Russ Lande breaks down his top four classes from the 2016 NFL draft.
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Jalen Ramsey (Florida State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the number five overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre.
(Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski, USA TODAY Sports)
None of the 253 players drafted in the past three days have even stepped onto the practice field with their new teams, so it’s certainly too early to tell exactly how any of them will do in the NFL.
But that’s not going to stop us from judging each team, all of whom spent the weekend working to improve their rosters.
We grouped teams in descending order by grade. How did your favorite team fare?
Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: A
Analysis: Jacksonville’s hot offseason continued through the draft. The Jags managed to snag defensive back Jalen Ramsey, whom many considered to be the draft’s best defensive player, at No. 5, and still land linebacker Myles Jack in the second round. Jack might be a long-term medical risk with concerns about his knee, but right now it’s fun to imagine this revamped defense that also includes 2015 first-round defensive end Dante Fowler, who missed his entire rookie year.
Minnesota Vikings
Grade: A
Analysis: It’s hard to find fault with any of the early draft picks. Mississippi WR Laquon Treadwell fills a need on offense and should be a nice complement to Stefon Diggs, while Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander could contribute immediately in nickel packages. The most surprising pick came Saturday afternoon in German WR Moritz Boehringer, who is the first European player drafted into the NFL without playing in the NCAA.
Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: A-
Analysis: Houston CB William Jackson III didn’t fill a direct need in the first round, but teams cannot have enough good corners in today’s NFL. Jackson looks like a player who should immediately improve the secondary. Baylor DT Andrew Billings is an interesting third-day addition in the fourth round. Even if he can’t play all three downs, he looks like a stud on run plays.
Baltimore Ravens
Grade: B+
Analysis: This felt like a very classic Ozzie Newsome draft, which is a good thing. The Ravens got one of the draft’s best offensive tackles at No. 6 with Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley. But the best two picks might have been on Friday, when they added DE/LB Kamalei Correa and DE Bronson Kafusi to reinvigorate the pass rush. The most interesting pick came Saturday with the selection of Navy QB Keenan Reynolds, who has said he intends to serve a two-year military commitment before starting an NFL career playing a new position.
Chicago Bears
Grade: B+
Analysis: The Bears did a good job addressing their many needs, especially with their first-rounder, Georgia LB Leonard Floyd, who fits the profile of the type of pass rusher coach John Fox loves to coach. By the time the draft was over, the Bears added at least one player to every position group on defense, which should help the team rebuild its depth.
Denver Broncos
Grade: B+
Analysis: Give John Elway plenty of credit for the way he played this quarterback situation. Though a battle between Mark Sanchez and Memphis’ Paxton Lynch, whom Denver traded up to No. 26 to select, is far from ideal for the defending Super Bowl champions, Lynch is a good long-term prospect and a far better bargain than any of the veterans the Broncos pursued. Denver also addressed needs on the second day with Georgia Tech DL Adam Gotsis and Boston College S Justin Simmons, helping fill voids left in free agency.
Houston Texans
Grade: B+
Analysis: Houston is clearly trying to do everything it can to help new starting quarterback Brock Osweiler. Notre Dame WR Will Fuller should stretch the field working opposite DeAndre Hopkins. But two of the best picks might end up being interior OL Nick Martin, who has an NFL pedigree as the brother of Cowboys OL Zack Martin, and WR Braxton Miller, who doesn’t appear close to reaching his potential yet at that new position.
Miami Dolphins
Grade: B+
Analysis: The Dolphins might have landed the steal of the first round thanks to Mississippi OT Laremy Tunsil’s bizarre first-round fall. Now the Dolphins face questions on where to play him, as he will continue to have to deal with some complicated off-field baggage. But he immediately improves the offensive line, and Miami gets credit for also addressing other major needs: cornerback (Baylor’s Xavien Howard in the second round) and running back (Alabama’s Kenyan Drake in the third).
Seattle Seahawks
Grade: B+
Analysis: The Seahawks had no choice but to address their offensive line, and they did so with the final pick of the first round with Texas A&M’s Germain Ifedi. It’s also interesting to note they drafted two running backs, Notre Dame’s C.J. Prosise and Arkansas’ Alex Collins, who will join 2015 undrafted rookie Thomas Rawls in trying to replace Marshawn Lynch.
