A
9. New Orleans Saints – Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
The New Orleans Saints invested in the trenches here – which was needed. Trevor Penning hasn’t worked out, and the Saints need to continue to build the bones of a new team infrastructure.
Grade: B
10. Chicago Bears – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Chicago Bears added a really fun weapon to Ben Johnson’s offense in Colston Loveland – who is a really good route runner for his size. I’m a huge fan of Loveland’s game, and think the Bears continue to build on a great offseason.
Grade: A
11. San Francisco 49ers – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
This is one of my favorite fits in the entire draft. Mykel Williams is a true edge setting presence in the run game, and should continue to grow as a pass rusher. Opposite Nick Bosa, he will make an impact from day one.
Grade: A+
12. Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
Tyler Booker quite simply was not worth the 12th overall pick. I get that he had his fans, but taking a guard-only this high probably isn’t the best process. Any of the players taken from picks 13 to 18 (with the exception of Warren) would have made more sense, in my opinion.
Grade: F
13. Miami Dolphins – Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Man, I feel really vindicated by Kenneth Grant going this high. I’m a huge fan of his game, and happy that he landed in a fun defensive line in Miami. He’s got three-down potential as a nose tackle – something that is incredibly rare to find.
Grade: A
14. Indianapolis Colts – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Look, I really love Tyler Warren – I think he’s an incredible tight end prospect. I just don’t think the Colts needed another weapon that they can’t get the ball to – especially on a team that has Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, AD Mitchell, Alec Pierce, and Jonathan Taylor. This probably should have been used to fortify the offensive line.
Grade: D
15. Atlanta Falcons – Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The Atlanta Falcons lucked into one of the best edge rushers in this class falling to them at 15 overall. Surely they won’t do anything regrettable in this first round (foreshadowing). Walker is a fun talent that adds much needed juice to the edge room.
Grade: A
16. Arizona Cardinals – Walter Nolen, DL, Mississippi
The Arizona Cardinals took a really talented player in Walter Nolen, who gives them another skillset in their front-seven that should be heavily utilized. I don’t love the value – I think Nolen makes more sense close to the later end of round one, but I understand the bet here.
Grade: C
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
I think Shemar Stewart, in a vacuum, should be a first round pick, especially in this class. I do question the Bengals thinking here, though. I think they needed a ready-made player rather than someone who needs developing with this pick.
Grade: C+
18. Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
What world are we living in? John Schneider took an interior lineman in the first round? Zabel was always a natural fit for this team as a plug-and-play guard.
Grade: B+
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
As a Panthers fan, it’s annoying to see the Buccaneers continually drafting good players. I’m not sure what the usage will be for Egbuka, but Tampa has an aging WR room, so taking him here is justifiable. High-floor player that should give the Buccaneers production for years to come.
Grade: B+
20. Denver Broncos – Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Everyone – including myself – expected the Denver Broncos to take a running back with this pick. And while they should find their guy on day two there, Barron is a unique talent that should give the Broncos a versatile, mostly-slot presence. Great value addition here.
Grade: B-
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
I think Derrick Harmon is a terrific talent, and he fits the Steelers very well. There were some injury concerns with Harmon, though I think he was a value at 21st overall. I think the Steelers did a good thing by not forcing the quarterback selection.
Grade: A-
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Hampton to the Chargers is one of my favorite picks in the entire draft. He was really high on my board – and someone that can be an accelerant to an offense that needed more firepower. Justin Herbert gets a weapon – and I expect LA to add more to this offense in the coming days.
Grade: A+
23. Green Bay Packers – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Matthew Golden is a great fit for a Packers team that had a clear need at wide receiver. They have a bunch of B+ players in their current room, and Golden has a lot of potential as someone that fits cleanly with Jordan Love at QB.
Grade: B+
24. Minnesota Vikings – Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Yikes – not a fan of this. I think Donovan Jackson is a solid offensive line prospect – but the Vikings probably should have been more aggressive in trading down before selecting him with this pick.
Grade: D-
25. New York Giants – Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi
Trade: The New York Giants traded the 34th pick, 99th pick, and a future third-round pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for the 25th overall pick.
Well, the Giants certainly selected a quarterback. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of Jaxson Dart, but I understand this if they had conviction on him as a player. I am not, however, sold on the process. New York currently has a braintrust that will be eliminated with a lackluster season this coming year. Why ownership is allowing them to make this bet for a player unlikely to start in year one (so possibly for this coach at all!) is beyond me.
Pick Grade: F
Trade Grade: D
Texans Trade Grade: B+
26. Atlanta Falcons – James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee
Trade: The Atlanta Falcons sent the 46th pick, a 2025 late-round selection, and a 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the 26th and 101st picks in this draft.
Well, the Falcons certainly had conviction on James Pearce, who they reportedly did lots of homework on. I am not completely sold on the process to select him, though – especially considering the Falcons took Georgia EDGE Jalon Walker just ten picks earlier. Giving up a future first-round pick when the cornerstone of your team, Michael Penix, is largely unproven – this just reeks of desperation, in my opinion.
Pick Grade: A
Trade Grade: F
Rams Trade Grade: A+
27. Baltimore Ravens – Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
The Baltimore Ravens continually select good players – and Starks should free up Kyle Hamilton to be used as he was in 2023 under Mike McDonald. This is classic Ravens, and an easy A+.
Grade: A+
28. Detroit Lions – Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
The Detroit Lions clearly value Tyleik Williams here – and it makes sense. He’s an incredible athlete that showed some truly dominant flashes on passing downs – despite the down-to-down consistency being largely absent. I do think it’s a reach, though, by about 30ish picks. Not someone that I would have taken in the first round.
Grade: C-
29. Washington Commanders – Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
I was thinking the Commanders would take a defensive lineman or safety with this pick – possibly South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori – but Conerly is a solid option at left tackle who should continue to grow.
Grade: B+
30. Buffalo Bills – Maxwell Hairston, DB, Kentucky
I’m not the highest on Maxwell Hairston, but it became pretty clear after the NFL combine that he was going to go in the top-40 picks. He has some elite flashes, but is a bit too rich for me. I would’ve opted for Michigan’s Will Johnson or Mississippi’s Trey Amos.
Grade: D+
31. Philadelphia Eagles – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Trade: The Eagles send the 32nd pick and a day three selection to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 31st pick – just one spot earlier.
The Eagles and Howie Roseman had a ton of capital to spend over the course of the next two seasons – so maneuvering to snag Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell makes sense. He is a really fun fit and another skill set added to an already-elite front-seven. The rich get richer.
Pick Grade: A
Trade Grade: B-
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Trade: The Eagles send the 32nd pick and a day three selection to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 31st pick – just one spot earlier.
Josh Simmons isn’t for everyone. I think he’s an interesting bet at left tackle, but you have to be really confident in his medicals to take him in round one. For the Chiefs – there is much job security for Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach – so Simmons makes a lot of sense.
Pick Grade: A
Trade Grade: A+
