Sunday, April 30, 2023

Washington Commanders 2023 NFL Draft Grades Roundup

The 2023 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.

What draft grades have the media given to the Washington Commanders? What are they saying about the Commanders' 2023 draft haul?

MORE: 2023 NFL Strength of Schedule

NFL.com - Grade: B

If the ball finds Forbes in the NFL like it did in college, his lean frame won't be a concern. They eschewed other needs to bolster the secondary again with nickel back/safety Martin and then grabbed the solid Stromberg a bit earlier than I expected him to go, as centers were quickly coming off the board.

Daniels will excel if he plays guard in the NFL. Henry's combination of strength and agility on the edge made him a good find in the fifth round, and Jones has potential on the outside. The Commanders chose not to select a tight end but Rodriguez does meet their need for a thumper in the backfield.

ESPN - Grade: B

So the Commanders really are going to go into the season with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett as their quarterbacks, huh? They passed on Will Levis and Hendon Hooker. I would have done differently, but at least I liked who they added in Round 1. I've been calling cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (16) this draft's "Splendid Splinter," because of his frame. He is a thin 6-foot-1 and 166 pounds. All he does is make plays, though. He had six pick-sixes and 14 total interceptions in his college career. He should play early and often in Washington.

The Commanders went back to the secondary in Round 2, picking my fourth-ranked safety Jartavius Martin (47), who played a lot as a nickel. They ranked 26th in takeaways last season (18), so they went all-in on needs. They also added two interior linemen with their next two picks. I thought they reached a round for center Ricky Stromberg (97), but the four-year starter is technically sound. Braeden Daniels (118) is light on his feet but undersized; he is my seventh-ranked guard.

The quarterback question likely will linger into 2024, and I'm not sure Washington hit all of its needs outside of the secondary with this class.

SI - Grade: C

The Commanders prioritized the secondary, but they made a few head-scratching moves, starting with Forbes, whose 166-pound frame might give him fits at the next level. Forbes has length and he displayed a knack for making plays in college, but his lack of strength might not allow him to play as free in the NFL. Martin struggled with tackling and had subpar instincts on the field at Illinois. Washington gets a passing grade for addressing needs in the secondary, but perhaps it bet on the wrong players.

PFF - Grade: B

Day 1: The 26th-ranked player on PFF's big board, Forbes was elite when it came to playing the ball in college. He produced an 87.2 PFF grade in 2022 and finished his three-year career at Mississippi State with 14 interceptions and 17 pass breakups.

Day 2: Martin comes off the board 47th overall to Washington after slotting in at 94th on the PFF big board. He can fill a versatile role in the secondary for the Commanders, who clearly placed an emphasis on improving that group in this draft. He's played everywhere from outside corner to slot corner to safety in his five-year career at Illinois.

Stromberg could wind up as a starter anywhere on the interior in the NFL, but this is one of the biggest reaches of the day. He ranks 228th on the PFF big board. He did grade well in college, though, producing an 83.4 PFF run-blocking grade and a 77.1 PFF pass-blocking grade.

Day 3: Daniels started at left guard in 2019, right tackle in 2021 and left tackle in 2022. He'll likely fit in best on the interior in the NFL, but he offers athleticism and versatile depth for a Washington offensive line that finished last season as the 24th-ranked unit in PFF pass-blocking grade.

After news came out right before the draft that the Commanders are not planning on exercising the fifth-year option for 2020 No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, they trade up to add K.J Henry off the edge. This doesn't necessarily mean a move is imminent — we're now in the fifth round, after all — but is notable nonetheless. Henry earned an 84.0 pass-rush grade with a 15.9% pass-rush win rate in 2022 but is a bit older and didn't test very well.

The Commanders add another bigger, power back to their backfield who can contribute as an early down grinder in the run game. Rodriguez took a step back from a production standpoint in 2022 behind a worse offensive line, but he still earned an elite 90.7 PFF rushing grade behind 3.8 yards after contact per run and 64 missed tackles forced.

The Commanders add another bigger power back who can contribute as an early-down grinder in the run game. Rodriguez took a step back from a production standpoint in 2022 behind a worse offensive line, but he still earned an elite 90.7 rushing grade, averaging 3.8 yards after contact per attempt and forcing 64 missed tackles.

Jones is a long edge rusher (6-foot-5 with 34-inch arms) who has delivered 70.0-plus PFF pass-rush grades and at least 30 pressures in each of the past two seasons at Louisiana. He's experienced with nearly 2,500 defensive snaps across six college seasons.

Fox Sports - Grade: B-

The Commanders took some chances, starting with a 166-pound CB in Round 1 (Emmanuel Forbes). If he holds up, they definitely boosted their secondary with him and second-round S Quan Martin. They also got some developmental help on the offensive line with C Ricky Stromberg (third) and G Braeden Daniels (fourth). Every pick felt just a little bit over-drafted, though. And not adding a tight end seems like an oversight.

USA Today - Grade: C

Kind of a quiet draft as owner Dan Snyder quietly heads for a $6 billion door. Ball-hawking CB Emmanuel Forbes (Round 1) and slot CB Jartavius Martin are probably immediate starters for a pass defense that ranked fourth last year. Of note, per reports, the team opted not to pick up the fifth-year option of 2020 No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, so fifth-rounder KJ Henry might need to be ready next year.

The Ringer - Grade: C

The Commanders are in a weird spot right now, in transition from one owner to the next and without a clear-cut starter at quarterback. So it's probably no surprise that the team's draft felt a little bit rudderless, too: In the first round, Washington took a playmaking corner in Mississippi State's Emmanuel Forbes, who brings takeaway-creating instincts but an outlier lack of bulk (he's just 166 pounds). I'm a fan of second-rounder Jartavius "Quan" Martin, who has the versatility to play both the safety and nickelback spots. And third-round center Ricky Stromberg could develop into a future starter. But overall, this is a pretty underwhelming haul for a team stuck in organizational limbo.

Sporting News - Grade: D

The Commanders did OK filling their defensive needs, but notably absent was linebacker, tight end and developmental quarterback. They also reached for Forbes and Martin early and didn't good value in either Stromberg or Daniels. They remain the by-far worst team in the otherwise loaded NFC East.

Touchdown Wire - Grade: B

Washington is already getting poleaxed for taking Emmanuel Forbes with Christian Gonzalez still on the board, but if your preference is for a rangier, aggressive cornerback with insane production (14 interceptions and an FBS-record six pick-sixes in his collegiate career), Forbes hits the mark, especially if he's able to add to his 166-pound frame. There should be fewer arguments about the addition of Illinois' Jartavius Martin; he's a corner-to-safety convert who can succeed all over your secondary. Ricky Stromberg and Braeden Daniels add to a line in need, and if there's a sleeper here, it might be Andre Jones Jr., who racked up 20 sacks and 109 total pressures over for seasons as a starter for the Ragin' Cajuns. And watch out for KJ Henry, who had five sacks and 53 total pressures last season for Clemson.

