Analysis: Cruz to the Bears

Yesterday, the Chicago Bears signed WR Victor Cruz to a one-year, $2 million deal.

Cruz joins Kendall Wright, Markus Wheaton and ex-teammate Rueben Randle as a veteran flier in the Bears' Alshon Jeffery-less receiver corps.

Returning from a torn patellar tendon, Cruz somehow averaged 15.0 yards per catch last season, but it didn't show up on film.

Cruz no longer offers legitimate play-making ability. It's not a guarantee he makes the 53-man roster.

The 6-foot, 204-pounder spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Giants from 2010-16, catching 303 passes for 4,549 yards and 25 touchdowns while playing in 70 games with 53 starts.

Garrett could share DE spot with Ogbah

DE Myles Garrett was the first overall pick by the Browns in 2017. But with Cleveland having the best player of last year's draft class at their disposal also in the DE spot, it could limit Garrett's playing time.

Garrett recorded 143 sacks (82 solo, 61 assisted), and 32.5 sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M.

Cleveland has DE Emmanuel Ogbah at their disposal, who showed that he was one lf the best of tbe 2016 draft class in his rookie season with Cleveland. It will be interesting to see who Cleveland will consider their starting defensive end.

Draft 2017: NFC Draft Grades

By EVAN SILVA
Rotoworld

The 2017 NFL draft concluded Saturday evening. Rotoworld blurbed every single selection, picks No. 1 (Myles Garrett) through 253 (Chad Kelly). You can click on the linked players’ names here or use our search engine in the top right-hand corner of this page to access our in-depth rookie writeups.

After a grueling three days, we'll put the finishing touches on our intensive draft coverage with post-draft grades. Here they are for the NFC.

Arizona Cardinals

1 (13). Temple LB Haason Reddick
2 (36). Washington DB Budda Baker
3 (98). Grambling WR Chad Williams
4 (115). Pittsburgh OG Dorian Johnson
5 (157). Vanderbilt OT Will Holden
5 (179). North Carolina KR T.J. Logan
6 (208). Auburn S Johnathan Ford

Overview: After getting leapfrogged for this year’s top quarterback prospects ahead of the 13th pick, the Cardinals settled for versatile EDGE/ILB Reddick, then surprisingly traded up for similarly versatile Baker, whose game mimics Tyrann Mathieu as a playmaking slot corner-safety. Moving up nine spots for Baker cost Arizona the Nos. 119 and 197 picks, in addition to a 2018 fourth-rounder. While I like Baker as a player, I did not think he was worth that price. Williams was not invited to the Combine, but his athleticism and production profiles suggest he’s an intriguing sleeper. I still thought he was a reach in the third round, although GM Steve Keim has a strong track record nailing prospects from smaller schools. Johnson was widely regarded as a top-three guard prospect in this draft, yet fell due to a liver condition. Holden is a short-armed tackle with swingman potential. Logan and Ford are special teamers. Ultimately, this was a meat-and-potatoes draft with minimal flash. Reddick and Baker are the only likely year-one contributors, even if neither is a safe bet to start.

Grade: C+

Atlanta Falcons

1 (26). UCLA DE Takk McKinley
3 (75). LSU LB Duke Riley
4 (136). Oregon State T/G Sean Harlow
5 (149). San Diego State CB Damontae Kazee
5 (156). Wyoming RB Brian Hill
5 (174). Drake TE Eric Saubert

Overview: Falcons LG Andy Levitre should be included in this haul after Atlanta acquired him for late-round picks in 2016 and 2017. Seemingly dead set on trading up all day Thursday, the Falcons finally found a partner at No. 26, sending Seattle the Nos. 31, 90, and 226 picks in exchange for just a five-spot climb to nab high-ceiling pass rusher McKinley. In a day-two deal with Buffalo, Atlanta turned the No. 63 pick into athletic ‘backer Riley, No. 149, and No. 156. Riley will focus on special teams initially, although he fits the Falcons’ second-level defensive profile and could very well eventually push to start. Even as a fourth-round pick, Harlow could conceivably start at right guard as a rookie. Kazee was an incredibly dynamic playmaking boundary corner in the Mountain West Conference. He will likely have to learn to play slot cornerback and special teams in Atlanta. Hill and Saubert were athletic fifth-round dart throws with some developmental potential. The Falcons have annually crushed the draft since Scott Pioli joined the front office. While this group was low on quantity, I liked its makeup for a team with very few needs.

Grade: C

Carolina Panthers

1 (8). Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey
2 (40). Ohio State WR/RB Curtis Samuel
2 (64). Western Michigan OT Taylor Moton
3 (77). Texas A&M DE Daeshon Hall
5 (152). Miami (FL) CB Corn Elder
6 (192). West Georgia FB Alexander Armah
7 (233). Georgia Tech K Harrison Butker

Overview: While the Panthers got a good player at No. 8, all the pre-draft smoke connecting McCaffrey to Carolina suggests there’s a leak in GM Dave Gettleman’s building. Gettleman picked up McCaffrey insurance in round two, selecting a rawer but more straight-line-explosive version in 4.31 burner Samuel. Late second-rounder Moton is a legitimate candidate to start at right tackle in year one and could prove one of the bigger steals in an otherwise talent-bereft O-Line draft. In a round-three trade with Arizona, jumping 21 spots for underrated edge player Hall cost Carolina its fourth-round pick. Elder projects as an early special teamer and eventual slot corner. He’s a better prospect than last year’s fifth-rounder Zack Sanchez, who was drafted for a similar role. I don’t know who Armah is. The Butker pick puts Graham Gano on notice after Gano went through some miserable stretches last year. Overall, I really liked Gettleman’s first four selections and think Elder has a chance to prove a fifth-round steal.

