Grading an NFL Draft immediately after it occurs is akin to giving your compliments to the chef based on the menu. It will take at least three years before we can truly assess how the 32 NFL teams fared this weekend. But waiting is no fun. As such, let's take a take at which teams appear to have done the best job of filling needs and building for the future via the seven rounds of the 2016 NFL draft.
Grade: A-
Related
- 2016 NFL Draft Grades: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- NFL Draft Grades 2016: 49ers, Seahawks, Rams and Cardinals - NFC West
- NFC East Draft Grades: Cowboys, Giants, Eagles and Redskins
- NFC North Draft Grades: Packers, Vikings, Bears and Lions
- 2016 NFL Draft Grades: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and San Diego Chargers
- 2016 NFL Draft Grades: Ravens, Bengals, Browns and Steelers
Grade: B
Given the big investments in Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller, as well as the extraordinary body control of No. 1 receiver DeAndre Hopkins, first-round pick Will Fuller should prove the perfect vertical threat complement. Houston only reinforced their splashy offseason with the selection of steady interior offensive lineman Nick Martin in the second round, silky smooth athlete Braxton Miller in the third and my favorite third down receiving specialist, running back Tyler Ervin, in the fourth. When was the last time an offense in the NFL was so dramatically different in just one offseason? Watch out for heavy-hitting safety K.J. Dillon and developmental nose guard D.J. Reader to surprise, as well. I'm not as high as some on Fuller, but there are some terrific schematic fits here for the Texans, earning them one of the top grades this year.
Grade: A
The Colts' offensive line was manhandled a year ago, but that should not be the case this year with top pick Ryan Kelly manning the middle. Powerful, athletic and tough, he should help provide the clean pocket to help Andrew Luck return to star form in 2016, as should third-round tackle Le'Raven Clark, a four-year starter with terrific length and fluidity to handle the speed rushers of the NFL. The flashiest athlete of the bunch is clearly second-rounder T.J. Green, who boasts the length and raw speed to project nicely to corner or free safety in the Colts' scheme. Defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway would have been a second pick in most drafts but fell to the fourth because of the extraordinary talent at the position this year. Inside linebacker Antonio Morrison is a tough kid with the physicality this club, frankly, has been missing. Watch out for former North Dakota State tackle Joe Haeg to surprise, as well.
Grade: B