What a first night it was. While we (I) may have overreacted a bit to some picks and trades, I thought the only logical thing to do is to grade every team’s selection based on the value of the pick, as well as the talent of the player selected. Without further ado, let us play back that first round that found us in awe.

1. Jaguars: Travon Walker; EDGE, Georgia — Grade: D+

The meteoric rise of Travon Walker has been a sight to behold over the last few weeks. His athletic prowess alone has helped propel him from being a fringe first-rounder, all the way to being the first overall pick. While I do think he can DEVELOP into a very good player, better options were on the table. First off, you are picking in a draft class with two amazing tackles ready to protect Trevor Lawrence, but instead, you decide to stick with a tackle who isn’t very good. There are three players who would’ve received an A grade: Kayvon Thibodeaux; Ikem Ekwonu, and Evan Neal.

2. Lions: Aidan Hutchinson; EDGE, Michigan — Grade: B

Dan Campbell’s partner-in-kneecap-biting-crime has been confirmed. I don’t dislike Aidan Hutchinson, I just think higher of Kayvon as a player. But after thinking about it more, I honestly think Hutchinson fits the culture the Lions are trying to build a bit more. Good player, good fit, but good isn’t great.

3. Texans: Derek Stingley Jr; CB, LSU — Grade: B+

The pick that has circulated social media for the last week has come to fruition. The 2019 superstar true freshman from LSU looks to bounce back to that form that brought him to where he is now — the NFL. The value is here because of what you know he can do when he is healthy. My only worry is that another corner was available that may be a bit better and is fully healthy.

4. Jets: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner; CB, Cincinnati — Grade: A

A great start to a great night for Joe Douglas’ crew. Some may prefer Kayvon to Sauce Gardner, but I’m just glad they took one of them. The rumors of them possibly moving Mekhi Becton seem to have passed, which is good because I still like Becton’s upside if he can keep his weight in check. Gardner is going to immediately bolster that secondary and bring some “Sauce” to the locker room. And on that bad joke, we move on.

5. Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux; EDGE, Oregon — Grade: A

The best edge rusher falls to a team that is in desperate need of some talent. After suffering from prospect fatigue from a lot of people, Kayvon ends up in a spot where he can prove the doubters wrong. Now, did Joe Schoen walk into the war room with a green note card that said: “Kayvon Thibodeaux no matter what”? 

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6. Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu; OT, NC State — Grade: A

Carolina was never taking a quarterback. I think the Panthers made the right decision as long as they can address the quarterback room with a veteran. I like the idea of still finding a trade for Baker Mayfield or even Jimmy Garoppolo to raise the floor of the team to a point that doesn’t get Matt Rhule immediately fired. Ickey is a great tackle who will be able to both pass and run block for that Panthers offense that has some explosive talent on it.

7. Giants (via CHI): Evan Neal; OT, Alabama — Grade: A+

Both New York teams ended up with a very nice haul from their top 10 picks. Evan Neal could easily be viewed as the best tackle in this class, and I honestly think he might be the best pure left tackle. Drafting Neal shows the Giants are committed to giving Daniel Jones a better situation this year, even though they declined his fifth-year option.

8. Falcons: Drake London; WR, USC — Grade: C

Even if you are a big Drake London fan, this just seems like a reach. I prefer Garrett Wilson to London. Drake actually wasn’t in my top-five receivers rankings. London is a good player who will be able to win a lot of contested catches and take some pressure off of Kyle Pitts. I just think there were better receivers available and possible trade partners to increase the value for said receivers.

9. Seahawks (via DEN): Charles Cross; OT, Mississippi State — Grade: C

So, is Seattle just throwing scheme fit out the door? Charles Cross is a great tackle that excels as a pass protector and Seattle is filling a need with a talented player, but he doesn’t fit. The Seahawks are going to need to rely on their ground game to not get blown out on a weekly basis while Drew Lock or Geno Smith is their quarterback. So they decided to draft a tackle from Mike Leach’s system that isn’t great as a run blocker at this moment. I think if the Seahawks were set on a tackle, they should have moved down with someone moving up for Garrett Wilson and taken Trevor Penning if they liked him (which I don’t).