The Commanders have made their statement at quarterback — they are clearly all-in on Sam Howell, and I don't disagree with that assessment.

More: 2023 NFL Draft Grade Roundups

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Tennessee Titans 2023 NFL Draft Grades Roundup

The 2023 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.

What draft grades have the media given to the Tennessee Titans? What are they saying about the Titans' 2023 draft haul?

MORE: 2023 NFL Strength of Schedule

NFL.com - Grade: A-

Skoronski is a great fit in Tennessee. He has a Zack Martin-type ceiling inside and has the versatility to play tackle if needed. Trading up for Levis, despite his inconsistency, was not outrageous given that Ryan Tannehill's contract is scheduled to void after the 2023 season, per Over the Cap. I expect Spears to be a valuable contributor, despite his lack of an ACL.

The Titans parted with fourth- and sixth-round picks for receivers Julio Jones and Robert Woods in trades from previous years. Whyle was a good find in the fifth, though, as a potential threat in the red zone and intermediate passing game. The team hopes Duncan can use his athleticism more consistently as he matures.

ESPN - Grade: B+

I went long on the Titans' Day 2 in my Friday night "winners" column, so go there if you don't want to see me repeat myself. The synopsis is: I'm a believer in Will Levis (33). I think he will be Tennessee's starting quarterback, maybe even as soon as this season. He has all the tools to be a longtime starter in the NFL, and I was stunned he lasted into Round 2. Does he have flaws? Absolutely. He was downright reckless at times last season, trusting his strong arm to fit throws into tight spaces but instead getting picked off. He took too many sacks. But he has a high ceiling, and I think he could thrive with pro talent around him.

Ultimately, Ran Carthon's first draft as Tennessee general manager will be remembered for what happens with this pick. The strange thing is I said something similar after last year's draft, when former Titans general manager Jon Robinson landed Malik Willis in Round 3. It's clear the new regime doesn't see Willis as its future franchise signal-caller, however, and my grade for Levis is much higher than it was for Willis a year ago.

The downside of landing Levis, as I mentioned Friday, is that it involved a significant trade up. The Titans moved up eight spots in a trade with the Cardinals, giving up Nos. 41 and 72 plus a third-rounder next year (and adding No. 81 in this draft).

In the rest of Carthon's group, Peter Skoronski (11) was my top-ranked offensive lineman in the entire class, and running back Tyjae Spears (81) is extremely talented, assuming his medical reports check out. Offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan (186) has starter tools if he can put everything together.

I still have questions about the receivers on this depth chart, but maybe Carthon can work some magic in the veteran market after the draft. One thing is for sure: The AFC South got much more interesting after this draft.

SI - Grade: B+

In general manager Ran Carthon's first draft, he found a litany of offensive pieces for the future. Skoronski will play either at tackle or guard, and either way replaces a veteran in Taylor Lewan or Nate Davis. In the second round, Levis's slide finally ended, and he will now sit behind Ryan Tannehill for a year while he learns the pro game. Spears should immediately form a dynamic duo with Derrick Henry in the backfield, giving Tennessee a back with wiggle and great balance. Finally, Duncan is a sleeper from Maryland who could end up starting down the line.

PFF - Grade: A

Day 1: The big question is whether Skoronski will play tackle or guard at the next level. He played tackle in 2022, though, and had a tremendous season. As Northwestern's starting left tackle this past season, he allowed just six total pressures on 474 pass-blocking snaps.

Day 2: Will Levis' slide ends early on Day 2, with the Titans trading up to Pick 33 to grab the signal-caller. Levis has supreme arm talent and an ultra-quick release, but the big knock on him is how little he put that into action. He lacked high-quality throws at Kentucky last season, which played a part in his middling 65.8 passing grade on the year. The good news is that Levis lands in an offense that will help open up some downfield opportunities.

Spears profiles as a nice complement to Derrick Henry in Tennessee's backfield. He is dangerous in the open field and is coming off an elite final season at Tulane during which he forced 63 missed tackles on the ground. Spears averaged at least 4.5 yards after contact per attempt in each of the past two seasons.

Day 3: After letting Austin Hooper walk in free agency, Tennessee adds another option at tight end to complement Chigoziem Okonkwo. Whyle has a big frame at 6-foot-7 and will find space over the middle of the field as a receiver, but he isn't likely going to be a physical, in-line blocker at 248 pounds.

Duncan has good footwork but can play a bit top-heavy, often struggling to anchor with not enough sand in the pants. He struggles against power, as the big Michigan ends pushed him around a bit, but he's a great athlete in space and fits very well in this Titans zone scheme. Tennessee has done well to overhaul their offensive line that was desperate for improvements.

Dowell is big at 6-foot-3 and earned an 85.2 receiving grade in 2022 with 15.3 yards per reception and 3.00 yards per route run. He's an explosive downfield threat for Tennessee and stays in-state, adding much-needed depth to the Titans' wide receiver room.

Fox Sports - Grade: C+

The Titans focused on offense as they needed to — all six selections addressed that side of the ball, in fact — but it's a head-scratcher that they waited until their last pick, in the seventh round, to address arguably their biggest need: wide receiver. Colton Dowell might not even make the team. Tennessee still has a lot of work to do at that position.

USA Today - Grade: C-

They filled a need with a quality player, first-rounder Peter Skoronski arguably this year's best blocking prospect, before "rescuing" a quarterback in free fall for the second straight draft — moving up for QB Will Levis with the second pick of the second round, a selection that speaks volumes about last year's Round 3 investment in Malik Willis. The Titans still don't seem recovered from the 2022 draft trade of WR A.J. Brown and don't appear any closer to replacing him.

The Ringer - Grade: A-

The Titans were widely connected to quarterback Will Levis in the first round, and while I was never super high on the former Kentucky quarterback, the fact that Tennessee landed him in the second round feels like a fantastic value. Levis has the tools and toughness to develop into a quality starter, and now he won't face the same pressure to start right away he would have felt if he had been a first rounder—and that could be a silver lining to his unexpected fall. Additionally, Tennessee was able to land a high-level pass protector in the first round instead, which could give Levis better support down the line. All in all, that series of events looks like a pretty positive outcome for a Tennessee team at a pivot point in 2023. I am also a fan of the team's third-round running back pick, Tyjae Spears, who adds a lightning element to Derrick Henry's thunder.

Sporting News - Grade: A-

This is an incredible offense-only haul for new GM Ran Carthon. Although some minor docking for no wide receiver of note, They hacked away at improving their offensive line and adding a couple needed new versatile playmakers at the same time for their new franchise QB. They had to be thrilled to get a shot at Levis in Round 2 as they try to move forward from Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis. Dowell is a good developmental big vertical threat for Levis' cannon arm.

