2019 NFL Draft: Grading all 32 first-round picks

Picks 17-32

17. Dexter Lawrence, Giants | Grade: D — This grade is not at all an indictment of Dexter Lawrence. In fact, this is the perfect example for “love the player, hate the pick”. Lawrence is a phenomenal talent as a 1 or 3 tech for any team in the draft. He’s not a great fit for a team that ranked 30th in the league in pass rush. I understand the glaring need left behind after trading Damon Harrison, but that’s why you don’t trade good players in the first place. Giants got a great player, but bypassed a legitimate need. Sound familiar? (see: Barkley, Saquon)

18. Garrett Bradbury, Vikings |  GRADE: A — Protecting Kirk Cousins was of paramount importance. Garrett Bradbury is arguably the best interior lineman in this entire class. This is a win for the Vikings both in terms of need and player.

19. Jeffrey Simmons, Titans | GRADE: A+ — After Ed Oliver, the next best defensive line talent was Jeffrey Simmons. Simmons’ off-field issues were extremely unique, but I’ll leave judgment up to you. If you look at simply Simmons the player and what he’s capable of on the field, the Titans stole a top-5 talent. Kudos to both Buffalo and Tennessee for letting the board work itself out and landing premier interior defensive line help without giving anything up to get such massive talents.

20. Noah Fant, Broncos |  GRADE: A — Trading down from 10 and picking up an extra 2nd this year and 3rd next year, the Broncos got tremendous value in Fant, a top 15-20 player and filled a position of need while also stocking up some additional high draft choices.

21. Darnell Savage, Packers | GRADE: C- — Savage in the first round is pretty questionable, but there must’ve been something the Packers coveted in him to move up 20 slots while giving up two fourth-round selections in the process to get him. Savage may not have been available had the Packers stayed up in the second round, but he certainly could’ve been available for even one less fourth round pick.

22. Andre Dillard, Eagles |  GRADE: A — The Eagles traded up to get to this pick, but it was worthwhile. Protecting Carson Wentz is worth the price they paid, which wasn’t that much anyway, and they got the best pass protector in the NFL Draft. He will be the heir apparent to Jason Peters, and the Eagles won’t skip a beat there.

23. Tytus Howard, Texans | GRADE: C- — No team knew who they wanted to draft more than the Texans knew they wanted to draft Washington State offensive tackle Andre Dillard. Eagles’ GM Howie Roseman worked his magic to move one slot ahead of Houston and swiped Dillard from their grasp. Texans then follow up losing Dillard by reaching on Howard who likely would’ve been available had Houston traded back and added another pick or two to their arsenal. This screams panic pick to me, and it’s not something the Texans could’ve afforded on Thursday.

24. Josh Jacobs, Raiders | GRADE: B — So much for not leaking draft info. Everyone saw this pick coming, and the Raiders followed through. Jacobs is a tough running back, a ‘grinder’ that Jon Gruden will love to keep on the field all three downs. Fantasy football players beware — this kid is going to be a workhorse for Gruden.

25. Marquise Brown, Ravens | GRADE: B — Hollywood Brown is a great pick here for Baltimore. My only concern is if Lamar Jackson is ever going to drop back enough for Brown to be the difference maker he’s capable of being. If Harbaugh can find ways to get creative on offense and involve Hollywood brown in RPO’s and select packages, then this pick could be a home run.

26. Montez Sweat, Redskins |  GRADE: A — I love Montez Sweat as a player, and after he was cleared of the heart situation, I thought he would easily go in the top 15 picks. Players with his size at 6-6 don’t come along with 4.4 speed very often, and he has great hand punch and length. The Redskins lost Preston Smith and (whispers) upgraded with this selection, giving up a 2020 2nd-round pick. That pick is inconsequential with a QB already in place. They picked the two most important positions in round one and I love that strategy.

27. Jonathan Abram, Raiders | GRADE: D — The Raiders simply did not seem to understand the value that was available to them for all three of their picks. Josh Jacobs might be the best pick of their three, and running back wasn’t even their biggest need. Abram was my 53rd ranked player was selected 27th. Sometimes these things happen, but it’s not surprising whatsoever that it’s coming from the Raiders.

28. Jerry Tillery, Chargers | GRADE: B — The Chargers needed some help on the defensive line, and they get a guy in Jerry Tillery who can turn it on and really disrupt an offensive gameplan, or he can disappear for a bit. He spent his draft night in Maui, so clearly he has wisdom. The Chargers’ rich defense gets even richer with this kid.

29. LJ Collier, Seahawks | GRADE: C- — I’ll never understand franchising who you feel may be your team’s best player (at least at that particular position) then ultimately deciding he’s not worth paying, and then turning around and drafting someone at the same position that likely won’t provide the same production as the previous player…at least not right away. Eh, at least Seattle addressed a need?

30. DeAndre Baker, Giants |  GRADE: C — I didn’t think Baker was worth a first-round pick, but the fact that he hasn’t given up a touchdown in two years is incredibly impressive. The fact that the Giants had to trade up for him here I don’t mind, but they had such a weird first round and none of the picks sat well for me. I think Baker can be a solid pro.

31. Kaleb McGary, Falcons | GRADE: B- — The Falcons left no question unanswered when it came to solidifying the holes in their offensive line. Listen, you’re paying your quarterback Top-6 money at his position, you can’t have him on his back half the time he’s on the field. Both McGary and Lindstrom provide instant plugs to an offensive line that ranked near the bottom of the league.

32. N’Keal Harry, Patriots | GRADE: A — I love N’Keal Harry’s game. He’s a true alpha at the wide receiver position and what does it say about his personal makeup that he’s the first receiver ever selected in round one by Bill Belichick? The Pats got a great player here, and the rest of the NFL should loathe to find out how good this kid is going to be in their offense.