2014 NFL Draft First Round Grades
Dallas Cowboys B-
I wish the Cowboys drafted a safety to bolster their anemic secondary, but Zack Martin wasn’t a bad pick at all. I mean, it’s much better than taking Johnny Manziel at 16, which was the least believable smokescreen of the pre-draft season. The Cowboys decision to draft Martin likely left the Dolphins cursing, but the most important takeaway is that the Cowboys now have a very talented line in front of franchise QB Tony Romo. Tyron Smith is a top left tackle, Doug Free was excellent last year on the right side, Frederick was a rookie revelation, and Martin is an All-Pro talent at guard due to his technique and solid work as a run and pass blocker. If Free departs in the 2015 offseason, then Martin should be a solid starting right tackle in Dallas.
Philadelphia Eagles D
This was the most surprising pick of the first round, and it’s not even close. The only thing saving this pick from receiving a lower grade is the chance of the Louisville Cardinals product becoming this year’s Irvin or Frederick story, because I have serious doubts about this selection. The Eagles need some pass rushing help, but why didn’t they draft Attaochu instead of Marcus Smith? Did they really have to reach for someone who will likely be there in round two? I wonder if the New Orleans Saints decision to trade up to 20 screwed over the Eagles, because Brandin Cooks might have been their pick if he were there at 22. The Eagles didn’t have too many options, but this pick was a reach.
New York Giants A
I have no idea why some people are criticizing the Giants for this pick, because it was a phenomenal choice made by Jerry Reese and the front office. Odell Beckham Jr. was receiving plenty of top ten buzz at one point, and I have him ranked as my second-best WR in this class after studying his film. OBJ may be small, but he is actually very good at winning jump balls. He’s also one of the best route-runners in the class, can cut on a dime due to his technique, is a dangerous return man, possesses top-flight agility and short-area quickness, and he has plenty of long speed and athleticism. Beckham Jr. doesn’t have a glaring weakness to his game, and I don’t think this pick should be downplayed just because he has a few similarities to Victor Cruz as a player. The Giants needed a playmaker at wide receiver who can run clean routes, and Eli Manning should bounce back this season with better talent at WR and on the offensive line. This team needed to add an impact player on offense, and OBJ was the perfect choice with Taylor Lewan and Eric Ebron off of the board.
New Orleans Saints B-
Mickey Loomis decided to get aggressive and trade up with the Arizona Cardinals in order to draft an explosive wide receiver at No. 20, and I think this move will pay off for the New Orleans Saints. While it would have been better for the Saints to stay put and draft Marqise Lee at 27, they couldn’t have known that Lee would slip past the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. Anyway, Brandin Cooks has a ridiculous amount of upside in the Saints offense, especially since he’ll be working with Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, and Kenny Stills. The Saints are getting the best open-field playmaker at the WR, and they’ll be able to mask his flaws while also enhancing his strengths.
Carolina Panthers C
This was about an average pick for the Panthers, and they should be praised for not reaching at offensive tackle. While I would have much rather taken Lee, the Panthers were at least able to land a potential impact WR1 in Kelvin Benjamin. An incredibly unpolished receiver, Benjamin has the most bust potential of any wideout in this year’s draft, but his athleticism, explosiveness, and size-speed combination give him some big “boom”. Cam Newton could connect with Benjamin for some monster plays, but the biggest issue will be Benjamin’s consistency. Can he learn to run clean routes and will he cut down on his concentration drops? Overall, I’m a bit surprised the Panthers like him more than Lee, but Lee also has drop problems. However, Lee was better in college than Benjamin and is much more developed route-runner.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers B
Odell Beckham Jr. would have been a significantly better fit on offense for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, because I think they would have benefited more from having a WR who can line up in the slot or on the outside and win more within ten yards of the LOS. Plus, Mike Evans is very similar to the guy he’ll be paired up with on the outside in Vincent Jackson, but the Evans pick is still very much a net “win” for the Buccaneers organization. They didn’t jump into the Manziel pit and instead emerged with arguably the second-best WR in the class. Evans might already be what people want Benjamin to be, because he has a great downfield size/speed combo and is blessed with amazing physicality and hands. Although he can’t get open on shorter routes due to a lack of short-area quickness, he plays like a tight end on crossing routes, will be a massive weapon in the red zone, and not many receivers are as good as he is downfield.
Atlanta Falcons A
The Atlanta Falcons decided to stay put, not give up any picks, not trade up for Mack after the Texans already hung up the phones on trades in order to draft Clowney, and draft Jake Matthews. Although the Falcons could have used a top pass rusher, their needs on the offensive line were even bigger, and Matthews will immediately be a massive upgrade for QB Matt Ryan, who was bruised and battered to no end last season.