Arizona Cardinals
Grade: B
Analysis: If DT Robert Nkemdiche landed with nearly any other team, the pick probably would have earned a low grade. But not for the Cardinals. This is a perfect fit for both the team, which desperately needed pass rush help, and the player, who lands in a strong locker room full of leaders and big personalities. The Cardinals also addressed a weakness on the offensive line by drafting two linemen, including a future starting center in Evan Boehm from Missouri.
Cleveland Browns
Grade: B
Analysis: Two years ago, the Browns were hammered for not taking a single receiver despite a glaring need there. So to be fair, we should probably praise Cleveland for taking five over the weekend (though the team lists Princeton’s Seth Devalve as a tight end). Now the question is if Cleveland opted for quantity over quality, and how many of those draftees will even make the 53-man roster. The Browns also gambled on USC QB Cody Kessler in the third round, but Hue Jackson’s track record with passers should give the organization the initial benefit of the doubt on the selection.
Indianapolis Colts
Grade: B
Analysis: GM Ryan Grigson had to hit on this draft after a disastrous 2015 season, and he deserves some credit for acknowledging and addressing the offensive line and Andrew Luck’s protection. First-round pick center Ryan Kelly of Alabama looks like a Day 1 starter, so that’s a good first step, as was picking up two more offensive tackles.
Los Angeles Rams
Grade: B
Analysis: This is a boom-or-bust draft class for GM Les Snead and coach Jeff Fisher. Right now, the Rams have to be judged on the needs they filled – and they got their favorite quarterback at No. 1 with Jared Goff after trading a big haul of draft picks to move up 14 spots. The long-term success of this class will all hinge on if that was the right pick. The team was wise to give Goff additional weapons by selecting a pair of tight ends and two wide receivers.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: B
Analysis: The Steelers had to improve their pass defense, and using their first two picks on defensive backs is a solid start. Both Miami’s Artie Burns and Maryland’s Sean Davis are at least 6-0, which gives that secondary some size.
Tennessee Titans
Grade: B
Analysis: The Titans made the most of the draft haul they got from the Rams in exchange for moving back from the No. 1 spot. Picking Michigan State OT Jack Conkin at No. 8 after another trade was a safe move, and the Titans may have gotten a steal in the second round with Clemson DE Kevin Dodd. The most confusing pick may have been the second-round pick of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Alabama RB Derrick Henry. Henry playing with QB Marcus Mariota might sound appealing, but what does it mean for DeMarco Murray?
New York Giants
Grade: B-
Analysis: The Giants made two smart picks early with Ohio State CB Eli Apple, who still has plenty of room to grow, and Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard. The Giants need to protect themselves in case WR Victor Cruz never returns to full health and help take some of the pressure off Odell Beckham Jr. Shepard should help do both.
Oakland Raiders
Grade: B-
Analysis: The secondary still needed help, and Oakland got the draft’s best safety at No. 14 overall in West Virginia’s Karl Joseph. Moving up in the fourth round to draft Michigan State QB Connor Cook is a sign GM Reggie McKenzie hasn’t forgotten his Green Bay roots. While this isn’t an ideal situation for Cook, who will now be competing for a backup job, it’s a long-game move for the Raiders.
Atlanta Falcons
Grade: C
Analysis: You can see the influence of Dan Quinn in his second draft as the head coach, especially with the first two picks: big-hitting S Keanu Neal from Florida and LSU’s Deion Jones, a speedy, undersized LB who can be used in a variety of ways. Though the Falcons drafted a Stanford TE Austin Hooper in the third round, they did little else to upgrade the offense.
Buffalo Bills
Grade: C
Analysis: Rex Ryan’s defense underperformed in his first year in Buffalo, and the Bills used their first three picks there with Clemson DE Shaq Lawson, Alabama LB Reggie Ragland and Ohio State DT Adolphus Washington. The development of Ohio State QB Cardale Jones, the fourth-round pick, could be an important subplot for this class.
