Essential The Official ESPN Insider Thread (ESPN+)

[Skooby]

Ford: Ranking top 30 NBA draft prospects

Big Board 4.0: Top NBA draft prospects competing for No. 1

We're getting closer to draft season.

Over the next few weeks, conference tournaments and March Madness will give players a major opportunity to boost their NBA draft stock.

I spoke with a number of NBA GMs and scouts to compile this updated ranking of the top prospects.

Here's our last Big Board of the college season.






1. Markelle Fultz

Previous rank: No. 1
Washington
Freshman
Guard

Fultz's grasp on the No. 1 pick has always been a bit tenuous. It hasn't helped that Fultz has been out of the lineup since Feb. 9 after suffering a knee injury against Washington State, forcing him to miss a key second matchup against Lonzo Ball on March 1.

However, in a survey of a number of top NBA execs and scouts, Fultz still polled slightly ahead of Ball as the No. 1 pick. What's keeping him ahead? He's a more complete player and scorer than Ball and lacks any major holes in his game.

This doesn't mean he'll be the No. 1 pick, though several teams that could potentially land the No. 1 pick like the Celtics, Sixers and Wolves seem to be leaning toward Fultz right now.

Medical testing (no one in the NBA really knows what's going on with that knee), workouts and interviews will now be key for Fultz to hold on to the top position.





2. Lonzo Ball

Previous rank: No. 2
UCLA
Freshman
Guard

Ball continues to gain momentum in the drive for the No. 1 pick. While he is a less complete player than Fultz, the things he does well, he does really well.

Scouts are particularly enamored with his ability to control the game offensively. He makes everyone around him better but can take over games when things get close.

Several teams with good odds of winning the lottery like the Lakers, Suns and Magic appear to be leaning toward Ball. With Fultz's season probably over, a big NCAA tournament for Ball could help him gain even more ground.





3. Josh Jackson

Previous rank: No. 3
Kansas
Freshman
Forward

While Fultz and Ball are the clear favorites for the No. 1 pick, there are a handful of NBA GMs and scouts who feel that Jackson also makes a very strong case for the top pick.


He has improved significantly as the season has progressed, especially as a shooter. In his past 12 games he has shot 51 percent from 3 (18-for-35). He also has recorded seven double-doubles in that 12-game stretch.

He continues to be turnover prone and his free-throw shooting is a red flag worth noting, but Jackson's competitive fire and ability to play multiple positions are big pluses.

If he can keep hitting shots, he has superstar upside.





4. Dennis Smith

Previous rank: No. 4
NC State
Freshman
Guard

Smith is in the same boat as Fultz. Individually, he has had a terrific freshman season. But his team has lost nine of its past 10 games, and barring an improbable run in the ACC tourney, his season will end early.

The poor performances by the Wolfpack have taken their toll on Smith's draft stock a little. NBA scouts want to see point guards impact the game, and Smith doesn't have the same excuse that Fultz does. There was talent on this roster.

However, his elite athleticism and ability to get his shot anywhere on the floor are such big pluses that Smith's draft stock looks very secure in the Nos. 3-7 range.





5. Jonathan Isaac

Previous rank: No. 5
FSU
Freshman
Forward

While Isaac's production hasn't been particularly impressive of late (he scored only two points against Miami on Saturday and has failed to put up double-digit scoring in four of his past eight games), NBA scouts remain enamored with his elite skill set for a player his size. He also is a bit of an analytics darling (he ranks second to Ball on Kevin Pelton's statistical Big Board), which helps his cause.

If he can do put together a few big games for Florida State in the ACC and NCAA tournaments, he'll improve his stock.

Right now he also seems locked into that Nos. 4-7 range.





6. Malik Monk

Previous rank: No. 6
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard

When Monk is taking and hitting shots, he looks like a sure fire top-5 pick. There isn't a more lethal scorer in college basketball when he gets going (with the possible exception of Central Michigan's Marcus Keene).

Monk's biggest issue right now is consistency. He has frustrated John Calipari this season with the up-and-down nature of his play. He's also strikingly one-dimensional for a player ranked this high. But some scouts feel that Monk is still developing as a player and that we might see more dimensions to his game (creating off the dribble, floor vision) in the NBA than we see from him in college.





7. Lauri Markkanen

Previous rank: No. 9
Arizona
Freshman
Forward

Markkanen has a lot of fans among NBA scouts who see him as an ideal stretch-4 in the league. He's big and mobile at 7 feet, 230 pounds and can really, really stroke it from deep.

Markkanen has been in a shooting slump (4-for-28 from 3 in his past eight games) but his 3-point percentage is still at 43 percent for the season.

There are questions about who he'll defend at the next level and his rebounding could improve, but offensively, he looks like a terrific prospect.





8. Jayson Tatum

Previous rank: No. 7
Duke
Freshman
Forward

Tatum has all the physical tools to be a dominant NBA 3. Shooting remains the biggest question mark for him.

Tatum makes nearly 60 percent of his shots at the rim. However, things get a little sketchier as he moves away from the basket. He got on a hot streak as a shooter in mid-February, going 12-for-19 from 3 in a three-game stretch before regressing to the mean and hitting only three of his next 16 3s.

His 2-point jump shooting is essentially on par with his 3-point game (36 percent from the field). Some scouts feel Tatum has good enough mechanics to improve that area of his game.





9. De'Aaron Fox

Previous rank: No. 10
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard

Fox has been hobbled by injuries in February (first a right ankle, then a twisted knee) and hasn't really played at 100 percent. But he was still able to manage 19 points in a win versus Texas A&M on Saturday and seems to be getting back to his old self.

The jump shot has improved a little but still remains the biggest source of concern for scouts.







10. Miles Bridges

Previous rank: No. 12
Michigan State
Freshman
Forward

Bridges continues to impress scouts with his combination of athleticism, scoring ability and floor vision. He's shooting an impressive 41 percent on jumpers (both from 3 and from 2, according to Hoop-Math). He also has proven to be a terrific rebounder and a solid shot-blocker.

His team should make the tournament, but a loss to Maryland on Saturday didn't help the cause. Some scouts feel he's a better long-term prospect than Tatum. It will be interesting to see those two go at it in workouts.





11. Frank Ntilikina

Previous rank: No. 11
France
Age: 18
Guard

Ntilikina moved from the bench into a starting role for Strasbourg five games ago and his past three games have been impressive. He's averaging 14 points in his past three games, shooting 7-for-10 from 3, and has committed only one turnover in that stretch.

He's really neck-and-neck with Fox for the next point guard off the board once Fultz, Ball and Smith are taken. If he were a little more explosive athletically, I think he'd have the clear edge.





12. Robert Williams

Previous rank: No. 14
Texas A&M
Freshman
Forward/center

Williams is coming off a big 20-point, 13-rebound effort against Kentucky where he outplayed Bam Adebayo. He has put up double-doubles in six of his past eight games and is shooting 41 percent on his 2-point jumpers, per Hoop-Math.

Scouts are becoming convinced that he's more than just an athletic shot-blocker. It will be really interesting to see what NBA scouts do if both Williams and Harry Giles are on the board.

 

[Skooby]

13. Harry Giles

Previous rank: No. 8
Duke
Freshman
Forward

NBA scouts aren't sure what to do with Giles at this point. He plays sporadic minutes for Duke, shows flashes of his old self but is still largely ineffective when he's on the court. He still has the motor that intrigued coming into the season, but his explosiveness and feel just aren't there yet.

Everything on paper screams that Giles needs another year at Duke to really reach his potential. But NBA teams are also aware of just how much potential he has and a number of them told me they'd be willing to gamble on him if he falls outside the top 10.



14. Zach Collins

Previous rank: No. 21
Gonzaga
Freshman
Center

Collins continues to climb up the Big Board as we get closer to the draft. While he still plays a role off the bench and doesn't get the minutes a player of his caliber probably deserves, what he does do with those minutes has really been extraordinary.

He's efficient from everywhere on the floor. He can score at the basket thanks to explosive athleticism, and he's comfortable operating out of the high post and knocking down jumpers on the pick-and-pop. He's even shooting 44 percent from 3, though he doesn't take them very often.

He needs to get stronger, but the buzz about Collins keeps getting louder and louder.







15. Justin Patton

Previous rank: No. 13
Creighton
Freshman
Center

Patton's amazing efficiency has cooled off a little (thanks in large part to Creighton losing point guard Maurice Watson for the season). But all of the things that scouts love about his game remain and there is so much untapped potential.

In a draft that mostly lacks elite big men, someone might take a chance on him in the late lottery.









16. Jarrett Allen

Previous rank: No. 19
Texas
Freshman
Center

Allen's rangy athleticism, his massive 7-foot-6 wingspan and some huge games lately against Kansas and Baylor have impressed scouts. He's shooting nearly 50 percent on his 2-point jumpers this season, which is an underrated part of his game.

However, that statistic also holds part of the dilemma for scouts -- 58 percent of the shots Allen is taking this season are jumpers. He still tends to shy away from contact around the basket. Adding strength will help with some of that, but there are serious questions about his toughness.







17. T.J. Leaf

Previous rank: No. 15
UCLA
Freshman
Forward

Leaf sprained his ankle early in the game against Washington last Wednesday, but he's expected to be back in the Pac-12 tournament. Leaf is not particularly long or strong, but he is a good athlete, is very crafty in the paint and has the ability to step out and hit shots from anywhere on the floor.

As he adds strength, you could see him playing a role like Josh McRoberts or Luke Babbitt in the NBA.







