For Silva’s AFC Draft Grades, click here.
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | Washington Commanders
NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Green Bay Packers | Minnesota Vikings
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals
1 (6). Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.
2 (41). LSU EDGE B.J. Ojulari
3 (72). Syracuse CB Garrett Williams
3 (94). Stanford WR Michael Wilson
4 (122). UCLA OG Jon Gaines II
5 (139). Houston QB Clayton Tune
5 (168). Auburn LB Owen Pappoe
6 (180). Louisville CB Kei’Trel Clark
6 (213). West Virginia DT Dante Stills
Overview: Rookie GM Monti Ossenfort knocked the top of his first draft out of the park, beginning with a trade out of the No. 3 spot that netted Arizona 2023’s 33rd overall pick plus first- and third-rounders in 2024. The Cardinals moved back up to secure the same guy they would’ve drafted had they stayed at 3, this year’s premier tackle prospect in Johnson. Ossenfort then dealt No. 33 in a move with Tennessee that brought Arizona pick No. 41, a 2023 third-round pick swap, and a third-rounder in 2024. I loved the value in both deals for the Cardinals, and their pick at 41 was even better; Ojulari is a polished outside rusher who can bend the edge and addresses a huge need. Williams is coming off a torn ACL but should be cleared before Week 1. Injuries torpedoed Wilson’s college production, but he shined at the Senior Bowl and profiles as a physical possession receiver at 6-foot-2, 213. Gaines projects best as an interior swing lineman. I think this was a smart, forward-thinking draft for a transitioning team in a semi-rebuild.
Grade: B+
Atlanta Falcons
1 (8). Texas RB Bijan Robinson
2 (38). Syracuse T/G Matthew Bergeron
3 (75). Ohio State EDGE Zach Harrison
4 (113). Utah CB Clark Phillips III
7 (224). Alabama S DeMarcco Hellams
7 (225). South Carolina OG Jovaughn Gwyn
Overview: CB Jeff Okudah is included in this haul after Atlanta acquired him from Detroit for a fifth-round pick. While I love Robinson the player, he was an obvious reach by GM Terry Fontenot. Even more than last year, the Falcons are going to run the crap out of the ball. Bergeron was a powerful left tackle at Syracuse who will kick to guard. The Falcons sent a fourth-round pick to the Colts to jump from No. 44 to 38 for Bergeron. A massive high school recruit, Harrison looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane. Phillips is a quality slot-corner prospect and came at good value. The Falcons didn’t have their original fifth-round pick after wasting it in a trade for sluggish non-contributor WR Bryan Edwards. Atlanta ignored position value at No. 8, arguably paid too much to move up in Round 2, and remain curiously committed to Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke under center. They seem destined for QB purgatory for a while.
Grade: C-
Carolina Panthers
1 (1). Alabama QB Bryce Young
2 (39). Mississippi WR Jonathan Mingo
3 (80). Oregon EDGE D.J. Johnson
4 (114). NC State OG Chandler Zavala
5 (145). Florida State S Jammie Robinson
Overview: Carolina’s grade gets immediately penalized for trading so much capital before the draft even started; owner Dave Tepper’s team surrendered the No. 9 pick, WR D.J. Moore, pick No. 61, plus future first- and second-round picks to move to No. 1. Before that, they dealt a sixth-rounder for CB Stephon Gilmore and their seventh for WR Laviska Shenault in deals that didn’t or haven’t paid off. Albeit an unrefined route runner who won almost strictly from the slot at Ole Miss, Mingo was my favorite get after Young in this haul; he has alpha receiver size (6-foot-2/220) and answered speed concerns in Indy (4.46). Carolina moved up again to No. 80 for Johnson, sending a fourth-rounder to Pittsburgh to climb 13 slots. Johnson is a freak athlete who looks the part but lacked commensurate college production and turns 25 as a rookie. GM Scott Fitterer also ignored age in regard to Zavala, who is already 24. Young was the best quarterback in this draft, but I have little faith in his supporting cast, and he stands 5-foot-10 and will likely play close to 190 pounds. Albeit in desperate times, this was a desperate draft with a low floor.