Detroit Lions
Grade: C
Analysis: The first two picks weren’t too sexy – Ohio State OT Taylor Decker in the first, and Alabama DT A’Shawn Robsinson in the second – but the Lions definitely needed help in the trenches. They built depth on the final day of the draft with six picks in Rounds 5-7, but it’s hard to project how any of those late picks will perform.
Green Bay Packers
Grade: C
Analysis: Old-school football fans will love this draft class. Of the seven picks, only one is a skill position player (fifth-round WR Trevor Davis from Cal). But Green Bay filled some needs, especially in adding UCLA DT Kenny Clark in the first round to help replace the recently retired B.J. Raji.
New England Patriots
Grade: C
Analysis: Former Patriots RB Kevin Faulk gave Tom Brady a shoutout when making the second-round pick of North Carolina State OL Joe Thuney, but Brady likely would have liked to see the Patriots add even more depth up front after the beating he took late last season. North Carolina State QB Jacoby Brissett, taken in the third round, is an interesting pick. Will he challenge Jimmy Garoppolo to be Brady’s backup?
San Diego Chargers
Grade: C
Analysis: Defensive coordinator John Pagano has to like this class, but how do you think QB Philip Rivers feels about it? The defense is now better and deeper, thanks a pair of Ohio State players in DE Joey Bosa and LB Joshua Perry. But other than drafting USC center Max Tuerk, the Chargers did little in the draft to improve their ability to protect Rivers.
Washington Redskins
Grade: C
Analysis: Washington’s first-round pick, Texas Christian WR Josh Doctson, might wind up as the best receiver in this class, and he’ll certainly help Kirk Cousins right away. Other highlights included Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller, who may have been a value in the fourth round despite his knee injury, and seventh-round Georgia RB Keith Marshall, who could flourish in Jay Gruden’s offense.
Kansas City Chiefs
Grade: C-
Analysis: This might be one of those classes that will look better in a couple years, since there wasn’t a single sexy pick that was a complete need-value fit. But Mississippi State DT Chris Jones gives the Chiefs more depth up front (and protection in case Dontari Poe winds up eventually leaving in free agency), and the Chiefs might have found a new backup for QB Alex Smith in Stanford’s Kevin Hogan. That pick is not good news for 2014 draft pick Aaron Murray.
New York Jets
Grade: C-
Analysis: The Jets seem to love Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg more than the masses do, but right now picking him early in the second round seems like a gamble. New York did well in taking Ohio State LB Darron Lee in the first, however. He shouldn’t have to leave the field in Todd Bowles’ defense.
San Francisco 49ers
Grade: C-
Analysis: The Niners needed depth at just about every position, and they used this draft to load up on corners (taking one each in the third and fourth rounds) and offensive linemen (three of them). But the biggest takeaway from the 49ers this weekend is that they’ll be moving forward this season with Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert as the top two quarterbacks after waiting until the sixth round to take a quarterback — Louisiana Tech’s Jeff Driskell.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: C-
Analysis: Even if Florida State’s Roberto Aguayo is the second coming of Stephen Gostkowski, it’s hard to give a high grade to a team that traded up into the second round to draft a kicker. The Bucs seem to have made a solid value pick in the first round with Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves, and they filled a need at pass rusher with Eastern Kentucky DE Noah Spence in the second.
Carolina Panthers
Grade: D
Analysis: It’s hard to fault them for selecting CBs after letting Josh Norman go in April, but using three of the first four picks (out of only five total) to address the position? That seems like a risky move given their needs on offense, especially along the line.
Dallas Cowboys
Grade: D
Analysis: Jerry Jones will love this draft class. Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott will be exciting and sell lots of jerseys, and drafting Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith early in the second round was one of the best feel-good moments of the weekend given the uncertainty surrounding the star defender after his significant knee injury. But how much closer are the Cowboys to winning now? Dallas finally addressed its glaring need for a pass rusher early in the fourth round with Oklahoma’s Charles Tapper, but that might be too little, too late.
New Orleans Saints
Grade: D
Analysis: The Saints had just five picks to make, and they didn’t seem to directly address their needs, especially at cornerback or pass rusher. Ohio State WR Michael Thomas should immediately help improve the receiving corps, however.
Philadelphia Eagles
Grade: D
Analysis: The Eagles got the quarterback they wanted in North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz, but how much better are the Eagles now? Starter Sam Bradford reportedly is unhappy after the team traded up so that it could draft Wentz, who doesn’t arrive in the NFL without questions.
Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.
VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLBest classes of the 2016 NFL draft | 02:03
Russ Lande breaks down his top four classes from the 2016 NFL draft.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLWorst classes of the 2016 NFL draft | 02:30
Russ Lande breaks down his worst four classes from the 2016 NFL draft.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLTop steals of the 2016 NFL draft | 01:14
Russ Lande breaks down three late-round picks that could end up being among the best players taken in the 2016 NFL draft.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLTop potential busts of the 2016 NFL draft | 01:51
Russ Lande explains which high picks from the 2016 draft could turn out to be big disappointments.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLThe moment an NFL prospect learns he’s been drafted | 05:10
San Jose State running back Tyler Ervin celebrates at home with family after getting call from the Houston Texans that they were drafting him in the fourth round.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLTop five prospects for the 2017 NFL draft | 02:00
With the 2016 NFL draft in the books, Russ Lande looks ahead with his players for next year.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFL2016 NFL draft: Rounds 2 and 3 winners, losers | 01:25
Russ Lande gives his winners and losers of the second day of the 2016 NFL draft.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLSecond and third round steals from the NFL draft | 01:06
Russ Lande looks at which teams got the best deals on Day 2 of the NFL draft.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLJaguars draft Myles Jack in second round | 00:35
After falling to the second round, Myles Jack was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 36th overall pick.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFL2016 NFL draft: Round 1 winners and losers | 01:48
Russ Lande gives his winners and losers of the first round of the 2016 NFL draft.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFL2016 NFL draft: First round surprises | 01:17
Russ Lande gives his biggest surprise picks from the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLFirst round steals from the NFL draft | 01:49
Russ Lande breaks down the teams who got the best deal in round one of the NFL Draft.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLBrady Quinn describes what’s next for NFL draftees | 02:20
Former quarterback Brady Quinn talks about what the 2016 NFL draft class can expect in their adjustment from college.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLDallas Cowboys draft RB Ezekiel Elliott | 00:27
With the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Ezekiel Elliott, the running back from Ohio State University.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLJacksonville Jaguars draft CB Jalen Ramsey | 00:00
With the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Jalen Ramsey, the cornerback from Florida State University.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLSan Diego Chargers draft DE Joey Bosa | 00:29
With the third overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the San Diego Chargers selected Joey Bosa, the defensive end from Ohio State University.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLPhiladelphia Eagles draft QB Carson Wentz | 00:31
With the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Carson Wentz, the quarterback from North Dakota State.
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VIDEO PLAYLIST: LATEST FROM THE NFLLos Angeles Rams draft QB Jared Goff | 00:43
With the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the L.A. Rams selected Jared Goff, the quarterback from California.
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit has ruled to reinstate Patriots QB’s suspension for his alleged involvement in Deflategate.
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon’s petition for reinstatement was denied by the NFL on Tuesday.
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White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest released a statement in regards to Saints head coach’s comments after the shooting death of former Saint Will Smith.
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Last VideoNext Video
Best classes of the 2016 NFL draft
Worst classes of the 2016 NFL draft
Top steals of the 2016 NFL draft
Top potential busts of the 2016 NFL draft
The moment an NFL prospect learns he’s been drafted
Top five prospects for the 2017 NFL draft
2016 NFL draft: Rounds 2 and 3 winners, losers
Second and third round steals from the NFL draft
Jaguars draft Myles Jack in second round
2016 NFL draft: Round 1 winners and losers
2016 NFL draft: First round surprises
First round steals from the NFL draft
Brady Quinn describes what’s next for NFL draftees
Dallas Cowboys draft RB Ezekiel Elliott
Jacksonville Jaguars draft CB Jalen Ramsey
San Diego Chargers draft DE Joey Bosa
Philadelphia Eagles draft QB Carson Wentz
Los Angeles Rams draft QB Jared Goff
Tom Brady’s four-game suspension reinstated
<img class="vgm-thumb-image" src="http://videos.usatoday.net/Brightcove2/29906170001/2016/04/29906170001_4843011152001_4842992709001-th.jpg?pubId=2990617000