18. John Collins

Previous rank: No. 24
Wake Forest
Sophomore
Forward

It has taken until pick No. 18 to finally have a non-freshman (or age equivalent) on our Big Board. That says something about the strength of this year's freshman class.

Collins remains one of the most efficient players in college basketball. With his size and athletic ability it's pretty easy to get excited about what he has to offer -- especially when you factor in that he's a very young sophomore (he doesn't turn 20 until September).

Scouts want to see him show more range on his jump shot so that he can be more of a modern 4 in the NBA. But all the other tools are there.





19. Ivan Rabb

Previous rank: No. 16
Cal
Sophomore
Forward

There's some mild disappointment from NBA scouts about Rabb's sophomore season. He has improved as a rebounder and a scorer, but it wasn't the leap that NBA teams had hoped to see.

With Cal looking likely to miss the NCAA tournament, he might not get a chance to prove himself on the big stage.





20. Isaiah Hartenstein
Previous rank: No. 18
Germany
Age: 18
Forward

Hartenstein briefly moved his way into the starting lineup for Zalgiris, scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds in a game versus Siauliai before heading back to the bench (with just four minutes of playing time) against Neptune on Sunday.

He's played well enough in his time there, along with solid play at the FIBA under-19s, to warrant a pick this high. However, teams would love to see him get some run at the Nike Hoop Summit in April. A big showing there is probably the best way to boost his stock.





21. OG Anunoby

Previous rank: No. 17
Indiana
Sophomore
Forward

Anunoby had surgery on his knee a month ago, but NBA teams still know relatively little about the injury and how it will affect his draft stock.

If he decides to declare for the draft and teams feel that the surgery was a success, he should probably land in the Nos. 15-22 range. If he's going to miss his rookie season, he could slide a little further, but I doubt he falls out of the first round.









22. Terrance Ferguson

Previous rank: No. 20
Australia
Age: 19
Guard

Ferguson's season in Australia is over and now he heads back to the United States to prepare for the draft.

He didn't really do anything to help his draft stock there. According to our own Neil Johnson, his advanced statistics weren't very good and with so many dominant freshmen, he has lost some of the luster he earned with a strong performance in last year's Nike Hoop Summit.

The good news for him is that this is a weak draft for shooting guards and shooters in general, which could help Ferguson's case.









23. Rodions Kurucs

Previous rank: No. 23
Latvia
Age: 18
Forward

Kurucs has put up better numbers since moving into the starting lineup in late December. He's shooting 39 percent from 3 and has been able to show off some of his court vision.

He really remains mostly a long-term draft-and-stash prospect with significant upside.





24. Caleb Swanigan

Previous rank: N/A
Purdue
Sophomore
Forward

What a difference a year makes. Swanigan was considered a top-10 high school prospect who put up just a solid freshman season for Purdue. Swanigan spent the summer getting in the best shape of his life and the results have been outstanding.

Not only has he become both an elite rebounder and low-post scorer (he hits 80 percent of his shots at the rim), but he also has proven to be an excellent shooter, hitting 45 percent of his 3s.

Teams will always worry a bit about conditioning with Swanigan. It's going to take a constant commitment to stay in this sort of shape, but if he does he could be a very effective NBA player.





25. Edrice Adebayo

Previous rank: No. 27
Kentucky
Freshman
Forward

Bam's strength and explosive leaping ability make him an elite finisher at the rim. He gets 64 percent of his shots near the basket and is shooting a ridiculous 79.7 percent there, according to Hoop-Math.

His lack of overall shooting ability and his lackluster rebounding numbers (though he has had a string of big rebound games against Tennessee, Missouri and Florida) have him a little lower on our Big Board.





26. Tyler Lydon

Previous rank: No. 22
Syracuse
Sophomore
Forward

Lydon doesn't necessarily have a position in the NBA and teams are worried about his consistency, but he's shooting 41 percent from 3. He also rebounds and blocks shots.

It's a formula that should get him taken somewhere in the 20s.

 

[Skooby]

27. Andrew Jones

Previous rank: No. 25
Texas
Freshman
Guard

Jones is another upside pick relying on size and elite athleticism at this point to carry him into the first round. He continues to be very inconsistent and is in the middle of a shooting slump over the past nine games.

Texas' season should end this week and he'll have a tough decision. Scouts all agree another year at Texas would be good for him. But there's enough raw potential to get him drafted in the Nos. 20-40 range.





28. Donovan Mitchell

Previous rank: No. 26
Louisville
Sophomore
Guard

Teams are desperate to find a few keepers at the shooting guard position and Mitchell's combination of elite athleticism and scoring chops make him an interesting prospect.

He even has some ballhandling abilities that make teams wonder if he could be a point guard at the next level.







29. Ike Anigbogu

Previous rank: N/A
UCLA
Freshman
Center

Anigbogu is super raw, but NBA teams are pretty high on his energy, rebounding and shot-blocking ability.

He could really use another year at UCLA, but if he came out now, he'd likely go in the Nos. 25-40 range.







30. Tony Bradley

Previous rank: No. 30
UNC
Freshman
Center

Bradley's lack of minutes hides a really strong freshman season coming off the bench for the Tar Heels.

Like several of the other freshmen at the bottom of this list, he's not ready for the NBA. His upside could sneak him into the first round.





Next five in
Next five: Yante Maten, PF, Jr., Georgia; Luke Kennard, SG, So., Duke; Justin Jackson, SF, Jr., North Carolina; Kostja Mushidi, SG, Belgium; Allonzo Trier, SG, So., Arizona

 

[Skooby]

Next Marlins owners need Derek Jeter involved

Next Marlins owners need Derek Jeter involved

We can never begin to ascertain the potential of the Miami baseball market until Jeffrey Loria completes the sale of the Miami Marlins because of how Loria shadows the perception of the franchise. For a lot of fans, the Marlins without Loria would be the Death Star after the departure of Darth Vader.

Loria is moving forward with sale talks, writes Barry Jackson, and he will soon cash in on his profitable baseball investment.

Whoever the new owners turn out to be, they must recognize the full depth of the fan base’s anger toward Loria, who slashed his payroll, often fielded noncompetitive teams and negotiated a ballpark deal that drained taxpayers. Because of this, generations of Miami fans have made a habit of staying away from the relatively young home of the Marlins, which opened in 2012, and refusing to spend money they believed would land in Loria’s pockets.

The new owners will need a reset, in the same way the Los Angeles Dodgers did following Frank McCourt's ugly reign. And the Marlins will need instant credibility. The new Dodgers regime got credibility mostly by spending and taking on players like Adrian Gonzalez, but they also rebranded the team. An important step was the inclusion of Magic Johnson in the ownership group, because of Magic’s reputation with folks in L.A. His history with the city made fans willing to take him at his word that the new owners were going to spend money and try relentlessly to win. And that’s what has happened.

This is why the new owners, whoever they are, should make a strong effort to persuade Derek Jeter to be part of the solution. And MLB should do all that it can to aid in that, to the degree that it requires the buyers to try to make that happen as a stipulation for purchasing the team.

Jeter’s presence would have the potential to be a game-changer for Miami, if it’s properly backed by ownership action. Imagine the Marlins’ franchise going through one of those home makeover reality shows: Jeter welcoming fans at the doorway, as the Death Star suddenly appears all warm and inviting. Such is the power of his image and personality.

Would Jeter actually want something like this? I have my doubts. I can’t imagine him ever embracing a role like Magic has with the Dodgers, which is largely ceremonial. Jeter is more like Michael Jordan: He likes control, generally, and he can draw on his many years of experience in his sport. While he might not be fluent in the current language of analytics, I can’t imagine Jeter residing above the front office in the chain of command and not exerting influence. Like Jordan, he’s so competitive that he would naturally try to sway the wins and losses on the field.

Jeter might say no to a Marlins overture. He has made no secret of the fact that he wants to be a baseball owner someday, and maybe he's got some other franchise in mind -- like the Tampa Bay Rays, the team closest to Jeter’s Tampa-area home.

But the conversation about a future marriage of Jeter and the Marlins needs to happen, if it hasn’t already. The marriage could help to restore the Miami franchise, and it might turn a dream into reality for Jeter.

 

[GreatestLaker]

NBA draft stock: Tourney stars rising and falling

 

[Skooby]

NBA draft stock: Tourney stars rising and falling

NBA draft stock watch: Which tourney stars are rising and falling?



The first two rounds of the NCAA tournament are in the books and we still have a number of top NBA draft prospects playing in the Sweet 16. Six of the top 14 prospects in our Top 100 remain, as well as 18 of the 30 players on our tournament Big Board.

NBA scouts have been out in full force this past week. While teams tend to deny that the tournament has a disproportionate effect on a player's draft stock, history says otherwise.

Here's a look at who helped and hurt themselves over the weekend.






Stock up


Lonzo Ball, PG, Fr., UCLA

Ball played like the No. 1 pick in the draft, especially against Cincinnati when he scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out nine assists and picked up a couple of steals. His jump shot was falling (6-for-10 from 3 over two games) and the overall confidence in which he runs the team really shined after a shaky performance against Arizona in the Pac-12 tournament.

When Ball plays this way, UCLA has a chance to win it all. If he can lead the Bruins to the Final Four, he'll have the ammunition he needs to convince NBA teams they should take him ahead of Markelle Fultz.

Josh Jackson, G/F, Fr., Kansas

One day before Kansas' first game, court officials released an affidavit that said Jackson threatened to "beat" a women's basketball player in December (he is scheduled to appear in court on April 12).

