Much like last year, this is the place where you will get my unfiltered opinion regarding EVERY single draft pick that goes down tonight in the first-round of the NFL Draft. Yes, I said EVERY single one!
So make sure you keep this page loaded and keep refreshing it to see how this self-proclaimed NFL Draft expert feels about every move that goes down tonight.
Good lord I love this day!
THE Ultimate Sports Blog's
2016 NFL Draft LIVE BLOG!!!!
1. Los Angeles Rams - Jared Goff (QB), California
You knew it was going to be the pick. I knew it was going to be the pick. The Los Angeles Rams need a franchise QB in the worst way and they traded a lot to try and get one. Will it be worth the gamble? We shall see.
Early Grade: A-
2. Philadelphia Eagles - Carson Wentz (QB), North Dakota State
I'm not real high on Carson Wentz as a top 10 prospect and I still don't know why the Eagles traded up to get him after signing Chase Daniel in the off-season and not giving him a shot first. I'm not the biggest fan of this pick, but screw the Eagles. They did my boy Chip Kelly wrong and they deserve years of bad karma for it. This should start that process swiftly (I kid of course....).
Early Grade: C+
3. San Diego Chargers - Joey Bosa (DE), Ohio State
No one knew who San Diego was picking. All day long there were rumors that the Chargers were going to shock the world and take Ronnie Stanley, but guess what? Those folks were wrong. Guess who was right though? This guy! You know who else was right? The Chargers! They absolutely nailed this pick. They get a guy who's ready to play in the NFL today and he's also extremely likable. Way to go Chargers.
Early Grade: A+
4. Dallas Cowboys - Ezekiel Elliott (RB), Ohio State
Shit just got real folks. While I personally would have taken Jalen Ramsey out of Florida State, the Cowboys just got a guy who's going to absolutely dominate the league in Dallas. Pick this guy up in the first-round of your fantasy draft next season. You will be thanking me later.
Early Grade: A-
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jalen Ramsey (CB), Florida State
What a steal for Jacksonville. The Jaguars really needed a tremendous shut-down corner and that's exactly what Jalen Ramsey will provide. Once Dallas passed on Ramsey, I'm sure the Jaguars went running up to the podium and who can really blame them? A STEAL for the Jags.
Early Grade: A+
6. Baltimore Ravens - Ronnie Stanley (OT), Notre Dame
And we have our first "shocker" of the draft. A lot of people expected Laremy Tunsil to be the first offensive tackle off the board, but the Ravens decided to go another way. Maybe the video of Tunsil smoking pot out of a gas mask is going to hurt his stock? Or maybe the Ravens just thought Stanley was the better player? Either way, the Ravens get a stud offensive tackle. Can't go wrong with that.
Early Grade: A-
7. San Francisco 49ers - DeForest Buckner (DL), Oregon
Slam dunk pick for Chip Kelly and company. Way to go.
Early Grade: A
8. Tennessee Titans - Jack Conklin (OT), Michigan State
The Titans traded with the Browns and drafted....Jack Conklin? An offensive tackle who probably would have been available when the Titans picked at 15? Doesn't make much sense to me. Why not move up and gamble on Tunsil and his "weed problem" at that point? Meh. Same ol' Titans.
Early Grade: C+
9. Chicago Bears - Leonard Floyd (LB), Georgia
We have another trade and the Bears moved up three spots in order to get him. Why exactly? I'm not sure. Maybe they thought the Buccaneers or the Giants were going to grab him (and they very well could have), but the Bears didn't have to spend much to do it so I like it. Floyd is the best outside linebacker in the draft and he fills a huge need for the Bears. That's exactly what you're supposed to do in the first-round of the draft.
Early Grade: B+
10. New York Giants - Eli Apple (CB), Ohio State
Meh. I like Eli Apple, but I don't like him with the 10th overall pick. I personally liked Vernon Hargreaves and William Jackson a little more and I honestly think the Giants could have gotten Apple later in the first-round as well as some extra picks had they wished. Seems like a panic move by New York who likely had a bunch of their players off the board at that point and just threw a dart at the board.