Touchdown Wire - Grade: B

The addition of Peter Skoronski combines best player available and positional need quite well. I'm not sure whether Skoronski will be an NFL tackle, but if the Titans kick him inside to guard, I think he could be the next Zack Martin. And Tulane's Tyjae Spears is a personal favorite — few prospects in this class were more fun to watch, and with his power, contact balance, and ability as a receiver, Spears is more than just a smaller gadget guy. He could be another Austin Ekeler. Maryland's Jaelyn Duncan went about where he should have as a monstrously gifted blocker with all kinds of technical work ahead of him.

The extent to which you deem Tennessee's draft an eventual success is how the Titans hit on Will Levis, who they traded up to take early in the second round. Levis is a power thrower with plus athleticism, but the accuracy and decision-making are below par. I thought that Levis had third-round tape, but we'll see if the Titans can give him the offensive structure and defined reads he'll need to succeed over time.

More: 2023 NFL Draft Grade Roundups

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 NFL Draft Grades Roundup

The 2023 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.

What draft grades have the media given to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? What are they saying about the Buccaneers' 2023 draft haul?

MORE: 2023 NFL Strength of Schedule

NFL.com - Grade: A

Kancey brings versatility, explosiveness and underrated leverage to the Bucs' defensive line. Trading up for Mauch to fill in at guard made sense because he can also slide outside if the team needs him there. Diaby's an athletic work in progress who must reach his potential to justify the mid-third-round selection.

Dennis attacks the backfield and the ball with reckless abandon, as does Ramirez from the edge. Durham is a nice replacement for Cameron Brate, and Palmer gives the team a deep speed option if he's able to clean up his drops. Tampa Bay needs to sign some offensive linemen after the draft.

ESPN - Grade: B

This Bucs class isn't flashy, but it shouldn't go under the radar. General manager Jason Licht landed three really good players with his top selections. Calijah Kancey (19) is a penetrating defensive tackle with elite first-step quickness who had 7.5 sacks last season. He might have been a top-five pick if he were a couple of inches taller.

Offensive lineman Cody Mauch (48) impressed by taking a step up in talent level at the Senior Bowl. It sounds like the Bucs see him as guard, but I think he could start at right tackle in time. And defensive end YaYa Diaby (82), who made my pre-draft favorites list, has the tools to become a steal. He had nine sacks last season and was extremely impressive during the athletic testing at the combine.

On Day 3, I liked edge rusher Jose Ramirez (196) as a late flier and tight end Payne Durham (171) as an upside play to find a pass-catcher. Licht did a good job this weekend.

SI - Grade: C+

Tampa Bay started by adding Kancey, an athletic playmaker who can pair with Vita Vea in the middle of the defensive line. However, he lacks ideal size and strength for the position. The Buccaneers had the option of drafting offensive tackle Anton Harrison, and probably should have prioritized the offensive line in the first round. Mauch, however, offers versatility because he plays tackle and guard. Perhaps Diaby is a value pick because some viewed the athletic edge rusher as a second-round prospect.

PFF - Grade: A-

Day 1: He might be undersized, but Kancey is a phenomenal pass-rusher on the interior of the defensive line. His first step is elite, and he's coming off a season where he led all players at the position with a 92.4 PFF pass-rushing grade and should make an immediate impact as a pass-rusher.

Day 2: The Buccaneers trade up with the Packers for Mauch after trading 2022 starting right guard Shaq Mason to the Houston Texans this offseason. Mauch played tackle in college and offers inside/outside versatility at 6-foot-5 and was dominant at North Dakota State in a gap rushing scheme with a 91.1 grade. He'll need to improve as a pass protector, especially if he does stay at tackle, which may not be likely at the outset.

The Buccaneers continue to add to the trenches. Like their first-round pick, Calijah Kancey, Diaby is a tremendous athlete (97th percentile 40-yard dash), but he also adds more size to the edge at 263 pounds. Diaby graded out well against the run at Louisville, finishing in the 75th percentile among qualifying edge defenders since 2020.

Day 3: Dennis is on the small end for the position but has the explosiveness to make up for it with a 42-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-5 broad jump that both ranked in at least the 90th percentile at linebacker. Dennis was elite against the run for Pittsburgh in his final seasons, earning a 92.1 run-defense grade and missing fewer than 5% of his tackling opportunities.

Hayes' coverage grades aren't stellar, though he does make plays on the ball when he's in position. His testing was underwhelming, and h was outmatched in the Bowl Game against Alabama. He will need to be coached up at the next level after transferring from North Dakota State to Virginia and finally to Kansas State.

Durham showcased a safe pair of hands at Purdue, dropping just 3.4% of his targets, and showed some wiggle, forcing 10 missed tackles from 56 receptions. He will likely need to develop as a blocker in the NFL, though, after posting a 56.7 PFF run-blocking grade in 2022.

Hayes' coverage grades aren't stellar, though he does make plays on the ball when he's in position. His testing was underwhelming, and h was outmatched in the Bowl Game against Alabama. He will need to be coached up at the next level after transferring from North Dakota State to Virginia and finally to Kansas State.

Palmer had a breakout 2022 season for Nebraska after transferring from LSU, racking up over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season. He might be a one-trick prospect but when that "trick" is 4.33 speed, it'll play.

Ramirez is a smaller edge who was extremely productive against lesser competition at Eastern Michigan. He picked up 90.0-plus PFF pass-rush grades in each of the last two seasons to go along with a pass-rush win rate of 23.2%.

Valentine is a younger cornerback prospect with above-average size and 4.44 speed who has full seasons of experience both in the slot (2021) and outside (2022). That profile is what Green Bay is betting on at this stage of the draft, even if Valentine hasn't had the strongest production profile. His 66.0 PFF grade last season was a career high.

Fox Sports - Grade: B-

There's promising speed all over, from the trenches and top pick Calijah Kancey to receiver Trey Palmer late. Second-round guard Cody Mauch is as colorful a prospect as you'll find. Tampa Bay used the third day to upgrade depth on both sides of the ball. Even undrafted running back Sean Tucker from Syracuse looks like someone who could crack their 53.

USA Today - Grade: C-

Given QB Tom Brady's retirement, the defensive lean was surprising ... unless HC Todd Bowles was making the picks. Pairing first-round DT Calijah Kancey with Vita Vea inside should create a deadly combo. But nice as second-round OL Cody Mauch should be, might have been nice to give QBs Baker Mayfield and/or Kyle Trask more help.

The Ringer - Grade: B+

I'm dubious of the value of drafting an undersized, two-down interior pass rusher with the 19th pick, but I am a fan of Pitt's Calijah Kancey, who plays with explosive quickness and powerful hands. North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch fits the mold as a gritty Buccaneers interior lineman—and if you think Mauch reminds you of Bucs center Ryan Jensen, well you're not the only one. Mauch gives the team a versatile and tough future starter. And I loved the selection of Louisville pass-rusher YaYa Diaby, who has the versatility to line up across the defensive line. Fifth-round tight end Payne Durham (Purdue) and sixth-round receiver Trey Palmer (Nebraska) should see rotational snaps early on, too. All in all, Tampa Bay put together a solid draft class.