Grade: B

Chicago Bears

1 (2). North Carolina QB Mitchell Trubisky
2 (45). Ashland TE Adam Shaheen
4 (112). Alabama S Eddie Jackson
4 (119). North Carolina A&T RB Tarik Cohen
5 (147). Kutztown OG Jordan Morgan

Overview: The Bears’ extremely ill-advised, desperation-driven one-spot climb for Trubisky cost them pick Nos. 67, 111, and a 2018 third-rounder. At UNC, Trubisky spent two years backing up Marquise Williams, who couldn’t beat out “Joe Callahan” as a Packers camp arm last year. In round two, Chicago dropped from No. 36 to 45 to add Nos. 119, 197, and a 2018 fourth-rounder. They wasted No. 45 on D-2 Frankenstein lookalike Shaheen. Ballhawking safety Jackson was my favorite Bears pick, although Jackson enters the NFL with significant injury concerns, and moving up for him cost Chicago the No. 197 pick in exchange for just a five-spot climb. Fellow fourth-rounder Cohen is a fun guy to watch, but he has almost no chance to make an NFL offensive impact at 5-foot-7, 179. Remember Garrett Wolfe? 60% of the Bears’ draft came from sub-Division-1 schools. Ultimately, the class will pay off if Trubisky turns into a franchise quarterback. Yet there is absolutely no way 13 college starts provide enough evidence to suggest Trubisky is a good-probability bet. It’s more likely that this was the worst draft in the entire league.

Grade: F

Dallas Cowboys

1 (28). Michigan DE Taco Charlton
2 (60). Colorado CB Chidobe Awuzie
3 (92). Michigan CB Jourdan Lewis
4 (133). North Carolina WR Ryan Switzer
6 (191). Louisiana Tech S Xavier Woods
6 (216). Florida State CB Marquez White
7 (228). Florida DT Joey Ivie
7 (239). Ohio State WR Noah Brown
7 (246). Colorado DT Jordan Carrell

Overview: While I wouldn’t bet against him exceeding expectations under masterful DC Rod Marinelli, Charlton doesn’t profile as the impact edge rusher Dallas desperately needs with average athleticism on a five-technique frame. VP Stephen Jones openly admitted the Cowboys did not have a first-round grade on Charlton. Round two brought a value pick in likely Week 1 starting corner Awuzie. Friday night’s selection of feisty slot CB Lewis may make Orlando Scandrick expendable. Switzer was a solid fourth-round pick and offers special teams value, although his skill set is redundant with Cole Beasley. One of the draft’s best day-three moves had Dallas grabbing Woods at No. 191 after trading its 2018 fifth-rounder to the Jets. A great athlete and on-ball playmaker, Woods belonged in the fourth round, if not the third. White is a converted basketball player who allowed only two career touchdown passes in the ACC. Ivie has an outside chance to be a rotational contributor. Fellow seventh-round fliers Brown and Carrell struggled to produce at the college level. I think the Cowboys made some good picks here, particularly in rounds two through six. The obvious reach for Charlton lowers their draft grade.

Grade: C-

Detroit Lions

1 (21). Florida LB Jarrad Davis
2 (53). Florida CB Teez Tabor
3 (96). Northern Illinois WR Kenny Golladay
4 (124). Tennessee OLB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
4 (127). Toledo TE Michael Roberts
5 (165). San Diego CB Jamal Agnew
6 (205). Arkansas DE Jeremiah Ledbetter
6 (215). Miami (FL) QB Brad Kaaya
7 (250). Eastern Michigan DT Pat O’Connor

Overview: While the Lions’ first-rounder addressed a need and put a talented player in Detroit, Davis plays a low-value NFL position as an off-ball linebacker and battled a multitude of college injuries. Sophomore GM Bob Quinn invested his second-round pick on athletically-challenged Tabor, who ran a 4.72 forty at his Pro Day and may struggle to transition his playmaking-based game into the pros, where everything moves so much faster. In a third-round trade with the Patriots, the Lions turned pick No. 85 into Nos. 96 (Golladay) and 124 (Reeves-Maybin). I was genuinely stunned project receiver Golladay went so early in the draft, and Reeves-Maybin barely played football last season. Roberts is another probable wasted pick, lacking both NFL-level receiving and blocking skills. Agnew, Ledbetter, and O’Connor were low-floor, low-ceiling late-rounders. Kaaya’s book smarts are the best thing he has going for him. If I were a Lions fan, I would be very disappointed they didn’t place more emphasis on pass rush in a draft with so many quality rushers. And I would be very disappointed with this haul as a whole.

Grade: D+

Green Bay Packers

2 (33). Washington CB Kevin King
2 (61). North Carolina State SS Josh Jones
3 (93). Auburn DL Montravius Adams
4 (108). Wisconsin OLB Vince Biegel
4 (134). Brigham Young RB Jamaal Williams
5 (175). Purdue WR DeAngelo Yancey
5 (182). Texas El-Paso RB Aaron Jones
6 (212). South Florida G/C Kofi Amichia
7 (238). Utah State RB Devante Mays
7 (247). LSU WR Malachi Dupre

Overview: In a deal with Cleveland, the Packers turned pick No. 29 into Nos. 33 (King) and 108 (Biegel). 6-foot-3, 200-pound King was the draft’s most athletic cornerback, posting near-100th-percentile SPARQ results and flashing an acrobatic game reminiscent of in-prime Antonio Cromartie on tape. Second-rounder Jones is another elite athlete who adds depth to a position where Green Bay has struggled to withstand injuries. On the other hand, Adams was one of the worst picks of round three and is a likely non-NFL contributor. Biegel offers a role-player ceiling at a position where the Packers lacked depth. In terms of draft value and big-league projection, I preferred Aaron Jones over Williams as a running back investment. Day-three fliers Yancey and Dupre both offer vertical-receiver potential. I do not pretend to know anything about Amichia or Mays. I think this was an average to above-average draft haul, with King and the Joneses standing out as my favorite picks. The Packers’ draft grade would be higher had they used the No. 93 selection on Carl Lawson or Trey Hendrickson instead of Adams.