On the floor, Jackson made a strong case that he should be in the conversation with Fultz and Ball for the No. 1 pick after a dominant performance against Michigan State. He led all scorers with 23 points, knocked down a couple of 3s and had two steals and two blocks. His ability to create his own shot combined with the ability to guard multiple positions make him the best two-way player in the draft. Fultz and Ball have the leg up on Jackson right now, but Jackson has the talent to be a star and he's peaking at exactly the right time.

Lauri Markkanen, PF, Fr., Arizona

After a midseason slump that saw his jump shot take a vacation, Markkanen has been a force for Arizona in March. He dropped 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting against North Dakota, and after a slow start against Saint Mary's made some big plays down the stretch for Arizona on both side of the court, including a big 3 and a block with three minutes left in the game.

Scouts are pretty split on whether he'll be a star in the Dirk Nowitzki mold, or merely a good stretch-4 like Ryan Anderson. Arizona has been asking him to do more in the post and less on the perimeter lately, which has helped his all-around game (scouts were happy to see him grab 11 boards and block a couple of shots against the Gaels). Scouts have him pegged in the Nos. 5-9 range in the draft.

Miles Bridges, F, Fr., Michigan State

Bridges finished his season with a bang, averaging 20 points and 8.5 rebounds in games against Miami and Kansas. He shot 40 percent from 3 and dished out five assists in those two games. There are a handful of scouts who argue that Bridges might end up being better than Duke's Jayson Tatum someday. He's a better athlete, shooter and passer. But right now he looks as if he's in the Nos. 8-12 range.

Zach Collins, C, Fr., Gonzaga

Collins is really having a coming-out party in the tournament. He has averaged 3.5 blocks per game in 21 minutes and was a real impact player in the second half of Gonzaga's game against Northwestern. He is a terrific draft prospect. He's athletic, a good rebounder and shot-blocker and can score in the paint and facing the basket.

He needs to add strength, but all the physical tools and skills are there. He was ranked No. 14 on our board coming into the tournament. He moves up to No. 12 in our Monday update and you could make the argument he should even be ranked higher.

Edrice Adebayo, PF, Fr., Kentucky

Hats off to Adebayo. His draft stock dropped midseason from the late lottery into the late first round as scouts questioned his lack of rebounding and his offensive versatility. Head coach John Calipari used it as motivation for Adebayo and he has been playing like a potential lottery pick since.

He had 15 points and 18 rebounds against Northern Kentucky and another 13 points and 10 boards against Wichita State. His swat of Landry Shamet's 3-point shot as time expired showed his versatility as a defender. He really has the mobility to defend both on the paint and on the perimeter. He has slowly seen his draft stock improve the last month and cracks the teens again for the first time in a month in our latest Top 100.

Caleb Swanigan, PF, So., Purdue

Swanigan's awesome sophomore season continues with two big double-doubles in wins against Vermont and Iowa State. He had 20 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and was 3-for-6 from 3 against the Cyclones.

He has been one of the most complete players in college basketball this season. If he convinces scouts that he'll be able to keep the weight off when he gets to the NBA, he's an intriguing prospect in the Nos. 20-40 range.

Moritz Wagner, F/C, So., Michigan

No one did more to help his draft stock over the weekend than Wagner. His career-best performance against Louisville -- 26 points on 11-for-14 shooting -- showed why he was been quickly moving up our Top 100 over the past month. Wagner is a fluid athlete at 6-foot-11 who can score off the bounce and on the block. He also has 3-point range.

When he's engaged and not in foul trouble, he can take over a game. The fact that he did it against a bunch of NBA-caliber athletes on Louisville impressed scouts. He sat at No. 40 on our Top 100 before the tournament and moves up to No. 21 in our latest rankings. That's a huge leap for any player, but if you watched his draft stock all month, it isn't just based on one game. It's just scouts getting more and more comfortable with the idea that he has all the skills he needs to be a good NBA player someday.

Tony Bradley, C, Fr., North Carolina

Bradley plays limited minutes, but when he's in the game he makes things happen. He played only 12 minutes versus Arkansas but still managed seven points and seven boards, and 12 points and six boards in 19 minutes versus Texas Southern. He might not declare for the draft, but if he does, most of the scouts I spoke with see him in the Nos. 18-25 range.

D.J. Wilson, F, Jr., Michigan

Wilson showed off all the strengths of his game against both Oklahoma State and Louisville. He's a terrific and versatile athlete who can stretch the floor, finish at the rim and block shots. He can even handle the ball and bring it up the floor.

However, his lack of toughness continues to bother some scouts who want to see him initiate and handle contact better. He grabbed only two boards against Louisville and at times seemed bothered by the physicality. Still, athletic 6-foot-10 guys who can shoot 3s and protect the rim don't come along every day and Wilson has made a strong case to be a first-round pick after hovering in the 30s in our Top 100 all season.

Bonzie Colson, F, Jr., Notre Dame

Notre Dame is out of the NCAA tournament, but Colson was really good, especially in the second round versus West Virginia when he scored 27 points, grabbed eight boards and went 4-for-5 from 3.

It's that ability to stretch the floor, combined with terrific length for his position, that might help him overcome his lack of size. I'm not sure he's a first-rounder, but several GMs said they'd consider him in the 20s.


Chimezie Metu, C, So., USC

Metu had a big tournament for the Trojans, averaging 19 points in games against Providence, SMU and Baylor. His 28-point performance against Baylor on Sunday was his second most of the season.

Teams clearly love his athletic ability and length, but they worry that his frail frame and lack of an elite perimeter game might hurt him in the pros. Nevertheless, teams were impressed all week and he definitely helped push up his draft stock.

Landry Shamet, PG, Fr., Wichita State

Shamet made a strong impression on NBA scouts with a big game against De'Aaron Fox and Kentucky on Sunday. Shamet has really excelled since being moved to the point for the Shockers. He has great size for his position, plays quick off the bounce and is shooting 45 percent from 3 for the season. He projects even better when you dig deeper into the analytics.

Scouts feel it's unlikely that he declares this year and haven't been as focused on him as a draft prospect. But several of them admitted he's a very intriguing point guard prospect and could be a potential first-rounder in 2018.

Ethan Happ, PF, So., Wisconsin

Happ isn't your traditional draft prospect. He has a unique set of skills for a big man. He excels as a ball handler and passer. He racks up steals. And he doesn't shoot the 3 the way today's en vogue big men do. He uses great footwork in the paint to get a whopping 80 percent of his shots at the rim. But his versatility, toughness, rebounding ability and feel for the game intrigue scouts -- especially ones that are into analytics and see Happ projecting as a sleeper first-rounder.

He was solid -- though hampered by foul trouble -- in the first two rounds of the tournament. If he can help get Wisconsin deeper, I think he'd have a real shot of cracking the Top 30 by the end of the tournament.

Devin Robinson, F, Jr., Florida

As a freshman, Robinson was regarded as a potential first-round prospect, but his game never really took off the way scouts had hoped. He has the size and athletic ability for his position, though he has been inconsistent as a scorer and shooter.

He's off to a strong start in the tournament, scoring 24 points against East Tennessee State and then following it up with 14 points and 11 boards versus Virginia. He's shooting 4-for-9 from 3 in the tourney. A strong finish for him could get him invited to the combine if he declares. Scouts do like the tools he brings to the table.

Tyler Dorsey, G, So., Oregon

Dorsey drew some late first-round buzz early in his freshman year before dropping off a bit. He has been the best player on the floor for Oregon lately and his 27 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and 4-for-5 shooting from 3 saved the Ducks from a second-round exit. He also had 24 points against Iona and is coming off a red-hot Pac-12 tournament as well.

I don't think Dorsey has worked his way back into the first round, but he's definitely back on the radar as a versatile guard who can score, shoot the basketball and play both backcourt positions.

Jock Landale, C, Jr., Saint Mary's

The big Australian has been one of the best-kept secrets in this class, but strong performances against Arizona and VCU in the tournament should really help his draft stock going forward. He had 18 points and 13 boards against VCU and 19 points, 14 boards and four assists against Arizona.

Landale shot 67 percent at the rim and 50 percent on his 2-point jumpers this season, per Hoop-Math. He's a good rebounder and these performances aren't flukes. He put up strong outings against other NCAA tournament teams like Nevada (33 points, nine boards), Dayton (15 points, 14 boards) and Gonzaga (though foul trouble in a couple of the games limited his minutes). In a draft without a lot of strong center prospects, he's likely to get a combine invite if he declares.

Sindarius Thornwell, G, Sr., South Carolina

Thornwell has been on the NBA radar since a strong freshman season but then stalled a bit as a sophomore and junior. He took a major leap as a senior by winning SEC Player of the Year honors and was awesome in the first two games of the tournament, scoring 29 points and grabbing 11 boards against Marquette and then had 24 points, six rebounds and five assists versus Duke.

He's a good two-way athlete, knows how to get to the rim and shot 6-for-12 from 3. He has been drawing some quiet buzz from scouts over the past month and leading the Gamecocks over Duke into the Sweet 16 will certainly help his cause.

 

[Skooby]

Jordan Bell, PF, Jr., Oregon

Bell is a beast of an athlete -- a terrific shot-blocker, rebounder and overall defender. His offense is still a work in progress, but scouts love his toughness and energy. He's a sleeper second-round pick who averaged 12 points and 12 points for the Ducks in their first two outings.

Wesley Iwundu, F, Sr., Kansas State

Iwundu posted a career-high 24 points and seven assists against Wake Forest in a First Four game and then followed it up with 19 points and three 3-pointers in the Wildcats' loss to Cincinnati.

Iwundu will get some strong looks from teams. He's a versatile forward who can defend multiple positions, see the floor and stretch the court. Two strong games here might have earned him an invite to the combine.

