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2021 NFL Draft grades: Biggest winners and losers

By Matt Lombardo

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. (Greenville)
Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. (Greenville) /
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Eric Stokes, NFL Draft
Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Eric Stokes (Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports) /

Green Bay Packers

Hours before the NFL Draft began Thursday, reports surfaced that Aaron Rodgers was so disgruntled that he wants out of Green Bay, but the Packers did very little to help the reigning MVP quarterback this weekend.

In the first-round, cornerback Eric Stokes was among the biggest reaches of the draft, because he might have been available last late as the late second-round.

Meanwhile, the Packers didn’t add a wide receiver until Amari Rodgers in Round 3.

Royce Freeman and Josh Myers will help up front, but their impact might not be significant enough to placate Rodgers, which needed to be the priority this weekend.

Grade: F

Houston Texans

Since the Houston Texans entered the 2021 NFL Draft sans a first or second-round pick, after trading them to the Miami Dolphins for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, it made hitting on the remaining selections imperative.

Houston didn’t exactly do that.

Granted, there is much uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson’s future, due to his potential personal conduct peril, as well as his frustration over ownership, but quarterback Davis Mills in Round 3 was a bit of a head-scratcher. Mills has shaky fundamentals when it comes to his footwork, but his accuracy and touch on passes — particularly back-shoulder throws — could make him a nice fit if Watson is not in Houston.

But, here’s the thing, if Watson doesn’t play this season, there is a good chance that the Texans will be picking in the top-five in 2022, ideally positioned to land the top quarterback. David Culley hitching his wagon to Mills feels like a long-ranging mistake by the Texans.

Nico Collins out of Michigan is a nice weapon in the passing game, and a possible special teams contributor. Collins did average 6.2 yards after the catch per reception, which could make him a nice outside target for Watson or Mills, but he’s a cut below some of the premier receivers in this class.

If the Texans aimed to placate Watson’s concerns over how they’ve built around him, this wasn’t the way to do it.

Grade: F-

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL

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