Sporting News - Grade: B-

The Buccaneers filled plenty of needs on both sides of the ball, but outside of the great start with Kancey and Mauch to fill voids on their offensive and defensive line, they underwhelmed with GM Jason Licht's first post-Tom Brady draft. Two glaring omissions from the class is a QB (given just about everyone else took one) and another running back.

Touchdown Wire - Grade: B

Calijah Kancey was my IDL2 in this class, and in other classes without a stud like Jalen Carter, me might have topped the list. Yes, he's just 6-foot-1 and 281 pounds, but he's a perfect attack rusher with ridiculous combine measurables that show up all over his tape. The Bucs have had to deal with Falcons tackle Grady Jarrett twice a year for a long time, and now, they have their own version. I also like Pitt linebacker SirVocea Dennis, who projects well as a speed/chase defender with a fascinating physical profile. He's got Tyree Wilson's upper body, and Russell Wilson's lower body.

North Dakota State's Cody Mauch looks more like a center to me than a tackle or guard, so we'll see where the Bucs think he fits best. And YaYa Diaby, who had 10 sacks and 36 total pressures for Louisville last year, was a common name on sleeper lists.

You still have to wonder what the plan is at quarterback beyond Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, but starting with Kancey, who has total game-wrecking potential, there's a lot of talent here.

More: 2023 NFL Draft Grade Roundups

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Seattle Seahawks 2023 NFL Draft Grades Roundup

The 2023 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.

What draft grades have the media given to the Seattle Seahawks? What are they saying about the Seahawks' 2023 draft haul?

MORE: 2023 NFL Strength of Schedule

NFL.com - Grade: A-

Seattle did a nice job on Day 1, using the No. 5 overall pick -- acquired from Denver in the Russell Wilson trade -- on the feisty Witherspoon and staying put at 20th overall to select Smith-Njigba, the top receiver in the draft. Hall is a gamer who should help the team's edge depth, and Charbonnet is a power back with some wiggle, though using second-round picks at that position in consecutive years is unusual.

I love Bradford's power at guard, as well as Young's ability to hold the line of scrimmage at nose tackle. Oluwatimi is another strong interior blocker who was a better value than many pivots selected before him. Seattle likes powerful edge rushers like Morris, even if he is not a quick-twitch athlete. McIntosh is a good seventh-round pick despite his lack of elite speed.

ESPN - Grade: A

I really liked Seattle's 2022 class and gave it a B+ last April, adding that "it's not quite an A because the quarterback issue could linger into 2023." Well, if I were doing a regrade, it'd have to be an A+, right? The Seahawks struck gold with cornerback Tariq Woolen and found solid rookie starters in offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas and running back Kenneth Walker. And that quarterback issue? Geno Smith went out and threw 30 touchdown passes, earning himself a big new contract. He is going to be the starter in 2023, though the deal he signed gives the team an out after a year if he doesn't star again.

A year later, all the Seahawks had coming into this draft was ... four more picks in the first two rounds, thanks to the last of the Russell Wilson trade haul. They hit a home run in Round 1 with cornerback Devon Witherspoon (5) and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba (20), both of whom fill an immediate need. They're going to make an early impact. Seattle landed two of my top 14 prospects.

I'm more down on the value of the Seahawks' two second-round picks, though, as I wrote Friday night. Edge rusher Derick Hall (37) had 16 sacks over the past two seasons, but he went over a couple of other better pass-rushers. And they had bigger needs to fill when they took running back Zach Charbonnet (57). There was a run on defensive tackles in Day 2, and I was surprised Seattle didn't jump on one instead of taking a second-round running back in back-to-back drafts. In fact, after Pete Carroll & Co. added Kenny McIntosh (237), they have now selected 11 backs in the past 10 drafts, most in the NFL.

The Seahawks went with two Michigan players I like on Day 3 -- defensive end Mike Morris (151) and center Olusegun Oluwatimi (154) -- and LSU's Anthony Bradford (108) is my fifth-ranked guard. I think Bradford could push for early playing time.

This team made a surprise playoff run in 2022, and after it snagged two rookie starters in Round 1, it is primed to compete again in the NFC. While I didn't love the two running back picks, I'm having a hard time downgrading the rest of this class much. Plus, maybe I owe general manager John Schneider an A after not giving him one last year.

SI - Grade: A-

The Seahawks might have won the first round with the selections of Witherspoon, a tenacious defender, and Smith-Njigba, a smooth route runner. Seattle now has a strong cornerback duo with Witherspoon and last year's gem, Tariq Woolen, to defend the game's best skill players, including the offensive weapons in San Francisco. The Seahawks also addressed a need at edge rusher by adding Hall, who had seven sacks last season. Drafting Charbonnet was somewhat of a head-scratcher because the Seahawks already have Kenneth Walker III, but having a dominant rushing attack is a part of coach Pete Carroll's philosophy.

PFF - Grade: A

Day 1: The Seahawks surprise everyone and take Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon at No. 5. Witherspoon was the highest-graded cornerback in the Power Five last season. In press coverage for 107 snaps, he allowed just one yard in coverage on those plays.

The Seahawks finish Round 1 with two top-10 players on the PFF big board. With a 91.7 PFF grade in 2021, Smith-Njigba outproduced 2021 first-round draft picks Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson that year at Ohio State on a per-snap basis.

Day 2: Hall was one of the SEC's most productive pass-rushers throughout his time at Auburn, earning a pass-rush grade above 80.0 in each of the past three seasons. While his run defense is a bit of a concern at the next level, he works speed to power exceptionally well. He has the quickness, bend and length to sustain his pass-rush production in Seattle.

The grade is not for the player here, but for Seattle using the No. 52 overall pick on a running back after selecting Kenneth Walker III early in the second round previously. Charbonnet earned elite rushing grades in back-to-back seasons, racking up over 4 yards after contact per attempt and 24 carries of 15-plus yards, which ranked ninth in college football.

Day 3: Bradford fits well in a gap scheme by bringing strength in the run game to Seattle, filling a position of need with an athlete that tested very well for his size. However, Bradford will need to develop as a pass protector, as he finished with a 51.7 pass-blocking grade.

Young projects as a rotational, early-down run defender. He has the length to hold down two gaps in the run game, but it doesn't translate to the passing game, as he put up just a 55.5 true pass-rush grade in 2022. The hope is likely that he turns into something comparable to Folorunso Fatukasi.

Morris profiles as a powerful option on the edge who wins with strength and length. He never had an extensive role in the Michigan defense, given their talent along the defensive line, but put up 37 pressures and a career-high 86.6 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2022.

Oluwatimi is good value at this stage of the draft and fills an area of need at center for Seattle. He's a high-IQ, strong prospect with four years of starting experience — most recently anchoring the Joe Moore Award-winning Michigan offensive line in 2022. Oluwatimi put up PFF grades of at least 80.0 in each of the past two seasons.