Vince Edwards, F, Jr., Purdue

Edwards has been overshadowed by Swanigan this season, but he's an intriguing prospect who can shoot the 3 and rack up assists. He scored 21 points in both games for Purdue and ripped down 10 boards against Iowa State.

He's clearly on the second-round bubble right now, but a long run playing like this should remind scouts that he has some intriguing skills that should translate in the NBA.

Trevon Bluiett, F, Jr., Xavier

Bluiett declared for the 2016 NBA draft but withdrew after failing to land an invite to the combine. Since then, he had really fallen off NBA radars. When point guard and first-round prospect Edmond Sumner went down for the season, scouts stopped watching Xavier. They're watching again.

He had 29 points against Florida State, shot 8-for-15 from 3 over both rounds and really carried Xavier to the Sweet 16. He's a tweener who lacks elite athleticism and that's the biggest concern for scouts. But the improved shooting and his ability to get to the rim has him starting to make the case that he can be a wing in the pros.




Stock down


Justin Patton, C, Fr., Creighton

Patton's stock is down slightly. He was one of the most efficient players in college basketball this season, but he posted the worst game of 2016-17 against Rhode Island, shooting just 3-for-12 from the field. He played hard, but the production wasn't there.

I don't know that it matters much in the big picture -- everyone considering drafting Patton understands that they are drafting potential rather than production right now. But I did hear a lot more scouts saying he should consider another year at Creighton. I think he goes somewhere between No. 12 and No. 18 if he declares.

Josh Hart, SG, Sr., Villanova

Hart's stat line wasn't bad in Nova's surprise loss to Wisconsin. He had 19 points on 5-for-9 shooting and got to the line 10 times. But his five turnovers and inability to get some key scores down the stretch highlighted the concerns NBA scouts have about his transition to the NBA.

He lacks the size and explosive athletic ability to finish over bigger opponents. That was the take from scouts when he played at the combine last year as well. He has been able to use strength to impose his will in college. Scouts aren't sure he'll be able to do the same in the NBA.

Luke Kennard, SG, So., Duke

Kennard was Duke's best scorer all season, but he struggled to find any rhythm in the tournament, going 4-for-18 from the field in Duke's two games and struggling to impose his will on either end. For a guy who was already a first-round bubble prospect, his so-so performance put a dent in what was otherwise an excellent sophomore season.

Mikal Bridges, F, So., Villanova

Teams want to love Bridges. He has all the physical tools and skills of a 3-and-D candidate, but his zero-point performance against Wisconsin in 29 minutes certainly didn't help the impression that he needs another year at Villanova.



Stock neutral

Jayson Tatum, SF, Fr., Duke

Tatum's stock was red-hot coming into the tournament, but he failed to make a stronger push when it mattered. He was awesome against Troy, scoring 18 points, grabbing 12 boards and getting four blocks and four steals. But he had a more muted impact against the strong, athletic forwards of South Carolina.

All in all, he looks as if he has worked his way into the top five, but I don't think he did enough to surpass Fultz, Ball or Jackson.

De'Aaron Fox, PG, Fr., Kentucky

Fox has had a strong tournament, especially as a scorer. He has an elite ability to break players down of the bounce and explode to the basket. But teams are still eager to see him hit 3s and he went 0-for-2 from deep and missed several other key jump shots.

It didn't hurt his stock, but he didn't necessarily help himself either.

Malik Monk, G, Fr., Kentucky

Monk was second among all NCAA freshmen in scoring behind Fultz, and when he gets it going there isn't a more electric player in the country. Alas, Monk can be streaky and he shot just 6-for-21 from the field in Kentucky's first two games.

The good news? The Wildcats are getting more of a defensive effort from him lately, and his blocked shot with just seconds left in regulation helped Kentucky squeak past Wichita State.

Harry Giles, PF, Fr., Duke

During the ACC tournament, it appeared Giles was going to break out of his season-long slumber and be a major factor for the Blue Devils in March. Unfortunately for Duke fans, it didn't happen. He played a total of 15 minutes in two games, took only one shot, grabbed four boards and had one block.

NBA GMs still insist that if his knees check out at the combine then he's a lottery pick, but he sure didn't look like it in the tournament. If he decides to return to Duke for his sophomore year? Scouts say to put him in the top five of the 2018 Big Board.

Jonathan Isaac, F, Fr., Florida State

Isaac had a strong first-round game against Florida Gulf Coast, posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals. It was one of his best performances of the season and clearly showed what his upside could be when he's on. He was solid against Xavier in the loss, with eight points and 12 boards on 4-for-7 shooting.

After talking with scouts, I don't get the impression that much has changed. He's in the Nos. 5-9 range in the draft.

Donovan Mitchell, G, So., Louisville

Mitchell got off to a very shaky start against Jacksonville State but had a strong performance against Michigan that balanced things out. Scouts love his athleticism and ability to score, but what is really intriguing is his ability to play some point. He had 10 assists in Louisville's two games and looks as if he could really be a point guard with more experience.

He's a bubble first-rounder right now and might want to think about returning for one more year. A season full time at the point could boost his draft stock in a weaker 2018 draft.

Justin Jackson, G/F, Jr., North Carolina

Jackson broke out of recent shooting slump, hitting eight of the 14 3s he took in wins over Texas Southern and Arkansas. He also averaged 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals, all improvements over his regular-season averages. But scouts still won't commit to him being a sure first-round pick.

Some see him going as high as the mid-first round, but most still put him on the first-round bubble because of his lack of elite athleticism and concerns that his 3-point shooting might be a little fluky after two seasons of struggling from beyond the arc.

Cameron Oliver, F, So., Nevada

Oliver had a strong game against Iowa State, scoring 22 points, hitting four 3s, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking four shots. But it didn't move the needle much for his draft stock.

He's on the first round bubble in the Nos. 25-40 range if he declares.

Monte Morris, PG, Sr., Iowa State

Morris remains one of the more underrated players in the class. He had an uncharacteristically high number of turnovers, but he averaged 8.5 assists and helped lead Iowa State back from a big deficit in the second half against Purdue.

His steadiness on the court should make him an ideal backup point guard in the league. He's in the Nos. 25-40 range.

Johnathan Motley, PF, Jr., Baylor

Motley is the engine who really drives Baylor and he recorded double-doubles in wins over New Mexico State and USC. Rebounding and athleticism are his main calling cards, but teams still want to see him improve as a shooter before being comfortable putting him into the first round.

Jawun Evans, PG, So., Oklahoma State

Evans tried to carry his team to the finish line against Michigan and almost got them there. He had 23 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists while showing enough grit in the second half to explain why he spent some time in our top 30 this season.

If he declares, he's very likely to get an invite to the combine. The draft is weak in point guard talent after you get out of the lottery. I still think he has a chance to crack the top 30 with great workouts.

Grayson Allen, SG, Jr., Duke

Allen has struggled all season to capitalize on a terrific sophomore year for Duke. He redeemed himself somewhat in the NCAA tournament, averaging 20.5 points and making eight 3-pointers.

I don't think it's enough, however, to get him back into a discussion for the first round. He might need another year at Duke to really rehabilitate his image on and off the court.

Dwayne Bacon, SF, So., Florida State

Bacon had a strong NCAA tournament on the offensive end. He had 25 points against Florida Gulf Coast and another 20 against Xavier in a loss. He's a good athlete and a strong finisher at the rim, but that streaky jumper scares scouts. He went 0-for-8 from 3 in the tournament and has shot 2-for-23 from deep in his past five games.

He's likely to test the draft waters now that Florida State is out of the tournament, but every NBA scout I spoke with has him planted pretty firmly in the second round.

Semi Ojeleye, F, Jr., SMU

The former Duke Blue Devil had a terrific junior season for SMU and played a strong game in a loss against USC, scoring 24 points, grabbing 10 boards and hitting a couple of 3s. He can play both forward positions, scores from anywhere on the floor, has impressive handles for a player his size and already has the body of an NBA veteran. He has been a little underrated at SMU. A number of scouts paid close attention to the USC game and came away wishing they could see one or two more games against top-flight competition.

His age, lack of competition, two poor seasons at Duke and questionable defense work against him right now. I'm not sure he did enough in this game to really move the needle to the first-round bubble. If he declares he'll probably get a combine invite and might be able to impress there.

Nigel Hayes, F, Sr., Wisconsin

Hayes was once considered a solid first-round prospect, but his struggles -- especially with his jump shot during his junior and senior seasons -- have put a major dent in his draft stock.

Coming into the NCAA tournament, it looked as if he might end up going undrafted. His big game against Villanova, including a brilliant hesitation baseline move to give Wisconsin the win at the end of regulation, certainly helped improve his image. But his lack of size, shaky jumper and free throw shooting still loom large for scouts trying to project his role in the NBA.

 

[storyteller]

Kiper's 2016 NFL draft re-grades

Thanks in advance

 

[Skooby]

Kiper's 2016 NFL draft re-grades

Thanks in advance

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills
Post-draft grade: B

At the time I wrote that this 2016 draft class was a "double-edged sword for Rex Ryan and brother Rob Ryan" because "it gives them some much-needed help on defense, and could also be the class the front office points to if the defense doesn't get better. It's 'Here you go, Rex. This better work.'"

It didn't work. But that wasn't all on Rex. For one, Reggie Ragland got hurt in camp and was out all year. And Shaq Lawson's shoulder, an issue everyone knew about at the time of the draft, became a problem, and he played just 225 snaps (with two sacks) after returning. The Bills' defense was safely in the bottom 10 by any metric, and, well, here's a new coach. The class gets better if Ragland steps up now that he's healthy and if Lawson comes up with sacks. Hopefully Adolphus Washington plays a bigger role and Cardale Jones is at least a reliable backup. But for now it dips, because it certainly couldn't save Rex.

