NFL Draft News & Analysis

Regrading the 2019 NFL Draft classes: Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers among big winners

We’re working back in time over the next week through some of PFF's old draft grades. I've already touched on the 2020 draft class, and today we’re taking another look at the 2019 class. Two years ago, we handed out rapid reaction grades to all 32 teams using a tamer, word-based grading scale.

Subscribe to

Here’s how those grades looked back in 2019:

Original 2019 Grades
EXCELLENT ABOVE AVERAGE AVERAGE BELOW AVERAGE
Football Team Bills Dolphins Cowboys
Titans Jets Colts Texans
Jaguars Patriots Falcons Saints
Panthers Giants Chiefs Raiders
Chargers Eagles Browns Lions
Cardinals Buccaneers Ravens Vikings
Broncos Bengals
49ers Bears
Rams
Steelers
Packers
Seahawks

And after taking off the rose-colored glasses that often go along with draft analysis and seeing who these players really are over the past couple of years, here’s how I’d stack up each team's haul now:

New 2019 Grades
EXCELLENT ABOVE AVERAGE AVERAGE BELOW AVERAGE
Packers Broncos Cardinals Ravens
Saints Jaguars Bills Bears
49ers Chiefs Falcons Browns
Buccaneers Steelers Panthers Cowboys
Titans Seahawks Bengals Texans
Football Team Colts Lions
Dolphins Chargers
Giants Rams
Jets Vikings
Patriots
Raiders
Eagles

Interestingly enough, not much has changed for the drafts we didn’t rank all that high from the get-go. In fact, the only franchise to move up more than one level in a positive manner was the Saints. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Chargers, Cardinals, Patriots, Eagles and Rams all fell at least two levels to below average. Let’s dive in.

Jump to a team's 2020 draft class re-evaluation:

ARZ | ATL | BLT | BUF | CAR | CIN | CHI | CLE | DEN | DAL | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LVR | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WFT

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Round 1 (1): QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
Round 2 (33): CB Byron Murphy, Washington
Round 2 (62): WR Andy Isabella, UMass
Round 3 (65): EDGE Zach Allen, Boston College
Round 4 (103): WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
Round 5 (137): S Deionte Thompson, Alabama
Round 6 (174): WR KeeSean Johnson, Fresno State
Round 6 (179): C Lamont Gaillard, Georgia
Round 7 (248): OT Joshua Miles, Morgan State
Round 7 (249): DI Michael Dogbe, Temple
Round 7 (254): TE Caleb Wilson, UCLA

Then: Excellent
Now: Average

It’s important to remember that we're grading the decisions made and not necessarily the players drafted. While the Cardinals deserve some credit for kicking Josh Rosen to the curb in favor of Kyler Murray, Murray was the no-brainer top quarterback in the class. But despite three other top-65 picks in tow, the Cardinals failed to haul in another quality starter.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Round 1 (14): OG Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
Round 1 (31): OT Kaleb McGary, Washington
Round 4 (111): CB Kendall Sheffield, Ohio State
Round 4 (135): EDGE John Cominsky, Charleston
Round 5 (152): RB Qadree Ollison, Pittsburgh
Round 5 (172): CB Jordan Miller, Washington
Round 6 (203): WR Marcus Green, Lousiana-Monroe

Then: Average
Now: Average

The Falcons are the poster child for why it’s a fool’s errand to try and fix an offensive line overnight in the draft. While Chris Lindstrom has developed into a solid guard, posting a 77.1 grade in Year 2 after an injury-plagued rookie season, right tackle Kaleb McGary was still a bit of a sieve with his 58.5 pass-blocking grade this past season. It does, however, look like Atlanta may have found something in uber-athletic fourth-rounder John Cominsky, who earned a 67.4 grade at defensive tackle this past season.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Round 1 (25): WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
Round 3 (85): EDGE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
Round 3 (93): WR Miles Boykin, Notre Dame
Round 4 (113): RB Justice Hill, Oklahoma State
Round 4 (123): OG Ben Powers, Oklahoma
Round 4 (127): CB Iman Marshall, USC
Round 5 (160): DI Daylon Mack, Texas A&M
Round 6 (197): QB Trace McSorley, Penn State

Then: Average
Now: Below Average

While Hollywood Brown has been fine as the Ravens' top receiver, he’s been comfortably outplayed by multiple wideouts drafted behind him. The same can’t be said for third-rounder Miles Boykin, who has struggled to make any impact whatsoever. Finally, Jaylon Ferguson got passed up on the depth chart in Year 2 and managed only 303 snaps.

