6. Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, OREGON. Grade: B+
-The Chargers are in a weird position where they need key things. They currently don’t have a franchise QB after parting from Phillip Rivers, they need offensive line help, and they need a running back after Melvin Gordon’s departure. The Chargers aren’t necessarily in a state like the Bengals were; they have absolutely nothing, so drafting the franchise QB of the future was the right move. I’m a huge OREGON DUCKS fan, and Justin Herbert (Herbie) was a great QB during his tenure for the Ducks. He has solid size for a QB, a rocket arm, great field vision, can work traffic, has a good play-action game, and has the ability to run. My only thing is, I think the Chargers need to start Tyrod Taylor for this season, or at least half the season, so Justin Herbert can learn an NFL playbook in full, get used to the NFL style of play, and develop as an NFL QB. If Justin Herbert is allowed to develop properly and build a little better offense around him, the Chargers will be good for a LONG time.
7. Panthers: Derrick Brown, Defensive Tackle, Auburn. Grade: A-
-Matt Rhule didn’t mess up his first, first round pick. They take a solid Defensive Tackle with a lot more upside than down side. He has the size and speed of most elite NFL Defensive Tackles, and I’d be surprised if he was a bust. The Panthers also were smart in addressing an actual need, which was stocking their defense which suffered a lot of departures this offseason.
8. Cardinals: Isiah Simmons, LB, LSU. Grade: C-
-Any team drafting Isiah Simmons should get an A+; the guy is great and was a huge part of LSU’s success. That being said, the only two teams that didn’t need to draft Isiah Simmons were the Browns and the Cardinals because they have such a glaring need at Offensive Line! Why did the Cardinals not take a fucking Offensive Linemen here?! They drafted Kyler Murray last season No. 1 overall, making him a Week 1 starter as the franchise QB. Kyler Murray produced great in his rookie season… but he was sacked FORTY-EIGHT TIMES! What the fuck Kingsbury? Kyler Murray needs protection and the Giants gave you the chance of a lifetime to take Jedrick Wills Jr. or Tristin Wirfs, and you passed?! The Cardinals do draft a great LB here; he will be an A+ player, but why are they trying to not help Kyler Murray out with protection? He can’t throw to De’Andre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, or Christian Kirk as effectively as he could with a better Offensive Line! Great prospect, will be a great player, but not the right choice.
9. Jaguars: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida. Grade: B
-Drafting corners is hard; you never know how they’ll develop in the NFL style of play. I’m glad to see the Jags take a CB here; it’s a need that needs to be filled. I know I was hoping they would take a guy like Cee Dee Lamb, because fuck it, but they decided to do the right thing and take the second best CB in this draft. I hope for their sake he works out.
10. Browns: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama. Grade: A+
-I did not foresee Jedrick Wills Jr. falling to number 10. I’m glad he did though, because this is a steal! As far as the OT prospects go, Jedrick Wills Jr. is the most proven prospect in the Draft, and when you have future Hall of Fame OT and Cleveland Browns legend Joe Thomas vouching for the Browns to take you, chances are you will be pretty good. The only reason I wanted them to take Tristin Wirfs is because he’s an Iowa guy and I just thought it’d be cool for the Browns to take an Iowa guy so high in the draft, but I’m so glad they took Jedrick Wills Jr. because he will be the guy the Browns Offensive Line has desperately needed. Baker Mayfield has to be the happiest QB on planet Earth after this selection.
11. Jets: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville. Grade: D-
-Now as far as Offensive Tackle prospects go, Mekhi Becton has the best POTENTIAL. That being said, what a Jets move to draft someone with POTENTIAL. Meki Becton’s biggest selling points were how athletic he was for as big as he is, and he is MASSIVE, but also who cares how fast he runs his 40? There were better OT prospects to be taken here, namely Tristin Wirfs. The Jets missed out big here. Mekhi Becton could be a great addition to this team and has all the POTENTIAL in the world, but time and time again the Jets draft guys with high potential, and it hasn’t worked out for them so far.
12. Raiders: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama: Grade: C-
-I’m a big Jon Gruden guy. I believe in his process because time and time again it works. He’s a great coach and a great evaluator of talent. I love his mad scientist mentality. With that being said, this is the first time I have ever questioned something Jon Gruden has done. With Cee Dee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy on the board, Jon Gruden decided to go with Henry Ruggs III? Henry Ruggs III's highest selling point was how quick he is. Personally, as I have said before, I think speed is such an overrated skill in the NFL because everyone is fast. The only guys I’ve ever really seen use speed to an actual advantage in the NFL is Tyreke Hill and Kareem Hunt, so I’m going to say the thought process here was to get Jon Gruden his own player like a Tyreke Hill. It could work out, there’s a high chance it will, but I highly question this pick, especially with Cee Dee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy still on the board. Hopefully Jon Gruden’s mad scientist mentality works here like it always does.
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