Early Grade: D+
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves III (CB), Florida
Hey, look at that! A team that actually KNOWS how to work the NFL Draft! I originally had Vernon Hargreaves mocked to the Buccaneers at the #9 spot, and the Bucs went ahead and traded back and STILL GOT HIM as well as some extra picks! You see people? It's not that hard to do! Not only that, but the Buccaneers also got a better corner than the Giants got with the previous pick. It's not rocket science guys, but apparently it is for some people. Solid pick by the Bucs.
Early Grade: B+
12. New Orleans Saints - Sheldon Rankins (DT), Louisville
Great pick by the Saints. If you watched these guys play football last year, one thing was pretty apparent. They were awful on defense. Rankins should come in and immediately become a day one starter. The Saints need to start getting to the quarterback and this is a huge step in the right direction.
Early Grade: B+
13. Miami Dolphins - Laremy Tunsil (OT), Ole Miss
And there we go! The intriguing thing about this draft was the fall of Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil was widely regarded as the top overall prospect in this draft for the longest time and he also appears to be the king of bad timing. Right before the draft started, a video came out of Tunsil smoking pot out of a gas mask and you could almost hear his draft stock start to plummet. There were NFL teams who reportedly took this guy OFF OF THEIR BOARDS after this video came out! There were actual rumors that he would go undrafted, but the Dolphins came to his rescue and saved his ass. As long as Tunsil can manage to stay clean, the Dolphins just got an absolute steal. Going to be fun to watch this one unfold.
Early Grade: A-
14. Oakland Raiders - Karl Joseph (S), West Virginia
I love this kid, but at the 14 slot, it's a little high to get him. The Raiders probably could have moved back and got him later in the first-round and added some more picks along the way. There's no denying that Joseph will come in and make an instant contribution to the Oakland secondary in replacing the legendary Charles Woodson though. So good for them?
Early Grade: B-
15. Cleveland Browns - Corey Coleman (WR), Baylor
Wait a minute. The Cleveland Browns are actually having a good first-round in the NFL Draft? Go home NFL. You're obviously drunk. In all seriousness, I love this pick for the Browns. Corey Coleman was my favorite wide receiver in the draft and this kid has the potential to be amazing in Hue Jackson's offense. Yay for fantasy points!
Early Grade: B+
16. Detroit Lions - Taylor Decker (OT), Ohio State
The Lions needed an offensive tackle and with all the tackles flying off the board, they had to reach a little bit for Taylor Decker (a player I personally had rated as a second-rounder). I understand why they did it, I just don't entirely like it.
Early Grade: B-
17. Atlanta Falcons - Keanu Neal (S), Florida
If you could see me right now, you would see me shaking my head. While I don't exactly hate on Neal, he's a guy that I feel the Falcons could have traded back for and still got. Do some of these NFL teams just hate adding extra draft picks or something? I don't get it.
Early Grade: C+
18. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Kelly (C), Alabama
Fantastic pick for the Colts. Ryan Kelly is the best interior offensive lineman in the draft and guess what the Colts need? A big ass interior offensive lineman who can help protect their franchise QB Andrew Luck. Kelly is exactly what the doctor ordered for Indianapolis and they went out and got him. Maybe this pick will help resurrect the career of Luck who is coming off his worst year as a pro? Indy fans sure hope so.
Early Grade: A-
19. Buffalo Bills - Shaq Lawson (DE), Clemson
What incredible value for the Bills at this point. Shaq Lawson could have honestly gone in the top 10 in this draft due to his potential. I'm actually pretty surprised that he fell to Buffalo with the 19th pick, but I can't think of a better fit for him. What a tremendous pick for the Bills.
Early Grade: B+
20. New York Jets - Darron Lee (LB), Ohio State
I'm surprised the Jets actually passed on Paxton Lynch with him sitting there ready for the picking. I guess they like their chances of bringing Ryan Fitzpatrick back into the fold? Either way, the Jets instead got a guy who is one of the best pass-rushers in the draft and fills a huge need. He's also a good player and was picked right about in the range I felt he would go. Solid pick for the Jets who just got an immediate starter on their defense.
