2021 NFL Draft grades: Biggest winners and losers
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts solved their post-Andrew Luck quarterback conundrum, they hope, after trading for Carson Wentz earlier this offseason and set out during the NFL Draft to fortify their defense to better their chances at besting the Tennessee Titans and Chiefs in 2021 and beyond.
Pairing Michigan’s Kwity Paye and Vanderbilt’s Dayo Odeyingbo is how you fortify a defense and lay the groundwork for a dominant pass rush.
Paye was one of the highest-graded edge rushers in this year’s class, thanks to his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and ability to be a three-down player. In two seasons as a starter in Ann Arbor, Paye produced 8.5 sacks and 49 pressures. That will be a welcomed addition along Indianapolis’ front-seven.
Grade: B
Washington Football Team
The Washington Football team already boasted one of the more swarming front-sevens in the NFL and got even better up front in Round 1.
Jamin Davis is one of the highest-graded linebackers in this class, thanks to his physical gifts, explosiveness, and the fact that he has instincts that give him the potential to be a field-general.
Washington also solidified the offensive line, taking Texas’ Samuel Cosmi in Round 2, who has the chance to step in immediately and start after allowing only three pressures and two sacks in 2020.