Grading every NFL team’s 2020 draft

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona stacked the box, picking up a plethora of different defensive talents starting with outside linebacker Isaiah Simmons out of Clemson University. The Cardinals ranked dead last in almost every defensive category, especially in yards allowed per game, allowing 415.2 yards per game. They also added an extremely elusive Eno Benjamin out of Arizona State to replace David Johnson, a running back with considerable upside in the passing game and yards after contact.

Grade: B+

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons focused on adding some help on defense, starting with Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell. The cornerback picture is kind of shaky in Atlanta. While Terrell will see the field this season, he won’t be on the opposing team's No. 1 receiver, even as a first-round pick. They also continued to bring in help on the defensive line and added additional linebacker and safety help.

Grade: B+

Baltimore Ravens

One of the most impressive drafts this year, the Ravens grabbed a team of versatile rookies to improve the team even further. They grabbed a couple of wide receivers and a running back for Lemar Jackson to play with and two offensive linemen to protect Jackson. Their defense looks to gain some speed to catch up with its high-flying offense grabbing some great defensive players.

Grade: A-

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo’s offense is coming off an impressive 2019 season, and they continued to add to their impressive running back room, receiver core and to the quarterback conversation. They got George quarterback Jake Fromm for a steal at 167 overall. He won’t take the starting job away from Josh Allen but will be a great backup as he develops and finds his own starting role.

Grade: B+

Carolina Panthers

Matt Rhul came into Carolina with one job: fix the defense. This draft, Carolina became the first team with at least seven picks to select all defensive players. They fixed the front four taking three defensive linemen and took four new defensive backs to bolster the secondary. Their most pressing need was finding a run defender on the line, and they got it with Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown.

Grade: A+

Chicago Bears

Chicago had most of their picks on day three, so there are some questions of when these players will be on the field. The Bears did fill some of their needs in the draft though. They used their first pick to take a tight end when they already have nine on the roster. Maybe they could have spent their picks in some more pressing needs, but Cole Kmet will see the field this season.

Grade: C+

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals obviously will step up their game with No. 1 pick Joe Burrow on the roster. They also fixed many problems that the team faced last season. They added a reliable receiver for Burrow to throw to, three linebackers and a defensive tackle to stop the run that allowed 2,382 yards to opposing teams. With Burrow under center, Cincinnati will be exciting to watch; if it’s Andy Dalton, wait for Burrow to take over midseason.

Grade: A-

Cleveland Browns

The Browns spent the draft adding defense weapons, taking a safety, linebacker and defensive tackle. They also used their first-round pick to get an offensive tackle and a center late in the draft to protect 2018’s No. 1 pick in Baker Mayfield. They also got Mayfield a new weapon to run alongside Odell Beckham, taking Donovan People-Jones from Michigan to end their draft.

Grade: B+

Dallas Cowboys

Besides a wasted first-round pick on a non-essential need, the Dallas Cowboys had a good draft. They got some great cornerbacks in Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson III and a potential replacement to star center in Tyler Biadasz. Their first-round should have been spent on a much-needed safety, none of which were taken in the first round. They also added a new quarterback to give new head coach Mike McCarthy’s development skills a try.

Grade: B-

Denver Broncos

Denver needs to improve the receiver core if they have any homes of revitalizing the offense. They needed to get sophomore quarterback Drew Lock some more weapons, and they added four of them. They used their first-round pick to get the best wide receiver in the draft: Jerry Jeudy from Alabama. They followed it up with an additional wide receiver from Penn State. They also added defensive talent across the field, but they will need time to develop.

Grade: B

Detroit Lions

After head coach Matt Patricia drove star cornerback Darius Slay to Philadelphia, they chose to find a replacement in Jeff Okudah from Ohio State. They added a running back for Matthew Stafford to throw to in the backfield but is also a powerful runner and blocker. For a team that’s rebuilding, they definitely had a solid draft.

Grade: B+

Green Bay Packers

For anyone that thinks Aaron Rodgers’ time is done in Green Bay, it isn’t. Quarterback pick Jordan Love is not taking over any time soon. The draft isn’t just about the next season; it is also about the future, and Love will sit and learn under one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Though to address the present, they failed to get a wide receiver that Rodgers desperately needs but their run game should get a boost.

Grade: B

Houston Texans

Since 2016, JJ Watt has missed half of the games he should have played to injury. The Texans choose to use their first-round pick to grab a tackle that’s going to help them get in the backfield if Watt were to miss any time. The Texans fixed many needs on defense but could have spent one of those picks on a wide receiver, but that is more of a fan complaint than an actual need.

Grade: B+

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts ranked near the bottom of the league in receptions and receiving yards last year and did not waste time getting veteran quarterback Philip Rivers some new weapons to throw to. They also picked up a backup quarterback that will be the face of the franchise after the one year deal expires on Rivers. They also filled some needs on defense, picking up four defensive players in the draft.

Grade: B+

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville’s most pressing need was at cornerback after trading Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. The pick up of CJ Henderson will improve the secondary since he is a big cover corner who will go toe to toe with some of the best wide receivers in the league. They also addressed many other needs on defense and picked up a few throwing options for quarterback Gardner Minshew, a phenomenal weekend.

Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City added a running back that is going to step into the line up behind Damien Williams and Darrel Williams. The LSU prospect will add much-needed depth to the running back rotation after the loss of LeSean McCoy. They also brought in some O-Line and defensive help. It’s hard to improve when you're the reigning Super Bowl champs, but they found a way.