10. Jets (via SEA): Garrett Wilson; WR, Ohio State — Grade: A+

The New York J-E-T-E (I hope you understood that reference) are doing the dang thing. First, you get an elite cornerback, now you get the best receiver in the draft at 10. Zach Wilson is both ecstatic and slightly nervous. He’s ecstatic because his receiver room has just gotten a big upgrade, but now he also has to face Sauce Gardner in practice. I would pay good money to watch Garrett Wilson and Sauce go one-on-one in practice. It would be masterful.

11. Saints (via WAS): Chris Olave; WR, Ohio State — Grade: B

I really thought this move was for Malik Willis, but it wasn’t. I like Chris Olave a lot, he is a very fluid athlete with great ability as a separator. I just don’t know if he wouldn’t have been available at 16. They gave up a third- and a fourth-rounder for this move, and I honestly don’t know who they’re jumping that would pose such a threat outside of maybe Houston and definitely Washington. Love the player, but they might have given up too much seeing as they only have one pick until 161.

12. Lions (via MIN): Jameson Williams; WR, Alabama — Grade: A++

Oh. My. Word. First off, what a fleece job by Detroit. Only giving up a third-round pick and 12 spots in the second to move up 20 in the first to get a receiver Aaron Rodgers called “the most NFL-ready.” That is pretty high praise from one of the best to ever play the position. Jameson Williams is an amazing receiver who will be an amazing asset to a team that is a quarterback away from having a pretty good offense. Amazing trade for an amazing player. Also making this trade and fleecing a divisional rival makes this grade earn the extra plus.

13. Eagles (via HOU): Jordan Davis; IDL, Georgia — Grade: D+

I’ve said it from the jump, the value for Jordan Davis in the early-mid first round isn’t high. There is no doubt he will have an impact on the Eagles and will make some plays, but he isn’t in the right era. If we were in 2002, Jordan Davis would be a top-three pick. A run-mauling defensive tackle doesn’t hold nearly the same value as it did 20 years ago. I also don’t like using three mid-round picks to jump one team to get Davis.

14. Ravens: Kyle Hamilton; S, Notre Dame — Grade: A+++++

The Ravens let the chaos ensue above them, all while letting the best player in this draft class fall into their lap. Kyle Hamilton should have been a top-10 pick. I don’t care at all about what people think of the “positional value” of a safety. Positional value gets thrown out the door when a player is this dang good. Hamilton has the versatility to play wherever the Ravens need him to, which right now would lean toward strong safety if I had to guess. Sometimes the best move is to not move while other teams do the moving for you.

15. Texans (via PHI): Kenyon Green; IOL, Texas A&M — Grade: B

Maybe a bit higher than some projections, but I still love the pick. Kenyon Green was a guy I thought could fall into the later part of the round because of some of the defensive talents that may seem more desirable, but the Texans realized that the trenches are where games are won and lost. Green is a player I would much rather have on my team than against it, showing his versatility and nastiness on every snap. It may not be the sexiest pick, but it very well could end up being one of the smartest. 

16. Commanders (via NO): Jahan Dotson; WR, Penn State — Grade: C-

I mean, what the heck did Washington do? I like the Commanders adding mid-round picks, but at what cost? They gave up on Chris Olave, they gave up on Jameson Williams (whom I don’t know how much they liked), and they gave up on Kyle Hamilton. I don’t hate taking Jahan Dotson here, I just wish they would have taken Kyle Hamilton.

17. Chargers: Zion Johnson; IOL, Boston College — Grade: A

A secretly amazing pick. The Chargers didn’t like the looks of the remaining tackles, so they go find themselves a guard who has five-position versatility. Zion Johnson is a workaholic who will find his success mainly at guard but can most definitely play center if his number is called. I love this pick because not only is Zion a heck of a player, but taking a great guard instead of an overrated tackle just shows how well they have done with scouting this offseason.

