The Armchair Quarterback’s Guide To The NFL: Judging The Draft Classes

I Really Liked What These Teams Did:

This next tier is made up of teams that I felt had really good drafts. I considered most of them for the first tier, but they fell just a little short of the others. It’s not a knock on them, I’m a fan of what they did, but I just liked the other teams a little more.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

Unlike the Ravens and Buccaneers that really built up one side of the ball, the Steelers did a nice job of adding some players that can help on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Their first two picks (Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt) should help inject some youth on an aging defense and Dri Archer and Martavis Bryant should help add some playmakers to the offense. I also really like Daniel McCullers as a long term project at NT in the sixth round.

10. Cleveland Browns

A lot of other people would likely have the Browns higher up on their list, and I do think they did a nice job, but I’m not 100% sold. I actually think Gilbert was a bit of a reach at #8 overall and that they could have landed a better player at that spot. I do approve of them making a move for Johnny Manziel, but he’s far from a sure thing. Bitonio in the second round was a solid, but not spectacular pick and I like the value of Desir in the fourth. However, with the looming Josh Gordon suspension it sure seems like they should have taken advantage of the depth at WR in this draft. The Browns definitely made themselves a better team with this draft, but I don’t think it’s in the same league as teams like Minnesota, St. Louis, and Houston.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

A lot of draft pundits seemed to pan the Jags for taking Blake Bortles at #3 overall. I believe that if you have a chance to draft a QB that you think is THE GUY for your franchise that their is no pick “too high”. I’d rather a team reach a little and get their first choice at QB than wait and have to settle for a second or third choice. QB is just too important to mess around with. Then when you add to it the fact that they also spent their next two picks after that providing him with quality WRs in Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson (both of which were great value where they got them) and they have set him up to succeed. I think since the Jags had already added to the defense in free agency that restocking the offense early on in the draft was the way to go.

12. Atlanta Falcons

I seem to like the Falcons draft more than some others do. I think they did a great job of addressing some of their needs. They landed a much needed elite OT prospect in Jake Matthews that should help keep their franchise QB upright. If their coaching staff can get the most out of second round pick Ra’Shede Hageman they could find themselves with a Richard Seymore type player. Finally, I think Dezmen Southward and Ricardo Allen both have a chance to contribute as rookies in their secondary. Over all I think the Falcons had a really good draft.

13. Tennessee Titans

I think since people were so caught off guard by the Titans taking Taylor Lewan in the first round that they have overlooked the fact that they had a really good draft. While Lewan wasn’t the pick many expected for them, he’s a great prospect and I would be shocked if he didn’t start right away somewhere on their line. Then they added who most consider to be the best RB in the draft in Bishop Sankey to fill the void left behind by Chris Johnson. I really think their two fourth round picks (Daquan Jones and Marqueston Huff) have a chance to contribute as rookies and getting Mettenberger in the 6th round as a QB project is good value (despite his issues).

14. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles reached on their first round pick, that’s true. However, Marcus Smith is a talented pass rusher, which Philly is in need of. Plus, I think they did a great job in rounds 2-5 where they added two quality WRs (Matthews and Huff) to help on offense and three more players that can help contribute on defense (Watkins, Hart, and Reynolds). Getting six players that may be able to contribute as rookies makes for a really good draft class, even if people think the first one of those picks was a reach.

15. Buffalo Bills

The Bills paid an awfully big price tag to get the best WR in this draft in Sammy Watkins, but Watkins upside can’t be denied. The Bills top priority for this draft was to set up EJ Manuel with a better supporting cast to help him succeed. Adding what everyone assumes will be a star WR is a great first step. They also added some serious beef to their offensive line with the selections of Cyrus Kouandijo (6’7″ 322 lbs), Cyril Richardson (6’5″ 329 lbs), and Seantrel Henderson (6’7″ 331 lbs). While all three players have some kind of concerns attached to them, they all three have upside and even if just one of them pans out the Bills will be doing well for themselves. Despite what they paid to move up and get Watkins, the Bills walked away having set EJ Manuel up for success going forward and that makes this draft a win.

16. New Orleans Saints

Bottom line: I love the idea of Brandin Cooks playing in the Super Dome with Drew Brees. That’s a match made in draft heaven if I’ve ever seen one. Then they followed that selection up by taking four straight defensive prospects that I liked (Jean-Baptiste, Fortt, Sunseri, and Powell). I think Cooks has a legit shot at being the offensive rookie of the year and if they get some quality defensive depth to go along with that they’re in good shape.