Grading Every Day Two Pick

Brandon Olsen

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This was easily one of the most talented day two of the NFL Draft in years. Day two has come and gone and while we prep for day three, we reflect on the picks made on Friday evening.

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33. Cincinnati Bengals

Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

I like the idea of drafting a wide receiver with the 33rd pick in the draft but I think there were some better options available. Higgins could be spelling the end of AJ Green’s time in Cincy. I like the move, I’ll give them a B for this. He’s a solid fit, just lower on my board than most.

34. Indianapolis Colts

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

Much like the Bengals taking Tee Higgins, I had receivers above Pittman but I think the Colts had an even bigger need at receiver and he’s a great complementary option to TY Hilton. This pick gets a B+ from me.

35. Detroit Lions

D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

D’Andre Swift was my RB1 and I think this is great value for him. My issues with this pick are that I think the Lions have bigger needs and there were players to address those needs available. I understand wanting to have someone when Kerryon inevitably gets hurt but this team is way too weak to be spending luxury picks this early. C+

36. New York Giants

Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

I love this pick. I thought that McKinney was going to be the pick at #17 but to take him at 36 is a steal. McKinney fills a major need for the Giants and allows Jabrill Peppers to play his more natural box safety role. This gets an A+ from me.

37. New England Patriots

Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne

Oof. I know Kyle Dugger became a fan favorite for being a small-school prospect with great athletic ability but the fact of the matter is that he is a raw developmental prospect who might be better suited at linebacker. I’m giving this pick a D. There were clearly better options available.

38. Carolina Panthers

Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

This is a solid pick for Carolina. The Panthers needed some pass-rush help and they got it here from a guy that was looked at a potential first-round pick. YGM has plenty of potential and is a fun fit to group with 2019 draftees Brian Burns and Christian Miller. Matt Rhule’s Panthers get a B+ here.

39. Miami Dolphins

Robert Hunt, OL, Louisiana-Lafayette

I’m a bit lower on Hunt than most so the Dolphins take another offensive lineman here earlier than I think they should have. I’ll give them a C+ because they are making it a point to strengthen their offensive line in front of the injury-riddled Tagovailoa.

40. Houston Texans

Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU

For years now I have been singing the praises of Ross Blacklock. He’s a great pick here as someone who can step in and be an immediate big-time contributor. Houston gets an A here for picking a great fit and great value on the pick.

41. Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

With two running backs already gone, JTT comes off the board at 41 when everyone was positive that they would go QB. Rivers has been open about not wanting to be a mentor so adding some talent at a skill position is huge for this offense. JTT is a great fit and went right around his wheelhouse so this earns an A for me.

42. Jacksonville Jaguars

(Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Laviska Shenault, OW, Colorado

Shenault is going to primarily play as a wide receiver like he did at Colorado but he’ll be a versatile weapon on offense for a team who desperately needed some playmakers. This pick gets a B+ from me since it provides some much needed firepower. Medicals are a big question mark for Shenault but if he’s healthy, this will be a steal.

43. Chicago Bears

Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

This is actually the second year in a row that pick 43 in the Draft is getting an F grade from me. I already was not high on Kmet but taking a tight end when you already have nine on the roster is one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.

44. Cleveland Browns

Grant Delpit, S, LSU

The man who was once thought of as the consensus S1 is the third safety off the board following an underwhelming 2019 season. Delpit is still a great value at 44 and the pick earns a B+ from me. Delpit fills a need on this defense and can step in as the immediate starter.

45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

I’m giving this pick a B. I’m a fan of Winfield’s game and I think that Todd Bowles’ is going to get the most out of him. Injuries are a major concern for me with him but if he can stay on the field, he’s likely going to be a great value.

46. Denver Broncos

KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State

I’m not a huge fan of this pick. I think Hamler is a fine player but Denver had larger needs that could have been filled here. Hamler has talent and I understand wanting to stack even more receiving talent so this pick gets a B- stoll. The Broncos could have gotten great value elsewhere with this pick though.

47. Atlanta Falcons

Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare/Montgomery Advertiser via USA TODAY NETWORK

Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn

I like this pick more than I liked the Terrell one. Davidson likely is not going to put up gaudy numbers but he offers a lot that doesn’t usually get measured in the box score. I’ll give this pick a B-, Davidson is going to be a long-term contributor for this defense.