18. Titans (via PHI): Treylon Burks; WR, Arkansas — Grade: B

I think Tennessee took the Treylon Burks comparisons to AJ Brown a bit too far. It is obvious AJ Brown wanted out, and he got what he wanted. While I like Burks as a scheme fit, I don’t think it is fair to expect AJ Brown-esque production out of him. They don’t play the same. If in five years he is a superstar, I will not be super shocked. But the same can be said with the opposite.

19. Saints: Trevor Penning; OT, Northern Iowa — Grade: D+

Not a fan of the pick or the player. The Saints undoubtedly needed a tackle, but Trevor Penning? A tackle who often finds himself with high hips and poor hand placement that leaves him vulnerable to bull rushes isn’t an equation for success. While he is a great run blocker, the last thing I need is Jameis Winston getting pressured a lot and making errant throws (we all know how that story would end). While Trevor can become a very good tackle, I just don’t see him as a guy that makes your quarterback’s job a lot easier. Every time I think of Penning, I think about how he could have jeopardized Desmond Ridder’s entire career after throwing a defensive lineman into his knees at the Senior Bowl.

20. Steelers: Kenny Pickett; QB, Pitt — Grade: C+

I like Kenny Pickett. He is a good quarterback. But what I don’t like is drafting him over Malik Willis. You are in the perfect situation to have a quarterback sit for a year or two under a veteran like Mitch Trubisky (who I still don’t like). There is no reason to not play Pickett in his rookie season, which makes the Trubisky signing seem like a waste of money. Good player, just think a better one was available.

21. Chiefs (via NE): Trent McDuffie; CB, Washington — Grade: A

The Chiefs go up and take a corner they felt was falling too far, and I completely agree. With the run on receivers going earlier than most expected, it allowed Trent McDuffie to fall into the laps of a Patriots team that always wanted to move. Kansas City has been very diligent about addressing the secondary after losing Tyrann Mathieu and Daniel Sorenson in free agency by acquiring Justin Reid and now Trent McDuffie. A great player goes to a great team.

22. Packers (via LV): Quay Walker; LB, Georgia — Grade: B+

I don’t understand some people’s hate on this pick. Just because the Packers need a receiver doesn’t mean they were going to reach for a guy like George Pickens or Christian Watson. They have never done that. The Packers are the first team I think of when I hear a team is sticking to their board 100%. Quay Walker will be able to play alongside De’Vondre Campbell in Joe Barry’s 3-4 scheme, which is an upgrade from Krys Barnes.

23. Bills (via BAL): Kaiir Elam; CB, Florida — Grade: B+

The reports of Kaiir Elam being favored as the fourth corner off the board come true at 23. Buffalo makes a great move to secure an outside corner who can pair up with Tre’Davious White when he returns to the field. The only reason this isn’t an “A” is because I don’t want to give up the pick the Bills did with some position groups being so deep, but I understand and fully back the decision.

24. Cowboys: Tyler Smith; OT, Tulsa — Grade: C-

While I don’t like the pick, I understand it. Dallas is getting older at tackle with Tyron Smith and La’el Collins is now in Cincinnati. If the Cowboys were to move down, another team could’ve just as easily taken Smith, making them look really bad if tackle was always the target. They were the victim of a crazy first 23 picks, even though they did nothing to deserve it other than being better than most of those teams. The NFL draft, where decisions made by bad organizations affect yours for years to come, and I love the chaos that comes from it.

25. Ravens (via BAL): Tyler Linderbaum; IOL, Iowa — Grade: A-

The Ravens move Marquise Brown and go from the third round to the fourth to acquire the 25th selection after another trade with Buffalo. While I don’t think Tyler Linderbaum is a special player like other people, I think he is a good player that helps Baltimore’s offense a lot. It also shows that Baltimore is the standard for the NFL draft. They always find talent and never seem to make erratic decisions.

