NFL Draft Grades: All 32 teams under the microscope
With the 2016 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out their initial grades for how teams fared during all seven rounds.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Dallas Cowboys
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | RB Ezekiel Elliott |
| 2 | LB Jaylon Smith |
| 3 | DT Maliek Collins |
| 4 | DE Charles Tapper |
| 4 | QB Dak Prescott |
| 6 | CB Anthony Brown |
| 6 | S Kavon Frazier |
| 6 | RB Darius Jackson |
| 6 | TE Rico Gathers |
Is it possible for a Cowboys draft class to be simultaneously splashy and shrewd? The Ezekiel Elliott and Jaylon Smith picks certainly made the kind of headlines owner Jerry Jones covets, but they were also calculated selections that could pay dividends both immediately and for the long haul. Yes, taking Elliott over Jalen Ramsey was questionable. Yes, Smith is a significant injury risk. But each player is a premier talent and coming away with both of them is a win for the Cowboys. Charles Tapper and Dak Prescott stand out as a nice mix of value and need in the fourth round. The selection of basketball player Rico Gathers is an intriguing home-run swing late in the draft.
Grade: B+
New York Giants
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | CB Eli Apple |
| 2 | WR Sterling Shepard |
| 3 | S Darian Thompson |
| 4 | LB B.J. Goodson |
| 5 | RB Paul Perkins |
| 6 | TE Jerell Adams |
The selection of Eli Apple had Giants fans scratching their heads, especially considering the other cornerbacks that remained on the board at the time. Rumors suggest the Giants wanted an offensive tackle in the first round that may have been scooped by the Titans or scared off by Laremy Tunsil's off-field concerns, so they changed their focus. Sterling Shepard should be a nice addition and help take some pressure of Odell Beckham Jr.. B.J. Goodson and Paul Perkins represent good value where they were selected.
Grade: B-
Washington Redskins
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | WR Josh Doctson |
| 2 | LB Su'a Cravens |
| 3 | CB Kendall Fuller |
| 5 | DT Matthew Ioannidis |
| 6 | QB Nate Sudfeld |
| 7 | LB Steven Daniels |
| 7 | RB Keith Marshall |
Everyone expected general manager Scot McCloughan to address his defensive line early in the draft, but he wisely identified it as a deep position in the draft and took his shot later on. Coaxing a trade-up from the Houston Texans (who swapped spots with the Redskins to select Will Fuller), then taking a player many prefer to Fuller, Josh Doctson, was inspired. Su'a Cravens fits the mold of the hybrid linebacker/safety that's all the rage in the league these days. Nate Sudfeld is an intriguing developmental quarterback. Kendall Fuller and Keith Marshall, the fastest player at the scouting combine, are both coming off injuries and were great value where they were selected.
Grade: A
Philadelphia Eagles
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | QB Carson Wentz |
| 3 | G Isaac Seumalo |
| 5 | RB Wendell Smallwood |
| 5 | OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai |
| 7 | S Jalen Mills |
| 7 | DE Alex McCalister |
| 7 | LB Joe Walker |
Is Carson Wentz worth the bounty of draft picks the Eagles surrendered to move up to the second overall pick? We won't have a good answer to that question for several years. For now, we can conclude that the incredibly risky move handcuffed the Eagles' ability to secure playmakers by stripping away most of their premium picks. Paradoxically, that could lower Wentz' chances of succeeding in the NFL. Wendell Smallwood and Blake Countess look like role players.
Grade: C