48. Seattle Seahawks

Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee

If you take medicals out of the equation then this is a great pick. Unfortunately, medicals are a huge part of the pre-draft process and Taylor has some major long-term durability concerns. These injury issues scare me and because of that, I’m giving this pick a C-.

49. Pittsburgh Steelers

Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

Despite reports both pre-draft and still that teams may view Chase Claypool as a tight end, he’s got enough talent to play wide receiver. Claypool offers great size, special teams ability, and blocking ability. There have been questions about his athleticism but he answered most of those in Mobile and Indianapolis. This pick gets a B+ from me, I love the fit here.

50. Chicago Bears

Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

This pick is getting a B+ from me. I think Johnson should have gone in the very early second and the fact that the Bears got a corner who could step in and contribute early without the pressure of being their CB1 is a great get.

51. Dallas Cowboys

Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

I have known that the NFL would be higher on Diggs than I am and it proved true here. Diggs has the physical tools to become a very solid CB1 though and he fills a major need in this Dallas secondary. I’m giving this pick a B for the potential that Diggs has as a ballhawking cornerback.

52. Los Angeles Rams

Cam Akers, RB, Florida State

This pick caused quite a stir amongst fans. There are no questions about Cam Akers talent from me but taking a running back at this point when this roster has so many holes earns this pick a C- from me. Great player, questionable position.

53. Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

Back-to-back picks that caused quite a stir online. I’m a big fan of this move. I have been openly lower on Jalen Hurts than many but this is a great landing spot. The Eagles won a Super Bowl with a backup quarterback due to Carson Wentz’ durability concerns and addressing that issue here was a smart move. B grade from me.

54. Buffalo Bills

AJ Epenesa, DL/EDGE, Iowa

This might be the biggest steal of the draft for me through 54 picks. Epenesa has top-20 talent but a rough Combine performance lowered his stock significantly. I’m giving this pick an A+. I have been high on Epenesa and I still have complete confidence that he will become a consistent Pro Bowl-caliber player.

55. Baltimore Ravens

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

The Ravens might hit 1,000 rushing yards by week two next year. This pick is getting an A from me for the incredible value. There’s not much to it, this was a great pick.

56. Miami Dolphins

Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama

There were three defensive linemen on the board here that I liked more than Davis so this pick is getting a C+ from me. I still like this range for him, I just think there were multiple better players available over him at the same position.

57. Los Angeles Rams

Van Jefferson, WR, Florida

I’m a big fan of Van Jefferson and thought that he should have gone around this pick. The Rams drafting a wide receiver when they have so many holes on this roster and not enough picks or cap to build the team hurts this grade for me. I’m giving it a C+.

58. Minnesota Vikings

(AP Photo/Steve Conner)

Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

I like the idea of addressing the offensive tackle spot here but with guys like Josh Jones and Lucas Niang on the board, I am not a fan of this pick. It gets a C from me because of Cleveland’s potential and team need but there were better players available.

59. New York Jets

Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

Wow. Just wow. This was a complete and total steal for the Jets where they address a major position of need with a first-round talent. A+ here and this might top the Epenesa pick as the steal of the draft so far.

60. New England

Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan

I like this pick. I’m giving this one a B+ because I know that New England will move Uche around and put him in the best position to succeed. Uche could be huge in the future for the Patriots.

61. Tennessee Titans

(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

Fulton is as high as CB2 for a lot of draft analysts and although I was not one of those super high on him, this is a great pick. The Titans get an A+ for drafting an immediate replacement and potential upgrade for the recently departed Logan Ryan.

62. Green Bay Packers

AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College

I would like to imagine that Aaron Rodgers is not too happy right now. Dillon is a big, powerful runner but following the year that Aaron Jones had this does not make a ton of sense. I’m giving this pick a D- and the only reason it isn’t an F is because I have to imagine Matt LaFleur has plas to use him a ton this season.

63. Kansas City Chiefs

(Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Williw Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State

Gay Jr. is one of the most athletic lienbackers in the 2020 NFL Deaft and talent is not a question for him. Character concerns make this pick a B+ for me but the Chiefs are addressing a major need here with a player who can immediately start.

64. Carolina Panthers

Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

The aggressiveness from Carolina to move up and get their guy is a major plus here. I love Chinn and thought he might go late first-early second so the Panthers get an A for this one.

