2021 NFL Draft: Grading all 32 first-round selections
The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft is in the books and we saw a ton of interesting selections on Thursday night. Who improved the most? Who struggled to make the most out of their picks? Find out as we put a letter grade on all 32 picks in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Clemson. Trevor Lawrence. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 1. player. 52. QB
2021 NFL Draft Grade: A+
Trevor Lawrence was the obvious pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1 and they did not screw it up. This was an easy decision but they do deserve some credit for not overthinking it. Make no mistake about it, Trevor Lawrence will immediately take this franchise to the next level. Do not be surprised to see this completely turn it around right away.
2. QB. BYU. Zach Wilson. player. 30. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
2021 NFL Draft Grade: A
One pick after the Jags landed Lawrence, the New York Jets found themselves a franchise quarterback of their own. Zach Wilson is an exciting quarterback prospect who improvises extremely well and undoubtedly has massive upside at the next level. He is not quite as clean of a prospect as Lawrence, but Wilson is undoubtedly an extremely talented player who will likely help the Jets get on track.
3. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. North Dakota State. Trey Lance. 42
2021 NFL Draft Grade: A-
I would have rather seen Justin Fields here, but at least the San Francisco 49ers did not trade away a ton of capital to reach for Mac Jones. Trey Lance was a strong pick for the 49ers at No. 3. His combination of arm talent and athleticism at the quarterback position is consistently impressive and the 49ers will put him in a great position to shine. Fields may not start over Jimmy Garoppolo right away, but he undoubtedly raises the ceiling of this franchise.
Scouting Report. TE. Florida. Kyle Pitts. player. 44. Pick Analysis. 4
2021 NFL Draft Grade: A
In Kyle Pitts, the Atlanta Falcons were able to snag arguably the best prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft class not named Trevor Lawrence. Pitts is a dynamic playmaker at the tight end position who is going to be a consistent matchup nightmare at the next level. Adding Pitts to the offensive attack with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley makes this passing game incredibly dangerous at all times.
5. player. 56. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. WR. LSU. Ja'Marr Chase
2021 NFL Draft Grade: B+
If the Cincinnati Bengals are able to significantly improve their offensive line of Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft, then I will probably feel a bit better about this pick. However, it is difficult for me to praise this pick too much with Penei Sewell still on the board and the Bengals clearly struggling to protect Joe Burrow.
That being said, Ja’Marr Chase is an extremely talented wide receiver prospect who does round out their group of pass-catchers extremely well. I would have like Sewell better her, but Chase was a strong choice.