Keith and Ken’s Recap and Reaction on Round 1

Hello DraftDivers! The day has finally come and gone with the biggest night of the NFL off-season, the NFL draft. Myself and co-analyst Ken Noble will be giving our grades on each pick as they happen and a quick Day 1 recap of each pick. Spoiler Alert, Ken is a much harsher critic than I. Which teams won and lost Round 1? Who were the steals and the reaches? Read on to see.

 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, DE Georgia

Keith’s Grade: A

Ken’s Grade: B

The Jaguars are picking up a very solid defensive player. Travon is solid in all parts of his game, run game, pass rush, even going back into coverage. He will be an instant impact player. Will his athleticism translate is the question, as he isn’t as impressive on film as you’d like.

 

2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, DE Michigan

Keith’s Grade: A+

Ken’s Grade: B

The Lions grab the hometown guy in Hutchinson. Relentless pass rusher, and a true leader on defense. It has been a long time since the Lions have had a guy like him on defense. He will be an instant impact player.

3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr, CB LSU

Keith’s Grade: A-

Ken’s Grade: A-

Tough and gritty ballhawk cornerback that may be one of the most talented cornerbacks this year. Prior to this season, many analysts had him as the consensus best player in the draft.

4. New York Jets: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB Cincinnati

Keith’s Grade: A+

Ken’s Grade: A

The Jets are getting themselves the best corner in the draft. Something my colleague Ken has been saying long before anyone else. He has passion, swagger, and leadership. The Jets are getting themselves another shutdown corner.

5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE Oregon

Keith’s Grade: B+

Ken’s Grade: A+

Very physical player who can be a gamechanger. It is a bit surprising they didn’t pick an offensive lineman here, and it is shocking that one hasn’t gone yet. He will be explosive for the Giants defensive line. Ken believes Thibodeaux to be the best player in the draft and hasn’t wavered. Making this a homerun for the Giants in his opinion.

6. Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, T NC State

Keith’s Grade: A+

Ken’s Grade: A+

Probably the best lineman in the draft. He is a special talent and his supremely athletic for his size. His presence on the line will be noticed. The Panthers were blessed with a fantastic pick at 6. I didn’t expect him to still be on the board at 6.

7. New York Giants: Evan Neal, T Alabama

Keith’s Grade: A+

Ken’s Grade: A-

I think this was paramount. The Giants needed to take one of the top tackles this year, and they got the most balanced tackle, run and pass blocking wise, in this year’s draft. Fantastic pick for the Giants who have always needed the lineman help.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR USC

Keith’s Grade: A

Ken’s Grade: C+

Physical, and a go-getting type receiver. A very big need was addressed for the Falcons. I like this pick, he will be a factor. A little surprising that Wilson didn’t go here. As you can see though Ken isn’t on board as he doesn’t believe London is in the top tier. In fact he didn’t have London in his top 5 WRs.

9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, T Mississippi State

Keith’s Grade: A-

Ken’s Grade: A-

The Seahawks are now beginning to rebuild the offensive line and reshape the offense. He is a pure left tackle and will be lethal as a pass blocker.

10.  New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State

Keith’s Grade: A+

Ken’s Grade: B

The Jets got Zack Wilson the best receiver this year. Flashy, explosive, and a playmaker. He has all the attributes to be a top receiver in the NFL. I didn’t think he would still be on the board.

11. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State

Keith’s Grade: B+

Ken’s Grade: B+

Special talent on the outside like his teammate Wilson. Very good receiver down the field. Everything he does is smooth down the field. His ability to change his body position should give Winston a solid down field option.

12. Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams, WR Alabama

Keith’s Grade: A

Ken’s Grade: B-

A very aggressive trade up with the Vikings. They are getting a serious wideout to add to this offense. Very fast with serious separation ability. He will be a big play receiver.

13. Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Davis, DT Georgia

Keith’s Grade: A

Ken’s Grade: C-

The Eagles needed a replacement for Fletcher Cox, and they got their man after making a big trade up. Davis is a big man with insane athleticism and is a game wrecker. Once again however, My counterpart isn’t impressed you can see why in his scouting report on Davis. He thinks he isn’t worth a first round pick.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame

Keith’s Grade: A-

Ken’s Grade: A+

Kyle Hamilton fell farther than I predicted he would go. His 40 time was a question to teams, but I believe his ability to cover the field is on another level which is what is better. This is a solid steal for the Ravens. For Ken this is his favorite pick so far.

15. Houston Texans: Kenyon Green, T Texas A&M

Keith’s Grade: B+

Ken’s Grade: B-

Solid pick for the Texans as they begin to build the line in front of 2nd year QB Davis Mills. Kenyon Green is a solid player and can start immediately.

16. Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson, WR Penn State

Keith’s Grade: A

Ken’s Grade: B

Finally Washington will have a 2nd receiver next to McLaurin. This will benefit Mclaurin as there will be less coverage towards him. Dotson is a very solid receiver and should fit in well.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Johnson, G Boston College

Keith’s Grade: A-

Ken’s Grade: B

Los Angeles made it a priority this year to beef up their offensive line. They just landed a top 3 guard out of this year’s draft. He is a very versatile player who can play anywhere on the line. They may want look at converting him to right tackle immediately.

18. Tennessee Titans: Traylon Burks, WR Arkansas

Keith’s Grade: B+

Ken’s Grade: A-

After a huge trade, the Titans trade away top receiver AJ Brown to Philly, and nab themselves his replacement immediately. Burks is a very similar receiver to Brown, for a fraction of the price.

19. New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning, T Northern Iowa

Keith’s Grade: B+

Ken’s Grade: B

The Saints are adding some nastiness to their offensive line to protect Winston. Penning is a mauler and I’m surprised he didn’t go earlier than 19.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, QB Pitt

Keith’s Grade: A

Ken’s Grade: B-

I had Pickett landing with either the Saints or the Steelers. This move make sense as they need to find Big Ben’s replacement. It’s going to be a new era of QB play in Pittsburgh. Ken has stood pat that Matt Corral is his number one QB in this years draft class, but he understands why Pittsburgh likes the hometown kid.

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent McDuffie, CB Washington

Keith’s Grade: A

Ken’s Grade: A

The Chiefs made a move to grab a top 3 corner in this draft, and he is a very good one to add. His tape was so good at Washington. He should fit in well on a defense that desperately needs the corner help.

22. Green Bay Packers: Quay Walker, LB Georgia

Keith’s Grade: B-

Ken’s Grade: D

A little shock to me that they didn’t go the receiver route to give Rodgers another target. Still a solid pick as there are holes on defense that needed addressing. Might as well fill it with another Bulldog.

23. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB Florida

Keith’s Grade: B

Ken’s Grade: A

I like the pick, Elam is a solid corner coming out of Florida. It’s always good to add in some more depth at the corner, but I feel like it’s not their biggest need. Ken would point out a year ago we would have been popping bottles for this pick and Elam is a player he loves.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Smith, T Tulsa

Keith’s Grade:B+

Ken’s Grade: C-

This guy has had some comparisons to the tackle they just lost in Collins, but did they reach to get him at this spot? I guess time will tell. He is a solid player though. Kens reaction, “Hmmmmm…..,” while scratching his head.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C Iowa

Keith’s Grade: A

Ken’s Grade: A+

The Ravens got themselves a monster up front. He is the best center in the draft this year, and for a reason. Ironically Mashall Yanda came from the same college and look at the career he had.

26. New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson II, DE Florida State

Keith’s Grade: A

Ken’s Grade: A

The Jets are not playing games in this draft. They trade back up to grab a guy who was projected to go way earlier in the draft. 3 great picks by the Jets.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Devin Lloyd, LB Utah

Keith’s Grade: A-

Ken’s Grade: A

The Jaguars are adding some strong linebacker play with this pick. Lloyd had a fantastic career at Utah, and I see him continuing it in Jacksonville.

28. Green Bay Packers: Devontae Wyatt, DT Georgia

Keith’s Grade: B

Ken’s Grade: C+

The Packers yet again skip out on a top target for Rodgers to throw to. There are many options and the class is deep for receivers. I like the pick, if you’re going to go defense, might as well get another Bulldog.

29. New England Patriots: Cole Strange, G Tennessee-Chattanooga

Keith’s Grade: C

Ken’s Grade: D+

This pick had some head scratchers. This feels as if Strange could’ve gotten picked later. It makes sense, but did you need to spend this high of a pick on him? There were many other options available.

 

 

30. Kansas City Chiefs: George Karlaftis, DE Purdue

Keith’s Grade: A-

Ken’s Grade: A

He is one of the best defensive ends coming out this year, and to be honest is underlooked in my opinion. The Chiefs got themselves a solid pass rusher moving forward. It should help their sack totals.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Daxton Hill, S Michigan

Keith’s Grade: B

Ken’s Grade: C

The Bengals spent heavy money on the offensive line in free agency, it seemed right that they needed to address the safety position next to Jessie Bates. I think he will come along with the experience that he will get.

32. Minnesota Vikings: Lewis Cine, S Georgia

Keith’s Grade: B-

Ken’s Grade: B-

It’s no shocker that the Vikings decided to go the defense route with the first pick. I expect them to be defense heavy this year to try and rebuild that defense. Drafting a Bulldog is a great start.

Day 1 Recap Analysts- Keith Libby and Ken Noble.