Grade: C

 Los Angeles Rams

2 (44). South Alabama TE Gerald Everett
3 (69). Eastern Washington WR Cooper Kupp
3 (91). Boston College S John Johnson
4 (117). Texas A&M WR Josh Reynolds
4 (125). Eastern Washington OLB Samson Ebukam
6 (189). Tulane DT Tanzel Smart
6 (206). Virginia Tech FB Sam Rogers
7 (234). Pittsburgh OLB Ejuan Price

Overview: The Rams sent their first-round pick (No. 5 overall) to the Titans in last year’s Jared Goff trade, then observed as Tennessee used it on top draft-eligible receiver Corey Davis. Los Angeles worked to recoup ammo early in round two, dropping seven slots from 37 to 44 and picking up No. 91 along the way. Everett has promising tape and measurables, but he’s a poor bet for impact in year one. Kupp has a big name but a slot-receiver ceiling on a team already flush with interior pass catchers. Third-rounder Johnson has a real chance to be a year-one starter at free safety. Immediately the Rams’ top true perimeter wideout, fourth-rounder Reynolds is a vertical threat with aggressive ball skills who’s drawn comparisons to ex-Bengals WR Chris Henry. Freak athlete Ebukam and Elvis Dumervil lookalike Price were solid day-three pass-rusher picks. Smart was a good college player with significant size and athleticism limitations. Rogers is a pass-catching, special-teams-playing fullback, albeit with 4.93 speed and minimal lead-blocking upside. The Rams entered this draft shorthanded after last year’s Goff trade, which so far looks like a colossal disaster. I think they did a mediocre job with their remaining picks.

Grade: C-

Minnesota Vikings

2 (41). Florida State RB Dalvin Cook
3 (70). Ohio State G/C Pat Elflein
4 (109). Iowa DT Jaleel Johnson
4 (120). Michigan LB Ben Gedeon
5 (170). South Florida WR Rodney Adams
5 (180). Miami (FL) OG Danny Isidora
6 (201). Virginia Tech TE Bucky Hodges
7 (219). Miami (FL) WR Stacy Coley
7 (220). Northwestern DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
7 (232). Kansas State LB Elijah Lee
7 (245). North Carolina State CB Jack Tocho

Overview: 2016 NFL completion rate leader Sam Bradford deserves mention in this haul after the Vikings sent their first-round pick to Philadelphia in last year’s trade to acquire him. (The Eagles used it on Derek Barnett.) Seemingly impatient after taking Thursday night off, GM Rick Spielman traded up for Cook in a move with Cincinnati that cost Minnesota a fourth-round pick (No. 128) in exchange for a mere seven-slot climb. The Bengals then used the Vikings’ old second-rounder on Joe Mixon, a better talent than Cook at the same position. Spielman traded up again in round three for Elflein, giving his fifth-rounder to the Jets for a nine-spot climb. In a round-three deal with Kansas City, Spielman turned the No. 86 pick into Nos. 104, 132, and 245. In yet another move – this time with San Francisco -- Spielman turned No. 104 into Nos. 109 and 219. In the end, the Vikings added quality prospects at needy positions in Cook, Elflein, and Johnson. Hodges will be hailed as a value pick because everyone has heard of him, but he is a multi-year project with off-field concerns. Nevertheless, he was a solid late-round flier along with Coley and Lee. The Vikings took a lot of shots on low-probability prospects late in hopes one or a few will hit. I thought this was a decent draft overall, and the Bradford trade so far looks like a win.

Grade: B-

New Orleans Saints

1 (11). Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore
1 (32). Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk
2 (42). Utah FS Marcus Williams
3 (67). Tennessee RB Alvin Kamara
3 (76). Florida LB Alex Anzalone
3 (103). Florida Atlantic DE Trey Hendrickson
6 (196). Miami (FL) DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

Overview: Due to a top-ten offensive frenzy, the defense-desperate Saints stole near-consensus top corner Lattimore at No. 11. They got sniped late in round one as the 49ers leapfrogged New Orleans for Reuben Foster at No. 31. Drafting likely 2017 backup Ramczyk seemed like an ill-advised, panicked move with pass rushers Tyus Bowser and Malik McDowell on the board. At one point in the offseason, the Saints could have acquired Malcolm Butler for that 32nd pick, a move they absolutely should have made in hindsight. Whereas second-rounder Williams was a prospect I loved, non-productive, always-injured third-rounder Anzalone was the opposite. The Saints gave up their 2018 second-rounder to trade up for committee back Kamara. Back on a positive note, ultra-productive and ultra-athletic edge rusher Hendrickson was an awesome third-round compensatory pick. Muhammad has played football in just one of the last three years and is a probable throwaway. I have major mixed feelings on this draft, loving it in some areas and strongly disliking it in others. I do like that the Saints got a lot of upside on defense.

Grade: C+

New York Giants

1 (23). Ole Miss TE Evan Engram
2 (55). Alabama DT Dalvin Tomlinson
3 (87). California QB Davis Webb
4 (140). Clemson RB Wayne Gallman
5 (167). Youngstown State DE Avery Moss
6 (200). Pittsburgh OT Adam Bisnowaty

Overview: While the Engram pick addressed a need, David Njoku was still on the board at that point and is a superior blocker with more dynamic receiving skills, particularly after the catch. Tomlinson is redundant behind in-place NT Damon Harrison as a two-down run stuffer with no pass-rush ability. Players like Tomlinson can be acquired in undrafted free agency, or signed as free agents off the street. The Webb pick suggests the Giants smartly understand Eli Manning is nearing the end of the line, but individually Webb is an underwhelming prospect. Gallman is another probable wasted pick as a stiff-hipped, borderline NFL athlete whose pass protection was putrid on college tape. Moss bounced around colleges, but he produced wherever he played and was the best value pick in this lot. The Giants entered this draft with one of the worst offensive lines in football and left this draft that way as well. From a glass-half-full standpoint, I suppose it could be argued the Giants realized how poor this O-Line class was, and therefore avoided it. Ultimately, I don’t think they got much better as a team with his haul.