Another strong safety/slot hybrid, Reed was a bright spot for the New Mexico defense. His consistency was evident as he only posted two game grades under 63 this past season. There also isn't a ton of high-end play, with just two game grades above 80 in his career. Reed played nearly 600 special teams snaps in his career, which may be his best path to playing time.

The Packers add another running back after drafting Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in the second rounds of each of the past two drafts. McIntosh was a consistent producer in a rotational role in Georgia's backfield, averaging over 5.0 yards per carry and putting up 80.0-plus PFF rushing grades in each of the past three seasons.

Fox Sports - Grade: B+

For a second straight season, it appears Seattle drafted a handful of difference-makers to improve their roster. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon plays fast and physical. The Illinois product should improve an already good secondary that includes Pro Bowlers Tariq Woolen and Quandre Diggs. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba gives Seattle another playmaker to work the middle of the field and UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet provides another physical runner to pair with Ken Walker III. The Seahawks also added a pass-rusher in Auburn outside linebacker Derick Hall.

USA Today - Grade: A

Seemed they continued to make the most of what increasingly looks like a lopsided trade of former QB Russell Wilson to Denver last year. First-round CB Devon Witherspoon and second-round pass rusher Derick Hall are direct byproducts of the megadeal and should fortify a 26th-ranked defense. Offensively, Seattle obtained Round 1 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Round 2 RB Zach Charbonnet with its own capital. And even if those two seem a bit redundant for a team that already had plenty of firepower, you can't argue with the quality — a team that appears it might be one of the top four in the NFC now scarily deep. On the value side, keep tabs on fifth-round DE Mike Morris.

The Ringer - Grade: A

The Seahawks had one of my favorite Round 1 hauls in Illinois corner Devon Witherspoon and Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, both of whom should be early contributors and big-impact playmakers. Seattle then did that thing they tend to do and took a probably-too-early running back in Zach Charbonnet in the second round, but overall, the rest of their class filled out nicely. They added a high-intensity edge rusher in Auburn's Derick Hall, potential future starters on the interior offensive line in LSU's Anthony Bradford and Michigan's Olusegun Oluwatimi, and grabbed rotational interior defensive linemen in Mississippi State's Cameron Young and Michigan's Mike Morris. They picked Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh in the seventh round for good measure, filling out their running back room with a quality pass-catcher out of the backfield. All in all this looks like a group of players who should see the field for Seattle sooner than later.

Sporting News - Grade: B+

The Seahawks filled some key defensive needs vs. pass with Withersppon to complement Tariq Woolen and Hall to add rushing juice to newcomer Dre'Mont Jones. Smith-Njigba and Charbonnet were ideal depth pieces to make their offense more dangerous overall. Everything else was more like their typical deep digging with John Schneider and Pete Carroll.

Touchdown Wire - Grade: A+

Thanks to the Russell Wilson trade, Seahawks general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll came into this draft with the ability to make two first-round selections for the first time since 2010 — their first year together in the Emerald City. Schneider and Carroll got this draft rolling with Devon Witherspoon, the best cornerback in this class, and if you're factoring in Jalen Carter's off-field stuff, perhaps the best defensive player. Witherspoon has every attribute you want in a cornerback, and his combination of aggressiveness and match footwork should make him an instant star. Then, Seattle got Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 20th pick, and Smith-Njigba probably would have gone in the top 10 had he not lost so much of his 2022 season to injury. He's Cooper Kupp, the sequel.

Seattle's second round was far more like last year's in that they took an edge-rusher and a running back. Derick Hall reminds me of Boye Mafe as a productive pass-rusher, and Zach Charbonnet is more of a Marshawn Lynch type than Kenneth Walker's Melvin Gordon-style slasher profile. Charbonnet was my RB3 behind Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, for what it's worth.

Perhaps the sleeper of this group — and a guy who might be a Day 1 starter — is Michigan center Olusegun Oluwatimi, who fills a need that Schneider and Carroll wouldn't stop talking about before the draft.

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San Francisco 49ers 2023 NFL Draft Grades Roundup

The 2023 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.

What draft grades have the media given to the San Francisco 49ers? What are they saying about the 49ers' 2023 draft haul?

MORE: 2023 NFL Strength of Schedule

NFL.com - Grade: B-

The Niners did not have first- or second-round picks after making trades for Trey Lance (still waiting to see if that pays off) and Christian McCaffrey (so far, so good). In the third round, they moved up for the instinctual safety they needed in Brown, bucked conventional wisdom by grabbing the kicker they're craving in Moody and reached a bit for Latu, a solid tight end.

Luter is a fierce cornerback who will step in for the Niners as a rookie, while Beal will likely back up veterans on the edge. I love Winters and Graham at linebacker, while Bell plays receiver with linebacker-type toughness.

ESPN - Grade: B-

What a strange class to try to grade. The 49ers entered Day 1 with 11 total picks -- but zero in Rounds 1 or 2. Trades for Trey Lance and Christian McCaffrey depleted their capital. Instant-impact rookies can come from any round, of course, but it's asking a lot to guarantee that any of these guys will play early and often. (And who knows, maybe they found the next Brock Purdy in here somewhere.)

And yet, I like a bunch of these picks, except for kicker Jake Moody (99) in Round 3. I get that it's a need, but that's incredibly early, and I didn't even have him as the best kicker in the class. I had a second-round grade on safety Ji'Ayir Brown (87), so I'm a fan of his potential. Tight end Cameron Latu (101) has upside, and he'll get to learn the ropes from George Kittle. Linebacker Dee Winters (216) went about 60 picks after I thought he would. Brayden Willis (247) is going to make an impact as a rookie special-teamer.

The biggest issue with this class is: Where's the offensive tackle? With Mike McGlinchey gone, is Colton McKivitz really going to be the starting right tackle? That's a miss based on my list of pre-draft needs.

SI - Grade: C+

San Francisco got it right with Talanoa Hufanga two years ago in the fifth round. Brown has similar traits to Hufanga as a physical playmaker with solid ball skills. With a stacked roster, the 49ers had the flexibility to reach for Moody, the best kicker in the draft. Moody could become a reliable kicker in the NFL, but it's risky to expect a rookie to make game-winning kicks for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The 49ers added to their talented defense with Luter and Beal.

PFF - Grade: C-

Day 2: Brown was a do-it-all safety for the Nittany Lions. He seamlessly went from deep safety to the box to the slot to outside linebacker to mugging the A-gap, and he executed each role at a high level. Brown's ball skills, in particular, jump off the screen. He secured 10 interceptions across the past two seasons.

Moody produced PFF field goal grades of 90.2 and 91.7 in each of the past two seasons, so the idea that he's the first kicker drafted makes sense. But the third round is rich for any kicker in this class.

Latu is coming off a season in which he produced a 60.6 PFF receiving grade, a 50.0 run-blocking grade and a low 1.03 yards per route run. He has the size that teams look for at the position, but the production just wasn't there in 2022.

