NFC West Draft Grades
Arizona Cardinals
It is very important to remember that the Cardinals gave up only a second-round pick 2020 Draft for WR DeAndre Hopkins. He is a bonafide star and gives Kyler Murray a No.1 target that the team sorely missed last year. First round pick Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons is a versatile defender with sideline-to-sideline speed and athleticism. He is the best pass coverage LB that I have ever scouted. Will the Cardinals be able to use him in multiple roles and take advantage of his versatility? Third round pick Josh Jones from Houston was a good value pick and should slide over to RT. He excels in pass protection. Arizona State RB Eno Benjamin was a steal in the seventh round. He is arguably the best pass catching RB in this draft.
Grade B
Los Angeles Rams
Second rounder RB Cam Akers from Florida State is a very good athlete with terrific speed. He shows the ability to make the first defender miss. He is also a good receiver coming out of the backfield. He should beat out the disappointing second-year RB Darrell Henderson for the starting role. Second round pick WR Van Jefferson from Florida is a precise route runner. He was one of the better route runners in this draft. Third rounder Alabama LB Terrell Lewis would have been a first round pick if it wasn’t for his durability concerns. He is a good pass rusher with an excellent first step. Sixth round pick Ohio State S Jordan Fuller was the Rams best pick on day three. He is an instinctive safety who is a good run defender.
Grade B
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have their own draft value board which is different from the other NFL teams. They always seem to reach for players, but a lot of the times they strike gold. First round pick LB Jordyn Brooks from Texas Tech was one of those reaches. He has good speed and is a reliable run defender. Tennessee edge rusher Darrell Taylor in the second round was my favorite pick. Third rounder from LSU OG Damien Lewis is a good run blocker. I wasn’t a big fan of any of their day three picks.
Grade C
San Francisco 49ers
GM John Lynch loves to draft defensive linemen in the first round. First round pick DT Javon Kinlaw from South Carolina has great size, long arms and a lightning quick first step. Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk was a major reach at the end of the first round. He gets yards after the catch and seems like a good fit in Shanahan’s offense, but he is very raw. I see him being a major contributor in the return game though. Fifth rounder Colton McKivitz from West Virginia was a steal on day three. He has experience at both tackle spots.
Grade C+