Grade: D+

Philadelphia Eagles

1 (14). Tennessee DE Derek Barnett
2 (43). Washington CB Sidney Jones
3 (99). West Virginia CB Rasul Douglas
4 (118). North Carolina WR Mack Hollins
4 (132). San Diego State RB Donnel Pumphrey
5 (166). West Virginia WR Shelton Gibson
5 (184). Nebraska S Nate Gerry
6 (214). Washington DT Elijah Qualls

Overview: Contract-year NT Timmy Jernigan is included in Philly’s draft haul after GM Howie Roseman acquired him from Baltimore for pick No. 74. While likely 2017 redshirt Jones (Achilles’) could easily end up a wasteful pick, ball-hawking third-rounder Douglas helps compensate in some respects. Injury redshirts almost never work in the NFL and are particularly ill advised in the early rounds. Neither Philly wideout selection was impressive, with both Hollins and Gibson best projecting to special teams. Another probable throwaway pick, Pumphrey’s ceiling is Dexter McCluster at 5-foot-8, 176 with poor athleticism relative to his weight. Underrated athlete Gerry was a playmaking safety in the Big Ten and one of my favorite late-round picks. I think Qualls will make the Eagles’ 53 on an interior line where the roster lacks depth. Barnett, Jernigan, Douglas, and Gerry were the big positives from this haul. Jones will be popularly viewed as a “potential steal,” but I’m marking him as a net negative on the Eagles’ grade.

Grade: B-

San Francisco 49ers

1 (3). Stanford DL Solomon Thomas
1 (31). Alabama ILB Reuben Foster
3 (66). Colorado CB Ahkello Witherspoon
3 (104). Iowa QB C.J. Beathard
4 (121). Utah RB Joe Williams
5 (146). Iowa TE George Kittle
5 (177). Louisiana Tech WR Trent Taylor
6 (198). Ole Miss DT D.J. Jones
6 (202). Utah LB Pita Taumoepenu
7 (229). Miami (FL) DB Adrian Colbert

Overview: Rookie GM John Lynch deserves praise for stealing pick Nos. 67 and 111, plus a 2018 third-rounder from the Bears in Thursday’s one-spot drop from No. 2 to 3. On the other hand, Lynch did not deserve as much praise as he received for his trade up for Foster, an undersized off-ball linebacker with major medical and off-field concerns who didn’t force a single turnover in his college career. Foster may need a second rotator cuff surgery, costing him a large chunk of his rookie year. Witherspoon is long and athletic, but so contact averse that his NFL transition could prove an uphill climb. The Niners acquired the Saints’ 2018 second-round pick for No. 67. For reasons entirely unbeknownst, Lynch traded up for near-non-prospect Beathard late in round three. Scatback Williams ran 4.41 at the Combine. He also retired last year, can’t catch, and cost the 49ers pick No. 161 for a 22-spot fourth-round jump. Trading a 2018 fourth-round pick for Broncos special teamer/fourth-string RB Kapri Bibbs was the worst move any team made during the draft. Blocking TE Kittle and scrappy slot WR Taylor were worthwhile day-three picks. Jones, Taumoepenu, and Colbert were not. This draft was okay, not great as it was initially billed to be by Lynch’s media friends. The talent-poor 49ers have an extremely long way to go.

Grade: C+

Seattle Seahawks

2 (35). Michigan State DL Malik McDowell
2 (58). LSU G/C Ethan Pocic
3 (90). Central Florida CB Shaq Griffin
3 (95). Michigan State S Delano Hill
3 (102). North Carolina DT Nazair Jones
3 (106). Michigan WR Amara Darboh
4 (111). Colorado S Tedric Thompson
6 (187). Cincinnati DB Mike Tyson
6 (210). Mississippi State OT Justin Senior
7 (226). East Central (OK) WR David Moore
7 (249). Oklahoma State RB Chris Carson

Overview: GM John Schneider traded down three times in a row to begin the Seahawks’ draft, dropping from No. 26, to 31, to 34, and finally 35, and adding pick Nos. 90, 111, 187, and 226 along the way, ultimately moving down only nine slots for that haul. Seattle kicked off round two with one of the most talented if riskiest defensive linemen in the draft (McDowell), and a player I’d rather bet on as a Seahawk than with other teams. Especially for a cornerback-needy roster, I thought Griffin was one of the best picks of round three. Hill’s late third-round selection was considerably less impressive. Third-round compensatory pick Jones is a low-ceiling prospect who projects as an early-down run stuffer only. Fellow compensatory third-rounder Darboh is an unlikely short- or long-term contributor. Tyson played safety at Cincinnati, but he could be looked at corner in Seattle. Senior, Moore, and Carson were traits-based late-round fliers. I liked that the Seahawks took multiple shots at defensive backs, adding to a secondary that badly needs a talent infusion. While Pocic is the only likely Week 1 starter, McDowell, Griffin, and Jones all profile as players capable of making early impacts. A solid, if unspectacular haul.

Grade: B-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1 (19). Alabama TE O.J. Howard
2 (50). Texas A&M S Justin Evans
3 (84). Penn State WR Chris Godwin
3 (107). LSU ILB Kendell Beckwith
5 (162). Boise State RB Jeremy McNichols
7 (223). USC DT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu

Overview: Tampa Bay is building a bully on offense, ending elite combo tight end Howard’s surprising fall after landing vertical lid lifter DeSean Jackson in free agency. Howard is the best blocking tight end I have ever seen come out of college. He will help clear running lanes and protect Jameis Winston, two areas in which last year’s Bucs struggled. Defensive back was always Tampa’s biggest need, and explosive athlete Evans helps address it, in addition to offering field-flipping kick return value. Although it didn’t necessarily address a pressing need, I am a fan of third-rounder Godwin as one of this year’s most athletic and physical receivers whose calling card is winning contested catches. Beckwith is an early-down thumper coming off a torn ACL. McNichols needs to improve as an inside runner, but he was a dynamic receiving back at Boise State and offers a higher ceiling than his sometimes-frustrating college tape suggests. While Tu’ikolovatu’s upside is nonexistent as a 26-year-old rookie with zero pass-rush ability, he offers role-player impact versus the run and was a worthwhile seventh-round pick. Among NFC teams, this was my second favorite haul.