Day 3: Luter has traits to work with on the outside with above-average length and decent straight-line speed and explosiveness. He took a bit of a step back in 2022 from a production standpoint after allowing just a 27% completion percentage and a 3.9 passer rating in 2021.

Beal's numbers from his final season in college aren't going to blow anyone away. He produced a 67.8 PFF grade, won 14.1% of his pass-rushing attempts and made a tackle resulting in a defensive stop on just 6.7% of his run-defense snaps. Special teams will likely be his best path to seeing the field.

Winters played 670 or more snaps in each of the past three seasons but hasn't produced a PFF grade of 55.0 or higher since the 2020 season. He missed 16.0% of the tackles he attempted this past season.

Willis played an H-back role at Oklahoma that allowed him to excel as a blocker, grading above 80 in both run blocking and pass protection.

Bell averaged 2.57 yards per route run in his final season in college. He struggled in contested catch situations, pulling in a reception on just 16.7% of his contested targets, but did produce a 77.4 PFF receiving grade.

Fox Sports - Grade: C+

The 49ers had no picks in the first and second round this year and made nine picks overall. Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown should compete for time in the secondary and tight end Cameron Latu adds another pass catcher to San Francisco's uber-talented offense. With Robbie Gould too expensive to bring back in free agency, the selection of Michigan kicker Jake Moody raised eyebrows. San Francisco selecting a kicker in the third round is the highest a kicker has been taken in the draft since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Roberto Aguayo in the second round of the 2016 draft.

That did not go well for the Bucs. However, the 49ers had three third-round picks and might not have gotten Moody if they waited until Day 3. And while there are concerns with drafting a kicker that high, it's all good if he plays well, and Moody was excellent in college.

USA Today - Grade: C+

They didn't pick before the third round due to the trades that brought QB Trey Lance (bad) and the one for RB Christian McCaffrey (good), though obviously neither move has yet brought a long-awaited sixth Lombardi Trophy. Third-rounders Ji'Ayir Brown (safety) and Jake Moody (kicker) should be important cogs for a mostly loaded team, and spending a premium pick to replace free agent K Robbie Gould isn't all that crazy.

The Ringer - Grade: C-

The 49ers were without first and second rounders this year (and were short a third and a fourth) thanks to previous trades for Trey Lance and Christian McCaffrey, so they had little premium capital to work with. But San Francisco ended up picking nine players; my favorite was the third-round selection of Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown. The former Nittany Lions star is a rangy, hard-hitting playmaker with excellent instincts—and he gives the 49ers some excellent depth behind Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson. The rest of GM John Lynch's draft class lacked star power, though—and included a third-round kicker—so it's tough to give the Niners a big grade this year.

Sporting News - Grade: B-

The 49ers' draft capital didn't start until the third round, so this grade reflects that. Brown and Moody give them immediate impact as contenders, as Brown can start over Tashaun Gipson Sr. next to Talanoa Hufanga and Moody is a bigger leg and needed young upgrade over Robbie Gould.

Touchdown Wire - Grade: B-

The 49ers had until the end of the second day of the draft to sit around and think about things, which led them to take a kicker with their second pick. My favorite factoid about Jake Moody comes from the 49ers' PR department:

Once met his idol, NFL K Matt Prater at a Detroit pizza parlor and was so excited to meet Prater that he blew off HOF WR Calvin Johnson, who eventually introduced himself during the conversation.

Well, at least the kid's a kicker at heart. The pick I like the most in this group is Penn State's Ji'Ayir Brown, who projects well as that kind of versatile safety the 49ers have loved through recent years. Think Jimmie Ward, and you won't be far off. Beyond that, there are some reaches here, and perhaps not as many immediate contributors as you'd like, though I do like Georgia's Robert Beal Jr. as a speed end. General manager John Lynch spoke after the pick of Beal's "GTFO" ability, which is apparently a metric the 49ers' staff uses to discern a defensive lineman's ability to get off the snap as quickly as possible.

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Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL Draft Grades Roundup

The 2023 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.

What draft grades have the media given to the Pittsburgh Steelers? What are they saying about the Steelers' 2023 draft haul?

MORE: 2023 NFL Strength of Schedule

NFL.com - Grade: A

Another solid first two days for the Steelers, with the trade for Jones filling the left tackle spot that was a sore spot last season, Porter picked as a playmaker outside (not just a legacy pick), Benton adding strength and athleticism up front and Washington's massive frame giving him a chance to excel as a blocker and receiving threat. Using the early second-rounder gained in the Chase Claypool trade on Porter was a major win.

Herbig can play inside or outside for the Steelers, with his aggressive nature overcoming his slight build. Anderson has good size and decent athleticism and should land on the roster as a swing tackle.

ESPN - Grade: B+

With three picks in the top 50, the Steelers entered the draft with a real chance to come away with multiple new rookie starters. They need help on both sides of the ball. And I'm a fan of what they did on the first two days of the draft. They traded a fourth-round pick to move up three spots in Round 1 to grab Broderick Jones (14), who will start at one of the tackle spots. He had an elite 2022 season.

On Day 2, they added cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (32), defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (49) and tight end Darnell Washington (93), all of whom could play significant roles this season. Porter is 6-foot-2 with long arms, and he can flip his hips in coverage. This is a great spot for him, being able to be mentored by Patrick Peterson. Benton's traits didn't match his college production, but if he keeps developing some pass-rush moves, he could be a three-down player. He was a slight reach on my board. Washington dropped because of some medical concerns, but he'll step into the NFL as one of the league's best blocking tight ends; and if he can up his game as a pass-catcher, he could be a steal.

Pittsburgh had just three picks in the last four rounds, with Nick Herbig (132) the most notable. He is my No. 7 inside linebacker. The light Day 3 keeps this class under an A -- teams that have more picks obviously have greater chances to find those diamonds in the rough -- but there are some instant-impact players here.

SI - Grade: A

The Steelers might have had the best draft of any team. Pittsburgh found a left tackle in Jones, who could prove to be the best of his loaded class. In the second round, general manager Omar Khan took Porter Jr., a legacy in the Steel City with a ton of ability. He should start as a rookie opposite Patrick Peterson. Later on, the Steelers took Washington, a hulking tight end at 6'7'' who should provide second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett with a large red-zone target. Finally, Herbig was a productive linebacker at Wisconsin. Look for him to be good depth and a solid special teams contributor.

PFF - Grade: A+

Day 1: The Steelers jump up three spots, giving up a fourth-round pick to make sure they land the offensive tackle they wanted. Jones impressed as a pass-blocker in 2022, earning a 84.1 PFF pass-blocking grade and allowing just nine total pressures from 470 pass-blocking snaps.

Day 2: Pittsburgh takes PFF's CB4 and 21st-ranked prospect to open up Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Porter wins with his length. The former Nittany Lion's 34-inch arms make it easy to disrupt his opponent at the catch point and line of scrimmage. Porter's 40% forced incompletion rate in 2022 led all Power Five cornerbacks.

