NFL Draft grades: Cowboys, Buccaneers get high marks
Buffalo Bills: B
The Bills didn’t have a pick in Round 1 after the Stefon Diggs trade. Coming back on Day Two and grabbing A.J. Epenesa could give them first round value. He’s a heavy-handed pass rusher who needs to work on his speed and explosion from the outside.
Zack Moss was not a good value in the third round. He’s a bruising running back, but his lack of speed is a serious concern. The Bills could have done better at that spot in the draft.
Jake Fromm will enter training camp with a big name, but he lacks the arm strength to be anything more than a backup quarterback. The Bills had a great offseason but there isn’t anything special about this draft class.
Miami Dolphins: A-
The Dolphins stayed at No. 5 and got the quarterback they needed. Tua Tagovailoa may have a risky medical history, but he was the right choice for Miami in Round 1.
After that, the Dolphins prioritized the right positions but didn’t necessarily pick the right prospects. Austin Jackson was a reach at No. 18. The same can be said for Robert Hunt in Round 2. Both will be expected to start right away on Miami’s offensive line.
The Dolphins deserve plaudits for nabbing Noah Igbinoghene at No. 30. He’ll give them a really good option at slot corner as a rookie. Miami quietly has one of the best cornerback trios in the NFL.
Curtis Weaver in Round 5 could turn out to be the Dolphins’ most valuable pick outside of Tagovailoa. He’s got real juice off the edge. It might take him a season or two to adjust to the competition he’ll face in the NFL, but he’s got a chance to grow into a valuable sack artist.
This draft is all about Tagovailoa for the Dolphins. They could’ve done a little bit better after hitting on him at No. 5, but it’s a pretty good class on the whole.
New England Patriots: D
It’s dangerous to bet against Bill Belichick but this was a really weird draft for the Patriots. Kyle Dugger might pay off as their top pick but no one else was going to draft him as high as New England did. In other words, he didn’t give the team great value.
Josh Uche has a chance to be a good player, but he wasn’t the sort of prospect the Patriots should have traded up to get. Selecting two tight ends in Round 3 helps address a position of need for New England, but neither Devin Asiasi or Dalton Keene projects to be anything special.
Both Justin Herron and Michael Onwenu have some potential to work with, but neither should have been selected any higher than Round 6. Add it all up and it’s a really bizarre class for New England. That doesn’t bode well for its chances of helping the franchise with life after Tom Brady.
New York Jets: A-
The Jets smartly ignored questions about Mekhi Becton’s weight and nabbed him at No. 11. He’s got a chance to develop into an absolute star at tackle.
New York also nailed really strong value with their next three picks. Denzel Mims may never grow into a No. 1 wideout but he’ll help Sam Darnold right away. Ashtyn Davis isn’t the most physical safety in the world, but his elite speed gives him a chance to excel in coverage. Jabari Zuniga struggled with injuries at Florida but he’s a nice lottery ticket late in the middle of Round 3.
The class grade goes up by finding good value on Day 3. La’Mical Perine is a talented running back who can really help add some physicality to the Jets’ offense. Bryce Hall dropped to Round 5 due to concerns about his speed, but he does everything else you want to see from a cornerback. This group might not be full of big names but it will really help add valuable depth to the Jets’ roster.