BUFFALO BILLS

Round 1 (9): DI Ed Oliver, Houston
Round 2 (38): OT Cody Ford, Oklahoma
Round 3 (74): RB Devin Singletary, Florida Atlantic
Round 5 (147): LB Vosean Joseph, Florida
Round 6 (181): CB Jaquan Johnson, Miami (FL)
Round 7 (225): EDGE Darryl Johnson, North Carolina A&T
Round 7 (228): TE Tommy Sweeney, Boston College

Then: Above Average
Now: Average

The Ed Oliver developmental project is still just that. He made strides as a pass-rusher with 37 pressures this past season, but he's struggled in the run game at his size, managing only a 30.0 run-defense grade last season. Second-rounder Cody Ford hasn’t been able to lock down a starting job on the Bills' line, while running back Devin Singletary has dealt with brutal drop and fumble issues early in his NFL career.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Round 1 (16): EDGE Brian Burns, Florida State
Round 2 (37): OT Greg Little, Ole Miss
Round 3 (100): QB Will Grier, West Virginia
Round 4 (115): LB Christian Miller, Alabama
Round 5 (154): RB Jordan Scarlett, Florida
Round 6 (212): OT Dennis Daley, South Carolina
Round 7 (237): WR Terry Godwin, Georgia

Then: Excellent
Now: Average

This might be a tad harsh, as Brian Burns is a stud pass-rusher who racked up 57 pressures and an 86.9 pass-rushing grade last season. That’s quite the return at Pick 16. The average regrade here comes from the fact that the Panthers' second- and third-rounders, Greg Little and Will Grier, have not only been bad but also unplayable at this point.

Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO BEARS

Round 3 (73): RB David Montgomery, Iowa State
Round 4 (126): WR Riley Ridley, Georgia
Round 6 (205): CB Duke Shelley, Kansas State
Round 7 (222): RB Kerrith Whyte, Florida Atlantic
Round 7 (238): CB Stephen Denmark, Valdosta State

Then: Average
Now: Below Average

This draft was decimated by the Khalil Mack trade leaving the Bears without a draft choice until Pick 73 overall. David Montgomery has performed decently from that selection, averaging 3.1 yards after contact per attempt last year, but you know PFF's thoughts on running backs. With that being all Chicago really came away with, it’s hard to view this draft as anything other than below average.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Round 1 (11): OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
Round 2 (52): TE Drew Sample, Washington
Round 3 (72): LB Germaine Pratt, NC State
Round 4 (104): QB Ryan Finley, NC State
Round 4 (125): DI Renell Wren, Arizona State
Round 4 (136): OG Michael Jordan, Ohio State
Round 6 (182): RB Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
Round 6 (210): LB Deshaun Davis, Auburn
Round 6 (211): RB Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
Round 7 (223): CB Jordan Brown, South Dakota State

Then: Average
Now: Average

Jonah Williams proved his worth with a 75.8 pass-blocking grade in Year 2 after missing his rookie season with a shoulder injury. That’s where the positives end for the Bengals' 2019 class, though. Second-round tight end Drew Sample barely sees the field, while third-round linebacker Germaine Pratt has earned grades of 51.0 and 41.5 in his two years as a starter.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Round 2 (46): CB Greedy Williams, LSU
Round 3 (80): LB Sione Takitaki, BYU
Round 4 (119): S Sheldrick Redwine, Miami (FL)
Round 5 (155): LB Mack Wilson, Alabama
Round 5 (170): K Austin Seibert, Oklahoma
Round 6 (189): OT Drew Forbes, Southeast Missouri State
Round 7 (221): CB Donnie Lewis Jr., Tulane

Then: Average
Now: Below Average

This could obviously change when Greedy Williams is healthy this season, but the fact that there’s not a single starter from this draft heading into 2021 — including fifth-round kicker Austin Seibert — should tell you all you need to know.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Round 2 (58): DI Trysten Hill, UCF
Round 3 (90): OG Connor McGovern, Penn State
Round 4 (128): RB Tony Pollard, Memphis
Round 5 (158): CB Michael Jackson, Miami (FL)
Round 5 (165): EDGE Joe Jackson, Miami (FL)
Round 6 (213): S Donovan Wilson, Texas A&M
Round 7 (218): RB Mike Weber, Ohio State
Round 7 (241): EDGE Jalen Jelks, Oregon

Then: Below Average
Now: Below Average

Second-round defensive tackle Trysten Hill has been nothing short of a liability in his two seasons, and only sixth-round safety Donovan Wilson is even slated to start this upcoming season from the Cowboys' 2019 draft class.