The Steelers take a top interior defender that can line up in the A and B gaps, with the Steelers able to move Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi and Benton across the interior. Benton will help a Steelers run defense that struggled in 2022 up the middle, with a strong 10.5% run-stop win rate in 2022.

The freaky Georgia tight end's slide is over. Pittsburgh grabs the 6-foot-8, 272-pound Darnell Washington to continue their strong 2023 NFL Draft. He has a strong resume in the ground game, as his top-five finish among Power Five tight ends in run-blocking grade in 2022 proves, and is a mismatch weapon as a receiver.

Day 3: The Steelers' incredible draft continues. Herbig played on the edge at Wisconsin but figures to be more of a tweener in the NFL, and that's likely why he wasn't a higher pick. He knows how to rush the passer, though, as he won 23.9% of his pass-rushing snaps in 2022 and earned a 91.1 pass-rush grade.

Ranked 77th on PFF's big board. Price is a physically imposing corner at 6-foot-3 who is extremely aggressive at the line of scrimmage and tackles well.

Anderson is the only pick by the Steelers where the player has been outside the top 80 of the PFF big board. Anderson produced a 79.8 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2022 but struggled as a run blocker.

Fox Sports - Grade: B+

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Nolan made just seven picks, but they add protection up front for quarterback Kenny Pickett with the addition of offensive tackle Broderick Jones. And defensively, the addition of Joey Porter Jr., the son of Pittsburgh's legendary pass rusher Joey Porter, should improve the team's secondary. Pittsburgh likes to use tight ends, and Georgia's Darnell Washington is physical playmaker who will be a tough matchup on game days in the red zone. Wisconsin defensive tackle Keeanu Benton has the athletic traits to develop into a productive interior pass rusher.

USA Today - Grade: A

Rookie GM Omar Khan looked every bit the seasoned exec in his maiden draft as shot-caller. He vaulted in front of the Jets on Thursday night — in a deal with New England no less — in order to take highly touted Broderick Jones, who should solve Pittsburgh's left tackle issue for years. Khan then ended the tumble of CB Joey Porter Jr., whose dad was a star linebacker in the Steel City, atop Round 2 — with a pick obtained last fall by trading WR Chase Claypool. Day 2 also brought DL Keeanu Benton and TE Darnell Washington, who's a glorified tackle — though one with great hands and speed. And getting OLB Nick Herbig in the fourth? Larceny. Much rides on the development of QB Kenny Pickett, but this team appears much improved.

The Ringer - Grade: A+

The Steelers tried a crazy strategy this year: Picking really good players every time they were on the clock. I loved this team's haul in Omar Khan's first draft as general manager, starting off with first-round tackle Broderick Jones and continuing through day three. Former Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was a steal (and a heartwarming story) with the first pick of day two, and I really like the pick of Wisconsin defensive tackle Keeanu Benton later that round. Each of those first three picks could be starters in Week 1. Georgia tight end Darnell Washington reportedly dropped in the draft because of concerns around the health of his knee, but if healthy, he projects as a perfect complement to Pat Freiermuth—and gives Pittsburgh more blocking power in the run game and on screen passes. Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig is an undersized but explosive pass rusher and Cory Trice is an excellent depth addition at corner.

Sporting News - Grade: A+

The Steelers crushed the first draft with GM Omar Khan. They filled their two biggest needs, a pass protector for Kenny Pickett and a big cover man to help Patrick Peterson. Jones and Porter were both first-round talents. Washington is a great No. 2 as a blocker and the Wisconsin 1-2 punch of Benton and Herbig will provide Badger T.J. Watt with upfield support.

Touchdown Wire - Grade: A

While one Pennsylvania team was taking every Georgia defender in sight, the other Pennsylvania team was doing the same with the Bulldogs' best offensive prospects. Broderick Jones fits right away as a power tackle, but I am of the belief that he'd be an even better guard at the NFL level Either way, it's a massive upgrade. And Darnell Washington should add some color to Matt Canada's "all-stop" passing game with his blocking ability and Godzilla-like frame.

The marquee pick was Joey Porter Jr., the son of the linebacker the Steelers selected in the third round of the 1999 draft. Porter is a pure aggressive press cornerback with a wingspan longer than some offensive tackles in this class, which leads me to believe that Pittsburgh wants to play more in that style. Mike Tomlin isn't stupid, and he's a former defensive backs coach, so take that for what it's worth. I also love the addition of Wisconsin's Keeanu Benton, who should solve this team's recent interior defensive line issues that have forced Cameron Heyward to be Superman all the time. And Wisconsin's Nick Herbig is an interesting edgebacker hybrid guy who can add pass rush in a situational sense.

The Steelers were not messing around in this draft — they went all out for physically dominant players who bring production and attitude right off the bus.

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Philadelphia Eagles 2023 NFL Draft Grades Roundup

The 2023 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.

What draft grades have the media given to the Philadelphia Eagles? What are they saying about the Eagles' 2023 draft haul?

MORE: 2023 NFL Strength of Schedule

NFL.com - Grade: A-

Philadelphia took two Georgia players in the first round, trading up a spot for the ultra-talented Carter and then getting a bargain in quick edge/off-ball linebacker Smith. Steen meets a need at guard (and can step in at tackle in a pinch). The athletic, compactly built Brown will make plays against the run and pass as a rookie.

There were questions about Ringo, but his size, speed and playmaking ability made the Eagles willing to take the risk of trading a 2024 third-round pick to land him. Sending a 2025 Day 3 pick to Detroit for back D'Andre Swift is a win for both teams. It was a good idea to pick McKee for the backup competition. Ojomo will be a nice rotational piece at 3-technique for Philadelphia.

ESPN - Grade: A

General manager Howie Roseman has had an outstanding run in Philly, and he crushed Round 1. The Eagles had two first-rounders thanks to last year's trade with New Orleans, and they were able to maneuver the board for two prospects in my top 12, including the No. 1 overall prospect, Jalen Carter, landing him at No. 9. Carter has some off-field questions -- his draft status was clouded after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing in connection with a fatal crash in January -- but there's no denying his talent level. And if you look at this team's biggest weakness from last season, it was stopping the run; Philly ranked 24th in yards allowed per carry (4.6). As I wrote Thursday, putting Carter next to Jordan Davis again makes total sense.

The Eagles might have gotten a premier edge rusher at the end of Round 1. I thought Nolan Smith (30) could have gone as high as No. 8 to Atlanta. At 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, he is undersized, but you can't teach his physical traits. He ran a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine. We know Roseman builds through the trenches, and I love this addition.

Offensive tackle Tyler Steen (65) has some interesting traits if he can improve his technique, and he might also move inside to guard. I would have gone with Ji'Ayir Brown or Riley Moss over Sydney Brown (66) if I were taking a safety, but I don't have a huge issue with the Eagles preferring Brown. He is undersized, but he tested well during combine workouts and had six interceptions last season. Roseman went back to Georgia with cornerback Kelee Ringo (105) on Day 3 for a nice value. I never bought in on Ringo as a top-40 guy -- he is too inconsistent -- but he has some upside if he can take the next step. Moro Ojomo (249) is a solid depth defensive tackle late in Round 7.