Grade: B+

Washington Redskins

1 (17). Alabama DL Jonathan Allen
2 (49). Alabama OLB Ryan Anderson
3 (81). UCLA Fabian Moreau
4 (114). Oklahoma RB Samaje Perine
4 (123). Michigan State S Montae Nicholson
5 (154). Arkansas TE Jeremy Sprinkle
6 (199). Wyoming G/C Chase Roullier
6 (209). Georgia State WR Robert Davis
7 (230). Louisville S Josh Harvey-Clemons
7 (235). Auburn CB Joshua Holsey

Overview: Even though he is out as GM, this haul had Scot McCloughan’s fingerprints all over it with an emphasis on “good football players” in the early rounds and upside as the draft progressed. Concerns over Allen’s shoulder and back pushed him to Washington at No. 17, where he addressed a huge need on one of the NFL’s weakest defensive lines. Anderson lacks great Combine measurables, but he led the Crimson Tide in tackles for loss last season and is a fierce competitor. Moreau has injury concerns, but he is expected to be ready for camp and has starting-caliber tools. A superior talent to Rob Kelley, Perine has a real chance to lead Washington in carries this year. Nicholson is purely a special teams prospect and was an underwhelming fourth-round investment. Sprinkle is sure handed and was one of the college football’s top pass-blocking tight ends. Roullier is a plus-sized center with experience at guard. Pound for pound, Davis was the most athletic wideout at this year’s Combine and broke all of Georgia State’s receiving records. Harvey-Clemons carries major off-field baggage, but is a physical freak and a perfect seventh-round flier. I don’t know anything about Holsey. This was my favorite draft in the NFC.

Grade: A-

Draft 2017: AFC Draft Grades

By EVAN SILVA
Rotoworld

Baltimore Ravens

1 (16). Alabama CB Marlon Humphrey
2 (47). Houston OLB Tyus Bowser
3 (74). Michigan DT Chris Wormley
3 (78). Alabama OLB Tim Williams
4 (122). San Diego State OG Nico Siragusa
5 (159). Texas A&M OG Jermaine Eluemunor
6 (186). Virginia Tech DB Chuck Clark

Overview: The Ravens didn’t add a single skill-position player in this draft, instead devoting all their resources to defense and offensive line. Humphrey, Bowser, and Wormley all generated pre-draft first-round buzz and would not have been surprises inside the top-32 picks. Humphrey must improve at defending vertical passes, but he is a special athlete with plus size and length. Some scouts considered Williams the best natural pass rusher in this draft. Williams slipped for off-field reasons, but No. 78 is exactly where he was worth a shot. Siragusa checks boxes for size, athleticism, smarts, and college dominance, and has a chance to be an early starter, perhaps allowing the Ravens to kick LG Alex Lewis to right tackle. Eluemunor is a project and Clark is a special teamer. While Baltimore’s offense remains a big concern, I think GM Ozzie Newsome acquired 4-5 potential early starters in this haul.

Grade: B

Buffalo Bills

1 (27). LSU CB Tre’Davious White
2 (37). East Carolina WR Zay Jones
2 (63). Temple OT Dion Dawkins
5 (163). Boston College LB Matt Milano
5 (171). Pittsburgh QB Nathan Peterman
6 (195). Boise State LB Tanner Vallejo

Overview: Sean McDermott’s first draft-day move as Buffalo’s most powerful man was to drop 17 slots in round one, adding pick No. 91 and the Chiefs’ 2018 first-rounder. McDermott is a defensive backs coach at his core, so I’d trust his opinion on White long before my own. The Bills went on the offensive in round two, trading away a third-rounder and two fifth-round picks for seven- and 12-spot climbs that netted them likely Week 1 starters Jones and Dawkins. Milano and Vallejo project as late-round special teams help, while Peterman has drawn optimistic comparisons to Kirk Cousins and Andy Dalton as a smart, coachable quarterback prospect with baseline NFL traits and an outside chance to develop into a game-managing starter, or slightly more. While this haul lacked quantity and flash, it is long on early impact and has some long-range upside. The post-Doug Whaley era is off to a fine start.

Grade: C+

Cincinnati Bengals

1 (9). Washington WR John Ross
2 (48). Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon
3 (73). Kansas State DE Jordan Willis
4 (116). Auburn DE Carl Lawson
4 (128). Tennessee WR Josh Malone
4 (138). Michigan DT Ryan Glasgow
5 (153). Memphis K Jake Elliott
5 (176). Utah C/G J.J. Dielman
6 (193). Oklahoma LB Jordan Evans
6 (207). Houston RB Brandon Wilson
7 (251). Buffalo TE Mason Schreck

Overview: The Bengals are a lock to garner favorable post-draft “grades” because this haul is long on name recognition, and so many of the picks hail from big schools. No. 9 overall is frighteningly early for a prospect with Ross’ injury history and one year of big-time production, but his ceiling is high and Cincinnati’s offense badly needed an injection of speed. Known to be targeting Mixon all along, the Bengals essentially picked up a bonus fourth-round pick (Malone) by dipping seven spots in a round-two trade with Minnesota. Mixon’s off-field past is worrisome, but he was the best all-around back in this draft. Willis was an enormously productive collegiate whose Combine numbers were topped only by Myles Garrett among draft-eligible edge players. Lawson was a top-50 talent who slipped to round four due to concerns about his shoulders. Free-roll fourth-rounder Malone offers vertical-receiver potential. Glasgow is a try-hard overachiever who should earn a spot at the end of Cincinnati’s defensive line rotation. Dielman offers position versatility as a potential swing reserve. Pass-coverage-specialist linebacker Evans could make Vincent Rey expendable. The Bengals took some calculated risks here, but there’s no question they gobbled up a lot of talented players and added upside to their roster.

Grade: B+

Cleveland Browns

1 (1). Texas A&M Myles Garrett
1 (25). Michigan S/KR Jabrill Peppers
1 (29). Miami TE David Njoku
2 (52). Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer
3 (65). Charlotte DT Larry Ogunjobi
4 (126). Houston CB Howard Wilson
5 (160). Florida State OT Roderick Johnson
6 (185). Florida DT Caleb Brantley
7 (224). Arizona State K Zane Gonzalez
7 (252). North Carolina State RB Matt Dayes

Overview: Browns SLB Jamie Collins deserves inclusion here after Cleveland acquired him for the No. 103 pick. After making Garrett the no-brainer No. 1, the Browns turned No. 12 into No. 25 and the Texans’ 2018 first-round pick. They closed out round one with dynamic punt returner and Week 1 starting safety Peppers, then moved back up for Njoku, a dominant receiving tight end and underrated blocker. Garrett and Njoku were arguably the two best prospects at their positions in this draft. When there is great uncertainty about the quality of relatively similar investments – as was the case in this year’s quarterback class – it is often prudent to buy the cheapest one. That is precisely the approach Cleveland took with mega-talent Kizer, selecting him at No. 52 while the Bears, Texans, and Chiefs all paid high-cost bounties for their quarterback targets. Ogunjobi is an elite-production SPARQ freak, Wilson racked up nine interceptions as only a 16-game college starter, Johnson twice won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s top offensive lineman, Gonzalez was the best kicker in this draft, and Brantley was a day-two talent who fell to round six for off-field reasons. When considering this draft also yielded aforementioned Collins and Houston’s first-rounder, I’d have a very hard time quibbling with it in any respect. I suppose Peppers’ lack of a defined NFL position would be the biggest possible knock.

Grade: A-

Denver Broncos

1 (20). Utah OT Garett Bolles
2 (51). Florida State DL DeMarcus Walker
3 (82). Louisiana Tech WR Carlos Henderson
3 (101). Lamar (TX) CB Brendan Langley
5 (145). Michigan TE Jake Butt
5 (172). Georgia KR Isaiah McKenzie
6 (203). Coastal Carolina RB De’Angelo Henderson
7 (253). Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly

Overview: Rather than make a panicked trade up, GM John Elway coolly waited for top tackle prospect Bolles to fall into his lap, then quickly turned in his card. A 25-year-old rookie who played just one season in Division 1, Bolles is a frightening prospect on several levels, but there is little doubt he was the cream of this year’s O-Line crop. The draft community despised Walker as a prospect, but he checks boxes as an athlete and producer, earning 2016 ACC DPOY and graduating third in FSU history in sacks. Tackle-busting slot machine Henderson and Mackey Award winner Butt addressed big needs for an offense that is weak in the middle of the field, although Butt has torn both ACLs and may redshirt as a rookie. The Broncos also turned special teamer Kapri Bibbs into a 2018 fourth-rounder, which will likely land high in that round because the deal was made with lowly San Francisco. Langley intercepted six passes last season and runs 4.43 at 6’0/189. McKenzie offers zero offensive upside, but he scored six return TDs at Georgia. Henderson is Coastal Carolina’s all-time leading rusher and runs 4.48. Kelly is an early-round talent whose off-field and medical concerns torpedoed his stock. While I’m not convinced Elway hit many surefire singles with this haul, I think he’s got a chance to smack a few home runs.

Grade: C+

Houston Texans

1 (12). Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
2 (57). Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham
3 (89). Texas RB D’Onta Foreman
4 (130). Bucknell OT Julie’n Davenport
4 (142). Clemson DT Carlos Watkins
5 (169). Oregon State DB Treston Decoud
7 (243). Baylor C/G Kyle Fuller

Overview: In one of the boldest moves of round one, the Texans sent their 2018 first-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for a 13-spot climb that netted Houston its quarterback of the future and likely present. Cunningham generated pre-draft first-round buzz after a prolific college career and has all the requisite athletic measurables to become a three-down NFL starter, likely replacing John Simon as a year-one role player and Brian Cushing eventually. I get the Foreman pick, but he’s not “my type” of back as a finesse runner in a power back’s body who doesn’t catch passes. Davenport is a massive small-school project at a position of immediate need. Watkins dominated Vikings third-round G/C Pat Elflein when they met last year, and Decoud did similarly to Jets fifth-round WR Chad Hansen. Seventh-round flier Fuller is a big-bodied, bad athlete who committed way too many penalties in the Big 12. From top to bottom, I think this was an okay draft whose results will hinge almost entirely on Watson. And I’m optimistic about Watson under Bill O’Brien’s tutelage with quality skill-position talent around him.

Grade: B-

Indianapolis Colts

1 (15). Ohio State S Malik Hooker
2 (46). Florida CB Quincy Wilson
3 (80). Ohio OLB Tarell Basham
4 (137). USC OT Zach Banner
4 (143). South Florida RB Marlon Mack
4 (144). Albany State DT Grover Stewart
5 (158). Temple CB Nate Hairston
5 (161). Northwestern ILB Anthony Walker

Overview: Rookie GM Chris Ballard stated after round one that he was shocked Hooker lasted to No. 15. So was everyone else. More so than No. 6 pick Jamal Adams, Hooker offers the highest ceiling in this year’s safety class as an Ed Reed-like ballhawk with rare deep-safety range. Wilson is a plus-sized corner with tools to play Chuck Pagano’s preferred man coverage. As cornerback was the Colts’ biggest pre-draft need, Ballard smartly addressed it with two picks. Basham offers plus size, athleticism, length, and production after ranking fifth in the nation in QB hurries and earning 2016 MAC DPOY. Albeit rough around the edges, Mack was one of the most explosive backs in this year’s class and has a legit shot at early touches behind plodders Frank Gore and Robert Turbin. Stewart is a size-athleticism-production freak out of Division 2. Walker is special teams help. In Ballard’s first draft, the only pick I did not like was Banner, a 6-foot-8, 353-pound behemoth who ballooned north of 400 pounds at times in college and will undoubtedly struggle to pass block in the pros. If I were a Colts fan evaluating both free agency and the draft, I would be overwhelmingly pleased with my new GM’s offseason transactions to date.

Grade: B

Jacksonville Jaguars

1 (4). LSU RB Leonard Fournette
2 (34). Alabama T/G Cam Robinson
3 (68). Florida DE Dawuane Smoot
4 (110). Oklahoma WR Dede Westbrook
5 (148). Ohio ILB Blair Brown
7 (222). Minnesota CB Jalen Myrick
7 (240). Miami (OH) Marquez Williams

Overview: The Jaguars have made a statement about their new direction. They signed a fullback before the draft (Tommy Bohanon), drafted another fullback (Williams), used the fourth overall pick on straight-line power back Fournette, and traded up for Alabama power blocker Robinson. Smoot disappoints athletically for the position he plays, while Westbrook was known to be off many boards for off-field reasons and projects as a fourth receiver at best in Jacksonville. Brown and Myrick are early-career special teamers with a chance at more down the line. The Jags appear to have requisite pieces in place to execute a run-heavy, power-oriented approach that slows down games and leans on a talented defense to stay close on the scoreboard. I think there is a chance the Jags finally take a step forward as a team. At the same time, I’d have a hard time giving the Jaguars a good draft “grade” after they used the No. 4 pick on a non-difference-making position. For better or worse, I gave the Cowboys a C last year.