Grade: B+

Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas stacked their quarterback room. They have their probable starter in Derek Carr and backups in DeShone Kizer and Marcus Marriott. No matter who starts next season, they are going to have new toys to play with. With their first four picks, they took wide receivers with some speed. They also took the time to improve their secondary, taking two cornerbacks and a safety. John Gruden and company aced Las Vegas’s first draft.

Grade: A-

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers added their quarterback of the future in the first round in Justin Herbert. They gave him some weapons adding a few receivers and a running back. Honestly, Joshua Kelley might be a sleeper in this draft. He is an elusive runner that didn’t flash it too often at UCLA. Still, he has a huge upside in the passing game, especially after losing star back Melvin Gordon in free agency.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Rams

The biggest question for the Rams heading into the draft was who is going to replace Todd Gurrly, and they found his replacement in Cam Akers. They also went and picked up some needs at defensive back and linebacker and added two new weapons for quarterback Jared Goff. For a team that hasn’t drafted well since they got Goff in 2016, they did exceptionally well.

Grade: A-

Miami Dolphins

Not the quarterback I thought they were going with, but how can you pass on the second-best quarterback in the draft? Also, big props using the pick after Tua Tagovailoa to get an offensive tackle to protect him and USC’s Austin Jackson fits the bill. While they could have gotten a few more weapons for Tagovailoa, they spent most of their picks on the defense side of the ball and on the offensive line -- a huge need for a team that is rebuilding.

Grade: B+

Minnesota Vikings

With 15 picks in this year’s draft, the Vikings picked up almost every single player group except for a running back and kicker. The picks that they did get are going to improve an already great team. The best pick was getting Stephon Diggs replacement Justin Jefferson with the pick that came from Digg’s trade. They added many pieces to the puzzle, but are they the right ones to get them over the hump to the Lombardi Trophy?

Grade: A-

New England Patriots

Everything about the Patriots draft intrigues me. With their first pick, they took a safety from a division two school, who is a monster. On back-to-back picks choose two tight ends, but passed on the second-best one in the draft, then added a placekicker in the fifth round. It's not who they picked but how they picked them. They’re a team that always puts together championship-caliber teams, but that’s when they had Tom Brady. Bill Belichick missing out on a quarterback is an interesting choice even if he isn’t the day one starter.

Grade: B-

New Orlean Saints

The Saints had a quiet draft with only three picks. They didn’t take any immediate needs this year but got some great players for the future. They got Dayton tight end Adam Trautman for a steal, nabbing him deep in the third round as a projected second-rounder.

Grade: B

New York Giants

The Giants made improvements to the offensive line, drafting two tackles and a guard, and four new linebackers. You can expect the tackles to step in soon as possible to protect last year’s first-round pick, Daniel Jones. On a team lacking linebackers, these four seem to have the same makeup. They are great going after the running back and quarterback, but don’t expect them to cover very well.

Grade: C+

New York Jets

New York has to be happy with how the Jets drafted this weekend. They added two tackles to protect Sam Darnold. They also added some weapons for him to throw to and filled some need in the secondary. Maybe they didn’t get the flashiest names, but they got the job done.

Grade: B+

Philadelphia Eagles

The draft is more art than science, and Philadelphia will have to prove it with their first two picks. It started with an unexpected ninth overall wide receiver pick out of TCU and then hit a brick wall when they selected OU quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round. Not that these were terrible picks just definitely a reach pick and bizarre choice, respectively. The rest of their draft was stellar as they added speed on both sides of the ball, especially at wide receiver.

Grade: C

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh didn’t get their first pick until midway through the second round, but they made it count. They added a playmaking wide receiver in Chase Claypool from Notre Dame to go alongside receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. With the addition of a great linebacker and running back in the draft, I think they will make a case for themselves in a very interesting AFC North and return to playoff form.

Grade: A-

San Francisco 49ers

The biggest buzz for the 49ers came from their day three trades. They acquired offensive tackle Trent Williams from the Washington Redskins and sent wide receiver Marquise Goodwin to Philadelphia and running back Matt Bredia to Miami.Their draft wasn’t exciting outside of getting two young receivers to replace Goodwin and Emmanuel Sanders and a replacement for when Williams inevitably leaves after his contract expires.

Draft Grade: C+

Trade Grade: A-

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle defense was the highlight of their two Super Bowl appearances and is now a shadow of its former self, especially at linebacker. Adding a versatile linebacker with an eye for the ball in Jordyn Brooks is going to be the biggest impact on getting the defense back on track. Also, grabbing Stanford’s latest tight end prospect late in the fourth round is an absolute steal.

Grade: B

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay showed that it’s Super Bowl or bust next year, and the offense is going to be scary good. The Buccaneers had the eleventh most sacks last year, so they went out and added an offensive tackle in Tristan Wirfs. He is going to keep newly-acquired quarterback Tom Brady protected in the pocket and support the dominant running game. With an already impressive receiver core, Tampa Bay got another wide receiver. They also added great defensive weapons that are going to help take the pressure off the offense by adding a touchdown of their own to games.

Grade: A

Tennessee Titans

On the defensive line, the Titans could have done better, but you have to do with what you got because they drafted well everywhere else. They got a running back midway through the draft that will be the pass-catching companion to Derrick Henry. Then added a shutdown corner to plug into a defensive back room with lots of questions, an offensive tackle to fill the hole left in free agency and a possible franchise quarterback in the making.

Grade: B

Washington Redskins

In a division with elusive quarterbacks, the Redskins bookend their draft with two defensive ends that are great at disrupting the passing game. Obviously, second overall pick Chase Young is the one that will start between the two. Still, a second prospect in a coveted position is always helpful. They also brought in two wide receivers that have serious chances of starting week one because of the lack of depth in the position.

Grade: B+