Grade: C-
Chicago Bears
1 (10). Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
2 (53). Florida DT Gervon Dexter
2 (56). Miami (FL) CB Tyrique Stevenson
3 (64). South Carolina DT Zacch Pickens
4 (115). Texas RB Roschon Johnson
4 (133). Cincinnati WR Tyler Scott
5 (148). Oregon LB Noah Sewell
5 (165). Minnesota CB Terell Smith
7 (218). Kennesaw State DT Travis Bell
7 (258). Stanford DB Kendall Williamson
Overview: Second-year GM Ryan Poles set up his draft for success by stealing WR D.J. Moore, pick No. 61, plus a 2024 first-rounder and 2025 second-round pick to drop from No. 1 to 9. Poles grabbed another fourth-rounder in 2024 for dropping from No. 9 to 10 in a draft-day trade with the Eagles. This haul includes WR Chase Claypool, although his acquisition — which cost Chicago the draft’s No. 32 pick — can’t be viewed favorably. A Day 1 starter at right tackle, Wright’s addition gives the Bears a realistic chance to field a top-15 or even top-10 offensive line. Poles then went to work on a defense that needed it badly, pairing hulking two-gap NT Dexter (6-foot-6/310) with versatile three-technique projection Pickens and mixing in Stevenson, a plus-sized press-man corner to bookend Jaylon Johnson with 2022 second-round pick Kyler Gordon in the slot. Roschon Johnson reminds me of Jamaal Williams as a dependable, big-bodied back lacking explosive juice. A standout value pick late in the fourth round, Scott is a diminutive burner with downfield playmaking ability. Sewell is an old-school thumping off-ball linebacker with limited range. I didn’t love every pick here, but the assets Chicago acquired in its trade out of No. 1 alone set up Poles’ team extremely well for the future, and he banged out needs on Days 1 and 2.
Grade: B+
Dallas Cowboys
1 (26). Michigan DT Mazi Smith
2 (58). Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker
3 (90). Texas LB DeMarvion Overshown
4 (129). San Jose State EDGE Viliami Fehoko
5 (169). North Carolina OT Asim Richards
6 (178). Southern Miss CB Eric Scott Jr.
6 (212). Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn
7 (244). South Carolina WR Jalen Brooks
Overview: Whereas other teams made numerous moves up and down the board, the Cowboys mostly opted for a sit-and-pick approach. Albeit a gargantuan space eater at 6-foot-3, 323, Smith managed a half sack and six career tackles for loss in 35 college games. And while it wasn’t always Smith’s job to get upfield and make plays, that utter lack of production is concerning for any first-round pick. Smith also carries off-field concerns. I was surprised to see Dallas pass on Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer at 26 and feel Schoonmaker was a weak consolation prize, especially from a pass-catching standpoint. A former safety with legit three-down linebacker potential, Overshown was a value pick at No. 90. Most scouting departments projected Fehoko as a fifth- or sixth-round pick and clear-cut backup. Brandin Cooks does help the grade of this haul after the Cowboys acquired him from Houston for two late-round picks. Stephon Gilmore is another potential difference-making addition after Dallas got him from Indy for pick No. 176. But aside from those two over-30 veterans and perhaps first-rounder Smith, I just don’t think this draft got Dallas any closer to a Super Bowl.
Grade: C
Detroit Lions
1 (12). Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
1 (18). Iowa LB Jack Campbell
2 (34). Iowa TE Sam LaPorta
2 (45). Alabama DB Brian Branch
3 (68). Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker
3 (96). Western Kentucky DT Brodric Martin
5 (152). William & Mary OT Colby Sorsdal
7 (219). North Carolina WR Antoine Green
Overview: Once-promising GM Brad Holmes completely bombed the first round, severely reaching for 199-pound situational back Gibbs at No. 12 and coverage liability off-ball linebacker Campbell at No. 18. It was a sickening waste of precious draft capital at low-impact positions. The Gibbs pick all but forced the Lions to take 10 cents on the dollar (a 2025 Day 3 pick) to send D’Andre Swift to Philly. I did love the picks of LaPorta — a highly athletic and productive pass-catching tight end who can block — and Branch, who would’ve surprised no one had he gone in the 20s. Hooker (ACL) will likely redshirt his rookie year. A mammoth man (6-foot-5/330) with vine-like arms (35”), Martin is an intriguing sleeper but went earlier than expected. Holmes emerged from this draft with several good football players, but his first-round decision-making was too egregious to give the Lions any more than an above-passing grade.
Grade: D+
Green Bay Packers
1 (13). Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness
2 (42). Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave
2 (50). Michigan State WR Jayden Reed
3 (78). South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft
4 (116). Auburn EDGE Colby Wooden
5 (149). Penn State QB Sean Clifford
5 (159). Virginia WR Dontayvion Wicks
6 (179). Bowling Green DT Karl Brooks
6 (207). Auburn K Anders Carlson
7 (232). Kentucky CB Carrington Valentine
7 (235). Central Michigan RB Lew Nichols III
7 (242). Iowa State S Anthony Johnson Jr.