Early Grade: B
21. Houston Texans - Will Fuller (WR), Notre Dame
Stupid trade for the Texans. Why trade up for Will Fuller when Laquon Treadwell and Josh Doctson are still available? Fuller is a one-trick pony who's NFL comparison is Mike Wallace. The guy who can do one thing and that's run really fast downfield. What a dumb move by the Texans.
Early Grade: C-
22. Washington Redskins - Josh Doctson (WR), TCU
Tremendous pick for the Redskins and they traded back and got him. SEE! NOW THIS IS HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IT! Good job Washington!
Early Grade: B+
23. Minnesota Vikings - Laquon Treadwell (WR), Ole Miss
And the run of wide receivers continues. It's hard to hate on this pick because Minnesota needs wide receivers in the worst way and Laquon Treadwell is arguably the first or second best receiver in this draft. Teddy Bridgewater only managed to throw 14 receiving touchdowns last season but with Treadwell on board now...something tells me that number is about to spike.
Early Grade: B+
24. Cincinnati Bengals - William Jackson III (CB), Houston
Nice pick by the Bengals. Cincinnati needed to get younger and better at the corner position and William Jackson is one of the best corners in the draft. Not only that, but the Steelers reportedly wanted Jackson bad and the Bengals just got to shove it in their faces. Also, the Bengals just got a better corner at the 24th spot than the Giants did at the 10th spot. How does that make you feel New York fans?
Early Grade: B
25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Artie Burns (CB), Miami
And since the Bengals took the player the Steelers reportedly loved, they panic and pick a guy who no one really had going in the first-round. The Steelers are generally a pretty good drafting team, but this one confuses the hell out of me.
Early Grade: D+
26. Denver Broncos - Paxton Lynch (QB), Memphis
And it happened. The Broncos moved up in the draft and got the QB they desperately needed. I honestly have no idea how good of a player Lynch is going to be in the NFL, but at this point in the draft...you have to make this move if you are Denver. Lynch should start immediately for the Broncos and if anyone knows quarterbacks, it's John Elway. Maybe the rest of the NFL should beware?
Early Grade: B
27. Green Bay Packers - Kenny Clark (DT), UCLA
Ummm, OK. I like it, but I don't love it, especially with a guy like Jarran Reed still available.
Early Grade: C+
28. San Francisco 49ers - Joshua Garnett (OG), Stanford
I can't even grade this one because I'm a little angry right now. Why? Because I sat here for three hours patiently waiting for the Chiefs to make their draft pick and then they TRADE IT AWAY! At least they traded it to the San Francisco 49ers and my boy Chip Kelly though. And what does Chip Kelly do? He spends his pick on a PAC-12 offensive lineman who has the potential to be a stud. Not a bad deal for the 49ers, but I'm still a little pissed.
Early Grade: B-
29. Arizona Cardinals - Robert Nkemdiche (DL), Ole Miss
This pick could turn out to be the steal of the draft depending on if Nkemdiche can stay out of trouble. The former #1 overall high school recruit was widely considered a top 10 pick in this draft for the longest time, and then the shit started rolling downhill at a rapid pace. Like I said though, if the Cardinals can keep this guy out of trouble...watch out.
Early Grade: B+
30. Carolina Panthers - Vernon Butler (DT), Louisiana Tech
Not a bad pick for the Panthers. I had Jarran Reed ranked higher, but Butler is still a solid pick and fills a need for the Panthers. And you guys thought they were going to draft a corner after losing Josh Norman! HA!
Early Grade: B-
31. Seattle Seahawks - Germain Ifedi (OT), Texas A&M
The Seahawks surprise everyone by not only actually drafting a player in the first-round for the first time in years, but also drafting an offensive linemen. It's no secret that the Seahawks needed a offensive lineman in the worst way. If you watched these guys last season, they were awful. Ifedi comes in and will start right away and has the talent to be a guy that Russell Wilson will love for years.