New grade: C



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/19 Shaq Lawson DE Clemson
2/41 Reggie Ragland ILB Alabama
3/80 Adolphus Washington DT Ohio State
4/139 Cardale Jones QB Ohio State
5/156 Jonathan Williams RB Arkansas
6/192 Kolby Listenbee WR TCU
6/218 Kevon Seymour CB Southern Cal

Miami Dolphins
Post-draft grade: B+

Nobody could have suspected that Laremy Tunsil would be around when the Dolphins were picking, but thanks to the draft-night shenanigans, arguably the consensus best player on paper in the entire draft at the time was there for the taking at No. 13 overall. Credit Miami for making the pick, and I think they have to be pleased with the results so far, though with one big question mark that drags the grade down. Tunsil played guard, and often played it pretty well. He really needs to show he can be an NFL left tackle before we start calling this class a success story.


After Xavien Howard, I wrote, "From there, this was all about getting Ryan Tannehill and Adam Gase more weapons." Kenyan Drake flashed but had just 33 carries as the Jay Ajayi Show took off, and Leonte Carroo was a non-factor. If Miami gets more out of Tunsil -- and it should -- and it gets more from Howard and the offensive weapons, the Dolphins' class could shape up pretty well.

New grade: B



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/13 Laremy Tunsil OT Ole Miss
2/38 Xavien Howard CB Baylor
3/73 Kenyan Drake RB Alabama
3/86 Leonte Carroo WR Rutgers
6/186 Jakeem Grant WR Texas Tech
6/204 Jordan Lucas S Penn State
7/223 Brandon Doughty QB Western Kentucky
7/231 Thomas Duarte WR UCLA

New England Patriots
Post-draft grade: C+

This is a classic Patriots draft so far in that they made a pick I considered a total head-scratcher but also had some big hits. And when you get rookies to contribute to a Super Bowl champion, it's hard to complain. As I wrote then, "They did get some good players, but the grade suffers just because they didn't have the opportunity to add as much talent." Blame Deflategate for that.

The hits? Joe Thuney was a stud, starting all 19 games and piling up 1,283 snaps. He ended up No. 7 overall on my All-Rookie Team. Jacoby Brissett ended up being forced to start two games after Jimmy Garoppolo got hurt, and the Patriots went 1-1. You'll take that. He's a nice little project for Josh McDaniels. Malcolm Mitchell was a classic Belichick pick, a guy who can play receiver pretty well, as we saw, but also started as a cornerback at one time while at Georgia. Elandon Roberts also got some starts as the Patriots turned over their linebacking corps, and Vincent Valentine saw action. That's good! Cyrus Jones is the mess here. He didn't help the defense and was a fumble machine (five total) when he returned the ball. Overall, however, they have to be thrilled with the early contributions from this class.

New grade: B+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
2/60 Cyrus Jones CB Alabama
3/78 Joe Thuney G NC State
3/91 Jacoby Brissett QB NC State
3/96 Vincent Valentine DT Nebraska
4/112 Malcolm Mitchell WR Georgia
6/208 Kamu Grugier-Hill OLB Eastern Illinois
6/214 Elandon Roberts ILB Houston
6/221 Ted Karras G Illinois
7/225 Devin Lucien WR Arizona State

New York Jets
Post-draft grade: B-

Let's start with the obvious: Round 2. I wrote at the time, "I don't think the value range is too bad for Christian Hackenberg if they feel he can be a starter. I think Hackenberg can get there, but he needs a lot of work with Chan Gailey. I think it's an awful idea to throw him out there early." Well, apparently the Jets agreed, because Hackenberg barely even got in uniform. That he's a total mystery and the Jets are letting it be known that they'll look hard at QBs in this draft is pretty telling. I had Connor Cook rated higher (and said so at the time), and while I don't suspect Dak Prescott would have played nearly as well in New York as he did in Dallas, fans can always wonder.

Elsewhere, things don't look so bad from a developmental standpoint. Darron Lee had nine starts and flashed; Jordan Jenkins had 11 starts and nearly 500 snaps; and Lachlan Edwards ... well, he was the punter but needs to be better or he'll have competition soon. Charone Peake chipped in with 19 catches, and the Jets found an undrafted gem in former Temple speedster Robby Anderson -- he ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at his pro day -- who started eight games at receiver and had 42 catches and two touchdowns.

There are some pieces here, but it's hard to call it a success when a Round 2 QB for a QB-needy team is this much of a mystery.

New grade: C





Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/20 Darron Lee LB Ohio State
2/51 Christian Hackenberg QB Penn State
3/83 Jordan Jenkins LB Georgia
4/118 Juston Burris DB NC State
5/158 Brandon Shell OT South Carolina
7/235 Lachlan Edwards P Sam Houston State
7/241 Charone Peake WR Clemson

 

[Skooby]

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens
Post-draft grade: A

There isn't one standout here, but really early on you have a bunch of players who either contributed or are certain to stick, not to mention a new left tackle, so it's hard to knock the grade down too far. Ronnie Stanley was obviously a huge talker, because the (reasonable) suspicion was that pick could have been Laremy Tunsil if not for the draft-night circus. Stanley did start to come on over his 12 starts and nearly 800 snaps, so if you feel you have your future at left tackle nailed down in a league where there are so few really good ones, you're thrilled.

Kamalei Correa was a disappointment, but after that it looks pretty good (setting aside Bronson Kaufusi, who was injured in camp). Tavon Young had 11 starts and often played well over nearly 800 snaps; Alex Lewis saw a lot of time and put in more than 500 snaps mostly at guard, where he figures to start in 2017; and there are two notable sleepers here. Matt Judon showed he could be a useful pass-rusher, which is a find in Round 5, and they score bonus points for getting important reps out of nose tackle Michael Pierce, whom they nabbed as an undrafted free agent.

Overall, a solid start for a class that, like Miami, is counting on that Round 1 tackle pick to be the blindside guy they hoped for.

New grade: B+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/6 Ronnie Stanley OT Notre Dame
2/42 Kamalei Correa OLB Boise State
3/70 Bronson Kaufusi DE BYU
4/104 Tavon Young CB Temple
4/107 Chris Moore WR Cincinnati
4/130 Alex Lewis OT Nebraska
4/132 Willie Henry DT Michigan
4/134 Kenneth Dixon RB Louisiana Tech
5/146 Matt Judon DE Grand Valley State University
6/182 Keenan Reynolds WR Navy
6/209 Maurice Canady CB Virginia

Cincinnati Bengals
Post-draft grade: A-

I loved this draft at the time, but the Bengals had some bad luck with injuries, which drags it down a little now. Since people still haven't seen William Jackson III since he lost the season because of a pec injury, here's what I wrote then for a little context: "In the secondary, Adam Jones is 32 and Dre Kirkpatrick could be an unrestricted free agent next season, so cornerback was a quiet need. The addition of William Jackson III -- a player with exceptional ball skills -- not only made sense, it deprived the rival Steelers from the chance to take him one slot later." Now, Kirkpatrick is back, but any Bengals fan knows they still need Jackson to become a useful starter.

Elsewhere, Tyler Boyd at least tried to fill the hole left by the free-agent departures of Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, catching 54 passes, but beyond that there isn't much here. Andrew Billings missed the year with a knee injury, and Nick Vigil was just depth. Cody Core had some flashes and could play a bigger role if he develops, as a sneaky size-speed combo. Let's see what Jackson does in 2017.

New grade: B-



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/24 William Jackson III CB Houston
2/55 Tyler Boyd WR Pittsburgh
3/87 Nick Vigil ILB Utah State
4/122 Andrew Billings DT Baylor
5/161 Christian Westerman G Arizona State
6/199 Cody Core WR Ole Miss
7/245 Clayton Fejedelem S Illinois

Cleveland Browns
Post-draft grade: C

At the time, I wrote that I didn't mind the Browns trading down to stack picks, because (A) I always like trading down with the belief that more picks mean more chances to get players, and (B) the roster was so lean they might as well. But it was whom they picked that I struggled with. I wrote, "I did have an issue: This was not a bonanza, but it should've been." Now, the 2017 draft needs to be a part of that bonanza as well, because while Carson Wentz is no star yet, he at least is considered the quarterback of the future for one franchise while the Browns continue to look.

What did they get? Well, I thought Corey Coleman showed occasional star quality when healthy, but he missed 10 games. Emmanuel Ogbah showed a lot of potential (5.5 sacks) while starting every game. The tricky one here is Cody Kessler, who played really well for a rookie at times, but it was never enough to win as a starter, and you can't assume he'll be your guy just yet, because we don't know if he can stay healthy. (Kessler is another QB who was taken before Dak Prescott.) Spencer Drango played well in spots, as did Nassib. But overall, it's hard to give the Browns too much credit until they turn all the draft capital into players. Sure, a lot of these guys played, but rookies see the field for 1-15 teams, historically -- that's often why the 1-15 happens.

Do I buy the philosophy? Sure. Is it an A+ run of drafting? We'll see.

