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  • Landlord Jeff

Grading the 1st Round of the NFL Draft: Picks 13-20

13. Buccaneers: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa: Grade: B+

-This isn’t the wrong pick; in fact, it is probably the right one considering Tristan Wirfs was still on the board. I think the Buccaneers are setting themselves up for massive failure for not drafting a QB to study under Tom Brady for the next two seasons, but that seems to be the Buccaneers M.O., which is setting themselves up for massive failure. They got the pick right; they added a solid OT to an Offensive Line that needs help and may give Tom Brady more time in the pocket. Bruce Arians knows what he is doing and maybe this pick is to help set up for the future; I guess we’ll see.

14. 49ers: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina: Grade: A+

-Wowzers. The 49ers, last year’s second best team in the NFL, had a top 15 pick in the Draft and decided to take a top 8 talent in this Draft. That’s not even fair… I for one think this was a brilliant decision by the 49ers; if Javon Kinlaw can live up to the hype, or even just half of the hype, that is a SCARY defense. Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas, and now Javon Kinlaw might be the most dominant D-Line in NFL history (if Solomon Thomas can finally live up to his potential and Javon Kinlaw produces as he should). If the Niners had this D-Line last year, they would’ve won the Super Bowl, and that’s a fact.

15. Broncos: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama: Grade: A

-The Broncos have a desperate need on defense, definitely at the CB position, which I think will be why they can’t hang in the AFC West this season. But, with Jerry Jeudy unexpectedly still on the board, the Broncos almost had to take him. Especially with Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson off the board. This gives Drew Lock someone besides Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant to throw to, and Jerry Juedy’s route running ability definitely will open the field up. This is a good pick; like I said, they almost had to take him here.

16. Falcons: AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson: Grade: C

-Another C's gets degrees pick here. I can’t say I hate the pick; AJ Terrell was probably the third best CB in this Draft and the top two were already taken, but the Falcons had other needs and there were more polished and proven prospects to be taken. They could’ve used Xavier McKinney or a Grant Delpit here drastically. They could’ve taken K’Lavon Chaisson. Hell, the could’ve even taken Cee Dee Lamb just for more receiver options to give Matt Ryan, but they decided to go AJ Terrell, which may work out and has the high probability of working out, but it is kind of a head scratcher.

17. Cowboys: Cee Dee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma: Grade: A

-The Cowboys probably are the luckiest team in this NFL Draft because there is no way that Jerry Juedy and Cee Lamb fell in this Draft like they did, but here we are. The Cowboys now possess Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and now Cee Dee Lamb as Dak Prescott’s down field targets. That is a scary triangle of receivers, especially in the NFC East.

18. Dolphins: Austin Jackson, OT, USC: Grade: D-

-The Dolphins take an Offensive Tackle with a lot of talent with their 2nd (of 3) first round picks. Austin Jackson proved during his time at USC that he has the skill and athleticism to be a natural Left Tackle and could potentially be a replacement for Laremy Tunsil. Though the reason this pick gets a D- is because he has to improve his edge blocking ability, especially in a league that has really thrived off of big time Edge rushers like Myles Garrett, the Watt Brothers, the Bosa Brothers, and etc. He’ll need to improve quickly, too, because he’ll have to block the Bills new Edge rusher AJ Epenesa twice a year. I think they could’ve gone with an Isiah Wilson here. Austin Jackson is a project Offensive Tackle that will need to develop a lot.

19. Raiders: Damon Arnette, CB, OSU: Grade: B

-Jon Gruden does it again and absolutely befuddles me and, I think, everyone else. Damon Arnette was not in most people’s first round mock drafts, but I can’t say I disagree with the pick; he just wasn’t on my mind. With glaring needs at Safety that could’ve been used on Grant Delpit or Xavier McKinney, or LB that could’ve been used on Patrick Queen, Jon Gruden went with Jeff Okudah’s opposite Damon Arnette. I won't give this anything lower than a B, because Damon Arnette did show why he should’ve been taken here with his verteran style of play in college.

20. Jaguars: K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU: Grade: B+

-This is a good pick. The Jaguars are actively shopping star edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue after all the offseason drama revolving around him and the front office, and I think this is a great way to replace him. The Jaguars really did the smart thing and focused on their depleted defense in this Draft and in a big way. The Jaguars front office should be really proud with this Draft. They maybe could’ve stolen Justin Jefferson here, but this is a solid replacement pick.




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