2021 NFL Draft: Grading all 32 first-round selections
player. Pick Analysis. Northwestern. 26. 53. Scouting Report. CB. Greg Newsome II
2021 NFL Draft Grade: A
The Cleveland Browns are ready to compete. They entered the 2021 NFL Draft with few needs on their roster and were able to secure one of them with the selection of Greg Newsome II at No. 26. Newsome is a smooth and athletic cornerback prospect who displays impressive ability in man and zone coverages. The Browns will now trot out a trio of cornerbacks featuring Newsome, Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams that makes the position a strength.
26. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 27. player. WR. Minnesota. Rashod Bateman
2021 NFL Draft Grade: A+
The Baltimore Ravens being able to snag Rashod Bateman at No. 27 is absolute highway robbery. Bateman is an impact playmaker at the wide receiver position who shows the ability to make plays at all levels of the field. Bateman’s on-field awareness and ability to separate immediately will make him an important player for Lamar Jackson in the passing game. Make no mistake about it, this was a fantastic pick.
player. 15. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Houston. 28. Scouting Report. Payton Turner
2021 NFL Draft Grade: B
Payton Turner was considered a reach by many here at No. 28 but he is a talented football player who undoubtedly has exciting upside at the next level. Turner is a long, powerful and athletic edge defender who could quickly grow into an impact run defender and pass rusher at the next level. There may have been other players who would have made more sense for New Orleans but adding Turner at No. 28 was solid.
29. player. 49. Georgia. Eric Stokes. CB. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
2021 NFL Draft Grade: C+
The Green Bay Packers entered the draft with an obvious need at the cornerback position and Eric Stokes is an interesting player who displays exciting athletic ability. That being said, he lacks fluidity in coverage and tends to panic at times. The Packers would have been better off giving Aaron Rodgers (Jordan Love?) an impact weapon in the passing game (Elijah Moore would have been a nice pick).
Gregory Rousseau. player. Miami (FL). Pick Analysis. EDGE. 30. 16. Scouting Report
2021 NFL Draft Grade: B-
The Buffalo Bills had a need on the EDGE and adding Gregory Rousseau to the mix will help. That being said, Rousseau did a majority of his damage on the inside in college and does tend to disappear at times. Can Rousseau grow into a consistent impact player for the Bills at the next level? Don’t rule it out, but I have my doubts.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Jayson Oweh. 31. EDGE. Penn State. player. 26
2021 NFL Draft Grade: A
The Baltimore Ravens nail their pick once again. His lack of college production is a bit concerning, but Jayson Oweh is an absolute freak athlete on the edge and the Baltimore Ravens always seem to get the most out of their players. Expect Oweh to shine in Baltimore.
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Pick Analysis. 48. Washington. Joe Tryon. 32. player. Scouting Report. EDGE
2021 NFL Draft Grade: A-
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a great job of bringing back their players this offseason, allowing them to pick whoever they wanted at No. 32. Taking an edge rusher certainly made sense, as they lack depth at the position behind Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul. Joe Tryon is a bit of a raw player but his explosive athleticism on the edge is certainly intriguing. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers swing for the fences at a premium position at No. 32.