New grade: C+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/15 Corey Coleman WR Baylor
2/32 Emmanuel Ogbah DE Oklahoma State
3/65 Carl Nassib DE Penn State
3/76 Shon Coleman OT Auburn
3/93 Cody Kessler QB Southern Cal
4/99 Joe Schobert OLB Wisconsin
4/114 Ricardo Louis WR Auburn
4/129 Derrick Kindred S TCU
4/138 Seth DeValve WR Princeton
5/154 Jordan Payton WR UCLA
5/168 Spencer Drango OT Baylor
5/172 Rashard Higgins WR Colorado State
5/173 Trey Caldwell CB Louisiana Monroe
7/250 Scooby Wright III ILB Arizona

Pittsburgh Steelers
Post-draft grade: B

This draft was pretty solid at the time -- hey, a B is a good grade from me! -- and I think it looks even better now because I think they bagged three defensive starters that we can be sure of, and it's for a pretty good football team. Artie Burns was certain to struggle early -- you can repeat that phrase for pretty much any rookie cornerback -- but he showed what a competitor he is as he got better during the season, finishing with nine starts and even three interceptions. Sean Davis also had nine starts and should have that starting role locked down going into 2017. He also shined during the playoffs.

The steal? I wrote then, "Defensive line help was a need, and Javon Hargrave has a chance to be really good." Well, I didn't think he'd be this good, this early. Hargrave started 19 games and will have a starting role heading into 2017. That's really it for this class so far, but three starters is pretty good even if none becomes a star, especially because they contributed to a contender.

New grade: B+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/25 Artie Burns CB Miami
2/58 Sean Davis S Maryland
3/89 Javon Hargrave DT South Carolina State
4/123 Jerald Hawkins OT Louisiana State
6/220 Travis Feeney OLB Washington
7/229 Demarcus Ayers WR Houston
7/246 Tyler Matakevich ILB Temple

 

[Skooby]

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans
Post-draft grade: B+

Welp. At the time I wrote: "If Brock Osweiler plays well and these new toys in the offense are part of the reason why, it'll look good; if Osweiler struggles, not so much." The bottom line was that this draft seemed built around the idea that Osweiler could be something if he had some useful weapons beyond DeAndre Hopkins. That Houston is again hitting reset at quarterback says a lot. But it's not all bad. If Tony Romo has these weapons, for instance, I think Houston could have an upper-echelon offense in a heartbeat.

Just basing this on what they got, the grade dips some. Will Fuller V showed both his home run ability and that he can occasionally make you crazy with a big drop. He finished with 47 catches but was limited with a knee injury. Braxton Miller hinted at being a real player at wide receiver but got hurt after six starts. D.J. Reader showed he can be a defensive rotation player and could have a bigger role in 2017. Nick Martin was out all year with an injury but could be the starting center in 2017. If he starts, and Fuller and Miller step up, this class looks a lot better. The question is who gets them the ball.

New grade: C+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/21 Will Fuller WR Notre Dame
2/50 Nick Martin C Notre Dame
3/85 Braxton Miller WR Ohio State
4/119 Tyler Ervin RB San Jose State
5/159 KJ Dillon S West Virginia
5/166 D.J. Reader DT Clemson

Indianapolis Colts
Post-draft grade: B

I gave this draft a good grade at the time because I thought the Colts finally made it all about Andrew Luck. The line did get better in 2016, but the problem was that it did better as a run-blocking unit but still often struggled with protection. Ryan Kelly, I thought, was a solid pick and should stick there for a long time. Joe Haeg saw 14 starts, getting time at both guard and tackle. Le'Raven Clark also got some starts. So the Colts did get some O-line help out of this draft, but hopefully the line can still get better.

If there's a downside, it's that they also drafted a trio of defensive players, and while that amounted to a combined 13 starts, it was for a defensive unit that was often a mess. T.J. Green could step up this year but struggled as a rookie (not a shock), and Sean Davis was taken one spot later by Pittsburgh and played pretty well. Antonio Morrison should be a starter in 2017, and Hassan Ridgeway will be in the mix. In short, the Colts got some players out of this rookie class, but it didn't boost the overall product enough to get you excited yet.

New grade: B-





Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/18 Ryan Kelly C Alabama
2/57 T.J. Green S Clemson
3/82 Le'Raven Clark OT Texas Tech
4/116 Hassan Ridgeway DT Texas
4/125 Antonio Morrison OLB Florida
5/155 Joe Haeg OT North Dakota State
7/239 Trevor Bates OLB Maine
7/248 Austin Blythe C Iowa

Jacksonville Jaguars
Post-draft grade: A

I'm always fighting with myself on Jacksonville when the draft ends. On one hand, the Jaguars always get some really good, highly rated players who figure to start. On the other hand, that's sort of inevitable, because they're drafting high every year and they need the help, so you just pencil guys into starting roles and tell yourself they did well. This class is another example. Jalen Ramsey was a stud coming out, figured to start and played well. Again, is that a great pick? Sure. But Ramsey also had his growing pains, and the Jags' defense, while better in 2016 than it was in 2015, certainly couldn't do enough to get them to win more games, considering how dreadful the offense was. Yannick Ngakoue had a fabulous rookie year (eight sacks, four forced fumbles), and as a third-rounder, he's an early leader for one of the steals of the draft.

After that? Not much, with the hope that Myles Jack (only 230 defensive snaps) can take his immense potential and become a player assuming he stays healthy. Overall, the draft grade has to drop, because while the Jags got two good players Jack is still a mystery, and the team just hasn't made any on-field strides.

New grade: B



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/5 Jalen Ramsey CB Florida St
2/36 Myles Jack OLB UCLA
3/69 Yannick Ngakoue DE Maryland
4/103 Sheldon Day DT Notre Dame
6/181 Tyrone Holmes DE Montana
6/201 Brandon Allen QB Arkansas
7/226 Jonathan Woodard DE Central Arkansas

Tennessee Titans
Post-draft grade: A-

Wrote this at the time: "The Titans not only got a bunch of good football players in this draft, they should have one of the best 2017 draft classes thanks to the premium picks they added when they moved out of the No. 1 slot."

Can't say I feel any different, even with a couple of "eh" seasons from this class. But again, there's a lot of good.

Jack Conklin was a stud, an All-Pro as a rookie. That's amazing. Derrick Henry showed he can do damage at this level, and he did well as DeMarco Murray's understudy. Tajae Sharpe is one of the steals of the draft so far and bagged 41 catches. Kevin Byard even started seven games and had 51 tackles. There's just a lot of production here for a team that got better. Then you have the added picks for 2017. If there's a negative, it's that we don't know what they have in linebacker Kevin Dodd. I said at the time that I thought they should have added help at cornerback, and coverage was a problem. But overall, I liked it then, and I like it now.

New grade: A-



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/8 Jack Conklin OT Michigan State
2/33 Kevin Dodd DE Clemson
2/43 Austin Johnson DT Penn State
2/45 Derrick Henry RB Alabama
3/64 Kevin Byard S Middle Tennessee
5/140 Tajae Sharpe WR UMass
5/157 LeShaun Sims CB Southern Utah
6/193 Sebastian Tretola G Arkansas
7/222 Aaron Wallace OLB UCLA
7/253 Kalan Reed CB Southern Mississippi

 

[Skooby]

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos
Post-draft grade: B-

Denver made a big splash when it moved up to get Paxton Lynch, which could go down as an all-timer regardless of whether Lynch turns into anything, because it meant that a certain team that plays in Dallas would not get Lynch, as Jerry Jones had hoped it would. So let's run this quickly: Denver gets Lynch, Dallas doesn't; Dallas ends up with Dak Prescott, so now Tony Romo needs a job. And many people think Denver should go get Romo, because Lynch isn't ready to start.

Sound about right? It actually is.

As for the draft, I wrote then, "I think Lynch is a gifted project, but I wouldn't want to start him in 2016 and maybe 2017." Seems John Elway might agree. Elsewhere, Adam Gotsis saw some useful reps, Justin Simmons saw time as well, Andy Janovich was the fullback on my All-Rookie Team, Devontae Booker overcame a fumble on the first run of his pro career to pick up 612 rushing yards, and Riley Dixon punted pretty well (though you should have good averages in Denver, of course).

The bad? We just have no idea what Lynch will become, and that clouds the future in Denver, where there's a Super Bowl defense and a big question mark at QB between Lynch and Trevor Siemian. That Siemian seems like the clear leader now says plenty.

New grade: C+





Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/26 Paxton Lynch QB Memphis
2/63 Adam Gotsis DE Georgia Tech
3/98 Justin Simmons S Boston College
4/136 Devontae Booker RB Utah
5/144 Connor McGovern G Missouri
6/176 Andy Janovich FB Nebraska
6/219 Will Parks S Arizona
7/228 Riley Dixon P Syracuse

Kansas City Chiefs
Post-draft grade: B-

The Chiefs got at least one really good NFL player here, and maybe two, but in between that you have some big question marks.

The good players: Chris Jones played all 16 games and showed he can be a disruptive force on the interior. Tyreek Hill came with a lot of off-field baggage and deserved all the question marks, but he was dynamic on the field with 65 catches and a reception on almost 24 percent of routes run, which means he's a tough cover.

The questions: For one, we knew the Chiefs would probably draft a quarterback at some point as a developmental player behind Alex Smith, and they did -- it just turned out to be Kevin Hogan, who was drafted after the Chiefs passed on taking Dak Prescott three times in Round 4. Hogan played for the Browns last season. The second big question is how you can be confident enough to take a guy in Round 3 and then end up cutting him. That was KeiVarae Russell.

K.C. got some talent here, but after trading down to add picks, they also make you ask "What if?" more than once.