DENVER BRONCOS

Round 1 (20): TE Noah Fant, Iowa
Round 2 (41): OT Dalton Risner, Kansas State
Round 2 (42): QB Drew Lock, Missouri
Round 3 (71): DI Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State
Round 5 (156): LB Justin Hollins, Oregon
Round 6 (187): WR Juwann Winfree, Colorado

Then: Above Average
Now: Above Average

Each of the Broncos' first four picks is heading into the 2021 season penciled in to start. However,  that doesn’t mean they were all home-run choices. Drew Lock is obviously still a big question mark, while Noah Fant and Dalton Risner have been solid, if unspectacular, at tight end and guard, respectively. The most intriguing of the bunch, though, is Dre’Mont Jones, who saw his pass-rushing grade go from 70.3 as a rookie to 78.3 last year at defensive tackle.

DETROIT LIONS

Round 1 (8): TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
Round 2 (43): LB Jahlani Tavai, Hawaii
Round 3 (81): S Will Harris, Boston College
Round 4 (117): EDGE Austin Bryant, Clemson
Round 5 (146): CB Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
Round 6 (184): WR Travis Fulgham, Old Dominion
Round 6 (186): RB Ty Johnson, Maryland
Round 7 (224): TE Isaac Nauta, Georgia
Round 7 (229): DI P.J. Johnson, Arizona

Then: Below Average
Now: Below Average

This draft was the nail in the coffin for the Bob Quinn era. Turning two top-40 picks into a tight end and a two-down linebacker was never going to end well. It isn’t a completely hopeless draft, however, as Hockenson is still a solid tight end, while fifth-round corner Amani Oruwariye has shown flashes and earned a starting role last season.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Round 1 (12): EDGE Rashan Gary, Michigan
Round 1 (21): S Darnell Savage, Maryland
Round 2 (44): IOL Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State
Round 3 (75): TE Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
Round 5 (150): DI Kingsley Keke, Texas A&M
Round 6 (185): CB Ka'dar Hollman, Toledo
Round 6 (194): RB Dexter Williams, Notre Dame
Round 7 (226): LB Ty Summers, TCU

Then: Above Average
Now: Excellent

Taking Rashan Gary over the much higher-ranked Brian Burns on PFF's Big Board at the time is what kept this from an excellent grade then, as we loved Darnell Savage and Elgton Jenkins coming out of college. Both have lived up to those lofty expectations, and even Gary has come on quicker than we anticipated. This past season, he saw his grade leap to 68.1 from 55.8 as a rookie.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Round 1 (23): OT Tytus Howard, Alabama State
Round 2 (54): CB Lonnie Johnson Jr., Kentucky
Round 2 (55): OG Max Scharping, Northern Illinois
Round 3 (86): TE Kahale Warring, San Diego State
Round 5 (161): DI Charles Omenihu, Texas
Round 6 (195): CB Xavier Crawford, Central Michigan
Round 7 (220): FB Cullen Gillaspia, Texas A&M

Then: Below Average
Now: Below Average

We viewed the Texans' first two selections of tackle Tytus Howard and cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. as massive reaches at the time. They haven’t proven much better in retrospect, as Howard earned a 62.1 grade last year and Johnson had to be moved to safety after a 30.0 grade as a rookie.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Round 2 (34): CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Round 2 (49): EDGE Ben Banogu, TCU
Round 2 (59): WR Parris Campbell, Ohio State
Round 3 (89): LB Bobby Okereke, Stanford
Round 4 (109): S Khari Willis, Michigan State
Round 5 (144): S Marvell Tell III, USC
Round 5 (164): LB E.J. Speed, Tarleton State
Round 6 (199): EDGE Gerri Green, Mississippi State
Round 7 (240): OT Jackson Barton, Utah
Round 7 (246): IOL Javon Patterson, Ole Miss

Then: Average
Now: Average

The Colts' second-round haul of cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, edge defender Ben Banogu and wide receiver Parris Campbell have had rocky starts to their NFL careers. Even third-round linebacker Bobby Okereke earned a rough 47.7 grade last year after an outstanding rookie campaign. Fourth-round safety Khari Willis is the saving grace in this draft class, as he’s developed into a quality starter.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Round 1 (7): EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky
Round 2 (35): OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Round 3 (69): TE Josh Oliver, San Jose State
Round 3 (98): LB Quincy Williams, Murray State
Round 5 (140): RB Ryquell Armstead, Temple
Round 6 (178): QB Gardner Minshew, Washington State
Round 7 (235): DI Dontavius Russell, Auburn

Then: Excellent
Now: Above Average

Seventh overall pick Josh Allen has been as advertised when healthy, and sixth-rounder Gardner Minshew has outplayed anyone’s wildest expectations through two years. It’s the underperforming Jawaan Taylor who needs to turn things around at tackle, though, as he’s allowed 17 sacks through two seasons.

Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) scores a touchdown in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Round 2 (56): WR Mecole Hardman, Georgia
Round 2 (63): S Juan Thornhill, Virginia
Round 3 (84): DI Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois
Round 6 (201): CB Rashad Fenton, South Carolina
Round 6 (214): RB Darwin Thompson, Utah State
Round 7 (216): OG Nick Allegretti, Illinois

Then: Average
Now: Above Average

Mecole Hardman has been a fine role player, but legit No. 1 receivers were still on the board at his draft slot. The real steal here is cornerback Rashad Fenton, who has earned coverage grades of 74.4 and 74.6 in his two NFL seasons. Here’s also hoping Juan Thornhill gets back to his rookie form now over a year removed from tearing his ACL.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Round 1 (4): EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
Round 1 (24): RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
Round 1 (27): S Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
Round 2 (40): CB Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
Round 4 (106): EDGE Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan
Round 4 (129): CB Isaiah Johnson, Houston
Round 4 (137): TE Foster Moreau, LSU
Round 5 (149): WR Hunter Renfrow, Clemson
Round 7 (230): EDGE Quinton Bell, Prairie View A&M

Then: Below Average
Now: Below Average

Obviously, a lot of this comes down to our feelings about drafting running backs in the first round. Raiders fans saw first-hand how fickle the position can be, as Josh Jacobs' production fell off a cliff due to a diminished offensive line in 2020. To turn that much draft capital into one quality starter in Clelin Ferrell — who earned only a 70.0 pass-rushing grade last season — is not great.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Round 1 (28): DI Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
Round 2 (60): S Nasir Adderley, Delaware
Round 3 (91): OT Trey Pipkins, Sioux Falls
Round 4 (130): LB Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame
Round 5 (166): QB Easton Stick, NDSU
Round 6 (200): EDGE Emeke Egbule, Houston
Round 7 (242): DI Cortez Broughton, Cincinnati

Then: Excellent
Now: Below Average

There wasn’t a single draft class we had pegged more incorrectly than the Chargers' group, the single biggest faller in these grades. Jerry Tillery has simply not adapted to the physicality of the NFL, and Nasir Adderley struggled mightily to a 50.8 overall grade after missing almost his entire rookie season.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Round 2 (61): S Taylor Rapp, Washington
Round 3 (70): RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis
Round 3 (79): CB David Long Jr., Michigan
Round 3 (97): OG Bobby Evans, Oklahoma
Round 4 (134): DI Greg Gaines, Washington
Round 5 (169): OG David Edwards, Wisconsin
Round 7 (243): S Nick Scott, Penn State
Round 7 (251): LB Dakota Allen, Texas Tech

Then: Above Average
Now: Below Average

Although the Rams were without a first-rounder, we liked Taylor Rapp, Darrell Henderson and David Long at the time. All three essentially lost their roles last season, however. This one is still to be determined, as we’ll likely see much more of Rapp and Long in 2021.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Round 1 (13): DI Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Round 3 (78): OG Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
Round 5 (151): LB Andrew Van Ginkel, Wisconsin
Round 6 (202): OT Isaiah Prince, Ohio State
Round 7 (233): FB Chandler Cox, Auburn
Round 7 (234): RB Myles Gaskin, Washington

Then: Average
Now: Average

It was never going to be a massive swing for the fences when the Dolphins drafted a run-stuffing defensive tackle in the first round and a swing lineman in the third round. Even with that in mind, it’s hard to get too excited about the early returns from Christian Wilkins and Michael Deiter. The wild card here keeping Miami at average is fifth-round edge Andrew Van Ginkel, who played so well last year (79.3 overall grade) that he made Kyle Van Noy expendable.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Round 1 (18): C Garrett Bradbury, NC State
Round 2 (50): TE Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
Round 3 (102): RB Alexander Mattison, Boise State
Round 4 (114): OG Dru Samia, Oklahoma
Round 5 (162): LB Cameron Smith, USC
Round 6 (190): DI Armon Watts, Arkansas
Round 6 (191): S Marcus Epps, Wyoming
Round 6 (193): OT Oli Udoh, Elon
Round 7 (217): CB Kris Boyd, Texas
Round 7 (239): WR Dillon Mitchell, Oregon
Round 7 (247): WR Bisi Johnson, Colorado State
Round 7 (250): LS Austin Cutting, Air Force