Third Round

Picks 65-74

65. Cincinnati Bengals – Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming – I love this move for Cincy. I thought that Wilson was a legitimate option for the Browns with the Delpit pick and he makes the Bengals have a reliable coverage linebacker to get an A+.

66. Washington Redskins – Antonio Gibson, OW, Memphis – Washington needed some talent at their offensive skill positions and they went to address it here. I’m not a huge fan of this move because I saw Gibson as more of a day three pick which is why this gets a C+ from me.

67. Detroit Lions – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame -If Matt Patricia can maximize the potential of Okwara, this is a great pick. I’m giving the Lions a B- and I still have my questions about Okwara’s production but he could be put in a good situation here in Detroit.

68. New York Jets – Ashtyn Davis, S, California – Davis offers legitimate single-high ability and could eventually replace Marcus Maye in this Gregg Williams defense. Injury concerns scare me a ton with Davis so I’m giving the pick a B but if he’s on the field, he can be a star.

69. Seattle Seahawks – Damien Lewis, IOL, LSU – To grab the second-best interior offensive lineman from LSU wasn’t great so this pick gets a C- from me. I like the idea of addressing the offensive line but at both center and guard spots I think Lloyd Cushenberry would have the better Tiger.

70. Miami Dolphins – Brandon Jones, S, Texas – Jones has a fantastic football IQ which gets this pick a B+ from me. He should be able to step in fairly early and become a mainstay in this secondary.

71. Baltimore Ravens – Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M– The Ravens are having great players fall to them and they are just going BPA for it. B+ is the grade here for Baltimore.

72. Arizona Cardinals – Josh Jones, OT, Houston – I viewed Jones as a legitimate potential late first round guy so to grab him here to protect Kyler is an A+ move easily.

73. Jacksonville Jaguars – DaVon Hamilton, DL, Ohio State – Hamilton is a solid defensive line prospect but I still think this is a little too early for me to see him go. I’m giving this pick a C+ but he should still become a contributor for this defense.

74. New Orleans Saints – Zack Baun, LB/EDGE, Wisconsin – The Saints continue their strong weekend by taking a player who fell presumably because of a diluted sample at the Combine. Easily an A+.

Picks 75-84

75. Detroit Lions – Jonah Jackson, IOL, Ohio State – Jackson has a lot of potential, especially if he bulks up and can caryr the weight. He already has good hand technique which is what a lot of young linemen struggle with so I am giving this pick a B.

76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt – While I think that this was a little too high for Vaughn, I know that Brady will make the most of his ability. This pick gets a B+ for that.

77. Denver Broncos – Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa – Smart, strong, physical. Ojemudia is a typical Iowa cornerback who can step in and play multiple coverages. The Broncos are clearly focusing on the passing game on both sides of the ball. B-.

78. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Hennessy, IOL, Temple – I love the Falcons commitment to strengthening their offensive line over the past two draft. Hennessy is a solid future replacement for Alex Mack. I’ll give this pick a B.

79. New York Jets – Jabari Zuniga, DL/EDGE, Florida – Zuniga is likely never going to become a double-digit sack artist but he’ll be a consistent contributor against both the run and pass. B for grabbing a contributor here.

80. Las Vegas Raiders – Lynn Bowden, OW, Kentucky – The Raiders are going for a video game offense here by selecting Ruggs and Bowden. Bowden should be moved around receiver, slot, and running back, maybe even some wildcat. B-

81. Las Vegas Raiders – Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina – The Raiders have now selected three wide receivers in three rounds. Edwards is a fine prospect but a third wide receiver this early is just way too much of a luxury pick for this roste.r C is going to be my grade for the pick.

82. Dallas Cowboys – Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma – As a Giants fan, I absolutely hate this. Gallimore is a stud and I tought he would go in the late first or early second. Easily an A+ here.

83. Denver Broncos – Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL, LSU – This pick is getting an A-. I like Cushenberry and thought in a week interior offensive line class he might sneak into the first.

84. Los Angeles Rams – Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama – Even with medicals I thought that Lewis might slip into the first round. This pick gets an A- from me because of injury concerns but the Rams are getting a great player and a great football mind.