Early Grade: B-
ENJOY THE SECOND AND THIRD ROUNDS TOMORROW!!!!!
You knew it was going to be the pick. I knew it was going to be the pick. The Los Angeles Rams need a franchise QB in the worst way and they traded a lot to try and get one. Will it be worth the gamble? We shall see.
Early Grade: A-
2. Philadelphia Eagles - Carson Wentz (QB), North Dakota State
I'm not real high on Carson Wentz as a top 10 prospect and I still don't know why the Eagles traded up to get him after signing Chase Daniel in the off-season and not giving him a shot first. I'm not the biggest fan of this pick, but screw the Eagles. They did my boy Chip Kelly wrong and they deserve years of bad karma for it. This should start that process swiftly (I kid of course....).
Early Grade: C+
3. San Diego Chargers - Joey Bosa (DE), Ohio State
No one knew who San Diego was picking. All day long there were rumors that the Chargers were going to shock the world and take Ronnie Stanley, but guess what? Those folks were wrong. Guess who was right though? This guy! You know who else was right? The Chargers! They absolutely nailed this pick. They get a guy who's ready to play in the NFL today and he's also extremely likable. Way to go Chargers.
Early Grade: A+
4. Dallas Cowboys - Ezekiel Elliott (RB), Ohio State
Shit just got real folks. While I personally would have taken Jalen Ramsey out of Florida State, the Cowboys just got a guy who's going to absolutely dominate the league in Dallas. Pick this guy up in the first-round of your fantasy draft next season. You will be thanking me later.
Early Grade: A-
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jalen Ramsey (CB), Florida State
What a steal for Jacksonville. The Jaguars really needed a tremendous shut-down corner and that's exactly what Jalen Ramsey will provide. Once Dallas passed on Ramsey, I'm sure the Jaguars went running up to the podium and who can really blame them? A STEAL for the Jags.
Early Grade: A+
6. Baltimore Ravens - Ronnie Stanley (OT), Notre Dame
And we have our first "shocker" of the draft. A lot of people expected Laremy Tunsil to be the first offensive tackle off the board, but the Ravens decided to go another way. Maybe the video of Tunsil smoking pot out of a gas mask is going to hurt his stock? Or maybe the Ravens just thought Stanley was the better player? Either way, the Ravens get a stud offensive tackle. Can't go wrong with that.
Early Grade: A-
7. San Francisco 49ers - DeForest Buckner (DL), Oregon
Slam dunk pick for Chip Kelly and company. Way to go.
Early Grade: A
8. Tennessee Titans - Jack Conklin (OT), Michigan State
The Titans traded with the Browns and drafted....Jack Conklin? An offensive tackle who probably would have been available when the Titans picked at 15? Doesn't make much sense to me. Why not move up and gamble on Tunsil and his "weed problem" at that point? Meh. Same ol' Titans.
Early Grade: C+
9. Chicago Bears - Leonard Floyd (LB), Georgia
We have another trade and the Bears moved up three spots in order to get him. Why exactly? I'm not sure. Maybe they thought the Buccaneers or the Giants were going to grab him (and they very well could have), but the Bears didn't have to spend much to do it so I like it. Floyd is the best outside linebacker in the draft and he fills a huge need for the Bears. That's exactly what you're supposed to do in the first-round of the draft.
Early Grade: B+
10. New York Giants - Eli Apple (CB), Ohio State
Meh. I like Eli Apple, but I don't like him with the 10th overall pick. I personally liked Vernon Hargreaves and William Jackson a little more and I honestly think the Giants could have gotten Apple later in the first-round as well as some extra picks had they wished. Seems like a panic move by New York who likely had a bunch of their players off the board at that point and just threw a dart at the board.