With Carter and Smith filling clear needs -- and the trade for running back D'Andre Swift filling another -- I really like this class. Roseman has done it again.

SI - Grade: A+

The best way to get a perfect grade in the draft is by loading up on Georgia defenders. The Eagles might have the best defensive front in the NFL next season with the arrivals of Carter and Smith. Philadelphia also landed Brown to plug into their secondary after losing veteran safeties in free agency. Somehow Ringo was available on the third day of the draft, giving the Eagles a stacked cornerbacks rotation along with Darius Slay and James Bradberry. The Eagles also took McKee to possibly be a backup for Jalen Hurts next season.

PFF - Grade: A+

Day 1: Landing the No. 2 overall player on the PFF big board at Pick 9 is a huge win for the Eagles. Carter played 392 snaps in 2022 and earned a 92.3 PFF grade that led all Power Five interior defenders. He registered 32 total pressures from 273 pass-rushing snaps. The Eagles had to give up just a 2024 fourth-round pick to make this happen.

The Eagles land the 13th overall player on the PFF big board with the 30th pick in the draft as Philadelphia retools its defensive line once again with elite talent. Smith might be undersized at 238 pounds, but he earned a 90.0 PFF run defense grade over the past two seasons and is an incredible athlete.

Day 2: Steen transferred from Vanderbilt to Alabama to finish his college career protecting No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young‘s blindside, and he earned a 74.4 pass-blocking grade over the year. Steen's arms are under 33 inches, a common NFL threshold required to play tackle, so he may move inside at the outset. Steen was a steady riser throughout the process and is the newest student at Stoutland University in Philadelphia.

Brown is the first true safety off the board — Alabama's Brian Branch is more of a tweener — and Philadelphia gets him right around his consensus ranking. Better yet, Brown fills a position of need, as Eagles starters Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps left the team in free agency. Brown earned a stellar 89.4 coverage grade in 2022 as a rangy deep safety who can cover a ton of ground, and his testing was off the charts. His 10-yard split, vertical jump and broad jump were all above the 90th percentile among safeties.

Day 3: The Eagles continue in their quest to recreate the back-to-back National Champion Georgia Bulldogs defense, trading up for a straight-line athlete in a very young cornerback that showed inconsistency after a breakout 2021 season. Ringo is a bit stiff moving laterally, which may have caused his drop here, but at 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds he could line up out wide or perhaps transition to safety.

McKee isn't a great athlete and won't create much outside of structure, but his size and accuracy give him potential as a developmental backup who can win from the pocket. The scheme and supporting cast did him few favors, which contributed to his underwhelming production at Stanford.

The rich get richer in Philly. Ojomo is ranked 93rd on the PFF big board. He is an excellent run defender (91.4 in 2022) who can fill two gaps up front. An improvement to his pass-rush arsenal could make him a seventh-round gem.

Fox Sports - Grade: A+

Is there a grade higher than A-plus? GM Howie Roseman gets one of the best players in the draft at No. 9 (DT Jalen Carter), a potential top-10 pick at 30 (Edge Nolan Smith) and a potential first-round CB in the fourth round (Kelee Ringo). Plus, he trades for RB D'Andre Swift, the pass-catching back his team needed. He basically raided the best program in college football (Georgia) and it reinforced the Eagles as the team to beat in the NFC.

USA Today - Grade: A+

If you want to argue it's not all that hard to scout University of Georgia players, fine. But it's not so easy reaching the Super Bowl yet nevertheless getting into positions to stockpile Bulldog-caliber talent, either, however EVP/GM Howie Roseman manages to do it. This time, he reeled in DT Jalen Carter — perhaps the No. 1 overall talent in 2023, his off-field question marks notwithstanding — at No. 9. Twenty-one spots later, Roseman continued reloading his front seven with uber-athletic Dawgs pass rusher Nolan Smith. High upside CB Kelee Ringo arrived in Round 4, and Roseman likely found his RB1 by essentially giving Detroit a 2025 fourth-rounder (and a seventh-round pick swap) for former Georgia star D'Andre Swift as he heads into a contract year. Bottom line? Good luck keeping the NFC champs out of Super Bowl 58.

The Ringer - Grade: A+

What I wrote about the Nolan Smith pick on Thursday night —"They can't keep getting away with this"—now applies to the Eagles' entire draft. I loved what Philly did basically from start to finish, and after grabbing both Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith in Round 1, they cleaned up the rest of the way: The Eagles added a solid tackle/guard prospect in Alabama's Tyler Steen and a hard-hitting safety in Illinois's Sydney Brown on day two, before taking yet another Georgia star in cornerback Kelee Ringo to open day three. Add in the trade with Detroit for running back D'Andre Swift (yes, he also went to Georgia) on Saturday, and the defending NFC champs look like one of the biggest winners of draft weekend.

Sporting News - Grade: A+

The Eagles added three more Georgia defensive stars to tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean, who will be key second-year starters on the front seven. Carter and Smith are great explosive complements to Carter and Brandon Graham. Ringo will be groomed well behind Darius Slay and James Bradberry.

Steen was a good future stash up front and Brown can help offset the loss of C.J. Gardner-Johnson. A bonus was using some draft capital to address running back with a trade for D'Andre Swift. McKee also gets them on the board with a developmental backup QB.

Touchdown Wire - Grade: A+

At this point, I think we can see what Eagles general manager Howie Roseman's master plan is. He wants to unleash every Georgia Bulldog he can on the rest of the league.

Let's start with Jalen Carter, who I believed to be the best player in this draft based solely on his 2022 tape. Carter's 2023 offseason was far less conclusive, of course, but the Eagles are betting hard that the right environment (and so many former Georgia teammates) will unlock all of that potential. It's a risk, but with the ninth pick, not a huge one, based on what Carter could be. As far as Nolan Smith — well, I compared him to Haason Reddick, and now, the Eagles have two Haason Reddicks to deploy in their five-man fronts. Unlike Carter, Smith has no off-field dings at all — his only question was injury recovery. The Eagles concluded their Georgia trio with Kelee Ringo in the fourth round, which is right where I would have had him, based on tape. Ringo has been working with Richard Sherman this offseason to clean up the things that could cause trouble at the next level, and who better?

We're not done yet, folks. Philly also stole Illinois' Sydney Brown in the third round, and I had Brown as my second-best safety in this class behind only Alabama's Brian Branch. And I don't know how the Eagles got Texas' Moro Ojomo in the seventh round, but he's a nice hybrid tackle with five sacks and 26 quarterback hurries last season. Add in the lowball trade for ex-Lions running back D'Andre Swift, and once again, we have to stand back in wonderment at how Howie Roseman is getting away with all of this.

More: 2023 NFL Draft Grade Roundups

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