Picks 85-94

85. Indianapolis Colts – Julian Blackmon, S, Utah – I viewed Blackmon as a third round talent even without any injury concerns so this is a bit of a reach for me. I’ll give this a C, he has talent but he still needs work and injuries are worrying.

86. Buffalo Bills – Zack Moss, RB, Utah – As much as I like Zack Moss, he’s one of the older backs in the class and he has injury concerns. I’m also not a huge fan of this because the Bills are still lacking a quality back with great speed. C.

87. New England Patriots – Anfernee Jennings, LB/EDGE, Alabama – While taking a potential third linebacker of the draft is questionable, I ama huge fan of Anfernee Jennings. Jennings is a jack of all trades, master of none but he should find a role and excel in New England. I’ll give this pick a B+.

88. Cleveland Browns – Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri – The Browns are strengthening a strength here by adding to their defensive line. The Elliott pick gets a C from me because I’m not a huge fan of his tape.

89. Minnesota Vikings – Cam Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State – I viewed Dantler as a first-round talent that had a rough combine that would cause him to drop. This pick is getting an A+ because if you watch the tape, Dantzler is clearly a very talented cover man.

90. Houston Texans – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida – The second Florida EDGE of the round comes off the board here. I’ll give this pick a C+ because Greenard is another player that I have legitimate injury concerns about but if he can stay healthy, he should carve out a nice role in Houston.

91. New England Patriots – Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA – I like this pick. Asiasi is not someone that I think will ever be a star tight end but the pick gets a B for addressing a major position of need.

92. Baltimore Ravens – Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas – Duvernay was a third-round talent the whole way and he could not have gone to a better team for him. The Ravens are committed to overpowering opponents between the hashes and outrunning them outside of them. A- from me.

93. Tennessee Titans – Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State – Evans offers tremendous long speed to complement Derrick Henry but I still have questions about actual talent at the running back position. This pick gets a C from me and he should at worst be a special teams contributor.

94. Green Bay Packers – Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati – TBT when I got ridiculed internally for saying Deguara would possibly be my TE1 and I would take him in starting the late-third. Deguara is a fantastic fit for an offense that wants to go ground and pound. B+ here.

Picks 95-106

95. Denver Broncos – McTelvin Agim, DL, Arkansas – Ever since watching him in Mobile, Agim has been a player I liked. His agent said that he would be a day two pick and she wasn’t bluffing. C+ here.

96. Kansas City Chiefs – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU – Niang should have been a first-round pick and I will die by that. A talented pass blocker who could use some help trimming down in the middle to get quicker, this pick gets an A+.

97. Cleveland Browns – Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU – The AFC North has now taken two LSU linebackers slightly before I think they should have gone. I’ll give this pick a C for that but Phillips certainly has potential.

98. Baltimore Ravens – Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State – This pick is also getting a C from me. Harrison is a heavy-hitter but I have questions about his ceiling.

99. New York Giants – Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut – The Bronx native gets to come back to New York and is put in a situation where he will possibly be a starter by the end of his rookie year. This pick gets a B+ from me.

100. Las Vegas Raiders – Tanner Muse, LB, Clemson – My biggest question here was that he was introduced as a linebacker after playing safety at Clemson. Learning a new position could be quite the setback so this pick is getting a B-.

101. New England Patriots – Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech – I would have laughed if someone told me Dalton Keene would have gone day two. I’m not a huge fan of the player and even less of a fan of the trade up to get him. This is a D- grade.

102. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte – This is a bit higher than I would have liked or expected for Highsmith. He was a fifth-round player to me so taking him late in the third was not a great decision in my opinon. C-.

103. Philadelphia Eagles – Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado – Taylor is the type of player that the Eagles needed but this was way early that I would have expected. This is getting a C for addressing the need but the value just was not there.

104. Los Angeles Rams – Terrell Burgess, DB, Utah – This was a great pick. Burgess has a ton of talent, is a high-character guy, and will step in as an immediate major contributor for the Rams. A- here.

105. New Orleans Saints – Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton – The Saints traded up to draft Trautman and I’m all for it. Trautman could be putting up massive numbers in this Saints offense within the next couple of years. This is a B+ pick in my mind.

106. Baltimore Ravens – Tyre Phillips, OL, Mississippi State – The Ravens add some more offensive line talent, although I’m not a huge fan of the value here. This gets a C from me.