7 (256). Charlotte WR Grant DuBose
Overview: D-Line help and weapons upgrades for Jordan Love were the theme of this nuts-and-bolts draft. Likened to Grant Wistrom and Patrick Kerney by NFL scouts, Van Ness can win inside and out and hold the point of attack. Musgrave and Kraft made for a worthy TE double-down; Musgrave offers legit star quality if he figures out how to stay healthy, while Kraft is a combo tight end who is plenty athletic, can block, and caught 92 balls over the last two years for the Jackrabbits. Wooden was productive enough in college and worked out well enough in Indy to generate some Day 2 buzz before the draft. Reed was productive all four years of his career and especially in the return game, bringing back three punts for TDs and exhibiting dynamism with the ball in his hands. Fifth-rounder Clifford beat out No. 33 pick Will Levis at Penn State, forcing Levis to transfer to Kentucky. DuBose was #EstablishTheRun pre-draft podcast interviewee Mike Renner’s favorite wide receiver sleeper. While I remain skeptical of Love as Green Bay’s long-term quarterback, I do believe GM Brian Gutekunst has set up Love to succeed.
Grade: B
Los Angeles Rams
2 (36). TCU OG Steve Avila
3 (77). Tennessee EDGE Byron Young
3 (89). Wake Forest DT Kobie Turner
4 (128). Georgia QB Stetson Bennett
5 (161). Appalachian State EDGE Nick Hampton
5 (174). Georgia OT Warren McClendon
5 (175). Clemson TE Davis Allen
5 (177). BYU WR Puka Nacua
6 (182). TCU CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
6 (189). Nebraska EDGE Ochaun Mathis
6 (215). Mississippi RB Zach Evans
7 (223). Wingate P Ethan Evans
7 (234). Oklahoma State S Jason Taylor II
7 (259). Toledo DL Desjuan Johnson
Overview: Past beneficiaries of a “F*ck Them Picks” approach, this year’s Rams went the opposite way. They stockpiled selections before the draft and made several trade downs during it, ultimately investing heavily into Day 3 of what was widely considered one of the weakest drafts in recent history. While L.A.’s roster badly needs replenishment, I’m skeptical a draft of this caliber presented the right timing. The Rams’ starting lineup is still thin enough that Avila, Young, and even Turner could all end up as first-team players in Year 1. 192 pounds and turning 26 soon with off-field concerns, I don’t think Bennett would be drafted in most years. The rest of this haul consisted of a bunch of fifth- through seventh-round dart throws. I think there’s a good chance this will be Sean McVay and Les Snead’s final season in L.A.
Grade: D+
Minnesota Vikings
1 (23). USC WR Jordan Addison
3 (102). USC CB Mekhi Blackmon
4 (134). LSU DB Jay Ward
5 (141). LSU DT Jaquelin Roy
5 (164). BYU QB Jaren Hall
7 (222). UAB RB DeWayne McBride
Overview: T.J. Hockenson is part of Minnesota’s class after GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stole him from the Lions for a second-round pick before last year’s trade deadline. By dealing the 87th pick to San Francisco, Adofo-Mensah landed the Nos. 102, 164, and 222 selections. Minnesota also added a 2024 fifth-rounder in a fourth-round swap with the Chiefs. While Addison’s physical dimensions are lacking, his ability to win separation as an inside-out receiver was needed to complement coverage demanders Hockenson and Justin Jefferson while keeping K.J. Osborn in a situational role. Addison reminds me a lot of 2022 Commanders first-round pick Jahan Dotson. Adofo-Mensah stayed committed to rebuilding a secondary that still needs it, snagging two big-school DBs after drafting three of them last year. Rumored to have interest in Hendon Hooker, Minnesota instead settled for Hall, a dual threat with better backup traits than failed 2021 third-round pick Kellen Mond. I doubt this limited draft truly moved the needle, but the small handful of picks the Vikings made were at least logically sound, and Hockenson helps big time.