Early Grade: D+
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves III (CB), Florida
Hey, look at that! A team that actually KNOWS how to work the NFL Draft! I originally had Vernon Hargreaves mocked to the Buccaneers at the #9 spot, and the Bucs went ahead and traded back and STILL GOT HIM as well as some extra picks! You see people? It's not that hard to do! Not only that, but the Buccaneers also got a better corner than the Giants got with the previous pick. It's not rocket science guys, but apparently it is for some people. Solid pick by the Bucs.
Early Grade: B+
12. New Orleans Saints - Sheldon Rankins (DT), Louisville
Great pick by the Saints. If you watched these guys play football last year, one thing was pretty apparent. They were awful on defense. Rankins should come in and immediately become a day one starter. The Saints need to start getting to the quarterback and this is a huge step in the right direction.
Early Grade: B+
13. Miami Dolphins - Laremy Tunsil (OT), Ole Miss
And there we go! The intriguing thing about this draft was the fall of Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil was widely regarded as the top overall prospect in this draft for the longest time and he also appears to be the king of bad timing. Right before the draft started, a video came out of Tunsil smoking pot out of a gas mask and you could almost hear his draft stock start to plummet. There were NFL teams who reportedly took this guy OFF OF THEIR BOARDS after this video came out! There were actual rumors that he would go undrafted, but the Dolphins came to his rescue and saved his ass. As long as Tunsil can manage to stay clean, the Dolphins just got an absolute steal. Going to be fun to watch this one unfold.
Early Grade: A-
14. Oakland Raiders - Karl Joseph (S), West Virginia
I love this kid, but at the 14 slot, it's a little high to get him. The Raiders probably could have moved back and got him later in the first-round and added some more picks along the way. There's no denying that Joseph will come in and make an instant contribution to the Oakland secondary in replacing the legendary Charles Woodson though. So good for them?
Early Grade: B-
15. Cleveland Browns - Corey Coleman (WR), Baylor
Wait a minute. The Cleveland Browns are actually having a good first-round in the NFL Draft? Go home NFL. You're obviously drunk. In all seriousness, I love this pick for the Browns. Corey Coleman was my favorite wide receiver in the draft and this kid has the potential to be amazing in Hue Jackson's offense. Yay for fantasy points!
Early Grade: B+
16. Detroit Lions - Taylor Decker (OT), Ohio State
The Lions needed an offensive tackle and with all the tackles flying off the board, they had to reach a little bit for Taylor Decker (a player I personally had rated as a second-rounder). I understand why they did it, I just don't entirely like it.
Early Grade: B-
17. Atlanta Falcons - Keanu Neal (S), Florida
If you could see me right now, you would see me shaking my head. While I don't exactly hate on Neal, he's a guy that I feel the Falcons could have traded back for and still got. Do some of these NFL teams just hate adding extra draft picks or something? I don't get it.
Early Grade: C+
18. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Kelly (C), Alabama
Fantastic pick for the Colts. Ryan Kelly is the best interior offensive lineman in the draft and guess what the Colts need? A big ass interior offensive lineman who can help protect their franchise QB Andrew Luck. Kelly is exactly what the doctor ordered for Indianapolis and they went out and got him. Maybe this pick will help resurrect the career of Luck who is coming off his worst year as a pro? Indy fans sure hope so.
Early Grade: A-
19. Buffalo Bills - Shaq Lawson (DE), Clemson
What incredible value for the Bills at this point. Shaq Lawson could have honestly gone in the top 10 in this draft due to his potential. I'm actually pretty surprised that he fell to Buffalo with the 19th pick, but I can't think of a better fit for him. What a tremendous pick for the Bills.
Early Grade: B+
20. New York Jets - Darron Lee (LB), Ohio State
I'm surprised the Jets actually passed on Paxton Lynch with him sitting there ready for the picking. I guess they like their chances of bringing Ryan Fitzpatrick back into the fold? Either way, the Jets instead got a guy who is one of the best pass-rushers in the draft and fills a huge need. He's also a good player and was picked right about in the range I felt he would go. Solid pick for the Jets who just got an immediate starter on their defense.