New grade: C+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
2/37 Chris Jones DT Mississippi State
3/74 KeiVarae Russell CB Notre Dame
4/105 Parker Ehinger G Cincinnati
4/106 Eric Murray CB Minnesota
4/126 Demarcus Robinson WR Florida
5/162 Kevin Hogan QB Stanford
5/165 Tyreek Hill WR West Alabama
6/178 D.J. White CB Georgia Tech
6/203 Dadi Lhomme Nicolas OLB Virginia Tech

Los Angeles Chargers
Post-draft grade: B-

Joey Bosa was a force of nature pretty much from the moment he stepped on the field for the first time at Ohio State, and his NFL career essentially mimicked that. Once on the field, he was a force, and he finished with 10.5 sacks and 41 tackles on just 538 snaps. He wasn't just a good rookie, he was a very good NFL pass-rusher, period. The guy is a star. But it's hard not to dock the Chargers for taking too long to get his deal done and contributing to him missing time early in the season.

It was good beyond Bosa, too. Hunter Henry (eight TDs) is going to a Pro Bowl at some point, and Jatavis Brown is a steal, an easy pick for my All-Rookie Team. Joshua Perry saw some action and could at least push to start in 2017. Drew Kaser stuck at punter but needs to improve. If there's a complaint, I wrote then, "I'm surprised they didn't add an offensive tackle at any point (or two) after the problems of the last few seasons on the O-line." O-line is definitely still a work in progress, and Philip Rivers struggled a lot in 2016.

But overall the Chargers did well, because already they have some good players from this class, including one legitimate star.

New grade: A-



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/3 Joey Bosa DE Ohio State
2/35 Hunter Henry TE Arkansas
3/66 Max Tuerk C Southern Cal
4/102 Joshua Perry ILB Ohio State
5/175 Jatavis Brown OLB Akron
6/179 Drew Kaser P Texas A&M
6/198 Derek Watt FB Wisconsin
7/224 Donavon Clark G Michigan State

Oakland Raiders
Post-draft grade: B+

For the last few years I've done this, I'd always have to factor in how much the team struggled. Like the situation in Jacksonville or Cleveland the past few years, you can't just call it a good draft when so many rookies play, because rookies tend to play on bad teams. It's still about winning football games, and when rookies contribute to that is when you're really impressed. Well, now the Raiders are good, so even though some of their rookies didn't play as much as they might have in years past, the draft still looks pretty good a year out.

Karl Joseph had his hiccups, but he started nine games and showed he can be an impact player if he can stay on the field (he had turf toe in 2016). Jihad Ward wasn't an impact guy, but did show he can play and had 13 starts. Connor Cook should be a capable backup and a possible trade chip at some point. DeAndre Washington has some juice and ran for nearly 500 yards. He could be a fantasy stud pretty quickly here. Cory James played in every game, and Vadal Alexander is useful depth on a good O-line.

Any stars? Hard to say. But on a good team, the rookies were useful.

New grade: B



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/14 Karl Joseph S West Virginia
2/44 Jihad Ward DE Illinois
3/75 Shilique Calhoun DE Michigan State
4/100 Connor Cook QB Michigan State
5/143 DeAndre Washington RB Texas Tech
6/194 Cory James OLB Colorado State
7/234 Vadal Alexander G LSU

 

[Skooby]

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys
Post-draft grade: C

This was obviously a fabulous draft, netting a franchise-changer at the quarterback position and useful players elsewhere, with only one major question mark that directly affects the ability of this team to be a Super Bowl contender in 2017. First, let's get this out of the way: We all missed on Dak Prescott and what he was capable of. It's yet another reminder that where you land matters so much. This offense is a perfect incubator for a young QB, with a great offensive line and a solid running game, but we can't say, "Anybody could do what Dak did." No way. He was better than we could have imagined, and the only question now is how good he can be. Just remember: Dallas wanted both Paxton Lynch and Connor Cook before it was essentially forced to draft Prescott. But the Cowboys still pulled the trigger and deserve the credit.

I don't want to understate how good Ezekiel Elliott is (1,631 yards, 16 TDs) and was -- I called him "one of the best running back prospects in recent years" -- but I said then I expected him to have a huge rookie year, and I'd say the same for other running backs playing here. He's a great, great player, but he needed to be in order to justify the pick slot (see: Jordan Howard). If there's a big question, it's still Jaylon Smith in Round 2. Again, this is the best player in the draft if he's healthy, but what he'll become still remains a mystery, and that's a huge bet Dallas placed knowing its defensive personnel was a problem and will be again in 2017. And they did that two years in a row in Round 2, after taking Randy Gregory the year before. Charles Tapper, Dallas' fourth-round pick, also didn't see the field because of a back injury. This affects the on-field talent level. Outside of that, Dallas got useful contributions from Maliek Collins (670 snaps) and Anthony Brown, who might have to start in a suddenly empty secondary.

Make no mistake, it was a great draft based on Dak and Zeke alone. Hopefully, Smith can get on the field and make this an easy A+.

New grade: A-





Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/4 Ezekiel Elliott RB Ohio State
2/34 Jaylon Smith OLB Notre Dame
3/67 Maliek Collins DT Nebraska
4/101 Charles Tapper DE Oklahoma
4/135 Dak Prescott QB Mississippi State
6/189 Anthony Brown CB Purdue
6/212 Kavon Frazier S Central Michigan
6/216 Darius Jackson RB Eastern Michigan
6/217 Rico Gathers TE Baylor

New York Giants
Post-draft grade: B+

If Eli Apple realizes his potential, this looks like it'll be a really good draft class. Apple had his moments and the talent really shows up on tape, but he also got beaten plenty, as rookie corners often do. I called him a slight reach, because he was my No. 28 prospect and the Giants took him at No. 10, but bottom line: If he takes the next step, he, Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Landon Collins help make this a candidate for one of the NFL's best secondaries. Sterling Shepard is good and can get even better -- he had 65 catches in a year in which Eli Manning was inconsistent. Paul Perkins had 112 carries and could be the No. 1 back going into fall, so you can't knock that value. Jerell Adams looks like he'll be a useful target for them at tight end.

A sleeper here that keeps a good grade where it is -- safety Andrew Adams. He was undrafted, but the Giants get a bonus for him here, because they scouted him, got him in and got 13 starts out of him.

New grade: B+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/10 Eli Apple CB Ohio State
2/40 Sterling Shepard WR Oklahoma
3/71 Darian Thompson S Boise State
4/109 B.J. Goodson ILB Clemson
5/149 Paul Perkins RB UCLA
6/184 Jerell Adams TE South Carolina

Philadelphia Eagles
Post-draft grade: C

Philly fans weren't happy with the grade at the time, and probably won't be in love with the new one, but I'll explain. As I wrote then, "It's hard to give the Eagles an above-average grade just based on the draft value they gave away to get up to No. 2, where they are drafting a player I really like in Carson Wentz." Again, I liked Wentz and still had to factor in the picks they traded away. It was a steep price. If I could factor the Sam Bradford trade into this, then they'd get a bump because they recouped a first-rounder. Good on them. Now, if you think I'm still crazy because you're convinced Wentz is a franchise quarterback, I'd just say I really think he could be, but we don't know just yet. He really struggled down the stretch, finishing at 26th in QBR, and needs to take a step forward this season if the Eagles are going to contend in the NFC East. Can he? Sure. Especially with some added help at wide receiver.

Elsewhere, there isn't much to speak of just yet. Wendell Smallwood saw some action, as did Jalen Mills, and Isaac Seumalo picked up four starts. Ultimately, it's all about Wentz. If he becomes the franchise QB, it's a great draft.

New grade: C+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/2 Carson Wentz QB North Dakota State
3/79 Isaac Seumalo C Oregon State
5/153 Wendell Smallwood RB West Virginia
5/164 Halapoulivaati Vaitai OT TCU
6/196 Blake Countess CB Auburn
7/233 Jalen Mills S Louisiana State
7/240 Alex McCalister DE Florida
7/251 Joe Walker ILB Oregon

Washington Redskins
Post-draft grade: A-

Redskins fans are probably ready for some good news after what has been a trying offseason so far, but this draft class doesn't look as good as it did last April, though there is one player who can change that. I'll remind you what I said then for some hope: "Josh Doctson is the top wide receiver in the draft for me, and the Redskins got him at No. 22. An absolute steal." Let's hope Doctson gets healthy, because I really do think he can be a good one. With DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon gone, he really needs to be.

Beyond that, it's pretty early to say so far on this class. Su'a Cravens flashed ability and played in 11 games, with three starts; Kendall Fuller played 13 games and started six. That's about it. Keith Marshall is a talented player if he can stay on the field, and Matt Ioannidis did get some reps. Hopefully, Doctson is healthy and Cravens or Fuller breaks through.

New grade: C+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/22 Josh Doctson WR TCU
2/53 Su'a Cravens S Southern Cal
3/84 Kendall Fuller CB Virginia Tech
5/152 Matt Ioannidis DT Temple
6/187 Nate Sudfeld QB Indiana
7/232 Steven Daniels ILB Boston College
7/242 Keith Marshall RB Georgia

 

[Skooby]

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears
Post-draft grade: A-

The Bears have to get a really good grade so far, because at two spots they got guys who are already really good NFL players -- among everybody, not just rookies -- and they got exceptional value. I'll start there: Cody Whitehair is already one of the top handful of centers in the NFL, and the Bears got him late in Round 2. Jordan Howard is already one of the top five or six running backs in the NFL, and the Bears got him in Round 5. On a per-snap basis, he was every bit as good and arguably better than Ezekiel Elliott. Just look.

I expressed concern at the time about Leonard Floyd's frame and how well he could hold up, but he had 12 starts, seven sacks, made my All-Rookie Team and showed he can be a disruptive force. With guys like that, you have to ask those questions, but so far he's showing he has what it takes. Jonathan Bullard also saw almost 300 snaps and could be useful going forward. I said then I thought Nick Kwiatkoski could start early, and that could be the case in Year 2. From there, the only question is if the Bears can develop some of the secondary talent they added. If so, it's a bonus on a solid class.