Grade: C-

Kansas City Chiefs

1 (10). Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes
2 (59). Villanova DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
3 (86). Toledo RB Kareem Hunt
4 (139). Michigan WR Jehu Chesson
5 (183). Georgia Southern LB Ukeme Eligwe
6 (218). USC DB Leon McQuay

Overview: The Chiefs made the most aggressive move of the entire draft on day one, sending pick No. 91 and their 2018 first-rounder for a 17-spot climb to draft Mahomes, who offers the premier skill set in this year’s quarterback class. Andy Reid will hope to mold Mahomes into his next Brett Favre or Donovan McNabb. Kansas City recouped capital in a round-three trade with Minnesota, grabbing Nos. 132 and 245 to dip 18 slots. In another deal with the Vikings, the Chiefs gave up Nos. 170 and 180 to draft Chesson at 139. “Grading” this haul is tough because it is so contingent on Mahomes’ success or lack thereof, and he is a project we won’t see play before 2018. I was a fan of Mahomes as a prospect because he was a prolific college producer with all the requisite NFL-quarterback traits and then some. And it builds confidence that he will be under the tutelage of Reid. I also liked the Hunt pick despite his poor measurables. Hunt is a plus receiving back who excels at getting skinny through tight cracks. He will challenge Spencer Ware for snaps immediately. I worry Kpassagnon is another Margus Hunt. Eligwe was a surprise fifth-rounder, Chesson had a good SPARQ score, and McQuay is a possible conversion from safety to corner. I’d go with “incomplete” if that was a draft-grade option because Mahomes is such a volatile prospect. As is, I’m giving this haul a C+ because I think this was an average draft otherwise.

Grade: C+

Los Angeles Chargers

1 (7). Clemson WR Mike Williams
2 (38). Western Kentucky G/T Forrest Lamp
3 (71). Indiana OG Dan Feeney
4 (113). Miami (FL) S Rayshawn Jenkins
5 (151). Iowa DB Desmond King
6 (190). Utah OT Sam Tevi
7 (225). Notre Dame DL Isaac Rochell

Overview: While I am a fan of Williams -- and getting the pick right is most important -- I do not believe using the seventh overall selection at one of the Chargers’ most talented positions was a savvy allocation of resources, particularly with Malik Hooker on the board. Day-two picks Lamp and Feeney make sense as theoretically high-floor offensive linemen after Philip Rivers developed happy feet behind shaky pass protection last year. The Bolts waited until round four to address their safety need, although Jenkins is more downhill strong safety than range-covering center fielder. Perhaps King will become that guy, even if his 4.60 speed suggests otherwise. King might wind up as a better fit at slot corner. I think Tevi and Rochell were throwaways. While GM Tom Telesco added some good football players, he could have done better. I’m probably too hung up on this, but I would have loved watching Hooker cherry pick enemy quarterback passes behind shutdown CBs Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett. Although the Bolts are likely not recognized as such, they are only a few big-time playmakers away from making a serious run at the AFC, and Hooker would have helped their case more than complementary receiver Williams.

Grade: C-

Miami Dolphins

1 (22). Missouri DE Charles Harris
2 (54). Ohio State ILB Raekwon McMillan
3 (97). Clemson CB Cordrea Tankersley
5 (164). Utah OG Isaac Asiata
5 (178). LSU DT Davon Godchaux
6 (194). Oklahoma State DT Vincent Taylor
7 (237). Virginia Tech WR Isaiah Ford

Overview: Underrated DE William Hayes and reclamation TE Julius Thomas factor in here after Miami acquired them for the Nos. 206 and 240 picks. This haul was refreshingly out of character for a Mike Tannenbaum team, shunning “skill guys” until round seven to hammer defensive and offensive line needs. Harris’ college tape is comparable to any pass rusher in this class. McMillan probably won’t play much as a rookie, but he will learn from one of the best at his position in Lawrence Timmons. Tankersley was a big-time playmaker when targeted in the ACC, even if his overall athleticism disappointed in Indy. Asiata is a questionable fit for the Dolphins’ zone-run game, but he consistently moved people in the Pac 12 and has the requisite strength for that skill to translate. Asiata could start as a rookie. Godchaux and Taylor are solid prospects at a position where Miami badly needed depth and talented bodies. Ford is probably practice-squad bound in year one, but I thought he deserved to go earlier than round seven. While it’s fair to question the long-term upside of this draft haul, I would be surprised if the Dolphins didn’t get meaningful early contributions from upwards of five players, Hayes and Thomas included.

Grade: B-

New England Patriots

3 (83). Youngstown State DE Derek Rivers
3 (85). Troy OT Antonio Garcia
4 (131). Arkansas DE Deatrich Wise
6 (211). UCLA OT Conor McDermott

Overview: Brandin Cooks, Dwayne Allen, Kony Ealy, Mike Gillislee, Kyle Van Noy, and James O’Shaughnessy all warrant inclusion in this haul after New England acquired them in pre-draft trades, turning hope-based draft capital into proven talent. The Patriots were clearly hot for Garcia, sending Minnesota pick No. 124 to climb 11 slots in round three. Garcia offers some traits that align with starting left tackles in the league. Rivers lasted until round three because he played at Youngstown State, but he was one of the top pure pass rushers in this draft. Wise made only ten starts in college, but he produced in his opportunities, has nearly 36-inch arms, and posted a freaky 10-foot-5 broad jump at 6-foot-5, 275. McDermott probably won’t make it. This is a weird “draft” to grade because so much of it isn’t actually tied to the draft. The Patriots essentially traded their draft for players already in the NFL. It also speaks how the Patriots continue to operate differently than the rest of the league, and how differently each team should and does operate. The Browns should and would be ridiculed if they did something like this. The Patriots’ quarterback is 40 years old, and they have refused to trade coveted backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Staying in constant and unshakable win-now mode, New England gets an A-plus here.

