Biggest Winners: Los Angeles Chargers
This year's unconventional draft process saw many veteran GM's veer away from their traditional strategies. In the case of Tom Telesco, that meant selecting high floor prospects at positions of need throughout instead of routinely pulling the trigger on guys with raw athletic traits and not much else-regardless of position. That change in approach resulted in what might just be the most exciting rookie class Telesco has assembled during his time with the Chargers. Rashawn Slater is one of the most technically-sound and versatile offensive line prospects to come out of the draft in the past 5 years, Asante Samuel Jr. has the speed, technique and ball skills to be a starting slot corner who can kick outside when called upon, Josh Palmer was one of the most intriguing sleeper receiver prospects in this draft given what he was able to do with his very limited opportunities in a poor Tennessee offense and every one of their day 3 picks (edge rusher Chris Rumph, tackle Brenden Jaimes, running back Larry Rountree III, inside linebacker Nick Niemann) should have a chance to immediately contribute as rotational players.
Honorable Mentions: Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans
Biggest Losers: Houston Texans
Given the continued hemorrhaging of assets from the Laremy Tunsil trade paired with the additional moving of late round picks to bring in the steady-ish veteran pieces (Shaq Lawson, Marcus Cannon, Ryan Izzo) that they couldn't land in free agency, the Texans weren't exactly set up to have a great draft. Even with that established low bar in place, Nick Caserio came out and put together such an embarrassing effort that it was reasonable to wonder if Bill O'Brien was still secretly running the front office. Selecting Davis Mills-an iffy, inexperienced passer with an extensive list of injuries whose stock is being propped up because he was highly recruited out of high school- as a potential successor to the embattled Deshaun Watson and burning even more of their limited draft assets (3 picks including next year's 4th rounder) to move up to pick a deep threat WR in Nico Collins who struggled to consistently gain separation at the college level alone re-confirmed that this team is currently a certified clown show that makes the Jets, Bengals and Washington Football Team look like model organizations.
Dishonorable Mentions: Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints
Best Value Pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, inside linebacker (Selected 52nd overall by the Cleveland Browns)
The size concerns (he weighed in at 220 lbs at his pro day) that sent Owusu-Koramoah tumbling down the board are absolutely absurd. He was always projected to be a Shaq Thompson/Jeremy Chinn-type hybrid linebacker/defensive back in the pros and since he's not going to line up with his hand in the dirt, his "thin" frame isn't going to have any effect on the player he ends up becoming in the NFL. Considering the rare instinctiveness, speed and cover skills he possesses, he could very well turn into a versatile weapon on the Browns emerging defense
Honorable Mentions: Christian Darrisaw, tackle (Selected 23rd overall by the Minnesota Vikings), Christian Barmore, defensive tackle (Selected 38th overall by the New England Patriots), Azezz Ojulari, edge rusher (Selected 50th overall by the New York Giants
Worst Value Pick: Alex Leatherwood, tackle (Selected 17th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders)
From Clelin Ferrell to Damon Arnette to Jonathan Abram, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden's tenure as the Raiders personnel braintrust has been defined by overdrafting players. Once their reported top 1st round target Alijah Vera-Tucker got picked by the Jets at #14, they naturally bypassed the other higher-upside lineman available (Christian Darrisaw, Teven Jenkins, Samuel Cosmi) and reverted to embracing their brand. Despite being a dominant run blocker and cutting his teeth in the powerhouse SEC as a member of the juggernaut Alabama Crimson Tide, Leatherwood's inconsistency as a pass blocker and questionable athleticism for the position made him a consensus mid-2nd round pick-meaning the Raiders could've almost certainly gotten him with their next pick (#48th overall prior to trading up to #42 to land Trevon Moehrig) and addressed another of their pressing needs (wide receiver, corner, defensive tackle) at #17.
Dishonorable Mentions: Aaron Banks, guard (Selected 48th overall by the San Francisco 49ers), Dayo Odeyingbo, edge rusher (Selected 54th overall by the Indianapolis Colts), Tutu Atwell, wide receiver (Selected 57th overall by the Los Angeles Rams)
Top Undrafted Player: Ar'darius Washington, safety (Signed by the Baltimore Ravens)
Although a bit undersized (5'8, 178 lbs), Washington was among the toughest and most instinctive safeties available in this year's draft. I really like his chances of making the roster in Baltimore and wouldn't be remotely surprised if he ends up turning into a solid pro under the tutelage of Don Martindale and Chris Hewitt.
Honorable Mentions: Cade Johnson, wide receiver (Signed by the Seattle Seahawks), Marvin Wilson, defensive tackle (Signed by the Cleveland Browns), Drake Jackson, center (Signed by the Detroit Lions)
Team-by-Team Grades (Full Draft Classes can be found be here:https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-final-quick-snap-grades-for-all-32-teams)
Arizona Cardinals: B
Atlanta Falcons: B+
Baltimore Ravens: A-
Buffalo Bills: B+
Carolina Panthers: A-
Chicago Bears: A
Cincinnati Bengals: A-
Cleveland Browns: A-
Dallas Cowboys: B
Denver Broncos: A
Detroit Lions: A-
Green Bay Packers: D+
Houston Texans: D-
Indianapolis Colts: D+
Jacksonville Jaguars: B-
Kansas City Chiefs: A-
Las Vegas Raiders: B
Los Angeles Chargers: A
Los Angeles Rams: C
Miami Dolphins: B-
Minnesota Vikings: B-
New England Patriots: B+
New Orleans Saints: C-
New York Giants: B+
New York Jets: A-
Philadelphia Eagles: A-
Pittsburgh Steelers: B
San Francisco 49ers: C+
Seattle Seahawks: C+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C
Tennessee Titans: A
Washington Football Team: A-
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