The NFL Draft ended over the weekend, and here is how every AFC team graded:
Baltimore Ravens—A-
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 31: A general view of the Baltimore Ravens logo during training camp at M&T Bank Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
S Malaki Starks and Edge Mike Green will bring a ton of nastiness to the Ravens defense.
Buffalo Bills—A-
Buffalo’s first five picks were on the defensive side. All should see playing time and CB Maxwell Hairston will likely start in Week 1.
Cincinnati Bengals—B-
CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 15: A detail view of a Cincinnati Bengals logo during an offseason workout at Paycor Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Edge Shemar Stewart will help the pass rush and LBs Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter should find plenty of playing time right away.
Cleveland Browns—D
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 8: A detailed view of a Cleveland Browns logo against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 8, 2011 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 14-3. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Why did they need to draft two quarterbacks, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders? Why add RB Dylan Sampson so soon after taking RB Quinshon Judkins? Why add a TE when David Njoku is an emerging star? Too many questions for a team with many needs.
Denver Broncos—C
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 18: A general view of the Denver Broncos logo on the sidelines during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
CB Jahdae Barron is a potential star and RB R.J. Harvey will get some key touches, but the rest of the draft was underwhelming.
Houston Texans—B+
Houston added both Iowa State WRs (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel) to give C.J. Stroud more weapons. RB Woody Marks could be a terrific 3rd down receiving back out of the backfield.
Indianapolis Colts—C+
INDIANAPOLIS – DECEMBER 22: Indianapolis Colts logo at mid-field at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts football team on December 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
TE Tyler Warren is an immediate starter and CB Justin Walley will help the secondary. RB D.J. Giddens will be the likely backup to Jonathan Taylor.
Jacksonville Jaguars—B+
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 27: A Jacksonville Jaguars logo is seen at TIAA Bank Field during a game against the Chicago Bears on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Jacksonville’s draft hinges on how good Travis Hunter turns out to be. RB Bhayshul Tuten could be in line for a lot of 3rd down opportunities.
Kansas City Chiefs—B+
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 29: A detail of the Kansas City Chiefs logo on a helmet prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
OT Josh Simmons could be one of the standouts of this draft class. WR Jalen Royals and RB Brashard Smith are sneaky good value picks.
Las Vegas Raiders—A
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 10: A team logo is shown above the entrance at the 336,000-square-foot Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center under construction on June 10, 2020 in Henderson, Nevada. The site will serve as the team’s practice facility and will include three outdoor football fields, a 150,000-square-foot field house with one-and-a-half indoor football fields, a three-story office area, and a 50,000-square-foot performance center. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Las Vegas added three immediate starters in RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Jack Bech, and CB Darien Porter.
Los Angeles Chargers—B+
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 7: A general view of the Los Angeles Chargers logo in the end zone from an elevated position before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
RB Omarion Hampton and WR Tre Harris should see a ton of playing time right away.
Miami Dolphins—C-
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of the Miami Dolphins throwback logo midfield prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
DT Kenneth Grant has a chance to be an impact player, but the rest of the draft class is lacking star power.
New England Patriots—A+
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 08: A detail of the New England Patriots logo on the field during the game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
An outstanding first draft for Head Coach Mike Vrabel. OT Will Campbell will be the key protector for Drake Maye, and both RB TreVeyon Henderson and WR Kyle Williams should have a chance for meaningful snaps.
New York Jets—B
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 9: A close up of a New York Jets logo prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on November 9, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
OT Armand Membou and TE Mason Taylor should be immediate starters.
Pittsburgh Steelers—B+
DT Derrick Harmon and Edge Jack Sawyer have the potential to be impact players on defense. RB Kaleb Johnson will likely take over the Najee Harris role in the backfield. QB Will Howard is a nice late stash.
Tennessee Titans—A
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 27: The Tennessee Titans logo at the 50-yard line prior to NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Nissan Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Nashville, . (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Not only did Tennessee add franchise QB Cam Ward it also added numerous players on both offense and defense who have very high Football IQs.