Early Grade: B
21. Houston Texans - Will Fuller (WR), Notre Dame
Stupid trade for the Texans. Why trade up for Will Fuller when Laquon Treadwell and Josh Doctson are still available? Fuller is a one-trick pony who's NFL comparison is Mike Wallace. The guy who can do one thing and that's run really fast downfield. What a dumb move by the Texans.
Early Grade: C-
22. Washington Redskins - Josh Doctson (WR), TCU
Tremendous pick for the Redskins and they traded back and got him. SEE! NOW THIS IS HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IT! Good job Washington!
Early Grade: B+
23. Minnesota Vikings - Laquon Treadwell (WR), Ole Miss
And the run of wide receivers continues. It's hard to hate on this pick because Minnesota needs wide receivers in the worst way and Laquon Treadwell is arguably the first or second best receiver in this draft. Teddy Bridgewater only managed to throw 14 receiving touchdowns last season but with Treadwell on board now...something tells me that number is about to spike.
Early Grade: B+
24. Cincinnati Bengals - William Jackson III (CB), Houston
Nice pick by the Bengals. Cincinnati needed to get younger and better at the corner position and William Jackson is one of the best corners in the draft. Not only that, but the Steelers reportedly wanted Jackson bad and the Bengals just got to shove it in their faces. Also, the Bengals just got a better corner at the 24th spot than the Giants did at the 10th spot. How does that make you feel New York fans?
Early Grade: B
25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Artie Burns (CB), Miami
And since the Bengals took the player the Steelers reportedly loved, they panic and pick a guy who no one really had going in the first-round. The Steelers are generally a pretty good drafting team, but this one confuses the hell out of me.
Early Grade: D+
26. Denver Broncos - Paxton Lynch (QB), Memphis
And it happened. The Broncos moved up in the draft and got the QB they desperately needed. I honestly have no idea how good of a player Lynch is going to be in the NFL, but at this point in the draft...you have to make this move if you are Denver. Lynch should start immediately for the Broncos and if anyone knows quarterbacks, it's John Elway. Maybe the rest of the NFL should beware?
Early Grade: B
27. Green Bay Packers - Kenny Clark (DT), UCLA
Ummm, OK. I like it, but I don't love it, especially with a guy like Jarran Reed still available.
Early Grade: C+
28. San Francisco 49ers - Joshua Garnett (OG), Stanford
I can't even grade this one because I'm a little angry right now. Why? Because I sat here for three hours patiently waiting for the Chiefs to make their draft pick and then they TRADE IT AWAY! At least they traded it to the San Francisco 49ers and my boy Chip Kelly though. And what does Chip Kelly do? He spends his pick on a PAC-12 offensive lineman who has the potential to be a stud. Not a bad deal for the 49ers, but I'm still a little pissed.
Early Grade: B-
29. Arizona Cardinals - Robert Nkemdiche (DL), Ole Miss
This pick could turn out to be the steal of the draft depending on if Nkemdiche can stay out of trouble. The former #1 overall high school recruit was widely considered a top 10 pick in this draft for the longest time, and then the shit started rolling downhill at a rapid pace. Like I said though, if the Cardinals can keep this guy out of trouble...watch out.
Early Grade: B+
30. Carolina Panthers - Vernon Butler (DT), Louisiana Tech
Not a bad pick for the Panthers. I had Jarran Reed ranked higher, but Butler is still a solid pick and fills a need for the Panthers. And you guys thought they were going to draft a corner after losing Josh Norman! HA!
Early Grade: B-
31. Seattle Seahawks - Germain Ifedi (OT), Texas A&M
The Seahawks surprise everyone by not only actually drafting a player in the first-round for the first time in years, but also drafting an offensive linemen. It's no secret that the Seahawks needed a offensive lineman in the worst way. If you watched these guys last season, they were awful. Ifedi comes in and will start right away and has the talent to be a guy that Russell Wilson will love for years.
Early Grade: B-
ENJOY THE SECOND AND THIRD ROUNDS TOMORROW!!!!!
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