Then: Below Average
Now: Below Average

Bradbury was one of the bigger reaches in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, according to PFF's Big Board, as the 18th overall pick ranked 41st for us. Through two seasons, he’s earned pass-blocking grades of 41.4 and 38.8. When your best pick is a backup running back in Alexander Mattison, it's not going to elicit a good grade.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Round 1 (32): WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
Round 2 (45): CB Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt
Round 3 (77): EDGE Chase Winovich, Michigan
Round 3 (87): RB Damien Harris, Alabama
Round 3 (101): OT Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia
Round 4 (118): OG Hjalte Froholdt, Arkansas
Round 4 (133): QB Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
Round 5 (159): DI Byron Cowart, Maryland
Round 5 (163): P Jake Bailey, Stanford
Round 7 (252): CB Ken Webster, Ole Miss

Then: Above Average
Now: Below Average

We were big fans of the Chase Winovich pick at the time and still are after the third-rounder put up 47 pressures and a 72.3 pass-rushing grade last year. The fact that first- and second-rounders N’Keal Harry and Joejuan Williams have been pretty much unplayable drops this grade, though.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Round 2 (48): C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
Round 4 (105): S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
Round 6 (177): S Saquan Hampton, Rutgers
Round 7 (231): TE Alize Mack, Notre Dame
Round 7 (244): LB Kaden Elliss, Idaho

Then: Below Average
Now: Excellent

Much of the Saints' low grade at the time stemmed from their wasteful trades in prior years, which left them with minimal draft capital. The Erik McCoy and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson selections were both rock solid in retrospect. To get two quality starters with only Picks 48 and 105 is a massive win.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Round 1 (6): QB Daniel Jones, Duke
Round 1 (17): DI Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
Round 1 (30): CB Deandre Baker, Georgia
Round 3 (95): EDGE Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
Round 4 (108): CB Julian Love, Notre Dame
Round 5 (143): LB Ryan Connelly, Wisconsin
Round 5 (171): WR Darius Slayton, Auburn
Round 6 (180); CB Corey Ballentine, Washburn
Round 7 (232): OT George Asafo-Adjei, Kentucky
Round 7 (245): DI Chris Slayton, Syracuse

Then: Above Average
Now: Average

As bad as Deandre Baker looked as a rookie, it’s difficult to ding the Giants too much for the pick; off-field issues ended his time with the franchise. The relative merits of the Daniel Jones pick still looms large over the organization, but they got three other solid players in this draft in defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, defensive back Julian Love and wide receiver Darius Slayton.

NEW YORK JETS

Round 1 (3): DI Quinnen Williams, Alabama
Round 3 (68): LB Jachai Polite, Florida
Round 3 (92): OT Chuma Edoga, USC
Round 4 (121): TE Trevon Wesco, West Virginia
Round 5 (157): LB Blake Cashman, Minnesota
Round 6 (196): CB Blessuan Austin, Rutgers

Then: Above Average
Now: Average

Quinnen Williams had his ups and downs early on, but he now firmly looks like the player we all thought he would be coming out of Alabama. It’s the rest of the class that drags the Jets' grade. While they’ve gotten contributors in fifth-round linebacker Blake Cashman and sixth-round corner Blessuan Austin, neither has firmly established themselves as a legit starter.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Round 1 (22): OT Andre Dillard, Washington State
Round 2 (53): RB Miles Sanders, Penn State
Round 2 (57): WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford
Round 4 (138): EDGE Shareef Miller, Penn State
Round 5 (167): QB Clayton Thorson, Northwestern

Then: Above Average
Now: Below Average

We liked the Andre Dillard and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside picks at the time, but it’s difficult to imagine either going worse through two years. Dillard can’t stay healthy and Arcega-Whiteside managed only 141 snaps last year.

Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) is introduced before playing the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field. Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Round 1 (10): LB Devin Bush, Michigan
Round 3 (66): WR Diontae Johnson, Toledo
Round 3 (83): CB Justin Layne, Michigan State
Round 4 (122): RB Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky
Round 5 (141): TE Zach Gentry, Michigan
Round 6 (175): EDGE Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
Round 6 (192): DI Isaiah Buggs, Alabama
Round 6 (207): LB Ulysees Gilbert III, Akron
Round 7 (219): OT Derwin Gray, Maryland

Then: Above Average
Now: Above Average

You’ve seen “it” from both linebacker Devin Bush and receiver Diontae Johnson. Now, Bush just needs to stay healthy and Johnson needs to be consistent. If that can happen, the Steelers got two of the bigger impact players in the draft with their first two picks.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Round 1 (2): EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Round 2 (36): WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Round 3 (67): WR Jalen Hurd, Baylor
Round 4 (110): P Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah
Round 5 (148): LB Dre Greenlaw, Arkansas
Round 6 (176): TE Kaden Smith, Stanford
Round 6 (183): OT Justin Skule, Vanderbilt
Round 6 (198): CB Tim Harris, Virginia

Then: Above Average
Now: Excellent

Everyone knows the impact studs at the top of the draft — Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel — but the 49ers also found a late-round gem in Dre Greenlaw. He made Kwon Alexander an afterthought, posting coverage grades of 72.6 and 65.3 in his first two NFL seasons.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Round 1 (29): EDGE L.J. Collier, TCU
Round 2 (47): S Marquise Blair, Utah
Round 2 (64): WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
Round 3 (88): LB Cody Barton, Utah
Round 4 (120): WR Gary Jennings Jr., West Virginia
Round 4 (124): OG Phil Haynes, Wake Forest
Round 4 (132): S Ugo Amadi, Oregon
Round 5 (142): LB Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington
Round 6 (204): RB Travis Homer, Miami (FL)
Round 6 (209): DI Demarcus Christmas, Florida State
Round 7 (236): WR John Ursua, Hawaii

Then: Above Average
Now: Above Average

This is basically the grade you get when you find D.K. Metcalf at the back of the second round. The rest of the draft class has been nearly a complete wash at this point, but you don’t find players of Metcalf's caliber every year.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Round 1 (5): LB Devin White, LSU
Round 2 (39): CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, Central Michigan
Round 3 (94): CB Jamel Dean, Auburn
Round 3 (99): S Mike Edwards, Kentucky
Round 4 (107): EDGE Anthony Nelson, Iowa
Round 5 (145): K Matt Gay, Utah
Round 6 (208): WR Scotty Miller, Bowling Green
Round 7 (215): DI Terry Beckner Jr., Missouri

Then: Above Average
Now: Excellent

The Bucs' commitment to their secondary in this draft laid the foundation for what ultimately won them the Super Bowl. Devin White, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean were all integral pieces to what was the league’s best defense by the end of 2020.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Round 1 (19): DI Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
Round 2 (51): A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Round 3 (82): OG Nate Davis, Charlotte
Round 4 (116): S Amani Hooker, Iowa
Round 5 (168): LB D'Andre Walker, Georgia
Round 6 (188): LB David Long, West Virginia

Then: Excellent
Now: Excellent

The Titans had almost a perfect “what we would do” draft at the time, and it’s exceeded even our wildest expectations. Jeffery Simmons has come back from his ACL tear looking like a problem after an 83.6 overall grade this past season. A.J. Brown is, well, A.J. Brown. And finally, Nate Davis quietly improved by leaps and bounds in 2020 and was one of the best run-blocking guards in the NFL during the second half of last season. Add in safety Amani Hooker's and linebacker David Long’s contributions, and you have arguably the best 2019 draft class.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

Round 1 (15): QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
Round 1 (26): EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
Round 3 (76): WR Terry McLaurin, Ohio State
Round 4 (112): RB Bryce Love, Stanford
Round 4 (131): OG Wes Martin, Indiana
Round 5 (153): OG Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
Round 5 (173): LB Cole Holcomb, North Carolina
Round 6 (206): WR Kelvin Harmon, NC State
Round 7 (227): CB Jimmy Moreland, James Madison
Round 7 (253): EDGE Jordan Brailford, Oklahoma State

Then: Excellent
Now: Excellent

We finish with the two draft classes we had perfectly evaluated from the start … sort of. The fact that the Football Team whiffed so hard on Dwayne Haskins yet still finished here should tell you how the rest of their draft went. They followed up that selection by finding studs at two valuable positions with edge Montez Sweat at Pick 26 and wide receiver Terry McLaurin at Pick 76. Washington also found a serviceable linebacker and slot corner later on in Cole Holcomb and Jimmy Moreland, respectively.

Safety worth way more than 2 points. Help protect your family with fast, free will.
Sponsor

NFL Draft Featured Tools

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit