2020 NFL Draft Grades: AFC East

Buffalo Bills: A-
2.) A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
3.) Zach Moss, RB, Utah
4.) Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF
5.) Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
6.) Tyler Bass, K, Georgia Southern
6b.) Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon St.
7.) Dane Jackson, CB, Pitt

This is a stellar draft and when you factor in their first-round pick was used to land Stefon Diggs it looks even better. Epenesa is exactly the edge player Buffalo needs. Jerry Hughes isn’t getting any younger and Buffalo finally moved on from Shaq Lawson. Epenesa had 22 sacks over the past two years.

On the offensive side of the ball the team selected exactly what was needed — a bruiser between the tackles and some height in the passing game. Moss, is a physical runner who compliments Devin Singletary well. Davis’ numbers jumped drastically each year at UCF and Buffalo will hope that continues at the next level.

Miami Dolphins: A+
1.) Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
1b.) Austin Jackson, OT, USC
1c.) Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
2.) Robert Hunt, OG, Louisiana-Lafayette
2b.) Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
3.) Brandon Jones, S, Texas
4.) Solomon Kindley, OG, Georgia
5.) Jason Strowbridge, DE, North Carolina
5b.) Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise St.
6.) Blake Ferguson, LS, LSU
7.) Malcolm Perry, WR, Navy

The Dolphins draft is stellar on so many levels. They landed their franchise quarterback. They landed, arguably, the best slot defender in the draft. And after all that, they have poured picks into the trenches. This is a long term project and they are building things the right way.

Jackson, Hunt, and Kindley all have starter upside. Jackson, should develop into the team’s left tackle. Hunt offers versatility at right tackle or guard. Kindley, was a three year starter and has the mean streak you need at guard. Davis, on the defensive side of the ball helps immensely too. Miami plays multiple fronts and Gallimore has the power and quickness to thrive no matter the scheme. That goes for pass rushers Strowbridge and Weaver too. A lot of quality pieces in Miami now.

New England Patriots: C
2.) Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
2b.) Josh Uche, LB, Michigan
3.) Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama
3b.) Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA
3c.) Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech
5.) Justin Rohrwasser, K, Marshall
6.) Michael Onwenu, OG, Michigan
6b.) Justin Herron, OG, Wake Forest
6c.) Cassh Maluia, LB, Wyoming
7.) Dustin Woodard, C, Memphis

This draft isn’t for 2020. This is for 2021 and because of that it’s hard to grade. Dugger is special, but the jump from D2 to the NFL is considerable. That being said, Dugger is a playmaker who turned in six interceptions and 26 pass breakups over the past three years.

Linebacker and tight end were the biggest problem areas for the Pats heading into the draft and they heavily invested in upgrading the positions. Uche and Jennings bring versatility and speed to the linebacking corps. It took a longtime for Asiasi to break out, but New England will hope his junior year (641 yards and four touchdowns)is a sign of things to come. Keene, has the versatility to lineup at fullback and tight end. A much needed skill set after the retirement from James Devlin.

New York Jets: B-
1.) Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
2.) Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
3.) Ashtyn Davis, S, Cal
3b.) Jabari Zuniga, OLB, Florida
4.) La’Mical Perine, RB, Florida
4b.) James Morgan, QB, FIU
4c.) Cameron Clarke, OG, Charlotte
5.) Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
6.) Braden Mann, P, Texas A&M

There are a lot of interesting picks here. Becton was a no-brainer. The Jets haven’t had a left tackle since D’Brickashaw Ferguson retired. Hopefully, Becton can be their next ten year guy. After Becton, it’s a lot of intriguing selections. Mims is a bigger version of recently departed Robby Anderson. He will need to expand his route tree. Perine, is a solid backup to Le’Veon Bell, who can do it all. Morgan, is an interesting developmental pick who could be flipped for a high draft pick in a few years.