26. Jets (via TEN): Jermaine Johnson II; EDGE, Florida State — Grade: W for Wumbo

The New York Jets won night one of the draft, plain and simple. They got three players who were garnering top-five grades at 4, 10, and 26. The Jets did give up a decent amount to secure their guy, but that’s why I love this move so much. It was THEIR GUY, not just some good pass-rusher who they felt they could use. This was in the plans all along. Joe Douglas is currently having his statue built outside of MetLife for doing the most noteworthy thing in the Jets’ history outside of the Butt Fumble.

27. Jaguars (via TB): Devin Lloyd; LB, Utah — Grade: A+

Jacksonville drafted a better player at 27 than it did at the first selection. When I tell you I don’t care how much Jacksonville traded to move back up, it is an extreme understatement. A fourth-round pick and a sixth-rounder seem like a lot, but it’s worth it in my opinion to grab the best linebacker in the class. Devin Lloyd is such a smart player who affects all aspects of the defense in a very positive way.

28. Packers: Devonte Wyatt; IDL, Georgia — Grade: B

This pick is a bit confusing to me. Devonte Wyatt is a great player who will have an instant impact on that Packers defense, but Green Bay doesn’t often take players who are already as old as Devonte is. I also wonder if the Packers liked any of the safeties enough to take them over him when that could become a serious need in a year or two. Really good player, but I’m wondering if this was the best pick possible. Also, this is the third straight first-round selection by Green Bay to come from Athens.

29. Patriots (via KC): Cole Strange; IOL, Chattanooga — Grade: L

WHAT??? The Patriots took a projected third-rounder in the first round. I like Cole Strange, he’s a solid prospect who has starting potential in his rookie year, but what are we doing here? I’m just glad the Patriots traded down to take him because if they took him at 21 I think I would still be in shock. It is obvious this has been their guy, but I feel like they could have just kept trading down and accumulating more capital (or maybe a good player) if they were dead-set on Cole Strange. 

30. Chiefs: George Karlaftis; EDGE, Purdue — Grade: A+

Talk about value. Kansas City found a way to get a super powerful edge rusher who has seemingly been slept on this entire process at a pick where I really thought he would have been gone by then. With guys like Frank Clark not being in the team’s long-term future (I assume), George Karlaftis gives the Chiefs a great young talent on a rookie deal that will help the salary cap when Patrick Mahomes’ money starts pouring in.

31. Bengals: Daxton Hill; DB, Michigan — Grade: A

Cincinnati had one job with this pick — get the best defensive player they could. And while I may not be as high on Daxton Hill as others, I think this job was a success. He has the athleticism where you feel comfortable playing him on the outside as well as at safety. Hopefully, this means the end of watching Eli Apple get toasted more than a marshmallow that got dropped into a campfire.

32. Vikings (via DET): Lewis Cine; S, Georgia — Grade: F-

Before I trash the move, I just want to make it known that I love Lewis Cine. He is a very physical player who is going to make an instant impact on a team with an aging safety like Harrison Smith. Now onto the trade. This was the most lopsided trade of the night by a wide margin. In what world is a 12-selection UPGRADE in the second round and a third-rounder suffice moving back 20 spots in the first? The key word in that last sentence was “upgrade.” The Vikings didn’t receive an additional second-round pick, they just moved up with a swap of 46 for 34. It’s not even the trade value that makes me upset, it is who they let other teams select. Cine is a safety (a very good one at that), but Kyle Hamilton was arguably the best player in the entire class. Taking Hamilton would have been a great step in rebuilding that defense that helped Minnesota reach the NFC Championship a few years ago. The Vikings also could’ve taken Jameson Williams, who would have made that offense a straight-up nightmare. I hate the trade (especially them losing it by a wide margin), but I’m also wondering why Kyle Hamilton wasn’t a snap pick if they ended up taking a safety anyways.