New grade: A





Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/9 Leonard Floyd OLB Georgia
2/56 Cody Whitehair G Kansas State
3/72 Jonathan Bullard DE Florida
4/113 Nick Kwiatkoski ILB West Virginia
4/124 Deon Bush S Miami
4/127 Deiondre' Hall CB Northern Iowa
5/150 Jordan Howard RB Indiana
6/185 DeAndre Houston-Carson S William & Mary
7/230 Daniel Braverman WR Western Michigan

Detroit Lions
Post-draft grade: B-

The Lions have been looking for consistent play at left tackle since Matthew Stafford arrived -- that's a while. Taylor Decker might have finally given them a long-term solution. You could make a case that if he gets any better, and new addition Ricky Wagner holds recent form, the Lions have one of the better tackle tandems in the NFL. A'Shawn Robinson was a pretty good value in Round 2, and while not an impact guy (30 tackles, two sacks), he did play in all 16 games and start a handful of them. He should be the starter going into 2017.

There was more good. Graham Glasgow started 11 games and could be the starting guard going into 2017. You could see Miles Killebrew developing into something, but it's early. Dwayne Washington was needed as attrition hit the backfield, and it was the same story with Antwione Williams at linebacker. There isn't a lot of sizzle here, but if Decker gets better this draft improves even from B+, because that's a huge hole filled.

New grade: B+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/16 Taylor Decker OT Ohio State
2/46 A'Shawn Robinson DT Alabama
3/95 Graham Glasgow C Michigan
4/111 Miles Killebrew S Southern Utah
5/151 Joe Dahl G Washington State
5/169 Antwione Williams OLB Georgia Southern
6/191 Jake Rudock QB Michigan
6/202 Anthony Zettel DE Penn State
6/210 Jimmy Landes LS Baylor
7/236 Dwayne Washington RB Washington

Green Bay Packers
Post-draft grade: B

As with New England, you have to consider the Packers' overall success when you evaluate how much the their rookies contributed. If the Packers were 7-9, this class wouldn't look nearly as good. But as a final four team, it looks pretty strong. Rookies filled some useful roles on a contender. Starting in Round 1, Kenny Clark wasn't a starter, but he was an important role player on the D-line and probably starts in 2017. The Packers see Jason Spriggs as a tackle -- Mike McCarthy said just that this week -- but he plugged in at guard in spots in 2016 and could start there in 2017, flipping to right or left tackle if someone goes down. Blake Martinez was called on to start nine games but then got hurt, though he made it back and was used in the playoffs.

A sleeper we need to add in here is Geronimo Allison, who wasn't drafted but found himself making some big catches. He could play a bigger role in the future.

Overall, not splashy, but guys played roles on a good team.

New grade: B



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/27 Kenny Clark DT UCLA
2/48 Jason Spriggs OT Indiana
3/88 Kyler Fackrell OLB Utah State
4/131 Blake Martinez ILB Stanford
4/137 Dean Lowry DE Northwestern
5/163 Trevor Davis WR California
6/200 Kyle Murphy OT Stanford

Minnesota Vikings
Post-draft grade: B-

Yikes. It's obviously way too early to say this class is a bust, but I'm asked to grade the draft at the time and then again now, and it's pretty obvious to any Vikings fan there are bigger question marks today than on draft day. Laquon Treadwell is the mystery, because I wasn't alone in having a high grade on him, but he played a total of 76 snaps. And for anyone saying Mike Zimmer is holding back his rookies, what did you make of Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks and even Trae Waynes the year before?

There isn't much after Treadwell either, but that's another case where you have to consider where the Vikings were good and where there was opportunity. I was concerned with Mackensie Alexander's ball skills, but the value was fine here on my board. He didn't play much because it's hard to crack a good secondary. Kentrell Brothers is also waiting his turn and could be a thumper when he gets his chance. If there's one thing that stands out now, it's that just another body at tackle could have helped, as Willie Beavers clearly wasn't close. I'm sure the Vikings were confident they'd get better play from their tackles, but it just didn't happen, and it really messed up the offense, and they had to shell out for more help. You hope Treadwell and Alexander can break through in 2017.

The Vikings also gave up their third-round pick for a third- and fourth-round pick in 2017, so they get points there.

New grade: C-



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/23 Laquon Treadwell WR Ole Miss
2/54 Mackensie Alexander CB Clemson
4/121 Willie Beavers G Western Michigan
5/160 Kentrell Brothers ILB Missouri
6/180 Moritz Boehringer WR East
6/188 David Morgan TE Texas San Antonio
7/227 Stephen Weatherly OLB Vanderbilt
7/244 Jayron Kearse S Clemson

 

[Skooby]

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons
Post-draft grade: B-

This is a home run so far, with an undrafted player a part of the equation. It's good enough when rookies start, and it's even better when they start and help a team make the Super Bowl. Keanu Neal was out until Week 3 but started through the Super Bowl and was on my All-Rookie Team. So was Deion Jones, who piled up 126 tackles. De'Vondre Campbell piled up 10 starts and did so in the playoffs as well. That group really changes the defense -- they're just a faster unit, period. Brian Poole is the undrafted player we need to recognize. He played in all 19 games, started nine and piled up nearly 1,000 total snaps. Remember that Desmond Trufant went down, so they needed the extra body. I get that this defense wasn't really impressive from a statistical standpoint, but they got better and will continue to improve. It wasn't their fault the Falcons didn't do some simple things on offense to end the Super Bowl.

I also should mention Austin Hooper, who caught 19 passes and should be a bigger part of the Matt Ryan show in the years to come. Overall, a great draft for Atlanta, considering how much these guys helped a Super Bowl run.

New grade: A



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/17 Keanu Neal S Florida
2/52 Deion Jones OLB Louisiana State
3/81 Austin Hooper TE Stanford
4/115 De'Vondre Campbell OLB Minnesota
6/195 Wes Schweitzer G San Jose State
7/238 Devin Fuller WR UCLA

Carolina Panthers
Post-draft grade: C+

This one is a little tough. The Panthers did see some production out of the class, but by the time James Bradberry and Daryl Worley started to find their footing, the season was all but over. I focus on those two because you have to remember this draft took place just a week after Josh Norman's unexpected departure. Remember, the Panthers had the choice to keep him in 2016 but decided to part ways. So Bradberry and then Worley got thrown to the wolves in some ways, and the early portion of the season was a mess, in part, because of how much the kids struggled. If there's a silver lining here, it's that Bradberry in particular looks like a good one, and no cornerback drafted before him in Round 2 looks better.

Vernon Butler is still a definite "we'll see" and drops the grade. He played in 10 games, didn't start any (not that it's easy to crack the rotation) and ended up with just over 200 snaps. If Bradberry and Worley progress and Butler makes an impact, this draft grade goes up.

New grade: C+



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/30 Vernon Butler DT Louisiana Tech
2/62 James Bradberry CB Samford
3/77 Daryl Worley CB West Virginia
5/141 Zack Sanchez CB Oklahoma
7/252 Beau Sandland TE Montana State

New Orleans Saints
Post-draft grade: B-

Let's start with the good: Michael Thomas was an absolute stud. I realize a lot of guys pile up stats on the other end of Drew Brees' throws, but anyone can see he showed the traits of a true No. 1 wideout. He had 454 more receiving yards than the next-closest rookie (Sterling Shepard). If there's anything that drags the grade a little bit, it's that yet again the Saints couldn't stop anybody. While they got some useful pieces in this class, we still need to see the dividends. Sheldon Rankins can be a disruptor when he plays (four sacks), but he missed the first seven games because of an injury he suffered in training camp. Vonn Bell played in every game, starting 14, and he got more comfortable later in the year after some early struggles. That's really it for the class, which totaled only a handful of players.

Thomas is a stud, and Bell is a starter. If Rankins steps up, the grade obviously jumps.

New grade: B-



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/12 Sheldon Rankins DT Louisville
2/47 Michael Thomas WR Ohio State
2/61 Vonn Bell S Ohio State
4/120 David Onyemata DT Manitoba
7/237 Daniel Lasco RB California

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Post-draft grade: B-

Let's get right into the kicker debate. At the time I didn't dislike the move as much as some others did, just because the Bucs had already hit on a pair of needs -- cornerback and pass rush were two big ones at the time -- so I could at least understand them trying to lock in a 10-year player late in Round 2. Remember, with extra points being moved back, finding a reliable kicker becomes a little more important. There's no question Roberto Aguayo needs to bounce back after missing nine of 31 kicks last year. But in three years at Florida State he never was under 80 percent accuracy for the season. Let's hope last year was an aberration. If Aguayo doesn't bounce back (and they brought in competition), yeah, you can say there were plenty of better players to be had late in Round 2. OK, now that we covered the kicker ...

Vernon Hargreaves III struggled for much of 2016, but he did stay on the field (missed 22 snaps all year). Noah Spence played in every game, started three and picked up 5.5 sacks. He could be in for a bigger 2017 at 100 percent. I know Aguayo is the story, but if he gets back to his college level, and Hargreaves and Spence improve, this class will look better. He's not a punchline just yet.

New grade: C



Round/Pick Name Pos College
1/11 Vernon Hargreaves III CB Florida
2/39 Noah Spence OLB Eastern Kentucky
2/59 Roberto Aguayo K Florida St
4/108 Ryan Smith CB North Carolina Central
5/148 Caleb Benenoch OT UCLA
6/183 Devante Bond OLB Oklahoma
6/197 Dan Vitale FB Northwestern