On the defensive side of the ball, the selection of Davis must unsettle incumbents Jamal Adams (perpetually trade linked)and Marcus Maye (injury prone). One will be the odd man out. Last year, the Jets whiffed terribly on Jachai Polite. A third-round edge rusher out of Florida. Zunigas, should far much better. Hall is a steady contributor who could surprise as a rookie.

2020 NFL Draft Grades: NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: B
1.) Isiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
3.) Josh Jones, OT, Houston
4.) Leki Fotu, DT, Utah
4b.) Rashard Lawrence, DT, LSU
6.) Evan Weaver, LB, Cal
7.) Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona St.

You can’t fault the Cardinals for taking the best player on the board in Simmons. He played all over the place at Clemson and the Cardinals value versatility. He is a special talent. Landing Josh Jones with their second pick is stellar. The Cardinals desperately needed help at the tackle position. Jones could start Day One.

Addressing the defensive line was also a critical need after losing nose tackle Rodney Gunter in free agency. They found his replacement in the mountainous Leki Fotu and further bolstered the trenches with Lawrence. There is nothing wrong with going back-to-back at a position of need, but cornerback and wide receiver going unattended on Day 3 is surprising. Weaver, was ultra productive in college and could surprise at the next level.

LA Rams: C
2.) Cam Akers, RB, Florida St.
2b.) Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
3.) Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama
3b.) Terrell Burgess, S, Utah
4.) Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
6.) Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio St.
7.) Clay Johnston, LB, Baylor
7b.) Sam Sloman, K, Miami (Ohio)
7c.) Tremayne Anchrum, OG, Clemson

I really like the Rams selections, but nearly all have come as replacements for big money expenditures that failed. That is bad management by Les Snead. Akers is a special talent who didn’t get to shine, because the Florida State program is garbage. Jefferson is a quality route runner who produces. He will fit in well in the Rams arsenal.

On the defensive side, Lewis is a boom or bust talent. In his one year as a starter he produced 11.5 tackles-for-loss and six sacks. The Rams are hoping he continues to grow. Burgess, broke out in a big way as a senior with 81 tackles and an interception. While the arrow is up on Burgess, but how much time will he get behind John Johnson and Taylor Rapp?

Restocking positions that had to be torn apart due to poor contracts led to no upgrades at problem areas like inside linebacker and along the offensive line.

San Francisco 49ers: B-
1.) Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
1b.) Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona St.
5.) Colton McKivitz, OT, West Virginia
6.) Charlie Woerner, TE, Georgia
7.) Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee

The San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl window is wide open and they need just a few pieces to get back. They addressed a big need at left tackle in Trent Williams after the retirement of Joe Staley. They further addressed the position with a developmental prospect in McKivitz.

Kinlaw and Aiyuk are the immediate impact players the team needs. Aiyuk, needs to improve his route running, but his speed is dangerous. Kinlaw will excel playing on a talented defensive line. He had 15 sacks over the past two seasons. A small class, but a class that hit on most needs. Not addressing the secondary was surprising, however.

Seattle Seahawks: B
1.) Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
2.) Darrell Taylor, DE, Tennessee
3.) Damien Lewis, OG, LSU
4.) Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford
4b.) DeeJay Dallas, RB, Miami
5.) Alton Robinson, DE, Syracuse
6.) Freddie Swain, WR, Florida
7.) Stephen Sullivan, TE, LSU

The Seahawks nailed this draft, addressing needs with every pick. Brooks in Round 1 may have surprised some, but the numbers don’t lie. A four-year starter who was a big time producer, Brooks capped off his senior year with 108 tackles with 20.5 for a loss. Further adding to the defense with Taylor and Robinson, these two pass rushers could have an immediate impact. Taylor is coming off an injury shortened season, but he has a high ceiling.

On the offensive side of the ball, Lewis adds much needed competition to the line. Seattle wants to get back to running the ball and Lewis is an absolute road-grater. Dallas provides much needed depth. Chris Carson is the lead back, but has an injury history and Rashaad Penny is working back from a torn ACL. The tight end room has talent, but that talent is old, injured, and still emerging. Adding depth piece is always welcomed.