Grade: A+

New York Jets

1 (6). LSU S Jamal Adams
2 (39). Florida S Marcus Maye
3 (79). Alabama WR ArDarius Stewart
4 (141). California WR Chad Hansen
5 (150). Clemson TE Jordan Leggett
5 (181). West Georgia LB Dylan Donahue
6 (188). Louisiana-Lafayette RB Elijah McGuire
6 (197). Michigan CB Jeremy Clark
6 (204). Ole Miss CB Derrick Jones

Overview: Mildly promising sophomore OT Brandon Shell should be included in this haul after the Jets parted with their 2017 fourth-rounder (became Samaje Perine) to draft Shell in last year’s fifth round. Although the Jets were widely praised for the Adams pick, safeties affect fewer plays than almost any other position and are therefore rarely taken as early as Adams went. The Jets of course followed up with another safety in the second round. The Jets are not one safety away from competing, let alone two. Stewart and Hansen are solid players, but both have No. 3-receiver ceilings. Leggett’s nickname at Clemson was “Lazy Leggett.” Clark was Gang Green’s most intriguing late-rounder with Brandon Browner-like size and early-round grades from NFL scouts entering last season, only to tear his ACL in September. It should be noted that the Jets acquired the Cowboys’ 2018 fifth-round pick by sending Dallas No. 191, which the Cowboys promptly used on Louisiana Tech S Xavier Woods, whom I’d be willing to wager has a more productive career than Jets second-rounder Maye. The Jets are just throwing blind-folded darts at this point. They have no organizational direction.

Grade: D

Oakland Raiders

1 (24). Ohio State CB Gareon Conley
2 (56). UConn S Obi Melifonwu
3 (88). UCLA DL Eddie Vanderdoes
4 (129). Florida OT David Sharpe
5 (168). Wake Forest ILB Marquel Lee
7 (221). Washington State S Shalom Luani
7 (231). Alabama State OT Jylan Ware
7 (242). North Carolina RB Elijah Hood
7 (244). Toledo DT Treyvon Hester

Overview: Since a fire-able start to his tenure as GM, Reggie McKenzie has been on a wicked tear. The Raiders have earned consecutive B+ draft grades from Rotoworld – in hindsight, they deserved a capital A+ in 2015 – and delivered another solid haul here with four likely early contributors in Conley, Melifonwu, Vanderdoes, Lee, and an intriguing project in Sharpe at a position of need. I trust McKenzie has solid information Conley will be exonerated of the draft-week allegations against him, of course. I thought Conley had the best tape of any corner in this class, including higher-rated teammate Marshon Lattimore. It was not Lattimore whom the Buckeyes’ coaching staff left on man-coverage islands against Clemson’s Mike Williams and Penn State’s Chris Godwin. It was Conley. Ware is a player Rotoworld’s Josh Norris identified as a pre-draft sleeper. Lee was a terrific round-five value pick I expect to push for immediate snaps. Melifonwu is George Iloka 2.0, and Reggie Nelson’s eventual replacement. More often than not, the rich get richer in the NFL draft. The Raiders have established themselves amongst the rich.

Grade: B

Pittsburgh Steelers

1 (30). Wisconsin OLB T.J. Watt
2 (62). USC WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
3 (94). Tennessee CB Cameron Sutton
3 (105). Pittsburgh RB James Conner
4 (135). Tennessee QB Josh Dobbs
5 (173). Utah CB Brian Allen
6 (213). Louisville LS Colin Holba
7 (248). Western Michigan LB Keion Adams

Overview: Watt was a BPA-style pick at No. 30 as a high-value pass rusher at a positon of need with James Harrison going on age 39. Watt only had one year of big-time defensive production, but the traits are there as one of the best athletes in this class. Undervalued by the draft community, Smith-Schuster gives Pittsburgh a 20-year-old upside prospect at a spot where they can’t afford to rely on Martavis Bryant and are otherwise short on talent beyond Antonio Brown. Sutton is a sub-par athlete with slot corner traits. He must become more physical to excel inside. Conner and Dobbs are better stories than draft picks. Allen offers a higher ceiling than Sutton and was drafted three rounds later. The Steelers used their last two selections on a long snapper and a low-probability project edge rusher.

Grade: C-

Tennessee Titans

1 (5). Western Michigan WR Corey Davis
1 (18). USC CB Adoree’ Jackson
3 (72). Western Kentucky WR Taywan Taylor
3 (100). Florida International TE Jonnu Smith
5 (155). UCLA LB Jayon Brown
6 (217). UT-Chattanooga OL Corey Levin
7 (227). TCU OLB Josh Carraway
7 (236). Villanova OT Brad Seaton
7 (241). California RB Khalfani Muhammad

Overview: Overlooking the ankle injury that prevented him from testing before the draft, the Titans trusted their film study and landed this year’s best receiver prospect in Davis. This came via the first-round pick GM Jon Robinson stole from the Rams in last year’s Jared Goff trade. While Jackson hit a need, I was alarmed by how often he was beaten in pass coverage on college tape. Jackson was the lowest-rated first-round pick on Josh Norris’ pre-draft Big Board, ranking No. 96. I thought Taylor and Smith were sensational third-rounders, undervalued because they played at small schools, but both dominated there and exhibited high-level athleticism before the draft. Brown has a chance to be ILB Wesley Woodyard’s eventual replacement. Seaton offers swing-tackle potential. I don’t know anything about local product Levin. Carraway offers sub-package pass-rusher upside. Muhammad has almost no shot at a legitimate NFL career. Nevertheless, a solid haul in Robinson’s second year on the job. Robinson deserved NFL Executive of the Year consideration last season and should be in the mix again.

Grade: B

Analysis: McCaffrey signs with Panthers

Christian McCaffrey, the eighth overall pick in last week's NFL Draft, signed his four-year rookie contract with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.

Although he is expected to open the upcoming season as Carolina's top running back, long time starter Jonathan Stewart will likely still have a prominent role in the offense.

From a fantasy football perspective, McCaffrey should be viewed in the high-end RB2 tier until his clear-cut role in the offense is determined. However, expect his value to peak in PPR scoring formats, more so than in standard leagues.