Grade: C+
New Orleans Saints
1 (29). Clemson DT Bryan Bresee
2 (40). Notre Dame EDGE Isaiah Foskey
3 (71). TCU RB Kendre Miller
4 (103). Old Dominion OG Nick Saldiveri
4 (127). Fresno State QB Jake Haener
5 (146). Minnesota S Jordan Howden
6 (195). Wake Forest WR A.T. Perry
Overview: Their defensive front depleted in free agency, the Saints took big steps to repair it by drafting interior Clemson tough guy Bresee at the end of Round 1 and prolific Notre Dame pass rusher Foskey early in Round 2. The nation’s former No. 1 recruit, Bresee’s projection among scouts was murky after an up-and-down college career. Foskey draws criticism for a limited repertoire, but he piled up 22 sacks over the past two years, and his motor never stops. The Saints badly needed a speed bookend for aging LE Cam Jordan, who turns 34 in July. They also needed an explosive backfield element with Alvin Kamara in decline and possibly facing a lengthy suspension. Miller has a feature-back build (5-foot-11/215) and is a darting runner on tape. The Saints sent the Bears a fifth-rounder to climb to the top of Day 3, where they selected Saldiveri, a depth piece initially who will be groomed to start at guard by 2024. New Orleans also sent a 2023 seventh-round pick and 2024 fifth-round pick to Jacksonville to move up for Haener, who has drawn Brock Purdy comparisons for his intelligence and clutch factor. The Saints always trade up way too often for my liking, but they did a good job of addressing needs on Days 1 and 2.
Grade: C+
New York Giants
1 (24). Maryland CB Deonte Banks
2 (57). Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz
3 (73). Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt
5 (172). Oklahoma RB Eric Gray
6 (209). Old Dominion CB Tre Hawkins III
7 (243). Oregon DT Jordon Riley
7 (254). Houston S Gervarrius Owens
Overview: The G-Men entered this draft with three glaring needs: corner, interior offensive line, and wideout. They addressed each in the first three rounds, beginning with known Wink Martindale favorite Banks, a height-weight-speed sensation who was knocked only for a shortage of career interceptions (two in 30 career games). It was between Schmitz and Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann for this year’s top center; Schmitz will start right away. To move up a half-round in the third for vertical speedster Hyatt, New York sent the Rams the No. 128 selection. Small and slow but quicker than fast and highly productive in college — especially in the passing game — Gray’s addition was somewhat necessary with Saquon Barkley still on the franchise tag. Darren Waller is also a part of this haul after New York acquired him from the Raiders for a third-round pick. The Giants have a clear direction under Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen.
Grade: B
Philadelphia Eagles
1 (9). Georgia DT Jalen Carter
1 (30). Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith
3 (65). Alabama OT Tyler Steen
3 (66). Illinois S Sydney Brown
4 (105). Georgia CB Kelee Ringo
6 (188). Stanford QB Tanner McKee
7 (249). Texas DT Moro Ojomo
Overview: The Eagles are almost literally reconstructing Georgia’s defense from the last two years, an approach that any college football fan will appreciate. Sacrificing a fourth-round pick to climb one spot in a deal with the Bears, Philly secured coveted interior dominator Carter at No. 9 overall, reuniting him with big brother character Jordan Davis, who kept Carter under his wing at UGA. Smith was known to be in serious consideration for Philly were Carter gone by No. 10, so landing Smith at No. 30 was absolute robbery. A left tackle at Vanderbilt and Alabama, Steen likely kicks to guard with sub-33-inch arms. Brown was an extremely productive four-year starter for the Illini, then blazed 4.42 at 211 pounds in Indy. Like college teammate Nakobe Dean, Ringo ostensibly slipped two rounds later than expected due to vague medical concerns. McKee has an NFL arm but is a sloth in the pocket. D’Andre Swift is also part of this haul; the Eagles acquired Swift from the Lions for an innocuous seventh-round pick swap and a fourth-rounder in 2025. GM Howie Roseman also stole a 2024 fifth-rounder from the Bucs in exchange for a 2023 sixth-rounder. Firmly the best GM in the game, Roseman knocked this draft out of the park.
Grade: A
San Francisco 49ers
3 (87). Penn State S Ji’Ayir Brown
3 (99). Michigan K Jake Moody
3 (101). Alabama TE Cameron Latu
5 (155). South Alabama CB Darrell Luter Jr.
5 (173). Georgia EDGE Robert Beal Jr.
6 (216). TCU LB Dee Winters
7 (247). Oklahoma TE Brayden Willis
7 (253). Michigan WR Ronnie Bell
7 (255). Purdue LB Jalen Graham
Overview: Still paying for their so-far failed Trey Lance trade, the 49ers were missing three more picks from the Christian McCaffrey deal. Energetic but primarily a box safety with 4.6 speed, Brown is ticketed for special teams and possibly a third safety role early on. Using a third-round pick at kicker can never help a team’s draft grade. Latu profiles as a No. 3 and possibly lower-end No. 2 tight end with some pass-catching acumen. Luter is a bit of a sleeper with ideal size, length, and athleticism to play press man. The Niners obviously came into this draft with a limited deck. Their picks also generated limited excitement.
Grade: C-
Seattle Seahawks
1 (5). Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
1 (20). Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
2 (37). Auburn EDGE Derick Hall
2 (52). UCLA Zach Charbonnet
4 (108). LSU OG Anthony Bradford
4 (123). Mississippi State DT Cameron Young
5 (151). Michigan EDGE Mike Morris
5 (154). Michigan C Olu Oluwatimi
6 (198). New Mexico S Jerrick Reed II
7 (237). Georgia RB Kenny McIntosh
Overview: The results are in, and GM John Schneider wound up turning Russell Wilson into LT Charles Cross, EDGE Boye Mafe, DE Tyreke Smith, WR Dareke Young, Witherspoon, Hall, and Bradford, plus TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, and QB Drew Lock. I’m declaring Seattle the winner of that trade. The Seahawks’ pass rush remains a work in progress, but Hall should help there sooner rather than later, and they’re going to cover people with Witherspoon opposite Tariq Woolen. Smith-Njigba was a necessary addition with Tyler Lockett entering his age-31 campaign and nonexistent receiver depth behind him and DK Metcalf. Charbonnet is a quality prospect with three-down tools, but taking a running back so early seemed unnecessary with Kenneth Walker and DeeJay Dallas capable of handling most of the load. Bradford is a potential steal at 6-foot-4, 332 with nearly 34-inch arms and experience at both tackle and guard. Bradford tested much better than expected at the Combine. Young is nasty and tough to move but has almost no pass-rush capability, managing just three tackles for loss in 13 games last season.
Grade: B
Tampa Bay Bucs
1 (19). Pittsburgh DT Calijah Kancey
2 (48). North Dakota State OG Cody Mauch
3 (82). Louisville EDGE YaYa Diaby
5 (153). Pittsburgh LB SirVocea Dennis
5 (171). Purdue TE Payne Durham
6 (181). Kansas State CB Josh Hayes
6 (191). Nebraska WR Trey Palmer
6 (196). Eastern Michigan EDGE Jose Ramirez
Overview: Day 1 brought undersized gap shooter Kancey, who perfectly complements space eater Vita Vea. Tampa hopes front-toothless FCS alum Mauch will fill its glaring interior line need, curiously self-created by their trade of Shaq Mason to Houston. Mauch’s size-athleticism-nastiness combo suggests he’ll be a viable replacement. Considered an inside-out tweener by scouts, Diaby destroyed the Combine after piling up 10.5 sacks in his final college year. On paper, he looks like a value pick in Round 3. Of Tampa Bay’s Day 3 selections, I best liked Durham as a possession tight end with tangible red-zone skills. At the end of the day, the Bucs are really going to enter the summer with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask atop their quarterback depth chart. This was a fine draft, but Tampa Bay remains in rough position.
Grade: C+
Washington Commanders
1 (16). Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes
2 (47). Illinois DB Jartavius “Quan” Martin
3 (97). Arkansas C Ricky Stromberg
4 (118). Utah T/G Braeden Daniels
5 (137). Clemson EDGE K.J. Henry
6 (193). Kentucky RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
7 (233). Louisiana LB Andre Jones
Overview: I expected Forbes to sneak into the back end of Round 1 but not to go as early as Ron Rivera’s team took him; at 166 pounds, Forbes is going to have a really hard time when matched on NFL receivers with any kind of size. Martin shined at the Star position in Illinois’ defense, made a ton of plays as a 36-game starter, then tested out of this world at the Combine. He could be a starter at slot corner or free safety. The Commanders (regrettably) sent their original third-round pick to the Colts in the Carson Wentz deal but used their compensatory third on Razorbacks tough guy Stromberg. In Stromberg and Daniels, Washington got two potential interior line starters in the middle rounds of this draft. Rivera’s club was smitten enough with Henry to trade up for him, even after Henry never exceeded four sacks in an individual season as a five-year college player, then tested poorly before the draft. They’re really going to go forward with Jacoby Brissett and Sam Howell at quarterback in Rivera’s probable do-or-die season.
Grade: C-
